#430 Clifton Harski - What’s Right (and Wrong) With Functional Training?

Clifton Harski is the COO of The PPSC, a veteran of group exercise and traveling seminar education, and a much-needed jester pushing back against an increasingly ultra-serious fitness media landscape.In this episode, Clifton joins Andrew Coates for a fun, thoughtful, and refreshingly honest deconstruction of functional training—how it earned its reputation, where it went off the rails, and what’s still genuinely useful if we strip away the dogma.Rather than defending a single methodology, Clifton takes aim at all fitness tribes (including his own), poking holes in sacred cows while making a strong case for curiosity, humility, and cross-pollination between disciplines.In this episode, Clifton shares insight on:• How “functional training” became a punchline• A clearer, more practical definition of what functional training actually is• The good ideas that still exist within functional training• Whether kettlebells can be used effectively for hypertrophy• Why fitness tribalism holds everyone back• Where kettlebell culture gets stuffy (according to a kettlebell guy)• Powerlifting’s strengths—and blind spots• CrossFit’s rise, fall, evolution, and cultural impact• The appeal of hybrid training approaches• Where group fitness programming succeeds and fails• Pilates and yoga—what they do well and where they’re misunderstood• Bodybuilding’s relationship with “function”• Why no single modality deserves total loyalty• And why everyone—including Clifton—is fair gameInstagram: @cliftonharskiCHAPTERS01:08 The Evolution and Missteps of Functional Training02:00 The Role of Physical Therapy in Fitness04:02 Critiquing Functional Patterns05:39 Reframing Functional Training as Athleticism06:10 Sponsor Break – TrainHeroic07:29 Personal Training and Functional Training Revisited12:06 Fitness Industry Tribalism12:42 Kettlebell Training: The Good and the Bad18:13 Powerlifting: Strengths and Weaknesses22:30 CrossFit: Rise, Fall, and Impact27:53 CrossFit’s Reputation and Evolution28:55 Criticisms of CrossFit Programming29:48 The Appeal of Hybrid Training31:25 CrossFit’s Community and Influence32:32 Challenges in Group Fitness Programming33:37 The Role of Nutrition Tracking34:41 Pilates and Yoga: Benefits and Criticisms42:08 Bodybuilding and Functional Training43:29 The Value of Diverse Training Modalities45:04 Kettlebells and Hypertrophy50:28 Group Fitness: Pros and Cons53:52 Final Thoughts and TakeawaysSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode made you think—or laugh—you can help the show by:• Subscribing and checking out more episodes• Sharing it on social media (tag me — I’ll respond)• Sending it to a coach or client who’s stuck in one training “camp”FOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP Strength App (use code COATESRP)https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJust Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off)https://justbitememeals.com/MacrosFirst – FREE Premium TrialDownload MacrosFirst → During setup, answer “How did you hear about us?”Type: ANDREWKNKG Bags (15% off)https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676Versa Gripps (discount link)https://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC – FREE 90-Day Trial (2 steps)Go to: https://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive (or email [email protected]) and let them know Andrew sent you

Kevin Carr is an author, educator, and co-owner of multiple fitness businesses and brands, including Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning (MBSC) and the Certified Functional Strength Coach (CFSC) certification.In this episode, Kevin joins Andrew Coates to have a candid conversation about the state of the fitness industry—and why, despite unprecedented access to gyms, information, and technology, the overall return on investment for public health remains shockingly poor.Rather than blaming individuals, Kevin explores the structural, cultural, and experiential barriers that prevent people from engaging in fitness long-term, while also highlighting the renewed importance of in-person coaching, community, and practical strength training as we age.In this episode, Kevin shares insight on:• Why massive investment in fitness has produced minimal population-level health outcomes• Why only 1 in 4 Americans have a gym membership—and why half quit within six months• Common misconceptions about gyms and why many people find them intimidating• How environment and culture shape whether people stay active or drop out• The importance of community and support for long-term fitness adherence• Why aging is not just an “old person’s problem”• The idea of “aging milestones” where