motivation

#11 - Looking Behind-the-Scenes with Hollywood Location Manager Stuart Berberich

#11 - Looking Behind-the-Scenes with Hollywood Location Manager Stuart Berberich

Welcome to “The Elements of Being” podcast, where I dissect and explore the minds and habits of psychologists, filmmakers, writers, and industry icons. Essentially, we learn what makes them flip the switch to achieve great feats, goals, and milestones…and a chance to geek out over the psychology behind human behavior.

Today is meant for my fellow film geeks. If you have ever watched an incredible scene during your favorite movie and TV show and wondered, "how do they pull that off or how do they get access to a place like that?”, we shed a little light on the process during my interview with Stuart Berberich, a Hollywood Location Manager and Scout. We typically see the movie creation experience from the perspective of actors, actresses, and directors….my interview with Stuart brought a unique behind-the-scenes look and a different perspective into the on-screen entertainment that I admire and enjoy so much.

Most likely, you’ve seen Stuart’s professional contributions if you’ve seen the blockbuster movies Transformers 3 and Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight, as well as the shows, Sense 8 and the Patriot…especially the Patriot on Amazon…season one is brilliantly written and filmed. What we discussed:

The Elements of Being Podcast with Michael Moody featuring Hollywood Film Manager Stuart Berberich

The Elements of Being Podcast with Michael Moody featuring Hollywood Film Manager Stuart Berberich

#11 - Looking Behind-the-Scenes with Hollywood Location Manager Stuart Berberich
Michael Moody

-how COVID-19 affects the present and future of Hollywood
-the true impact of Hollywood on the economy -the path and day-to-day of a location scout and manager for film and television-the process of aligning locations with the vision of the writers and director
-the challenges of finding and securing the locations you see on screen
-the evolution of Hollywood films from permanent sets to unique locations
-the current trends in Hollywood

To learn more about Hollywood location manager Stuart Berberich, check out his website or say hello on Instagram!


Listen to all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Overcast, Castbox, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!


The Elements of Being Podcast with Michael Moody featuring Hollywood Film Manager Stuart Berberich

The Elements of Being Podcast with Michael Moody featuring Hollywood Film Manager Stuart Berberich


#10 - Eat for Life, Weight Loss, and an Optimal Immune System with Best Selling Author Dr. Fuhrman

#10 - Eat for Life, Weight Loss, and an Optimal Immune System with Best Selling Author Dr. Fuhrman

Welcome to “The Elements of Being” podcast, where I dissect and explore the minds and habits of psychologists, filmmakers, writers, and industry icons. Essentially, we learn what makes them flip the switch to achieve great feats, goals, and milestones…and a chance to geek out over the psychology behind human behavior.

In today's episode, I interview Dr. Joel Fuhrman, an internationally recognized expert on nutrition and natural healing as well as an author of seven New York Times bestsellers, including his most recent book, Eat for Life. His other bestsellers include: Eat to Live; Super Immunity; The End of Diabetes; The Eat to Live Cookbook; The End of Dieting; and The End of Heart Disease.

Dr. Fuhrman’s books Eat to Live and The End of Dieting not only have become the pillars of the nutrition world but they have also led to the transformation of millions, including the lives of my clients. I typically gift about 100 copies of his book, The End of Dieting, to my clients, friends, and family each year.

Dr. Fuhrman specializes in preventing and reversing disease through nutritional methods. He is the President of the Nutritional Research Foundation and on the faculty of Northern Arizona University, Health Sciences division. Dr. Fuhrman coined the term “Nutritarian” to describe a nutrient-dense he has shown that it is possible to achieve sustainable weight loss and reverse heart disease, diabetes and many other illnesses using smart nutrition…..and I have witnessed this first hand.

Dr. Fuhrman has received the St. Joseph’s Family Practice Resident’s Teaching Award for his contribution to the education of family practice residents; and a C3 Cardiology Global Health Award for teaching nutritional science to cardiologists. In addition to his medical practice in New Jersey, Dr. Fuhrman also operates the Eat To Live Retreat in San Diego. At this residential facility, people from all over the world come to stay for 4-12 weeks to recover from conditions ranging from cardiovascular disease to autoimmune disease, food addiction and more.

