Why The "Quarter" Is The Best Fitness Marker For Longevity

This episode describes why your time in the 400-meter run could be the single best indicator of your longevity potential and your overall fitness competency. The 400 is known in track & field as the “race of truth” because it sequentially exhausts the various high-intensity systems of the body—testing all of your attributes: speed, strength, power, metabolic fitness, and your ability to hold it together when your body is under maximum stress. No hiding, no faking it. While your aerobic competency is also a great longevity indicator—things like your mile run time (per Cooper Institute and UT Southwestern Medical School research) and your daily step count are great ways to track longevity potential, the 400 reveals your competency with the anaerobic energy systems and muscle fibers that are often ignored—even by devoted fitness enthusiasts. In this show, I break down the fascinating physiology behind this brutal event—how it uniquely blends anaerobic power with aerobic support—and why it reveals far more about real-world fitness than jogging miles or grinding through long workouts. Here’s the problem: modern fitness culture is heavily biased toward endurance—steady-state cardio, group classes, even so-called broad based or hybrid fitness formats like CrossFit and Hyrox that, in the big picture, are still dominated by the aerobic energy systems. Meanwhile, the qualities that decline fastest with age—and matter most for longevity—are strength, power, explosiveness, and the ability to produce force quickly. Those are the attributes that protect you from the number one cause of injury and death after age 65: falling. And they’re exactly what the 400-meter run demands. By the end of this episode, you’ll understand why the 400 might be the ultimate longevity benchmark, why most fitness programming has it backwards, and how to start tracking your own performance—whether it’s a full lap or a scaled effort—to keep score as you age. Time to hit the track, fire up the stopwatch, and find out where you really stand!   TIMESTAMPS: The 400 meters is called the race of truth because it exposes everything about your fitness. [01:13] When we overemphasize endurance with our fitness pursuits, it comes at the expense of the qualities that are probably the most critical for aging gracefully. [01:42] Much of the fitness information out there is not based on real science or exercise physiology. [03:32] People who are fast, explosive and powerful, and have good competency in the 400 meters have, by necessity, tremendous aerobic endurance. [05:49] Walking forms the foundation of tremendous aerobic endurance for all other fitness attributes that you pursue. [07:22] What Masters Track and Field has observed across many events is a round a 6 percent decline per decade in the peak performance standard. [09:54] You can factor in a 6% decline per decade to compare yourself to the other challengers in your event. The records, the milestones need to be adjusted for age. [11:00] What is the single best exercise to promote longevity? The answer is....the thing that you enjoy doing the most. [15:19] Doing what you love to do is the number one best longevity exercise, but we need to integrate challenges that include functional muscle strength, cardiovascular enduraance, and mobility flexibility.   [18:47] You have to load the skeleton with resistance exercise on a regular basis to prevent sarcopenia and dynapenia. [24:12] The 400 meter competency might be more valuable and more illustrative of your fitness and longevity potential, than simply your ability to throw around heavy weight. [27:33] Your body is not capable of delivering pure maximum effort for longer than seven seconds. [31:46] The 400 meters is only one lap around the track and in most cases, for fit people, it is about 66% contribution of the anaerobic system and 33% of the aerobic system. [35:56] If you are training for a race that lasts for one hour, you are depending on fat as your fuel source.  Depending on your sport, your body composition needs differ. [37:07] One's time in the mile run at age 50 is strongly predictive of the potential to live to age 80 in good health. [39:56] It is extremely important that you learn to rest during your workouts. Even if you are at the low fitness level, hit it hard for 10 seconds and rest for one minute. [44:06] Why is anaerobic exercise so important for everyone? [51:27] The true sprint from exercise physiology is only up to seven seconds. [55:44] Preserving your anaerobic function, muscle power, and explosiveness is what's going to keep you safe from what the Centers for Disease Control calls the number one cause of demise and death in seniors over age 65, and that is falling and adverse related health consequences. [58:28] A 400 meter runner has a balanced metabolic engine of high glycolytic capacity, strong acid buffering capacity, and a meaningful anaerobic contribution. [01:04:16] Go out there and try the 400.  Once a week for a sprint type workout is fine. [16:00]   LINKS: Brad Kearns.com BradNutrition.com - 20% OFF Your First Order! B.rad Superdrink – Hydrates 28% Faster than Water—Creatine-Charged Hydration for Next-Level Power, Focus, and Recovery NEW: B.rad Real Rad Gummies - Creatine + Nootropics for Focus, Motivation, Performance, and Recovery! B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Brad’s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes   We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to [email protected]. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Get 20% OFF your first order! Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off! Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD. Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I talk about three simple ways to control chronic inflammation—and how to keep score on your progress instead of chasing expensive supplements. The topic was inspired by a friend who texted me a photo of a pricey bottle of antioxidants and asked if it would help with inflammation, which prompted some classic Brad-splaining. I explain why the biggest drivers of chronic inflammation are everyday lifestyle habits—especially diet—and why heavily processed foods, refined industrial seed oils, refined grains, sugars, and alcohol disrupt metabolic health and promote visceral belly fat, the dangerous fat around your organs that actively releases inflammatory agents into the bloodstream. The goal is shifting toward a protein-centric, nutrient-dense whole foods diet. I also cover the other major pillars: movement and sleep. Sitting too much can promote inflammatory processes, while chronic overtraining can keep the body stuck in a sympathetic stress response—so the goal is regular daily movement paired with a sensible fitness program. Finally, I explain why sleep, rest, recovery, and true downtime are essential for repair and brain health, including the role of the glymphatic system. Before spending money on exotic supplements, focus on the basics: clean up your diet, move more throughout the day, and prioritize sleep.   TIMESTAMPS: The inflammation in your body is believed to be the root cause of virtually all disease. [01:00] Chronic inflammtion is mostly caused by a poor diet. [03:00] Watch out for the oils you are served when dining out.  In your kitchen toss out the soy bean oil, corn oil, safflower, sunflower, cottonseed oil, and canola oil. [06:16] Oil that is naturally yielded such as first cold pressed virgin olive oil as well as coconut oil are better. [08:35] Be careful when you look for avocado oil because some have been altered and mixed with cheaper oils. [09:27] If you're snacking and consuming a lot of these foods throughout the day, throughout your life, you're going to have chronic overproduction of insulin. [11:25] We have to put alcohol and most energy bars on this list of causes of systemic inflammation. [13:00] Steak and eggs are good breakfast choices. [14:59] Having an accumulation of visceral fat is a huge red flag. [16:33] Exercise and movement influence inflammation.  In order for our organs and systems to work appropriately, we need to be in near constant movement throughout the day. [22:00] Learn what works for you.  Sitting to much promotes chronic inflammation and over exercising promotes chronic inflammation.  [28:46] Sleep is more important than most people think. [31:02]   LINKS: Brad Kearns.com BradNutrition.com - 20% OFF Your First Order! B.rad Superdrink – Hydrates 28% Faster than Water—Creatine-Charged Hydration for Next-Level Power, Focus, and Recovery NEW: B.rad Real Rad Gummies - Creatine + Nootropics for Focus, Motivation, Performance, and Recovery! B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Brad’s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes B.rad Nutrition Guide Dark Calories Burn Dr. Herman Pontzer Podcast (Energy Expenditure) Podcast no. 1 with Dr. Tommy Wood Podcast no.2 with Dr. Tommy Wood Podcast no. 3 with Dr. Tommy Wood Podcast with Dr. Sinha on Rumination   We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to [email protected]. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Get 20% OFF your first order! Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off! Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD. Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Courtney Conley, world renowned foot expert and author of the sensational new book, Walk: Rediscover the Most Natural Way to Boost Your Health and Longevity One Step at a Time. Mark Sisson and I are big fans of Dr. Courtney’s work—there’s so much crossover with what we wrote in Born to Walk—and she does a beautiful job not just highlighting the wonderful benefits of walking, but getting into the specifics of how to create lifestyle habits so you can put in more steps, strengthen your feet, and rethink concepts like the 10,000-steps-a-day recommendation. We talk about why walking is not exercise, but a physiological necessity—our survival as a species has hinged on one key factor: movement. Dr. Courtney makes the bold case that walking speed should be considered the sixth vital sign, explaining how slower walking pace is predictive of dementia and increased cancer risk, and how simply adding 500 steps to a 2,500-step baseline can reduce all-cause mortality by 7%. We challenge the 10,000-step myth and break down why living in the 5,000–8,500 step range delivers powerful benefits, especially when you sprinkle in five-minute movement snacks and intentional faster walking. We also go deep into foot strength and modern footwear, including why one in three people over age 45 has foot pain, how constant cushioning can weaken the foot, why pronation is mandatory for a healthy gait, and her 24-hour shoe clock concept—there’s a time and a place for everything, but the goal is trending toward barefoot functionality so the foot can do what it was designed to do. Dr. Courtney Conley holds a Doctorate in Chiropractic Medicine and bachelor’s degrees in Kinesiology and Human Biology. She is the founder and creator of Gait Happens and has worked with professional athletic organizations including the Phoenix Suns, New York Yankees, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, and Minnesota Vikings. She serves as Head of Patient Care at Total Health Solutions and Total Health Performance, premier healthcare destinations known for their comprehensive, science-based approach to patient care.   TIMESTAMPS: Our survival as a species has hinged on one key factor: movement. (Dr. Conley) [01:17] Why are we treating the foot so much differently than we're treating the rest of the human body? [07:07] Gait Happens is an online educational company. [10:48] The super cushioned shoes can improve performance because it allows your foot to not have to do the work that it is designed to do. But you need to get your feet stronger. [14:32] One out of three people over the age of 45 have foot pain. [18:39] Walking should be integrated throughout the day. [24:10] On the bottom of the foot, we have many sensory receptors. When we put cushioned shoes on, we compromise some important sensory information. [27:09] The speed of one's gait can be predictive of longevity. [28:43] When the heel hits the ground, it starts the cascade of the foot unlocking or pronation. That is a mandatory thing that has to happen. [34:46] The 10,000 steps we have heard so much about is kind of a myth. [39:36] Walking is all about rotation. You are nourishing your joints. You’re loading your spine and bones. Your muscles are active and your nervous system is engaged. [46:28] There is a difference between ambient walking and intentional walking. [47:40] In her clinic, the most common things she sees are heel pain and big toe pain. [49:18] Many folks in the running population who are heavy users of the elevated cushion shoes visit her clinic to learn ways to strengthen their feet.  [53:17] What exercises and strengthening can people learn from the book? [54:38] Your shoe should respect the anatomy of the foot. The widest part of the shoe should be the toes. [58:44]   LINKS: Brad Kearns.com BradNutrition.com - 20% OFF Your First Order! B.rad Superdrink – Hydrates 28% Faster than Water—Creatine-Charged Hydration for Next-Level Power, Focus, and Recovery B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Brad’s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes Walk: Rediscover the Most Natural Way to Boost Your Health and Longevity Human Locomotion Gait Happens Dr. Courtney Conley   We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to [email protected]. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Get 20% OFF your first order! Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off! Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD. Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Tommy Wood about how to protect and strengthen brain health across the lifespan—how overstimulation, chronic stress, and not giving your brain time to rest and recover undermines focus and productivity, and why restructuring your workday, prioritizing sleep, and building in real cognitive breaks can help you think more clearly and perform better. We discuss how the balance of stimulus, supply, and support shifts as we age, why retirement and prolonged illness can accelerate cognitive decline without ongoing challenge, and how physical activity, deep work, and continued learning help maintain function and even build “crystallized intelligence”—wisdom—later in life. We also get into genetic risk and why it’s largely a probability game where lifestyle can stack the deck in your favor; the powerful role of social connection and helping others in reducing dementia risk; how to use digital tools for real connection instead of passive consumption; and the cognitive effects of substances like nicotine, alcohol, cannabis, and stimulants. Dr. Tommy shares practical strategies—from structuring your day around focused work and restorative breaks to picking hobbies that challenge your brain—as well as simple ways to maintain cognitive function, extend the time you stay sharp, and lower the likelihood of decline over your life.   