#497 Dr. Darren Candow - Creatine and Your Brain, Performance, Bone Health, and Sleep

Kevin Carr is co-owner of several businesses and brands, including Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning and Certified Functional Strength Coach, and author of the new book Prescribing Movement as Medicine.Kevin returns to share lessons from years of coaching athletes and everyday people, including how to train for performance today while preserving strength, capability, and independence for decades to come.We discuss:• How Kevin programs for elite athletes and general-population clients• Why those programs may look more similar than expected• Training for strength, muscle, stamina, bone health, power, and explosiveness• Why older adults still benefit from speed and power training• Modifying programs around available space and equipment• Active warm-ups and pain-free training• Why women are often stronger and more capable than they realize• Kevin’s growing focus on longevity and healthy aging• The “threshold of independence” and why staying above it matters• How strength, power, and capacity decline when we stop training them• Delaying the point where everyday tasks become physically demanding• The gap between social-media fitness advice and what real people need• Why the first 30 days of someone’s fitness experience matter• Information overload, community, and simply getting people into the gym• The gym as a “third space” outside work and home• Managing parents and expectations in youth sports• Strength and conditioning for keeping athletes healthy and “unbroken”• Practical principles for reducing injury risk• Parenthood and thinking differently about long-term health• Why in-person coaching still matters• The limitations of online coaching• Semi-private and small-group training• Real-world injury case studies• Reverse-aging milestones and physical progress later in life• And much moreFollow Kevin:@coachkevincarrCHAPTERS01:16 Why Fitness Fails People02:59 Information Overload05:05 Just Get Them in the Door08:00 Fitness Messaging for Everyone10:38 Why the First 30 Days Matter12:54 Teaching Clients Self-Advocacy16:06 Community as a Feature18:22 Post-COVID Gym Trends21:03 The Gym as a Third Space25:02 Managing Parents in Youth Sports30:28 Strength and Conditioning for Athletes31:55 Longevity and Long-Term Coaching37:18 Recovery Plans for Professional Athletes38:22 Does Exercise Form Really Matter?40:07 Keeping Athletes Unbroken41:06 Pain-Free Training Basics42:05 Reducing Injury Risk43:27 Fighting the Aging Slide45:14 Independence and Disability Threshold49:46 Parenthood and Long-Term Health51:47 Why In-Person Coaching Still Matters52:37 The Reality of Online Coaching56:20 Real-World Injury Case Study58:30 Reverse-Aging Milestones01:01:10 Dunking, Risk, and Reward01:04:07 Final Thoughts, Books, and SeminarSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode helped you think differently about aging, strength, power, or independence:• Subscribe and check out more episodes• Share it and tag @andrewcoatesfitness• Send it to someone who wants to stay strong for decadesFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP STRENGTH APPCode: COATESRPhttps://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJUST BITE ME MEALSCode ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% offhttps://justbitememeals.comMACROSFIRST — FREE PREMIUM TRIALDownload MacrosFirst and enter ANDREW when asked how you heard about them.KNKG BAGS — 15% OFFhttps://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676VERSA GRIPPShttps://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC — FREE 90-DAY TRIALhttps://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive or email [email protected] and let them know Andrew sent you.L1 BIOMECHANICS AND ASSESSMENT COURSECode: COATEShttps://pro.activelifeprofessional.com/assessmentworkshopevents

