The MOVEMENT Movement
From San Diego to Florida, this cross-country trek raises Alzheimer’s awareness while spotlighting the power of natural movement, smart footwear, and a strong community. In this episode of the The MOVEMENT Movement, Steven Sashen interviews Judy Benjamin, who embarked on a remarkable journey from San Diego to Florida to raise awareness for Alzheimer's disease. Judy's powerful story highlights the importance of early detection, proper walking techniques, and footwear from Xero Shoes in managing her own early Alzheimer's diagnosis. Through personal anecdotes, she emphasizes lifestyle...
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Uncover the secrets of optimal fitness, longevity, and peak performance as we dive into the fascinating world of fascia and movement. In this episode of The Movement Movement, Steven Sashen speaks with Dr. Edythe Heus, Founder and Creator of Rev6 and a movement expert, who explores the importance of incorporating risk and novelty into fitness routines for optimal performance and enjoyment. From martial arts anecdotes to promoting natural movement patterns, this episode inspires listeners to embrace challenges and live life feet first. Key Takeaways: → How fascia plays a...
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Think your shoes are helping your feet? You might be shocked by what the science actually says. In this episode of The MOVEMENT Movement, Steven Sashen interviews Dr. Jenn Perez, Co-Founder and COO of Gait Happens, who joins the show to debunk foot myths and explain how modern footwear influences your movement. Drawing on emerging research and years of clinical teaching worldwide, Dr. Perez explains pronation, toe spring, the windlass mechanism, and why “foot strength” is finally measurable in minimalist footwear studies. She and host Steven Sashen discuss how to build resilient,...
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Unlock the secrets to optimal health and movement with expert insights on natural practices and regenerative techniques. In this episode of The MOVEMENT Movement, Steven Sashen speaks with Dr. Grove Higgins, Owner and Chiropractor at Neuroathlete Clinic, who delves into the profound connection between natural movement and overall well-being. They explore the importance of learning from indigenous tribes' functional health practices, the impact of sensory awareness on movement quality, and the revolutionary regenerative techniques transforming orthopedics. Through insightful discussions...
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Boost your CO2 tolerance and improve your breathing by practicing nose breathing techniques. In this episode of The Movement Movement, Steven Sashen talks with Dr. John Douillard, DC, CAP, founder of LifeSpa and a respected figure in Ayurvedic medicine, who discusses how he’s been combining ancient wisdom with modern science for over forty years. His groundbreaking work, particularly in his book Body, Mind, and Sport, examines the benefits of nose breathing versus mouth breathing during physical activity. Dr. Douillard's research indicates that nose breathing enhances nitric oxide...
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Discover how an aerospace engineer turned ultra runner is helping athletes unlock their full potential by optimizing running techniques for peak performance and injury prevention. In this episode of The MOVEMENT Movement, Steven Sashen speaks with Samuel Stow, an accomplished ultra runner with over two decades of endurance racing experience, who has carved a niche for himself in the optimization of running techniques. With a unique blend of aerospace engineering and biomechanics expertise, Samuel has effectively enhanced his own performance and that of his clients by integrating Chi...
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Unleash your inner speed demon as we dive into the adrenaline-fueled world of high-performance racing simulations. In this episode of The MOVEMENT Movement, Steven Sashen speaks with Brian McRae, a professional sim racer who approaches the virtual racing world with the same dedication and seriousness as traditional motorsports, viewing it as a legitimate discipline within the racing community. He asserts that modern racing simulators offer a level of fidelity and realism akin to flight simulators, making them highly effective training tools for aspiring racers. By advocating for sim...
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Compensations in the body can lead to foot pain. Addressing the root causes of foot pain and adopting a comprehensive approach are crucial for long-term relief. Ditch the temporary fixes! In this episode of The MOVEMENT Movement, Steven Sashen speaks with Angela Walk, DC, The Plantar Fasciitis Doc. She has developed a six-step program to effectively address plantar fasciitis at home, challenging misconceptions about the condition. Her approach emphasizes transitioning to functional footwear with wide toe boxes and zero drop to promote natural foot function and reduce reliance on...
