50% Facts with Silent Mike & Jim McD
Mike "Silent Mike" Farr and Jim McDonald are entrepreneurs (lifestyle apparel company and a barbell gym) and veteran podcasters. In every episode, they try to answer a single question. Any question is fair game, but most involve health, fitness, nutrition, mental health, culture…even sex. They examine common misconceptions and then try to get to the correct answer -- often with the help of subject matter experts. They walk away with a better sense of the facts…and so do you. Full episodes every Wednesday. Shorter episodes every Friday, dedicated to answering a question from listeners. Business inquiries: Jim@thejimmcd.com Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.
Episodes
September 11, 2024 • 62 mins
We were saddened to learn of the accidental death over the weekend of Kim Tran AKA Kim Valentine. We discussed some of her accomplishments on the platform and the role she played in bringing women and Asian lifters into the sport. Kim was a guest on our previous podcast 9 years ago. You can watch that episode here: https://youtu.be/oKz4tBIQdGU?si=RyITUYZ6vfoQFe5O
In lighter discussion, we list the “16 seasons of Sacramento” (crazy f...
In lighter discussion, we list the “16 seasons of Sacramento” (crazy f...
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September 4, 2024 • 46 mins
You probably think that pulling sumo is the biggest variation between deadlifts, but there are many more. It can even be challenging to tell the conditions of a particular lift, let alone compare them. Is it wrong to “game” the system to get a deadlift record?
Similarly, should major sports all-star teams have standards – beyond just being a popularity contest?
Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!
Check out our gym ...
Similarly, should major sports all-star teams have standards – beyond just being a popularity contest?
Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!
Check out our gym ...
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August 28, 2024 • 56 mins
Understandably, the fallout from the death of CrossFit Games athlete Lazar Đukić is far from over. We discuss some posts and articles about the private meetings held at the Games concerning whether to continue and the demands made by the Professional Fitness Athletes Association in the days after the Games.
Is there a difference between fault and responsibility? Should athletes be more proactive in understanding the risks? Is the ...
Is there a difference between fault and responsibility? Should athletes be more proactive in understanding the risks? Is the ...
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August 21, 2024 • 41 mins
Zoomers are making gyms the “third space” of their generation. We see it in our gym, but it’s happening everywhere. How are gyms that have been designed to accommodate far fewer members than they’ve sold memberships to going to cope?
To kick things off, Mike calls out the motives of “influencers” in the fitness space.
Listener resources: https://fortune.com/well/article/gym-use-increase-pandemic-gen-z/
Do you have a question for...
To kick things off, Mike calls out the motives of “influencers” in the fitness space.
Listener resources: https://fortune.com/well/article/gym-use-increase-pandemic-gen-z/
Do you have a question for...
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August 14, 2024 • 108 mins
The unthinkable happened. CrossFit lost an athlete during the games. Without having all the answers yet about exactly what happened when Lazar Đukić drowned, clearly sufficient safety measures were not in place. Athletes have been complaining for years about safety issues. Is there a lack of funding? A lack of qualified volunteers? Are volunteers really the way to go? If CrossFit would be nowhere without the athletes, isn’t it wort...
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August 7, 2024 • 40 mins
We talk through a couple of the actual Olympic incidents and controversies. Who knew that pole vault and volleyball would draw focus? Which Olympic entity decides if a convicted rapist gets to compete on the Olympic stage?
We also share information about the increased incidence of colorectal cancer in younger people after Dr. Jimmy Bagley shared his diagnosis. Jim also gives a health update.
Do you have a question for one of our ...
We also share information about the increased incidence of colorectal cancer in younger people after Dr. Jimmy Bagley shared his diagnosis. Jim also gives a health update.
Do you have a question for one of our ...
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July 31, 2024 • 59 mins
Last week, we talked a little about public figures who have committed terrible acts, been “canceled,” and then somehow rehabilitated their public images. Apologies – sometimes heartfelt, sometimes performative – have been given and somehow the public starts to move on. If you’re the injured party, either in a public situation or a private one, do you really have to accept an apology and forgive? There’s a whole self-help category b...
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July 24, 2024 • 45 mins
We’re back in the studio together after several weeks away.
We talk about the importance of South Sudan’s near victory over the US in a warmup Olympic basketball and admire the commitment of Luol Deng (and our friend, Jacob Ross) to the effort to improve conditions in the country.
We discuss the value of maintaining your individuality rather than adopting the persona of any group. Unless you can be Batman, maybe just be yourself...
We talk about the importance of South Sudan’s near victory over the US in a warmup Olympic basketball and admire the commitment of Luol Deng (and our friend, Jacob Ross) to the effort to improve conditions in the country.
We discuss the value of maintaining your individuality rather than adopting the persona of any group. Unless you can be Batman, maybe just be yourself...
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July 17, 2024 • 66 mins
Well, maybe not precisely “death” matches, but can we build a brand new, fun, competitive sport from existing sports and fitness elements?
Dean Saddoris (@deansaddoris.ck) joined us for this exercise/thought experiment.
Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) joined and ran the board.
Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Share it with us on social media using the hashtag #onegoodquestion.
Join...
Dean Saddoris (@deansaddoris.ck) joined us for this exercise/thought experiment.
Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) joined and ran the board.
Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Share it with us on social media using the hashtag #onegoodquestion.
Join...
