It was the end for Wolverine and Professor X. At least it was supposed to be. Instead, it’s one of the most realistic movies ever made about...mutants with superpowers. High fructose corn syrup has killed off most of the other mutants, and the government is trying to make their own – to become trained assassins. And Wolverine has a daughter?  Dean Saddoris  @deansaddoris.ck joins us again for this one.  Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523). Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support. 

The moral of this film could be as simple as “Never kill a retired hitman’s dog.” In The Matrix, Keanu Reeves helped change the sci-fi action genre. In this one, he helps entirely redefine the revenge action genre. With a fighting style borrowed from imports like “The Raid” and some imaginative world-building, John Wick is a film you can’t look away from – though sometimes you may want to.  Dean Saddoris  @deansaddoris.ck joins us again for this one.  Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!  Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Show art by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523). Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support. 

All this month, we’re watching (some of us for the first time) some kickass flicks! Following up last week’s look at The Terminator (1981), we dig into its first sequel. This time Arnold Schwarzenegger plays a good guy, and this film has non-stop action. We largely discuss the impact this chapter of the Terminator saga had on films that followed and popular culture.  Huge Arnold fan Dean Saddoris  @deansaddoris.ck joins us for Mike’s first viewing of this classic (as well).Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523). Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support. 

All this month, we’re watching (some of us for the first time) some kickass flicks! First up, the movie that cemented Arnold Schwarzenegger as a bankable Hollywood star and launched a multi-billion dollar film and TV franchise.  Does the mid-to-low-budget horror flick stand the test of time? What did 1984 vintage special effects look like? How appropriate was it for Arnold to play an emotionless robot? Do we really get to see Arnold’s dong? Huge Arnold fan Dean Saddoris  @deansaddoris.ck joins us for Mike’s first viewing of this classic.  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 ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore.Show art by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523). Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support. 

When we recorded this, the leaked IPF with “tips” about coaching women hadn’t surfaced yet, but we did get to talk about other bad behavior and unforced errors. Diddy had 700 dildoes, Vince McMahon may have manipulated women and men into compromising situations, and Andy Frisella publicly and disturbingly hated on women cops.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 ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila.Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523). Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support. 

Sometimes, we need to take a minute to look at what people outside of powerlifting think about the sport. We take a look at a powerlifting quiz published by a fitness site. Some questions were easy, and others…a bit harder even for us.  We kick it off by looking at the P. Diddy situation and Mike’s internet skirmishes over his loathing of 35 lb. plates.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 ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/!Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523). Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support. 

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=RyITUYZ6vfoQFe5OIn lighter discussion, we list the “16 seasons of Sacramento” (crazy for a place people think only has two). We also take a look at USAPL Nationals. Will the federation survive its rivalry with Powerlifting America? What could be done to make big national meets more fun for the crowd? Could the answer be side quests?  Mike related how gaming in a lull at the moment, and Jim shared a recent brush with AI for a writing process.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 ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523). Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support. 

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 (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/!Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523). Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support. 

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 element of “surprise” in CrossFit events an essential part of the competition, or does it bring too much risk into the equation?  We also get into a little retrospective of John Cena’s career.     Listener resources:  https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a61924568/brent-fikowski-crossfit-pfaa-statement/   https://barbend.com/decision-to-continue-the-2024-crossfit-games/Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila.Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523). Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.  

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 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 ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523). Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support. 

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 worth it to use paid safety staff to protect them? Could this be the end of the games as the world has known them?  Dean Saddoris (@deansaddoris.ck), who has been involved in CrossFit for years, joins us for this discussion. We also run down our favorite moments from the Summer Olympics.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 ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523). Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support. 

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 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 ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

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 based on promoting “forgiveness.”When is it not a good idea to forgive? And when is forgiveness really self-care?   We talk through a Washington Post article about eight situations when it’s healthier not to forgive.  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 ThirdStreetBarbell.comhttps://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523). Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support. 

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 and think for yourself.  We also touch on accounts of a serial abuser with many connections to the fitness industry.  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 ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523). Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support. 

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 our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523). Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support. 

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 father did? (Would this be a Rocky-verse movie if he didn’t?) Do those American flag boxing shorts make an appearance? (You bet!)?  Is this is better film than any of the other Rocky films that preceded it? You decide.  This is one of Sebastian Brambila’s (@sebastian_brambila) favorite movies. He jumped in and also 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 our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits!Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support. 

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 a too-old, never-was fighter, mafia enforcer, kinda creepy guy on the spectrum end up fighting the heavyweight champ AND going the distance?  Our frequent media review collaborator, Dean Saddoris (@deansaddoris.ck) joined us to break down these questions.   Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) 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 our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support. 

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 (@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 goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

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 @bebetterbarbellclubSebastian 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 goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support. 

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 goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support. 

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 social media using the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support. 

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 social media using the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support. 

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 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 ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support. 

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 ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support. 

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. Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) ran the board and chimed in as well.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 ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support. 

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 using the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support. 

The International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) has been the only truly “official” vehicle for powerlifters hoping to compete on an international stage. The federation has written into its constitution rules that are supposed to prevent the taint of members participating in untested competitions hosted by other federations, but now it is being used to punish Sean Koch, a dedicated powerlifter from Liechtenstein competing for Switzerland and currently attending university in the US. Due to his scholarship, he’s required to compete in the USAPL (which is no longer affiliated with the IPF). Competing there has drawn a ban from the IPF.Clearly, he’s in a no-win situation. His only recourse is to file suit.   Has the rule gone too far – to the point of unfairness? Especially if it is not being applied equally across all member nations?  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 using the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support. 

This week’s question:  “What makes someone a good coaching client?”  We see conversations online about coaches that are unqualified and really...uninterested in helping their clients. But coaching is really a two-way street. What responsibilities does a client have to make the best of their coaching dollars?  Our new trainer at Third Street Barbell, Tiffany Powers (@_tiffdeadlifts) gives us her perspective.   Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) ran the board and chimed in as well.  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 ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support. 

We sat down with our new trainer at Third Street Barbell, Tiffany Powers (@_tiffdeadlifts), to talk about strange lights in the sky, which generation Is which, and a bit about how she started lifting.  Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) ran the board and chimed in on this one.  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 ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support. 

This week’s question comes from Mike’s Instagram:   “Would you ever be able to talk about overhead and planning from when you opened 3SB (our gym, Third Street Barbell)?”  So yeah, we can…and we do! The financial part is definitely not the hardest part, but it’s important for sure.Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) ran the board and chimed in on this one.  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 ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support. 

Prompted by a Reddit question, we talked through the impact of reducing attempts from three attempts per lift to two attempts per lift. Would meets move faster? Would warmup rooms be chaos?  We also compared the top 10 Canadian athletes and the top 10 Texan athletes. Can one state beat a whole country?  Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) ran the board and chimed in on this one.  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 ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support. 

This week’s question comes from Mike’s Instagram:  “How do you organize your thoughts, wants, and plans when you’re building a business.”  Everybody has their own personal organizational approaches (with varying degrees of success). We talk about what has worked for us.  Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) ran the board and chimed in on this one.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 ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support. 

It looks like changes are afoot. Instagram may be changing how its algorithm serves up shared (versus original) content. Will this entirely change the meme game?We also ran down lists of the most intelligent animals and discussed some more surprising genetic traits (in humans). Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) ran the board and chimed in on this one.  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 ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support. 

Does a PR song really help you get a PR? Does the tempo of music change the speed of your cardio workout? Maybe most importantly, does it affect your motivation to lift?  Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) ran the board and chimed in on this one.  Listener resources:   Science on music and exercise performance: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8167645/  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 ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support. 

We’ve always been told not to judge a book by its cover, but does that stop us? No! Even when it’s not a good idea. Why do we make these judgments?  We look at three physical characteristics that humans tend to let themselves be influenced by when judging the people we meet. Some things can be changed through reasonable effort (getting muscles), but others are much tougher (or impossible). Is being more muscular always a plus?  Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) ran the board and chimed in on this one.  Listener resources:  Judging by faces: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/trust-games/202201/what-we-decide-about-people-based-on-their-appearance  Judging by height: https://www.apa.org/monitor/julaug04/standing  Judging by muscles: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/02/160224164349.htmDo 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 ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support. 

This week’s question is more of a parenting question than a physiology question. When should parents introduce strength training? The answer is simpler than you’d think.  Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) ran the board and chimed in on this one.  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 ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

If short lifters can use blocks under their feet in competition, why can’t tall lifters use a taller bench? That’s just one example, but when you take a closer look there are definitely some things that don’t make sense.  We also talk NBA, Taylor Swift, local crime, and bidets.  Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) ran the board and chimed in on this one.  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 ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

We've got a business question this week. What do you bring to the table as a potential business owner?  What one thing would make you a better business owner than an employee?Our Wednesday guest, Ryan Thompson, joined us for this one.  You can follow Ryan on Instagram at @rhinorooterplumbing.   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 ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

Ryan Thompson is a plumber. He’s actually Jim’s plumber. But he didn’t plan to be a plumber. After fighting through addiction, a chance moment at a gas station led to a path forward for him. Locking in on new goals -- and relying on discipline learned through sports and in the gym --- he found a rewarding trade and career that changed his life.He shares how he worked through this change and how he maintains his contagious positivity.   You can follow Ryan on Instagram at @rhinorooterplumbing.  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 ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

Recent studies (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/apr/02/new-science-of-death-brain-activity-consciousness-near-death-experience) show that the brain is furious with activity in the minutes after death. Areas of the brain that don’t generally work together suddenly team up, and the visual cortex is particularly active.If your brain is going to show you a burst of images immediately after the rest of your body has checked out, what would you want to see?   Avi Lieu (@avi.lieu) and Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) are in on this one.  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 ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

Our head trainer at Third Street Barbell, Avi Lieu (@avi.lieu), is making moves. She brings us up to date on what’s next and we try to fill her in on Firesticks, AppleTVs, and Rokus.  Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) ran the board and joined us for this one.  Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

This week’s question from our Discord:  dingleberrykumquat asked, “What separates a good athlete from an elite athlete? Is it genetics, luck, discipline, and/or resources?”  In other words, how does the nature vs nurture debate play out in athletes?Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

We’ve seen people on social media, TV, etc. talk about their “porn addiction.” Most people nod their heads as if they believe and understand what the person is going through. Addiction is addiction, right?   But…several years ago, scientists stopped believing in the condition. Studies didn’t support that it exists, and there’s no way to diagnose it. Why are people still saying they have it if it doesn't exist? Do they really believe it, or are they virtue signaling?  Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

This week’s question on our Discord:WarBoyWonder asked, “Thoughts on IIFYM or sticking to proper healthy foods during a cut?”   It’s not always about Poptarts? Or is it?  Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) ran the board and joined us for this one.  Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

While this is technically the 400th episode of the show, we’re treating it more like the “faux-hundredth” because we’ve used “rewind” episodes 11 times since we started. Look for something (hopefully) for our 400th episode of original content.  We talked through the recent New York Magazine article about Andrew Huberman, the legal issues hounding Sean “P Diddy” Combs, and the arguably cultish support for them on social media. Why do people look for heroes outside themselves?  Huberman article in New York Magazine: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/andrew-huberman-podcast-stanford-joe-rogan.htmlSebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) ran the board and joined us for this one.Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

This week’s question came from a member of our Discord.Bronzielocks asked, “Give us your best macro-friendly recipe that anyone of any skill level can cook!”One of our gym members, Jerry (@megaa_pandaa), joined us, along with Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila), who ran the board and joined us for this one.Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

We all practice self-sabotage sometimes. We use different methods, but in the end we all do it. We share our own experiences and talk about the fallout from what we do to ourselves.We start off in a dangerous zone…talking about how much money we’d have to be paid to do a particular kind of “media.”  One of our gym members, Jerry (@megaa_pandaa), joins us along with Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) ran the board and joined us for this one.  Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

The exploding popularity of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy has raised awareness and demand for these “medical miracles” among the severely overweight…and the not-so-severely overweight.Some questions have arisen about side effects – some merely annoying and some potentially dangerous. One complaint is the loss of lean muscle mass. While this is obviously not ideal, is there something specific about these drugs that contributes to muscle loss, or is it nothing more than a normal effect of weight loss by any method? How can it be prevented?  Listener resources: Survey of studies on weight loss and muscle loss vs fat loss.  Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

Mike shares some signs that fitness social media and YouTube are regaining some of their old traction (2015-17 vibes, anyone?). Even attendance at the Arnold seems to be on the upswing again. Speaking of the Arnold, are we bummed that we didn’t go this year after making a return as spectators last year?  Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) ran the board and joined us for this one.Deep question this week. What is your biggest fear? We learned something about each other with this one.Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

Deep question this week. What is your biggest fear? We learned something about each other with this one.Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

We didn’t have this announcement on our radar: “The IPF and CBS Sports (broadcaster of the Super Bowl 2024) have signed a multi-year agreement to bring IPF powerlifting to the TV in the USA and the whole of North America.” (Full release here: https://www.powerlifting.sport/about-ipf/news/news-detail/ipf-secures-tv-broadcast-partnership-for-north-america). For tested lifters in the US, does this change the calculus of choosing the IPF-affiliated Powerlifting America versus the larger and more familiar USAPL? And will anyone outside of powerlifting fandom be interested in watching a full meet -- or even a collection of highlights – on broadcast TV? We’ll find out later this year with coverage of a bench-only competition in Austin, Texas. As a warmup, we discussed entry-level doughnuts and fast-food restaurants. Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

Today question sets up a bit of an “addition by subtraction” situation. If you could eliminate one thing from the world, in order to improve a lot of other things, what would it be? We took some creative swings at this one. Our own Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila), and Matt Ogihara (@matt_ogi), joined us for this one.Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

We’ve all seen lifters go hard at the beginning and then burn out fast. Is it possible to pace yourself and continue to enjoy it year after year? Is competing the answer? We start off with trying to get consensus on what kinds of dogs we remind each other of. Mike accuses Matt of being into Warhammer, and we wonder if ren fairs are still a thing. Our own Avi Lieu (@avi.lieu), Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila), and Matt Ogihara (@matt_ogi), joined us for this one.Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

This week’s question comes from our Discord (goodcompanydiscord.com). Bronzielocks asked, “Can you talk about using the sauna for recovery? Or what are your favorite recovery activities?” With all the fads in the fitness space, what --- in our opinions – actually works for us? Our own Avi Lieu (@avi.lieu), Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila), and Matt Ogihara (@matt_ogi) joined us for this one.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

We try to guess our way through the top 10 candies in the US and break down some of the best roadside attractions around the country (particularly between LA and Las Vegas). We debate whether the F in the FMK game is the good kind of F*** or the “F*** off!” kind of F. We also discussed the Leonardo DiCaprio movie that’s being shot in town and the extreme experience of Kyoto coffee. Our own Avi Lieu (@avi.lieu), and Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila), joined us for this one.Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

This week’s question comes from a member of our Discord (goodcompanydiscord.com). EvilFern asks, “If you woke up with 5 billion in the bank account tomorrow, how would your life change? What would you spend your time doing?” Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

Back to our discussion of an article from a non-fitness source detailing 16 weird things that people can inherit.As a strength community, we talk a lot about genetic potential. Some are gifted in some areas and weak in others. Some things are in our control, but others just aren’t. We talk about our own experience of strengths, weaknesses, nature vs nurture, and just weird abilities. Our gym manager, Kyle Castro (@kyle.castroo), our media guy, Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila), and our head trainer, Avi Lieu (@avi.lieu), joined us for this one. Listener resources: Source article Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

Commercial gyms have often been seen as pickup joints or meat markets. Let’s face it. Guys can be awkward and creepy. Is it ok to try it these days? If so, how do you it with a decent chance of success? Our gym manager, Kyle Castro (@kyle.castroo), our media guy, Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila), and our head trainer, Avi Lieu (@avi.lieu), joined us for this one.Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

As a strength community, we talk a lot about genetic potential. Some are gifted in some areas and weak in others. Some things are in our control, but others just aren’t. We used a mainstream article on the subject as a jumping-off point for a discussion about our own experience of strengths, weaknesses, nature vs nature, and just plain weird abilities. Our gym manager, Kyle Castro (@kyle.castroo), our media guy, Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila), and our head trainer, Avi Lieu (@avi.lieu), joined us for this one. Listener resources: Source article Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

In something of a sequel to our last episode, we discuss the USAPL’s new, much higher qualifying totals for the 2025 Raw Nationals. Obviously higher QTs mean fewer entries. That has the potential to reshape everything about the meet. Should national meets be open to a lot of lifters or just the top select few? Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

We are supported by Legion Athletics. Use our code “goodcompany” for 20% off at legionathletics.com. The USAPL national meets have grown to epic proportions in the past several years. For 2024, the meet is already full, even though many lifters will have to make qualifying totals sometime before nationals. Is this the best way to ensure that the best lifters will actually be in the meet? We also hit on a number of other topics, including how it feels to have left a bad situation. Our own Avi Lieu (@avi.lieu), Kyle Castro (@kyle.castroo) Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila), and Matt Ogihara (@matt_ogi) joined us for this one. Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

We are supported by Legion Athletics. Use our code “goodcompany” for 20% off at legionathletics.com. This week’s question asks what we do to build confidence, even on an everyday basis. We had some simple answers to what has worked for us. Our gym manager, Kyle Castro (@kyle.castroo), our media guy, Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila), and somewhat paid intern, Matt Ogihara (@matt_ogi), joined us for this one.Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

We are supported by Legion Athletics. Use our code “goodcompany” for 20% off at legionathletics.com. Our gym manager, Kyle Castro (@kyle.castroo), our media guy, Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila), and somewhat paid intern, Matt Ogihara (@matt_ogi), joined us for this “crew show.” We hit on a variety of topics, but the most substantive part of the discussion involved the “never give up” mentality. Is there a way to recognize when enough is enough? How do you change gears when you’ve maybe gone too far?Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/show/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd/support.

We are supported by Legion Athletics. Use our code “goodcompany” for 20% off at legionathletics.com. This was a tough question. How does a film become your favorite? Is the point in your life that you saw the movie the biggest factor? One film was mentioned more than any other. Can you guess what it was? Our own Avi Lieu (@avi.lieu), Matt Ogihara (@matt_ogi), and Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) joined us for this one. Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/show/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd/support.

We are supported by Legion Athletics. Use our code “goodcompany” for 20% off at legionathletics.com. Deion Sanders was one of the most versatile professional athletes ever. As “Coach Prime,” can he turn around a sad sack Colorado University football program? Can he instill a winning culture? Is his quarterback son a Heisman candidate?Season 2 of Amazon’s Coach Prime reality series explores these questions and more. Dean Saddoris joined us. You can find Dean on Instagram @deansaddoris.ck, and at caffeineandkilos.com.Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/show/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd/support.

We are supported by Legion Athletics. Use our code “goodcompany” for 20% off at legionathletics.com. Inspired by a TikTok video about a guy who ate only Costco hotdogs for a week (and lost weight), we explore which foods we could roll with for that long.Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/show/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd/support.

We are supported by Legion Athletics. Use our code “goodcompany” for 20% off at legionathletics.com. The Netflix series, You Are What You Eat, is a follow-up to the series “Game Changers” from the same production company with the same vegan slant. This time, a study of twins and how their bodies react to omnivore and vegan diets is the throughline. Does it offer legitimate proof that the vegan diet is superior? Or is the whole series just a vehicle for vegan recruitment? Why is porn part of the study? Dean Saddoris joined us. You can find Dean on Instagram @deansaddoris.ck, and at caffeineandkilos.com. Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/show/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd/support.

We are supported by Legion Athletics. Use our code “goodcompany” for 20% off at legionathletics.com. What was the hook that got you into lifting, and has that hook changed for you over time? Was is sports? YouTube? Friends? We run down what happened with us. Matt Ogihara (@matt_ogi) and Sebastian Brambilla (@sebastian_brambila) joined us for this one. Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/show/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd/support.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

We are supported by Legion Athletics. Use our code “goodcompany” for 20% off at legionathletics.com. What role have we given nutrition in our powerlifting careers? When did lifters switch from trying to be as big as possible and eating a ton to being strong at “normal” body weights? Is it more about performance or feeling good. We also discuss the fact that strength and effort are both normally distributed -- not just in the general population but also in niche places like top powerlifting gyms. Matt Ogihara (@matt_ogi) and Sebastian Brambilla (@sebastian_brambila) joined us for this one.Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/show/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd/support.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

We are supported by Legion Athletics. Use our code “goodcompany” for 20% off at legionathletics.com. This is an abbreviated episode for the holiday week. What drives you most? External factors or internal ones? Which have the most staying power? Can you have one without the other? We roll in with a discussion about our first cars. Which of us had the real bangers? Matt Ogihara (@matt_ogi) and Sebastian Brambilla (@sebastian_brambila) joined us for this one.Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/show/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd/support.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

We are supported by Legion Athletics. Use our code “goodcompany” for 20% off at legionathletics.com. This discussion started around a hypothetical question about why animals are allowed to compete in some formats (like racing) and not in others (fighting). While some would find the spectacle fascinating, animals can’t really give consent to fight…but they can’t consent to race either. Why is one ok and the other not?This evolved into a broader discussion about combat sports and whether or not humans fighting is entirely ethical either. Matt Ogihara (@matt_ogi) and Sebastian Brambilla (@sebastian_brambila) joined us for this one. Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/show/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd/support.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

We are supported by Legion Athletics. Use our code “goodcompany” for 20% off at legionathletics.com. We turn to the internet for insight on how to set goals. Do we get good advice? Or did we fall into a pit of filler? Is there a difference between an achievable goal and a realistic one? Before we get into that, we kick around a few questions like, “Why do Crossfitters drive Teslas? Matt Ogihara (@matt_ogi) and Sebastian Brambilla (@sebastian_brambila) joined us for this one.Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/show/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd/support.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

We are supported by Legion Athletics. Use our code “goodcompany” for 20% off at legionathletics.com Topic Thunder is our fast-paced panel discussion show. This week’s question: Considering the influence of genetics, how much impact does effort have on our overall fitness? Can effort overcome genetics? Avi Lieu (@avi.lieu) and Matt Ogihara (@matt_ogi) joined us for this one.Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

We are supported by Legion Athletics. Use our code “goodcompany” for 20% off at legionathletics.com We take out annual look at what the mainstream media thinks the industry trends will be for the new year? Avi Lieu (@avi.lieu) and Matt Ogihara (@matt_ogi) joined us for this one. Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

We are supported by Legion Athletics. Use our code “goodcompany” for 20% off at legionathletics.com This is Topic Thunder episode -- our rapid-fire panel discussion show. Today’s question is really a general one about plateaus. Can you know when they’re going to happen? How do you get past them? Our buddy Matt Ogihara joined us for this one. You can find him on @matt_ogi on Instagram.Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

We are supported by Legion Athletics. Use our code “goodcompany” for 20% off at legionathletics.comIs there a particular moment that you remember feeling strong? Was it about a PR? A change of attitude? A particular event that challenged you in ways you hadn’t imagined? We talk about our own experiences after a little catchup session.Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

We are supported by Legion Athletics. Use our code “goodcompany” for 20% off at legionathletics.com This is Topic Thunder episode -- our rapid-fire panel discussion show. Today’s question was inspired by a Reddit post in which someone lost out on more than one job because they had a very small social media following. As a business owner – especially a small business owner with little or no marketing budget – would you pick the candidate with the biggest following if all other factors were equal? Our buddy Matt Ogi joined us for this one. You can find him on @matt_ogi on Instagram.Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

ONE DAY ONLY: Use the code “THANKYOU” at 3sb.co for 20% off your entire order. We are supported by Legion Athletics. Use our code “goodcompany” for 20% off at legionathletics.com. We’re in Topic Thunder mode again today due to holiday travel and holiday illness. Topic Thunder is our rapid-fire panel discussion show. Today’s question was inspired by an Instagram post from our friend, Joe Sullivan: Should everyone stop using the term “powerbuilding?” Is there a better way to describe strength training with an aesthetic focus? Our buddy Matt Ogi joined us for this one. You can find him on @matt_ogi on Instagram.Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

Use the code “pod” at 3sb.co for 10% off your entire order. We’re in Topic Thunder mode again for the holiday season. Topic Thunder is our rapid-fire panel discussion show. This week’s question: What are some of the silliest/most useless lifting cues that coaches use? Our buddy Matt Ogi joined us for this one. You can find him on @matt_ogi on Instagram. Support for this episode was provided by Legion Athletics. Use our code “goodcompany” for 20% off at legionathletics.com.Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

We pause to discuss our wishes for the world, the fitness industry, and ourselves. Is there one wish that might fix everything? We kick off the show by talking about the growing popularity of Formula one and ponder whether virtual reality might give everyone a shot at a front-row seat for any major sporting event. Support for this episode was provided by Legion Athletics. Use our code “goodcompany” for 20% off at legionathletics.com.Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

We’re in Topic Thunder mode again for the holiday season. Topic Thunder is our rapid-fire panel discussion show. Today’s question: What are your top tips for bulking if you’re NOT a hard-gainer? Do hard gainers exist or are they just people who don’t like food? Our buddy Matt Ogi joined us for this one. You can find him on @matt_ogi on Instagram.Support for this episode was provided by Legion Athletics. Use our code “goodcompany” for 20% off at legionathletics.com.Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

Every powerlifting federation has similar rules about how lifts should be performed in competition, but how those rules are applied rests with the judges/referees. Different feds have different reputations for judging, and any time an “all-time world record” is broken in a fed that is known for looser judging, there’s instantly a social media controversy. Should we care where a lift was performed? Should we ignore records from feds that don’t have a rigorous approach to judging lifts? We take a stab at these questions and share a few of our current favorite non-fitness/lifting social media accounts.Support for this episode was provided by Legion Athletics. Use our code “goodcompany” for 20% off at legionathletics.com.Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

This week’s question from one of our Discord members: YumYumNmy🍑 asked, “How do you personally deal with age-related joint pains? 30s have been rough on my hip and back.” We discuss some ways of dealing with joint pain, but should you have it in your 30s? What’s the underlying cause?Support for this episode was provided by Legion Athletics. Use our code “goodcompany” for 20% off at legionathletics.com.Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

With all the talk about how actors eat, workout, and potentially use PEDs to achieve superhero physiques, who did the best job of it. Which actors end up looking the most appropriately built for the characters they portray? We talk through the top contenders and make our personal choices for the top three men and women. Support for this episode was provided by Legion Athletics. Use our code “goodcompany” for 20% off at legionathletics.com.Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

We ganked this week’s question from the /Powerlifting sub-Reddit: “Is there a cut off range for AMRAPS?”\What does AMRAP mean, and does it have a place in powerlifting training? And as to the original question, how many reps is too many? Support for this episode was provided by Legion Athletics. Use our code “goodcompany” for 20% off at legionathletics.com.Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

Time for a housekeeping episode. We announce our next USAPL meet, a new sponsor, our 3-year anniversary sale, and discuss the WRPF American open. Support for this episode was provided by Legion Athletics. Use our code “goodcompany” for 20% off at legionathletics.com.Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

This week’s question from one of our Discord members is another deep one: Keith Honeycutt asked “What would you like your family and friends to think or say about you once you are dead and gone? (What do you want to be remembered for?)”Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

We’ve got no free will. Stop attributing stuff to us that isn’t there. — Stanford neurobiologist Robert Sapolsky When a Stanford neurobiologist states that free will largely doesn’t exist, and he’s joined in this thought by other neurobiologists as well as a bunch of mathematicians, we have to take a moment to think about the whole idea. But was that really a choice? A decision? Or have our particular backgrounds destined us to take that pause? In the world of fitness, are any of the choices we make about training, diet, etc., actually based on evaluating all the available options or are they just what we were always going to do? This is maybe the trippy-est and potentially divisive episode of the show ever – though we as host are pretty much in agreement. Many of you may not feel the same way. Listener resources: National Institutes of Health paper on Free Will LA Times article on the Stanford neurobiologist who says free will doesn't exist___Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

This week’s One Good Question from a member of our Discord: Dom Oviedo asked, “What’s a habit/Lift that was necessary for a certain diet/program that has just lingered and become your preference? Example: I started drinking black coffee while I fasted, and now I just drink black coffee even though I’m not doing intermittent fasting anymore.” ___ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

A few influencers that have come to the attention of mainstream media in the past few years. Social media presence has even become one factor in casting actors in big projects. Are there any fitness influences who could cross over? Considering the amount of control they would have to give up, would they even want to? What qualities would make them attractive to Hollywood and Hollywood attractive to them?___Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

This week’s question comes from…us. If you’re not competing in powerlifting, are there any good reasons to deadlift with a straight bar rather than at trap bar? What would you be giving up, and what would you be gaining? If you do compete, should you do trap bar deads at all? ___Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

Think of this as a little compare and contrast essay we put together with our friend and visitor from the other side of the pond, Oliver Munby. Are powerlifting gyms the same? How do American snacks like Mega Stuff Oreos and Saltines match up? Do fitness influencers have as much, well, influence? Look for Oliver on Instagram @munbydesign. ___Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

How do you balance being a competitive powerlifter and a runner? Next Wednesday’s guest, Oliver Munby, helps out with this week’s question from our Discord.Yasssuke Da GOD asks, “I know there’s a lot out there about hybrid training, but has anyone else had experience being a locally competitive powerlifter and runner? How do you balance it? I feel like one has to go especially if I need to shed some LBs.” Look for Oliver on Instgram @munbydesign.Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

Avi Lieu joins us for an open discussion on how our personality traits – things we don’t have a ton of control over – impact our performance as lifters. Look for Avi on Instagram @avi.lieu.Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

This week’s question from our Discord is kind of a tough one. Dom Oviedo asked, “Who are the top 5 dead people you wish you could have on your podcast?”Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

