Mind Pump: Raw Fitness Truth

Sal Di Stefano, Adam Schafer, Justin Andrews, Doug Egge

MindPump exposes the RAW TRUTH about health, fitness, nutrition and more... Hosts Sal Di Stefano, Adam Schafer & Justin Andrews pull back the curtain on the mythology, snake oil and pseudo-science that pervades the fitness industry and present science-backed solutions that result in increased muscular development and performance while simultaneously emphasizing health. No fitness institution or fitness "truth" is safe from their quick wit and over 40 years of combined experience in the fitness industry. Produced by Doug Egge. Find Mind Pump and the Mind Pump hosts on Instragram @mindpumpmedia, @mindpumpsal, @mindpumpadam, @mindpumpjustin & @mindpumpdoug and at mindpumppodcast.com. Get expertly programmed Mind Pump training protocols at mapsfitnessproducts.com

  1. 3d ago

    2949: Why Eating Less and Training More Is the Reason You Are Not Losing Fat

    MAPS Abs and Butt: https://mapsabsandbutt.com Code: LAUNCH for 40% off. Includes Butt Building Diet Guide, Women's Supplement Guide, at-home dumbbell version and a free second program at checkout (Muscle Mommy or Muscle Mommy 15). In this episode the guys break down how to eat more to lose fat — why the body goes into a protective mode when you overtrain and under-eat, why strength is the best metric to track during this process, how to dial in protein at 1g per pound of target body weight, why a 2 to 1 carb to protein ratio fuels muscle and performance, why fats are essential and not something to avoid, and why the scale and mirror are the worst tools to use during a building phase. They also cover a deep dive on red light therapy and why there is almost nothing it does not improve, Sal's rogue AI and digital currency conspiracy theory, kids IQ scores declining internationally and why technology during childhood is partly to blame, Max deciding he is too old for YouTube boss battles during his haircut, Sal's dad and sister both getting dramatic pain relief from the Super Patch freedom patch, ear beads and the acupressure science behind haptic technology, and the new Mr. T documentary on Netflix and the story behind his look and his chains. Then they coach live callers submitted through mplivecaller.com.   Mind Pump Fitness Coaching: https://mindpumpfitnesscoaching.com 1.9 NASM CEUs   SPONSORS   Joovv (red light therapy): https://joovv.com/mindpump Code: MINDPUMP for $50 off first purchase. Improves skin, fat oxidation, muscle building, eyesight and testosterone. Deep dive on air — Sal discusses why there is almost nothing red light does not improve.   Super Patch (Freedom pain patch): https://mindpump.superpatch.com No code needed, use URL for $30 off. Sal's dad and sister both experienced dramatic pain relief. Peer-reviewed studies show pain reduction equivalent to an NSAID with no drugs in the patch.   Butcher Box: https://butcherbox.com/mindpump No code needed. Free ribeyes, NY strip steaks or filet mignons in every order for a year plus $20 off first box.   LINKS Submit a live caller question: https://mplivecaller.com Mind Pump Store: https://mindpumpstore.com Maps Fitness Products: https://mapsfitnessproducts.com Instagram: @mindpumpmedia   0:00 - Intro 2:28 - How to eat more to lose fat — why the body goes into protective mode when you overtrain and under-eat 11:57 - Why strength is the best metric to track during a building phase 13:46 - Protein: aim for 1g per pound of target body weight and why it matters 17:33 - Carbs: the 2 to 1 ratio and why carbohydrates fuel strength and muscle 20:44 - Fats: why they are essential and why avoiding them destroys hormones 22:34 - Why the scale and mirror are the worst tools during a build phase 27:46 - Red light therapy deep dive — why Sal says there is nothing it does not improve 33:12 - The rogue AI conspiracy — digital currency, infrastructure attacks and Anthropic going public 46:04 - Kids IQ scores declining internationally and why technology during childhood is to blame 47:51 - Max decides he is getting too old for YouTube boss battles at the barbershop 49:34 - Super Patch pain results — Sal's dad and sister both report dramatic relief 55:39 - Ear beads and acupressure — the haptic technology science behind them 59:57 - The Mr. T Netflix documentary — his look, his chains and the story nobody knew 1:07:35 - Caller: Phillip (Ontario) — returning caller, bulging disc, core weakness discovery, got leaner on less volume 1:22:06 - Caller: Savannah (Florida) — professional equestrian, broke seven and eight ribs, peptide advice and recovery strategy 1:33:19 - Caller: Mike (Arizona) — golf pro, six feet, 15% body fat, DEXA scan, IGF-1 low, on Tesamorelin, MOTS-C and SS-31 1:52:01 - Caller: Michelle (Ontario) — returning caller, back injury, going back to work, daycare stress, mindset shift noticed

