Weights and Plates Podcast

Welcome to the Weights & Plates Podcast, hosted by strength coach and nutrition expert Robert Santana. In this kickoff episode, Robert is joined by Jay Ware, a long-time friend and fellow coach who might just be sticking around as the podcast’s new co-host.

🎙️ In this episode, Robert and Jay dive into:

• How they met through strength coaching and coaching internships

• Jay’s background growing up in a small town and his journey in...

In this episode, Michael Sartain — former Air Force captain, social dynamics expert, and founder of Men of Action — breaks down the science of attraction, how fitness fuels confidence, and why most men are failing in today’s dating market.

We dive into why being the “nice guy” doesn’t work, how evolutionary psychology explains what women are actually attracted to, and the role of social proof in modern dating. Michael explains how ...

In this episode of the Weights & Plates Podcast, Robert Santana is joined by strength coach Gretchen Geist to break down the biggest misconceptions in the gym. They dive into why most people confuse exercise with actual training, the problem with group classes and light weights, and how real strength training impacts bone density, muscle growth, and long-term health. They also discuss why genetics matter more than people want to ad...

In this episode of the Weights and Plates Podcast, Robert Santana gets real about what lifting weights actually does for your body—and what it doesn’t. He breaks down the difference between training for strength and chasing aesthetics, why most people misunderstand barbell training, and how steroids and genetics skew expectations.
Whether you’re a beginner confused by conflicting advice or a coach trying to get clients under the ba...

Starting Strength Coach Robert Santana talks about how everyone looks different when they train, why that is, why squatting, deadlifting, bench press will help you gain long-term strength, and how to evaluate coaches and trainers.

https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/

Follow Weights & Plates YouTube: https://youtube.com/@weights_and_plates?si=ebAS8sRtzsPmFQf-

Instagram: @the_robert_santana

Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/we...

Starting Strength Coach Robert Santana talks about how getting stronger helps you achieve every fitness goal, bodybuilding vs powerlifting vs starting strength, novices, and more. 

https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/

Follow Weights & Plates YouTube: https://youtube.com/@weights_and_plates?si=ebAS8sRtzsPmFQf-

Instagram: @the_robert_santana

Rumb...

Hari Fafutis, SSC joins the show to talk about doing the Starting Strength Linear Progression, gaining weight, building big arms, and more. 

https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/

Follow Weights & Plates YouTube: https://youtube.com/@weights_and_plates?si=ebAS8sRtzsPmFQf-

Instagram: @the_robert_santana

Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/weightsandpl...

Jesse Vezina joins the show to talk weightlifting, training like an athlete, the trade-offs of pushing your limits, coaching, and more. 

https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/

Follow Weights & Plates YouTube: https://youtube.com/@weights_and_plates?si=ebAS8sRtzsPmFQf-

Instagram: @the_robert_santana

Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/weightsandplates...

Coach and RDN Juliette Gonzalez joins Robert Santana to discuss her fitness journey from Globo Gyms to Starting Strength, becoming a dietician, working as a coach, beauty standards, and more.

https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/

Follow Weights & Plates YouTube: https://youtube.com/@weights_and_plates?si=ebAS8sRtzsPmFQf-

Instagram: @the_robert_santana

Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/weightsandplates Web: https://weightsandp...

In this episode, Robert Santana sits down with Gretchen Geist to talk about her fitness journey, how she went from doing Crossfit to Starting Strength, becoming a coach, and exaggerated expectations in the fitness industry.

https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/

Follow Weights & Plates YouTube: https://youtube.com/@weights_and_plates?si=ebAS8sRtzsPmFQf- 

Instagram: @the_robert_santana 

Rumble: https://rumble.com/user...

Online Diet Coaching and Strength Training with Dr. Robert Santana

https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/

Follow Weights & Plates 

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@weights_and_plates?si=ebAS8sRtzsPmFQf-

Instagram: @the_robert_santana

Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/weightsandplates

Web: https://weightsandplates.com

Many people (most?) get into fitness because they want to look better. At least, that's a primary reason. It's a worthwhile goal -- looking better is a gateway drug to performing better after all, becuase your performance (i.e. your strength and conditioning) drives your body composition. There is a big breakdown in what many people perceive as the ideal or even just good body composition, however, and what is realistically achieva...

It's that time of the year again, the uniquely American feast that is Thanksgiving. It's a time of feasting and festivities, but for a lot of people the feasting doesn't end when the holiday is over... it extends over the next five weeks until the end of the year. As Dr. Santana points out, there is some research that shows people tend to gain a few pounds over the holidays, then go back to eating at maintenance in the new year. Th...

In today's episode, Dr. Santana and Coach Trent discuss a common mistake lifters make before they begin a set -- the unrack. As Coach Trent says, the set doesn't begin when you descend into your first rep, the set begins when you step on the platform. Getting your mindset right, visualizing a successful set, and unracking the bar with authority and controlled aggression is oftentimes the difference between a successful set and miss...

Many people who start barbell training say something to the effect of "I just don't want to get hurt" when asked about their fitness goals. It's understandable -- no one wants to get hurt -- but the statement displays some ignorance about the reality of aches, pains, and sometimes injuries that occur during hard physical training. When we train with barbells, we are pushing our bodies to the limit to grow muscle, get stronger, and ...

One of the interesting consequences of the success of the Starting Strength methodology, and the growth in popularity of strength training in general,  is that genetically average people are lifting weights and sticking with their program for multiple years. No longer are only gym rats and serious athletes dedicating themselves to years of sustained progress in the weight room -- now there are 55 year old moms with 5+ years of barb...

It's almost a cliche now, that a novice trainee running the novice linear progression should "do GOMAD" (drink a gallon of milk a day). This advice is one of the most misunderstood bits of nutrition in the Starting Strength method, but it highlights an important fact -- to gain muscle, most people will need to put on bodyweight while increasing their lifts (a small percentage of very overweight or obese people already have enough e...

Testosterone is one of the hottest topics in the health and fitness world these, specifically testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). While there are legitimate medical reasons for TRT, it is also abused by those looking for an edge in improving their strength and physique, and some low T clinics are happy to oblige. Dr. Robert Santana and Coach Trent Jones share their thoughts on the recent popularity surge of TRT, and when it's a...