The Optimal Body

Dr Jen Fraboni & Dr Dom Fraboni

Join top-40 Physical Therapy Influencer, Doc Jen, and her Physical Therapy husband Dr. Dom, as they bring you the body tips and PT Pearls you need to help you understand your body, relieve your pains and restrictions, and answer your questions. Along with expert guests, the goal of The Optimal Body is to help you discover what optimal means in your own body.

Play

Open in

21 episodes
weekly
Avg 40 min
English

Episodes 21

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

#473
Monday · 52 min
473 | Optimizing Food Choices for Better Nutrition, Energy, Focus, and Fat Loss with Thomas DeLauer
In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom interview nutritionist Thomas DeLauer, who specializes in cognitive nutrition and performance. Thomas shares his journey from corporate healthcare to nutrition advocacy, emphasizing how nutrition and diet impact brain function and mental clarity. He highlights key foods like dark berries, MCT oil, and eggs for cognitive support, discusses metabolic flexibility, and introduces the concept of "energy flux" for improving metabolism
#472
August 10 · 22 min
472 | Impact of Sarcopenia: The Muscle You Didn't Know You Were Losing
In this episode of the Optimal Body podcast, doctors of physical therapy, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom explore sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength. They explain that while muscle mass peaks around age 25 and gradually declines, sarcopenia is not inevitable. Lifestyle factors like inactivity and poor nutrition significantly accelerate muscle loss. The hosts highlight resistance training as the most effective intervention, citing a 12-week study where sarcopenia prevalence dropp
#471
July 27 · 49 min
471 | Understanding Breast Implants Illness and Explant Considerations with Dr Robert Whitfield
In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doctors of Physical Therapy Doc Jen and Doctor Dom sit down with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Robert Whitfield, founder of the Sharpe Method. Dr. Whitfield shares his expertise on breast implant illness (BII), explaining how bacterial contamination, biofilm formation, and genetic factors can contribute to symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, and hormonal disruption. He also explores natural alternatives to breast implants, such as auto
#470
July 20 · 33 min
470 | "The Truth Behind Aging: A research-backed talk for helping people stay mobile, strong, and active as they age."
In this empowering episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom tackle the realities of aging head-on with research-backed insights. They debunk common fears around MRI findings like disc bulges and osteoarthritis, explaining—using research-backed evidence—that many are normal age-related changes, not reasons to stop moving. From research-backed benefits of weighted vests for improving strength and posture, to the critical role of strength training for bone density and joint healt
#469
July 13 · 49 min
469 | The Importance of Walking on Foot & Overall Health with Dr. Courtney Conley
In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, welcome back Doctor Courtney Conley to discuss her new book, Walk. Together, they explore why walking is considered the "sixth vital sign" and how gait speed can predict health issues like cognitive decline. Doctor Courtney breaks down the importance of power in walking, how to improve gait speed for greater efficiency, and why the 10,000-steps goal isn't scientifically based. She also shares p
#468
July 6 · 27 min
468 | How Strength Training Protocols Improve Gait Outcome Measures in Older Adults - a research review
In this episode of the Optimal Body podcast, Doctors of Physical Therapy Doc Jen and Doctor Dom explore the critical link between walking speed and overall health in older adults. They discuss research showing that resistance training can significantly improve gait parameters, emphasizing that muscle power is the most important modifiable factor influencing walking speed. The hosts highlight key exercise like calf raises, hip abduction, and squats, stressing the need for progressive overload to
#467
June 29 · 1 hr 3 min
467 | Free Yourself From Technology Attachment And Rediscover Human Intelligence with Shannon Algeo
In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, welcome back Shannon Algeo, psychotherapist and author of The Power in Your Hands. Shannon explores how smartphone and social media use mirrors insecure attachment patterns, introducing the concept of technology attachment to explain how people unconsciously turn to technology to manage anxiety, avoid emotions, and seek connection. The conversation covers how virtual interactions lack the embod
#466
June 22 · 29 min
466 | Discussing Dr Dom's Pickleball Injury Causing Him Mid Foot Pain
In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom explore foot pain and injury through Dom's personal experience with a Lisfranc ligament tear and two surgeries. Dom shares how a recent pickleball injury during a session triggered sharp midfoot pain, prompting him to self-assess and begin conservative treatment. They discuss potential diagnoses, footwear adjustments, and rehabilitation strategies including mobility work, strengthening exercises, and balance training. The episod
#465
June 15 · 45 min
465 | Improve Your Running Form and Reduce Common Pain with Physical Therapist Vikash Sharma
In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom welcome running expert Doctor of physical therapy Vikash Sharma to discuss how to run safely and effectively. They cover key topics like avoiding the "too much, too quickly" trap, using walk-run intervals for beginners, and following the 10% rule for mileage progression. Dr. Sharma also shares valuable advice on strength training exercise (especially calf and hip work), managing common running injuries and pain, and choosing the
#464
June 8 · 26 min
464 | Doc Jen Hurt Her Back Deadlifting! What She Did for Her Back Pain and Sciatic Pain
In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doctor Dom shares her personal experience of sustaining a minor back injury and developing sciatic pain while deadlifting. She and Doc Jen discuss how even fitness professionals aren't immune to pain and injury, emphasizing that stress, poor sleep, and rushing through movements increase the risk of experiencing issues like sciatic pain. They debunk the myth that deadlifts are inherently dangerous and clarify that disc bulges are common even in pain-fr
