E624: Chaos, Coaching & Consciousness: A Conversation With Ian McKay

Shallow sits down with Ian McKay, coach, business owner and community builder. Ian's story runs through big-city ambition, loss, small-town identity, indigenous community work, burnout, philosophy, uncertainty, and the quiet reality of becoming the person people rely on.  Equal parts meaningful and hilarious, this is one you don't want to miss. https://www.instagram.com/ian.mckay_/ https://linktr.ee/reflexionstudio?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZ... Join the PSL1 waitlist now for our only course discount! https://www.pre-script.com/psl1 FREE Coach's Field Guide: https://www.pre-script.com/coachs-field-guide We've got a new sponsor! Marek Health is a health optimization company that offers advanced blood testing, health coaching, and expert medical oversight. Our services can help you enhance your lifestyle, nutrition, and supplementation to medical treatment and care. https://marekhealth.com/rxd Code RXD Don't miss the release of our newest educational community - The Pre-Script ® Collective! Join the community today at www.pre-script.com. For other strength training, health, and injury prevention resources, check out our website, YouTube channel, and Instagram. For more episodes, subscribe and tune in to our podcast. Also, make sure to sign up to our mailing list at www.pre-script.com to get the first updates on new programming releases. You can also follow Dr. Jordan Shallow and Dr. Jordan Jiunta on Instagram! Dr. Jordan Shallow: https://www.instagram.com/the_muscle_doc/ Dr. Jordan Jiunta: https://www.instagram.com/redwiteandjordan/

"Science-based lifting" is everywhere, but what does it actually mean? Shallow and Jiunta break down why most people using the term aren't following the scientific method, aren't applying principles, and aren't training in a way that would hold up outside of social media. They dig into the difference between evidence-based and science-themed content, and why online contrarians misuse "research" to sound smarter than they are. Join the PSL1 waitlist now for our only course discount! https://www.pre-script.com/psl1 FREE Coach's Field Guide: https://www.pre-script.com/coachs-field-guide We've got a new sponsor! Marek Health is a health optimization company that offers advanced blood testing, health coaching, and expert medical oversight. Our services can help you enhance your lifestyle, nutrition, and supplementation to medical treatment and care. https://marekhealth.com/rxd Code RXD Don't miss the release of our newest educational community - The Pre-Script ® Collective! Join the community today at www.pre-script.com. For other strength training, health, and injury prevention resources, check out our website, YouTube channel, and Instagram. For more episodes, subscribe and tune in to our podcast. Also, make sure to sign up to our mailing list at www.pre-script.com to get the first updates on new programming releases. You can also follow Dr. Jordan Shallow and Dr. Jordan Jiunta on Instagram! Dr. Jordan Shallow: https://www.instagram.com/the_muscle_doc/ Dr. Jordan Jiunta: https://www.instagram.com/redwiteandjordan/

GPP has a place, but not as a permanent identity. Shallow and Jiunta break down why real coaching means assessment, phase potentiation, and performance-based transitions.  Join the PSL1 waitlist now for our only course discount! https://www.pre-script.com/psl1 FREE Coach's Field Guide: https://www.pre-script.com/coachs-field-guide We've got a new sponsor! Marek Health is a health optimization company that offers advanced blood testing, health coaching, and expert medical oversight. Our services can help you enhance your lifestyle, nutrition, and supplementation to medical treatment and care. https://marekhealth.com/rxd Code RXD Don't miss the release of our newest educational community - The Pre-Script ® Collective! Join the community today at www.pre-script.com. For other strength training, health, and injury prevention resources, check out our website, YouTube channel, and Instagram. For more episodes, subscribe and tune in to our podcast. Also, make sure to sign up to our mailing list at www.pre-script.com to get the first updates on new programming releases. You can also follow Dr. Jordan Shallow and Dr. Jordan Jiunta on Instagram! Dr. Jordan Shallow: https://www.instagram.com/the_muscle_doc/ Dr. Jordan Jiunta: https://www.instagram.com/redwiteandjordan/

