EP760 - Monthly Q&A: Hard Truths on Life, Coaching, and Letting People Go

On this month's Q&A episode, Brad and Craig go off-script and dive into a wide range of real-life topics that are actually affecting people right now. They kick things off with a bigger-picture conversation around life—how perspective shapes everything, why most people overcomplicate things, and where they see people getting in their own way the most. From there, they get into a real and necessary discussion about coaching as an unregulated industry. The pros, the dangers, and what people should actually be looking for before trusting someone with their health, mindset, or life direction. Not all "coaches" are created equal—and they don't hold back here. They also tackle a tough but relatable question: what to do when someone doesn't want you in their life anymore. Whether it's relationships, friendships, or family—this turns into a conversation about self-respect, boundaries, and emotional maturity. Peptides come back into the conversation with more listener questions—clearing up confusion, calling out misuse, and giving practical insight into how they should be approached versus how most people are currently using them. As always, the episode is a mix of mindset, truth, and real talk—no fluff, no sugarcoating.   Next Level Links: Work With a Nutrition Coach - Schedule A Consultation Nutrition Coaching - www.becomenextlevel.com   Partner Links: Try Thrive Lab Free For One Month - Start Here Order Supplements From Transform - Shop Here Order Supplements From Cured Nutrition - Shop Here Order Supplements From Legion (use code keynutrition for 20% off first order) - Shop Here   Be Featured on the Show: Apply to be a live calller guest on the show - Submit Application Here Submit Q&A Questions to be read live on the show - Submit Here   Free Guides: Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide High-Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide Join Us On Patreon - Join Here   Connect with us on Instagram: Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder Co-Host Craig Smith - @greatestdaymindset Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

This one is a real, honest mix of growth, pressure, and calling out some of the traps high performers fall into. We dig into what it actually means to "quit" something — and why quitting isn't always weakness. Sometimes it's alignment. Whether it's habits, relationships, or even careers, there's a difference between giving up and moving on. I also touch on plans for upcoming peptide conversations — breaking down what's actually useful, what's hype, and where people are getting it wrong. Got some powerful episodes coming up too, including one with my parents (which will be real and probably a little raw) and another with Elizabeth Smart that you won't want to miss. We also get into a controversial one — is personal development actually overrated? At what point does "working on yourself" just become another addiction? That ties into the bigger trap: always chasing more, without ever defining what "enough" looks like. I open up about some personal stuff too — feeling like I'm falling short as a dad at times, and a recent honest conversation with my son that hit me hard. We talk about the realities of blending families, the adjustments that come with it, and how it's not always smooth like people pretend it is. And for all of you grinding through stacked morning routines… we call that out too. When optimizing your life starts to feel like a burden, you're missing the point. We wrap with a reminder most people need: growth matters, but so does actually being present in your life. Gratitude isn't soft — it's necessary if you don't want to burn out chasing a life you'll never feel.   Next Level Links: Work With a Nutrition Coach - Schedule A Consultation Nutrition Coaching - www.becomenextlevel.com   Partner Links: Try Thrive Lab Free For One Month - Start Here Order Supplements From Transform - Shop Here Order Supplements From Cured Nutrition - Shop Here Order Supplements From Legion (use code keynutrition for 20% off first order) - Shop Here   Be Featured on the Show: Apply to be a live calller guest on the show - Submit Application Here Submit Q&A Questions to be read live on the show - Submit Here   Free Guides: Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide High-Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide Join Us On Patreon - Join Here   Connect with us on Instagram: Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder Co-Host Craig Smith - @greatestdaymindset Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

