Jason Theobald, Jeffrey Su, and Jeff Black - 3 of the most forward-thinking coaches in the health and industry space collaborate to bring their takes on leadership, success and serving others as a coach.
The Excellence Cartel podcast is an exceptional source of information and entertainment for anyone interested in health, fitness, and entrepreneurship. It offers a unique blend of fun, knowledge, and a sense of camaraderie with the hosts that makes you feel like a part of their crew. Starting the day with this podcast provides both laughter and valuable insights that can be immediately applied to one's business or personal life.
One of the best aspects of The Excellence Cartel podcast is the well-rounded nature of the content. As a coach, I have learned countless pieces of information that I have been able to directly implement into my own business. The episodes are packed with so much knowledge that I find myself replaying them multiple times to absorb everything. Beyond just their expertise, the hosts' humor and open personalities make learning enjoyable and engaging. The dynamic between Su, Jason, and Jeff is refreshing and creates a welcoming atmosphere for listeners.
On the downside, it can sometimes feel like there is a long wait between episodes. However, this could also be seen as a positive in some respects since it builds anticipation for each new release. Additionally, while the podcast covers a wide range of topics related to health/wellness, personal development, and business, there may be some subjects that aren't covered in as much depth as others. Nevertheless, they consistently provide a wealth of valuable information.
In conclusion, The Excellence Cartel podcast is an outstanding resource for anyone looking to expand their knowledge in various areas such as health/wellness, personal development, and business. The hosts' expertise combined with their humor and open personalities create an enjoyable experience that keeps listeners coming back for more. Whether you're a coach looking to improve your skills or simply someone seeking valuable insights for your own fitness journey, this podcast is definitely worth listening to.
Training NFL Athletes with Josh Cuthbert of Alpha 1 Strength – Featuring Jason Fitz (Yahoo Sports)What does it really take to train NFL players?In this episode, we sit down with Josh Cuthbert—founder of Alpha 1 Strength and one of the go-to coaches for high-level football talent. Josh has built a reputation for developing elite-level performance in pro athletes, and today, he pulls back the curtain on what it actually looks like to coach at that level.We dive into how he approaches programming for NFL players, the education that helped (and what was a waste of time), and how he's built a system around what gets results—not what looks good on paper. If you're a coach who wants to work with pros or someone curious about what separates the average from the elite, Josh lays it out.We're also joined by Jason Fitz, NFL analyst with Yahoo Sports, who brings his perspective from the other side of the industry. Fitz gets to ask Josh some key questions about player performance, training gaps, and what he sees on the field that ties back to the gym.Whether you're a strength coach, personal trainer, athlete, or just a fan of the game—you'll walk away with real insight into what it takes to train pros the right way.
In this episode, we sit down with 7-time Mr. Olympia Phil Heath, joined by our good friend Matt Christman, for a conversation that goes far deeper than sets, reps, or supplementation.This isn't your typical bodybuilding interview.No drug talk.Barely any training or nutrition.Just real, unfiltered insight from a man who's lived at the top and learned through the process of winning—and losing.We wanted a different kind of conversation with Phil. One built on the kind of perspective you only earn through time, setbacks, and self-awareness.If you're looking for a raw, thoughtful, and unexpected look into the mind of a champion—this one's for you.
Peaking a Pro: Inside the Mind of Jason Theobald with Coach Phil VizIn this episode, we dive deep into the science and strategy behind one of the most critical—and elusive—elements of bodybuilding: the peak. Physique coach Phil Viz joins us for an in-depth, cerebral conversation about working with IFBB Pro Jason Theobald, breaking down how he helped Jason achieve his best look on stage.We explore Jason's mindset as a seasoned pro, what led him to seek out a coach despite his own extensive knowledge, and the "why" behind his decision to bring Phil into the process. Phil shares his meticulous approach to peaking—covering everything from water manipulation to carb loading—and how he tailored his methods to fit Jason's unique physiology and prep history.This episode is a must-listen for competitors, coaches, and anyone obsessed with the finer details of elite-level physique development. Learn what it takes to bring a professional bodybuilder to peak—and why even the best sometimes need another set of eyes.Want a more casual, hardcore fan-style version too?
What is weight-loss resistance? In this chat with fitness and health educator Justin Mihaly, we review the different weight-loss resistance levels. Listen to find out how you can work to finally break through plateaus you once thought impossible with some newer applications to restore results.
