Stronger with Don Saladino

Stronger with Don Saladino

What does it mean to be strong? Stronger is more than a podcast about workouts and what to eat - it’s about building strength in every area of life. Hosted weekly by renowned fitness coach Don Saladino - known for training A-list actors and personalities like Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Anne Hathaway, Chip and Joanna Gaines, Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, and Sebastian Stan - each episode dives into the real-life stories behind success. From improving sleep and managing stress to cultivating better relationships and building lasting habits, Stronger explores what it truly means to show up for yourself, day after day. Each week, Don sits down with a guest-entrepreneurs, performers, athletes, and everyday warriors to discuss their personal definition of strength and the setbacks they’ve overcome. The conversations are grounded, practical, and focused on real-world growth. Here’s what makes this show unique: Listeners are part of the journey. You can call 855-348-3546 to share your story or connect directly with Don and his guests. Every episode is an opportunity for you to be seen, heard, and supported. Whether you’re just starting your fitness journey or looking to level up in life, Stronger is your weekly dose of motivation, mindset, and meaning. Watch on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. Let’s get stronger—together.

Episodes

May 5, 2026 52 mins
Host Don Saladino sits down with psychiatrist and mental health expert Domenick ('Dom') Sportelli for a conversation on stress, motivation, dopamine, and the psychology of consistency. Dr. Sportelli breaks down why so many people struggle with burnout, distraction, and chronic stress, and how modern habits are rewiring the brain for quick dopamine hits instead of long-term resilience. Together, they explore the neuroscience behind...
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Host Don Saladino is joined by chef and wellness expert Candice Kumai. Candice shares her journey from being the youngest female contestant on Top Chef to becoming a leading voice in the wellness industry. From the longevity secrets of Japanese culture to the discipline of professional cooking, this episode is a masterclass in resilience and finding beauty in the "golden repair" of our own lives. Candice shares her journey growing...
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Host Don Saladino is joined by the guys from the Mind Pump podcast (Sal DiStefano, Adam Schafer, and Justin Andrews). Moving beyond sets and reps, they explore the stuff behind the show: growth, identity, and the evolution of their professional and personal lives. They discuss why the "training to failure" mindset of their 20s was a mistake and how to leverage muscle memory to maintain a physique in your 40s with much less volume....
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Strength coach and performance expert Pat Davidson joins Don for a deep dive into how the human body actually adapts to training. Pat challenges conventional fitness thinking, explaining why there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to strength, and why understanding your body’s structure, limitations, and compensations is key to making real progress. Together, they explore the relationship between movement, breathing, and performance...
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Don sits down with guitarist Dave Kushner, best known for his work in Velvet Revolver alongside former Stone Temple Pilots singer Scott Weiland and members of Guns N' Roses, including Slash and Duff McKagan, and goes behind the scenes of the rock 'n' roll lifestyle to explore the physical demands of being a world-class musician. Don and Dave pivot from the stage to the gym, discussing how legendary performers like Slash maintain t...
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Don welcomes a powerhouse panel of Hollywood’s elite stunt professionals, the athletes responsible for the most intense action you've seen on the big screen. Hayley Wright (Furiosa, Birds of Prey), George J. Cottle (Spider-Man, Black Panther), and Chris O'Hara (John Wick, Free Guy, Jurassic World) show Don the reality of "mitigating risk to create the illusion of danger," sharing stories from the sets of blockbuster films and expla...
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Former NHL enforcer and Stanley Cup Champion, George Parros joins Don to share highlights of his incredible career path. From starting out on figure skates to playing Ivy League hockey at Princeton, and eventually winning the Stanley Cup with the legendary 2007 Anaheim Ducks. They dive deep into the specific role of the "enforcer," the mindset required to "answer the bell" every night, and how the game has evolved since his playing...
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Don is joined by physical therapist Dr. Charlie Weingroff. Charlie explains his core philosophy that training and rehab are the same thing. He challenges the traditional medical model, discusses why surgeons aren't always the best leaders for recovery, and explains why "X doesn't always mark the spot" when it comes to identifying pain on your body. From treating NFL Hall of Famers to helping the general fitness community, Charlie s...
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Don brings together a "Nutrition Dream Team”, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, Dr. Layne Norton, and Dr. Donald Layman, for a roundtable on the most vital (and trendy)  macronutrient: protein. This episode explores the new phenomenon of "Proteinification" - the surge of "high protein" labels appearing on everything from cereals to snacks. Is this a win for public health, or is it a marketing mask for ultra-processed foods? The panel covers the...
