Muscle for Life

I’m often asked about Olympic weightlifting. Specifically, I’m asked about lifts like the clean and jerk, snatch, and power clean, and how to incorporate them into a more general strength training or even bodybuilding program. Should you even include Olympic-style lifts? What are the benefits of Olympic weightlifting? Can it increase your power, speed, explosiveness, and athleticism? Is it dangerous? All that and more in this podcast. I wanted to get an Olympic weightlifting expert on the podcast to help answer these questions. So, I tagged in Greg Everett, owner of Catalyst Athletics, which is a USA Weightlifting National Champion team and a huge educational resource for Olympic weightlifting content. Not only is Greg an accomplished Olympic weightlifter himself, but he’s a coach at the world championship level. He’s also an author of a dozen books, including Olympic Weightlifting, the world’s best-selling book on the subject. So I was happy to have him join me for an interview. In this podcast you’ll learn

There's no shame in admitting that at least 50% of the reason you exercise is that you have a “complicated” relationship with carbs or a sweet tooth and don't want to get fat. Or that you literally can’t afford to gain weight because then you’d have to buy a new wardrobe. Or that you want a good excuse to buy a new one. No matter how zany your reasons may seem to others, if you can use them to fire your fitness furnace, there’s no shame in exploiting them to the fullest. Listen to this podcast for a bit of motivational inspiration! Timestamps: 0:00 - Please leave a review of the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and make sure to subscribe to the show! 2:48 - Save up to 25% during my July 4th sale! https://buylegion.com/ Mentioned on the Show: Go to buylegion.com and save up to 25% during my big July 4th sale! Use coupon code MUSCLE to save 20% on any non-sale items or get double reward points!

What is “ancestral eating” and is it a healthy way to eat? Should we be eating the same foods our ancient ancestors did? I’ve written and recorded a lot of evidence-based content over the years on just about everything you can imagine related to building muscle, losing fat, and getting healthy. I’ve also worked with thousands of men and women of all ages and circumstances and helped them get into the best shape of their lives. That doesn’t mean you should blindly swallow everything I say, though, because let’s face it—nobody is always right about everything. And especially in fields like diet and exercise, which are constantly evolving thanks to the efforts of honest and hardworking researchers and thought leaders. This is why I’m always happy to hear from people who disagree with me, especially when they have good arguments and evidence to back up their assertions. Sometimes I can’t get on board with their positions, but sometimes I end up learning something, and either way, I always appreciate the discussio

Many people get started on their nutrition journeys being told they need to eliminate certain foods, or even entire food groups. In turn, this can cause guilt when you do stray from “the one true diet” and you can end up creating an unhealthy relationship with food, or worse, full-blown disordered eating.  If you’re familiar with my work, you know that you can lose weight and achieve your goals without completely eliminating foods. The key is moderation and doing most things right most of the time. That’s how you make sustainable progress long-term without crashing and burning or bingeing.  And so, part of the solution to helping more people get healthier is education. That’s why I write my books and that’s why Jordan Syatt and Mike Vacanti wrote their new book, Eat It!: The Most Sustainable Diet and Workout Ever Made: Burn Fat, Get Strong, and Enjoy Your Favorite Foods Guilt Free. In it, they break down nutrition myths and diet fads, how to eat sustainably (both with and without tracking macros), a

How much alcohol can you drink while cutting and still lose weight? Should you still train if your HRV score says to rest? How long should you rest between sets during a deload? All that and more in this Q&A podcast. This podcast is a Q&A, but it’s a bit different from the kind you’ll typically find here on Muscle For Life. In my usual Q&A episodes, I take a question from email or Instagram and then fully answer it in an episode of the podcast every week. However, over on Instagram, I’ve started doing weekly Q&As in the stories, and it occurred to me that many podcast listeners might enjoy hearing these questions and my short answers. So, instead of talking about one thing in an episode, I’m going to cover a variety of questions. And keep in mind some of these questions are just for fun. :) So if you want to ask me questions in my Instagram stories, follow me on Instagram (@muscleforlifefitness), and if I answer your question there, it might just make it onto an episode of the podcast! If you

