Wits & Weights | Fat Loss, Nutrition, & Strength Training for Lifters

Philip Pape, Evidence-Based Nutrition Coach & Fat Loss Expert

For skeptics of the fitness industry who want to work smarter and more efficiently to build muscle and lose fat. Wits & Weights is one of the best fitness podcasts for evidence-based nutrition and fitness strategies. We cut through the noise and deconstruct health and fitness with an engineering mindset to help you develop a strong, lean physique without wasting time. Evidence-based nutrition coach Philip Pape explores efficient strength training, nutrition, and lifestyle strategies to optimize your body recomp and metabolism. Whether you're focused on weight loss, muscle building, or both, you'll get simple, science-based, and sustainable info from an engineer turned lifter (that's why they call him the Physique Engineer). This show serves both women's fitness and men's health goals, with special attention to strength training over 40 and hormone health. From restrictive fad diets to ineffective workouts and hyped-up supplements, there's no shortage of confusing information out there. Getting in the best shape of your life doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming! By using your WITS (mindset and systems!) and lifting weights efficiently, you can build muscle, lose stubborn fat, and achieve and maintain a lean physique through sustainable body recomp. We bring you smart and efficient strategies for movement, metabolism, muscle, and mindset. You'll learn: - Why fat loss is more important than weight loss for health and physique - Why all the macros (protein, fats, and yes even carbs) are critical to body composition - Why you don't need to spend more than 3 hours in the gym each week to get incredible results with proper hypertrophy training - Why muscle (not weight loss) is the key to medicine, obesity, and longevity - Why age and hormones (even in menopause) don't matter with the right lifestyle - How the "hidden" psychology of your mind can unlock more personal (and physical) growth than you ever thought possible, and how to tap into that mindset If you're ready to separate fact from fiction, learn what actually works with evidence-based training and nutrition, and put in the intelligent work, hit that "follow" button and let's engineer your best physique ever! Popular Guests Include: Mike Matthews (author of Bigger Leaner Stronger), Greg Nuckols (Stronger by Science), Alan Aragon (nutrition researcher), Eric Helms (3D Muscle Journey), Dr. Spencer Nadolsky (Doc Who Lifts), Eric Trexler (Stronger by Science), Bill Campbell (exercise science researcher), Jordan Feigenbaum (Barbell Medicine), Andy Morgan (Ripped Body), Karen Martel (hormone optimization expert), Steph Gaudreau (women's strength and nutrition), Bryan Boorstein (hypertrophy coach) Popular Topics Include: hormone health, metabolism optimization, hypertrophy training, longevity and healthy aging, body positivity, best protein powder selection, strength training over 40, women's fitness, men's health, muscle building, body recomp, macros and nutrition tracking

  1. The RAW TRUTH About Fitness, AI, and Influencers (Adam Schafer of Mind Pump) | Ep 394

    1 DAY AGO

    The RAW TRUTH About Fitness, AI, and Influencers (Adam Schafer of Mind Pump) | Ep 394

    Love what you’re hearing from Adam? Take the guesswork out of training with the MAPS workout programs from Mind Pump. — Ever feel like the more fitness podcasts you listen to, the less you know about how to build muscle, lose fat, and actually see progress? Are AI tools and influencers helping your nutrition and fitness goals, or just creating more noise? If you want real results with body recomp and strength training, this episode cuts through the confusion. I sit down with Adam Schafer, co-founder of Mind Pump, one of the best fitness podcasts out there, to uncover what truly matters in building muscle and mastering your metabolism. We break down how to stay consistent, filter evidence-based training from fitness fads, and focus on the habits that last. Adam shares how to simplify lifting weights, fuel your body with the right macros, and make progress that sticks. If you’re ready to think clearly, train smarter, and make fitness fit your life, join me, Philip Pape, on Wits and Weights. Today, you’ll learn all about: 0:00 – Intro 2:25 – Setting the stage for scientific thinking 10:50 – Why critical thinking beats blind belief 15:07 – The meaning of epistemology 25:01 – How empiricism changed modern science 34:52 – What black swans teach us about truth 48:27 – Cynicism vs. healthy skepticism 59:50 – Making sense of the hierarchy of evidence 1:12:56 – Turning data into practical results 1:28:50 – Where to find credible fitness research Episode resources: Official Podcast/Website: mindpumpmedia.com Free resources site: mindpumpfree.com“Ask” portal: askmindpump.com Instagram: @mindpumpadam Youtube: @MindPumpTV Support the show 🔥 Take a 2-minute Metabolic Quiz for a personalized fat loss report (strength training & nutrition strategies) 🩸 Book a Performance Bloodwork Analysis to find out what's slowing your metabolism and weight loss (20% off - code VITALITY20) 🎓 Lose fat + build muscle in Physique University with evidence-based nutrition coaching (free custom nutrition plan - code FREEPLAN) 👥 Join our Facebook community for fitness & body recomp strategies 👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram 📱 Try MacroFactor 2 weeks free with code WITSANDWEIGHTS (my favorite nutrition and macros app for lifting weights)

