In this episode of Beyond the Wheeze, I sit down with Eric Closs, Founder and CEO of Daily Breath, to explore the powerful (and often overlooked) relationship between outdoor air quality, environmental exposure, and respiratory health — especially asthma.

Eric explains how environmental conditions like air pollution, pollen, wildfire smoke, temperature shifts, and weather patterns can quietly increase risk, even before symptoms show up. Through Daily Breath, his mission is to help people anticipate and prevent attacks using personalized, real-time environmental data, rather than relying on generalized forecasts or reacting when it’s already too late.

He also shares the “light bulb” moment that sparked the creation of Daily Breath after witnessing his sister’s rheumatoid arthritis flare up due to weather changes. That experience revealed a major gap in modern healthcare: environmental triggers are real, measurable, and highly personal — yet they’re still often ignored in asthma care.

Our conversation goes beyond asthma alone, connecting environmental exposure to broader health outcomes like cardiovascular strain, the impact of cumulative exposure over time, and the need for localized, actionable information that helps people make smarter daily choices.

🔗 Learn more: https://www.dailybreathforecast.com/
🎧 More episodes: https://beyondthewheeze.ca/podcast

00:31 Introduction to Eric Closs and Daily Breath
01:42 The Light Bulb Moment: Inspiration Behind Daily Breath
03:25 Focusing on Asthma: Identifying the Gaps in Care
04:54 The Heartbreaking Story of Diamond Conway
06:39 Understanding Environmental Triggers and Their Impact
12:41 The Role of Weather in Asthma and Respiratory Health
14:47 Cumulative Exposure: Why It Matters
23:57 Personalized Environmental Health Risk Index
29:34 Recognizing Early Symptoms and Environmental Risks
30:34 The Importance of Bedroom Air Quality
30:52 Nasal Rinses and Environmental Oversights
32:40 Health System Failures and Environmental Triggers
34:49 Integrating Environmental Data into Healthcare
38:36 Communicating Air Quality to Asthma Patients
41:50 Practical Outdoor Tips for Asthma Management
45:45 Reframing Asthma Care Around Environmental Risks
49:20 Future of Environmental Awareness in Respiratory Health
53:26 Final Thoughts and Resources

Connect with us (@BeyondTheWheeze):

• Check us out on Instagram
• Follow Beyond the Wheeze on LinkedIn
• Connect with us on TikTok
• Follow us on Facebook
• Speaking services, media, blog & news on our website
• Email Josh directly at Josh@wheezespeak.ca.

Are video podcasts more your thing? Check us out on YouTube!

Visit Asthma Canada, or the Lung Health Foundation, to see how you can get involved today.

In this episode of Beyond the Wheeze, I’m joined by Annelise Bauer, founder of In-Bodied, to explore how conscious breathing and mindful movement can support people living with asthma and other respiratory conditions.

Drawing from her own experience with asthma, Annelise shares how Buteyko breathing, nervous system regulation, and breath awareness can help reduce symptoms, manage anxiety, and improve overall wellbeing. We also walk through a short, safe breathing exercise, discuss how to get started with breathwork, and explore how these practices can be integrated alongside traditional medical care.

This episode offers practical insight for anyone living with asthma, managing a chronic respiratory condition, or looking to improve their breathing, mental health, and quality of life.

🔗 Learn more: https://www.in-bodied.com/
📸 Instagram: @in.bodied
🎧 More episodes: https://beyondthewheeze.ca/podcast

00:31 – Introduction to Annelise Bauer and her work
01:50 – Annelise’s personal journey living with asthma
05:35 – Why conscious breathing matters
08:49 – Understanding Buteyko Breathing
13:02 – Guided breathing exercise demonstration
19:44 – How to get started with breathwork safely
23:00 – Breathwork, mental health, and nervous system regulation
26:25 – Integrating breathwork with traditional medical care
32:42 – Annelise’s programs and final thoughts
37:28 – Final signature question and Annelise’s message

Connect with us (@BeyondTheWheeze):

• Check us out on Instagram
• Follow Beyond the Wheeze on LinkedIn
• Connect with us on TikTok
• Follow us on Facebook
• Speaking services, media, blog & news on our website
• Email Josh directly at Josh@wheezespeak.ca.

Are video podcasts more your thing? Check us out on YouTube!

Visit Asthma Canada, or the Lung Health Foundation, to see how you can get involved today.

Season 2 of Beyond the Wheeze is here. Join host Josh Rheaume, The Asthma Runner, for real stories and expert insights on asthma, fitness, and lung health. This season explores how mindset, movement, and community help people live and breathe beyond their limits. Hear from patients, doctors, and advocates making a difference in respiratory care.

Episode 1 drops on Tuesday, October 28th.

Connect with us (@BeyondTheWheeze):

• Check us out on Instagram
• Follow Beyond the Wheeze on LinkedIn
• Connect with us on TikTok
• Follow us on Facebook
• Speaking services, media, blog & news on our website
• Email Josh directly at Josh@wheezespeak.ca.

Are video podcasts more your thing? Check us out on YouTube!

Visit Asthma Canada, or the Lung Health Foundation, to see how you can get involved today.