Episode #9 - Uncles Movement - Micah Nickens
As people age, so do their bodies – but that shouldn't mean accepting a life without physical activity. By making healthy changes to their diet, mindset, and habits, people of any age can achieve an active lifestyle and the mental and physical benefits that come with it.
Ingrained & Balanced is a podcast about health, fitness, and a well-balanced lifestyle. On this episode, hosts Lonnie and Marty are joined by Micah Nickens, a former professional surfer and advocate for active lifestyles. Together our hosts sit down with Micah to discuss health and aging, how diet influences mental and physical health, and the mission of Micah's company, "Uncle's Movement."
Listen to Lonnie, Marty, and Micah discuss physical fitness, mental wellness, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
How Micah got Started with surfing (0:05)
This episode begins by introducing the special guest speaker Micah Nickens. Micah founded the Uncles Movement, an organization that promotes an active mindset and encourages physical fitness for people of all ages. Born and raised in Hawai'i Nei, he explains his background as a former professional surfer and lover of the outdoors.
Following Your Passions (3:38)
After his career as a professional surfer, Micah transitioned to a team manager and marketing director for a surf brand that sponsored him. Together he and the hosts share their thoughts on pursuing your passions when you're young, especially when following a career in sports when an active lifestyle comes easier before you have to take on the full-time responsibilities of adulthood.
Health, wellness, and getting older (7:12)
When Micah transitioned from competitive surfing into the corporate world, his lifestyle changed as well. Micah explains how his diet and wellness changed as he got older and switched to a career that demanded less physical activity. Additionally, he shares his past relationship with unhealthy food and alcohol and how starting a diet later in life was liberating for his mindset and overall health.
Going on a diet (13:02)
Micah goes further into detail about the diet he began and how he incorporated his dieting practices into his everyday lifestyle. He discusses how his alcohol habits also changed due to his dietary adjustments and the changes he saw in his physical and mental health. Micah explains the dietary practices that led him to balance his alcohol, sugar, and caffeine intake and brought positive changes to his quality of life.
About the Uncle's Movement. (22:51)
The 'Uncle's Movement" was inspired by Micah's time as a marketing director trying to captivate a younger audience. As Micah got older, he realized that the middle-aged consumer is a forgotten demographic, with few brands trying to speak to and encourage a middle-aged audience. The idea behind the movement was to promote a mindset of encouragement, perseverance, and continuing the activities you love regardless of your age. It also supports the idea of living a healthy lifestyle of mental and physical awareness.
What is fun? (27:52)
A core component of Micah's success and the Uncle's Movement relies on changing one's perspective. By rewiring how you think about things and changing how you define fun, it will be easier to identify ways to accomplish a healthy lifestyle for your age. Micah shares his thoughts on maintaining a healthy mindset and being mindful about getting better.
Mental health and getting help (29:34)
Whether caused by a significant event like COVID or a personal experience, many aspects of life can significantly affect someone's mental health. Micah, Marty, and Lonnie discuss the importance of reaching out and seeking help for mental health issues. Additionally, they share their thoughts on the damaging negative stigmas surrounding mental health, compared to the benefits of seeking out help through resources like therapy and psychiatric support.
Micah's Brand and Gear (34:44)
Micah's brand, Uncle's Movement, promotes an active lifestyle and healthy mindset. He explains the merchandise that the business sells to encourage healthy living and active involvement. In addition, Micah shares some of his brand's successes, including his celebrity endorsements and where he hopes to see his progress take him and Uncle's Movement in the future.
Finish out the day with Micah (36:05)
As a healthy habit, Micah enjoys a variety of exercise and wellness practices. From surfing to intermittent fasting to enjoying therapeutic saltwater, listen to learn how he participates in activities that support his physical and mental health. And to conclude the episode, Micah explains the tips and tricks he follows to finish the day.
Links mentioned:
Uncle’s Movement Website:
https://www.unclesmovement.com/
Uncle’s Movement Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/unclesmovement/?hl=en
Micah’s Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/micah_nickens/?hl=en
DISCLAIMER:
The information contained on this podcast, our website, newsletter, and the resources available for download are not intended as, and shall not be understood or construed as, medical or health advice. The information contained on these platforms is not a substitute for medical or health advice from a professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation.