The Far Side of Fitness

The Far Side of Fitness

Welcome to The Far Side of Fitness, where we dive into the wild, weird, and alternative sides of fitness! We go beyond the reps and sets to explore the other sides of topics in fitness that you won't hear anywhere else. Press play and tune in for fun, laughs, and eye-opening takes that’ll change the way you think about health and fitness!

Episodes

June 4, 2025 45 mins

Jen Gerasimas has over 20 years of experience in the health and fitness industry. She began her journey as a registered nurse before transitioning into teaching group exercise, then personal training. She worked in several different gym settings, including managing at a high-end fitness club. Over 8 years ago, Jen left the gym world to start her own independent personal training business 7Core Wellness. Witnessing firsthand the joy...

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In this episode, fitness professional, Kayla Johnson, delves into an unconventional and vital conversation about GLP-1 peptides, not just in the context of weight loss but also focusing on their role in perimenopause.

Kayla Johnson is a nationally recognized fitness expert, entrepreneur, and passionate women’s wellness advocate with over 30 years of experience in the industry. As the co-owner of StarCycle Santa Barbara and a two-tim...

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In this episode, Dr. Parker chats with Kira Shishkin, CEO of informed, about the importance of reliable information in an age of misinformation and information overload. Kira traces the history of news media, examining how it became both overwhelming and unreliable. He emphasizes how modern news media hijacks readers' attention and holds it hostage against their will. Kira highlights three influences that make news media noisy:...

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In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Darian Parker speaks with Dr. Alexander Hutchison, author of An Unfair Advantage: In Sports the Body Matters, to explore one of the most contentious debates in modern athletics: the participation of trans women in women’s sports. The conversation dives deep into the biological differences between men and women, the role of hormone replacement therapy, and the science behind physical performanc...

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In this eye-opening episode of The Far Side of Fitness, Dr. Darian Parker chats with Dr. Elliot Justin, an Emergency Medicine (EM) specialist and healthcare technology consultant in erectile neuromodulation, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Dr. Justin explores the emerging science of erectile fitness—a vital yet often overlooked indicator of men’s overall health. Far beyond the clichés, we discuss how sexual performance, noctu...

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In this episode, the founders of Mobius, Caroline, and Julia, discuss their innovative approach to making fitness more inclusive and accessible by integrating it with non-fitness businesses and community events. They share their mission to bring fitness into spaces where it's not traditionally found and highlight their efforts to support local businesses and fitness professionals.


Check out the Blog Post for this Episode:

Ep...

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In this episode, David shares the inspiring story of how he created a versatile home gym device out of necessity. He describes his lifelong passion for fitness, the challenges of maintaining a workout routine as life's responsibilities grow, and the inventive ways he kept fit using everyday household items. After a home accident with a pull-up bar, David was motivated to design a better solution.


David's Link:

The Door Wa...

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In this inaugural episode of Unracked, Shawn Richardson shares the exciting journey of creating the Bodybuilding and Mobile Functionality Hammer, a unique strength training tool that combines attributes of kettlebells, maces, and sledgehammers. He discusses the inspiration behind the invention, the challenges faced during production, and the versatility of the product for different training environments.


Shawn's Links:

Instag...

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David Amerland has authored several influential books on SEO, including Google Semantic Search, which explores how Google's algorithm shifts to better understand user intent and deliver meaningful results. His work emphasizes the importance of context, relevance, and semantic connections in digital content strategies. By focusing on human-centric approaches, he has helped businesses adapt to the changing landscape of search and con...

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This episode delves into the critical connection between gut health and fitness with Nutritional Therapist, Atavia Minoudis who specializes in gut health.

Atavia's Links:


Podcast:

Gut Reactions


IG:

https://www.instagram.com/atavia.minoudis/


Dr. Parker's Links:


Website: www.doctordarianparker.com


Dr. Parker's Affiliate - Stick Mobility

Get your flexibility back and prevent injuries with Stick Mobility. Tra...

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Alison Katschkowsky is a veteran swimmer and lifelong fitness enthusiast—first as a competitive swimmer and then a bodybuilding career before beginning her business. An established fitness expert and coach for 30+ years, in the health, fitness and coaching industry—she’s helped thousands of people and groups achieve fitness and longevity goals. Alison owns CU Fitness-a health and fitness ‘hybrid’ business—where she has most recentl...

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In this episode, we delve into the world of fitness mentorship with a focus on the Fitness Mentor Network. Our guest, Aaron Wyant, discusses his passion for mentorship, inspired by his own career and past mentors. He sheds light on the informal nature of career development in the fitness industry and the importance of perseverance. The discussion includes reflections on how the pandemic impacted the industry, leading to creative pi...

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In this episode, fitness professional, Laura Dow, shares her deep-rooted passion for mentorship, stemming from her background as an educator and musician. She reflects on the importance of collaboration and support in the fitness industry, highlighting her experiences with mentors who shaped her journey. Discussing the high attrition rates and burnout in the field, Laura underscores the significance of the fitness mentor network.

La...

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Waihon is from Malaysia but now works and lives in St Paul, MN with his wife. He is an educator and wellness coach. He works primarily with new immigrants in Minnesota and travels back to Malaysia 2-3x a year to conduct education & wellness workshops for schools, coaches and community. He had taught at the K-12 as well as college level in Malaysia and Minnesota. Waihon is awarded the Distinguished Alumni of Last Decade by his a...

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Jennifer Dawkins is a Tattoo Artist, Cosmetologist/Esthetician and Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor.


Jennifer's Links:


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/metamorphosis_by_jen?igsh=bWd4d2g1Z2w3YjNt


Time Stamps:


00:00 Introduction: Beauty, Fitness, and Wellness

00:26 The Foundation of Beauty: Fitness and Self-Care

01:26 Body Modification: Beyond Tattoos and Piercings

02:48 Mindset Training: Ov...

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The project team from the soon to be launched Fitness Mentor Network, came on The Far Side of Fitness to discuss why a nationwide mentorship program hasn't come to fruition in the past, why this time it will work and a call to action to our fitness and well-being colleagues to advocate for a better industry.


Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction and the State of the Fitness Industry

00:39 The Importance of Mentorship in Fitness

00:46 ...

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In this episode, Allison Jackson shares her transformative journey from a decade-long bodybuilding lifestyle to adopting a more balanced approach to health and fitness. She opens up about her experiences with extreme fitness, the physical and mental toll it took on her, and the pivotal moments that inspired her shift towards focusing on overall well-being and mindfulness.


Allison's Links:


www.allisonjacksonfitness.com

FB, IG - @...

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In this episode, we explore Kate's transformative journey from an 'angry vegan' to leading with love and compassion. Kate shares personal stories, including the strained relationship with her father and the profound impact of her mother's sudden death, which redirected her approach to activism. Through anecdotes from her experience as a personal trainer and an animal rights advocate, Kate highlights the importance of empathy and re...

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In this episode, the discussion revolves around Velocity Based Training (VBT) and its application beyond athletic settings to benefit general exercisers. Conor Gettemy, the Director of Sports Performance at Flagler College, provides an in-depth look at VBT's core principles: eliciting specific training adaptations, auto-regulation to optimize readiness, and the importance of immediate feedback and driving intent.


Connor's Links:

I...

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Janet McConnell is a renowned health and fitness expert with over 20 years of experience, specializing in the powerful link between strength training and cognitive health. As a certified fitness coach through the American College of Sports Medicine and a North American National Champion in IFBB Figure and Physique competitions for the 50+ and 60+ divisions, Janet embodies the essence of proactive, healthy aging. Her innovative focu...

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