Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project

E23 The Art of Decision Making: How to Make the Right Call at the Right Time

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project
Guest: Andrew Danielsen, Chief Business Development Officer | Mayo Clinic – Rochester, MN
 
It has been estimated that the average adult makes over 30,000 decisions per day. Which is a mind-blowing number. While some of these may be small or boring, the majority of these decisions shape who we are and the impact we have on this world. Given how impactful these decisions are, it’s critical that we get as many of them right as possible. Not only do we need to try to make the right decisions, but we need to make them quickly. So how do we make the right decision at the right time, well, that is what we are going to tackle in this session titled: The Art and Science of Decision Making: How to Make the Right Call at the Right Time. Our expert guest today is Andrew Danielsen, the Chief Business Development Officer for Mayo Clinic.
 
The three big questions we have for Andy are:
1. What are the key elements needed for us to make a good decision?
2. Why do so many of us struggle to make effective decisions in a timely way?
3. What concrete practices can we adopt to improve both decision quality and timing in work, home, and leadership settings?
 
Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimizeX: @MayoHumanOpProjInstagram: @MayoHumanOpProjYouTube:  The Human Optimization Project - YouTubeEmail: optimize@mayo.edu
 

E22 Improving Your Resiliency: How to Thrive When Life Gets Messy

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project
Guest: Anjali Bhagra, MD MBA FACP, Professor of Medicine; Medical Director, Enterprise Automation and Belonging | Mayo Clinic
 
Data shows that being more resilient can decrease our stress, improve productivity, decrease burnout, enhance our relationships, and even reduce mortality in some situations. However, when we are in the thick of struggling through life’s challenges, someone just telling us to “be more resilient” may feel more like gas lighting than true inspiration. So, how do we become our most resilient selves when many of us feel like we are already being pushed to the edge? That’s what we hope to answer for you in this session. To help us with this topic, our expert is Dr. Anjali Bhagra who is Medical Director of Enterprise Automation and The Office of Belonging at Mayo Clinic.
 
The three big questions we plan to tackle with Dr. Bhagra are:
What exactly is resiliency, and why does it matter so much for health, happiness, and performance?
What is the audience’s struggle: Why do so many of us struggle to be resilient, and how does that impact us personally and professionally?
What is the solution: What steps can we take to become our most resilient selves?
 
Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimizeX: @MayoHumanOpProjInstagram: @MayoHumanOpProjYouTube: The Human Optimization Project - YouTubeEmail: optimize@mayo.edu

E21 Exercise as a Prescription for Life: Why Exercise is the Best Medicine Everyone Should be Taking

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project
Guest: Edward R. Laskowski, M.D., Sports Medicine Physician | Mayo Clinic – Rochester, MN
 
We all know what exercise is (or at least we think we do). We are familiar with many of it’s benefits such as getting stronger, improving flexibility, and losing weight. However, there are a number of benefits that most of us may not be aware of and don’t commonly think about when it comes to exercise. These benefits are essential knowledge that can be inspiring and motivating for both the beginner just trying to get off the couch to get started and the super fit that is already committed to a fine-tuned routine. In some cases, those benefits are literately life changing. To help us understand why exercise is the best medicine everyone should be taking, our expert is internationally recognized exercise and fitness expert, Dr. Ed Laskowski.
 
The three big questions we are going to answer with Dr. Laskowski are:
1. How do you define “exercise”, and what types of activities count?2. What are the “surprise” benefits of exercise that most folks don’t realize?3. What changes do I need to make in my life in order to start reaping these benefits?
 
Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimizeX: @MayoHumanOpProjInstagram: @MayoHumanOpProjYouTube:  The Human Optimization Project - YouTubeEmail: optimize@mayo.edu

E20 Forming Habits for Success: Creating Productive Consistency in Everyday Life

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project
Guest: Griffin Jax, Professional Baseball Pitcher | Minnesota Twins Baseball Club
 
 
Most of what we are today (our happiness, position, relationships, health, etc.) has come about as a direct consequence of our habits. Good or bad, these habits largely determine who we are, what we do, and how successfully (or unsuccessfully) we navigate life. With habits being such a critical contributor to our lives, why do we struggle so much to consistently do the things we already know we need to do? To help us understand how to form healthy habits and make them a part of our default routine, our expert today is Griffin Jax, Major League Baseball pitcher and Air Force Academy Graduate.
 
