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I came across a powerful piece recently—Dr. Sanjay Gupta, neurosurgeon and CNN medical correspondent, just released a deeply human-centered exploration of chronic pain.
His new work, It Doesn’t Have to Hurt, reshapes how we think about pain—and how we feel about it. He shares a personal story: caring for his mother after a spinal injury gave him new insight into how pain can hijack not just a person’s body, but their identity, and even reach into the hearts of families. It’s a reminder: pain isn’t just physical—it’s emotional, social, and psychological all at once. Here’s where it gets fascinating: Gupta shines a light on the brain’s ability to soothe pain. Through mindfulness, meditation, movement, acupuncture—and even the reassuring touch of a loved one—our brains can tap into their own opioid systems. That means powerful, non-drug relief, backed by neuroscience. This perspective really resonates with me because it’s exactly the kind of work I do every day with clients—whether in yoga therapy or Movement Rx group virtual sessions, Mindful Movement classes, or one-on-one Movement Momentum sessions. We use gentle, intentional movement, awareness of breath, and simple practices to help the body release tension and the mind find calm. Over and over again, I see people discover more ease in their bodies—not because the pain magically disappears, but because they learn how to work with their bodies instead of against them. What I love about Gupta’s approach is that it validates what many of us already experience: connection, awareness, and small daily practices matter. They’re not “woo-woo”—they’re science, and they’re accessible. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a cycle of pain—whether it’s chronic back pain, arthritis, or that vague ache that just won’t go away—this conversation is worth your time. I highly recommend listening to the Fresh Air episode where Gupta delves into it all—pain origins, the mind-body connection, and compassionate, practical strategies. It’s a thoughtful, hopeful listen that might give you a new lens on your own journey. And if you’re curious about how to explore these tools in your own life, you know I’d love to guide you—whether it’s joining a virtual class, trying a workshop, or working together one-on-one. Let’s remember: pain doesn’t define you. It doesn’t have to hurt forever. Stay well and happy moving, Lisa P.S., Watch “Dr. Sanjay Gupta Reports: It Doesn’t Have to Hurt.” at 9 p.m. ET on September 7 on CNN.
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Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough not just to meet other parents through my kids, but also some of the grandparents. There’s something really special about those conversations—you get little glimpses into their lives, how they’re navigating grandparenthood, family events, and the everyday moments that matter most. One grandmother I know—her grandson is a friend of my youngest—has stood out in my mind lately. She’s always been a vibrant, active woman. She loved walking, gardening, and swimming. She was the type who could be found busy from sunup to sundown, keeping the household running and making it all look effortless. But not long ago, she suffered a major back injury. Her recovery was tough. She couldn’t do many of the things she once did without thinking. Even some daily activities and chores became impossible. Her husband had to take on everything around the house while she focused on healing. For someone who had always been the one taking care of everyone else, this was a huge shift. She began using a walker just to get around. I’d see her at sporting events, carefully making her way through the crowd—still determined to show up, but clearly in pain and moving with great effort. Then, just the other day, I ran into her at the pool. And let me tell you—I was so happy to see her there. She told me she had recently started swimming again, going with either her daughter or granddaughter for support. With a smile, she shared, “Last time I was here, I swam one full length of back crawl.” I cheered for her. One length might not sound like much to some people, but to her, it was a huge victory. Her daughter chimed in, explaining that they were taking it slowly--just baby steps—to get her back to where she wants to be. After seeing her at the pool, I offered to help her with Nordic walking poles once she feels ready. She agreed, saying she’ll reach out when the time is right. That’s the heart of it, isn’t it? We don’t need to do everything at once. Progress happens in small, intentional steps. It happens with support. And it happens when we’re ready to say, “Okay—I’m ready for what’s next.” And that’s exactly why I created Movement Rx. It’s my signature virtual group program designed to help people move smarter, manage pain, and take those baby steps back toward strength and confidence. If you missed my recent Move Smart, Feel Better webinar, you can catch the replay here.  Inside, I share the 3 biggest mistakes people make when managing pain—and how to avoid them—so you can keep moving forward.
