Success Culture Podcast

Rehabilitation essentially involves building the body and/or the mind back to a place of good health!  In this episode, Coach David and Coach Tom discuss their take on the phenomenon of "rehabbing" the body post injury.  What makes trainers such as David and Tom different than a physical therapist?  

Aaron Maltz has spent the majority of his life as someone intent on spreading the genuine good word on health and fitness.  His decades long fitness career eventually led him to the creation of FitLabb - an online fitness and nutrition platform.  As Aaron puts it, "We [at FitLabb) are firm believers that everyone has the ability within themselves to create a healthy body and mind, but they may simply lack the knowledge, support, or motivation on how to achieve it." Aaron has podcasted with his friend Coach Tom in the past to discuss other fitness topics, but in this episode, things go outside the box.  Unfortunately, Aaron was recently involved in a divorce that put his fitness on the back burner.  Fortunately, though, Aaron is ready for his comeback!   Listen on as Aaron and Tom discuss the importance of healthy relationships, as well as how to comeback from a layoff!

Children are little adults, and adults are big children.  We are all human in the end, but kids are the impressionable ones, while adults are the ones making the impression.  In a world where being overweight and obese is rampant, children are not excluded from these afflictions.  But, at the end of the day, parents dictate a lot of the lifestyle choices of their kids.  In this episode, we were lucky enough to get the perspectives of two different parents, as well as an adult who was once an obese child.  This may be our most important episode yet, as forming health habits at a young age is a great way to stay healthy for the long haul! 

Join Success' Bodybuilding coaches - Coach Hunter Covelski and Coach Tom Lazorik - as they discuss the ins and outs of natural bodybuilding competition, with the burning question being: when are you ready for a contest prep?  There is a lot to consider within the bodybuilding equation, but we're here to help!  Whether you're interested in competition yourself, or perhaps interested in taking your physique to the next level even without a competition in your future! Enjoy!

Coach Jesse actually studied music in college, so it's fitting that he ultimately would suggest this topic for an episode!  And Coach Tom loved the outside the box subject!   When you step into a gym to smash a workout, or a stadium to watch a sporting event, music will almost certainly be playing in the background.  Music is often associated with fitness and athletics, but why? Perhaps it's simply because music is always on when we're in public places (think a restaurant or the mall), or perhaps there is a bit more to it in context of physical performance.    Join our Success coaches as they discuss how music may or may not enhance our abilities in the gym!   

2025 is a HUGE year for Success - if for no other reason than a gym expansion at our Maplewood location!    On February 22, 2025, we held a client appreciation celebration, which has been an annual celebration for several years now.  As a part of thi celebration, clients were given a sneak peek of the expanded space (set to open May 2025!), amongst many other fun and functional offerings.     Join Coach Tom as he interviews Success clients/family/friends live from Client Appreciation Day to tap into what makes Success as well as its inhabitants special! Enjoy!

Perhaps you're familiar with the amazing health benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids.  Perhaps you've heard that it's good to take a fish oil supplement.  Perhaps you've been told to eat flax seeds, chia seeds and walnuts...Well, all of this is true, but there is so much more to consider!   In this episode, Success' nutrition and supplementation expert, Coach Hunter, fills listeners in on all that you would want to consider in regard to the conversation about omega 3 fatty acids!  Enjoy, and remember to eat your Sardines!!! 

Nick Ziebell was formerly on the main team here at Success, but he now primarily personal trains with In Control Minnesota where he specializes in fitness related to people who have disabilities.  In this episode, Nick shares his wisdom not only on working with disabilities, but also just how much mental health considerations factor into physical fitness!

In this episode we finally get the client perspective from the longterm and loyal Success Superstar - Rocky Jones! For nearly 3 years, Rocky has been a shining star within our gym walls.  He's been present for many of the gym's growing pains in recent times, and is key to our gym's culture.   Success was Rocky's first *successful* gym experience, and his point of view in regard to a fitness journey is valuable to say the least.  So join Rocky and his former one-on-one coach and trainer, Tom, as they dig into Rocky's story and how to be successful with one's personal health and wellness!

As some of you may know, Success Fitness and Training is expanding its Maplewood location as to accommodate more clients and trainers! As apart of this expansion, Success will be introducing the SHE (Supporting Healthy Escapes) Shed.  This will be a resource center that seeks to help women who have escaped a domestic abuse situation.  This issue is much more common than many of us realize, so with our gym backing such a cause, we hope to not only help women in need, but also spread awareness and reduce the prevalence of domestic abuse.

In this episode, we are joined by special guest - Nick Hudson!  Success Fitness and Training would not exist as it is if not for Nick.  He's been a coach and a trainer for "over a quarter of century," with the majority of that time being at Success.  Nick has trained with all manner of clients - young, old, gen pop, athletes, etc.  Oh and did I mention his stint in Hollywood?   Join Coach Nick and Coach Tom as they discuss Nick's origins, as well as how everyone can benefit from some athletic training!