Luke Tulloch is one of my favourite communicators of evidence-based hypertrophy training.Luke returns to talk about how becoming a parent forced him to rethink his training, remove low-value habits, and focus on what actually produces results.We discuss:• How parenthood changed Luke’s training for the better• Why constraints can improve your program• Cutting non-essential training and tracking• How many sets it really takes to build muscle• Low-volume training myths• Diminishing returns from adding more volume• Condensing workouts without sacrificing results• Specialization phases and supersets• Training effectively with a strict time limit• Practical exercise selection• Why machines can be ideal when setup time matters• Reducing the mental load of training• Whether there is actually a “best” training split• What should determine your training split• Flexible programming around real life• How beliefs about genetic potential may influence outcomes• Fearmongering around fatigue• How to minimize the negative effects of alcohol• Zero-percent beer and preserving the social ritual• And much moreFollow Luke on Instagram:@_luketullochCHAPTERS00:54 Parenthood and Training Constraints03:50 Luke’s Early Training Lessons06:11 Low-Volume Training Myths09:54 Cutting Low-ROI Tracking and Habits14:26 How Many Sets Build Muscle?17:13 Diminishing Returns Explained20:34 How to Condense Your Workouts22:55 Specialization Phases and Supersets30:03 Training With a Hard Time Limit30:59 Practical Exercise Selection31:15 Why Machines Save Time31:59 Treating the Gym Like an Equipment Playground33:24 Reducing the Mental Load of Training34:03 Why Training Splits Don’t Matter That Much37:45 Practical Rules for Choosing a Split39:01 Drag-and-Drop Programming40:02 How Expectations Shape Performance43:13 Fearmongering Around Fatigue47:19 Alcohol Without Derailing Your Gains51:50 Zero-Percent Beer and Keeping the Ritual55:26 Fantasy Books and Luke’s Favourites58:48 Where to Find LukeSUPPORT THE SHOW• Subscribe and check out more episodes• Share the episode and tag @andrewcoatesfitness• Send it to someone who says they don’t have enough time to trainFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP STRENGTH APPUse code COATESRP:https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJUST BITE ME MEALSUse code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off:https://justbitememeals.comMACROSFIRST — FREE PREMIUM TRIALDownload MacrosFirst and enter ANDREW when asked how you heard about the app.KNKG BAGS — 15% OFFhttps://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676VERSA GRIPPShttps://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC — FREE 90-DAY TRIALhttps://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive or email [email protected] and tell them Andrew sent you.L1 BIOMECHANICS AND ASSESSMENT COURSEUse code COATES:https://pro.activelifeprofessional.com/assessmentworkshopevents

Stan Efferding is an icon of bodybuilding, powerlifting, and elite evidence-based coaching.Stan returns with his unique ability to interpret cutting-edge research and combine it with decades of real-world experience coaching athletes at every level.We discuss:• Whether you actually need to be in a calorie surplus to build muscle• How large a calorie surplus should be if the goal is maximizing muscle while minimizing fat gain• Whether the traditional “dirty bulk” is finally dead• Why gaining weight faster does not necessarily mean gaining muscle faster• Which populations may still benefit from more traditional bulk-and-cut cycles• How bodybuilding and fitness influencers have distorted expectations around realistic rates of muscle growth• The impact of performance-enhancing drugs on what people believe is naturally achievable• What is really happening with so-called “hardgainers”• Why increases in NEAT can make gaining weight surprisingly difficult for some people• Practical strategies for eating more when gaining weight is the goal• Whether people starting at a higher body-fat percentage should get leaner before focusing on maximizing muscle growth• Insulin resistance, body composition, and recomposition• What matters more for muscle growth: nutrition or mechanical tension?• Why training provides the signal and nutrition supports the adaptation• Why simply consuming more protein cannot compensate for inadequate training• Mechanical tension and what actually drives hypertrophy• Effort and effective rep ranges• Training volume and time efficiency• Where diminishing returns begin with additional training volume• Minimum effective volume versus maximizing muscle growth• Why more exercise does not automatically produce more weight loss• Common mistakes people make when using exercise for fat loss• The role of cardio in weight management• Why cardio calories are more complicated than simply reading the number on a machine• How to reconcile step counts, structured cardio, and energy expenditure• Why exercise needs to be enjoyable enough to sustain• And much moreFollow Stan on Instagram:@stanefferdingCHAPTERS01:47 Do You Need a