Today's solo episode goes beyond "best exercise for X muscle" and lays out four gold-standard movement patterns that keep you moving for life. You'll get the exact four patterns, plus how to regress them and program them alongside output work. Join the PSL1 Waitlist for an Exclusive Discount. https://www.pre-script.com/psl1 FREE Coach's Field Guide: https://www.pre-script.com/coachs-field-guide We've got a new sponsor! Marek Health is a health optimization company that offers advanced blood testing, health coaching, and expert medical oversight. Our services can help you enhance your lifestyle, nutrition, and supplementation to medical treatment and care. https://marekhealth.com/rxd Code RXD Don't miss the release of our newest educational community - The Pre-Script ® Collective! Join the community today at www.pre-script.com. For other strength training, health, and injury prevention resources, check out our website, YouTube channel, and Instagram. For more episodes, subscribe and tune in to our podcast. Also, make sure to sign up to our mailing list at www.pre-script.com to get the first updates on new programming releases. You can also follow Dr. Jordan Shallow and Dr. Jordan Jiunta on Instagram! Dr. Jordan Shallow: https://www.instagram.com/the_muscle_doc/ Dr. Jordan Jiunta: https://www.instagram.com/redwiteandjordan/

If you could only pick one exercise per muscle group, what would actually make the cut? Shallow breaks down the best exercises, not in isolation, but in the context of a full balanced program. He also dives into stability demands and global movement patterns so every lift supports the next. Enrollment for PSL1 Closes in 5 Days! Sign Up Now.  https://www.pre-script.com/psl1 FREE Coach's Field Guide: https://www.pre-script.com/coachs-field-guide We've got a new sponsor! Marek Health is a health optimization company that offers advanced blood testing, health coaching, and expert medical oversight. Our services can help you enhance your lifestyle, nutrition, and supplementation to medical treatment and care. https://marekhealth.com/rxd Code RXD Don't miss the release of our newest educational community - The Pre-Script ® Collective! Join the community today at www.pre-script.com. For other strength training, health, and injury prevention resources, check out our website, YouTube channel, and Instagram. For more episodes, subscribe and tune in to our podcast. Also, make sure to sign up to our mailing list at www.pre-script.com to get the first updates on new programming releases. You can also follow Dr. Jordan Shallow and Dr. Jordan Jiunta on Instagram! Dr. Jordan Shallow: https://www.instagram.com/the_muscle_doc/ Dr. Jordan Jiunta: https://www.instagram.com/redwiteandjordan/

Shallow and Jiunta dive into the latest "fitness trends". We're talking Run clubs, pilates, peptides/TRT and HYROX, but what actually moves the needle? We get into how high performers train, why client results are your responsibility and the role of hard conversations.  Class Starts October 27th! Sign up Now At https://www.pre-script.com/psl1 FREE Coach's Field Guide: https://www.pre-script.com/coachs-field-guide We've got a new sponsor! Marek Health is a health optimization company that offers advanced blood testing, health coaching, and expert medical oversight. Our services can help you enhance your lifestyle, nutrition, and supplementation to medical treatment and care. https://marekhealth.com/rxd Code RXD Don't miss the release of our newest educational community - The Pre-Script ® Collective! Join the community today at www.pre-script.com. For other strength training, health, and injury prevention resources, check out our website, YouTube channel, and Instagram. For more episodes, subscribe and tune in to our podcast. Also, make sure to sign up to our mailing list at www.pre-script.com to get the first updates on new programming releases. You can also follow Dr. Jordan Shallow and Dr. Jordan Jiunta on Instagram! Dr. Jordan Shallow: https://www.instagram.com/the_muscle_doc/ Dr. Jordan Jiunta: https://www.instagram.com/redwiteandjordan/

