Strength Is Freedom
What do you want to still be able to do 10, 20 or 30 years from now?
Travel. Garden. Play pickleball. Carry your grandchildren. Get off the floor without help. Keep doing the things that make your life yours.
In this episode of the NHA Today Podcast, Dr. Stephan Esser sits down with physical therapist and world champion weightlifter Jen Dieter to talk about building strength for the life you want to keep living.
Jen is the founder and lead clinician of REAL Movement Physical Therapy, an 11-time CrossFit Games qualifier, five-time world record holder in Olympic weightlifting and two-time World Champion. But her message is not just for athletes. Jen did not begin CrossFit and weight training until she was 38, after years without intentional exercise.
She explains why muscle is an investment in your future and why strength training, balance, quick footwork and functional movement matter more as we age.
Most importantly, Jen encourages listeners to think beyond the scale or the mirror. Ask yourself what you want your body to be able to do years from now, then start training for that life today.
In This Episode
- Why muscle is an investment in your future
- Why it is never too late to get stronger
- What functional strength really means
- How balance and quick footwork support real-life movement
- Why fear of injury can lead to lost function
- How to start strength training if you are new to it
- Why fitness goals should go beyond weight and appearance
Jen leaves listeners with three practical places to start: lift something that feels heavy for you two or three times a week, give your cardiovascular exercise a purpose and test what your body can actually do.
About Jen Dieter
Jen Dieter, MPT is the founder and lead clinician of REAL Movement Physical Therapy. She has spent 28 years helping people move beyond pain and return to the activities they love.
REAL Movement Physical Therapy:
http://www.realmovementphysicaltherapy.com
Instagram:
@jensmash13
About Dr. Stephan Esser
Dr. Stephan Esser is a board-certified physician specializing in sports medicine and lifestyle medicine and the host of the NHA Today Podcast.
Connect with the National Health Association
Join the NHA:
https://membership.healthscience.org/join-membership?
Learn more:
https://healthscience.org
Upcoming events:
https://healthscience.org/events/
