The Clear Health Podcast

Tom Rountree DO

An Intersection of Life and Medicine. A deep dive into the 6 elements of a happy and long life: whole food nutrition, enjoyable exercise, restorative sleep, social connection, stress management, and avoiding toxins.

  1. 027 - Brian Imholz | A Journey through Jiu Jitsu

    22h ago

    027 - Brian Imholz | A Journey through Jiu Jitsu

    GraceSEMO: https://graciesemo.com/ On this podcast, I sit down with Brian Imholz a black belt instructor and owner of Gracie Humaitá SEMO. He describes his first enthralling memories of starting jiu-jitsu. While training in Kajukenbo he attended a seminar with JW Wright, and was humbled by him during sparring. This led him to train more seriously and attend a Royler Gracie seminar that changed his view of martial arts. He explains jiu-jitsu as a “gentle/pliable” art enabled by the tap system, contrasting it with striking arts, and emphasizes building a respectful, family-oriented gym culture that prioritizes safety, structure without rigidity, and community. Jiu-jitsu is as real-time problem-solving, mindfulness, and stress relief, with benefits for PTSD and post-college social connection. We discuss self-defense versus sport jiu-jitsu, applications in healthcare and policing for safely controlling people, how Brian manages new students and ego, options like free trial classes and private lessons, gym hygiene and flooring upgrades, and Brian’s progression to a third-degree black belt. 00:00 Jujitsu In The Moment00:26 First Class Reality Check03:38 Royler Seminar Spark04:52 Why Jujitsu Feels Gentle07:36 Family First Academy Culture08:25 Mindfulness And Trauma Relief09:41 Community Across Walks11:56 Finding The Right School13:23 Policing Safety And Ego17:41 Humbling Lessons And Growth18:46 Self Defense And Equality20:18 Training Paths Self Defense Vs Tech20:38 Sport vs Self Defense21:42 ER Restraint Story23:27 Jujitsu for Healthcare Police24:37 Joining the Gym25:48 Safety Confidence Benefits28:27 Gym Culture Facilities30:13 Belt Journey Promotions33:38 Ranks Kids Women35:40 Final Advice Sign Off36:40 Medical Disclaimer #health #jiujitsu #doctor #selfdefense #family #stress

    37 min
  2. 024 - Unlocking the Hidden Benefits of Exercise

    Jan 7

    024 - Unlocking the Hidden Benefits of Exercise

    My Site: www.drtomrountree.com In this conversation, Dr. Tom Rountree discusses the multifaceted, often undisclosed benefits of exercise beyond physical fitness. He emphasizes how exercise can improve emotional regulation, enhance brain function, promote better sleep, regulate appetite, reduce inflammation, increase pain tolerance, and foster social connections. Dr. Rountree highlights the importance of viewing exercise as a holistic intervention that impacts various aspects of health and well-being, ultimately leading to a positive change in identity and self-efficacy. Takeaways The majority of people lack exposure to exercise in childhood.Exercise significantly improves emotional regulation.Regular exercise enhances brain function and learning capabilities.Exercise stabilizes sleep patterns and improves sleep quality.Physical activity recalibrates appetite and hormonal signals.Exercise has anti-inflammatory effects that benefit overall health.Engaging in exercise can increase pain tolerance.Regular workouts can shift one's identity towards a healthier self.Exercise fosters social connections and improves relational dynamics.Exercise serves as a systems-level intervention for overall well-being. Chapters 00:00 The Hidden Benefits of Exercise04:27 Enhanced Brain Function and Learning10:16 Improved Sleep Architecture14:06 Appetite Regulation and Hormonal Balance18:10 Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Exercise21:27 Pain Tolerance and Chronic Pain Management24:22 Identity Transformation Through Exercise27:14 Social and Relational Benefits of Exercise30:30 The Systems-Level Impact of Exercise

    31 min
  3. 023 - From Goals to Intentions: Using Journaling to Define the Year You Want to Live

    12/30/2025

    023 - From Goals to Intentions: Using Journaling to Define the Year You Want to Live

    My Site: www.drtomrountree.com In this conversation, Dr. Tom Rountree discusses the importance of aligning personal goals with one's identity through the use of intentions rather than traditional goal-setting. He emphasizes that many people fail to achieve their goals because they revert to their original identity when faced with challenges. By creating intentions that reflect one's values and identity, individuals can foster a more sustainable approach to personal development. The conversation also highlights the significance of journaling as a tool for self-reflection and maintaining focus on intentions throughout the year. Takeaways Goals are often external and brittle, relying on motivation.Most people revert to their original identity when faced with challenges.Intentions are internal commitments that align with personal values.Writing down intentions increases the likelihood of sticking to them.Journaling helps in stress management and personal habit change.Intentions should be identity-based, simple, and memorable.Creating intentions allows for flexibility in achieving goals.Intentions act as cognitive bridges between wanting to change and enacting change.Regularly reviewing intentions helps maintain focus and alignment.Journaling can reveal patterns and triggers in behavior. Chapters 00:00 The Challenge of Sticking to Goals02:50 Understanding Identity and Goals06:11 The Power of Intentions09:02 Creating Strong Intentions12:01 The Role of Journaling in Intentions17:53 Implementing the Bullet Journal Method24:01 Setting Intentions for the New Year