people quietly stop sprinting, jumping, or playing• Underrated movement qualities that matter more as we age• Why in-person coaching and gym attendance are seeing a resurgence• Practical approaches to reducing injury risk through smarter training• Why experience often matters more than credentials in coaching• And much moreCHAPTERS01:16 Fitness Industry Challenges02:38 Making Fitness More Accessible05:19 Creating a Welcoming Gym Environment15:04 The Importance of Community in Fitness23:53 Parental Expectations in Youth Sports29:28 Strength and Conditioning for Career Longevity34:32 The Impact of Modern Strength and Conditioning on Athletes35:52 Athletes Advocating for Their Health and Longevity37:13 Exercise Selection and Execution40:56 Injury Prevention and the Benefits of Strength Training42:18 The Importance of Lifelong Fitness48:37 Personal Reflections on Fitness and Longevity50:39 The Value of Practical Experience in Coaching01:02:58 Upcoming Events and ResourcesSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode helped you, you can help me by:• Subscribing and checking out more episodes• Sharing it on social media (tag me — I’ll respond)• Sending it to a friend who’s trying to stay strong, active, and engaged long-termFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP Strength App (use code COATESRP)https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJust Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off)https://justbitememeals.com/MacrosFirst – FREE Premium TrialDownload MacrosFirst → During setup, answer “How did you hear about us?”Type: ANDREWKNKG Bags (15% off)https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676Versa Gripps (discount link)https://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC – FREE 90-Day Trial (2 steps)Go to: https://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive (or email [email protected]) and let them know Andrew sent you

Chad Landers is a former NSCA Personal Trainer of the Year award winner, with over 30 years of hands-on coaching experience and more than 20 years as a gym owner. Chad is also the author of the new book Building Strength and Muscle After 50, which draws on decades of real-world coaching rather than trends or fear-based messaging.In this episode, Chad joins Andrew Coates to discuss what actually changes with training as we age—and what often gets blamed on aging that’s really the result of lifestyle, consistency, and accumulated stress.Rather than promoting limitations, Chad makes a strong case for intelligent progression, long-term thinking, and creating training environments that people can sustain well into their 50s, 60s, and beyond.In this episode, Chad shares insights on:• Whether strength training truly needs to change after age 50• What is physiologically different as we age vs. what is lifestyle-driven• Why long breaks from training become less forgiving over time• How consistency becomes more valuable than intensity with age• Whether younger lifters should proactively adjust how they train• If and when exercise selection should change as we get older• The trade-offs between recreation, recovery, and strength goals• Home gym vs. commercial gym training later in life• Why coaching experience matters more than certifications alone• How relationships, environment, and social connection influence long-term success• And much moreInstagram: @chadlandersCHAPTERS00:16 Chad Landers’ New Book00:51 The Journey to Becoming an Author04:25 Training After 50: Do We Need a New Approach?07:36 The Importance of Consistency Over Intensity08:41 Physical Changes and Smarter Training Adjustments16:41 Balancing Life, Stress, and Fitness22:33 Proactive Training Strategies When You’re Younger25:49 Recreational Activities and Performance Trade-offs26:36 Gym Life and Training Adjustments With Age27:55 Different Training Approaches Across Age Groups29:42 Home Gym vs. Commercial Gym Training32:46 The Value of Coaching Experience41:04 Client Relationships and Long-Term Retention47:50 Final Thoughts and Book PromotionSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode helped you, you can help me by:• Subscribing and checking out more episodes• Sharing it on your social media (tag me — I’ll respond)• Sending it to a friend who wants to stay strong without burning outFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP Strength App (use code COATESRP)https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJust Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off)https://justbitememeals.com/MacrosFirst – FREE Premium TrialDownload MacrosFirst → During setup, answer “How did you hear about us?”Type: ANDREWKNKG Bags (15% off)https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676Versa Gripps (discount link)https://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC – FREE 90-Day Trial (2 steps)Go to: https://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive (or email [email protected]) and let them know Andrew sent you

