The AFS Health & Care Podcast

Protecting your Financial Wellbeing with Adam Spears

Retirement doesn’t just change your schedule. It changes your entire risk profile, your tax situation, and even your health. We sit down with Adam Spears, a former AFS team member turned financial advisor, to connect the dots between physical wellness and financial wellness and to explain why the “third life” years demand a different plan than most people expect. We talk about the hard pivot from accumulation to distribution: how you go from “grow and save” to building a retirement income plan that actually holds up for 30 years. Adam breaks down the hidden traps that catch real people, including Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), forced taxable withdrawals, and Medicare IRMAA thresholds that can raise your premiums simply because your income is structured the wrong way. If you’ve ever wondered why retirees can end up with “too much income,” this conversation makes it clear. Then we get practical. We dig into why tax strategy can matter as much as investment returns, how Roth conversions can create tax-free income flexibility, and why planning early gives you more control later. We also zoom out to purpose: what life looks like without work, how to turn vague goals like “travel more” into a real retirement vision, and why financial stress can spill directly into your body through chronic stress and reduced access to care. If you care about healthy aging, retirement planning, taxes, Medicare, and building a life you can actually enjoy, this one is for you. Subscribe, share this with a friend who’s nearing retirement, and leave a review with the biggest question you want us to tackle next.

All About Supplements with Camille, RD

The supplement aisle is loud for a reason: it’s a multi-billion-dollar industry, and marketing often moves faster than science. We sit down with Camille, a registered dietitian, to bring calm and clarity to a topic that confuses almost everyone. Our guiding idea is simple: supplements are the extra push, not the foundation. Sleep, stress, physical activity, and nutrition come first, then we get strategic with what you add and why. We dig into the most practical, evidence-based “top picks” we see helping real people: protein supplements for busy schedules and recovery, vitamin D for bone and immune support (especially in winter), omega-3s for heart and brain health, and fiber supplements when daily targets are hard to hit. We also talk about why dosing is so individualized, how bloodwork and lab panels can guide smarter decisions, and why some conditions (kidney disease, heart issues, diabetes, and women’s hormone concerns) make med-nutrient interactions a real safety consideration. Then we go myth-busting: why greens powders aren’t the same as eating vegetables, what collagen can and can’t realistically do, and how trendy “blends” can turn into expensive guesswork. We explain what third-party tested supplements mean, why NSF and USP matter, and which brands we trust when quality and label accuracy are non-negotiable. We also cover creatine, including the kidney myth, performance benefits, and emerging research that’s putting creatine on the radar for women’s health and sleep quality, plus nuanced thoughts on probiotics and adaptogens like ashwagandha. If this helps you think more clearly about supplements, subscribe, share it with a friend who buys every new powder, and leave a review so more people can find evidence-based guidance.

Meet Camille: The Registered Dietitian Behind Smarter Plates

What if the fastest way to better health isn’t a stricter diet, but a smarter plate? We sit down with Camille, our new registered dietitian, to swap nutrition myths for real-world strategies that keep you energized, focused, and progressing without giving up your life. Camille’s journey from aspiring nurse to RDN started with frustration at band-aid fixes and turned into a mission to address root causes through evidence-based nutrition. Camille breaks down what separates registered dietitians from unregulated “nutritionist” labels—years of education, supervised practice, a board exam, and ongoing CE. That rigor powers her work across extremes: field-tested plans for first responders who need steady cognition under sleep debt, and lab-guided diets for dialysis patients where precision can change outcomes. Her takeaway for all of us is clear: context matters. Plate composition, meal timing, and individual goals beat one-size-fits-all advice every time. We dig into the biggest roadblocks—portion confusion, chronic under-eating, and the fear of carbs—and rebuild a sustainable system. Start with a protein anchor, add fiber-rich carbohydrates, include colorful produce, and use fats for flavor and satiety. Learn how to adjust around training intensity, why reintroducing carbs can nudge scale weight via water (not fat), and how to create “food freedom” that keeps social and cultural moments intact. Camille even walks through her own day on a plate, showing how small, consistent choices compound into better energy, recovery, and mood. If you’re ready to trade diet drama for a clear plan, this conversation offers practical steps and a mindset shift: eat for performance, think long-term, and personalize everything. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs a reset, and leave a review with your top plate-building question so we can tackle it next.

Training Power To Prevent Falls After 60 with Karan Smith-Mwewe

What if your best defense against falling isn’t more strength, but more speed? We sit down with Karon, an exercise physiologist at AFS, to unpack why muscular power drops faster than strength as we age and why that shift matters for balance, independence, and confidence on every step. We start by reframing falls as a preventable risk, not a random event. Karon explains the data—including the staggering number of fall-related deaths among older adults—and then translates science into action: clear definitions of balance, stability, and coordination; why the brain remains trainable later in life; and how reactive control under time pressure is the real skill that keeps you upright. From there, we dig into practical methods: power-focused tempos for squats and hinges, four to six rep ranges that favor intent over fatigue, and simple but high-impact drills you can do at home to sharpen proprioception and reaction times. You’ll also learn the muscle groups that matter most for fall prevention: the trunk for force transfer, the glute med for pelvic control and fast lateral steps, the shoulders for push-off support, and the ankles for quick foot clearance. We lay out a safe, phased roadmap from base strength to hypertrophy to strength and finally to power, with guidance on when to add light plyometrics and how to keep joints and tendons happy along the way. The result is a realistic plan that meets you where you are and helps you move faster, steadier, and with more certainty on curbs, stairs, and slick sidewalks. Ready to build steadier feet and stronger years? Follow the show, share this episode with someone who needs it, and leave a review to tell us which drill you’ll try first. Your feedback helps more people find evidence-based strategies to age with confidence.

Strong At 69: Claudia’s Playbook For Health & Longevity

Want proof that strength, mindset, and community can change your 60s and beyond? Claudia brings it—former collegiate gymnast, 47-year business owner, and the coach who still refuses “old people exercises.” We dive into how she built a thriving gym culture from a $7,000 start and mattresses-as-mats, why language drives performance, and the simple systems that make training stick when life is overwhelming. We explore the identity shift from athlete to coach to leader, and how “mental choreography” turns self-talk into action. Claudia breaks down practical habits for women juggling careers, caregiving, and self-doubt: book time, reduce decisions, outsource planning to a coach, and use tiny moments at home to move. Her “yet” mindset—“I can’t do it yet”—creates space for progress, whether that’s your first chin-up or your first hike in years. Along the way, we talk science: why muscle adapts at any age and how strength training boosts energy, productivity, and mood. What stands out is Claudia’s plan for her 70s: more adventures, more learning, more community. She treats health like a retirement account—small daily deposits in strength and gratitude that fund future freedom to travel, kayak, climb, and keep up with family. If you’ve felt stuck by time, fear, or comparison, this conversation gives you a practical way through: start small, say better words, and find support that removes friction. If this resonated, tap follow or subscribe, share it with a friend who needs a nudge, and leave a quick review with your “yet” goal. What’s the one action you’ll take today for your future self?