Always Adaptive

In this episode, I break down the science and controversy behind testosterone use, both the gains and the consequences. We’re not just talking gym talk here. One study I highlight shows that men who didn’t even train gained more muscle on testosterone than guys who were lifting without it. That’s a serious statement about what this compound can do. But the flip side? Increased hemoglobin, PSA levels, and early signs of cardiovascul...

I’ve done keto. I’ve trained people on keto. And I’ve also seen it fail, over and over again. In this episode, I break down why keto can work… but why it’s not the magic fat loss solution it’s hyped up to be.

Some people even treat keto like it’s a political identity, like wearing a MAGA hat for your diet. Just because it worked for your cousin who “lost 30 pounds eating bacon” doesn’t make it magic. 

We’ll break down real metabolic ...

Is grass fed beef really healthier, or is it just another food label we’ve romanticized? In this episode of Always Adaptive, I break down the science behind the grass-fed vs grain-fed debate, from omega-3s and micronutrients to the marketing claims you’ve probably heard repeated in every wellness podcast. 

Spoiler: while grass-fed beef does have some benefits, it’s not the nutritional miracle it’s often made out to be. We’ll also lo...

In this episode, I break down why yoga and Pilates alone just don’t cut it, especially when it comes to bone health and muscle loss, which becomes a serious issue for women post-menopause. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for movement quality, but if you’re relying solely on stretches and breathwork to fight off osteoporosis… well, that’s like trying to balance the federal budget with good vibes.

We’ll dive into the real data b...

In this video, I dive into one of the most debated topics in fitness: cardio vs. resistance training for fat loss and overall health.

I break down how both training methods impact caloric deficit, muscle gain, and total daily energy expenditure, and why understanding these concepts is crucial if you're trying to lose fat without sacrificing strength or energy.

We’ll look at the unique exercise benefits of eac...

In this episode of Always Adaptive, I tear into the wild world of detoxes and cleanses. 

From juice cleanses that promise to fix your life in 3 days to colon cleanses that sound like a bad dare, we dig into the actual science behind these popular wellness trends and ask the big question: do they really help, or are we all just falling for clever marketing? Spoiler alert: your liver doesn’t need a reboot like it’s running W...

In this video, I go head-to-head defending the calories in vs. calories out (CICO) model against Jay Feldman and the Energy Balance Podcast. While Jay claims the CICO model is a myth, I break down why energy balance still matters and why calories, despite their flaws, remain the backbone of weight management. I dive into how calories are measured, the real story behind bioavailability, and the tricky reality of tracking intake and ...

In this video, I break down why I believe probiotics are overrated and in some cases, even risky. We've been sold the idea that popping a capsule is the key to better gut health, but the science isn’t as convincing as the supplement industry wants you to believe. I dive into the gut microbiome, probiotic side effects, and the real role of dietary fiber in building a resilient digestive system.

I also cover what most p...

In this episode, I break down the ongoing debate between kettlebell and barbell training. Popular fitness influencer TNF⁩ has been under attack lately. There’s a war brewing between kettlebell purists and science-based lifters, and I wanted to take a step back to look at what each tool actually brings to the table.

I walk through the differences between power movements, traditional strength lifts, and what I call “pillar m...

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Sean Pastuch to explore what it really takes to be an effective coach in today’s fitness landscape. Sean breaks down why most trainers aren’t equipped to truly help people, especially when pain and movement limitations are involved. We talk about the importance of thinking like a problem solver instead of just counting reps and why understanding pain as a threat to someone’s way of life, not jus...

00:00 Introduction
01:07 The Gut-Brain Axis
04:30 Serotonin and the Gut
07:05 Blood Sugar Roller Coaster
13:20 Nutritional Deficiencies
17:20 Tips for Food to Improve Mood

Can food really change how you feel?

In this episode, I dive deep into the science behind how nutrition affects your mood, and I’m not just talking about sugar crashes. From the gut-brain axis to blood sugar swings, inflammation, and n...

In this video, I break down the ongoing debate between functional movement and traditional resistance training. The fitness industry loves to polarize everything, and this is one of the clearest examples. I talk about how that false certainty holds people back and why it’s more important to understand the principles behind each training method.

We dive into the SAID principle, general physical preparedness, and specific ph...

Every spring, millions of people start sneezing, sniffling, and feeling miserable, and most of them have no idea why it’s happening or what they can actually do about it.

In this episode, I break down the real reasons behind seasonal allergies, and it’s not just about pollen. We dive into histamine, chronic inflammation, and how stress, poor sleep, and even your gut health can make your immune system overreact to things th...

You’ve may have heard sucralose is harmful. But what does the science actually say?

This week, I break down four major concerns around sucralose: glucose impairment, gut microbiome disruption, potential weight gain, and mutagenicity.  

Some studies show negative effects. Others show nothing. The truth lies in the nuance, and that's exactly what I unpack.

If you're consuming sucralose for weight ...

00:00 Introduction to Seed Oils Debate
03:33 Arguments Against Seed Oils
06:13 Arguments for Seed Oils
11:30 Deep Dive into Mechanisms
17:07 Hexane and Its Implications
21:53 Essential Fatty Acids and Dietary Needs
23:40 Understanding Linoleic Acid and Cardiovascular Health
26:17 Arachidonic Acid: Implications for Heart Disease
28:29 Omega-3 and Omega-6: Impacts on Diabetes
30:00 Seed Oils: Oxida...

In this episode of the Always Adaptive Podcast, I sit down with Dan Pope, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Strength Coach, and host of Fitness Pain Free to dive into his journey in fitness, the importance of evidence-based training, and the complexities of pain management. We get into his transition from personal trainer to physical therapist, how that shift shaped his coaching philosophy, and the practical takeaways from his new book...

In episode 17 of the Always Adaptive Podcast, I dive into the animal protein vs. plant protein debate and break down what really matters for protein synthesis, muscle mass, and overall health. I analyze the latest meta-analysis by Brad Schoenfeld and explain why amino acids, bioavailability, and dietary protein quality make a difference—especially for strength training.

Are plant proteins enough for muscle growth, or does ...

In this episode of the Always Adaptive Podcast, I break down Jordan Peterson’s interview with Dr. Ben Bikman, a well-known ketogenic diet advocate. Their conversation pushes the usual narrative—carbohydrates are bad, fats are good, and insulin is the enemy. But as always, the truth is more complicated than that.  

I take a critical look at their claims, explaining why nutrition isn’t a black-and-white debate. The way we pr...

For far too long has the body building community been debating whether or not cardio is a good or bad thing. It's an unfortunate reality when you ponder just how many people have lost their lives due to cardiovascular complications in this community. You could chalk most of that up to performance enhancing drugs and poor diet, but I cannot help but wonder what would happen if these people had stellar cardiovascular health.