Of all the documentaries we’ve reviewed, this has got to be the strangest. How does a team of supposedly high school-aged football players, who are supposedly students of a school that doesn’t really exist, end up on ESPN getting walloped by one of the country’s most elite prep academies? How does a man with no experience starting a school or coaching football end up launching one of the most disturbing cons in the history of high school sports? This HBO documentary attempts to answer these questions. And while it’s not perfect, it’s an astonishing look at the forces that make high school football seem like a way out for underprivileged kids and their families and how a con artist used their dreams and vulnerabilities to recruit for a fake school -- Bishop Sycamore High. Dean Saddoris helped us break this one down. You can find Dean on IG http://instagram.com/deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.comHave a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

This week’s question from members of our Discord: Keo asked, “What program would you recommend for increasing the OHP from 1.5 plates to 2? I’ve been stuck for over 2 years now.” Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

The 2005--2009 Florida Gators football team, led by coach Urban Meyer, is one of the most legendary teams in college football history. He pushed them to two national championships in three years and an undefeated season. This 4-part Netflix series looks at the highest highs and lowest lows of this period. Or at least that seems to have been the idea at some point, but like the team itself, the doc succeeds on some points and loses on others. Fame is hard to handle. Losing even harder. Dean Saddoris helped us break this one down. You can find Dean on IG http://instagram.com/deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

Back to our Discord for another question: Detesestro asked, “What's the ideal way to tell your ideal bench press width?” Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

We explore what makes international competitions across all sports different from those even at the national level. Should international competition be one of your goals? Should a certain number of countries be included before it’s called a “World Championship?” When most competitors have to travel great distances to unfamiliar places, does that actually level the playing field? Avi Lieu (@avi.lieu ) join us for this one.Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

“Intensity” has a specific meaning as related to lifting – a much different meaning than in the rest of the world – yet lifters misuse it all the time. The same is true of “arousal.” That one might spark a bit of a giggle, but when it comes to lifting, it’s deadly serious. Are you using these words correctly? Avi Lieu (@avi.lieu ) joined us for this one.Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

BALCO. Victor Conte. Steroids.The Netflix Untold documentary series looks back at a time when we all wanted to believe that athletes were suddenly capable of record-breaking achievements simply by perfecting their diets, training, and supplementation. Sometimes called the “steroid era” it could easily be called the “Say it ain’t so” era.Did it all start innocently? Were coaches mostly acting as drug dealers? Did the athletes understand that they were cheating and decide they didn’t care?Listen for our stories of crossing paths with some of the main players in this doc.Dean Saddoris joined us for this one. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com.Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

We’re taking a short Labor Day break and have this classic Topic Thunder (our panel format) episode. Labor Day Weekend is always a good time to fill in the gaps in your wardrobe! Head over to 3sb.co and use the code “pod” for 10% off your entire order. Original show notes: In this mini-episode, we share are thoughts and experiences with lifting in home gyms versus commercial gyms. The pandemic forced a lot of people into home gym situations. Some people hated it, while others joined the ranks of long-time home gym lovers. What’s missing when you lift at home? And what makes it better than lifting away from home? We’re joined on the panel by Dean Saddoris of Caffeine and Kilos, and our gym manager, Kyle Castro. You can find Dean on Instagram @deansaddoris.ck, and at caffeineandkilos.com. Kyle’s at @kyle.castroo. Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Dean Saddoris joined us for this one. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com ___ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

We’ve been big fans of the Netflix documentary series Untold. The new season debuted with a look at the rise and fall of Johnny Manziel. A winning Texas high school quarterback. A wildly inventive freshman season at Texas A&M that propelled him to a Heisman Trophy. An NCAA rule-breaking sophomore campaign cashing in on his explosive fame. A brief NFL career marked by struggles with a party boy lifestyle, substance abuse, and the absence of the drive necessary to sustain high-level performance. The documentary offers some genuine insights and surprises but leaves some critical moments unexplored. Dean Saddoris joined us for this one. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck, and at caffeineandkilos.com ___ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

This week’s (somewhat paraphrased) question is from Instagram: What kind of belt do we prefer? Do single-prong, double-prong, or lever belts all work the same? Or are there advantages and disadvantages to each one? Further, how much can you expect to spend on a good belt, and how long will it last?___ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

So many lifters get banged up in the course of meet prep and find themselves wondering if it’s even worth doing the meet they had planned. Should they just heal up and wait for the next one? If you can’t PR. If you can’t win. Is the juice worth the squeeze? Avi Lieu joins us to talk about her back injury and her hope that it will be resolved in time for USAPL raw nationals in a few weeks. You can find Avi on Instagram at @avi.lieu,___ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

This week’s question from our Discord member, msoli: “You have talked extensively about how style or fashion has come from the hip hop community, the skateboarding community, and the basketball community. Where do you see style coming from now? The same places? Somewhere new? Does it matter based on your age?” Mike heads design for Good Company Apparel, so this question is mostly for him.___ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www. 50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila.Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

From the age of eight, Mikey Doucet lived in uncertainty. Who would truly care for him? Would he have enough to eat? Would he get along with the people who were supposed to be responsible for him or would he end up on the outside of another closed door holding all his belongings? Instead of losing his entire childhood to despair, he found ways to foster hope and dream of a better future and a happier, more secure version of himself. He found that fitness played an important role in helping him maintain his resilience. Now, he shares his story in the hope of helping others become who they were meant to be and to make it safe for the important conversations that SHOULD be had about improving care for foster youth everywhere. This is something of a change a pace episode for us, and we’re thankful that Mikey was able to join us. You can find him on IG and Threads at @mikeydoucet and on YouTube. ___ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

This week’s question comes from social media, and Mike gets it pretty often: “What’s the most complicated part of owning a gym?” Owning any business is complicated. Which complications are specific to gyms? Our own Avi Lieu join us for this one. You can find her on IG @avi.lieu. ___ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

Snowboard phenom Shaun White faces the end of his storied Olympic career in this Prime Video documentary series. We take a look at the first episode of this four-part series chronicling his start as a skateboarder and surfer and how his whole family became obsessed with chasing the best snow-covered slopes all over the western US. How would you handle becoming a millionaire as a teenager? Dean Saddoris joined us for this one. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com ___ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

This week’s question from our Discord: ChrisAllDownHill asked, “How often are professional powerlifters competing at 100% (physical health)? I feel like I’m always battling some sort of strain, or injury, or discomfort so is it unrealistic to think that one should be competing at 100% every time?” Our own Avi Lieu join us for this one. You can find her on IG @avi.lieu. ___ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

We took a look at the first episode or so of the 8-part Netflix doc series that follows Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins and Marcus Mariota through the 2022 NFL season. Are these three athletes engaging enough to carry a series? Or a winning football team? Dean Saddoris joined us for this one. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com.Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

We were asked about this via Instagram rather than Discord this time. Tracking apps and “AI” style apps for nutrition and training are being used all over now. What’s our experience been? Do you need to pay for an app to have a good experience? Our own Avi Lieu joined us for this one. You can find her on Instagram at @avi.lieu. ___ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/!Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

In some states, only specific medical professionals (physicians and surgeons) can use the title “Doctor.” California law is particularly strict about this. Are potential clients confused when other professionals with doctorate degrees use the title, thinking they are hiring (or following) a medical practitioner? We also break down our weekend at Barbell Brigade’s USAPL meet, talk about Bronny James’ heart attack, and learn why we can’t have master bedrooms anymore. ___ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

This week’s question from our Discord: Chili72 asked, “Do you ever think there will be another athlete that rivals Shaq in terms of dominating their sport, then continuing to branch out across different areas on at a high level Examples: DJ Diesel, Rap Albums, Broadcasting, Acting, his business & charities, etc.” Avi Lieu join us for this one. She’s on Instagram at @avi.lieu. ___ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/!Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

Just a couple of times have been able to watch a documentary about someone we’ve met in person and podcasted with. This time it’s Stone Cold Steve Austin. We checked out the Biography Channel documentary on his life and career, which became free on YouTube this week. Here is the description: Directed by Jake Rogal and Executive Produced by Jason Hehir ("The Last Dance," "Andre The Giant"), this film traces the story of the man who became WWE's biggest star in the 90s. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's authentic, fiery personality epitomized WWE's "Attitude Era" and transformed him into a pop culture icon. After nearly being paralyzed by a neck injury, Austin made one of the greatest comebacks in WWE history. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009. Is he really the same guy in and out of the ring? Listen and found out. ___ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

This week’s question from our Discord: Fluffy999 asked: “How should I calculate a caloric deficit? Been struggling to find the perfect amount of calories without starving myself.” Avi Lieu join us for this one. She’s on Instagram at @avi.lieu. ___ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

Suddenly we’ve got a new social media platform trying to take down Twitter. Does Threads (spun off of Instagram) have a real chance at making Elon’s bird app irrelevant? Is this a preview of the rumored Zuckerberg vs Musk match in the octagon? Probably more importantly, are some social media platforms better for fitness content (and influence) than others? Also, during the pandemic, many people got comfortable with performing health tests (or just specimen collection) at home. With all the at-home tests (hormones, STIs) available now, it might be easy to assume that all these tests are of equal quality and reliability and that testing at home is simpler than going to a lab. Is this true? Listener resources: FDA’s list of approved over-the-counter health tests. ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

In honor of the Fourth of July holiday week – and to make up for the fact that the traditional hot dog eating contest didn’t happen this year – we’re bringing back a classic Topic Thunder episode. We tackle the question, “How many glizzies could you eat in 48 hours?” Original episode notes: Are big bulks or big cuts worth it? Will you get what you want out of them or do they (almost) always go bad? And if you’re on a bulk, how many glizzies can you eat in 48 hours? We throw out some opinions on this and share some ideas about sticking to extreme diets in general.Dean Saddoris of Caffeine & Kilos joined us in this discussion. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com, along with our gym manager, Kyle Castro @kyle.castroo.Join our Discord for free! Click it now! Invites expire! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

In this episode, we review Netflix's new docu-series Muscles and Mayhem, which tells the story of the rise and fall of the iconic American Gladiators. We discuss the show's meteoric success, its behind-the-scenes drama, and its eventual downfall. · What was the appeal of American Gladiators?How did the show become so popular?What was it like to be an American Gladiator?What were some of the behind-the-scenes dramas?Why did the show eventually end? Dean Saddoris joined us for this one. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

This week’s One Good Question actually comes from some comments on Mike’s Instagram.Does a certain fast food restaurant use meat that’s not really meat? And is the occasional fast food meat not that big a deal? Avi Lieu joins us for this one. You can find her on Instagram @avi.lieu. ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

Love him or hate him, Arnold Schwarzenegger has been a phenomenon in bodybuilding, movies, and even politics. A new three-part Netflix documentary series explores his triumphs and challenges through multiple decades and careers. This series plays somewhat like a sequel to the classic “Pumping Iron.” As we ask every time we tackle one of these series, “Do we learn things we didn’t know and actually get to know the subject any better?” Dean Saddoris joined us for this one. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

This week’s question from our Discord: Yasssuke Da GOD asks: “I am currently contemplating switching my workout routine since I am trying to cut. And I am realizing I won’t be able to increase my numbers while also trying to increase activities and cardio. So I am considering putting in some bodybuilding splits while still doing some powerlifting and oly movements. Is it me or will this increase my activities to burn more calories than my powerlifting splits? Adding reps of 10-14 vs the old 5 rep max routine? Like I would assume that a heavier lift with lower reps but with higher intensity and effort would exert more energy than a 10 rep sub max lift. But I guess it isn’t, and it isn’t as linear as that. Mad fitness is confusing.” Avi Lieu joins us for this one. You can find her on Instagram @avi.lieu. ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

We take a look at a few recent comments we’ve seen on social media – to our own stuff and that of others – and contemplate when it’s worth it even to respond. Even just to correct the record. What motivates people to become keyboard warriors? A few related topics: Have Joe Rogan and Elon Musk jumped the shark?Why are Joe’s hands so big?Which Flash is in the Flash movie and why are there so many of them? Avi Lieu join us for this one. You can find her on Instagram @avi.lieu. ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

This week’s question from our Discord: Keith Honeycutt (@keithhoneycutt73) asked…"I recently started a podcast with some of my buddies. We are currently 4 episodes in and I think it’s going well. Any advice to keeping a podcast running for a long time or general podcasting tips?" We might have some insight on this one. Avi Lieu join us for this one. You can find her on Instagram @avi.lieu. ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/!Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

In this episode of the 50% Facts podcast, we sit down with David Thomas Tao, co-founder, former CEO, and now head of brand for Barbend.com. Barbend is a leading website for strength training and fitness that was recently acquired by Pillar4 Media.In this interview, Tao discusses his journey to becoming the CEO of Barbend, his thoughts on the future of fitness media, and how Barbend has expanded coverage since its founding to serve the growing market. Tao talks about the challenges of starting a business and the importance of perseverance. He gives insight on what it’s like to try to raise capital, and how to weather the process of being acquired. David also writes about spirits, so we kick things off with a discussion about winning over first-time whiskey drinkers. You can find David on Instagram at @davidthomastao and Twitter @d_tao and obviously at barbend.com. ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald. Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambilla. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

A day later than normal, but we're back.In this episode of 50% Facts, we review the Netflix documentary series "MacGregor Forever" about UFC fighter Conor McGregor. The series chronicles McGregor's rise to fame and fortune, as well as his subsequent fall from grace. We discuss McGregor's strengths and weaknesses as a fighter, as well as his personal life and controversies. We also offer our thoughts on the future of McGregor's career. Topics Discussed:McGregor's rise to fame and fortuneHis subsequent fall from graceHis personal life and controversiesThe future of his careerTakeaways:McGregor is a talented fighter with a lot of potentialHe is also a very controversial figureIt remains to be seen whether he can make a comebackDean Saddoris joined us for this one. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

Avi Lieu joins us to take an online quiz to determine whether any of us are actually douchebags.All of us can be douchebags once in a while. Sometimes accidentally. Sometimes on purpose. But what douchebag behavior makes you a full-time douchebag? You can find Avi on Instagram @avi.lieu. ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/!Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

This week’s question from our Discord (goodcompanydiscord.com): Thedvspanda asked, “What fitness stigma does society need to get over?” We hit on some consistent ones. If you have any we missed, feel free to post them on our Discord. One Good Question is taking next week off. It will return in June.____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement

A new study by BMC Public Health analyzing the posts of fitness influencers shows that about two-thirds of what they post on social media is wrong…and may be doing more harm than good. Should there be some kind of vetting performed on the information they provide, should they be banned for posting self-serving misinformation, or is this just a “buyer beware” situation? We chat about these questions and offer a critical piece of advice for evaluating any social media post. Dean Saddoris joined us for this one. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com Listener resources: Fitness influencers study New York Times coverage____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.

Two similar questions from our Discord: Erok_ladio asked, “What is your go to meal for cutting/bulking?” linttastic asked, “Go-to snacks during a cut/bulk?” Some things are obvious. Some are really not. ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Amazon Studios offers up an all-star telling of how a young Michael Jordan (and his mom) were convinced to sign a game-changing deal that created maybe the most iconic footwear in sports history. Dean Saddoris joined us for this one. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com Listener resources: More about Air on IMDB. ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

This week’s question from our Discord (goodcompanydiscord.com): BennyG asked: How hard is it to see the fitness industry now, compared to when you, Bart, Alan and Omar were creating vids and smashing weights? I feel like if I were, you watched the videos I see today of everyone being "built different" and all the various "I'm better than you captions" it would be hard to stay quiet. Meanwhile all of you crush much heavier weights and are super humble about it sharing successes and lessons. How much fitness content at this point in time is just posturing? When did it lose its authenticity? ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

With the IPF now discussing banning sumo deadlifts, we try to come up with legitimate reasons (other than social media scrubs not liking them) why they shouldn’t be allowed in competition? Will this subject ever die? We start off talking about Mike’s recent trip to Alphaland and Corrupted Strength. Avi Lieu joins us for this one. You can find Avi on Instagram @avi.lieu. ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Due to a canceled flight and prep for an apparel drop, we’ve only got one episode this week…but it’s a fun one. Our longtime buddy, Gabe Crisp, was in town for a gig and was gracious enough to join us. We talked about whether metal vocalists really need to scream, the relationship between powerlifting and angry music, when touring musicians find time to lift, his love for discgolf, and the rules and ethics of mosh pits. You can find the deathcore band Whitechapel at whitechapelband.com. Gabe is on Instagram at @eatsontour. ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits!Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

From our Discord: DKQuinoa asked, “What is your creative process? (Leaving this open-ended and open to interpretation on purpose).” ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

UFOs? Aliens? Training plans that always work…for anyone? Calorie theory? We discuss the limitations of evidence and the point that blind faith (and wishful thinking) kick in. ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits!Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Time for another question from our Discord. Keith Honeycutt asks “(Who is) someone in the fitness industry you still want to meet in person?” After decades (combined) of time in the industry, who haven’t we met that we’d still like to meet? It’s a pretty short list…____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Reunited for a brand-new episode after a month of travel, we got to be in the house for Kings/Warriors Game 2 and see Draymond Green stomp on the chest of the King’s Domantas Sabonis. We talk about how sports can build community, and how what you wear can shape how you feel about yourself. ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Deep thought question: What’s the greatest gift has powerlifting given you? Strength? Friends? Purpose? Goals? Confidence? The crew weighs in with some heartfelt responses. Joe Stanek (@joe_gameday) sat in as guest host on this one, along with Mike, Nico (@nicoflores83kg), and Elexa (@nanoo31).____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

We’re still on a production break for a couple of weeks or so due to a trip out of the country, so we’re revisiting some valuable episodes from the beginning (and original format) of the show.We know that heat and cold shock proteins form in the body in reaction to changes in temperature, but what do they do and should we be trying hard to get them?• How much do you need to change your body temperature to get a reaction?• What, if anything, are cryo- chambers good for?• Is it enough to just get hot or do you need to moving (like doing hot yoga)?• When in a training cycle should you use them?Dr. Andy Galpin joins us again as expert for this discussion. Andy is a tenured Professor in the Center for Sport Performance at CSU Fullerton, and holds a PhD in Bioenergetics.Our ideas start at about 13:18.Andy starts dropping knowledge starting at around 18:00.Huge thanks to Andy for being our expert once again. You can find him on Instagram: @drandygalpin and his website at andygalpin.com (where there’s tons of free information). You can also find his book with Brian MacKinsey, “Unplugged” on Amazon.com____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!

Joe pitched this one from one of his followers: You can lift anyway you want, but you can’t compare your lifts to anyone else’s if they are not to the same standard. Can you really compare lifts across federations or different equipment standards? Are squats with wraps comparable to squats with sleeves? Are deadlift bars and stiff bars THAT different in terms of weight lifted? Joe Stanek (@joe_gameday) sat in as guest host on this one, along with Mike, Nico (@nicoflores83kg), and Elexa (@nanoo31).____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits!Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____

We’re still on a production break for a couple of weeks or so due to a trip out of the country, so we’re revisiting some valuable episodes from the beginning (and original format) of the show. (Plus, you get to hear us to an ad read we didn’t have time to cut out.)Here’s the original description of this episode:Friends, dates, relationships…all pretty essential to most of us, right? But a lot of us suck at finding good places to meet potential partners.We asked Tripp Kramer to help us help you conquer this issue. Tripp is an internationally known dating coach and founder of Tripp Advice, a men's dating advice company. He is also the creator of the popular YouTube channel "Tripp Advice," which teaches men how to become more attractive to women and the host of his own weekly podcast entitled "How To Talk To Girls."Here are some of our thoughts on the question:Are some places too tacky and obvious (meat markets)?Should bars be off your list?Is the gym actually a good place or is everybody too sweaty and gross?Are there activities that are more likely to result in good conversation?Is it better to go where there the MOST opportunities or the BEST opportunities?While we focused on the specific question of guys meeting girls, much of the advice also works for getting out of your shell and meeting new people -- period.You can find Tripp on Instagram @@trippadvice____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.

Is listening to a book on audio the same thing as reading the words with your eyes? Is there a downside to only listening? There’s more disagreement on this than you might think. Joe Stanek (@joe_gameday) sat in as guest host on this one, along with Mike, Nico (@nicoflores83kg), and Elexa (@nanoo31).____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

We’re on a production break for a couple of weeks or so due to a trip out of the country, so we’re revisiting some valuable episodes from the beginning (and original format) of the show. (Plus, you get to hear us to an ad read we didn’t have time to cut out.)Here’s the original description of this episode:We’ve heard for years that WHEN you eat can make a huge difference. We’ve also heard that WHEN we eat carbs…or fat…or protein…can be critical to making the biggest gains, or losing the most weight, etc. What’s the actual story?Here are the additional angles we came up with:Are there time windows for maximizing gains (or weight loss)?Does timing matter more for some people than others?Do you need to build your life – and your workouts --- around your meals?Can you eat so much protein at one time that your body can’t use it all?Will too much protein damage your kidneys?Dr. Mike Israetel comes in at about 11:21 to set the record straight.A cofounder of Renaissance Periodization, Dr. Mike Israetel​ holds a PhD in Sport Physiology from East Tennessee State University. Formerly a professor of Exercise and Sport Science in the School of Public Health at Temple University in Philadelphia, Mike has taught several courses, including Nutrition for Public Health, Advanced Sports Nutrition and Exercise, and Nutrition and Behavior.You can find him on IG @rpdrmike and on Twitter: @drmikeisraetelWe kick off the show talking about engaging an audiences, genetics, and stretch goals. ____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Simple enough question, and yet... If you’re in a relationship, is texting with someone that it’s possible that you could be in a relationship with at some point considered cheating? Joe Stanek (@joe_gameday) sat in as guest host on this one, along with Mike, Nico (@nicoflores83kg), and Elexa (@nanoo31).____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/!Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Netflix recently dropped the South Korean fitness competition series “Physical 100.” The premise? Collect 100 athletes — mostly Korean and all Korean-speaking — from many different disciplines and put them through multiple rounds of strength and endurance events. The final winners, male and female, take home about $250K (US). If this sounds anything like CrossFit it’s really not, but do the events really measure who is most fit? And is the editing style going to make us jump out a window? Listen and found out!____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.

Deadlift bar or stiff bar? Twenty-four hour weigh-in or two-hour weigh-in? Owned by lifters or owned by an individual? These are some of the factors on which lifter preferences differ. What do we, or more specifically Avi Leiu, think would be her perfect fed to compete in? How would you answer this question? Let us know on our Discord!You can find Avi on Instagram at @avi.lieu.____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.

Our own Avi Lieu took the top spot in the women’s professional portion of the USAPL meet at the Arnold! But what does it really mean to be a pro? What could federations do to make the pro rank more prestigious and more financially feasible?Avi and her coach, Michael Kieu, joined us in Columbus the day after the meet to break down these questions, and to reflect on the experience of preparing for and winning the meet. You can find Avi on Instagram at @avi.lieu and Michael at @kieulogram. ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Do athletes perform better when they’re not in a relationship? Niko and Elexa joined us again, for this particularly relevant question. You can find Nico at @nicoflores83kg on Instagram and TikTok and Elexa at @nanoo31 on Instagram and TikTok ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Recorded in Columbus, Ohio, the day after the Arnold. We’re joined by bodybuilding coach and huge (3 million!) TikTok influencer, JP Gallardo, another coach and social media content creator, Evan Holmes, and Hoka shoe designer John Nealon. Barbell Brigade’s Nadeem Hamidy also joins near the end. We talked about the years of preparation that goes into becoming an overnight success, the best ways to gain the kind of experience needed to become a good coach, and the breaking news about Elon Musk weighing on a transgender athlete’s winning case against the USAPL.You can find JP Gallardo on Instagram and TikTok @jpgcoaching. Evan Holmes is @even_holmes_ on those platforms. John Nealon is @j_kneelawn and Nadeem is @nadeemhamidy, both on IG. ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Slipping back into a Topic Thunder episode. The question: Are Jordan Ones the most overrated shoe? Niko and Elexa joined us for this one. You can find Nico at @nicoflores83kg on Instagram and TikTok and Elexa at @nanoo31 on Instagram and TikTok ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

The Netflix documentary series “Full Swing” takes a look at the struggles players go through to end up in the money on the PGA tour, and a new alternative format where everyone gets paid regardless of performance. There was a time when golfers just played golf to prepare to compete at golf. That time has passed. Now, most players are in great shape and are always looking for an edge. That edge is important because it’s difficult to make big money…and keep making it…for most players on the PGA Tour. The LIV Tour, launched by the official wealth fund of Saudi Arabia, has offered a different competitive field and compensation structure for the players who are invited and decide to join. They, however, face questions about whether they will be blackballed from future PGA events, and face moral dilemmas arising from the problematic, and sometimes horrifying, actions of the Saudi Royal Family. Our friend (and huge golf fan) Dean Saddoris joined us for this one. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

One good question from our Discord (goodcompanydiscord.com): Bronzielocks asks: Would you ever try doing strongman? That would be a cool series to see, kind of like when you did the oly series. Our best-est friend from north of the border joined us for this one. Omar has been a force in YouTube fitness for years, and last year he led “Ancient Workouts with Omar” in association with the History Channel. You can find Omar on YouTube at @OmarIsuf ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Our best-est friend from north of the border joins us in studio. Omar has been a force in YouTube fitness for years, and last year he led “Ancient Workouts with Omar” in association with the History Channel. We launched into a broad discussion about the things we didn’t know about training 10 years ago, whether not enjoying something that’s “classic” make you a tasteless idiot, and whether there are really any weight classes in the jungle. You can find Omar on YouTube at @OmarIsuf ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdq Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

We’re still in Topic Thunder mode this week. Our panel tries to find agreement (or not) with the suggestion that training deadlifts the risks if you’re not a competitive powerlifter. Are they actually dangerous? Or are there just better ways to spend your training time? Joe Stanek and Nico Flores of Gameday Barbell joined us in addressing this question. You can find Joe on TikTok @joegameday and Nico @nicoflores83kg on Instagram and TikTok ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdq Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

We’re still in Topic Thunder mode this week. Our panel unpacks this hot take, “Hook grip Is unreliable and may be overrated.” Hook grip is a bandwagon that most lifters jump on at one time or another to try to up their deadlift. Is that a mistake? Joe Stanek and Nico Flores of Gameday Barbell joined us in addressing this question. You can find Joe on TikTok @joegameday and Nico @nicoflores83kg on Instagram and TikTok ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdq Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Our panel takes on a couple of related questions about the giant meet we just ran from members of our Discord: AR17 asked, “What do you believe was the most under (over) looked aspect of running/ prepping a meet?” Keith Honeycutt asked, “What all did you learn from hosting this massive USAPL meet? What did you do right? What did you do wrong? Joe Stanek and Nico Flores of Gameday Barbell joined us in addressing this question. You can find Joe on TikTok @joegameday and Nico @nicoflores83kg on Instagram and TikTok ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdq Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

We just hosted a great big meet – maybe the largest local USAPL meet ever – and we’re beat so we’re slipping into Topic Thunder mode for a bit to recover our calm and our voices. Topic Thunder episodes are short, sometimes rant-filled, panel discussions about a listener-submitted topic. In this episode, we discussed whether powerlifting has become almost too predictable and jokey to grab attention on social media. Joe Stanek and Nico Flores of Gameday Barbell joined us in addressing this question. You can find Joe on TikTok @joegameday and Nico @nicoflores83kg on Instagram and TikTok ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdq Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

This week’s question from our Discord: EvilFern asked, “How important is having a mentor? Am I missing out by not having one? Feel like it's something that should happen naturally instead of seeking one out somehow.” Joe Stanek of Gameday Barbell joined us in addressing this question. You can find Joe on TikTok @joegameday ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdq Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.

Are we experiencing a plateau in the popularity of powerlifting? What happens if the sport falls off the social media radar? Will it still be able to attract young, new-to-the-sport competitors? Will the old guard lifters running federations be willing to pass the baton? Or will they be a source of toxicity that drives competitors, meet promoters, and sponsors away? Joe Stanek of Gameday Barbell joins us for this discussion. You can find Joe on TikTok @joegameday ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdq Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

This week’s question from our Discord: ArrogantFool asked, “Why do people use ground turkey instead of ground beef to lose weight when the macros and calories are nearly identical and there isn't a cost advantage?” We kinda misread this question in prep for this episode, so ground chicken got thrown in the mix as well. ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdq Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/!Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

In the time since we discussed this situation last week, the scandals of a particular powerlifting federation -- the USPA --have come into sharper focus. Pandora’s Box has been flung open, and there’s been a scramble to stuff the evil and suffering back inside. Where’s the line between holding an organization accountable for turning a blind eye to unspeakable acts and stirring an angry mob to chase Frankenstein’s monster with torches and pitchforks? (Are there any more metaphors we can muddle here?) Can organizations recover when called on the carpet for their lack of accountability? How are lifters supposed to react, and better yet, where should they lift? How much change can members truly expect if leadership changes but ownership remains the same? We have more questions than answers, but the questions bear discussion. Listener resources: That first IG post about the USPA ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdq Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Dean Saddoris is back to help us break down the first episode of the new Netflix documentary series “Break Point,” which documents up-and-coming tennis stars during the 2022 Grand Slam season.Gifted “bad boy” Nick Kyrgios and his play during the Australian Open is the focus of episode 1. He has no coach, only plays tennis nine or ten weeks a year, and has an explosive on-court personality. We explore whether some athletes are so gifted that coaching and consistent, disciplined practice might make them LESS successful. We kick off the episode with a conversation about a series of IG posts by @goob_u2 detailing scandals within the USPA and the federation’s unwillingness to deal with them. Dean Saddoris of Caffeine & Kilos is back for this discussion. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com Listener resources: Break Point on IMDB That IG post about the USPA____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdq Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore.

