Best Barbell Shrugged Podcasts (2025)

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Physiology Friday: Metabolic Flexibility and Micronutrients w/ Dr. Mike T Nelson 1:47:25

12h ago1:47:25

1:47:25

Dr. Mike T. Nelson has spent 18 years of his life learning how the human body works, specifically focusing on how to properly condition it to burn fat and become stronger, more flexible, and healthier. He’s has a PhD in Exercise Physiology, a BA in Natural Science, and an MS in Biomechanics. He’s an adjunct professor and a member of the American Co…

1
S 758: Women’s Health from a Functional Medicine Perspective: Hormone Imbalances, PMS, Birth Control, Amenorrhea, and More! 31:42

3h ago31:42

31:42

We have a litany of episodes dedicated to specific women's health topics on this platform but today, we’re diving deep into women’s health—specifically cycle irregularities, hormone imbalances, and the common conditions that impact 1 in 4 women. We’ll explore root causes beyond the typical "take birth control" solution, discussing how stress, nutri…

1
[Health Anxiety] Addressing the Underlying Fears of Injury and Aging w/ Emily Hightower, Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Travis Mash #784 56:13

3d ago56:13

56:13

As an Educator and Coach at SH/FT, Emily Hightower leverages her expertise in the neurophysiology of trauma and resilience to help clients master their stress response and improve their quality of life. By combining over 25 years of experience as a breathing expert, yoga teacher, river guide, and wilderness EMT, Emily empowers high performers to di…

1
S 757: Leveraging AI in Health Coaching: Navigating the Future of Technology 37:34

2d ago37:34

37:34

we dive into the world of AI and its growing influence in health and fitness coaching. We explore its evolution, from early tools like MyFitnessPal to the cutting-edge AI technologies shaping the future of coaching. This episode is packed with insights on how to harness AI to enhance your business while maintaining the personal touch that makes you…

1
S 756: Mastering Metabolic Health: Key Strategies for Coaches to Help Clients Thrive at Every Stage 47:10

5d ago47:10

47:10

In this episode, I sit down with the guys from the Becoming the 1% Podcast to explore the contrasts between active and inactive lifestyles, discuss the effects of emotional eating, and uncover the benefits of mindful meal planning. We share practical strategies that can help elevate your health and the health of your clients.Whether you're aiming f…

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Physiology Friday: [L-Carnitine] Protocols to Improve Heart Health, Performance, and Turn Fat into Energy w/ Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Dan Garner 45:24

6d ago45:24

45:24

L-Carnitine is a naturally occurring amino acid derivative that plays a crucial role in energy metabolism within the human body. It is synthesized in the liver and kidneys from the amino acids lysine and methionine. L-Carnitine is primarily involved in the transport of long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria, the energy-producing organelles wi…

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How Your Cardiovascular System Improves Metabolic Health w/ Dr. Nathan Jenkins, Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Travis Mash #783 51:50

8d ago51:50

51:50

Dr. Nathan Jenkins is the new labs analyst for RAPID Health Optimization. He was previously a tenured professor of exercise science, and has worked for many years as a nutrition coach with over 1000 clients to date. Dr. Jenkins blends evidence-based practices and real-world experience, with academic expertise in lifestyle modification for chronic d…

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S 755: Ozempic and GLP-1: Miracle Weight Loss or Dangerous Shortcut? Physiological Considerations, My Honest Thoughts, and More! 25:56

10d ago25:56

25:56

You've probably heard by now or come across the injection semaglutide known by its brand name Ozempic. Is it the miracle drug that tout it to be or is it a giant mistake for individual's long term health? I'll explore some of the potential consequences of this drug, who I believe it would benefit most, and more! Topics include: - Ozempic: Miracle D…

