Side Quest Podcast: Recent Episodes
Side Quest
If Tim Ferriss and Nerdist had a love child that loved fitness and Star Wars, it would be this show. This is a fitness podcast that explores the stories of coaches, trainers, athletes and explores their struggles and triumphs. Life is like an RPG so I look to explore the tools they used to conquer their quests.
Three years ago, I had no idea how long this podcast would last.
And I sure as hell had no idea what starting this show would actually accomplish.
Over the last three years, I've made friendships and networked with people who have made me a better writer, coach, and human being.
To all those who have been guests on this show, thank you.
To all the friends I've made over the last three years, I'm grateful you are now a part of my life.
But most importantly, to all of you who have listened to every episode, thank you. Thank you for listening to my rambling, for checking out some of the fitness people I've interviewed, and for being a part of this wild ride.
I am sad that this is the end of this podcast.
But that doesn't mean it can't be resurrected some day; Superman, Captain America, and even Spider-Man have come back from the dead. So who knows?
I am a writer. And that's what I've discovered while doing this podcast and starting Side Quest Fitness. And I must do what I feel I am the strongest at: bleeding on the page and writing.
In the 2nd to last episode ever, Rog Law comes on the show to dive into the deep shit of life.
We talk DBZ, comics, video games, and the importance of showing up.
In one of the final episodes of Side Quest Podcast, I interview Tom Mullen of Washed Up Emo about all things emo.
Tom has written a book about those first few years of emo and packed with tons of interviews from some of the pioneers of emo.
Grab it here.
In January of 2017, Brandon reached out to me about coaching. He had just lost a ton of weight via a weight loss competition at work, but he was weak; he had lost his way around the weight room.
His goal: lose enough body fat, and building enough lean muscle so that he'd have the confidence to rip his shirt off on stage and strip. (As a character he calls "The Cock Knight.")
So Brandon applied for coaching, began his journey, and since January, he's:
- Lost more than 20 pounds of fat;
- Gained over 10 pounds of lean muscle;
- Added more than 2 inches to his shoulders; and,
- Erased 5.5 inches off his waist
But more importantly than all that, Brandon has found a passion for fitness. So much so that he has toyed with the idea of getting certified to be a trainer. And, he even bought The Bible, aka, Arnold's The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding.
Over the last year, Brandon has gained massive amounts of strength as well. But he's also discovered that this journey has taught him to be easier on himself; to not be his own worst critic.
In this episode, we discuss:
- What life was like before joining my coaching program
- How lifting has helped his quality of life as he ages
- steps he’s taken to heal injuries and prevent fear from taking over & stopping him from exercising
- Why he stuck with it this time, and recognized his own faults
- Staying dedicated to the cause
- The story of Cock Knight
- Being his own worst critic
- What he would tell his past self
- What he loved most about online training
- Living that life and what it means to him
- How getting in shape has helped his quality of life
- What he would tell anyone about online training
Mike Doehla founded Stronger U with the sole focus of helping people improve. Mike noticed the extremes people went to in order to reach their goals. But he found that most never saw what they wanted, and he knew there had to be a better way.
Stronger U's program was created for those looking for a refreshing approach to nutrition. Mike and his team “reverse engineered” the entire process of dieting. By researching the reasons "most" diets fail, Mike and his team decided to do the opposite—get people results that stick.
Their program is an experience unlike anything that's ever done before. But their methods aren't some new made up form of crap. They're realistic, educational, measurable, and community driven.
In this episode we discuss:
- Why it’s hard to pull away and take time off
- Kmart Huskey section
- Mike’s story of how he got fit
- Did things long enough to see them NOT work, not long enough to see them work
- The importance of putting yourself in other peoples shoes
- Moments of hypocrisy
- His vacation to Hawaii
- Soft core vs hardcore eating like an asshole
- What spurred him to create StrongerU
- Doing what you want to do
- Wasting time working towards things that are really stupid
- Stepping back from the stress of being a business owner
- Being available and present
- Fun questions
- Fidget spinners
- The future of Facebook
- Building a house
- What makes him smile
- Difference between living and existing
- How he’d get away with murder
- What he nerds out about
- Star Wars nerd out
Joel H. Cohen is a Canadian writer who has written for Saturday Night Live, Suddenly Susan and The Simpsons. He penned the famous season three episode of "Flaming Moe's." Joel received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1988 from the University of Alberta. He was born in Calgary.
Outside of writing for "The Simpsons", he's also the author of the best-selling book "How to Lose a Marathon" — a hilarious retelling of Joel's training for and running the NY Marathon.
In this episode, we discuss:
- 2013 NYC Marathon…the documentation
- Getting off the couch (an idiots guide)
- Post-Marathon contemplation…what just happened?
- How to keep going?
- Inspirations
- Self Reflection, what did I learn about this process?
- How to prepare for the marathon.
- What is the next challenge?
- Time travel and sculling and coxswains (pronounced cock son!)
- Favorite Video Games
- “Less velour”
- Running motivations as applied to life
- “The Simpsons” (Yes, admit you sung that) and keeping it fresh
A short episode, all about the one question I've been asking myself for months: where do we go from here?
It's that time of year again. No, it's not the end of summer. Well, it kind of is. But that's not what I'm talking about.
Nope, this is the time of the year where my good friend Jason Helmes returns to the podcast and catches us up on what he's been up to.
Jason was one of my first guests on the podcast nearly three years ago, and then he came back on in 2015, and again in 2016.
This year, however, Jason and I dive into what his life has been like after he retired from teaching, and how he's adjusted to the life of an entrepreneur. We dive into how his life has improved, what new struggles he's taken on, and what he's done to make life less stressful.
At the end, we also dive into some deeply personal things and discuss marriage, masculinity, and how his mom taught him about sex.
In this episode we discuss:
- Daily Schedules and calendars
- Turning off notification
- What it’s like in New York City
- Quitting teaching and going full-time with online coaching
- Mindset shifts he made as an entrepreneur
- Finding balance with work and family
- What he learned being not being present mentally with his children
- Masculinity, gender roles, and lessons men can learn in their 30s
- Sex lessons from his mom
For more on Jason head here.
John Fawkes used to be shy, scrawny, and scared. Now he's a fitness coach who turns science geeks into ripped, sexy beasts.
When he's not pumping iron or answering emails, he's usually singing karaoke, playing Dungeons & Dragons (as a wizard, obviously), studying martial arts or eating ice cream.
Last year, John traveled all over the world for 9-months living the nomad lifestyle. He returned home to the US and now lives in San Francisco, CA.
John has written for sites like The Observer, MyFitnessPal, Roman Fitness Systems, and many more. Click here to join John's free recomp program and download his Habit Change Cheat Sheet.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Growing up in Southern CA
- Being a science geek
- Technology assisted meditation
- Brain waves
- Going out in San Francisco
- How he got into fitness
- Make Your 30s Better than Your 20s 30-Day Challenge
- If something is easy for you work on it a little. If it’s something that’s hard for you, work on it a lot - Buddhist Proverb
- What he learned traveling the world for 9 months
- Making changes to your fitness regiment when life gets hectic
- Do what you can instead of doing nothing
- Creating knowledge and wisdom
- Fun questions
- What he’s nerding out on
- Patrick Rothfuss
- What got him into the world of nerd
- Journey (the video game)
This is from Wikipedia:
[Anagnorisis] is a moment in a play or other work when a character makes a critical discovery. Anagnorisis originally meant recognition in its Greek context, not only of a person but also of what that person stood for. Anagnorisis was the hero's sudden awareness of a real situation, the realization of things as they stood, and finally, the hero's insight into a relationship with an often antagonistic character in the Aristotelian tragedy.
When it comes to our own lives, we all deal with these discoveries. But what happens next—the choices you make—determine your outcome. And when it comes to finding motivation, reconnecting to your WHY, and looking back at your anagnorisis moment can help you push onward.
Jay Ashman, a former multi-sport athlete—baseball, football, basketball, tennis, soccer, swimming, and more—became a rugby player after a failed NFL tryout.
During his time playing rugby, Jay played for Reading Rugby, Long Island RFC, and Old Blue Superleague. In 2009, though, he decided to call it quits. From there, Jay Ashman turned to a career in fitness. He was a PT manager in NYC at Equinox and he worked in Long Island at Big Al’s Fitness. He was also the former Director of Athletics at Gorilla Pit in Mentor, OH and the Head Strength Coach at BrewHouse Barbell in OKC.
He's also the former Director of Athletics at Gorilla Pit in Mentor, OH and the Head Strength Coach at BrewHouse Barbell in OKC. Currently, he works at City Gym in Kansas City where he trains athletes and non-athletes who want to look their best.
During his years as a strength coach, Jay's worked with professional men and women who've played professional sports. And he consults with rugby players nationwide, while also coaching the Liberty High School rugby team in KC.
In his spare time he, along with his new wife Sarah, enjoy discovering new places to eat in downtown KC, dealing with their passive-aggressive dog, Lily, and pretending to be hipsters.
In this episode we discuss:
- The most hipster thing he does
- What city he wants to spend more time in
- Expensive places to live
- Living in NYC
- Meeting Harvey Keitel & celebrities in NYC
- Playing rugby
- The brotherhood of rugby
- What he would tell men in their 30s to make it the best decade possible
- Where he’d go in a time machine
- What Star Wars character he’d love to see get a movie
- Sith Code
- His man crush
- How to improve sex with your partner
- Failed relationships and what he learned
- Learning to love himself
hey say it’s important to reflect on your birthday; to ponder what you’ve learned during your latest orbit around the sun and to contemplate how you can make the future better.
Well, I don’t know who the hell “they” are, or why they’re telling me that I should do anything on my birthday other than eat ice cream, play video games, and drink whiskey. But fuck looking back, I’m looking forward. (To the steak I’m going to eat and the sex I’ll be having with my wife.)
Pfft, who am I kidding, of course I’m going to look back. I'm an introspective kinda guy. And it’s fun to imagine traveling through time to deliver messages to younger versions of Robbie Farlow.
So if I could travel through a wormhole and deliver some life lessons to the younger, dumber, and far less attractive version(s) of myself, what life lessons would I attempt to upload and save in my adolescent cranium?
Originally, this article started as a letter to my younger self. But that quickly (d)evolved into a listicle. Because,
a) people like lists. And,
b) the future is on mobile and I’m trying to crush that game early on.
So since it's my 31st birthday, and I'm doing what “they” suggest, which is really an excuse for me to attempt to leave a mark on the world should I cease to live in 2017 and humanity is denied witnessing another four or five decades of my wisdom, here are the 61 Life Lessons I Would Deliver to Younger Versions of Me (And Wisdom You'll Find Useful as Well).
Nick Sorrell is a Strength and Nutrition Coach based out of Louisville, KY. Nick spends his time getting people lean, writing nonsensical content on his website, and occasionally intercepting a pass or two.
Nick has been a guest on the show numerous times. But this is the first time in over two years that he's been on the show without other guests.
We dive into a ton of deep stuff in this episode. And I will warn you: you may get burned listening to this. Nick has a big heart, but he's not afraid to drop the truth when it needs to be said.
In this episode we discuss:
- Overthinking shit
- The importance of ritual
- Worrying about the wrong things
- Quest Hero bars
- Getting caught up in the flashy
- Lack of action, not knowledge is keeping you from achieving your goals
- Spinning his wheels
- The tipping point that got his health back on track
- Put up with the suck, then be something he doesn’t want to be
- Getting lucky, and being grateful for not wasting his opportunities
- Wanting things versus making them happen (Carolina Blue Dream)
- 9 Things Out of Diet and Exercise that You Won’t Get
- Telling yourself that you can’t achieve what you want
- Using outliers to validate your issues
- Jordan Peterson and the dragon
- Words we mess up spelling all the time
- Dying unhappy
- Why he struggles to write
- Being a dreamer by nature
- The story of Cain and Abel, and the power of sacrifice
- The x-factor that the most successful clients have that others don’t
- Where you are in life is your fault
There are very few people in the fitness industry who get my dick hard every time they write something new. Aadam Ali, is one of those guys. He also happens to be a very close friend and a brother I'd lay my life down for. Well, maybe. But only if he named his first born after me. Or at least his left testicle.
Anyways, Aadam has been a huge influence on my writing and my thinking as well. He's also been on the podcast at least a dozen times now on the Coaches Corner episodes. But this time, I got him solo, one-on-one, and we would have touched tips, but he's in Britain and I'm in NYC.
But here's a little bio about Aadam:
I am a cunt. The supreme cunt of cunts. Call me King Cunt. Cuntzilla of Cuntakistan.
I write things. And people read them. When they don't, I feel bad that they have no personality or sense of humor.
I taught Deadpool everything he knows. Seriously; I'm not fucking kidding—everything.
Oh, and I brood harder than Drake and Bruce Wayne combined. I also draw things. And read those ancient things made of paper called books.
And sometimes, I go onstage for Zayn of One Direction. Because we're brothers. Except, we got separated at birth and he wound up in a band, and I wound up getting wedgies at Uni, so I dropped out, got shredded, and then started helping people look better with their clothes off. But don't send me your pictures, I don't wanna see them. Unless you're fit. And by fit, I mean me.
So enjoy this episode with my brother, Aadam Ali. We talk about:
- Why he’s taken a break from being on social media as much
- Creating long form content
- How’s he’s grown as a writer over the last two years
- Creating the illustrations for his articles
- Not being afraid to try things
- Writing for social media vs blogs
- His perfectionist streak
- Where he struggles to be himself
- His Keto experiment
- Tools in his toolbox
- Patience
- His battle with a short temper
- The struggles of the writing process
- Getting started
- The importance of doing the work
- What he’s taken away from Jordan Peterson’s lectures
- Virtue in suffering
- Pain is the harbinger of truth
- Guardians, Justice League, and more
- The History of the Calorie
- How he helps clients not count calories long term
- There is no normal
Peter Baker is a Tampa personal trainer, thinker, and uber geek. But he's also a competitive powerlifter and submission grappler. Oh, and a writer.
Peter trains and writes about the totality of training both himself and others.
He's written on sites like BioLayne, T-Nation, Roman Fitness Systems, and more. When he's not writing about fitness or butt stuff on Facebook, you'll find Peter snuggling with his dog Bubba, eating donuts, or getting into too much bourbon and answering endless amounts of ridiculous questions on Facebook.
Peter has been on the podcast three times now. His first episode you can find here, he came on as a guest for the Star Wars episode in December, and now he returns.
In this episode we discuss:
- Harry Potter
- Draco Malfoy
- Star Wars
- Rogue One
- Strength vs Hypertrophy
- Butt Stuff
In this episode of the podcast, you'll meet my client Draper Harlow. Who answered an email I sent and signed up for online coaching. Then, he crushed his workouts and nutrition and slashed 6% body fat while building over 6 pounds of lean muscle.
Here's a little bit of what Draper had to say about his experience, but listen to the episode for even more.
What was life was like before you signed up with Robbie and took on the Side Quest Fitness Coaching program? What made you decide to jump on board?
I had fallen off the fitness wagon, and had a very difficult time getting back into the saddle. I work a desk job in a food-crazy office, so I was gaining weight and generally pretty unsatisfied with my appearance. I knew I had it in me to get fit, I just needed a push in the right direction. I received an email from Robbie with the cheeky subject line "How to look better naked in 2017" and reached out, eventually signing up for a four month program.
What action steps did you take to makes changes? (nutrition wise, fitness wise, schedule-wise, motivation, etc)
I thought the nutrition side of things was going to be the most difficult, but once I found foods that fit into my macros, I basically just eat the same things every day. Hot sauce and spices have become my best friends.
I schedule workouts in my Google calendar, so I receive notifications ten minutes before each day's workout making it much easier to stick to a fitness schedule.
Outside of the check-in emails, I made myself accountable on social media by sharing my progress. Even if people don't give a shit about my fitness journey and goals (spoiler: 99% of people don't), I still get motivation from sharing the progress I've made.
Outside of your physical transformation, what other areas of your life have been improved or have you noticed and improvement?
I fall asleep faster, and stay asleep, averaging about eight hours per night. I run faster, beating my personal 5K record twice in the past couple of weeks.
My recovery time from activity is much faster.
For example, I went to Orlando for Star Wars Celebration. My group spent half the day at SWOC, and half the day at Universal Studios. My group was exhausted from walking all day, and spoke of sore legs the next day, but I felt great.
What do you like most about online training compared to other things you’ve tried in the past?
Flexibility. I can schedule workouts for when they work for me which is much better for motivation and sticking to the plan.
Lastly, any word of advice for others who might be thinking about improving their health or looking better naked?
Stop eating garbage and move around a little. Gradually move around more and more.
If motivation is an issue, definitely get a coach like Robbie to at least point you in the right direction. It is absolutely worth it.
Over the last year or two, the next big buzzword that everyone has started using is protein.
Hundreds of bright colored items in your local grocery store will have phrases or words like this emblazoned on their packaging:
"Protein Packed"
"Now with extra Protein"
"Plus Protein"
Everything from Cheerios to bagels, peanut butter, Kind bars, or buzz foods like Quinoa have bright colored labels designed to grab your attention and convince you that their product comes packed with the mighty power of protein.
###### Sadly, most of these foods per serving barely crack double digits protein numbers.
How can you claim to be "protein packed" when your product has 8 grams of protein?
That's like a Chinese restaurant telling me that Crab Rangoon are stuffed with crab, when what they really mean is: "we stuffed it with cream cheese and crab flavoring but you'll never know."
In this episode, I discuss a few ways you can sneak extra protein into your day and succeed with your fat loss goals.
Mitch Calvert has a degree in communications, is a certified trainer and fat loss coach, and his blog was ranked as one of the top ten fitness blogs by Breaking Muscle in 2013. Once a 240lb line cook in university, Mitch has dedicated more than a decade of his life to fitness and helping men unlock the best bodies of their lives.
Mitch his a husband and father who loves to lift, cook, and at one time, play video games. But now you'll find him coaching clients, writing, or cooking in funky aprons.
For more on Mitch Calvert, you can follow him on social media or click the blue link and head to his site.
In this episode we discuss:
- Cereal
- Manhood
- What drives Mitch
- His days of being an obese gamer playing Everquest 2
- When/why he put down games
- His days as a security guard at Sears
- What it means to him to be a good man
- Men in the media
- And more
Who hasn't had an intense workout where they popped some ibuprofen or some other pain pill to ease the DOMS.
But is it good for you? Are you hurting your gains? Or is it totally okay to pop pills after a workout to ease the discomfort?
In this episode, I dive into a few studies and break down what they say and whether you should or shouldn't take some pain relief after an intense day at the gym.
For those that love working out, rest days suck. You love to hit the gym, and the thought of not doing what you enjoy is a pain.
But rest is crucial. I'd argue it's almost more important than the actual working out part, almost.
So how can you make rest days more beneficial? How can you make them optimal to get the most gains? And, how can you make them less boring?
In this episode, I'll cover how to make rest days work the best for you. And, what activities or lifestyle things you can do to burn more fat, gain more muscle, and improve your recovery.
Mason Woodruff, is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) based in Arkansas. He also works as a sports nutritionist and freelance writer. You can find Mason's writing on sites like Muscle & Performance Magazine, Breaking Muscle, STACK, Anytime Fitness, and more.
Mason's fitness journey started out as a high-level athlete; but once he stopped playing sports, he gained excess weight. After gaining 50 pounds and being called "husky" by his grandma, Mason decided it was time to get in the gym.
As a former basketball player, strength training wasn’t a huge part of his training regimen. Despite his lack of knowledge, he got in the gym, lost the 50 pounds, and found his love of fitness.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Taking a step back from writing online for a year
- Creating more video
- Drawing a line in the sand
- What made him put the pen down
- Worrying less about the things he can’t control
- Trusting in the process
- What gambling games he’s bad at
- Eating on a budget
- Cauliflower rice
- Why convenient foods are okay
- Fun Questions
- How standing up to work has changed his life
- The power of self-acceptance & the rockstar mentality
Petravita, real name Brandon Landis, is a Stockholm-based hip-hop artist, poet, and adventurer. After growing up in Seattle on a steady stream of video games and local hip-hop shows, he found his footing in the music world for the first time while attending university in England, where he began performing music as a duo with his friend and roommate.
After graduating with bachelor’s degree in creative advertising, he would move to Stockholm to work with a number of startups in their marketing and advertising efforts. With life’s everyday callings relatively settled, Petravita is now turning his attention to music once again, on track to release his first full-length project of original music in June 2017.
Vital Stats:
Favorite food: Pad thai
Favorite cloth pattern: Paisley
Hidden talent: Guessing exactly how many jelly beans are in that jar at the carnival
In this episode we discuss:
- How he got into Hip Hop
- George Watsky
- Learning the harmonica
- How he gets out of creative funks
- Improving his gratitude
- Writing, and how it helps him clear his mind
- The History of Rap
- Nerdy Hip Hop
- Trap rap
- Creating intros and jingles
- Where Petravita comes from
- Fallout 3
- Fun Questions
- Why he makes music
- Conquering fear as an artist
- The soundtrack of summer
- Artist’s he’s in as well
- Sol
- Jack Harlow
- Brothers from Another
- Kyle
Tolkien describes the dead marshes like this in The Two Towers:
"Dreary and wearisome. Cold, clammy winter still held sway in this forsaken country. The only green was the scum of livid weed on the dark greasy surfaces of the sullen waters. Dead grasses and rotting reeds loomed up in the mists like ragged shadows of long-forgotten summers."
You can smell the staleness of the air, you can feel the icy chill of death as it slowly seeps into your bones when you read this passage. For me, the imagery of the marshes: dreary, sullen, and ragged is an excellent metaphor for those times when we lose motivation.
When we enter this area, our thoughts become dreary, and our bodies and minds are easily fatigued. Like Frodo, entranced by the faces of the dead in the murky waters, we're easily pulled down into the depths of demotivation.
These desolate, shallow, murky waters are never easy to get out of once we allow ourselves to sink in.
So how do you escape these marshes? That's what I cover in this episode.
Born and raised on the West Coast of Canada, Alex is a short shorts enthusiast, espresso fiend, and an unapologetic meathead.
Alex is a self-proclaimed anti-meathead and casual nerd. When he’s not working towards Herculean status or learning how to better serve his clients, he can be found exploring how to further crush life, perfect his flair in the kitchen, or pull the perfect shot of espresso.
Alex is currently preparing to step on stage at the CBBF Nationals in July.
In this episode we discuss:
- His first episode
- Spending time in Greece
- Training during his first true bodybuilding off-season
- How Greece changed him
- Wake Up Ron Burgundy
- Going to Thailand
- Traveling, training, and eating as a bodybuilder on the road
- Why travel is life-changing
- Gratitude and not appreciating what we have
- What his days look like now
- Gavin McHale’s post
- Building a beach by placing one grain of sand at a time
- Nootropics (Limitless)
- Music he’s jiving on
- Heart rate variability training
- Social Links
Get ready for some fire. Because I'm talking about the why of motivation.
PS: Listen for a chance to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card
Ben is an author, entrepreneur, and food-loving fitness professional. By simplifying the world of strength and conditioning, Ben helps people everywhere beat "bad" genetics, melt away fat, make lean muscle, and finally start getting the results they crave. Oh, and he does all of this without asking you to give up your favorite foods. Ben's awesome.
in this episode we discuss:
- Ben's First Episode
- Em Dash shortcut
- On Writing Well
- Grammar in different languages
- Freak Muscle Program
- Humans and complaining
- Kilos and pounds
- Getting out of your head while lifting
- Ben’s creative date experience
- Not knowing what to do/say to a guy/girl
- Break up advice, and your head getting in the way
- Asking better questions on a date
- Ben’s DLC episode
When I first started working out, I thought had a foolproof blueprint for success:
- Lift weights
- Run on the treadmill
- Eat salad
- Drink protein shakes
- Make gains
Except, I didn’t have a blueprint at all. I had “ideas” of what worked. Assumptions I'd stacked together from magazines and the internet about how to burn fat and build muscle. But I had no real concrete plan.
And for years, I made the same stupid mistakes, over and over.
But I'm not the only one who's made these fat loss mistakes. You have too — or, you're making them right now.
These are my biggest mistakes I made. And if you're making them, I want you to know how to make the right changes so you can succeed with your fat loss goals.
