Dr. Carmen Terzic is a former Olympic fencer and the Director of Cardiovascular Rehabilitation at the Mayo Clinic. Carmen’s mission is to help people recover from heart attacks and surgery by encouraging them to exercise and adopt healthier lifestyles. She is also a respected academic who has carried out pioneering research into regenerative medicine and stem cell science.
In this episode, you’ll hear from Dr. Carmen on;
- (00:08:54) Her top health tip. Carmen firmly believes that exercise is the best medicine, and she makes it clear that you don’t need to go to the gym to get fit. Instead, she advises incorporating movement into your everyday activities and switching to walking meetings and dancing while you cook.
- (00:24:38) Talking to strangers. We discuss the psychological benefits of starting random conversations with strangers. Plus, Carmen reveals how making small talk and engaging in face-to-face social connections can increase our overall happiness and well-being.
- (00:35:46) Stress control. Carmen suggests setting aside 20-30 minutes every day to disconnect from your working life and clear your mind. She also recommends tai chi as a gentle, low-impact exercise that improves balance, builds strength, reduces stress, and lowers blood pressure.
- (00:51:46) The future of stem cell technology. We talk about some of the recent breakthroughs in stem cell science, and Carmen explains how stem cells might one day be used to heal damaged hearts.
- (01:08:34) Irrational optimism. Carmen shares her ‘Don’t worry, be happy’ mantra and emphasizes the advantages of adopting the ‘irrationally optimistic’ Venezuelan approach to life.