This episode is about reacting to a hot take that was sent to us: Most people are putting in such low effort in the gym, it’s a waste of time! What’s the right amount of effort for most people? Is any effort really better than sitting on the couch? Is any time in the gym really wasted? Our own Kyle Castro and Sebastian Brambila on Instagram join us for this one. Kyle’s on Instagram at @kyle.castroo and Sebastian at @sebastian_brambila . ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdq Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

We catch up with one of our favorite lifters from one of our favorite eras of powerlifting, Pete Rubish. We chat about adapting to drug-free lifting, how powerlifting has grown and changed in the last decade, and how it feels to no longer be one of the young, up-and-coming lifters. We also get Pete’s thoughts on three years of owning a gym, and what impresses him when evaluating young lifters in his gym. Pete’s on Instagram at @pete.rubish and his website koa-strong.com ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdq Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Not every gym member knows the unwritten rules…or follows the written ones. How should gym owners handle those situations? Our own gym manager Kyle Castro and lead trainer Avi Lieu join us for this one. Kyle’s on Instagram at @kyle.castroo and Avi on @avi.lieu. ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdq Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

What’s your go-to that perks up any meal? Mike thinks he has the ultimate answer. (He’s wrong. The correct answer not appearing in this episode is salt.) Our own Kyle Castro and Sebastian Brambila on Instagram join us for this one. Kyle’s on Instagram at @kyle.castroo and Sebastian at @sebastian_brambila . ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdq Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Balls and strikes in baseball may soon be called by “robot” umpires -- basically, technology that can give a more consistent strike zone. Should powerlifting meets be judged by similar technology? Our own Kyle Castro and Sebastian Brambila on Instagram join us for this one. Kyle’s on Instagram at @kyle.castroo and Sebastian at @sebastian_brambila . ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdq Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/!Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

This was recorded as a Friday episode, but since it’s a bit longer and we’re on a holiday break, we moved it to a Wednesday episode. This week’s question from our Discord: Frequent contributor Keith Honeycutt asked, “What are some unexpected changes you have had to make to the gym or your business model since opening the doors?” Our own Kyle Castro and Avi Lieu join us for this one. Kyle’s on Instagram at @kyle.castroo and Avi on @avi.lieu. ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdq Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits!Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

We’re in Topic Thunder mode for most of our episodes over the holiday break.What’s Topic Thunder? It’s the name of our roughly 10-minute “rant” show with a four-member panel who throw out as ideas as possible about a particular topic. Sometimes we’re serious, but mostly we’re not. We always have fun. This episode’s question is about random encounters and the weird things people say to or ask strangers. Our own Kyle Castro and Avi Lieu join us for this one. Kyle’s on Instagram at @kyle.castroo and Avi on @avi.lieu. ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdq Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits!Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

It’s the time of year that everyone is making resolutions. Maybe a better idea is to set goals.Resolutions sound like goals, but they’re really just things you want to change about yourself. They try to make a positive out of a negative personal trait or habit. Goals, on the other hand, are things you want to ACCOMPLISH. They’re not really bound to a specific year. They’re on whatever timeline you choose. But wouldn’t it be even better to decide what you want your legacy to be, and build your goals around that? Goals that support a legacy are more relevant than random ones. When you think about your legacy, what do you want the story of your goals – set, met, or even brilliantly failed – to be? Our own Kyle Castro and Avi Lieu join us for this one. Kyle’s on Instagram at @kyle.castroo, and Avi on @avi.lieu. ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdq Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

This week’s One Good Question comes from our Discord: Iced-T asks: “Why is it that I keep seeing people offer coaching but they have a coach themselves? No hate here just a good example, I have noticed Mike keeps referring to a coach since his latest push for a deadlift PR while he also just recently opened up applications for coaching of his own.” Maybe the better question is, what kind of progress can you make coaching yourself? ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdq Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Our friend and local gym (HyperThrive Athletics) owner, Joe Grinstain, got bored with powerlifting meets and decided to find something else to compete in. He chose running, and he recently qualified for the 2024 Boston Marathon. We talk about how he made the leap into marathons, and what his training, lifting, and nutrition look like. We kick it off with a topic from a previous episode. Why would anyone make a young kid do a wall sit so long that he’s in tears? What would that accomplish and why are people defending it on Mike’s TikTok? Also, Joe was the first one to even alert us about the existence of the Liver King, so we had to get his take on recent developments. He even had some inside scoop to share.You can find Joe in Instagram @coachjoehta. ____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

In fitness, in social media, in life period, there are some words we’re just sick of hearing. Do you have any? Like if we never heard the word “liver” again…____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Every December for the past few years, we’ve chosen an article from mainstream media that attempts to predict the next year’s fitness trends. Then, we discuss which one’s actually have a chance of happening, and which are repeats of previous years. This time, we take a similar article -- from actual fitness media that was published a year ago -- to see if any of them actually came true. ____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

This week’s question came from Avi’s social media. It went a little off the rails, but we had fun with it. You can find Avi on Instagram @avi.lieu. ____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Riffing on the YouTube expose by More Plates More Dates (which can be found here -- and our own view of the industry -- we cover some of the reasons why we never bought “Liver King” Brian Johnson’s “natty” claims in the first place. You shouldn’t have either, but it’s pretty easy to see the reasons that people want to. It’s also easy to see how protecting the natty lie becomes so critical, how entrepreneur influencers come to believe that how they look is the only reason people follow them, and how business and self-image eventually become the same thing. Avi Lieu joins us for this conversation. You can find Avi on Instagram @avi.lieu. ____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

We called our own 20-somethings, Sebastian and Avi, in to help us look at the most iconic Thanksgiving movie ever. Steve Martin and John Candy starred 1987’s Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. The film was written and directed by John Hughes, the writer/producer/director responsible for teen films like The Breakfast Club, and slapstick comedy juggernauts like Home Alone, and the National Lampoon’s Vacation. Does this slapstick holiday classic hold up? Is it still funny to later generations? What makes it funny and why does comedy seem to run in cycles. Did anyone else think there might be a dark, true crime twist at the end? Avi did. You can find Sebastian on Instagram @sebastian_brambila and Avi on Instagram @avi.lieu. ____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

This week’s question from our Discord:SilentKilr asks “How important are glute activation warmups prior to squatting and/or deadlifting?”Do you need them? Is your ass really asleep?____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Some people really struggle at this time of year. Why is it so difficult, and what specific things do experts recommend to help make things a little more tolerable? If you’re gripped by depression and experience suicidal thoughts, don’t hesitate in seeking help from professionals. In the US, the nationwide suicide prevention hotline is 988. Listener resources. Mayo Clinic article on season depression.____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

From 3SB Discord member msoli7:For Jim more so: As someone that pivoted from a traditional career into fitness/gym ownership/content creation what were the tradeoffs? Is there a best time in your life to do it or anything that specifically made you successful? For Mike along the same lines but if you did a 9-5 what could you see yourself doing?Our answers are probably NOT what you’d expect!____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

The Rhino himself, Stan Efferding, joins us to talk about weight training for kids, the simplicity of good diet, and the 10-year anniversary of the Backyard Meet of the Century. Was that meet the “ribbon cutting” on the age of raw powerlifting? You can find Stan at stanefferding.com____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

The audio for this episode is a bit rougher than normal. Check the opening note for explanation. We’re joined by Dean Saddoris and Kyle Castro to discuss…well…stuff. We review a high-top shoe commercial from 1986 and talk about the trajectory of athlete and influencer marketing. Dean describes an encounter with a killer wasp. Mike describes his somewhat acrobatic approach to that morning pee.You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com. Kyle’s on Instagram at @kyle.castroo .____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

This week only, One Good Question and our main episode are switching places. A deep-ish question from our Discord: Keith Honeycutt asked, “What are some small things that make your day better?”Kyle Castro helped us out with this one. Kyle’s on Instagram at @kyle.castroo .____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

A tough one from our Discord: JackFrost asked, “If you had to make a choice, would you rather be deaf or blind?”Avi Lieu and Kyle Castro jumped in on this one as well. You can find Avi on Instagram @avi.lieu and Tiktok @avi.lieu. Kyle’s on Instagram at @kyle.castroo.____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Our own Avi Lieu and Kyle Castro chop it up with us as ponder this and a few more questions. Is Ye smart, mentally ill, or both? Is using Melanotan worth having an orange dick? Does the Liver King have fake abs? Is being humble critical to good sportsmanship? Or is it ok to be a hot dog, and to publicly celebrate your victories? Is Conor McGregor’s trash talk overrated? Would Mike be a good dad?We had a lot of fun with this one. You can find Avi on Instagram @avi.lieu and Tiktok @avi.lieu. Kyle’s on Instagram at @kyle.castroo .____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

This week’s question from Discord:Mikexbull asked “As someone who wants to open a gym eventually - what do you think is the most important part of the planning? A lot of people concentrate on all the wrong things. What grade would we give ourselves when we look back at how we started? How do you keep from being too optimistic? Or too pessimistic? What are the “gears” of your business? ____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

We all make decisions based on the information we’re exposed to, the people around us, and what makes sense to us as individuals. In this episode, we discuss beliefs we’ve held during our time as lifters that have proven to be partially…or completely…wrong. Sometimes the “one right answer” has an expiration date we don’t see coming.____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

This week’s One Good Question from our Discord crew:Nwojjj asked: “What's a movie/documentary that doesn't have a sequel but you think it should?”Is this a “careful what you wish for” question? Are all the streamers asking this same question and will that steal our answers? ____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

As the NBA prepares to take the courts for the 2022-23 season, we take a look a new Netflix documentary about the 2008 US Olympic basketball team, Redeem Team. How much do coaches affect winning? How did a team full of NBA talent ever manage to lose on the world stage? Could anyone by Mike "Coach K" Krzyzewski have gotten this team on the same page? When Kobe Bryant entered a team whose chemistry had really already gelled, how did he overcome his reputation as a selfish player?More about the documentary here.____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

This week’s question from our Discord crew:Helios Grime asks, “How do you drink your coffee and why is your way the only correct way?”____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

This is a bit of a shorter episode, due to Jim’s laryngitis. Does music, maybe even specific music really make you lift better? We talk about what motivates us, and how and when to use external motivators like music, ammonia, or what ever does it for you.Listener resources:Research on music and liftingThird Street Barbell PlaylistSilent Mike Playlist Mike's Feel Good Playlist ____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

From our Discord, ArrogantFool asked, “Alan Thrall recently posted a video about why he doesn't do PEDs. What are your why's? Is there anything that would push you closer to doing PEDs?”Avi Lieu, a USAPL pro powerlifter, joins us again. You can find Avi on Instagram @avi.lieu and Tiktok @avi.lieu____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqSign up for our February USAPL meet. https://liftingcast.com/meets/mkbnzdv3k80y/rosterCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

There’s no dispute that working out once a week is better than not working out at all. But why does the media promote studies claiming that one workout a week is as effective multiple workouts a week? And how come these stories repeat in cycles year after year? Probably because some people want to believe them. We talk about not the substance of any of these studies, but what would the impact be if they were true. Also we talk about an approach to breath training that was once discounted, but is making sort of a comeback. Avi Lieu, a USAPL pro powerlifter, joins us again. You can find Avi on Instagram @avi.lieu and Tiktok @avi.lieuListener resourcesYet another SM post about working out once a weekA breathing device that might lower blood pressure.4-7-8 Breathing____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqSign up for our February USAPL meet. https://liftingcast.com/meets/mkbnzdv3k80y/rosterCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____

Say you could only have a home gym, and that home gym could only have three pieces of gym equipment. What would they be? How would you choose? Your favorite ones? Or the most versatile ones? Avi Lieu, a USAPL pro powerlifter, joins us again. You can find Avi on Instagram @avi.lieu and Tiktok @avi.lieuHave a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqSign up for our February USAPL meet. https://liftingcast.com/meets/mkbnzdv3k80y/rosterCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

For better or for worse, our brains let us believe a lot of things that aren’t true. One good example is the Mandela Effect – misremembering the facts around something in popular culture. We kick things off with a little quiz to see how affected we are by this phenomenon. We then shift into a discussion of another type of mental mistake. We’ve talked a bit on previous episodes about the Dunning-Kruger -Effect but never really tied it to issues in the fitness world. How many trainers argue for a specific method, exercise, diet, etc. – sure they’ve got it right – but in reality, they don’t know how little they really know. Avi Lieu, a USAPL pro powerlifter, joins us again. You can find Avi on Instagram @avi.lieu and Tiktok @avi.lieuListener resources:50 examples of the Mandela Effect.____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqSign up for our February USAPL meet. https://liftingcast.com/meets/mkbnzdv3k80y/rosterCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

This episode started as a part of our warmup conversation for Wednesday’s episode, and it ended up taking on a life of it’s own. Does organized religion install morality or is it already there? Which social structures actually create community? What role does lifting play in your life?Avi Lieu, a USAPL pro powerlifter, joins us for this discussion. You can find Avi on Instagram @avi.lieu and Tiktok @avi.lieu____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqSign up for our February USAPL meet. https://liftingcast.com/meets/mkbnzdv3k80y/rosterCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Did anyone think that in 2022 that someone would need to coin the term “bench depth?” The International Powerlifting Federation has imposed new performance rules on the competition bench press. Are they really that big a deal? Will that many people be affected? How hard are they going to be to enforce? And finally, which critics will they actually appease?Avi Lieu, a USAPL pro powerlifter, joins us for this discussion. You can find Avi on Instagram @avi.lieu and Tiktok @avi.lieu____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqSign up for our February USAPL meet. https://liftingcast.com/meets/mkbnzdv3k80y/rosterCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

One Good Question warrior from our discord, Keith Honeycutt asks if we’d rather give up Internet for one year or bathing. What does bathing really mean? Can you ask someone to do it for you? ____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqSign up for our February USAPL meet. https://liftingcast.com/meets/mkbnzdv3k80y/rosterCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

We wanted to spend a little time talking about some simple, actionable ways to be helpful if someone you know is struggling and may be suicidal. Check the article below for more. We kicked off with a discussion of good and evil in high fantasy shows like the current spinoffs of Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings. Then, we looked into the internet controversy around whether Harry Styles spit gum on Chris Pine at a recent film premier, and we looked at a powerlifting incident from the past where someone really did spit gum. Listener resources:Did Harry Styles spit on Chris Pine Bench press spitting gum incident.Veterans charity Jen Weiderstrom is working with. How to help prevent suicides. Sign up for our February USAPL meet.____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.

Here’s an interesting one from our Discord crew:msoli7 asked, “If you could see any movie remade with a different actor/actress what would it be (i.e. Titanic starring The Rock?”____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

This week we’re taking a look at one of the latest entries in the Netflix “Untold” documentary series. On September 11, 2012, Notre Dame football sensation Manti Te’o told various news outlets that his grandmother and his girlfriend had died on the same day. Some of that statement proved not to be true at all. His “girlfriend” was a person he’d never met and wasn’t at all dead. How did Te’o end up in this position? Was he naïve or calculating? Why did the media treat him more like a perpetrator than a victim? We kick it off with some reflections on changes made to this year’s CrossFit Games format. Dean Saddoris of Caffeine & Kilos is back for this discussion. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Nico Flores and Joe Stanek of Gameday Barbell (Austin, TX) helped us out with this one. Is one of them a cheater? Which is better? Overhead pressing or weighted push-ups?You can find Nico on Instagram @nicoflores83kg @nicoflores83kg and on TikTok @nicoflores83kg. Joe is @thejoestanek on Instagram and @joegameday on TikTok ____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Continuing our visit with the team from Gameday Barbell (Austin, TX), Nico Flores and Joe Stanek sit in to talk about the origins of their gym, theories about why some lifters are prone to injury, coaching philosophies, Ninja Turtles, and we break down how our past connects to a nickname that got hung on Joe.You can find Nico on Instagram @nicoflores83kg @nicoflores83kg and on TikTok @nicoflores83kg. Joe is @thejoestanek on Instagram and @thejoestanek on TikTok ____Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Tim Thibodeau (Gameday Barbell) and Nadeem Hamidy (Barbell Brigade) stuck around to help us with this question from our Discord:Keith Honeycutt asked: What would you pick to be your last meal if you were on death row?Is it about the food, where it comes from, or how it would make you feel? Nadeem definitely had the most unique solution overall. Nadeem is a long-time video producer for Barbell Brigade. Tim is one of the owners of Gameday Barbell (Austin, TX). You can find Tim on Instagram @timthebodeau and on TikTok @timmytimmadomeHave a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Tim and Nadeem join us to discuss the past, present, and future of fitness in social media. When was the golden age? Where are we going? Is TikTok really the future, and if so, how do we catch up to it? We also discuss how lifting videos lead both of them into both lifting and content creation.Nadeem is a long-time video producer for Barbell Brigade. Tim is one of the owners of Gameday Barbell (Austin, TX). You can find Tim on Instagram @timthebodeau and on TikTok @timmytimmadomeHave a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

This week’s question is a goody. EvilFern asked:Qualities you look for in people when assembling a team? Thinking more in terms of business/management. Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Inspired by a series of online polls ranking Yuri Belkin, Russ Orhii, and Dan Bell by the likes of Jonnie Candito and our friends at Massenomics, we decided to ask what might be a more important question. Who inspired or continues to inspire you? Comparisons among powerlifters who compete differently are tough. Comparisons among athletes who compete in different sports in different eras are also tough. But what really matters is how YOU connect to a particular athlete. We take a shot at answering these questions for ourselves. Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

This week’s Discord question:Ty asked: How do you balance your personal private life from Good Company/YouTube/social media/etc?We had a couple different takes on this question: How do we divide our time between work and business? How much of our private lives are we comfortable with sharing? Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Athletes who are “characters” are a lot more fun to follow. But how much is too much? CrossFit Games athlete Danielle Brandon appeared in a picture posted by CrossFit flipping the bird at her own promotional image. Many commenters reacted badly, claiming it was a bad look for the sport, but were they really reacting to her gesture or were they reacting to CrossFit’s recent search for identity amid organization upheavals and changes to competitive structure. Will a brand new CEO get the situation back on track and make the world safe for middle fingers? Dean Saddoris of Caffeine & Kilos is back for this discussion with some inside insight. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.comHave a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

A time travel question from our Discord. Eddydrizzle asked:If you could go back in time and bring back one trend (fitness or not) what would it be?Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

A recent picture of a shirtless, chunky Elon Musk has drawn a lot of conversation online, especially when compared to the equally shirtless, but lean and muscular super talent agent Ari Emanuel (he was the inspiration for the Ari Gold character in the series Entourage). Is it ok to fat shame the richest man in the world, or his he fair game? Or does he really not look that bad? And what about the weird combination mainstream BS and fringe-as-hell BS that Ari is supposedly using to be lean and low-key jacked at 61?We also fell into a healthy discussion about the myths surrounding foot health for all kinds of sports. You can find Joe on Instagram @coachjoehta. You can find Hyperthrive Athletics on IG at @hyperthriveathletics and at hyperthriveathletics.com.Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

A fun one from our Discord. Keith Honeycutt asked:What is something that never fails to make you laugh?Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Haven’t done one of these in a minute. What are our favorite chocolate and non-chocolate candiesWould Mike rather miss an open layup or get posterized for game winning point?What’s our most viewed piece of content…and which are we the most proud of?When is a good time for someone relatively new to lifting to start using accessories? We also discuss a recent survey about high-quality vs. “cheap but trendy” apparel – and we attempt to get to the bottom of the definition of a “power bottom”Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Listener Resources:Cheap vs. expensive survey.Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

The Friday question from our Discord:EvilFern asked: What's the most disrespectful thing you've seen happen in a gym? 🎙the-one-good-questionThe best story is something that didn’t even happen to us!Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

We take a look at the 2022 Netflix film “Hustle” starring Adam Sandler, Queen Latifa, and more NBA cameo appearances than maybe any movie ever. Can an aging basketball scout make an NBA star out of a street baller from Spain? Is this basketball Rocky? Or basketball Creed?Dean Saddoris of Caffeine & Kilos is back for this discussion. Mike kicks us off with a question: Is there any upside for a celebrity or athlete to discuss whether they’re natty or not? Why even bother to address steroids at all? You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.comListener resources. More about HustleHave a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Avi Lieu, who is a coach herself, is back to help us with this one.msoli7 from our Discord asked:What are some of the coaching cues you hate the most? or completely disagree with? 🎙the-one-good-questionWhich ones make no sense? Can a lifter really change much during a lift? Are there any cues who can help everyone? You can find Avi on Instagram @avi.lieuHave a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Like a lot of PL-based gyms, Third Street Barbell has a mixture of competitive powerlifters and regular folks concentrating on strength and fitness. We honestly didn’t expect to have a lifter earn a pro card this early in our history. At USAPL Mega Nationals in June, Avi Lieu placed fifth with a 430kg/948lbs total at 54.45kg / 120.04lbs bodyweight for a 507.86 DOTS coefficient. She hit a 152.5kg / 336.20lbs squat, 85kg / 187.39lbs bench press, and a 192.5kg/424.39lbs deadlift.We talk about the importance of lifting environment, good coaching, and learning to see yourself as a genuinely strong person. You can find Avi on Instagram @avi.lieuHave a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

This week’s question from our Discord: ArrogantFool asked:“What would your guys' ideal, non-intrusive, fan encounter in the wild?”We broadened this question to include how we try to act as fans. Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

After a break for illness and injury, we’re back in the studio to talk about our trip to USAPL Mega Nationals. Is there an opening for more high-profile powerlifting meets? Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

This episode completes our basic macro rewind trilogy with Eric Helms. This was the fourth episode of the show, but the third we recorded back in 2018. We’ll be back with brand new episodes next week.Original show notes:We spend a few minutes discussing the documentary “Transformer” about Janae Marie Kroczaleski…and our small part in it. We also discuss streaming services and how hard it is to get everything we want to watch in one place these days.Then, we jump into fat. We know that fat has the most calories per gram of the three macros, and that people on ketogenic diets eat a lot of it. Beyond that, we have a lot more questions:Why does fat make everything delicious?Is oil just liquid fat?Do you burn more fat when you eat more fat?Are there really good fats and bad fats?Eric Helms, PhD. helps us figure these things out.Our ideas about the question start around 12:45.Eric runs down the facts starting at around 19:13. Eric has a BS in fitness and wellness, an MS in exercise science, a second masters in sports nutrition, a PhD in strength and conditioning, and is a research fellow for AUT at the Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand.Huge thanks to Eric for being our expert. You can find him at 3DMuscleJourney.com, muscleandstrengthpyramids.com, and on Instagram: @helms3dmjHave a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Today’s ep is another episode. This time back to episode 2 of the show, We dive into some basic nutrition of facts about carbs. We were joined by the always awesome Eric Helms!Original show notes:Our second episode is a look at a second macronutrient: carbohydrates.After a quick discussion about the fact that we’re probably both HSP (Highly Sensitive People), we talk about some of our goals for the show and ways that you can get involved.We run down some of our basic “knowledge” about carbs, but were left with a few questions:Are some sugars better than others?If all sugars end with “-ose?”Do you sound like a douche if you use the term CHO?Then, we bring in Eric Helms, PhD. to help us get our facts straight. Before it’s over, he also warns of the dangers of “PubMed Ninjas.”Eric has a BS in fitness and wellness, an MS in exercise science, a second masters in sports nutrition, a PhD in strength and conditioning, and is a research fellow for AUT at the Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand.Our ideas about the question start around 12:47.Eric runs down the facts starting at around 24:27. Huge thanks to Eric for being our expert. You can find him at 3DMuscleJourney.com, muscleandstrengthpyramids.com, and on Instagram: @helms3dmjHave a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Today’s ep is a rewind back to episode 1, where we went looking for some basic facts about protein. We were joined by the always awesome Eric Helms!Original show notes:We’re kicking this new show off by asking seemingly basic questions about diet and nutrition. First up, “What is (dietary) protein anyway?"After a quick catch-up session, we talk through the “facts” of what we think we know about this question – which, of course raises even more questions like...How much protein do you really need?What’s a complete protein?How many essential amino acids are there?Then, we bring in Eric Helms, PhD. to give us the low down.Eric has a BS in fitness and wellness, an MS in exercise science, a second masters in sports nutrition, a PhD in strength and conditioning, and is a research fellow for AUT at the Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand.Our ideas about the question start around 10:10.Eric runs down the facts starting at around 20:25.Huge thanks to Eric for being our expert. You can find him at 3DMuscleJourney.com and on Instagram: @helms3dmjHave a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

This week’s question from our Discord: Keith Honeycutt asked:“(After 2 years of having Third Street up and running. Have you guys gotten to the membership count you expected or wanted to be at? Does the gym have a high Turnover of members?What’s one small thing you would have done differently in regards to the gym.”It’s really been more like a year and a half, and if you count “the world” opening back up, it’s been less than that. We tackled the questions anyway. Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

This is our first shot at taking a look at a huge box office hit (Top Gun – 1986) that Mike had never seen and combined that with the opportunity to watch its huge box office hit sequel (Top Gun – Maverick). Dan Stornaiuolo (@bigdan916) joined us to compare these fighter jock flicks. Is the new one actually better? Is there volleyball? Does a sports movie have to have sports to be a sports movie? Spoiler warning for both movies, but if you haven’t seen the first one 36 years after it was released we can’t really help you. Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

This week’s question from our Discord: “other_oswald” asked “Is there value for the average lifter in regularly visiting a chiropractor or is it a waste of money?”If you’ve done this, what did you feel you got for from it? Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Should there be more coordination around the timing of the biggest events in strength sports? Is there so little overlap among the different fan bases that it doesn’t matter? We also break down our thoughts on the different competitive formats of the sports. Mike starts us off with his quest to find something to make Greek yogurt more palatable. Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

This week’s question from our Discord goes like this: EvilFern asked: Does it get tiring answering the same fitness questions for years on end?Does basic fitness information ever really change? Is everyone just searching for a magic bullet? The ultimate hack? The One Weird Trick? As content creators, can we ever provide enough basic information for newbies? Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

We took on the sometimes confusing and stylistically odd documentary Tyson, about the life and career of the often confusing and confounding former heavyweight boxing champ, Mike Tyson. Seemingly shot and edited in a style intended to convey just what goes on inside the head of one of the most electric sports figures ever, we break down what worked and didn’t work for us. More than anything, we were fascinated by all the crazy things he accomplished through brute strength and sheer force of will. Dean Saddoris of Caffeine & Kilos is back for this discussion. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.comListener resources:Because there are so many Tyson docs, this is the one we watched. Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Before we get into this week’s question, we kick around some theories about why we keep seeing videos of broken wrists and arms during squats. This Friday’s question from our Discord -- coco5294 asked: “When is it necessary to start wearing a belt?”Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

This question came from our Discord, but we decided it needed more of an answer than we usually give our Friday “One Good Question” episodes. We decided to give it some room to breathe. Lucas F. asked: “People often have an affinity for strength training because progress is objectively measurable via the weight on the bar, versus subjectively when it comes to physique progress. But are stark, concrete numbers a double-edged sword? Can plateauing -- and a lack of objective progress -- coupled with a sole focus on numbers -- actually disenfranchise people during their lifting journey? How can one effectively balance the journey vs the destination in terms of goal setting and sustaining long-term interest in strength?So, are objective goals easier to focus on than subjective ones? Or can they discourage you and actually mess with your head even more? Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdqCheck out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

This Friday’s question from our Discord is about whether you really need access to weights all the time to keep your gains. KikiSpaghetti asked: “Ok. Imagine you've been practicing heavy lifting for months, but you have to stop. You do, however, have a set of 10 lbs. dumbbells and some bands, Ring Fit and Just Dance at home. If you can't do progressive overload with weight, can you maintain or even continue to progress with reps alone??”Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

We’re joined by our buddy and fellow Sacramento gym owner Joe Grinstain. Do some coaches make programing changes just to “leave their mark?” Is their worst transgression programming exercises they don’t really believe in just because they’re popular on social media? And speaking of social media, do gurus like Liver King believe their own BS? We kick it off with a discussion about whether Twitch is dying, and how to screw up a business relationship with an influencer or athlete by not getting their name right.____You can find Joe on Instagram @coachjoehta. You can find Hypertrive Athletics on IG at @hyperthriveathletics and at hyperthriveathletics.com.____Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!____Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

This Friday’s question from our Discord goes deep. Keith Honeycutt asked: “What are you afraid people see when they look at you?”This has to be the most interesting and challenging question so far.Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com____Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

We always think of him as “70s Big Mike” but Dr . Mike Battaglino is an educator for the Department of the Air Force, Air Force Veteran, Adjunct Professor and competitive Strongman. Throughout these varied endeavors, Mike has become passionate about raising awareness for mental health, particularly for men where help-seeking is often stigmatized. In addition to raising money and awareness for Movember each year, Mike also facilitates the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training course and Mental Health First Aid.We dive into the question of how to have the difficult discussions about mental health, Resilience Training, and how negative attitudes towards men’s emotions have actually undermined mental health. You can find Mike on Instagram @drmikebattaglinoHave a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us!Join our Discord for free! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP!Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.comHosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd).Produced by Jim McDonaldProduction assistance by Sam McDonald.Theme by Aaron Moore.Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

This Friday’s question from our Discord comes from our buddy, Big Tanner Baird of Massenomics: "Top 3 people you’d like to see drop into 3SB for a day pass and get a training session in with. Living or dead.” We brought in our whole gym crew to answer this one: Our literal unpaid intern Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) and our gym manager, Kyle Castro @kyle.castroo.  Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Some athletes really don’t want to quit. We all know powerlifters who should probably hang it up due to age, injuries, and the chaos the sport can bring to their “real” lives. Tom Brady can’t stay retired. Joe Montana had to hear from Bill Walsh that he couldn’t be a 49er anymore. Albert Pujols is still playing major league baseball in his 40s. And Tony Hawk is still rolling in his 50s. This highly-rated documentary gives some idea of what still drives him, how he stepped on a skateboard for the first time, and his formative role in the history of professional skateboarding. Is he the "good" guy we all think he is? When you’re no longer able the be the athlete you were, who are you? Dean Saddoris of Caffeine & Kilos joined us in this discussion and brought his personal knowledge of the sport and its impact on fashion, gaming, and culture. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com. Listener Resources: Article from The Ringer on Tony Hawk and this documentary.   Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