I’m going to give you the TLDR for the latest studies on topics like cardio’s effects on muscle and strength gain, body recomposition, pre-workout meals, how creatine affects cognition, and how browsing social media can make you weaker. This podcast is another installment in my Research Roundup series of episodes, where I give you concise and practical takeaways from studies that I think are interesting and that can help us gain muscle and strength faster, lose fat faster, perform better athletically, feel better, live longer, or get and stay healthier. There is a ton of scientific research that gets published every year, and even if you narrow your focus to fitness research, it would still take several lifetimes to unravel the hairball of studies on nutrition, training, supplementation, and related fields. That's why my team and I put a lot of time into reviewing, dissecting, and describing scientific studies in articles, podcasts, and books. In today's episode, I'm tackling studies on whether glute “activat

In this episode, I’m analyzing trends in the fitness industry and peering into the crystal ball with Joe Vennare to speculate on the future of health and wellness. Joe is a great guest to interview about these topics because he’s the co-founder of Fitt Insider, a platform that offers industry news and analysis of the business side of fitness and wellness. Specifically, Fitt Insider helps industry operators stay informed, make better decisions, and seize opportunities (especially in regards to startups and investments) through a weekly newsletter, podcast, and jobs board. Joe is a content strategist who’s been in the industry for more than a decade and leads Fitt Insider’s research and media efforts. I wanted to get him on the show because Fitt Insider’s goal is closely aligned with my own: to help millions of people live healthier, happier, better lives. By being a resource to help startups grow and advancing the conversation around wellness itself, Joe and his team can help facilitate massive change in the i

Naivety can be bliss. Remember when you discovered just how many calories are in a tablespoon of peanut butter and how small or proper tablespoon really is? Or the moment you realized that losing “only” one pound per week is actually a win? Or that you still have to watch your calories and macros when you’re bulking or you just get fat? Listen to hear more (funny) fitness disappointments in this podcast! Timestamps: 0:00 - Please leave a review of the show wherever you listen to podcasts and make sure to subscribe! 2:48 - Legion VIP One-on-One Coaching: https://www.muscleforlife.show/vip Mentioned on the Show: Legion VIP One-on-One Coaching: https://www.muscleforlife.show/vip

Is TRT getting too trendy? How do I manage my work and time as a parent of young kids? How can you stay in a calorie deficit while going to social dinners? Can keto optimize your hormones? All that and more in this Q&A podcast. This podcast is a Q&A, but it’s a bit different from the kind you’ll typically find here on Muscle For Life. In my usual Q&A episodes, I take a question from email or Instagram and then fully answer it in an episode of the podcast every week. However, over on Instagram, I’ve started doing weekly Q&As in the stories, and it occurred to me that many podcast listeners might enjoy hearing these questions and my short answers. So, instead of talking about one thing in an episode, I’m going to cover a variety of questions. And keep in mind some of these questions are just for fun. :) So if you want to ask me questions in my Instagram stories, follow me on Instagram (@muscleforlifefitness), and if I answer your question there, it might just make it onto an episode of the podca

If you’ve ever wondered what effects the menstrual cycle has on fitness, and how you can take advantage of your monthly cycle when it comes to body composition and training, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’ve wondered for yourself, for your significant other, or even just a friend or client, this is something many people have asked about. How can you work around your menstrual cycle, and is there a way to optimize your diet and training around the different phases of your cycle? You’re going to learn the answers to these questions and more in this interview with Astrid Naranjo. There’s no doubt women have to deal some unique challenges compared to men, and one of those is their monthly period and its effects on body weight, mood, energy levels, hunger, cravings, and more. As someone who’s never experienced menstruation firsthand or the hormonal changes in my own body, I thought it would be good to bring someone on the podcast who has. Specifically, I wanted to chat with Astrid, who’s not only coac