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At 44, Ariana Hakman is rekindling her passion for sprinting while exploring new horizons in Master's Track and Field, symbolizing her belief in the power of continual goal-setting and embracing new challenges. In this episode of The MOVEMENT Movement, Steven Sashen speaks with Ariana Hakman, Founder and COO of LunaFit. In this episode, Ariana champions a holistic approach to fitness that evolves with age and personal growth. With a competitive track and field background, she uniquely understands the necessity of setting adaptive fitness goals, especially for those transitioning from...
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Sudo Actual is an avid cross-country and run-and-gun (biathlon) competitor passionate about outdoor adventure. A dedicated hiker, camper, and fan of Type 2 fun, Sudo thrives in environments that challenge endurance and resilience. Whether he is navigating rugged trails or competing in high-intensity shooting sports, he prefers the freedom of the wilderness to time spent behind a keyboard and monitor. Listen to this episode of The MOVEMENT Movement with Sudo Actual about mastering trail running for centerfire competitions. Here are some of the beneficial topics covered on this week’s...
info_outline Mike Fitch is an innovative fitness educator and movement coach with 20 years of experience in the fitness industry. He is the Founder/Creator of Animal Flow, a unique ground-based movement program that has certified more than 10,000 fitness professionals in 42 countries. Mike has also developed multiple other skills-based bodyweight training programs including the Bodyweight Athlete and is a highly sought-after presenter and content contributor.
Mike spent years exploring and coaching a range of techniques including Kettlebells, Olympic Lifts, Corrective Exercise, and pre/post rehabilitation. However, it wasn’t until he turned 30 years told that he decided to put down the weights and explore only bodyweight disciplines. He describes his change in training as a major turning point in his personal and professional development: “I had reached a point where I decided that I was way too young to feel so beat up all the time. There was something that I had been missing.”
Beginning with basic gymnastics, Mike found himself both incredibly challenged and inspired. Gymnastics soon lead to parkour, which lead to breakdancing and then hand balancing. A common thread that ran throughout these disciplines is the use of animal movements (locomotion) along with the emphasis of “flow.”
Mike is always the first to admit that he didn’t create animal movements. He sees his contribution to the discipline as having created a systematized program that makes the movements easy to learn and easy to coach for people of all ages and skill levels. Building upon his previous understanding of body mechanics, anatomy, and common postural issues, he developed specific ways to integrate animal patterns and other bodyweight-focused movements to elicit specific responses and results. His goal was to use these animal movements to improve the function and communication of the Human Animal.
When it came to incorporating the Flow component, Mike found the feeling of free and potentially endless movement to be incredibly empowering. He knew that others would feel the same immediate connection he did. In putting it all together, he created the Animal Flow program and its global community of inspired movers.
Today Mike remains dedicated to the various bodyweight-based disciplines, but still draws upon his accumulated knowledge to develop new training programs. You’ll see him integrating kettlebells, VIPRs and other heavy weights into his multi-disciplinary training regimes.
Listen to this episode of The MOVEMENT Movement with Mike Fitch about how Animal Flow can lead to improved movement.
Here are some of the beneficial topics covered on this week’s show:
- How Animal Flow helps people reconnect with their bodies and addresses deficits in physical attributes.
- Why you should push yourself out of your comfort zone to stimulate growth and train the body to adapt to new challenges.
- How focusing on discomfort in the learning process creates new neural pathways and improves performance over time.
- How engaging in Animal Flow movements results in significant improvements in cognitive markers and joint repositioning sense.
- How incorporating variety and variability in traditional movement patterns enhances overall motional.
Connect with Mike:
Guest Contact Info
Instagram
@animalflowoffical
Facebook
facebook.com/AnimalFlow1
Links Mentioned:
animalflow.com
Connect with Steven:
Website
Twitter
@XeroShoes
Instagram
@xeroshoes
Facebook
facebook.com/xeroshoes