From “Thin-Not-Strong” to Surf, Summits & Mid-Life Muscle: Cara Kleinhaut Artwork

Health Is A Skill with Todd Vande Hei

Welcome to the Health is a Skill podcast with host Todd Vande Hei! Todd is the CEO of Stark, which exists to change the future of health and fitness in the communities they serve. For the last 15 years, Todd has been on a journey to discover what it means to be in a state of peak health. After suffering from a series of seizures and being diagnosed with high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation in his early 30’s, Todd decided it was time to make a change. Those changes fell into one of four categories: lifestyle, exercise, nutrition, and stress management. But the biggest thing Todd learned through it all? Health is a skill. You’re not born with it, like some would like you to believe, and it isn’t acquired by simply buying another product or starting that new diet. Health is something you can create for yourself, and over time it is possible to attain peak health.

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Health Is A Skill with Todd Vande Hei

From “Thin-Not-Strong” to Surf, Summits & Mid-Life Muscle: Cara Kleinhaut

May 29, 2025 • Todd Vande Hei • Episode 66

At 52, experiential-marketing CEO Cara Kleinhaut dead-hangs surfboards, hikes Kilimanjaro for fun—and still cooks rainbow-bright farmer-market meals for her teenage girls. In this candid conversation with Stark CEO Todd Vande Hei, Cara unpacks how perimenopause panic turned into the best decade of her life—by trading “skinny” for strong and “busy” for health-span.

Inside the episode:

The Road Gets Narrower – why sleep, grounding and walking meditation moved from “someday” to non-negotiable.
Protein & Plates – how a lifelong Pilates devotee learned the science of muscle, macros and DEXA scans (and why women won’t bulk overnight).
Kilimanjaro & Confidence – glute training, Greenland hikes, surfing in Costa Rica, and the joy of out-paddling twenty-somethings.
80/20 Realism – wine, birthdays and the “attraction-not-promotion” philosophy she uses to model wellness for teen daughters.
Community as Bio-Hack – introvert tactics for extrovert longevity; why her 94-year-old dad still volunteers at a senior center.
Advice to 30-something Moms & Builders – forgiveness for the “building years,” plus the small lifts that keep you from breaking in half later.

Whether you’re juggling toddlers and Zoom calls or staring down hot-flash insomnia, Cara proves it’s never too late—or too early—to lift heavy, eat colorfully, sleep deeply and live large.

Connect with Stark
Personalized inside‑out health programs at stark.health

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🤔 ABOUT Todd Vande Hei 🤔

Welcome to Todd Vande Hei's channel, where health mastery meets real-life transformation. Join Todd as he shares invaluable insights and practical tips to help you unlock your full health potential.

Whether you're struggling with chronic pain, seeking sustainable weight loss, or simply striving to live your best life, Todd's journey and expertise will inspire and empower you to take control of your health and well-being.

Join our community of health enthusiasts committed to making positive changes and thriving at every stage of life. Let's embark on this journey to vibrant health together!

DISCLOSURE

We focus on optimizing every aspect of your well-being. At Stark, our team of expert trainers, doctors, nutritionists and a complete medical support team, led by CEO Todd Vande Hei, is dedicated to helping you become the BEST version of yourself. We specialize in coaching executives, athletes, pop stars, astronauts and other noteworthy individuals in all forms of exercise, diet, lifestyle, stress management and personalized supplement protocols.

Our methodology is designed to tackle each facet of well-being comprehensively. We believe that optimal health encompasses ten key aspects, which...