The Catalyst

Chris Cooper

The Catalyst is your source for information about improving fitness and health. Once a week, host Chris Cooper of Catalyst Fitness bridges the gap between science and ground-level tactics in gyms and coaching practices. The Catalyst is perfect for coaches, trainers, nutritionists, athletes and general exercisers who want to learn more about training. Be sure to subscribe!

  1. -5 j

    Should You Do a Fitness Competition like Hyrox, CrossFit, or Xenom?

    When you first start exercising, the competition is you versus you. The heaviest weight you'll ever move is the front door. But after about a year of consistent training, something shifts. You feel better. You're more confident. And it becomes dangerously easy to get complacent — right around the point where habits quietly start sliding backward. In this episode, Coach Chris makes the case for signing up for a competition — not to win, but because doing it is the win. You'll hear why the fear of competing is actually the point, not an obstacle to push through. Why benchmarking events like Catalyst's annual SuperMeet aren't tests you can fail, just honest data about where you stand. And why training alongside other people — what Chris calls "collaborative competition" — pushes you further than training alone ever could. Whether it's your first 5k, a Hyrox race, the CrossFit Open, the ARCH Ride for hospice this August, or something like Xenom, the specific event matters less than choosing the right level of challenge: something 10 to 15 percent harder than anything you've done before, not the biggest thing you can find. This episode is for anyone who's been training for a while and is wondering what comes next. Talk to your coach at Catalyst about what's right for you. Learn more at catalystgym.com.

    9 min

  2. 26 juin

    The Truth About Testosterone (And Why Every Man Over 40 Is Being Sold TRT)

    If you're a man over 35, you've probably seen the ads. Tired all the time? Brain fog? Low drive? Struggling to keep muscle? The ad has an answer — it's your testosterone — and a clinic ready to fix it with an online quiz and a prescription. Testosterone prescriptions in the US jumped from 7.3 million in 2019 to over 11 million by 2024. In this episode, Coach Chris breaks down what's actually driving that explosion — and why the symptoms used to sell TRT online (tired, foggy, low drive, struggling in the gym) describe almost every overworked, under-slept man in his 40s. TRT is a legitimate treatment for genuinely low testosterone — it can improve insulin sensitivity, increase bone density, and meaningfully help men with real hypogonadism. But it also carries real trade-offs: increased blood pressure, clotting risk, and suppression of your body's own natural production. The FDA mandated new safety labeling in February 2025. What rarely makes it into the advertising: lifestyle factors move testosterone significantly. Losing excess body fat can raise testosterone production by up to 30%. Compound lifts produce the strongest hormonal response of any training style. A single week of 5-hours-a-night sleep dropped testosterone 10-15% in healthy young men. You'll learn what actually moves the needle before reaching for a prescription, and how to spot a clinic that's selling a business model rather than practicing medicine. Book your free No-Sweat Intro at catalystgym.com/free-intro.

    10 min

  3. 21 juin

    Seed Oils: Should You Stay Away?

    Seed oils are toxic. They cause inflammation. They're driving the obesity epidemic. One prominent voice called them "worse than glyphosate, herbicides, and pesticides combined." In response, fast food chains switched to beef tallow, food companies started reformulating, and people across North America threw out their canola oil. But is any of this based on evidence? In this episode, Coach Chris Cooper breaks down the seed oil controversy from the ground up — what seed oils actually are, where the fear came from, and what the research actually shows. The science is consistent and substantial. A 2019 study tracking over 68,000 people across 13 countries found that higher blood levels of linoleic acid — the primary fat in seed oils — were associated with lower rates of cardiovascular disease and stroke. A 2025 study of nearly 1,900 people found higher linoleic acid linked to lower inflammation markers. A peer-reviewed 2026 paper in Nutrition Today concluded clearly: linoleic acid does not promote inflammation or oxidative stress. The anti-seed-oil movement has correctly identified a real health problem — ultraprocessed food. They've just pointed at the wrong culprit. The oil isn't what's making those foods harmful. You'll learn what's actually worth worrying about, why the omega-3 to omega-6 conversation matters but isn't solved by avoiding canola oil, and three evidence-based steps that address the real issue. Don't let a well-marketed panic distract you from what actually matters. Book your free No-Sweat Intro at catalystgym.com/free-intro.