Steve Hall is a WNBF Natural Pro Bodybuilder and one of the most trusted evidence-based voices in muscle building. As the host of the Revive Stronger podcast and a long-time practitioner, Steve brings rare clarity and nuance to topics that are often oversimplified online.In this episode, Steve joins Andrew to break down what actually matters for hypertrophy when it comes to rest periods, fatigue, technique, and calorie surplus - without dogma, fear-mongering, or rigid rules.Steve shares insight on:• Whether there is an ideal approach to rest breaks between sets• How much calorie surplus is actually needed to build muscle effectively• Why autoregulation is a powerful strategy for managing rest periods• Whether shorter rest breaks hurt progress when time is limited• Practical tactics to make shorter workouts more effective• How fatigue influences strength and hypertrophy outcomes• Why Steve has become less rigid about “perfect technique”• How relaxing strict range-of-motion rules improved his own training progress• When technique matters most vs. when it becomes counterproductive• The nuance required to apply evidence in real-world training• And much moreIG: @revivestrongerCHAPTERS00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:16 Guest Introduction - Steve Hall00:58 The Evolution of Fitness Podcasts01:51 Muscle Building Insights - Rest Length Between Sets08:46 Strength vs. Hypertrophy Training17:41 The Role of Fatigue in Training24:11 Training Hard vs. Perfect Technique26:59 Advanced Techniques for Muscle Failure28:54 The Importance of Technique Over Form30:24 Reevaluating Range of Motion33:50 Sponsor Break - Train Heroic45:47 Nutrition for Muscle Growth46:24 The Role of Caloric Surplus in Muscle Building52:33 Final Thoughts and ResourcesSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode helped you, you can help me by:• Subscribing and checking out more episodes• Sharing it on your social media (tag me - I’ll respond)• Sending it to a friend who’s trying to build muscle without burning outFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP Strength App (use code COATESRP)https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJust Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off)https://justbitememeals.com/MacrosFirst - FREE PREMIUM TRIALDownload MacrosFirst and during setup you’ll be asked “How did you hear about us?”Type in: ANDREWKNKG Bags (15% off)https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676Versa Gripps (discount link)https://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC - FREE 90-DAY TRIAL (2 steps)Go to https://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive (or email [email protected]) and let them know I sent you

Dr. Justin Farnsworth is a highly respected physical therapist who emphasizes strength training, movement, and education as foundational tools for managing pain and injury.In this episode, Justin joins me to challenge some of the most deeply held beliefs in modern healthcare - particularly the assumption that pain automatically requires surgery or rest.Justin brings clarity, nuance, and evidence to a conversation that affects almost everyone at some point in their life.Justin and Andrew explore:• Why surgery performs no better than placebo for many common injuries• Which injuries truly require surgery and why elite athletes may make different choices than the general population• New understandings around ACL injuries and how many can heal without surgery• Why belief and expectation are often stronger predictors of pain than tissue damage• Why not exercising is a greater long-term health risk than many feared behaviors• How running can be protective for knee cartilage• How to safely and progressively reintroduce running into your life• How to train around pain without making it worse• And much moreCHAPTERS01:36 The Role of Imaging in Diagnosing Pain02:54 Understanding Degenerative Conditions03:37 The Placebo Effect in Surgery04:21 FAI and Other Common Diagnoses07:48 When Surgery is Necessary09:18 The Importance of Second Opinions24:20 Manual Therapy and Pain Management28:53 Manual Therapy and Its Effects29:23 Understanding ACL Injuries and Treatments35:47 The Role of Exercise in Long-Term Health38:37 Challenges and Solutions in Promoting Exercise45:15 Running and Knee Health54:23 Programming Around PainSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode helped you, you can help me by:• Subscribing and checking out more