Move Your DNA with Katy Bowman

Biomechanist Katy Bowman and biologist Dr. Jeannette Loram unpack emerging research on heart disease, inflammation, cholesterol, and arterial plaque. Inspired by a recent Scientific American article, they explore what plaque is, how and why it forms, and how blood flow patterns influence where plaque accumulates in the arteries. They discuss recent evidence that places inflammation as a foundational piece of heart disease and how the ‘spiky’ shape and structure of cholesterol in plaque has a direct role in the inflammatory pathways and immune system overreactions that occur in heart disease. Katy and Jeannette offer practical insights into how regular activity, varied positioning, and lifestyle choices can help support healthy arteries. They also discuss the importance of scientific curiosity, prevention over treatment, and why understanding the body's processes can inspire better self-care.Enhanced Show Notes and Full Transcript0:00 — Introduction: the Scientific American article on heart inflammation3:43 — Dynamic Collective9.15 — Main takeaway: inflammation, cholesterol and heart disease9:47 — What is plaque? 15:33 — Why plaque forms in specific locations within arteries: wounding and blood flow 23:12 — How cholesterol enters arterial walls 40:00 — Why understanding the body can deepen appreciation and motivation for self-care44:16 — Listener question: sciatic pain (sponsored by Venn Design).Books, Links and Resources:Science and Poetry by Mary Midgely Connect, Move & Learn:Join Our Newsletter: Movement Colored GlassesFollow Katy on SubstackTry Katy's Virtual Studio Free for 7 days!Made Possible By Our Wonderful Sponsors:Venn Design: Beautifully upholstered ball-shaped Air Chairs and floor cushions that encourage dynamic sittingMy Happy Feet: Toe-spacing socks that gently realign toes for comfortable shoe recovery—take 20% off with code MYDNAEarth Runners: makers of minimalist earthing sandals designed for natural foot movement and connection to the ground— use code DNA10 for 10% off.Ikaria Design: The Soul Seat® offers height-adjustable, multi-position sitting—get 10% off new chairs and desks with code DNA10Movemate: Active standing boards with smoothly articulating wooden slats. Designed to keep you moving without interrupting your focus.ScreenFit™: a complete online vision training program —take $200 off with code NUTRITIOUSMOVEMENTFreet Barefoot: creators of comfortable barefoot shoes built for natural movement, flexibility, and durability— use code DNA10 for 10% off.Thoughts/questions email us at podcast@nutritiousmovement.comYour Voice on the Podcast: Read The Credits October Retreats 2026

What does it mean to raise — or be — a “spicy one”? In this deeply honest and energizing conversation, Katy Bowman and author Mary Van Geffen unpack what it’s like to parent strong-willed, big-feeling kids (and stay sane while doing it). They discuss how movement can support self-regulation and co-regulation, helping both parent and child navigate intensity with compassion and humor. Together, they look at the role of movement before, during, and after heated moments — as well as the art of knowing when to walk away. This episode offers practical wisdom for growing your “calm muscle” and showing up as the safest person in the room.Jeannette chats with inventor, designer, and athlete Tyler Benner of Venn Design — the creative mind behind movement-friendly furniture like the Air Chair and the revolutionary barefoot cycling shoe. They explore Tyler’s “genius energy” and how movement awareness informs everything he creates, from furniture to archery tools and innovative footwear. Enhanced Show Notes and Full TranscriptEPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:0:00 – Meet Mary Van Geffen – Parenting insights for “Spicy Ones”0:05 – What is a “Spicy One”? – Understanding strong-willed, big-feeling kids0:07 – Regulation & Co-Regulation – How parents and kids navigate intensity together0:10 – Contagious Emotions & Training your ‘Calm’ Muscle– Mirror neurons in action0:14 – Quick Regulation Tools – Breathing, sensing, and self-talk0:19 – Move to Regulate – Using movement before, during, and after heated moments0:37 – Massage & Connection – Diffusing tension with touch0:52 – Mary’s Resources – Books, classes, and meditations0:53 – Meet Tyler Benner & Venn Design – Movement-friendly furniture and innovative tools0:54 – Dynamic Furniture – Air Chairs and floor cushions that encourage motion0:57 – Genius Energy & Archery – Aligning bones for power and precision1:04 – Tyler’s Shot Trainer – Archery form and physics made simple1:07 – Barefoot Cycling Shoes – The first foot-shaped cycling shoes designed for comfort and performanceBOOKS & RESEARCH MENTIONEDParenting A Spicy One: A comprehensive Guide for Raising a Deep-Feeling and Wonderfully Strong-Willed Kid by Mary Van GeffenMove Your DNA by Katy Bowman "Movement Hunger" Signals by Katy Bowman CONNECT, MOVE & LEARNJoin Katy's Newsletter: Movement Colored GlassesFollow Katy on Substack Try Katy's Virtual Studio Free for 7 days! About Mary Van Geffen OUR SPONSORVenn Design makes gorgeous, movement-friendly furniture that turns your home into a space that inspires you to move. Strong Feet Athletics’ barefoot cycling shoes give your feet freedom, comfort, and power—say goodbye to cramped toes! Thoughts/questions email us at podcast@nutritiousmovement.comYour Voice on the Podcast: Read The Credits October Retreats 2026

