A walking workout can be a nice break from an otherwise stressful day, but sometimes you need more than just the birds and scenery to keep your mind occupied. Enter: technology.
Listening to a podcast is a great way to engage your mind while out for a long walk. Inspiring, informative and fun, these podcasts have something for everyone — whether you’re looking to amp up your recovery, get even more motivated, take your mind off your everyday or get practical tips for diet tweaks to lose weight.
PODCASTS FOR FITNESS
40+ FITNESS
As you get older, it can be harder to maintain lean muscle mass and prevent injuries. Personal trainer Allan Misner does a great job covering topics such as loss of flexibility and extended recovery times that are geared for folks 40 years and older. Age won’t stop you from getting in the best shape of your life thanks to this inspiring and informative podcast.
Recent episode to try: “The Time Saver’s Workout with John Little”
BEN GREENFIELD FITNESS
Staying on top of the buzzy trends takes effort. Ben Greenfield, who holds a master’s degree in exercise science and biomechanics, routinely uses his own body to test his theories and questions, making for super interesting and educational episodes. Along with interviews with industry professionals on a variety of subjects, you’ll get episodes on weight-loss strategies, anti-aging techniques, triathlon training and strength training.
Recent episode to try: “Why You Should Eat Your Carbs at Night; Ben’s Top Recovery Tactics; Can You Do Cold Therapy If You’re Sick”
GET-FIT GUY
Like anything else, to become a happier and healthier person you’ll need to achieve balance. Fitness coach Brock Armstrong answers fitness-related questions with episodes about long-distance running, yoga and quick and dirty tips for better recovery as you age. No matter your fitness level, experience or favorite sport, there is truly something here for everyone.
Recent episode to try: “Can You Use Yoga to Improve Athletic Performance?”
RAMBLING RUNNER
While many of the guests are quite accomplished, you don’t have to be an elite runner to enjoy this podcast. In fact, Matt Chittim’s aim is to focus on amateurs, discussing what it takes to balance running with all the other aspects of life that can often get in the way of a good training plan. It’s also a great way to get a sneak peak into how other runners train to fine tune your own preparation for an upcoming 10K or half-marathon.
Recent episode to try: “Molly Cuevas”
PODCASTS FOR INSPIRATION AND WELLNESS
HURDLE
Once a yo-yo dieter turned marathoner, Emily Abbate’s podcast is filled with inspirational stories from people who have similarly found a way to lean into fitness when faced with adversity. These stories provide you with the motivation to get out the door and conquer any challenges on days when you just don’t feel like it.
Recent episode to try: “The Fittest Woman on Earth”
GOOD LIFE PROJECT
“GLP,” as insiders call it, is a twice-weekly podcast featuring interviews with influential guests who offer life-changing advice, motivation and inspiration. Guests have included “Eat, Pray, Love” author Elizabeth Gilbert and Huffington Post founder Arianna Huffington. From advice on better sleep to being happier at work, each episode is dedicated to helping you improve your mind, body and soul to truly live the “good life.”
Recent episode to try: “Brave, Not Perfect | Reshma Saujani”
HAPPIER WITH GRETCHEN RUBIN
Gretchen Rubin, author of “The Happiness Project,” explores all things happiness with her sister, Elizabeth Craft, a television writer and producer. Together, they provide valuable, doable suggestions for being happier in your everyday life. Episodes have covered the downside of apologizing, how to remember names and why perfection is a fallacy.
Recent episode to try: “Buy Some Happiness, Plus Hacks for Taking Medication Regularly”
FOUND MY FITNESS
From intermittent fasting and supplementing your diet correctly, to genetics, Rhonda Patrick’s podcast offers a scientific look at all things health and wellness. Though Patrick, who holds a PhD in biomedical science, is well-studied in her own right, the podcast also features other health professionals and physicians discussing complex topics about the human body in a way that’s easily digestible.
Recent episode to try: “Exercise as a Treatment For Depression”
PODCASTS ABOUT NUTRITION
THE NUTRITION DIVA’S QUICK AND DIRTY TIPS FOR EATING WELL AND FEELING FABULOUS
In this food-focused series, nutritionist and professionally trained chef Monica Reinagel provides “foodie-friendly” advice for eating healthier and feeling better. Each episode focuses on a different diet concern, such as sodium, artificial sweeteners and cravings. Her practical approach to healthy eating is easy to adapt in your life and offers unbiased information in 15 minutes or less.
