Tag Archives: Health Management

Episode 49: Transforming Health & Community with Pickleball Part 2



Ready to take your pickleball game to the next level? Join host Bryan Bibbo as he continues our conversation with Verna Griffin, the “Pickleball Queen of Neptune Beach.”  In part two, we dive deep into the strategy and technique that separates recreational players from competitive ones. 

With over 15 years of experience playing and teaching sport, Verna has a lot to share. She also reveals her inspiring journey from retirement uncertainty to finding renewed purpose as a certified instructor, proving that it’s never too late to discover a passion that transforms your physical and mental well-being. 

Key Topics: 

  • Game Strategy: Learn how modern pickleball strategy has evolved and what separates recreational from competitive play. 
  • Essential Techniques: Discover the key shots every player should master and common mistakes to avoid. 
  • Mental Benefits: Understand how pickleball keeps your mind sharp and improves cognitive function at any age. 
  • Getting Started: Practical advice for beginners and insights into the future of this rapidly growing sport. 

Episode 48: Transforming Health & Community with Pickleball Part 1



What happens when a simple introduction to a “silly game with a plastic ball” transforms into a lifelong passion that builds community and transforms health? In this energetic conversation, host Bryan Bibbo sits down with Verna Griffin, a Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR) certified instructor, affectionately known as the “Pickleball Queen of Neptune Beach,” who has been teaching and promoting pickleball since 2009—long before most of us knew it existed. 

Verna shares her remarkable journey from that first hour of play that got her “hooked” to building a local community that grew from four players to 45 people within just one month. Through candid stories about chalk-lining courts every Saturday morning, teaching players from age 5 to 92, and witnessing the sport explode in popularity nationwide, Verna reveals how pickleball offers something no other sport does: a perfect combination of physical fitness, mental engagement, and genuine social connection that welcomes “all walks of life.” 

Key Topics: 

  • The Social Revolution: Discover why pickleball’s unique protocol of introducing yourself at the net creates lasting friendships and supportive communities unlike any other sport. 
  • Health Benefits at Any Age: Learn how this low-impact sport provides excellent cardiovascular exercise, muscle engagement, and mobility improvement for players from children to seniors in their 90s. 
  • From Tennis to Pickleball: Understand the key differences and why former tennis players need to “stop playing tennis on the pickleball court” to truly excel at this growing sport. 
  • Practical Playing Tips: Get professional advice on paddle grip techniques, the differences between indoor and outdoor balls, and strategic moves like “playing dodgeball” to improve your game. 

Episode 46: How Busy CEOs Stay Healthy with Len Komoroski



What happens when two competitive CEOs turn health and wellness into a friendly rivalry? In this episode, host Jason L Smith sits down with former Cleveland Cavaliers CEO, now Lake Erie Crushers co-owner, Len Komoroski, to explore how high-performing executives can optimize their health while managing demanding careers. 

Len shares his journey from traditional sports executive to holistic health advocate, revealing how a simple competition through the Whole Life Challenge — comprehensive six-week wellness program that tracks daily habits across nutrition, exercise, sleep, and mindfulness— sparked a deeper commitment to wellness. Through candid discussions about intermittent fasting, advanced health monitoring, and the critical difference between health span and lifespan, Len demonstrates that true leadership extends beyond the boardroom to personal optimization and community impact. 

Key Topics Discussed: 

  • Progress Not Perfection Philosophy: Discover how to build sustainable health habits without the all-or-nothing mentality that leads to burnout and failure. 
  • Advanced Health Monitoring: Learn about comprehensive health services, VO2 max optimization, and preventive testing that can catch issues before they become problems. 
  • Executive Wellness Strategies: Explore practical approaches to intermittent fasting, pescatarian nutrition, and strength training that fit into demanding schedules. 
  • Health Span vs Lifespan: Understand why staying active and healthy longer matters more than simply living longer, and how to optimize both. 

Episode 42: Physical Returns on Your Wellness Investment



Are you treating your body like a neglected asset instead of your most valuable investment? In this enlightening conversation, host Jason L Smith reconnects with his personal functional medicine coach, Dr. Kasia Hrecka, PhD, to explore how strategic health investments yield powerful dividends in energy, longevity, and quality of life. 

For over seven years, Kasia has guided Jason through transformative health improvements – from resolving chronic sinusitis to optimizing post-heart surgery recovery – using evidence-based functional medicine approaches that prioritize prevention over costly medical interventions. Their conversation reveals the many parallels between wealth management and health optimization, demonstrating how proactive health investments deliver measurable returns just like a well-managed financial portfolio. 

