Build for Health with Srdjan Injac

TruStory FM
  • 5.0 (2)
  • FITNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Build for Health is a show that flips the script on fitness. Hosted by longtime podcaster Pete Wright and strength coach Srdjan Injac of ELEV8 Fitness, this show isn’t about gym culture or getting shredded—it’s about why building muscle is the most important investment you can make in your long-term health. Each week, Pete and Srdjan break down the science, bust the myths, and offer real-world insight into how resistance training supports not just strength, but brain function, metabolic health, emotional well-being, immune resilience, and aging with independence. If you think lifting weights is just for looks, think again. It’s time to rethink strength—and build a body that’s built for life. --- Meet the Hosts Srdjan Injac is a certified strength coach and the founder of ELEV8 Fitness in Portland, Oregon. With a background in kinesiology and a lifelong passion for movement, he’s trained everyone from elite athletes to everyday professionals to feel strong, live pain-free, and age with purpose. Srdjan’s coaching style is built on evidence-based training, long-term sustainability, and a deep belief in the power of muscle as medicine. Pete Wright is a veteran podcaster, storyteller, and—most importantly—a guy who used to avoid the gym at all costs. Srdjan’s just so happens to be his trainer. As such, Pete tries to bring curiosity, candor, and a deeply personal perspective on what it really takes to change your relationship with strength... no matter how much it hurts. With a background in health communication and habit-building for adults with ADHD, Pete asks the questions we’re all wondering—and helps listeners stay curious while getting stronger.

  1. Tracking Progress Without Losing Your Mind

    FEB 5

    Tracking Progress Without Losing Your Mind

    If you’ve ever had a great week in the gym and then let a bathroom scale talk you into thinking nothing’s working, this episode is for you. Pete and Srdjan unpack why body weight is such a noisy, unreliable metric on its own—because it can swing for reasons that have nothing to do with fat loss or fitness progress. They talk through what’s actually in that number (water, sodium, stress, sleep, inflammation, hormones, meal timing), and why daily weigh-ins can turn a normal fluctuation into an emotional roller coaster. From there, the conversation pivots to what’s worth tracking instead. Srdjan explains how he uses body composition testing (like InBody) to track trends over time—fat percentage, lean mass, visceral fat, muscle balance—without obsessing over single readings. They also get into the performance and “real life” markers that are often better indicators of progress: stronger lifts, smoother movement, better balance, faster recovery between sets, improved sleep and energy, fewer cravings, and the quiet wins like clothes fitting differently or feeling more solid when you move through the day. They close by getting practical about minimum effective tracking. Progress photos, waist-to-hip ratio, and clothing fit can tell a clearer story than a fluctuating number, especially when you’re targeting body composition changes. And there’s a deceptively important mindset point Srdjan keeps coming back to: you’re usually going to feel progress before you see it. If you’re doing the work, don’t let one number erase the evidence. Links & Notes Submit your questions to the show!

    24 min
  2. Training After Surgery: Slow Is Fast

    JAN 29

    Training After Surgery: Slow Is Fast

    This one is about the part of training nobody romanticizes: coming back after injury or surgery without letting impatience take the wheel. We start with a real-world case—Pete’s business partner Andy facing back-to-back knee replacements—and uses that as a proxy for anyone staring down rehab, physical therapy, and the uneasy question of “When am I actually ready to train again?” Srdjan lays out what he wants to know first (medical notes, PT progress, movement limits), and why the handoff from PT to strength work matters: PT gets you functional, but strength training is where you rebuild the stability and muscle support that keeps you from getting hurt again. A big thread here is pain literacy. Srdjan talks about learning to distinguish discomfort from danger—aching versus sharp pain, soreness versus joint pain—and how a good coach watches movement as much as they listen to words (because most of us underreport what we’re feeling). They also unpack the two classic traps: the underconfident “I can’t train until I’m pain-free” and the overconfident “It doesn’t hurt, so I’m fine,” and why both can get you into trouble. The throughline is slowing down, staying in control, and treating old injuries with ongoing respect even years later. They also get practical: using the pool to reduce joint load while keeping muscles active, prioritizing stabilizers and unilateral work for asymmetries, and reframing “rest” as active recovery rather than full stop. And there’s a nice, slightly sneaky lesson for the rehab window: if your training options shrink, tighten up what you can control—protein, calories, and habits—so the setback is real but not catastrophic. Links & Notes Submit your questions to the show!

