The health Issue with Modern Gyms
The first time I heard Jim Laird speak on a podcast, I was hooked. I was not a gym rat at the time but I was intrigued by Jim’s perspective. He could see that trying to get healthier in a high nnEMF, artificially blue lit gym environment was an oxymoron. He was the first fitness trainer I heard speak of modifying the gym for circadian-friendly lighting to support the patrons’ health.
A Magical Union
Dr Leland Stillman, MD was one of my iincredible nstructors at the Institute of Applied Quantum Biology. He is one of my mentors to this day. He is also the author of Dying to be Free. As I understand it, Dr Stillman and Jim partnered to bring more fitness coaching into Dr Stillman’s practice The synergy of these two coaching quantum health has been magical. They derived the 5 Fundamentals of Health which I practice daily and have now incorporated into both my personalized and group coaching too. You will have to listen to the podcast to learn these 5 if you are not yet familiar (or join Jim or my group coaching!).
Northern Roots
Jim grew up in Edmonton, Alberta. I chuckled the first time in a podcast him recalling watching his spit freeze as a kid in winter there – because its true! I also lived in Edmonton as a kid on the army base Griesbach for 3 years. I birthed my youngest son there in the high-risk hospital and lived 7 fun years north of Edmonton in Cold Lake. That is what happens when you marry a Canadian a F-18 fighter pilot. This northern community breeds hearty folk that can learn to find the humour in -40C. Jim is the epitome of hearty, and not just because he was a powerlifter.
Ahead of his time
Something new I learned in the interview is that Jim saw early the toll marathon-type cardio sports were having on women’s health and especially their hormones. He converted many women to incorporate weight training before this became the rage it is today.
The Journey to Nicaragua
Jim truly walks his talk. He dreamt of building an outdoor gym in Nicaragua, one of the last pristine nnEMF environments. He podcasted this journey by car with his dog Rommel. I thoroughly enjoyed following this journey with all his cultural insights and challenges to get through each country safely. It was heartwarming in our interview to hear the rest of the story with his life and health in Nicaragua, including some surprising and controversial conclusions that you will have to hear for yourself.
A few key lessons from 30+ years of coaching
Jim shared a few principles recently in a newsletter that have guided him in his health and wellness journey. He shared some other gems in our podcast interview together. Here are my favourites:
Be results-based. Let data guide you. Whether you’re practicing keto, fasting, HIIT, or any other protocol, keep an eye on your metrics. When something stops working, have the flexibility to pivot and adapt your approach. Avoid Dogma.
Make time for silence. In our fast-paced, noisy world, moments of stillness are more valuable than ever. Silence offers space for clarity, reflection, and renewal. Make it a priority to “be still and know.” Whether through meditation, journaling, or simply unplugging from the noise, quiet moments can be incredibly transformative. A little goes a long way! I encourage you to find the part in the interview where Jim shared ‘Stillness seems to be the reboot.” This was a massive Aha moment for me personally and I am still processing it.
“Flirt with performance, don’t marry it” You have to listen to the podcast to hear how Jim explains this one. I can’t give it all away in this blog ( :
Summary
I might be biased but this is a treasure of an interview; it is jam packed with sage advice. I do hope he joins us again so we can all fill up on more Jim Laird wisdom!
Stay tuned for the Timestamps….
Group Coaching Opportunity
Is 1 hour a week and 22$ CAD/month too much to invest in your health? I have a group of empowered women who don’t think so. We meet each Wednesday for an online lunch and learn and motivate each other to achieve previously unattainable goals. If you have health goals too, we would love you to join us – details here.
Pilates Instructor
Its official – I just began teaching Pilates for a group class at my local gym. Its been a dream in the making for 20 years and I could not be more excited to bring the gift of Pilates to more people. It was a key piece of my tibial injury recovery this past 6 months. Yes – I struggled with the decision to take my workout inside a gym again. It began as a necessary evil with specific equipment I needed for physiotherapy. I am mitigating the blue light with blue blockers and clothes to cover as much skin as I can from their circadian-unfriendly lighting. Maybe one day soon the owner will “see the light” and find a lighting solution to support our quantum health beyond just fitness. What Else is Possible? As for the nnEMFs, I am wearing a Lifewave X49 patch to help my body withstand the electromagnetic stress of the gym environment. Following the nnEMF 3D principle of Distance, Duration and Downtime – I don’t linger. I only teach onr 45 min class a week at this point and ensure to do my other exercise outdoors in nature – grounded if I can.
Jim Laird is an experienced strength and conditioning and health coach. Since 1997, he has empowered clients from diverse backgrounds to achieve their goals. From everyday individuals to professional athletes in the NFL, CFL, LPGA, and MLB, Jim helps clients unlock their potential. He’s renowned for delivering exceptional outcomes efficiently, focusing on optimal health along with strength. With his motto, “Training Smarter, Not Harder,” Jim’s approach has earned praise from experts. He brings a unique coaching style that combines fitness, nature, and outdoor activities for overall well-being. He lives in Nicaragua where he is building a gym on the beach to allow people to focus on their strength in an environment that is healthy.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
01:13 – Jim’s Journey
06:42 – Discovering Health Issues
11:22 – Benefits of Float Tanks
14:35 – Understanding “The Body Keeps the Score”
16:48 – Exploring EMDR Therapy
19:40 – EMDR Therapy Insights
21:20 – The Zoo Animal Experience
27:17 – Life-Saving Benefits of Nature
30:20 – Community Importance in Healing
32:18 – Managing Stress Levels
34:58 – Five Fundamental Health Habits
38:08 – Meeting Jackie: A Story
39:37 – Rethinking Food’s Importance
43:48 – The Stress Bathtub Concept
45:15 – Common Mistakes in Health
49:28 – Understanding “Fear Porn”
52:23 – Basics Before Quantum Health
58:33 – Mitochondrial Density After 40
01:00:58 – Muscle Density vs. Lifespan Trade-offs
01:02:45 – Signature Question
01:07:46 – Further Thoughts on Quantum Health
01:14:26 – Gratitude and Acknowledgments
01:20:10 – Outro
Music Credit: Devon Kissmann
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