Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project Podcast Por Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development arte de portada

Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project

Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project

De: Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development
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The bar for human performance is higher than it’s ever been. As a result, we all feel the need to do MORE. At the same time, we are becoming increasingly aware of the value of sleep, rest, recovery, and wellness. Accordingly, we also feel the need to do LESS. If you’re like most people, it can be challenging to reconcile this conflict of feeling the need to do MORE and LESS simultaneously, and that is likely contributing to high rates of burnout and decreased performance. So how do we reconcile these seemingly competing desires? That is where Human Optimization comes in. Human Optimization is the process of achieving more (however you define that for yourself) while simultaneously improving your wellness and well-being. Although it’s not easy, it’s certainly possible. Not only is it possible, but it is becoming increasingly essential. In this Mayo Clinic Talks Mini-Series, we are going to dive into the topic of Human Optimization and will focus on a few key areas including: exercise, nutrition, culture, emotional intelligence, and finding joy in all you do.

Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at:
https://ce.mayo.edu/optimize
X: @MayoHumanOpProj
Instagram: @MayoHumanOpProj
YouTube: The Human Optimization Project - YouTube
Email: optimize@mayo.edu

Listening is free and no CME Credit is available for this series.Copyright 2025 All rights reserved. Desarrollo Personal Higiene y Vida Saludable Psicología Psicología y Salud Mental Éxito Personal
Episodios
  • E49 How to Find a Good Mentor, and How to Be a Good Mentor

    E49 How to Find a Good Mentor, and How to Be a Good Mentor
    Jan 28 2026

    Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project

    Guest: Charanjit S. Rihal, M.D., MBA

    William S. and Ann Atherton Professor of Cardiology - Department of Cardiovascular Medicine | Chair, Mayo Clinic People and Culture Committee, Member Board of Trustees - Mayo Clinic – Rochester, MN

    We are all a product of our environment, and this includes the people we surround ourselves with. Anyone that has achieved a level of success knows that they didn’t do it completely alone. One of the key ingredients to success in all activities is having high quality mentorship. A good mentor is worth their weight in gold, but how do we FIND a good mentor? And equally important, how can we BE a good mentor to others? That’s what we’ll discuss with our expert guest, Dr. Chet Rihal.

    The three big questions we will cover include:

    1. What qualities make up a good mentor and why do we need one?
    2. What are the most common mistakes we make when trying to find a mentor or be a mentor?
    3. What steps can we take toidentify a good mentor, and serve as a mentor to others?

    How to start a Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project “Pod-Club”: Step 1: Find 2-30 friends who want to get better Step 2: Choose your episodes (can be focused on specific themes or random) Step 3: Listen to/watch the episodes Step 4: Meet with your group to work through the provided discussion questions for each episode, and feel free to add your own! Step 5: Celebrate the fact that you are turning passive knowledge into action!

    Discussion Questions for this Episode:

    1. Dr. Rihal defines mentorship as a relationship that helps one achieve their optimal professional self. How does this definition differ from your initial understanding of mentorship?
    2. How does the concept of mentorship differ from sponsorship, according to Dr. Rihal's explanation? How have you experienced mentorship and / or sponsorship in your career?
    3. What are the primary benefits of having a mentor, as described by Dr. Rihal, beyond just technical or professional guidance?
    4. Dr. Rihal suggests that mentors can help mentees see potential they might not recognize themselves. Can you recall a time when someone else saw potential in you that you hadn't recognized?
    5. What are the key qualities Dr. Rihal identifies as essential for a good mentor, and which of these do you find most crucial?
    6. Dr. Rihal emphasizes that mentees should avoid trying to become a carbon copy of their mentor. What steps can a mentee take to ensure they develop their own unique professional identity?
    7. What are the most common mistakes mentors make, and how can mentees avoid falling into the trap of mistaking their mentor for an “oracle” with all the answers?
    8. Dr. Rihal suggests that individuals can eventually become their own mentor by understanding their goals and drivers. What is one step you can take this week to better understand your own internal drivers?

    Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimize X: @MayoHumanOpProj Instagram: @MayoHumanOpProj YouTube: The Human Optimization Project - YouTube

    Email: optimize@mayo.edu

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    57 m
  • E48 The Struggle with Work-Life Balance and Why Work-Life Integration May be a Better Solution

