Hard Truths, Hilarious Fails, and the Power of Showing Up: What Really Went Down in the Lab This Week

Welcome to the weekly recap, Nation.

We debated gym culture, shared stories that will have you shaking your head, and dove into real-life strategies for success. From gym mishaps to deep discussions on adapting and thriving, we’ve got everything you need to stay entertained and inspired while chasing your biggest, most audacious goals.

Let’s talk about what went down in the Lab this week.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE MORNING LOOP

The week kicked off with some serious selfie reflection. Keith posed the big question on Monday: “Are we spending too much time snapping gym pics and not enough time actually working out?” The conversation spiraled into whether the gym had become a fitness center or a social club.

Kristina, fresh off a kettlebell workout that had her feeling every muscle, laughed her way through the pain, while the crew celebrated Marty’s successful weekend selling his Less Brunches, More Crunches merch at his pop-up.

Of course, Jon had to share his “shrieking like a baby” nerve-pinch story.

Seriously, picture a giant guy bending over in a gas station bathroom line, scaring everyone away with a random yelp.

You can’t make this stuff up.

On Tuesday, Keith teased a future without remote work by 2027.

Jon’s response? “That’s cool... for people who actually went to an office in the first place!” Marty chimed in and agreed that no one’s dragging him or Jon to an office. Ever.

Adapt or die, right?

Wednesday started off with Keith attempting a bagpipe-fueled dance to get everyone’s morning going.

Once everyone was done questioning his Scottish heritage, some seriously good banter continued with endurance athlete Rich Ingram, who shared why business and endurance sports are two sides of the same coin. Jon chimed in with his story about chewing whole eggs, shells and all, while Marty gagged in the background.

The topic might’ve been about endurance, but Marty’s endurance for Jon’s eating habits hit an all-time low.

Thursday's show brought all the "what kind of life are you writing?" vibes with Seth Kuhn as the guest.

But first…

Let's talk about Jon, who almost missed the entire second half of the show after Keith dropped a "big announcement" teaser. Apparently, the suspense was too much, and Jon was ready to make a run for the bathroom for a number 2. (But he held out.)

Then there was Friday... and Jon’s infamous naked workout story.

Apparently, the big guy was in the middle of some pull-ups when the bar broke, sending him crashing to the floor—completely butt naked. His wife, Terry, found him mid-crisis, lying flat on his back with the pull-up bar across his chest.

The crew also celebrated almost 1,000 people tuning in for the show the previous day. We’re growing by the day, and it’s all thanks to YOU—the people who choose to spend their mornings with us.

ACCOUNTABILITY CHECK-IN OF THE WEEK

Life isn't fair. But it's not an excuse to sit on the sidelines.

👉 Follow the Chief Baplete, Keith Bilous, on Substack or LinkedIn for daily accountability check-ins.

THE DEEP STUFF: KEY TOPICS OF THE WEEK

The Rise of Gym Selfies: A Deep Dive into Social Media's Influence on Fitness Culture

With 43% of gym-goers feeling pressured to post their workouts online, Marty and Jon debated whether the gym has become a performance venue instead of a place for self-improvement. But here's the twist: 70% of people say social media has inspired them to hit the gym.

Is this the new reality, or are we losing sight of why we train in th