Podcast: The Human Optimization Project

Mayo Clinic On Human Optimization E65 The mental game of physical fitness

Youdon’tneedanyoneto tell youthatworking out is hard.That’sthe whole point. But for many of us, the hardest partisn’tphysically liftingthe weightsor running the laps. It’s getting to the gym in the first place.It’sknowing that we can do hard things.It’sstaying motivated to keep working at it, even when day to day progress feels hard to measure. So how do…

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Mayo Clinic On Human Optimization E64 Building trust: A powerful performance multiplier

New relationships are hard for a reason – no trust.You’restarting from scratchwith nocommon understanding, no established shared goals, or history of goodwill. Everyone’sfeeling vulnerable.Butalsosuspicious. It feels hard to take risks or even just relax and be yourself. So, how do we get past the awkwardness and start building trust? Or rebuild it afterit’sbeen lost? This…

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Mayo Clinic On Human Optimization E63 A framework for understanding good leadership

Everyone loves a good leader. But they’re often held up as these singular examples of success, vision, inspiration, and perseverance. And we struggle to learn from their stories and distill them into a practical, repeatable blueprint for good leadership.   This episode, we’re joined by Dr. James Hebl, Medical Director for Leadership and Talent Development at…

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Mayo Clinic On Human Optimization E62 Self-care for busy people: Productivity demands recovery

Self-care is one of the most commonly used, but poorly understood concepts today. For some, it brings to mind indulgence, luxury, or performative wellness culture. For others, it feels selfish, soft, or unrealistic. However, self-care, when done properly, helps fuel us to be our best selves and will maximize performance gains and achievement.   Our expert…

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Mayo Clinic On Human Optimization E61 How to define your personal values

Life offers plenty of nice, concrete, mostly attainable goals for us to chase and boxes to check – good job, life partner, maybe a house, maybe kids. But that’s also the classic recipe for a midlife crisis: you work your butt off to get a bunch of those boxes checked only to find yourself exhausted…

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Mayo Clinic On Human Optimization E60 Unlocking Potential: The Art of Talent Development

Imagine: you get yourself a sweet new sports car, hop in for your first drive, only to realize you have no idea how to drive stick. So you drive around town in first gear, going super slow, making tons of noise, stalling out at every stop sign. You finally make it home, hop out and…

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Mayo Clinic On Human Optimization E59 The Sleep Paradox: Why Trying Harder Makes It Worse

 Why is it that the more we think about falling asleep, the harder it becomes? Our mindset around sleep plays a huge role in our ability to fall asleep, the amount of sleep we get and the quality of that sleep. So how can we use our mindset to our advantage? This episode, we speak…

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Mayo Clinic On Human Optimization E58 Being in Charge vs. Being a Leader

Just having a title that sounds authoritative doesn’t make someone a leader. And you don’t have to be a CEO to lead, either. So what actually inspires people to take action? In this episode, we’re joined by Thom Mayer, M.D., to explore how to stop waiting for authority and start leading. Dr. Mayer is medical…

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Mayo Clinic On Human Optimization E57 The State of Flow: How to Maximize

Hopefully, you’ve experienced getting so absorbed in work or an activity you enjoy that you lose track of time. We tend to be most productive in what is often called a “state of flow.” When harnessed effectively, flow can act like a superpower for personal fulfillment and progress. To help us better understand and maximize…

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Mayo Clinic On Human Optimization Tomorrow’s Cure – When Algorithms Meet Empathy: The Future of Patient-Centered AI

Today, we are sharing an episode from our sister podcast Tomorrow’s Cure. Produced by our Mayo Clinic colleagues, this chart-topping and Ambie Award-finalist podcast explores the future of medicine – from the rise of chronic disease and autoimmune disorders to innovations in AI, 3D bioprinting, and cancer research. In this specific episode, you’ll hear from…

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