This Friday’s question from our Discord. Lucas F. asks: Do advancements in tech/equipment diminish records broken after them, or even erode the standards of powerlifting? (I.e. Dan G breaking the dl record on a Kabuki dl bar that's longer and whippier than historical dl bars.) I'm sure similar conversations happened as gear (suits & shirts) advanced in the old days Dean Saddoris of Caffeine & Kilos joined us in this discussion. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com, along with our gym manager, Kyle Castro @kyle.castroo. Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)  

Tony Gentilcore is a personal trainer & strength and conditioning coach located in Boston, MA. He's a co-founder of Cressey Sports Performance where he worked as coach from 2007-2015. He now owns and operates his own gym in Brookline, MA called CORE Collective where he helps regular people re-connect with their inner athlete. His writing has been featured on reputable publications such as T-Nation.com, the PTDC, and Men's Health. In addition, he's the co-author of The Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint and eats a disgusting amount of cheese on a weekly basis. Tony and Jim met in the early 2000s on the T-nation forums…and of course in person. Neither had any idea at the time that they’d someday be reaching audiences around the world with training and fitness information. Mike read many of Tony’s articles when he began to study lifting. We had a great opportunity to both catch up and compare notes on the current state of coaching. Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media (or our discord) and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If we pick your question for a Friday show, you’ll get a prize from 3sb.co! Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdq Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

This Friday’s question from our Discord. Steve Waffleirongym asks: What is a really weird meal or meal combination you guys absolutely love? Garlic in ice cream? Peanut butter on a hamburger? What have you guys got? Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com

The past few years have seen the untimely deaths of several pro bodybuilders. Are the rewards of any extreme “sport” worth the sacrifices, and indulgences, that competitors put themselves through? Has something fundamentally changed about steroid use the top levels that have made the lifestyle more dangerous? We also discuss the challenges of airline travel in the post-pandemic world. Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media (or our discord) and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If we pick your question for a Friday show, you’ll get a prize from 3sb.co! Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdq Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)  

This Friday’s question from our Discord. Eddydrizzle asks: Is there really an issue with “cookie-cutter” programming? For example, your programming methodology is working up to a single at whatever RPE is prescribed per lifter, and then you have backdowns with sets/reps/RPE varying per lifter as well. Accessories afterward vary as well, depending on the weak points of the lifter. Since the sets/reps/RPE are all customized to each individual lifter, is it really still a “cookie-cutter” program?   Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

We reflect some on the history of this show and chat about the nearly 400 combined podcast episodes we’ve done together. In addition to a few other topics, we get into the value of coaching relationships and why Mike doesn’t coach anymore, and how friction in business relationships is actually a good thing. Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media (or our discord) and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If we pick your question for a Friday show, you’ll get a prize from 3sb.co! Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdq Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Another great Friday question from our Discord. Lucas Franco asks: How important/ over-hyped is "weak-point" training and do people/coaches over-obsess and misdiagnose them when the solution may be to just get stronger? That being said, when targeting weak points, do you look at the movement or the muscle for additional training (i.e. more triceps training for a weak bench lockout vs partial ROM via pin/board presses as a movement)? Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

As with (pretty much) any story, the Chris Rock/Will Smith incident has more than one side. But does any of it matter beyond being an ugly incident in a crappy telecast of the Oscars? Does anyone bat an eye if the same thing happened in a bar on Saturday night? How many of us knew that Jada had alopecia and Chris Rock had Non-Verbal Learning Disorder going in? We try to take a look at what’s actually seems to be behind the actions and reactions. To what extent are celebrity's lives fair game? Then we talk about some of the things that may make up the legacy of Louie Simmons, in light of his passing last week. Listener Resources Chris Rock and NVLD Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media (or our discord) and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If we pick your question for a Friday show, you’ll get a prize from 3sb.co! Join our Discord for free! https://discord.com/invite/XVvJ5eNzdq Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)  

We got what was really a cluster of fun (and related) questions from Keith Honeycutt on our Discord: (See link below to join.) Will time travel ever be possible? Would you want to travel in time? When would you like to visit? If you could have lunch with anyone in the world alive or dead who would it be? (Excluding family and friends that have passed.) If time travel is possible in the future wouldn’t we already know in the present…or would we? Would you want to interact with a person from the past, or just observe how they really were in their environment? _____ RIP Louie Simmons. The strength world owes him a debt we cannot repay.  _____ Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

We’re not strongman competitors or boxers for that matter, but we do pay attention to what moves the needle on awareness of strength sports in the general population. On March 19, 2022, Hafþór Björnsson, the 2018 World’s Strongest Man met Eddie Hall, the 2012 World’s Strongest Man in a boxing exhibition streamed for free around the world. (Spoiler: Hafþór won by unanimous decision.) Both men state that they have retired from WSM competition, but do their actions still have an effect on the popularity of the sport? What did they gain personally if the purse for the event was donated to charity? Will the public think of strongman competitors as capable of performing in multiple sports? Due to injuries and the pandemic, this fight has been postponed for about a year and a half. Did the delay have an impact on the hype? Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media (or our discord) and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If we pick your question for a Friday show, you’ll get a prize from 3sb.co! Join our Discord for free! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)    

Another good question from our Discord. (See link below to join.) User “DrillPressed” asked if it was better to be confident and wrong or hesitant and right? And how do those states apply to the “fake it ‘till you make it” mindset? If you wait until you know exactly what you’re supposed to do, will you ever get started? Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Is there any science behind all the little things we habitually do before a big lift, a tough training session, a meet, or any other kind of performance? Do they help keep us calm, make us more likely to succeed, or better able to handle failure? We kick things off with a spirited discussion about olive oil, and episode 2 of Winning Time. Listener resources: Why Rituals Work. More about Winning Time here. Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com Join our Discord for free! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)  

Why do some pro athletes end up doing silly exercises with coaches whose qualifications seem mostly revolve around their social media following? Is it clout-seeking? Is it boredom with more conventional programs? This question came from a member of our 3SB discord, and we take our best shot at breaking it down. Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. If your question is picked, you’ll get something special from us! Join our Discord for free! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

The “Showtime” era of the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s probably saved professional basketball and created the NBA as we know it today. The sport was quickly falling out of the mainstream of American sports conscience. CBS was delaying the broadcast of games, and was thinking about dropping coverage altogether. Basketball was just boring. We took a look at the first episode of the 10-part HBO series Winning Time. This episode details the Jerry Buss’s purchase of the team, and the drafting of Earvin “Magic” Johnson. We continue to ponder the question, “What makes a sport commercial (and exciting) enough for TV?” We kick it off by talking about the Slap Fighting Championship, and other competitions at the Arnold Sports Festival this past weekend. Will we ever go back? Listener resources: More about Winning Time here. Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com Join our Discord for free! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)  

Piggybacking on our previous episode where we took a 300 question personality assessment, we reflect on how different personality traits may influence how people train (and live their lives). Is it possible to change aspects of your personality by changing how you train, or vice versa? Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Listener resources Take the same free personality assessment that we took. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our brand new podcast website: 50percentfacts.com Join our Discord for free! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)  

So last year we took a test to see if either of us is a sociopath. We came out OK on that one, so we thought we’d give a full, 300 question personality assessment a go. No, not the Myers-Briggs. This assessment is from Personalityassessor.com and was developed by Nathan W. Hudson, an assistant professor of psychology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. The assessment measures five aspects of personality: extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness. We share our own results as we work through all the facets that make up these five characteristics. How accurate do we think the test is? And how do we think we might have changed over time? Can you decide to change your personality? Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Listener resources Take the same free personality assessment that we took. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Join our Discord for free! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)    

We asked you for suggestions for a single question you’d like to hear us cover in one shorter episode. @arrogantfool asked us on Instagram, “How, as a dad who lifts, should we approach getting our kids under the bar? 'force' them? Just encourage?" We try to break this question down and offer up some strategies. Based on our experience, it starts with crossing your fingers… Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Listener resources Take the same free personality assessment that we’re taking and talking about in our next episode here! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Join our Discord for free! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Specifically, why does the general public get so excited about the bench press record? We kick around this question in light of the recent 804 lb. training press by Danial Zamani. We talk about being present for Eric Spoto’s 722 lb. recording-breaking press almost 9 years ago…in the very building where we are sitting as we record. We also discuss how fucking amazing Euphoria is this season, talk about an episode we’re planning about how rituals affect performance, and plot some coverage of the dramatic series about the LA Lakers “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty.” Have a question for us? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion. Listener resources Danial Zamani’s press. Eric Spoto’s 722 lb. press. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Join our Discord for free! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Are big bulks or big cuts worth it? Will you get what you want out of them or do they (almost) always go bad. And if you’re on a bulk, how many glizzies can you eat in 48 hours? We throw out some opinions on this and share some ideas about sticking to extreme diets in general. Dean Saddoris of Caffeine & Kilos joined us in this discussion. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com, along with our gym manager, Kyle Castro @kyle.castroo. Join our Discord for free! Click it now! Invites expire! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)  

A grab bag of topics, including conversation about a new study linking moderate, “short term” calorie restriction and its impact on life span and “health span.” We also take a look at a motorized lunch box/ice chest that will follow you around so you don’t have to carry it, rate the Super Bowl halftime, and stand in judgment of a workout video posted featuring the star of the new Reacher series, based on the Jack Reacher novels. Listener resources Calorie restriction article here The “lunch box” follow droid we talked about (not an ad – at least not one we’re getting paid for): @piaggiofastforward Corrections The new Reacher series is on Amazon, not Netflix. Kurt Angle is Jon Berenthal’s (The Punisher) uncle by marriage. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Join our Discord for free! (Invites expire) Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)      

Maybe the biggest fitness mistake is not committing to being fit, but what were the biggest mistakes we made once we made that commitment? Where did we waste our time/money/both? Listen and see if you did some of the same crazy stuff we did. Dean Saddoris of Caffeine & Kilos joined us in this discussion. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com, along with our gym manager, Kyle Castro @kyle.castroo. Join our Discord for free! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)  

Sam Schaefer is an adaptive and inclusive trainer, a fairly recent below-the-knee amputee – but and first and foremost, he’s an athlete. He shares the story of how he pushed himself forward through over nine years of constant, unrelieved pain, and how the decision to remove part of his leg was easier than most of us would think. Now, he now hopes to help shape how competitive organizations and the public perceive the special athletic gifts of adaptative athletes. You can find Sam on Instagram @samschaefer1 and he’s head trainer at CrossFit MetroEast in the St. Louis area. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Join our Discord for free! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Standing at the crossroads of the Super Bowl, the Winter Olympics, a few weeks from the NBA All-star game, and a likely delayed MLB season, this seemed like a good time to debate which sport is the most athletic. We came to a consensus pretty quickly on the most, but the next sports on the list are definitely open questions. Dean Saddoris of Caffeine & Kilos joined us in this discussion. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com, along with our gym manager, Kyle Castro @kyle.castroo. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

This discussion started with a basic question: If Olympic weightlifting is really leaving the Olympics, will a mass audience ever be able to watch it again, and will it even survive? This brought up a larger question: Which of the current (or future) underground sports would actually work on TV or streaming? This one got a little off the rails, but it was worth brainstorming what makes a sport interesting to the masses. Dean Saddoris of Caffeine & Kilos joined us in this discussion. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)    

Roadrunner -- A Film About Anthony Bourdain, was released in July of 2021. It documents the rapid rise of a middle-aged chef, turned writer, turned TV host who took us along as he sampled foods that most of us would never taste…in locations most of us would never see in person. Though he lived a successful life that many found people found inspiring, Bourdain took his own life. The film touches upon his lifeline battle with anxiety and depression and shows how a man who was idolized by many could inspire mixed emotions from the people closest to him. We wanted to cover this film because of the way it documents how his obsessions with drugs, food, travel, Jiu-Jitsu, and women acted as self-treatment for his mental health issues. And because we’re always curious about why certain people – who are fighting with demons of their own -- resonate with a broad cross-section of society. Dean Saddoris of Caffeine & Kilos joined us in this discussion. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com, along with our gym manager, Kyle Castro @kyle.castroo. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Due to some production scheduling stuff, we’re flipping the script this week and dropping a Topic Thunder episode on a Wednesday and a regular episode on a Friday. Is nothing sacred? And speaking of sacred, which sports should allow its athletes to use TRT while competing? Is it always cheating? Is there any way to truly monitor TRT to make sure the system’s not being gamed? Dean Saddoris of Caffeine & Kilos joined us in this discussion. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com, along with our gym manager, Kyle Castro @kyle.castroo. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

After our conversation with Garrett Fear in the previous episode, we kicked around some additional ideas about the viability of powerlifting as entertainment for “gen pop” audiences. We also talked about what we watched during our holiday break. Is anyone else finding Boba Fett boring? Join our Discord for free! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)  

Can the next generation of powerlifters (and powerlifting promoters) finally bring the audiences (and sponsor money) the sport has dreamed of? Garrett Fear thinks so, and he gives us some insight into how it might work. We kick it off with talk of PC vs console gaming and standup comedy. You can find Garrett on Instagram @notnotgarrettfear Join our Discord for free! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

If a sport requires a physical performance that is measured against other competitors, can bodybuilding really be a sport? Or is the actual sport in the preparation? Or is it more like a pageant or even a dog show? We’re totally unqualified to answer these questions, but that didn’t keep us from having opinions. Dean Saddoris of Caffeine & Kilos joined us in this discussion. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com, along with our gym manager, Kyle Castro @kyle.castroo. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)      

Full-length Wednesday episodes return next week!   As powerlifters, we've observed the impact that CrossFit has had on general fitness, weightlifting, powerlifting, etc. On balance, its influence has been pretty positive, right? So why did/do so many people hate and make fun of it?  Dean Saddoris of Caffeine & Kilos joined us in this discussion. C&K has been heavily associated with both CrossFit and weightlifting since the beginning of the brand, so it was great to get his perspective. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com, along with our gym manager, Kyle Castro @kyle.castroo. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)  

Which one thing do you think we’d be better off without? Is it a social media posturing? A training method? A useless supplement? Or is it just the ways that “fitness” is sold to us? Dean Saddoris of Caffeine & Kilos joined us in this discussion. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com, along with our gym manager, Kyle Castro @kyle.castroo. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

While the main show is on a holiday break, please enjoy this episode of our show, Topic Thunder.  How do people decide that they need a boost just to get through a workout? Are some too much and some not enough? What can you get from a pre-workout than you can’t get from a cup of coffee or a caffeine pill? Dan Stornaiuolo joined us in this discussion. You can find Dan on IG @stormcloud415, along with our gym manager, Kyle Castro @kyle.castroo. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Does it matter when you decide to set goals and make changes in your life? Should you keep your goals private until you’ve made some progress? Does stating your goals out loud more or less likely to keep pursuing them? Is any period of improvement worth it…even if you don’t meet your goals? Dean Saddoris of Caffeine & Kilos joined us in this discussion. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com, along with our gym manager, Kyle Castro @kyle.castroo. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

While the main show is on a holiday break, please enjoy this episode of Topic Thunder. Which four people have contributed the most to the current state of the fitness industry? Or what you enjoy about the industry? Who’s had the broadest impact, and who has meant the most to us? Dean Saddoris of Caffeine & Kilos joined us in this discussion. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com, along with our gym manager, Kyle Castro @kyle.castroo.   ____ Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! ____   Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)  

When did it become a thing to have specialized shoes for everything? Are flat shoes better than heeled shoes or vice versa? If you’re thinking about putting your Christmas money into lifting shoes…or you’ve got a really specific opinion…give this one a listen. Dean Saddoris of Caffeine & Kilos joined us in this discussion. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com, along with our gym manager, Kyle Castro @kyle.castroo. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

We partnered with Caffeine & Kilos to hold an unsanctioned deadlift meet at our gym. What did we find out that we didn’t know before? We’ve participated in running meets in the past, but this was our first shot at making it happen by ourselves. Shout out to Barbell Brigade and Vibe Health Bar for helping us sponsor prizes for this meet! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)  

We throw our minds back to our first ideas of what “fitness” meant when we were first exposed to it as kids. Was it gadgets like the Thighmaster? Was it Richard Simmons? Was it bodybuilding magazines in the supermarket? Oh, the nostalgia… Dean Saddoris of Caffeine & Kilos joined us in this discussion. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com, along with our gym manager, Kyle Castro @kyle.castroo. You can watch the documentary for free on YouTube. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

We’re taking our first jump into scripted film territory.   Will Smith stars as the father, and sometimes coach of, Venus and Serena Williams in this 2021 “definitely-not-a-documentary” biographical film. Does the film do justice to the amazing rise of the Williams sisters or is it mostly a Will Smith film awards-baiting vehicle?   Is the film sending a message about overbearing “sports parents” or does it draw a line about future stars getting too much too soon? Is their success a triumph over racial boundaries? Was some amount of their suffering engineered by their father?  How much dramatic license was taken here?   We take a close look at this largely well-received film and try to sort out our feeling about the intent versus the execution.   Dean Saddoris of Caffeine & Kilos joined us in this discussion. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com.   You can see this film at theaters and on HBOMax. ____ Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! ____   Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

MLB’s Hall of Fame recently voted on a slate of potential inductees from baseball’s “steroid era.” The game benefited from the performance of these players. Specifically, they helped bring enthusiasm and crowd back to the sport after a bitter work stoppage. Is it hypocritical for baseball to deny them enshrinement in the hall? What about other sports? Do any of them really want to police steroid use or would they really rather just capitalize on the players’ improved performance? We discuss the question, should steroids just be legal in sports? This is definitely an opinion-based episode, so don’t hold us too much to account for our knowledge (or lack thereof) of specific testing protocols in specific sports. Dean Saddoris of Caffeine & Kilos joined us in this discussion. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com, along with our gym manager, Kyle Castro @kyle.castroo. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)  

We take our year-end traditional look at what websites and bloggers project to be the top fitness trends for next year. Hybrid workouts, new wearables, outdoor workouts, and bringing (say it with us ) balance. How likely do we think these things are? Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)    

We recently (episode #155) accidentally posted the opening of an episode about chiropractors, stretching, and foam rolling with the body of an episode about fitness gimmick devices. Honest mistake, since they all fit into the broad category of interventions that you might decide to try as a lifter. Anyway, what we’re offering here is the episode about chiropractors, etc, that you haven’t heard paired with the intro you heard on episode #155. Immediately following is a repost of the body of episode #155 with its correct intro. It’ll all make more sense when you listen. Dean Saddoris of Caffeine & Kilos joined us in this discussion. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com, along with our gym manager, Kyle Castro @kyle.castroo. You can watch the documentary for free on YouTube. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

After some period of time away from the gym, how do you deal with the mental impact of being WAY off your PRs? Are meal replacements worth or it or a good idea? What have we learned that we didn’t know while making this show? What would we tell our younger selves if we had the chance? Is it a good time to start a gym? Is it normal to bleed from your butt after heavy squats? (Not the first time we’ve been asked this.) Our answers to these questions and more in this episode --  our first real Q & A in a while. Listener resources: An Instagram that will tear you up. The difference between yams and sweet potatoes. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)    

Does shaming actually motivate anyone? Why shame someone else anyway? And they really just shaming themselves? We talk through our thoughts. Dean Saddoris of Caffeine & Kilos joined us in this discussion. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com, along with our gym manager, Kyle Castro @kyle.castroo. You can watch the documentary for free on YouTube. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

It’s fitting that Rogue Fitness would decide to underwrite an expansive documentary on the life of Terry Todd -- a name known to many in the strength world for decades. As a lifter and coach, he was a formative presence in Olympic lifting, powerlifting, and strongman. In many ways, he helped define the industry. The documentary details his contributions through interviews with Larry Pacifico, Mark Henry, Bill Crawford, Bill Crawford, as well as Terry’s wife Jan, a champion lifter in her own right, and Terry himself. Terry passed away in 2018. Dean Saddoris of Caffeine & Kilos joined us in this discussion. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and at caffeineandkilos.com. You can watch the documentary for free on YouTube. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Is curling in the squat rack a huge break of gym etiquette or just a practical solution? Is loading the leg press up with every plate in the gym, five linebackers, and 7 cheerleaders a good move? Does training on an inflated half-sphere ever make sense? And is there a better drink holder than a reverse hyper?   Our friend and gym member Dan Storniuolo @stormcloud415 joins us, and our gym manager, Kyle Castro @kyle.castroo. You can check out the video version of this episode on Mike’s channel here. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald.  

In a bit of a mashup between a regular 50% Facts and one our shorter Topic Thunder episodes, we sat down with our friends from Caffeine & Kilos to take another swing the advantages and disadvantages of home gyms. We also hit on “do not disturb” on smart phones, the disappointment of “skipfree” portable CD players in the 90s, and announce our first big event, The North Pull! Meet information is here You can find Dean Saddoris on IG @deansaddoris.ck, and Danny Lehr on IG @danny_lehrn at and at caffeineandkilos.com. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore.      

Everybody loves peanut butter, or do they? Many people love it so much that they think it’s a great protein source, but it’s not relative to its calorie count. We talk about the allure of nut butters, what we like and don’t like, and which protein sources actually make more sense for someone on a diet. Our friend and gym member Dan Storniuolo @stormcloud415 joins us, and our gym manager, Kyle Castro @kyle.castroo. You can check out the video version of this episode on Mike’s channel here. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald.  

The Tillman Story: Documentary review Pat Tillman, who walked away from NFL millions to join the Army and was later killed, is a legendary heroic figure. What was the real story of his death by friendly fire? This documentary reflects his family’s efforts to find the truth and get the military and the government to admit to efforts to cover it up. Dean Saddoris of Caffeine and Kilos joins us in our review and reaction. You can find Dean on Instagram @deansaddoris.ck, and at caffeineandkilos.com. We kick it off with some planning for our next film, a strongman documentary produced by Rogue, and the IPF’s vote to expel the USAPL and the naming of its replacement. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore.

We discuss the rights and wrongs of trying to get dates, or even talk to strangers, at the gym. Can you do it without throwing up red flags? Are there times that it’s ok, and times it’s really not ok? Our friend and gym member Dan Storniuolo @stormcloud415 joins us, and our gym manager, Kyle Castro @kyle.castroo. You can check out the video version of this episode on Mike’s channel here. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

We’re lucky to have not one, but two physical therapy docs as members of our gym. We sat down with Emily Snee and Dominic Violi to discuss what it really takes to get back in the game, and the stuff that’s probably just a waste of time and money. It didn’t shock us, and it shouldn’t shock you, that they’re fans of some folks we’ve interviewed in the past and that their approach emphasizes the basics. Why does most physical therapy revolve more around treatment interventions than actual movement? To what extent does patient expectation end up driving treatment? Does every movement pattern have to be perfect for you to get stronger, or does your body know more about how you need to move than the gurus do? Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)    

We discuss which strategies for dealing with the aches and pains of both lifting and life have worked for us. We’ve seen both scams and actual relief. We’re joined on the panel by Dean Saddoris of Caffeine and Kilos, and our gym manager, Kyle Castro. You can find Dean on Instagram @deansaddoris.ck, and at caffeineandkilos.com. Kyle’s at @kyle.castroo. You can check out the video version of this episode on Mike’s channel here. Listener resources: Layne Norton on blood flow restriction training. Andy Galpin on Cold and Heat shock proteins. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)  

In this episode, we discuss the final chapters of The Way Down. These episodes cover the impact on the lives and families of the cult surrounding the Remnant Fellowship and diet guru Gwen Shamblin Lara. Many former members detail the extent to which the cult controlled their behavior and actions, and their struggle to get free of its grip. Check out this article for some good coverage of the issues around leaving a cult. Quick recap of the series: The author of the bestselling diet book The Weigh Down, Gwen Shamblin, appeared on the national TV talk shows and sold her weight loss philosophy to people across America. Especially churchgoers. By 1999, she had essentially started her own Tennessee church (or cult depending on your point of view). Her background as a nutritionist brought some actual common sense to the diet, but when she put herself forward as a prophet who equated devotion to diet as devotion to God she stepped into dangerous and manipulative territory. Watch the trailer for The Way Down: God, Greed and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin here. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

We take a lighthearted look at the world’s most minimal gym wear. Are stringer tanks a fashion statement or just a way to get around the rules that make you wear a shirt in the gym? Should they be banned, or should only some people be allowed to wear them? We’re joined on the panel by Dean Saddoris of Caffeine and Kilos, and our gym manager, Kyle Castro. You can find Dean on Instagram @deansaddoris.ck, and at caffeineandkilos.com. Kyle’s at @kyle.castroo. You can check out the video version of this episode on Mike’s channel here: Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald.

The author of the bestselling diet book The Weigh Down, Gwen Shamblin, appeared on national TV talk shows and sold her weight loss philosophy to people across America. Especially churchgoers. By 1999, she had essentially started her own Tennessee church (or cult depending on your point of view). Her background as a nutritionist brought some actual common sense to the diet, but when she put herself forward as a prophet who equated devotion to diet as devotion to God she stepped into dangerous and manipulative territory. We take a close look at part one of the five part HBO Max docu-series about this religious diet cult and discuss how elements of popular diet movements leave participants open to being controlled and taken advantage of. Why are people so eager to believe? Why do some diet gurus make a heel turn into being cult leaders? And what qualifies as a cult anyway? Watch the trailer for The Way Down: God, Greed and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin here. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald.  

In this mini-episode, we share are thoughts and experiences with lifting in home gyms versus commercial gyms.  The pandemic forced a lot of people into home gym situations. Some people hated it, while others joined the ranks of long-time home gym lovers What’s missing when you lift at home? And what makes it better than lifting away from home? We’re joined on the panel by Dean Saddoris of Caffeine and Kilos, and our gym manager, Kyle Castro. You can find Dean on Instagram @deansaddoris.ck, and at caffeineandkilos.com. Kyle’s at @kyle.castroo. You can check out the video version of this episode on Mike’s channel here: Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald.

To what extent is “canceling” someone in 2021 just a way to take someone off the board? Does intent matter? And can people really be educated/rehabilitated? We take a look at the recent scandal around former Raiders’ head coach/GM John Gruden’s emails and his hurried resignation. We kick it off with a discussion history of using nonsense words in music, and we’re led down the rabbit hole on a site with the Myers Briggs personality profiles of celebrities. Listener resources: September by Earth Wind and Fire. Explanation of Myers Briggs types. Take your own Myers Briggs You can check out the video version of this episode here. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald.

Welcome to another short Friday episode of the show we’re now calling “Topic Thunder with the Gossip Boyz” (subject to change). In this episode, we discuss not so much whether organic food is better but whether we should pay any attention to “influencers” on either side of the issue. We’re joined on the panel by Dean Saddoris of Caffeine and Kilos, and our gym manager, Kyle Castro. You can find Dean on Instagram @deansaddoris.ck, and at caffeineandkilos.com. Kyle’s at @kyle.castroo. You can check out the video version of this episode on Mike’s channel here: Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald.

Dipping back into a kind of causal series we’ve been doing about common words are phrases that we use all the time, but we may not entirely understand: Do you really want someone to “break a leg?” Does “getting the upper hand” have anything to do with a knob? Why is a “master of none” sometimes a good thing? Does “sleep tight” have anything with cutting your guest some slack? Is “close but no cigar” somehow about carnivals? Is there slapping involved with being “brand spanking new?” We kick off the episode with some discussion of news reports about the identity of the Zodiac Killer, and murder mystery vs. true crime. Our friend and gym member Dan Storniuolo joins us for the hell of it. You can find Dan on Instagram @stormcloud415. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald.

Welcome to another short Friday episode of the panel discussion segment we’re now calling “Topic Thunder with the Gossip Boyz” (subject to change). In this episode, we take on the “No Fap” trend which has guys (and maybe girls?) give up masturbation in order to gain more focus, get stronger, etc. We’re joined on the panel by Dean Saddoris of Caffeine and Kilos, and our gym manager, Kyle Castro. You can find Dean on Instagram @deansaddoris.ck, and at caffeineandkilos.com. Kyle’s at @kyle.castroo. You can check out the video version of this episode on Mike’s channel here: https://youtu.be/NUp_FhMxI3c Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald.

Hey, powerlifting-specific content! We asked one of our gym members who had just competed in his first meet, the USAPL California State Championships, to talk about the experience. We also share our personal experiences and best practices. What should your last week of training look like? Do you need a handler? How should you warm up? Who do you give your attempts to? What should you eat? How do you keep your concentration during the meet day chaos? You can find Sebastian on Instagram @sebastian_brambila. You can check out the video version here: https://youtu.be/nE-yaTwl_rA Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald.

We wanted to share a side project that we’re working on. It’s a panel show that mostly relies on opinions – some outrageous, some insightful, and some just well…funny. All packed into roughly ten minutes. We’re joined on the panel by Dean Saddoris of Caffeine and Kilos, and our gym manager, Kyle Castro. You can find Dean on Instagram @deansaddoris.ck, and at caffeineandkilos.com. Kyle’s at @kyle.castroo. In this episode, we discuss to what extent people workout to attracted attention from the opposite sex…or respect from the same sex (or vice versa). You can check out the video version of this episode on Mike’s channel here: https://youtu.be/tmqAbRUITjo Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald.