And with Movement Rx about to start (September 9 to be exact!), this is the perfect time to watch and see if it might be your “next step.” It’s all about how small adjustments—baby steps—can make a big difference in moving with less pain and more confidence. So let me turn the question to you: Are you ready to take your next step? Stay well and happy moving, Lisa P.S. Movement Rx is starting in September—I’d love for you to join me. If you’ve been waiting for the “right time” to start, this could be your next step. Watch the replay here! A while back, a client of mine, Rita, shared that she’d basically given up on movement. She was tired of trying things that didn’t work… or worse, made her pain flare up. So she stopped. Understandable, right? But here’s the thing--movement isn’t the problem. It’s how we move that matters. Join me for a live webinar on Friday, August 22 at 10am MST: Move Smart, Feel Better Webinar: Get Unstuck from Pain Through Smarter Movement  We’ll talk about the 3 most common ways people unknowingly stay stuck in pain: ✔︎ Not moving at all ✔︎ Pushing too hard ✔︎ Adapting movement in ways that backfire If any of that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. And there’s a better way forward that doesn’t involve “no pain, no gain.” 🎟️ Free for The MedFit Movement Studio members 💳 $19.97 for everyone else 📲 https://bit.ly/UnstuckFromPain 🎁 BONUS: All attendees are entered to win 1 grand prize and two additional prizes (or more!) Whether you’re curious, frustrated, or just ready for something that feels doable—I’d love to see you there. Stay well and happy moving, Lisa P.S. Know someone who might need this too? Forward this email and invite them along. Having someone in your corner makes all the difference. You've come a long way in this series. ✔︎ You’ve learned that pain doesn’t mean you’re broken. ✔︎ You’ve tried a gentle movement to shift tension. ✔︎ You’ve challenged the beliefs that may have been holding you back. ✔︎ And you’ve seen the simple 3-step framework I use every day to help my clients move smarter—and feel better. Now, it's time for the next step. Movement Rx is my signature virtual group program—designed for people like you who are tired of feeling stuck in their bodies and ready for real change. This is not just another exercise plan. It's a supported path forward using a blend of clinical exercise science and yoga therapy, grounded in cognition and compassion. No bootcamps. No pushing through pain. No gimmicks. 🎥 See how Movement Rx works—and why your body will thank you. Inside the video, I’ll walk you through exactly how Movement Rx works—and why it might be just what your body has been asking for. Movement Rx is for you if:
If that sounds like you—know this: You are not broken. You’re just in need of the right support. And I’d be honoured to walk with you on this next leg of your journey. 📞 Let’s talk about your body—and your goals—one-on-one. Schedule your complimentary consultation today → We’ll chat about your goals, what’s holding you back, and how Movement Rx might help you move forward—confidently, comfortably, and with care. 📅 Join me live on August 22 for Move Smart, Feel Better: Get Unstuck From Pain Through Smarter Movement. This free webinar is exclusively for my email community and The MedFit Movement Studio members. If you’re not in The Studio yet, join today so you can grab your free seat. I’ll be sending your access code in next week’s email. The webinar is packed with value—and whether or not you join Movement Rx, you won’t want to miss it. With appreciation, Lisa Ever wonder how someone goes from being afraid to move…to confidently walking, stretching, bending—even hiking again? That kind of transformation doesn’t happen overnight. And it doesn’t come from “pushing through the pain.” It comes from something smarter. Something more supportive. It comes from a process. In Episode 4 of Move Smart, Feel Better, I’m sharing the exact 3-step method I use with my clients inside my signature virtual group program, Movement Rx—the same approach I’ve developed over 25 years of helping people move with more ease and confidence. 🎥 Watch Episode 4: My 3-Step Method to Moving With Less Pain It’s not about pushing harder or doing more. It’s about tuning in, working with your body, and moving in a way that feels safe, clear, and sustainable. The 3 steps we’ll walk through are: 1. Awareness – Noticing where you are, what you feel, and what your body is communicating. 2. Articulation – Exploring the movements available at your joints (aka your “pure movement”) and what that reveals about your mobility. 3. Action – Personalized, supportive movement based on how your body moves and what feels right for you. This framework is the foundation of everything I do with my clients. And it works. It’s how we move from pain to progress—without fear, force, or frustration. 🎥 Watch now and see how this process might just be the shift you’ve been looking for. And if this resonates, stay tuned. The next video is your personal invitation to go deeper inside Movement Rx. Stay well and happy moving, Lisa By now, I hope you’re starting to feel something new taking shape. Not just in your body, but in your mindset. Because in Episode 3 of Move Smart, Feel Better, we’re diving into something big: The belief that pain means you should stop moving. It’s something so many of us have been told. And honestly? It’s one of the biggest reasons people stay stuck in pain. Let me tell you about Sylvia. When we first met, she was convinced that walking around the block—just once—was out of reach. Every time she felt even a whisper of discomfort, she’d shut down completely. She was scared of making things worse. She was scared of her own body. But over time, we worked together to gently explore what movement could feel like—not forced, not painful, just supported. We started small. Really small. And guess what? Sylvia started walking again. One block. Then two. Then three. All because she was willing to shift one deeply rooted belief: 👉 That pain means “stop.”  In today’s video, I’ll walk you through this mindset shift—why the “don’t move” myth is holding so many people back, and what to do instead. 🎥 Watch Episode 3: Stop Believing This About Pain (It’s Holding You Back) This episode might just be the one that changes everything. And if you know someone who’s feeling stuck in their own body—dealing with fear, pain, or the belief that things can’t change—share the playlist with them. They deserve to feel better too. So do you. Stay well and happy moving, Lisa If you watched Episode 1 of Move Smart, Feel Better, you now know: Pain isn’t a stop sign—it’s a signal. 