Straight Talk - Mind and Muscle Podcast

straight talk mind and muscle

I interview the Best People in the world at what they do-in Health, Fitness and all things Mind and Muscle- without the fluff- we tell it STRAIGHT... I am Damian Porter, Former NZ Special Forces Operator, Subject Matter Expert from www.hownottodieguy.com and Coach at www.eatwellmovewell.net You are listening to my STRAIGHT TALK MIND AND MUSCLE PODCAST sponsored by www.mystait.com - the ultimate daily formula for optimum hormone health, stress management, energy and performance.  100% natural and clinically proven ingredients, it provides everything you need to raise your game, in a convenient gut-friendly capsule. 

And the Mason Survival Protocol - https://www.carnivoreretreat.com/post/masonsurvival-protocol-carnivore-retreat Links for my former shows are here-


WATCH on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpt-Zy1jciVn7cWB0B-y5WATyzrzfwucZ LISTEN on: spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1rlAGRXCwLIJfQCQ5B3PYB?si=UmgsMBFkRfelCAm1E4Pd3Q Itunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/straight-talk-mind-and-muscle-podcast/id1315986446?mt=2

  1. Dr Nic Gill: From the NZ All Blacks to the Baltimore Ravens — His Biggest Test Yet

    2d ago

    Dr Nic Gill: From the NZ All Blacks to the Baltimore Ravens — His Biggest Test Yet

    One of only a handful of three-time guests on the show, Professor Nic Gill returns for another insightful conversation. After more than two decades with the New Zealand All Blacks Rugby Team, guiding one of the most successful teams in world sport through over 240 Test matches and more than 200 victories, Nic is embarking on his next chapter in elite performance:moving to the United States as Vice President of Health and Performance for the Baltimore Ravens NFL Team. From his first appearance in 2021, "Rugby Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for the NZ All Blacks," through the follow-up episode, "A Week in the Life of an All Blacks Rugby Player," Nic is back to discuss his latest and perhaps greatest challenge yet. Having spent a career at the pinnacle of rugby performance, he now steps into the world of American football, embracing the uncertainty, excitement, and opportunity that come with leading performance in one of the NFL's premier organizations. At his core, Nic operates on a simple but powerful philosophy: performance is built on trust, relationships, and doing the basics exceptionally well. He rejects over-complication, emphasising that motivation isn’t created by coaches—it already exists within athletes, driven by identity, purpose, and environment. Whether pushing himself through extreme challenges like 24-hour Wattbike records for charity, Ironman races or guiding elite players, he consistently chooses discomfort, using challenge as fuel for growth and purpose. That mindset underpins both his coaching and his life decisions. Leaving the All Blacks after two decades wasn’t driven by necessity, but by a deliberate move toward uncertainty and challenge. For Nic, growth lives on the edge of discomfort—where fear and excitement coexist. His move to the NFL represents more than a career shift; it’s a continuation of a philosophy he has lived for years: walk toward the pressure, simplify the process, and help people perform when it matters most. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did. Gilly is one of the most humble, authentic, and driven men I’ve ever had on the show, and I’m proud to call him a friend. Every time we sit down, I walk away having learned something. From the All Blacks to the Baltimore Ravens, this is a conversation about challenge, leadership, family, and having the courage to step into the unknown. AND hopefully a Super Bowl Win!! Another super-powerful episode—sit back and enjoy. 🔗 Connect with Gilly at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rugbyready/ Website links:https://linktr.ee/rugbyready I am Damian Porter , Former NZ Special Forces Operator, Subject Matter Expert from www.hownottodieguy.com and www.saferthanyouarenow.com And you are listening to my STRAIGHT TALK MIND AND MUSCLE PODCAST sponsored by www.mystait.com - the ultimate daily formula for optimum hormone health, stress management, energy and performance.  100% natural and clinically proven ingredients, it provides everything you need to raise your game, in a convenient gut-friendly capsule.  And the Mason Survival Protocol - https://www.carnivoreretreat.com/post/masonsurvival-protocol-carnivore-retreat Links for my former shows are here- WATCH on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpt-Zy1jciVn7cWB0B-y5WATyzrzfwucZ LISTEN on: spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1rlAGRXCwLIJfQCQ5B3PYB?si=UmgsMBFkRfelCAm1E4Pd3Q Itunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/straight-talk-mind-and-muscle-podcast/id1315986446?mt=2 Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5bce2d31-a171-4e83-bada-d1384c877e76 Subscribe for more amazing tips, interviews and wisdom from phenomenal guests ------- And get your ** FREE Video Workshop here- https://www.hownottodieguy.com/