In this episode, I sat down with my cohost Craig Smith to break down my weekend at a local bodybuilding show and everything it brought up for me. We talked about how insane it is what the human body can achieve at that level—but also how misunderstood it is. A lot of people think you can just take steroids and look like that, and that's just not reality. It takes years of discipline, precision, and a level of commitment most people aren't willing to touch. That led into a bigger realization for me: I don't think I'll ever step on stage again. Not because I can't—but because I fully understand the level of sacrifice required, and I'm clear that it's not a price I'm willing to pay anymore. From there, we dove deep into the concept of sacrifice—what it actually means, how it scales with the size of your goals, and how most people say they want something without being honest about what it's going to cost them. At the end of the day, the conversation really came down to this: if you want something meaningful, it's going to require real trade-offs. And if you're not willing to make those sacrifices, you don't actually want the goal—you just like the idea of it.   Next Level Links: Work With a Nutrition Coach - Schedule A Consultation Nutrition Coaching - www.becomenextlevel.com   Partner Links: Try Thrive Lab Free For One Month - Start Here Order Supplements From Transform - Shop Here Order Supplements From Cured Nutrition - Shop Here Order Supplements From Legion (use code keynutrition for 20% off first order) - Shop Here   Be Featured on the Show: Apply to be a live calller guest on the show - Submit Application Here Submit Q&A Questions to be read live on the show - Submit Here   Free Guides: Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide High-Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide Join Us On Patreon - Join Here   Connect with us on Instagram: Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder Co-Host Craig Smith - @greatestdaymindset Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

In this episode, I sit down with one of the most well-known pioneers in the energy healing space, Dr. Bradley Nelson — creator of The Emotion Code and author of The Heart Code. I'll be honest… this is the kind of stuff I used to think was straight-up "woo-woo." But after having firsthand experience with energy work, I've changed my perspective — and this conversation goes deep into why. We break down how unresolved emotional experiences don't just live in your mind… they can actually get stored in your body and impact everything from your health to your relationships. Dr. Nelson explains the concept of "trapped emotions" — emotional energy that wasn't fully processed and ends up lingering in the body, potentially contributing to both emotional and physical issues.   One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is the idea of the "Heart-Wall." This is essentially a protective barrier your body builds around your heart using layers of trapped emotions — meant to protect you, but often ends up blocking connection, vulnerability, and even success.   We also dive into: Why so many people feel stuck emotionally, mentally, or even physically How past experiences may still be influencing your current behavior and relationships The role of the subconscious mind in healing Simple ways to start becoming more aware of emotional patterns How to avoid continuing to build these "walls" over time Dr. Nelson also shares insights from his newer work, The Heart Code, and gives practical takeaways for anyone looking to improve their emotional health and overall well-being. Whether you're skeptical or already open to this kind of work, this episode will challenge how you think about healing, self-awareness, and what's really holding you back. ⸻ About Dr. Bradley Nelson Dr. Bradley Nelson is a holistic chiropractor, author, and medical intuitive known for his work in energy healing. He is the creator of The Emotion Code and The Body Code, systems designed to identify and release what he calls "trapped emotions" stored in the body.   His work has been adopted by practitioners around the world and focuses on the connection between emotional energy, physical health, and overall human performance.   Next Level Links: Work With a Nutrition Coach - Schedule A Consultation Nutrition Coaching - www.becomenextlevel.com   Partner Links: Try Thrive Lab Free For One Month - Start Here Order Supplements From Transform - Shop Here Order Supplements From Cured Nutrition - Shop Here Order Supplements From Legion (use code keynutrition for 20% off first order) - Shop Here   Be Featured on the Show: Apply to be a live calller guest on the show - Submit Application Here Submit Q&A Questions to be read live on the show - Submit Here   Free Guides: Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide High-Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide Join Us On Patreon - Join Here   Connect with us on Instagram: Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder Guest Dr. Bradley Nelson - @officialdrbradleynelson Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

In this Q&A episode, Craig and I dive into some of the most common struggles we're seeing right now around nutrition, training, and knowing what actually matters. We start with the all or nothing cycle. Being dialed in during the week, then losing it on the weekends and feeling like you're starting over every Monday. We break down what's really driving that pattern and how to get out of it. We talk about the frustration of putting in years of work in the gym but still feeling like you look average, and how to actually audit your approach instead of just doing more. We get into peptides and the current hype around them. Where they can actually be useful, and where people are jumping in way too early chasing an edge they haven't earned. We also hit on the cycle of losing weight and gaining it back, and why the issue usually isn't the diet itself, but something deeper that keeps repeating. There's a big conversation around the all in personality. Why going 100 percent eventually backfires, and how to find something sustainable without losing your edge. And we finish with GLP-1s. How to know if you're using them as a tool versus a crutch, and what should actually be dialed in before going that route.   Next Level Experience - Schedule a Discovery Call   Next Level Links: Work With a Nutrition Coach - Schedule A Consultation Nutrition Coaching - www.becomenextlevel.com   Partner Links: Try Thrive Lab Free For One Month - Start Here Order Supplements From Transform - Shop Here Order Supplements From Cured Nutrition - Shop Here Order Supplements From Legion (use code keynutrition for 20% off first order) - Shop Here   Be Featured on the Show: Apply to be a live calller guest on the show - Submit Application Here Submit Q&A Questions to be read live on the show - Submit Here   Free Guides: Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide High-Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide Join Us On Patreon - Join Here   Connect with us on Instagram: Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder Co-Host Craig Smith - @greatestdaymindset Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