We spend a couple of episodes talking about a couple of high profile (in their sports) transgender athletes through the lens of documentaries about their lives: “Transformer” about the life of powerlifter/bodybuilder Janae Kroczaleski, and “Untold: Caitlyn Jenner” about the 1976 US Olympic Decathlon gold medal winner. Most people did not know either was transgender when they were at the peak of their careers and they were held up as heroic male icons. In part two, we discuss the impact their gender identity struggles may have had on their competitive success. It’s probably not necessary to have seen the documentaries before listening, but we encourage you to anyway. Jim and Mike appear in an early pivotal scene in “Transformer.” Dean Saddoris of Caffeine and Kilos joins us in our review and reaction to these films. You can find Dean on Instagram @deansaddoris.ck, and at caffeineandkilos.com. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore.

We spend a couple of episodes talking about a couple of high profile (in their sports) transgender athletes through the lens of documentaries about their lives: “Transformer” about the life of powerlifter/bodybuilder Janae Kroczaleski, and “Untold: Caitlyn Jenner” about the 1976 US Olympic Decathlon gold medal winner. Most people did not know either was transgender when they were at the peak of their careers and they were held up as heroic male icons. In part one, we focused mostly on contrasting what we knew of these athletes going in with how they are portrayed in the documentaries, how they became involved in their sports, and the roles their friends and families played as they began to publicly cope with their gender identities. We discuss their similarities…and their sharp contrasts. In part two, we discuss the impact their gender identity struggles may have had on their competitive success. It’s probably not necessary to have seen the documentaries before listening, but we encourage you to anyway. Jim and Mike appear in an early pivotal scene in “Transformer.” Dean Saddoris of Caffeine and Kilos joins us in our review and reaction to these films. You can find Dean on Instagram @deansaddoris.ck, and at caffeineandkilos.com. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore.

Humans seek heroes. They probably always have, but is this a good thing? And who qualifies as a hero? Can you be considered a hero just because of your job title? Does performing a heroic act make someone a hero? Do heroes have to be perfect people in all aspects of their lives? Where should we draw the line between being inspired by heroes and patterning our lives after them? Mike kicks off the episode with observations on the unnecessary stigma surrounding “kid foods” like chicken nuggets. Listener resources: In case you’re not familiar with the Hero’s Journey. Psychology Today article on heroes. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore.

Discussion about the book, "The Power of Now" and other approaches that help people with anxiety live in the moment. Viewer questions include our funniest gym moments, whether carb cycling is worthwhile, and making progress on the bench. We also talk about some of the nuances of conjugate programs versus progressive overload. We kick it off with the news that Usain Bolt has dropped an album. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore.  

This is a conversation about the limits and challenges of monetizing a presence on social platforms. Last week the OnlyFans platform announced an end to explicit content. This week that decision was reversed. Since many personalities and creators in fitness rely on social platforms to make money – yes, even through sexually explicit content on sites like OnlyFans– we thought it was worthwhile to take a look at the ethics and policies involved. We close it out with get well wishes for Bill Phillips (founder of the EAS supplement line and Body for Life). Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore.

The 2021 Netflix documentary “Untold: Malice in the Palace” unpacks some overlooked elements of a riot that broke out during an Indiana Pacers/Detroit Pistons in November 2004. The careers of Pacers’ Jermaine O’Neal, Reggie Miller, Stephen Jackson, and Ron Artest (Metta World Peace) were all impacted in the aftermath. All but Miller received suspensions…and he chose to retire at the end of the season (his 18th}. Many involved in the melee also faced criminal charges. All of this coming after the small-market Pacers were widely believed to be on track for an NBA title. NBA rules also changed in the aftermath. Many people think they changed for the worse. How did it really start? Was there a rush to judgment against the players? Were players or fans more at fault? What role did racism…and the intersection of hip-hop culture and NBA culture…play in the reaction to and punishment for the events that night? Did the off-court legal troubles of other NBA players in the couple of years preceding this event affect the public’s opinion of these players…and the NBA in general? We kick off the episode with a couple of topics that Mike’s been discussing on his stream this week: no fap…and Wim Hoff breathing. Dean Saddoris of Caffeine and Kilos joins us in our review and reaction to this film. You can find Dean on Instagram @deansaddoris.ck, and at caffeineandkilos.com. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our next drop. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore.

The 2020 Netflix documentary “Athlete A” details the scandal that nearly destroyed USA gymnastics. Team doctor Larry Nassar sexually violated young women gymnasts for decades before a shocking number came forward to tell their stories of abuse – so many that the story could no longer be ignored or covered up. Some of the top names of Olympics past were among the victims. After Simone Biles, perhaps the greatest US gymnast of all time had to bow out of several events after having revealed that she was one of Nassar’s targets, it made sense for us to take a look at this documentary. Nassar was clearly a pedophile, but were his crimes covered up by the officials and coaches of USA gymnastics for the sake of nationalism or money? Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP THIS SUNDAY AUGUST 15TH! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore.

After a brief, unplanned break last week, we’re back to follow up on another of the words/phrases that people say all the time but not everyone understands. Nearly all the social media and streaming platforms we all encounter daily run on “recommendation algorithms that control what we see. We break down what we know about how they (probably) work, and how they can make or break creators on every platform. What the hell happened to fitness and lifting videos on YouTube in 2019 anyway. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP THIS SUNDAY AUGUST 15TH! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore.

Since we like to tackle one health- or mental health-related issue every month -- and since we’ve developed an interest in words and phrases people use but don’t necessarily understand – we decided to look into the definition of the word “sociopath.” We took a trip through an online questionnaire to learn which traits are associated with being a sociopath, and discussed whether we felt any of those traits applied to us. You can check out the checklist we used and follow along with us here. Here’s the clip about white lies we talked about: “Dinner Wink” from “I Think You Should Leave” Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our next drop! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore.

With the postponed 2020 Olympics finally opening in Tokyo, we decided to take a look at the 2016 documentary about eight-time Olympic Gold medal Jamaican sprinter, Usain Bolt. The film offers a behind-the-scenes look at (some of) his training and preparation, as well as (some of) his life outside of training and competition. Dean Saddoris of Caffeine and Kilos joins us in our review and reaction to this film. You can find Dean on Instagram @deansaddoris.ck, and at caffeineandkilos.com. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our next drop! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore.

We asked the question, “People say (word or phrase) all the time, but I don’t know what it means. From training terms like “spread the floor” to slang like “no cap” to old school sayings like “getting down to brass tacks” we search for some definitive…uh…definitions. We kick it off with a discussion of small talk boundaries. Check out our new gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our next drop! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore.

Head to 3sb.co for our once-a-year blowout sale! Episode notes: As the time nears for the pandemic-postponed Olympic Games to commence in Japan, we dive into the issue of the rules around international competitions. Should smoking pot get you suspended when athletes using hormones are allowed to compete? Are these things even related? We offer our opinions on these topics, somewhat through the lens of our earlier review of the documentary, “Icarus,” and we’re faced with the question…what is fairness, and who decides what it looks like? Listener resources: Richardson and the pot incident: https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/05/politics/tokyo-olympics-richardson-what-matters/index.html New Zealand transgender weightlifter bumps local lifter. https://www.sacbee.com/sports/article252605993.html CIS gender female athletes banned due to high natural test levels: https://news.yahoo.com/two-namibian-sprinters-banned-olympics-165218368.html Kurt Vonnegut story about fairness and equality: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrison_Bergeron Check out our new gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our next drop! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.      

Head to 3sb.co for our once-a-year blowout sale! The 2021 documentary, WeWork: Or the Making and Breaking of a $47 Billion Unicorn, presents what seems like an age-old story. A “charismatic” leader paints a rosy picture of a money-making plan that seemingly can’t fail, and people – even the ones who should know better – fall for it hook, line, and sinker. WeWork is a co-working space provider that pitched what many thought would be a transformative, and all-inclusive, gamechanger. Even without access to the company’s finances, it was possible to see that WeWork was a house of cards if you were an analyst who was willing to really look. What is about us as humans that makes of want to follow charming grifters and ignore the nagging sense that they’re not all they purport to be? You can find Dean on Instagram @deansaddoris.ck, and at caffeineandkilos.com. Check out our new gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our next drop! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

The 2021 Netflix documentary, Seaspiracy, is a bit of a Trojan horse. It’s (so very) earnestly concerned with the many disconnected threats to life in Earth’s oceans, but it ends up in a far different place with a far different message. Is this slickly produced -- and highly-rated – film just a tract for a radical diet change like the other documentaries (Cowspiracy and What the Health) from the same producers? You can find Dean on Instagram @deansaddoris.ck, and at caffeineandkilos.com. Check out our new gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our next drop! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Mike brings a “hot take Tuesday” issue to the table. Is how you do one thing really how you do everything? Other questions include whether we’re getting any World’s Strongest Man visitors? Do we have hobbies outside the gym? What’s our gym equipment wish list? What surprised us most about the process of starting a business? Finally, we discuss where we think the fitness industry is in its business cycle. Other than some contraction among some large gym chains, are there other pockets of the industry going through contraction and retrenchment? Check out our new gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our next drop! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

We all see instances of what many people categorize as “fat shaming” both in conversation and on social media. What’s the real intent of these comments? Is it meant to hurt or help? Do people ever make permanent, positive behavioral changes because they have been shamed? And are fit people similar targets for shaming because they’re too focused on maintaining their appearance? It is worse for women than for men? It was great having powerlifter and coach Kelly Lenahan us for this discussion. We were not able to come to many conclusions, but we explored motivations on all sides of the issue and expressed our ideas on approaches that we feel would be more productive than shaming. We kicked off things off by trying to guess the percentage of people who have an “inner monologue.” You can find Kelly on Instagram @kelly.lenahan. Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our next drop! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.  

The 2004 Morgan Spurlock documentary, “Super Size Me” posited that fast food – and a sedentary lifestyle – caused America’s growing obesity epidemic. Spurlock spent 30 days eating food from McDonald’s three meals a day for 30 days, and cut his normal exercise to zero to “prove” the ill effects of these choices. Dean Saddoris of Caffeine and Kilos joins us for this episode. Mike and Dean had seen the film years ago and watched again recently. Jim had not seen it before. How much of it is still believable? What are the most problematic elements today? Does it tell the truth or is it just telling a story toward a particular end? Why did critics and the public buy into it like it was a delicious McDonald’s apple pie back then? The current ranking of fast food chains in the US. Jordan Syatt’s documentary about losing weight while eating a Big Mac a day for 30 days. You can find Dean on Instagram @deansaddoris.ck, and at caffeineandkilos.com. Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our next drop! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Nick Scopoletti returns to the show -- this time with fellow standup Beau McDowell, and their life coach, retired comic Lisa Lampanelli. Their podcast “Losers with a Dream” features conversations between Nick and Beau about their struggles toward comedy success…and just becoming better people. Then, Lisa weighs in with both life tips and comedy advice. Their show stresses the importance of working toward better mental health as a part of an overall strategy for success. We asked them to discuss share some of their personal experiences around seeking professional help and what it feels like to finally get it. Don’t worry, we share our own experiences as well. Nobody should feel bad about getting help. We loved doing this episode, and we hope that you’ll find it helpful. (Our standard explicit language warning definitely applies here.) Here are a couple of resources if you or someone you care about is struggling: National Alliance on Mental Illness (nami.org) National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255 You can find Losers with a Dream on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and all the other podcast platforms. Lisa is on Instagram as @lisalampanelli. Nick is @nickscopes, and Beau is @beaumcdowellcomedy.   ____ Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our next drop! ____   Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

We shifted the schedule around a little in anticipation of some special guests for next week’s show. This week, we address some comments and questions from social media. Is there a particular way that we’re totally wrong for our jobs? What was the easiest part of the project of building our gym? How much of the accomplishment was driven by just showing up? And finally, do keto and heavy lifting go together? Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our next drop! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.  

This month’s media review and react episode is centered on the documentary “Icarus.” Dean Saddoris joins us to discuss this Oscar-winning 2017 documentary. This episode definitely contains spoilers. Filmmaker and cyclist Bryan Fogel made himself a guinea pig to learn if steroids would dramatically improve his race performance – and maybe more importantly, whether he could do it without being detected like Lance Armstrong. He ends up in the middle of a WADA and International Olympic Committee investigation acting as an intermediary for a man who has become his friend and steroid mentor – who also happens to be the head of Russia’s anti-doping laboratory. Dark forces within the highest levels of Russian government attempt to scare them off the path to exposing a massive cheating scandal – even though that appears to be the only shot at safety and survival. This film seemed particularly appropriate right now as the USAPL is locked in a dispute with International Powerlifting Association, in part because of anti-doping measures involving WADA. What happens when the decision to use steroids in competition is not so much personal, but expected as part of a nation’s drive to succeed on the world stage? Why would the lab director be so forthcoming about his role in a system of widespread cheating? And what drove an American filmmaker to put himself in the middle of an international incident? Is this the best sports documentary of all time? You can find Dean on Instagram @deansaddoris.ck, and at caffeineandkilos.com. Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our next drop! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

A special edition episode. UFC Hall of Famer, and fellow Sacramento gym owner, Urijah Faber joins us. We talk about how sports fit into the hierarchy of human needs, the growth of combat sports in the past several years…and the power of excuses. He also explains how The Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act helps top boxers earn bigger purses than top MMA fighters. Tussana Martdee also joins us to offer perspectives from her background in Muay Thai. You can find Urijah on Instagram at @urijahfaber and his podcast is at TheCaliCast.com. Tuss is on Instagram at @tusqy10. Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our next drop! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

April’s Q and A episode kicks off with an unplanned behind-the-scenes discussion where we explore the question of sponsored athletes/ambassadors. What do brands like ours really expect to get from sponsoring athletes? How much influence do they really have and how would you measure it? What the difference between awareness advertising and direct response advertising with “promo codes?” How would we decide the best fit? Having been on both sides of this question leads us into a lively discussion. We also tackled a few more questions: Do we still talk to the people we used to lift with? Why are we trying to go to Mars when we don’t even know what’s in our own oceans? Can we settle on our three favorite movies? Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our next drop! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Bart Kwan is a man with a HUGE platform, so his thoughts on creativity, culture, and social media influence are well…influential. In our second episode with Bart, we broke down these issues, as well as some related questions: Is everyone born creative? Does high-quality production undercut authenticity? Where should the moral line be for influencers in promoting products and ideas? You can find Bart on Instagram @bartkwan, at barbellbrigade.com, and on YouTube. Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our next drop! ____   Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.  

Inside the Massenomics gym in Western Northeast South Dakota, an ever-vigilant DVD player spins a copy of the circa 2007 documentary “Power Unlimited” around the clock. Who better to have on deck for a look back at that film than the owners of that very gym? We were excited to have Tommy DeFea and Tanner Baird join us for the crossover event nobody knew they needed: What was their reaction the first time they saw the film, and how did they get their DVD copy? What scene in the film gets us the most fired up? What’s aged the best, and worst, since it was released? Is powerlifting fundamentally different than it was then? What’s the least believable story? How do Tommy and Tanner fare when we turn the tables and have them play the Overrated/Underrated game from their own podcast? You can find Massenomics on Instagram @massenomics, at massenomics.com, and on their podcast. Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our next drop! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

(This is the first of two episodes with Bart. The second will appear in a few weeks). The experience of running multiple businesses over zoom calls, and trying to stay in shape while rarely leaving the house, was enough for Bart and his wife Geo to decide they could free themselves and their family from LA life and move to Las Vegas. The plan? To continue to largely operate remotely as much as possible. With a number of businesses, including a demanding comedy production company and a powerlifting gym with a huge membership, how do they think they’ll make it work? Some of our questions: When is remote actually better and when is it worse? Is it harder for some than others? What do you do when your motivation for actually working out in a gym is the desire to be around other people? You can find Bart on Instagram @bartkwan, at barbellbrigade.com, and on YouTube. Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our next drop! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.    

The fifth show of any month could literally be about anything. This time it’s a documentary review with our buddy Dean Saddoris. Think of it as meathead movie nerds looking for lessons for our own lives in popular media. The hot Netflix documentary “The Last Blockbuster” is a humorous – and quirky – look at the fall of a business that was a huge cultural institution. Could the business cycle of a retail category like video rental stores foretell what effects technological advancements, changes in consumer taste, and well…greed can have on other brick and mortar retail? Even those in the fitness industry? We talk about our experiences with having to actually leave our houses to get movies, and the characters and structure of this super low-budget doc about the Bend, Oregon movie rental store that’s the very last of the chain. Some of our questions: What personality traits do you need if you’re going to fight an uphill battle to keep a business alive? Could Blockbuster really have bought Netflix, and did Netflix really kill it? Are we supposed to know who all the people featured in the movie are? Would a Blockbuster first date have been the perfect first date? Why didn’t this doc talk about game rentals, too? You can find Dean on Instagram @deansaddoris.ck and at Caffeineandkilos.com Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our next drop! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Time for our monthly swing at your questions. Some of the topics: Who are our favorite Lord of the Rings characters? Which powerlifting bars do we have in our gym? Did Eleiko really start out making waffle irons? Is our gym open to the public? Do you have to be rich to be fashionable? What does it take to grow an online business? What are our long- and short-term goals? Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our next drop! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

This started out as a question asked on Mike’s Instagram: What did we learn in starting a gym? It quickly evolved into a larger discussion of the challenges associated with starting any business. We cover some of our previous experiences (this is not our first rodeo) and how they informed our approach to what we’ve been working on for the last year. It’s fair to say that we’ve learned at least as much about ourselves and each other as we have actual business knowledge. Some of the topics: If you can’t come up with a succinct pitch for your business, should you even start one? How critical is your broader business description or even “brand story” in developing every part of your business structure, product offerings, etc.? What type of people make good partners, collaborators, or employees? Is it actually a bad idea to go into business with friends? How much alike (or different) should you and your business partner be? Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our next drop! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.    

In 1977, moviegoers were presented with images of sweaty, oily, and extremely muscular men wearing as little clothing as possible. Many cultural observers believed this was the dawn of what is now a multi-billion-dollar industry as members of the general public started working to make themselves “healthier” and more fit…by pretty much any means available. How did this low-budget documentary featuring relative unknowns Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno helmed by a first-time director become the top documentary the year it was released? We invited Dean Saddoris to break it down with us: Were the conflicts real? Who were the best and worst characters? If steroids were still legal then, why didn’t anybody talk about them? Would the film have had any impact at all without Arnold? Why do these guys look so different than top bodybuilders do now? How did the extreme look – and training – of bodybuilders fuel a desire for regular people to become more healthy and fit? Some factual updates from random topics that popped up in the episode: Studies since the 1940’s have shown that cigarette smoking can cause cancer. Jack Lalanne was indeed born in San Francisco in 1914. He is often cited as another major influence in the creation of the fitness industry. Arnold’s first film was Hercules in New York (1970). His character’s voice was dubbed over by another actor. Spray tan had been around since the 1950s, but tanning beds and spray tans didn’t become popular until the 1980s. Actor Bud Cort was indeed in Harrold and Maude (1971), Dogma (1999), and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004). Coca-Cola first tried mixing Coke and coffee back in 2006 with Coca-Cola Blåk. You can find Dean on Instagram @deansaddoris.ck Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our next drop! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

We brought in two of our buddy Dan Stornaiuolo’s hilarious and engaging brothers, Dom and Mike, to give an outsider’s perspective on powerlifting accomplishments – particularly their “little” brother’s lifting. Don and Mike host the Bridge to Bridge Podcast featuring interviews with SF Bay Area sports figures. Both grew up as athletes, so we unpack and contrast training and competition experiences among various sports. Other questions that came up: Do Silent Mike and Dom look alike and what celebrities do they remind people of? What activities have they used to stay sane during the pandemic? Why can nobody locate their dad’s episode of “Dirty Jobs?” Did a van really run over Dan’s leg when he was a kid? This is part 1 of 2. You can find part 2 on an upcoming episode of The Bridge to Bridge podcast with Mike Stornaiuolo and Dominick Bei. And check out their Instagram @bridgetobridgepodcast Dan is @stormcloud415 on IG. Next week we’re going to talk about the influence of the documentary “Pumping Iron” in an episode. send us your written comments or voice memos to [email protected]. Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal @connoroneal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

We’re setting a new pattern of episodes for the next few months. The final episode of each month will be a Q & A about…whatever you (our audience) want to talk about: previous episodes during the month, business, life, training, health, or whatever. Here are some of the questions we touched on this time: What happens if the Earth speeds up…or slows down? FMK – Cold brew, espresso, and brewed coffee? How’s the gym going so far? Is it a good idea to start two businesses at the same time? What’s the most critical thing to get right about a cold sales pitch? How do you fit working out into a busy life, especially if you’re a parent? Are ever going to be a regular “interview” show again? In the second week of March, we’re going to talk about the influence of the documentary “Pumping Iron” in an episode. send us your written comments or voice memos to [email protected]. Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Early access to the next drop on 2-14-21. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal @connoroneal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Our long-time friend and teammate Marcus Sanadan joins us. We review some old lifting footage from not long after we all met and from his recent meet. Then we take Jonnie Candito’s recent video announcing his break with the USAPL as a jumping-off point for a discussion. We examine what we think is wrong with many current federations, and discuss how they might be addressed: Is it finally time to give up on powerlifting’s Olympic dream? Is consolidation among federations even possible, or are there too many differences that can’t be reconciled? Are federations or meet directors more responsible for the problems? Is the concept of “all-time records” something we just need to let go of? Are federations even necessary now? We lead off with the breaking news that the World's Strongest Man will be held in our city -- Sacramento, California -- for the next few years. The first is just a few months away in June 2021. Next month, we’re going to talk about the influence of the documentary “Pumping Iron” in an episode. send us your written comments or voice memos to [email protected]. Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Early access to the next drop on 2-14-21. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal @connoroneal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

The HBO documentary “Fake Famous” examines some of the ways that Instagram can be manipulated to create “influencers” with large followings (50-60% of which might just be bots) that advertisers are willing to pay to reach. We talk through our impressions of the doc, and discuss the relationship between the growth of the fitness/lifting community and the rise of social media: Are lifters using some of the same methods to grow large followings? What can you actually gain by buying followers, likes, and engagement? Where do we draw the line between ethical and unethical promotion of products and services? What’s the mental/emotional impact on influencers…and their followers? Is the real goal of social media to make you feel bad about your own life and circumstances? Next month, we’re going to talk about the influence of the documentary “Pumping Iron” in an episode. send us your written comments or voice memos to [email protected]. Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Early access to the next drop on 2-14-21. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal @connoroneal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.    

Full transparency, the main question is discussed in the last 15 minutes of the show. In part 1, we talk about what we’ve been up to during our production break for the holidays and plans for some future episodes of the show. NOTE: Next week we’re going to discuss the HBO documentary “Fake Famous” (trailer here) and the relationship between the fitness/lifting community and social media. If you’ve watched the doc, send us your written comments or voice memos to [email protected]. Next month, we’re going to talk about the influence of the documentary “Pumping Iron” in an episode. In part 2, we’re joined by Eric (in New Zealand) and Omar (in Toronto). We really missed talking to these dudes! We talked about how we’ve all weathered the isolation of the pandemic, how current conditions have impacted our businesses, and whether we really even liked travel anyway. Eric holds a BS in fitness and wellness, an MS in exercise science, a second masters in sports nutrition, a PhD in strength and conditioning, and is a research fellow for AUT at the Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand. Omar is a successful YouTube content creator from Canada, a partner with Mike Farr and Bart Kwan on Kizen Training, as well as pursuing other business ventures. He’s also a keen observer of media. You can find Eric at 3DMuscleJourney.com and on Instagram: @helms3dmj You can find Omar on his hugely successful YouTube channel. And Instagram as @omarisuf. You can find them both on their podcast, Iron Culture. Check out the episode of Iron Culture we recorded with them the same day. It’s a nice companion piece. Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits!

Our second annual take-a-random-trends-list-and-unpack-it episode. Do trends lists offer any real insight or is it all too obvious? Has the current situation made it basically impossible to predict? We also offer some heartfelt thoughts on how to help the world start to pull its collective dick out of the dirt sometime in 2021. Happy Holidays. See you next year! Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal @connoroneal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.  

The end of the year has us all thinking about changes we want to make: Are there a right way and a wrong way to make New Year’s resolutions? Are you really serious about your goals if you need to wait for a specific time to start working toward them? But first, we had to talk about some pressing current issues: Why do buildings with steam heat get so damn hot? Is Adam Sandler actually funny? Can you even process all the Disney Marvel and Star Wars announcement? Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal @connoroneal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.    

Strongman is having a moment. More people are watching strongman related content. More people are involved in strongman training now, even if they don’t plan to compete. The bottom line is probably that it’s just fun, but is there more to it? We asked our friend Alan Thrall (owner of Sacramento’s Untamed Strength) to come talk about it and bring national strongman champ Joey Szatmary (owner of The Lion’s Den outside Philadelphia). What do CrossFit and Strongman have anything in common? Who gets to compete at the Arnold? Or strongman nationals? Strongman competitions don’t have a standard set of events. Is that a good thing? Does being unhealthy just come with the territory? You can find Alan at @untamedstrength on IG and on YouTube athrall7. Joey is at @szatstrength . Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal @connoroneal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Twenty-twenty has brought some major changes to the ways we do…well, almost everything. A recent article at TheAthletic.com highlighted some of these changes and speculated on which of these changes will likely stay in place even after the pandemic has subsided. We unpack this article and reflect on how some of these changes also affect the strength world/fitness/gyms, etc.: Will pro athletes continue to put more energy into business ventures outside their sports? Will expanded playoffs always be used to balance shortened seasons from now on? Are post-game locker room interviews just over? Is good sanitation finally going to be the norm in all gyms -- finally? The original article from TheAthletic.com (paywall probably). Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal @connoroneal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.      

We invited some successful local trainers/business hours to talk about their approach to training and how they built their business model. Joseph and Nolan Grinstain are two of the three brothers atop Hyperthrive Athletics. Hyperthrive has two locations in the greater Sacramento area. One is dedicated exclusively to athletes (particularly rotational athletes –baseball/softball). At the other, near the campus of Sacramento State University, they serve both athletes and “gen pop” or general fitness clients. Joe Grinstain was a multi-sport athlete in high school and holds a Kinesiology - Movement Studies degree and is an NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. After high school, Joe attended CSU Chico where he graduated with a degree in Kinesiology - Movement Studies. During his time in Chico, Joe took over the role of Head Strength and Conditioning coach at Mavericks Athletic Development in Chico, CA, and helped run the CSU Chico softball team’s strength program his senior year. He also held strength and conditioning internship positions at the University of Alabama (baseball), University of California Berkeley (football), Capital Strength and Performance in Sacramento, and Cressey Sports Performance in Boston. He is Director of Strength and Performance for Hyperthrive Nolan Grinstain is the Director of Speed Performance at Hyperthrive. He holds a Bachelors's Degree in Exercise Physiology and is both a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA, and a Master Sports Performance Coach through the National Sports Performance Association. Together, we talked through a number of questions/topics: What are the differences in programming, goals, and motivation for athletes versus general fitness clients? What’s a strength and conditioning coach’s role when working with professional athletes? How do you train explosiveness/speed? What’s it like to sleep in tents in Kenya with 30 family members? We also got their take on last episode’s question about kids and training for sports. You can find Hypertrive on IG at @hyperthriveathletics and at hyperthriveathletics.com. Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal @connoroneal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.      

We took on a topic that was posted to the video version of last week’s episode by viewer Mateus Daniel: The topic I'm most interested at the moment is how kids should begin to learn powerlifting: at what age should they start? How often should they train? Can a normal powerlifting coach be their coach? Etc.... We unpacked this topic with some questions of our own: Is it a good idea for kids to JUST powerlift, or should strength training just be used to develop strength for other sports? How often should kids lift? What questions should you ask a potential coach for your child? We approached this from our own perspectives, but we’re going to address it again with future guests. Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal @connoroneal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.      

We turned the tables and asked you a question this week. Was the dropoff in views for fitness and powerlifting videos on YouTube caused by the pandemic and people not being able to film lifts…or was it something else? Has the wave started by raw lifting (and CrossFit) crested? If so, what are people moving on to? Do people really want to get to know lifters in human interest/lifestyle videos or do they only want to see them lift? Are there YouTube creators/podcasters we wouldn’t work with again? Slightly late episode this week due to scheduling. We recorded this one live on YouTube, in the room where we started our first podcast seven years ago. Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal @connoroneal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Time for a Q and A episode: The question was “how do I back off powerlifting gradually and get in better shape?” Our answer is why do people feel like they have to decide between being in good shape and lifting heavy? Should you tell your crush Happy Birthday? What are our favorite video games? What is the definition of a deload? And more… Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal @connoroneal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.      

Our London-based designer, Oliver Munby, joins us to talk about translating the conceptual idea of a brand into the real world. He helped create the overall branding for our new gym and apparel line. Though we didn’t cover it much in the episode, he did a ton of research on our city and our preferences before helping us settle on the look and feel that matched what we had in our heads. Here are some of our questions: Why is architectural design (his original major) such a different discipline? How does the visual design process work? Did being a powerlifter himself help in the process of working with us?” What makes working with creators different than working with corporate types? Keep listening for the special announcement near the end. (Yes, this week too!). You can find Oli at @Munby_ on Instagram. Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal @connoroneal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.  

Rather than surveying what we’ve learned doing this show so far, our 100th episode is a look back at the last few months of our experience of trying to open a gym…during a pandemic. Here are some of our thoughts: What’s been our biggest challenge so far? What’s been the biggest surprise? Why do we think we have what it takes to be successful AND happy as gym owners? Just how much bullshit is “getting comfortable with being uncomfortable?” What are our biggest concerns and unknowns going forward? Keep listening for the special announcement near the end. Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal @connoroneal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.  