  2. 4d ago

    2948: The Type of Exercise That Will Get You Past Sticking Points & Why This Beats Every Other Form of Exercise

    MAPS Abs and Butt: https://mapsabsandbutt.com Code: LAUNCH for 40% off. Includes Butt Building Diet Guide, Women's Supplement Guide, at-home dumbbell version and a free second program at checkout (Muscle Mommy or Muscle Mommy 15). In this episode the guys break down why everyone should be using isometrics — covering the three types (yielding, overcoming and intra-rep), why they lower blood pressure better than any other form of exercise including medication, how they build strength specifically at the angle you train, how they reduce pain by up to 45% after just one rep, and why tendons strengthen faster with isometrics than traditional lifting. They also get into Adam's Caldera Lab pre-podcast skincare routine and why Sal noticed his skin on the big screen TV, the games kids used to play that are now banned from schools (butts up, Red Rover, baby britches), the Functional Patterns versus Layne Norton beef and why attacking other people in the fitness space is a losing brand strategy, the science of gratitude and how daily practice literally reshapes the structure of your brain, why a cortisol spike from exercise suppresses your next cortisol response making you more resilient all day, Justin showing up to look at a building covered in rock dust after moving four tons of stone alone, liposomal delivery technology and why it matters for creatine, curcumin and glutathione, and Adam's hibachi chef birthday party that took a very unexpected turn. Then they answer questions from Instagram on injury prevention for runners, how to avoid overeating while building muscle, protein for strength without size, and training around plantar fasciitis and a knee replacement. SPONSORS Caldera Lab (The Good serum): https://calderalab.com/mindpump Code: MINDPUMP20 for 20% off. Adam discusses his pre-podcast skincare routine on air. Rho Nutrition (liposomal creatine, curcumin, NAD+ and Glutathione): https://www.rhonutrition.com/discount/MINDPUMP Code: MINDPUMP for 20% off everything. Deep dive on liposomal technology on air — why it matters more for some compounds than others and why it solves the creatine gut sensitivity problem. LMNT (electrolytes): https://drinklmnt.com/MindPump Free sample pack with any purchase, no code needed. LINKS Mind Pump Store: https://mindpumpstore.com Maps Fitness Products: https://mapsfitnessproducts.com Instagram: @mindpumpmedia   0:00 - Intro 2:20 - Why everyone should use isometrics — and why they have been forgotten 5:12 - The three types of isometrics: yielding, overcoming and intra-rep 11:17 - Benefit 1: Isometrics lower blood pressure better than any other form of training 13:44 - Benefit 2: Strength at the specific angle — how to blast through sticking points 18:10 - Benefit 3: Pain reduction — 45% reduction after just one rep for tendon pain 19:23 - Benefit 4: Tendon strength builds faster with isometrics than traditional lifting 22:47 - Adam's Caldera Lab pre-podcast routine and what Sal noticed on the big screen TV 26:38 - Games kids used to play that are now banned — butts up, Red Rover and baby britches 30:10 - Functional Patterns vs. Lane Norton beef and why attacking people in fitness is a bad brand strategy 35:15 - The neuroscience of gratitude — how daily practice physically reshapes your brain 46:01 - Exercise cortisol spike suppresses your next stress response — why working out makes you more resilient all day 47:54 - Justin moving four tons of rock alone and the soreness that followed 53:20 - Liposomal technology deep dive — why it matters for creatine, curcumin and glutathione 55:59 - Adam's hibachi birthday party that took a very unexpected turn 1:03:18 - Q&A: Best exercises to prevent injury for runners 1:06:08 - Q&A: How to avoid overeating while trying to build muscle 1:08:15 - Q&A: Does a man who wants strength but not size need one gram of protein per pound? 1:10:44 - Q&A: Training around plantar fasciitis and a knee replacement — unilateral or full body?