Calorie Surplus to Build Muscle?05:41 Training Matters More Than the Surplus09:24 PEDs and Unrealistic Muscle-Growth Expectations14:36 Hardgainers, Appetite, and NEAT18:02 Practical Strategies to Eat More29:55 Training Beats Simply Eating More Protein31:18 Mechanical Tension Explained32:48 Effort and Effective Rep Ranges33:22 Training Volume and Time Efficiency36:35 Diminishing Returns From More Training39:21 High-Volume Training Anecdotes42:20 Minimum Effective Training Volume44:34 Exercise and Weight-Loss Mistakes52:43 Make Exercise Enjoyable53:48 Reconciling Steps and Structured Cardio55:57 Final Thoughts and Where to Find StanSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode helped you better understand nutrition, muscle growth, training volume, or fat loss:• Subscribe and check out more episodes• Share the episode on social media and tag @andrewcoatesfitness• Send it to someone who still thinks building muscle requires eating everything in sightFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP STRENGTH APPUse code COATESRP:https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJUST BITE ME MEALSUse code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off:https://justbitememeals.comMACROSFIRST — FREE PREMIUM TRIAL• Download MacrosFirst• Begin setting up your account• When asked, “How did you hear about us?” enter: ANDREWKNKG BAGS — 15% OFFhttps://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676VERSA GRIPPShttps://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC — FREE 90-DAY TRIAL• Visit: https://www.trainheroic.com/liftfree• Reply to the email you receive or email [email protected]• Let them know Andrew sent youL1 BIOMECHANICS AND ASSESSMENT COURSEUse code COATES:https://pro.activelifeprofessional.com/assessmentworkshopevents

I’m honoured to celebrate episode #500 with Dr. Layne Norton as my guest.Layne is an icon of the fitness industry: a prolific educator, author, champion, world-record-holding powerlifter, and a major influence throughout my own career.For this milestone, Layne joins me for a wide-ranging and personal conversation about work ethic, resilience, coaching, evidence, public battles, money, family, and the experiences that shaped who he is.We discuss:• What Layne means by “You will not outwork me”• Where his work ethic came from and navigating ADHD• PhD setbacks, major injuries, and rebuilding• Business fallout, legal conflict, and career battles• When relentless hustle stops being productive• How Layne’s public persona developed• Who he might be without years of battling industry grifters• Why hearing “I believe in you” matters• Great coaching beyond programming and nutrition• Mentorship and Layne’s coaching tree• Scrutinizing claims from people with impressive credentials• Why credentials should never replace evaluating evidence• Applying the same logic to claims you agree and disagree with• Higher protein intake and mortality claims• Saturated fat, seed oils, and nutrition narratives• Why “the human body is not an algorithm” is misleading• Calories in versus calories out and the financial-budget analogy• Being frugal with possessions while prioritizing meaningful experiences• Cars, homes, watches, heirlooms, and emotional value• Layne’s proudest powerlifting moments• And much moreI hope you enjoy this vulnerable peek behind the curtain of one of our industry’s most prominent authorities.Thank you for being part of the journey to 500 episodes.I’m far from done.Follow Layne on Instagram: @biolayneCHAPTERS01:22 Layne Norton’s Origins06:36 Work Ethic, ADHD, and Resilience08:11 Injuries and the Comeback09:36 PhD Setbacks and Building a System12:14 Business Fallout and Legal Battles19:33 When Hustle Starts to Hurt24:32 Layne’s Public Persona and Fitness Grifters27:19 The Pillars of Great Coaching33:24 Mentorship and the Coaching Tree34:14 Building a Coaching Legacy36:12 Credentials Versus Evidence38:19 Applying Logic Symmetrically40:04 Protein Intake and the Longevity Debate45:01 Saturated Fat, Seed Oils, and Nutrition Claims47:22 Calories In, Calories Out52:27 The Budget Analogy for Tracking Calories54:02 Frugal Cars and Dream Homes56:40 The Meaning Behind a Family Heirloom Watch59:39 Spend Money on Experiences01:02:46 Layne’s Greatest Powerlifting Moments01:04:08 Final Thoughts and Episode #500 Wrap-UpSave 20% on Dr. Layne Norton’s Biolayne and Certified Nutrition Coach certifications through Clean Health Institute, with extra savings when