Host Tarek Chouja welcomed special guest Dr Torkil Færø, a health expert with extensive knowledge in stress management and heart rate variability. The two engaged in a conversation about the importance of understanding the body’s stress responses and the role of data in tracking health.
Throughout the discussion, Dr Færø explained how heart rate variability can act as a human dashboard, offering a real-time view of how the body is handling stress. By monitoring heart rate variability, individuals can identify when their bodies are ramping up in response to stress and when they’re returning to baseline, providing crucial insights into their health. Dr Færø highlighted the benefits of using wearables like Garmin devices, which allow users to monitor their heart rate variability levels and adjust their routines accordingly. These devices offer a tangible way to measure the body’s response to different factors like sleep, exercise, and stress.
A key point in the conversation was the impact of the menstrual cycle on heart rate variability. Dr Færø shared how many women notice a significant drop in heart rate variability during the week before menstruation, correlating with common PMS symptoms such as irritability and fatigue. This drop in heart rate variability is not just a mood shift but a physiological load on the system, similar to the effects of a Covid infection. Dr Færø emphasized that understanding this connection empowers women to mitigate stress during this period, through strategies such as improved sleep, mindful nutrition, and gentle exercise like yoga.
The conversation also touched on the importance of VO2 max, especially for coaches and personal trainers working with clients in the health and fitness industry. Dr Færø stressed that a low VO2 max could limit an individual’s capacity to exercise without excessive inflammation. Coaches should tailor their clients’ workouts to match their fitness levels to avoid injury or burnout.
In closing, Dr Færø expressed a desire to shift the focus of the healthcare system from treating illness to preventing it. With the right information and tools, people have the power to take control of their health and avoid sickness. Dr Færø highlighted that data, combined with strategies for stress mitigation and self-care, is key to making lasting changes in health. The conversation left listeners with a sense of empowerment and a reminder that resilience starts with understanding and managing the body’s signals.
Our favourite quotable moments:
“It’s just a matter of educating people that they have this power over their health.” – Dr Torkil Færø
“Change the focus from treating people after they get sick to preventing them from getting sick in the first place.” – Dr Torkil Færø
“What we can measure, we can manage.” – Dr Torkil Færø
Website: The Pulse Cure
The Pulse Cure – Video Lecture
LinkedIn Page: Dr Torkil Færø
Facebook Page: Dr Torkil
Twitter Handle: @FTorkil96880
Instagram: @Dr.torkil
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About Our Guest: Dr Torkil Færø is a Norwegian doctor, photographer, adventurer, and author. He has traveled to over 80 countries on 5 continents and speaks 8 languages. As a photographer, he has had exhibitions, made photography books and held over 60 photographic workshops in 11 countries. Torkil sees that many people become ill from unfortunate lifestyle choices and poor coping skills. Instead of treating people after they become ill, he wants to help people prevent disease and increase their quality of life by taking responsibility for their own health! He is the author of The Pulse Cure, a book on how to use wearables to track health metrics like heart rate variability.
About Your Host: Tarek is the co-founder of the Functional Training Institute. Tarek is an international educator and speaker who has presented numerous times at the biggest convention in Australia, Asia and the US. In addition, Tarek has presented courses to thousands of trainers throughout Australia, Asia, the Middle East and South America. Tarek is also a best-selling co-author of Purpose Driven Movement.
This podcast is produced by Brave Moon Podcasts.