    1h 31m
  2. 3 DAYS AGO

    Why Now Is the PERFECT Time to Build Muscle Over 40 | Ep 393

    Get your free Muscle-Building Nutrition Blueprint to optimize your protein intake, calories, and meal timing for maximum muscle growth at any age: https://witsandweights.com/muscle -- Can you still build that much muscle in your 40s and beyond? Discover why strength training over 40 might actually be your BEST opportunity to build serious muscle and strength. Learn the evidence-based science showing that muscle tissue remains highly responsive to training well into old age, why midlife gives you strategic advantages younger lifters don't have, and the engineering framework that explains how building capacity now expands your margin of safety for decades to come. Let's discuss muscle building, metabolism, aging, and what's actually possible when you apply the right nutrition and fitness strategies at any stage of life. Timestamps: 0:00 - Why building muscle over 40 is still possible 3:50 - The science of muscle growth and aging 6:50 - Why muscle loss isn't inevitable 9:20 - How older adults respond to resistance training 12:15 - Adjusting protein and recovery with age 16:16 - Why midlife gives you a strength training advantage 22:30 - Building your long-term muscle reserve 27:18 - The nutrition and training inputs for muscle growth 31:16 - Tracking strength gains and body composition 36:24 - Your simple strength training plan to start today 43:25 - Consistency and asking for help 47:05 - The cost of delaying your muscle building goals  Support the show 🔥 Take a 2-minute Metabolic Quiz for a personalized fat loss report (strength training & nutrition strategies) 🩸 Book a Performance Bloodwork Analysis to find out what's slowing your metabolism and weight loss (20% off - code VITALITY20) 🎓 Lose fat + build muscle in Physique University with evidence-based nutrition coaching (free custom nutrition plan - code FREEPLAN) 👥 Join our Facebook community for fitness & body recomp strategies 👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram 📱 Try MacroFactor 2 weeks free with code WITSANDWEIGHTS (my favorite nutrition and macros app for lifting weights)

    47 min
  3. 5 DAYS AGO

    The Alcohol Cancer Report Cover Up | Ep 392

    Get your free Eating Out Guide to make smart nutrition choices at restaurants and handle social drinking situations while staying on track with your body composition goals: https://witsandweights.com/free -- Your tax dollars paid for a government study on alcohol and cancer. Scientists completed it. Then it disappeared. Discover why a major health study was buried, what the evidence-based research actually reveals about alcohol's cancer risk, and how this impacts your nutrition choices and long-term health. Learn the truth about alcohol consumption that affects your metabolism, body composition, and longevity goals. Episode Resources: Alcohol Intake and Health StudyNational Cancer Institute: Alcohol and Cancer RiskWHO Europe: No safe level of alcohol consumptionTimestamps: 0:00 - The buried alcohol-cancer study 1:11 - Why this matters for your health and body composition 2:43 - How the study vanished and why 3:52 - Surgeon General's warning label push 5:46 - International evidence on cancer risk 7:04 - What the science shows about alcohol and cancer 9:19 - How alcohol damages DNA and disrupts metabolism 11:28 - Light drinking still increases cancer risk 14:41 - Industry lobbying keeps labels off bottles 17:12 - Debunking "alcohol is heart-healthy" myths 20:21 - Understanding relative vs absolute risk 23:01 - Alcohol's impact on muscle building and protein synthesis 25:45 - How alcohol affects fat loss and body composition 28:30 - Practical drinking strategies for lifters Support the show 🔥 Take a 2-minute Metabolic Quiz for a personalized fat loss report (strength training & nutrition strategies) 🩸 Book a Performance Bloodwork Analysis to find out what's slowing your metabolism and weight loss (20% off - code VITALITY20) 🎓 Lose fat + build muscle in Physique University with evidence-based nutrition coaching (free custom nutrition plan - code FREEPLAN) 👥 Join our Facebook community for fitness & body recomp strategies 👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram 📱 Try MacroFactor 2 weeks free with code WITSANDWEIGHTS (my favorite nutrition and macros app for lifting weights)