bundled:https://cleanhealth.edu.au/sp/liftfree-layne/SUPPORT THE SHOWIf you enjoyed Lift Free and Diet Hard or this episode helped you:• Subscribe and check out more episodes• Share the show and tag @andrewcoatesfitness• Send this episode to someone who would appreciate Layne’s story• Leave a rating or reviewThank you for helping this show reach 500 episodes.FOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP STRENGTH APPCode COATESRP:https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJUST BITE ME MEALSCode ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off:https://justbitememeals.comMACROSFIRST — FREE PREMIUM TRIALDownload MacrosFirst and enter ANDREW when asked, “How did you hear about us?”KNKG BAGS — 15% OFFhttps://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676VERSA GRIPPShttps://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC — FREE 90-DAY TRIALhttps://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive, or email [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]), and say Andrew sent you.L1 BIOMECHANICS AND ASSESSMENT COURSECode COATES:https://pro.activelifeprofessional.com/assessmentworkshopevents

Dr. Sean Pastuch returns to share lessons from his career and his new book, Live More, Hurt Less.Sean joins me to discuss:• How he defines “Live More, Hurt Less”• What that philosophy looks like in real life• Why helping people feel heard can be such an important part of navigating pain and movement limitations• The three identities Sean believes are relevant to meaningful change• The “Be, Do, Have” framework• The difference between confidence and self-esteem• Why identity work does not need to become vague or “woo”• What Sean means when he says, “Discipline is not the cause; it’s the effect”• Why pain itself is not always the biggest problem• What Sean means by, “Pain is not the problem. The problem is the compromises pain forces you to make”• The difference between sacrifice and compromise• Why accepting a smaller life can become normalized• What Sean means by, “Compromise is the acceptance that living less is reasonable”• How social permission can make quitting feel acceptable• Sean’s own turning point with neck pain• The role of anchors and action in changing behaviour• How conflicting identities can interfere with progress• Why analytical people can sometimes think their way into inaction• Reconciling “It’s never about you and it’s always your responsibility”• Why commitment can matter more than endlessly trying• Why meaningful change is supposed to be difficult• Coaching people who actually fit your philosophy and process• Sean’s thoughts on influencers, virtue signalling, and online behaviour• Lessons from marriage, relationships, and communication• And much moreFollow Sean on Instagram:@drseanpastuchCHAPTERS00:51 Why Sean Wrote Live More, Hurt Less02:27 The Identity Model for Change03:36 The Be, Do, Have Framework06:11 Confidence Versus Self-Esteem10:11 Why Identity Work Isn’t “Woo”13:12 Discipline Is the Result16:43 Pain, Restriction, and Compromise21:18 Sacrifice Versus Compromise24:46 When Society Gives You Permission to Quit29:04 Sean’s Neck Pain Turning Point31:34 Anchors, Identity, and Taking Action36:03 Identity Conflict and Behaviour Change38:18 The Analytical Mindset Trap40:28 “It’s Not About You” and Personal Responsibility44:57 Love Languages, Marriage, and Communication49:53 Stop Trying and Start Committing56:40 Coaching the Right Clients58:51 Influencers and Virtue Signalling01:03:14 Final Thoughts, Resources, and GratitudeSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode helped you think differently about pain, identity, discipline, or personal responsibility:• Subscribe and check out more episodes• Share the episode on social media and tag @andrewcoatesfitness• Send it to someone who has slowly started giving up parts of their life because of painFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP STRENGTH APPUse code COATESRP:https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJUST BITE ME MEALSUse code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off:https://justbitememeals.comMACROSFIRST — FREE PREMIUM TRIAL• Download MacrosFirst• Begin setting up your account• When asked, “How did you hear about us?” enter: ANDREWKNKG BAGS — 15% OFFhttps://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676VERSA GRIPPShttps://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC — FREE 90-DAY TRIAL• Visit: https://www.trainheroic.com/liftfree• Reply to the email you receive or email [email protected]• Let them know Andrew sent youL1 BIOMECHANICS AND ASSESSMENT COURSEUse code COATES:https://pro.activelifeprofessional.com/assessmentworkshopevents

