EP719 - The Hidden Disordered Eating in Fitness Influencer Culture

In this episode I sit down with guest cohost Cass Zimmerman for a real conversation about MAHA, the healthcare system, and where the middle ground actually lives between modern western medicine and the holistic side of fitness and nutrition. We rift, we talk some shit, we laugh, and we give you a few insights along the way. This one is laid back, honest, and exactly the kind of conversation you'd expect when two friends get behind the mic.   Next Level Experience - Schedule Your Discovery Call Here   Next Level Links Nutrition Coaching - www.becomenextlevel.com Nutrition Coaching Free Consultations - Schedule Here   Free Guides: Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide High-Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide   Join Us On Patreon - Join Here   Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.   Order Supplements From Transform Order from Cured Supplement Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition   Connect with us on Instagram Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder Guest Cass Zimmerman - @casofras Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

Today Craig and I are talking about the dark side of the fitness influencer world. Orthorexia. The obsession with eating perfectly clean. The belief that discipline equals restriction and punishment. The extreme routines that get praised online while people silently struggle with guilt fear and anxiety around food. We pull back the curtain on what really goes on behind the "grind" and "no excuses" mentality When discipline becomes obsession Exercise bulimia and feeling like you have to earn or burn your food The influencer pressure to stay shredded year round How the algorithm rewards extreme behavior We give real red flags to watch for in yourself or in the people you follow Panic when you cannot track a meal Cardio as punishment No rest days ever Constant body updates and weigh ins We also talk about how to heal. How to shift from self punishment to self respect. How to build an identity that is not dependent on your macros or your physique.   Fitness should support your life Not take it over   Next Level Experience - Schedule Your Discovery Call Here   Next Level Links Nutrition Coaching - www.becomenextlevel.com Nutrition Coaching Free Consultations - Schedule Here   Free Guides: Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide High-Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide   Join Us On Patreon - Join Here   Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.   Order Supplements From Transform Order from Cured Supplement Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition   Connect with us on Instagram Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

In this very first episode, I break down why I decided to rebrand from The Next Level Health & Fitness Podcast to The Brad Jensen Show. I wanted a space where I could speak more raw, more real, and represent my name — and my name only. No filters. No fluff. Just honest conversations about life, health, growth, and everything in between. I share a few current things going on in my world, talk about what it really means to take ownership instead of playing the victim, and even call myself out for trying to cut back on filler words when I speak. This episode is short and simple — a quick intro to what's ahead. Expect deeper conversations, more real talk, and the kind of perspective that helps you level up in every area of life.   Next Level Experience - Schedule Your Discovery Call Here   Next Level Links Nutrition Coaching - www.becomenextlevel.com Nutrition Coaching Free Consultations - Schedule Here   Free Guides: Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide High-Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide   Join Us On Patreon - Join Here   Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.   Order Supplements From Transform Order from Cured Supplement Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition   Connect with us on Instagram Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

In this episode, Craig and I dive into our monthly listener Q&A — covering a mix of mindset, fitness, and lifestyle topics that hit close to home for a lot of people. We covered everything from testosterone therapy and self-limiting beliefs to training styles, getting back in shape after falling off, and whether cold plunges are actually worth the hype. Some of the questions we tackled include: Testosterone only went up 10 points after 9 months on TRT — does that seem off? What are our own personal self-limiting beliefs and how have we learned to work through them? Which is more optimal: circuit-style training or traditional hypertrophy work? If you were in great shape years ago but have since fallen off, what's the very first step to take to get back on track? Our honest take on cold plunging — effective or overrated? This episode is a blend of science, experience, and real talk — no fluff. Whether you're curious about optimizing your health or just looking for a little direction, this one's packed with insight. Listen now to hear our raw, unfiltered answers and practical takeaways to apply in your own life.   Next Level Experience - Schedule Your Discovery Call Here   Next Level Links Nutrition Coaching - www.becomenextlevel.com Nutrition Coaching Free Consultations - Schedule Here   Free Guides: Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide High-Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide   Join Us On Patreon - Join Here   Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.   Order Supplements From Transform Order from Cured Supplement Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition   Connect with us on Instagram Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

In this bonus solo episode, I take you behind the curtain of The Next Level Experience — my 4-month transformational program designed to help you level up your mind, body, and spirit. I've had countless people ask, "What's actually included inside the program?" This episode is my full walk-through — a detailed, step-by-step breakdown of each level, what we cover, and why it matters. From emotional regulation and mindset shifts to nutrition, structure, and spiritual growth — I explain exactly how each level builds on the last to create lasting change. This isn't just another fitness or mindset program; it's a full framework for transforming how you show up in every area of your life. If you've ever been curious about what makes The Next Level Experience so different — or why past clients call it life-changing — this episode will give you the full picture. What You'll Learn: The purpose behind each level of The Next Level Experience How we help you master emotional regulation and mindset rewiring The importance of synergy between your physical, mental, and spiritual growth Why this program goes far beyond macros, workouts, or motivation What kind of transformations past participants have achieved Whether you've been watching from the sidelines or wondering if this is the right time to go "all in" on yourself, this episode will give you the clarity you need to take that next step. If you're ready to finally get unstuck and live a truly Next Level life, click the link below to book your free discovery call today. Schedule Your Discovery Call - Schedule Here   Next Level Links Nutrition Coaching - www.becomenextlevel.com Nutrition Coaching Free Consultations - Schedule Here   Free Guides: Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide High-Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide   Join Us On Patreon - Join Here   Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.   Order Supplements From Transform Order from Cured Supplement Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition   Connect with us on Instagram Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