    22 min
  4. 022 - Dr. Anthony Keele - Treating Perimenopausal and Menopause Symptoms with Hormone Replacement Therapy

    12/15/2025

    022 - Dr. Anthony Keele - Treating Perimenopausal and Menopause Symptoms with Hormone Replacement Therapy

    My Clinic: www.ebomd.com Get in touch with Dr. Anthony Keele In this episode, Dr. Anthony Keele and Dr. Rountree discusses the importance of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women experiencing perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms. Highlighting the historical context of HRT, particularly the Women's Health Initiative study, and its impact on the perception of hormone therapy. Dr. Keele explains the physiological changes women undergo during menopause, the symptoms they may experience, and the benefits of HRT in alleviating these symptoms. He emphasizes the need for personalized treatment plans and the importance of proactive health management. The conversation also addresses common concerns and misconceptions surrounding hormone therapy, encouraging women to seek appropriate care for their hormonal health. Takeaways Hormone replacement therapy can dramatically change your life. Menopause is a process, not a single event. Patients often don't realize how much they were struggling until they receive treatment. It's important to be proactive about hormonal health. The FDA has removed black box warnings for estrogen, making it safer for use. Bioidentical hormones are preferred for therapy due to their compatibility with the body. You need to know how to fix issues that arise during hormone therapy, such as bleeding. There's no perfect treatment; understanding risks and benefits is crucial. Women should seek out providers who specialize in hormone therapy for better outcomes. Optimized living involves addressing hormonal decline to improve overall health. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Hormone Replacement Therapy08:02 The Impact of the Women's Health Initiative10:58 Understanding Menopause and Hormonal Decline17:42 Symptoms of Menopause and Climacteric Syndrome25:47 Treatment Options for Hormone Replacement Therapy30:29 Research and Evolving Perspectives on Hormone Therapy39:18 Optimized Living and Hormonal Health43:23 Understanding Hormonal Health and Its Impact48:25 Addressing Menopausal Symptoms Effectively54:16 The Importance of Tailored Hormone Replacement Therapy01:00:56 Navigating Hormone Replacement Therapy Challenges01:20:29 Encouragement for Women Facing Hormonal Changes

    1h 12m
  5. 021 - Dr Drew Bird | Childrens Food Allergies, Seasonal Allergies, the Neffy Pen, and a new Peanut Patch

    09/30/2025

    021 - Dr Drew Bird | Childrens Food Allergies, Seasonal Allergies, the Neffy Pen, and a new Peanut Patch

    My Website : www.drtomrountree.com In this podcast episode, Dr. Drew Bird and Dr. Tom Rountree discusses the rising prevalence of food allergies, particularly peanut allergies, and the importance of early introduction of allergens in children's diets. He emphasizes the need for proper testing and management of food allergies, including the role of allergists and the latest innovations in treatment such as oral immunotherapy. The conversation also touches on seasonal allergies, their management, and the impact of genetics and environment on allergic diseases. Key Takeaways Food allergies have gained significant attention in recent years. Introducing allergens early can prevent allergies. Minor reactions should not lead to avoidance of foods. Delayed introduction of allergens increases allergy risk. Keeping allergens in the diet promotes tolerance. Broad food allergy panels are not recommended. Most food allergies can resolve over time. Oral immunotherapy is a promising treatment for allergies. Starting allergy medications before the season can help manage symptoms. Consulting an allergist is crucial for effective allergy management. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Food Allergies 02:29 The Importance of Early Introduction of Allergens 05:07 Understanding Allergic Reactions and Testing 07:54 Managing Food Allergies in Schools 10:38 The Role of Genetics and Environment in Allergies 13:18 Innovations in Allergy Treatment 16:03 Navigating Food Allergy Testing 18:30 Desensitization and Immunotherapy 21:37 Seasonal Allergies and Management Strategies 24:08 Final Thoughts on Allergy Management 41:41 Disclaimer

    43 min

About

An Intersection of Life and Medicine. A deep dive into the 6 elements of a happy and long life: whole food nutrition, enjoyable exercise, restorative sleep, social connection, stress management, and avoiding toxins.