The Force Within Us All We all grew up watching star wars, and for most those childhood memories are fondly remembered. Whether you wanted to be the smooth talking Han Solo, or the Lightsaber wielding Luke Skywalker, it was fun to reenact the movies on the playground.
But now as overworked and stressed out adults, many of us don’t make enough time to return to our love of Star Wars. It’s easy to get overwhelmed in the information age, and lose our way.
Mike Sweetman suggests we should return to those days of imagining we do have force powers. He suggests that using meditation techniques, thought management, and mindful movements such as yoga, can help us train our mind so that we can feel calm, confident, and focused like a Jedi.
During the show Mike shares some of the details about his morning routine to help you feel like a Jedi, the basic’s of how meditation works, how to calm the mind before meditation, and how meditation can help your workout.
During the show Mike Talks about launching his YouTube channel, but at the time of posting this video he has already launched, and you can subscribe here: “Force Within TV.”
You can also download Mike’s morning routine, “3 Steps to Mastering Stress Like a Jedi.”
Connect with Mike social media: Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Remember the force of others is with you, always.
In this episode we discuss:
- Bribing kids
- The Force Within
- The importance of mindset and stress relief
- How yoga and meditation help with anxiety/stress/thoughts
- Football in Canada
- Yoga as a morning activity
- Creating a mantra
- Mark Divine
- Box Breathing
- Deep squat breathing
- Rituals for workouts
- How to your focus back while meditating
- Fun Questions
- Star Wars
- Ankle stretches and lifting in socks
- The Kohler Effect
- Write down what’s the most important to you
- Most important time of the day
- Reframing negative thoughts
- Website
- YouTube
The first question that I ask any of my clients is: “Who is your favorite Hero?”
Whether from a movie, comic book, novel, or video game we've all had a fictional, or historical, Hero that we admire.
These mythic Heroes provide hope, guidance, and inspiration in our darkest of times. It's their actions that we look to emulate when we are tested.
Losing weight, starting a business, or finding the courage to speak to that cute guy/girl at the bar, can be clouded with fear, doubt, and uncertainty.
Heroes like Captain America, Wolverine, or Harry Potter have all dealt and overcome doubt, fear, and anxiety in their own journey.
Conquer your doubt and fear by asking yourself, "what would [insert your favorite Hero] do?"
One of my first clients, Sarah, told me that her favorite superhero was Sarah Connor from Terminator.
She admitted that her biggest enemy to her weight loss success was the candy drawer at work. Every day she'd walk by it and be tempted to grab one.
So I asked Sarah how she could use Sarah Connor to help her achieve her goals. And today, I'm going to tell you how your favorite hero can help you achieve your weigh loss, nutrition, or even life goals.
Jordan Grahm, once topped out at over 400-pounds. After the sudden death of his mother as a teen, Jordan gave up on life. He stopped caring about his health, used food as an emotional coping mechanism, and, until a car accident that could have killed him, he ignored everything his doctors told him.
Now, Jordan Grahm is a weight loss specialist, personal and group trainer located in Los Angeles, California. He helps clients from all backgrounds and at all levels of fitness.
He specializes in fat loss and complete body transformations. Losing over 200 pounds, and keeping it off, gives Jordan a unique perspective that helps him and his clients connect. He understands that there's more to this journey than the physical aspects of changing one’s body. There are also the obstacles you face both mentally and emotionally ones as well.
In this episode we discuss:
- Bodybuilding.com Expose
- Legends of Wrestling
- Finding his place on the football team
- The day his mom died
- The car accident that saved his life
- Walking his first mile
- Facing his emotional pain
- Why it took an extreme for him to make a change
- Seeing the change in photos
- Fun Questions
- Joining his first powerlifting competition
- His first time on stage as a motivational speaker
- The importance of persistence
- Inside out vs outside in
- Website
- YouTube
After a month away from Coaches Corner, the segment returns to the podcast. And this time, I bring back some of my fellow nerds to talk about how comics, video games, and all the nerdy stuff we love, has helped us succeed during trying times.
Kenneth Rotter from Dumbbells and Dragons and Ches Hall of Live Like You Game, join me and we dive DEEP into the world of habit creation, training, and creating good morning rituals.
We hit it hard and heavy for about 45 minutes, then we jump over for the DLC portion of the podcast and nerd out on Westworld.
Are you getting the DLC? It's free. Doesn't cost you a dime. And you get an extra 10-20 minutes of kick ass content, EXCLUSIVELY, for those who sign-up. Grab the DLC by heading here.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Ken Rotter of Dumbbells and Dragons
- Ches of Live Like You Game
- Starting a podcast
- Training for Tough Mudders
- Connecting training to Spiderman
- How gaming habits can help you succeed
- Resetting your habits
- Making decisions when you’re tired, and why you SHOULDN’T do that
- James Clear
- Setting yourself up for success in the morning
- Morning rituals
- Having a set goal in the morning you have to achieve
- Lessons learned skydiving
- Misinterpreting what people mean on social media
Fallout 3 was my favorite game released on the Xbox 360.
I put in damn near 100 hours of gameplay, including all of the DLC. As I think back to all the hours I put into the game, I realize I skipped over an aspect that would have greatly benefitted my character’s development: resting.
Never once did I rest in a bed while playing Fallout 3.
Resting to recover health seemed really stupid when all I had to do was kill everyone in my path and take items from their lifeless carcasses to heal myself.
However, by not resting, I was actually leaving a ton of experience points on the table. In Fallout 3, when your character rested for longer than 1 hour, not only were all your limbs repaired and health bar replenished, but you were granted a 10% XP (experience points) bonus for the next 12 hours in the game (that’s hours in the game, not real time).
Pfft, who needs bonus XP and a FREE way to heal your character?
Idiot.
Sadly, when it came to my own sleep in real life, I never took it seriously either.
One of the most important tools you need to pack in your quest for fat loss, muscle gain, or living a more overall healthy life is sleep. Yet, many of us get less than sufficient sleep and then pound 5 Hour Energy, coffee(s), or Monster/Red Bull all day just to get us to five o’clock.
Sleep Makes You More Awesome (and Sexy) One study found that young men who slept less than five hours a night had 10-15% less testosterone produced in their bodies. Guys, if you want to burn fat and build muscle you are going to need your T levels in their optimal state, not to mention low T can really affect your overall self-esteem.
Ladies, sleep is just as important for you as well. According to The American Heart Association, heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States.
Women who toss and turn more than men may be more likely to develop hypertension. Constant high blood pressure as experienced with hypertension can lead to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), stroke, and more.
There are other factors that can develop from not getting adequate sleep, which can start a never ending cycle of destruction.
Lack of sleep increases the likelihood of suffering from depression, anxiety, it can increase your hunger levels which can make weight loss harder, and due to impairing our bodies ability to handle glucose it can put all of us, men and women, at a higher risk for type-2 diabetes. All of these things can cause even more stress, anxiety, and fear and thus push us all further down a dangerous path.
I get it. We are all “busy”. We all have responsibilities that take up our time.
I have been there and for far too long left sleep for the weekend or holidays. Getting serious about your sleep though can make your quest for health far easier and provide more value to your overall well-being.
The 7 tips in this episode, will help you get serious about sleep and provide an extra XP boost to your fat loss and life.
7 Tips to Level Up Your Sleep
Carter is an online fitness and weight loss coach who helps others achieve their goals of getting lean—and more importantly—staying healthy for life. What makes Carter unique is his personal experience of overcoming obesity and losing 140+ pounds.
What's more, he's been able to keep it off. Carter writes about and teaches his clients about prioritizing enjoyment over what might seem "optimal". He believes that the only way to be successful in the long run is
Carter writes about and teaches his clients about prioritizing enjoyment over what might seem "optimal". He believes that the only way to be successful in the long run is turn Fitness into an enjoyable and rewarding lifestyle.
In this episode we discuss:
Last names and kids in school
His story
Tipping points
Inside out vs outside in approach
Who he looked up to on his journey
Taking pride in what he’s done
Putting in the work
What he learned that he didn’t expect to learn on his journey
Weight loss doesn’t change the way people interact with you
The fear of losing weight/success
Fun questions
Listening to people who disagree with you
Fitness myths he hates
Knowing the basic truths
Programming
Going from one extreme to the other
Website
There is nothing I love more than answering questions from readers or social media followers.
And every 1st Thursday of the month, I do just that. Community Questions is a chance for me to answer YOUR questions.
They don't have to be fitness related, either. (Though most are.)
So this month, I have four excellent questions come in:
- Sunday meal prep routine advice ( godsend for tracking ) and lunch taco recipes
- Fasted cardio - bro-science or is this a thing?
- What' the best way to get in shape if you can't afford a gym membership?
- You just farted in the Gym, what's your next move (both for audible and silent)
Martijn Koevoets was bitten by the iron bug after an embarrassing moment in high school where he couldn't bench the 45lbs bar.
Since then Martijn has been building strength and gaining muscle and can now deadlift 3x his bodyweight.
Martijn writes for his website, Powerlifting University. But has also been featured on websites like Strengtheory, EliteFTS, JTSStrength, JMAX Fitness, Lift The Bar, Healthy Living Heavy Lifting and more.
He also acts as a powerlifting coach with Shredded By Science. An international evidence-based coaching company in the UK.
Martijn decided last year that he wanted to get the best in the powerlifting community together in one place. But he didn't want to have to ask people to fly to a destination and spend hundreds, if not thousands, on one event.
And thanks to the power of the Internet, Martijn can do this today and you can attend from the comfort of your home or office.
This year's summit features over 20 speakers and presenters and will last 8 days. Those speaking at this event include: Dan John, Tim Henriques, Chad Wesley Smith, Former Coach of the Soviet Olympic Team, Boris Sheiko, Layne Norton, and more.
Even if you're not a powerlifter, there's a ton of information you can grab from this summit and use in your own training.
In this episode we discuss:
- Includes former guests: Tim Henriques, Jordan Syatt, Dan John, Greg Nuckols
- How powerlifting helped him improve his life
- Powerlifting vs bodybuilding
- Powerlifting University
- Ray Williams 1005 Pound Squat
- Jennifer Thompson lifts 325 pounds
- Why taking time off is important, even for powerlifters
- The cost of the Online Powerlifting Summit
- Record holders who are speaking at the event
- Fun questions
- How to Drink Whiskey
- The best whiskey he’s tried in the last year
- Who is this summit for?
- FAQ on The Online Powerlifting Summit
- Contact Martijn
Texas.
It's a state rich with history, Diverse in its landscape, and filled with a sense of pride that only those from Texas truly understand.
Texas was once at the bottom of the ocean. An ancient ocean that separated the eastern United States from the west.
Known as Western Interior Seaway, this ancient sea teemed with animals and fauna. Ancient life that lived, died, sank to the ocean floor, and became the fossil fuels and oil that made Texas famous.
In the last year, I've spend a couple of weeks in Texas and she's taught me something, a valuable lesson that only occurred to me while driving around her picturesque country side.
We all know the cliche: "everything's bigger in Texas." And there's a truth to that cliche.
But a few million years ago, the big Texas sky was nothing more than an ocean.
As I rode around Texas, traveling from North Texas near the OK border, down to Austin, and then around outlying areas of the state capital, I couldn't help but think about Texas now vs Texas then.
How if a fish had dreamed of touching the sky and made it to the surface, only to realize he still hadn't touched the sky, how would he feel?
Would he feel like a failure?
Would he berate himself for not achieving his goal?
Isn't that we all do anyways?
And with that thought, I recorded this episode about what ancient Texas can teach you about your goals.
Adam Fisher has been lifting for over ten years, and working as a trainer and powerlifting coach for the last five.
Making clients stronger is his passion, and he's worked with clients in over ten countries and counting.
Adam Fisher believes the deadlift is the best lift. And, yes, he says "you can fight me on that point."
Aside from lifting, Adam enjoy's fiction, philosophy, television, and a good video game here and there. You can find out more about Adam at his site www.gains.af. And check out his new free product, Deadlift Every Day, at www.gains.af/deadlift-every-day.
In this episode, we discuss:
- First Episode
- His life as a vagabond
- Retreating into his mental palace
- Learning to speak Danish in Denmark
- Speaking French with a Southern accent
- Living abroad in Saudi Arabia
- Dating someone in the gaming industry
- Ready Player One
- Why he gives up half way with books, games, and TV shows (sometimes)
- Half-assing and whole assing
- Three games he’s jiving on
- My thoughts on Ghost Recon: Wildlands
- WiiU and why Nintendo failed
- Why games annoy me now
- Cuphead
- Journey
- Fun questions
- What value he displays to his clients
- Deadlifting every day
- His soda bulk diet last winter
- Website
Fat loss.
Let's be honest. It sucks. But if you have a goal that you want to accomplish, should you go hardcore and live in a cave like Obi-Wan, shut off from society, to finish your cut?
Or should you be more moderate with your approach?
This question came to me from a listener and Twitter follower. And I answer it in this episode.
Mitch Heaslip aka The Jacked Hipster has been coaching clients online and in-person for a few years. Before he became a trainer, Mitch was a firefighter in rural Canada. And it was while he spent time fighting fires that he discovered the secret power of meditation.
Since his days in the wilds of Canada, Mitch has moved to Texas and now lives there with his wife. Mitch continues to train clients in-person but has also built an online coaching business.
On his blog, The Jacked Hipster, Mitch writes about more than fitness. He writes about how to set goals and conquer the day by setting up powerful morning routines.
Beyond that, Mitch is a huge fan of hip-hop, poutine, and conquering his largest fears.
In this episode we discuss:
- Mitch’s first episode
- The Jacked Hipster
- Digging himself into a hole in his 20s
- Why he got into meditation
- Life is a series of games we play
- Snapchat vs Instagram
- Video vs writing
- What he loves about Twitter
- Bringing back the 90s
- Building off the past in music
- Kanye uses voice as instruments
- 2Pac Poetry
- Hip-Hop history
- D-riding Drake
- The Real Degrassi
- Jay-Z and Nas
- Eminem
- Fun questions
- What he fears right now
- Finding his mission
- Thanos
- Marvel Unlimited
- What his training looks like right now
- Coming off the bench
- NF Playlist
You don't need to be a rocket scientist to understand how to determine your calories.
With one simple rule, you can calculate a baseline of calories to consume for fat loss, muscle gain, or maintenance.
Men and women are a bit different, however. But in general, this works for everyone.
Scott Herman has been working in the fitness industry since he was 14. And it's his love of helping people change their bodies and lives that led Scott to start a YouTube channel that now has over 1.3 million subscribers.
If you've ever Googled or searched for an exercise on YouTube, I guarantee you that you've seen or learned from Scott.
After graduating college, Scott headed back to the gym he'd worked at all through High School and worked as a personal trainer while opening a brand new location. It was at this location that he launched ScottHermanFitness.com. And months later, won a contest for Men’s Health magazine and was given the title, “Best Abs on The East Coast.” From that magazine press, Scott entered the fitness modeling realm. And at the behest of one of his clients sent in an audition tape for The Real World.
After his season on The Real World: Brooklyn, Scott headed back to Massacheutes where he launched his YouTube channel and quickly gained recognition online.
In 2015, Scott relaunched his website as MuscularStrength.com in 2015. And he continues to create content, videos, and makes appearances as a BSN Athlete at bodybuilding and fitness shows worldwide.
But Scott is more than fitness. He's also a huge nerd who loves comics, Dragonball Z, Zelda, and collecting movies.
In this episode we discuss:
- How he got into YouTube
- Struggles of fitness modeling
- How he ended up on MTV’s Real World
- Why he hasn’t done a ton of Vlogging
- Starting his idea factory
- What video games he’s waiting for
- Nintendo Switch
- Battletoads
- What he would be doing if he wasn’t doing fitness
- Creating a community on YouTube
- Which of his four tenets if the most important to him
- Positivity is key
- Bullshit in the industry
- Setting realistic goals
- Meeting people in the industry
- Admiring superheroes
- Matt Damon or Ben Affleck
- Cinema Sins
- Fun Questions
- What rules/guidelines he follows in life
- What nerd toys he collects
- Zelda Three Heart Challenge
- Website
- YouTube
There is nothing I love more than answering questions from readers or social media followers.
And every 1st Thursday of the month, I do just that. Community Questions is a chance for me to answer YOUR questions.
They don't have to be fitness related, either. (Though most are.)
So this month, I had three excellent questions come in:
- If weight loss is your primary objective, how often should you weigh yourself?
- What's the significance having 30g of protein in the morning?
- Is it appropriate to use pictures as inspiration for succeeding goals?
Jorden Pagel returns to the podcast after damn near two years. Jorden and I catch up on everything he's been up to with his business, his personal development, and what side hustle he has now. You can check out episode one here.
Jorden is a Wisconsin-based writer and coach. He uses his experience of losing over 80-pounds to help people dominate their fitness goals. When he's not writing about fitness and coaching clients, you can likely find him deadlifting or watching the Packers. Jorden enjoys the simpler things, like Game of Thrones, Star Wars, yoga pants, and of course, Ben and Jerry's.
In this episode we discuss:
- John Romaniello
- Mass Made Easy
- Time flies
- What he’s learned in two years as a business owner
- 2016 Books of the Year
- Staying focused on your why
- His side job as a financial advisor
- What his day looks like
- His creative process
- Testosterone (101, 201, 301, 401)
- Stress and it’s effect on our health
- Fun Questions
- First time paint balling
- What he’s nerding out on
- His favorite Ron Swanson quote
- His 2017 goals
- Jorden’s Fat Loss Course
- Website
They say it's the little things that matter.
And as cliche as that sounds, it's pretty true when it comes to fat loss.
The big things you need to handle are maintaining a calorie deficit and exercise. But there are small things that you could be doing that keep tripping you up on your journey.
And ignoring these trip-ups isn't something you can afford to do. Not if you want to reach your goals.
Don't worry. They're not huge things that would require you to drastically change your life. But small tweaks that can help you realign your goals and get back on track.
Don Brown has been inventing fitness equipment since the 1990s.
He fell in love with fitness in no small part thanks to fitness icon, Jack LaLanne. His first chain of fitness centers was called XERCISE,Inc in Northern NJ. And it was in this gym that one day he ran into a problem with one of his clients.
Don Brown had always been a problem solver, so when his client who had a neck injury couldn't do a simple crunch without pain, Don knew he needed to create a solution.
After some thought, Don had a eureka moment when he bent a paper clip into a "funny" shape and he knew in that moment how to create his first fitness equipment idea.
He left work, went to a Home Depot, and built the first prototype for the Ab Roller that day.
In its first 3 years on the market, The Ab Roller exceeded 100 million dollars in sales. Well over 15 million people have purchased AB Rollers making it one of the most successful consumer fitness products ever.
Twelve years after he invented the Ab Roller, he co-invented the AB COASTER which quickly became a huge success. You can see these devices in gyms all over the world.
Don Brown is constantly looking for the next big thing in improving and training your core. That's why when Don's friend came to him with an idea for how to make planks more fun, Don jumped at the idea. And with the same ingenuity of his first device, Don created an early prototype of Stealth.
Things have changed since the days of The Ab Roller and Ab Coaster. Now, Don can use sites like Kickstarter and IndieGoGo to help fund his new product and get it to the market faster.
Don joins me on the show to talk about The Stealth Core Trainer which turns your planks into an active, fun, and challenging game you can use on your phone.
In this episode we discuss:
- How he got into designing fitness equipment
- Jack LeLanne
- Product Creation in Fitness
- Using Doom as a stress reliever
- Making Planks Great Again
- Sneaking in Fitness
- How Stealth Progresses Core Training
- Core Score
- What crowdsourcing websites offer inventors/entrepreneurs
- TV Infomercials
- Craziest invention he ever came up with
- Fun Questions
- Yoga in the morning
- Almond butter vs Peanut butter
- Turn Your Core into a Joystick
- Where technology will take fitness
- Video for Stealth
- InventWow.com
- GameYourCore (social)
- Stealth on IndieGoGo
- Stealth Body Fitness
This is a subject we've covered before on Coaches Corner. But that was almost 18 months ago and it's still one of the most asked questions I receive.
So I decided to cover the supplements I take, why I take them, and what they do and don't do.
First and foremost: before you buy any supplement, first check with your doctor to see if it is something you need.
The above should be done before you ever buy anything on a shelf. Always. Always. Check with your physician first.
When it comes to increasing your knowledge on supplements Examine.com is the go-to resource for questions or concerns on supplementation.
They cover everything I talk about in this episode and much much more.
In this episode I discuss:
- Creatine
- Vitamin D
- Fish Oil
- Protein
- Pre-workout
- Caffeine
- Labdoor.com
On this episode of the podcast, I'm joined by Alain Gonzalez of MuscleMonsters.com.
Pronounced, "a lane," Alain considers himself an average guy from Florida who at 23-years-old, wasn't living in what looked like the body of an adult. He looked more like he was stuck in a pre-teens scraggly framed body. For the last few years, Alain Gonzalez has dedicated his life to helping hardgainers slap on slabs of sexy, lean muscle. His transformation gave him massive amounts of confidence to accomplish even the most daunting of tasks.
Alain doesn't consider himself a bodybuilder. At least not in the traditional sense. He attributes his muscle-gaining success to what he calls The Three D’s: Dedication, Desire, and Drive.
Through his coaching, writing, and videos, he wants to show every naturally skinny guy that it IS possible to gain muscle.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The story behind the name Muscle Monsters
- Changes in the internet fitness industry
- Hardgainers
- Why he doesn't consider himself a bodybuilder
- What his training looks like
- Biggest mistakes in gaining upper body size
- Using a time machine to go back to high school and play football
- Book recommendations
- Drunk fights at pizzerias
- Doing it and taking action
- Diet breaks vs. Cheat days
- How dedication, drive and desire intertwine
- Alternative protein sources
- Strategies on working on weak or lacking muscle groups
- Bracing your core
- Guilty pleasure songs in his workout playlist
Get in Touch with Alain:
- www.musclemonsters.com
- Facebook, Instagram & Snapchat: @musclemonsters
Resources Mentioned:
The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday
The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday
Gnash - I Hate You, I Love You ft. Olivia O’brien
Passenger - Let Her Go
*NOTE: This is a two-part episode. Please make sure to listen to Part 1 first or you'll be lost.***
In Part 1 of this episode, we discussed how myths, and the structure of myths, still influence some of the greatest movies and books in pop culture.
And that these myths show us how to live a more virtuous life.
Part 1 saw Tanner Baze, Nick Sorrell, Aadam Ali, and I breaking down and introducing people to The Hero's Journey. Why you need to face your dragon and what pieces of wisdom we've received from Dr. Jordan Peterson.
Here're a few bullet points for what we covered in Part 1:
- Dr. Jordan B. Peterson (Podcast, Joe Rogan Podcast)
- John Romaniello (His book Man 2.0 is based off The Hero’s Journey)
- Ancient myths and modern day applications
- Why myths are road maps
- Superman is a God and why we can’t relate to him
- Why The Joker is Batman’s most formidable enemy
- Both sides of evil within ourselves
- Harvey Dent’s transformation into Two-Face
- Why you need to face our dragon
- Why Aadam loves the Anti-Hero
- Suffering and struggle: there is nothing more important in the world
- Why we need the metaphysical
- Arete and Apotheosis
After we end on the discussion of The Matrix, we dive even further into the importance of what myths and the stories in fiction can reveal to us as humans.
In part two we discuss:
- The Emperors Blades
- Why books, myths, or movies always speak to us
- Your brain picks up patterns subconsciously
- Gut feelings and urges
- Read more books --- period
- Accepting your call
- Slay your fucking dragon
*NOTE: This is a two-part episode. Please make sure to listen to Part 1 first or you'll be lost.***
Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Buddha, Christ, Gilgamesh, they all follow the same story line archetype. What Joseph Campbell came to call The Hero's Journey.
According to Dr. Jordan Peterson, myths are a road map for how to live a virtuous life. They show us how to live a good life, what is right and wrong, connect us with our humanity, and teach us lessons that science cannot.
In this episode, Tanner Baze, Nick Sorrell, Aadam Ali, and I break down The Hero's Journey, how it applies to life, and how it can guide you to live a more virtuous and moral life.