As we age, maintaining muscle power—not just strength—is key to staying independent, quick, and injury-free. In this episode, Katy and Jeannette explain the difference between strength and power, and why adding speed or intensity to the movements you're already doing—like walking, climbing stairs, or getting up from a chair—can make all the difference. From stair climbing to pickleball to plyometrics, learn practical ways to build power and maintain independence for years to come.They share practical ways to train power with (or without) an overhaul to your routine, and Katy chats with masters athlete and Peluva co-founder Brad Kearns about maintaining explosive strength after 60. Hear how Brad shifted from endurance to high jump, why minimalist shoes can support aging feet, and how smarter movement helps you age better.Enhanced Show Notes & Full Transcript CHAPTERS00:02:15 - Power - the definitions 00:06:10 - The Dynamic Collective 00:12:05 - Why Power is Important as You Get Older 00:21:15 - Listener Question about Plyometrics brought to you by Smart Playrooms 00:31:30 - Interview with power athlete Brad Kearns of Peluva Footwear BOOKS & RESEARCH MENTIONEDMy Perfect Movement Plan by Katy BowmanWhole Body Barefoot by Katy BowmanACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal Special Edition on Power CONNECT, MOVE & LEARN Join Our Newsletter: Movement Colored GlassesTry Katy's Virtual Studio Free for 7 days!MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR WONDERFUL SPONSORS:Smart Playrooms, design and products to keep you and your kids engaged and active at home, take 10% off monkey bars, rock wall panels and holds with code DNA10Ikaria Design, creators of the Soul Seat®, a height adjustable chair that allows you to sit in diverse shapes including cross-legged, take 10% of new inventory with code DNA10Venn Design, beautiful floor cushions and ball seats that keep you moving at home or at the officeSweet Skins, organic hemp and cotton clothing that is stylish, flexible and designed to move with you, take 20% off with code Movement20Peluva, Five-toe minimalist sports shoes ideal for walking and higher impact activities. Take 15% off with code NUTRITIOUSMOVEMENTEarth Runners, minimalist sandals that mimic being truly barefoot through their grounding technology, take 10% off with code DNA10Thoughts/questions email us at podcast@nutritiousmovement.comYour Voice on the Podcast: Read The Credits October Retreats 2026

Katy Bowman and Jeannette Loram explore skin strength, focusing on what a callus is, how calluses form on the hands and feet, and how it affects circulation. They also discuss the pros and cons of calluses, comparing them to a weight belt for your skin—reinforcing, protecting, and ultimately enabling your body to do more.They share personal stories—from rowing and kayaking to gardening—highlighting how it's often skin, not muscles, that limits activity. Katy also chats with Karri Bowen-Poole, founder of Smart Playrooms, about designing home spaces that promote hanging, build skin strength, and support kids’ physical and cognitive development. They cover equipment ideas, dynamic home design tips, and draw inspiration from Ninja Warrior athletes.Enhanced Show Notes & Full Transcript CHAPTERS 00:04:30 - The Dynamic Collective 00:08:20 - What is a Callus? And the Listener Question on calluses & circulation brought to you by Sweet Skins 00:22:30 - Updated insights about the Callus, skin strength and its relationship to whole-body movement 00:35:25 - Skin Tissue and Thoughtful Progression00:42:00 - Interview with Karri Bowen-Poole, founder of Smart PlayroomsBOOKS & RESEARCH PAPERSMove Your DNA by Katy BowmanSimple Steps to Foot Pain Relief by Katy Bowman Callus Formation by Kim et al (2010)Blood Flow In The Skin in relation to temperature and pressure by J Petrofsky (2012)Foot Callus and Tactile Sensitivity by Holowka et al (2019) - Daniel Lieberman group CONNECT, MOVE & LEARNJoin Our Newsletter: Movement Colored GlassesTry Katy's Virtual Studio Free for 7 days!MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR WONDERFUL SPONSORS:Peluva, Five-toe minimalist sports shoes ideal for walking and higher impact activities. Take 15% off with code NUTRITIOUSMOVEMENTVenn Design, beautiful floor cushions and ball seats that keep you moving at home or at the officeSmart Playrooms, design and products to keep you and your kids engaged and active at home, take 10% off monkey bars, rock wall panels and holds with code DNA10Earth Runners, minimalist sandals that mimic being truly barefoot through their grounding technology, take 10% off with code DNA10Sweet Skins, organic hemp and cotton clothing that is stylish, flexible and designed to move with you, take 20% off with code Movement20Ikaria Design, creators of the Soul Seat®, a height adjustable chair that allows you to sit in diverse shapes including cross-legged, take 10% of new inventory with code DNA10Thoughts/questions email us at podcast@nutritiousmovement.comYour Voice on the Podcast: Read The Credits October Retreats 2026