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What does it take to perform 4 to 6 brain surgeries a day? In this episode of Stronger, Don Saladino welcomes Dr. Ricardo Komotar, a world-renowned neurosurgeon based in Miami. Dr. Komotar breaks down the "grit and resilience" required for his profession and why he believes physical fitness is a non-negotiable requirement for cognitive excellence. The conversation explores brain health, the biggest mistakes people make with their ...
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Don sits down with one of the world's most renowned celebrity men’s groomers, Kristan Serafino. While she has prepped Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Ryan Reynolds, Kristan reveals that her work is less about vanity and more about a masterclass in confidence. Kristan shares the vulnerable story of her career pivot at age 30, leaving a secure six-figure corporate job to follow her passion. From the "implosion" of her first liv...
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Don is joined by three of the most influential minds in modern nutrition: Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, Dr. Layne Norton, and Dr. Donald Layman to debate the new groundbreaking (and often controversial) changes to the US Dietary Guidelines in a new "Expert Roundtable" format designed to give you credible information quickly.  Dr. Donald Layman, who helped write the current standards, explains the shift toward prioritizing protein and moving...
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Get Stronger at negotiating with this new episode. Retired Federal Agent and interrogation expert Desmond O’Neill joins Don to discuss his 30-year career spanning the Secret Service and Homeland Security, sharing valuable tips on how to improve your own communication and negotiation skills. Desmond served as a lead instructor for the High Value Detainee Interrogation Group (HIG), a unit created to revolutionize intelligence gatheri...
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February 3, 2026 57 mins
Former NFL quarterback and Florida State standout Christian Ponder joins Don to discuss his journey from the high-stakes world of Texas high school football to the Minnesota Vikings. Christian shares the lessons learned from the field and the challenges of identity after the game. The heart of this conversation focuses on the current state of youth sports. Christian and Don discuss the monetization of youth leagues, the dangers of...
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Dr. Dwayne Jackson returns to the show to discuss gut health. While "microbiome" has become a wellness buzzword, Dr. Jackson explains why your gut is actually the command center for your immune system, brain health, and athletic performance. The conversation begins at the very beginning, exploring how our initial microbial colonization during birth (vaginal vs. C-section) and early-life antibiotic use sets the "blueprint" for our ...
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Don is joined by Dr. Brad Currier, a leading expert in muscle physiology and human performance with Timeline, for a science-backed conversation on why muscle may be the most important longevity organ in the body. They break down what the research really says about strength training, aging, and disease prevention, including why even minimal resistance training dramatically lowers the risk of mortality, cardiovascular disease, and m...
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Stress, anxiety, and mental burnout affect your performance, focus, and physical health. In this episode of Stronger we are going to dive into what builds real resilience and mental strength, not just physical strength. Don Saladino sits down with author, meditation teacher, and hospice volunteer Elena Brower to break down how strength training, meditation, and breath work work together to regulate stress, calm the nervous syste...
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December 23, 2025 15 mins
In this special solo episode of Stronger, Don shares a practical, no-nonsense approach to creating healthy habits and sustainable New Year’s resolutions for 2026. Drawing on nearly three decades of coaching experience, Don explains why 88% of resolutions fail within two weeks, and how to avoid becoming part of that statistic. Don introduces the concept of micro momentum, showing how small, repeatable wins build consistency, discip...
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Psychiatrist and bestselling author Dr. Sue Varma joins Don Saladino for a conversation about emotional fitness, practical mental health tools, and the mindset shifts that help us live with greater purpose and optimism. Drawing from her clinical experience and her signature framework, Dr. Varma explains how small, science-backed habits can dramatically improve resilience, confidence, and day-to-day wellbeing. She and Don explore t...
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NHL performance coach Andy O’Brien joins Don Saladino to break down the truth about recovery, sleep, stress, and training the world’s best hockey players. Andy has coached legends like Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon, and in this conversation he explains how professional teams use sleep data to guide travel schedules, why circadian rhythm matters more than total hours slept, and how to personalize recovery protocols for your own...
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