Today, for episode 90, we are doing a Q&A to answer 11 questions on everything from calorie tracking to how often you should weigh yourself to building muscle over 40 and lots more nutrition-related questions.

Joining me on the show is Dr. Ryan Peebles, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, to talk about a topic that many people have experience with, myself included, and that is lower back pain. You'll learn about the "deep core" and why it's the key to reversing back pain. We will discuss how age, lifestyle, stress, and heavy lifting impact our lower backs. We will also discuss the pros and cons of chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, and MRIs.

Today we are diving into body fat overshooting, which is potentially the most important phenomenon to understand when it comes to body composition in the context of manipulating your nutrition. If you’ve tried many diets over the years with little success, feel like your metabolism is slowing down, or struggle to maintain your weight for the long term, this episode is for you. We'll go over the role of hormones, appetite, and muscle, why 95% of people regain weight, and how to be in the 5% who are successful so you can have not only a leaner physique but a long-term, sustainable approach to maintaining your hard-won results.

Today we're diving into the power of leaning into the future, embracing your future self, and becoming an alpha in order to win in life with my guest, Ashton Levarek. Ashton will reveal the importance of reframing our memories and interpretations, using positive visualization, and how to measure progress toward becoming our ideal selves. We’ll also explore the concept of being an alpha and its impact on our lives.

Today I have the pleasure of speaking with Steph Gaudreau, sports nutritionist and lifting coach. Steph Gaudreau will teach you about lifting, performance, and nutrition for athletic women over 40. She will talk about low energy availability, workout nutrition, carbs, and protein, and why you need to be strength training. She will also address gym intimidation and the unique challenges for women over 40.

Today I am chatting with certified personal trainer and mental health advocate Marc Paisant. You’ll learn how Marc turned adversity into a mission to raise mental health awareness, including the essential role of physical fitness in maintaining mental health and the importance of seeking support and maintaining balance. We’ll explore misconceptions about and how we end the stigma surrounding mental health.

Can you supercharge your metabolism and maximize fat loss with LESS exercise? In today's episode, we talk about the four key components of metabolism and debunk the myth that more exercise equals more calories burned. We also dive into the drawbacks of over-exercising and the role muscle tissue plays in boosting metabolism.

On today’s show, we dive deep into the topic of stress and its connection to emotion, physiology, and physical pain and trauma. We explore the concept of Strauma, and how it affects your well-being. We also discuss the difference between stress management and stress resolution and explore the effectiveness of stress management tools so you can transition from a state of struggle and strife to one of ease and grace.

Today I'm honored to sit down with none other than Andy Morgan, the passionate, knowledgeable, and well-muscled force behind RippedBody.com. You'll learn about Andy's experiences, his no-nonsense approach to fitness communication, and his thoughts on training, muscle-building and fat loss phases, and related topics like body fat percentage, scale weight fluctuations, and challenges during fat loss. Andy will also share his insights on the fitness industry, using data and solid principles to get results.

We are talking today with Darlene Marshall about the fascinating interplay between holistic wellness coaching and positive psychology and how it can help unlock your full potential. We'll go into holistic wellness, upward spiraling, habit priming, neurological flexibility, and more.

Today we are diving into flexible dieting and evidence-based fitness with nutrition researcher and educator Alan Aragon. You'll learn about the importance of evidence-based practice for the average person looking to improve their health, rigid vs. flexible dietary control, and the practical side of nutrition, such as protein sources, distribution strategies, and anabolic resistance. He addresses behavior change, food tracking, intermittent fasting, and research gaps in nutrition and fitness.

Today I have a very special guest with me. Her name is Allie Cass, and she is a former bodybuilding pro turned functional health and fitness coach who helps stressed-out women optimize their metabolism, up-level their mindset, and shift from surviving to thriving. Allie will share her unique perspectives on health and fitness, the importance of the mind-body connection in overcoming health challenges, and how to up-level your mindset to achieve your goals. You'll learn about the fat-loss conundrum—where hormones, gut health, and stress intersect—and practical strategies for optimizing these. We will explore topics like body positivity, self-improvement, and self-love.

Today I'm sitting down with Greg Nuckols to talk about lifting, MacroFactor, and science. You'll learn what he's been up to lately, his take on lifting and life, and all things MacroFactor. We'll also explore how to be consistent and maybe even enjoy tracking your nutrition, incorporating scientific research into your health and fitness routine, and other words of wisdom.

My guest today, Allan Friedman, is a member of the Wits & Weights community and a one-on-one coaching client of mine who has gone through his own physical and mental transformation during our time together. He has a passion for sharing knowledge, engaging with fellow health and fitness enthusiasts, and always being of service.

Today we’ll explore his early influences in nutrition and fitness, his personal connection to health and well-being, and how his professional background informed his fitness journey. Allan will share how he's overcome resistance, developed a positive attitude toward fitness, transitioned from emotional to mindful eating, and managed nutrition as a bariatric patient.

Today I have the pleasure of chatting with the renowned Dr. Eric Trexler to discuss nutrition science, psychology, and application. We'll explore his experiences, research, and coaching, covering topics such as diet breaks, dynamic maintenance, and plant-based protein.

Today I’m excited to welcome nutrition expert Lisa Franz to the show. Lisa and I will discuss the importance of breaking the extreme diet cycle, and how to find a sustainable and balanced approach to nutrition, training, and lifestyle. Lisa will reveal how to maintain a healthy lifestyle as we age, strategies for being consistent while traveling, and principles of effective training. She will also share her personal experiences and insights on how to create a balanced life without feeling guilty, deprived, or sacrificing your well-being.

Today, I welcome back Carl Berryman, a friend, a peer, a mentor, a brother, and the host of Inspired by Impact - A Podcast for Men, for a fascinating conversation on crushing body composition and fitness goals. We explore vulnerability, taking action, and introspection in personal growth. Carl shares his experience with progress tracking, muscle building, and the impact of lean muscle mass. We discuss overcoming plateaus, support systems, and the mind-muscle connection. Touching on setting weight goals, self-acceptance, and daily gratitude, Carl introduces his "cookie jar" ritual for reflecting on accomplishments.

Today I’m excited to have Lisa Salisbury join me to explore the role of our higher brain in making better decisions about our health and the concept of portion distortion and its impact on our food choices. In this episode, Lisa talks about listening to our bodies, the negative effects of the clean plate club mindset, food waste, and sustainable eating.

I am beyond ecstatic to welcome the Dr. Eric Helms to the show today. Eric’s work has been a huge influence on me in my personal journey, coaching education, and philosophy, and today we're going to discuss evidence-based research, coaching, and communication, what Eric's been up to in the world of powerlifting and bodybuilding. We dive into topics including self-determination theory, training strategies, plant vs. animal protein, and adaptation during weight loss, among others.

Today we’re diving into how to optimize your health and performance with Dustin Lambert, a fellow nutrition coach I met through the Wits & Weights Facebook group and our coaching cert connection with NCI. Dustin will share challenges and strategies for fat loss as you get leaner, the pros and cons of bulking and cutting versus “maingaining,” and unique issues to consider when you have a metabolic disorder or autoimmune disease.