    25 min
  4. How Can We Trust Hypertrophy and Nutrition Science? (Eric Helms) | Ep 391

    24 OCT

    How Can We Trust Hypertrophy and Nutrition Science? (Eric Helms) | Ep 391

    Build muscle and lose fat with evidence-based fitness. Free custom plan when you join Physique University (code: FREEPLAN): witsandweights.com/physique — How can you tell when science is solid and when it’s just being sold to you? Dr. Eric Helms returns for his third appearance to unpack how we interpret fitness research, why “evidence-based” doesn’t always mean “accurate,” and what it really takes to think critically about the information you consume. We break down the philosophy of knowledge and why understanding how we know things leads to better results. Eric and I unpack skepticism vs. cynicism, spotting red flags in “sciencey” claims, and balancing real-world experience with research. You’ll also learn a simple framework to stay curious without getting misled. Today, you’ll learn all about: 2:25 – Setting the stage for scientific thinking 10:50 – Why critical thinking beats blind belief 15:07 – The meaning of epistemology 25:01 – How empiricism changed modern science 34:52 – What black swans teach us about truth 48:27 – Cynicism vs. healthy skepticism 59:50 – Making sense of the hierarchy of evidence 1:12:56 – Turning data into practical results 1:28:50 – Where to find credible fitness research Episode resources: MASS Research ReviewOn Google Scholar: Eric R Helms, h-index: 35, i10-index: 68, and cited by 6811On PubMed - PMID: 24092765, with 89 articles (including 20 preprints)Instagram: @helms3dmj YouTube: @Team3DMJ  Support the show 🔥 Take a 2-minute Metabolic Quiz for a personalized fat loss report (strength training & nutrition strategies) 🩸 Book a Performance Bloodwork Analysis to find out what's slowing your metabolism and weight loss (20% off - code VITALITY20) 🎓 Lose fat + build muscle in Physique University with evidence-based nutrition coaching (free custom nutrition plan - code FREEPLAN) 👥 Join our Facebook community for fitness & body recomp strategies 👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram 📱 Try MacroFactor 2 weeks free with code WITSANDWEIGHTS (my favorite nutrition and macros app for lifting weights)

    1h 35m
  5. 22 OCT

    7 Tips to Save 200 Hours in the Gym (Without Losing Muscle) | Ep 390

    Join Physique University and get the IGNITE 4-Day Time-Saving Workout Program (use code FREEPLAN for a custom nutrition plan when you join) -- Can you cut your gym time by 40 to 50% while still training effectively to build strength and muscle? Learn 7 research-backed strategies to help you save tons of time with your workouts to reclaim up to 200 hours a year without sacrificing results. Timestamps: 0:00 - Too much time in the gym? 4:52 - Tip 1: Cut exercise bloat 7:54 - Tip 2: Prioritize compound lifts 10:03 - Tip 3: Antagonist supersets 12:50 - Tip 4: Fewer sets, harder effort 17:42 - Tip 5: Increase training density 21:42 - Tip 6: Rest pause and drop sets 25:16 - Tip 7: Smarter warm-ups 28:10 - The math behind saving up to 200 hours a year 30:14 - Consistency, adherence, and enjoyment Support the show 🔥 Take a 2-minute Metabolic Quiz for a personalized fat loss report (strength training & nutrition strategies) 🩸 Book a Performance Bloodwork Analysis to find out what's slowing your metabolism and weight loss (20% off - code VITALITY20) 🎓 Lose fat + build muscle in Physique University with evidence-based nutrition coaching (free custom nutrition plan - code FREEPLAN) 👥 Join our Facebook community for fitness & body recomp strategies 👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram 📱 Try MacroFactor 2 weeks free with code WITSANDWEIGHTS (my favorite nutrition and macros app for lifting weights)

