Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project cover art

Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project

Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project

By: Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development
Listen for free

About this listen

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. Hygiene & Healthy Living Personal Development Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • E21 Exercise as a Prescription for Life: Why Exercise is the Best Medicine Everyone Should be Taking
    Jul 16 2025

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

    Guest: Edward R. Laskowski, M.D., Sports Medicine Physician | Mayo Clinic – Rochester, MN

    We all know what exercise is (or at least we think we do). We are familiar with many of it’s benefits such as getting stronger, improving flexibility, and losing weight. However, there are a number of benefits that most of us may not be aware of and don’t commonly think about when it comes to exercise. These benefits are essential knowledge that can be inspiring and motivating for both the beginner just trying to get off the couch to get started and the super fit that is already committed to a fine-tuned routine. In some cases, those benefits are literately life changing. To help us understand why exercise is the best medicine everyone should be taking, our expert is internationally recognized exercise and fitness expert, Dr. Ed Laskowski.

    The three big questions we are going to answer with Dr. Laskowski are:

    1. How do you define “exercise”, and what types of activities count? 2. What are the “surprise” benefits of exercise that most folks don’t realize? 3. What changes do I need to make in my life in order to start reaping these benefits?

    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

    Show More Show Less
    49 mins
  • E20 Forming Habits for Success: Creating Productive Consistency in Everyday Life
    Jul 9 2025

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

    Guest: Griffin Jax, Professional Baseball Pitcher | Minnesota Twins Baseball Club

    Most of what we are today (our happiness, position, relationships, health, etc.) has come about as a direct consequence of our habits. Good or bad, these habits largely determine who we are, what we do, and how successfully (or unsuccessfully) we navigate life. With habits being such a critical contributor to our lives, why do we struggle so much to consistently do the things we already know we need to do? To help us understand how to form healthy habits and make them a part of our default routine, our expert today is Griffin Jax, Major League Baseball pitcher and Air Force Academy Graduate.

    The three big questions we are going to work through with Griffin include:

    1. What does it mean to “form a habit,” and why is it so crucial for productivity and personal growth?
    2. What are the main challenges people face when trying to develop good habits?
    3. What practical strategies can help us create and sustain beneficial habits for long-term productivity?

    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

    Show More Show Less
    45 mins
  • E19 Beyond Lifespan: The Pursuit of Healthspan and Vitality
    Jul 2 2025

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

    Guest: Sara L. Bonnes, M.D., M.S., Medical Director, Healthy Longevity Clinic | Mayo Clinic – Rochester, MN

    There is increased attention being paid to the concept of longevity recently. People are living longer than they ever have, and the desire to continually extend our lifespan is at an all-time high. While much of the attention is being directed at how LONG we live, it is easy to overlook the importance of how WELL we live during those years. So how can we ensure that our years are not just long, but that they are healthy? How can we optimize both the QUANTITY, as well as the QUALITY of the years we have here on earth? To help us with this session, our expert is Dr. Sara Bonnes, the Medical Director of the Healthy Longevity Clinic at Mayo Clinic.

    The three big questions for Dr. Bonnes are:

    1. What is “longevity,” and how does focusing on healthspan differ from simply trying to live longer

    2. What are the main areas in our lives that determine our “healthspan”?

    3. How can the average person incorporate practical lifestyle changes to support both a longer life and better quality of 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

    Show More Show Less
    57 mins

What listeners say about Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.