Eat for Life, Weight Loss, and an Optimal Immune System with Best Selling Author Dr. Fuhrman
Michael Moody

During our interview, we discussed:

-how we can build immunity against COVID-19 and any future viral threats
-our allusions of health based on muscle definition and strength
-how we can reverse disease (and, yes, I said reverse)
-the truth about medicine and the fallacy of hope and long term health it provides
-why you need to know about IGF-1
-the myths about oils
-the role of toxic hunger
-the misconceptions about metabolism and what you should really be striving for
-the myths about the calories in, calories out argument
-the real path to achieving sustainable weight loss and optimal health.

To learn more about Dr. Fuhrman, check out his nutrition website or say hello on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook!


Listen to all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Overcast, Castbox, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!


“Health is normal. The human body is a self-repairing, self-defending, self-healing marvel. Disease is relatively difficult to induce, considering the body's powerful immune system. However, this complicated and delicate machinery can be damaged if fed the wrong fuel during the formative years..”

— Dr. Joel Fuhrman, the bestselling author of the book, Eat for Life


#9 - Sitting with Ourselves During the Covid-19 Crisis (Psychotherapist Jill Bajorek)

#9 - Sitting with Ourselves During the Covid-19 Crisis (Psychotherapist Jill Bajorek)

Welcome to “The Elements of Being” podcast, where I dissect and explore the minds and habits of filmmakers, writers, and industry icons. Essentially, we learn what makes them flip the switch to achieve great feats, goals, and milestones and a chance to geek out over the psychology behind human behavior.

Today is the new normal for a while, I guess. Amidst the spread of the virus COVID-19, I, like many people across the world, are sheltered in. To think that three weeks ago seems like three years ago….definitely another reality. We are all adapting and find new ways to connect with each other and trying to stay stimulated. Many of our jobs have been threatened, and some have directly been impacted by the illness, including our incredible medical professionals and service workers on the front line. Of course, the fatalities have grown, and more and more families are feeling the infliction of this pandemic.

“How do we deal with this?” is the question we ask ourselves. With the uncertainly of the virus, a vaccine, and the economy, we’re often only left to sit with our uncomfortable thoughts. In my interview with psychotherapist Jill Bajorek, we explore exactly this and much more. She currently practices in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood and works with adult clients experiencing a wide variety of mental health concerns. Jill’s specialties include working with depression, anxiety, adjustment to life events, social fears and exclusion, women’s issues, and LGBTQ+ populations. Truly, I welcomed the therapist's chair on that day. In our conversation, we explore how to no longer float in the clouds and grasp a rope of hope, familiarity, and routine.

The Elements of Being Podcast Chicago Psychotherapist Jill Bajorek.jpeg
Sitting with Ourselves During the Covid-19 Crisis (Psychotherapist Jill Bajorek)
Michael Moody

Specifically, we examine the fears behind the hoarding of toilet paper, how we are handling our mental and emotional selves day-to-day, the effects of toxic positivity, and finding our identity again during a time of crisis.

As I mentioned, this is a time when everyone is adapting. And this podcast episode is no different. Like the world, I’m still trying to find the best way to connect with people at a time when none of us should be within 6 feet of each other…let alone the same room. Fortunately, Jill was able to call in with some challenges, but we have adapted…and will continue to do so as we overcome this challenge….like we always do. I know we will flip the switch and find new value in our relationships with ourselves, each other, and nature. So, with being said, let’s jump in!

To learn more about Jill, check out Encircle or say hello on Linkedin, Instagram, or Facebook!


Listen to all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Overcast, Castbox, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!


“If a house plant is sick, you move it. If it outgrows a pot, you repot it. If it starts to brown on the leaves, you start to assess “am I overwatering or underwatering it?” You don’t point the finger at the plant. You change its environment.”

— Laura Green, Clinical Mental Health Advocate for the Hospitality Industry

The Elements of Being Podcast Psychotherapist Jill Bajorek Chicago.jpeg

#8 - Examining the Role of the Workplace Environment on the Self with Clinical Mental Health Advocate Laura Green

#8 - Examining the Role of the Workplace Environment on the Self with Clinical Mental Health Advocate Laura Green

Welcome to “The Elements of Being” podcast, where I dissect and explore the minds and habits of filmmakers, writers, and industry icons. Essentially, we learn what makes them flip the switch to achieve great feats, goals, and milestones….and it’s a chance to geek out over the psychology behind human behavior.

In today's episode, I interviewed the eclectic, Laura Green. She's a Community and Clinical Mental Health Advocate and a Midwest Spirits Specialist for Winebow-a unique combination that gave us our first case study on this podcast. Laura integrates her clinical and academic experiences into her work in beverage by directing her research and professional focus towards spirits education, the mental health and wellness of food & beverage professionals, and the holistic health of the beverage industry. Laura's current research hones in on the relationship of mental health issues (stress, burnout, and substance use) and organizational support in an effort to develop systems of proactive intervention and ongoing support within the hospitality sector.

