Claim OwnershipWhat's Worthwhile - Healthy Living Motivation and Discussion
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What's Worthwhile to consume, consider, believe, say, and do towards Peace of Mind, Vitality of Body, and Joy of Spirit? Host Ramsey Zimmerman is a holistic health specialist and Nutritional Therapy Practitioner. What's Worthwhile features two formats: concise healthy-living motivation solo messages (around 8 minutes each) and detailed discussions with experts who share their self-care stories and wellness journey advice on seeking Peace, Vitality and Joy through whole food nutrition, effective digestion, blood sugar regulation, active stress response management, high-quality sleep, and many more holistic healthy strategies. Ramsey is the author of "Stress Response: Manage your Response to Stress, in order to Reduce Anxiety, Avoid Burnout, and Find Calm and Steady Focus" and the creator of Better Before Burnout. Learn more about Ramsey, the book, his services and What's Worthwhile at www.whatsworthwhile.net.
Want to be a guest on What's Worthwhile? Send Ramsey Zimmerman a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17279107776367479318337f1
Want to be a guest on What's Worthwhile? Send Ramsey Zimmerman a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17279107776367479318337f1
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What works within tight time constraints and with focused attention to drive health and wellness success for busy, responsible professionals and family members? Erica Jones is one of those high-achieving professional parents. She and her husband founded Elevays to work with doctors and other hard workers to maintain and build their own vitality, energy and longevity. Ramsey and Erica spoke about the need to prioritize the foundations, build repeatable habits that are doable and timely, and the allure of biohacking. This episode is a great investment for fast-moving, family-oriented professional people working hard to keep it all going. Learn more at elevays.com.
What was it like for 30+ guys to gather for a weekend in Joshua Tree to learn somatic theory, connect their minds to their bodies, and open up to each other? Ramsey experienced the MELD Prime Men’s Retreat and got the comments of three additional men onsite towards the end of the event. Listen in on their raw reflections of expectations far exceeded, insights gained, and images of transformation glimpsed. MELD (Men’s Emotional Leadership Development) works with men in groups to understand the stress response, and to guide them through the Fight, Flight or Freeze physiological responses to completion so that they can move on effectively instead of being stuck in chronic states of alarm. In this episode, Ramsey shares some of MELD’s techniques, his own insights from the experience, and the meaning of his new Work Statement “I am an Anomaly.” A warning though: one of the men discusses the loss of his son, and that may be difficult for some listeners. Learn more about MELD at https://meld.community.
How can we grow nutritious, delicious vegetables at-scale for everyone to eat and enjoy? Amy (Todisco) Hartshorn has been digging in the dirt, growing organic vegetables for decades. At her family farm in Vermont, she practices, shares, and teaches about Regenerative Agriculture to parents and kids, many of which discover the joy of fresh veggies for the first time. Amy and Ramsey told each other stories, but also talked thoughtfully about how to grow enough food for everyone. There is much talk these days about fertilizers, herbicides, and resource-intense practices. Amy is a proponent of teaching and enabling everyone to participate in growing their own healthy foods. Whether you have abundant backyard gardens or you’re intrigued by the idea of popping a sun-warm cherry tomato right off the branch into your mouth for the first time, this episode will grow your insights into fresh food. Learn more at www.greenlivingnow.com.
What’s the best way to ensure that people and companies don’t burnout? There are two camps when it comes to burnout prevention in professional settings. Those who focus on the perseverance of individuals during difficult times and those who focus on making business environments and demands less impossible. I see the merits of both. I promote supporting the foundations of holistic health in order to boost Burnout Resilience, so that we control what we can control. Want to know where your Burnout Resilience currently stands, and how you can improve it? Take the Burnout Resilience Zone Assessment at burnout.whatsworthwhile.net to get results and individualized advice.
How do Amen Clinics and Amen University treat the brain for mental and physical health? Dr. Daniel Amen developed the SPECT Imaging system to more accurately diagnose and treat brain-related issues. But Amen doesn’t stop there. They assess and address biological, psychological, social and spiritual factors holistically. Cindy Santa Ana is the Integrative Nutritionist for Amen Clinics, and works with patients to craft their diets and eating patterns to support their brain health. Amen also seeks impacts beyond patients. Amen University is an online resource for patients’ family members and the general public to learn about brain health. Yuri Huntington is the Faith Ambassador for Amen University, and is leading the new Amen Whole-4 pilot program for faith community members to learn about holistic health together in group settings. Ramsey spoke with Cindy and Yuri about Amen Clinics, Amen University, Whole-4, and the many practical ways that everyone can support their own brains and holistic health. Learn more at amenclinics.com and amenuniversity.com.