  3. 5d ago

    2947: How to Build Glutes | Hip Thrust vs Squats What Bret Contreras Says Actually Works

    MAPS Abs and Butt: https://mapsabsandbutt.com Code: LAUNCH for 40% off. Includes Butt Building Diet Guide, Women's Supplement Guide, at-home dumbbell version and a free second program at checkout (Muscle Mommy or Muscle Mommy 15). Bret Contreras — the man who invented the barbell hip thrust — joins the guys to talk glute building, training longevity and why genetics matter more than most trainers will admit. They also get into his rotating periodization system, the new research on upper vs. lower glute targeting, and why hip thrust beats squats for most people. Plus Bret opens up about being single at 50 and what therapy taught him about relationships. SPONSORS Legion (supplements): https://buylegion.com/mindpump Code: MINDPUMP — new customers buy one get one 50% off, returning customers get 20% cash back. Third-party tested, clinical doses.   GUEST LINKS Bret Contreras: https://www.instagram.com/bretcontreras1 Booty by Bret: https://www.instagram.com/bootybybretofficial   LINKS Mind Pump Store: https://mindpumpstore.com Maps Fitness Products: https://mapsfitnessproducts.com Instagram: @mindpumpmedia   0:00 - Intro 2:05 - Can anyone build a great butt? Bret explains why genetics determine 60% of the outcome 8:03 - Sacral slope, intramuscular fat, insertion points and fat distribution — the real variables 10:14 - Why quad dominant people cannot feel squats in their glutes — and the isometric fix 13:47 - New research: isometric training at stretch produces the same hypertrophy as leg extensions 21:57 - How Bret applies isometric work with clients and why eccentrics don't fatigue the same way 31:31 - How important is getting stronger? The research on strength and hypertrophy has finally caught up 34:11 - Why Bret's San Diego squad got more injured than his Fort Lauderdale squad — and the lesson 39:37 - Training around pain instead of through it — the real key to longevity in the gym 48:56 - Squats vs. hip thrust — why hip thrust wins on frequency, not on muscle activation 53:17 - Bret's rotating periodization system — switching the focus lift every four weeks 58:37 - New research: you can target upper vs. lower glute max through movement selection 1:01:00 - The permanent glute specialization template — 36 sets per week for glutes in 3 days 1:18:33 - Dating as a trainer surrounded by bikini models — Bret opens up about being single at 50 1:27:02 - Therapy, Gottman, Arthur Brooks and why Bret thinks purpose is the real secret to happiness

  4. 6d ago

    2946: 5 Things Bodybuilders Figured Out Before Everyone Else (That Everyone Should Know)

