Fine Is Not a Feeling VEBA

Join hosts Laura and Carletta to reflect on the past year and hear how they've been able to maintain their own wellness in a year of constant changes.

Podcast Notes:

You've made it to the last episode of our "Fine is Not a Feeling" podcast! In this episode, hosts Laura and Carletta reflect on previous episodes, what they have learned, and how this has helped their own wellness journey. Remember, health and wellness is a journey, not a destination. There are many aspects that come together to help with your journey so below are some ways VEBA can help you get started:


As mentioned in this episode, the VEBA Resource Center offers a Care Navigation program where you can meet with a Care Navigator and create a tailored plan for a healthy body, mind and spirit. Your plan will be customized for you and your personal wellness journey. If you are interested in signing up or learning more check out the VRC Care Navigation page here.
It is important to always be intentional and positive with your health journey. Change your mindset and don't let criticism be the driver of your journey. Check out this blog by the VRC on ways you can maintain motivation and positive self-talk throughout your health and wellness journey.
The VRC has tons more to offer to help support you in every aspect of life. One way you can stay updated on new offerings, blogs, classes, etc. from the VRC is by signing up for our email newsletter. View past VRC newsletters, sign up and learn more here.

Find more information about us at VEBAResourceCenter.com

Hosts Laura and Carletta are joined by special guest Bobby to discuss real world practical tips and techniques for how to navigate life's constant changes without losing it!

Podcast Notes:

In this episode, our guest Robert (Bobby) Cappuccio, VEBA's Director of Coaching, Cultural Development and Behavior Change, joins us to discuss the importance of being connected to your mindset and emotions in order to navigate through life. Mindset is the philosophy of how we move, eat, think, and feel which then creates mental models for us to use to navigate our behaviors. Learn more ways to help you become more connected with your mindset and emotions below:


What do you value in life? One of the first steps in successfully beginning your health journey is developing your value statement. To develop your value statement, determine what has played a value in the outcome of some of your favorite moments. Bobby talks more about ways you can find clarity on what you value in his video "Reflecting on Values" which can be found on the VRC's YouTube channel here.
All behavior changes are facilitated by emotions, so without being connected to our emotions, we are not good decision-makers. Bobby mentions Joseph Ledoux, a Neuroscientist from New York, who wrote "The Emotional Brain", a book about the structure and function of the brain. When you look at the structure of the brain, our emotions have a profound influence over the decisions we make. If you are interested in learning more about the connection between our emotions and our decision-making, check out Ledoux's book here.
Bobby mentions the Self-Determination Theory, which explains how results that have any type of long-term adherence has to be driven by intrinsic motivation. There are 3 parts of intrinsic motivation called ARC: Autonomy, Relatedness, and Competence. The best results begin with small and intentional practices. If you are having trouble with getting started, check out this blog by the VRC, "Adjust to Attain", to learn new ways to attain your goals.

Find more information about us at VEBAResourceCenter.com

Hosts Laura and Carletta are joined by special guest Angie Neison, M.D. to have a conversation about the facts & falsehoods of nutrition.

Podcast Notes:

In this episode, our guest Angie Neison, M.D., VEBA's Co-Medical Director, joins us to discuss Culinary Medicine and why it is important when learning about the facts and fictions of nutrition. Culinary Medicine is the science of the human body put together with the art of food and cooking to create a field that optimizes your health. Get more familiar with how Culinary Medicine benefits your overall health with additional resources from the VRC below:


Food is medicine and Dr. Neison emphasizes how important adding more plants to your diet is to help create a great foundation for your nutrition. Living a healthier lifestyle may be overwhelming at first but Dr. Neison gives us 10 additional tips in her Healthy Living blogs. Read Part 1 and Part 2 on the VRC website to learn more.
Dr. Neison defines what a "Fad Diet" is and how to spot one. Our hosts, Carletta and Laura, had specific questions about Intermittent Fasting and if this is considered a fad diet. Dr. Neison goes into detail about what Intermittent Fasting is and how to do it in a healthy way, but you can learn more by watching this video on the VRC's YouTube about Intermittent Fasting.
As mentioned in this episode, Dr. Neison and VEBA's Registered Dietitian, Anjali Patel, dive into the science and the best studies to teach us more about Culinary Medicine in the VRC's Culinary Medicine classes. The VRC offers multiple culinary classes a week, including one of Dr. Neison's favorites "Quick and Easy Delicious 5-Ingredient Recipes." If you are interested in attending one of these free classes to learn more about Culinary Medicine, register here!