Shallow & Jiunta break down how to use training data to steer nutrition decisions rather than treating diet like a separate problem. They explore why structured diets (keto, vegan, carnivore,) actually work despite the internet arguing about them, as well as how psychological buy-in, age, physiological adaptability, and daily gym wins matter more than macros on paper. PSL1 Registration is now LIVE. Sign up Now At https://www.pre-script.com/psl1 FREE Coach's Field Guide: https://www.pre-script.com/coachs-field-guide We've got a new sponsor! Marek Health is a health optimization company that offers advanced blood testing, health coaching, and expert medical oversight. Our services can help you enhance your lifestyle, nutrition, and supplementation to medical treatment and care. https://marekhealth.com/rxd Code RXD Don't miss the release of our newest educational community - The Pre-Script ® Collective! Join the community today at www.pre-script.com. For other strength training, health, and injury prevention resources, check out our website, YouTube channel, and Instagram. For more episodes, subscribe and tune in to our podcast. Also, make sure to sign up to our mailing list at www.pre-script.com to get the first updates on new programming releases. You can also follow Dr. Jordan Shallow and Dr. Jordan Jiunta on Instagram! Dr. Jordan Shallow: https://www.instagram.com/the_muscle_doc/ Dr. Jordan Jiunta: https://www.instagram.com/redwiteandjordan/ Intro & Consistency Rant (00:00:00) Why "Belly Fat" Misses the Point (00:03:07) Objective vs Subjective in Fat Loss (00:04:36) Why Nutrition Coaching Is Hard (00:05:38) Diet "Identities" as Structure, Not Dogma (00:09:27) Practical Start: Deficit + Protein (00:13:28) Link Inputs to Outputs: Track Training (00:20:40) Fat Loss ≠ Weight Loss (00:22:39) You Can't Peak Performance in a Deficit (00:28:38) Macros to Shift Body Comp (00:30:43) Skill of Leanness; Unlearning; Age Matters (00:33:11) Physiology Adapts (00:37:01) Consequences Compound Over Time (00:41:58) Coaching Sensitivity & Sustainable Change (00:45:01)

Shallow and Jiunta are officially DONE letting boomers run the airwaves. This episode starts with a full on assault on the podcast rankings, dives into how belly breathing destroys both position and power and they dismantle one of the worst takes floating around: "You can PR your deadlift or pick up your grandkids, not both." PSL1 Registration is now LIVE. Sign up Now At https://www.pre-script.com/psl1 FREE Coach's Field Guide: https://www.pre-script.com/coachs-field-guide We've got a new sponsor! Marek Health is a health optimization company that offers advanced blood testing, health coaching, and expert medical oversight. Our services can help you enhance your lifestyle, nutrition, and supplementation to medical treatment and care. https://marekhealth.com/rxd Code RXD Don't miss the release of our newest educational community - The Pre-Script ® Collective! Join the community today at www.pre-script.com. For other strength training, health, and injury prevention resources, check out our website, YouTube channel, and Instagram. For more episodes, subscribe and tune in to our podcast. Also, make sure to sign up to our mailing list at www.pre-script.com to get the first updates on new programming releases. You can also follow Dr. Jordan Shallow and Dr. Jordan Jiunta on Instagram! Dr. Jordan Shallow: https://www.instagram.com/the_muscle_doc/ Dr. Jordan Jiunta: https://www.instagram.com/redwiteandjordan/ Standing Hostility (00:00:00) Podcast Charts & Boomer Demographics (00:02:10) Subscribe or the Boomers Win (00:10:30) The Squat = Car Door Hot Take (00:07:50) Breathing vs Bracing (00:13:00) Deadlift vs Grandkids Rant (00:23:30) Why Belly Breathing Is Bullshit (00:48:20) 900lb Breathing Limits (00:57:50) Raising the Floor vs Raising the Ceiling (01:00:10) Skill vs Fear-Based Coaching (01:33:00)

