Holistic Doctor Joe Jukic & Holistic Nurse Erica Carmen Discuss Getting Their Friends Outside and Exercising Through Co-Ed Ultimate
In a sunlit corner of their East Vancouver wellness space—surrounded by thriving plants, crystals, shelves of dog-eared natural health books, and two steaming cups of nettle-chamomile tea—Dr. Joe Jukic sits with his trusted collaborator and holistic nurse, Erica Carmen. Soft light filters through the window. Outside, a light breeze moves the leaves.
Dr. Joe Jukic: Erica, I’ve been thinking about our circle lately. Good people, sharp minds, but a lot of them are spending more time indoors than their bodies were designed for. Screens, schedules, that low-level indoor air and artificial light… it adds up. How do we gently pull them outside and into real movement?
Erica Carmen: I’ve noticed the same thing, Joe. Even the ones who “exercise” often do it under fluorescent lights on a treadmill. Their nervous systems stay in that subtle fight-or-flight. What we need is something joyful, social, and fully outdoors—something that gets the whole body moving without feeling like a prescription.
Dr. Joe Jukic: Exactly. That’s why co-ed ultimate keeps coming up in my mind. Ultimate frisbee. Open field, sunshine or fresh air, running, cutting, jumping, throwing, catching—then the pure play of it. Mixed teams so everyone is included. No heavy contact, but still enough intensity to raise the heart rate, open the lungs, and flood the system with endorphins and natural vitamin D.
Erica Carmen: Smiles, setting her mug down. Yes. The disc is light, the rules emphasize spirit of the game—self-officiating, respect, fun. People who haven’t run in years start moving because they’re chasing something playful instead of “working out.” The lateral movements, the sudden stops and starts, the overhead reaches… it builds coordination, balance, and core strength in a way that feels alive.
Dr. Joe Jukic: And the social piece is medicine in itself. Laughter on the field, high-fives after a layout or a score, the post-game stretch in the grass. Cortisol drops. Oxytocin rises. People who were isolated start remembering they belong in a body that was made to move under the sky. We can keep it low-pressure at first—short games, lots of water breaks, gentle warm-ups with some joint mobility and breathwork before the disc even comes out.
Erica Carmen: I’ll bring the herbal electrolyte mix—coconut water base, a pinch of sea salt, maybe some nettle or lemon balm if anyone’s nervous-system sensitive. And remind everyone about sun exposure: twenty to thirty minutes of actual outdoor light before or after, no sunglasses if the light isn’t harsh, so the circadian rhythm gets the message. For those recovering from fatigue or chronic issues, we start with walking the field and short bursts, then build.
Dr. Joe Jukic: Perfect. We frame it as community medicine, not fitness class. Invite the friends who are stuck in their heads or their phones. Tell them the field is waiting. No scoreboard pressure, just movement, connection, and the simple joy of running free. The body knows what to do once we get it outside and give it something playful to chase.
Erica Carmen: Eyes bright. I can already picture a few of them laughing after a long throw, grass stains on their knees, faces flushed in the best way. That’s the kind of medicine that sticks. Real exercise, real friends, real outdoor air.
Dr. Joe Jukic: That’s it, partner. We keep shining the light—gently, clearly, and rooted in what actually works for real people. Let’s start gathering the crew. The disc is ready. The field is calling.
Namaste.