    45 min
  2. Tayla Cannon: Reinventing Rehabilitation, Performance, and Human Movement

    Jun 9

    Tayla Cannon: Reinventing Rehabilitation, Performance, and Human Movement

    Tayla Cannon is an Australian physiotherapist, rehabilitation coach, athlete, and tech entrepreneur who has built her career around challenging conventional thinking in health and performance. After moving to the United States at just 24 years old, she pursued opportunities that combined healthcare, innovation, and entrepreneurship, eventually creating a new model of rehabilitation that integrates injury recovery directly into athletic training. With a background in competitive sport, CrossFit, strength and conditioning, and physiotherapy, Tayla has spent years working at the intersection of performance and recovery. Alongside her clinical work, she now leads a technology company while continuing to help athletes and everyday people overcome chronic pain and return to the activities they love. What shaped Tayla's philosophy was not simply education, but her own experience with chronic back pain. Despite being highly trained and physically capable, she found herself trapped in the same cycle that affects countless people: pain, fear, inactivity, and frustration. Rather than accepting traditional approaches, she began experimenting with movement variability, progressive exposure, and alternative rehabilitation strategies on herself. This journey led her to challenge many long-held beliefs around injury, spinal health, and rehabilitation. Throughout the conversation, she explains how fear often becomes as disabling as the injury itself, why pain is not always a sign of structural damage, and how the brain plays a critical role in both creating and resolving chronic pain. Her message is simple but powerful: movement is medicine, confidence can be rebuilt, and recovery often begins by teaching the brain that movement is safe again. A major focus of Tayla's work today is bridging the gap between rehabilitation and performance. Rather than separating injury recovery from training, she integrates them into a single process that allows people to continue exercising while rebuilding strength, capacity, and confidence. We discuss the evolution of physiotherapy, the importance of load and movement over passive treatments, fascial slings, bracing, movement variability, and why many traditional rehabilitation models fail active people. She also shares insights on resilience, stepping outside comfort zones, the cultural differences between Australia and America, and why maintaining cardiovascular fitness, movement diversity, and lifelong athleticism is essential for long-term health. At its core, Tayla's work is about empowering people to move better, recover smarter, and build bodies capable of thriving well beyond injury. 🔗 Connect with Tayla on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylacannonphysio/ Website links: https://pop.store/taylacannonphysio?utm_id=97760_v0_s00_e0_tv3 Thanks for tuning in. Hope you love it as much as I did. Thank you all. I am Damian Porter , Former NZ Special Forces Operator, Subject Matter Expert from www.hownottodieguy.com and www.saferthanyouarenow.com And you are listening to my STRAIGHT TALK MIND AND MUSCLE PODCAST sponsored by www.mystait.com - the ultimate daily formula for optimum hormone health, stress management, energy and performance.  100% natural and clinically proven ingredients, it provides everything you need to raise your game, in a convenient gut-friendly capsule.  And the Mason Survival Protocol - https://www.carnivoreretreat.com/post/masonsurvival-protocol-carnivore-retreat Links for my former shows are here- WATCH on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpt-Zy1jciVn7cWB0B-y5WATyzrzfwucZ LISTEN on: spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1rlAGRXCwLIJfQCQ5B3PYB?si=UmgsMBFkRfelCAm1E4Pd3Q Itunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/straight-talk-mind-and-muscle-podcast/id1315986446?mt=2 Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5bce2d31-a171-4e83-bada-d1384c877e76 Subscribe for more amazing tips, interviews and wisdom from phenomenal guests ------- And get your ** FREE Video Workshop here- https://www.hownottodieguy.com/

    1h 1m
  3. Randy Couture: UFC Legend, Movie Star and Veteran-Life Behind and Beyond the UFC Octagon

    May 31

    Randy Couture: UFC Legend, Movie Star and Veteran-Life Behind and Beyond the UFC Octagon