4 years have come to a close. An overview of how three friends' friendship came to a rather dramatic ending.
Join Jason, Jeffrey Su, and Jeff Black as they bring The Excellence Cartel podcast to a close for now.
Episode 175: Vince Pitstick on OID & Autophagy Vince joined us today to dive deep on Overactive Immune Disorder and clarify exactly what this means within the context of weight loss resistance and various disease states. What is weight loss resistance? How do you know if you have it? And why is the immune system at the center of it all? Listen to find out!
The Keto Playbook with Ben Azadi, best-selling author of "Keto Flex." Ben joined Jeff B and Jason to discuss implementing a Ketogenic diet that benefits you on a cellular level. We covered fasting, working out with a ketogenic diet, and even the fats you should avoid that are more dangerous than smoking cigarettes! Check us out and share if you learned something new!
Episode 174: John Gorman and Jason Theobald Talk Supplements Today we invited John Gorman, owner of PHAT Muscle to join Jason for a tell-all today about what it's really like to own a supplement company. John and Jason talk about what it was like in the early days, their first products, their initial capital outlays, and how they marketed without ads to grow to 1 million in annual revenue. Ever wonder what goes into a great product? Listen to this episode.
Episode 173: Nate Bailey on Leadership Today we were joined by Nate Bailey who shares his experience in the military and how his role there prepared him to run a successful coaching business after selling his insurance company. We talk about handling highs and lows, relationships, and challenges ahead.
Today we were joined by Taeler De Haes to talk about the business of business coaching, what to do, what not to do, what's common, and what's rare.This was probably the best episode we have done on this topic. Taeler tells it like it really is, she doesn't pitch or sell, and she opens up about how tragedy in her own life fueled an obsession with building her business and how relentless hours of hard work and saying “no” led her to a life of saying “yes” today.Business coaching is becoming as common as fitness coaching and the truth is, only a small percentage will make it.
Episode 171: Skip Hill on Masters Competitors Today we had Skip Hill on our show to discuss the ins and outs of maintaining health and longevity as a masters competitor or bodybuilding enthusiast.We touch on training adjustments, cardio, PEDs, and what systems act as limiting factors to progression in athletes 40 and up.
Episode 170: Justin HarrisToday we were joined by Justin Harris, owner of Troponin Nutrition to chat about nutrition, physics, coaching, going back to school, and running multiple businesses.Justin is a wealth of knowledge and experience in both bodybuilding and business. Tune in for tips on staying in the game (even after taking a break) and growing personally and professionally as the industry as we know it continues to change.
Episode 169: Healthy, Optimal, & Competitive Today we were joined by Dom Kuza to discuss the balance between what's healthy, optimal, and competitive when it comes to contest preps and PEDs.What's healthy isn't always competitive, so how do you navigate both goals over time?Many of us who love to train and compete won't ever be Mr. Olympia, so how do you reconcile your goals? Tune in to find out!
Episode 168: Chat GPT with Jaime Filer Coach Jaime from TRM joined us again today to talk about artificial intelligence, social media, and the future of coaching as our industry players are constantly seeking the next edge and operational efficiencies. We focus on Chat GPT, an open software system in its infancy stages which can write meal plans, Facebook posts, and supplement protocols based on what information you give it. Scary stuff, but very cool as well. How will human coaches fare as AI creeps into our space? Tune in to find out!
Episode 167: Contest Prep with Cameron Cheek Cameron returns this week to talk about the nitty gritty details of contest prep. We dive into GH and anabolics for athletes, nutrition and training considerations for men and women in both younger and older populations and more.
Episode 166: Coach Cameron Cheek Today we were joined by coach Cameron Cheek from Camp Jansen to talk about his story, his why, and where he sees bodybuilding and the coaching industry going. At only 24 years old, Cameron seems wise beyond his years with his view points on business, money, success, and social media. Tune in to get to know the guy behind some of the best athletes and transformations in our industry today.
Episode 165: The Unnamed & Untamed Takeover! Today we were joined by Mere, Sonia, and Sarah to answer your questions! We go over Semaglutide, blending your food, training with hypothalamic amenorrhea and we also discuss female empowerment. You might be surprised at what these ladies have to say!
