Dr. Jared Leon: Functional Living

Dr. Jared Leon
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Health & Fitness
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to the Functional Living Podcast by Dr. Jared Leon! This Podcast is about challenging yourself and understanding what makes up your environment! What do you consider "healthy"? This Podcast will focus on the FIVE Pillars established by Dr. Jared Leon which consists of Proper Nutrition, Exercise, Nervous System, Mental Latitude, and Bio Hacking. Follow along each episode to learn more about "Am I actually healthy?". Visit us at here! and pick up the Functional Living book here!

  1. 2d ago

    Episode 42 - Gravity The Hidden Language of the Human Body

    What if one of the most powerful forces shaping your health is something you experience every second of your life—but rarely think about? In Episode 42 of the Functional Living Podcast, Dr. Jared Leon explores the fascinating relationship between gravity, movement, posture, balance, and the nervous system, revealing how this invisible force plays a fundamental role in the way our bodies develop, function, and adapt to the world around us. Gravity does far more than keep our feet on the ground. From the moment we begin learning to move, our brain and body are constantly working together to interpret gravitational forces, maintain balance, coordinate movement, and navigate our environment. Dr. Leon explains how the brain, vestibular system, muscles, joints, and sensory receptors work together to help us understand where we are in space and respond to the physical demands of everyday life. But what happens when our bodies aren't moving the way they were designed to? Sedentary lifestyles, poor movement habits, limited physical activity, and changes in sensory processing can influence how effectively we maintain posture, balance, and coordination. Rather than viewing these challenges as isolated problems, Dr. Leon encourages listeners to recognize the incredible neurological processes happening behind even the simplest movements. This episode challenges you to think differently about gravity—not simply as a force acting against your body, but as a constant source of information that your brain uses to help you move, stabilize, and adapt. What You'll Take Away: You'll discover how gravity influences brain development and body awareness, why balance and movement are essential for healthy nervous system function, and how intentional movement can help strengthen coordination, stability, and confidence in everyday life. Whether you're looking to improve athletic performance, maintain mobility as you age, or simply better understand the remarkable connection between your brain and body, this episode offers a new perspective on a force we often take for granted. Because gravity isn't just something your body fights against—it's something your brain learns from, your nervous system responds to, and your body uses to become stronger, more coordinated, and better equipped for life.

  2. 4d ago

    Episode 41: From Tight Shoulders to Chronic Pain

    What if that constant tightness in your shoulders isn't just a muscle problem—but a sign that something deeper is happening within your body? In Episode 41 of the Functional Living Podcast, Dr. Jared Leon explores the complex relationship between shoulder pain, muscle tension, posture, and the nervous system, revealing why lasting relief may require looking beyond the area where the pain is actually felt. From long hours sitting at a desk to repetitive movements, stress, poor posture, and physical strain, our shoulders endure tremendous demands every day. But when occasional tightness turns into persistent discomfort or chronic pain, the problem may involve more than overworked muscles. Dr. Leon explains how the brain and nervous system influence muscle tension, movement patterns, and pain perception, and why these connections are essential to understanding how the body functions as a whole. Rather than simply stretching a tight muscle, applying heat, or temporarily masking discomfort, this episode challenges listeners to ask a more important question: Why does the pain keep coming back? By exploring how the brain interprets pain signals, how stress can influence muscle tension, and how the body develops protective movement patterns, Dr. Leon encourages a more complete approach to understanding shoulder discomfort. What You'll Take Away: You'll discover why shoulder pain isn't always isolated to the shoulder itself, how your nervous system influences pain and movement, and why addressing mobility, strength, stress, and daily habits can play an important role in improving long-term shoulder health. Whether you're dealing with occasional stiffness, persistent shoulder tension, or chronic discomfort that never seems to fully disappear, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how the brain and body work together—and why understanding that connection matters. Because lasting relief isn't always about treating where it hurts—it's about understanding why it hurts and giving your entire body the opportunity to move, adapt, and function better.