But this episode is more than that. We talk about facing your dragon (or demons) and why this is the most important thing you can do in life, period.
We break down thoughts from Dr. Jordan Peterson about why myths show us that, “Getting to where you want to go is not what you want, it’s to make sure the voyage is worth it.”
First and foremost, all of us can't stress enough how much of an influence John Romaniello and his knowledge of Campbell has meant to us. Without Roman, there would be no Tanner Baze, Robbie Farlow, or Aadam Ali. We owe much of our desire to get in shape and improve lives through writing and creating "good art" to Roman.
So for that, thank you sir. And if you've never read his book, you should. It's required reading, actually. (check the notes below for a link)
In Part 1 of this episode we discuss:
- Dr. Jordan B. Peterson (Podcast, Joe Rogan Podcast)
- John Romaniello (His book Man 2.0 is based off The Hero’s Journey)
- “Getting to where you want to go is not what you want, it’s to make sure the voyage is worth it.”
- Ancient myths and modern day applications
- Why myths are road maps
- Superman is a God and why we can’t relate to him
- Why The Joker is Batman’s most formidable enemy
- Both sides of evil within ourselves
- Harvey Dent’s transformation into Two-Face
- You either die the hero or see yourself become the villain
- Did Tolkien mean to tell the inner deep meanings of his stories?
- Why you need to face our dragon
- Gut urges to do something
- How holding in resentment will destroy you
- Why Aadam loves the Anti-Hero
- Suffering and struggle: there is nothing more important in the world
- You want to aim so high that you can’t obtain it
- Why myths work
- Living a virtuous life
- Roman's article on Heroes
- Why we need the metaphysical
- Arete and Apotheosis
- Neil Gaiman 2012 commencement speech
- Why Nick went back to church
- The story of Jesus in the Garden
- Why The Matrix is the story of Genesis
With every new year, there are millions of New Year's Resolutions.
But, two weeks into the year, 25% of those resolutions are dead.
The towel has been thrown in.
Why?
The biggest reasons:
-
You set your goal TOO high 2. You didn't realize how much work it would be 3. You didn't actually give a fuck
-
You didn't realize how much work it would be 3. You didn't actually give a fuck
-
You didn't actually give a fuck
In this episode, I cover a couple of things on resolutions. And I also answer a question on whether you should bulk or cut and when you should move from one to the other.
Enjoy this episode & Happy New Year.
Dean Somerset is a personal trainer, public speaker, and author who specializes in helping those with injuries or medical dysfunctions find a way to use exercise to improve their lives.
Though he considers his specialty, "super cool," Dean's main goal is to help people become stronger, faster, leaner, and more fit no matter their history.
Dean Somerset is one of the most intelligent men in the fitness industry and when it comes to improving or "un-fucking" your hips, Dean is your man.
He's taught seminars all across the world. Touching on topics like:
- Post Rehab for the Personal Trainer
- Psychology and Motivation for Optimal Training
- The Complete Hip and Shoulder Workshop
Because Dean believes in a hands on approach to fixing issues, he's also found that he has a warm sense of humor that helps put his clients at ease. Humor is a huge key to helping a client catch on to what they will be doing. And it allows them to feel less intimidated.
Dean Somerset has written for T-Nation, Bodybuilding.com, Men's Health, as well as his own site.
In this episode we discuss:
- Coaching
- Business
- What he's nerding out on
- How to get comfy in the gym in the new year
- His favorite current wrestler
- Participation trophies
- And a whole lot more
I want to talk about my friend, and client, Jon.
Normally, I'd write up a huge post and tell you the story of how Jon overcame his struggles, became stronger, and more kickass, and about how he crushed his goals.
But, I want you to hear it from Jon himself.
Jon’s been an online coaching client of mine for a few months, so I asked him a few questions after he achieved one of his biggest goals: seeing abs in the mirror.
So I invited Jon to come on the podcast and chat about his experience, what goals he accomplished, and what he learned during the process.
Jon didn’t kill himself and try and achieve 6 pack abs in 6 weeks. He took it one quest at a time.
But the big difference this time: Jon had someone in his corner, me. His own personal Gandalf if you will, who helped guide him and provide him support on his journey.
In this episode, you'll the inside scoop on what Jon did and how he accomplished his goals.
If you want to achieve your fitness goals in 2017, head here and apply today.
JC Deen is one of the most intelligent guys in the fitness industry. He first came on the podcast in 2015. (listen here)
Beyond helping you nail your fitness and nutrition goals, JC also introduces his clients to practices like meditation and mindfulness because these ideas, he knows, will stretch and better his clients outside of the gym.
He believes fitness should be fun, challenging, and exciting.
Fitness for JC is a journey and it's this journey that he embarks on with his clients and readers. Detailing his process, what works, what doesn't, and what you need to know to make it all less of a headache.
We dive into a ton of amazing content in this episode. Some deep and others not so much.
In this episode we discuss:
- Time zone differences
- How he conquers fear
- Getting caught in his own head
- The zone of discomfort
- Struggling with perfectionism as a coach
- JC’s Complete Macro Guide
- Perfect is in the eye of the beholder
- Most important value he displays to readers or clients
- Getting caught up in the outcome
- How he sets up his process
- Getting into video
- Taking imperfect action
- What he’s nerding out on now
- Future inferences
- Man talks to God
- Fun Questions
- His attraction to Eastern philosophy
- Would historic figures be what we think they are if we lived in their time
- Changing your world view from youth to adult
- Website
Twas the night before Gainsmas, when all through the gym
Bulkers were crushing supersets, as the lights went dim
Their reps must be finished, no set went undone
Because gains must be made before the next summer’s sun
Dreams of massive shoulders and quads that rip seams
Are all nestled deep in the coldest winter dreams
The mirror reflects our amazing mystique
Our eyes soak up the glory of our god-like physique
You spend Sunday morning in the kitchen making clatter
Chicken, rice, sweet potatoes, you are the nutrition master
All nestled in Tupperware to be ready in a flash
For you consume it all, nothing goes in the trash
Your mood becomes somber as the winter descends
Seasonal moods change when the warm summer ends
Your mind will crave carbs on the long winter’s night
Serotonin will flow and keep you sleeping tight
Rested and ready you’ll turn up the volume
Carving out muscles like a modern day golem
Your chest, back, and shoulders often will swell
And trust me your legs will feel hotter than hell
The DOMS are the price that you pay for your gains
But it’s worth it when you see your arm popping veins
When you get home, you’ll stuff your fat face
With all of the goodies you normally disgrace
Here you can find one small, but huge problem
Stuffing your face forces your belly to blossom
By Valentine’s Day your pants no longer fit
Your body fat’s too high, so the bulk you must quit
The winter bulk goal isn’t to be chubby and plump
It’s about gaining muscle and enjoying the pump
So rep out those curls and bench press away
But please listen to these last words I say
Continue tracking the foods that you eat
And don’t consider booze as an okay way to cheat
When the winter blues make you feel less than great
Be careful of carbs and the junk you masticate
Bulking is fun, it’s the best I dare say
But beware the fulk, it’ll leave you in dismay
Curl, bench, and crush every set
But don’t go crazy and add fat you’ll regret
Here is my toast for this winter’s bulk
May you have fun and turn into the Hulk
And when Spring returns, you too can exclaim
This winter I added loads of muscle to my frame
Maddy Moom is a former bodybuilding/bikini competitor who from a young age, dealt with the crushing issues of control. She thought control over her diet and lifestyle would lead to freedom but it left her feeling more out of control than ever.
Maddy say's it's this reason why she couldn’t find herself. Her addiction to control was the sole reason she could not find true happiness and purpose.
Through soul searching and travel, Maddy finally bucked the trends and found Maddy Moon.
Her work has been featured on The Huffington Post, Teen Vogue, The Daily Mail, and Vice. She also hosts the hugely popular and successful podcast, Mind Body Musings.
In this episode we discuss:
- Early message of women and health and body images
- Orthorexia
- Struggling with being enough
- Manifesting goodness in life
- Failure and protectionism
- How you see something: did you really fail?
- Finding intuition
- Mark Manson’s book “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck”
- Defining the values in your life
- How to Win Friends and Influence Others
- Neil Gaiman’s 2012 commencement speech
- How she stays in the creative spirit
- Embracing the pain: feel it to heal it and feel it to share it
- Fun questions
- The dark side of perfectionism
- How do you find the perspective for knowing when or what to give a fuck about
- Contemplating your mortality
- Finding her purpose while traveling
- Why Colorado is amazing
- When does she know she’s gone too far and overexerted herself
- What she is nerding out on now
- The Gollum and the Jinni
- Website
- Podcast
I don't think I'll ever be able to put into words how or what I felt the first time I saw Star Wars.
Since that first viewing, I've seen the movies maybe a thousand times. And each time I watch them, the world feels right. Something feels perfect.
The mythology that is ingrained in Star Wars is important. It tells a story that we've been telling for centuries. Wrapped in myth, Star Wars is a story of human struggle. Not only physical but mental and spiritual.
I knew I wanted to release this episode the week of Rogue One. What I didn't know is that I would hear a podcast that would send my mind into a world of contemplation.
Star Wars is The Hero's Journey in every aspect. But that journey isn't about taking down an evil Empire. It's an internal journey; the metaphysical journey of an individual from an old life to a new, more powerful existence.
The Greeks called it apotheosis --- man becoming divine. And that's the story that the Hero's Journey tells: man descending into Hell (his inner Hell), defeating the dragon (beast/Death Star/Dragon), and returning to the world changed and made new.
And it's this myth, this hope of change and apotheosis, that has always made Star Wars mean so much to who I am.
The only note you need for this episode is this podcast with Joe Rogan and Dr. Jordan Peterson.
Star Wars: it's more than a cultural phenomenon. It's the retelling of ancient myths in a new and profound way.
For a majority of nerds and geeks, it's often what made us realize that we were nerds.
Raise your hand if you ever picked up a broomstick, a mop handle, anything that resembled a sword, and imagined it was a lightsaber.
I did it. And I know you did, too.
Star Wars, for me, is sacred. The stories it tells, the images it provokes, the characters in that world all provide meaning and lessons during the toughest times of my life.
After Revenge of the Sith, I thought that was it. No more Star Wars. But now with Disney at the helm, we have a whole new set of stories that are opening up to us as fans.
With the release of Rogue One this week, I wanted to change up coaches corner and turn it into a giant geek out on Star Wars.
I'm not all fitness all the time. And this episode is a whole lot of fun.
In this episode we discuss:
- Darth Vader
- The first time we saw or were introduced to Star Wars
- The pronunciation of the Millennium Falcon
- Lightsaber duels and fights with our kids
- Our favorite characters
- The first two Clone Wars cartoons
- Why Alec Guinness hated Star Wars
- Why Empire is the better film (no matter what I think)
- Where else in our lives we see or connect to Star Wars
- Fanboys
- Thoughts on Episode 7
- What director we’d like to see take a Star Wars film
- What scene you think of when you think of Star Wars
- Order 66
- The problem of Anakin becoming Vader
- What age is the appropriate age to show a kid Star Wars
- Why the Extended Universe is still canon to me
- Frank McGuire artwork
- Weird Star Wars Episode 8 theories
- Reign of Fire
- Bothan Spies
- Darth Maul fan film
- Topher Grace Star Wars film
- Red Letter Media
- Lightsaber battle in welding shop
- Steve Snoke
- Favorite Star Wars video game
This is the audio version of a previous post on the site that you can read here.
From the start of November until the madness of March, my life becomes obsessed with college basketball.
During those months, my heart and soul belong to my favorite team: The Tarheels of North Carolina.
As a kid growing up, I had one and only one dream — that I would become a basketball player.
This desire was sparked, one by my undying love of the University of North Carolina (I was raised by ardent Tarheel fans) and the fact that my favorite basketball player—like all 90s kids—was Michael Jordan
Everyone wanted to be like Mike; I was no exception. What no one told me, however, was that I needed more than dreams. I needed to work---hard.
And, though, I'm not in the NBA today, every time I see a redhead sitting on the bench for the Tarheels, I'm reminded of what could have been.If I'd only given half a shit and actually tried.
This guilt is what drives me today to make my dreams come true.
Nerds and geeks now how to get things done. And BJ is a certified geek.
A few years ago, BJ topped out at over 300 pounds. But after a trip to Harry Potter World in Florida, BJ realized something needed to change.
First, he started with diet, then he got serious about running. And a few years later, BJ lost over 140 pounds. Then he decided to create Geek Fitness to help other geeks discover how to improve their health.
But it hasn't been an easy road for BJ. Geek Fitness has done well, but last year an injury sidelined him and since then, he's been suffering from anxiety and depression.
So, BJ joins me to nerd out on our favorite movies, comics, and games. But he also joins me to discuss mental health, fitness, and my arch nemesis, running.
In this episode we discuss:
Thinking we’re unique snowflakes
His struggles with lifting
Wizarding world of Harry Potter
Losing weight without exercise
Why running
Heart disease and family history health problems
Self-destruction and anxiety
How he’s worked through his anxiety issues
Lying on the floor and listening to Dashboard
Problems with time travel
DBZ, Star Wars, Buffy, and more
Learning to be yourself online
Geek to Geek Podcast
Website
Community Questions: December 2016 Winter is here. At least for some people, it is.
And with winter comes things like the winter blues and illnesses.
So, when you're sick, should you exercise?
Can you exercise with just a standard cold or a stuffy nose? What if you have achy muscles or an upset stomach?
Hunger also hits had during the winter. And if you're trying to lose fat, sometimes, all you want is a big cheeseburger or a bowl of pasta. So can you use cheat days, or, how do you use cheat days to maximize your fat loss goals?
I answer those questions in this month's community questions episode.
In this episode, I discuss:
Cheat Days vs Cheat Meals
Leptin
Refeed Days
Who should and shouldn't have a cheat day
The Neck Rule
Tim Henriques is a coach, author, powerlifter and the Director of the National Personal Training Institute of VA/MD/DC.
Tim has competed in powerlifting for 20 years. In college, Tim was named as an All-American Powerlifter with the USAPL.
In 2003, he deadlifted 700 lbs at 198 pounds which set a VA State Record. Besides powerlifting, Tim has also competed in strongman and arm-wrestling competitions.
His book, All About Powerlifting, is one of the best resources for anyone looking to get ridiculously strong.
Besides lifting, Tim is a husband, father, and a lifelong gamer.
Tim lives in Northern Virginia with his wife, kids, and dog.
In this episode we discuss:
- His gaming history
- Playing Diablo with his kids
- NPAL Atlanta
- Why powerlifting vs bodybuilding
- Ray Williams 1,005 pound squat
- Taking care of yourself while powerlifting
- Dieting for powerlifters
- Why it’s better for him to gain weight
- The day after a powerlifting meet
- Biggest mistake he made at his first competition
- The basic rules of powerlifting
- Squat stances
- Most common objection about powerlifting
- Tips for training like a powerlifter
- Fun questions
- Calves
- Improving your squat, bench, & deadlift
- All About Powerlifting
I'm a firm believer that video games can teach gamers valuable life lessons. What I've done to teach how games can help you improve your health and fitness, my friend Ches has applied to more mental health and personal development.
Ches is the creator of Live Like You Game. A website dedicated to helping you find all the unique ways video games can help bring out the best in you and how what you discover can help you improve every aspect of your life.
His day job is being an engineer at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. But his passion has become Live Like You Game.
Like myself, Ches found that he was completely lost when it came to understanding or improving the most basic aspects of his life. He spent far too much time gaming and not enough time living.
During his gaming sessions, he was on cloud nine. When he wasn't logged in, life felt like shit.
So, like all the games he'd explored, Ches went on a new quest: a quest of self-discovery. It turns out that video games tap into deep psychological phenomenon, boosting your mental energy. Video games were reaching the ambitious, creative, determined part of me that wasn’t showing in the real world.
What he found in some of his research intrigued him. Video games tap into a deep psychological phenomenon that can actually boost your mental energy.
So why were video games helping him to be more creative and determined in the game, but he was unable to translate that to real life?
Through his exploration, Ches discovered keys to changing his mindset and making his life work for him. But he also discovered that other there are other gamers in the world who feel the same way. So he started Live Like You Game to help gamers find a way to connect their game world mindsets to their real lives.
In this episode we discuss:
- Dumbbells and Dragons episode
- The negative stories he told himself
- Positive psychology and games
- Runescape and how it influenced his life
- Parents, politicians, and their irrational fears on video games
- What he’s found in his research on the benefits of gaming
- Healthy and unhealthy gaming
- Superbetter
- Where he struggles in applying game concepts in his life
- Learning what to do when you fail
- Fun questions
- What he does at NASA
- What his gaming history would reveal about him
- Stressors in life
- Three games ever gamer should play in their life
- Website
It's the great white buffalo. Moby Dick. The Holy Grail.
Everyone is looking for it. But the sad truth is: you'll never find it.
It's not there. It doesn't 100% exist.
I'm talking about balance.
Remember balancing on a see-saw as a kid? Or standing on one leg?
You wanted to prove you could do it. That you could hold a position in perfect balance without quivering. Sometimes you did---briefly---and other times you failed.
When it comes to health and fitness, people are searching for perfect balance. How can you balance good nutrition while eating the foods you love.
How can you balance work, life, responsibilities, and your goals of weight loss or muscle gain?
Balance is the perfect nirvanic state that you think is achievable.
Here's the truth: it's not. Balance is bullshit.
You're always teetering and tottering one side of the middle. You're never perfectly in balance.
That's not to say that striving for balance (or perfection) isn't a noble course. But, it's not about the attainment of the goal, it's about the struggles and consistent effort to reach the goal.
Accept that you'll never achieve 100% balance and forgive yourself for not.
In this episode I discuss:
-
Diet
-
Muscle Building
-
Fat Loss
-
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life
-
And more
Coaches Corner: Rituals & Rules and Why We Need Them Since I chatted with Craig Ballantine, I've been intrigued by rules and rituals.
They provide meaning and structure to our day. And some of the most successful people in the world, swear by them.
I believe the first 30 minutes of your day are the most important minutes of your day.
For this month's episode of Coaches Corner, we decided to dive into and talk about our morning rituals.
At least, that's where we thought our conversation would go. Then, as we discussed and dove deeper into the idea of rituals, we realized that we have rituals with our work and diet.
The word freedom denotes some sense of "I follow no rules." But, that's not true. Rules give you freedom.
We need structure in our diets, workouts, mornings, evenings, or daily activities. Humans are creatures of habit.
Our most prized state is homeostasis. And rules and rituals help us to maintain that state.
In this episode we discuss:
- First things we do when we wake up
- Meditations
- Morning pages and The Artists Way
- First thing you changed about your morning routine after school
- Eating and watching television
- College morning routines
- The routine of diet: eating the same things every day
- Why daily structure is necessary
- Homeostasis
- Excessive positivity is bullshit
- Body positivity
- Discovering your own happiness
- Routines outside of morning routines and diet
- Rules provide freedom
- Most important time of your day
- Not everyone wants to look “shredded”
- Intuitive eating
- My biggest struggle in life
- Who or what can send your routine off the rails
- Drinking and its effects on routine
- Getting back on your routine
- How to determine what’s important to you and establish your own routines
"Hey Robbie, why can't I gain more muscle? I'm doing all the right things but I think I'm just grinding my gears. Where are the gains?"
It's a question I receive often. Sometimes the answer is simple.
Are you training the desired muscle group enough?
No? Well, there's your answer.
Are you making sure to control the movements or are you letting gravity win the battle?
Ummm, I mean, I'm lifting heavy and grinding weight...but I'm not lifting it super slow.
Bro, slow down. Seriously, this ain't a race. Actually, if you slow it down and control the movement more with lighter weight you can build more muscle thanks to the midi-chlorians you have in your body.
"Robbie, I'm a hard gainer---I know it. I'm eating a ton of food and the scale doesn't move and neither are my measurements."
Are you tracking your calories?
No.
So, you really have no idea how much you're eating. I bet you $100 you're not eating enough. Whatever you're doing add another 500-700 calories and watch the gains come.
Here's the truth, there are a ton of reasons why you're NOT gaining muscle. And I'm willing to bet it's from one of the 7 (and by 7 I mean 8) reasons I cover in this podcast episode.
In this episode I discuss:
- Increasing volume for success
- Eat MORE food
- SLOW down Speedy Gonzalez
- Get more sleep
- You're not consistent
- Vary it up
- Put the goddamned phone down
Interview with Steve Hall Steve Hall is a natural bodybuilder and powerlifter. His biggest claim to fame is that he's a pizza connoisseur.
But his story says otherwise. A few years ago, Steve was in a horrific accident that damn near changed every thing in his life. Even with extensive head trauma, something deep inside of Steve Hall told him that he could come back from this.
Fast forward a few years later, and Steve is now competing in bodybuilding shows and coaching others to look their best on stage.
Growing up Steve was a victim of bullying. Something that we talk a little about in this episode.
He is also a podcast host himself.
In this episode we discuss:
- How he crafts his articles
- Mike Samuels
- Finding your voice in writing
- Training through an injury
- Eating and training on holiday
- How a car accident changed his life
- Bullying
- His first bodybuilding show after his accident
- The most important value he tries to display to his listeners/clients
- Bodybuilding and business: How they’re linked
- What makes good pizza
- Fun questions
- What Pokemon he would be
- What motivated him through his accident
- The most common misconception about bodybuilding
- Website
- SnapChat
Booze.
We all love it. Whether it's beer, whiskey, tequila, or wine, drinking is often a social event.
And because you're on a fat loss regimen doesn't mean you can't drink. But, it does take some planning.
However, when you're on a maintenance plan (not bulking or cutting), alcohol does some interesting things. It's calories seem to disappear.
Why?
Scientists aren't exactly sure, but in this episode, I cover more details on how to drink while dieting AND how alcohol stacks up versus fats, carbs, and protein.
In this episode I discuss:
-
Strategies for drinking while dieting
-
The TEF of alcohol
-
Alcohol "ghost" calories
-
Fat storage and alcohol
Dom Mazzetti is a man who needs no introduction.
He's the Brofessor, who delivers the essential gym we all need for optimal gains.
Oh, and he's also the first illiterate man to write a book.
A book he's titled: The Swoly Bible: The Bro Science Way of Life
Hailing from the tri-state area, Dom, is what you might call: confidently stupid. Dom refuses to grow
Dom Mazzetti absolutely refuses to entertain the thought of becoming an adult. Unless being an adult means knocking out reps for Jesus.
Deep below his immaculately sculpted core, Dom Mazzetti is a great guy. just misunderstood. Dom is the type of guy that will give you the shirt off his back, even if you don't want his shirt, just so he can be shirtless. This is his first book.
Just completely misunderstood, except to bros.
Dom also enjoys being shirtless. Which is why he left the fridged, forgotten, wastelands of NJ for the sunny, shirtless, beaches of LA.
In this episode we discuss:
- His greatest achievement
- More accomplished than Helen Keller
- Best curl combination on Earth
- If Dom were in a WWF Tag Team Catch Match who would be his partner
- HIs favorite chapter in The Swoly Bible
- What would happen if he had a magic lamp
- Food and curls
- What science he learned for the book
- The definition of BroScience?
- Can you buy The Swoly Bible and become Dom Mazetti?
- Tweeting out how many reps of curls you do
- What a video game of his life would look like
- Where he would go in a time machine
While training one of my clients one day, I asked her why getting a pull-up was more important than a chin-up for her.
Her reason was simple: "if I'm hanging from a ledge and can't do a pull-up to save my life, I'd be mad at myself for dying that way."
That stuck with me for awhile. And even more so recently, I had an email come in, as well as a conversation with my wife, about why I do what I do.
Why do I track calories every day? Even though, I could eyeball it or follow simple rules to stay in maintenance.
Why do I train five days a week?
Why do I constantly try and better myself?
It all has to do with values.
This is a bit of an update from a former post and early podcast episode.
But it's not just about ME. I had an email come in from a listener and we chatted about why this---training, nutrition, and dedication---lifestyle is important to us.
In this episode I cover:
- 80/20 Principle
- You're not alone
- Finding your why
- Our relationships with food
- You may be someone's inspiration
- Watching my wife's grandmother scuttle across the floor
- Bizarro Episode
- Your body is a temple
- Preparing for the unknown
I met Marshall Roy the night before Man Camp started. Over a couple of beers, I realized this dude is just as big a nerd as I am.