🚨 And today, we’re shifting into action. 📍 Missed the first episode? Watch it here. In Episode 2, I’ll guide you through one of my go-to movements—something I teach regularly to my clients managing tension, stiffness, or lingering discomfort. It’s subtle. It’s powerful. And it often brings surprising relief in just a few minutes.  Even though the movement focuses on the shoulder blades, its impact reaches far beyond that single area. By gently activating these often-forgotten muscles and joints, you may feel release through your neck, spine, upper back—and even down into your lower body. That’s the magic of thoughtful, intelligent movement. It may look simple, but when done with intention, it creates ripple effects throughout your entire body. One of my long-time clients tells me this movement is her reset button. Whenever tension creeps back in, this is the one she returns to—and it never lets her down. And now, I want to share it with you. 🎥 Watch Episode 2: Try This One Movement to Start Relieving Pain Today No equipment needed—just a chair, a few minutes, and a bit of curiosity. Your body will thank you. See you in the next video! Stay well and happy moving, Lisa If you’ve ever felt like pain is taking over your body—and your life—you’re not alone. I’ve been there too. When I was just 12, I had my first encounter with persistent pain. A back injury that showed up unexpectedly and lingered much longer than expected. That early experience shaped how I saw my body—and for a while, I felt broken. But over the past 25 years—as a clinical exercise physiologist, kinesiologist, and yoga therapist—I’ve discovered something powerful: Pain is not the enemy. It’s not a diagnosis. It’s not a punishment. And it’s definitely not the end of your story. This is exactly why I created the free video series: Move Smart, Feel Better: A New Approach to Pain In Episode 1, I invite you to reframe pain in a completely different way-- not as something to fear or fight, but as a message from your body.  🧠 In this short video, you’ll learn:
Whether you’ve been living with pain for years or it’s just starting to slow you down, this is the first step to building a new relationship with movement—and with your body. 🎥 Watch Episode 1: Why Your Pain Isn’t the Real Problem (and What To Do About It) This series will release one video per week over the next five weeks. Subscribe while you're there so you don’t miss a thing. You’re not broken. Let’s explore the path forward together. Be well and happy moving, Lisa I know it’s summer and the last thing you need right now is a long blog post —so I’ll keep this short and sweet. ☀️
Back in April, I shared some science behind how music can boost motivation, performance, and even joy in movement. Since then, many of you have sent in your favourite workout tracks—and our playlist is coming together nicely! The full playlist will be released in the Fall when we all get back to our regularly scheduled programming—but before that happens, I want to hear from you one more time: What songs would you add to our community playlist? Whether it’s your energizer, your “just get me started” tune, or a feel-good summer jam—just hit reply and share. One song or five—I’d love to include your picks. And while we’re keeping things light… If we’re not already connected on social, now’s a great time! I just posted a behind-the-scenes video on Instagram of a brand-new YouTube series I’ve been working on. It’ll be landing in your inbox soon, but until then, come hang out with me here: ✔︎ Instagram – for peeks behind the scenes and daily inspo ✔︎ Facebook – for updates, community shares, and resources ✔︎ YouTube – where you’ll find lots of free videos to support your movement Thanks for being part of this fun project—and for making this community what it is. Enjoy the rest of the weekend! Be well and happy moving, Lisa What would it be like if you smashed your own goals?  Let me explain. We are deep into the rhythm of summer swim training and meets. The sun is shining, the goggles are fogged, and our beach towels are permanently damp. One day, as we were walking to the car after practice, my son turned to me and said, “I’m going to smash my times this year.” It took me a second to let it sink in. Smash his times? What exactly did he mean? And then I realized—he didn’t say he was going to win his age category. He didn’t say he was going to beat the other boys. He said he was going to beat himself. He knew the only person he was competing against was himself. And isn’t that just the truth when it comes to our movement goals too? Whether we’re walking more, lifting weights, joining a class, or recovering from an injury, it’s so easy to get caught in the comparison trap: ➡️ “She’s doing more than me.” ➡️ “He’s fitter than I am.” ➡️ “They’re already back to running, and I’m not there yet.” But what if—just like my 13-year-old—we flipped that script? What if you focused only on you? Where you were. Where you are. Where you want to go. It changes the game. It shifts the energy. Because when we let go of comparison, we create space to build true momentum. And hey, if you’re not totally sure what your movement goals even are right now, you’re not alone. That’s exactly why we gather each month inside The MedFit Movement Studio for Community Conversations — a welcoming, supportive space to set intentions and check in with your movement, your body, and your goals. And July is a double whammy 🎯 We're setting the tone for both July AND August (because we take a break from Community Conversations in August). So now’s the time to jump in. Next Community Conversations: 🗓 Friday, July 4th 📍 Inside The MedFit Movement Studio Because if you don’t know where you are, how can you possibly know where you’re going? So, I invite you to pause, reflect, and ask: What would it look like to smash your own goals? Let’s write them down. Let’s talk them through. Let’s put in the effort so they don’t just stay intentions — they become action. I know we all have things we want to do — and things we need to do — for our health and vitality. This, my friend, is your opportunity to get the ball rolling. Let’s make it happen — together. Be well and happy moving, Lisa P.S. Not a member yet? You can still join us. It’s free! Hit reply and I’ll personally send you the details.  |
Letters From LisaMissed my most recent newsletter? Don't worry, I've got your back. Find all my exclusive letters here on this blog. ~Lisa Archives
November 2025
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