Key Topics: 

  • Beyond Symptom Management: Discover how functional medicine identifies root causes rather than simply treating symptoms with medications or surgeries. 
  • Preventive Health Investments: Learn why investing in proactive wellness strategies can offer both health and financial returns by potentially avoiding costly medical interventions. 
  • Client-Centered Approach: See how personalized health coaching mirrors wealth management by coordinating specialists, providing accountability, and creating customized solutions. 
  • Mind-Body Connection: Explore practical techniques for managing health-related stress and building resilience through simple breathing practices. 
  • Patient Empowerment: Gain confidence in medical conversations by learning to ask better questions and become an equal partner in your healthcare decisions. 
  • Lifestyle Medicine: Understand how dietary changes, supplementation, and sleep quality create the foundation for optimal health and longevity. 

Episode 40: Preserving Your Heart Health to Maximize Your Wealth Part 2



In this continuation of our conversation led by Jason L Smith featuring Dr. Mona Shah, we dive deeper into practical heart health strategies that can transform your physical wellbeing and protect your financial future. Listen as Dr. Shah, Northeast Florida’s only triple board-certified holistic cardiologist, provides specific guidance on creating sustainable lifestyle practices that support cardiovascular health. 

Building on the foundation established in Part 1, Dr. Shah shares detailed recommendations for exercise frequency, nutrition choices, and stress management techniques that you can implement immediately. Her approach balances evidence-based cardiology with holistic practices, offering a comprehensive roadmap for heart health that complements your long-term financial wellness strategy. 

Key Topics: 

  • Exercise Blueprint: Discover an optimal weekly balance of resistance training, cardio, and flexibility work with practical guidelines for proper intensity and form. 
  • Nutrition Controversies: Navigate debates around red meat, fish, and fats with Dr. Shah’s personalized approach to heart-healthy eating based on Mediterranean principles. 
  • Sleep Fundamentals: Understand how quality sleep affects your heart health, stress hormones, and hunger regulation for better overall wellness. 
  • Morning Stress Protocol: Learn Dr. Shah’s personal 3-step morning routine that balances your nervous system and helps counteract the physiological effects of stress. 
  • Advanced Testing Options: Explore modern cardiovascular screenings that can detect potential issues early and help create personalized prevention strategies. 

Episode 38: Preserving Your Heart Health to Maximize Your Wealth Part 1



Poor health can undermine even the most carefully crafted financial plan, so maintaining heart health is an important part of holistic wealth management. In this insightful episode, Jason L Smith welcomes Dr. Mona Shah, Northeast Florida’s only triple board-certified holistic cardiologist and founder of One Heart Cardiology, a concierge practice dedicated to personalized preventive cardiology with a holistic approach. 

Dr. Shah brings her 20 years of cardiology experience to discuss how a holistic approach to heart health can significantly impact your long-term wellbeing and in turn your financial security. Drawing from both traditional medicine and holistic methodologies, she shares practical strategies for reducing heart disease risk factors to help ensure you’ll be healthy and ‘wealthy’ enough to enjoy the retirement you’ve worked so hard to build. 

Key Topics: 

  • Gender-Specific Heart Health: Understand how heart disease differs between women and men and recognize the unique warning signs for each.  
  • Preventative Testing and Monitoring: Learn which key health measurements to track and how modern testing can detect heart issues before symptoms develop.  
  • Exercise for Heart Health: Discover the ideal balance of strength, cardio, and flexibility training to maintain heart health and muscle mass as you age.  
  • Nutrition Strategies: Explore heart-healthy eating patterns that support cardiovascular wellness without sacrificing enjoyment of food.  
  • Stress Management for Your Heart: Learn practical techniques to reduce stress and its impact on your heart health and overall wellbeing.
PlayPlay

Episode 32: What is Functional Medicine? Holistic Healing Explained



Do you want to learn how an approach to health not solely reliant on pharmaceuticals can improve your longevity and quality of life? In this episode, Jason sits down with Dr. Robert Saper, holder of the Nancy J. and Michael F. Roizen Chair of Wellness and the Chair of Preventive Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Saper, a specialist in integrative medicine, shares his vast knowledge on the intersection of functional medicine, wellness, and preventive care. With over 80 peer-reviewed papers and more than 200 lectures globally, Dr. Saper explains how functional medicine addresses chronic conditions by focusing on the root causes rather than just symptoms.  