After his presentation at Man Camp, I knew I had to have him on the podcast to chat.
Marshall Roy is a personal trainer (2014 Best Personal Trainer in Philidelphia), an accomplished powerlifter, a black belt in kickboxing, and writer. Besides his numerous certifications from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), an SFG level II kettlebell instructor, Precision Nutrition nutrition coach (Pn1), and certified practitioner of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), Marshall Roy has also appeared on television fitness segments with The Weather Channel.
He believes fitness is a decision you make repeatedly---for the rest of your life. But one where you don't need to try and strive for perfection. Instead, Marshall Roy would rather see you strive for excellence and consistency. Because as he says, "perfection is an illusion, but the achievements made in its pursuit are very real."
In this episode we discuss:
- Rogue One Trailer
- Our mutual love of Star Wars
- What Star War character he’d like to see get his own film
- Who would make a badass Boba Fett film
- Using weight lifting as a stress reliever
- Earning his stripes
- Needing permission to cry or show emotion
- Improving on the emotional side of society
- The problem of male anger
- Captain America: Civil War
- Why empathy isn’t a weakness
- Meeting in the middle to solve problems
- Parsemus Foundation
- Gun control
- His struggle to improve empathy
- Self-love
- The aspects we dislike in ourselves
- Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
- Why love needs to start with you
- Self-limiting beliefs
- You are the person you spend the most time with
- Fun questions
- The Weather Channel
- Staying sane while chasing the results or the illusion
- Martial arts and gymnastics for young kids
- Jedi, Sith, and Grey Jedi
- My Dad was Darth Vader
- Website (risegym.com)
During college, one of my best friends and former clients, Justin, said something that has stuck with me over the years.
"I don't want to be happy. I just want to be content."
Recently, while reading through Mark Manson's newest book, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life,* he wrote about pain and why people today seem to be running from pain and suffering.
We actively avoid it. Looking only for those moments of happiness and any reason we can avoid feeling our emotions.
But Mark asks a great question: "what are you willing to struggle for?"
Getting in shape, bettering our health, pursuing our dreams, starting a business it all seems so exciting and we can envision how the result. It's easy to imagine the happiness we'd feel waking up and looking great naked in the mirror or with a few more zeroes in our bank accounts.
But, are you willing to go through the pain to get that? Or are you just looking for those dopamine hits that make you feel happy?
Are you chasing contentment or happiness?
What are you willing to struggle for?
This is what I explore in this episode. I take some passages from Mark's book and I examine areas of my life where I wasn't willing to struggle. Where all I wanted was happiness without the pain.
Contentment doesn't come without some contention. Happiness comes haphazardly.
In this episode I discuss:
- The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life*
- Falling into a briar patch
- Carolina Blue Dream
- Chris Pratt Rags to Riches
- Wanting stuff
- Struggles determine our success
- Pain is necessary
- Falling in love with the process
David Dellanave is a lifter, coach, and the owner of The Movement Minneapolis in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
He is one of the most well-known proponents of biofeedback training. He uses this to teach his clients to better understand the signals their bodies send them.
He’s had the pleasure of coaching a number of international level athletes as well as gen pop clients.
A few years ago, David and his friend/business partner John Romaniello, had the crazy idea of creating an even they called "Man Camp."
Initially, construed as a bit of competition with their wives own event, John and David finally pulled the trigger and this year hosted Man Camp in Austin, Texas.
Naturally, I went to the event. You can read my take on it here.
For more show notes head to http://sidequestfitness.com/david-dellanave/
Our world is full of cliches.
You probably hear one every week, if not daily.
Over time they wear on you and eventually become noise in the background and lose any sense of meaning to you.
But hidden in those cliches are nuggets of truth.
There may be a lot more behind those cliches, but it doesn't mean they're not, on some level, true.
In this episode of the podcast, I throw out a handful of cliches you've heard before and break down what the truth is behind them.
You can apply these truths to fitness, life, entrepreneurship, and even to your relationships.
In this episode I discuss:
- Clean Eating
- Garbage In, Garbage Out.
- Eat less move more.
- Trust the Process
- Keep it Simple Stupid
- Rolling stone gathers no moss
-
My Father was Darth Vader
-
10 Common Clichés And The Powerful Truths They Hold
Holy. Shit.
Two years ago, I hit publish on the very first Side Quest Podcast episode. I had no idea what would happen or how long it would last. But 125 episodes later, here we are.
Last month, I celebrated one year of Coaches Corner. And it just so happened, that the 2nd Anniversary of the Podcast ended up being the next Coaches Corner.
This time, we decide to take a break from fitness. We still nerd out in the end, but for this episode, we wanted to talk about life.
Specifically, the awkward and often funny moments that we never talk about with others.
Tanner Baze, Nick Sorrell, and Aadam Ali join me on this episode.
It's an episode that feels like you're listening to a bunch of dudes discussing life on a road trip. It goes everywhere and anywhere.
At the end, we break down our thoughts on Suicide Squad, as well as the other superhero films of 2016.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/awkward/
In this, October 2016 episode of the podcast, I answer questions from the community of Heroes.
How do you start a website?
What about newsletters or email lists?
How can I stay on task with calories if I don't count or track my macros?In this month's installment of Community Questions, I answer 3 questions from listeners or followers on social media.
In this month's installment of Community Questions, I answer these two questions but I also get very personal with an issue I face with not tracking my food.
Do I have a poor relationship with food?
My good friend Mike Vacanti returns to the podcast.
In his first episode, we talked about training Gary Vee, why he thinks about death, and poker.
Now that he's left his job as Gary Vee's trainer, Mike has a lot going on.
He's been posting daily YouTube videos, blogging, and creating reverse bets to keep his content flowing.
But he's also released a macro tracking app after receiving thousands of requests from fans and readers to do their macros.
Mike is one of the most authentic and hardest working guys I know in the fitness industry. And if truth be told, without Mike, there would be Side Quest Podcast or Side Quest Fitness
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/mike-vacanti-2/
Simple Iron-Clad Strategies to Get Back in the Gym After a Break We all get sick, go on vacation, or have long business trips that derail our fitness goals.
Sometimes these events can keep us out of the gym for weeks or longer.
And sadly, most of us make huge mistakes when we try and get back into the gym.
- Start too fast
- Pick up where we left off weeks/months before
- Lift too heavy, too soon
- Spend the next few days moaning and complaining about how sore we are
"How do I get back in the gym after break?"
It's one of the most often asked questions I receive.
So in this podcast episode, I delve into the strategies I use to help clients get back into the groove and dust off the cobwebs after a long illness or vacation.
In this episode I discuss:
- Getting back in the game
- The 3-4-8 strategy
- Taking it slow
- Having a "fuck it" day
- Phoning a "bro" or a friend
Over the last year, I've had the pleasure of getting to know a ton of new people while apart of the RFS Mastermind.
Joey Percia, is one of the awesome guys I've gotten to know over that time.
When Joey graduated High School, if he was lucky and found himself soaking wet, he weighed around 130-pounds.
He even broke a box jump record at ‘The Strongest Powerlifting Gym’ in the World, oh and that feat only made it easier for him to dunk a basketball, even if he's only 5’9".
Jumping high is something Joey does well. But he's also a beast when it comes to lifting heavy ass weight. Since he started training he's been able to deadlift 3.2x his bodyweight. Setting his PR at 585lbs. He's also squatted over 500lbs and set a NJ State Bench Press record.
Needless to say, Joey is strong. He's also a great writer and coach.
For more show notes, please visit sidequestfitness.com/joey-percia/
Jason Helmes returns, almost a year to the date we last heard from him.
As one of my first guests, not to mention a huge inspiration on my work and growth as an entrepreneur, I am a huge fan of Jason's work.
When he approached me and asked about coming on the show to chat about his new muscle building program, No Squats. No Deadlifts. HUGE GAINS, I quickly said, yes.
Jason gets it.
He's not only a living breathing example of the hard work he put in to achieve his physique goals, but he is a straight up hardcore-hustler.
Every single week he is putting out some form of content for his audience. Whether it's an article or now his podcast and Facebook video series, Jason works.
Like myself, he is an experimenter. Testing new ideas and protocols on himself before using them on clients.
His latest program, No Squats. No Deadlifts. HUGE GAINS, came from a bulking experiment he did last winter.
For more and a link to pick up a copy of Jason's program, head to www.sidequestfitness.com/jason-helmes-3/
Over the last few weeks, I've been reading and working through a book called The Artists Way.
Between that book and something my former guest Alex Mullan said during our interview I began to think more about being a beginner.
As a gamer, I'm always taking on the role of a beginner when I pick up a new game. Especially, if it's a new game I've never played before.
Learning how the game mechanics work, the best strategies for playing the game, or even discovering the small details the developers planted in the gameplay is always fun.
But it's never easy to learn something new. Still, when you play a game it's far easier to level up when you're new than if you've been playing for months.
Level 1-10 happens a lot quicker than levels 20-30.
Embracing the beginning is one of the hardest concepts to learn in any endeavor. You want to feel like you understand things or you want to see results.
Lack of results we thought we'd have is one of the reasons why many people give up their goals.
In this episode, I talk about what The Artists Way has taught me about the process and why as an artist, a creator, that it's far more important for me to focus on "doing the work" than the actual work itself.
Learn to be okay with the learning phase of being a beginner but also know that you'll be far further down the road of success if you do the work and embrace the growing pains than if you give up because you aren't level 100 on day 5.
In this solo episode, I cover the best snacks for you to choose while on the road.
Travel is something I try and do a lot of and road trips are my favorite form of travel.
But you don't have to sacrifice your health goals to eat horrible gas station fare while you drive cross country.
There are options you can find at any gas station to give you the fuel you need for the road and that won't derail your fat loss goals.
It's crazy to think that it's been one year since Travis Pollen gave me the idea for "Coaches Corner."
At the time of recording this, the 2016 Rio Olympics were still happening, so we decided to devote an entire episode to this once-every-four-year event.
We celebrated a year of episodes with tons of shenanigans and, of course, chatted about all the excitement of the Olympics.
There's a lot of great discussion about training, aging athletes, events that transpired during the games, as well as a brief discussion on the reason it's ludicrous that athletes have to pay taxes on their medals.
Thank you all for listening to "Coaches Corner" for the last year and, though, the format will change a bit, we will still be delivering valuable information to you as an audience.
I'm often asked, "is there a magic food I can eat for weight loss?"
"If I eat avocados will they get rid of my belly fat?"
"I heard carbs are bad for you and I should eat like a caveman, is that true?"
"What foods can I eat that will make me lose weight?"
Sensational claims and promises from fat-burner supplements or fad diets on the cover of Cosmo or The Huffington Post are as empty and false as rest of the chalices Indiana had to choose from.
You want to buy the flashy, catchy, “hottest” items on the market.
But, it's the stupid-simple, non-sexy actions that get the job done.
The grail of weight loss is about as exciting as a wooden cup.
In this episode, I reveal to you what the Holy Grail of Fat Loss is and how IT'S the only way you can lose unwanted body fat.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/holy-grail/
Interview with Dr. John Rusin Dr. John Rusin, aka "The Strength Doc," isn't your typical strength coach. He's also a physical therapist.
He first went the route of the traditional strength & conditioning coach but found he had more of a passion for sports performance physical therapy.
Human performance is now is life-blood. He has an impressive and diverse list of clientele. From NFL and MLB athletes to competitive powerlifters and bodybuilders, Dr. Rusin develops programs aimed at promoting better recovery and regeneration for world class athletes.
Dr. Rusin has one goal: to bridge the ever-growing gap between high-performance strength and conditioning and cutting-edge rehabilitation methodology for both elite strength athletes and amateur fitness fanatics.
He brings over a decade of high-level training experience along with advanced degrees in both Exercise Science and Physical Therapy, creating result oriented programs for my clients. This synergy of academia and in-field training experience sets the tone for intelligently designed approaches to fitness and performance.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/rusin/
In this episode of the podcast, I answer questions from the community of Heroes.
Ever wondered how to navigate the world of alcohol while dieting?
What strategies can you use while out at the bar or at a BBQ to continue losing fat while you imbibe on whiskey or beer?
Or have you ever found yourself staring at a bottle of BCAAs and Amino Acids wondering what the fuck the difference is? Will one get me more jacked than the other?
Maybe you're new to the gym and noticing a whole host of things you've never seen before. Like people who arch their backs during a bench press?
Is that correct? Should you do that? Will you hurt yourself?
In this month's installment of Community Questions, I answer 3 questions from listeners or followers on social media.
In this episode I discuss:
- Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Bar
- Supplements I use
- What amino acids are and what BCAAs are
- Whether you should or shouldn't arch your back while bench pressing
This year I've met some inspiring and kick-ass dudes. Alex Mullan is one of those dudes. Alex is the owner and creator of MASSthetics. A fitness blog dedicated to helping dudes get JACKED. Why is getting jacked important? Because as Alex says, "when you look incredible, you feel incredible. When you feel incredible, incredible things begin to happen in your life." Similar to my belief, Alex Mullan believes when you take control of your physique, everything else falls into place.
Alex wants to help men and women build the best body they've ever been in.
No longer will you be wasting your time in the gym. No longer will your confusion about what, when, and how to eat hold you back. No longer will you be trapped in a physique that doesn’t bring a smile to your face. Because Alex's goal is to take all that away. For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/alex-mullan/
During the time that I've been a part of the Roman Fitness Systems Mastermind, I have had the chance to meet some amazing people.
Benjamin (Ben) Johnson, is one of the most genuine, intelligent, and down to Earth dudes I've ever met.
Ben is a writer, fitness coach, and one hell of an amazing cook.
In his past, Ben was the fat kid. He struggled with his weight for years until he, like many people, took it more serious.
At his core, Ben wants to help people. Whether that is developing as a writer, carrying their groceries, or helping them achieve their health and fitness goals, Ben's primary goal is to help as many people as he can.
Ben is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or commonly known as Mormons. It's from his faith and the foundation that he was raised on that feeds his desire to help others.
Having got to know Ben, I don't think I've ever met anyone more willing to go out of their way to help their fellow man or woman.
Oh yea, I mentioned he loves to cook. The dude is probably a 4-star chef and doesn't even know it.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/ben-johnson/
It's okay to be selfish.
That doesn't mean you shouldn't care for others, but if you can't take care of yourself, you can't fully take care of others.
But, we're all busy. We all have lives that ask a lot from us. Time gets sucked away, technology sucks our extra time into its black hole, and what is sacrificed is more than often the passions we love more than anything.
You stop drawing, painting, singing, dancing, acting, you stop creating because you need to be working or taking care of others.
If you want to see your life change. If you want to advance to your highest level, there is a time of day that needs to be YOURS and YOURS alone.
No distractions. No one else to bother you. No email. No phone. No computer.
Only you and what makes you happy.
Strength training and whiskey, specifically scotch, are among my favorite things in the world.
How I had not discovered the Strength & Scotch Podcast before is beyond me. But while digging through the podcasts on iTunes, I came across these guys and fell in love.
Grant and Heavey host the Strength and Scotch Podcast, but they're also giant nerds. Heavey actually worked on the Mars Rover with NASA, while Grant is a huge comic book and video game nerd like myself.
When they decided to start the podcast they were drinking together and talking fitness and figured, why not record it?
Both are super curious dudes who love getting to the bottom of things. So they decided to combine their love of scotch and fitness to deliver a fun, sometimes crazy, but a valuable resource for others who share their passion of strength and scotch.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/strength-and-scotch
In this episode of the podcast, I answer questions from the community of Heroes.
Ever wondered why protein is crucial for dieting?
What the best strategy is for maintaining weight loss?
Have you always wanted to ask me what my favorite movies are?
Or do you want to know how you can make gains in the gym, in life, or just want to have your craziest question answered?
In this first Community Questions episode of the podcast, I answer 3 questions from listeners or followers on social media.
In this episode I discuss:
- Petravita
- Eat more protein
- Make water awesome
- Level up your sleep
- Health Points System
- 9 Rules of Life
- Indiana Jones series (Holy Grail, Temple of Boon, Raiders of the Lost Bar)
- Macro your macros
- My favorite movies
There is no lift on Earth more badass than the deadlift.
You either lift the weight or you don't. Period.
But many people avoid this lift because they've been told that it can cause injury. Well, sure, anything can cause injury if you do it wrong.
So this month on Coaches Corner, Nick Sorrell, Tanner Baze, and myself hop on a call to chat all things deadlifts.
How to progress deadlifts if your new, how to get through sticking points, how to program deadlifts, and tips on pulling the weight off the floor.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/all-things-deadlifts/
In Fallout 4, you're allowed the ability to invest your attribute points into SPECIAL stats at the start of the game. However, unlike the previous
Unlike the previous games, each SPECIAL stat starts out at 1 instead of 5. But you can level each one up as your character levels up.
SPECIAL stands for: Strength, Perception, Endurance, Charisma, Intelligence, Agility, and Luck.
All of these attributes are important in our real lives as well.
In this episode of the podcast, I break down each and show you what steps you can take to level each of these attributes up in your own life.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/special/
Slyvon Blanco is in the running for the coolest name on Earth.
He's also a fitness coach, Lifehacker, website genius, and a lover of the finer things in life like deadlifts and donuts.
Growing up as an immigrant Sly understood that he needed to work hard and "go get it." From a young age he learned how to find more efficient methods of getting things done.
But he grew up nerdy, small, and easy to bully. Fitness for him was about finding the strength, and size, to stand up to his bullies.
Since starting his blog in 2011, he's had dreams of traveling the world as he works. This year, he made that a reality.
He and his girlfriend started in Southeast Asia, journeyed back Canada, and, for now, are in South America.
Sly considers himself a jack-of-all-trades. He wants to learn about everything and not only be stuck in one area of expertise.
He's accomplished this not only as a fitness coach and online entrepreneur but he can build websites, code, and he makes some of the most delicious foods.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/blanco
In May of 2016, I had Craig Ballantyne on the podcast and we chatted, amongst many things, about the rules he has for his life.
Rules that he follows every day and that guide his vision of business success and personal development.
A couple months before that, at a conference in Austin, Texas, a presenter talked to the attendees about rules and why rules must be followed.
Both of these events created a cascade of thoughts in my mind.
"Do I have rules that I follow that guide my life?"
"Am I just flying by the seat of my pants?"
So I took the challenge from Craig and developed my own rules.
Rules that are important to my life, my business, but more important, rules that will help me be the best I can be---help me achieve my highest level.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/9-rules-I-live-by
On this episode of the podcast, I'm joined by fellow nerd, fitness enthusiast, and host of the Dumbbells and Dragons podcast, Kenneth Rotter.
Ken got into fitness at 25 after asking a friend if he could go to the gym with him. HIs friend decided to create some of the hardest workouts he could, trying to get Ken to quit. Ken admits he didn’t know any different and thought they were "normal" workout.
Like myself, Ken has always been a console kid compared to a computer kid.
He decided to start his website, and later podcast, because he wanted to meet two people, Chris Hardwick and Marshawn Lynch.
Now, his desire has evolved into inspiring people to "go a little bit further than they did yesterday."
The tag line for Dumbbells and Dragons is: Work Out. Nerd Out. I have to say we did at least one of those on this episode.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/dumbbells-dragons/
Around the world of fitness and health, you'll many times find people telling you to follow the 80/20 rule.
"80% of the time eat a healthy diet and exercise and 20% of the time you can goof off and still receive the results you want."
But as humans, we often strive for perfection.
Then when we aren't perfect, we beat ourselves up.
Success isn't an overnight thing. Like building a LEGO tower, it takes one piece at a time, stacked one by one on top of the other to finish the tower.
Perfection is a noble goal and I will never fault someone for giving it their all. I'd rather than someone strive for mediocrity.
But how do you battle the guilt when it rears its ugly head after a weekend or week long diet debacle?
In this episode, I'll break out some math to help you better understand that one day, or a couple of days, won't hurt you long term.
- 80/20 principle (Pareto Principle)
- Breaking down the math of the 80/20 principle
- 73 days
- Late night pizza
- 10 1/2 weeks
- Feeling guilty for cheating on your diet
- You are not a failure
- Consistency
- Weddings, meatballs, and booze
- Tanner Baze
- Get back on the horse
- Tou’re going to have bad days, great days, and meh days
- The Vortex
- The nobility of striving for perfection
- Put in the work
- The grind of the quest
- Choices you made today aren’t the choices you have to make today
- I have the choice
- Forgive yourself and get back on track
- LEGOs are build one piece at a time
Jonny & Yusef, the geniuses behind PropaneFitness, join me on the podcast to chat about a whole host of ridiculous things.
They have one of the best podcasts on the internet, as well as, one of the best resources for bullshit-free fitness advice.
Sharing their experience and knowledge, they help people all over the world achieve their physique goals, improve performance, and level up their strength.
They've both competed in strength competitions before and aren't strangers to getting shredded either.
For Jonny & Yusef, they believe fitness and obtaining your goals are achievable with simple solutions. Hence, why their tag line is, "Simple Rules. Dramatic Results."
Not only are they writers, but they also host their own podcast which has a ton of amazing guests. You can find it here.
For more show notes, head to www.sidequestfitness.com/propane/
Well, here it is.
My first solo episode.
While driving down the road the other day, I popped in an old CD from high school and heard a song I haven't heard in years.
As I listened to the lyrics and sang along, something stirred inside of me; a message that I felt needed to be shared.
What do you see when you look in the mirror?
Is what you see your true reflection? Is the man or woman in the mirror who you believe the world sees as well?
What story are you telling the world?
If someone were to come across your grave in the future and they Googled your name, would they find an amazing, kick-ass story? Or would they get no results?
At the beginning, I share with my story of how I got started and what inspired me to make changes.
Because in the end, we are all the authors of our stories. What kind of story do you want leave behind?
We all have a playlist that gets us pumped in the gym. Maybe one for relaxing on a Sunday morning. You probably also have an "I'm sad and down in the dumps" mix or, as Barney Stinson called it, your "Get Psyched Mix".
Music moves us. It can stir all sorts of emotions and even bring people together in harmony.
Growing up, the music that played through my house as classic rock, country, and soft rock. My aunt, who was a teenager and a constant babysitter, exposed me to the alternative rock of the 90s.
Once I got a computer, however, and began to download songs on Napster, the spectrum of music I listened to grew.
I began to notice how one band, or sound, influenced bands in later decades. I could see the LEGO blocks building on each other as each genre influenced or birthed the next generations genre.
Music is area of life where I'm a huge geek.
It's also important to many other people I know and in this episode of Coaches Corner, Tanner Baze, Nick Sorrell, and I dig deep into the music that has influenced our lives. Music that moves us, that gets us pumped, and that makes us feel more alive.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/music
Most podcasts last barely ten episodes.
This is episode 100.
I knew for this episode who I wanted to interview. I've been following him for a few years and he's the reason I started my fitness journey and the inspiration behind becoming a coach/trainer.
John Romaniello is one of the biggest names in the fitness industry. He's trained celebrities, athletes, and through his products and online coaching program have helped 1,000s more shred fat and get jacked.
I first came across John when he was promoting his first book, Man 2.0 Reengineering the Alpha.
Clicking open the app on my iPad on a crowded NYC subway, I had no idea what I was in for. I finished the book in a night---for me that's uncommon.
Once I found out that John was an avid Star Wars fan, comic book nerd, and his favorite band of all time was Brand New, I felt like I wasn't alone in the universe. 99% of the same things that I loved---that defined who I was as a person---John wrote about passionately.
I was in the gym at the time, but I wasn't connected to what I was doing. Alpha changed all of that and for that, I'm forever grateful to John for.
John is a prolific writer and besides writing a NYT Best Seller, he's also written for The Huffington Post, Fast Company, Men's Health, The New York Times, and much more.
This is a shorter episode than normal. John and I recorded this in NYC a few minutes before the second day of his business mastermind that I'm in.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/john-romaniello
Most meal replacement shakes taste like dog shit.
They're clunky, filled with sugar, and never keep you satisfied for longer than 30-45 minutes.
Enter Macrofuel.
