Ryan Glatt, MSc, NSCA-CPT, FAS
Say hi to Ryan Glatt, a Brain Health Coach and Fitness Instructor at the Pacific Brain Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. Ryan has been with the Center for the past three years. He has his Masters of Science in Applied Neuroscience.
Ryan will be presenting an MFA webinar entitled “Your Brain on Exercise” on Wednesday, April 7 at 1pm. Visit the Webinars page to register!
We caught up with Ryan recently and here’s what he had to say…
What do you enjoy most about your work?
Utilizing exercise science to improve brain health is an extremely gratifying application of the medical fitness approach. It is one thing to help someone lose weight or get out of pain, but using exercise prescription to help individuals prevent dementia is unparalleled in its reward.
What has been your favorite/most successful initiative at your fitness/wellness center?
My favorite initiative at our outpatient brain health center is the clinical research we perform. Such projects include the use of active gaming (exergaming) combined with cognitive tasks to enhance cognition in older adults with and without cognitive impairments. Using “games for good” and exercise as medicine simultaneously is very rewarding.
What led you to choose this field?
After growing up overweight and seeing my mother pass from complications from kidney disease, I became motivated to help others prevent death and disease through exercise. My obsession with gaming intersected with exercise science, and in addition to losing weight, exergaming helped me improve my brain health after sustaining a childhood concussion. Neuroscience is endlessly fascinating and exercise is something that I feel everyone can access.
What one piece of advice would you give to those just coming into this field of medical fitness?
Identify a niche that allows you to connect your unique passions and talents towards a cause you feel socially called to. Do not follow a “formula” for success. Go where your creativity calls you to solve the world’s biggest problems.
Why did you become a member of the Medical Fitness Association?
I strongly believe in the mission and vision of MFA. Medical fitness is the next frontier, and while “normal fitness” is an exploding industry, medical fitness will conjure the respect and deeper purpose fitness professionals eventually seek. Becoming a part of MFA is important for us so that we can learn from other medical fitness operators, while also leading by example.
What one do you like to do outside of work?
Ironically, play exergames. Studying my craft is also my hobby, and I love hiking, discovering new restaurants in Los Angeles, traveling when possible, and nerding out with my friends.
Are you involved in any charity/community work?
The Pacific Neuroscience Institute Foundation seeks to improve the quality of research and education in the neurosciences, and I’m proud to be a part of them!
Thank you, Ryan, for bringing brain health to the forefront of fitness!