Neuro-optometrist Dr. Appelbaum breaks down the crucial difference between eyesight—what you can see—and vision—how your brain interprets what you see and turns it into action. Together, they explore the striking parallels between physical and visual health, highlighting how prolonged screen time and visual inactivity can stiffen our eye muscles just like sedentary habits stiffen our joints. Focusing on screens all day is like clenching your fist nonstop—leading to eye strain, headaches, and long-term issues like poor eye coordination, which can affect depth perception, balance, and even increase the risk of falls.The conversation covers everything from visual tics and dry eyes to how vision is connected to musculoskeletal alignment and behavior—and even offers a glimpse into the future of eye health in our tech-heavy world. Dr. Appelbaum also shares how anyone can improve visual stamina and flexibility, and Katy and Jeannette reflect on their personal experience with his online program ScreenFit—a movement program for your eyes! Dr Appelbaum is offering our listeners $200 off ScreenFit using code MOVEYOURDNA: https://bit.ly/moveyourdnaSFEnhanced Show Notes & Full Transcript CHAPTERS00:03:10 - Introducing Dr. Appelbaum 00:09:30 - Impacts of Screens on Vision 00:25:30 - Unlocking Vision Potential Through Exercise - ScreenFit 00:41:00 - Listener Question on Dry Eyes brought to you by Earth Runners 00:50:40 - The Future of the Screen Time/Vision Connection BOOKS MENTIONEDMy Perfect Movement Plan by Katy BowmanCONNECT, MOVE & LEARNJoin Our Newsletter: Movement Colored GlassesTry Katy's Virtual Studio Free for 7 days!MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR WONDERFUL SPONSORS:Earth Runners, minimalist sandals that mimic being truly barefoot through their grounding technology, take 10% off with code DNA10Sweet Skins, organic hemp and cotton clothing that is stylish, flexible and designed to move with you, take 20% off with code Movement20Peluva, Five-toe minimalist sports shoes ideal for walking and higher impact activities. Take 15% off with code NUTRITIOUSMOVEMENTIkaria Design, creators of the Soul Seat®, a height adjustable chair that allows you to sit in diverse shapes including cross-legged, take 10% of new inventory with code DNA10Venn Design, beautiful floor cushions and ball seats that keep you moving at home or at the officeSmart Playrooms, design and products to keep you and your kids engaged and active at home, take 10% off monkey bars, rock wall panels and holds with code DNA10Thoughts/questions email us at podcast@nutritiousmovement.comYour Voice on the Podcast: Read The Credits October Retreats 2026

How you get dressed might be impacting the way that you move or the movement choices you are able to make. Katy Bowman and Jeannette Loram highlight how stiff or excessively baggy clothing might be ‘casting’ movement. On the flip side ‘stabilizing’ wear like well-designed bras and compressive garments can make movement more comfortable for certain activities. Katy offers advice on how to dress for multiple scenarios: the movement that you plan to do, the spontaneous movements that you might want to do, as well as all the other things you need to do in a day.Also in this episode Katy speaks with Mira Fannin of Sweet Skins. Sweet Skins produce beautiful hemp-cotton organic clothing. Katy and Mira talk about the origin of Sweet Skins and how Mira’s goal to make cute and liveable clothes for busy women has created the perfect movement-friendly clothing line. They also talk about the famous Bike Time pants and the new Sweet Skins styles coming out very soon. Mira is offering our listeners 20% off all clothes with code Movement20 Enhanced Show Notes & Full Transcript CHAPTERS00:06:00 - The Dynamic Collective 00:07:09 - Definitions and Categories of Clothing 00:17:30 - Compressive Garments 00:25:23 - Listener Question brought to you by Venn Design 00:31:23 - How do you get dressed in the morning 00:40:31 - Interview with Mira from Sweet Skins BOOKS, ARTICLES AND RESEARCH MENTIONEDInfluence of Compression Garments on Proprioception by Ghai et al 2024Grow Wild by Katy BowmanRESOURCES Minimal Shoes, The ListMovement Matters: Clothes CONNECT, MOVE & LEARNJoin Our Newsletter: Movement Colored GlassesTry Katy's Virtual Studio Free for 7 days!MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR SPONSORS:Earth Runners, minimalist sandals that mimic being truly barefoot through their grounding technology, take 10% off with code DNA10Ikaria Design, creators of the Soul Seat®, a height adjustable chair that allows you to sit in diverse shapes including cross-legged, take 10% of new inventory with code DNA10Sweet Skins, organic hemp and cotton clothing that is stylish, flexible and designed to move with you, take 20% off with code Movement20Smart Playrooms, design and products to keep you and your kids engaged and active at home, take 10% off monkey bars, rock wall panels and holds with code DNA10Venn Design, beautiful floor cushions and ball seats that keep you moving at home or at the officePeluva, Five-toe minimalist sports shoes ideal for walking and higher impact activities. Take 15% off with code NUTRITIOUSMOVEMENTThoughts/questions email us at podcast@nutritiousmovement.comYour Voice on the Podcast: Read The Credits October Retreats 2026