Simple Healthy Life

Ryan Gebo RD, Co-Owner of Nurtured Nutrition and Michael James Owner of R labs
  • 5.0 (1)
  • HEALTH & FITNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Simple Healthy Life is a health and wellness podcast where hosts Registered Dietitian Ryan and Mindfulness Expert MJ share real, insightful conversations on nutrition, mindfulness, intuitive eating, fitness, and mental health. Each episode explores how to build sustainable healthy habits, reduce stress, Build Confidence, improve focus, and create balance with food and lifestyle. From myth-busting diet culture to evidence-based strategies for weight management, mindful eating, and lasting well-being, this podcast helps you live healthier with clarity and intention.

  1. 5D AGO

    The Death of Thinking: How Instant Answers Are Rewiring You

    We live in a world where answers are instant. You can ask anything and get a response in seconds. But here’s the problem - having the answer is not the same as understanding it. In this episode of Simple Healthy Life, we break down why shortcuts, AI tools, quick tips, and “just tell me what to do” thinking are actually making people less capable, less confident, and less fulfilled. We explore: The difference between answers and real knowledgeWhy quick solutions don’t stick and lead to constant frustrationHow modern tools are stripping meaning from learningThe importance of struggle, context, and depth in personal growthWhy you feel better when you work for understandingHow ego and convenience keep you stuck at the surfaceThis conversation challenges the idea that faster is better. Whether it’s nutrition, learning, skill-building, or life decisions, the real value comes from the process - not the shortcut. If you’ve ever felt like you “know what to do” but still can’t execute, this episode will explain exactly why. Topics include: personal growth, learning psychology, attention span, AI and knowledge, deep work, discipline, ego, skill acquisition, mindset, modern distractions, and meaningful learning. If you want to stop chasing answers and start building real understanding, this episode is for you.

    54 min

  2. MAR 23

    What It Takes to Last 14 Years in the NFL: Leadership, Discipline, and Perseverance With Patriots Hall Of Famer Steve Nelson

    In this powerful episode, we sit down with NFL legend and New England Patriots Hall of Famer Steve Nelson, who shares his incredible journey from small-town athlete to elite professional football player. From overcoming serious injuries to becoming a team captain for over a decade, Steve reveals the mindset, discipline, and leadership principles that fueled his success on and off the field. This conversation goes far beyond football. We dive into: The mental toughness required to succeed at the highest levelLessons on resilience, leadership, and teamworkThe truth about injury, recovery, and longevity in sportsHow to build a healthy lifestyle rooted in consistency and purposeThe importance of being a great teammate in life, fitness, and relationshipsWhether you're an athlete, fitness enthusiast, or someone striving for a better, healthier life, this episode delivers actionable insights you can apply immediately. 🎧 Tune in to learn how to: Develop a champion mindsetStay consistent with your health and fitness goalsBuild meaningful relationships through accountability and teamworkNavigate setbacks and come back stronger

    47 min

  3. MAR 2

    You Don’t Have a Discipline Problem. You Have a Self-Respect Problem.

    Why do inner work? Why does every path toward growth, confidence, emotional intelligence, and self-respect seem to lead back to “look within”? In this episode of Simple Healthy Life, we unpack what inner work actually means and why most people avoid it. We talk about self-awareness, accountability, self-respect, emotional avoidance, fear of failure, and the uncomfortable truth that you might be the common denominator in the patterns you keep experiencing. We explore: Why self-criticism quietly erodes self-respect How avoidance through busyness, social media, alcohol, or distraction keeps you stuck The connection between self-trust and how others treat you Why you cannot escape a prison you don’t know you’re in How to start inner work without waiting for a “rock bottom” moment Inner work is not about rainbows, enlightenment, or instant peace. It often feels like walking down a dark alley you’ve avoided for years. But it is also the only path toward genuine alignment, deeper relationships, emotional maturity, and real self-worth. If you’ve ever felt like the same problems follow you across work, relationships, health, and goals, this conversation will challenge you to ask the harder question: is it really everyone else? Topics include: self-awareness, shadow work, fear of failure, emotional intelligence, self-respect, accountability, avoidance behavior, personal growth, mindset, mental health, reflection, journaling, authenticity, identity development. If you are ready to stop distracting yourself and start understanding yourself, this episode is for you.

    44 min

  4. FEB 23

    The Absurd Life: Why You Feel Stuck and How to Reclaim Purpos

    What is the meaning of life if the universe refuses to answer? In this episode of Simple Healthy Life, we explore The Myth of Sisyphus, Albert Camus’ philosophy of the absurd, and the tension between our desire for purpose and the silence of the universe. Why do we wake up asking “Is this it?” even after reaching major milestones? Why does achievement never fully satisfy? We break down Camus’ interpretation of Sisyphus, the man condemned to push a boulder up a mountain for eternity, and uncover the deeper psychological truth behind the myth. We also connect Camus’ ideas to Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning, modern neuroscience on dopamine and motivation, and the concept of ownership in daily life. In this conversation, we explore: The absurd and why life feels repetitive Why meaning is found in the act, not the outcome The difference between hope and freedom Revolt, passion, and radical ownership How to dissolve existential anxiety without escaping into illusion If you have ever felt stuck, burned out, or questioning whether your daily effort matters, this episode offers a powerful reframing. The purpose of life may not be something you discover. It may be something you practice. Engage deeply. Push your rock. Choose your mountain.

