Why Doing Hard Things Changes Everything

What if everything you believe about dieting and weight loss is wrong?Ethan Suplee sits down with Dr. Mike Israetel for a brutally clear look at fad diets, sustainable fat loss, and the real science behind building muscle while dropping weight. They talk through keto myths, progressive overload, food psychology, and why modern life is designed to make you overeat. If you have ever felt stuck or confused by conflicting nutrition advice, this episode cuts through the noise.Sign up for Ethan's newsletter for more insights and updates: https://ethansuplee.substack.com/subscribe SHOW HIGHLIGHTS00:00 The Keto Mistake Ethan Discovered02:45 What Mike’s TED Talk Changed06:07 Progressive Overload Explained Simply12:47 What Failure in Training Really Means17:32 How Beginners Should Actually Train20:30 Muscle vs Fat and Why Muscle Matters23:26 Why Muscle Improves Metabolic Health27:07 Why Overweight People Often Excel at Lifting29:23 Why Fad Diets Set You Up for Failure32:46 The Danger of One Size Fits All Diets35:59 Hunger, Evolution and Modern Food41:21 The Red Pill of Understanding Food45:56 Why Food Is Not Moral or Immoral48:30 The Forbidden Food Effect52:13 Ethan Reintroduces Carbs and Freaks Out53:55 Why Boring Science Wins in the End Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when nutrition myths collide with lived experience and real science? In this episode, Ethan sits down with Jacob to explore the confusion, fear and evolving beliefs around food, dieting and identity. They talk about breaking free from restrictive rules, learning to trust your body and replacing guilt with grounded understanding. The conversation digs into calories, keto history, processed food fear, personal patterns and how to rebuild a healthy relationship with eating.If you want more honest conversations like this, sign up for Ethan’s newsletter: https://ethansuplee.substack.com/subscribeSHOW HIGHLIGHTS00:00 Welcome and intro01:09 Falling into nutrition misinformation02:51 Studying nutrition and shifting beliefs04:46 Ethan’s dieting history07:09 Calories in calories out realization10:06 Fear and judgment around food12:23 Personal experimentation and routines14:48 Learning to individualize nutrition16:42 Keto, identity and starting over18:58 Trusting real science21:44 Shifting the goal from weight loss to fat loss24:43 The dark side of extreme calorie restriction28:25 Coaching through mindset and misinformation31:32 The problem with cookie cutter coaching33:56 Missing life because of food rules38:24 Food fear and social consequences41:22 Why online nutrition beliefs shift43:54 Ultra processed food vs mindset46:34 Diet soda, health claims and nuance48:54 Reintroducing processed foods without chaos51:06 The failure of abstinence based eating53:13 Food as culture and connection55:09 Final thoughts and closing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when running becomes a path to understanding pain, purpose and growth? Ethan sits down with Nick Thompson to explore the mindset behind doing hard things, pushing physical limits and finding meaning in movement. From beating cancer to setting records in his forties, Nick shares stories that challenge excuses and expand what we believe is possible.Sign up for Ethan's newsletter here: https://ethansuplee.substack.com/subscribeSHOW HIGHLIGHTS00:00 Intro00:50 Nick’s approach to running03:35 Breaking mental limits07:50 Discipline and daily habits12:03 The message behind Nick’s book15:50 Why hard things matter20:37 Building capacity over time24:40 Coming back from cancer27:18 Getting faster in the forties29:01 Advice for new runners30:42 Walking and mindfulness31:33 Training in any weather32:12 Running to the airport32:49 Closing conversation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it really take to change your mindset and stick with it? In this episode, Ethan sits down with Paige to explore why lasting change isn’t just about making one big decision but about continuously reframing and recommitting every single day. From battling unfairness to redefining success, Ethan shares hard-earned insights into discipline, mindset, and self-acceptance. Whether you’re struggling with food, fitness, or any form of personal growth, this conversation will challenge your perspective on what it means to truly change.Sign up for Ethan’s newsletter at ethansuplee.substack.com/subscribe.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS00:00 Welcome to the American Glutton Podcast00:19 What does mindset really mean?01:03 Ethan explains why mindset isn’t a one-time decision02:50 The struggle of daily reorientation and repetition06:35 Defining the first step toward lasting change07:44 Why wanting something isn’t enough11:02 The myth of permanent results and “easy” success13:40 Searching for the one cause behind failure15:48 Ethan’s real definition of mindset17:16 Rebuilding from failed diets and methods19:48 The hard truth about sustainable change21:02 The unfairness of the journey22:51 The dessert story that reveals life’s unfairness26:58 Life isn’t fair – and that’s okay27:43 What to do when it feels too hard29:18 Restructuring your life for success31:53 Maintenance and constant upkeep34:29 Adapting to new circumstances35:29 Finding balance in imperfect conditions38:11 Accepting what’s realistic for you40:33 Redefining success and celebrating small wins43:08 The antithesis of mindset44:49 Realistic goals versus unrealistic dreams46:39 Finding satisfaction in your own story48:34 Ethan’s approach to balance and self-compassion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever wondered what happens to your body after major weight loss? Ethan sits down with renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Rady Rahban to dive deep into the realities of loose skin, surgical options, and what it truly takes to rebuild confidence after a transformation.They explore the pros and cons of surgery, common misconceptions, and the emotional side of body changes. Whether you’re on your own fitness journey or simply curious about what comes next, this conversation pulls back the curtain on life after weight loss.SHOW HIGHLIGHTSIntroduction and Ethan’s relationship with foodThe emotional side of body transformationUnderstanding the issue of loose skin after weight lossSurgical solutions and realistic expectationsHow Dr. Rady Rahban approaches body contouring proceduresFinal insights and takeaways Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it really take to build a healthier life that lasts?In this episode, Ethan sits down with Paige to explore the role of community, honesty, and discipline in sustaining long-term change.He opens up about the highs and lows of his weight loss journey, the myths he had to unlearn, and why connection with others is just as important as diet and exercise. Listeners will hear candid insights, practical advice, and the power of shared experiences.