Podcast
The Frum Health Club Podcast
Hosted by Mendel Krashunsky · EN
The Frum Health Club Podcast
We started The Frum Health Club with a clear mission: to spark real change in our community’s health and well-being. Too many in the Frum world lack the knowledge and guidance needed for proper nutrition and fitness, leading to preventable illness and, tragically, lives cut short.
This podcast and group is here to change that.
Each episode brings you practical health tips, simple meal ideas, fitness guidance, and inspiring stories, all designed to help you live longer, feel stronger, and have more energy for your family and your avodas Hashem.
Your health matters. Your family matters. Together, we can build a healthier, stronger future for Klal Yisrael.
15episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Weekly Torah Parsha: Behaloscha with Health and Wellness Insights by Dr Rubie Minkowitz
2w ago00:05:00Tap to summarizeThe trumpets were hammered out from one block of silver, so was the menorah and the Keruvim. Why were these items made in such a difficult way? - Torah is teaching us that raising children, which is corresponds to the Keruvim, spreading the light of Torah and mitzvahs reflecting the menorah and unifying בני ישראל corresponding to the trumpets Are all difficult, but worth it! And one can infer, so is exercising and eating healthy, Hard to do but worth it!Weak people, chase pleasure, strong people chase purpose, the world can give you pleasure but GD gives you purpose! So when chasing GDly things, which is difficult, our intrinsic purpose is revealed - be a positive influence on someone, this is highlighted by the name of our Parsha kindling the light…the soul The Ark cleared all the obstacles as we traveled - The Rebbe says this is true with all the journeys we take when we follow the light of Torah Saying “GD willing” comes from our Parsha The reason why Pesach Shaini (that is never too late!) was revealed through a request, is because revelation comes through people doing kindnessAs we say, ויהי בנסע May our enemies be scattered and made those who hate GD flee! Leading us to Moshiach, our final destination🔥❤️💪
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Parshas Naso with Health & Wellness Insights
3w ago00:04:33Tap to summarizeRaise your head high to be proud & courageous -Don’t be fazed by anyone or anything says the Rebbe because we are a holy nationThe entire Parsha is predicated on peace,GD allows his name to be erased for peace between husband and wife. We repeat all of the 12 exact sacrifices for peace And if someone wants to be holy, there is another pathway to be a Nazir again for peace -Rabbi Sacks שלום Peace is also one of GDs names and it is the anchor of the Bircas Cohanim This blessing given with love & achieves unity and this is an elevation נשא The peculiar way of us saying this blessing is because those who bless shall be blessed!The 12 tribes use six wagons to achieve unity and to maximize everything!- RebbeJewish people are called lamps נרותOne needs to kindle the flame to spread light- once inspired you could ignite someone else’s lamp through peace and love and together we will bring Moshiach 🔥❤️
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The Holidays of Shavous with Health Insights and Inspiration
4w ago00:05:20Tap to summarizeWhy is this Holiday called Shavous which means weeks when we just counted 49 days?When someone does something for one day, that’s nice but when you do something for seven weeks straight, that’s when you see the results and it’s time to accept the Torah, the same thing applies to everything in life, including exercise!The first word of the Aseres Hadibros (אנכי) has the acronym that means; I, Hashem wrote the Torah and has invested himself into it!Furthermore, Anochi is an Egyptian word to make the Torah relatable!The first chapter of ethics of our father’s is a beautiful rendition of the giving of Torah from Moshe down the generations. Why is this mentioned here and not at the beginning of the Mishna? To tell us that morals & ethics are not a human creation rather come from Har Sinai with all the other Mitzvos!Whether one is in Israel, or in the diaspora the blessing of יברכך will be heard!Milk and cheese reflect chesed-kindness, which should preceed Torah, which is truth-let us be kind to each other and be unified as we were at Har Sinai❤️Maybe receive the Torah with Joy and be able to internalize it to our core! בשמחה ובפנימיות💪🔥❤️
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The Weekly Torah Parsha Bamidbar with Health Insights by Dr. Rubie Minkowitz
May 1400:04:35Tap to summarizeHe was a kind soul with a big smile, always doing chesed for others- He got an Aliyah on the day we read about the Jews getting elevated thru being counted The leader of the free world is Mandating the observance of Shabbos this week! Moshiach Times We celebrate our individual uniqueness and collective unity thru surrounding the Mishkan to serve Hashem - So too the Frum Health club is collectively starting the 10K step challenge, how you do it- is up to you !Bamidbar is read before Shavuos because the Midbar is central to Yidishkeit - we had the Torah before the land and that allowed us to survive without our land, because of TorahThe connection of מדבר and דבר is in the emptiness of the desert, Hashem revealed the words דבר of Torah The Rebbe says that we are not bound with the laws of Nature when bound to Torah and Mitzvos, so let us be blessed to have spiritual and physical health, despite any obstacles!And may GD provide healing and comfort so that we may celebrate the giving of the Torah with Moshiach 💪❤️🔥