 In our time together, this former Atlantic signed "I Fight Dragons" keyboardist, unraveled the many underlying influences on our behaviors and the effect of the work environment on our mental health. Not surprising, your industry may be facing some of the same prevailing “behind the scenes” challenges as hospitality professionals.

The Elements of Being Laura Green.jpg
Examining the Role of the Workplace Environment on the Self with Laura Green
Michael Moody

Specifically, we examined the fears of change in a system with preexisting social norms and rules and the "chicken or the egg" argument in the workplace. We also broke down how we continue to put ourselves in the same dysfunctional position over and over, how to replace our wired coping behaviors, as well as recognize the power dynamic in our professional and personal relationships, and much, much more! Without a doubt, we indulged in several thought-provoking-perhaps controversial-perspectives on why this occurs. With this being said, let's jump in! Editor Credit: Zach Moore

To learn more about Laura’s new projects, check out Healthy Pour or Typsy. You can also say hello on Instagram!


Listen to all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Overcast, Castbox, Stitcher, or on your favorite podcast platform!


“If a house plant is sick, you move it. If it outgrows a pot, you repot it. If it starts to brown on the leaves, you start to assess “am I overwatering or underwatering it?” You don’t point the finger at the plant. You change its environment.”

— Laura Green, Clinical Mental Health Advocate for the Hospitality Industry

The Elements of Being Laura Green 3.jpg

Wednesday Quick 5: Ways to Keep Moving While You're Working from Home

Just because you’re sheltered inside, it doesn’t mean that you’re locked down. Whether you’re at the office or in your home, it’s very easy to get sucked into a project (or Facebook) for hours at end. Before you know it, you’ve gained 15 lbs, and your hips are permanently stuck in the seated position (so awkward looking). Don’t be a victim of your chair!! Here’s your “Quick 5” to get the juices flowing while you’re staring at your computer.

1.)   Set your alarm to alert you every 60 minutes and perform a squat, lunge, and a plank.

While in the luxury of your home, you don’t have to worry about what your office mates think of you. You dress in sweatpants and your favorite t-shirt while your hair looks like it was swept away in a wind tunnel. Why not take it a step further and perform a few exercises periodically? You can’t lunge at the office but you can at home! Set your alarm to alert you every 60 minutes. No matter what you’re doing, stop and perform 20 reps of a squat and lunge. Cap it off with a 30-second plank, and now you have increased blood flow to tackle the next problem. Schedule this routine 7x, and you’ll nearly have a regular exercise routine in a gym. That’s 21 exercises…I’m proud of you already!

2.)   Create a distance between the things you need.

It makes sense to gather all of your materials first thing in the morning for a successful day…if you didn’t want to get up again. You want to move, though! Grab your materials for one project at a time and force yourself to get up again later to grab the next batch. Do you drink water or coffee all day? Only fill half of a mug at a time, and you’ll need to walk over to the kitchen for a refill more often.

3.)   Walk around your house during a phone call.

If you must take a phone call, you might as well stand or walk around your house. If you need access to paperwork or your laptop, display them on your kitchen counter while you stand. Do whatever it takes to remove yourself from the chair.

4.)   Schedule three 2-minute dance breaks throughout the day.

I know what you’re wondering: “Michael, do youuuuuu really take dance breaks?” The answer is “no,” but you might. Nobody is watching you, and you might look forward to dancing to Enrique Iglesias’s song “Escape.” Swaying hips, fancy footwork, shrugging shoulders…who would’ve known that Enrique was writing the soundtrack for a 2-minute workout session! You go get girrrrl....or guy!

5.)   Read your documents while pedaling on your stationary bike.

If you’re forced to read your documents or computer, why confine yourself to the boring stationary chair. Jump on the stationary bike to increase the oxygen to your legs, hips, and heart.

Photo Credit: Geekwire .com - No doubt a way to bring blood flow to your office day!


Disclaimer: Hey, vegan, vegetarian and plant-based friends! If you have any insight about this topic that I overlooked or left out, don’t hesitate to send me an email (michael@michaelmoodyfitness.com). I grew up on a Midwestern diet of meat, cheese, and processed foods and just want to guide the world back to some of its plant roots (see what I did there). Help me educate the world on the benefits of a whole foods plant-based diet!