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July 10, 2024 • 44 mins
Thirty-nine years after Rocky, and nine years after the last Rocky sequel, director Ryan Coogler served up a continuation/reboot of the Rocky story. This time, Balboa is not the center of the action. He reluctantly takes on the task of training Apollo Creed’s unknown love child, Adonis. Did he know about this kid before he was killed in the ring? (We never found out.) Does this kid possess the skills, the fight, and the heart his f...
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July 3, 2024 • 71 mins
You don’t have to be wearing a pair of American flag boxing shorts to get that Rocky is a 4th of July flick (Even though it’s set in February and was released in December.) Why was Creed wearing those shorts anyway? (It was a Bicentennial gimmick.)
How did this film set the template for a thousand Cinderella sports movies to come, and launched one of the most successful franchises in movie history on a shoestring budget? How does ...
How did this film set the template for a thousand Cinderella sports movies to come, and launched one of the most successful franchises in movie history on a shoestring budget? How does ...
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June 28, 2024 • 9 mins
Most of our friends in the industry who have trained both high-level athletes and gen pop clients don’t have the depth of experience of our guest, Jacob Ross.
We asked him of this take on the question, “What should I do to get started as a personal trainer?” Jacob shares how he got started and the things he did along the way to continue to improve.
You can (and should) find Jacob on IG (@jacob.w.ross).
Sebastian Brambila (@sebas...
We asked him of this take on the question, “What should I do to get started as a personal trainer?” Jacob shares how he got started and the things he did along the way to continue to improve.
You can (and should) find Jacob on IG (@jacob.w.ross).
Sebastian Brambila (@sebas...
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June 26, 2024 • 97 mins
It’s been way, way too long since we connected here with our good buddy, Jacob Ross. He’s headed to Paris with the South Sudan Olympic Basketball team for the 2024 Olympics. We chat about how that all came together, his work with the NGO Matter, what it’s like opening a gym with Tom Kallas, and why he’s training like a bodybuilder now.
You can (and should) find Jacob on IG (@jacob.w.ross) and @bebetterbarbellclub
Sebastian Brambila...
You can (and should) find Jacob on IG (@jacob.w.ross) and @bebetterbarbellclub
Sebastian Brambila...
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June 21, 2024 • 9 mins
Nick Squires is back for one more question: Do vegans miss the foods they used to eat? And how do they deal with cravings? You can (and should) find Nick on IG (@meatymcsorley).
Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) also ran the board and joined in.
Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Share it with us on social media using the hashtag #onegoodquestion.
Join our Discord for free at goodcomp...
Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) also ran the board and joined in.
Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Share it with us on social media using the hashtag #onegoodquestion.
Join our Discord for free at goodcomp...
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June 19, 2024 • 78 mins
Not our first rodeo with this question, or with vegans among the members of our gym, but Nick is a big strong dude and a real hoot to chat with. What do you call a vegan who doesn’t really like vegetables? You can (and should) find Nick on IG (@meatymcsorley).
Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) also ran the board and joined in.
Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Share it with us on soci...
Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) also ran the board and joined in.
Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Share it with us on soci...
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June 14, 2024 • 15 mins
In the previous episode, we quizzed Mike on the top three lifters in every weight class, regardless of raw or equipped, federation, etc., for squat, bench, and deadlift.
In this episode, we cover total records. You can see them for yourself at openpowerlifting.org.
Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) ran the board and chimed in.
Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Share it with us on soci...
In this episode, we cover total records. You can see them for yourself at openpowerlifting.org.
Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) ran the board and chimed in.
Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Share it with us on soci...
Mark as Played
June 12, 2024 • 73 mins
We quiz Mike on the top three lifters in every weight class regardless of whether they are raw or equipped, federation, etc. In this episode, we cover squats, benches, and deadlifts. In Friday’s episode, we tackle total records.
You can see them for yourself at openpowerlifting.org.
Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) ran the board and chimed in.
Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Share ...
You can see them for yourself at openpowerlifting.org.
Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) ran the board and chimed in.
Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Share ...
Mark as Played
June 7, 2024 • 10 mins
Our Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) brought us this question:
“What’s your opinion of people program or coach hopping?”
Sometimes change in necessary, but when and how often?
Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Share it with us on social media using the hashtag #onegoodquestion.
Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!
Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreet...
“What’s your opinion of people program or coach hopping?”
Sometimes change in necessary, but when and how often?
Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Share it with us on social media using the hashtag #onegoodquestion.
Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!
Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreet...
Mark as Played
June 5, 2024 • 50 mins
We all see a lot of repetition among fitness influencers. Even the best, most informed ones fall into the trap of repeating tropes that don’t matter to anyone’s health or fitness.
For sure, the content game is tough, and coming up with new topics is an exercise in scarcity. We talk about a few of the ones that bug us the most.
We also discussed the recent passing of NBA legend Bill Walton and his impact on the sport and culture. Se...
For sure, the content game is tough, and coming up with new topics is an exercise in scarcity. We talk about a few of the ones that bug us the most.
We also discussed the recent passing of NBA legend Bill Walton and his impact on the sport and culture. Se...
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May 31, 2024 • 11 mins
This week’s question arose from a recent conversation Mike had with Omar Isuf:
"What's your 'cranky old man' opinion?”
Things change over time, and change doesn’t always make us happy. And the older we get, the easier it is to be cranky about it.
Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) ran the board and chimed as well.
Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Share it with us on social media ...
"What's your 'cranky old man' opinion?”
Things change over time, and change doesn’t always make us happy. And the older we get, the easier it is to be cranky about it.
Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) ran the board and chimed as well.
Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Share it with us on social media ...
Mark as Played
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