What does a weightlifting belt do and how do you use one? Should you use one and on what exercises? How do you wear one correctly and what should you look for when picking a belt? All that and more in this podcast. Some people claim that a weightlifting belt is essential for avoiding injury—almost like wearing a seatbelt in the car. Other people though, they say that the safety benefits are completely overblown, and the only good reason to wear a belt is to lift more weight. Still others say that weightlifting belts are really just crutches and that they encourage you to try to do more than you should. A belt can help you lift more weight in the short-term, but it's going to increase your risk of injury and maybe even make you weaker in the long run. So in this podcast, you are going to learn what science has to say about these conflicting opinions and whether you can benefit from a weightlifting belt. Timestamps: 0:00 - Try Recharge risk-free today! Go to buylegion.com/recharge and use coupon code MUSCLE to

Should you be doing full-body workouts? What habits will not only help you lose body fat, but keep it off for good? What can we learn from Elon Musk? Some people—my favorite people—listen to most or even all of my podcasts, but my wizbang analytics tell me that while many listeners tune in on a regular basis, they don’t catch every installment of Muscle for Life and thus miss out on insights that could help them do at least a little better inside and outside the gym. That’s why I do “best of” episodes that contain a few of the most practical and compelling ideas, tips, and moments from the more popular episodes I’ve published over the years. This way, you can learn interesting insights that you might have otherwise missed and find new episodes of the show to listen to. So, in this installment of The Best of Muscle for Life, you’ll be hearing hand-picked morsels from three episodes: Menno Henselmans on the Benefits of Full-Body Workouts (Originally published 7/31/2020) 10 Habits of People Who Lose Weight and K

This podcast is going to get dark. And graphic. This episode is a cautionary tale of just how grim it can get in the throes of disordered eating, anorexia, and mental illness. But it’s also a tale of hope, because my guest Jake tells his story of how he came out the other side of his eating disorder with a newfound respect for his fitness, and a far healthier body and mind to show for it. Before finding my work, Jake developed body dysmorphia and an eating disorder. He was diagnosed with anorexia at the age of 17, hospitalized, and relapsed a number of times. In this interview, Jake tells his story of what it was like navigating his mental illness and eating disorder, losing his college tennis scholarships, dealing with refeeding syndrome, and more. Things could’ve ended very poorly for Jake, but luckily things turned around for him. When he found The Little Black Book of Workout Motivation, he was able to change his relationship with fitness (and even his performance in school). Now he’s been able to find wh

Do glute activation exercises actually work? Is the 5:2 diet worse for muscle retention than a continuous calorie deficit? Does vitamin D supplementation protect you against injury? Can blood flow restriction training help you gain muscle just as effectively as traditional training? I’m going to give you the TLDR for the latest studies on these topics. This podcast is another installment in my Research Roundup series of episodes, where I give you concise and practical takeaways from studies that I think are interesting and that can help us gain muscle and strength faster, lose fat faster, perform better athletically, feel better, live longer, or get and stay healthier. There is a ton of scientific research that gets published every year, and even if you narrow your focus to fitness research, it would still take several lifetimes to unravel the hairball of studies on nutrition, training, supplementation, and related fields. That's why my team and I put a lot of time into reviewing, dissecting, and describing s

Do cold showers do anything? How long does it take to reach your genetic muscle potential? Should you count the calories from vegetables? How many sets should you do for your arms? All that and more in this Q&A podcast. This podcast is a Q&A, but it’s a bit different from the kind you’ll typically find here on Muscle For Life. In my usual Q&A episodes, I take a question from email or Instagram and then fully answer it in an episode of the podcast every week. However, over on Instagram, I’ve started doing weekly Q&As in the stories, and it occurred to me that many podcast listeners might enjoy hearing these questions and my short answers. So, instead of talking about one thing in an episode, I’m going to cover a variety of questions. And keep in mind some of these questions are just for fun. :) So if you want to ask me questions in my Instagram stories, follow me on Instagram (@muscleforlifefitness), and if I answer your question there, it might just make it onto an episode of the podcast! If y

