In this episode of The Health Feast, I sit down with Dean Pohlman, founder of Man Flow Yoga and host of The Better Man Podcast. Dean’s work has helped 1000s of men build mobility, strength, and confidence—but more than that, he’s created space for something deeper: what he calls courageous authenticity.

I’ve had a tremendous personal experience with Dean's program. In my 40s, when the aches started creeping in—back, knees, hips—I finally committed to a short daily practice. Just 15 minutes a day for three months, and everything shifted: less pain, better movement, and a whole new relationship with my body. Yoga is now a regular part of my rhythm, and I largely owe that to Dean and Man Flow Yoga—which makes it all the more meaningful to share this conversation with you.

• Dean’s story—from accidentally stumbling into a Bikram class to creating one of the most accessible fitness-focused yoga communities for men

• Why so many men struggle to slow down—and what we’re really running from

• What it means to fall off track with our self-care—and the power of “getting back into it”

• How identity change starts with small wins and self-trust

• The power of courageous authenticity—why vulnerability might just be the key to real strength

• The power of creating spaces where men can connect, reflect, and talk about what really matters

If something in you knows it’s time to come back to yourself—this is a good place to start. Gently. Honestly. On your terms.

Live well and RAK ON, Dr. Rak 👊🏽

Guest Bio Dean Pohlman is the founder of Man Flow Yoga, a groundbreaking platform that’s helped tens of thousands of men build strength, mobility, and confidence through a practical, no-nonsense approach to yoga. Known for stripping away the fluff and making yoga accessible to the “non-yoga guy,” Dean blends evidence-based movement with a deep understanding of behavior change and habit formation.

He’s also the host of The Better Man Podcast, where he explores what it really means to evolve as a man—physically, mentally, and emotionally. A former collegiate lacrosse player who stumbled into his first yoga class by accident, Dean went on to create one of the most recognizable male-focused yoga communities in the world.

He’s the author of two books—Yoga Fitness for Men and Yoga for Athletes—and a powerful advocate for redefining strength, not just as performance, but as presence and self-awareness. Online links 🔗 Instagram: @deanpohlman 🔗 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/manflowyoga 🔗 Website: https://manflowyoga.com/

Follow @thehealthfeast on IG and YT for more. The Health Feast is available wherever you get podcasts and at thehealthfeast.com.

Level up your health journey! Learn how to join a Tribe (Men’s Peak or Plant Based) for a transformative health journey. Limited spots are available! Visit us at https://www.rakyourlife.com 👊🏽 Join the RAK ON Tribe for live sessions (strength training, breathwork, cook-alongs) + giveaways. Start for free at https://community.rakyourlife.com/ Disclaimer: The Health Feast is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. As with any changes affecting your health, we recommend and encourage you to consult your medical doctor or other qualified healthcare professionals before making lifestyle changes. The opinions expressed are our own and do not necessarily reflect the views of our employers.

In this episode of The Health Feast, Po and I sit down with Barbara Gates—a passionate educator, food activist, and founder of Healthy Kids Happy Planet. Barbara has spent the last two decades on a mission to bring joy, culture, and plant-based nutrition into schools across the country.

Her journey began with a single act of advocacy as a mom pushing back on school milk policy—and grew into a statewide resolution promoting vegetarian meals, and eventually a nationally available classroom curriculum: Cool Beans from Around the World.

With her theater background and contagious spirit, Barbara shows up in classrooms as “Queen Bean,” sings songs about lentils and legumes, and transforms nutrition education into a playful, empowering experience for kids of all backgrounds.

• How school food policy became her unexpected calling

• The power of culture and storytelling in changing eating habits

• Why beans are nutritional superstars—and how to get kids excited about them

• What it takes to create a truly “happy planet” through food education

Barbara doesn’t just talk about change—she embodies it, one classroom, one child, and yes… one bean at a time. This episode is a celebration of what’s possible when purpose meets creativity—and how even a single bean can start a movement.

Live well and RAK ON, Dr. Rak 👊🏽

What if the most powerful medicine for your health wasn’t found in a bottle — but under your feet, in the trees above, and in the sky stretching out before you?

Dr. Melissa Sundermann is a lifestyle medicine physician, endurance athlete, and passionate advocate for reconnecting with the natural world. In this inspiring episode of The Health Feast, we explore how nature isn’t just a backdrop to our busy lives — it’s a potent, evidence-based healing force. Drawing from her own journey as a runner, explorer, and plant-based physician, Dr. Sundermann invites us to remember what we’ve always known deep down: we are wired for the wild.

We discuss:

• Why nature should be part of your wellness prescription

• The science behind how time outdoors lowers stress and boosts immunity

• The mindset shift that happens when we move outside

• Tips for reconnecting with nature in daily life — even in urban settings

• How Dr. Sundermann lives in rhythm with the seasons and what it’s taught her about health

This conversation is a breath of fresh air — a gentle nudge to step outside, slow down, and remember what it feels like to belong.

🎧 Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

Follow Dr. Melissa Sundermann:

🔗 Instagram: @motivatormelissa | @thedoctoroutdoors 🔗 LinkedIn: Melissa Sundermann, DO ===

Follow @thehealthfeast on IG and YT for more. The Health Feast is available wherever you get podcasts and at thehealthfeast.com.

