The Next Level Health & Fitness Podcast

In this episode, Craig and I cover a handful of great questions that came through — all totally different topics, but all worth talking about.

We kicked it off with a topic I’m super passionate about — morning sunlight. I get fired up about this one because too many people online treat it like some trendy “biohack” scam, when the reality is it’s one of the simplest and powerful ways to anchor your circadian rhythm, boost mood, impr...

In this episode of The Next Level Health & Fitness Podcast, Craig Smith (licensed clinical therapist) and I dive into some of the most overused and overrated therapy sayings floating around in the personal development and mental health space.

You’ve heard them before—those catchy little one-liners that get thrown around like gospel in therapy rooms, Instagram posts, and coaching circles. And sure, some of them hold truth… but other...

In this episode, I sit down with the one and only Jon Anderson—a man whose story will leave you fired up to go crush your goals. Jon went from being a kid who couldn’t read or write and was placed in resource classes… to becoming a professional wrestler, an IFBB pro bodybuilder, a multi-seven-figure entrepreneur, and now the founder of Peptide University.

The first half of this episode dives deep into Jon’s inspiring journey—how he...

You hear it all the time—“I’m doing the work.”

But what does that actually mean?

In this solo episode, I dive into what personal development really looks like beyond just reading books or listening to podcasts. I share a recent day where everything went sideways—including my dog getting bit by a rattlesnake—and how that chaos tested everything I’ve been practicing.

It’s easy to feel like we’re making progress when life is smooth. B...

In this episode, I sit down with CJ and Syd Spjute—a powerhouse husband-and-wife duo who not only compete together in bodybuilding, but coach clients and raise a family together, too.

They’ve lost over 150 pounds combined and built a strong Instagram following by simply sharing their truth: transformation, faith, family, and fitness.

We talked about:

• How fitness became the glue for their relationship and family
• How they involv...

In this episode of The Next Level Health & Business Podcast, Brad Jensen and Craig Smith dive into the deep importance of connection, community, and surrounding yourself with like-minded people.

We kick things off by recapping the recent Next Level Experience annual in-person retreat—an unforgettable weekend full of breakthroughs, vulnerability, and real connection. Craig shares what it was like to speak at the event and why the en...

In this short solo episode, Brad delivers 10 minutes of straight fire on one of the biggest roadblocks to success—quitting when things get hard.

He brings it back to one of the core teachings from The Four Agreements, especially the one that’s most misunderstood: “Always do your best.”

But here’s the kicker…

Your best doesn’t mean your best ever.

It means the best you can do today.

And that will look different on a Monday after a f...

In this episode of The Next Level Health & Fitness Podcast, we dive into a surprising topic: the potential dangers of relying too heavily on ChatGPT and other AI tools—especially when it comes to nutrition, fitness, and critical thinking.

AI can be helpful, no doubt. But when it replaces real thought, personalization, and context, it can actually set people back. We break down where things go wrong—particularly in the nutrition spa...

In this insightful episode, we’re joined by Andres Ayesta — RD, fat loss coach, and founder of Planos Nutrition — who has helped over 600 clients achieve lasting fat loss with expert-built systems. With more than 12 years of coaching experience, Andres shares why so many people fail in their fitness and fat loss journeys, and what it actually takes to succeed.

Andres breaks down his powerful “rocks, pebbles, and sand” analogy, help...

In this episode, Brad and Craig dive into two essential topics for anyone looking to level up their health, mindset, and lifestyle:

Dealing with Opinions & Online Noise

Craig shares his recent experience of a TikTok video going viral and the flood of comments—both supportive and critical—that came with it. The guys break down how to stop letting the opinions of strangers get in your head, why it’s key to remember most people don’t ...

In this high-energy, deeply insightful episode, Brad sits down with Andrew Finnefrock to talk all things personal transformation. From breaking through self-limiting beliefs to navigating relationships, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom, humor, and real talk.

Andrew shares how most people are unknowingly standing in their own way, and what it actually takes to get unstuck and live a life by design. They dive into th...

In this powerful and raw episode, Brad and cohost Craig Smith dive deep into a message that hits home for so many: the connection between pain and purpose.

This isn’t a long episode—but it’s one that pulls no punches.

We talk about how the toughest seasons of your life often don’t make sense until later… when you can finally look back and realize they shaped you, strengthened you, and gave you something powerful to share with other...

In this solo episode, I’m speaking directly to the men out there — especially the dads.

This is a wake-up call.

Not to be the most shredded dad on the block… but to be the present one. The disciplined one. The example your kids actually need.

You don’t need six-pack abs. But you do need to model what it looks like to take care of yourself — physically, mentally, and emotionally. Because whether you realize it or not… your kids are ...

In this Q&A episode, Brad Jensen and cohost Craig Smith tackle a wide range of listener-submitted questions that span fitness, mindset, spirituality, and real-life challenges. From teenage fat loss struggles to navigating a spiritual path after stepping away from organized religion, this conversation is real, raw, and packed with practical insights.

Here’s what we cover in this episode:

• Do you really need to cycle off creatine...

In this powerful episode of The Next Level Podcast, I’m joined by two of our lead coaches in The Next Level Experience, Frank Young and Cass Zimmerman. Together, we unpack one of the biggest truths in personal transformation: if you want to change your life, you’ve got to change your identity.

We dive deep into the psychology of why people stay stuck — stuck in patterns, stuck in ruts, stuck in stories they didn’t choose. We explor...

In this episode, I sit down with my best friend, Trevor Cochever, for a real, raw, and wide-ranging conversation. If you missed Trevor’s story of overcoming drug addiction and rebuilding his life, we’ll link that in the show notes—it’s a powerful listen. But today, we pivot from the past and dive straight into the tough realities and powerful breakthroughs that come from major life changes, breakups, and the relentless pursuit of s...

We’ve all felt it—that knot in your stomach, the second-guessing, the urge to play small. Fear shows up fast and loud anytime you’re about to do something big. But what if fear isn’t something to avoid… what if it’s the exact sign you’re on the right path?

In today’s episode, I break down fear in a way you may have never heard before. We’ll dive into the real reason fear exists, the difference between fear of failure and fear of su...

This episode is a ree-air from my recent appearance on The Shawn Rivers Podcast, titled “He Lived Through Six Overdoses to Tell His Story of Sobriety.”

But this wasn’t just another interview about my past.

Yes — we touched on my journey through addiction and the chaos I survived.

But it was the questions Shawn asked after that part of the story that really hit me.

They weren’t the usual surface-level ones.

They were the kind that m...

In this episode of The Next Level Health & Fitness Podcast, I sit down with James Yount — a longtime listener and social media supporter who reached out to share his personal story of transformation. And after hearing it, I knew we had to record this episode.

James has been sober from meth for five years. But his story isn’t your typical “before and after.” He was actually overweight during his active addiction — something not ofte...