What’s the best way to build a beach-ready, bikini body? What are the most important muscle groups to train, and how can you organize your workout split to ensure you’ll reach your goal as quickly as possible? Holly Baxter explains how to achieve a developed, lean physique in this podcast. Most women aren’t planning to ever step on stage as part of a bikini or physique competition. However, some version of that general look is a common goal of many women who have started training and lifting weights in the gym. If you’ve ever wondered how to build a bikini-ready body, you’re going to enjoy this podcast. In it, Holly Baxter explains what it takes to build a bikini body, including training tips, exercise selection, and more. In case you’re not familiar with Holly, she’s an educator, coach, nutritionist, and Accredited Practicing Dietitian (ADP) with a Masters in Dietetics. Her academic career has also translated into competitive success. She’s a two time world level champion fitness model in the Natural Univers

Many people say the best diet and exercise regimens are the ones you can stick to. This is true insofar as compliance is concerned, but it misses a crucial caveat: efficacy. No matter how well you stick to a diet or exercise routine that doesn’t work, you’re nowhere. The goldilocks zone, then, is the overlap between what you can stick with and what works. And while that territory is larger than you might think, there are boundaries. Some people try to snub such “tough fitness truths” for more comforting myths and fictions, but the sooner you can find, accept, and adapt to them, the sooner you can get on the glide path to your best body ever. Listen to this podcast for ten of these fitness truths! Timestamps: 0:00 - Please leave a review of the show wherever you listen to podcasts and make sure to subscribe! 3:00 -  Legion VIP One-on-One Coaching: https://muscleforlife.show/vip Mentioned on the Show: Legion VIP One-on-One Coaching: https://muscleforlife.show/vip

Is eating 1 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight per day more than necessary? Don’t some studies say eating any more than 0.8 grams per pound is pointless? Why do I often recommend eating 1 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight per day? I’ve written and recorded a lot of evidence-based content over the years on just about everything you can imagine related to building muscle, losing fat, and getting healthy. I’ve also worked with thousands of men and women of all ages and circumstances and helped them get into the best shape of their lives. That doesn’t mean you should blindly swallow everything I say, though, because let’s face it—nobody is always right about everything. And especially in fields like diet and exercise, which are constantly evolving thanks to the efforts of honest and hardworking researchers and thought leaders. This is why I’m always happy to hear from people who disagree with me, especially when they have good arguments and evidence to back up their assertions. Sometimes I can’t get on

Have you ever tried to make a big change in your life, and instead of easing into it and slowly building up the necessary behaviors and habits, you dove headfirst towards the goal and went all-out? This is common and it often leads to disaster. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with having big goals, wanting to do things “right,” or giving something your best effort. However, trying to outperform and constantly chasing end goals is a recipe for burnout and never really feeling fulfilled. So, how do we find balance? Well, in this interview, I’m chatting with Brad Stulberg about a different approach—one he calls “groundedness” and which he has written about in his newest book, The Practice of Groundedness. Brad explains this concept in-depth in the interview, but “groundedness” is a way to harness your motivation and energy and help you become more process-oriented instead of end-goal driven, which can lead to improved well-being and outcomes. In case you’re not familiar with Brad, he’s a researcher, writer, and

Does caffeine boost your performance even if you’re a habitual coffee drinker? How does strength training influence fat burning? Can eating vegetables boost your recovery? How does the carnivore diet affect health markers? Will having a spotter boost your bench press? This is what the latest research says about these questions. This podcast is part of a new series I’m going to call Research Roundups. What is it going to be? Well, there is a ton of scientific research that gets published every year, and even if you narrow your focus to fitness research, it would still take several lifetimes to unravel the hairball of studies on nutrition, training, supplementation, and related fields. That's why my team and I put a lot of time into reviewing, dissecting, and describing scientific studies in articles, podcasts, and books. And while the principles of proper eating and exercising are relatively simple and fairly immutable at this point, new research can help us understand why the fundamentals work. They can help