What type of effort can an organization create for team members that will drive actual significant improvements in their physical and mental health, as well as the effectiveness and productivity of the team and the business? Erin Foushee is a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and founder of Fortis Wellness. Throughout her 17 years in the health space, Erin has taught college courses in functional nutrition, spoken at business and health conferences, and provided nutritional guidance for hundreds of individuals. Today, she focuses on leading and facilitating dynamic sets of workshops for business teams that seek to improve corporate culture around health as much as the lifestyles of the participants. Ramsey and Erin discuss her life-long passion for natural health, why and how having healthy employees is strategically valuable to companies, and how to make lasting changes. In fact, Erin offers free access to the recording of her webinar “Durable Health Habits: Your 7-Step Game Plan for Staying the Course” with a coupon code revealed at around the 30-minute mark. Learn more about Fortis Wellness at www.fortiswellness.com.
What’s the big deal about the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans that came out from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in January 2026? Proponents claim it is the most significant update to federal eating advice in generations and that it flips the original food pyramid on it's head. Detractors consider it more of a marketing gimmick and afront to traditional health advice. Two experienced Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioners (FNTPs) join Ramsey for a fruitful discussion of how the old food pyramid was iconic, how good the advice of the new pyramid is (or isn't), and why people have gotten so riled up about it. The discussion also includes the impact that the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement is having on our national thoughts about nutrition. Whether you are a booster of MAHA or you roll your eyes at the politicization of food, enjoy this discussion, which digs into the meat of the issues: What should we eat to be healthy? How do national dietary guidelines influence people’s diets? Did they include the right clip art in the New Food Pyramid?? Learn more about the Dietary Guidelines for Americans at www.realfood.gov.
Organization Braver Angels asks the question, and I’ve got thoughts. The American Dream (the phrase itself) was coined in 1931, and it has taken on great symbolic meaning in the decades since. What does it mean today, is it still a relevant thing that we share, and is it attainable for all? I think that a version of the American Dream still resonates, is something we still pursue and can achieve, and most importantly … we NEED it. We need hope and aspirations and things we can compete for alongside of each other. I appreciate that Braver Angels encourages people to consider things like this and talk about it in their unique debate format (or at the dinner table), especially with people who they don’t agree with. Learn more about Braver Angels at www.braverangels.org.
May I read to you the introduction to my book Stress Response in hopes that you will download the eBook, now available on Amazon for only 99 cents? Please return the favor by submitting an honest review and rating, so that others will be more likely to find and buy (and benefit from!) the book. In the introduction to Stress Response, I tell a bit about my recent story, make the point that we all experience stress, and explain how the best thing to do is respond to it effectively. Someday I’d like to record a full audio version. Whadaya think? Let me know! Download the eBook on Amazon (or buy a paperback) at https://www.amazon.com/Stress-Response-Manage-Anxiety-Burnout-ebook/dp/B0FRVMZTPC.
How does NLP improve mindset to push through being stuck in old patterns when doing “all the right things” seeking physical and mental health? Jacqui Edgerly uses Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) strategies with her clients to drive health goal success when it seems like things are not yet clicking. Jacqui was a professional skier but she knew she didn’t quite fit in, and her health was suffering. She left the endless Winter and headed into a Spring of herbalism and nutritional studies. Jacqui has been coaching clients for many years now, and NLP is one of her focus areas. This episode is both a great telling of her story and a comprehensive introduction to Neurolinguistic Programming and how it fits into holistic health and nutritional therapy. Learn more at https://www.jacquiedgerly.com.
What societal expectations keep men isolated, unhealthy, but grinning and bearing it? And what can be done differently so that men feel better, perform better, serve better, and can raise the next generation to be happy and healthy? Duncan Rich of MELD (Men’s Emotional Leadership Development) explains that men were brought up to feel required to be strong and independent, without the encouragement to seek out companionship, help and assistance. MELD is an organization that hosts men’s groups and retreats where men learn together how they physically process their experiences and emotions, so that they can get more healthy and interact and express themselves more productively in family and professional situations. Get a 15% discount on the MELD Prime 4-day men’s somatic training retreat taking place at Joshua Tree in California on Februrary 19th through 22nd with the coupon code provided in the episode. Ramsey will be there! Learn more and register at https://meld.community/prime.
What do I intend to do and accomplish in 2026? We never really know what will happen or come to pass, but if we have clear intentions, clear to ourselves and stated clearly to others, I believe we have a much better chance of achieving what we set out to do. I intend to do a lot of things, and I don't intend to do them alone or in isolation. Curious? Take a listen! And ... let me know what you think. What do you intend to do this year? Perhaps we can help each other.