The three big questions we are going to work through with Griffin include:
 
What does it mean to “form a habit,” and why is it so crucial for productivity and personal growth?
What are the main challenges people face when trying to develop good habits?
What practical strategies can help us create and sustain beneficial habits for long-term productivity?
 
Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimizeX: @MayoHumanOpProjInstagram: @MayoHumanOpProjYouTube:  The Human Optimization Project - YouTubeEmail: optimize@mayo.edu
 

E19 Beyond Lifespan: The Pursuit of Healthspan and Vitality

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project
Guest: Sara L. Bonnes, M.D., M.S., Medical Director, Healthy Longevity Clinic | Mayo Clinic – Rochester, MN
 
There is increased attention being paid to the concept of longevity recently. People are living longer than they ever have, and the desire to continually extend our lifespan is at an all-time high. While much of the attention is being directed at how LONG we live, it is easy to overlook the importance of how WELL we live during those years. So how can we ensure that our years are not just long, but that they are healthy? How can we optimize both the QUANTITY, as well as the QUALITY of the years we have here on earth? To help us with this session, our expert is Dr. Sara Bonnes, the Medical Director of the Healthy Longevity Clinic at Mayo Clinic.
 
The three big questions for Dr. Bonnes are:
1. What is “longevity,” and how does focusing on healthspan differ from simply trying to live longer
2. What are the main areas in our lives that determine our “healthspan”?
3. How can the average person incorporate practical lifestyle changes to support both a longer life and better quality of life?
 
Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimizeX: @MayoHumanOpProjInstagram: @MayoHumanOpProjYouTube:  The Human Optimization Project - YouTubeEmail: optimize@mayo.edu

E18 The Truth About Weight Loss: Breaking Down Misunderstandings and Setting You Up for Success

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project
Guest: Tara M. Schmidt, M. Ed., RDN, LD, Lead Registered Dietitian – Mayo Clinic Diet | Mayo Clinic – Rochester, MN
 
Today, we are discussing weight loss and weight management. This is one with relatively universal application as we all would love to optimize our weight for a number of reasons. The potential benefits and upsides of maintaining a healthy weight are clear to all of us, so why is it often challenging for us to hit our ideal weight goals? To give us a better understanding of the problem and potential solutions, our expert for this topic is Tara Schmidt M.Ed., RND, LD. She’s the lead dietician for “The Mayo Clinic Diet” and host of the “Mayo Clinic On Nutrition” podcast.
 
The three big questions we are working through with her are:
What is weight loss, and why is it such a universal and important goal?
Why do so many of us struggle with weight loss despite our greatest efforts?
What practical strategies can individuals implement to set themselves up for success?
 
Connect with us! Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimizeX: @MayoHumanOpProjInstagram: @MayoHumanOpProjYouTube:  The Human Optimization Project - YouTubeEmail: optimize@mayo.edu 
 

E17 Finding Balance in Emotions: Regulating Your Emotional Flexibility and Rigidity

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project
Guest: Chris Stephenson, M.D., M.H.P.E., M.S., Internal Medicine Physician, General Internal Medicine, Vice Chair of Practice | Mayo Clinic – Rochester, MN
 
Our emotions drive so much of what we think, say, and do. For many of us, our emotions are in the driver’s seat, and we often feel like we are just along for the ride. However, given how important emotional regulation is to our productivity, relationships, and joy, it truly is in our best interest to take control over our emotions and understand them in a more thoughtful way. Specifically, we need to learn how we can use our emotions to help us stay flexible and keep up with the rapidly changing world around us. To help us with this issue, our expert guest today is Dr. Chris Stephenson, the Vice Chair of Practice for Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic.
 