Follow Dr. Neison on Instagram: @flavors4wellnessmd

Find more information about us at VEBAResourceCenter.com

Hosts Laura and Carletta are joined by special guest Dr. Michael Carey to discuss how to keep your body active and well while you're working! Mike shares tips and tricks for stretching, posture, and keeping yourself from the dreaded Zoom fatigue!

Podcast Notes:

In this episode, our guest Dr. Michael Carey, chiropractor and executive director of What the Strong do to RISE, explains how working from home has affected our posture. Dr. Carey believes there are two pandemics here, COVID-19 and the "Flat Butt Syndrome" caused by the lack of movement in the last few years. Learn how to escape from Flat Butt Syndrome with some helpful tips below:


Dr. Carey talks about Upper Cross Syndrome (UCS), also known as "Text-Neck". UCS is caused by poor posture (such as looking down at your phone and texting). Over time, your disks start to compress and that can lead to neck and back pain. It is important to reset your posture throughout the day, but if you have been experiencing pain, the VRC offers a Low Back Care and Pain Prevention class, every Tuesday and Thursday, to help you improve your posture in order to stay pain-free.
One of Dr. Carey's favorite tools to use for stretching is a 36-inch Foam Roller. Check it out on Amazon here. Check out Dr. Carey's Foam Rolling videos on the VRC YouTube page to learn Basic Foam Rolling for the Lower Body and Basic Foam Rolling for the Upper Back.
Experiencing pain but don't have a Foam Roller handy? Dr. Carey also mentions two of his favorite stretches to do without a Foam Roller: Bruegger's Stretch and Figure 4 Stretch. Learn how you can even do these stretches at your desk by checking out the videos on the VRC YouTube page!

Find more information about us at VEBAResourceCenter.com

Hosts Laura and Carletta are joined by special guest Cynthia Freedman to have a conversation about how to navigate those difficult to have conversations with family and friends when it comes to health.

Podcast Notes:

In this episode, our guest Cynthia Freedman, executive director of operations for What the Strong do to RISE, helps us learn how to talk to our friends and family about their health. Especially this past year, it has become difficult to address health-related situations with your loved ones. Cynthia shares her experience about how she overcame these obstacles, and here are some of her tips:


Remember, your attitude plays a huge part in your healing. A negative attitude is not going to help you, so always try to keep a positive mindset. Watch Carletta's recent webinar called "Give Me a Break: It’s All About M.E. (Mindset and Emotions)" where she provided more tips and techniques to create a positive mindset.
When talking amongst others about another person’s health, it is important to keep in mind what they would want you to share. Cynthia shared with us the example of keeping her mother’s trust when she couldn’t share her health condition to her brothers. It may be difficult, but be present and accepting of what the person wants and needs you to share. Learning how to deal with change is important, especially if it’s a change in a loved one’s health. Watch the VRC’s video "How to Deal with Change" for some helpful advice from Carletta.
If someone is coming to you with concerns about their health and you are unsure on how to respond, create the appropriate boundaries. Cynthia shares key questions to ask beforehand: Are they looking to vent? Are they looking for advice? Are they looking for opinions? Asking these questions will help you approach the conversation appropriately for your loved one. If you are in need of a way to destress from any of the conversations you are having, read one of our favorite blogs from the VRC, "Ways to Destress at the End of the Day".

Find more information about us at VEBAResourceCenter.com

Hosts Laura and Carletta are joined by special guest Dr. Michael Carey to discuss how to build better smaller habits to assist with the bigger challenges in life.

Podcast Notes:

In this episode, our guest Dr. Michael Carey, chiropractor and executive director of What the Strong do to RISE, helps us understand why building smaller habits can lead us to healthier living. Remember to start off slow and create habits that bring value to your life, but most importantly, don’t get upset if you hit an obstacle. Here are some tools to help you incorporate feasible habits into your everyday life:


Dr. Carey mentions how John Assaraf has taught him how habits are formed through the 100-day challenge. A University of London study shows in order to build a habit, you must do it 100 consecutive days, up to 365 consecutive days. Pick a new, small habit and begin at Day 1. Do this habit for the next 100 days in a row in order to form the habit. If you miss a day, start again at Day 1. Learn more about John Assaraf and his 100-day challenge here.
After age 50, we begin to lose 2% of our muscle fibers each year. Even 5 minutes a day to focus on small exercises is better than none. Learn more about this and read one of Dr. Carey’s favorite articles "5 Simple Exercises to Prevent Age-Related Muscle Loss" written by Thomas Michaud.
Dr. Carey also mentions how the VEBA Resource Center offers beginner strength and stretching classes. Sign up for one of our Full Body Stretch classes or one of our Beginner Strength Training with Weights classes.

Find more information about us at VEBAResourceCenter.com