Episode 164: Deep Dive Into Cholesterol with Dr. Kirsten Gurtowsky Dr. Gurtowsky joins us again today for a deep dive into cholesterol. From lab markers to genetic root causes in dyslipidemia, we cover it all so you can stay informed and up to date on your cardiac health.
Episode 163: Brothers In Business Today we were joined by Eric and Chris Martinez, brothers and fitness business coaches who focus on helping coaches sell more high-ticket programs without trading time for money. We talk about social media, growing your following, how their high-ticket offers work, and what might go wrong. Jeffrey Su and Jason Theobald play devils advocates at times to tease out both sides of the fence on this topic.
Episode 162: PEC 8 Recap & Open Q&A Today the three of us reflect on PEC 8 and our past weekend. It was a great turnout and a reminder of all the good people we have in our industry and the good we are all trying to accomplish together. We appreciate your time, attendance, support, trust, and feedback. We also answered some questions received in our question boxes on Instagram in a funny, direct, and informative manner! We appreciate the questions!
Today we had Dr. Anthony Jay, author of Estrogeneration, back on to discuss the low T phenomenon. Over the course of the episode, we discussed the reasons behind low Testosterone levels. Things such as phthalates, processed foods, lack of sleep, and heavy metals such as fluoride. We even touched on hormone replacement therapy and any concerns anyone might have over participating in a hormone therapy program.
Episode 160: Advanced PEDs for Male Enhancement Today Alex Kikel joins us again to dive deep into PEDs for men. We cover PED use in the aging male, how and why tren affects some men differently, and why you'd want to use masteron over primo. As always, Alex packs a punch by bringing in the hard science behind mechanisms of action of these PEDs.
Episode 159: Semaglutide with Megan Del Corral Today Megan Del Corral from Advanced Vitality HRT joined us to discuss the low down on Semaglutide, the newest incretin mimetic to hit the market to target insulin and weight loss resistance. We dive deep into the cellular mechanisms of GLP-1RAs as they related to hunger signaling, fat loss, and special population who should or shouldn't use incretin mimetics. For more information on consulting with Advanced Vitality HRT, please visit: advancedvitalityhrt.com www.theexcellencecartel.com
Episode 158: Steven Pressfield Today we hosted Steven Pressfield again on the show to talk about his memoir, Government Cheese which hits bookshelves on December 30th. Government Cheese is about Steven's life but many of us can reflect on on his journey of self-development and introspection as we figure out how we each show up and deliver what we're put on this earth to do. www.theexcellencecartel.com
Today we invited Alex Kikel onto the show to dive into some of the pharmacology of PEDs - anabolics, insulin, and growth hormone. We discuss women and PEDs, virilization, usage for men over 40, and the genetic expression of unwanted side effects.
Episode 156: Masculinity and Mental Health Today we were joined by Nick Komodina to discuss the male struggle with ego, pain, communication, emotions, and abandonment. Men's mental health is a topic that is thankfully gaining more attention and awareness. Men are more likely to commit suicide when facing failure and many men abuse drugs, alcohol, women, and money - to escape pain. Nick talks about the 4 pillars of life, and how most men build a lopsided foundation, often focusing on money and physical strength, especially in our industry, and how a conscious rebalancing of the 4 pillars will lead to a happier and more sustainable existence.
Episode 155: Competing With Ataxia Today Jason's client Daniela DiSilvestro joins us along side her posing coach and trainer Kate Lane to share her motivating story of competing with Ataxia. Ataxia describes poor muscle control that causes clumsy voluntary movements. It may cause difficulty with walking and balance, hand coordination, speech and swallowing, and eye movements. Ataxia usually results from damage to the part of the brain that controls muscle coordination (cerebellum) or its connections. Many conditions can cause ataxia, including alcohol misuse, stroke, tumor, brain degeneration, multiple sclerosis, certain medications and genetic disorders. Enter Write to Aa
Episode 154: Perimenopause with Mere Paci This is the most comprehensive chat we've ever had on perimenopause, and we were joined by ScoobyPrep coach Mere Paci to discuss her observations and findings amongst clients of this demographic. Together we break down symptoms, root causes, lab work, and ways to go about easing this natural transition via nutrition, training, and coaching support. This is an episode full of science, explanations, and application that you won't want to miss.