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The Weekly Parsha Behar-Bechukosai with Health & Wellness Insights
May 700:06:35Tap to summarizeHow do you conquer the mountain in your life - by going in GDs ways , Rashi says Thru toiling in Torah, & you can also learn Torah while you toil (in exercise)! Secret for getting GD in the heart of your child Shmita is about Bitachon-a living example R SM Rubashkin A slave can also be a slave to addiction & One ultimately needs to rely on himself and if that fails then GD will do a reset with Yovel Don’t go thru life treating GD as if by chance קרי, rather GD is calling you ויקרא to connect with him through service which is sacrifice - R SacksThe hidden blessings have 143 verses & 143 shekels for Eruchin (intrinsic value for צדקה) # 1 Tzedeka is critical # 2 we all have intrinsic value, no matter who we areMay we have strength to conquer our own mountains & addictions and to have bitachon to Merit to hear the shofar of Moshiach & Yovel 💪💪💪חזק חזק ונתחזק🔥🔥🔥
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The Weekly Torah Parsha: Emor with Health Insights by Dr. Rubie Minkowitz
Apr 3000:05:27Tap to summarizeHoly people, Holy times & Holy actions We read about Sefiras Haomer during the Sefira - the word for counting is מונה but we use the term לספורBc it also means to shine, since each day shines forth a new energy and that makes this month Holy We are told to make a Kiddush Hashem & the Hayom Yom of י״ג אייר says that what we do has an effect on the heavens above! Don’t despair it’s never too late! פסח שני Look at R Akiva & it’s never too late to learn and to become healthier!We communicate this to our children by speaking kindly and illuminating להזיר them From the term Zohar which we celebrate on ל״ג בעומרLag Baomer is with a bais and not a lamed, which we use to count, since the Rashbi was the gilgul of Moshe, & ל״ג בעומר and משה have the same gematriah!Let us have ואהבת לרעך כמוך & it’s never too late to elevate oneself and to become holy and healthy & GD should give a complete recovery to those who need so we could dance around the fires of ל״ג בעומר with משיח!!! 💪🔥❤️
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The Warrior Rabbi: Why Health Is a Jewish Responsibility | With Rabbi Danny Yaffe
Mar 2500:55:50Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Frum Health Club Podcast, I sit down with Rabbi Danny Jaffe, known to many as the Warrior Rabbi, for a powerful conversation about health, discipline, parenting, purpose, and what it really means to care for the body as a vessel for the neshamah.Rabbi Jaffe has been involved in fitness and training since his teenage years, but over time his understanding of health evolved far beyond strength or appearance. After the passing of his father, and as he began building his own family, his perspective changed. Fitness was no longer just about pushing limits or looking a certain way. It became about being present for his children, protecting his future health, and recognizing that the body is a כלי, a vessel through which we serve Hashem and fulfill our mission in this world.One of the most striking parts of this episode is Rabbi Jaffe’s message that he would rather accept the pain of discipline now than the pain of preventable sickness later. He shares how health is not only personal, but deeply connected to family, responsibility, and avodas Hashem.We also speak about why health is often neglected in frum communities, the challenges of balancing Torah life with physical wellbeing, how parents shape their children through example, and why simply showing up is often the most important first step.This conversation is thoughtful, honest, practical, and deeply inspiring.Connect with Rabbi Danny Jaffe:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/warriorrabbi/Join the Frum Health Club WhatsApp Community:https://chat.whatsapp.com/KaCltJZoGmp3qbeZh9K7z4?mode=gi_t
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He Lost Himself to Addiction. Then He Rebuilt His Life | Eli Hayempour
Mar 1800:49:11Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Frum Health Club Podcast, I sit down with Eli Hayempour for a powerful and deeply moving conversation about addiction, recovery, fitness, Yiddishkeit, and what it truly means to rebuild your life from the ground up.Eli shares his story of growing up in a Persian Orthodox home in Los Angeles, and how, despite a strong upbringing, he began struggling with drugs and alcohol from a young age. What started as experimentation quickly turned into years of addiction, leading him down a path of chaos, broken structure, and eventually hitting rock bottom.One of the most intense moments in this episode is when Eli describes being homeless on the streets of Los Angeles, feeling completely lost, and having a life-changing encounter that pushed him to return home