#463
June 1 · 52 min
463 | Navigating Peptides, GLP-1, and Weight Loss during Hormonal Shifts in Perimenopause with Dr Aleksandra Gajer
In this episode of the Optimal Body podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom sit down with Doctor Aleksandra Gajer, an expert in sustainable weight loss, longevity, and women's midlife health. Doctor Gajer discusses her journey from emergency medicine to a focus on proactive, preventative care. Key topics include metabolic health, insulin resistance, peptides, hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause, and actionable lifestyle interventions such as post-meal walking and strength training. The d
#462
May 25 · 32 min
462 | Flat Feet: Do They Cause Pain or Really Need “Fixing”? What the Latest Research Actually Says
In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom explore foot health, focusing on flat feet, plantar fasciitis, and bunions. They explain the three types of flat feet and emphasize treating symptoms over appearance. The hosts highlight exercises targeting the posterior tibialis, intrinsic foot muscles, and hip strength as key treatments. While orthotics can help manage pain, they caution against over-reliance, advocating for gradual barefoot training instead. They also stress
#461
May 18 · 39 min
461 | Real Talk about Balance Training and Fall Prevention with Physical Therapist Kelsey Bahr
In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom welcome Dr. Kelsey Barr, a physical therapist specializing in chronic pain and fall prevention. Kelsey shares her journey from fitness to PT, inspired by working with elderly patients and those with Parkinson's disease. She discusses how chronic pain affects the nervous system, the importance of strength and balance training and exercise for aging adults, and her comprehensive approach to fall prevention, including balance train
#460
May 11 · 37 min
460 | Toe Spacers For Foot Pain? What Does The Research Say?
In this episode of the Optimal Body podcast, Doctors of Physical Therapy Doc Jen and Doctor Dom explore the benefits of toe spacers for foot health. They discuss how these simple, affordable devices help counteract toe crowding caused by modern footwear, reducing pain and improving function. Backed by research, toe spacers show benefits for conditions like bunions, plantar fasciitis, Morton's neuroma, and flat feet. They also highlight benefits for balance and neurological conditions. The hosts
#459
May 4 · 51 min
459 | Recipe to Movement Longevity | Staying Strong & Mobile As We Age with Physiotherapist, Will Harlow
In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, welcome physiotherapist Will Harlow, who specializes in helping people over 50 maintain independence and achieve movement longevity. Will shares his journey from sports physiotherapy to focusing on older adults and introduces his four pillars of independence: mobility, strength, balance, and skeletal health—all essential for movement longevity. He offers practical advice, including strength tra
#458
April 27 · 24 min
458 | Hernias Explained: Understanding the Treatment Options for Inguinal, Umbilical, and Sports Hernias
In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, doctors of physical therapy, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, discuss hernias, explaining what they are, their types, causes, and treatment options. They differentiate hernias from conditions like diastasis recti and prolapse, emphasizing that hernias involve a fascial defect requiring surgery. Dr Dom shares her personal experience with bilateral inguinal hernias and inadequate post-surgical rehabilitation. Both hosts stress the importance of core and pelvic f
#457
April 20 · 42 min
457 | Nitric Oxide: The Molecule of Life for Health, Aging & Longevity with Dr. Nathan Bryan
In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, both Doctors of Physical Therapy welcome Doctor Nathan Bryan, an expert in nitric oxide biochemistry. Doctor Bryan explains how nitric oxide, a short-lived signaling molecule, is essential for cardiovascular health, brain function, immune defense, and longevity. He discusses how modern lifestyle habits, including poor diet, sedentary behavior, fluoride toothpaste, and antiseptic mouthwash, deplete nitric oxide production. Docto
#456
April 13 · 32 min
456 | The Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause: Why Your Joints and Tendons Suddenly Feel 10 Years Older
In this episode of the Optimal Body podcast, Doctors of Physical Therapy, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, explore the musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause, a cluster of symptoms including joint pain, stiffness, frozen shoulder, and muscle loss affecting women aged 40–60. They explain how declining estrogen disrupts connective tissue repair, collagen synthesis, and inflammation regulation. The hosts emphasize these symptoms reflect real physiological changes, not weakness or normal aging. They offer pra
#455
April 6 · 49 min
455 | The Recipe to Relieve Chronic Pain with Dr Rachel Zoffness
In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, doctors of physical therapy Doc Jen and Doctor Dom welcome pain scientist Dr. Rachel Zoffness to discuss the complexities of pain, especially how to relieve chronic pain, from a biopsychosocial perspective. Dr. Rachel explains that pain is influenced by physical, emotional, and social factors—not just tissue damage. The conversation covers common misconceptions, the lack of pain education in medicine, and practical strategies to relieve chronic pain.
#454
March 30 · 17 min
454 | Why Heel Pain Isn’t Just a Foot Problem: What New Research Reveals About Plantar Fasciitis
In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Dr. Jen and Dr. Dom explore chronic plantar fasciitis, highlighting new 2025 research that reveals its connection to central sensitization—where the nervous system amplifies pain. They explain why traditional treatments for plantar fasciitis may not work for everyone and emphasize a holistic approach, combining strength exercises, pain education, stress management, and lifestyle changes. The hosts also discuss the importance of addressing nervous syst

Showing 1–20 of 21 episodes