    MAPS Abs and Butt: https://mapsabsandbutt.com Code: LAUNCH for 40% off. Includes Butt Building Diet Guide, Women's Supplement Guide, at-home dumbbell version and a free second program at checkout (Muscle Mommy or Muscle Mommy 15). In this episode the guys break down 5 lessons from bodybuilders that everyone should learn — mind muscle connection and why feeling the target muscle is a learnable skill that changes everything, the pump as a signal for hydration, recovery and muscle connection rather than just an ego boost, Lee Haney's principle of stimulate don't annihilate and why bodybuilders pioneered recovery science, why protein was ridiculed for decades before the rest of the world caught up, and why bodybuilders sleep more than almost any other athlete category and how it drove early recovery science. They also discuss Sal's coaching group chat on sleep and training decisions, why probiotics have moved into Sal's top tier supplements alongside creatine and multivitamins, how GLP-1 users are now spending four times more on fitness than non-users and why trainers should embrace this rather than fear it, the fascinating data on how long it takes to lose muscle and strength after stopping training .   SPONSORS Seed Daily Synbiotic: https://seed.com/mindpump Code: 25MINDPUMP for 25% off your first month. Sal now considers probiotics a top-tier supplement alongside creatine and multivitamins — discussed at length on air. Zbiotics Pre-Alcohol: https://zbiotics.com/MINDPUMP26 Code: MINDPUMP26 for 15% off first purchase. World's first genetically engineered probiotic. Breaks down acetaldehyde in the gut. Sal does a deep dive on how acetaldehyde works in the body and why the liver alone can't handle it all. Kion (essential amino acids): https://getkion.com/mindpump 20% off automatically applied at checkout. 40% leucine-enriched formula for muscle protein synthesis.   LINKS Submit a live caller question: https://mplivecaller.com Mind Pump Store: https://mindpumpstore.com Maps Fitness Products: https://mapsfitnessproducts.com Instagram: @mindpumpmedia   0:00 - Intro 1:09 - 5 lessons from bodybuilders everyone should learn 5:38 - Lesson 1: Mind muscle connection — the skill that separates good training from great training 9:29 - Lesson 2: The pump — why it signals more than just a good workout 12:44 - Lesson 3: Stimulate don't annihilate — Lee Haney and why bodybuilders pioneered recovery science 16:14 - Lesson 4: Protein — bodybuilders were right decades before the rest of the world caught up 18:29 - Lesson 5: Sleep — why bodybuilders sleep more than almost any other athlete 19:21 - Sal's coaching group chat — why his friend is doing 36 sets and still leaving gains on the table 26:19 - Why probiotics have moved into Sal's top tier supplements alongside creatine 29:46 - GLP-1 users spend four times more on fitness — and why trainers should embrace this 35:37 - The future of gyms as social hubs and what that means for the fitness industry 40:53 - How long it actually takes to lose muscle and strength after you stop training 52:07 - In-N-Out removing artificial dyes and seed oils and why fitness people shouldn't scoff at incremental wins 1:01:31 - Caller: Patricia (Utah) — 23-year-old, 150 pounds, 15% body fat, competitive soccer background, wants to build a strong foundation, gets MAPS Powerlift 1:08:40 - Caller: Vanessa (Colorado) — 43-year-old, post-menopausal, built 8 pounds of muscle, reverse dieted from 1850 to 2400 calories, needs to keep going, gets coaching referral 1:18:10 - Caller: Caylee (Arizona) — going back to school, worried about losing muscle when training drops, gets MAPS 15 and learns she needs more calories not less 1:27:02 - Caller: Gabby (Australia) — 31-year-old former fashion model, 12 years of eating disorder history, now free, building muscle for the first time, gets MAPS Powerlift

  5. Sep 12

    2944: Low Reps vs. High Reps — Which Actually Builds More Muscle? (The Answer Surprised Us)