    31 min
  6. 20 OCT

    The Myth of Reverse Dieting (Do THIS Instead) | Ep 389

    Join the 10-Week Recovery Diet Workshop tomorrow (Tuesday, October 21) at noon Eastern. Get the complete evidence-based protocol for metabolic recovery without reverse dieting. Just $27 includes the full workshop, replay, 20-page protocol workbook, and bonuses. Register at: http://live.witsandweights.com -- Reverse dieting promises to "fix" your suppressed (or "broken") metabolism through gradual calorie increases, but does it actually work? Is it the most efficient way to "recover" after a fat loss phase or years of dieting? Discover what the research actually shows about metabolic recovery, why reverse dieting creates convincing illusions of progress while delaying actual results, and what you should do instead if you're stuck at low calories heading into the new year. Episode Resources: Try MacroFactor for free with code WITSANDWEIGHTSJoin the 10-Week Recovery Diet Workshop (Tuesday, October 21 at noon ET) - $27 includes workshop, replay, 20-page guide, and bonuses: http://live.witsandweights.comTimestamps: 0:00 - Reverse dieting hype vs. evidence 5:00 - Myth 1: Precision reveals "true" metabolism 10:05 - Myth 2: Maintenance is a fixed number 14:50 - Myth 3: Eating more without gaining fat 19:48 - Myth 4: Gradual increases drive recovery 24:25 - What actually drives recovery 26:50 - The 6 steps of a proper recovery diet Support the show 🔥 Take a 2-minute Metabolic Quiz for a personalized fat loss report (strength training & nutrition strategies) 🩸 Book a Performance Bloodwork Analysis to find out what's slowing your metabolism and weight loss (20% off - code VITALITY20) 🎓 Lose fat + build muscle in Physique University with evidence-based nutrition coaching (free custom nutrition plan - code FREEPLAN) 👥 Join our Facebook community for fitness & body recomp strategies 👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram 📱 Try MacroFactor 2 weeks free with code WITSANDWEIGHTS (my favorite nutrition and macros app for lifting weights)

    31 min
  7. 19 OCT · BONUS

    Why You Gained 5 Pounds in 3 Days (And Why It's Not Fat)

    The scale jumps 3–5 pounds after you start eating more and your brain screams, “I knew it, fat gain!” Not so fast. We break down the real reasons behind that early spike and show you how to navigate the first two weeks with confidence (instead of fear).  Why does the scale goe up 3-5 pounds or more so quickly? What's actually happening physiologically, and why do most people reverse course right when they should hold steady? If you've ever tried to "eat more" (reverse diet) and felt like you immediately started gaining fat, this explains exactly what's going on. Learn the complete 10-Week Recovery Diet at our live workshop this Tuesday, Oct 21 at noon Eastern. Learn the systematic approach to raising your intake so you can add up to 400-600 calories a day by New Year's without gaining more body fat. Register here: https://live.witsandweights.com Support the show 🔥 Take a 2-minute Metabolic Quiz for a personalized fat loss report (strength training & nutrition strategies) 🩸 Book a Performance Bloodwork Analysis to find out what's slowing your metabolism and weight loss (20% off - code VITALITY20) 🎓 Lose fat + build muscle in Physique University with evidence-based nutrition coaching (free custom nutrition plan - code FREEPLAN) 👥 Join our Facebook community for fitness & body recomp strategies 👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram 📱 Try MacroFactor 2 weeks free with code WITSANDWEIGHTS (my favorite nutrition and macros app for lifting weights)

    5 min
  8. Pain-Free Knees, Low Back, and Shoulders for Training LONGEVITY (Dr. John Rusin) | Ep 388

    17 OCT

    Pain-Free Knees, Low Back, and Shoulders for Training LONGEVITY (Dr. John Rusin) | Ep 388