Episode 153: Contest Prep With Andrew Berry Today we were joined by Andrew Berry, from Jeff Su's neck of the woods up north to chat about the extremes of contest prep. We discuss training, cardio, nutrition, and of course drugs, both PEDs and ancillary items, and how and when we would apply them or have seen them applied.
Episode 152: Optimizing Your Lipid Panel and Heart Managing lipids and lowering cardiac risk is a common theme in coaching. Competitors and general population clients alike can encounter cardiac risk, which can be increased via the use of PEDs and birth control. Today we dive into blood pressure, heart rate, and the main elements on the lipid panel and discuss the ins and outs of risk and risk management for health and longevity. Enter Write to
Episode 151: What We Really Think About Mentorships Today we come right out and say what we think about mentorships in our industry and the good and bad that has come from this offering from a variety of brands, including our own. What should a mentorship offer? Who should mentor? What should you expect? Who needs mentoring? Will this offering continue to serve our industry or is it a bubble? This is perhaps the most direct, no bullshit topics we've covered and it's packed full of jabs, insight, foresight, and personality. We hope you enjoy it.
Episode 150: Peeling Back The Layers of PCOS Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome affects 6-12% of women of childbearing age. According to the revised criteria, PCOS is identified via amenorrhea, polycystic ovaries on an ultrasound, or a combination of hirsutism and hyperandrogenism. Women with PCOS often see elevated LH to FSH, high free Testosterone, low SHBG, high fasted insulin or cortisol dysregulation on serum lab work. Because PCOS is a mix of so many different systemic dysfunctions, it can be hard to treat. Medical solutions include Metformin, birth control, spironolactone, and finasteride. Together we discuss the pathophysiology of PCOS and how we approach it from natural coaching angles. www.theexcellencecartel.com
Episode 149: Competitive Eating with Bartley Weaver Today we were joined by IFBB pro Bartley Weaver who is ranked 16th in the world of competitive eating, appeared in NBC's Titan Games, and is currently working on set with The Rock. Bartley talks about the dark side of competitive eating and doing what it takes to be the best at that level. You can find Bartley on Instagram @dreamweaveriv. www.theexcellencecartel.com
Episode 148: Social Media Do's and Don'ts with Rosa Ma Today Jeffrey Su's client Rosa Ma joins us to discuss her role building data pipelines and creating usability dashboards for Big Social Media. We discussed posting frequency, should you reel or carousel, and should you avoid taking about current political administrations and ongoing health pandemics. Does the algorithm really listen? Where will social media lead us into the future? What drives engagement and retention? Rosa graduated from Columbia University and studied Finance and Mathematics and currently resides in Boston, MA.
Episode 147: Coaching Algorithms with Sam Miller Sam Miller, the author of "Metabolism Made Simple", joined us again today to discuss the thought process we go through as coaches when we approach tough client cases. Known as a "coaching algorithm," we discuss how we'd initiate our approach in cases where lab work is not available, cases where lab work is available, and cases where lab work is great but the client doesn't feel the same way. We walk through how we peel back the layers and where we believe the main drivers are of a faulty metabolic foundation. To be immersed in all of Sam's work, here are some great places to start! @sammillerscience on Instagram @metabolismschool on Instagram Program Website: www.metabolismschool.com Upcoming Book Available Fall 2022: www.metabolismmadesimple.com
Episode 146: Advanced Vitality HRT Episode 146: Advanced Vitality HRT Megan del Corral from Advanced Vitality HRT joins us today to talk about the perceptions and practices of HRT in our industry today. We discuss the needs and risks of Testosterone, Estrogen, and Progesterone in male and female patients and we speak briefly on the benefits of Semaglutide, a peptide which has promising benefits in weight loss.
In today's episode, we had Chanel Collette from Audacious Athletes join us to discuss all things fat loss. How do you even train for fat loss? What goes into it? When does a reverse diet or maintenance approach apply? Over the course of the episode, we discussed what expectations people should have when trying to lose body fat. We touched on calories in and calories out, along with metabolic adaption and subsequent hormonal changes. You will want to listen if you are in a fat loss phase or considering entering one.
Episode 144: PEDs with Braeden Miller Today we were joined by Braeden Miller of Team Miller Elite to discuss the pros, cons, risks, and ranges of PED use in the various categories of physique competition. What are people using? What have we each used? How much? How have our beliefs changed? Balancing risk and reward and accepting the reality of competing is part of the game. How far do you want to take it?