Emma Storey-Gordon is one of my favourite authorities and communicators when it comes to combining evidence-based fitness and nutrition with practical, real-world application.Emma returns to share her expertise and discuss her new book, The Fat Loss Coach for Women.We get into:• Whether fat loss is fundamentally different for women• Which differences are physiological and which are rooted more in psychology, lifestyle, and lived experience• The problems with the phrase “women are not just small men” when it is used to justify unsupported fitness claims• Why smaller body size can create very real challenges for women trying to lose fat• Portion sizes, restaurants, and an environment designed around larger energy intakes• Why menopause influencers often tell women they need to lift exclusively in heavy 3–5 rep ranges• How that overlaps with hypertrophy influencers claiming everyone should live in the 4–6 rep range• Why moderate and higher rep ranges remain incredibly useful• How fear around “stress” in women and “fatigue” in men often reflects the same exaggerated concern about training• Why confusing fitness messaging can lead people to do nothing at all• The terrible calorie advice frequently given to shorter women• What NEAT adaptation actually means during fat loss• Why magnitude matters when discussing research findings• What insulin resistance is• How to coach someone with insulin resistance• Whether insulin resistance meaningfully changes the fundamentals of fat loss• Protein and the insulin response• Why women do not need to avoid coffee on an empty stomach• Why running does not inherently make women gain fat• How doing more exercise may actually improve energy levels• The benefits and limitations of increasing cardio and resistance-training volume• Diminishing returns and why they do not make additional training useless• Aging, strength, falls, and maintaining independence• Emma’s new book, The Fat Loss Coach for Women• Supplement scams and misleading health marketing• And much moreFollow Emma on Instagram:@esgfitnessCHAPTERS00:49 Is Fat Loss Different for Women?04:49 Why Fitness Myths Feel True07:25 Smaller Bodies and Bigger Portion Sizes10:16 Restaurants, Portions, and Energy Intake12:37 Supersize Me and Food Culture15:39 What Training Looks Like in the Real World19:56 Confusing Messaging Leads to Inaction23:38 Terrible Calorie Advice for Short Women26:56 NEAT Adaptation and Misleading Headlines30:47 Why Magnitude Matters in Research34:37 Insulin Resistance Explained35:44 Coaching for Better Glucose Control36:42 Protein and the Insulin Response43:29 Does Running Make Women Gain Fat?45:38 Can More Workouts Give You More Energy?49:53 Aging, Independence, and Fall Risk54:56 Diminishing Returns and Consistency01:03:09 Emma’s Book and Supplement ScamsSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode helped you make more sense of women’s fat loss, insulin resistance, or strength training:• Subscribe and check out more episodes• Send it to someone who has been told they need a completely different set of fat-loss rules because they are a womanFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP STRENGTH APPUse code COATESRP:https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJUST BITE ME MEALSUse code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off:https://justbitememeals.comMACROSFIRST — FREE PREMIUM TRIAL• Download MacrosFirst• Begin setting up your account• When asked, “How did you hear about us?” enter: ANDREWKNKG BAGS — 15% OFFhttps://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676VERSA GRIPPShttps://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC — FREE 90-DAY TRIAL• Visit: https://www.trainheroic.com/liftfree• Reply to the email you receive or email [email protected]• Let them know Andrew sent youL1 BIOMECHANICS AND ASSESSMENT COURSEUse code COATES:https://pro.activelifeprofessional.com/assessmentworkshopevents