The three big questions we have for Chris include:
What is the concept of emotional flexibility vs. rigidity, and why is it essential for success?
Do I actually have big feelings that I need to address? If so, why can’t they just stay buried?
What steps can I take to become more emotionally flexible?   
 
Connect with us! Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimize 
 
X: @MayoHumanOpProj Instagram: @MayoHumanOpProj YouTube: The Human Optimization Project - YouTube 
Email: optimize@mayo.edu  
 

E16 How to Define and Live Out Your Purpose: Key Steps to Finding Meaning in Life and Work

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project
Guest: Carlos Coto, MA., CMPC., Head of Mental Performance | San Diego Football Club
Right now, we are all living our lives, striving for progress, and generally trying to improve ourselves, others, and the world around us. But how many of us have stopped to think about WHY we do this? What is the purpose behind our actions? What drives us to want to be better? Even if you have stopped to think about your purpose, do you know it so well that you could clearly articulate it to someone if they stopped you on the street and asked you “What is your purpose?” Probably not. But defining our purpose is absolutely critical to making progress and living a fulfilling life. Our expert guest for this session is Carlos Coto, Certified Mental Performance Consultant and Head of Mental Performance for the San Diego Football Club.
 
The three big questions we have for Carlos are:
What is “purpose,” and why does having a sense of purpose matter in our personal and professional lives?
Why do so many people struggle to identify or redefine their purpose, and what common obstacles stand in the way?
What practical steps and strategies can someone use to discover, refine, and consistently live out their purpose?
 
Connect with us! Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimize 
X: @MayoHumanOpProj Instagram: @MayoHumanOpProj YouTube: The Human Optimization Project - YouTube 
Email: optimize@mayo.edu  

E15 Motivating Others: How to Connect With, Inspire, and Motivate the People Around You

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project
Guest: Pablo Lopez, Professional Baseball Pitcher | Minnesota Twins Baseball Club
If you’ve ever been a part of a team, group, organization, or family, it’s obvious that much of your progress, success, and happiness in heavily influenced by the people around you. This can be a major blessing if you are surrounded by the right kind of people. But if you aren’t, it can be a major challenge and roadblock to success. One of critical elements to ensure success of the group is having the ability to appropriately motivate those around you. This is a critical element to group success, but it isn’t easy. That’s what we are going to focus on in this session as we sit down with Major League Baseball player, Pablo Lopez.
 
The three big questions are working through with Pablo are:
 
1. What does it really mean to motivate others, and why does it matter?
2. Why do most people struggle to effectively motivate their peers, and what common challenges keep us from inspiring others?
3. What practical steps can the average person take to become better at motivating those around them?
 
Connect with us! Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimize 
X: @MayoHumanOpProj Instagram: @MayoHumanOpProj YouTube: The Human Optimization Project - YouTube 
Email: optimize@mayo.edu  

E14 Understanding the Basics of Sleep: What Everyone Should Know about Sleep Needs and Stages

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project
Guest: Stuart J. McCarter, M.D., Sleep and Cognitive/Behavioral Neurologist | Mayo Clinic – Rochester, MN
In the past, we’ve discussed the circadian rhythm and how it sets your clock for the day. Both when you are awake, and when you are asleep. Today, we are going to focus in on what happens to us when we go to sleep. We all know that for sleep to be truly restorative, we need a certain amount of it, and that sleep needs to be high quality. So, it’s a problem that concerns both quality and quantity. But if you want to optimize the quality and quantity of your sleep, you need to start by understanding what sleep is and what happens to our bodies while we are snoozing. This knowledge is foundational to you becoming the best sleeper you can be. Our guest this week is Dr. Stuart McCarter, who is a Neurologist and Sleep Expert from the Mayo Clinic.
 
The three big questions Dr. McCarter is going to answer for us this week are:
 
1. What is sleep and why is it so important?
2. What are the different stages of sleep and their functions?
3. How can I tell how if I am getting enough high-quality sleep?
 
Connect with us! Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimize 
X: @MayoHumanOpProj Instagram: @MayoHumanOpProj YouTube: The Human Optimization Project - YouTube 
Email: optimize@mayo.edu