"Our lives are like rose bushes. As a rose bush grows, it creates more buds than it can sustain. If you talk to an experienced gardener, they will tell you that rose bushes need to be pruned to bring out the best in both their appearance and their performance. In other words, if you want a rose bush to thrive, then you need to cut away some of the good buds so the great ones can fully blossom." ~James Clear

Goal setting is not only about choosing the rewards you want to enjoy, but also the costs you are willing to pay. Rarely do people understand that the outcome is based on having a process, but if you dislike the process then you will likely burn out or never achieve your goal.

I have worked with hundreds of people and spent many years trying to help clients achieve their goals. The system I have used to assist with goal achievement has positively evolved over 10 years. I use to use the old traditional goal setting approach asking questions such as :

"What is the problem or issue ...

In the world of physical therapy and human performance, few names are as resonant as that of Dr. Matthew Zanis, the visionary founder of Rooted in MVMNT.

Recently, Dr. Zanis sat down with the Daily News in Rabat, Morocco, for a riveting interview that shed light on his journey from a self-described "Human trash can" to a revered athlete and therapist. His transformation is not just a testament to personal willpower but also a beacon of hope for anyone looking to make a significant change in their life.

Listen to the entire interview here.

Matthew’s personal story is a compelling narrative of transformation and determination. His early days were not marked by the healthy eating and exercise regimen that defines him today. Instead, he describes a phase of life where he was far from healthy. The turning point came from a deep-seated desire to change, to shift from lethargy and poor health habits to embodying the spirit of an athlete. This metamorphosis was not just physical but de...

Vitality is the second Pillar of Preventative Medicine here at Rooted in M.V.M.N.T. and sleep is one of those things that falls directly under this category. Enhancing physical and mental well-being is how people achieve immense vitality and overall great health. Sleep is one of those pillars of health that everyone can agree is an important part of the equation. It plays a crucial role in maintaining physical health, cognitive functioning, emotional regulation, and overall quality of life. However, in today's fast-paced and technologically advanced society, many individuals neglect the importance of good sleep hygiene. This blog aims to explore the significance of establishing and maintaining healthy sleep habits, known as good sleep hygiene, and its impact on physical and mental well-being.

 

Good sleep hygiene refers to a set of practices and habits that promote healthy sleep patterns and optimize the quality and quantity of ...

There is so much to be said for the dangers of diet culture and the plethora of weight loss advertisements this time of year. Even though January is almost over all month long I have been thinking about all the people who are crash dieting and over exercising to achieve their New Years resolution= FAT LOSS. It's amazing to see the many different diets that have been researched and published as being the "best"....mediterranean, Atkins, keto, vegan, Dr. Weil's anti-inflammatory, weight watchers, paleo, flexitarian ... just to name a few. Some are based on research from food scientist, while others come from Doctors or medical professionals who have testimonials of patients success.

With so much information out there and the billions of dollars used to market products from the food manufactures it can be hard to discern what's truthful and what really works. Yet, that is why I am loving Michael Pollan's book, In Defense of Food.  He attempts to address the question of what we “should” e...

Fall is finally here and it is reminding me of how much things change as we make the transition into this next season. The leaves are changing colors, kids are back in school, the sun is rising later in the day and setting earlier at night. Most of us are wearing warmer clothes and putting our summer clothes to the back of the closet or bottom of the drawer. 

All these actions and behaviors are a result of shifting and adapting to a new or different environment. This is a concept that Dr. Matt and I talk at lengths about when it comes to movement education. But how often do you learn about how to change, shift or adapt your breathing pattern to the task at hand?

Just like a car that needs to shift gears based on the speed it is driving we can change our breathing cadence to accommodate the intensity we are working at.

The GEARS

G1: Low aerobic zone, nasal inhale and nasal exhale

G2: High Aerobic zone, power audible nasal inhale and nasal exhale

G3/G4: Anaerobic Threshold (transit...

5 years ago I took a course called the Wim Hof Method. At the time many professional athletes and biohackers were saying it was the best thing out there. Special breath techniques and ice baths were combined to deliver a full workshop with the science behind it, education on why it is beneficial and an integrated experience that left a lasting imprint on my mind. 

We've all heard that sitting is the new smoking. And as work has shifted to the digital space people do a LOT of sitting these day. Although there may be some truth to it, there are many postures of rest we can utilize to ensure our sedentary lifestyles do not negatively affect our posture. Before getting into our 10 best postures of rest lets first touch on whether sitting is better for you than standing. A common new trend among working professionals is standing at their desk. Breaking free of the seated cubicle lifestyle has changed the design of many workspaces which now include standing desks. Do these standing features negate the negatives of sitting in an office chair? Not entirely, in fact it is remaining in a sedentary position that is the issue regardless of standing or sitting. Keeping your body in one of Rooted in M.V.M.N.T's 10 best postures of rest can help negate the negative effects and help you maintain great posture!

Let's dive in with a quick video demonstration by ...

Here are the TOP 3 Qualities That Make Shooting Athletes Successful at Olympic Trials

Dr. Zanis is off to the Olympic Trials for target shooting and wanted to share his thoughts on the top three qualities that make for successful shooting athletes. 

I get asked this question all the time by many of my clients…and while there are many variables that play into making a great athlete, there seems to be a handful of factors that make a shooting athlete shine out on the range.
These variables makes the difference between making a final and always being one target or one tenth of a point out of the running. These traits leads to a consistent, and that key word there is consistent,
accumulation of medals vs. an occasional win. Consistent, GREAT scores are achieved by those who manage stress the best, and the following attributes are key to being successful.

1) Having a Consistent Movement Practice
I want you to think about the last competition you participated in…what happened when you found ...

Improving Your Shoulder Workouts

We have a pretty big handful of clients and patients that come through our doors that need help with their shoulder issues. Neck and nerve impingements, shoulder blade function, tight traps, rotator cuff pain, tendonitis - there's a lot that can go wrong with your shoulder due to the large of degree of freedom the arms possess, but there's usually a common theme as to why these people haven’t seen any good results from other health practitioners or body workers. We know that where the pain is is NOT where the problem is and it’s why we focus on Root cause solutions. 

It’s why we created a new digital course product just for you. If you have been struggling to get out of pain and are looking to improve your shoulder strength, mobility and stability, then you will want to download this new course. In this latest shoulder course, Dr. Matt will guide you through the anatomy of the shoulder, provide self-assessments and then demonstrate the exercises he re...

Shin guards used to only be worn by those on mountain bikes or by people playing soccer. Now, they are marketed to crossfit athletes and many powerlifters. Why is that? Because when you are doing box jumps you can have a missed rep and hit your shin on the wood or metal frame. The same is true for when you are using a barbell to do your heavy deadlifts.  A barbell can scrape against your lower leg and sometimes lead to bleeding. OUCH!  I find it interesting that people feel the need to use a sock, sleeve or guard for protection while working out in the gym. The shin guard doesn’t lead to more success in powerlifting and certainly doesn’t mean you will improve at Crossfit. How could someone learn to lift their feet high enough when jumping or realize that their barbell deadlifts are getting sloppy because they are fatigued if they are always protected from the pain of their mistakes?  I see pain as a teacher and I also view our failures as valuable and necessary components for success i...