Dr. Darren Candow is one of the world’s leading researchers and authorities on creatine and joins me to separate what we know from what is still hype.Darren joins me to discuss:• How to sift through the evidence and hype surrounding creatine• What the research actually says about creatine and brain health• Whether creatine may have a role in concussion and head-trauma research• The current evidence around creatine and mental health• Whether creatine can help mitigate some effects of sleep deprivation• Creatine and bone health• How much creatine actually contributes to muscle growth and performance• Why strength and muscle matter for long-term independence• How creatine may influence training quality• Creatine timing and whether the anabolic window matters• Loading protocols and daily dosing• Whether creatine may have a role during injury rehabilitation• How to interpret frightening headlines about creatine and cancer• Whether creatine has any meaningful role in cancer research• Creatine safety data, including concerns about kidney health• Why elevated creatinine does not automatically mean kidney damage• Whether caffeine interferes with creatine• The best type of creatine to take• Why some specialty creatine products may simply cost more without providing additional benefit• Popular creatine myths• Microdosing and other exciting areas for future research• And much moreFollow Darren on Instagram:@dr.darrencandowCHAPTERS00:45 Creatine Basics and Muscle Saturation04:23 Creatine and Brain Health: Hype vs. Evidence08:51 Creatine and Sleep Deprivation13:10 Concussions and Head Trauma17:51 Creatine and Mental Health19:47 Safety, Kidney Health, and Creatinine24:37 Homocysteine, Cancer, and Other Myths28:37 How Much Muscle Does Creatine Actually Build?29:27 Strength, Muscle, and Long-Term Independence30:17 Bone and Brain Health31:32 Creatine and Training Quality34:19 The Best Forms of Creatine37:32 Timing and the Anabolic Window39:52 Cost, Marketing, and the “Pink Tax”42:55 The Creatine and Caffeine Myth45:46 Loading Protocols and Injury Rehabilitation48:22 Future Research and Microdosing50:45 Cooking With Creatine and Final ThoughtsSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode helped you better understand what creatine can—and cannot—do:• Subscribe and check out more episodes• Share the episode on social media and tag @andrewcoatesfitness• Send it to someone who still thinks creatine is only for bodybuildersFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP STRENGTH APPUse code COATESRP:https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJUST BITE ME MEALSUse code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off:https://justbitememeals.comMACROSFIRST — FREE PREMIUM TRIAL• Download MacrosFirst• Begin setting up your account• When asked, “How did you hear about us?” enter: ANDREWKNKG BAGS — 15% OFFhttps://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676VERSA GRIPPShttps://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC — FREE 90-DAY TRIAL• Visit: https://www.trainheroic.com/liftfree• Reply to the email you receive or email [email protected]• Let them know Andrew sent youL1 BIOMECHANICS AND ASSESSMENT COURSEUse code COATES:https://pro.activelifeprofessional.com/assessmentworkshopevents

Dr. Tony Boutagy holds a PhD in Exercise and Sports Science and returns to dive into the research on sex differences, muscle growth, aging, cardio, recovery, grip strength, and several persistent myths in the fitness industry.Tony joins me to discuss:• Whether men and women need meaningfully different training programs to build muscle• Relative versus absolute differences in muscle-building potential• Whether sex-based differences matter more than individual differences between people• Why training goals should drive programming more than gender• How personal preference affects exercise selection, adherence, and results• Bone-health considerations for women• Why more credentialed professionals are appearing on large podcasts and making unsupported or misleading claims about women’s training• Whether grifting PhDs and doctors are actually outliers• Why misinformation can be financially and socially rewarded online• Whether evidence-based professionals are becoming more willing to publicly challenge bad information• The role of scientific consensus versus individual expert opinion• Whether cardio can support muscle growth• How concurrent training should be considered when hypertrophy is the goal• Whether recovery from resistance training meaningfully slows as we age• The relationship between grip strength and longevity• Why grip strength may function as a broader marker of health rather than a magical intervention itself• What people actually mean when they talk about “stabilizer muscles”• Why the stabilizer-muscle discussion needs more nuance• And much