In this episode, I sit down with Mike Mills. Mike is a past participant of Next Level Experience and someone I have a ton of respect for as a man. We get into his journey over the last couple of years, including completing 75 Hard not once, but twice. But what stood out most in this conversation is that it wasn't about the physical transformation. It was about what it did for him mentally, emotionally, and the level of ownership he's now operating from. Mike shares how going through NLE helped shift his perspective and pushed him to step into a bigger version of himself. Not just for his own life, but now in the work he's doing helping other men level up across mind, body, and spirit. We also touched on something deeper. The passing of his father from ALS and how that experience forced him to take a hard look at his life. It lit a fire under him to stop waiting, stop playing small, and really take control of the direction he's heading. This is a powerful conversation about growth, responsibility, and what it actually looks like to become the man you know you're capable of being. If you're someone who knows you've got more in the tank, this one will hit.   Next Level Experience - Schedule a Discovery Call   Next Level Links: Work With a Nutrition Coach - Schedule A Consultation Nutrition Coaching - www.becomenextlevel.com   Partner Links: Try Thrive Lab Free For One Month - Start Here Order Supplements From Transform - Shop Here Order Supplements From Cured Nutrition - Shop Here Order Supplements From Legion (use code keynutrition for 20% off first order) - Shop Here   Be Featured on the Show: Apply to be a live calller guest on the show - Submit Application Here Submit Q&A Questions to be read live on the show - Submit Here   Free Guides: Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide High-Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide Join Us On Patreon - Join Here   Connect with us on Instagram: Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder Guest Mike Mills - @mmills310 Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

On this episode of the Brad Jensen Show, I wrap up the final part of our 3-part NLE Boot Camp series. This one is solo. Just me tying everything together. We've already covered the emotional and mental levels in parts one and two. In this episode, I bring it all home and introduce you to the spiritual level. This is the piece most people either ignore or completely misunderstand. And it's also the piece that changes everything when you actually get it. I break down some of the core principles we teach inside Next Level Experience when it comes to spiritual alignment. Not in a fluffy, surface-level way. In a real, practical, apply-this-to-your-life kind of way. We talk about: What it actually means to be spiritually aligned Why so many high performers still feel off even when they are "winning" How your mental and emotional patterns are directly tied into your spiritual state Why chasing more without alignment will always leave you empty How to start operating with more purpose, clarity, and intention I also touch briefly on the physical level and how it all connects, because the truth is none of these operate in isolation. When one area is off, it bleeds into everything else. This episode is really about bringing full alignment into your life. Mind, body, and spirit. Not just dominating one area while the rest fall apart. And if you've been listening to this series and thinking "this is exactly what I need," then this is your sign. We are heading into what is shaping up to be the final round of Next Level Experience in 2026. If you're ready to stop half-assing certain areas of your life and actually put everything together, book a discovery call. But only do it if you're serious about doing the work. All of it. Not just the physical. Let's finish this series strong.   Next Level Experience - Schedule a Discovery Call   Next Level Links: Work With a Nutrition Coach - Schedule A Consultation Nutrition Coaching - www.becomenextlevel.com   Partner Links: Try Thrive Lab Free For One Month - Start Here Order Supplements From Transform - Shop Here Order Supplements From Cured Nutrition - Shop Here Order Supplements From Legion (use code keynutrition for 20% off first order) - Shop Here   Be Featured on the Show: Apply to be a live calller guest on the show - Submit Application Here Submit Q&A Questions to be read live on the show - Submit Here   Free Guides: Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide High-Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide Join Us On Patreon - Join Here   Connect with us on Instagram: Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

