Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jodi Dolo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Jodi, so great to have you on the platform. There’s so much we want to ask you, but let’s start with the topic of self-care. Do you do anything for self-care and if so, do you think it’s had a meaningful impact on your effectiveness?
Gio: For self-care, I workout, walk, Peloton, and eat healthy. After I became regimented in my health routine, that discipline has made other aspects of my life better. I am more focused as clarity of mind has improved. This focus has spilled over to my work life, and I have received greater opportunities since then. I am at my healthiest I have ever been, and I have labs to prove it. I am also more confident knowing I can achieve what I put my mind to. This allowed me to increase my influence with other people, as they seek me out to help them. I enjoy helping others.
Jodi: For self-care, I prioritize regular workouts and proper nutrition. About eight years ago, I weighed over 230 pounds, and at 35, I was newly diagnosed with high blood pressure, struggling with obesity, and dealing with hard-to-manage asthma. More than that, I didn’t like myself.
Today, I strength train on my own and do CrossFit three times a week. I also track what I eat—not out of restriction, but as a way to fuel my body and stay mindful of my choices. The biggest transformation hasn’t just been losing over 90 pounds; it’s been learning to treat myself like a priority and someone worthy of care.
These self-care changes completely reshaped my life. They not only improved my health but also led me to become a certified personal trainer and nutritionist and ultimately co-host the Mindful Muscle podcast. Because I’ve been in the shoes of someone just starting out, I can deeply relate to the struggles and doubts that come with the journey. But I also know firsthand that it’s possible to change your life without resorting to unhealthy extremes.
Taking care of myself has made me more effective in every aspect of my life—physically, mentally, and professionally. When I show up for myself, I can show up better for others.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Gio and I are the co-hosts of Mindful Muscle, a podcast available on YouTube, Apple, and Spotify, where we dive into fitness, nutrition, and personal transformation. We’re going into our second year of podcasting. While our podcast is for everyone, our hearts are especially with beginners—the people just starting out on their health journey. We’ve been there. Together, we’ve lost and maintained a combined 140-pound weight loss, and we understand firsthand what it’s like to make serious life changes.
What makes Mindful Muscle special isn’t just the information we share—it’s the inspiring stories we get to highlight. We’ve had guests like a five-time cancer survivor who competed and placed in a bodybuilding show and a woman who was homeless, living in her car for a year, and used that time to prioritize her physical and mental health, eventually becoming a personal trainer. These stories prove that transformation is possible no matter where you start.
Gio and I actually met through a Facebook fitness community for the workout app Fitbod. We were both active users, connected through the group, and became friends. In June 2023, we finally met in person at a fitness retreat in Tucson, Arizona, with other Fitbod users, and the bond we all shared reinforced a key theme we talk about often—community.
Having a strong why is crucial when starting a health journey, but even the best motivation can waver without the right support system. Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals, whether they’re just starting out or have years of experience, can make all the difference. The right community provides encouragement, accountability, and wisdom in ways you might not expect.
Through Mindful Muscle, we’re not just sharing our journey—we’re helping others start theirs, cut through the noise of diet culture, and build a sustainable path to health and confidence.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Gio: Three areas I feel served me well are: 1) Longevity – I belong to the longest-lived people in the world. Not only do we live long, but we have a good quality of life; 2) Plant-Based Nutrition – I teach people about the benefits of whole food, plant-based eating; 3) Recovery and Stress Management – I teach people the importance of systematic rest, which has physical, mental, and spiritual benefits, and how to effectively cope with stress for overall well-being.
Jodi: 1) Shifting from an All-or-Nothing Mindset to Long-Term Consistency – Before my hypertension diagnosis, I was a yo-yo dieter, constantly chasing fad diets, over-restricting, and seeing food as “good” or “bad.” Any setback would make me throw in the towel. That diagnosis forced me to shift my focus from external validation to true health. I had to keep going no matter what—whether I indulged, whether the scale moved or not. Now, my mantra is: It’s always what you do next, not what you did last, that determines your success. 2) Understanding the Role of Mental Health in Physical Health – You can’t hate yourself into health. You can’t hate yourself into loving yourself. So many people focus only on diet and exercise, but self-talk and mindset are just as important. If you wouldn’t say something to a friend, you shouldn’t say it to yourself. Lasting change comes from treating yourself with kindness and compassion, not self-punishment. 3) Leading by Example, Especially for the Next Generation – Change isn’t just about you; it impacts those around you. If you have kids, they learn by watching what you do, not by what you say. If you want them to build healthy habits and self-respect, you have to model that yourself. Treat yourself the way you want your children (or loved ones) to treat themselves—because they’re paying attention, even when you don’t realize it.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Absolutely! Gio and I are excited to start booking guests again for the Mindful Muscle Podcast. Between the holidays and Gio’s recent move, we took a brief pause, but we’re ready to bring more inspiring voices to our audience.
We’ve previously featured doctors, individuals who have overcome addiction or abuse, those with incredible health transformations, and body positivity or body neutrality coaches. We’re especially looking for guests who can help us show that sustainable, life-changing health transformations are possible without extreme measures. If you have a story or expertise that can encourage and empower those just starting their journey, we’d love to connect!
You can reach us via email at [email protected] or on Instagram: @mindful_muscle_podcast.
Contact Info:
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