What do you mean you don’t have a copy of my INTRODUCTION TO FOAM ROLLING e-book? Learning to use a foam roller is like discovering the Fountain of Youth!! In a quick 12 pages you’ll learn about: Foam Rolling for Overcoming Stiffness and Soreness Foam rolling for Injury Prevention and Mobility Enhancement Choosing the Right Foam Roller When to Foam Roll The Fundamentals of Foam Rolling What Muscles to Foam Roll How You Should Feel

Dear Rick, Your journey from your early experiences to your current approach to fitness is truly inspiring. It’s a testament to the enduring power of staying active and having fun while doing it. The “go outside and play” philosophy is a wonderful foundation for a lifetime of fitness. Your diverse background in information technology, marketing, sales, public speaking, journalism, publishing, special event promotions, and more adds a unique dimension to your fitness coaching. It’s evident

Do you think sitting on your ass all day is harmless? NO—it’s not! In fact, it’s the fastest way to turn into a creaky, immobile mess. Let’s talk about it. Here’s the hard truth: Passivity isn’t just lazy—it’s downright dangerous. You don’t move, your muscles don’t care—they’ll peace out faster than your internet when the Wi-Fi’s down. Next thing you know, you’re wondering why you can’t get up off the couch without groaning like a

Because Staying on Your Feet is More Fun Than Hitting the Ground Let’s face it, nobody wants to hobble off the pickleball court before they’ve had their fill of dinks and drives—especially our 50+ players who plan to keep smashing well into their golden years. That’s where squats come in. They’re one of the most effective ways to build bulletproof knees and protect yourself from unwelcome injuries. Why Squats Matter in My “Blueprint” In my

OLD is just a running count of how long you’ve been able to hang in there. In fact, there’s only one alternative to getting old – and it’s not a good one. You either get old or you die. And we all have friends or loved ones who didn’t get to enjoy the PRIVELIDGE of getting older. The problem lies in what you allow the passing years to connect getting older… LIKE: Old and MISERABLE

Let’s get real: Stress is the silent assassin of your health. It messes with your sleep, wrecks your recovery, and even tightens your muscles until you feel like a walking ball of knots. Chronic stress doesn’t just make you miserable—it can literally shorten your lifespan. But here’s the badass news: You can fight back. The Proactive Aging Blueprint is packed with stress-busting tools, and today I’m sharing a few of my favorites to help you take control before stress

In this video from a few years back, I take on a sensational headline claiming “Stretching does no long-term good.” As a Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES), my initial reaction was, “That’s such crap.” But then I had a revelation. I share the truth about maintaining our bodies — whether it’s stretching, exercising, or even basic hygiene. The key takeaway? Anything you do for your body works, but only if you do it continuously. There’s no

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to live to 100—not just existing, but thriving—Dr. Walter M. Bortz lays it all out in his groundbreaking book, Dare to be 100. This isn’t just a book; it’s a blueprint for longevity, perfectly aligned with my Proactive Aging Blueprint philosophy. Dr. Bortz doesn’t believe in aging passively, and neither do I. His approach focuses on taking deliberate action in key areas of life to build not just years, but quality years.

We all know it’s essential for heart health, endurance, and staying energized, but what if your joints aren’t on board with high-impact activities? Or maybe the thought of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) makes you want to curl up on the couch instead? Here’s the good news: You can still crush your cardio goals with low-impact exercises that are easy on your joints but still pack a punch for your heart. Why Cardio Matters From the Proactive Aging

If tennis elbow is keeping you from enjoying your time on the pickleball court, you’re not alone. This common overuse injury doesn’t just affect tennis players; it’s notorious among pickleball enthusiasts too. The good news? With a few simple adjustments and some proactive care, you can reduce pain, protect your arm, and get back to playing at your best. Grip It, Don’t Rip It: Adjusting Your Paddle Grip One of the biggest contributors to tennis

My GO-TO Power Breakfast Breakfast is the most important meal of the day – and fortunately my favorite! It should also be your biggest meal of the day to jump-start your metabolism. This is my go-to power breakfast that’s packed with protein. Almond flour pancakes made from scratch. (did I mention I LOVE pancakes?) – 1 cup of almond flour, 2 eggs, 1/3 cup of almond milk, 1 teaspoon of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of

If you want to improve your footwork and dominate the pickleball court, it’s time to add the L.E.F.T. Drill (Lower Extremity Functional Training) to your routine. Originally designed as a staple in agility training for basketball and tennis players, and often seen on the practice track and in football camps, this drill is the foundation for quick, controlled movement in any sport. And when adapted for pickleball, it becomes a powerful tool to level up

When you ‘tone’ what you are doing is building muscle and losing fat. In that case, your weight may not change or even go up. Get a BODYFAT SCALE and focus on the amount of body fat you carry instead of your weight. It’s a much better indicator of progress. You can get the body fat scale and smartphone app I use here–> https://amzn.to/3JpslMd

Let’s talk about the ultimate workout plan—one you probably mastered as a kid. It’s simple, fun, and 100% effective. Ready? It’s called: Go outside and play! From the Proactive Aging Blueprint: “Fitness doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Play is about celebrating what your body can do and having fun while staying active. Whether it’s hitting a ball, hiking a trail, or throwing a Frisbee, moving your body with joy keeps you consistent—and consistency is the

This is my EXACT STRATEGY for eating healthy without special diets, meal plans or the dreaded counting macros! Ditch the Processed Foods: Limit your intake of processed and packaged foods high in added sugars, unhealthy fats, and artificial ingredients. Instead, opt for whole, minimally processed foods whenever possible to support optimal health and well-being. Focus on Nature’s Foods: Fill your plate with nutrient-dense, whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.

Let’s talk about the most underrated part of fitness: Recovery. It’s not optional; it’s the glue that holds your progress together. Without proper recovery, you’re setting yourself up for burnout, injuries, and plateaus. And the MVP of recovery? SLEEP. From the Proactive Aging Blueprint: “When you sleep, your body goes into full-on repair mode. Muscle tissues damaged during exercise are rebuilt, and your energy stores are replenished. Growth hormone—your body’s natural anabolic steroid—is released during deep sleep, helping you

Let’s get real for a second. Having a plan is great, but you know what separates dreamers from doers? Consistency. It’s not about starting strong or waiting for motivation to strike—it’s about showing up every day, even when it’s hard, inconvenient, or boring. That’s how progress happens. From the Proactive Aging Blueprint: “Consistency isn’t sexy, but it’s the secret sauce to success. It’s the quiet grind that turns small actions into big results. The key isn’t perfection; it’s

Let’s delve into something you do every day without thinking: breathing. The catch? HOW you breathe could be impacting your health right now! To elevate your wellness, let’s focus on the art of deep breathing. Remember, you can go without food or water for a while, but only about 4 minutes without breathing. That’s how vital it is! Try this. Take a deep breath. If your chest moves more, you’re chest breathing. If your stomach

This is the real formula for fitness: 10% exercise, 20% diet, and a whopping 70% mindset. It’s not just about convincing yourself; it’s about making it FUN. My number one job is not to motivate you, but to help you find the joy in staying fit. Fitness isn’t a short-term commitment; it’s a lifelong journey, and doing something for the rest of your life that isn’t fun is, well, a little crazy. My joy as

This is my EXACT STRATEGY for eating healthy without special diets, meal plans or the dreaded counting macros! Ditch the Processed Foods: Limit your intake of processed and packaged foods high in added sugars, unhealthy fats, and artificial ingredients. Instead, opt for whole, minimally processed foods whenever possible to support optimal health and well-being. Focus on Nature’s Foods: Fill your plate with nutrient-dense, whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.