  3. Oct 14

    Episode 40: Stretching — One of the Most Powerful Things We Were Never Properly Taught

    What if one of the simplest ways to improve how your body moves, feels, and functions is something you've been doing wrong—or overlooking entirely? In Episode 40 of the Functional Living Podcast, Dr. Jared Leon explores the often-underestimated power of stretching and why this fundamental practice deserves a much bigger role in our everyday lives. Stretching isn't just about touching your toes or loosening up before a workout. It's about understanding the relationship between your muscles, joints, brain, and nervous system, and how movement and flexibility contribute to the body's ability to function and adapt. Dr. Leon takes a closer look at why so many people struggle with stiffness, limited mobility, and chronic tension, and how our increasingly sedentary lifestyles can gradually change the way our bodies move. He challenges the idea that stretching is simply an optional part of exercise and encourages listeners to recognize its importance in maintaining mobility, improving body awareness, and supporting long-term physical health. What You'll Take Away: You'll gain a better understanding of how stretching influences your muscles and nervous system, why flexibility and mobility aren't necessarily the same thing, and how incorporating intentional stretching into your daily routine can help reduce stiffness, improve movement, and support your body's overall function. Whether you're an athlete looking to improve performance, someone dealing with everyday tightness, or simply trying to maintain your mobility as you age, this episode offers a fresh perspective on one of the most accessible tools for better physical health. Because taking care of your body isn't always about doing more—sometimes it's about learning how to move better, so you can keep moving for a lifetime.

  4. Oct 5

    Episode 39: Tourette's — The Brain Under Pressure: From Tics to True Control

    What if a tic isn't simply a behavior to stop—but a window into what's happening inside the brain? In Episode 39 of the Functional Living Podcast, Dr. Jared Leon explores Tourette syndrome, tics, and the neurological systems involved in regulating movement and behavior. He takes listeners beyond what they can see on the outside to better understand the complex brain activity happening beneath the surface. Tics can become more noticeable during periods of stress, excitement, fatigue, or sensory overload, highlighting the powerful relationship between the brain, nervous system, environment, and a person's ability to regulate and adapt. Rather than focusing only on suppressing a tic, Dr. Leon encourages listeners to look at the bigger neurological picture. What influences the brain's ability to regulate movement? Why can symptoms fluctuate from one day to another? And what can Tourette's teach us about the incredible complexity of the human nervous system? What You'll Take Away: You'll gain a better understanding of why tics aren't simply "bad habits," how stress and other factors can influence their expression, and why supporting overall brain and nervous system health matters when looking at neurological function. Whether Tourette syndrome has personally affected your family or you're simply fascinated by how the brain controls movement, this episode offers a different perspective on what happens when the brain is under pressure. Because true control isn't about forcing the brain to be quiet—it's about understanding what the brain is communicating and giving it the best opportunity to regulate, adapt, and thrive.

  5. Sep 16

    Episode 38: Brain Fog — Why So Many People Feel Like They're Living in a Cloud

    Ever walk into a room and forget why you’re there? Struggle to find the right word, stay focused, or feel like your brain just isn’t firing the way it used to? In Episode 38 of the Functional Living Podcast, Dr. Jared Leon dives into brain fog—what it feels like, why so many people are experiencing it, and what your body may be trying to tell you. Brain fog isn’t just about being tired or distracted. Your brain is connected to everything happening throughout your body, and factors like stress, poor sleep, nutrition, inflammation, movement, and nervous system function can all influence your ability to think clearly and perform at your best. Instead of simply reaching for more caffeine or learning to live with the fog, Dr. Leon challenges you to ask a more important question: Why is my brain struggling in the first place? What You’ll Take Away: By the end of this episode, you’ll have a better understanding of why brain fog may be a signal rather than the problem itself, which everyday factors may be contributing to your mental cloudiness, and where to start when creating a healthier environment for your brain and nervous system. This episode will help you look beyond the symptom, understand the bigger picture, and start thinking differently about what your brain needs to function at its highest level. You weren’t designed to spend your life feeling mentally exhausted, distracted, and disconnected. Because brain fog may be the symptom—but understanding what’s creating the fog is where real change begins.