and finally ask for help. Shortly after, he made the decision to get sober, a decision that completely changed the trajectory of his life.We also speak about what addiction really looks like, how to recognize when something has control over you, the role of discipline and fitness in recovery, and how structure, community, and spirituality can help a person rebuild themselves. Eli shares how he returned to Yiddishkeit, built a family, and created a life centered around purpose, gratitude, and growth.This conversation is raw, honest, and extremely inspiring.About Eli Hayempour:Eli Hayempour is over 10 years sober and uses his life experience to inspire others who are struggling with addiction and searching for a better path. Through his openness, discipline, and commitment to growth, he has rebuilt his life as a husband, father, and entrepreneur, while helping others see that transformation is possible no matter how far someone has fallen.Follow Eli :https://www.instagram.com/sobermob26/Join the Frum Health Club WhatsApp Community:https://chat.whatsapp.com/KaCltJZoGmp3qbeZh9K7z4?mode=gi_t
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The Hidden Causes of Anxiety and Depression | with Dr. Robert Hedaya
Mar 800:53:33Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Frum Health Club Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Robert J. Hedaya, one of the true pioneers in functional psychiatry, for a fascinating and eye-opening conversation about mental health, depression, anxiety, trauma, gut health, sleep, exercise, and what is really driving so much suffering today.Dr. Hedaya has been practicing psychiatry for more than 46 years and has spent decades asking deeper questions than the conventional model often asks. Instead of seeing depression, panic attacks, and other mental health struggles as purely “psychological,” he explains why many of these issues are deeply connected to the body, including nutrient deficiencies, inflammation, hormones, infections, gut health, toxins, sleep deprivation, and chronic stress.One of the most powerful moments in this episode is when Dr. Hedaya shares the story of a woman he treated for panic attacks for a year without success, only to later discover a possible B12 deficiency. After one B12 injection, her panic disorder disappeared. That case helped change the way he practiced medicine and opened the door to the work he has been doing ever since.This conversation is deep, practical, and extremely important.About Dr. Robert J. Hedaya:Dr. Robert J. Hedaya is widely recognized as a pioneer in functional psychiatry. With more than four decades of clinical experience, he has helped patients with complex, treatment-resistant mental health conditions by looking beyond symptoms and exploring root causes in the body and brain. His work integrates psychiatry with nutrition, endocrinology, immunology, toxicology, neurology, gut health, and advanced brain-based therapies.Learn more about Dr. Hedaya:Website: https://wholepsychiatry.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drroberthedaya/Join the Frum Health Club WhatsApp Community:https://chat.whatsapp.com/KaCltJZoGmp3qbeZh9K7z4?mode=gi_t
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Why This Rabbi became Vegan with Rabbi Akiva Gersh
Feb 2400:45:46Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Frum Health Club Podcast, I sit down with Rabbi Akiva Gersh, known to many as The Vegan Rabbi, for a real conversation about veganism, health, and living with values.Akiva’s story is incredible. He grew up in the U.S. eating a typical American diet, felt disconnected from Yiddishkeit, and then had a major wake up call in college through environmental activism. He became vegetarian, then fully vegan at 19, and that journey unexpectedly became the doorway that led him back to Torah.We talk about what veganism actually means, why it is still so uncommon in the Orthodox world, what a normal day of eating looks like, and how to think about Shabbos, Yom Tov, and tradition in a modern food system that looks nothing like our grandparents’ world.This is not a preachy episode. It’s honest, practical, and thought-provoking.Topics we cover:• How Akiva became vegan at 19• Why veganism was the beginning of his journey back to Judaism• Common misconceptions in the frum world about meat on Shabbos and Yom Tov• Blue Zones and why plant-based eating is linked to longevity• What vegans do about B12, iron, and omega-3• The difference between vegan, vegetarian, and pescatarian• How Akiva approaches tefillin and leather from a Torah perspective• What a vegan Shabbos meal can actually look like• Simple ways to start, including “vegan Mondays” and practical meal planningAbout Rabbi Akiva Gersh:Rabbi Akiva Gersh has been educating students for over 25 years and speaks about conscious living, compassion, and plant-based health through a Torah lens. He lives in Israel with his wife Tamar and their four children.Learn more about Rabbi Akiva Gersh:Website: https://www.akivagersh.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veganrabbiJoin the Frum Health Club WhatsApp Community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KaCltJZoGmp3qbeZh9K7z4?mode=gi_t
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