    7 min

  4. 21 juin

    Programming Preview: June 22-28, 2026

    This is our "deep dive" into Catalyst programming for June 22-28, 2026.

    5 min

  5. 14 juin

    Programming Preview: June 15-21, 2026

    This is our "deep dive" into Catalyst programming for June 15-21, 2026.

    5 min

  6. 13 juin

    5 Weeks to Tri: Your First Triathlon Starts Now

    Have you ever watched someone cross a triathlon finish line and thought — I wonder if I could do that? Most people talk themselves out of it before they ever start. Not fit enough. Not a strong swimmer. Not a real athlete. This episode is for everyone who's had that thought and then let that voice win. Coach Chris announces Catalyst's 5 Weeks to Tri program — a structured, coached program designed specifically for everyday athletes who want to complete their first triathlon, duathlon, or 5km race at the Copper Town Triathlon in Bruce Mines on July 19th. The program runs five weeks starting June 17th and includes weekly strength and endurance workouts at Catalyst (Wednesday mornings, lunches, and evenings, or Saturday mornings), a complete training plan covering swimming, biking, and running, and an exclusive Ride the Course event on July 18th — where participants ride the actual bike course with a veteran racer who knows every hill and turn. You'll also hear why the triathlon community is one of the most welcoming in sport, how the Copper Town Try-A-Tri, Sprint Duathlon, and Copper Dash 5km give everyone an entry point regardless of fitness level, and why the fear of not being a "real athlete" is the single most common thing Chris hears — and why it's wrong. The program is $179 plus HST. Spaces are strictly limited. Email ryan@catalystgym.com to secure your spot. Race registration at coppertowntri.com.

    9 min

  7. 7 juin

    Catalyst Training Plan: June 8-14, 2026

    This is a deep dive into Catalyst programming for June 8-14, 2026.

    17 min

  8. 5 juin

    Peptides: Worth the Hype?

    Peptides are everywhere right now — in fitness ads, longevity podcasts, and your gym buddy's supplement stack. But what actually are they, and do they work? In this episode, Coach Chris Cooper breaks down the science behind peptides: what they are (short chains of amino acids your body already makes), why they've exploded in popularity, and whether the fitness-focused ones are actually worth your money. The short version: pharmaceutical peptides like Ozempic are the real deal — rigorously tested, FDA-approved, and backed by large clinical trials. The peptide supplements being sold online for fat loss, muscle growth, injury healing, and anti-aging? Most of them exist almost entirely in the animal research stage. There are no established human doses, quality control is unknown, and several popular ones are classified by the FDA and World Anti-Doping Agency as unapproved substances. Chris explains why the hype isn't accidental — the supplement industry runs on novelty, and the success of GLP-1 medications created a massive halo effect for the entire peptide category. Influencers and media coverage did the rest. You'll also learn three practical ways to protect your wallet: demand human clinical trial data before buying any supplement, seek out actual medical professionals for injury recovery, and put your money where 30+ years of human research already points. The boring answers — creatine, protein, sleep, progressive training — are still the right ones. Ready to cut through the noise? Visit catalystgym.com.

    12 min
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À propos

The Catalyst is your source for information about improving fitness and health. Once a week, host Chris Cooper of Catalyst Fitness bridges the gap between science and ground-level tactics in gyms and coaching practices. The Catalyst is perfect for coaches, trainers, nutritionists, athletes and general exercisers who want to learn more about training. Be sure to subscribe!

Informations

  • Créateur
    Chris Cooper
  • Années d’activité
    2022 - 2026
  • Épisodes
    127
  • Classement
    Tout public
  • Copyright
    © 2024 The Catalyst
  • Site Web de l’émission
    The Catalyst

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