Fitness Casual

Andrew Hayes

If you’re burned out on diets, confused by your symptoms, and tired of being told “everything looks normal,” this show is for you. Hosted by functional nutritionists Andrew Hayes and Kat Best, we cover the health issues most people struggle with but rarely talk about. Gut problems. Hormone chaos. Fatigue. Cravings. Mood swings. The difference between sustainable fat loss and trendy weight loss. Irregular poops. (Yes, we said it.) Each week, we give you the tools to actually feel better — without crash diets, supplements you don’t need, or 4AM workouts. No shame. No perfection. Just more clarity, not more effort. Because real health shouldn’t feel like a second job. It should fit your life. Tune in for science-backed strategies, client stories, and honest conversations that make healing feel doable — and even kind of fun. Subscribe now and say goodbye to guessing on your health.

  1. The 4 Stages That Make Fat Loss Finally Stick (And Why Most People Quit Too Early) l Ep 64

    4D AGO

    The 4 Stages That Make Fat Loss Finally Stick (And Why Most People Quit Too Early) l Ep 64

    Most people think fat loss should be simple. Put in effort, see results, keep going. But in reality, fat loss happens in stages. And when you don’t know which stage you’re in, it’s easy to assume something isn’t working, change strategies too soon, or quit right before progress starts. In this episode, we break down the four stages that show up in nearly every successful fat loss journey, from the early phase where effort feels high and results are hard to see, to the later phase where habits feel automatic and results are much easier to maintain. We talk about why the beginning often feels frustrating, why consistency matters more than intensity, and why maintenance is a skill most people never actually practice. We also get into why extreme resets, cleanses, and constantly “starting over” tend to keep people stuck instead of moving forward. If fat loss has felt inconsistent or exhausting, this episode will help you understand what’s normal, what’s not, and why quitting early is usually the biggest mistake. (00:34) Why fat loss feels broken when expectations fall short (04:06) Stage 1: Stabilization, effort is high but results are mostly invisible (10:26) Stage 2: Consistency, when fat loss becomes predictable (17:45) Stage 3: Expansion, momentum, confidence, and visible body changes (23:20) Stage 4: Embodiment, maintenance, identity shift, and stopping reactive dieting Need help hitting your goals? Get your free Wellness Reset Plan so we can give you a step by step plan to finally look and feel your best. Follow Andrew https://www.instagram.com/andrewhayeslife/ Follow Kat https://www.instagram.com/katbestwellness/ Join our AltaLife community for free trainings, helpful guides, and a supportive community of other amazing people on their own journey. https://altalife.mn.co/share/WLkrCttZsQC2vt61 If you want more information on our transformational Alta360 program visit www.altaforlife.com

    51 min
  2. Your Metabolism Isn’t Broken (You Just Don’t Understand It) l Ep 63

    JAN 27

    Your Metabolism Isn’t Broken (You Just Don’t Understand It) l Ep 63

    Most people think a “slow metabolism” means bad genetics or that they need to burn more calories. So they diet harder, add more cardio, and blame themselves when nothing works. In this episode of Fitness Casual, we break down what metabolism actually is and why it’s not just about weight or calories. We explain why metabolism is your entire energy system, how it adapts based on how you eat, move, sleep, and handle stress, and why trying to “speed it up” usually backfires. We walk through the six biggest levers that shape metabolic health, including muscle mass, thyroid function, mitochondrial health, caloric history, sleep, and stress. We also explain why chronic dieting slows your metabolism, why maintenance phases are critical, and how many people unknowingly downregulate their metabolism over time. If you’ve ever wondered whether your metabolism is broken, why fat loss feels harder than it used to, or why eating less keeps leading to plateaus, this episode will help you rethink the problem and focus on what actually works. (00:01) Why most people misunderstand metabolism (05:51) What metabolism actually is and how it adapts (11:30) Muscle, movement, and why daily activity matters more than cardio (19:59) Chronic dieting, adaptive metabolism, and why plateaus happen (38:27) The most important thing you can do to restore metabolic health Need help hitting your goals? Get your free Wellness Reset Plan so we can give you a step by step plan to finally look and feel your best. Follow Andrew https://www.instagram.com/andrewhayeslife/ Follow Kat https://www.instagram.com/katbestwellness/ Join our AltaLife community for free trainings, helpful guides, and a supportive community of other amazing people on their own journey. https://altalife.mn.co/share/WLkrCttZsQC2vt61 If you want more information on our transformational Alta360 program visit www.altaforlife.com

    45 min
  3. The Truth About Body Fat (And Why Leaner Isn’t Always Healthier) l Ep 62