1
S 754: 3 Steps to Better Client Experience, Retention, and Success for Health Coaching Clients 31:50

11d ago31:50

31:50

Do you know your ABC's when it comes to your client's journey? Whether you do or not, I'm really excited to share this framework and teach it to you for the first time or remind you of these important aspects of your coaching business. Topics include: - Customer/Client Experience - ABC’s of the Client Journey - Sale to Get a Customer vs Getting a C…

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Physiology Friday: [Oura Ring] Science Based Solutions to Improving Sleep with Dr. Mike Nelson 44:28

13d ago44:28

44:28

In today's fast-paced world, optimizing our health and performance has become paramount. Sleep, recovery, and performance are integral aspects of our well-being, and understanding and improving them is crucial. This is where the Ōura Ring comes into play. This revolutionary wearable technology aims to unlock your potential by providing insights and…

1
S 753: Maximizing Supplement Effectiveness: Key Signs and Common Pitfalls 19:02

15d ago19:02

19:02

Do you know if your supplements are truly working? Could it just be the placebo effect? We know individuals take supplements to aid in the pursuit of their goals and I'm a fan of supplementation in the right context for the right person. However, I don't want you throwing your money away on ineffective supplements or not giving them enough time to …

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Science Backed Supplements for High Performance w/ Coach Flavia Pereira, Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Travis Mash #782 51:34

15d ago51:34

51:34

Flavia is a passionate CISSN nutrition coach, full-time Exercise & Sport Science faculty member, and beach volleyball strength & nutrition coach. She has been teaching and coaching for the past 18 years. She graduated with a B.S. and M.S. in Kinesiology - Exercise Science and is pursuing her Ph.D. in Health & Human Performance. Flavia is part of th…

1
S 752: Carbs Before Bed: The Science of Sleep and Nutrition 28:57

17d ago28:57

28:57

We dive deep into the relationship between carbohydrate intake and sleep, with a focus on timing, protein, and how these factors impact sleep quality and recovery. We explore the conflicting advice around eating carbs before bed, the benefits of early time-restricted feeding, and how different strategies may work for various populations. Topics Dis…

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S 751: The Next-Gen Coach: Balancing Wellness, Science, and Results to be the Coach of the Future 30:54

21d ago30:54

30:54

If you want a long sustainable career as a coach, investing in skills for your future self is a must. In today's episode, I want to explain what happens to most coaches after they pass their initial certification, get a few clients, then come across a few more advanced client cases that can lead to self doubt and imposter syndrome trying to solve t…

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Physiology Friday: [Blood Work] High Performance Blood Chemistry 47:51

21d ago47:51

47:51

In today’s episode of Barbell Shrugged Dan Garner dives into how you can start to analyze your yearly bloodwork for performance. Standard blood tests can be ordered around the globe, in every country, and are the gold standard for understanding basic health. The normal reference ranges, however, are not giving you the answers you are looking for wh…

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The Path to Optimizing Health and Performance w/ Dr. Baseer Kahn, Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Travis Mash #781 43:55

23d ago43:55

43:55

Born and raised in Canada, Dr. Baseer Khan received his MD from the University of Toronto where he was honored to have received the Sigmung Vaile Award for Top Surgeon in his graduating class and received several research awards during his training. He went on to complete subspecialty training in Glaucoma and Advanced Anterior Segment Surgery. As a…

1
S 750: Scary Statistics About Medical Misdiagnosis and Your Health 28:44

23d ago28:44

28:44

A recent study from the Mayo Clinic showed a shocking revelation about the state of primary care and western medicine in general. I won't spoil the statistic but it's not good. Many factors contribute to misdiagnosis which I will cover today along with what we can do as coaches and highlighting the critical importance of second opinions. Topics inc…

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Physiology Friday: [Chronotype] The One Thing More Important than Getting 8 Hours of Sleep w/ Dr. Chris Perry, Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Travis Mash 54:24

28d ago54:24

54:24

Dr. Christopher A. Perry, an Assistant Professor at Eastern Kentucky University, began his fitness journey at Penn State University, where he developed a robust background in Strength & Conditioning leading to 17 years in the industry to date. His academic path, leading through a PhD at Arizona State University, deepened his expertise in Exercise S…