    MAPS Abs and Butt: https://mapsabsandbutt.com Code: LAUNCH for 40% off. Includes Butt Building Diet Guide, Women's Supplement Guide, at-home dumbbell version and a free second program at checkout (Muscle Mommy or Muscle Mommy 15).   In this episode the guys break down the low reps vs. high reps debate — covering why both build muscle equally when intensity is matched, why low reps build maximal strength better and high reps build strength endurance, why low reps are easier to recover from, and why doing both in phases produces the best long term results. They also get into Sal starting SS-31 peptide and why he is noticing similar energy and clarity benefits to MOTS-C, Adam microdosing GLP-1 for psoriasis and inflammation and the emerging studies on autoimmune and addiction applications, a new pill that reduces sleep apnea breathing events by 44% by targeting neuromuscular dysfunction, the history and bizarre fashion resurgence of the merkin, a study showing HEPA air filters improved executive function by 12% in 30 days, otter attacks being more serious than anyone expected, Adam's daughter calling her bikini top a boob mask, Manukora as part of the anti-viral immunity stack, a nationwide homeschool study showing 25-29 percentile point improvements across all subjects, and pickleball hitting 479% growth. Then they coach live callers submitted through mplivecaller.com.   Mind Pump Fitness Coaching: https://mindpumpfitnesscoaching.com 1.9 NASM CEUs   SPONSORS   Vita Bella / MP Hormones: https://mphormones.com Book a complimentary 10-minute consultation to find out if Vita Bella is right for you. SS-31 peptide and MOTS-C now available. BPC-157 back in stock. GLP-1 microdosing for inflammation and autoimmune conditions discussed on air. Or use code MINDPUMP365 to start your annual membership and receive a free blood panel and gift.   Manukora Manuka Honey: https://manukora.com/MINDPUMP Code: MINDPUMP for up to 31% off plus $25 in free gifts with the Starter Kit. Discussed on air as part of the anti-viral immunity stack alongside NAD, glutathione, zinc, elderberry and thymus alpha.   Hiya (kids' multivitamin): https://hiyahealth.com/MINDPUMP 50% off first order. Zero sugar, non-GMO, vegan, allergy-free. The only kids multivitamin the guys recommend.   LINKS   Submit a live caller question: https://mplivecaller.com Mind Pump Store: https://mindpumpstore.com Maps Fitness Products: https://mapsfitnessproducts.com Instagram: @mindpumpmedia   SPOTIFY TIMESTAMPS   0:00 - Intro 2:29 - Low reps vs. high reps — why both build muscle and what makes them actually different 8:08 - Low reps build maximal strength and are easier to recover from — the mechanism explained 9:26 - High reps build strength endurance and are better for lagging body parts 10:42 - Why you should do both in phases rather than mixing them every workout 19:28 - SS-31 peptide — Sal starts it and compares it to MOTS-C for mitochondrial energy 22:01 - Adam's GLP-1 microdose experiment for psoriasis — inflammation down, no weight loss 28:52 - New pill reduces sleep apnea breathing events by 44% — neuromuscular dysfunction explained 31:22 - The merkin — its bizarre history and high fashion resurgence 34:46 - HEPA air filter study — 12% improvement in executive function in 30 days 38:12 - Otters are more dangerous than you think — the Lake Tahoe attack 40:00 - Adam's daughter calls her bikini top a boob mask 46:40 - Manukora as part of the anti-viral immunity stack 52:20 - Homeschool study — 25-29 percentile points higher across all subjects 1:01:38 - Caller: Mark (Wisconsin) — wants to compete in strongman, needs a new fitness goal 1:12:15 - Caller: Leah and Audrey (Wisconsin) — mother and daughter, wrestling athlete, off-season programming 1:31:54 - Caller: Liz (Utah) — aqua fitness instructor for seniors, also dealing with her own joint pain in perimenopause 1:48:29 - Caller: Justin (Florida) — Marine Corps vet, PTSD, bicep tendon rupture, gets 2 months free concierge coaching