MacroFuel is liquid food - not a Supplement. Packed with 56 grams of carbohydrates, 25 grams of protein, and 8 grams of fiber, MacroFuel is a meal in a glass/shaker. Yes, bodybuilders and fitness fanatics can use MacroFuel in pursuing their own personal goals; the fact is, MacroFuel was designed for anyone who wants to know what it’s like to live life while fueling their body at maximal nutritional levels.
Bodybuilders, fitness fanatics, or busy executives can use MacroFuel to help them crush their personal goals. It's created with real food ingredients that help you meet your macro and micronutrient needs.
Designed to replace those protein bars you scarf down in between meetings, or, that muffin you grab at Starbucks on your way into work because you woke up late and didn't have time for breakfast, MacroFuel is meal replacement shake that's nutritious and filling when time is limited and you refuse to skimp on quality.
Started as an idea during a business class at Cornell, MacroFuel is the brainchild of Augustine Rietsema, Max Tave, Alex Meyers, and Charles Lee.
They set out to create a shake that is made from high-quality ingredients, packed with protein, and that will give you the fuel you need to execute in the gym, the office, or on long road trips.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/macrofuel/
Ted Ryce is a personal trainer, peak performance coach and podcaster. He has overcome an enormous amount of tragedy in his life, but that has all led for his personal quest to live what he calls a "legendary life."
Having worked with Fortune 500 CEOs, busy professionals, and celebrities, such Richard Branson, Ricky Martin and Iron Man himself (Robert Downey Jr.) Ted helps his clients develop the lifelong habits that will help them manage stress, conquer adversity, and ultimately lead to living their ideal life.
Chasing and achieving one's biggest goals, for Ted, is a necessity for surviving and thriving in the modern world. Through his work as a trainer, speaker, and coach his goal is to help his clients discover their biggest goals.
The Legendary Life podcast was started by Ted because he wanted to address one question he couldn't answer:
Why do some people struggle while others succeed beyond what most people think is possible?
His podcast aims to answer this question and help listeners master themselves and create their own Legendary Life.
Besides podcasting, Ted Ryce regularly blogs about the habits you can implement that increase productivity, performance, leadership, and discovering your most powerful mindset.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/ted-ryce/
For the June episode of Coaches Corner, we decided to take a break from talking about fitness and decided that we would share some of our most ridiculous summer memories.
Summertime as an adult isn't as exciting as when we were in school. Unless of course, you're a teacher and then that vacation still applies for you.
This time of year was always full of adventure and shenanigans. Travis Pollen, Nick Sorrell, Joe Brigley, and I reach back into our memories to tell stories that usually involved booze, but also involved road trips, family vacations, summer jobs, and more.
Life isn't all fitness all the time. Check out how these four coaches were able to rid themselves of their summertime blues.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/summertime/
Jessi Kneeland was one of the first guests I had on my podcast, she returns on Episode 96 to catch us up on life, travel, and a TED talk she gave.
She's a Certified Personal Trainer (NASM) and online coach who specializes in empowering women through strength training.
Jessi created her online brand, Remodel Fitness, where she blogs and coaches clients to break through barriers and discover their strength, health, and most importantly, self-love.
She's written for Women's Health Magazine, Self Magazine, Shape Magazine, Health Magazine, Greatist, and Buzzfeed.
In October of 2015, Jessi packed her bags and left NYC with the intention to travel the world and run her coaching business.
She left for Costa Rica and stayed there for the winter before returning to the states for the holiday and headed off to Thailand.
After her decision to leave, Jessi was presented with the opportunity to speak at a TEDx talk at Onondaga Community College.
For more show notes, head to www.sidequestfitness.com/jessi-kneeland-returns/
Interview with Andrew Fiebert of Listen Money Matters In episode 95, I interview my good friend Andrew Fiebert of Listen Money Matters.
Andrew started Listen Money Matters as a blog at first, but ventured out into the world of podcasting where their show at one time was on the top of the charts in Finance on the iTunes store.
They're more than a podcast too. They also feature articles from their community, including two by myself (here and here)
Most Americans today graduate from high school with next to no education on how to manage their money. They then head off to college, where they rack up mounds of debt, and then struggle to repay these debts years later.
We're all going to be making money one day and Andrew believes it's more than a minor oversight that we aren't taught personal finance. That is where he comes in with Listen, Money Matters.
They aren't the finance guys your grandfather would listen to.
Instead of filling your years full of bullshit, they cut through it. Discussing their failures and successes, while cracking jokes at their own expense, Listen Money Matters brings financial discussions into the modern realm of tech/geek talk and potty humor.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/listen-money-matters/
Episode 94: Interview with Ransom Pugh of Muscle and Magicka Ransom Pugh is the brainchild behind the hit YouTube Channel Muscle and Magicka. The creed of his channel is:
"ours is the unrelenting quest for truth and exp. points. Leveling up through both dungeon & dead lift alike. Spreading the light of fitness/nutritional science."
Is there anyone more perfect for me to talk about fitness and video games with? No. Ransom is the bomb diggity.
Beyond starting the YouTube channel, Ransom has an amazing story himself.
Ransom battled and defeated cancer at a young age. During his battle, he found that his only solace was the time he spent in the gym. When he wasn't recovering from treatment with gaming marathons. He was in the gym working to keep his body battling at tip top shape.
Like myself, Ransom has a background in theater. His YouTube videos are high quality. Delivering his message with the perfect mix of sarcasm, intellect, and the nerdiest of references.
Digging into the lore of Dragonball Z, Elder Scrolls, Zelda, and every great video game series ever made, Ransom delivers fitness information weaved with stories of what nerds (like myself) connect with the most.
What I try and do with writing, Ransom has succeeded with in video format.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/muscle-and-magicka/
In episode 93 of the podcast, the first guest I ever had on the show returns to catch us up with what he's been up to for the last year and a half.
Check out Chuck's first episode here.
Chuck is a dad, husband, a coach, a programmer, and a former fat kid that has lost and kept off 200lbs.
He went back to school, while working full time, and gained his bachelor's degree at age 34. At the same time he also became a certified personal trainer.
A lover of craft beers, movies, traveling, and reading fiction (Heinlein and Vonnegut are his favorites), somehow Chuck still finds time to enjoy his favorite obsession, Magic The Gathering.
He claims to be a recovering MMO and video game addict, but you can still find him playing WoW as Usiel on US Arthas.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/return-of-chuck-gross/
Episode 92 Coaches Corner: The Importance of Play Lifting weights is a lot of fun. But there are other ways to get exercise that don't involve lifting heavy stuff from the floor, off your chest, or above your head.
Growing up we all played games. Games that required a lot of energy and burned a ton of calories. Why do we forget these things when we move into adulthood? What can you do outside of a gym to lose weight and stay active?
Tanner Baze, Nick Sorrell, Derek Stanley, and I set out to answer that question in this episode of Coaches Corner.
Rest days don't have to mean we sit on the couch and consume a whole season of Game of Thrones.
Exercise also doesn't mean we have to go to a gym and lift weights or run on a treadmill.
All four coaches talk about the summer activities they enjoy to do when of course they're not lifting heavy shit.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/coaches-corner-may-2016/
In episode 91 of the podcast, I interview one of my clients to discuss his success over the last year.
Justin Dionne, is the artistic director at Lee Street Theater in Salisbury, NC. He is also one of my closest friends and one of my original online clients.
One year ago, Justin told me--above all--his goal was to workout for one year. Weight loss was a goal but for Justin, he knew he needed the accountability my coaching provided and the pushing from me to achieve his overall goal.
Not only did Justin achieve this goal, but he lost 9 inches off his waist, 20 pounds of fat and added over 10 pounds of muscle.
Making the gym and being active is now a priority for him.
Listening to this episode, you'll discover what Justin learned over his journey as my client. What strength goals he achieved, where he faltered, the lessons he learned about how alcohol can affect your goals, and where he wants to go from here.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/justin-dionne/
Interview with Craig Ballantyne Craig Ballantyne is a fitness and personal development guru from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and the author of The Perfect Day Formula: How to Own the Day and Control Your Life. He has been a contributor to Men's Health magazine since 2000, and his articles have also appeared in Women’s Health, Oxygen, GQ, Maxim, National Geographic, Men’s Fitness and Muscle and Fitness Hers.
In 2001, he created the popular home workout program, Turbulence Training, and in 2013 he created the 6 Minutes to Skinny bodyweight exercise weight loss system and the Metabolic Kickstarter follow-along exercise videos. He’s also the founder of the Certified Turbulence Training Program, certifying trainers from all corners of the globe and he hosts an annual Turbulence Training Summit every year for fitness experts to become better trainers and get more clients into their boot camps so they make more money and live the Perfect Life. Craig’s online success has led him to create books and a coaching program to show other gurus how to take their ideas and help thousands of people.
He’s also the founder of the Certified Turbulence Training Program, certifying trainers from all corners of the globe and he hosts an annual Turbulence Training Summit every year for fitness experts to become better trainers and get more clients into their boot camps so they make more money and live the Perfect Life. Craig’s online success has led him to create books and a coaching program to show other gurus how to take their ideas and help thousands of people.
Craig has had many to overcome many obstacles on the way. His toughest battle was spending 6 months suffering crippling anxiety attacks until he finally discovered how to beat them with his 5 Pillars of Transformation. Today, Craig will show you how to use those 5 Pillars to lose 10 to 50 pounds, get a raise and make more money, find the love of your life or overcome any obstacle in the way of success.
Craig is also the co-owner of the successful newsletter, Early to Rise, where you will find his daily essays on success, productivity, time management, fitness, weight loss and self-improvement.
For more show notes head to: http://sidequestfitness.com/craig-ballantyne/
In this episode of the podcast, I interview Peter Baker.
Peter is a personal trainer, metal head, and online coach out of Tampa, Florida. Over the last few years, Peter has helped hundreds of people recover from injuries, shred body fat, and start competing in powerlifting meets.
He is an avid player of table top RPGs and has extensive knowledge of comic book and nerd culture. Needless to say, we made quick friends when we met.
Peter is brash and unapologetic about his opinions and we dive into a lot about his story, what we liked and didn't like about Batman vs Superman, why Prince is the fucking best guitarist ever, and on whether humanities degrees are worth it.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/peter-baker/
In this episode of Coaches Corner, I'm joined by Nick Sorrell and Mason Woodruff to discuss strategies you can implement to lose body fat for the summer.
There are a lot of misnomers out there about fat loss. Myths continue to spread every single day online and in the media.
We set out in this episode to cut through the bullshit and deliver to you the straight forward facts you need to shred away pounds of fat.
For more show notes visit www.sidequestfitness.com/podcast/
Power Primer 2.0 My good friend and bromosapien Eric Bach returns to the podcast to chat about his brand new program Power Primer 2.0.
In the previous episode, Eric and I discussed his time as a college athlete and the time he spent as a collegiate strength and conditioning coach. We also delved into writing and much more.
This time Eric hops back on the mic to talk about why training for power is essetential. Why it can help you lift more weight, burn more fat, and build the physique and movement quality of an athlete.
Everyone wants to move better, feel better and look better. We want the total package.
The greatest superheros in history needed to be explosive and have the athleticism and confidence to conquer anything that stood in their path.
Eric Bach has put together the program that delivers just that--power, explosiveness, and the lean physique we all desire.
Using a blend of science and theory with practical experience, The Power Primer 2.0 is designed to give you the ultimate results in the gym: A body that is bridges the gap between Athletics and Aesthetics.
If you want to get stronger in the gym, and build a high-performance body that is both show and go, then make sure you check out the Power Primer 2.0.
For more show notes check out www.sidequestfitness.com/podcast/
Interview with Tommy Baker of Resist Average Academy In this episode of the podcast, I interview Tommy Baker the host of the Resist Average Academy Podcast. I met Tommy in LA earlier this year and have gotten to know him while I'm in the mastermind that I am a member of. While we were in LA, someone asked me about starting a podcast and my response was simple, "All you have to do is pull out your iPhone and hit record. That's what I did."
A couple of weeks later Tommy tagged me in a Facebook post and said I had been one of the final voice to signify he needed to get his podcast idea off the ground. In December of 2015, Tommy began recording the Resist Average Academy and put his first episode out January of 2016.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/tommy-baker/
In this episode of the podcast, I interview my good friend Susan Ogilvie of So Fit Wellness.
Susan is a Certified Personal Trainer out of Michigan. As a coach, she believes her mission is to empower clients with the knowledge and ability to reach their goals through fitness, nutrition, and healthier lifestyle choices. She is a firm believer that creating and maintaining habits is the most sure fire way to achieve any fitness or health goal.
In her past, she had been fairly overweight but after having a couple children realized she needed to take control of her life so she could enjoy being a parent. By using the power of community, online and in-person, Susan helps her clients overcome their mental barriers and break down the physical ones they've erected over the years.
By helping her clients discover how to build a sustainable lifestyle, make exercise fun and enjoyable, but challenging enough to produce the desired results, Susan is helping women of all ages achieve their physical goals.
When she isn't helping clients succeed Susan can be found training or running in triathlons.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/podcast/
The Importance of Mental Health When it comes to health, most of the articles on the internet or the ones covered on news stations, focus solely on dieting and exercise. Sadly, one of the biggest health issues we don't talk about in the United States is mental health.
According to this Newsweek piece from 2014, nearly 1 in 5 American's suffer from a mental illness each year. The CDC has stated that mental illness, such as depression, is often associated with medical diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity.
If this is an underlying issue---a precursor to diseases that kill millions every year---why are we not talking more about it?
This month's episode of Coaches Corner focuses on mental health by exploring the stories of two fitness coaches, each who suffered from a mental health issue---depression and bulimia.
Adam Fisher and Nick Sorrell share their stories in this very personal and in-depth episode. Along for the ride, Ryan Bergren, provides a medical perspective and how he has helped clients every day with their mental health.
You'll hear Adam talk about his almost suicide attempt in the past and before you read any further if you’re actually considering suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline immediately: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
I will include these below as well, but if you need to speak with someone or you connect with Adam or Nick's story please feel free to email any of us---you're not alone in this---shoot any of us an email and chat with us. (Adam's email, Nick's email, Ryan's email, Robbie's email)
For more show notes, please check out www.sidequestfitness.com/mentalhealth/
In this episode of the podcast, I interview Patrick Umphrey, an online fitness coach out of Minnesota. He also happens to be a part-time magician and a fellow ginger.
Patrick's career in coaching began outside of the gym. He started helping people achieve their goals in the MyFitnessPal forums and later got certified as a personal trainer so he could provide better service to his clients.
For over 14 years he performed close-up magic and in 2007, resigned from his corporate job to pursue magic as a career. Now he coaches clients online as a fitness coach and performs magic for corporate events as well as at the Mall of America in Minneapolis.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/podcast
In the bizarro episode of Side Quest Podcast, your host Robbie Farlow, gets interviewed by his wife.
This episode dives deep into what makes Robbie tick, how he met his wife, what Robbie once thought he would do as an adult, and how and why he started his fitness business.
For over a year, you've listened to me interview some of the best guests in the industry but now you get a more personal and indepth look into who Robbie Farlow actually is.
In this episode we discuss:
- How Robbie met his wife
- What Robbie's end game is
- Why and how he got fit
- What drives Robbie
- What his biggest fear is
- Image issues in the fitness industry
- How he teaches clients to find their inner superhero
- And much much more
In this episode of the podcast, I interview Scott Tate of Game Without Pain. Game Without Pain is the brain child of Scott and Ben Jackson, born in the sweet city of Toronto.
Game Without Pain is working to help the next wave of athletes, those playing e-sports, prevent injuries that keeps them from performing. They are also working to tackle mental health and psychological problems that many professional e-sport athletes have admitted they suffer from.
As a gamer, I have suffered through injuries in my hands, wrists, shoulders, and arms. The next wave of athletes need preventative measures that will help them stay active in the sport for longer and allow it to grow and become more than an internet sensation.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/podcast/
In this episode of the podcast, I interview Benjamin Burke of Deepfitness.ca. Ben is a personal trainer and manual therapist located in Ottawa, Canada.
A few years ago after becoming complacent and bored with his job, he made the decision to become a personal trainer. Since that time he has received a Masters degree and continues to train clients while applying his knowledge and expertise as a hands-on manual therapist.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/podcast/
In the February episode of Coaches Corner, Nick Sorrell, Tanner Baze, Matt Dustin, Travis Pollen, and myself discuss programming differences between athletes and general population.
We delve into a lot of considerations when it comes to training like who should and shouldn't overhead press, when to begin to add weight to a movement, the importance of hip hinging, and how things like dancing can make you a better athlete.
As the episode ends, we also dive into the importance of having fun. Many times we all get caught up in the days we are in the gym but forget to factor in the fun days outside of the gym.
Everything from activities like dancing, biking, walking, yoga, martial arts, golf, or recreational sports can help keep us healthy and gives our bodies time to heal from the heavy lifting we do.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/podcast/
In this episode of the podcast, I interview the hosts of LiveLeanTV Brad and Jessica Gouthro. Brad and Jess are a husband and wife team on a mission to educate, motivate, and inspire men and women from all over the world to Live Lean all year long.
They have both been in the fitness industry for many years. Brad started his YouTube channel and began creating videos on there back in the early days of YouTube. Jess found his videos and reached out to him to see if she could help in any way. Long story short, they met, fell in love and married.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/podcast/
In this episode of the podcast, I interview Ryan Bergren of The Whitecoat Fitness. Ryan is in the final year of med school but has had a side passion and obsession with health and fitness for about 6 years.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/podcast/
In this episode, I interview Shari Alexender of Observe, Connect, Influence. She prides herself on bringing the dark arts of influence into the light. She made it her mission to discover the techniques used masters of communication (CIA operatives, con-artists, interrogators, trial attorneys, etc) and help people apply those techniques to business.
For more show notes check out www.sidequestfitness.com/podcast/
In the first Coaches Corner episode of 2016, Travis Pollen, Tanner Baze, Nick Sorrell and Robbie Farlow discuss the New Year and how to best help all the new people looking to achieve weight loss in 2016.
We delve into mindset strategies, visual strategies, and why sometimes, yes, you do need to go to an extreme.
For more show notes please check out www.sidequestfitness.com/podcast
In the first episode of 2016, I interview Amy Dix. Amy is a mom of three, a lover of weight lifting, and a coach working to help women discover the power of lifting. She believes that fitness is a tool that can not only transform your body but your mind and spirit. She went through a great transformation not only physically but mentally, once she was able to step away from the clutches of the scale and instead focus on the power she was gaining in lifts.
Amy is also a self-proclaimed nerd who enjoyed old-school text based computer games and then moved on to World of Warcraft.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/podcast
If you are a fit and active man, you know how hard it can be to find shirts that fit and show off your hard work. Enter Mike Zeller of Trim. Mike has created a clothing line that provides fit and active men with shirts designed to fit their bodies. No longer do you have to wear baggy shirts that swallow you, nor do you have to wear slim cuts that bunch up your shoulders and chest. Trim fixes that by making the shoulders and chest wider with a more narrow waist that accentuates that V-shape you have worked so hard to develop. The fabric is high quality, made in the USA, and the fabric is flexible and provides movement even if it is tucked in. Did I also mention they have a 5-year return policy?
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/podcast/
Eric Bach is a strength and conditioning coach out of Denver, CO. He is a former college athlete and collegiate strength and conditioning coach and has been published on numerous sites around the web such as CNN, T-Nation, Elitefts, Muscle and Strength, and many more.
When Eric is not front squatting, cleaning, or sprinting, he can be found by the dumbbells pumping his biceps.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/podcast
In the final episode of Coaches Corner for 2015, I am joined by Tanner Baze, Travis Pollen, Joseph Brigley, Matt Dustin and Nick Sorrell to discuss the year that was 2015.
We dive deep into motivation, fear, accomplishments, and, of course talk about what we loved or hated in the year.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/podcast/
Andy Van Grinsven is Nashville based personal trainer and strength coach.
Andy grew up playing a variety of sports, but lacrosse became his passion in high school. He played on the lacrosse club team at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and helped lead them to a division playoff spot, which hadn’t been done in 10 years.
Andy studied Exercise Science in undergrad at UT, then pursued a Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology.
Upon returning to Nashville in late 2012, the gym he had been hired at four months prior decided to close its doors.
Andy decided to go independent and train clients on his own schedule.
Andy enjoys heavy weight training, and reading a host of articles, books, and studies related to his field.
His interests are injury prevention, corrective exercise, and helping his clients build strong, athletic, and able bodies through heavy weight training. He believes that hard but simple, effective programs are the best to help his clients build strength, improve body composition, and boost confidence.
For more notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com
Roz "The Diva" Mays has dedicated many late nights at the
gym to becoming a stronger and healthier athlete. Pole dancing is her sport of choice but she is also a NASM certified personal trainer.
Roz lives and works in NYC where she trains at Brooklyn Fit Lab, Crunch, Incredipole, and Body and Pole.
Her "fitlosophy" can be defined as, "simple is sexy." She believes in no cleanses, no bullshit, just sweat. And a bomb a$$ playlist.
She was a featured performer on NBC’s America’s Got Talent, Season 10 and has seen a huge reaction from the internet since Howard Stern's initial reaction to her.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com
Jill Coleman of JillFit.com stops by the podcast to talk about how she helps women create a healthy lifestyle. Jill started her fitness career as a babysitter for a local gym when she was 15. Since then she has competed in bikini contests, explored fitness modeling, and is the co-founder of Metabolic Effect.
She grew up in Boston, went to college in NC and now resides in beautiful sunny California. Jill has been featured in publications such as SELF magazine, SHAPE, Women’s Health magazine, Yahoo Health, LiveStrong.com and AOL’s That’s Fit.
In the last few years with her success in fitness, she has launched her own business coaching for aspiring female entrepreneurs called The Best of You Mentorship.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com
Jason Maxwell of JMax Fitness returns to the show. Jason comes on to talk about growing cool moustaches in Movember as well as his one-month bulking program called Decembulk. In his pilot program for this, one of his clients gained 5 pounds of muscle all while enjoying the holiday feasts that trip many of us up during this time of the year. If gaining muscle and not fat is your goal this holiday season this is the program for you.
For the show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/podcast/
In this episode of Coaches Corner, Adam Fisher, Greg Nuckols, and Nick Sorrell and I discuss, strength. We chat about how having more muscle mass gives you the potential to stronger and also why strength matters to us. When it comes to fat loss, longevity, or build an amazing physique, strength is key.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/podcast/
Anytime I find a fellow nerd, video game lover, and weight lifter I get really happy. This week's podcast guest is one of those guys. Adam Ali of Physiqonomics is a writer and fitness coach. He has been featured on sites like BroBible, Strength Theory, Health Living, Heavy Lifting, JMax Fitness and more. Like myself, Adam finds inspiration for his content from all the geeky and nerdy things he grew up on like Super Mario, Dragonball, and video games.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/podcast/
Stuart MacDonald is just a regular guy who in 2008 decided that he wanted to lose his unwanted body fat and try to look like the guy you see on supplement ads. Luckily, for him a local gym owner in his hometown in Michigan was a winning natural IFBB bodybuilder.
Jeff Willet, coached Stuart through the process and helped him finish in the top 5 in a bodybuilding competition. Stuart is my guest on this episode and he is now embarking on a sequel as he gained much of his lost weight back and then some.
For more show notes head to www.sidequestfitness.com/podcast/
Dan John is one of the most recognized, influential, and creative minds in the world of strength and conditioning. He is credited with inventing the Goblet Squat and the athletes he has trained over the years have won countless awards and medals. For more head to www.sidequestfitness.com/interviewwithdanjohn
In the third episode of Coaches Corner, we discuss athleticism. Even if you do not play a sport it is important to train like an athlete. Explosive movements, agility, balance, and strength are all traits that we use every day even if we do not know it. Joining me on this episode are former guests Adam Fisher, Joseph Brigley, & Nick Sorrell.
For the show notes please head to www.sidequestfitness.com/podcast/
In this episode I chat with Mike Yanda of Fast Lane Fitness. Mike is an attorney who also works as a fitness coach on the side, all while being a stay at home dad. Mike realized while in law school just how important it was for him to get into shape. He now applies those same principles he learned on his own in school to help his clients lose fat, build muscle, and get stronger.