In this episode of The Next Level Health & Fitness Podcast, Craig and I dive into one of the most debated topics in the fitness world — protein. Is there really such a thing as too much protein? Are people in the fitness space chronically over-feeding themselves in the name of muscle gain? And more importantly, are they sacrificing other key nutrients just to hit massive protein goals? We break it all down — the pros, the cons, and the context that actually matters. You'll hear our personal opinions, what we've seen with clients, and what we believe is the sweet spot for optimal protein intake. If you've ever wondered whether you're overdoing it or under-fueling your body with protein, this episode will give you clarity and practical takeaways you can apply right away.   Next Level Open Enrollment - Schedule Your Discovery Call - Schedule Here   Next Level Links Nutrition Coaching - www.becomenextlevel.com Nutrition Coaching Free Consultations - Schedule Here   Free Guides: Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide High-Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide   Join Us On Patreon - Join Here   Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.   Order Supplements From Transform Order from Cured Supplement Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition   Connect with us on Instagram Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder Co-Host Craig Smith - @greatestdaymindset Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

In this episode of the Next Level Health & Fitness Podcast, I sat down with my longtime coach and friend, Jenn Pinnell — our longest-standing coach at Next Level Nutrition. Jenn and I dove deep into a topic that's at the core of real transformation: intentionality. We talked about what it actually means to be mindful with your food, your goals, and your life as a whole. This isn't about perfection — it's about awareness, presence, and making decisions that align with who you want to become. We broke down real-life examples like how to keep your goals front and center while traveling or on vacation, and how to find that balance between enjoying yourself and staying true to your standards. We also shared tools and techniques to help you regulate your nervous system when emotions hit hard and you feel the urge to eat just to cope. Being mindful and intentional with everything you do will get you to your goals faster — not because you're hustling harder, but because you're finally aligned. If you've been feeling distracted, reactive, or disconnected from your goals, this episode is going to hit home.   Schedule a Free Consultation with Coach Jenn - Schedule Here   Next Level Webinar Registration - Register Here   Next Level Links Nutrition Coaching - www.becomenextlevel.com Nutrition Coaching Free Consultations - Schedule Here Next Level Experience Waitlist - Join Here   Free Guides: Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide High-Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide   Join Us On Patreon - Join Here   Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.   Order Supplements From Transform Order from Cured Supplement Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition   Connect with us on Instagram Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder Coach Jenn Pinnell - @berealstrong Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

In this episode, Brad and cohost Craig Smith dive into one of the biggest traps we see people fall into on their fitness and personal growth journey—settling for mediocrity. We unpack how clients often start out with decent but not great effort—and because they still see some results, they start to believe that "good enough" actually is good enough. But that's where real progress starts to stall. Brad and Craig break down: The difference between progress and potential Why partial effort can yield just enough results to keep you stuck How to recognize when you've fallen into the comfort zone of mediocrity Why sometimes a "bad week" that you kept together is a huge win—but staying at that level isn't The mindset shift required to break through from average to excellent If you've ever found yourself coasting on autopilot or wondering why your results have plateaued, this episode will challenge you to look in the mirror and get brutally honest with your level of effort.   Next Level Webinar Registration - Register Here   Next Level Links Nutrition Coaching - www.becomenextlevel.com Nutrition Coaching Free Consultations - Schedule Here Next Level Experience Waitlist - Join Here   Free Guides: Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide High-Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide   Join Us On Patreon - Join Here   Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.   Order Supplements From Transform Order from Cured Supplement Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition   Connect with us on Instagram Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder Co-Host Craig Smith - @greatestdaymindset Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

On today's episode of The Next Level Health & Fitness Podcast, I sat down once again with two of our incredible Next Level Experience life coaches, Frank Young and Cass Zimmerman. We dove deep into all things growth — reflecting on our biggest lessons from the last round of The Next Level Experience and the transformation that happens when you truly start to accept and surrender to life on life's terms. Most people live in denial of reality, and that denial creates massive resistance. We broke down how to shift that resistance, release the need to control everything, and ultimately find sovereignty — that grounded place where you can just be you. The real, raw, authentic you. This conversation is packed with insights, stories, and takeaways that'll help you grow into the next version of yourself.   Apply For The Next Level Scholarship - Apply Here   Next Level Links Nutrition Coaching - www.becomenextlevel.com Nutrition Coaching Free Consultations - Schedule Here Next Level Experience Waitlist - Join Here   Free Guides: Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide High-Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide   Join Us On Patreon - Join Here   Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.   Order Supplements From Transform Order from Cured Supplement Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition   Connect with us on Instagram Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder Guest Frank Young - @frankthetankyoung Guest Cass Zimmerman - @casofras Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

It's that time again — our monthly Q&A with me and Craig. These episodes are always some of my favorites because we get to hit a variety of topics and just riff off what's real and relevant for you guys. We started by talking about the biggest lie we've been told about success, and what true success actually looks like when you strip away all the noise. From there, we dove into how to navigate nutrition in social settings — how to stay on track without being the weird one at dinner, and how to get rid of that all-or-nothing mindset when you're out with friends or family. Craig shared some insight on how to find time to eat as a busy therapist, which honestly applies to anyone juggling work, family, and life. It turned into a bigger conversation about how to actually prioritize yourself even when things feel chaotic. And we wrapped up by getting into what men struggle with most emotionally and why — the stuff most guys don't talk about, but really should. This one covers everything from mindset and success to nutrition and emotional growth. It's honest, it's raw, and it'll definitely make you think.   Join our Next Level Presale - Schedule Here   Next Level Links Nutrition Coaching - www.becomenextlevel.com Nutrition Coaching Free Consultations - Schedule Here Next Level Experience Waitlist - Join Here   Free Guides: Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide High-Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide   Join Us On Patreon - Join Here   Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.   Order Supplements From Transform Order from Cured Supplement Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition   Connect with us on Instagram Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder Co-Host Craig Smith - @greatestdaymindset Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition