1,171 episodes

New episode every Wednesday! Join the Barbell Shrugged crew in conversations about fitness, training, and frequent interviews w/ CrossFit Games athletes!

Barbell Shrugged Barbell Shrugged

    • Health & Fitness
    • 4.7 • 2.6K Ratings

New episode every Wednesday! Join the Barbell Shrugged crew in conversations about fitness, training, and frequent interviews w/ CrossFit Games athletes!

    Physiology Friday: ​​[ENERGY] Why You Do Not Have It and How to Get Tons of It w/ Anders Varner, Doug Larson, Travis Mash and Dan Garner Barbell Shrugged

    Physiology Friday: ​​[ENERGY] Why You Do Not Have It and How to Get Tons of It w/ Anders Varner, Doug Larson, Travis Mash and Dan Garner Barbell Shrugged

    In today’s episode of Barbell Shrugged you will learn:
    Why stimulants and coffee will not solve your energy problems Pros and Cons of “smart” drugs How small efforts of exercise can significantly improve your energy Why exercise is important for energy as you age How morning walks can optimize circadian rhythm and improve energy Melatonin's role in clearing cellular debris and repairing mitochondria Understanding energy systems and how to train them How micronutrient deficiencies effect energy levels  
    To learn more, please go to https://rapidhealthreport.com
    Connect with our guests:
    Anders Varner on Instagram
    Doug Larson on Instagram
    Coach Travis Mash on Instagram
    Dan Garner on Instagram

    • 53 min
    [The Enhanced Games] Redefining Athletic Boundaries w/ Dr. Guillermo Escalante, Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Coach Travis Mash

    [The Enhanced Games] Redefining Athletic Boundaries w/ Dr. Guillermo Escalante, Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Coach Travis Mash

    Dr. Escalante is currently a Professor of Kinesiology and Assistant Dean for the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, San Bernardino. He is a scholar in the areas of exercise science, sports nutrition, and sports medicine. His research interests include sports nutrition/supplementation, body composition assessment, physique enhancement, and sports injury prevention/rehabilitation. Dr. Escalante has over 75 peer-reviewed publications and abstracts in the fields of exercise science, sports nutrition, sports medicine, and kinesiology. He regularly presents at regional, national, and international conferences on his research and serves as a sports nutrition/exercise science consultant to various companies in the health/fitness/sports supplement space. Additionally, he has served as an expert witness in the areas of sports nutrition and sports medicine. Dr. Escalante has secured over $150,000 of internal funding to support his teaching and research as well as over $5 million in external funding as principal investigator or co-investigator through various businesses and agencies, inclusive of the US Department of Education and the US Department of Veteran Affairs.
    Dr. Escalante holds a BS in Athletic Training with a Biology minor and an MBA with concentrations in Marketing and Healthcare Management from the University of La Verne. He also received a Doctor of Science in Athletic Training from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions and is certified as an athletic trainer through the National Athletic Trainer’s Association (NATA), a strength and conditioning specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and as a Sports Nutritionist through the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN). In 2021, Dr. Escalante became one of only 36 fellows (out 36,000+ members) of the ISSN for his contributions in the field of sport nutrition. Dr. Escalante is an active member of the NATA, NSCA, and the ISSN. He serves as a reviewer and associate editor for the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (JISSN), Vice-President for the ISSN, and chair of the NSCA Bodybuilding and Fitness Special Interest Group. He also serves as a reviewer for 8 major journals including the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research and the British Journal of Nutrition.
    Dr. Escalante also has over 50 publications in mainstream fitness magazines and websites including Muscle & Fitness, Muscle & Fitness Hers, Bodybuilding.com, Muscular Development, and MuscleMag International Magazine. He has appeared on television, radio shows, and podcasts discussing fitness, health, bodybuilding, and performance enhancement drugs. He has been a competitive bodybuilder since 2000, a bodybuilding/physique coach since 2004, and was a bodybuilding judge and/or sports medicine provider for MuscleContest International from 2010-2019.
    Prior to going into higher level education, Dr. Escalante owned and operated an outpatient orthopedic physical therapy and personal training business for 18 years and was an owner/operator of 2 World Gym franchises. He also served as interim head athletic trainer for East Los Angeles Community College, was a fitness/health consultant for the US Department of Defense, and was the Chief Operating Officer and Sports Medicine Coordinator for a large physical therapy/sports medicine practice in Southern California. Over the course of his 20+ year career, Dr. Escalante has had the opportunity to train, treat, coach, and/or consult with thousands of athletes and non-athletes alike inclusive of professional athletes in the NFL, MLB, NBA, LPGA, Olympians, and IFBB bodybuilders/physique competitors.
    Work with RAPID Health Optimization
    Dr. Guillermo Escalante on Instagram
    Anders Varner on Instagram
    Doug Larson on Instagram
    Coach Travis Mash on Instagram

    • 54 min
    Physiology Friday: [Testosterone + Gut Health] How to Avoid TRT by Healing Your Gut w/ Anders Varner, Doug Larson, Travis Mash and Dan Garner Barbell Shrugged

    Physiology Friday: [Testosterone + Gut Health] How to Avoid TRT by Healing Your Gut w/ Anders Varner, Doug Larson, Travis Mash and Dan Garner Barbell Shrugged