How was my year? I’d love to tell you, and I’d love to hear how your year went as well. Listen to this audio version of the year-end letter that we used to stick into those Christmas Cards. I feel like I had a great year, a year of achieving a few things, which was a nice change from the past few years, which felt filled with questions, trials, and beginnings. I’m reaching out these days, but I wish I hadn’t waited this long. And I encourage you to reach out too, even if (especially if?) you do NOT feel great. How was your year?
What’s the best way to stay mobile, active, and healthy as we age beyond our 50’s and 60’s into our 70’s? Dr. Michael has been a chiropractor for more than 30 years and has aged along with his patients, seeing and learning the best ways to maintain mobility, strength and stamina. He wrote the book “Fitness over 50, 60, 70 and Beyond” as a conversational guide, based on science but not bogged down in technical terms. Ramsey and Dr. Michael had a fun conversation about fitness and about what it was like “back in our day.” This is a great episode to help get you off the couch, or at least stretching in the chair. Learn more at https://www.drmguad.com/.
What’s worthwhile to consume, consider, believe, say and do towards Peace of Mind, Vitality of Body and Joy of Spirit? And what’s the big deal, why do we need to do anything different from what we all do now? Modern life with our screens and desks and food delivery options does not line up with what we were designed or evolved for: waking with the sun, walking around, spending time with others, eating nutrient-dense whole foods, and getting enough high-quality restorative sleep. We need to be mindful of what we consume, whether we’re talking food or narratives, to consider whether or not it is real, healthy and good. We choose what to believe, whether we call it science or faith, and that’s the basis of what we say out loud, and the actions that we do or do not take. We need motivation to do the right things, and we need to talk about it, because it often isn’t obvious what the right things are. I have three offers for healthy living motivation and discussion: this podcast, the “Stress Response” book available on Amazon, and direct services to help you get Better Before Burnout. Learn more at www.whatsworthwhile.net.
Based on travel to all 5 traditional Blue Zones, what can we learn about how to live longer, healthier, more fulfilling lives? Veronique Ory explains what she experienced during her 2025 world tour of the parts of the world where the local populations are known to live the longest. Veronique is a yoga instructor, global retreat and travel organizer, and author of “Shine On & Off The Mat.” Ramsey and Veronique talked about how our bodies were made to respond to physical challenges, how time seems to slow down when we focus on simple, natural things, and how nice it is to eat and spend time with loved ones. If you’ve ever dreamed about leaving the hustle and bustle behind and visiting the Blue Zones … or even the Blue Zone vibe … this is a great episode to enjoy. Learn more at https://yogawithveronique.com.
How would people who live the longest celebrate the holidays? My guest this week visited in 2025 all five traditional Blue Zones in the world. It got me thinking about all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, and how things could be different if we were focusing squarely on our health, joy, vitality, relationships and loved ones. Elvis sang about a Blue Christmas that was lonely without those we love … I’m imaginging a Blue Zone Christmas that is focused on being with those we love, and truly being present with them. I promise I won’t try to sing any Elvis songs!
Is it wealth, success, stamina, fitness, relationships or health that men chase after in the middle of their lives, but which still elude them? Perhaps a combination? Stretch Rayner looked amazingly fit and successful early in his life, as part-owner in a busy gym. But his energy levels kept declining and he felt awful. It took a move back to his home country of Australia and work with a functional doctor to figure out what was really going on with him. Today, Stretch is the founder of Midlife Mavericks, a community of men working together to support their health, fitness and each other. Ramsey and Stretch spoke about the common traps that guys fall into in midlife, where to look for real improvements, and how men can reclaim their vitality and health. Learn more at https://www.thesustainabletrainingmethod.com/midlife-mavericks.
There’s so many boxes, things to accomplish, presents to purchase, people to spend time with, right here and now. But are we checking off the right boxes? My guest this week made the point that lots of us find refuge at work, because we have clear objectives and can check off the boxes in order to feel accomplishment. The problem may be that we end up prioritizing the wrong things or losing touch with the people in our lives that are most important to us. It occurred to me that as we are in the holiday gift box purchasing and giving season, this insight is ironic and even more relevant. How about you … have you got the right boxes?
What am I grateful for this year? So many things! It’s good to take some time each day and think about and express what you are grateful for. Feeling gratitude signals to the body that everything is okay, and it is safe to rest and digest. Which is important for Thanksgiving meals, am I right?! So I tried something different this week, I spoke off the cuff, with just a few notes instead of a prepared message. It’s genuine and from the heart. I love you guys! Have a listen, and I hope you are grateful too, even though things are never perfect. Have a great holiday! No Thursday interview this week, but we’ve got a great one tee’d for next week.
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