Side Quest Podcast

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

This is the audio version of a Facebook Live I did on May 23, 2017.

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  

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.

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.  

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 Facebook

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 Twitter Facebook

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 Facebook Instagram Twitter

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.  

Jedi vs Sith.   Who will win in this Star Wars nerd out with Mike Sweetman and I.

  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 Instagram Facebook Twitter

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 Instagram Facebook

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 Instagram Twitter Facebook  

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 Twitter Instagram    

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 Instagram Twitter Facebook 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 Twitter Facebook YouTube Instagram

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 Twitter Facebook Instagram

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