episodes• Sharing it on your social media (tag me - I'll respond)• Sending it to a friend who needs thisFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP Strength App (use code COATESRP)https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJust Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off)https://justbitememeals.com/MacrosFirst - FREE PREMIUM TRIALDownload MacrosFirst and during setup you’ll be asked “How did you hear about us?”Type in: ANDREWKNKG Bags (15% off)https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676Versa Gripps (discount link)https://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC - FREE 90-DAY TRIAL (2 steps)Go to https://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive (or email [email protected]) and let them know I sent you

Mark Carroll is a legendary Australian transformation coach, educator, and entrepreneur. Known publicly for elite-level results and business success, Mark joins me for one of his most open and vulnerable conversations to date.In a world driven by artificial polish, highlight reels, and performance, Mark peels back the curtain on what was really happening behind the scenes while his career and finances were thriving.Mark and Andrew explore:• Mark’s experience with injury, depression, and body image struggles during periods of professional success• The pressure and unrealistic expectations created by social media• Whether Mark feels compelled to live up to public expectations• Feeling proud to appear in photos with his family after years of hiding during inactivity• Why “a goal is not a strategy”• What Mark means by strategic investment in both life and business• The steps of strategic investment required for winning outcomes• Personal financial lessons from Mark’s experience as a successful investor• The difference between suffering aimlessly vs. suffering with purpose• Why long-term thinking beats short-term validation• And much moreIt’s easy to look at someone’s life and assume they have it easy. This conversation dismantles that illusion and offers a grounded look at the cost, complexity, and intention behind building a meaningful life.IG: @coachmarkcarrollCHAPTERS00:49 Authenticity in Social Media04:13 Challenges of Social Media for Fitness Professionals07:18 The Business of Fitness Coaching15:25 Personal Struggles and Transformation23:03 Balancing Business and Personal Life33:01 Finding Motivation and Setting Goals35:15 Weather and Closing Remarks35:49 The Reality of Strategic Investment36:08 Defining Strategic Investment37:15 Setting Goals with Strategy37:40 The Importance of Specificity in Goals44:26 Pain and Progress - The Duality of Effort45:57 Suffering with Purpose51:16 Financial Investment Principles54:57 The Power of Compound Interest57:36 Avoiding Lifestyle Inflation01:08:17 Launching the New AppSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode helped you, you can help me by:• Subscribing and checking out more episodes• Sharing it on your social media (tag me - I'll respond)• Sending it to a friend who needs thisFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP Strength App (use code COATESRP)https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJust Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off)https://justbitememeals.com/MacrosFirst - FREE PREMIUM TRIALDownload MacrosFirst and during setup you’ll be asked “How did you hear about us?”Type in: ANDREWKNKG Bags (15% off)https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676Versa Gripps (discount link)https://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC - FREE 90-DAY TRIAL (2 steps)Go to https://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive (or email [email protected]) and let them know I sent you

Ebenezer Samuel, Fitness Director of Men’s Health, joins me for a wide-ranging and insightful conversation on the current and future state of fitness media, where people learn about training, and how the landscape has shifted dramatically over the last decade.Ebenezer brings both industry-level perspective and hands-on coaching experience to explore how research, hypertrophy culture, entertainment-driven social media, and evolving technology are shaping what people believe about fitness.We dive into:• Why we can't evaluate training purely through the lens of muscle hypertrophy• Whether “science based lifting” has become overrated• Why the best approach blends research with lived training experience• How people consume fitness media today vs. ten years ago• Whether fitness social media is now dominated by entertainment over education• Whether people are genuinely learning useful skills from social platforms• Why trust and real relationships matter more than ever in a crowded