For the show notes with links to articles, videos, books, and more head to www.sidequestfitness.com/podcast/
In this episode I interview one of my best friends, Dan Koppenhaver, about his experience of competing at the US National Weightlifting Competition in Dallas, Texas and what went into his training. Dan is a full time firefighter in Durham, NC and when he is not at the station he is usually lifting. Dan has made huge sacrifices to reach the level he is at now, including, waking up to train at 4am before he pulls a 24 hour shift at the firehouse.
Currently, Dan is raising money to get to Reno so that he can compete. Full time firefighters, unfortunately, do not make a lot of money. If you want to help Dan out a little but click this link here which will take you to his GoFundMe account where is is close to his goal. Even just a small donation of $1 can go a long way to help Dan get to Reno so he can crush it!
In this episode we discuss:
- The crispness of autumns arrival
- What physical training for firefighters look like
- What firefighters have to study in regards to emergency training, medical training, etc
- The humbling experience of spending time in the ER during training
- Ben Franklin started one of the first volunteer fire departments
- Remaining humble even while saving lives
- Training never stops
- What spurred his desire to learn the Olympic Lifts
- David Rigert
- Getting back into weight lifting after college
- Joined a local Crossfit Barbell Club after firefighter academy
- John North USA Weightlifting
- FitCon- NC
- Reno- USA Weightlifting Championships
- What he learned from competing
- Travis Mash
- What mistakes he made at his first competition
- Create a ceremony before you lift and do it every time
- Mastering the Mundane: the small details that matter
- Struggling to get sleep while at the firehouse
- Discovering the importance of pre-workout nutrition
- Coffee = happiness
- The psychological benefits of showering
- How much he actually eats in a day
- Ironic Omelets
- Favorite Spice Girl
- Most money he has ever spent drunk at Wendy's
- Longest time he has not taken a shower
- All Natural Gluten Free Showers
- Listening to Katy Perry while squatting, thanks Greg Nuckols
- How long he scrolls through Facebook before he gives up
- Aspects people don't know about firefighting
- Where does he see himself going from here
- Set the bar really high and keep going
- Pants
- GentleGiant (Instagram)
In this episode I interview Andy Morgan of Rippedbody.jp. Andy is an online nutrition coach and trainer who helps people get ripped with no frustration. Andy is one of the best in the industry, backing himself up with the best science available then delivering programs to his clients that get amazing results. He is also one of the pioneers in creating a successful online business.
In this episode we discuss:
- How to adjust diet to successfully bulk
- Birmingham England NOT Alabama
- How did you end up in Osaka
- Angry White Pajamas
- Aikido and the Tokyo Riot Police
- Why He Stopped Martial Arts
- How Getting Hit By an Egg Truck Changed the Direction of his Life
- The Importance of Creating Memories
- Steve Jobs Stanford Speech
- Lean Gains and Martin Berken
- Building the Voice of Reason for Fitness in Japan
- Throw out All Your Best Stuff for Free
- Building Beer Credits Around the World
- Lose weight a slow pace, and smaller than maximal deficits are best, what is your preferred range, 500? 400? 300?
- Struggles of dieting
- The complete guide to setting up your diet
- There are a lot of formulas out there and it can be confusing to anyone, including coaches, so for coaches that are new or maybe follow things "by the book" what is one tip you would give them that has helped you when calculating caloric intake for clients?
- Sense of fullness when eating
- Getting out of bad habits
- The importance of lean body mass on metabolism
- Using tailors tape for measuring progress
- Diet Breaks vs Cheat Days vs Re-Feeds
- Lyle McDonald
- Jason Helmes
- What’s the most money you’ve ever drunkenly spent at McDonald’s?
- How many days have you gone without showering?
- Who was your favourite Spice Girl?
- You are in the finals for the International Air Guitar Championships, what song do you play to take home the crown?
- What person from history would you want to have dinner with
- Hardcore History
- You mention that many people may be able to come off a diet and stop counting macros, in your experience do these people either 1. tend to eat the same meals all the time or 2. have learned enough about most food out there that they just kind of know whether or not they can or cannot eat it?
- Too much stuff in the house
- You mention for us young coaches at the end "be prepared to work long hours", what sacrifice during your long hours did you have to make that was the hardest for you to come to terms with?
- How to Build a Successful Online Personal Training Business
- Tips for young coaches on what to do to create a great online business
- Love What You Do
This is the second episode of the monthly "Coaches Corner" series. This episode is all about supplements.
First and foremost, all the guests and myself advise that before you buy any supplement that you first check with your doctor to see if it is something you need. Joining me in this episode are Tanner Baze, Travis Pollen, Joseph Brigley, Matt Dustin and Mason Woodruff (links to their episodes can be found below)
In this episode we discuss:
-
Travis Pollen, Joseph Brigley, Tanner Baze, Matt Dustin, Mason Woodruff
-
defining the word "supplement"
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Mason and Tanner started their careers at GNC
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sales training for GNC associates
-
prescriptions for natural healing
-
Vitamin Packs and high commissions
-
Most asked question on supplements
-
Fat Burners
-
Selling on Emotion
-
Fat Burners are mostly caffeine pills
-
Supplements are an unregulated market
-
Sneaking in ingredients
-
LabDoor.com and Examine.com
-
WADA (world anti doping agency)
-
Unless you really need to address something, supplements are probably useless
-
Multi-Vitamins
-
Fortified Foods
-
Supplements Travis is taking after his surgery
-
You may not need the supplements you are taking now but may need the ones you are not, ask your doctor
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Creatine
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Why Creatine is important to lifting and more
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Creatine does not make you bloat
-
Examine.com on creatine
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Creatine Phosphate is your main energy source
-
Save your money and focus on diet and lifting, not on supplements at GNC
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Unflavored BCAAs, no bueno
-
Vitamin D on hormone production, fat loss, and more
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NuTropics
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Athletic Greens and Alpha Brain
-
Pre-work outs and do we take them
-
Placebo Effect
-
Coffee and caffeine in sports (eric cressey article)
-
Are protein powders really needed?
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Get food within 3 hours, not 30 minutes
-
Post Workout Monster
-
Protein Powders can help hit protein goals, but are not needed, you can always eat more meat
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Protein Bars, and the down side of sugar alcohols
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BCAAs: Are they needed?
-
It's sexy to worry about the extremes
-
Fish Oil
-
Precision Nutrition on Fish Oil
-
LabDoor.com
-
Biggest Waste of Money We Ever Spent on Supps
-
GO TO YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE YOU BUY ANY SUPPLEMENT
One of my original guests, Jason Helmes of Anyman Fitness, returns to the show. In this episode we got to catch up a little bit on the work he has been doing since he last came on the show in October. Jason is a middle school math teacher but when he is not teaching basic algebra he is helping clients lose weight and gain muscle and strength. We discuss a lot in this episode on running a business, dieting tricks and tips, how our wives never take us too seriously, and mindset just to name a few.
In this episode we discuss:
-
Mr. Tall Guy
-
Billy Madison
-
The resiliency of children
-
His 7 month cut
-
An act in discipline
-
Even coaches do stupid things
-
His fall "fulk" or fat bulk
-
His calorie range during cutting
-
Being a sucker for self experimentation
-
40 pounds down in 7 months
-
The evolution of his training philosophy
-
Has his views on having abs changed
-
One pair of pants
-
The feeling of always chasing something
-
Conquering the psychological and the physical to improve yourself
-
His biggest struggle this cut versus any other
-
Getting better at conquering the mental state
-
Preventing triggers that cause binging
-
Justifications will make fools of us all
-
What he does to stay driven and focused with work, family, training, etc.
-
Dealing with stress and anxiety and learning how to harness better use of time
-
Defining Facebook
-
How to Stop Worrying and Start Living/How to Win Friends and Influence People
-
How to make systems work for you instead of your working for your systems
-
Business is a lack of having systems set up
-
Decisive, 4 Hour Work Week, Gorilla Mindset
-
Phones Off at 8pm
-
His rules he has implemented for his business
-
If you practice with all your focus, you get a lot better faster
-
False Community of our modern society today with social media
-
Jason's e-Book
In this episode I interview Scott Tousignant "The Physique Artist" of Metabolic Masterpiece. Scott is most importantly a husband and father but also happens to be a natural bodybuilder and online fitness coach. He got started at an early age in the world of fitness and achieved his dream of opening and running his own gym. He left that dream after a couple of years because he knew he needed to spend more time with his family. Scott is also co-hosts a podcast host with former Side Quest Podcast guest Bryan Krahn.
In this episode we discuss:
- Being a natural bodybuilder
- Scott's podcast with Bryan Krahn
- The joys of family life
- How he got into fitness
- Finding balance with business and life
- Moving from owning a gym, to training people in home, to coaching online
- The temptation of constantly checking email/social media when with family
- The hardest joy for him to discover on his journey
- Finding motivation as he got older
- Getting back in touch with the old school workouts he did in his parents basement
- His journey from clean eating to a more flexible diet
- Focusing on the day to day stuff
- Developing the mind muscle connection and how it helped him to focus
- Feeling the tension of the lift
- The influence of sports psychology and sports philosophy; mental imagery
- What does he do to get reconnected to his workouts when he gets distracted
- Reduce weight to fill the contraction
- What he does mobility wise as he gets older
- Strength training as he gets older
- Using a foam roller and lacrosse ball
- Fascia stretch therapy
- What is a knot?
- Muscle activation technique
- Alexander technique
- Biofeedback
- Learning guitar
- Taking a Zumba class with his wife
- Guilty Pleasure track
- Favorite swear word
- Who from history he would have dinner with
- What book outside of fitness has influenced him the most
- What would he do if he met 20 year old him
- Silliest thing he ever believed in
- What he learned about himself while being a competitive bodybuilder
- Practice posing to enhance your mind muscle connection
- Lessons of getting super lean and eating low amounts of calories
- Why he won't get back onstage again
- The art of presenting yourself onstage
- Scott and Bryan's episode about coming out of a cut
In today's episode I interview Mitch Heaslip of Mitch Heaslip Fitness and the man behind Fat Loss Inferno on Fitocracy. Mitch is a strength and fat loss coach hailing from Canada but currently residing Dirty D, Dallas, Texas. His clients have been soldiers, police officers, medics and fire fighters. Currently he works in Dallas as a personal trainer and coaches online helping his clients build strength, burn fat, and building a life long commitment to health.
In this episode we discuss:
- how he got into fitness
- his basketball career in high school
- coaching on Fitocracy
- why fat loss inferno
- the mighty Canadians
- media in Canada
- poutine
- get out of your way and crush your own goals
- what goal he had to get out of his own way to achieve
- tiny things he does to help him achieve his goals
- selecting your attitude to start your day
- what he does to fight or u-turn negative thoughts
- fighting ourselves in fat loss
- his one sentence response for explaining fat loss
- the difficulty of cutting out whole macronutrients
- is the extreme approach right for anybody?
- his go to food when he gets a little off plan and cheats
- how he gets himself to bed earlier and the struggle to actually fall asleep
- meditation and its benefits
- meditating outside
- craziest meal idea that he prepped and it turned out to suck
- cooking with a significant other who may not be on a fat loss plan like yourself
- food is sacred
- team work, individual goals, and how to do it with a spouse
- you have to move from love, not fear
- teaching kids about food, they are the adults of the future
- Fat Boys Delight
- the importance of knowing how to cook
- wrap everything in bacon for ultimate wins
- guilty pleasure track
- what superhero would he be
- backstreet or nsync
- who in history would he have dinner with
- one tip for your fat loss journey
- one thing he found wasn't true about Texas
In this week's episode I interview Matt Cleary of The Cleary Theory. Born in Britain, Matt Cleary is one of the best trainers in Dubai today. While in the UK he worked with championship winning athletes in the United Kingdom and United States.
He thinks a little more out loud than some when he writes but he hopes that he can provide inspiration even if he goes on a little bit of a rant. Matt has an uncomfortable relationship with the sun, oves orangutans, irony and superhero movies. He also enjoys to write in the third person.
Matt has a new FREE E-Book available for download on his website, which you can access via this link here.
In this episode we discuss:
Matt Cleary
- 7 Fat Loss Mistakes You Need to Stop Making, his e-book
- His new found obsession with Ben and Jerry's
- Our favorite flavors of Ben and Jerry's
- How many flavors he can get in Dubai
- Training athletes in Britain
- How trainers get to see the positive changes versus someone like a surgeon
- How he learns about comic book characters
- The biceps on Chris Evans and how he changed physically
- What fat loss mistake was the hardest for him to stop making
- Why counting macros/calories is important for me
- How do you as a coach teach IIFYM or Flexible Dieting
- Using food as a reward for exercise
- Estimated calorie burn via apps
- If you don't have time to cook, you don't have time to be on Facebook
- Making his bed every day
- Getting the small wins in anything you do
- Setting your day with the first thought you have each day
- How does he bring himself back from a bad part of the day to finish the day on a good note
- What kind of stuff puts me in a bad mood
- The story of a stain on a pair of pants that make my ass look awesome
- Dealing with the unexpected
- Stoicism
- Marcus Aurelius vs Seneca
- If you can do something about it, then do something about it, if you can't do something about it, don't worry about it
- Essentilism
- Wasting time debating on Facebook
- Do instead of Complain
- Typing lengthy responses on Facebook and then deleting them immediately
- Fitness debates on social media
- Guilty Pleasure track
- Greg Nuckols
- Listening to Podcasts while walking
- What non-fitness based podcast he is hooked on: Hardcore History
- The similarities between European history and Game of Thrones
- What person from history would he have dinner with
- If Emperor Palpatine had been a good dude, he could have implemented good change
- The most ridiculous action movie I have ever heard while drunk in college
- World History Street Fighter
- Gandhi is a dick, in Civ that is
- Video games that suck us in and we can spend hours playing
This is the first episode of a new monthly series I am starting called "Coaches Corner". The 2nd Monday of every month will feature some of my former guests in a roundtable discussion on a random topic. This first episode is all about nutrition. Joining me in this episode are Tanner Baze, Travis Pollen, Joseph Brigley, and Adam Fisher (links to their episodes can be found below)
In this episode we discuss:
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Travis Pollen, Joseph Brigley, Tanner Baze, Adam Fisher
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We try to cover how to simplify nutrition
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what you do and don't really need to know with nurition
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Travis needed to gain weight and began tracking his calorie intake and realized how frustrating it is
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Are there better ways to track macros or other strategies you can implement for success
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Creating a list of foods you can choose from that are acceptable
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Palm sized meal rule
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A lot of foods are made up of all three macronutrients instead of just one
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Teaching a beginner how to track and what macronutrients to eat
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People often know what they have to do
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Write on a piece of paper your number one mistake you are making and put it in your pocket so its on you all the time as a reminder
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People are more likely to follow through on something when they recognize they have a problem
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Josh Hillis, track overall weekly calorie mark
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Rules dieters and intuition dieters
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People eat typically within a 20% range of their daily calorie needs
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How to work with more intuitive eaters
-Precision Nutrition checklist
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Narrative Bias
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How to prevent or deal with stress eating
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Take the opposite route in the office to avoid the trigger foods in the office
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Find a stress buddy who can help you relieve your stress and shift your mindset back to where it needs to be
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Snapchat
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a list of our recommended foods
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Taco Bell breakfast and Cap'N Crunch balls
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What rules are the most basic rules people should follow
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Eat more protein and taste the rainbow of veggies (make the plate colorful)
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The struggle of going out to eat
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Three rules that all diets tend to follow
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flexible dieting is great but people need training wheels for it
-
principles of exercise and nutrition tend to be aimed at those who understand it more
-
the changing of the fitness industry
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Planet Fitness
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Ed Hones
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We have become more domesticated in fitness
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What Comes First Cardio or Weights
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Fad Diets: do they work, don't they work
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Vegan- its hard to get protein while doing this
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Paleo/Zone/Atkins- may be harder to maintain longterm
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More about lifestyle change than diet
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Some people need extremes, some can do moderation
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The biggest challenge to adherence with Paleo
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Using Paleo to help break bad habits
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Better than Before
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Sometimes you need to cut things out permantly until you can build the strength to say no to your triggers
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John Berardi, Dan John, Josh Hillis
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CSPI
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Food quantity determines weight, food quality determines your body composition
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Tanner started out reading Gary Taubes and Sugar Nation
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Mike Izratel- Renassiance Diet
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Simplify nutrition to one sentence
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You know what to do you just need to do it
In this episode I interview JC Deen. JC is one of the smartest and most talented coaches in the online world. As he states on his website he takes a "No BS-Approach to Looking Great Naked." His book Stay Leaner, Longer is one of the best books on habits, exercise, and nutrition with a good helping of great science that I have read in the last couple of years. He has a new book/program out and this time he designed something specifically for women. Hot Bod is his No-BS approach to women's fitness. He has developed a great product that not only provides amazing workouts but provides motivation and access to a community of peers going through the same program.
In this episode we discuss:
- Stay Leaner, Longer
- Hot Bod
- What made him design a project for women
- Gimmicky marketing towards women on fitness results
- His goal to create a community that keeps women engaged while they are on the program
- Coach Stevo’s influence on his work
- The importance of the back and forth among groups
- How groups help keep you supported and accountable and can make great programs even better
- How he got into the fitness industry
- The first diet his mom gave him
- The group in college that kept him active and training after high school athletics
- Friendly competition between his group of training partners
- How reading forums online furthered his interest in bodybuilding and weightlifting
- His mentor
- Trusting his first coach
- Starting his own fitness blog and struggling while working at a call center
- Taking the leap to quit his call center job and making the jump to full time coaching
- Alan Aragon
- Don’t do something you hate, find what you love and focus on it
- Hardest habit for him to master
- Importance of sleep
- How he stays fit while traveling
- Using your suitcase as weight for vacation traveling
- Walking and swimming while on vacation
- Four Learning Styles from Stay Leaner, Longer and which one he falls into
- Struggling to just “do the damn thing”
- Both of our struggles with “over thinking”
- What peril from SLL was the hardest for him to defeat
- How too much information hurt him more
- Arguing to defend our own egos
- His guilty pleasure track
- Favorite swear word
- Worst moving experience
- What famous person from history would he have dinner with
- What about Hot Bod challenged him while creating the program
- Committing to a program for a year to really see the results
- Who the Hot Bod program is for
- Working out alone and the unspoken rule of “don’t speak while at the gym”
- His podcast with Roger Lawson
In today's episode I interview Sohee Lee who has written for Bodybuilding.com, she is the co-host of Physique Science Radio, and is the gate keeper to Biolayne the website of Layne Norton. Sohee is a bikini competitor as well as this year entered her first powerlifting competition which we discuss in the show. Sohee has a BA in Human Biology from Stanford University, so yea needless to say she is a million times smarter than me. She also interned at Cressey Performance as well as worked in NYC at Peak Performance before she moved south to Savannah, GA.
In this episode we discuss:
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How she repaired her relationship with food
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Lifting weights saved my life
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"Get good with grey"
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Resources to help get people comfortable with the grey
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"We do not have to suffer to look good"
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Continue to prove that she walks to walk
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"I am here to make moderation sexy"
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Reverse dieting ebook
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My experiment with reverse dieting
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What reverse dieting is
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How your body becomes more resistant to diet cycles
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Getting more research on reverse dieting
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The oddest data point she can't really explain with reverse dieting with herself or clients
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Training as a powerlifter
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What she enjoys training for more, bikini vs powerlifting
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How both experiences have helped her to gain a better and stronger mindset
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There is no final destination on your fitness journey
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Life is like an RPG
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Everything in fitness boils down to mindset
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You are the Placebo
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What book has influenced her the most as a coach (Power of Habit, Motivational Interviewing, Willpower Instinct)
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Favorite post workout meal
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Guilty Pleasure Track
-
What super hero would she be
-
Best place to eat in Savannah, GA
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What was the biggest roadblock she was able to overcome in her process
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"Don't go for the instant, go for the long term goal"
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What person from history would she have dinner with
EPISODE 50!!!
In the 50th episode I interview Jon Goodman the man who has made it his goal to educate people on how to become a personal trainer through the resources he has developed. Jon has been one of the most successful trainers in the business and on the business side of the fitness industry, Jon, is one of the smartest and most idolized individuals when it comes to running and operating an online business. Jon’s personal training book, Ignite the Fire, is a must have resource for any one new to personal training and it is his goal to get it in the hands of every personal trainer in the world.
In this episode we discuss:
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How he got into the fitness world
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Jon’s personal training book, Ignite the Fire, on Amazon
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Jon's blog and resource(s) on how to become a personal trainer (the Personal Trainer Development Center)
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What Comes First Cardio or Weights
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The moment that spurred him to start the PTDC
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How he goes about building relationships with people
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Don't wish someone happy birthday on Facebook, contact them randomly
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Show that you care
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Why do young trainers struggle with creating relationships
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Focus, what is the most important thing right now
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Do the extra two seconds that no one else is willing to do
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How does he keep his focus on what he is doing
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Spend at least half an hour a day on a project he is currently working on
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Becoming an outsider for the ecosystem of the industry he works in
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We're too close to stuff
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Spending time alone with his thoughts and what he learned or learns while getting away from the world
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A metal spoon
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A Gluten Free Vegan Italian Restaurant
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Should new entrepreneurs need to hire a business coach
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Making the PTDC weekly best of list
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What are his current goals in business
-
If you do something for money you have nothing, if you do something for yourself and it fails- Neil Gaiman
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What is specific to what you want to achieve either in fitness or business
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What his training looks like now and how he trains when traveling
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Where he finds the places he stays at
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His travel hack(s) that he has used occasionally
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Guilty Pleasure track
-
His favorite super hero
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Connecting with the the character that was behind the scenes i.e. Donatello and the Blue Ranger
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From Certification to Qualification
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Ignite the Fire Audio Book
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Two industries: one sells books the other changes lives
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The act of dreaming and how it sells books
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Dave Eager- What is the What
-
Haruki Murakami
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S by JJ Abrams and Doug Dorst
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How he schedules his day
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What is it that I need to spend my time on
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Make yourself scarce
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Taking the time to do what no one else is willing to do
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If you cant take care of yourself you cant take care of others
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Greatest mistake he made and what he learned from it
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Creating templates for clients
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What clients are really paying you for
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Who from history he would have dinner with
In this episode I interview Kennett Waale. Kennett's goal as a coach is to help clients reach and achieve their physical and mental potential. Kennett and I share a lot in common, besides our sexy ginger colored hair, in that we both look at things from a larger mental stand point when it comes to achieving goals. He is also a mobility master and below you can find a link to his free mobility e-Book!
In this episode we discuss:
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Coffee shops as entrepreneurial playgrounds
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Growing up in Norway
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His dream of playing ice hockey
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His struggle with pain that prevented him from playing sports
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Spending time with Tony Gentilcore and Eric Cressey
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Being your own worst critic
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Having a humble mind
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Things I have learned very quickly running a boot camp
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New trainers and falling into the trap of correlation causation
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Client struggles with correlation vs causation
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Factors outside of training and how it can affect training itself
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If you are not up to par with WHY you train you won't see the results you want
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Why I Train
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Simon Sceneick "leaders eat last"
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You should leave the gym with more energy than when you came in
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How do you help clients improve mindset outside the gym
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Its not about the training, its about everything else
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It's not about smashing people, it's about educating people and fostering relationships
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Coach Stevo of Habitry
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Dusting my acting chops off
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Going the extra mile for clients
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It comes down to habits which also applies to movements
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You don't have to change your whole life at once
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Fast Food Personal Trainers
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Getting serious about mobility
-Kennet's Mobility eBook
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Limber 11
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Joint circles can help a great majority of people
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Gradually expose yourself to movements
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Technique + strength +flexibility= mobility
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Guilty Pleasure track
-
MY GUILTY PLEASURE TRACK
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What super hero he would be
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Who would he rather train with Hugh Jackman or Chris Hemsworth
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Where he grew up in Norway
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Flying the most expensive flight on Air Emirates
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What book has been the most influential on him as a coach
Reawken the Giant within; 48 Laws of power
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What philosophy book helped him conquer his demons
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Observing your parents and learning from them
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What person from history would he have dinner with
In this episode I interview Kia Khadem. I met Kia at the KC Fitness Summit and after chatting with him knew he would be a great guest to get on. He is also doing some great work in his writing as well as around Toronto and more people should know about him. Kia has three principles that guide his fitness philosophy with his clients: get back to the basic, address habits one at a time, and have fun.
