Welcome back to another episode of the Couple Casuals Podcast! In this episode, Stefano sits down with Mike Van Wyck — entrepreneur, veteran of the fitness world, and one of the most influential voices in Canadian strength culture — for a raw, unfiltered conversation about training, discipline, masculinity, social media, and what it really means to stay grounded in a noisy world. Mike walks through his journey from competitive football and bodybuilding to working in high-level security, eventually becoming a respected fitness educator with a massive online following — all without ever chasing attention or internet fame. He explains how social media unexpectedly found him, not the other way around Throughout the episode, Stefano and Mike dive into: • Mike’s early years in football, bodybuilding, and strength training • transitioning from private security into fitness education • why most modern fitness content creates confusion, not clarity • the rise of “analysis paralysis” in training and nutrition • peptides, steroids, and the dangerous shortcuts people take • why enjoyment and consistency matter more than optimization • the clash between old-school gym culture and social media fitness • filming culture, influencer economics, and false expectations • masculinity, discipline, and self-respect through physical effort • training through injuries, aging, and long-term sustainability • why the gym should be a place of presence — not escapism Mike also opens up about public perception, controversy, and how quickly narratives form online — offering a rare, grounded look at how media snippets can overshadow years of character, discipline, and lived experience. Grab a casual, lock in, and let’s get into it 💪🔥 Host: Stefano (stefo) Instagram: @drstefo https://www.instagram.com/drstefo?igs... Guest: Mike Van Wyck Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigmikevanwyck?igsh=Nmg2bDE3azBianBy YouTube : This episode is brought to you by Canada First — secure your home with Canada’s best home fortification. Visit https://canadafirst.com/ to learn more. CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro (Cold Open) 00:00:21 Sponsor: Canada First 00:00:39 Home Fortification & Crime 00:01:08 Where Mike Grew Up 00:01:26 Targeted Theft & Scoping 00:01:53 Attempted Truck Theft 00:02:25 Old-School Grit Mindset 00:03:28 Drake Security to Fitness 00:04:32 Why He Avoided Instagram 00:05:45 Content That Took Off 00:07:22 YouTube Growth & TikTok 00:07:44 Gym Altercation Fallout 00:08:28 Legal Aftermath & Context 00:09:40 Media Lies (Celebrity POV) 00:10:29 Why He Speaks Up 00:10:46 Fitness Misinformation 00:11:10 Analysis Paralysis in Gym 00:12:36 Steroids “Pro” Delusion 00:15:19 Wrestling Roots & Aesthetic 00:16:09 Shannon Sharpe Inspiration 00:17:35 Football Scholarship (URI) 00:18:34 First Mentors & First Show 00:20:23 Darren & True Coaching 00:21:52 “Movement as Art” 00:23:20 Why Online Coaching Fails 00:23:48 Wicked Academy Seminars 00:24:55 Bench Setup & Shoulder Pain 00:26:33 Body vs Bar Path 00:26:49 Training Motivation Over Time 00:28:25 Gym = Presence & Reset 00:29:10 Influencer Gym Culture 00:30:49 Consistency (No Finish Line) 00:31:34 “Go to the Gym” Advice 00:32:49 Escapism vs Positivity 00:33:42 Surgeries & Gratitude to Move 00:34:51 Social Media + Fitness Clash 00:36:08 Pajamas, Slippers & Gym Shift 00:38:30 Classic Physiques & Posing 00:39:31 Social Media Money Reality 00:41:23 Why Influencing Doesn’t Pay 00:43:14 Peptides: What’s Real vs Hype 00:45:54 Steroids vs Peptides (Staying On) 00:47:51 GLP-1 / Ozempic Talk 00:50:25 Quick Fix Culture 00:53:49 Identity, Media & Labels 00:57:08 Politics (Canada vs U.S.) 00:59:27 Toronto Culture & Pride 01:00:00 Trailer Park Boys Talk 01:00:53 Multicultural Toronto 01:03:10 “System Abuse” & Friction 01:06:11 Social Media as “Poison” 01:07:30 Final Segment: Salute 01:07:51 Does Money Buy Happiness? 01:08:01 Life Is Finite (Perspective) 01:12:47 How Mike Linked With Drake 01:14:28 Final Cheers & Outro