content world• How generational differences are changing how fitness information spreads• The rise of gatekeepers, algorithmic influence, and AI in shaping the conversation• The future of in-person coaching vs. AI coaching systems• And much moreCHAPTERS01:05 The Problem with Hypertrophy Focus03:20 Science-Based Training Critique05:37 The Role of Research in Fitness12:03 Challenges of Social Media Fitness Content20:18 Evolution of Fitness Information Consumption21:51 RP Strength and Personal Training Insights26:48 Balancing Education and Entertainment in Fitness Content28:18 Generational Shifts in Fitness Media Consumption28:56 The Rise of Social Media and Its Impact on Fitness32:13 The Role of Gatekeepers in Fitness Media41:18 The Influence of AI on Fitness Content45:07 The Future of In-Person Training vs. AI50:40 Concluding Thoughts Support The ShowIf this episode helped you, you can help me by:• Subscribing and checking out more episodes• Sharing it on your social media (tag me - I'll respond)• Sending it to a friend who needs thisFollow Andrew CoatesInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPartners and ResourcesRP Strength App (use code COATESRP)https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJust Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off)https://justbitememeals.com/MacrosFirst - FREE PREMIUM TRIALDownload MacrosFirst and during setup you’ll be asked “How did you hear about us?”Type in: ANDREWKNKG Bags (15% off)https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676Versa Gripps (discount link)https://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC - FREE 90-DAY TRIAL (2 steps)Go to https://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive (or email [email protected]) and let them know I sent you

Melody Schoenfeld is an author, gym owner, nutrition coach, and holds a Master's in Health Psychology. She brings deep expertise, a sharp nonsense detector, and evidence-based nuance to one of the most polarizing topics in nutrition - vegan diets.In this episode, Melody and Andrew dive into the most persistent vegan myths, bad-faith arguments, and common misunderstandings from both sides of the vegan vs. non-vegan debate.Melody shares insight on:• Dispelling the myth - "There’s no such thing as a healthy vegan"• The most common arguments claiming vegan diets aren’t healthy• The problem with vegan dogma motives and navigating bad faith actors• Dispelling the myth - "You can get everything you need from food alone on a vegan diet"• What supplementation vegans actually need (and why)• Whether vegans struggle to get enough iron and calcium• Dispelling the myth - "All proteins are created equal"• The truth about needing a "complete protein profile" in each meal• The real story behind soy protein and soy fear-mongering• Whether veganism is more expensive than omnivorous eating• The benefits of moving more plant-based even if you don’t go fully vegan• When vegan diets become too restrictive• And much moreIG: @5ftoffury1CHAPTERS00:16 Catching Up with Melody Schoenfeld01:50 Debunking Vegan Myths03:20 Nutritional Considerations for Vegans09:57 Challenges and Misconceptions of Veganism16:46 Mental Health and Veganism22:54 Athletic Performance on a Vegan Diet25:57 Navigating Vegan Nutrition - Learning What Your Body Needs26:31 Calcium and Bone Health for Vegans27:44 Understanding Vegan Protein Sources32:14 Debunking Soy Myths and Exploring Protein Options35:43 The Cost and Convenience of Vegan Nutrition37:30 Health Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet42:58 Challenges and Misconceptions of Vegan Diets45:12 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode helped you, you can help me by:• Subscribing and checking out more episodes• Sharing it on your social media (tag me - I'll respond)• Sending it to a friend who needs thisFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP Strength App (use code COATESRP)https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJust Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off)https://justbitememeals.com/MacrosFirst - FREE PREMIUM TRIALDownload MacrosFirst and during setup you’ll be asked “How did you hear about us?”Type in: ANDREWKNKG Bags (15% off)https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676Versa Gripps (discount link)https://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC - FREE 90-DAY TRIAL (2 steps)Go to https://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive (or email [email protected]) and let them know I sent you