In this episode we discuss:
- How he got into fitness
- His philosophy of fitness
- His hardest habit he has had to build into his own life
- Jordan Syatt's 8 Rules of Productivity
- The struggle of working when we should be eating
- His time competing as a bodybuilder
- How he learned to not use a scale with everything
- His almost year long streak on myfitnesspal
- Changes to your diet don't have to be so severe
- His biggest struggle in his dieting process
- Fitting his cravings in small ways each day
- Cheat days and how they ruined his fat loss
- Spending $75 on a cheat day
- The epic hamburger I ate in Richmond
- If you enjoy and dont feel like you cheated, its a lot healthier way to look at things
- Our bodies are on a continuous clock
- Pre-workout versus fasted workouts
- The Hero that taught him a lot about goals
- The craziness of weight fluctuation
- The liberation of getting away from the scale
- Where does he start people who have never been in a gym
- How coming into the gym is like taking a cooking class
- The Robin to your Batman
- Coming up with your own coaching cues with clients
- Nick Winkelman
- Keeping it simple
- His favorite superhero
- His guilty pleasure track
- Backstreets Back vs Bye Bye Bye
- What famous person he would have dinner with
- McDonald's Apple Pie in Scotland
Links
Kia Khadem
Fitocracy
TIn this epiosde I interview Tony Gentilcore of Cressey Sports Performance. Tony has written for T-Nation, Bodybuilding.com, Livestrong, Men's Health, and more. He is now the #1 guy at Cressey Sports Performance in Boston and a go to source for anyone looking for information on fitness. He is also a giant nerd who loves Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, 90s hip-hop, and movies.
We discuss:
- How he got into fitness
- Living and working with eric cressey
- Young trainers, spend time in a commercial gym and learn how to be a people person
- Wearing sweatpants
- His bowling game
- Being an active kid and drinking pitchers of kool aid
- The benefits of playing multiple sports in youth athletes
- Why baseball players dont need to run for long distance
- Entitlement in youth athletetics
- We need to learn how to fail (article)
- Its not all about winning, but it kinda is
- What book has influenced him the most as a coach(Upside of Down)(The Power of Habit)
- Decisive (Chip Heath) Switch, Made to Stick
- The Martian
- Tony's list of movies and books on his site
- Where did the orange in the armpit come from
- Hardest habit for him to establish
- Always be mindful that you dont know everything
- That feeling when you hear someone speak and you feel like you know nothing
- Favorite place to get work done in boston
- Purposefully stayed away from star wars leaks online
- Kevin Smith on the Star Wars set
- Favorite extended universe character
- The ewok movies were my first introduction to star wars
- Favorite non-action arnold movie
- Who is superior the Jedi or the Sith
- Playing lightsaber with sticks
- The Star Wars kid
- What he does to deal with stress
- Guilty Pleasure Track
- Gandolf, Mr. Miagi, Yoda
In this episode I interview Jay Scott of Full Disclosure Fitness and the Full Disclosure Fintess Podcast. Jay has been in the industry for over 15 years and started the podcast to help "pull back the curtains" on the information out there about nutrition or programs whether good or bad. Jay wrote his first book in 2011 and is in the process of re-editing it now to put out an updated and expanded edition.
In this episode we discuss:
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How he was the runt of the litter and starting working out just to see muscle in his arms
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Finding the big boulders and learning to ignore the grains of sand
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The boulders he has had to focus on in business or fitness
-
Could protein be the next gluten fad?
-Fats and carbs are more malleable since they are fuel sources
-
Super high protein diets of old
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.82 grams experiment
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Jay's free report on calories
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How he tries to educate listeners of his podcast
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What has he learned from his guests
-
More than one way to skin a cat
-
Who inspires him
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Alan Aragon, Brad Schoenfield, JC Deen, Chad Landers
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How Alan Aragon schooled him on the Bodybuilding.com message boards
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How I started to realize Paleo was full of crap
-
Are flexible dieting and IIFYM followers breaking their own rules
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Bacon wrapped grilled cheese
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The difficulty of omelets
-
His first book
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Just get out there and get started; start THEN fix your direction
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What inspires him to keep going when he wants to give up and quit
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Sometimes you should quit something; the difficulty of deciding if you need to quit or need to persevere
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Pyscho cybernetics
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Play what can go right in your mind as opposed to what can go wrong
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Do you want to strengthen the worry or the accomplishment side
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Visualize your goals
-
His favorite super hero
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The mindset of sports stars today
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Be happy on all the rungs as you go up
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His guilty pleasure track for the gym
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Famous person he would have dinner with
-
A wee chat about movie stars
Links
Full Disclosure Fintess Podcast
In this episode I interview Kevin Larabee of The FitCast, arguably the first fitness centered podcast. Kevin has interned and studied with two of the most well known names in the strength and conditioning world as well as worked in the video game industry. Kevin loves fitness but is also a huge fan of video games and even runs a second podcast dedicated to playing replaying retro games and talking about them (Back in My Play). I had Kevin come on to chat about our mutual love of fitness and video games and recap about E3 that happened last week. E3 is the biggest video game convention in the industry and is usually where new games are shown and teased for the holiday season.
In this episode we discuss:
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Being the host of the FitCast
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How he got into the world of fitness
-
His time interning for Mike Boyle and Eric Cressey
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What he has learned from Mike Boyle
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What drives his passion with fitness and as a coach
-
Coaching middle school athletes
-
Nintendo taught us how to solve problems and puzzles
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How he finds time to play games
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Batman Arkham Knight
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When and how he started Back in my Play as his second podcast
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Why he left an internship with Mike Boyle to work to work for GameTrailers
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Video game journalism
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What game got him really excited during E3 week
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Just Cause 3, Battlefront, Fallout, Halo 5, Forza 6, Tomb Raider
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Uncharted series
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Why Microsoft KILLED it at E3
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Including Kinect with the XBox One and why it was a misstep for Microsoft
-
What is the gaming industry doing right and what are they doing wrong in the world today
-
Selling broken, unplayable games
-
Why he does not buy digital games
-
Cross buy with Playstation, console makers fighting for gamers, backwards compatibility, the new consoles are finally getting the support they deserve
-
The game that drove him the most nuts
-
Gimmick
-
What video game character would he want to get sucked into
-
What makes a perfect game for him
-
His guilty pleasure workout track
-
The person from history he would have dinner with
-
Twitter (Kevin's and FitCast), Back in my Play
-
Certified Functional Strength Coach
-
Twitch Channel
-
Upcoming episode of Back in my Play
Links
Twitch
Back in My Play
The FitCast
In this episode I interview the one and only Jen Sinkler. Jen is one of the most well known and respected women in fitness having written for magazines such as Women's Health, Men's Health, SHAPE, and many more. Jen lives by her motto of "Unapologettically Strong" and works hard to spread that message to more and more women in the world. Her programs Lift Weights Faster and Lift Weights Faster 2 have helped tons of women get stronger and leaner in less than 20 minutes a session. Jen also fights to promote positive body image among women and works hard to promote the idea of becoming unapologetic in all aspects of life.
In this episode we discuss:
-
How she got into fitness
-
How she moved from fitness editor to fitness coach
-
The desire to want to learn it all
-
Why the Jefferson deadlift
-
Lift Weight Faster 2
-
Why metabolic resistance training is her go to
-
Why she ran away from home for the summer
-
How the idea of "Unapologetically Strong" has bleed into more of her life than just fitness
-
What drives her ambition and passion
-
What can we find and learn and think about in a new way
-
Exercise and training is a part of my day, its a part of your life that you love
-
Why rugby
-
How rugby is a body positive sport
-
Rugby has lower concussion rates
-
Cheek to cheek tackling
-
Lip Gloss
-
Her biggest consistency challenge
-
Urban Athlete in Philly
-
How building a community and being in a group got her back into fitness
-
Glitter at Movement Minneapolis
-
Best breakfast she has ever made
-
Breakfast off with Max Shank
-
Omelets versus scrambles
-
Gengis Khan is Batman
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The awesomeness that is our dogs
Links
Fitocracy
Side Quest Fitness
Jen Sinkler
Lift Weights Faster
In this episode I interview Armi Legge the founder and creator of Evidence Magazine. Armi became passionate about health and fitness around the tender age of four years old and as a junior in high school was a nationally ranked triathlete. He began his writing career at the age of 16 and has not stopped since. Armi also hosts the Evidence Radio podcast.
Jeannine Trimboli is a writer and coach over at Real [FIT] Life. She spoke recently at the 2015 Fitness Summit in Kansas City of which I had the pleasure of attending for the first time. Her presentation hit hard but captured a spirit of "we can do better."
She had a lot of things she did not get to in the presentation, so I wanted to have her on the show to share some of what she spoke about as well as to cover some of the things she did not get the chance to cover.
There are a lot of links here that I highly suggest you click on and check out as well. The information and thoughts presented in them are things I think would benefit all men and women to ponder on.
In this episode I interview Matt Cordery of We The Powerful. Matt is a trainer and fitness blogger from Australia. He is also a giant nerd with a unique view on fitness and life.
In this episode we discuss:
- Time differences
- How he got into fitness
- Goals and personal pursuits
- What weakness he avoided training for the longest time
- The importance of mobility movements and stretching
- Limber 11
- Who inspires him
- Dan John, Eric Cressey, Louie Simmons, Tony Gentilcore, Greg Nuckols
- Age of Ultron
- Hugh Jackman and Chris Hemsworth
- His tattoo and what it means
- Prometheus
- Deloading and its importance
- How he motivates himself to take a deload week
- Bodyweight training is a great deload strategy when you want to get some exercise in
- What impulse buy is the most tempting for him at the store
- The marketing lies of the "health food industry"
- Snacking and how it can harm weight loss
- Marketing buzzwords
- Teaching proper nutrition in schools and how we suck at it
- Guilty pleasure music on his playlist (The Beards)
- What super power he would have if he could be a super hero
- Marvel vs DC
- Social Media and life today versus the past
Links
We, the Powerful
Fitocracy
In this episode I interview the creator and CEO of a brand new nutrition App called Fudist. Fudist finds meals at restaurants near you that fit your nutrition needs. No need to sign up for delivery or subscriptions; using GPS and their gigantic database, the App will find thousands of healthy meal combinations near you, whether you're a bodybuilder, a fat-burner, or a diabetic. Fudist's goal is to make eating healthy as easy as eating unhealthy
In this episode we discuss:
- What the Fudist App does and how it can help you keep diet on point
- What is tracked is managed
- Equals and Alternatives
- Emotional reaction words that marketers use
- Why he created Fudist and what inspired him to do so
- Flexible Dieting
- How he obtained all the nutritional data from restaurants nationwide
- When and why he decided to step off the cliff and build his business and App
- Fudist allows you to split rest day and workout day macros
- How Fudist recommends food at restaurants
- How Fudist will help to guide you to eat at mom and pop places and not chains
- BBQ
- Food distribution and how a lot of it comes from similar sources
- How Fudist can help you to become mindful about what you eat
- Using the App while driving down the interstate
- The App he just cannot stop using
- Favorite 80s Action Movie hero
- JEM
- How awful the writing was on Boy Meets World
- The awesomeness of the 90s
- What Superhero would he choose to be
- Marvel vs DC
- How Fudist can help simplify your life
- Fudi.st in the App Store or Google Play or online
Links
Fudist
Flexible Dieting
Equals and Alternatives
In this episode I interview Jason Maxwell of JMax Fitness. Jason went to school where he majored in aero space engineering and became a real rocket scientist. While in college he became a personal trainer and found that he wanted to help others achieve the physique/strength goals he had achieved. He started his blog as a side project but found that he connected with readers through it and decided to devote his time to the science of health and nutrition as opposed to rockets and Mars.
In this episode we discuss:
- What super hero he would be
- Who influenced his philosophy as he got into fitness
- What his training looks like now
- How he diets down when he is cutting
- How he measures food without a scale
- Rabbit meat
- Daily Undulated Periodization (DUP) and how it helps you get stronger
- How DUP helps you to get stronger in every rep range
- Texas Method
- Rules He Lives By
- "When you walk by the mirror flex"
- New rules he has added to his daily routine
Links
Jmax Fitness
DUP
Robert dos Remedios
.82 Protein Cut
In this episode Tanner Baze and I geek out over Star Wars and give away our free 6 week Star Wars strength and hypertrophy program.
You can download it for free by heading here or here
In this episode I interview Mike Samuels of Healthy Living, Heavy Lifting. He is a personal trainer and online coach from England. Mike is a reformed "clean" eater and has had success in competing in physique competitions. He started as a cardio junkie but found his passion for strength training and bodybuilding. Mike has written for STACK, EliteFTS, and LIVESTRONG to name a few.
In this episode we discuss:
- how he got into training
- his struggles with clean eating and how Lane Norton opened his eyes to flexible dieting
- moderation and how you can help clients learn it
- hardest part of training for a bodybuilding show
- cravings and their impacts on restrictive diets
- the buffet struggle
- how to create rules and schedule cheat days/feast days
- what superhero he would be
- what guility pleasure he listens to on his workout mix
- what famous person in history he would have dinner with
- Daily Undulating Periodization Training
Links
Mike's Site
DUP Training
Layne Norton
Tim Ferriss
In this episode I interview Steven Ledbetter aka Coach Stevo. Steven M. Ledbetter, aka “Coach Stevo” is a bonafide fitness nerd. He has a BA in Philosophy from the University of Chicago, an MA in Sport Psychology from John F. Kennedy University, is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and has been Russian Kettlebell Certified. He has been an intern for Dan John, arguably the best strength coach in the world, who certified Coach Stevo the only “Master Dan John, Level II” trainer in the world while they were drinking pickle backs.
In this episode we discuss:
- How he got into fitness
- What habit is/was the hardest for him to implement
- Creating habit change for things you ahte
- "If you bang your head against the wall constantly, you are probably trying to open the wrong door"
- Who inspired his fitness philosophy
- Mike Boyle
- Dan John
- The cognitive side of fitness
- Problems people think they have but actually just lack focus
- How to re-steer clients who get off track
- Many are stubborn in pursuit of the path they have chosen, few in pursuit of the goal.- Friedrich Nietzsche
- Pursuit of relentless focus on momentum
- We are our own worst critics
- Joys of group coaching
- How to create communities online
- Lack of community within Big Box gyms
- Community first; gym second
- Mark Fisher Fitness
- Creating safe places for people
- Why we need communities
- Self-determination theory
- How "nerd" has been redefined
- What super power he wishes he could have
- Famous person from history he would have dinner with
- Johnny Cash
Links
Habitry
We Make Communities
Steven's Site
In this episode I interview Omar Atlas of Alpha Aesthetics. Omar was once a PhD candidate in Psychology who found a love for working out while in college. He works with clients to help develop the best in themselves as well as a community of like minded individuals. He firmly believes that every major successful intervention for behavior change in the history of mankind involved dedicated communities who actively fostered conditions that help satisfy people’s need for autonomy, competence, and belonging.
In this episode we discuss:
-
Why Alpha?
-
how he got into the world of fitness
-
the story of a girl that broke his heart
-
who shaped his philosophy as a trainer
-
what he is working on now
-
his love of training upper body over lower body right now in life
-
Accountability
-
Nietzche and finding meaning in life
-
The struggle of humanity looking for meaning now and how we fight for things that have no real weight to them
-
What super power he wishes he could have
-
guilty pleasure tracks
-
What person in history he would have dinner with
-
Favorite Arnold movie
-
Favorite chest exercises
Links
Fitocracy
Omar's Site
Coach Steveo
In this episode I interview Travis Pollen of Fitness Pollenator. Travis was born with Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency a rare birth defect that fuses the leg bone to your hip bone resulting in only having one leg. Growing up Travis found that it became harder and harder to compete in athletic competitions with friends until he found swimming. To get prepared for the 2012 Paralympic he hired a strength coach for the weight room. That next season in college he set an American record for the 100 meter freestyle for swimmers missing one arm or leg. After he ended his swimming career he found he had a passion for lifting weights. He is currently pursuing a degree in Bio-mechanics and Movement Science at the University of Delaware.
In this episode we discuss:
-
How bio-mechanics and using robots are bettering peoples lives
-
His PhD will be him building an Iron Man suit
-
Proximal femeral deficiency
-
Lifting on one leg
-
Why he left the world of physics and went to bio-mechanics
-
Is there something really cool you found working in bio-mechanics, that you want to study more of when you get your PhD
-
Why he started his own podcast
-
What work he believes shows off his best work
-
What's Your Favorite Position
-
Favorite Fiction book
-
Crossfit Games and how they inspire him
-
What sci-fi book he loved but hated the film adaptation
-
The one fitness book you are reading right now that you are on fire about
-
Who inspires Travis
-The Crossfit games have become the new x-games
- The good and the bad of Crossfit and coaching
Links
Supple Leopard
Fitness Pollenator
Travis Interview with Comcast Sports
Deadlifting on One Leg
In this episode I chat with Ben Hessel of Gym Free Fitness. Ben lives and works in Arizona and created his business aimed at helping people get in shape who were not fans of the gym atmosphere. Ben is a no non-sense kind of coach who believes in helping his clients find long term sustainable approaches to diet and exercise. He also hates detoxes with a passion.
In this episode we discuss:
-
how he got into fitness
-
why gym free
-
how he built a niche with clients who were not fans of the gym
-
TRX ropes
-
how he stays fit or advises people on staying fit on the road
-
living out west vs living out east
-
how dancers typically become great lifters
-
what he has learned at the NASM
-
there is much more to being a trainer than just "working out"
-
if you have a passion, just go for it
-
how we view our lives at different points
-
craziest thing he experimented with in fitness/nutrition
-
Eat, Stop, Eat
-
what we both love about intermittent fasting
-
why men should focus a little more on glutes
-
why hip thrusts matter for the bedroom
-
do we associate "healthy" with expensive so we have an excuse not to try to lose weight
-
organic vs non-organic for normal, everyday people
-
saving money on food to invest in a coach
-
guilty pleasure track
-
favorite quest bar
Links
Eat. Stop. Eat.
Gym Free Workouts
glutes post
Fitocracy
In this episode I chat with Tanner Baze. Tanner has written for BroBible and is a new contributor to Elite Daily. Tanner works with a wide range of clients at his gym he near Atlanta as well as coaching online at Fitocracy and through his site. He is a huge nerd and avid reader. His love of reading is what drove him to devour all the knowledge he could on Fitness.
In this Episode we discuss:
-the awesomeness of Atlanta
-
that time Julius Peppers sold me pizza
-
how he got started in the world of fitness
-
how he moved from GNC to becoming a trainer
-
the sleaziness of some supplement companies
-
the joys of retail
-
the story of how toilet paper caused me to meet my wife
-
what it was like growing up in Texas
-
the Walking Dead
-
how his philosophy has changed over time
-
how he balances work and life
-
the struggles of writing
-
the struggle of finding who you are
-
how growing up I was Screech
-
his geek side
-
our mutual love of emo music
-
why he wants people to be a Jedi of Fitness
-
Sith vs Jedi
-
Why Mace Windu is badass
-
Kevin Smith on Episode 7
-
Guilty Pleasure track
-
one super hero he would be and what power his power would be
Links
John Goodman
Alan Aragon Research Review
Topher Grace Prequels
Red Letter Media
In this episode I chat with Jordan Syatt of Syatt Fitness in Boston. Jordan is a 5x World Record Powerlifter and has lifted 4x his bodyweight on the deadlift. He has been featured on CNN, The Huffington Post, Men’s Fitness Magazine, Schwarzenegger.com, T-Nation.com and more. He was also included in the Fitocracy 30 under 30: The Young Professionals Changing the Face of Fitness in 2014. He has released a new e-book entitled Raw Strength for Powerlifting: Your 12 Week Peaking Program to help people add huge gains to their strenght PRs. He has now moved from training just for strength and is aspiring to succeed at a the new challenge of Brazilian Ju-Jitsu.
In this episode we discuss:
-
lifting 4x his bodyweight (132 pounds) on a deadlift
-
how to frame your mind for the long haul of getting stronger
-
strength is not linear
-
why the sumo over the conventional
-
what you do to keep the barbell from rolling away on a deadlift
-
his new book Raw Strength
-
how he developed his training principles
-
one thing he has learned on his own that has benefited him in training/biz/or life in general
-
people don't see results because they dont follow a program long enough.
-
why some people treat fitness like Frogger
-
wanting it all now vs hustling
-
how he keeps his client accountable
-
flexible dieting and how it is a progression
-
what wizard house he would be in and what spell would be his favorite spell
-
A whiskey a day keeps the doctor at bay
-
Power Ranger Reboot
-
What color would be be as a Ranger and what animal would his Zord be
-
his spirit animal
-
The Rock
-
what historical figure would he have dinner with
-
His quest to become a ninja
-
How heavy lifting will help him in Brazilian Ju-Jitsu
-
How he learned to backflip in 20 minutes
-
his guilty pleasure track
-
How Lightsabers and Wizard Wands could solve World Peace
In this episode I chat with Ed Hones the 2014 r/Fitness Best Weight Loss Transformation winner. Ed was clinically obese in 2011 and has been a very long weight loss journey. He started out as a "cardio bunny", went super hard core Paleo even while living in Africa, and after finding Mark Rippetoe started to lift heavy where he saw his best results.
In this episode we discuss:
-
the moment he realized he needed to lose the weight
-
his introduction to Paleo and low carb diets
-
his time in Africa and how that affected his ability to eat low carb
-
why he calls himself "stupid happy"
-
what lifts he looks forward to
-
bodybuilding competitions
-
where he wants to go now
-
guilty pleasure track
-
super heroes
Links
Ed's Story
Mark Rippetoe
In this episode I interview Matthew Ibrahim of Mobility 101. Matthew Ibrahim is a Strength and Conditioning Coach with an evidence-based approach to human movement, biomechanics and injury-prevention, and is knowledgeable on how each area impacts performance in sports and in life. Matt believes everyone is an athlete. Everyone has the ability to be an athlete and reach their full potential in performance and in life.
In this episode we discuss:
-the joy of talking and actually connecting with people
-how he got into fitness and especially how he fell in love with mobility
-you only get one body, take care of your body
-his philosophy that everyone has a internal athlete
-Core Function and Mobility
-Can we as professionals in the industry do better at educating clients
-One piece of mobility every seasoned lifters should include in their programs
-Hip flexor and opening your hips
-Lacrosse ball vs foam roller
-Best tricks for helping recovery
-Optimizing mobility within our exercises not just pre/post workout
-Guilty pleasure track
-Brady vs Big Poppy
-his biggest struggle
-7 things trainers could know and how non-trainers can apply those to life
-Will Smith and building a wall
Matt's Website (links to a few articles)
Eric Thomas
Tetris Planks
Dr. Stuart McGill
Jill Coleman
Everyday is Gameday
In this episode I chat with Mason Woodruff. Mason is a trainer in Arkansas and a coach on Fitocracy. He has completed a 600 pound plus deadlift as well as squatted over 500 pounds. He also appeared on the Super Bowl Sunday Fun TIme show but is back for his own 1 on 1 episode now.
-
how a bachelor diet affected his basketball performance/career
-
Arkansas
-
what he does outside for physical fitness
-
which behaviors were his hardest to change
-
what foods are his cornerstones
-
some cardio/conditioning is beneficial
-
his favorite power/explosive exercise
-
It's all in the hips
-
how/why he uses kettlebells as a coach
-
The Mountain and a 1000 year old record
-
what he does to take care of himself
-
his February diet experiment
-
the twinkie diet guy
-
getting those huge arms/forearms
-
importance of grip strength
-
who inspires him
-
Hardcore History
-
education as a young men and things we wish were taught
-
2 Cellos
Dr Kirk Parsley
Elliot Hulse
Barbell Shrugged
Tim Ferris
Mason's Site
In this episode I interview the co-Founder of Fitocracy, Dick Talens. Dick grew up a "fat kid" and discovered his own tricks to fat loss that he now applies with his clients. He even competed in a bodybuilding show in the mid 2000s. Dick is a prolific writer and has written for LifeHacker, Bodybuilding.com, Schwarzenegger, and much much more. He was also named one of the top 100 Most Influental People in Health and Fitness by Greatist this year.