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS00:00 The Missing Piece: Community02:59 Life Is Still Life05:38 The Power of Honest Conversations06:34 Learning from Experts and Peers11:17 Starting Over with Radical Honesty15:46 Unlearning Old Beliefs About Food22:10 Energy In vs Energy Out26:02 Closing Thoughts on Community Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when strength, resilience, and self-discovery collide in the middle of life’s hardest moments? Ethan sits down with Andrea Leigh Rogers to explore her journey through challenges, the unexpected tools she leaned on, and the mindset shifts that helped her move forward. Together they discuss how presence, awareness, and vulnerability can reshape the way we approach health and happiness. This conversation is filled with insight and inspiration for anyone working toward lasting change. Stay connected with Ethan and get more stories, updates, and exclusivecontent by signing up for his newsletter here: https://ethansuplee.substack.com/subscribeSHOW HIGHLIGHTS00:00 Introduction and welcome04:15 Andrea’s background and early influences10:40 Showing up every day despite challenges18:30 Mindfulness and presence in daily life22:00 Andrea’s surprising encounter with smudge spray28:45 Strategies for building resilience35:20 Redefining health and self-acceptance42:10 Key takeaways and reflections48:20 Closing thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if everything you thought about lifting weights was wrong? In this episode, Ethan sits down with Dr. John Jaquish, the inventor of the X3 Bar and author of Weightlifting Is a Waste of Time. John shares why traditional weight training fails most people, the science behind variable resistance, and how his system helps build muscle and improve bone density faster. They also explore diet, longevity, and why so many quit the gym within 90 days. Don’t miss this eye-opening conversation.For more insights from Ethan, sign up for his free newsletter: https://ethansuplee.substack.com/subscribeSHOW HIGHLIGHTS00:00 – Introduction00:47 – Why lifting weights may be a waste of time02:33 – Understanding variable resistance04:16 – Why 90 percent quit the gym in 90 days06:02 – Muscle transformations and genetics10:57 – NFL athletes vs the rest of us12:15 – The dominance of Westside Barbell14:27 – Creating the X3 system16:42 – How the X3 works at home18:34 – Can bands really replicate heavy weights?20:30 – From bone density device to fitness innovation21:22 – The truth about carbs and nutrition25:26 – Strength vs cardio and longevity29:24 – Experiments with protein and essential amino acids31:04 – Osteoporosis and bone density training33:38 – Why traditional weightlifting often fails36:38 – The psychology of progress in the gym38:20 – Success stories with the X3 system40:00 – OsteoStrong and fracture prevention41:44 – The deadly risk of hip fractures42:35 – Closing thoughts and wrap up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when losing 300 pounds still doesn’t feel like enough? In this episode, Ethan sits down with Paige Dorian to share the biggest challenges he has faced in his weight loss and maintenance journey. He opens up about chasing perfection, why it never brought peace, and how shifting his mindset toward balance and improvement changed everything. Ethan also talks about the role of his podcast in keeping him accountable and connected.Subscribe to Ethan's Substack:https://ethansuplee.substack.com/subscribeSHOW HIGHLIGHTS00:00 – Welcome and Introduction00:34 – Ethan’s Biggest Challenges01:21 – Feeling Overwhelmed at the Start02:26 – Early Diet Attempts04:30 – Losing 80 Pounds in Two Months05:33 – The Moving Finish Line07:28 – The Illusion of Perfection09:00 – Maintaining Weight for Eight Years13:19 – Chasing Goals Without Satisfaction17:25 – The Closest Ethan Came to “Perfect”18:15 – Life as an Ecosystem21:23 – Finding Balance Beyond Diets23:29 – How the Podcast Helps Maintain Success26:44 – Parallels with Sobriety28:23 – Dealing with Negative Feedback33:10 – Lessons from Age and Experience35:58 – Final Reflections and Takeaways Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of American Glutton, I sit down with Dr. Drew Pinsky and Adam Carolla for a no-holds-barred conversation on health, culture, discipline, and resilience. We dive into the politics of obesity, the cultural shift around smoking, and why hard work still trumps talent. From the dangers of over-reliance on medication to the impact of safe spaces on mental health, Drew and Adam bring raw insights, provocative takes, and personal stories. If you’re ready to challenge conventional thinking about health, masculinity, and personal responsibility, this episode is a must-listen.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Introduction 02:13 – The state of health in America 03:59 – Cultural shifts and smoking 06:24 – Safe spaces vs. resilience 08:25 – Obesity and public health 11:45 – Medication, peptides, and risk 18:04 – Stigma, shame, and health truths 20:49 – The obesity paradox debate 27:03 – Victim mentality and hard work 29:45 – Relentlessness vs. talent 31:37 – Discipline and education 33:09 – Getting soft vs. true progress 37:34 – Participation trophies and culture 42:08 – Gender balance and societal impact 45:39 – Nutrition myths and upbringing 49:28 – Medical science, patience, and policy 51:09 – Closing thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.