While we’re still on a break from producing new episodes, we wanted to reinforce our message that while having discussions about mental health can be difficult, they shouldn’t be avoided. The better we understand the struggles others face, the more comfortable we can be in talking about our own. This episode is an excerpt from Jim’s The Less Than Obvious Podcast (2018) featuring New York Times bestselling author John Romaniello. He discusses how his lifelong struggle with depression led to a sincere suicide attempt that he initially kept secret from everyone, and how writing a powerful blog post about his experience has proven to be a turning point in his life. You can find John on social media as @johnromaniello Resources: Suicide Prevention Lifeline There’s Always More to Say: Tattoos, Semicolons, and Suicidal Depression by John Romaniello Covid 19 and Suicide Risk Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal @connoroneal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Injuries can be huge setbacks for competitive athletes. Everyone has a certain window of time in which they can play their best. Time out of competition is time lost that can’t be recovered. For some, they can end a career. The question dovetails well with episode 46’s discussion of workload management, but obviously that’s not the whole story. Dr. Ramsey Nijem gives us insight from his doctoral thesis, as well as his work with professional athletes. There are some great takeaways for coaches, athletes…and even powerlifters. Here are some of our thoughts: What lifestyle factors outside of training might lead to injury? Does drinking or drug use make injuries more likely? How are outcomes and training effects different? Does it help get stronger period, or does it matter how strength is incorporated? How much is controllable? We kick off the conversation by wondering if 25 should just be the legal age for everything? Dr. Nijem earned his Doctorate of Science in Human and Sport Performance as well as Health Promotion and Wellness in 2018. He has published research in top scientific journals in strength and conditioning and is currently investigating injury risk in NBA athletes. He earned his B.S. from UC Santa Barbara and M.S. from Cal State *Fullerton’s Center for Sport Performance (where he studied with Dr. Andy Galpin). After several years as head Performance and Strength Coach for the Sacramento Kings NBA franchise, he recently became the Men’s Basketball Director of Sport Performance for the University of Kansas (KU Jayhawks), one of the top Division 1 college basketball programs. You can find him on Instagram @dr.ramsey.nijem Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal @connoroneal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

We're working on our studio, so this week's episode is an encore.  Dr. Matt Johnson, a Certified Sport Psychology Consultant (and former Notre Dame quarterback), joins us to discuss a fundamental question about performance under pressure. Our thoughts: Are some people just born to be gamers? To perform at a high level in the clutch? Can regular people learn to handle pressure situations better? Is visualization important to improving performance? Do high performers think about everything at once? Or just ONE thing? What role does being in a “flow state” play? Dr. Johnson draws on his experience working with athletes and executives to offer observations about what makes high performers tick, and strategies to help the rest of us. Our ideas start at about 9:00. Our expert joins us starting at around 25:00. You can find Dr. Johnson at his website drmattjohnson.com Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal @connoroneal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.  

We’re inspired by a lot of people in different situations. This week’s guest is someone we’ve talked about on the show quite a few times. His growing success – and the focus and attitude he brings to his goals – has inspired us for several years. One of last week’s guests, Dean Saddoris for Caffeine and Kilos, has known him for much longer than we have gave us the most obvious suggestion: “Why don’t you have him on your show?” This week’s guest is our barber, Chris Long. We got to talk through these questions and more: How did he lose over 200 pounds, gain some back, and then find a healthy relationship with the scale? How did he keep shifting from one successful employment situation to another, constantly getting closer to his ultimate goals? A lot of people’s exploration of self-help/self-improvement stall out before they really get started. How does he keep it a part of his life every day? Find Chris’ shop on Instagram @tailored916 and at tailoredsacramento.com. Her personal IG is @chris.slangin.fades. Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal @connoroneal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

We took this episode to catch up with our long-time friends – and owners of the lifestyle brand Caffeine and Kilos -- Danny Lehr & Dean Saddoris. This show was recorded in our new, still-under-renovation gym, which is the same building where we (probably) met. We reminisced about some of our shared history and how the Caffeine and Kilos brand started. We also hit these questions: Why C & K, which is largely an e-commerce business, choose to invest MORE and attempt to grow at the onset of the pandemic instead of being conservative and pulling back? How is “community” developed and manifested for an online brand? Danny is a CrossFit affiliate owner. What is the state of CrossFit after the scandal and ownership change earlier this year? Find Caffeine and Kilos on Instagram @caffeineandkilos and at caffeineandkilos.com. Danny is @danny_lehr. Dean is @deansaddoris.ck Check out their podcast Gas Station Cappuccino Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal @connoroneal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.  

Layne Norton & Holly Baxter join us for a discussion about who to listen to in the fitness and nutrition space. Specifically, we talk about the list that was published to Twitter by Kevin Bass of fitness/nutrition figures who are…and aren’t…quacks. What are the hallmarks of someone who isn’t worth listening to? Why do some start out with great, supportable claims and end up supporting ludicrous theories? Why is it so hard for quacks to alter their positions in the face of evidence? Check out Layne and Holly’s new podcast Beauty and the Geek on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Get their nutrition coaching app, Carbon Diet Coach, on iOS and Android for less than $10/month: https://joincarbon.com Get their books on how to lose fat: https://www.biolaynestore.com Take Layne’s online course "The Science of Nutrition": https://cleanhealth.edu.au/product/science-of-nutrition Find Layne and Holly on Instagram @biolayne and @hollytbaxter Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal @connoroneal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.  

We're taking a break this week, so we're bringing back one of our favorite early episodes with one of our favorite guests. We'll be back with a fresh episode next week.  Original Episode Notes: Can activities in the gym that are built around the requirements of a specific sport actually help athletes get better at that sport? Our good friend, Jacob Ross —  an athletic performance coach and consultant who currently works with Luol Deng of Minnesota Timberwolves – joined us as our expert to answer this question. As always, the question spawns more questions: Do better athletes just do better? What’s the role of injury prevention? Drills vs sport-adapted weight training We kick off the episode talking about how technology is getting more challenging for us to keep up with. Our ideas about the question start around 14:00. Jacob shares his thoughts starting at around 27:00. Huge thanks to Jacob for being our expert. You can find him on Instagram: @jacob.w.ross. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

A Q and A episode that was broadcast live to Twitch. The big question in this episode is our discussion of the question “How do you find people with similar goals” and the related question “How do you work (or go into business) with friends?” Other questions include, “How has Covid-19 affected our efforts to open a gym?” and “What’s our biggest ‘non-lifting’ physical accomplishment?” Keep listening after the end of this episode for the trailer for Layne Norton and Holly Baxter’s new podcast “The Beauty and the Geek” (with post-production by Jim McDonald and David Margittai). Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. You can find Kyle on Instagram @kyle.castroo and Connor @connoroneal. Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal @connoroneal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Hani Jazayrli is an engineer by education, but he found that coaching was more of a passion for him so he decided to follow it. Eventually, he added real estate sales into the mix as a way to keep his coaching load manageable. He talked us through the process of making these transitions and how he knew that the timing…and the changes…were right. Just because you enjoy something, does that really mean it should be your career? You can find Hani on Instagram @hani_tsa and at TheStrengthAthlete.com. Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal @connoroneal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

The motto of our new gym is “Good Company.” Mike, Jim, Connor, and Kyle talk about what the phrase means to each of us. We kick things off with an update on what we’ve accomplished and what we’ve learned already through the process of renovation and creating a new gym.   Sandwiched in between are discussions about customer service challenges and influencer authenticity. You can find Kyle on Instagram @kyle.castroo and Connor @connoroneal. Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

We decided it had been way too long since we talked to our good Canadian friend and YouTuber, Omar Isuf. What’s he up to and how is Toronto weathering the pandemic? This episode is a fun conversation and a good way to spend an hour plus. You can find Omar on IG @omarisuf and his YouTube channel. Check out his apparel at raskolapparel.com You can find Kyle on Instagram @kyle.castroo and Connor @connoroneal. Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.  

Who really likes having difficult conversations? Does anyone actually like talking about subjects like death? But if we can’t talk about the hard things, how do we learn to move on? Derek McCormick, author of “Tea Time with the Reaper” and “Grim’s After Tea Desserts” joins us to talk about how is wife’s illness and death lead him to become an advocate for facing difficult conversations head-on. We break down ways to speak plainly about topics like illness and death, and what can be gained by actually doing it. You can find Derek on IG @teatimewiththereaper and his equipment designs at @havakdesigns and his books and podcast at the website teatimewiththereaper.com. Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Our friend Nick Scopoletti trains clients at an Equinox in Connecticut, but a couple years ago he got talked into trying standup comedy…and he hasn’t looked back. Nick was the subject of some very nice comments from last week’s guests from the Shameless Sex podcast, so it seemed like a good time to get him into the mix. Formerly co-host of the Strength Squat podcast, Nick now hosts the Mangina Dialogues comedy podcast along with his business partner @thegreggalicious. Be sure to check out the podcast. They’ve had some amazing guests including Jaime Kennedy and Anthony Scaramucci (briefly White House communications director). We hit upon a number of topics, including these: How is standup like lifting? What can you get away with saying as a standup? What will live comedy (and lifting) look like in the future? You can find Nick on IG @nickscopes and of course, on The Mangina Dialogues podcast. Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Here’s the thing: Adult people have sex. At least, a lot of us do. Why aren’t we better at it, or at least better about talking about it? We asked Amy and April of the Shameless Sex podcast to help us tackle these questions: Amy Baldwin is a Sex and Relationship Coach and Sex Educator, as well as co-owner of a mother-daughter owned online pleasure boutique called Pure Pleasure Shop. Amy has a passion for promoting shame-free, pleasure-focused sexuality education while emphasizing the deep emotional and energetic forces behind great sex and intimate connection. April Lampert has been educating people about sexual pleasure, health and wellness, and pleasure products at a global scale since 2008. She travels internationally as VP of Hot Octopuss, an innovative pleasure product company. April was voted Woman of the Year in the adult industry in 2016. Obviously this is a big topic, but we got granular with a few issues like these: Why is women’s sexual anatomy such a mystery to…well, everyone? Is porn actually a problem? Does everyone masturbate or are they lying? This episode is a little bit of a departure for us…but is it really? You can find the Shameless Sex podcast on Apple Podcasts and all the other platforms. Follow Amy and April on Instagram @shamelesssexpodcast and check out their website  shamelesssex.com Special thanks to Nick Scopoletti for the introduction. You can listen to his episode of Shameless Sex here. Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore.

Our guests had to reschedule for next week, so we jumped on the mics with the 3SB Crew for a Q and A. Probably the biggest question was about how we came to have an entrepreneurial spirit, which turned into more of a discussion about who is – and is not – cut out for the kind of risks we’re taking in launching Third Street Bell.   Subscribe for future updates about membership and Third Street Barbell merchandise at 3sb.co You can find Kyle on Instagram @kyle.castroo and Connor @connoroneal. Listener Deals: Get $20 off your first order with Thrive Market at thrivemarket.com/facts Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

For quite a while, we’ve been kicking around an idea. An awesome, but kinda scary idea. Some of our episodes lately have been centered around people we wanted to learn from and talk to about making this idea a reality. Maybe it was obvious. Maybe it wasn’t. But, we’re finally ready to talk about it and make an announcement: We’re working on opening a gym – back in the very building where our podcasting journey started! Our two other team members (Kyle Castro and Connor O’Neal) joined us for this special episode. Listen as we highlight our plans for moving forward, and subscribe for future updates about Third Street Barbell at 3sb.co. You can find Kyle on Instagram @kyle.castroo and Connor @connoroneal. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Michael Kory had early success on YouTube at the intersection of healthy cooking and fitness. Eventually, he decided to open a gym, but like anyone starting a business he walked a fine mental line between being optimistic and realistic about how quickly the gym would grow. Just a few months after opening, he was quickly running out of space. Good problem or unexpected financial hit? Michael also talks about how he approached Oklahoma’s lockdown and the temporary closure of his gym Obtain Strength in Tulsa, and his efforts to create a safe environment for his returning members. You can find Michael at his on Instagram @michaelkory. Listener deals: Give dad a special gift this year with Storyworth! Go to storyworth.com/facts for $10 off your first order. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Bryan Washington has been a friend of ours for years. He’s gym owner – in fact, he owns a couple of gyms here where we live in Sacramento. When we met him, he was a trainer inside the same gym building where we used to train. We don’t know many people who have more energy or hustle. He’s very involved in community issues, in part because he comes from a family in which his dad spent half a century in law enforcement. He’s also African American. He’s the one person we most wanted to talk to about the upheavals in our community…and communities around the world. We got his perspective not only on the current moment, and even on events from our shared past.    You can find Bryan at his on Instagram @theabs1er. Also, check out his gyms The Academy and All City Riders. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Joe Sullivan is a powerlifter and coach. Early this year, he became a partner at Pinnacle Performance in Columbus, Ohio…just in time for the pandemic to cause a wave of temporary gym closures. Joe shares the story of how he came to be involved in, and an owner of, the gym, and how it became a party to a lawsuit that allowed gyms to open a bit sooner than promised in Ohio. Some details are also in this news report. Business aside, we talk about his lifting and his goals. If you’re not aware of Joe’s accomplishments as a powerlifter, check them out here: openpowerlifting.org Finally, we spent a few minutes reinforcing an important message seeking help for mental health challenges.   You can find Joe at his website joesullivanpowerlifting.com and on Instagram @joesullivanpowerlifter. Also check out his gym Pinnacle Performance. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Chris Duffin is a Guinness World Record holding powerlifter, a gym owner, an engineer, an author, a gym equipment manufacturer…and the list goes on and on. You get the idea. We’ve known Chris for quite a few years, but we hadn’t had a chance to really talk in a long time. Our conversation started around a question about how the pandemic has impacted manufacturers of gym equipment, but we ended up in much deeper topics. How do you stay on top of big, long-term goals that take years to complete? How did he avoid losing the motivation to meet a powerlifting goal that DIDN’T involve competition? Like so much in life, what we can accomplish is informed by how we see ourselves – how our self-concept informs our goals. You can find Chris at the websites christopherduffin.com and kabukistrength.net, and on Instagram @mad_scientist_duffin.  Pick up his book on Amazon: The Eagle and The Dragon Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Yet another format breaking episode. (We may be in this mode until the world settles down a bit.) Jay Ashman is one of founders of Kansas City Barbell in Kansas City, MO. His gym is poised to reopen in just a few days -- after the shelter-in-place orders were put in place at the beginning of the pandemic are lifted. But his gym wasn’t just closed, it moved and expanded into a larger location. With so much uncertainty the future of gathering places like gyms, some are declaring bankruptcy, and some are unlikely to ever reopen. Others are doubling down on their investment by actually improving their gyms. We wanted to ask Jay how that decision got made – and how can gym owners have confidence that members will feel safe and actually come back. You can find Jay at the websites jayashman.com and kcbarbell.com, and on Instagram @fvckinashman. Listener Deals: Thrive Market -- Try Thrive Market and become a member risk-free! Go to ThriveMarket.com/FACTS. Join today and you’ll get up to twenty dollars in shopping credit toward your first order. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Another format breaking episode. Matt Reynolds is the founder and CEO of Barbell Logic Online Training. He’s a former gym owner, former pro strongman, and a former high school teacher. He also hosts the Barbell Logic podcast along with Scott Hambrick. We asked Matt to make some educated guess about the future of online coaching in the post-pandemic world, but the bulk of the episode is a wide-ranging discussion of coaching strategies, thoughts about working with clients of all ages, and his take on what gyms may evolve into in the future. You can find Matt at the website barbell-logic.com, and on Instagram @barbell_logic. Matt also appeared in an episode of Jim’s Less Than Obvious podcast. You can find it here. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

We’re living in extraordinary times (which is why you’ll notice that we’re still taking a break from our regular format). A world of great uncertainty, division, fear, and sadness. A few weeks ago when we spoke to Dr. Reef Karim, we discussed the need to control what we’re exposed in terms of media and messages due to the depressive impact on mood. The flip side of that is who should we talk to that can help keep our spirits high and our thoughts hopeful. We decided to talk to someone who Mike believes is one of the most positive people he’s ever known: Jeremy Scott of Jeremy Scott Fitness. Jeremy is an author (of the best-selling book Make Success Mandatory), a gym owner, a sponsored athlete with Reebok, and a contributor for Men’s Health.  In fact, you may have seen him on the cover of a number of magazines and as the face of a number of brands on TV. We discussed his down-to-earth view on why we should find the good in our current situation, and some thoughts about what group training gyms might look like in the future. You can find Jeremy at his website jeremyscottfitness.com, on Instagram @jeremyscottfitness, and on his YouTube channel JeremyScottFitness. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

On the spur of the moment, we decided to do a Q and A episode on Mike’s channel on the Twitch streaming platform and take some questions from viewers there. We don’t usually act as experts on this show, but it’s ok once in a while, right? News reports have come out this week about the possibility of 24 Hour Fitness filing for bankruptcy protection. What impact would that have on the fitness industry? Some of the issues we covered: What is daily undulating periodization? (Related) What is auto-regulation in training? What can we talk about on 4/20? What do you say on a first date? (Check this past episode.) Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Gyms are closed, and everyone is scrambling to build out their home gyms so they don’t lose all their gains. Even in the best of times, it can be hard to decide what equipment you really need and where to buy it. We got Alan Thrall’s perspective on this topic in an earlier episode. Now we’ve tapped our friend and veteran YouTuber, Brandon Campbell Diamond. Brandon is known as a connoisseur of home gym equipment and has been producing honest, straight-forward reviews of lifting related equipment for a while. Some of the issues we covered: What’s the very first thing you should consider when planning a home gym? What qualities should you look for in well-built equipment? Are some bar coatings better than others? Which piece of equipment do you NOT need? When the gyms open again, is everyone just going to sell off their home gyms? You can find Brandon on Instagram: @basementbrandon and at his YouTube channel were he has great equipment reviews and training videos. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

No expert this episode due to some availability issues on our side. We talk about how we’re filing time during this lockdown and address an issue that a lot of people have asked us about privately the last few days. “With great power comes great responsibility” isn’t just for Spiderman.   Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Challenging times right now. How retain your sense of self well enough to meet them head on? We turned to Dr. Reef Karim, a leading expert in human behavior, to help us understand how we as humans react to prolonged stress and how to survive or even thrive these crazy times. Dr Karim is a double board-certified psychiatrist, addiction medicine physician, and relationship expert. He’s also a writer, host, and media personality. He’s served as an Assistant Clinical Professor at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience . He guest hosted Loveline  and was even named one of the sexist men alive by People magazine.. Here are some of the related questions we discussed: Does stress just make you more of what you already were – either an angel or an asshole? Should you be worried if you’re taking advantage of substances like alcohol to take the edge off our stress? How important is finding a new routine when so much of us have lost our old routines during this pandemic? What are a few steps you can take to come out of this situation actually feeling happier and more comfortable in your own skin? We kicked off the episode talking about our pet peeves during this time, what we’re binge watching…and avoiding…on TV. We also discuss that we should be doing ourselves while we’re stuck at home. Dr. Karim joins us at around the 27 minute mark. You can find Dr. Karim on Instagram: @reefkarim and at his website: reefkarim.com. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

The world is packing a lot of fear and anxiety into every day right now. That can complicate anyone’s emotions (and diet). It's especially for those of us who tend to be emotional eaters. Is staying away from the foods we love most the only answer? Why do we connect certain activities with food? Can we uncover the underlying reasons for our emotional eating? We asked Adrienne Ngai, RD, CDE, MSc to help us understand what drives emotional eating and what we can do to control it. You can find Adrienne on Instagram: @adrienne.rd and at her website: adriennerd.com. and Instagram @capitalprotectiongroup Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

We invited our old friend and training partner, Fat Dan, into the studio to talk about his private security business, and the disruptions were all facing in the wake of the Coronavirus. Why do people continue to put themselves in unsafe, crowded situations right now? Should you quit your full-time job to work for yourself? What (or who) is Diet Caramel and how do you get into that? You can find Dan on Instagram: @stormcloud415 and Twitter: @stormcloud415 and at his business website: Capital Protection Group. Recorded under shelter-in-place restrictions. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

While waiting around for a guest who we couldn’t quite reach on the phone, we talked ended up talking about some things that people strive for that are hard…or even impossible to reach. Similar to a recent episode of the podcast “Reply All,” we’re trying to identify a children’s horror movie or TV show from the 90s. Can you help? Check the episode for some familiar, oddly specific, and hopefully memory jogging, detail. It was about…a monster under the bed. Is it real? Or is it just the Mandela Effect? Our dreams, the kind we have when we’re asleep, have elusive qualities and are often difficult to interpret. What would it feel like to have some control over them? Can you learn how to do it? Can people really find a balance between commitment to long-term goals and living a normal life? Is it always tough to find the middle way between the two? Is sure seems like it. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

A few weeks ago, our good friend Jacob Ross was very sick but he didn’t know it. What he thought was a pinched nerve turned out to be a dangerous, and potentially lethal, accumulation of fluid around his heart. He’s much better now, so we can ask: how could this have happened to a young, healthy guy? What were the symptoms and why did he pass them off as simply an injury? How did he manage to squat a PR just a few days before having to be rushed to the hospital? Who intervened to help get him life-saving treatment? You should follow Jacob on Instagram @jacob.w.ross. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

We’re not runners, so we’re definitely not racers. We followed up last week’s episode on starting to run with a conversation about setting a goal to compete on one of a couple of popular types of races. Both of these have large, supportive communities and are considered to be a lot of fun. Is the prep the same for both races? Can you do it alone? Do you have to be able to run the whole distance before your first race? How can you prep for the all the kinds of tasks and obstacles of a Spartan race? You can find James and Rich on The Ragnar Life podcast, and on social media as @Jamesvanprooyen and @richnicholes on most social media platforms. We kicked off with the related question, can you call yourself a powerlifter if you don’t compete? Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

A lot of people grew up running for sports, but plenty of people stop just as soon as they can and never do it again. We ask runners James Van Prooyen & Rich Nicholes to tell us how to get started (or started again). Once you get your ass off the couch, what does the first day of running look like? What should your initial goals look like? What’s a really good way to get and stay motivated? If you get started, will you never want to stop? You can find James and Rich on The Ragnar Life podcast, and on social media as @Jamesvanprooyen and @richnicholes on most social media platforms. We kicked off the show with observations about why it seems like we either have nothing to do…or everything to do. Listener deals: For 20% off your first purchase, visit nativedeodorant.com and use promo code facts during checkout! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

We finally connect with Kalle Beck, the man behind StartingStrongman.com. If you saw the Facebook commercial during the Super Bowl, the Oscars, etc., you’ve seen Kalle and some of the members of the online strongman community he started years ago. How did he get interested in strongman in the first place? Did he really quit his job so he could compete in China? What’s it like to be in a huge TV commercial? What’s it like to move from California to Tennessee? How do you actually get started training strongman? (Yes, we broke format again and had the guest on for the whole episode.) You can find Kalle at startingstrongman.com, on Instagram @startingstrongman, and of course at the Starting Strongman Facebook group.  Listener deals: Someone in your life needs flowers! Get 25% off your order from The Bouqs Co.: Go to bouqs.com/facts with code facts Get 25% off your first month of RemRise when you sign up at GetRemRise.com/facts. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Our good friend Omar Isuf is in town, so he joined us for a conversation in which we actually talk quite a bit about celebrity, fitness, and how Omar accomplished his recent transformation? So much of the coverage of celebrities who get jacked revolves around their training, but does anyone believe they don’t use PEDs? Was Kobe Bryant’s death come about because people have a hard time saying no to celebrities? How did Omar know he could accomplish his transformation? What are the factors that contribute to a great powerlifting gym environment? Is it true that Omar has never seen “Remember the Titans?” Listener deals: Someone in your life needs flowers! Get 25% off your order from The Bouqs Co.: Go to bouqs.com/facts with code facts Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

In a “just us” episode, we take a look at a couple articles claiming to track the top fitness trends for 2020 – notably one from Men’s Health. Will personal trainers really be like rock stars in 2020? Are you really working out hard enough to need an extensive recovery plan, or is a regular good night’s sleep enough? Is mental/emotional health really, finally, going to be on par with physical health and fitness? We start by talking about the personal, and cultural, impacts of the deaths of Kobe Bryant and his fellow passengers lost in Sunday’s helicopter crash. How did Kobe change after retirement? Is it possible to be too driven? When people publicly mourn the death of a celebrity, what are people really reacting to? Listener deals: Someone in your life needs flowers! Get 25% off your order from The Bouqs Co.: Go to bouqs.com/facts and use the code facts Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Some programs claim to have been written for beginning lifters. Others for intermediates, etc. How do you when you’re past the beginner stage, and how much does it really matter? We asked Greg Nuckols to break it down for us. Here are some of our thoughts befgre we talked to Gret: Do you stop being a beginner when you stop having PRs every week? Or is it just when they are a little less frequent? With a conjugate program, you don’t test the same specific lift with much frequency, due to all the variations of types of accommodating resistance, specialty bars, etc. Does this make it harder to decide? Are lifters actually any good at this kind of self-evaluation, or does someone need to tell them? Does this distinction really matter? You can find Greg on Instagram @gregnuckols, on his strongerbyscience.com, and on the Stronger by Science podcast. We kick it off talking about how impossible it is to walk around in any major city without smelling pot…and whatever the next Star Wars movie might be. Also Leaving Neverland and Surviving R. Kelly. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Does women’s training really need an entirely different approach or just a couple tweaks? We asked Greg Nuckols, someone who recently wrote an article on this topic, to break it down for us. Here are some of our thoughts: Do women actually have great stamina for reps than men? Can women actually lift heavier on a percentage of max basis more frequently than men? The headcount of strong women is great than it’s probably ever been. What changed? Was training for women in the past too “soft” and were they held back by that? You can find Greg on Instagram @gregnuckols, on his strongerbyscience.com, and on the Stronger by Science podcast. We kick it off by congratulating Eric Cressey on his new position with the New York Yankees. Listener deals: Go to Get RemRise.com/facts, take their sleep quiz, and when sign up you’ll get your first week of Rem Rise FREE, just pay shipping1 Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

New Year. New avalanche of fitness and nutrition-related studies to confuse the resolutionistas (and the rest of us). How are we supposed to decide which ones to believe? We asked Greg Nuckols, someone who spends a lot of time evaluating research, to break it down for us. Here are some of our thoughts: Are there some sources we should listen over others? Should you read the entire study or is the abstract enough? What’s a legitimate sample size and why are large sample studies rare? How long should a study be run to be believable? If a finding is something that wasn’t the main focus of the study, should we still take it seriously? You can find Greg on Instagram @gregnuckols, on his strongerbyscience.com, and on the Stronger by Science podcast. We kick it off by talking about life in 1920 vs 2020. Listener deals: For 20% off your first purchase, visit nativedeodorant.com and use promo code facts during checkout! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

The next regular episode will drop on Jan 8, but we thought we’d have some fun and throw in this holiday bonus episode. We both saw “The Rise of Skywalker” so we talked through our thoughts and opinions. We also used the Business Insider’s ranking to discuss our thoughts on all the Star Wars films. There are tons of spoilers, so beware if you haven’t seen the movie yet! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

We take a look back at all of this year’s happenings and episodes. We talk about our favorite episodes of the year, our favorite answers from experts, and the answers we got the MOST wrong. Thanks to everyone who listened and special thanks to all our experts! We kick off the show talking about outsourcing, and “feeding the beast” of content creation. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

We were frankly confused. What are people talking about when they refer to Intuitive Eating? Is it a weight loss strategy or something else? We asked Miguel Blacutt to explain the role of intuitive eating. He’s a Masters student in Applied Physiology at Columbia University, works as research assistant to Jeff Nippard, and is currently collaborating with Dr. Andy Galpin. Here are some of our thoughts: Is it eating whatever you want whenever you want? Is it simple dieting without tracking? If you don’t track (calories, macros, etc.), can you actually lose weight? Is it just about internalizing what appropriate portions look like? Is it NOT about dieting at all? You can find Miguel on Instagram @mblacutt, and check out his podcast: The Flexible Dieting Lifestyle Podcast. We kick off the show talking about…dogs . Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