    29 min
  3. The Two Most Slandered Joints in the Gym

    JAN 22

    The Two Most Slandered Joints in the Gym

    Knees and shoulders might be the two most over-policed joints in the gym—by people who mean well, by people who absolutely don’t, and by that one guy who taught you to fear squats in 2004. Pete and Srdjan break down what actually makes these joints cranky, which “rules” are myths, and how to tell the difference between real injury pain and the normal discomfort of undertrained tissue waking up. You’ll come away with a simple framework: earn your range of motion, stop chasing load at the expense of control, and treat warm-ups and stabilizers like the main event—not an apology lap. Plus: why locking out under heavy weight can be a sneaky knee trap, why shoulders hate heavy rotation, and what to do when something hurts on a day you didn’t even train. Links & Notes Submit your questions to the show!

    27 min
  4. Protein Panic and the Myth of Perfect Timing

    JAN 15

    Protein Panic and the Myth of Perfect Timing

    The question sounds simple, but it carries a lot of baggage: if you don’t eat right after a workout, are you undoing all your hard work? In this episode, Pete Wright and Srdjan Injac take a calm  walk through one of fitness culture’s most persistent anxieties—the so-called anabolic window—and explain why it’s been overstated. Srdjan reframes the conversation around what actually drives progress: daily calories, adequate protein, sufficient fiber, and long-term consistency. Whether you eat two meals or six, the body cares far more about what you total up over the day than whether you sprint to a shaker bottle the second your workout ends. The much-feared 30-minute cutoff turns out to be less a hard deadline and more a misunderstanding of how long the body remains responsive after training. The conversation also digs into nuance that often gets lost online, including subtle differences in recovery and timing between men and women, how cortisol and glycogen play into post-workout meals, and why “fasted cardio” can make sense for some people and not others. Rather than rules, Srdjan emphasizes experimentation—learning how your own body responds to food timing, workout intensity, and energy availability. The takeaway is refreshingly unglamorous: stop chasing perfect timing, start building repeatable habits. Eat in a way that fits your life, fuel your workouts, and trust that progress comes from showing up again tomorrow—not from beating a stopwatch to the fridge. Links & Notes Submit your questions to the show!

    31 min
  5. Flexibility vs. Mobility: The Distinction That Could Change How You Train

    12/18/2025

    Flexibility vs. Mobility: The Distinction That Could Change How You Train

    You've probably heard the terms flexibility and mobility used interchangeably. Turns out, they're not the same thing—and understanding the difference could completely change how you train, move, and age. In this episode, Pete and Srdjan break down what separates passive range of motion (flexibility) from active, controlled movement (mobility), and why you might need more of one than the other. They cover when to stretch (hint: it's not always before your workout), how yoga and Pilates fit into the picture, and why weightlifting without flexibility is like driving with the parking brake on. Whether you're desk-bound and stiff or hypermobile but unstable, this episode will help you figure out what your body actually needs. Links & Notes Submit your questions to the show!

    27 min
  6. Introducing Instability: The Secret to a Stronger, Safer Core

    11/27/2025

    Introducing Instability: The Secret to a Stronger, Safer Core

    In this episode of Build for Health, Pete and trainer Srdjan Injac dig into what the “core” really is—and why it’s far more than the six-pack we’ve all been taught to chase. Srdjan breaks down the core as a 360-degree muscular system, not a single muscle group, and explains why abs alone represent only about 20% of what truly keeps us upright, stable, and injury-resistant. From the way sitting at a desk weakens deep stabilizers, to why most back pain comes from core fatigue rather than structural damage, Srdjan reframes core training as the foundation of long-term strength and mobility. Together, they explore why machines shut off the core, why instability is your best friend, and how breathing and bracing are as essential as the exercises themselves. Srdjan walks through the muscles you never hear about—multifidus, transverse abdominals, pelvic floor—and explains how they work together to protect your spine, improve form in big lifts, and reduce fall and injury risk as we age. They also tackle myths, overrated exercises, and the mistake of thinking the core’s job is to move you. Its real job? Resist movement. Whether you’re new to strength training or trying to understand why your lifts feel stuck, this conversation redefines what it means to “train your core” and how to build a body that supports you for decades to come. Links & Notes Submit your questions to the show!

    31 min
  7. What’s the Deal with Cardio?

    11/20/2025

    What’s the Deal with Cardio?

    Cardio gets a bad rap—and to be fair, most of us have earned that bias the hard way. But in this episode of Build for Health, Pete and trainer Srdjan Injac get practical about what cardio actually does for your health, your strength, and your long-term quality of life. It’s not punishment. It’s not penance. And it’s definitely not the hour-long treadmill slog you remember from the ’90s. Instead, Srdjan breaks down why cardiovascular training is as essential as lifting: stronger heart and lungs, better recovery, improved metabolism, deeper sleep, and sustainable longevity. From there, they get honest about mindset—why so many people avoid cardio, how to find the version that doesn’t make you miserable, and how to build a routine you’ll actually stick to. Srdjan explains how overdoing cardio can sabotage strength and muscle, why 15 minutes of real effort beats 60 minutes of coasting, and how interval-based training fits perfectly into a strength-focused program. They dig into weekly targets, training zones, the American Heart Association’s recommendations, and the surprising data hiding in your smartwatch—especially resting heart rate and sleep quality—as reliable markers of your cardio fitness. If you’ve ever felt embarrassed walking up a flight of stairs, wondered whether cardio really matters if you lift, or just need a reason to stop sprinting for the parking lot before your trainer notices you skipping the rower, this conversation breaks it all open. Practical, actionable, myth-busting—classic Build for Health. Links & Notes Submit your questions to the show!

    26 min
  8. Trainer, Coach, or Program: Choosing Your Best Fit

    10/02/2025

    Trainer, Coach, or Program: Choosing Your Best Fit

    When you’re ready to get serious about fitness, the first big question is: how do you actually learn what to do—and stick with it? In this week’s episode, Pete and Srdjan break down three of the most common training approaches: working with an in-person trainer, hiring a coach online, or following a program on your own. Each option comes with its own strengths, limitations, and accountability challenges, and choosing the right one can make the difference between a routine that fizzles out and one that becomes a lasting part of your life. Srdjan shares his experience coaching clients both in person and remotely, including how he adapts workouts to each client’s equipment, schedule, and goals. He digs into the pitfalls of cookie-cutter programs, the importance of proper form, and why accountability can be the missing link that derails progress. Along the way, the two unpack practical considerations like the real cost of home gym equipment, the minimum setup you’d need to make remote training effective, and what to look for if you’re considering one of the countless off-the-shelf challenges online. The conversation also previews Srdjan’s upcoming 12-week training program, designed with progressive structure, exercise modifications, nutrition support, and built-in accountability—aiming to be more adaptable and sustainable than the one-size-fits-all options on the market. Whether you’re a self-starter who thrives with a little structure, someone craving direct feedback and motivation, or somewhere in between, this episode will help you weigh your options and start building the consistency that keeps you moving forward.

    28 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Build for Health is a show that flips the script on fitness. Hosted by longtime podcaster Pete Wright and strength coach Srdjan Injac of ELEV8 Fitness, this show isn’t about gym culture or getting shredded—it’s about why building muscle is the most important investment you can make in your long-term health. Each week, Pete and Srdjan break down the science, bust the myths, and offer real-world insight into how resistance training supports not just strength, but brain function, metabolic health, emotional well-being, immune resilience, and aging with independence. If you think lifting weights is just for looks, think again. It’s time to rethink strength—and build a body that’s built for life. --- Meet the Hosts Srdjan Injac is a certified strength coach and the founder of ELEV8 Fitness in Portland, Oregon. With a background in kinesiology and a lifelong passion for movement, he’s trained everyone from elite athletes to everyday professionals to feel strong, live pain-free, and age with purpose. Srdjan’s coaching style is built on evidence-based training, long-term sustainability, and a deep belief in the power of muscle as medicine. Pete Wright is a veteran podcaster, storyteller, and—most importantly—a guy who used to avoid the gym at all costs. Srdjan’s just so happens to be his trainer. As such, Pete tries to bring curiosity, candor, and a deeply personal perspective on what it really takes to change your relationship with strength... no matter how much it hurts. With a background in health communication and habit-building for adults with ADHD, Pete asks the questions we’re all wondering—and helps listeners stay curious while getting stronger.

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