    JAN 20

    The Truth About Body Fat (And Why Leaner Isn’t Always Healthier) l Ep 62

    Instagram, magazines, and fitness culture glorify being as lean as possible, but no one talks about what it costs. In this episode of Fitness Casual, we break down what body fat actually is, why it’s essential for hormones, energy, brain health, and long-term resilience, and why chasing ultra-low body fat often backfires. We explain why “leaner” does not automatically mean healthier, how too little or too much body fat can both create real health issues, and what a sustainable, healthy range actually looks like for men and women. We also cover how body fat should be measured (and why most methods are misleading), why waist circumference and daily energy matter more than percentages, and how unrealistic standards from influencers and celebrities distort expectations. If you’ve ever felt frustrated chasing a number, comparing yourself to your past self, or wondering why fat loss feels harder than it used to, this episode will help you rethink what healthy really means. (00:03) Why being “shredded” is glorified and what no one talks about (05:53) What body fat actually does for hormones, energy, and survival (15:02) Why obsessing over body fat numbers can backfire (18:55) Healthy vs unhealthy body fat ranges for men and women (35:40) The most sustainable approach to body composition and health Need help hitting your goals? Get your free Wellness Reset Plan so we can give you a step by step plan to finally look and feel your best. Follow Andrew https://www.instagram.com/andrewhayeslife/ Follow Kat https://www.instagram.com/katbestwellness/ Join our AltaLife community for free trainings, helpful guides, and a supportive community of other amazing people on their own journey. https://altalife.mn.co/share/WLkrCttZsQC2vt61 If you want more information on our transformational Alta360 program visit www.altaforlife.com

    42 min
  4. Low Libido Isn’t a Sex Problem - It’s a Health Signal | Ep 61

    JAN 13

    Low Libido Isn’t a Sex Problem - It’s a Health Signal | Ep 61

    Low libido isn’t about sex. It’s one of the clearest health signals your body sends, and most people ignore it for years. In this episode, we talk about why your sex drive disappears and why it has nothing to do with willpower, aging, or “just being busy.” We break down how stress, hormones, sleep, medications, emotional load, and under-recovery all shut down desire, and why libido should be treated like a vital sign. We also get into the male–female differences no one explains, the medications that quietly tank arousal, what it means when libido drops for months at a time, and what actually brings it back. (00:00) Why low libido is a health signal — not a sex issue (06:22) Hormones, cortisol, burnout: the real biology behind low desire (12:58) The medications that quietly crush libido (20:35) How chronic stress shuts down desire long before you notice Need help hitting your goals? Get your free Wellness Reset Plan so we can give you a step by step plan to finally look and feel your best. Follow Andrew https://www.instagram.com/andrewhayeslife/ Follow Kat https://www.instagram.com/katbestwellness/ Join our AltaLife community for free trainings, helpful guides, and a supportive community of other amazing people on their own journey. https://altalife.mn.co/share/WLkrCttZsQC2vt61 If you want more information on our transformational Alta360 program visit www.altaforlife.com

    29 min
  5. You Can Love Your Body and Still Want to Change It l Ep 60

    JAN 6

    You Can Love Your Body and Still Want to Change It l Ep 60

    We’re told to “love ourselves as we are,” but also to “be our best self.” No wonder everyone feels confused about wanting to change their body without feeling guilty about it. In this episode, we break down why wanting change isn’t toxic, shallow, or a sign of low confidence. It’s human. We talk about how body positivity went off the rails, how comparison keeps people stuck in perfectionism, and why a body-neutral mindset actually leads to healthier thinking, better habits, stronger performance, and real metabolic improvements. We also get into why internal metrics like digestion, energy, strength, libido, and sleep matter far more than the mirror — and how physical changes become a natural side effect when you fix what’s happening inside your body. If you’ve ever felt torn between self-love and self-improvement, this episode brings the clarity you’ve been missing. (00:05) Why wanting to change your body isn’t toxic(12:00) How body positivity backfired and the rise of body neutrality(20:22) The perfection trap and why comparison rewires your brain(27:42) How to build goals around function, not just appearanceNeed help hitting your goals? Get your free Wellness Reset Plan so we can give you a step by step plan to finally look and feel your best. Follow Andrew https://www.instagram.com/andrewhayeslife/ Follow Kat https://www.instagram.com/katbestwellness/ Join our AltaLife community for free trainings, helpful guides, and a supportive community of other amazing people on their own journey. https://altalife.mn.co/share/WLkrCttZsQC2vt61 If you want more information on our transformational Alta360 program visit www.altaforlife.com

    34 min
  6. Red Meat vs Plants: What the Science Really Says About Living Longer l Ep 59

