BODY OF WISDOM

The mind-body connection can seem like one of those gray areas that’s hard to summarize. Perhaps it’s a “when you know, you know” situation. Specializing in psychiatry, Dr. Sadler opened his own practices so he could better serve his patients by not only offering solutions that stem from modern science, but also from what he has learned on his own health and fitness journey. If you’re trying to help a friend or loved one, or if you’re like us and feel like you never have the time (or the right outfit), these words of wisdom might be just what the doctor ordered.

By Hayley Hill Photos Stevye Photography, StevyePhotography.com

As a psychiatrist, Dr. Brad Sadler sees it all. Currently working as psychiatric consultant of the adult inpatient unit at Mobile Infirmary Medical Center, he also maintains outpatient practices, Southern Psychiatry Associates, in Mobile and Gulf Shores. Best described as warm, thoughtful, and patient, he’s not only relatable, but he also practices what he preaches. A self-professed health and fitness enthusiast, he shares his path to wellness to inspire others in their pursuit of happiness. 

Having found the mind-body connection himself, Dr. Sadler shares, “There is a boatload of evidence that proves exercise and good nutrition offer great benefits for the mind and body. Exercise helps memory, focus, anxiety, depression, and overwhelming stress. It regulates sleep, builds resilience, and helps prevent against diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.  Additionally, good nutrition aids in the fight against many of the lifestyle diseases that plague society attributed to an abundance of calories over time.”

As for his start? “I started running cross country in high school and I absolutely hated it! An avid music fan, my parents wouldn’t let me order from Columbia House Records (remember them?) unless I joined a sport so I stuck with it to support my music habit. In college, my roommate was a football player who took one look at me and said, ‘we need to get you into the gym!’ This is when I started to really workout and appreciate at least the aesthetic quality of what the gym could provide.  Once in medical school, I exercised regularly, and it started to become important to me. However, the rigors of medical school caused me to stop for a couple of years and the lack of sleep and the long work hours caused me to gain some weight and I generally felt stressed and unhappy,” Dr. Sadler confesses.

As his 30th birthday rolled around, he started walking to work as he was in his third year of residency and was able to finally squeeze it in. “Eventually, walking became running and soon enough I decided to run a marathon. I ended up running five and I wasn’t too bad at it!” Over time, the running took its toll and deciding to focus on weightlifting, he started working with a trainer at 35-years-old. “This was the best thing I could have done as I learned so much about how to diet and exercise.  In fact, my trainer and I became good friends and even spent time together outside of the gym,” Dr. Sadler says. 

With a complete understanding of the mind-body connection, Dr. Sadler left Baltimore and his fitness community in 2012 for our sunny shores. “When I moved here, I decided to join CrossFit as I thought it was the next logical step in my fitness evolution.  It certainly opened my eyes to many different aspects of fitness, and I fell in love with the calisthenics and gymnastics aspects of CrossFit.  Eventually I became a certified trainer for calisthenics through Dragon Door. So enthralled, I even called our local gymnastics’ center, Nasser Gymnastics, to see if they had any adult classes.  While they didn’t offer any, they created one for me. Imagine walking into a gym filled with 6 to 12-year-old girls and everyone my age was in the stands watching their child! I was alone and it took some courage, but I learned so much and even got my wife Laura to join!   After that, I decided to move away from CrossFit and build my own home gym.”   

As luck would have it, he was able to complete the home gym right before the pandemic.  “Now, I workout six days a week, sometimes twice a day, and I enjoy running short 5K and 10K races. All of this has proven to be great for my mental health and it keeps me energized throughout my tough schedule. Naturally nutrition plays a role and I’ve been following the Renaissance Periodization diet for fitness enthusiasts since 2016. It’s been the best thing I’ve ever done as it essentially tells me how many carbs, fats, and proteins to eat daily depending on how much I workout,” Dr. Sadler shares.

When it comes to getting healthy, his top tip? “Take it slow, it really is a marathon, not a sprint. It took me years to figure out how to eat and workout to stay fit.  It really is hard to understand that it doesn’t take much excessive eating to gain weight even if you’re exercising. I tried so many different things. While some worked, some didn’t, and some worked only for short periods of time. But eventually I was able to figure out what worked for me. If people are persistent and hold themselves accountable, they will eventually find success.”

Fueled by his own success, he shares, “Now, I really love working out! There’s never a day I wake up and don’t want to workout.  In fact, it’s harder for me to have a rest day then it is to have a workout day.  I’m very regimented and my workout days are sacred.  I simply don’t let things get in the way 99% of the time.  Eating well is harder but the Renaissance Periodization diet makes it much easier to stop and wait untill the next meal.”

As for his patients? “I treat many patients with severe depression and anxiety. For most of my patients exercise and healthy eating are not going to be the only thing they need for treatment. However, those who exercise and eat healthy regularly are generally healthier, happier, and better adjusted. And, if they do need medicine, it’s much more likely to work for those with a healthy lifestyle.  For much of the population that doesn’t have severe depression and anxiety, I always advise good fitness and nutrition to help prevent having to get on medicine for many disorders including, anxiety, depression, and ADHD.”

Continuing he adds, “People who exercise are generally more confident and social and have better connections in general.  Group fitness classes are great for making friends and social connections. Also working out with friends helps hold you accountable.  My wife and I workout together and we consider it our time together and it’s helped our relationship.  Also, while not a common topic, regular exercise can help prevent intimacy issues like erectile dysfunction, anorgasmia, and more, which become more prominent as we age.  Exercise boosts testosterone production in women which is essential to prevent muscle loss. So, we look better, have more stamina, and enjoy sharing time together which all lead to a closer and more intimate relationship.  These things are important for happiness, too!”

Dr. Sadler understands all too well that people who are depressed or anxious also struggle with sleep, energy, and other issues that make it even harder to get started with a diet and exercise program. “It can be so hard to get motivated at first, it takes a while to really see the results. Time and a lack of guidance and resources are always a factor, however, if someone just gets started, they will immediately begin to feel better. For those pressed in the time department, start slow, be consistent and you will see the benefits. And if all else fails, consider that I run my own business, supervise four nurse practitioners, work seven days a week, see somewhere between 30-50 patients a day, and I find the time to exercise daily! It can be done!” he concludes.

Southern Psychiatry Associates 

3737 Government Boulevard, Suite 203, Mobile 

3501 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores 

251.300.7134 

SouthernPsychiatry.net 

Gulf Shores

3501 Gulf Shores,

Parkway Gulf Shores, AL 36542

251.300.7134

SouthernPsychiatry.net