Jiunta takes a deep dive into the three most common sources of low back pain: muscle and ligament strain, disc herniation, and age-related spinal "degeneration." He breaks down how to recognize each, what tissue healing actually looks like, and how to train or coach through them.  PSL1 Registration is now LIVE. Sign up Now At https://www.pre-script.com/psl1 FREE Coach's Field Guide: https://www.pre-script.com/coachs-field-guide We've got a new sponsor! Marek Health is a health optimization company that offers advanced blood testing, health coaching, and expert medical oversight. Our services can help you enhance your lifestyle, nutrition, and supplementation to medical treatment and care. https://marekhealth.com/rxd Code RXD Don't miss the release of our newest educational community - The Pre-Script ® Collective! Join the community today at www.pre-script.com. For other strength training, health, and injury prevention resources, check out our website, YouTube channel, and Instagram. For more episodes, subscribe and tune in to our podcast. Also, make sure to sign up to our mailing list at www.pre-script.com to get the first updates on new programming releases. You can also follow Dr. Jordan Shallow and Dr. Jordan Jiunta on Instagram! Dr. Jordan Shallow: https://www.instagram.com/the_muscle_doc/ Dr. Jordan Jiunta: https://www.instagram.com/redwiteandjordan/ Intro (00:00:00) Why Low Back Pain Is So Common (00:03:33) Three Buckets We'll Cover (00:04:20) Strain/Sprain, What's Happening (00:04:46) How It Feels: Guarding, Spasm, Local Pain (00:06:18) Strain vs. Disc: Local vs. Radiating (00:08:47) Managing Strains: "Rest" Done Right (00:10:15) Progressing Load Over 6–12 Weeks (00:11:28) Compensations & Early Parasympathetic Work (00:13:08) Listening to Subjective Feedback (00:15:40) Disc Herniation: Mechanism & Anatomy (00:19:35) Why Nerve Symptoms Hit Hard (00:23:46) Acute Management: Bias, ROM, Relief Positions (00:26:04) Core Bracing & McGill-Style Progressions (00:29:54) Hips, Rotation & Taking Load off Lumbar Spine (00:31:06) "Degenerative" Changes Explained (00:34:46) When It Matters & Why Movement Protects (00:37:14) Program Priorities (00:39:18) The Playbook (00:41:18)

After 15 years in the fitness industry, Eric Bugera shares hard-earned lessons on balancing career growth, family, and personal health. We dive into setting boundaries, navigating burnout, redefining progress, and how trainers can build a sustainable career without losing themselves in the grind.  https://www.instagram.com/ericbugera/ PSL1 Registration is now LIVE. Sign up at www.pre-script.com/psl1 FREE Coach's Field Guide: https://www.pre-script.com/coachs-field-guide We've got a new sponsor! Marek Health is a health optimization company that offers advanced blood testing, health coaching, and expert medical oversight. Our services can help you enhance your lifestyle, nutrition, and supplementation to medical treatment and care. https://marekhealth.com/rxd Code RXD Don't miss the release of our newest educational community - The Pre-Script ® Collective! Join the community today at  www.pre-script.com. For other strength training, health, and injury prevention resources, check out our website, YouTube channel, and Instagram. For more episodes, subscribe and tune in to our podcast. Also, make sure to sign up to our mailing list at www.pre-script.com to get the first updates on new programming releases. You can also follow Dr. Jordan Shallow and Dr. Jordan Jiunta on Instagram! Dr. Jordan Shallow: https://www.instagram.com/the_muscle_doc/ Dr. Jordan Jiunta: https://www.instagram.com/redwiteandjordan/ Wellness Check with Eric Bugera (00:00:00) Boundaries and Saying No (00:01:27) From Burnout to Balance (00:05:14) Life Stressors and Big Moves (00:07:10) Efficiency, Bandwidth, and Overcommitment (00:08:12) Moving, Parenting, and Overload (00:10:21) Finding Limits and Pulling Back (00:13:12) Online Coaching: Freedom or Trap? (00:15:16) Business Struggles and Early Lessons (00:26:10) Leveraging AI and Outsourcing Tasks (00:28:06) The Six-Figure Ceiling and Fear of Investment (00:31:18) Chasing Progress vs. Chasing Numbers (00:35:16) Offloading Media and Admin Work (00:37:37) Buying Back Time and Family Balance (00:40:06) The Mid-Career Trainer Dilemma (00:42:59) Projecting Five Years Forward (00:43:43) Longevity in a Young Industry (00:48:28) Career Evolution Beyond the Gym Floor (00:51:20)