We’ve always heard that muscle grows when you break it down through exercise, lifting weights, etc. In fact, we’ve always been told that it was the ONLY way, but is that really true? We asked Miguel Blacutt , someone who has been intensely interested in this subject, to catch us up on the latest research. He’s a Masters student in Applied Physiology at Columbia University, works as research assistant to Jeff Nippard, and is currently collaborating with Dr. Andy Galpin. Here are some of our thoughts: Is “no pain, no gain” still a good strategy, or is it overkill? Is muscle soreness a good indicator that you worked out enough or too much? If tearing muscle down isn’t the solution to muscle growth, what is? What the relationship between building bigger muscles and building strength? You can find Miguel on Instagram @mblacutt, and check out his podcast: The Flexible Dieting Lifestyle Podcast. Listener deals: Remrise: Go to GetRemRise.com/FACTS, take their sleep quiz, and when sign up you’ll get your first week of Rem Rise FREE…just pay shipping. Candid: Go to Candidco.com/facts to get $75 off your own clear aligners. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Ever since Michael Phelps won Olympic gold medals for swimming looking like his back had been attacked by a giant octopus, athletes have been having suction cups stuck to their bodies. Long before that people had tiny needles stuck all over them. Do these “treatment” actually do anything? If they help, are they a short-term fix or do the results linger? We asked Dr. Teddy Willsey DPT for his insight. Dr. Willsey, is a co-founder of Citizen Athletics, a doctor of physical therapy, a strength and conditioning coach, movement enthusiast, and operator of Healthy Baller Physical Therapy in Washington, D.C. He has extensive experience in working with real athletes. Here are some of our thoughts: What is cupping and what is it trying to accomplish? Does it make any real difference in muscle tissue quality? Is cupping something you can do to yourself? What does acupuncture really do? Is dry needling the same thing as acupuncture? What about other similar strategies like ice water-filled, automated compression boots and sleeves like Game Ready? You can find Dr. Willsey on Instagram @strengthcoachtherapy, on his website citizensathletics.com. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Way back in episode 15, we talked to Dr. Jordan Shallow – a chiropractor – about this question. This time we pose it to a physical therapist. We asked Dr. Teddy Willsey DPT for his insight. Dr. Willsey, is a co-founder of Citizen Athletics, a doctor of physical therapy, a strength and conditioning coach, movement enthusiast, and operator of Healthy Baller Physical Therapy in Washington, D.C. He has extensive experience in working with real athletes. Here are some of our thoughts: What’s different about their education? What’s similar about their approaches? What’s different? Which may fit you best? How can you tell if you’re getting scammed? You can find Dr. Willsey on Instagram @strengthcoachtherapy, on his website citizensathletics.com. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Stretching is one of those topics that seems to get a major revision every few years. What’s the current thinking? We asked Dr. Teddy Willsey DPT for his insight. Dr. Willsey, is a co-founder of Citizen Athletics, a doctor of physical therapy, a strength and conditioning coach, movement enthusiast, and operator of Healthy Baller Physical Therapy in Washington, D.C. He has extensive experience in working with real athletes. Here are some of our thoughts: Does stretching make any difference to what you’re able to lift? Can you actually hurt yourself by stretching? Are you stretching muscles…or? What’s the difference between static and dynamic stretching? Should you do both? If so, which one when? Can stretching cause permanent changes to your flexibility? You can find Dr. Willsey on Instagram @strengthcoachtherapy, on his website citizensathletics.com. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

How many times have you felt twinge in your back while lifting – or even doing something that’s not strenuous at all – and thought, “What the hell did I just do to myself?” Since chronic back pain costs the American economy over $100 million a year, we wanted to look at the practical question of how to keep moving and avoid long-term pain. William Richards, of Fitness4backpain.com, joined us to walk us through the process he uses with his clients. William is a trainer who works with people who have finished physical therapy, but want to start – or get back to – fitness activities to promote better back health. His approach is highly practical (and should not be considered medical advice). Here are some of our thoughts: Should you lay in bed, do nothing, and hope to recover? What are some clues that you could be dealing with a bigger injury? What’s the first activity you should try to get back to? Does an ugly MRI mean you’re destined to be in pain? How much does fear impact recovery? Is it specific interventions or a general wellness approach most likely to get you back on your feet quickly…and help you avoid injury in the first place? You can find William on Instagram @fitness_4_back_pain, on his website. Listener deals: Mack Weldon: a premium men’s essentials brand that believes in smart design and premium fabrics. Check the episode for the promo code and get 20% your first order.   Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

We’re breaking format to offer this bonus conversation with a trans rights ally about the USAPL and its posture on transgender lifters. If you google “USAPL transgender policy” you’ll get pages of results from tons of mainstream media sites. How did this situation arise, and how are trans lifters pushing back? We asked Maria Rodriguez, CEO of Fear Her Fight Athletics and a trans ally, to give us her perspective on the situation. We attempt to explore multiple sides of this issue, realizing that we ourselves don’t have any concrete answers or solutions. Here are some of our thoughts: Is powerlifting really important enough to have more restrictive standards than the International Olympic Committee? Is the negative publicity worth it? What is the objection actually based on? If there’s no practical way to test for past steroid use, and we know that using steroids can offer permanent advantages to lifters, it that a terribly different situation? Should trans lifters just move on and compete where they’ll be welcomed? How does an ally decide the best ways to help? Maria powerlifts in Tacoma WA. You can find her on Instagram @marialiftstacoma, on her website Listener deals: Away Luggage: For $20 off a suitcase, visit awaytravel.com/facts and use promo code FACTS during checkout! Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

It seems like one of these diet documentaries pops up on streaming platforms every couple of years. Why do people get so upset when they disagree with the basic premise of docs like these? Many of our fitness industry friends are up in arms over claims in the vegetarian/vegan-themed documentary, “The Game Changers.” What’s the real danger if otherwise uninformed consumers actually believe these claims? We acknowledge that cherry-picked studies, anecdotes, and fear appeals are critical components of food docs. Rather than getting caught up in trying to debunk each and every claim, we look at the practical effects of someone believing the claims and acting on them We asked Registered Dietitian Matt McLeod to talk through this issue -- and major elements of this documentary -- with us. Here are some of our thoughts: Does using the performance of top athletes make the results more or less applicable to regular people? Do the studies and informal tests shown in the field reflect reality? Is it likely they short-term diet changes affect your boners? Did any of the athletes shown in the film grow up not eating meet? Is it really an optimal for athletes to not consume animal protein? Does HOW someone implements a vegetarian diet make a difference? If someone switches to a vegetarian or vegan diet based on watching this film, what’s the actual downside? You can find Matt on Instagram @@mattmcleod6, on his website, and on his podcast “More than Fitness.” Listener deals: Molekule.com -- For 10% off your first air purifier order, use our promo code. Warby Parker – Get your home try-on kit today at Warbyparker.com   Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

We kick things off talking about the WPO on ESPN and USAPL Raw Nationals. Would some kind of automated system could improve refereeing/judging in sports…or would that take the fun out of it? Here are some of your questions that we tackled: Why powerlifting? Is a well-developed back more important than well-developed legs? How do you train if you have no goals? What percentage should your last warmup be before a PR attempt? What’s the best way to combat self-doubt and negativity? What did we think of the Gamechangers documentary?  Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

A couple weeks ago, Eliud Kipchoge ran a sub-two-hour marathon. The first time a human has ever done that. That got us thinking…what is powerlifting’s nearly unbreakable record? Kipchoge had a number of advantages: running with others who were pacing him rather than running against him; vehicles with lasers discovering the best path to run in; and some special shoes not yet available to the public. Because of these factors, his record is unofficial. Are some powerlifting meets similarly skewed and should we want that for just the spectacle and the accomplishment? We asked Michael Fahey -- director of Westside vs the World and the guy responsible for getting powerlifting on ESPN -- to join us for our full discussion of the broader question. Here are some of our thoughts: Are all the broken records in the past few years the result of a bigger pool of talent? Can training methods make that much difference if there haven’t really been any new innovations in a long time? Are co-efficients really fair comparisons? Who thought 1,000+ pound raw squats would become fairly regular thing? Do tested records mean more or less than non-tested ones? Women have turned in some amazing performances in all the competition formats. Are we even capable of defining the limits at this point? It was difficult to come to any definitive conclusion, but we covered a lot of ground. You can count this one as 100% opinion. You can find Michael on Instagram @westsidefilm. The World Powerlifting Organizations Super Finals (equipped powerlifting) are on ESPN 3, October 28, 2019 at 1pm ET. You can watch at the link below. Link to the WPO on ESPN.(ESPN subscription required) Listener deals: Gainful: Get $15 OFF your first month of personalized protein powder when you go to gainful.com/facts. Candid: Have a “Photo Ready” smile by the holidays with clear aligners from Candid.  Go to CandidCO.com/FACTS and use code FACTS to get $75 off..  Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

So you’ve found yourself in the company of women. What do you say to turn the opportunity into a date? More importantly, how do you avoid being a turnoff? We asked Tripp Kramer to help us help you conquer this issue. Tripp is an internationally known dating coach and founder of Tripp Advice (http://www.trippadvice.com), a men's dating advice company. He is also the creator of the popular YouTube channel "Tripp Advice", which teaches men how to become more attractive to women and host of his own weekly podcast entitled "How to Talk to Girls". Here are some of our thoughts: How do you find the guts not to be a wallflower? What’s a good icebreaker that doesn’t sound…creepy? When in the conversation should you ask for a number? Should you try to give the conversation structure, or just let it flow? How do you know if you’re really making a connection? What should you say to an online match? Is that different? While we focused on the specific question of guys talking to girls, much of the advice fits getting out of your shell and meeting new people period. You can find Tripp on Instagram @@trippadvice Listener deals: Mack Weldon: a premium men’s essentials brand that believes in smart design and premium fabrics. Check the episode for the promo code and get 20% your first order. Gainful: Get $15 OFF your first month of personalized protein powder when you go to gainful.com/facts.   Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Friends, dates, relationships…all pretty essential to most of us, right? But a lot of us suck at finding good places to meet potential partners. We asked Tripp Kramer to help us help you conquer this issue. Tripp is an internationally known dating coach and founder of Tripp Advice, a men's dating advice company. He is also the creator of the popular YouTube channel "Tripp Advice," which teaches men how to become more attractive to women and the host of his own weekly podcast entitled "How To Talk To Girls." Here are some of our thoughts on the question: Are some places too tacky and obvious (meat markets)? Should bars be off your list? Is the gym actually a good place or is everybody too sweaty and gross? Are there activities that are more likely to result in good conversation? Is it better to go where there the MOST opportunities or the BEST opportunities? While we focused on the specific question of guys meeting girls, much of the advice also works for getting out of your shell and meeting new people -- period. You can find Tripp on Instagram @@trippadvice Listener deals: Gainful: Get $15 OFF your first month of personalized protein powder when you go to gainful.com/facts.   Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Injuries can be huge setbacks for competitive athletes. Everyone has a certain window of time in which they can play their best. Time out of competition is time lost that can’t be recovered. For some, they can end a career. The question dovetails well with episode 46’s discussion of workload management, but obviously that’s not the whole story. Dr. Ramsey Nijem gives us insight from his doctoral thesis, as well as his work with professional athletes. There are some great takeaways for coaches, athletes…and even powerlifters. Here are some of our thoughts: What lifestyle factors outside of training might lead to injury? Does drinking or drug use make injuries more likely? How are outcomes and training effects different? Does it help get stronger period, or does it matter how strength is incorporated? How much is controllable? We kick off the conversation by wondering if 25 should just be the legal age for everything? Dr. Nijem earned his Doctorate of Science in Human and Sport Performance as well as Health Promotion and Wellness in 2018. He has published research in top scientific journals in strength and conditioning and is currently investigating injury risk in NBA athletes. He earned his B.S. from UC Santa Barbara and M.S. from Cal State *Fullerton’s Center for Sport Performance (where he studied with Dr. Andy Galpin). After several years as head Performance and Strength Coach for the Sacramento Kings NBA franchise, he recently became the Men’s Basketball Director of Sport Performance for the University of Kansas (KU Jayhawks), one of the top Division 1 college basketball programs. You can find him on Instagram @dr.ramsey.nijem Listener deals: Warby Parker’s Free Home Try-On program: Order 5 pairs of glasses and try them on for 5 days – there is no obligation to buy! Ships free and includes a pre-paid return shipping label. Head to warbyparker.com/FACTS to order your free Home Try-On. Take the quiz to find a pair that is perfect for you today! Gainful: Get $15 OFF your first month of personalized protein powder when you go to gainful.com/facts.   Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

How do you balance the strength and conditioning work of an athlete with the practice, and actual performance, of their sport? Dr. Ramsey Nijem gives us insight from his doctoral thesis, as well as his work with professional athletes. There are some great takeaways for coaches, athletes…and even powerlifters. Here are some of our thoughts: How is exertion in a game setting quantified? How much is based on personal observation versus some automated system? What role does sleep play? How much do food, and alcohol, choices affect everything? Does travel screw things up as much as you’d think? Are there emotional factors that seriously impact performance? How can a coach help an athlete improve their recovery? Dr. Nijem earned his Doctorate of Science in Human and Sport Performance as well as Health Promotion and Wellness in 2018. He has published research in top scientific journals in strength and conditioning and is currently investigating injury risk in NBA athletes. He earned his B.S. from UC Santa Barbara and M.S. from Cal State Fullerton’s Center for Sport Performance (where he studied with Dr. Andy Galpin). After several years as head Performance and Strength Coach for the Sacramento Kings NBA franchise, he recently became the Men’s Basketball Director of Sport Performance for the University of Kansas (KU Jayhawks), one of the top Division 1 college basketball programs. You can find him on Instagram @dr.ramsey.nijem Listener deals: Get a “Photo Ready” smile now with clear aligners from Candid! Go to CandidCO.com/FACTS and use code FACTS to get seventy-five dollars off. Manscaped is #1 in men’s below the belt grooming. Manscaped offers precision engineered tools for your family jewels. Get 20% Off and Free Shipping with the code facts at Manscaped.com.  Society Socks -- a men’s sock subscription company that sends two pairs of exclusively designed socks to your door every month. Try out the first month of a sock subscription at 50% off when you use the code FACTS at mysocietysocks.com. Put an end to boring socks and subscribe today!  Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

If you’re strength and conditioning coach, you probably want to work with athletes. If you can, you probably want to work with professional athletes. How do those opportunities come about? And will striving to get there make you an all-around better coach? We asked Dr Ramsey Nijem, who a few year ago became probably the youngest every head strength coach in the NBA, to break it down for us. Here are some of our thoughts: What are the degree requirements? Which certifications are really necessary? How do you learn to handle professional athletes? How much is programing and how much is psychology? What do you have to do to prove yourself to management? Is there a clear career path? Dr. Nijem earned his Doctorate of Science in Human and Sport Performance as well as Health Promotion and Wellness in 2018. He has published research in top scientific journals in strength and conditioning and is currently investigating injury risk in NBA athletes. He earned his B.S. from UC Santa Barbara and M.S. from Cal State Fullerton’s Center for Sport Performance (where he studied with Dr. Andy Galpin). After several years as head Performance and Strength Coach for the Sacramento Kings NBA franchise, he recently became the Men’s Basketball Director of Sport Performance for the University of Kansas (KU Jayhawks), one of the top Division 1 college basketball programs. Support for this episode comes from Gainful.com! Gainful is a subscription protein service that helps you find the best blend for your goals…and provides a registered dietician to help you meet those goals. We really want you to get your own personalized protein powder from Gainful, so we’ve arranged a Special Offer for our listeners. Get $15 OFF your first month of personalized protein ONLY when you go to gainful.com/facts Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

We’re breaking format again! This time we’re doing an open AMA, or in this case Ask Us Anything. Normally we like to have an expert backstop our opinions…or correct us…but this time we’re flying without a net. Here are some of the questions we took on: What do we think of marijuana and CBD? Will technology ever be used to judge squat depth in meets? What are our least favorite foods? What’s the cost of living in Sacramento? Try this cost-of-living calculator Did Mike’s powerlifting background help or hurt when he started Olympic lifting? Does Jim still lift? How do you stay hydrated when you’re on the move? Are Jim and @jacob.w.ross related? What if your significant other doesn’t share your fitness/lifting goals? Top three tips for starting a new small business? How do you know when it’s time for something new? HUGE THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO SUBMITTED QUESTIONS!  Support for this episode comes from Society Socks -- a men’s sock subscription company that sends two pairs of exclusively designed socks to your door every month. These socks are made of a warm, soft and comfortable blend of combed cotton guaranteed to make your feet feel and look great! Try out the first month of a sock subscription at 50% off when you use the code FACTS at mysocietysocks.com. Put an end to boring socks and subscribe today! Support for this episode also comes from Gainful.com! Gainful is a subscription protein service that helps you find the best blend for your goals…and provides a registered dietician to help you meet those goals. We really want you to get your own personalized protein powder from Gainful, so we’ve arranged a Special Offer for our listeners. Get $15 OFF your first month of personalized protein ONLY when you go to gainful.com/facts   Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

The medium of podcasting has grown enormously in the past few years. How do you get started? And is it really right for you? Being veterans of the podcasting game, Jim and Mike field questions from listeners such as: How much does it cost to get started? What are the tech requirements? Are podcasting and YouTube really all that different? How do you keep a consistent release schedule? How do you differentiate yourself from the crowd? How do you know when it’s time to move on? Here’s the basic podcasting course that Jim used to get started in 2013. Support for this episode comes from Warby Parker! Check out the Free Home Try-On program. Order 5 pairs of glasses and try them on for 5 days -- there is no obligation to buy! Ships free and includes a pre-paid return shipping label. Head to warbyparker.com/FACTS to order your free Home Try-On. Take the quiz to find a pair that is perfect for you today! Support for this episode also comes from Gainful.com! Gainful is a subscription protein service that helps you find the best blend for your goals…and provides a registered dietician to help you meet those goals. We really want you to get your own personalized protein powder from Gainful, so we’ve arranged a Special Offer for our listeners. Get $15 OFF your first month of personalized protein ONLY when you go to gainful.com/facts Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

We’ve heard for years that WHEN you eat can make a huge difference. We’ve also heard that WHEN we eat carbs…or fat…or protein…can be critical to making the biggest gains, or losing the most weight, etc. What’s the actual story? Here are the additional angles we came up with: Are there time windows for maximizing gains (or weight loss)? Does timing matter more for some people than others? Do you need to build your life – and your workouts --- around your meals? Can you eat so much protein at one time that your body can’t use it all? Will too much protein damage your kidneys? Dr. Mike Israetel comes in at about 11:21 to set the record straight. A cofounder of Renaissance Periodization, Dr. Mike Israetel​ holds a PhD in Sport Physiology from East Tennessee State University. Formerly a professor of Exercise and Sport Science in the School of Public Health at Temple University in Philadelphia, Mike has taught several courses, including Nutrition for Public Health, Advanced Sports Nutrition and Exercise, and Nutrition and Behavior. You can find him on IG  @rpdrmike and on Twitter: @ misraetel We kick off the show talking about engaging an audiences, genetics, and stretch goals.         Support for 50% Facts comes from Manscaped, who is #1 in men’s below the belt grooming. Manscaped offers precision engineered tools for your family jewels. Get 20% Off and Free Shipping with the code facts at Manscaped.com.    Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Your body turns food into energy, but how does that work? Can you use tricks and hacks to overcome your body’s natural tendency to be either fat or skinny? Here are the additional angles we came up with: Does eating six times a day rev up your metabolism? Do crash diets crash your metabolism? Does just losing weight slow it down? How do you keep from quickly regaining weight when you hit your goal weight? If your metabolism can truly be broken, can you fix it? Dr. Mike Israetel comes in at about 12:19 to set the record straight. A cofounder of Renaissance Periodization, Dr. Mike Israetel​ holds a PhD in Sport Physiology from East Tennessee State University. Formerly a professor of Exercise and Sport Science in the School of Public Health at Temple University in Philadelphia, Mike has taught several courses, including Nutrition for Public Health, Advanced Sports Nutrition and Exercise, and Nutrition and Behavior.   You can find him on IG  @rpdrmike and on Twitter: @ misraetel We kick off the show talking about the return of the NFL and the high cost of travel lodging. This episode is sponsored by Keeps. 2 out of 3 guys will experience some form of male pattern baldness by the time they’re 35. The good news? With today’s advancements in science, Keeps offers proven treatments that can combat the symptoms of hair loss. Find out why Keeps has more 5-star reviews than any of its competitors and nearly 100 thousand men trust Keeps for their hair loss prevention medication. Keeps’ treatments start at just $10/month. If you’re ready to take action and prevent hair loss, go to Keeps.com/FACTS to receive your first month of treatment for FREE.   Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Seems like society makes a lot of rules for guys. Should not eating soy be one of them? Soy contains phytoestrogens…chemical cousins to one of the human female sex hormones. Should we be worried? Here are the additional angles we came up with: How much estrogen is in soy? How much would you need to consume for it to be a problem? Do guys have estrogen in their bodies anyway? Are guys exposed to estrogen in other ways besides food? What does having too much estrogen do to a guy’s body (Boobs? Lower sperm counts?)? Is there any way to fix that?   Dr. Mike Israetel joins us to set the record straight. A cofounder of Renaissance Periodization, Dr. Mike Israetel​ holds a PhD in Sport Physiology from East Tennessee State University. Formerly a professor of Exercise and Sport Science in the School of Public Health at Temple University in Philadelphia, Mike has taught several courses, including Nutrition for Public Health, Advanced Sports Nutrition and Exercise, and Nutrition and Behavior.   You can find him on IG  @rpdrmike and on Twitter: @ misraetel We kick off the show talking about what lil’ Wayne has to do giving up caffeine and alcohol, the lure of obsessions, the drive to get great deals, and Jim’s cold brew coffee recipe. This episode is sponsored by Blue Chew. Blue Chew brings you the first chewable with the same FDA-approved active ingredients as Viagra and Cialis so you know they work. You can take them anytime, day or night--even on a full stomach--and since they’re chewable, they work up to twice as fast as a pill. Right now, we’ve got a special deal for our listeners: Visit BlueChew.com and get your first shipment FREE when use our special promo code [facts]-- Just pay $5 shipping.  Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Many people would love to be professional e-sports gamers. How do you get to that level? And how do you stay in good shape when you’re spending hours and hours a day playing games online? Here are the additional angles we came up with: What are some common physical issues associated with extended game play (other than weight gain)? Is there an ideal age for becoming a pro gamer? How do you become a pro anyway? How do you manage stress around tournaments? What physical activities are the best for staying in shape while gaming? Is it weird that you can now see celebrities on Twitch playing Fortnite?   Michael “Flamesword” Chaves is well-known as a HALO player (and now coach), and was the first gamer whose picture was printed on Red Bull cans. He’s also known for his commitment to fitness, and avoiding the stereotype of the overweight, couch potato gamer. He shares how got into both gaming and fitness, and how each pursuit has helped the other. You can find him on IG  @flamesword and on Twitter: @OpTicFlamesword  We kick off the show talking about why it’s hard to know when to trust sales people.  This episode is sponsored by Away: Thoughtful luggage for modern travel For $20 off a suitcase, visit awaytravel.com/facts and use promo code "facts" during checkout! Free shipping​ on any Away order within the contiguous US, Europe, and Australia.   Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

The existence of weight classes and coefficients drive many people to do last minute weight cuts, but many don’t make the best choices when making these cuts. If competition is about being your best, are you setting yourself up for a sub-par performance? There are many ways to cut, but which ways are optimal? We cover these points, and the questions below, in this very compact episode. How much is too much to lose for a 24-hour weigh-in? Or a two-hour weigh-in? Are laxatives a good idea or will you have to poop on the platform? Can you cut enough weight without manipulating water intake? Do you have to cut carbs? Or salt? How do you put the weight back on quickly, safely, and without stomach upset? Is pigging out ever a good idea?   Eric holds a BS in fitness and wellness, an MS in exercise science, a second masters in sports nutrition, a PhD in strength and conditioning, and is a research fellow for AUT at the Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand. Omar is a successful YouTube content creator from Canada, a partner with Mike Farr and Bart Kwan on Kizen Training, as well has pursuing other business ventures.  You can find Eric at 3DMuscleJourney.com and on Instagram: @helms3dmj You can find Omar on his hugely successful YouTube channel. And Instagram as @omarisuf. You can find them both on their new podcast, Iron Culture.  Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Once again, we take on this question with that help of guests Eric Helms and Omar Isuf. With the known injury rates of many sports…including or maybe especially strength sports…maybe we should all just…be bodybuilders? Unpacking this question inevitably leads to more questions: Can you actually call bodybuilding a sport? Is bodybuilding style training actually safer in terms of injuries? Do you have to use performance enhancing drugs? Is the “bodybuilding lifestyle” actually healthy? Does bodybuilding – or other types of aesthetic competition – lead inevitably to disordered eating? Are you really a bodybuilder if you don’t actually compete? Is the sacrifice worth it in the end? Eric holds a BS in fitness and wellness, an MS in exercise science, a second masters in sports nutrition, a PhD in strength and conditioning, and is a research fellow for AUT at the Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand. Omar is a successful YouTube content creator from Canada, a partner with Mike Farr and Bart Kwan on Kizen Training, as well has pursuing other business ventures. He’s also a keen observer of media. You can find Eric at 3DMuscleJourney.com and on Instagram: @helms3dmj You can find Omar on his hugely successful YouTube channel. And Instagram as @omarisuf. You can find them both on their new podcast, Iron Culture, but we’re drawing a blank on when new episodes get released.  This episode is sponsored by Blue Chew. BlueChew brings you the first chewable with the same FDA-approved active ingredients as Viagra and Cialis so you know they work. You can take them anytime, day or night--even on a full stomach--and since they’re chewable, they work up to twice as fast as a pill. Right now, we’ve got a special deal for our listeners: Visit BlueChew.com and get your first shipment FREE when use our special promo code [facts]-- Just pay $5 shipping. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Our digestive system has all kinds of stuff living in it that we can’t see with the naked eye – and even if we could, it would still be inside of us so... Anyway, does any of this stuff we’re carrying around affect how fit we are? Dr. Jimmy Bagley is an Assistant Professor of Kinesiology, and Director of the Muscle Physiology Lab (@musclephyslab), Co-Director of the Exercise Physiology Lab, and Research Director of the Strength and Conditioning Lab at SF State. His department has conducted studies about the human gut microbiome. We got him on the line to run down some findings from the Human Genome Project, as well as some of his own work. But first we followed our guts and asked some additional questions about how what’s living in our guts might affect many different aspects of human life and health. Here’s what we came up with: Can we change our gut microbiome or does it change us? Or both? Does self-improvement start with our guts? Are there genetic or gender differences in the composition of our gut microbiome? Can your microbiome make you crave? Can a fat person get gut bacteria from a skinny person…and get skinny? Our ideas start about 14:04. Dr. Bagley joins us about 21:38. We kick off the episode talking about an appropriate topic: food. Why are combo meals with mandatory tortilla chips LESS expensive that the same items WITHOUT the chips? We also talk about two ends of the Sacramento restaurant spectrum: Taco Bell Cantina and The Kitchen (which was recently awarded a Michelin star). You can find Dr. Bagley on Instagram at @drjimmybagley, and on Twitter at  @drjimmybagley. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

We take on this question with that help of previous guests Eric Helms and Omar Isuf, who joined us in studio. Eric holds a BS in fitness and wellness, an MS in exercise science, a second masters in sports nutrition, a PhD in strength and conditioning, and is a research fellow for AUT at the Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand. Omar is a successful YouTube content creator from Canada, a partner with Mike Farr and Bart Kwan on Kizen Training, as well has pursuing other business ventures. He’s also a keen observer of media.  Here's part of how we broke it down.  What sets off our BS detectors? What are some common elements of gimmicks and scams in fitness? Is anything ever really too good to be true? Who usually ends up pitching them? How should scrupulous marketers (and content creators) craft their messages in ways that are not misleading? You can find Eric at 3DMuscleJourney.com and on Instagram: @helms3dmj You can find Omar on his hugely successful YouTube channel. And Instagram as @omarisuf. You can find them both on their new podcast, Iron Culture, but we’re drawing a blank on when new episodes get released. Thanks to Eric and Omar for joining us! This episode is sponsored by The Great Courses Plus. For a limited time only, they are offering our listeners an entire Month for FREE! Check out the course Understanding Human Behavior for free. It’s a great fit for the topic of this episode. Start your free month trial today using our special URL: Thegreatcoursesplus.com/FACTS   Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

When weight-loss diets work, they work by creating a caloric deficit and not through any other magic. We’ve established that with our experts on the show already. We’ve also established that cutting out a whole category of nutrient --like cutting carbs in a ketogenic diet – can accomplish a calorie reduction. But what if you cut everything but meat? You may be accomplishing the goal of reducing calories, but at what nutritional cost? Jason Phillips joined us to ponder this diet and share thoughts about whether it’s a good idea…apart from whether or not it’s effective. Jason is the founder of iN³ Nutrition and the Nutritional Consulting Institute. Jason has written for several publications including Men’s Fitness and his own book, Macros Explained: Your Ultimate Guide to Macronutrient Prescription for Health, Performance, and Aesthetics and Macros Applied: Bridging the Gap from Science to Application.  Here’s what we came up with on our own: If there’s no real downside to eating vegetables, why not eat them? Outside of a reduction in calories, is there anything special about meat that makes the diet more worthwhile? Are all-or-nothing strategies just easier for some people to stick to? Is there a marketing/FOMO angle? Does taking a more extreme stance equal greater popularity in the fitness space? When does Mike’s “Tequila and Broccoli diet book come out? Our ideas start pretty much from the jump. Jason joins us about 13:38.   You can find Jason on Instagram at @jasonphillips_in3 and at in3nutrition.com This episode is sponsored by The Great Courses Plus. For a limited time only, they are offering our listeners an entire Month for FREE! Check out the course Understanding Human Behavior for free and maybe you’ll be able to tell US why someone would choose to eat carnivore. It’s a great fit for the topic of this episode. Start your free month trial today using our special URL: Thegreatcoursesplus.com/FACTS   This episode is also sponsored by Warby Parker! Jump into the FREE home try-on program. Get five pairs of glasses to check out at home with no cost or obligation at warbyparker.com/facts   Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

