Live Well Podcast by Blue Zones Project Fort Worth

Hasan Tinwala is a future physician, Texas Health 2023 Gunnin Fellow, and an inspiring world changer. Hasan's motives for being a doctor expands beyond financial and professional. "How do we really help people and tend to their needs?" stats Hasan. Join the conversation as Hasan discusses his view of our healthcare system and public health from the perspective of a growing, future physician.

La Gran Plaza in Fort Worth, Texas happens to be one of the most visited malls in the state of Texas. Occupancy is at an all-time high, parking lots are consistently full, and people from all over the metro plex are coming to La Gran Plaza to shop, eat, play, and enjoy some live entertainment. Listen to how the leadership of this mall has decided to partner with North Texas Healthy Communities to create a wellness component for all who come to La Gran: 'Pasos para un mejor bienestar.'

Elliott Pickering is the executive Pastor for a large faith-based organization located in Southwest Fort Worth called Trademark Church. Elliott specializes in connecting people into life groups and making sure connectivity is accessible to everyone who attends Trademark. Listen to how connecting with people will help with your mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional health.  

Brenda Espinoza Patton serves as the Program Director of Policy for Blue Zones Project FW / North Texas Healthy Communities. Brenda plays a vital role in creating sustainable changes through policy work. When creating a healthier city, policy is a must in creating transformative solutions and allowing change to happen. Learn what policy is and what Fort Worth is doing to create change. 

Robert White is the pastor of Freedom Church in Bedford, Texas. In 2020 after a COVID-19 scare, Robert began a journey to better his health and wellbeing. Living in Fort Worth, Robert was introduced to Blue Zones Project Fort Worth where he began to implement well-being best practices. Two years later Robert has lost 135lbs! He eats better, walks regularly, and has implemented well-being practices with his congregation. In this episode, Robert is back to discuss the health and well-being of Faith based leaders and a new way to view faith, health, and influences in your life.   

Jesse Herrera is the founder and director of CoAct. CoAct is a response manifested by four community members from Fort Worth to address the disparities in equitable solutions. Recognizing the disconnection between problem solvers and the communities they pledged to serve, our co-founders explored different problem-solving methodologies used globally to address pressing social challenges. Embracing a project-based approach and equitable design methodologies we have set out to better understand the unique challenges our communities face and to take the actions needed to build lasting change. 

Hear how CoAct is working alongside Blue Zones Project Fort Worth to create sustainable, equitable, and healthy solutions to the Well-Being of those in Fort Worth. 

Me'Shellia Davis is a Recreation Programmer at Diamond Hill Community Center in Fort Worth Texas. "MeMe" is not just a community center program director but has also partnered with Blue Zones Project Fort Worth to impact the health of the community she serves in. Community Centers receive stigmas from society, but the truth is that they resource the city well, help people, and bring communities together. This is the story of how one person powered the health of the community with Power Zones Project initiatives.  

Steven and Ursula Nunez are the creators and founders of 'Mind your Garden' located in Southeast Fort Worth. After years of having to take care of parents, dealing with sicknesses, and COVID-19; they both decided that it was time for a change. Hear the story of a couple who decided to create a place for sustainability, education, and rest. Steven and Ursula also switched to a plant-based lifestyle improving their mental and physical health. Learn about the cultural obstacles they both faced, social challenges, and access issues. These are exciting times in Fort Worth!    

Stephanie Jackson is the director of Strategic Partnerships for Blue Zones Project Fort Worth by Texas Health Resources. Stephanie is passionate, energetic, and driven individual who helped Fort Worth become the largest Blue Zones designated city in the U.S. Of all Stephanie's accomplishments, her greatest calling is to be the caregiver for her mom and dad. Discover Stephanie's story of caregiving and the importance of taking care of yourself. It is not easy so you will need a support group, daily exercise, and a way to destress. Discover tips and tricks from one Caregiver to another.   

 David Armstrong wakes up everyday at 3:30am. After getting some coffee in his life, he hits the trinity trails for a nice 10 - 15 mile long run. The big question is not "how" but "why?" Why get up before dawn and go running? Every. Single. Day. For David, running is more then just exercise. Running has helped cultivate a new healthy lifestyle where purpose matters, well-being is priority, and goals are accomplished. Plus, there's a really great art scene in Fort Worth that is being highlighted. 4 years ago … it was a much different story. 

Nathanael Gassett is a well known chef around Fort Worth. Extremely talented, yet very humble, Nathanael has created a name for himself with the growing culinary scene in Fort Worth. Nathanael created "Wero's Kitchen" and the brand 'Wero' in order to share his creative style of food, culture, and fusion. 2020 was a year of difficulty. Between the lock down, quarantining, and the loss of his father to COVID-19; 2020 quickly became a year to forget. In all this uncertainty and difficulty, Nathanael turned to the one thing he knew - cooking. Hear how cooking helped in coping with COVID-19 and the mistakes people make in cooking Plant Slant. It may surprise you! 

Ever since Cheryl Mart could remember she's always wanted to be in the healthcare field. Cheryl has a life long passion for helping and educating those who lack the resources and access. As a Texas Health Resources Program Coordinator for Faith Community Nursing, Cheryl has spent a majority of her life working within communities to help improve the health, wellbeing, and access to healthcare. What are practices that you can do to stay healthy if you lack healthcare? How can you limit stress? How can Blue Zones Project Power 9 principles impact a person and a community's wellbeing? Join the conversation! 

Carlos Walker is an educator at heart with a passion and dedication to help improve the lives of students. During his time as principal of Dunbar High School in Fort Worth Texas, Carols was connected with Blue Zones Project Fort Worth; through his leadership, led Dunbar High School to be one of the first High Schools in Fort Worth to reach designation.  Fast Forward 4 years, Carlos has a new leadership role with FWISD, a PH.D, and now a farm?! Discover how buying a farm helped Carlos lose over 25 lbs., strengthened his purpose by helping others find theirs, and built a lasting legacy for his family. Aligning the Power9 principles in his life has led to this moment.    

Robert White is the Lead a Pastor of Freedom Church in Bedford, TX and lives with His wife and two beautiful daughters in Fort Worth. A native of Long Beach, CA and son of a Pastor, Robert spent years of his life avoiding vocational full-time ministry work. In proximity to finishing his undergraduate work at California Stare University Dominguez Hills, Robert had an encounter with God that changed his life. Since that moment, he has committed himself and his skills to what he describes as a unique and strong call to present the scriptures in a real and practical way to those who need it most. In 2016 Robert learned about the Blue Zones Project and began to explore more about Blue Zones through TED Talks. The more Robert learned about Blue Zones Project, the more he began to implement Power 9 principles to his everyday life and the life of Freedom Church. In this Podcast you will hear why faith and health go hand in hand; and importance of those in Pastoral leadership to remain health: spiritually, physically, emotionally, and mentally.   

Willie Rankin, Director of LVT Rise, has a big task ahead of him. How do you revitalize an under severed and marginalized community in one of the fastest growing cities in the US? Here the story of how Purpose and Belonging fueled the Mission and Vision for revitalizing the Las Vegas Trail area in Fort Worth. 

What is the "Bubble Bus" and how do I get it to my party?! Listen as we tell the story of how a simple idea turned into a venture that united neighborhoods one drink at a time.!