In this episode, we welcome Success' newest coach and trainer - Nikki Cantleberry - to the team!  Nikki is a Natural Bikini Pro competitor who also happens to be a mother of 3 who trains exclusively at home.  How does she do it?? Well, listen on to find out!!

Bodybuilding and powerlifting are two very popular fitness related endeavors/sports, but the specifics of the two are often confused.  What is the difference?  Why does it matter? How can YOU incorporate these activities into your life?  Join Coach Tom (a natural bodybuilder) and Coach Jesse (a natural powerlifter) as they discuss all that you may want to know!

Perhaps a silly question for some, but this is actually an important semantical distinction to make: What is the difference between "physical activity" and "exercise"? In short, physical activity is anything that involves movement, but isn't a planned workout.  Exercise on the other hand is a planned workout, and involves calculated progression towards a fitness goal.  For all the specifics and dirty details, listen on!

If the goal is to allow our fitness journey to be a lifelong experience, getting hurt is less than ideal.  That being stated, most of us are no stranger to an injury!  Whether minor, severe, acute, or chronic - injuries are a pain (literally and figuratively)!  In this episode, Success' Coach David and Coach Tom discuss their experiences with pain and injury, as well as lend their expertise as to how to manage and prevent these sorts of issues. Truly one of the more underrated topics in fitness! Enjoy!

The third and final part of the "Starting Your Fitness Journey" conversation.  Ok, so you've started your fitness journey, but how do you continue without fail?? In this episode, we discuss what might cause a person to fall off of their plan (which is unfortunately a very common occurrence), as well as how to "get back on the horse" so to speak. Sick? Injured? Busy with travel?  There are many reasons why a person may push pause on healthful habits, or be derailed all together.  Life does indeed happen, but that does not mean that we should give up on a fit and healthy body!  You are worth it! 

Unfortunately, there are A LOT of myths related to what and how we eat. Thankfully, though, we have the trainers at Success to demystify nutrition! There is nuance in everything, and that goes double for food talk!  Curious about Keto? We've got you. How about Intermittent fasting?  Of course we discuss that!  And Carbs?  Yeah, we talk carbs...So join Coach Tom and Success' nutrition master, Coach Hunter, as they take you through a list of myths to help you learn how to eat as an individual!

Welcome to Part 2 of our series on "Starting Your Fitness Journey" In this episode, we dive deeper into building a strong foundation for your fitness journey. We'll guide you through key questions like why you're working out.  You'll also learn how to structure your workouts for maximum efficiency, and understand the importance of recovery. Plus, we'll touch on the role of nutrition in fueling your progress. If you're just starting out and have already listened to part 1, this episode is the next step to make fitness a sustainable part of your life. Let's get moving!

Thinking about starting your fitness journey? Well, let's get real—this isn't just about cute workout gear and Instagram selfies. It's gonna take work, and you need to be ready for it! In this episode, we're dishing out the prep no one talks about: understanding your starting point, setting real goals, considering your history (yes, even that “I haven't worked out in years” part), and preparing for the obstacles ahead. For all you beginners, we've got your back. Get ready to lay the foundation now, and stay tuned for Part 2 where we'll help you build the action plan to crush those goals!

In this episode "Fuel & Focus," we dive into the essential elements of an effective preworkout routine. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just starting your fitness journey, we explore how to optimize your performance and energy levels before hitting the gym. We'll cover the ideal timing and types of exercises to include in your warm-up, the best foods to eat to fuel your workout, and the science behind key supplements like creatine, beta-alanine, and caffeine. Discover how to tailor your preworkout strategy to your specific goals, from building muscle to improving endurance, and learn which supplements are worth your time and money. Join us as we break down the secrets to maximizing your workout potential and achieving peak performance every time you train! Don't miss this deep dive into building the perfect preworkout routine that sets you up for success!

Fitness is oh-so important, and so underutilized as a means of managing so many other aspects of health.  But of course, there's more to it.  Join us for a brief overview & discussion of other pillars of health and easy things to do to improve each one.  LET'S GROW!!

Happy Birthday to Grace's mom, "Momma Janet"! We took this opportunity to have a discussion about some tips & tricks that we've observed after decades of training busy moms who have been successful in making health & fitness a lifestyle! Join us in this tribute to busy moms!  We hope you find value in our ramblings :)

In today's episode we are so grateful to welcome Dr. Jacob Salaba "Jake" - Physical Therapist and owner of Ascension Physical Therapy & Performance and Bear Fitness. Dr. Jake takes us through pain theory, and understanding our perception of pain, as well as what that means for our future quality of life.  Thank you Dr. Jake for your insights & expertise! Dr. Jake can be found at: https://www.ascensionphysicaltherapyandperformance.com/jacob-salaba

Social media has many pros and cons.  As a consumer, it's important to approach your engagement with social media with an analytical and educated approach.  In today's episode we discuss our approach to social media as it pertains to nutrition information.  Enjoy!

The fitness industry, as displayed by social media, has many pros and cons. In today's ramblings 3 coaches discuss their experiences and perspectives when it comes to digesting the endless information at our fingertips.  Enjoy!

What is Functional Health Coaching??   00:00 Coach Hunter and Coach Tom Say “Hello!” 2:54 What is functional nutrition? How does it differ from traditional nutrition coaching? 5:00 What inspired Hunter to pursue this area of expertise? 7:14 How do you go about developing personalized nutrition plans for clients? 9:24 What role do lifestyle and behavior change play in functional nutrition coaching? 11:58 Are there any specific success stories you could share in regards to your coaching? 14:50 What kind of misconceptions about functional health coaching are there? 16:49 What do you do to stay up to date with all of the information that goes into the practice? 19:39 Are there any particular dietary philosophies are practices that you incorporate into your coaching? 25:57 How do you manage client's food sensitivities/allergies as a part of your coaching? 27:59 What are some practical strategies that you offer clients to help them improve their health through nutrition? 30:35 What advice might you give to someone interested in pursuing a career in functional nutrition? 33:35 What are some of the upcoming trends in this field that get you most excited?    

Guest interview with fitness guru and influencer, Geoffrey Verity Schofield!  In today's episode, host and coach, Tom Lazorik interviews Geoffrey Verity Schofield from across the globe and gets his insights on the debate between Exercise Science vs Bro Science helping YOU to make better sense of the tangled web of health & fitness information that you are surely bombarded with. Enjoy!! TIME STAMPS: 00:13 - Intro! 00:49 - Who is Geoffrey Verity Schofield! 2:10 - Exercise Science vs Bro Science. The spectrum of information! 5:27 - Geoff's biggest issue with exercise science 11:52 - Hard science for supplementation vs training… 12:57 - How much more can we learn about training? How much more “optimized” can things get? 18:45 - Are adherence, consistency and effort the most important aspects of fitness progress? 19:08 - The science always seems to be changing, so what does that say about the science? Information vs wisdom… 22:52 - Geoff's choice between two opposing, extreme clients…  27:22 - Effort may be the hardest thing to coach. Can effort be taught? 35:20 - In conclusion! Geoff and Tom wrap up!

Episode 2! In today's episode we discuss when to and when NOT to hire a trainer. We also let you in on some insights to the industry to help you make the best educated decision for your personal health journey. Enjoy! Questions? Comments? Ideas for a future episode? Contact us at info@successfitnessmn.com www.successfitnessandtraining.com  

Episode 1! Take 3! Of the Success Culture podcast! Meet the leadership team of Success Fitness & Training! We are a small business with a BIG heart and we are on a mission to normalize fitness! Located in Maplewood, MN and Coon Rapids, MN, we are your home for personal training. In todays episode, a sneak peak into the leadership team and a little more about this quirky, passionate organization! Listen until the end for a surprise from Tom! LET'S GROW!

In this episode, trainers Grace and Helen discuss the 75 Hard Program as created by Andy Frisella. The trainers discuss what the program is, why it's the best program ever, as well as the challenges of the program that they have faced, and how they overcame those challenges. If you are thinking of starting the program, first of all, start NOW, secondly, listen to this podcast as well as Andy Frisella's episode on 75 Hard inside his REAL AF podcast. “Please check out all of our information and don't forget to review and like this podcast so that we can continue to grow, also if you want to check out any of the coaches down below links to their social media will be provided. Bodybuilding team IG Page: https://www.instagram.com/team_successculture/ Teams FB: https://www.facebook.com/successfitnessandtraining Hunter's IG: https://www.instagram.com/huntercovelski/ Alex's IG: https://www.instagram.com/success_fitness_alex/ Tom's IG: https://www.instagram.com/tom.lazorik/ Grace's IG: https://www.instagram.com/workout.with.grace/ Helen's IG: https://www.instagram.com/helen_razz/”

In this episode coaches Tom and Hunter talk about getting ready for your first contest prep. The idea to do this episode was sparked up since Tom is getting ready for his first-ever Bodybuilding show in the NGA. With Hunter's 8 years of prep experience and Tom being in the process currently, this is truly the podcast to share around to anyone looking to compete!! + READY TO GET INTO CONTEST-LEVEL SHAPE? Unleash Your Potential! with our Passionate, dynamic, and HEALTH-based approach to physique enhancement and contest prep. We use a strategic coaching method customized to the individual to help you achieve your best physique while maintaining optimal health and looking and feeling your best! We give each client the time, care, guidance, and attention they need to achieve Success! You can book a meeting: https://www.successfitnessandtraining.com/elite-physique-coaching-program/ Follow the team: Bodybuilding team IG Page: https://www.instagram.com/team_successculture/ Teams FB: https://www.facebook.com/successfitnessandtraining Hunter's IG: https://www.instagram.com/huntercovelski/ Alex's IG: https://www.instagram.com/success_fitness_alex/ Tom's IG: https://www.instagram.com/tom.lazorik/ Grace's IG: https://www.instagram.com/workout.with.grace/ Helen's IG: https://www.instagram.com/helen_razz/