    12/30/2025

    Red Meat vs Plants: What the Science Really Says About Living Longer l Ep 59

    Most people are terrified of red meat… not because of facts, but because of headlines. For decades we’ve been told it shortens your lifespan, clogs your arteries, and needs to be swapped for plant-based everything. But when you look at the actual research — not the simplified versions — the story changes fast. This episode breaks down why the “meat kills you” narrative took off, what the updated science shows about processed vs unprocessed red meat, and why going fully plant-based can quietly drain your energy, muscle, and nutrient status. If you want to eat in a way that supports longevity, strength, and metabolic health without falling for extremes, this will finally make the whole conversation make sense. (00:17) Where the “red meat is bad for you” story actually came from (08:37) What high-quality research actually shows about meat and mortality (14:15) How going fully plant-based can backfire on energy, digestion, and muscle (19:37) The simplest framework for eating for longevity (plants + protein done right) Need help hitting your goals? Get your free Wellness Reset Plan so we can give you a step by step plan to finally look and feel your best. Follow Andrew https://www.instagram.com/andrewhayeslife/ Follow Kat https://www.instagram.com/katbestwellness/ Join our AltaLife community for free trainings, helpful guides, and a supportive community of other amazing people on their own journey. https://altalife.mn.co/share/WLkrCttZsQC2vt61 If you want more information on our transformational Alta360 program visit www.altaforlife.com

    44 min
  7. The Biggest Lies You’ve Been Told About Aging (And How to Future-Proof Your Body) l Ep 58

    12/23/2025

    The Biggest Lies You’ve Been Told About Aging (And How to Future-Proof Your Body) l Ep 58

    If your metabolism feels slower, your joints ache more, and every doctor shrugs and says “that’s just aging,” it’s easy to believe your best years are behind you. But most of what people blame on age is actually preventable — or completely reversible. In this episode, Andrew and Kat break down the biggest myths around getting older: metabolism, menopause, muscle loss, back pain, recovery, nutrient absorption, immune health, and peptides. You’ll learn what actually changes with age, what’s lifestyle-driven (not age-driven), and the simple habits that keep you strong, independent, energetic, and capable for decades. Future-proofing your body isn’t about fighting age — it’s about giving your biology what it needs to thrive. (05:36) How “I’m just getting old” becomes the belief that ages you faster (08:59) Hormone shifts, menopause, testosterone, and what’s actually normal (16:44) The truth about muscle loss — and why lifting + protein stop it entirely (27:13) Gut issues, nutrient absorption, and why aging doesn’t have to feel terrible Need help hitting your goals? Get your free Wellness Reset Plan so we can give you a step by step plan to finally look and feel your best. Follow Andrew https://www.instagram.com/andrewhayeslife/ Follow Kat https://www.instagram.com/katbestwellness/ Join our AltaLife community for free trainings, helpful guides, and a supportive community of other amazing people on their own journey. https://altalife.mn.co/share/WLkrCttZsQC2vt61 If you want more information on our transformational Alta360 program visit www.altaforlife.com

    46 min
  8. The Real Reason You Keep Gaining Weight Back (It’s Not What You Think) | Ep 57

    12/16/2025

    The Real Reason You Keep Gaining Weight Back (It’s Not What You Think) | Ep 57

    You’re not broken. And no it's not hopeless. The real reason you keep regaining weight has nothing to do with willpower. In this episode, we break down why your past diets failed you (not the other way around) and what it actually takes to make fat loss last. (04:12) Why weight loss “success” is often a false win (08:59) How your diet is actually slowing your metabolism (10:04) The hidden cost of not lifting weights (18:35) Why maintenance is harder than fat loss - and how to master it Need help hitting your goals? Get your free Wellness Reset Plan so we can give you a step by step plan to finally look and feel your best. Follow Andrew https://www.instagram.com/andrewhayeslife/ Follow Kat https://www.instagram.com/katbestwellness/ Join our AltaLife community for free trainings, helpful guides, and a supportive community of other amazing people on their own journey. https://altalife.mn.co/share/WLkrCttZsQC2vt61 If you want more information on our transformational Alta360 program visit www.altaforlife.com

    34 min
See All (64)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

If you’re burned out on diets, confused by your symptoms, and tired of being told “everything looks normal,” this show is for you. Hosted by functional nutritionists Andrew Hayes and Kat Best, we cover the health issues most people struggle with but rarely talk about. Gut problems. Hormone chaos. Fatigue. Cravings. Mood swings. The difference between sustainable fat loss and trendy weight loss. Irregular poops. (Yes, we said it.) Each week, we give you the tools to actually feel better — without crash diets, supplements you don’t need, or 4AM workouts. No shame. No perfection. Just more clarity, not more effort. Because real health shouldn’t feel like a second job. It should fit your life. Tune in for science-backed strategies, client stories, and honest conversations that make healing feel doable — and even kind of fun. Subscribe now and say goodbye to guessing on your health.

Information

  • Creator
    Andrew Hayes
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    64
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Fitness Casual
  • Show Website
    Fitness Casual

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