moreFollow Tony on Instagram:@tonyboutagyCHAPTERS04:12 Hormones and Muscle Growth09:27 Program for Goals, Not Gender13:20 Bone Health for Women14:57 Why Misinformation Gets Rewarded24:43 PhDs, Social Media, and Scientific Consensus29:38 Cardio and Hypertrophy35:14 Recovery and Aging40:18 Grip Strength and Longevity44:22 Stabilizer Muscles Explained50:10 Final Thoughts and ResourcesSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode helped you better understand sex differences, muscle growth, aging, or fitness misinformation:• Subscribe and check out more episodes• Share the episode on social media and tag @andrewcoatesfitness• Send it to someone who has been told women need an entirely different approach to building muscleFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP STRENGTH APPUse code COATESRP:https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJUST BITE ME MEALSUse code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off:https://justbitememeals.comMACROSFIRST — FREE PREMIUM TRIAL• Download MacrosFirst• Begin setting up your account• When asked, “How did you hear about us?” enter: ANDREWKNKG BAGS — 15% OFFhttps://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676VERSA GRIPPShttps://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC — FREE 90-DAY TRIAL• Visit: https://www.trainheroic.com/liftfree• Reply to the email you receive or email [email protected]• Let them know Andrew sent youL1 BIOMECHANICS AND ASSESSMENT COURSEUse code COATES:https://pro.activelifeprofessional.com/assessmentworkshopevents

Ben Yanes makes his long-overdue first appearance on the podcast and brings his trademark nuance to assessment, biomechanics, exercise selection, injury narratives, science-based fitness, and what good coaching actually looks like in the real world.Ben joins me to discuss:• Why “a vast majority of the assessments you’re doing are a total waste of everyone’s time”• Why skilled coaches are continuously assessing clients during actual training• How training itself can function as an assessment• The relationship between science-based and anti-science fitness communities• Why the two tribes often rely on each other to create content• What actually qualifies someone as “science based” or “anti-science based”• Why nuance rarely performs as well as certainty on social media• The different camps that emerge around fitness information online• How people can rewrite the story they tell themselves about lifting• Common “bro biomechanics” misconceptions• What Ben means when he says, “Exercises don’t have a purpose, only people have a purpose”• Why exercise selection needs to begin with the goal of the individual• Why muscles respond to tension rather than knowing the name of an exercise• How biomechanics, physics, and subjective experience can coexist• The panic that sometimes develops around exercises like preacher curls• Why blaming an exercise for an injury can create misleading narratives• What Ben means by asking how “f#@kupable” an exercise is• Why load management and respect for an exercise matter• Why anterior pelvic tilt is not automatically something that needs to be fixed• The problems with quick-fix diagnoses and corrective-exercise identities• How diagnostic labels can influence someone’s perception of their own body• Why good coaches need to become comfortable operating in uncertainty• And much moreFollow Ben on Instagram:@ben_yanesCHAPTERS01:32 The Evolution of Fitness Social Media02:18 Why Most Assessments Are Overrated05:21 Training Is an Assessment07:56 Science-Based Versus Anti-Science Fitness16:07 Why Nuance Loses to Hot Takes20:01 The Three Fitness Camps25:21 Stereotypes and Exercise Selection27:20 Rewriting Your Lifting Story29:42 Bro-Biomechanics Myths30:20 Exercises Don’t Have Goals—People Do33:34 Muscles Respond to Tension34:47 Where Physics Meets Feel37:47 The Preacher Curl Panic38:18 The Trap of Blaming Exercises41:25 Load Management and Respecting the Exercise44:39 The Anterior Pelvic Tilt Myth47:38 Quick Fixes and Coaching Identity50:31 Diagnosis and the Stories We Tell Ourselves52:38 Coaching Through Uncertainty54:59 Final Thoughts and Where to Find BenSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode helped you think differently about assessments, biomechanics, exercise selection, or coaching:• Subscribe and check out more episodes• Share the episode on social media and tag @andrewcoatesfitness• Send it to a coach who still believes every client needs to pass