Dick is one of a kind in the fitness industry and one of the most fun people to chat with.
In this episode we discuss:
-
how he keeps himself from getting distracted
-
his story and how he moved from fat kid to bodybuilder
-
would he recommend anyone try a bodybuilding show just once
-
dude we should own a bar! and call it puzzles!
-
where the birth of the idea for Fitocracy came from
-
his favorite game ever, Nexus the Kingdom of Winds
-
his history of trolling and why he does it
-
his failed cupcake business
-
how he might make a great reality tv star
-
which harsh truth of dieting was the hardest for him to face
-
unique cultural expressions
-
what he used to hold as truth but has changed over time
-
sugar today vs 50 years ago
-
the commonality between people who change their deep held beliefs
-
problems with research scientists and pub med studies
-
what his regiment looks like meow
-
his current coach Ben Tormey
-
what famous person from history he would want to meet from history
-
how he met Mike Vacanti and how he is dead to him
links
I Want to Look Like That Guy
Roger Lawson
Matt Perryman
In this episode I interview author, entrepreneur, weightlifter, and travel photographer James Clear. James has written an amazing eBook on how to transfer your habits. He is a firm believer that if you can master your habits, you can master your life.
A Duke University study showed that 45% of what we do each day is habitual. James came on the show to chat about how he coaches people to transform their habits as well as how he maintains a high level of fitness even with a busy schedule.
He is also an accomplished athlete who in 2008 was named an Academic All American for baseball by ESPN and in 2012 he was a finalist for the Travel Photographer of the Year award.
In this episode we discuss:
-
how sports helped him establish routines
-
his hardest habit to master
-
his process for building habits
-
habits are not a finish line, they are a lifestyle/pattern to commit to
-
implementation intention
-
his history with power lifting and current regiment
-
favorite lift
-
how he structures workouts when he is on the road
-his favorite place to shoot photos and the one he wants to visit the most
-
his guilty pleasure work out track
-
one famous person from history he would have dinner with (Mark Twain and Richard Feynman)
-
the difference between routines and habits
-
creating ceremony/rituals for new habits
-
morning routines
-how he coaches people to build habits
-
the super hero he would be
-
if his life were an action movie who would play James Clear
-
who inspires him
Links
Fitocracy
Side Quest Fitness
The Willpower Instinct
Humans of New York
Into Thin Air
James's eBook on Habits
In the 25th episode I interview Allison of Barefoot and Fit. She comes from the cold north of Saskatchewan. Her exercise of choice is running and she has completed two half-marathons. She also was recently diagnosed with Graves Disease and has been fighting back to normalcy over the last few months. She specializes in fitness for beginners and weight loss for women.
In this episode we discuss:
-
how she got started in fitness
-
how she trains for marathons
-
she explains to me how to train for marathons because I hate running
-
her recent diagnoses of Graves disease
-
how she has battled back from barely being able to walk
-
my love of terriers
-
how she dealt with the emotional distress of not being able to run
-
how she is learning to begin again and how that helps her as a coach
-
the nutrition of running
-
what she has done to stay positive while battle Graves Disease
-
songs that keep her pumped during a run
-
what she does when its not crazy cold in Saskatchewan
In this episode I am joined by two former guests Brian Compton and Nick Sorrell and a soon to be heard from guest Mason Woodruff as we have a round table discussion about the Super Bowl and the NFL season. We even throw in some impressions and do some talking about fantasy super stars and college QBs turning pro.
In this episode I chat with Jorden Pagel of Jorden Pagel Fitness. Jordan lives and trains and works with clients in Wisconsin and wants to one day work with athletes himself.
In this episode we discuss:
-
how he got into the fitness and lost 80 pounds over time
-
health and fitness are a lifetime commitment and not just a 12 week process
-
Intermittent Fasting
-
Fasted training
-
Flexible dieting
-
Favorite flavor of Ben and Jerry's
-
Equals and Alternatives
-
Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers
-
Sumo Wrestling and NFL Linemen
-
Favorite/Most Hated Lift
-
Who has influenced him
-
how open and willing trainers are to help
-
Country Music
Links
Pavel Tsatouline Interview
Jorden's Site
Equals and Alternatives
In this episode I interview Dell Farrell. She competed in her first bikini contest this year in Las Vegas and when not on stage is working as a trainer in Australia. She has a new program that she has launched in tandem with Greg O'Gallagher, who came on the show before.
In this episode we discuss:
- how she struggled with extreme dieting, fad diets, and excessive exercise and how she arrived at moderation
- The importance of tracking what you eat
- her first experience with bikini competition
- slow and steady wins the race
- do the thing you are most afraid to do
- muay thai
- self acceptance vs guilting yourself
-
getting white girl wasted
-
Eckhart Tolle- The Presence of Now
- Daily affirmations she tells herself each day
- the power of meditation
- Her program she has launched with Greg O'Gallagher
- how can I make everything 2% better than yesterday
- toughest habit to build
- favorite ice cream flavor
- riding horses as a stress relief
- Hugh Jackman vs Chris Hemsworth
- the one thing she misses about America that Australia doesn't have
- what food did she eat post competition
- the expense of competing in figure/bikini
Links
Dell's Program with Greg O'Gallagher
Dell's Website
In this episode I chat with Adam Duggan of The Aesthetic Build. Adam is a trainer who coaches with Fitocracy as well as owns his own gym in Chattanooga, TN. He beat cancer as a child then fought back from an eating disorder in his teens. Adam has had a lot of obstacles and one person changed all that one day by befriending him and introducing him to weight lifting.
In this episode we discuss:
- how he got into fitness
- his struggle with an eating disorder
- how an amateur bodybuilder helped him to get over his disorder and get healthier
- body images issues with men
- intimidation of weights or weight loss
- treadmill skills ala Ok Go
- Jedi mentality vs Sith Mentality
- how fear is one of the greatest motivators/paralyzers
- our admiration for Stuart Scott
- who inspired his Super-heroine physique program
- bulking
- reverse dieting
- three most important habits he helps clients build
- having a support system
- who inspires him
- guilty pleasure track
Links
Fitocracy
The Aesthetic Build
What Got Us Here, Won't Get Us There
In this episode I interview Suzanne Digre of Workout Nirvana. Suzanne is an online fitness coach based out of Denver, Colorado and is starting her new Lean and Strong program on Fitocracy starting on Jan 12. She has been training herself for years and launched her coaching business a couple years ago. She has gotten amazing results from her clients and is an amazing motivator.
In this epiosde we discuss:
goals she conquered in 2014
how she got into training and writing online
how she started working out at home and got confident before she moved into a gym
the miscoception of women bulking when lifting weights
how she teaches clients to "on-it" when in the gym
how chit chatting can kill your focus in the gym
setting micro goals to achieve larger goals
how she is working on eating more veggies
her favorite thing about colorado
how making new habits non-negotiable can help you make positive changes
her Lean and Strong program starting on Jan 12th
how to conquer self-limiting thoughts
how she conquers those tiny negative voices
go to meal in a pinch
absolute favorite lift
The Carbonaro Effect
expose-come go with me
my go to dance at a wedding
Links:
Suzanne's Site
Fitocracy
In the first episode of 2015 I interview Thom Lamb. Thom is a former Canadian Military Engineer who is now a full time strength and conditioning coach in Canada. He has set numerous national and world records in power lifting but his real passion is his clients and helping them discover their hidden potential.
In this episode we discuss:
- why his name is Thom and not Tom
- how he transitioned from the army to fitness
- the time he was in a Poison cover band
- his time in the royal canadian military college
- his time in strongman competitions
- what training is like in the military
- how the fitness industry and military training are finding their middle ground
- nutrition is half the battle
- the paradoxes we tell ourselves with nutrition
- you do not have to give up the things you love to eat
- 90% of your meals are for sustenance, the other 10% are for enjoyment
- building habits is very difficult
- how coaches have to work harder to connect with clients
- what he learned through his injuries
- his favorite indulgence
- who inspires him
Links
Thom's Website
Fitocracy
Tim Ferriss
I round out interviewing the 5 fitness coaches taking the world by storm this episode with Sons of Strength. Sons of Strength is the brainchild of Ryan and Eric Johnson, yes they are brothers and yes they still compete to be the best in the family. Their "be the best" attitude is what led them to establish a business and an attitude that spills over to all of their clients. In this episode we discuss:
-
how they got into fitness through sports and started a business as brothers
-
sibling rivalry and how they still push each other as adults
-
paying it forward
-
who was the ladies man of the two
-
famous people sightings in NYC
-
what garbage from the industry would you like to see go away
-
sustainability vs extremes
-
Muay Thai fighting
-
boxing vs cardio
-
"everyone would benefit from getting punched in the face at least once in their life"
-
East Coast vs West Coast
-
a new program they are working with John Romeniello and releasing in March
-
Total Recomp
-
favorite Arnold movie
-
action movie of 2014
-
what its like to see the results of a client who ends up on the big screen
-
Marvel movies
-
who inspires them
-
what book from 2014 would they gift
-
War of Art
-
The Obstacle is The Way
-
Scar Tissue, Anthony Kiedis's memior
-
favorite lift
-
favorite warm ups before the workout
Links
www.fitocracy.com
www.sonsofstrength.com
In this episode I interview Mike Vacanti of On the Regimen. Mike is the fourth of the 5 fitness coaches taking the world by storm in 2014 from Fitocracy that I have interviewed. He is also the coach who ran the program I was apart of earlier in the year before my wedding. He is one of the most open and honest and caring coaches anyone could ever work with and I know from personal experience.
In this episode we discuss:
How Mike got into fitness and made a huge move from MN to NYC in one night with no plan of return
-
Arnold's 6 Rules and which one is the most important for him
-
Gary Vaynerchuck and what he learned from coaching someone as intense as Gary Vee: Hustle
-
Kamal Ravikant- Live your Truth
-
Your best year yet
-
How would Mike play a hand of poker if he had two jacks and three people were at the table
-
How alcohol can fit into your macros and how it affects your goals
-
Two Day Hangovers as you get older and how much they suck
-
Quality sleep versus quantity sleep
-
Getting up before your alarm goes off
-
Hal Elrod and the Miracle Morning Routine
-
Internal versus external motivation
-
Keeping up with the Joneses
-
Using Google if you don't have a scale
-
Favorite Hockey Player of all time
-
His favorite Ben and Jerry flavors
-
Star Wars and how he just couldn't get into it
-
Why he is fascinated with the thought of death
Links:
Mike's Website
Fitocracy
Hal Elrod
Poker for Dummies
In this episode I interview Ben Tormey. Ben was included on Fitocracy's list of 5 Fitness Coaches Taking the World by Storm. Ben is a trainer and coach in England and at one time was working to get his PhD in Math but left that path and found his real happiness in helping get himself and others into shape.
In this episode we discuss:
-How Ben moved from a PhD in Math to Fitness
-
how he battled depression
-
cognitive thinking and how you can use it
-
how taking action made him feel better about his life
-
how the internet is affecting us, mentally/pyschologically
-
how chess players see the game and how that analogy applies to what he has learned in fitness
-
who he is inspired by
-
Dorian Yates
-
T-Nation
-
Lyle MacDonald
-
The Power of Habit
-
his training philosophy and how he works with clients as a coach
-
who is the best James Bond
-
his favorite lift
-
his love of Southern cuisine ie Cornbread and BBQ
-
the one amusing thing he finds humorous about the difference between Americans and Brits.
-
Applauding an airline pilot
-
differences between American and British comics
-
his favorite xmas song (it's so metal)
Links
Exercise Prescription
T Nation
Ben's Website
Christopher Lee Metal Awesomeness
In this episode I interview Greg O'Gallagher of Kinobody. Greg was included in the 30 Under 30 the Young Professionals Changing the Face of Fitness list by Fitocracy earlier in 2014. Greg is also the host of his own podcast Road to Ripped where he talks about his training protocals, interviews trainers, and talks with some of his clients who have made great transformations. Greg currently lives in Toronto, Canada.
In this Episode we discuss:
-
how he started building an audience doing videos in the early days of Youtube
-
the Hollywood physique
-
athleticism vs massive muscle
-
how to stay lean all year and stay sane
-
his love of potatoes vs other carbs
-
intermittent fasting
-
health/nutrition in the US vs Canada
-
reverse pyramid training and how it will help you build muscle and gain strength
-
rest pause training on isolation exercises
-
what book he would gift for 2014 (Practicing the Power of Now)
-
embracing the process and not the goal
-
body fat distribution
-
what he is digging TV/Movies right now
-
lifts that challenge him
-
new programs he is working on at Kinobody including a program for women
-
embracing the now in 2015
Links
Fitocracy
Greg's Website
Practicing the Power of Now
In this episode I interview Greg Nuckols. Greg was voted as one of the 5 fitness coaches taking the world by storm by Fitocracy earlier in 2014. Greg has held world records in powerlifting and has become known for his through use of science and data to back up his articles. As he says on his site: "His passion is synthesizing scientific research and in-the-trenches experience to stay at the forefront of the strength game, and to become the best coach and athlete possible". Greg has the mind of Bruce Banner, the strenght of the Hulk but has the temperment of a teddy bear. Not to mention one of the most glorious beards on Earth.
In this episode we discuss:
- how Greg got into lifting weights
- world records
- his goal of lifting a combined 2000 pounds on bench/deadlift/squat
- where his love of science/data/facts stems from
- Dunning-Kruger Effect
- Humanity and our pack sensibilities
- his diet
- his goal of getting a PhD
- "embrace the process and not the outcome"
- his weakest lift and his weak biceps
- Social Intelligence
- Favorite beers
- Manhood
- Beards
- Ideas that need to die in the fitness industry
- Juggernaut Training
- His go to lifting playlist
Links
Juggernaut Training
Greg Nuckols Website
Fitocracy
In this episode I interview Nick Sorrell of Nick Sorrell Training. Nick is from the beautiful rolling hills of Kentucky and studied at Louisville University where he worked as a strength coach with the Cardinals football team.
In this episode we discuss:
- how a D-1 athelete trains
- how college football players won the genetic lottery and are freaks
- his goals as a coach and in the gym
- finding his sweet spot as a coach
- how he lost 100 pounds from high school to college
- his biggest challenge post college
- obsess with your goal not the scale
- thoughts on online coaching vs in person
- his love of Final Fantasy 7
- the learning curve of online coaching
- who he looks up to for inspiration
- how he is finishing 2014
Links
Nicks Website
Fitocracy
In this episode I interview Adam Fisher of The Philosopher Warrior. Adam was named one of the top 5 Fitness Coaches Taking the World by Storm by Fitocracy earlier in 2014. Adam is more than a trainer and barbell guru. He is a philosophy lover, video gamer, geek, and deadlift maniac.
In this episode we discuss:
- his aspirations to become a novelist
- his weakness of having "too many irons in the fire"
- Ayn Rand
-
Accelerate
- Extentialism and Stoics
- Obstacle is the Way
- Book of Tao Te Ching
- How Eastern Philosophy influences his lifting mindset
- Mindfulness
- Tetris and how you apply it to life/fitness
- How I Met Your Mother
- Elder Scrolls
- Whether we should stretch or not stretch
- Pain and new science behind it
- Lamar Gant
- How he conquered his own fear(s)
- Most inspiring thing anyone said to him
- His current goals
- Games that moved him emotionally
- The Uplift Method
Links:
Adam's Website
The Uplift Method
Pain Science
Fitocracy
Jonathan Strange Mr. Norrell
ART
Super Training
In this episode I chat with Joseph Brigleague of Brigleague Fitness. Joe, is currently in grad school for exercise science but we chat about how he has found time to stay sane with all the work and juggle clients, nutrition, sleep, and life. We discuss his training philosophy and how he works to teach habits and how to build them to achieve your goals. Also chat a little about his hate for running and his weakness of hitting the snooze button.
Links:
Brigleague Fitness
How to Make Fitness Fun
In this interview I talk with Brian Compton of Fact and Fitness. Brian is a young trainer who is an online Fitocracy Team Fitness coach as well through his own site. Brian is a graduate of the program offered from Metabolic Effect in Winston-Salem, NC.
The “eat less, exercise more” idea for fat loss isn’t just flawed, it’s broken. Rapid weight loss efforts lead to 95% of dieters regaining the weight back within a year of dieting, and 66% weighing more than when they started the diet. I prefer to take a more sustainable approach to fat loss with my online clients. I don’t believe in providing meal plans for my clients, either. Done-for-you diets never work. Instead, I educate my clients and provide them with the tools they need to setup a long-term meal plan (lifestyle) they can follow effortlessly, long after our time concludes together.
In this episode we discuss:
- Metabolic Effect
- Brian's first positive experience with a client
- Who inspired Brian
- His goals
- Where he got his Fantasy Football name
- His ideal Super Hero
- Where the name of his company came from
- A little discussion of our favorite things in NC
Links:
Metabolic Effect
Fitocracy Team Fitness
Fact and Fitness
Tim Ferriss
Engineering the Alpha
In this episode I read another blog post as an audio essay. This episode goes over the time I followed the Paleo diet and how I turned into a zealot for it.
If you like this episode please subscribe to us on iTunes and leave us a review!
Links:
Blog
Jordan Syatt
Nia Shanks Book
In this episode I interview Bryan Krahn. Bryan was the associate editor for T-Nation for four years and has also written for Bodybuilding.com, Daily Burn, Muscle and Fitness, Men's Health and many more. Bryan hails from Canada but has spent a good portion of time in NYC training clients, writing, and chiseling a great body well into his early 40s. Bryan is a no non-sense guy and has the drive seen in many of the old bodybuilding types. Get in, hit it hard, and get out.
In this episode we discuss:
- Bryan's greatest challenges in his life
- The greatest hockey movie ever made
- The rebirth of hockey in his hometown of Winnipeg
- The Alpha Male and what has caused men today to find that so appealing
- Old school body building tricks or tips that we should strive to bring back
- The people who inspire Bryan
- Best advice he has received that has impacted his career
- Tips turning a negative into a positive
- His advice to new trainers
- Personality types of clients and how to learn to work with everyone
- The two people who have inspired his work and his life the most
Links
T-Nation
Bryan's Website
Young Blood
Alpha Males
In this episode I interview Stephanie Lee a bodybuilding.com editor, gamer, and all around geek. Stephanie hails from California. Growing up as a sports-loving and weight-toting video games nerd, she earned her degree in clinical nutrition from the University of California, Davis. She left the world of video game writing for the world of fitness and started a Fitcoracy group dedicated to geeks/gamers who are trying to get fit called Fit Geek Nation. In this episode we discuss:
- Fit Geek Nation
- How she got started in writing for video games then why she moved back to fitness
- Her favorite video games
- Why she started a group to help fellow geeks
- Peanut butter vs coffee
- Her inspiriations
- Her YouTube channel
- Her goals in writing and her goals in fitness
- Video game manuals and why do they not exist anymore
Links
Fit Geek Nation
Stephanie's Bodybuilding.com Articles
FitNGeeky
Stephanie can be found on Instagram and Twitter at SuperLEE7.
In this episode I interview Matt Dustin of The Athletic Physique. Matt is earned his Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, took an internship with the Under Armour Sports Performance Center and has been a personal trainer since 2011. He has worked with clientele of all shapes and sizes, including several Division 1 NCAA athletes, figure and physique competitors, and even a lingerie model. In this episode we discuss:
- How sports influences Matts training
- His upcoming Fitocracy online coaching class starting November 3
- Reverse dieting
- Who inspirses him in the fitness and non-fitness world
- Mass Effect 3
- Captain America
- His failures and what he learned from them
- His goals for the future as both a trainer and athlete
Links
Matt's Website
Layne Norton
Fitocracy
Tim Ferriss
Under Armor Performance Center
In this episode I interview Jessi Kneeland of Remodel Fitness.
Jessi was voted one of the top 30 individuals under 30 in the fitness industry by Fitocracy in 2014. In this episode we discuss:
- Jessi's philosophy as a trainer and how she developed that
- Growing up in a rural area
- Struggles we both experienced while living in NYC pursuing acting careers
- The meaning of her tattoo on her forearm
- Is there something men just do not get about women and weight loss
- What challenges her
- What inspires her
- How she got her start and moved from theater to fitness
- Her greatest failure and success in her young career
- Her take on the issues of body image and how the media seems to perpetuate that or drive it
- A little discussion on seasons or sometimes the lack thereof of an actual autumn in NYC
We also talk a little about a great commencment speech from 2005 that has inspired her called This is Water. Check this out as it gives some great advice on find peace and calm and joy in our constant overly stressed life.
Links:
This is Water
Fitocracy
Remodel Fitness
Side Quest Podcast
In this episode I do a short audio essay of a blog post from the website on why I train and the purpose behind it.
In this episode I interview Jason from Anyman Fitness. Jason is a middle school math teacher but when he is not teaching basic algebra he is helping clients lose weight and gain muscle and strength. In this episode we discuss where Jason is from, how he got his start on his road to weight loss and what inspired him to start his blog and coaching on Fitocracy.
We also discuss his theories on weight loss, what motivates Jason, how he uses math to help clients and how his teaching of teenagers helps him as a coach. We touch on lean gains and some of the pioneers in that style of weight loss and muscle gain as well as a little forray into Intermittent Fasting.
Jason has a new fitness class starting on Fitocracy next week. And is also posting a new blog post about Moms who kick ass.
Links for references from the show:
http://www.leangains.com/
http://anymanfitness.com/
http://fitocracy.com/
In our second interview we talk with another Pittsburgh trainer, Kevin Fulton. He is the owner of Team Fulton Fitness and we discuss his background, his ideas on training, how he helps women during and after pregnancy, and a little discussion on wrestling at the end.
Chuck Gross lost 200 pounds and has kept it off over the last few years. Here we discuss his story and how this decision came about and what changes he has made in his life as well as his advice to anyone looking to make a change.
Side Quest is the newest podcast in the fitness world. Why another one you ask? For me its simple. I think too many times people feel that they can never achieve their goals or get the results they want when it comes to fitness or health.
In a world overflowing with knowledge it can be daunting when tasked with getting into shape. It can feel overwhelming just to make better choices. Some fitness podcasts can feel overwhelming or preachy. Side Quest is designed to reach out to trainers, practitioners, life hackers, and even those who have conquered their larger quests and share their knowledge/tricks they picked up along their journey. At Side Quest, I desire to bring those whom are experienced and leaders in the fitness world to a larger audience one that can see that they are no different than regular Joes. That they too struggle every day or have struggled through great long painful quests on their journey. We are not here to preach or belittle. In each interview I want the audience to learn about the lives, accomplishments and failures of those within the fitness industry. In video games side quests can give us tools that will help make the longer journey/quest easier and more fulfilling. .
Side Quest is designed to be the unofficial podcast of Fitocracy. Fitocracy helped me get into shape by turning it into a game. It is a diverse social network with tons of great tips and tricks and even online coaches to help everyone conquer their health quests. I wanted to start this podcast as my way of giving back to the world and to let others know that they too can conquer even the toughest of all quests, no matter what.
Like a side quest in a video game, Side Quest, is here to give you new tools or weapons to take with you on your journey. Because we all know in life: It is dangerous to alone.
Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram and feel free to email us anytime at SideQuestPodcast@gmail.com
And enjoy the show!
Side Quest is designed to be the unofficial podcast of Fitocracy. Side Qeust is designed to reach out to trainers, practitioners, life hackers, and even those who have conquered their larger "quests" and share their knowledge/tricks they have picked up along their journey.
At Side Quest I desire to bring those whom are experienced and leaders in the fitness world to a larger audience one that can see that they are no different than their clients. They too struggle every day or have struggled through great long painful quests on their journey. We are not here to preach or belittle. In each interview I want the audience to learn about the lives, accomplishments and failures of those within the fitness industry. Video game side quests can give us tools that will help make the longer journey easier and more fulfilling. They provide extra points that when completed help us reach our ultimate level.
We are here to be the voice of the "people". Like a side quest in a video game Side Quest, the podcast, is here to give you new tools or weapons to take with you on your journey.
Go with us, it is dangerous to go alone.