Level up your health journey! Learn how to join a Tribe (Men’s Peak or Plant Based) for a transformative health journey. Limited spots are available! Visit us at https://www.rakyourlife.com

Disclaimer: The Health Feast is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. As with any changes affecting your health, we recommend and encourage you to consult your medical doctor or other qualified healthcare professionals before making lifestyle changes. The opinions expressed are our own and do not necessarily reflect the views of our employers.

What if eating healthier wasn’t about restriction—but about gaining more energy, better health, and a deeper connection to food?

Rachael Brown knows this transformation firsthand. Despite believing she was eating well, she faced serious health challenges that weren’t improving. But one shift changed everything—not just for her, but for her entire family. She reversed major health concerns, helped her loved ones embrace a plant-based lifestyle without resistance, and turned her passion into a mission to help others do the same.

Rachael is the author of For Fork’s Sake, a speaker, and an instructor who helps families make realistic, joyful changes to the way they eat.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The biggest myths about plant-based eating—and what the science really says
• Why so many people struggle with dietary changes (hint: it’s not about willpower)
• The key to getting family members on board—without nagging or guilt
• How to break free from emotional eating and make food choices that truly nourish
• Practical, low-effort ways to make healthy eating the easy, natural choice

Tune in for an insightful conversation that just might change the way you think about food. Visit https://forforkssakebook.com for more information and to purchase a copy of the book. Live well and RAK ON, Dr. Rak Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet, lifestyle, or health routine. The views expressed by our guest are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Health Feast, its hosts, or their employers.

In this week’s episode of The Health Feast, I sit down with Dinesh Chandra, co-founder of the Global Wellbeing Network and a coach for personal transformation. Dinesh has spent his life helping individuals and organizations align their values, actions, and purpose, drawing from decades of leadership experience and a deeply personal journey of transformation.

Our conversation is deeply personal. Dinesh was a profound source of wisdom and compassion during one of the most challenging times of my life—last year when my wife was diagnosed with cancer. His presence and insights left an indelible mark on me, and I’m excited to share them with you.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The moment of personal tragedy that shifted Dinesh’s life from head to heart.

• His life-changing conversation with the Dalai Lama about redefining true wealth.

• Practical tools for designing environments and habits that foster lasting joy and well-being.

• The importance of authentic connection and how Dinesh’s retreats help people find it.

• How organizations can create cultures of compassion and purpose where employees thrive.

• Navigating life’s crises with clarity, love, and intention.

This episode offers the perfect inspiration to align your life with purpose and joy as we step into the new year. Dinesh’s insights are powerful and practical, reminding us that love, purpose, and connection are the foundations of a life well-lived.

Live well and RAK ON, Dr. Rak 👊🏽

Follow @thehealthfeast on IG and YT for more. The Health Feast is available wherever you get podcasts and at thehealthfeast.com.

Disclaimer: The Health Feast is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. As with any changes affecting your health, we recommend and encourage you to consult your medical doctor or other qualified healthcare professionals before making lifestyle changes. The opinions expressed are our own and do not necessarily reflect the views of our employers.

How do we create a healthcare system that prioritizes wellness, equity, and connection? In this episode of The Health Feast, Dr. Rak sits down with Dr. Seth Berkowitz, a leading voice in health equity, to explore the root causes of health disparities and the systemic barriers that perpetuate them. Together, they discuss actionable solutions to build a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Dr. Berkowitz shares insights from his groundbreaking research on food as medicine, the impact of income inequality on health outcomes, and what we can learn from healthcare systems around the world. This conversation offers a fresh perspective on how we can move beyond illness care and focus on true health care for all. If you're curious about the future of equitable healthcare and practical steps toward creating a healthier society, this episode is a must-listen.

Timestamps: 01:01 Introduction to Dr. Seth Berkowitz 03:46 Revisiting Medical Training 05:06 Health Inequity as a Moral Failure 05:50 Defining Health Inequity 07:15 Disparities and Injustices in Health 08:26 COVID-19 and Health Inequity 10:59 Economic Precarity and Health 12:31 Advice for Working-Class Individuals 13:27 The Role of Healthcare Access 20:24 The Egalitarian State 24:18 Challenges in Writing and Research 29:29 Food as Medicine 31:46 Impact of Research on Policy 35:03 Current State of Healthcare 37:16 Rethinking Health Care: Illness Insurance vs. True Health Care 38:07 The Flaws of the Insurance Model in Health Care 39:12 Public School Model for Health Care 40:29 Universal Health Care: Lessons from New Zealand and Beyond 41:15 Comparing Health Care Systems: Public vs. Private 43:38 The Case for Universal Health Care in the U.S. 44:23 Imagining a Better Health Care System 45:18 Addressing Health Care Quality and Equity 46:03 The Role of Income Support in Population Health 49:35 Social Wealth Funds: A Solution for Income Inequality 58:44 The Potential and Challenges of Technological Advancements 01:00:12 Practical Steps Towards Health Equity 01:01:33 Personal Practices for Health and Well-being 01:03:44 Final Thoughts and Life Philosophy

Links: Buy Dr. Berkowitz's book- Equal Care Dr. Berkowitz's Website

Follow @thehealthfeast on Instagram and YouTube for more. The Health Feast is available wherever you get podcasts and at thehealthfeast.com.

Have a question or comment for Dr. Rak and Po? You can submit them on our website https://www.thehealthfeast.com

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Disclaimer: The Health Feast is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. As with any changes affecting your health, we recommend and encourage you to consult your medical doctor or other qualified healthcare professionals before making lifestyle changes. The opinions expressed are our own and do not necessarily reflect the views of our employers.