Dr. Allan Bacon returns to break down one of the trickiest parts of health and fitness: fat loss plateaus.Allan blends evidence, coaching experience, and no-nonsense communication to clarify why plateaus happen, why most people misunderstand them, and what to actually do to overcome them.Allan and Andrew dive into:• How much of a plateau is physical vs. psychological• When a plateau becomes a socially acceptable narrative to quit• How to approach fat loss plateaus strategically• How often a plateau is really an adherence issue• The physiological factors working against you during a plateau• Why perceived restriction is such a major problem• Why your calorie needs are a moving target, not a fixed number• How much exercise actually contributes to calorie burn• Why cardio is a poor driver of fat loss, but a great driver of weight management• How many extra calories you really burn from adding muscle• Strategies to keep NEAT high when you're tired from training• And much moreIG: @drallanbaconCHAPTERS00:43 Understanding Plateaus - Physiological and Psychological Aspects02:06 Non-Scale Victories and Maintenance Phases05:20 The All or Nothing Mentality05:58 RP Strength and the RP Hypertrophy App07:24 New Year's Resolutions and Identity09:27 The 'I Don't Deserve It' Belief11:32 Dieting Seasons and Sustainable Eating15:09 Addressing Fat Loss Plateaus21:31 Calories In, Calories Out - The Debate32:01 Understanding Calorie Needs and Variability32:47 Setting Realistic Calorie Ranges for Fat Loss33:55 Weekly Calorie Averages and Potential Pitfalls37:23 Exercise and Calorie Burn - Myths and Realities39:28 The Role of NEAT in Fat Loss50:06 Building Sustainable Habits for Long-Term Success55:27 Practical Tips for Increasing Daily MovementSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode helped you, you can help me by:• Subscribing and checking out more episodes• Sharing it on your social media (tag me - I'll respond)• Sending it to a friend who needs thisFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP Strength App (use code COATESRP)https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJust Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off)https://justbitememeals.com/MacrosFirst - FREE PREMIUM TRIALDownload MacrosFirst and during setup you’ll be asked “How did you hear about us?”Type in: ANDREWKNKG Bags (15% off)https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676Versa Gripps (discount link)https://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC - FREE 90-DAY TRIAL (2 steps)Go to https://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive (or email [email protected]) and let them know I sent you

Alex Allen is one of the most skilled coaches in the industry at communicating nuance around training, lifestyle, and nutrition. She brings deep compassion and lived experience to the conversation - including weight gain, weight loss, PCOS, relationships, identity, and self-worth.Alex and Andrew dive into:• Why you’ll never hate yourself into a body you love• How people misjudge your journey when they only see your current physique• Alex’s experiences of being treated differently at various points of her weight changes• Navigating unintentional weight loss• How PCOS has shaped Alex’s personal and coaching journey• How PCOS can enable a victim mindset if left unexamined• What Alex means when she says:“Don’t sacrifice your own needs for the sake of others. Compromise and be thoughtful, but don’t neglect yourself in the process. Doesn’t make you difficult or unkind.”• And much moreCHAPTERS01:17 Alex's Fitness Journey03:15 The Importance of Self-Love04:45 Navigating Negative Emotions12:14 Dealing with Imposter Syndrome20:18 Unintentional Weight Loss26:43 Navigating Compliments and Self-Perception27:42 Shifting Dynamics in Relationships28:48 Balancing Physical Appearance and Personal Value31:08 Living with PCOS - Challenges and Misconceptions34:53 The Importance of Setting Boundaries42:21 Authenticity on Social Media49:01 Final Thoughts and Future PlansSUPPORT THE SHOW If this episode helped you, you can help me by:• Subscribing and checking out more episodes• Sharing it on your social media (tag me - I'll respond)• Sending it to a friend who needs thisFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP Strength App (use code COATESRP)https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJust Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off)https://justbitememeals.com/MacrosFirst - FREE PREMIUM TRIALDownload MacrosFirst and during setup you’ll be asked “How did you hear about us?”Type in the code: ANDREWKNKG Bags (15% off)https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676Versa Gripps (discount link)https://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC - FREE 90-DAY TRIAL (2 steps)Go to https://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive (or email [email protected]) and let them know I sent you