1
S 749: Coach Stories: How I Help Coaches Like You - Rapid Fire Edition - Featuring Alex, Kayla, Jenna, Jeff, Sarah, and Lamar 9:59

28d ago9:59

9:59

Join me today as we listen to a few inspiring stories and insights from our FNMS Students and Mastery attendees. This dynamic mashup highlights the transformative journeys of coaches from diverse backgrounds, all striving to elevate their craft, achieve better results for their clients, and continually make a meaningful impact. Hear firsthand exper…

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Blood Flow Restriction Training w/Dr. Jeremy Loenneke, Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Travis Mash #780 49:33

30d ago49:33

49:33

Dr. Jeremy Loenneke received his Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology from the University of Oklahoma, where he was mentored by Dr. Michael Bemben. Dr. Loenneke previously received his Master’s degree in Nutrition and Exercise Science from Southeast Missouri State University, where he was mentored by Dr. Joe Pujol. Dr. Loenneke is a member of the American …

1
S 748: Biofeedback vs. Health Testing: The Ultimate Guide for Spotting Deeper Health Issues 33:02

1M ago33:02

33:02

There are certain red flag issues that come up in client cases that seem normal on the surface but through understanding biofeedback can help uncover some root causes. You may have had a client complain about having to clear their throat frequently or being light headed after standing and while these instances are normal, they are not optimal. List…

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S 747: Unlocking Client Results: 7 Ways to Use Serum Labs to Revolutionize Your Coaching in 2025 25:59

1M ago25:59

25:59

In this episode we dive deep into the transformative power of lab testing for health and fitness professionals in 2025. Whether you're a seasoned coach looking to level up or someone exploring the world of serum labs for the first time, this episode offers actionable insights to help you unlock unparalleled results for your clients. From nutritiona…

1
Hustle, Loyalty, Respect w/ John Cena, Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Travis Mash #779 1:05:44

1M ago1:05:44

1:05:44

John Cena is an actor, rapper, and recently retired professional wrestler. In WWE, Cena has won 17 championships in total, including 10 World Titles. In addition, Cena has also won the WWE United States Championship three times, and is a four-time Tag Team Champion, having held the World Tag Team Championship twice, and the WWE Tag Team Championshi…

1
S 746: Beyond Cortisol: How Stress Compounds to Impact Body Fat, Sleep, Inflammation, and Blood Sugar 38:32

1M ago38:32

38:32

As more research and data comes out around stress and the role it plays within our health and fitness, the more we need to educate our clients on it's impact and provide them with tools and strategies around stress management. In today's episode, I want to dive into the impact that chronic stress has on both our physiology and psychology, perceived…

1
S 745: Demystifying Functional Health Trends: The Truth About Empowering Clients, Ethical Issues, and Evidence Based Coaching 1:00:19

1M ago1:00:19

1:00:19

Functional health has always been a hot topic as of late — but what does it really mean — and how can we apply it effectively? In this episode, we break down the misconceptions, buzzwords, and barriers in the industry while exploring what it truly takes to empower clients to take control of their health while they work with us and after as well. To…

1
The Rhythm of Rest: Unlocking Sleep Potential Naturally w/ Dr. Chris Perry, Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Travis Mash #778 54:59

1M ago54:59

54:59

Dr. Christopher A. Perry, an Assistant Professor at Eastern Kentucky University, began his fitness journey at Penn State University, where he developed a robust background in Strength & Conditioning leading to 17 years in the industry to date. His academic path, leading through a PhD at Arizona State University, deepened his expertise in Exercise S…

1
S 744: The Ultimate Guide to Enhancing Glutathione Levels: Using Food and Supplements to Boost Your Body’s Antioxidant Power 23:29