    39 min

  5. FEB 2

    Addiction, Identity, and the Long Road Back to Yourself

    In this episode of Simple Healthy Life, we sit down with Gary Watson, a longtime friend with a story that spans addiction, recovery, reinvention, and an unexpected new chapter: opening a collectibles and trading card shop built around community. Gary shares how he went from early substance use and heroin addiction to nearly 20 years of sobriety, and the pivotal moment when he chose a different path. We talk about what it means to feel again after years of numbing, why many people cope before emotions even show up (scrolling, drinking, overeating, avoidance), and how real growth often comes from learning to sit with discomfort rather than running from it. From there, the conversation turns to passion and purpose. Gary explains the vision behind his shop, On The Level Collectors: a welcoming space for Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, One Piece, and more, where people can play, trade, hang out, and reconnect face-to-face. We explore why hobbies can be more than entertainment, they can be a lifeline, a social anchor, and a healthier outlet for stress. If you are rebuilding your life, searching for direction, or trying to move from “avoiding” to actually engaging with life, this episode delivers real talk, hard-earned perspective, and a surprising amount of hope.

    42 min

  6. JAN 26

    The Coach Who Never Let Me Quit: Leadership, Grit, and Growing Better People With Ross Ickes

    In this episode of the Simple Healthy Life podcast, we sit down with MJ's longtime coach, mentor, and friend, Ross Ickes, who was recently inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. But this conversation is not about trophies, records, or accolades. It is about what happens to people when they are pushed, supported, challenged, and believed in over time. We talk about wrestling as one of the most demanding sports there is and why its difficulty is precisely what makes it such a powerful teacher. From discipline and accountability to humility, effort, and resilience, wrestling offers lessons that extend far beyond the mat. We explore how great coaching is not about yelling, control, or ego, but about creating an environment where people feel safe enough to struggle and strong enough to grow. This episode also dives into mentorship, identity, and long-term impact. We discuss why some coaches are remembered decades later, how leadership shows up in small moments like rides to practice or help with homework, and why success should be measured by the quality of people you help shape, not just the number of matches you win. Whether you are an athlete, parent, coach, or someone interested in personal development, this conversation is a reminder that the hardest paths often create the strongest foundations and that real influence compounds quietly over time.

    50 min

  7. JAN 19

    You’re Not Your Thoughts: The Identity Trap, Loving Awareness, and How to Stop Being Reactive

    What if the biggest thing shaping your personality is not who you are, but what you identify with? In this episode, we break down personal reality through a simple but powerful lens: thoughts, feelings, and actions. Any one of these can become the “driver” of your day, and the outcome is often the same - other people only see your behavior, then react to you, and suddenly your internal state becomes a social chain reaction. We explore why thoughts can feel intensely personal even when they are automatic, why feelings hijack decision-making, and why actions may reveal far more about your character than your internal monologue ever could. Along the way, we unpack identity in an identity-forward culture, including the subtle problem of “identifying as the tool” - when your role (business owner, athlete, parent, dietitian) becomes your self-worth and makes you fragile. We also discuss Ram Dass’s concept of “loving awareness,” how it offers a more antifragile identity, and what it looks like in real life when ego gets threatened: avoidance, isolation, reactivity, or shutting down. Through a real example of a business setback and the urge to hide it, we examine how ego and shame distort behavior, and how exposure to discomfort (like training, failure, and feedback) can build emotional tolerance and a more intentional response.

    41 min

  8. JAN 12

    Big Aims Don’t Need Big Starts: How Small Steps Create Real Change (The Fogged Bridge Method)

    Big goals are exciting - and they are also where most people freeze. In this episode, we unpack why “perfect planning” is often just disguised avoidance, and why clarity rarely arrives before you move. Instead, clarity is local: you only get it after you take the next step. We introduce the Fogged Bridge metaphor for real change: you cannot see the full path, the planks do not appear all at once, and uncertainty is not a problem to solve - it is the medium you move through. Whether you are trying to eat healthier, train consistently, build a business, or finally start a creative project, the same principle applies: big aims don’t require big starts. They require the next small step. We also challenge the willpower narrative. Self-demands often create rebellion, procrastination, and anxiety. The alternative is negotiation - lowering the friction, shrinking the ask, and building momentum through repeatable wins (like making one healthy snack, doing one minute of stillness, showing up for the next class). Along the way, we explore why New Year’s resolutions fail, how your “why” determines your direction, and why every “wrong step” still produces the clarity you need for the next right one.

    32 min
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About

Simple Healthy Life is a health and wellness podcast where hosts Registered Dietitian Ryan and Mindfulness Expert MJ share real, insightful conversations on nutrition, mindfulness, intuitive eating, fitness, and mental health. Each episode explores how to build sustainable healthy habits, reduce stress, Build Confidence, improve focus, and create balance with food and lifestyle. From myth-busting diet culture to evidence-based strategies for weight management, mindful eating, and lasting well-being, this podcast helps you live healthier with clarity and intention.

Information

  • Creator
    Ryan Gebo RD, Co-Owner of Nurtured Nutrition and Michael James Owner of R labs
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    91
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Ryan Gebo RD, Co-Owner of Nurtured Nutrition and Michael James Owner of R labs
  • Show Website
    Simple Healthy Life

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