Cold as a game-changer for regeneration and performance? In this episode of Men's Health, we talk to Tekin Özdemir, founder of Cool Box 85, about the fascinating effects of cryotherapy. From an overweight newcomer to an expert in regeneration and performance – Tekin has learned from his own experience how extreme cold can help with weight loss, muscle regeneration, and even chronic illnesses.
Learn more about:
Cryotherapy: Why -100 °C is more than just a trend
- Regeneration & performance enhancement: Why professional athletes swear by it
- Cryo vs. cold shower: What really delivers the kick?
- Medical applications: Rheumatism, inflammation & even depression
- Tekin's inspiring founder story: From personal need to a successful entrepreneurial journey
If you want to know how you can use cold for your health – listen now! 🎧
#32 - Cryotherapy for Regeneration and Performance | Tekin Özdemir at Men's Health
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#71 - VO₂max, Strength & Coordination: The Longevity Mix | Prof. Dr. Martin Halle at Men's Health
In this episode of the men's health podcast, Dr. Jonathan Apasu speaks with Prof. Dr. Martin Halle from the Technical University of Munich about the crucial factors for a long, healthy life. The focus is on VO₂max, the maximum oxygen uptake, which is considered one of the most important markers for longevity. Prof. Halle explains how VO₂max works physiologically, the role played by the lungs, heart, blood vessels, and muscles, and why the microcirculation and mitochondria of the muscles, in particular, represent the greatest training lever. The test to determine VO₂max takes only a few minutes, is performed using a breathing mask, ECG, and blood pressure measurement, and provides values that clearly correlate with life expectancy. While recreational athletes typically have values between 40 and 45 milliliters per kilogram of body weight, professionals achieve values above 70, while very low values often indicate serious heart problems. Interestingly, the greatest health benefits occur between low and medium VO₂max values, while the effect levels off from about 50 to 60 milliliters per kilogram. Extreme endurance training can also increase the risk of atrial fibrillation, so a moderate training approach is more sensible than maximizing performance at all costs. In addition to endurance, Professor Halle emphasizes the importance of muscle strength. A continuous loss of muscle mass begins in the mid-40s, accelerating significantly with age. Strength training protects against frailty, ensures mobility, and reduces metabolic risks. While the frequently used handgrip strength test shows good correlations with mortality and frailty, it is only partially trainable. It is more effective to specifically develop lower body and core strength, for example, through squats or isometric holds. A third key component of longevity is coordination, which noticeably declines from the age of 50. It not only influences movement quality and the risk of injury but also cognitive performance, as coordination training directly challenges and strengthens the brain. Even simple exercises such as single-leg stances, balance exercises, or jumping and landing techniques can have a significant impact. Professor Halle recommends a 60/20/20 split for long-term training success: 60 percent base endurance, 20 percent high-intensity interval training, and 20 percent strength training. Beginners should start with moderate endurance and strength training, adding high-intensity intervals only after a few months. Quality always takes precedence over quantity, and a consistent focus on technique, recovery, and gradual progression is crucial. Supplemented by regular coordination sessions, this creates a training system that sustainably improves not only performance but also quality of life. This episode clearly demonstrates that longevity doesn't depend on a single factor, but rather on the interplay of endurance, strength, and coordination. Consistently training these three pillars strengthens the heart, blood vessels, muscles, and brain equally, thus laying the foundation for an active, healthy life well into old age.
Learn more#76 - Testosterone in competition: What's allowed? | NADA experts Dr. Eva Bunthoff & Jutta Müller-Reul at Men's Health
In sports, testosterone replacement therapy is generally considered doping, even if medically prescribed. Testosterone may only be used legally with a valid Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). A TUE is a medical exemption that allows athletes to use a normally prohibited substance when it is medically necessary and no alternative treatment is available. In Germany, applications for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) are submitted to the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). There, the case is reviewed medically and according to regulations. After completion of the process, the result is forwarded to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). WADA verifies whether the decision complies with the worldwide Anti-Doping Code. WADA thus assumes an important compliance function. It ensures that Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) are assessed internationally according to the same criteria and that no national differences or special regulations arise. Particularly with sensitive substances like testosterone, it is rigorously checked whether each TUE is correctly justified, medically warranted, and approved in accordance with regulations. WADA can also revoke TUEs retroactively if they were not issued in accordance with the rules. This is intended to prevent national agencies from being too lenient or athletes from receiving unjustified advantages. The goal is the global harmonization of rules and the assurance of fairness and equal opportunities in competitive sports. In the new episode of the Men's Health Podcast, Dr. Jonathan Apasu speaks with Dr. Eva Bunthoff, board member of NADA, and Jutta Müller-Reul from the medical field about testosterone, doping controls, TUEs, and the role of WADA. The two experts provide insights into medical and sports law practices and explain how responsible testosterone therapy, health, and fairness in competitive sports are interconnected. Listen now and find out how NADA and WADA work together, what criteria must be met for a TUE, and why transparency and clear rules are crucial for the integrity of sport.
Learn more#75 - Rotation - How to train truly functionally | Gravity coach Manuel Guarrera at Men's Health
In this episode of the Men's Health Podcast, Dr. Jonathan Apasu speaks with Manuel Guarera, founder of Gravity Coach, about the hidden cause of many training problems in men. Although many train regularly and take their routines seriously, most feel stiffer, less flexible, or struggle with pain that persists despite muscle building as they age. Manuel explains why traditional training often misses the mark when it comes to the body's natural functioning and why returning to natural movement and rotation is key to true performance and freedom from pain. The body is evolutionarily designed to constantly work in opposition during movement—arms and legs swing in different directions, and rotation originates in the spine. Ignoring these movement principles in training will, in the long run, block the body's natural dynamics. In the interview, Manuel describes how, after years of intensive training, he discovered that muscle strength alone isn't enough to keep the body healthy and flexible. Instead, coordination, rotation, and conscious movement are crucial for making stability and strength truly practical for everyday life. Single-leg exercises, such as split squats, single-leg Romanian deadlifts, or half-kneeling cable presses, promote balance and genuine core stability because they improve the interplay between the pelvis and shoulders. This principle, often referred to as the serape effect, ensures that power flows elegantly and efficiently through the body—instead of making it rigid. Another key topic is natural running, which involves running with natural foot mechanics and minimalist shoes. Manuel explains why barefoot shoes and forefoot running techniques can be beneficial when introduced with patience and conscious adaptation. The goal is to understand the body's foundation—the feet—once again as active sensors that stabilize movements and efficiently transfer energy. Besides training and exercise, the importance of breathing is also crucial. The interplay between the diaphragm and pelvic floor is just as important for men as for women, but is often neglected. Conscious breathing after training activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting recovery and hormonal balance. Especially after intense workouts, a five-minute focus on breathing helps release tension in the torso, stabilize blood pressure, and improve regeneration. Dr. Apasu and Manuel emphasize that intelligent training doesn't mean doing less, but training smarter. It's about bringing the principles of natural movement back into the gym, complementing linear exercises with rotational patterns, and rethinking the connection between mind, breath, and body. Understanding how movement works in all three planes—sagittal, frontal, and transverse—allows you to optimize your training in the long term and prevent injuries. This episode offers practical tips on how men can rethink their training routines and bring more mobility, strength, and ease into their daily lives through conscious adjustments. It shows that training is more than just building muscle—it's a tool for experiencing your body again as a functional, complex system. Anyone wanting to understand how to train and how the body is truly structured will find valuable insights and concrete approaches to sustainable men's health here.
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