How Exercise Can Transform Mental Health and Depression with Dr. Nicholas Fabiano

How Exercise Can Transform Mental Health and Depression with Dr. Nicholas Fabiano

Author: JJ Virgin October 22, 2025 Duration: 53:13
What if the most powerful antidepressant isn’t in a pill, but in your sneakers? In this episode, I speak with Dr. Nicholas Fabiano about the science behind why movement can be as effective as antidepressants. We also explore the social and psychological benefits of staying active and how even small steps can spark powerful change. You’ll also hear fascinating insights about creatine, brain energy, and how lifestyle prescriptions may soon reshape the future of psychiatry. Dr. Nicholas Fabiano is a psychiatry resident and researcher at the University of Ottawa with a passion for the mind-body connection. Originally from Thunder Bay, he turned a broken arm from an arm-wrestling match into a fascination with how exercise, nutrition, and sleep can transform mental health. Today, his work in lifestyle psychiatry explores how simple daily habits can powerfully impact depression and overall well-being. What you’ll learn: (02:57) How Dr. Fabiano’s own injury sparked his passion for exercise and mental health. (05:42) Why exercise benefits the brain beyond mood. (07:48) The real science behind exercise and depression, including serotonin, inflammation, and brain growth factors. (09:11) How the social and psychological aspects of movement can be just as healing as the biological ones. (11:40) Simple, practical ways to motivate someone struggling with depression to get moving again. (14:17) Why the best type of exercise is the one you’ll actually do—and how adherence matters more than modality. (18:45) How Dr. Fabiano “prescribes” exercise using the FITT framework (Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type). (29:25) The surprising connection between creatine supplementation, brain energy, and depression recovery. Love the podcast? Here’s what to do: Subscribe to the podcast. Leave a review. Text a screenshot to me at 813-565-2627 and wait for a personal reply because your voice is so important to me. Want to listen to the show completely ad-free? Go to http://subscribetojj.com Click “TRY FREE” and start your ad-free journey today! When you’re ready, enjoy the VIP experience for just $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year (save 17%!) Full show notes (including all links mentioned): https://jjvirgin.com/happyworkout Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Midlife isn't a crisis; it's a catalyst. On Well Beyond 40, JJ Virgin guides a conversation about rewriting the narrative of aging for women, moving from simply coping to truly thriving. This isn't about chasing youth, but about building a foundation of strength and vitality that makes the coming decades the most rewarding yet. Each episode feels like a direct, practical talk with a trusted expert who cuts through the noise. You'll hear actionable strategies rooted in science, focusing on how nutrition, movement, and mindset intersect uniquely during this life stage. JJ translates complex research into clear steps for refueling your body, managing energy, and cultivating a sense of purpose that goes far beyond the scale. The Well Beyond 40 podcast operates on the principle that knowing *why* something works is just as important as knowing *what* to do. Listeners are invited into a space where questions about metabolic shifts, hormonal balance, sustainable fitness, and intentional beauty are met with evidence-based answers and genuine empathy. It’s a resource for any woman ready to move past generic advice and discover what it means to age with power, confidence, and joy on her own terms. Tune in to reframe your approach and build a life that feels truly well-lived.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Well Beyond 40
Podcast Episodes
Heal Your Gut and Master Menopause with Cynthia Thurlow [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:46
What if the key to a better night's sleep isn't just a pill, but better gut health? I am so thrilled to welcome my dear friend Cynthia Thurlow, a brilliant nurse practitioner and expert in intermittent fasting, back to t…
Fitness Expert On Most Powerful Predictors on Healthspan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:30
Are you focusing on your healthspan while completely neglecting your "strength span"? I have seen so many women hit midlife and feel like their strength and recovery disappeared overnight, but it is often a decline in ce…
Dr. Scott Sherr on Mitochondria, Stress, and Midlife Fatigue [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:57
What early signs could indicate your metabolism is breaking down? I sat down with Dr. Scott Sherr, a physician focused on health optimization and mitochondrial function, to unpack why so many women feel exhausted despite…
Dr. Jason Fung Explains Why You Are Always Hungry [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:17
Are you tired of being told that your weight gain is simply a result of a lack of willpower? In this episode, I’m thrilled to welcome back my friend and world-renowned kidney specialist, Dr. Jason Fung, to dive deep into…
Cravings After 40 Are Not a Discipline Problem [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:22
What if your cravings have nothing to do with discipline? I want you to stop blaming a lack of discipline for your midlife cravings and understand that your body runs on chemistry, not willpower. In this episode, I break…
Mastering Your Internal Symphony [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:41
Deanna Minich is a nutrition scientist and functional medicine expert who specializes in how food, light, and lifestyle impact whole-body health. She’s known for blending science with practical strategies to help people…
Why Lifting Weights is the Secret to Fat Loss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:31
Are you losing muscle instead of fat by over-prioritizing cardio? I'm here to tell you that the common advice to lose weight before lifting is biologically backwards and keeping you frustrated and stuck. In this episode,…
Why Coffee is a Health Superfood with Andrew Salisbury [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:09
Could your "guilty pleasure" actually be the best thing for your liver health? I’m diving deep into my favorite food group today with Andrew Salisbury, the founder of Purity Coffee, to reveal why your morning brew is act…
What Collagen Actually Does After 30 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:24
Are you using collagen incorrectly as a protein replacement? Collagen is one of the most misunderstood supplements in the health world, and I’m breaking down the real science behind it. I explain what collagen actually d…