    So this was one of the most powerful shows that I've ever had the honor of producing in the last nine years. I did make formal show notes, but I just don't think it does it justice. First off, I want to say thank you to Don Mann, Seal Team 6 legend, star of Surviving Mann and the toughest man I have ever known. Randy Couture -Google the name TV&Movie Star alongside Sylvester Stallone in the Expendables movie series UFC hall of famer, Six time UFC champion, 14 years in the UFC but there was so much that I didn't know about Randy. Randy is former US Military and his mission now is really out there to help others. He founded the Extreme Couture GI Foundation. He's collabed with merging vets and players. We talked about what it's like to be a UFC champion, what it takes. We talked about transition from that world into movie stardom. We talked about what real self defense and real fighting is like not just the sport if cage fighting. We talked about mental health, we talked about men's health. We talked about the pros and cons of social media and we focused on male role models, we talked about veteran mental health. We talked about so much.- this was truly one of the most powerful shows I have been part of- any summary here can not do it justice. So I encourage you to listen to it and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Randy, thank you so much for coming on. Don, thank you for connecting us. We mentioned so many former guests on the show, it was brilliant. This was one of the most surprising and humbling shows I have ever recorded in the 9 years the podcast has been going- Randy is a true gentleman and his wisdom, humility and knowledge will astound you - hopefully as much as it did me. You can connect with Randy on the show notes below. Click on those but most importantly I would suggest Randy would want you to do is click on The Xtreme Couture GI Foundation xcgif.org and the Veteran Transition support vetsandplayers.org 🔗 Connect with Randy Official Website: https://www.randycouture.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xcnatch/ X/Twitter: https://x.com/Randy_Couture The Xtreme Couture GI Foundation: https://xcgif.org/ Merging Vets and Players: https://vetsandplayers.org/ Thanks for tuning in. Hope you love it as much as I did. Thank you all. I am Damian Porter , Former NZ Special Forces Operator, Subject Matter Expert from www.hownottodieguy.com and www.saferthanyouarenow.com And you are listening to my STRAIGHT TALK MIND AND MUSCLE PODCAST sponsored by www.mystait.com - the ultimate daily formula for optimum hormone health, stress management, energy and performance. 100% natural and clinically proven ingredients, it provides everything you need to raise your game, in a convenient gut-friendly capsule. And the Mason Survival Protocol - https://www.carnivoreretreat.com/post/masonsurvival-protocol-carnivore-retreat Links for my former shows are here- WATCH on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpt-Zy1jciVn7cWB0B-y5WATyzrzfwucZ LISTEN on: spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1rlAGRXCwLIJfQCQ5B3PYB?si=UmgsMBFkRfelCAm1E4Pd3Q Itunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/straight-talk-mind-and-muscle-podcast/id1315986446?mt=2 Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5bce2d31-a171-4e83-bada-d1384c877e76 Subscribe for more amazing tips, interviews and wisdom from phenomenal guests ------- And get your ** FREE Video Workshop here- https://www.hownottodieguy.com/

    1h 16m
  4. Wendy Fortino: Performance, Reinvention, The Pursuit of Excellence and 3150 situps in a day

    May 12

    Wendy Fortino: Performance, Reinvention, The Pursuit of Excellence and 3150 situps in a day