  6. Sep 10

    Episode 37: The Mastermind Effect — Why Two Brains Are Better Than One

    In Episode 37 of the Functional Living Podcast, Dr. Jared Leon explores the Mastermind Effect and the power of surrounding yourself with people who challenge, inspire, and elevate the way you think. Whether it's a spouse, friend, mentor, business partner, or trusted group, the right relationships can help you see possibilities and solutions that may be difficult to recognize on your own. Dr. Leon discusses how collaboration allows us to combine different experiences, perspectives, strengths, and ways of thinking. When two people genuinely work toward the same goal, their ideas can build upon one another—creating momentum that neither person may have generated independently. But the Mastermind Effect goes beyond simply having people around you. It's about being intentional with who has influence over your life. The conversations you participate in, the attitudes you're exposed to, and the people you consistently spend time with can influence your mindset, habits, confidence, and ultimately the direction you're heading. This episode challenges you to evaluate your circle and ask an important question: Are the people around you helping you become better, or helping you remain comfortable? You weren't designed to accomplish everything alone. Sometimes the breakthrough you've been searching for begins when you bring another mind into the conversation. Because when the right minds come together with the right purpose, one plus one can become far more powerful than two.

  7. Aug 24

    Episode 36: The Hidden Power of Gratitude — Training Your Brain for a Better Life

    Gratitude is more than saying “thank you”—it’s a way of training your brain to see life differently. In Episode 36 of the Functional Living Podcast, Dr. Jared Leon explores the powerful connection between gratitude, mindset, and the nervous system, and how intentionally focusing on what is good can begin to change the way you think, feel, and respond to the world around you. Building on the conversation about your inner voice from Episode 35, Dr. Leon explains how the thoughts you repeatedly focus on can influence the patterns your brain reinforces. When your attention is constantly directed toward stress, frustration, and what’s going wrong, those patterns can begin to dominate your perspective. Gratitude offers another path—one that intentionally trains your attention toward appreciation, opportunity, connection, and the things in life that are going right. This episode challenges listeners to understand gratitude not simply as an emotion, but as a daily practice. By repeatedly choosing where you place your attention, you can begin developing healthier mental habits, greater resilience, and a more positive relationship with your own life. Dr. Leon reminds us that a better life doesn't always begin by changing everything around us. Sometimes, it begins by changing what we train ourselves to notice. Because when you change what you focus on, you can begin to change how you experience your life—and gratitude may be one of the most powerful places to start.

  8. Aug 6

    Episode 35: Your Inner Voice — Why Does It Talk to You?

    The most influential conversation you'll ever have is the one happening inside your own mind. In Episode 35 of the Functional Living Podcast, Dr. Jared Leon explores the fascinating role of your inner voice—the constant internal dialogue that shapes your thoughts, emotions, decisions, and ultimately, the direction of your life. Whether it's encouraging you to move forward or holding you back through fear and self-doubt, your inner voice has a profound impact on how you experience the world. Dr. Leon explains that this internal dialogue isn't random. It's influenced by your past experiences, beliefs, habits, and the patterns your brain has developed over time. He discusses how negative self-talk can reinforce stress, anxiety, and limiting beliefs, while intentional, healthy thinking can strengthen confidence, resilience, and emotional well-being. This episode challenges listeners to become more aware of the words they speak to themselves every day and offers insight into how changing that conversation can begin to change the brain itself. By learning to recognize unhealthy thought patterns and intentionally replacing them with truth, purpose, and gratitude, you can begin to reshape not only your mindset—but your life. If you've ever wondered why your mind seems to work against you at times, or how to develop a healthier, more empowering way of thinking, this episode will provide practical perspective and lasting encouragement. Because the voice you listen to the most is your own—and learning to lead that conversation may be one of the most powerful changes you ever make.

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About

Welcome to the Functional Living Podcast by Dr. Jared Leon! This Podcast is about challenging yourself and understanding what makes up your environment! What do you consider "healthy"? This Podcast will focus on the FIVE Pillars established by Dr. Jared Leon which consists of Proper Nutrition, Exercise, Nervous System, Mental Latitude, and Bio Hacking. Follow along each episode to learn more about "Am I actually healthy?". Visit us at here! and pick up the Functional Living book here!

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