Jonathan Z. Cohen is a speaker, coach, and host of the Inside the Inspired podcast who works with high-performing professionals to build discipline, resilience, and clarity under pressure.

In this episode of The Health Movement Podcast, Derek sits down with Jonathan for a thoughtful conversation about purpose, reflection, and the internal standards that shape a meaningful life. Rather than focusing on external success or productivity, this discussion explores why so many driven, capable people still feel misaligned — and what it actually takes to live with intention.

Jonathan shares insights from his work with individuals in high-stress environments, explaining why reflection is a skill, not a personality trait, how discipline is built through identity rather than motivation, and why long-term fulfillment comes from service, clarity, and consistency. The conversation challenges the idea that moving faster leads to better outcomes, and instead reframes growth as the result of thoughtful decision-making over time.

This episode is for anyone who feels productive but disconnected — successful on paper, yet searching for deeper alignment. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing all the right things but still feel off, this conversation will encourage you to slow down, reflect honestly, and raise your internal standards.

Follow Jonathan Z. Cohen:
Website – https://www.insidetheinspired.com/services
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-z-cohen/
Instagram –https://www.instagram.com/jonathanzcohen/

He explains:
◼️ Why productivity without purpose leads to dissatisfaction
◼️ The difference between achievement and fulfillment
◼️ How reflection improves decision-making under pressure
◼️ Why motivation is unreliable compared to identity and standards
◼️ How discipline is built through consistency, not intensity
◼️ Why service to others often becomes the foundation of purpose

00:00 Intro
02:10 Why High Performers Often Feel Unfulfilled
06:45 Reflection as a Skill
11:30 Achievement vs Fulfillment
16:20 Why Motivation Fails
21:55 Building Internal Standards
27:40 Identity, Discipline, and Consistency
33:25 The Cost of Moving Fast Without Direction
39:10 Long-Term Thinking in a Short-Term World
45:50 Raising Your Personal Standard
51:30 What a Meaningful Life Really Looks Like
01:02:05 Final Reflections and Takeaways

Books and ideas referenced or aligned with this conversation include The War of Art and Turning Pro (https://amzn.to/49iIDo9) by Steven Pressfield, Principles (https://amzn.to/3Z7NuT2) by Ray Dalio, Awaken the Giant Within (https://amzn.to/49fH8Hc) by Tony Robbins, Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (https://amzn.to/4pDi4yS), and examples of discipline and identity drawn from Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. (All links are affiliate links that help the show.)

The Health Movement Podcast explores fitness, mindset, recovery, and purpose through long-form conversations focused on clarity, depth, and long-term growth. Subscribe for weekly episodes designed to help you build a stronger body, sharper mind, and more intentional life.

Insulin Resistance Explained: Metabolic Health, GLP-1s, and Treating the Root Cause with Dr. Zachary Bloomgarden

Original release date: January 5th, 2026

Episode description

In this episode, Dr. Zachary Bloomgarden—endocrinologist, clinical professor of medicine at Mount Sinai, and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Diabetes—joins the show for an in-depth discussion on insulin resistance and its central role in modern metabolic disease.

Dr. Bloomgarden shares decades of clinical and academic insight into how insulin resistance underlies conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease, and other manifestations of metabolic dysfunction. Rather than focusing on isolated lab values or single interventions, this conversation explores metabolic health as a system—and why improving long-term outcomes requires addressing lifestyle, physiology, and, when medically appropriate, pharmacology.

We discuss how insulin resistance develops, why it often goes undetected for years, and how daily behaviors such as nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and stress interact with hormonal regulation. Dr. Bloomgarden also explains where medications—such as GLP-1 receptor agonists—fit into care, emphasizing their role as tools used when necessary to help patients achieve meaningful health goals, rather than as shortcuts or replacements for healthy living.

This episode is not about forcing people off medication or chasing numbers—it’s about building durable, long-term health by addressing the underlying drivers of metabolic illness.

We discuss:

- What insulin resistance is and why it sits at the center of metabolic disease

- How obesity, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease, and cancer are interconnected

- Early signs of metabolic dysfunction that often go unnoticed

- The role of insulin, hyperinsulinemia, and glucose regulation in disease progression

- How nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress influence insulin sensitivity

- Where GLP-1 medications fit into treatment and how they are used responsibly in clinical care

- Why improving overall metabolic health—not just lowering numbers—is the true goal

- How clinicians think about lifestyle change, medication, and long-term outcomes

- Common misconceptions about insulin resistance and metabolic health

Referenced Texts and Sites

Resources & links mentioned during the episode

Journal of Diabetes (Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Zachary Bloomgarden)
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/17530407

Wiley Online Library (publisher of Journal of Diabetes)
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com

PubMed (search “Zachary Bloomgarden diabetes”)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Diabetes Care Journal
https://diabetesjournals.org/care

These resources contain Dr. Bloomgarden’s peer-reviewed articles, editorials, and commentaries spanning decades of research in insulin resistance, diabetes, and metabolic health.

About the show

The Health Movement Podcast explores fitness, nutrition, recovery, mindset, and longevity through long-form conversations with experts, clinicians, and thought leaders. Each episode focuses on practical insight, scientific understanding, and systems-based approaches to improving health and performance over the long term.

Connect with me:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/derek.josephs/

Join the Health Movement Newsletter:
https://healthmovement.us

Watch the full episode:
https://www.youtube.com/@HealthMovementPodcast

Why do results fade—even when you’re disciplined, motivated, and doing everything “right”?

In this episode of The Health Movement Podcast, Derek sits down with Karlla Rocha, Jayne Baker, and Dani Kortava, the creators of The Joules Method, to explore why diets, workouts, and mindset shifts often work temporarily… and then stop.

This conversation breaks down why focusing on diet, exercise, or mindset alone isn’t enough, what most health approaches miss, and how lasting change actually happens when the right pieces come together.

What we cover in this episode:
• Why results don’t last, even with consistency and discipline
• Why diets, workouts, and mindset alone aren’t enough
• How stress and nervous system regulation impact long-term health
• The role of your relationship with food, movement, and recovery
• What sustainable change looks like beyond weight loss or aesthetics
• Why personalization matters more than intensity

What is The Joules Method?
• A 12-week, highly personalized health experience
• Weekly one-on-one sessions with three specialists
• Monthly group integration calls
• Ongoing communication, support, and accountability
• A detailed intake and pre-qualification process to ensure the right fit
• Built for people who feel stuck despite trying “everything”

This episode is for anyone who has tried multiple diets, programs, or routines, seen short-term success, and wondered why nothing seems to last. At its core, this conversation is about moving beyond survival mode—so you can actually live your life instead of simply existing.

Connect with the guests & The Joules Method:
• Karlla Rocha – https://www.instagram.com/karllaroc/
• Jayne – https://www.instagram.com/breakyourinertia/
• Dani – https://www.instagram.com/heal_with_dani/
• The Joules Method – https://www.instagram.com/joulesmethod/

The Joules Method Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1DRSV9nzPG/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Connect with me:
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/derek.josephs/

Watch the full episode:
https://www.youtube.com/@HealthMovementPodcast

🎧 Listen to the full episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@HealthMovementPodcast

📩 Join the Health Movement Newsletter:
https://healthmovement.us