a long checklist before they can trainFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP STRENGTH APPUse code COATESRP:https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJUST BITE ME MEALSUse code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off:https://justbitememeals.comMACROSFIRST — FREE PREMIUM TRIAL• Download MacrosFirst• Begin setting up your account• When asked, “How did you hear about us?” enter: ANDREWKNKG BAGS — 15% OFFhttps://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676VERSA GRIPPShttps://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC — FREE 90-DAY TRIAL• Visit: https://www.trainheroic.com/liftfree• Reply to the email you receive or email [email protected]• Let them know Andrew sent youL1 BIOMECHANICS AND ASSESSMENT COURSEUse code COATES:https://pro.activelifeprofessional.com/assessmentworkshopevents

Max Aita is an elite strength coach and accomplished competitor who joins me to share lessons from decades of training, coaching, and studying some of the most influential strength systems in history.Max joins me to discuss:• The history of the Bulgarian, Russian, and American strength-training systems• How the three systems differ in philosophy and application• The foundational coaches and figures behind each system• Bulgarian training and the pursuit of extreme specificity• Soviet and Russian approaches to variation, volume, and long-term development• The evolution of American strength training• How culture and athlete-selection systems influenced what appeared to work• Why talent funnels matter when evaluating successful training systems• How steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs complicated our understanding of older training methods• The best principles Max takes from each strength system• How he blends those principles into his own coaching• What everyday lifters and non-strength athletes can actually learn from elite systems• Balancing specificity with exercise variation• How to add variety without creating random, chaotic programming• Periodization and autoregulation• Identifying whether strength or technique is the limiting factor• Why great coaching depends heavily on communication• How Max’s coaching philosophy has evolved with experience• The difference between coaching fame and coaching skill• How bad science, viral content, and dishonest influencers distort training information online• AI-generated content, dopamine traps, supplements, peptides, and the modern fitness landscape• And much moreFollow Max on Instagram:@max_aitaCHAPTERS00:57 Stories From the Juggernaut Era02:38 The Three Major Strength Systems04:01 Soviet, Bulgarian, and American Training07:23 Culture and the Talent Funnel10:30 China and Athlete Selection16:15 Key Coaches and the Conjugate System19:04 Influencers of the Early Internet Era22:58 Coaching Fame Versus Coaching Skill25:44 An Example of Viral Fitness Fraud27:08 Building an Influencer Career on Lies27:52 Supplements and Peptides Everywhere29:47 AI Creators and Dopamine Traps31:47 Why Bad Science Goes Viral34:08 Bulgarian Versus Soviet Training36:49 Sustainable Programming Principles39:03 Exercise Variety Without Chaos43:36 Coaching Is Communication45:20 Periodization and Autoregulation49:46 Strength Versus Technique Bottlenecks53:39 Final Thoughts and ResourcesSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode helped you better understand strength programming, periodization, or how elite training systems actually work:• Subscribe and check out more episodes• Share the episode on social media and tag @andrewcoatesfitness• Send it to a lifter or coach who loves debating the “best” way to get strongFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP STRENGTH APPUse code COATESRP:https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJUST BITE ME MEALSUse code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off:https://justbitememeals.comMACROSFIRST — FREE PREMIUM TRIAL• Download MacrosFirst• Begin setting up your account• When asked, “How did you hear about us?” enter: ANDREWKNKG BAGS — 15% OFFhttps://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676VERSA GRIPPShttps://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC — FREE 90-DAY TRIAL• Visit: https://www.trainheroic.com/liftfree• Reply to the email you receive or email [email protected]• Let them know Andrew sent youL1 BIOMECHANICS AND ASSESSMENT COURSEUse code COATES:https://pro.activelifeprofessional.com/assessmentworkshopevents