    E48 The Struggle with Work-Life Balance and Why Work-Life Integration May be a Better Solution
    Jan 21 2026
    Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project Guest: Andrea A. Tooley, MD, FACS, Associate Professor, Oculofacial Plastic Surgery | Mayo Clinic – Rochester, MN (2020-2025) Innovative Ophthalmology | Paducah, Kentucky (2026-Present) “Work Life Balance” is a term we hear almost daily. Although the phrase is intended to help us successfully juggle our many responsibilities, we mostly hear about it in the context of struggle. The constant striving for Work-Life Balance can leave us exhausted and unfulfilled. That begs the question, should we be looking at this in a different way? To help us sort that out, our expert guest is Dr. Andrea Tooley. The three big questions we are going to answer with Dr. Tooley include: 1. What is work-life integration, and how is it different from work-life balance? 2. Why do we all struggle with this concept of “balance” in our lives? 3. What do we need to do to change our thinking and our actions to create work-life integration that leaves us productive and fulfilled? How to start a Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project “Pod-Club”: Step 1: Find 2-30 friends who want to get better Step 2: Choose your episodes (can be focused on specific themes or random) Step 3: Listen to/watch the episodes Step 4: Meet with your group to work through the provided discussion questions for each episode, and feel free to add your own! Step 5: Celebrate the fact that you are turning passive knowledge into action! Discussion Questions for this Episode: The podcast suggests that "work-life balance" often feels like "another pressure" or "another thing we're failing at." Do you agree with this assessment?Dr. Tooley defines "work-life integration" as a "slight reframe of balance where you're never all or nothing," allowing for more "fluidity." How might this conceptualization differ from your current approach to managing work and personal life?Dr. Tooley shares her strategy of re-evaluating her daily strategy every six months to adapt to changing life seasons. What benefits or challenges do you foresee in adopting a more flexible, periodic re-evaluation? The speakers discuss the importance of knowing yourself, your values, and your goals to make intentional choices. What steps can you take to better understand your core drivers and non-negotiables? Perhaps you and your podclub members can support one another in this reflection. The podcast highlights feelings of "guilt" (and especially "mom guilt”) associated with striving for balance, often stemming from external definitions of success. How do you identify and challenge external pressures or definitions of success that might be contributing to feelings of inadequacy in your own life?Dr. Tooley gives examples of "segregation" (no work email on phone) and "blending" (kids at work meetings) that work for her. What are some specific areas in your life where you currently segregate work and personal life, and where might you consider blending them more intentionally?The discussion touches on the idea that "you can do everything, but not all at once." How do you prioritize and make decisions about what to say "yes" or "no" to, especially when faced with opportunities that might not perfectly align with your current goals or capacity?The speakers emphasize that "everybody's a mess" and "nobody's got it together." Identify two actions that you can take to reduce your self-imposed pressure and foster a more compassionate approach to your own work-life journey and that of others? Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimize X: @MayoHumanOpProj Instagram: @MayoHumanOpProj YouTube: The Human Optimization Project - YouTube Email: optimize@mayo.edu
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    51 m
  • E47 How Diet and Nutrition Impact Pain & Inflammation in the Body

    E47 How Diet and Nutrition Impact Pain & Inflammation in the Body
    Jan 14 2026
    Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project Guest: Chelsey Hoffmann, PA-C, MS, RD, Physician Assistant | Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Pain Medicine - Mayo Clinic - Rochester, MN It’s been said that "we are what we eat," and we all sort of understand what that means. At the same time, most understand what it's like to intermittently experience body aches and pains that we can't always explain.  While the reasons for these aches and pains are variable, much of this pain and inflammation we experience may be related to the food we eat and the beverages we drink. Are you curious if that is the case for you? Our expert guest here to help us figure that out is Chelsey Hoffman. The three big questions we have for her are:  1. How does our nutrition impact pain and inflammation in the body? 2. What are the foods are the biggest problems and why do we keep eating them? 3. What practical changes can we make to our nutrition to reduce pain and inflammation to leave us feeling like our best selves? How to start a Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project “Pod-Club”: Step 1: Find 2-30 friends who want to get better Step 2: Choose your episodes (can be focused on specific themes or random) Step 3: Listen to/watch the episodes Step 4: Meet with your group to work through the provided discussion questions for each episode, and feel free to add your own! Step 5: Celebrate the fact that you are turning passive knowledge into action! Discussion Questions for this Episode: The podcast defines pain and inflammation as distinct but related, with inflammation being beneficial in the short term but problematic when chronic. How might you differentiate between helpful vs. harmful inflammation in your own body? Chelsey emphasizes that nutrition is a major lever for health, but also highlights the interconnectedness of lifestyle factors like stress, sleep, and exercise. How do you currently balance these different pillars of health? If you were able to substantially improve one of these (nutrition, stress, sleep, and exercise), which do you think would have the biggest impact on reducing your physical aches and pains for you personally? The discussion identifies saturated fats, trans fats, added sugars, and ultra-processed foods as major pro-inflammatory culprits. Reflect on your typical diet; which of these categories do you consume most frequently, and what challenges do you anticipate in reducing their intake?The concept of an "anti-inflammatory diet" is described as an umbrella term, best approached through overall dietary patterns like the Mediterranean or Mayo Clinic diets. What are some specific anti-inflammatory foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc.) that you could easily incorporate more into your daily meals? Chelsey suggests that after a "washout period" from processed foods, taste buds can readjust, leading to a new appreciation for the natural sweetness of fruits and less craving for processed foods. Have you ever experienced a similar shift in your taste preferences? If not, commit to trying it this week and noting how you feel. What strategies could help you commit to such a washout period? The podcast advises against relying solely on improving your "blood tests" for reducing inflammation, instead recommending objective functional metrics like improved sleep, mood, and energy. How do you currently measure your own well-being, and how might you start tracking these functional metrics to assess the impact of dietary changes? The SMART goals framework (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely) is presented as a way to make dietary changes. If you were to set one SMART goal related to your nutrition, what would it be, and how would you ensure it's tied to a personal "why" or value?The speakers discuss the importance of habit formation, accountability partners, and removing unhealthy foods from the home. Which of these behavioral strategies do you find most effective for yourself, and how could you leverage them to make healthier eating the "path of least resistance" in your daily life? Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimize X: @MayoHumanOpProj Instagram: @MayoHumanOpProj YouTube: The Human Optimization Project - YouTube Email: optimize@mayo.edu
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    49 m
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