TIMESTAMPS: Tommy Wood's new book explains the environmental impact on your brain health. [01:07] In adults over 40, dementia is the number one health concern. [07:21] Why haven't we done a better job of understanding the brain's neurological disease? [13:28] Studies have shown that an older adult learning a new language or musical instrument, experiences significant changes in the structure of the brain. [20:45] Failure is the primary driver of neuroplasticity. [21:35] If you do one of two activities such as attending lectures, writing, classes, volunteering, sports and such, you are best protected from dementia. [ 26:00] What are the three S's that are the key to long-term brain health and disease prevention? [29:08] Metabolic disease like high blood pressure is a significant risk factor for dementia. [35:13] People who are stressed usually don't give their brain time to recover. [36:03] Some people do have genetic influence and possibly have a higher risk that they can learn to work with. [38:33] It's estimated that 45 to 70 ish percent of dementias are preventable. [39:53] We can eliminate this accelerated decline that we are seeing around us by hitting the checkpoints like move, nourish, stimulate, connect and adapt. [47:06] Social connection is terribly important. [47:43] The areas of the brain that are most susceptible to decreases in function as we age, are the areas of the brain that are negatively impacted by being socially isolated. [51:27] What is the impact of the digital world that surrounds us? What about smoking and alcohol? [52:26] Marijuana use definitely has an effect on the brain. [01:02:46] If someone only has a small amount of time to learn these things, what would be the tips you would give them? [01:07:34]   LINKS: Brad Kearns.com BradNutrition.com - 20% OFF Your First Order! B.rad Superdrink – Hydrates 28% Faster than Water—Creatine-Charged Hydration for Next-Level Power, Focus, and Recovery B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Brad’s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes Dr. Tommy Wood Instagram @drtommywood The Stimulated Mind: Future-proof your Brain Podcast with Wood: Metabolic Efficiency Podcast with Wood: Sensible Healthy Living Podcast with Wood: Beauty of Not Always Optimizing Nourish Balance Thrive Dr.TommyWood.com   We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to [email protected]. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Get 20% OFF your first order! Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off! Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD. Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I answer the question of “Why is your B.rad protein so expensive?” and dig into why protein prices keep rising—and why lower prices often mean watered-down products. You will hear about the huge distinction in quality in the protein supplement marketplace, why the gold standard is grass-fed whey protein isolate, and how it stands in stark contrast to whey protein concentrate and plant-based proteins, which are less pure, less potent, and harder for the body to digest and assimilate. I also explain cold processing, lactose sensitivity, and why many people think they can’t tolerate whey when they’re really reacting to lower-quality products with leftover lactose, milk fat, and fillers. You will learn why protein supplements are getting more and more expensive and what’s happening in the marketplace, including ongoing supply chain pressure since the global pandemic, increased demand for protein, large buyers dominating supply, and reduced milk output from heat stress on cattle. I explain how lower prices often reflect cost cutting and diminished product quality through proprietary blends, nitrogen spiking, amino acid fillers, and additives like maltodextrin, and why I put my name behind a food-grade product and why paying more for very high-quality protein is a worthy investment.   TIMESTAMPS: There is a huge distinction in quality between whey protein supplements, thus the pricing variation. [00:01:54] Why is this happening in the marketplace? Bro Science gives us much information. [00:02:17] In cost-cutting, we are seeing a diminished quality of the product. [00:04:28] If you see the word "proprietary," it's a red flag meaning secret ingredients. [00:06:19] When you have a protein centric diet, you're giving yourself a chance to excel. [00:11:17] The price of protein in many different forms is increasing as it becomes more popular to focus your diet on protein. [00:13:02]   LINKS: Brad Kearns.com BradNutrition.com - 20% OFF Your First Order! NEW: Real Rad Gummies - Creatine + Nootropics B.rad Superdrink – Hydrates 28% Faster than Water—Creatine-Charged Hydration for Next-Level Power, Focus, and Recovery B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Brad’s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes   We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to [email protected]. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Get 20% OFF your first order! Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off! Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD. Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you overemphasizing cardio in your exercise program? The answer for almost everyone out there is yes. We are doing too much cardio at the expense of the most beneficial fitness stimulations by far (as known to exercise physiology, not just my opinion): anaerobic system development, true sprinting competency, and true muscular strength and explosive power. The biggest drivers of accelerated aging are sarcopenia (age-related loss of muscle mass) and dinopenia (age-related loss of muscle power and explosiveness). Falling is essentially the first step in accelerated aging, because the body naturally loses anaerobic muscle power faster than aerobic fitness. This means you can maintain good cardio capacity for decades while becoming increasingly deficient in the qualities that prevent decline and falling—the number one cause of injury and death in Americans over age 65. In this episode, I explain why brief, explosive exercise is the most important and most neglected fitness stimulation, and why so many popular workouts are still overwhelmingly aerobic. I clarify the difference between aerobic and anaerobic exercise and share exercise physiology data showing that activities like HIIT, CrossFit, group exercise classes, and events like HYROX rely far more on the aerobic system than most people realize. I also explain how to bring true sprinting back into your program with minimal time commitment and minimal risk of burnout, using short, fully rested efforts that preserve muscle power, resilience, and healthy aging.   