Episode 143: Do You Really Need A Business Coach? Today we invited Andrea Orona on our show who has studied under both "big name" and "small name" mentorships to answer the hottest question in our industry today: Do you really need a business coach? What are you really investing in? What do they do? What do they not do? We talk about building trust, building a brand, and why entrepreneurs choose to enter the fray of ownership and leadership.
Episode 142: The Art of Coaching Brett Bartholomew, performance coach, author, speaker, and owner of The Art of Coaching, joined us today for a really intimate and enlightening conversation on leadership, success, happiness, communication, and the mindset of leaders and those who wish to be led. Are leaders inherently flawed? Is narcissism beneficial in certain situations? How do you find your own voice? How to feel like you've achieved enough? How do "difficult clients," think? All of that and more. You'll love this one.
Episode 141: Ashley Marcum Returns It's been a year since we had Ashley on, the owner of MyoStrength Coaching who first appeared on Episode 102 on our Coaching Spotlight. Ashley recaps her year in business and how her perspectives on marketing, social media, relationship building, and client care have changed, and how investing in her own education has helped her grow.
Episode 140: Unnamed and Untamed Today the hosts of Unnamed and Untamed - Sarah Bishop, Mere Paci, and Sonia Spil joined us for an open Q&A on the differences between male and female coaches, handling different client personalities, and controversies surrounding HRT.
Episode 139: GOOB Today we were joined by John Dorsey, aka "Goob" who has rocked the social media world of fitness through his unrelenting mockery of infamous influencers and other scam artists online. John discusses his coaching business, how he got to become the man behind the stories, and how he has perhaps changed the industry and us all for the better by offering a fresh breath of accountability.
Episode 138: Chatting with Dillon Phaneuf Today our northern neighbor Dillon Phaneuf joined us on the podcast to chat about life and coaching in Canada. Dillon spoke about how he overcame personal struggles to become the coach he is today, and how operating within the Canadian healthcare system led him to alternative resources and thinking to better strategize on complex client cases.
Episode 137: A Chat With The Boston Mass Today we have a special guest - the one and only Jose Raymond, aka "The Boston Mass", aka the guy in charge of Jeffrey Su's hamstring development. Jose spoke about his career in the IFBB and opened up about PED use, training, and decisions he made coming up the ranks since winning the overall at the New Englands as a teen. Reflecting on his 20+ year career as a competitive bodybuilder he only has one regret, but the rest he has made peace with and is glad to have moved on to other projects which serve his purpose now and those around him. --
Episode 136: Should You Diet on Vacation? This is a common question and an undeniable, nagging thought that pops up in the minds of serious competitors and general population clients alike, and depending on your tenure in fitness, coping mechanisms, and perceptions of freedom, you may be tempted to handle your nutrition on vacation with biases. Who should be strict? Who should not? What does "strictness" or "freedom" mean? How should we as coaches guide our clients this summer season? Tune in to find out!
Episode 135: Adrenal Insufficiency with Kristen Gurtowsky Episode 135: Adrenal Insufficiency with Kristen Gurtowsky Jeff Black's client Kristen Gurtowsky joined us today to discuss adrenal insufficiency from her personal journey and professional perspective as a PA with formal medical training. 800 calorie diets paired with 2 hours of cardio per day are still happening all too often to clients at the hands of coaches who simply haven't been educated yet. Kristen talks about how she slowly bridged her medical background with the non-Western coaching techniques that her and Jeff employed to turn her adrenals around. www.theexcellencecartel.com
Episode 134: Stress Biofeedback with Nick Langer Today Nick Langer of BR Physiques joined us to talk about tracking stress in biofeedback, how to interpret markers and when coaches should or should not ask clients to track. We discuss HRV, RHR, FBG, BBT, and BG among others and how they relate and paint an actionable and coachable picture of the client. We also discuss genetic predisposition to stress, lifestyle factors, and what changes should be made to ensure longevity in physique enhancement. www.theeexcellencecartel.com
Episode 133: Building a Community with Tristan Winters Today we were joined by Tristan Winters from the Daily Pursuit to talk about how he built his community of clients and coaches and his strong beliefs in service-based leadership. Head health, heart health, and daily checklists he says is what keeps his clients and his team going. We asked him questions about marketing, client communication and management and if he has ever fired a client. www.theexcellencecartel.com
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