  6. Sep 11

    2943: Your Bulk Is Not Working! Here Are the 5 Signs You Are Doing It Wrong

    MAPS Abs and Butt: ⁠ https://mapsabsandbutt.com⁠ Code: LAUNCH for 40% off. Includes Butt Building Diet Guide, Women's Supplement Guide, at-home dumbbell version and a free second program at checkout (Muscle Mommy or Muscle Mommy 15). In this episode the guys break down the signs that your bulk or reverse diet is not working — losing weight on the scale, still feeling hungry, strength not going up, energy not improving, and sleep not getting better. They cover why strength is the single best metric to track during a bulk, why under eating during a supposed surplus leads to binge cycles on garbage food, and why women especially resist the scale going up even when building muscle is the goal. They also get into why old gym machines from the 90s with their heavier stacks were built for bodybuilders and how modern machines are designed for ease and safety, Paleo Valley bone broth protein in coffee that Sal's uncle has been doing for months without knowing it was a protein supplement, a new dating app exclusively for people who were never vaccinated for Covid, TBPN and how AI companies are buying podcasts to control public narrative — plus the William Hearst and cannabis prohibition parallel showing this is a 200-year-old game, pheromone maxing and the viral trend of guys skipping showers before dates, Arthur Brooks on the happiness data showing kids reduce daily enjoyment but dramatically increase meaning, and Vuori now making pickleball paddles as pickleball hit 479% growth and 24 million players in 5 years. Then they answer questions from Instagram. SPONSORS Paleo Valley (bone broth protein): ⁠ https://paleovalley.com/mindpump⁠ 15% off automatically applied at checkout.    Vuori: ⁠ https://vuoriclothing.com/mindpump⁠ 20% off first order, no code needed.  Dose for Your Liver: ⁠ https://dosedaily.co/MINDPUMP35⁠ Code: MINDPUMP35 for 35% off first month subscription.    LINKS Mind Pump Store: ⁠ https://mindpumpstore.com⁠ Maps Fitness Products: ⁠ https://mapsfitnessproducts.com⁠ Instagram: @mindpumpmedia   0:00 - Intro 1:13 - Signs your bulk is not working — and why most people are making the same mistakes 3:39 - Sign 1: You lost weight — if the scale goes down you are nowhere near eating enough 10:09 - Sign 2: You are hungry — on a proper bulk you should never feel hungry 13:00 - Sign 3: Strength has not gone up — the most objective metric during a bulk 15:12 - Sign 4: Energy is not better — proper surplus should have you moving more subconsciously 21:36 - Sign 5: Sleep is not better — and the libido clue nobody talks about 22:56 - Old gym machines had heavier stacks and were built for bodybuilders — a completely different design 25:00 - Paleo Valley bone broth protein in coffee — Sal's uncle has been doing it for months 26:40 - The new dating app exclusively for unvaccinated people — it is real 30:31 - TBPN sale and AI companies buying podcasts to control public narrative 38:02 - William Hearst, cannabis prohibition and 200 years of media narrative control 44:04 - Pheromone maxing — skipping showers before dates and the ovulation science behind it 47:24 - Arthur Brooks on happiness data — kids lower daily enjoyment but dramatically increase meaning 57:36 - Vuori now makes pickleball paddles — 479% growth and 24 million players in 5 years 1:06:21 - Q&A: Best way to build leg strength without a squat rack 1:08:43 - Q&A: Getting tighter after starting to lift — is this normal or a stretching problem? 1:12:08 - Q&A: Is winging it in the gym okay if you are consistent and progressing? 1:18:18 - Q&A: What would each of the guys be doing if Mind Pump never happened?

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About

MindPump exposes the RAW TRUTH about health, fitness, nutrition and more... Hosts Sal Di Stefano, Adam Schafer & Justin Andrews pull back the curtain on the mythology, snake oil and pseudo-science that pervades the fitness industry and present science-backed solutions that result in increased muscular development and performance while simultaneously emphasizing health. No fitness institution or fitness "truth" is safe from their quick wit and over 40 years of combined experience in the fitness industry. Produced by Doug Egge. Find Mind Pump and the Mind Pump hosts on Instragram @mindpumpmedia, @mindpumpsal, @mindpumpadam, @mindpumpjustin & @mindpumpdoug and at mindpumppodcast.com. Get expertly programmed Mind Pump training protocols at mapsfitnessproducts.com

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