Recent episode to try: “10 Nutrition Worries You Can Stop Stressing About”
PSYCHOLOGY OF EATING
A big part of getting fit is being serious about your diet. What’s cool about this podcast is that it delves into the psychology behind bad eating habits that often derail good intentions. From overeating to emotional binging, nutritionist Marc David hosts real people (along with a few experts) who have overcome such bad habits to help shed light on nutrition and unconscious choices we make.
Recent episode to try: “Binge Eating & Emotional Eating: What to Do?”
LOSING 100 POUNDS WITH PHIT-N-PHAT
If peaks and valleys have been part of your weight-loss story, host Corinne Crabtree can definitely relate. Along with her mental and physical transformation on the way to losing 100 pounds, this podcast explains what she learned to overcome obstacles while touching on a variety of fitness, diet, exercise and life-coaching topics.
Recent episode to try: “Changing Your Weight Loss Perspective”
PODCASTS FOR HIGHER LEARNING
STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW
This wildly popular podcast is hosted by Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant, two writers from the site How Stuff Works. The pair cover random topics they deem deserving of a closer look, from bodily functions to the importance of body language and how reverse psychology works. You’ll end each episode a little wiser and at least mildly entertained.
Recent episode to try: “The Ins and Outs of Beekeeping”
TEDTALKS AUDIO
If you’re lucky enough to attend a TED (which stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design) Talk in person, you are guaranteed to leave smarter, stronger or motivated to go do something great. This podcast is a way to reap these benefits on the go. Each episode features the audio of a different 18-minute TED Talk from experts like professors, scientists, philanthropists, business people, musicians, athletes and more.
Recent episode to try: “How a Handful of Fishing Villages Sparked a Marine Conservation Revolution”
PODCASTS TO ENTERTAIN
MYSTERY SHOW
For those who love a good mystery, the podcast is commentated by a very witty and inquisitive Starlee Kine, who seeks to solve everyday mysteries in her own life. Nail-biting topics include the origins of a “Welcome Back, Kotter” drawing on a child’s lunch box and tracking down the owner of an old belt buckle — all approached with a sense of urgency, as if society depended on knowing the meaning behind a cryptic license plate.
Recent episode to try: “Case #6: Kotter”
SERIAL
No list would be complete without the inclusion of this chart-topping, award-winning series, hosted by “This American Life” producer Sarah Koenig. “Serial” has focused on a different real-life court case in each of its three seasons. The first season follows the 1999 murder of a Baltimore teen, while season two delves into the military desertion case of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl. Season three provided an in-depth look into the court system in Cleveland, Ohio. Koenig narrates with such curiosity and relatability, you’ll be hooked from first listen. Each episode builds on the last, so you’ll want to listen to them in order.
Recent episode to try: “Some Time When Everything Has Changed”
PODCASTS WITH A SIDE OF CONTROVERSY
MIND PUMP: RAW FITNESS TRUTH
Between the trio of Sal DiStefano, Adam Shafer and Justin Andrews, these guys have a ton of fitness knowledge and some pretty strong opinions. While the daily discussions can be a little in your face, the humor and straight-forward presentation can also be refreshing. Instead of interviews, the podcast relies mostly on answering common questions and misconceptions surrounding fitness.
Recent episode to try: “The #1 Form of Exercise for Health & Longevity”
THE FORWARD PODCAST WITH LANCE ARMSTRONG
Regardless of how you feel about the embattled cyclist, Armstrong’s podcast is worth a listen. Each episode features a conversation with one of his famous and brilliant friends (Think: musician Ben Harper and Alamo Drafthouse founder and CEO Tim League). Even though this is Armstrong’s podcast, he uses this opportunity to step out of the limelight and tell the unique stories of his real-life friends.
Recent episode to try: “Professional Adventure Rock Climber Alex Honnold”
PURSUING HEALTH
Four-time CrossFit Games athlete and current medical resident Julie Foucher combines what she knows about getting fit and medicine in this inspiring and educational podcast. Topics range from Keto diets to recovering from knee surgery and everything in between, with most episodes featuring an expert or two providing additional expertise on a variety of subjects.
Recent episode to try: “Christy Adkins & Lindy Barber on Transitions in Life and Fitness”