In part two of our three-part series, I sat down with Frank Young to dive into something that impacts every single area of your life… your relationships. Frank has been married for 35 years and brings a level of wisdom and real-world experience that you just can't fake. Not only that, but he coaches relationships in his own business and inside of the Next Level Experience, so this isn't theory… this is what actually works. We break down some of the exact principles we teach inside NLE when it comes to building stronger, more connected, and more intentional relationships. We also zoom out and connect the dots between your mental patterns, your emotional responses, and how those show up in your relationship… whether you realize it or not. If you've ever felt disconnected, misunderstood, or like you keep running into the same patterns in your relationships… this one will hit. This is one you're going to want to take notes on.   Next Level Experience - Schedule a Discovery Call   Next Level Links: Work With a Nutrition Coach - Schedule A Consultation Nutrition Coaching - www.becomenextlevel.com   Partner Links: Try Thrive Lab Free For One Month - Start Here Order Supplements From Transform - Shop Here Order Supplements From Cured Nutrition - Shop Here Order Supplements From Legion (use code keynutrition for 20% off first order) - Shop Here   Be Featured on the Show: Apply to be a live calller guest on the show - Submit Application Here Submit Q&A Questions to be read live on the show - Submit Here   Free Guides: Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide High-Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide Join Us On Patreon - Join Here   Connect with us on Instagram: Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder Guest Frank Young - @frankthetankyoung Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

In this episode, I'm joined by Cass Zimmerman, one of the absolute rockstar coaches inside the Next Level Experience. If you've listened before, you already know… she brings the heat every single time. This is part one of a three-part Boot Camp series where we're pulling back the curtain and giving you a real look at what we actually teach inside NLE. Not surface-level stuff. The real work. We kick things off with one of the most overlooked areas of growth… Emotional regulation and energy. We break down how your emotional state is directly tied to your results in every area of life. Your health. Your relationships. Your business. Everything. We also get into how this shows up differently for men and women, and why most people are completely unaware of what's actually driving their behaviors day to day. And we didn't just talk about it… We gave you real tools. The exact frameworks and practices we use inside Next Level Experience to help people build awareness, regulate emotions, and take back control instead of constantly reacting to life. This is the work most people avoid. But it's also the work that changes everything. Toward the end, we start bridging into relationships… which sets the tone perfectly for part two of this series. If you've ever felt like you're doing all the right things but still not getting where you want to go… This episode will show you why. And more importantly, what to do about it.   Next Level Experience - Schedule a Discovery Call   Next Level Links: Work With a Nutrition Coach - Schedule A Consultation Nutrition Coaching - www.becomenextlevel.com   Partner Links: Try Thrive Lab Free For One Month - Start Here Order Supplements From Transform - Shop Here Order Supplements From Cured Nutrition - Shop Here Order Supplements From Legion (use code keynutrition for 20% off first order) - Shop Here   Be Featured on the Show: Apply to be a live calller guest on the show - Submit Application Here Submit Q&A Questions to be read live on the show - Submit Here   Free Guides: Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide High-Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide Join Us On Patreon - Join Here   Connect with us on Instagram: Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder Guest Cass Zimmerman - @casofras Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

On today's episode of The Brad Jensen Show, Craig Smith and I dive into the sayings we cannot stand in the health, fitness, and personal development space. You know the ones. The phrases that sound harmless on the surface but actually keep people stuck, playing small, and buying into their own excuses. We break down the victim mindsets, the self-sabotaging statements, and the subtle language patterns that quietly wreck progress without people even realizing it. Between my 15 years in the health and fitness space and Craig's 20 years of clinical experience, we've heard it all and today we call it out. This one is equal parts informative and funny, but also direct as hell. If you've ever caught yourself saying things like "I just can't," "this is just how I am," or "I'll start when life slows down"… this episode might hit a little close to home. And that's the point. Because once you become aware of the language that's holding you back, you can finally start changing it and changing your life along with it.   Next Level Links: Work With a Nutrition Coach - Schedule A Consultation Nutrition Coaching - www.becomenextlevel.com   Partner Links: Try Thrive Lab Free For One Month - Start Here Order Supplements From Transform - Shop Here Order Supplements From Cured Nutrition - Shop Here Order Supplements From Legion (use code keynutrition for 20% off first order) - Shop Here   Be Featured on the Show: Apply to be a live calller guest on the show - Submit Application Here Submit Q&A Questions to be read live on the show - Submit Here   Free Guides: Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide High-Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide Join Us On Patreon - Join Here   Connect with us on Instagram: Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder Co-Host Craig Smith - @greatestdaymindset Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition