The Well Life Podcast

What if the answer to chronic pain isn't avoiding movement, but learning how to move better?On this episode of the Well Life Podcast, TJ sits down with Jake Altman of Prime Performance Sports Chiropractic to discuss why traditional approaches to pain and rehabilitation don't always deliver the results people are looking for.Jake shares his journey into sports chiropractic, how strength training became a major part of his practice, and why understanding the person behind the injury is just as important as treating the injury itself.They discuss the misconceptions surrounding chiropractic care, the dangers of creating fear around everyday movements, and why exercises like squats and deadlifts shouldn't automatically be off-limits.The conversation also explores how different healthcare professionals can work together, why the right footwear depends on the individual, and the importance of finding practitioners who listen, adapt, and prioritize long-term progress.Whether you're dealing with recurring pain, trying to train more confidently, or simply interested in understanding how your body works, this conversation offers a different perspective on movement, rehabilitation, and strength.Connect with Jake Altman on Instagram: @primeperfsportscairo

TJ and Anthony get into a side of entrepreneurship that doesn’t always get talked about: learning how to appreciate what you’ve built while still having the drive to keep growing.They discuss how easy it is for business owners to focus on the one thing that went wrong instead of everything that is working, the difficulty of mentally separating from the business, and the process of trusting coaches and staff enough to step away.Anthony also shares what could be next for VSP, including the possibility of another location farther west on Long Island. But after the experience of finding and building the current facility, he’s also learned the importance of being patient and waiting for the right opportunity instead of forcing growth.

TJ sits down with Michael Bouranis, owner of Stoked Athletics, for a conversation about building a successful gym, creating a strong culture and developing a healthier relationship with fitness.Michael shares how he went from studying history and working at Equinox to launching his own business, opening a gym just before COVID and growing Stoked Athletics through consistency, adaptability and smart decision-making. He also explains why fitness does not need to consume your life to improve it.The conversation explores sustainable training, work-life balance, fatherhood, managing a growing team and understanding that different seasons of life require different priorities. Michael also breaks down the simple habits and systems that help him stay productive without falling into an all-or-nothing mindset.At the heart of the episode is one clear message: fitness should support the life you want to live—not become your entire life.Subscribe to the 8 Well Podcast for more conversations about health, fitness, business and personal growth.Check out the gym here:https://stokedathletics.com

Alex Egglinger joins the podcast to talk about rebuilding strength, identity, and confidence after injury. As the founder of Intent Rehab, Alex shares how he bridges the gap between rehab and performance, why “the change happens off the table,” and how showing up matters more than waiting for perfect conditions. Alex went from tearing his Achilles to building a private PT practice, this conversation is about resilience, ownership, and staying in the game when things get hard. If you’re trying to recover, rebuild, or level up, this episode is your reminder to take action and keep moving forward.

In this episode, Tyler sits down with Josh to talk fatherhood, discipline, and what it really takes to become the example your kids need.From having his first daughter at 26 to becoming a father again 10 years later, Josh shares how time, mistakes, sobriety, fitness, and structure changed the way he shows up as a dad.This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present, accountable, and willing to build the habits your children will one day model.What You’ll Learn- How fatherhood changes in different seasons of life- Why quitting alcohol created more presence and clarity- How fitness and running build mental resilience- Why kids learn more from what you do than what you say- How to balance ambition, health, and family “Nobody has it all figured out.”Show up. Build the habits. Become the example.

This episode dives into what it really takes to build confidence, a business, and a life through discipline, consistency, and doing the work—long before anyone sees results.From starting as an overweight kid to owning a gym, Carlos breaks down how fitness became more than physical—it became mental, emotional, and a foundation for everything else.We talk about the reality of entrepreneurship, why social media is misleading, and what actually separates people who succeed from those who stay stuck.This isn’t about shortcuts. It’s about showing up, staying consistent, and doing the work when no one’s watching.What You’ll Learn:- Why starting is the hardest part- The truth about confidence and fitness- How discipline builds long-term success- Why most people get distracted and fall off- The mindset needed to build something real“Discipline isn’t about feeling ready. It’s about showing up anyway.”

In this episode TJ sits down with longtime friend and coach Joao Veiga to unpack the real journey from walk-on dreamer to building a performance training empire in Florida. This conversation goes DEEP—no fluff, just raw truth about the grind.What You'll Learn:- How Joao trained his way from "no business playing D1" to UMass walk-on- Shoveling snow off turf fields at 5:45AM while campus partied- The mentality shift: lifting like a bodybuilder nearly destroyed his career- Why military time on your phone changes how you see every day- Building Clocked In Athletics from a 200lb sandbag during COVID- The "I made it" moment: When parents trust YOU with their kids' future- Why being willing to compete is more important than athletic talent- And much more!"Push past 90%. That's where growth lives."Real coaches. Real stories. No BS.

This is the FULL story behind Osiris Shepherd's rise in the fitness industry. From sleeping on gym floors as an unpaid intern to running a majority of the classes at 8Well, Osi & T.J. break down the unfiltered reality of building a career as a personal trainer.In this deep-dive conversation, we cover:- The harsh financial realities of being a trainer- Why you DON'T create your own schedule as a trainer- Avoiding burnout while grinding 12+ hour days- Meeting clients where they're at (not where you think they should be)- Giving more than you get - the 15-minute rule that builds your book- What to NEVER do as a coach- Micro momentum vs the "all gas no brakes" trapWe also cover Osi's perspective on dropping out of college, working 4 jobs simultaneously, the importance of saying YES to every opportunity, and why relationships matter more than certifications.This Episode of the Well Life Podcast is perfect for aspiring trainers, current coaches looking to level up, or anyone building a service-based business. This isn't motivational fluff - it's the blueprint from two coaches who have lived it.

In our first Well Life Podcast of 2026 we do a Dive deep into the future of wellness with the team from 8Well and LIMNT! Learn how we're revolutionizing gym experiences by integrating registered dietitian services, strength training programs, and medically supervised GLP-1/peptide protocols all under one roof.Learn why 80% of our clients already tried medications elsewhere and failed, the truth about muscle loss on GLP-1s, and why single-leg exercises might be more important than back squats for young athletes. Plus, get our hot takes on 2026 wellness trends from weighted vests to CGMs to protein-packed Oreos.This conversation covers the shift from reactive sick-care to proactive wellness, proper high school sports training, and why strength training + nutrition matter MORE than the medication itself. Real talk about building sustainable health habits that last beyond the latest trend.

Dylan Sabia of Pitch Zen Performance shares his journey from professional baseball player to elite pitching coach. After being released from indie ball teams and battling chronic elbow pain, Dylan faced reality during a drive home from the Staten Island Ferry Hawks—his future wasn't playing, it was coaching.A severe ulnar nerve injury that nearly caused permanent damage became his catalyst. Now he helps pitchers avoid the mistakes that derailed his career.Key Topics:- Why "mass equals gas" is a myth that causes injuries- The power of vision boards (he went from 85 to 94 mph in two years)- Flow states and why overthinking kills performance- Deloading vs. shutting down completely- Why performance trumps durability every timeDylan's athlete-first philosophy prioritizes long-term health while maximizing velocity and performance. Real talk from someone who's lived every mistake—so you don't have to.