TIMESTAMPS: Are you over-emphasizing cardio in your exercise program? [01:05] Falling is the first step in accelerated aging. [02:56] Brief explosive exercises are recommended. [03:45] What is the difference between aerobic and anaerobic exercise? [04:50] All your intense activies like HIIT, Crossfit, and anything that lasts longer than a few minutes are primarily aerobic. [11:40] High Rocks is a template of challenges that stay the same in every competition. It is 98% aerobic. [14:00] Instead of all the endurance work you do now, something that uses minimal time, minimal risk of burnout, you can develop your power. Throw is the sprint routine that Brad talks about.  [21:40] Rest and relax in between your efforts. Put a true sprint workout into the mix. [26:48]   LINKS: Brad Kearns.com BradNutrition.com - 20% OFF Your First Order! B.rad Superdrink – Hydrates 28% Faster than Water—Creatine-Charged Hydration for Next-Level Power, Focus, and Recovery B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Brad’s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes   We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to [email protected]. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Get 20% OFF your first order! Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off! Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD. Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I explain why my stance on supplements has shifted and react to a New York Times article by Alex Hutchinson (author of Endure and The Explorer’s Gene) that cuts through the hype surrounding fitness supplements and asks a simple question: which ones actually work? I break down why the supplement industry is such a mess, including research showing that many so-called workout boosters contain unlabeled stimulants, steroids, or dangerously high doses of caffeine, how one study revealed that creatine gummies made by several leading supplements brands actually contained zero (or just trace amounts of) creatine, and why “more” is rarely better when it comes to performance enhancement.  From there, I walk through what Hutchinson calls the “Big Proven Five”: caffeine, creatine, sodium bicarbonate (yes, baking soda), beta-alanine, and nitrates. I explain how each one works, who it’s actually useful for, and the real-world tradeoffs—like why caffeine’s performance benefits depend heavily on dose and timing, why creatine’s gains show up over months rather than days, and why elite endurance athletes are suddenly embracing bicarb gels despite decades of GI horror stories. I also touch on supplements that have come and gone since the I.O.C.’s 2018 position paper—ketones, collagen, antioxidant cocktails—and where protein powder fits on the blurry line between “food” and “supplement.” If you’ve ever wondered what’s legit, what’s risky, and what’s just expensive hype, this episode will help you make sense of it all.   LINKS: Brad Kearns.com BradNutrition.com B.rad Superdrink – Hydrates 28% Faster than Water—Creatine-Charged Hydration for Next-Level Power, Focus, and Recovery B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Brad’s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes   We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to [email protected]. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off! Ketone-IQ Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six-pack of Ketone-IQ! Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD. Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I dive deep into why protein—especially high-quality whey protein isolate—becomes non-negotiable as we age, and why so many popular products completely miss the mark. I explain the real differences between whey concentrate, isolate, and hydrolysate; why lactose intolerance is often a quality issue, not a whey issue; and how misleading media “best of” lists often favor cheaper, inferior formulations loaded with additives, sweeteners, and questionable sourcing. I also share why I launched B.rad Nutrition in the first place: after struggling as a consumer to find a truly clean, grass-fed, cold-processed whey protein isolate sourced directly from small family farms in Wisconsin and verified free of heavy metals. We also zoom out into the bigger longevity picture—how whey protein works with exercise to preserve muscle mass, grip strength, gait speed, and explosive power as we age. I break down the research, including a 2024 meta-analysis on whey protein in older adults, explain why leucine thresholds matter more with age, and connect the dots between strength training, sprinting, and long-term health markers like mile time, 400-meter performance, and grip strength. If you’re older, trending plant-based, short on time, or simply confused by the protein aisle, this episode lays out exactly what to look for, what to avoid, and why protein needs to come first—every single day.   