No guest for this quick bonus episode. We sat down to brainstorm a little about our mission with this show in light of changes coming to the categories in Apple Podcasts. Our main category “Fitness and Nutrition” is being split up, and “Self-help” -- in which we're also listed -- is going away. Mental Health is being added as well as Self Improvement (under Education). These changes are supposed to occur later in this Summer (2019). That prompted us to discuss what self-help means, and ponder a few other questions: How often the words self-help NOT followed by the word “guru?” If self-help is such a huge category for books, why take that category away from podcasts? We try hard not to take any guru stances, but what are we really? How much of self-help is really mental health self-care, and how much is actually self-improvement (gaining new information or learning new skills)? How do we make the information we provide more findable in this new environment? We also touch on anxiety and depression as they related to self-help, and Mike also discusses some personal experiences with counseling and mental health care. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Keto diets have been the new hotness for a while, but do they actually make sense for most people? Is it a better diet for athletes, couch potatoes…or both Jason Phillips joined us to unpack this fat-laden diet choice. Jason is the founder of iN³ Nutrition and the Nutritional Consulting Institute. Jason has written for several publications including Men’s Fitness and his own book, Macros Explained: Your Ultimate Guide to Macronutrient Prescription for Health, Performance, and Aesthetics and Macros Applied: Bridging the Gap from Science to Application hits the market in February of 2019.   Here’s what we came up with on our own: Do people even understand what keto is? How low should carbs really be on keto? Is all that fat really more satiating? Are the arguments for keto largely cherry picked from studies that really aren’t that supportive? Was keto’s popularity driven by a marketing angle? What has inspired keto zealotry? Are there gender differences in how the diet performs? Our ideas start about 11:39. Jason joins us about 27:34. We kick off the episode talking about rude people having loud phone conversations where everyone can hear. You can find Jason on Instagram at @jasonphillips_in3 and at in3nutrition.com   This episode is sponsored by The Great Courses Plus. For a limited time only, they are offering our listeners an entire Month for FREE! Check out the Entrepreneur’s Tool Kit. It’s a great fit for the topic of this episode. Start your free month trial today using our special URL: Thegreatcoursesplus.com/FACTS Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

VR games are probably never going to replace lifting weights, but could they make cardio more fun…and more likely to get done? Dr. Jimmy Bagley is an Assistant Professor of Kinesiology, and Director of the Muscle Physiology Lab, Co-Director of the Exercise Physiology Lab, and Research Director of the Strength and Conditioning Lab at SF State. His department has conducted studies using VR games to test how humans respond to exercise performed in virtual reality and augmented reality environments. We got him on the line to run down exactly how those studies worked, but first we took our own stab at this question. Here’s what we came up with: It seems very likely to work, but will this really get people off the couch? How available is this technology? If this really works well, will globo-gyms someday have VR rooms in place of bike/cardio rooms? Do people workout longer when they’re competing against others in a game environment? How similar is it to the recent experience Mike had at local bike gym All City Riders, or being on a Peloton bike at home. Our ideas start about 4:00. Dr. Bagley joins us about 12:45. We kick off the episode talking about why we don’t talk about politics. You can find Dr. Bagley on Instagram at @drjimmybagley, and on Twitter at  @drjimmybagley. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

You often see a disclaimer on a diet article or commercial that goes something like, “Please see a doctor before starting any exercise program.” What are they supposed to be looking for? We often hear about “health markers.” What are they? Bottomline: How do doctors decide if you’re generally healthy? Here’s what we came up with: Is there some standard list of results that matter the most? How important are HDL, LDL, and triglycerides? Are resting heart rate and blood pressure more or less critical?? What other tests might be important in determining whether you’re at immediate risk, or is even possible to know? Dr. Spencer Nadolsky is a practicing board-certified family medicine physician. After a successful athletic career at University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, he enrolled in medical school at Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg. He aspired to change the world of medicine by supporting lifestyle over drugs (when possible). He specializes in Obesity Medicine. And yes, he lifts. Our ideas start about 12:40. Dr. Nadolsky joins us about 20:00. We kick off the episode talking about whether being a "jack of all trades" is all it's cracked up to be. You can find Dr. Nadolsky on Instagram at @drnadolsky, on Facebook at facebook.com/DrSpencerNadolsky, on Twitter at  @DrNadolsky, and at his website: drspencer.com Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

This episode is sponsored by The Great Courses Plus. For a limited time only, they are offering our listeners an entire Month for FREE! Check out the Entrepreneur’s Tool Kit. It’s a great fit for the topic of this episode. Start your free month trial today using our special URL: Thegreatcoursesplus.com/FACTS Episode Notes: Many of you have probably dreamed about being your own boss. Maybe even opening your own gym. We pose that question to a guy who’s done it…and succeeded. Mike shares his first experiences with starting businesses, and how opening a gym didn’t go as planned. Here are some additional factors we talked about: How much does location matter? Where are your members/clients going to come from, and how will you reach them? How broadly (or narrowly) should you be defining your target membership? What kinds of costs do you need to think about related to opening the business and the facility? What are you willing to risk in order to start a brick and mortar business like a gym? Can you afford to keep it going through the parts where you’re not making much – or maybe even any -- money? Alan Thrall joins us with his experienced take on this topic. Alan is the owner of Untamed Strength, a strongman/powerlifting gym in Sacramento, CA. He talks about starting without a real plan, and why you should probably have one. He also shares how his gym has grown and changed over the years, and the important things he’s learned. Our ideas start around from the beginning of the episode. Alan joins us around 14:08. You can find Alan on Instagram at @untamedstrength, on YouTube and at his website: trainuntamed.com  Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal (@connoroneal). Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

This episode is sponsored by The Great Courses Plus. For a limited time only, they are offering our listeners an entire Month for FREE! Start your free month trial today using our special URL: Thegreatcoursesplus.com/FACTS Episode Notes: Say you don’t have access to the kind of gym you want to lift in, or any gym period…but you have a garage (or something similar)? What’s absolutely essential to making a home gym work for you, and about how much money would you need to spend? Here’s what we came up with: Spend as little as possible…or as much as possible? What’s the minimum equipment you need? Are dumbbells and specialty bars necessary? Is flooring a critical element or a luxury How much is a decent power rack? How do you keep from busting up the floor? Alan Thrall joins us with his experienced take on this topic. Alan is the owner of Untamed Strength, a strongman/powerlifting gym in Sacramento, CA. (The term we were looking for about Alan’s service as a Marine was “body bearer.”)  Alan makes some specific equipment recommendations, including racks from Rogue Fitness. Our ideas start around 9:00. Alan joins us around 19:30. You can find Alan on Instagram at @untamedstrength, on YouTube and at his website: trainuntamed.com Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal (@connoroneal). Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

It’s a BONUS episode! And there are SPOILERS! Obviously, we wanted talk about the end of Game of Thrones. It’s not that we’re terribly upset about it, but wow there’s a lot of pissed off people on the internet. Beyond that, it got us thinking about our personal stories, about beginnings and endings, and how difficult it might be to tell the true story of someone’s life in a film or TV show. Here’s what we came up with: What did we love and hate most about the way the individual stories played out at the end of the show? To what extent do each of us plot out our personal stories in our heads before we make big decisions?  If we know where we want to end up, how do we choose our steps along the way? How much impact do comments from people on YouTube and social media about the decisions we’ve made (that affect who we work with and the content we produce) have on us? How is storytelling different in fiction vs documentary/real life? We’re joined on the panel in the first segment by Connor O’Neal who produces the video version of the show and handles Mike’s YouTube channel. Our panel discussion kicks off from the jump. Michael Fahey, director of the documentary Westside vs The World, joins us about 39:00 to give his perspective on presenting the stories of real people on film in a way that’s both accurate and entertaining. (And commercially viable.) Westside vs The World, which details the history of Louie Simmons and Westside Barbell, is now available for rent or purchase on most steaming platforms. You can find Michael on Instagram at @westsidefilm, on Facebook at facebook.com/westsidefilm, on Twitter at  @westsidefilm, and at the website: www.westsidevstheworld.com Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal (@connoroneal). Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Seems like we’ve been hearing about the dangers of too much salt for decades because of its effect on blood pressure, but lately we’ve seen recommendations about adding salt to your diet for better performance. Is salt really dangerous? Does it actually help you perform better? Here’s what we came up with: Does salt always affect blood pressure? Why would additional salt improve performance? Are some kinds of salt better or worse for you? Why have always been told to avoid? Do powerlifters need sports drinks like Gatorade? Dr. Spencer Nadolsky is a practicing board-certified family medicine physician. After a successful athletic career at University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, he enrolled in medical school at Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg. He aspired to change the world of medicine by supporting lifestyle over drugs (when possible). He specializes in Obesity Medicine. And yes, he lifts. Our ideas start about 11:20. Dr. Nadolsky joins us about 19:00. He outlines the situations were additional salt might hurt or help, and when the wrong type of salt might lead to hypothyroidism. We kick off the episode talking about bike shopping, and shopping for flights on Hopper, Google Flights, and Scott’s Cheap Flights. You can find Dr. Nadolsky on Instagram at @drnadolsky, on Facebook at facebook.com/DrSpencerNadolsky, on Twitter at  @DrNadolsky, and at his website: drspencer.com Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

This episode is sponsored by Green Chef. Use our link for $50 off your first order: greenchef.us/facts Episode notes: Nutrition coach Jason Phillips joins us for this episode. Serious strength, aesthetic, and health goals can seem to require very different nutritional strategies, but what are the things they have in common?  Here’s what we came up with: How often do strength athletes use their goals as an excuse for bad eating habits? Is it food choice or food quantity that matters most? Do carbs and aesthetics really not go together? What role do performance enhancing drugs play in these goals? How is “health” defined?   Our ideas start about 8:40. Jason joins us about 16:50. We kick off the episode talking about neglecting Instagram, Black Mirror, and gore porn. Here’s one of the first projects that we worked on together. Jason Phillips is the founder of iN³ Nutrition and the Nutritional Consulting Institute. Jason has written for several publications including Men’s Fitness and his own book, Macros Explained: Your Ultimate Guide to Macronutrient Prescription for Health, Performance, and Aesthetics and Macros Applied: Bridging the Gap from Science to Application. You can find Jason on Instagram at @jasonphillips_in3 and at in3nutrition.com   Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Is deadlifting bad for your back? w/Squat University’s Dr. Aaron Horshchig  IF you heard this deadlift episode last week under the title “Why do people think squats are bad for your back?” go back and re-download that title and you’ll get the correct episode on squatting. ____ How many times have you heard someone say they don’t want to deadlift because they’re afraid they’ll hurt their back? Too many.   Neither of us have had back pain issues caused specifically by deadlifts, so we tried to think of reasons that people might actually believe this. Here’s what we came up with: If your back rounds when you pull, are you more likely to get hurt? Will improving your form protect you from injury or should you just “pull how you pull?” What about people who don’t pull with good form and never seem to get injured? What role do your spinal erectors play in the deadlift anyway? Aren’t your hamstrings more at risk anyway when you pull? Our ideas start about 17:00. Aaron weighs in at about 24:00 with some wisdom from Dr. Stuart McGill’s work. We talk about the idea that your back maybe only has so many bends, the mechanism of deadlift (movement in and out of load), and the dangers of copying the form of random person on Instagram…or even of a top puller. Specifically, the movement flaws of deadlift freaks and elite athletes’ are not an excuse for you to pull the same way. We also touch on ways that strongman style deadlifts and stone lifts are different from a standard powerlifting deadlift. As a physical therapist, Aaron works with Olympic weightlifters, powerlifters, Cross Fitters, international level soccer players, MLB and NFL athletes. He’s currently working with our friend, powerlifter J. P. Price. We open the show with a conversation about just how good a movie (or food or whatever) has to be to make it worth paying for. Is just having a good time enough? Our trip down the rabbit hole of this topic includes The Lion King, McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets, the Avengers movies, Iron Man, Black Panther, Thor, Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Trek, Star Wars, Disney Plus, and Steve McQueen’s Bullitt Mustang.   You can find Aaron at his website Squat University, on Instagram @squat_university, on YouTube  Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.    

Is it an old wives tale that squatting is bad for your knees? Or is there actually data behind it? Here’s what we came up with: Maybe there’s a body type that’s bad for squatting? Is the leg press somehow better? Does it possibly cause tendonitis/tendinopathy? How did this whole thing get started in the first place? Is it bad if your knee get too far over your toes?   Our ideas start about 9:58. Eavesdrop on our candid conversation with Aaron starting at 17:27 on continuing to learn and challenge yourself while working in your field. Immediately after, we transition to this episode’s main question. He explains how a theory about “stretching tendons” from a man named Karl Klein, and a subsequent 1962 article in Sports Illustrated, led to squatting being banned all over the place. We discuss arthritis, genetics, and how stimulus + recovery = adaptation should always be considered. As a physical therapist, Aaron works with Olympic weightlifters, powerlifters, Cross Fitters, international level soccer players, MLB and NFL athletes. He’s currently working with our friend, powerlifter J. P. Price. We kick the show off with a discussion of what AirBnb gets right, and wrong, and some ways to get a better experience than Mike recently had in Boston.   You can find Aaron at his website Squat University, on Instagram @squat_university, on YouTube  Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

So many people are focusing on building personal brands or becoming “influencers”--  often through social media, YouTube, podcasts, etc. – but has the time already passed? Will it still work if you start today? We asked our good friend Omar Isuf for his perspective -- and advice -- relative to this question. Omar is a successful YouTube content creator from Canada, a partner with Silent Mike and Bart Kwan on Kizen Training, as well has pursuing other business ventures. He's also a keen observer of media. Mike kicks off the discussion with the theory that hitting it big in social media is becoming as rare and unlikely as making it in the NBA. Eventually the real question comes: can you actually make a living through these avenues if you didn’t start five or ten years ago? We talked through a number of factors: Is it harder to stand out now…or actually easier? What’s possible now that didn’t used to be? Is it too late to make money on YouTube through “easy” monetization? Does taking “cheap” sponsorships impact earnings for everyone? Which strategies might work now? Is having an attractive image enough? Along the way we name check The Sandlot, Babe Ruth, Prince, Howard Stern, Joe Rogan, Brendan Schaub, Joey Diaz, and Pornhub. We also kick around masterminds, selling merch, developing your own products, paywalled content, reality TV, vlogging, failed porn actors, Luminary for podcasts, and anti-intellectualism. One hint at our answer: Success leaves clues   You can find Omar on his hugely successful YouTube channel. And Instagram as @omarisuf. Check out his new podcast, Iron Culture, with Eric Helms.    Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

We had some fun with this episode by breaking format and having an extended conversation with our good friend, Omar Isuf. Omar is a successful YouTube content creator, a partner with Silent Mike and Bart Kwan on Kizen Training, as well has pursuing other business ventures. He's also a keen observer of media. We talked about a variety of topics, but one central theme was effective storytelling in popular culture: Can’t anybody make a movie that’s not about a superhero anymore? Why do some stories resonate more than others? How does a good story cause you to suspend disbelief? Does the kind of story you enjoy reflect how you think about yourself? Here’s a link to the Star Wars line that Mark Hamill refused to say.  (Yes, we discussed Avengers: End Game and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.) In our next episode, we get down to business and tackle the question “Is it too late to get a huge following on YouTube and social media?” You can find Omar on his hugely successful YouTube channel. And on Instagram as @omarisuf. Check out his new podcast, Iron Culture, with Eric Helms.    Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Can people really just “suck it up” and stay disciplined and motivated? This question was prompted by a recent episode of the Joe Rogan experience.    Some of our thoughts on this question: If you choose a particular diet or workout because it’s easier for you to stick to, are you making a smart move or showing your lack of discipline? How much of a role does your self-created identity play in maintaining your motivation? Why do some people have all the discipline they need to accomplish whatever they want while others struggle?   Dr. Johnson draws on his experience working with athletes and executives to offer observations about what makes high performers tick, and strategies to help the rest of us. We jump right in with our ideas. Matt starts sharing his insight at around 15:00. You can find Dr. Johnson at his website drmattjohnson.com   Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Seems like a lot of lifters we know are always complaining about “tendonitis,” so we asked physical therapist (and founder of Squat University) Dr. Aaron Horschig the help us straighten out our understanding of what they’re really talking about – and potentially how to fix it. As a physical therapist, he works with Olympic weightlifters, powerlifters, Cross Fitters, international level soccer players, MLB and NFL athletes. He’s currently working with our friend, powerlifter J. P. Price. Here’s what we came up with: When people talk about “inflammation” in their tendons, is that what it actually is? Is tendonitis even the right term? If there is pain, where is it actually coming from? What works to heal/repair tendons that cause pain, but are not torn through? IFG-1?   Our ideas start about 9:22. Aaron starts dropping knowledge starting at around 19:20. You can find Aaron at his website Squat University, on Instagram @squat_university, on YouTube Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.  

For a lot of athletes, physical recovery from injury is only half the battle. How long does it take to learn to trust your body again?  Does the mental aspect affect everyone or are some people just immune? How do you keep the mental in line with the physical? Are you prone to pushing too hard, not hard enough, or some of both? How do you deal with setbacks? What approaches do professional athletes take to get their heads back in the game?  Dr. Johnson draws on his experience working with athletes and executives to offer observations about what makes high performers tick, and strategies to help the rest of us. We jump right in with our ideas. Matt starts dropping knowledge starting at around 17:20. You can find Dr. Johnson at his website drmattjohnson.com   Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Not all exercises are created equal. That much is certain. But are any of them at best a complete waste of time, and at worst, damaging? Some of our questions were: Does anybody need Jawzercize? Do hip thrusts really do anything for powerlifters? Behind the neck presses? Those have to be bad, right? Or is everything useful in the right context? Dr. Jordan Shallow is a chiropractor and competitive powerlifter. He gives us his take on the utility of a number of exercises, and makes some important points about the need for strength versus the need for stability. Our ideas start at about 5:00. Jordan starts dropping knowledge starting at around 14:30. It was great to have Jordan on the show. You can find him on Instagram: @the_muscle_doc and his website at pre-script.com Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Dr. Matt Johnson, a Certified Sport Psychology Consultant (and former Notre Dame quarterback), joins us to discuss a fundamental question about performance under pressure. Our thoughts: Are some people just born to be gamers? To perform at a high level in the clutch? Can regular people learn to handle pressure situations better? Is visualization important to improving performance? Do high performers think about everything at once? Or just ONE thing? What role does being in a “flow state” play? Dr. Johnson draws on his experience working with athletes and executives to offer observations about what makes high performers tick, and strategies to help the rest of us. Our ideas start at about 9:00. Our expert joins us starting at around 25:00. You can find Dr. Johnson at his website drmattjohnson.com Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

We’re committed to having a physical therapist join us in the future, but THIS time we’re talking to a chiropractor. Our questions: What’s different about their education? What’s similar about their approaches? What’s different? Which may fit you best? How can you tell if you’re getting scammed? Dr. Jordan Shallow is a chiropractor and competitive powerlifter. He helps us sort through these questions, and he gives his view on which differences matter and which don't. Our ideas start at about 12:00. Jordan starts dropping knowledge starting at around 24:00. It was great to have Jordan on the show. You can find him on Instagram: @the_muscle_doc and his website at pre-script.com  Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

We know that heat and cold shock proteins form in the body in reaction to changes in temperature, but what do they do and should we be trying hard to get them? How much do you need to change your body temperature to get a reaction? What, if anything, are cryo- chambers good for? Is it enough to just get hot or do you need to moving (like doing hot yoga)? When in a training cycle should you use them? Dr. Andy Galpin joins us again as expert for this discussion. Andy is a tenured Professor in the Center for Sport Performance at CSU Fullerton, and holds a PhD in Bioenergetics. Our ideas start at about 13:18. Andy starts dropping knowledge starting at around 18:00. Huge thanks to Andy for being our expert once again. You can find him on Instagram: @drandygalpin and his website at andygalpin.com (where there’s tons of free information). You can also find his book with Brian MacKinsey, “Unplugged” on Amazon.com Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

We’ve all heard the old tale about cracking your knuckles and arthritis, but what about your neck, back and all the other parts of you that crack and pop? Is there actually a connection to arthritis? Why do chiropractors and other manual practitioners pop or “adjust” your back or neck? What about shoulders, hips, and knees that pop on their own? Is that good or bad? Does any of this relate to overall joint health? Dr. Jordan Shallow is a chiropractor and competitive powerlifter. He helps us sort through these questions, and he gives some good guidelines on what to look for in a good practitioner. Our ideas start at about 15:00. Jordan joins starting at around 24:00. It was great to have Jordan on the show. You can find him on Instagram: @the_muscle_doc and his website at pre-script.com As promised in the intro, here the Link to The Less Than Obvious Podcast Episode with Michael Fahey of Westside vs. The World Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

We follow up the episode “Can You Teach Speed?” with a deeper dive into muscle fiber types that we touched on in that episode:  What’s the difference between fast twitch and slow twitch fibers? Does the mix of fibers tend to affect performance? Aesthetics? Is changing your mix of fiber types possible, and if so, is it even helpful. Dr. Andy Galpin joins us again as expert for this discussion. Andy is a tenured Professor in the Center for Sport Performance at CSU Fullerton, and holds a PhD in Bioenergetics. Our ideas start at about 13:18. Andy starts dropping knowledge starting at around 22:53. Huge thanks to Andy for being our expert once again. You can find him on Instagram: @drandygalpin and his website at andygalpin.com  (where there’s tons of free information). You can also find his book with Brian MacKinsey, “Unplugged” on Amazon.com Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Our good friend, Jacob Ross returns as our expert to answer this question. Can you teach speed? Specifically, speed for sports? As we talked through the question, we of course came up with even more thoughts: Is it purely genetics? Are there muscle fiber type differences between men and women? Can strength training really impact speed? How important is “First Step?” Does beginning training at an early age make a difference? Quickness vs actual speed. Our ideas about the question start about 13:00. Jacob shares his thoughts starting at around 19:58. Huge thanks to Jacob for being our expert. You can find him on Instagram: @jacob.w.ross. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

True to the premise of this show, we don’t do any specific prep before we talk about the question at hand. This time, it bit us in the ass a bit. We had seen the new paper on “intermittent dieting” co-authored by previous guests Eric Helms, PhD, Layne Norton, PhD, and our guest for this episode, Andy Galpin, PhD (among others). We’d assumed the title was just a word choice difference that actually referred to “intermittent fasting.” What it’s actually about the dangers of what’s many people call “yo-yo” dieting. (You can find that paper here: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/7/1/22/htm) Dr. Andy Galpin is a tenured Professor in the Center for Sport Performance at CSU Fullerton and holds a PhD in Bioenergetics. We discuss the paper briefly with Andy, but spend the bulk of the episode on intermittent fasting/time-restricted eating: Can you lose weight by skipping meals, but eat the same number of calories later? Is IF just an easy way for some people to diet? Is there some magic thing that happens in the body that prolongs life spans? Wards off cancer? Improves digestive health? Is there are right amount of time to fast? Our ideas start at about 9:00. Andy starts dropping knowledge starting at around 22:38. Huge thanks to Andy for being our expert. You can find him on Instagram: @drandygalpin and his website at andygalpin.com  (where there’s tons of free information). You can also find his book with Brian MacKinsey, “Unplugged” on Amazon.com Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Mike’s mom, Maria Farr, is a certified olive oil judge and sensory panelist. With all the recent focus on fats in our diets, we decided to bring her on to help educate us – and you – on a particularly tasty fat. Our questions went something like this: What does “extra virgin” even mean? (It’s not “first pressing.”) Is olive oil better than other oils? What’s up with flavored oils? How can you tell if an oil is good…or bad. Is it better to buy oil locally (if you can)? Our ideas start at about 10:23. Maria starts dropping knowledge starting at around 22:38. Huge thanks to Maria for being our expert. You can find her on Instagram: @therenaissancekitchen and her blog at therenaissancekitchen.com Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Vertical jump has become a test of athleticism, but is it something you can train? Box jumps have come around again in popularity, but are they an important training tool...or just a cool trick? What contributes to being good at either or both? Can you make significant improvement with training?  Our good friend, Jacob Ross -- an athletic performance coach and consultant who currently works with Luol Deng of Minnesota Timberwolves – joined us as our expert to answer this question. Our ideas about the question start “from the jump” if you will, at the very beginning of the episode. Jacob shares his thoughts starting at around 26:10. Huge thanks to Jacob for being our expert. You can find him on Instagram: @jacob.w.ross. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

You can call it Blood Flow Restriction (BRF), occlusion, or Kaatsu, but the idea is all the same: Keep some extra blood in the muscles of your arm or leg and get a massive pump. But is this superior to working out the regular way? When should you use it, and does it have any effect on rehab/recovery? We ponder these questions and discus our own experience. Then, we bring in Layne Norton, someone with a long history of using this type of training, to help us understand what the actual benefits are. Layne holds a PhD in Nutritional Sciences from University of Illinois, and is an author, bodybuilding/figure/physique coach, and a professional powerlifter. Our ideas about the question start around 6:55. Layne runs down the facts starting at around 12:40. Huge thanks to Layne for being our expert. You can find him at BioLayne.com and on Instagram: @biolayne. Check out his new book, Fat Loss Forever, on his website. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Can activities in the gym that are built around the requirements of a specific sport actually help athletes get better at that sport? Our good friend, Jacob Ross --  an athletic performance coach and consultant who currently works with Luol Deng of Minnesota Timberwolves – joined us as our expert to answer this question. As always, the question spawns more questions: Do better athletes just do better? What’s the role of injury prevention? Drills vs sport-adapted weight training We kick off the episode talking about how technology is getting more challenging for us to keep up with. Our ideas about the question start around 14:00. Jacob shares his thoughts starting at around 27:00. Huge thanks to Jacob for being our expert. You can find him on Instagram: @jacob.w.ross. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

We get started by talking about what’s becoming a pretty uncommon experience for a lot of people: Actually leaving your house to watch a movie. Wrapping up a run of nutrition and diet-related episodes, we talk about a group of substances that are common in a lot of people’s diets at this time of year: Artificial sweeteners (fake sugar). Is fake sugar’s impact on our gut micro-biome a problem? Does fake sugar cause an insulin response similar to sugar. Is there a legitimate cancer risk? How much is too much? Is all the negativity about them just fake news? Layne Norton joins use to help us sort out the reality from the fiction. Layne holds a PhD in Nutritional Sciences from University of Illinois, and is an author, bodybuilding/figure/physique coach, and a professional powerlifter. Our ideas about the question start around 10:10. Layne runs down the facts starting at around 17:25. Huge thanks to Layne for being our expert. You can find him at BioLayne.com and on Instagram: @biolayne. Check out his new book, Fat Loss Forever, on his website.  Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Our fourth episode takes a look at the final macronutrient: fat. We spend a few minutes discussing the documentary “Transformer” about Janae Marie Kroczaleski…and our small part in it. We also discuss streaming services and how hard it is to get everything we want to watch in one place these days. Then, we jump into fat. We know that fat has the most calories per gram of the three macros, and that people on ketogenic diets eat a lot of it. Beyond that, we have a lot more questions: Why does fat make everything delicious? Is oil just liquid fat? Do you burn more fat when you eat more fat? Are there really good fats and bad fats? Eric Helms, PhD. helps us figure these things out. Our ideas about the question start around 12:45. Eric runs down the facts starting at around 19:13.  Eric has a BS in fitness and wellness, an MS in exercise science, a second masters in sports nutrition, a PhD in strength and conditioning, and is a research fellow for AUT at the Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand. Huge thanks to Eric for being our expert. You can find him at 3DMuscleJourney.com, muscleandstrengthpyramids.com, and on Instagram: @helms3dmj Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal . Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

In our third episode, we take a side step from carbs into the glycemic index – the potential impact of differing amounts of carbs in foods. We kick things off with a quick discussion about the inherent strangeness of making friends with people we’ve never met in person.  Shifting to this week’s question (and some related issues): Is the index accurate for non-diabetics? Does it really have that much of an impact on weight gain or loss? Is brown rice better than white rice? What impacts how fast the body actually processes carbs? Doughnuts are a low GI food? What's the deal with a recent study showing people eating low-carb diets burn more calories?  Layne Norton joins us to help us sort out the reality from the fiction. Layne holds a PhD in Nutritional Sciences from University of Illinois, and is an author, bodybuilding/figure/physique coach, and a professional powerlifter. Our ideas about the question start around 6:40. Layne runs down the facts starting at around 18:44.  Huge thanks to Layne for being our expert. You can find him at BioLayne.com and on Instagram: @biolayne. Get a free chapter of his forthcoming book, Fat Loss Forever here. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal @connoroneal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.

Our second episode is a look at a second macronutrient: carbohydrates. After a quick discussion about the fact that we’re probably both HSP (Highly Sensitive People), we talk about some of our goals for the show and ways that you can get involved. We run down some of our basic “knowledge” about carbs, but were left with a few questions: Are some sugars better than others? If all sugars end with “-ose?” Do you sound like a douche if you use the term CHO? Then, we bring in Eric Helms, PhD. to help us get our facts straight. Before it’s over, he also warns of the dangers of “PubMed Ninjas.” Eric has a BS in fitness and wellness, an MS in exercise science, a second masters in sports nutrition, a PhD in strength and conditioning, and is a research fellow for AUT at the Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand. Our ideas about the question start around 12:47. Eric runs down the facts starting at around 24:27.  Huge thanks to Eric for being our expert. You can find him at 3DMuscleJourney.com, muscleandstrengthpyramids.com, and on Instagram: @helms3dmj Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal.

We’re kicking this new show off by asking seemingly basic questions about diet and nutrition. First up, “What is (dietary) protein anyway?" After a quick catch up session, we talk through the “facts” of what we think we know about this question – which, of course raises even more questions like... How much protein do you really need? What’s a complete protein? How many essential amino acids are there? Then, we bring in Eric Helms, PhD. to give us the low down. Eric has a BS in fitness and wellness, an MS in exercise science, a second masters in sports nutrition, a PhD in strength and conditioning, and is a research fellow for AUT at the Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand. Our ideas about the question start around 10:10. Eric runs down the facts starting at around 20:25. Huge thanks to Eric for being our expert. You can find him at 3DMuscleJourney.com and on Instagram: @helms3dmj Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal.

Introducing 50% Facts! A brand new show from Mike Farr and Jim McDonald Premiering December 5, 2018 Most of us walk around knowing about HALF of what we think we know. On this show, we take a single, granular question on a particular topic (related to health, fitness, nutrition, mental health, sex, etc.) and try to list what we THINK the answer involves. THEN we bring in a subject-matter expert to tell us what we got right and what we got wrong. We walk away with a better sense of the facts…and so do you. New shows every Wednesday!