1M ago23:29

23:29

In this episode, we uncover the secrets to optimizing glutathione levels—the cornerstone of your body’s antioxidant defense system. From diet and supplements to lifestyle strategies, we explore how to naturally enhance your health and resilience. Learn how glutathione supports immune function, combats oxidative stress, and plays a vital role in thy…

1
S 743: Beyond SMART Goals: Transformative Models and a 5-Step Framework for Client Success 51:51

2M ago51:51

51:51

In this episode, we dive deep into rethinking traditional goal-setting approaches like the SMART framework, exploring why it may not always be the best fit for long-term health and fitness goals. We discuss innovative alternatives like the ASPIRE and SAVE models, which emphasize adaptability, emotional engagement, and intrinsic motivation. Along th…

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[Women’s Health] Menstrual Cycles and Menopause w/ Dr. Stephanie Estima, Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Travis Mash #777 1:02:35

2M ago1:02:35

1:02:35

Dr. Stephanie Estima is a doctor of chiropractic with a special interest in metabolism, body composition, functional neurology, and female physiology. She's been featured on Thrive Global, of the Huffington Post, has over 3.5 million article reads on Medium.com, and has helped thousands of women lose weight, regulate hormones, and get off medicatio…

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S 742: Vitamin C Deep Dive: Unveiling Its Role in Immunity, Antioxidants, and Optimal Health 32:23

2M ago32:23

32:23

Back to a micronutrient mastery episode, specifically unpacking Vitamin C today. We'll cover how Vitamin C's functions acting as an antioxidant, it's bioavailability, supplementation considerations, and food sources, Vitamin C deficiency and the pirate disease, and studies on Vitamin C, the common cold, and immunity health. Topics include: - Growin…

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S 741: Thyroid Dysfunction: Beyond Chronic Dieting, Gut-Thyroid Axis, The Stress-Thyroid Connection, Inflammation, and Metabolic Adaptation 32:56

2M ago32:56

32:56

Today's entire Q&A will focus around the question, "are all thyroid issues due to metabolic adaptation?" It's a very interesting and thought provoking question and we'll look at this from several different components and aspects from overtraining, micronutrient considerations, inflammation consequences, and more! Topics include: - Thyroid and Metab…

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Physiology Friday: [Immune System] Why Optimal Nutrition Starts with the Immune System w/ Anders Varner, Doug Larson, Coach Travis Mash and Dan Garner Barbell Shrugged 56:07

2M ago56:07

56:07

In this Episode of Barbell Shrugged: What is the immune system Why the immune system is responsible for building muscle How gut health impacts the immune system Understanding recovery and its impact on the immune system How to optimize your immune system for performance Connect with our guests: Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram Co…

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Managing Stress and Performance for Tactical Populations w/ Dr. Mike Lane, Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Travis Mash #776 48:29

2M ago48:29

48:29

Mike Lane is a professor at eastern Kentucky university teaching in the parks, recreation, exercise, and sports science on the graduate and undergraduate level. His phd is in exercise physiology with an emphasis in muscle physiology. Currently he works with a variety of sports and tactical athletes and performs research tracking those athletes and …

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S 740: Metabolism, Gut Health, and the Science Behind the Ripple Effects of Your Choices 1:09:55

2M ago1:09:55

1:09:55

In this featured replay, I dive deep with the guys from the Earn It All Podcast, into understanding metabolism, gut health, and how your daily habits shape long-term health outcomes. From uncovering misconceptions about metabolism and genetics to exploring the role of gut health in overall wellness, this episode offers a practical and science-backe…

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S 739: How Coaches Can Learn From Fitness Resolution Culture and Avoiding Business Traps to Grow Your Coaching in 2025 17:02

2M ago17:02

17:02

I don't know about you, but as someone who has been in this industry a decade plus, the marketing this time of year is vexing. Whether it's your health or your coaching business, the "quick" approach won't get you very far — we need to make better decisions. I want to share and vent a little about my frustration with this topic in hopes you don't f…

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