TIMESTAMPS: Whey protein continues to earn scientific support for its powerful health benefits. Pure andbioavailable whey isolate is the gold standard for whey protein. [01:05] It is recommended that you prioritize high-quality when it comes to supplements. [05:29] When wanting to purchase organic, bear in mind that if the item has thick skin like an avocado, it is not necessary to buy organic, but berries and other fruits and vegetables with the skin that is consumed, it is preferable to go for organic. [06:30] Whey is a byproduct of cheese manufacturing. [07:37] In older adults, whey protein can help maintain strength and muscle mass. [09:39] The time in the mile run is regarded as the single best predictor of one's ability to age gracefullythan any other thing, any blood value or laboratory test. [12:41] A missing feature of a longevity exerscise program is that brief explosive effort, sprinting andstrength training. [14:45] The body's ability to synthesize proteins, called protein synthesis, after a meal declines with age.[20:44] You need to focus on getting quality sources of protein that contain adequate levels of all nineessential amino acids. [22:51] It is recommended your goal to be around one gram of protein per pound of your ideal bodyweight. [26:08]   LINKS: Brad Kearns.com BradNutrition.com B.rad Superdrink – Hydrates 28% Faster than Water—Creatine-Charged Hydration for Next-Level Power, Focus, and Recovery B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Brad’s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes   We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to [email protected]. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off! Ketone-IQ Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six-pack of Ketone-IQ! Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD. Mito Red Light: Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount! Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I do a reaction—and a critical deep dive—into Paul Saladino’s newly released Heart & Soil grass-fed whey protein. I explain why whey protein is considered the highest biological-value protein on the planet, why I’ve personally been very selective about using it, and what immediately caught my attention when Paul repeatedly claimed his whey is “better than all other proteins” because it’s made directly from milk instead of cheese—without explaining why. Since that claim matters, I dig into the details to see whether it actually holds up. I share insights from a third-generation family cheesemaker I trust, who’s been in the whey business for decades, about how whey is actually produced and why making whey directly from milk requires much higher processing temperatures—up to around 160°F—compared to the cold-processed methods used for high-quality whey protein isolate. I explain why higher heat can damage nutrient potency, bioavailability, and immune-supporting proteins, break down the key difference between whey protein isolate and whey protein concentrate, and why the Heart & Soil product appears to be a concentrate despite being marketed as superior. I also talk about red flags around “proprietary” processing claims, compare this kind of marketing to similar claims made about creatine products, and give credit where it’s due—grass-fed New Zealand sourcing and third-party heavy-metal testing—while encouraging listeners to look past hype and understand how their protein is actually made.   TIMESTAMPS: Let's look at the protein supplements and how they are described. When you see the word “proprietary,” it throws up a red flag. [02:02] Making whey from milk instead of cheese requires higher processing temperatures. [04:08] Be careful when you hear the sales pitches.  Of course, the product sounds great when presented enthusiastically. [06:35]   LINKS: Brad Kearns.com BradNutrition.com B.rad Superdrink – Hydrates 28% Faster than Water—Creatine-Charged Hydration for Next-Level Power, Focus, and Recovery B.rad Whey Protein Isolate Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Brad’s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes Heart and Soil Supplements   We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to [email protected]. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off! Ketone-IQ Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six-pack of Ketone-IQ! Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD. Mito Red Light: Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount! Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Please enjoy a great conversation and in-person show here in the Sacramento studios of the B.rad podcast with my good friend and sprinting mentor Cynthia Monteleone, coming to you all the way from the beautiful Big Island of Hawaii. We had a long, wide-ranging discussion on health, fitness, peak performance, and longevity—especially in Cynthia’s area of expertise, acting as a truth seeker and naysayer in the health and fitness scene. She isn’t afraid to speak straight, challenge prevailing opinions, and back it up with deep research and her experience working with elite athletes. We talk about the popular idea that preserving muscle mass is the key to longevity, why that insight is incomplete, and why muscle power, explosiveness, and strength are the real drivers of healthy aging. Cynthia also explains why jogging can actually make you slower and age faster—while walking does not—and why tired training backfires, along with the idea that recovery is just as much about the brain as it is about the muscles. As a Team USA world-champion sprinter and coach to Olympic and world-champion Masters-level athletes, Cynthia shares her thoughts on sprinting as an anti-aging strategy, creatine and why it’s not for everyone, diet—including dairy—and we even have some fun breaking down Dr. Rhonda Patrick’s viral green smoothie and the potential downside of consuming large amounts of plant toxins. She also talks about how she trains everyday people the same way she trains elite athletes, and why we should all think of ourselves that way. Cynthia has been a huge source of inspiration and reason for me over the years, and I really appreciate her willingness to think deeply, challenge trends, and always speak honestly about what actually works. A Team USA world-champion sprinter, Cynthia Monteleone is a highly trained metabolic health analytics practitioner who coaches numerous Olympic athletes and world-champion Masters-level athletes. She goes deep into the nuances of what delivers peak performance and helps people overcome health challenges to reach personal goals, especially weight loss and excelling in athletic goals. You can follow her at @FastOVER40 on Instagram and learn more at mamstrong808.com. Cynthia also has a healthy, natural skincare line: Earthen Hawaii.   TIMESTAMPS: We talk about the difference between just holding on to muscle mass and maintaining muscle power. [02:24] After being a college athlete, Cynthia married and had children. When her 11-year-old showed interest, she went back to the track.  [06:52] There are many people who aren't reaching their genetic potential. [13:04] Walking versus jogging: when you are jogging you are preserving slow twitch muscle fibers. [19:43] The power matters more than the muscle size. [26:18] When you do slow eccentrics (lowering the weight during the bicep curl), you are recruiting more muscle fibers. [29:48] Unless you are doing the Olympic Lifts in perfect form, the injury risks outweigh the benefits. [34:11] If you're an advanced sprinter, and you're training by doing hills and doing sled pushes, it's important at some point closer to your season to follow that resistance with flat work that's fast. [36:59] People often overdo jogging.  It can be detrimental to your health. [40:03] It's good to do a dynamic cool-down.  Little drills, like instead of jogging, you duck walks or toe walks. All manner of static stretching is ill-advised.  [42:02] It takes years for medical textbooks and journals to be updated to current findings. [46:12] Cynthia is a metabolic practitioner. She works with elite athletes as certified strength coach, encouraging diet and supplements. [50:58] What is wrong with the basic dietary notions we've been taught to believe are healthy? [53:02] Earthen Hawaii produces healthful skincare products rather than chemically laden things. [53:41] When working with a client's diet what Cynthia does is specifically pinpoint to that individual what they need most of and what is holding them back? [57:48] She teaches her clients to eat for neurotransmitters. [01:02:33] What about fasting? A workout of an hour gives a similar autophagy effect to fasting for 48 hours. [01:09:12] AI and algorithms are causing a problem with misinformation. Be careful. [01:17:20] The best athletes are always open to hearing all the information they can use for their competitive lifestyle. [01:21:35] Every supplement is not right for everyone. [01:25:06] What other foods and what other dietary patterns come up that you would suggest some experimentation and some trial and error if I'm trying to optimize my diet all the way? [01:28:22] There's a huge disparity in the quality and purity of whey protein. [01:32:21] Venison is highly nutritious. [ 01:35:11] Limiting grains is the key. [01:38:26] The type of exercise we do affects what kind of gut bacteria we produce. [01:40:05] Sugar can affect the hormones. [01:44:56] What is the difference between muscles and brain recovery? [01:55:39]   LINKS: Brad Kearns.com BradNutrition.com B.rad Superdrink – Hydrates 28% Faster than Water—Creatine-Charged Hydration for Next-Level Power, Focus, and Recovery B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Brad’s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes Earthen Hawaii IG @FastOver40  Nourish Balance Thrive Maui Nui Venison mam808.org   We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to [email protected]. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off! Ketone-IQ Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six-pack of Ketone-IQ! Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD. Mito Red Light: Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount! Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.