    Get John’s new book Pain-Free Performance: Move Better, Train Smarter, and Build an Unbreakable Body — Knees sore? Back tight? Shoulders giving out? You’re not broken, you’re just missing the system your body was built on. I talk with Dr. John Rusin, an internationally recognized strength coach, physical therapist, and author of Pain-Free Performance, about how to train hard without breaking down. John reveals why your knees, back, and shoulders fail together, and how the "pillar" (your hips, core, and shoulders) holds the key to lasting strength. We cover breathing and bracing for stability, rebuilding your deadlift safely, and the movement mistakes that cause chronic pain. You’ll learn how to train smarter, move better, and build real resilience so you can lift for life, not just the next program. Today, you’ll learn all about: 0:00 – Intro 2:43 – The pillar that powers pain-free strength 4:19 – Breathing and bracing the right way 8:22 – How to train hard without breaking down 11:42 – The mistakes keeping you in pain 16:38 – Why perfect form isn’t one size fits all 19:26 – How to find your ideal squat setup 27:32 – The deadlift myth that’s hurting your back 41:12 – Why lunges are your secret weapon 51:00 – Shoulder pain fixes that actually work Episode resources: Pain-Free Performance (John’s new book)Dr. John Rusin’s website:  drjohnrusin.comDr. John Rusin on Instagram: @drjohnrusin Dr. John Rusin on Youtube: @johnrusin3229 Support the show 🔥 Take a 2-minute Metabolic Quiz for a personalized fat loss report (strength training & nutrition strategies) 🩸 Book a Performance Bloodwork Analysis to find out what's slowing your metabolism and weight loss (20% off - code VITALITY20) 🎓 Lose fat + build muscle in Physique University with evidence-based nutrition coaching (free custom nutrition plan - code FREEPLAN) 👥 Join our Facebook community for fitness & body recomp strategies 👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram 📱 Try MacroFactor 2 weeks free with code WITSANDWEIGHTS (my favorite nutrition and macros app for lifting weights)

    59 min

Trailer

About

For skeptics of the fitness industry who want to work smarter and more efficiently to build muscle and lose fat. Wits & Weights is one of the best fitness podcasts for evidence-based nutrition and fitness strategies. We cut through the noise and deconstruct health and fitness with an engineering mindset to help you develop a strong, lean physique without wasting time. Evidence-based nutrition coach Philip Pape explores efficient strength training, nutrition, and lifestyle strategies to optimize your body recomp and metabolism. Whether you're focused on weight loss, muscle building, or both, you'll get simple, science-based, and sustainable info from an engineer turned lifter (that's why they call him the Physique Engineer). This show serves both women's fitness and men's health goals, with special attention to strength training over 40 and hormone health. From restrictive fad diets to ineffective workouts and hyped-up supplements, there's no shortage of confusing information out there. Getting in the best shape of your life doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming! By using your WITS (mindset and systems!) and lifting weights efficiently, you can build muscle, lose stubborn fat, and achieve and maintain a lean physique through sustainable body recomp. We bring you smart and efficient strategies for movement, metabolism, muscle, and mindset. You'll learn: - Why fat loss is more important than weight loss for health and physique - Why all the macros (protein, fats, and yes even carbs) are critical to body composition - Why you don't need to spend more than 3 hours in the gym each week to get incredible results with proper hypertrophy training - Why muscle (not weight loss) is the key to medicine, obesity, and longevity - Why age and hormones (even in menopause) don't matter with the right lifestyle - How the "hidden" psychology of your mind can unlock more personal (and physical) growth than you ever thought possible, and how to tap into that mindset If you're ready to separate fact from fiction, learn what actually works with evidence-based training and nutrition, and put in the intelligent work, hit that "follow" button and let's engineer your best physique ever! Popular Guests Include: Mike Matthews (author of Bigger Leaner Stronger), Greg Nuckols (Stronger by Science), Alan Aragon (nutrition researcher), Eric Helms (3D Muscle Journey), Dr. Spencer Nadolsky (Doc Who Lifts), Eric Trexler (Stronger by Science), Bill Campbell (exercise science researcher), Jordan Feigenbaum (Barbell Medicine), Andy Morgan (Ripped Body), Karen Martel (hormone optimization expert), Steph Gaudreau (women's strength and nutrition), Bryan Boorstein (hypertrophy coach) Popular Topics Include: hormone health, metabolism optimization, hypertrophy training, longevity and healthy aging, body positivity, best protein powder selection, strength training over 40, women's fitness, men's health, muscle building, body recomp, macros and nutrition tracking

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