    In today’s episode of Barbell Shrugged you will learn:
    Understanding the theory of constraints in your physiology Why doctors use testosterone as a catch all for so many symptoms Why TRT is not the answer to low testosterone in your labs Why alcohol can be detrimental to long term gut health and leaky gut How alcohol affects testosterone Why low testosterone is not the root cause of low energy, brain fog, and decreased libido Why testosterone is a system dysfunction and quick fixes will not solve the root cause of the problem To learn more, please go to https://rapidhealthreport.com
    Connect with our guests:
    Anders Varner on Instagram
    Doug Larson on Instagram
    Coach Travis Mash on Instagram
    Dan Garner on Instagram

    • 51 min
    [HIIT] A Minimalist Approach to Building Muscle and Vo2Max w/ Dr. Martin Gibala, Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Coach Travis Mash

    [HIIT] A Minimalist Approach to Building Muscle and Vo2Max w/ Dr. Martin Gibala, Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Coach Travis Mash

    Dr. Martin Gibala is a professor and the Faculty of Science Research Chair in Integrative Exercise Physiology at McMaster University. His research examines the mechanistic basis of exercise responses and the impacts on health and performance. Dr. Gibala is widely known for his work on high-intensity interval training. He has published over 150 peer-reviewed articles and his work is frequently cited by major media outlets. Dr. Gibala also coauthored a bestselling book on the topic of time-efficient exercise, The One-Minute Workout: Science Shows a Way to Get Fit That’s Smarter, Faster, Shorter.
     
    Dr. Gibala’s Website
    www.martingibala.com
     
    Dr. Gibala’s Published Research
    https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40279-023-01938-6
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36121130/
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34669625/
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32362039/
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31691289/
     
    Work with RAPID Health Optimization
    Dr. Martin Gibala on X
    Anders Varner on Instagram
    Doug Larson on Instagram
    Coach Travis Mash on Instagram

    • 49 min
    Physiology Friday: [Cholesterol] How to Read Bloodwork for Lipids, Triglycerides, and Fatty Acids w/ Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Dan Garner Barbell Shrugged

    Physiology Friday: [Cholesterol] How to Read Bloodwork for Lipids, Triglycerides, and Fatty Acids w/ Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Dan Garner Barbell Shrugged

    In today’s episode of Barbell Shrugged you will learn:
    What are lipids What is cholesterol The difference between HDL and LDL cholesterol Why there is no such thing as “good” or “bad” cholesterol What are the bloodwork numbers for optimal cholesterol What is the perfect ratio of HDL and LDL Ratios for Triglycerides to HDL for optimal health Mechanisms for regulating cholesterol in the liver Why saturated fats are not bad and how your body uses them Cholesterols role in testosterone production To learn more, please go to https://rapidhealthreport.com
    Connect with our guests:
    Anders Varner on Instagram
    Doug Larson on Instagram
    Coach Travis Mash on Instagram
    Dan Garner on Instagram

    • 46 min
    The Mission After: Finding Purpose After Military Service w/ Michael Bledsoe, Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Coach Travis Mash

    The Mission After: Finding Purpose After Military Service w/ Michael Bledsoe, Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Coach Travis Mash

    As a seasoned entrepreneur with 16 years under his belt, Bledsoe has dedicated my career to guiding others to enjoy physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. His journey began after serving in the Navy, where I embraced the mission to optimize my own health, relationships and discover a greater purpose.
    My passion extends beyond profession; as a health maximalist, I thrive in the great outdoors, whether it's hunting, swimming, backpacking, or immersing myself in the vibrant energy of music festivals. My life is a testament to the belief that true growth and fulfillment come from embracing adventure, direct communication, and a principled approach to decision making. These values guide both my personal and professional life, driving a relentless pursuit of health maximization and continuous improvement.
    I'm committed to empowering veterans to rediscover their purpose, establishing a firm footing in society while maintaining the spirit of adventure that defines us. With a professional yet direct approach, I strive to cut through the noice, offering honest, actionable guidance that respects the unique journey of each individual. For those looking to reclaim their health and chart a new path forward, I stand ready to light the way.
     
    Work with RAPID Health Optimization
    The Mission After Podcast
    Mike Bledsoe on Instagram
    Anders Varner on Instagram
    Doug Larson on Instagram
    Coach Travis Mash on Instagram

    • 58 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
2.6K Ratings

2.6K Ratings

Mbrohms ,

I’m so I glad I found this podcast!

I just listened to the episode about menopause and fitness with Dr. Abbie Smith-Ryan. I have weight trained for over 30 years, but I am realizing I definitely need to up my game with protein and also supplementation now that Im post menopausal. The entire episode was incredibly helpful and informative.

Romans army ,

Love the Energy

Great to hear the excitement of living purposefully and in a healthy mindset. Getting older it’s vital to stay moving and limber. Listening to the kids episode I have some feedback about family dinners. You guys glaze over its importance ( or unimportance) and state that the kids don’t sit still or throw food or knock chairs over. I have three boys 2,4,5 and we have had family dinners since day one. I knew that with hard work and repetitive behavior the kids would learn to eat their foods in a calm setting and create good food choices. And it’s worked! They are used to seeing Whole Foods and eating together. While you state playing is more important your missing all the other lessons that eating together brings. Making wholesome food choices, paying attention, setting the table, conversing about your day, and not misbehaving at the table. As a nutrition professional I assure you that eating together will reinforce positive food choices in the long run. Thanks for your podcast and I look forward to hearing more!

EndocrineMD ,

Inadequate

As an open-minded, academically trained endocrinologist who aggressively promotes lifestyle changes to optimize hormonal health I was disappointed by the episode on menopause. There was enough misleading info in that episode that I won’t be recommending this podcast to my patients. Please avoid making sweeping statements about hormones and conventional medicine - it weakens the potential power of your intended message.

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