In this riveting episode, The Great Grace and Trainer Tom discuss why it is so important to understand how and why fitness is an individual endeavor. Like most things in life, there is no one size fits all solution! Listen on to learn more!

Podcasting info In this episode of the Success culture, podcast coach Hunter and Alex are the speakers. Hunter is interviewing Alex and going through his background with his own personal training, what got him into personal training, and his general thought process around training. Bodybuilding team IG Page: https://www.instagram.com/team_successculture/ Teams FB: https://www.facebook.com/successfitnessandtraining Hunter's IG: https://www.instagram.com/huntercovelski/ Alex's IG: https://www.instagram.com/success_fitness_alex/ Tom's IG: https://www.instagram.com/tom.lazorik/ Grace's IG: https://www.instagram.com/workout.with.grace/ Helen's IG: https://www.instagram.com/helen_razz/

In this episode of the Success culture podcast coaches Hunter and Tom talk about general nutrition guidelines for eating before your workout. As personal trainers for many years, we give the common mistakes people make when they first start their workout journeys, how to avoid those and our general recommendations for eating before your training. Please check out all of our information and don't forget to review and like this podcast so that we can continue to grow, also if you want to check out any of the coaches down below links to their social media will be provided. Bodybuilding team IG Page: https://www.instagram.com/team_successculture/ Teams FB: https://www.facebook.com/successfitnessandtraining Hunter's IG: https://www.instagram.com/huntercovelski/ Alex's IG: https://www.instagram.com/success_fitness_alex/ Tom's IG: https://www.instagram.com/tom.lazorik/ Grace's IG: https://www.instagram.com/workout.with.grace/ Helen's IG: https://www.instagram.com/helen_razz/

In this episode, Tom and Hunter talk about Macros and what they are.

In this episode, Coach Covelski and Trainer Tom discuss their takes on isolation and compound movements. What are they? Is one better than the other? Stay tuned, because our hosts have a lot to say in regards what the science says, as well as their own experiences with this topic.

If you've ever started a health and fitness journey, and especially if you've been successful on a health and fitness journey, you've likely dealt with some haters. No one bats an eye if you eat McDonalds and go to the bar, but you start weighing out your food and tracking calories and people will lose their minds! In this episode, coaches Grace & Hunter discuss their experience and strategies in dealing with haters. We hope you get some good takeaways, and know that you are on the right path! Stay strong!

If you're considering hiring a personal trainer, you want to be sure you find the right fit. I mean, it's not called "personal" training for nothing. You're going to be spending a lot of time, energy, and money on this endeavor, so we want to help you get started on the right foot.

Flexibility is a wonderful, yet underrated area of focus within fitness...Being flexibile (as well as mobile) provides the backbone for essentially anything and everything that we do when it comes to working out. In this podcast, Trainer Tom provides his impassioned thoughts on exactly why being flexibile is crucial for healthy bodies.

Busy, working moms present unique challenges when it comes to adopting a healthy and active lifestyle. Moms are the bomb, but in that, they often put everyone else before themselves. This doesn't bode well for their energy, their overall health, and the true presence that they have in their life. In this episode Coaches Hunter & Grace discuss common problems they see in working with busy moms, and some strategies for implementing a healthy lifestyle.

Trainer's Tom & Grace talk through the importance of cardiovascular training, as well as tips and tricks for implementing your cardiovascular routine.

There's a lot of 'lingo' when it comes to training.  One term you may have heard is "training splits" or even just "splits".  In today's episode trainer's Tom & Hunter talk about the different types of training splits.  No split is right or wrong; it's all about finding the one that works for you!  Listen and learn more!

Thank you for checking out our podcast, we are so excited to be here! Our goal is to provide practical and useful information, and to have a little fun, but we figured we'd start with a brief introduction to our team; Co-owners and Trainers Grace Melek & Alex Cilek, Nutrition & Training Coach, Hunter Covelski, and Training Coach & Kickboxing Trainer, Tom Lazorik. We have an extended team of independent trainers, as well as our community partners who all share in our mission to normalize fitness and to create a healthier world. We look forward to introducing them in future episodes. Please forgive us for what's sure to be an intially clunky experience as we get our podcasting feet underneath us. We believe in progress over perfection :) LET'S GO!!!!!