 

Key Topics Discussed: 

  • Defining Wellness and Functional Medicine: Understand the role of wellness in all aspects of life and how functional medicine addresses systematic imbalances to resolve chronic health issues 
  • The Role of Lifestyle Changes in Health: Learn how making intentional lifestyle adjustments can significantly improve chronic conditions and overall health 
  • The Power of Purpose and Meaning: Find your “why” to enhance health outcomes and longevity 
  • Integration of Medicine: How the Cleveland Clinic combines functional and wellness medicine with traditional Western practices to provide a holistic approach 
  • Evidence-Based Research: Learn through Dr. Saper’s research the importance of yoga to a growing body 

Episode 30: Meditation, Breathwork & Living Life Fully: Insights & Advice from Aneta Kuzma



Join host Jason L Smith and special guest, Aneta Kuzma, a meditation and wellness coach, and CEO and Founder of Ardelian Kuzma Group, LLC.

With her transformative approach to mindfulness and breathwork, Kuzma shares how creating moments of stillness can protect your wealth by improving decision-making, reducing stress, and enhancing your overall wellbeing.

Key Topics Discussed:

  • Morning Routine Success: Learn how to build a sustainable meditation practice using the Atomic Habits framework, starting with just 3 minutes a day and simple steps like “feet on the floor.”
  • Breathwork Benefits: Discover how specific breathing techniques can release stored trauma, reduce stress, and create profound transformative experiences comparable to therapeutic breakthroughs.
  • Meditation Myths: Understand why you don’t need to “quiet your mind” to meditate successfully, and how even busy professionals can incorporate mindfulness into their daily lives.
  • Gratitude Practice: Find out how starting each day with gratitude, including sending one meaningful text to someone you appreciate, can transform your mindset and relationships.
  • Community Support: Learn about free virtual meditation sessions available every weekday at 7am and Saturdays at 9am, perfect for establishing a consistent practice with guidance.

Episode 28: How to Develop Total Health – Strategies for Thriving in Midlife



Join host Bryan Bibbo and special guest Elizabeth Sherman, owner and master certified life and health coach at Total Health by Elizabeth, as they explore the crucial importance of holistic health and wellness for middle-aged men and women.  

Together, Bibbo and Sherman discuss how tailored health strategies can dramatically improve quality of life, mental well-being, and physical capabilities for adults navigating the challenges of midlife. 

Key Topics Discussed: 

  • Midlife Health Challenges: Elizabeth explains the unique health challenges faced by individuals in midlife and why addressing them is crucial for maintaining vitality and well-being. 
  • Time Management: A breakdown of how effective time management can impact overall health and wellness, especially for busy midlife adults. 
  • Eight Basic Health Habits: Discussion on the fundamental habits that form the core of Elizabeth’s coaching approach, including hydration, nutrition, and stress management. 
  • Relationship with Food: Various ways midlife adults can improve their relationship with food and make more mindful eating choices. 
  • Overcoming Obstacles: Strategies for motivating midlife individuals who may be reluctant to make lifestyle changes. 

Listen as Sherman shares insights on how small, consistent changes can lead to significant improvements in health and offers practical advice for getting started at any age. 


Episode 27: Aging Well: Transforming Senior Health with Balance, Motion, And Mindset



Join host Bryan Bibbo and special guest Artie Gardella, author and owner and personal fitness trainer at Synergy Senior Fitness, as they explore the vital importance of exercise and wellness for seniors.  

Together, Bibbo and Gardella discuss how tailored fitness programs can dramatically improve quality of life, mental health, and physical capabilities for older adults. 

Key Topics Discussed: 

  • Exercise for Seniors: Artie explains how senior-centric exercises differ from traditional workouts and why they’re crucial for maintaining independence and vitality. 
  • The Science of Happiness: A breakdown of how exercise stimulates the body’s “happy chemicals” and combats depression in seniors. 
  • Balance and Motion: Discussion on the importance of balance exercises and how they can prevent potentially life-threatening falls. 
  • Functional Fitness: Various ways seniors can incorporate exercise into daily activities to maintain strength and mobility. 
  • Overcoming Obstacles: Strategies for motivating seniors who may be reluctant to start exercising. 

Listen as Gardella shares inspiring stories of seniors whose lives have been transformed through fitness and offers practical advice for getting started at any age.