    Wendy Fortino is an eight-time Olympia figure competitor, former elite track athlete, media host, and fitness professional whose career bridges high-performance athletics, bodybuilding, science, and storytelling. With degrees in exercise science and a master’s in exercise physiology, her background combines academic rigor with real-world experience at the highest levels of physique competition and performance media. Long before stepping onto bodybuilding stages, Wendy’s identity was built through athletics. A gifted middle-distance runner with a gymnastics background, she dedicated her life to track and field and was training for the 2008 Olympic Trials in the 800 metres when a stress fracture abruptly halted her pursuit.  What initially felt like devastation became a turning point. Introduced to bodybuilding through friends, she entered her first figure competition almost by accident — and won the overall title. What followed was a complete reinvention: national titles, an IFBB pro card, and eight Olympia appearances. Yet what truly drove her was not early success, but adversity.  The first major loss in bodybuilding became the catalyst that hooked her deeper into the process. Her philosophy is clear: champions are forged through setbacks, challenge, and the willingness to step into difficult environments where growth is possible. Throughout the conversation, Wendy speaks openly about identity, resilience, and the psychology behind performance. She reflects on the pressures women face in physique sports, particularly the tendency to tie self-worth to appearance or stage results. Coming from an athletic background gave her a different perspective — one rooted in feedback, improvement, and resilience rather than validation.  She emphasises that bodybuilding, at its best, is not simply about aesthetics, but about developing discipline, confidence, and self-respect. Health and longevity must remain the foundation. Wendy also discusses the evolution of bodybuilding itself, the balance between science and practical experience, and why true growth often comes from curiosity, creativity, and stepping outside rigid systems.  Today, through her media work with Olympia TV, Muscle & Fitness, and numerous fitness brands, she focuses on telling deeper stories — revealing the person behind the public image and helping others understand what truly drives high performers. 🔗 Connect with Wendy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendyfortino/ Website: http://www.polishedpresentation.com/ http://www.cyberbodyshop.com/ I am Damian Porter , Former NZ Special Forces Operator, Subject Matter Expert from www.hownottodieguy.com  and www.eatwellmovewell.net And you are listening to my STRAIGHT TALK MIND AND MUSCLE PODCAST sponsored by www.mystait.com  - the ultimate daily formula for optimum hormone health, stress management, energy and performance.   100% natural and clinically proven ingredients, it provides everything you need to raise your game, in a convenient gut-friendly capsule.  And the Mason Survival Protocol - https://www.carnivoreretreat.com/post/masonsurvival-protocol-carnivore-retreat Links for my former shows are here- WATCH on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpt-Zy1jciVn7cWB0B-y5WATyzrzfwucZ LISTEN on:  spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1rlAGRXCwLIJfQCQ5B3PYB?si=UmgsMBFkRfelCAm1E4Pd3Q Itunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/straight-talk-mind-and-muscle-podcast/id1315986446?mt=2    Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5bce2d31-a171-4e83-bada-d1384c877e76 Subscribe for more amazing tips, interviews and wisdom from phenomenal guests ------- And get your ** FREE Video Workshop here- https://www.hownottodieguy.com/

    1h 6m
  5. Samantha Brunskill: THE ILLUMINATOR- Transformation, Leadership, and Building a Six-Star Customer Experience

    May 4

    Samantha Brunskill: THE ILLUMINATOR- Transformation, Leadership, and Building a Six-Star Customer Experience

    Samantha is an Australian entrepreneur, transformation coach, and business strategist who built her first multi–eight-figure company in her early 20s. Entering the property development space at just 19 with no formal training, she scaled an underperforming project by over 1600%, driven by a relentless focus on client experience, emotional connection, and high-performance execution.  Her work now centres on helping individuals and entrepreneurs scale their potential into profitable, purpose-driven businesses. Her perspective is shaped by lived adversity. Samantha speaks openly about her experiences with trauma, mental health struggles, addiction, and self-sabotage—factors that forced her to confront identity at a deep level. Her core philosophy is built around what she calls the “Illuminator”: someone who transforms darkness into leadership. Rather than trying to “get over” hardship, she teaches that pain must be acknowledged, then redirected into purpose.  The defining shift is simple but powerful—stop giving power to the past, and start using it to build strength, confidence, and direction. A key insight in Samantha’s work is that most people are not limited by capability, but by belief, environment, and lack of aligned action. She bridges mindset with execution—using tools like vision setting, identity-based decision making, and measurable daily metrics to eliminate procrastination and imposter syndrome.  Her approach combines emotional intelligence with structured performance, emphasising that success is not motivation-driven, but built through consistent, deliberate action.  At its core, Samantha’s message is about ownership and self-leadership:  Your past does not define you—but it can build you.  Illuminate your potential.  And transformation is not a moment—it is a decision made daily.  🔗 Connect with Samantha Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theilluminatormovement/  Website: https://www.theilluminatormovement.com/ I am Damian Porter , Former NZ Special Forces Operator, Subject Matter Expert from www.hownottodieguy.com  and www.eatwellmovewell.net And you are listening to my STRAIGHT TALK MIND AND MUSCLE PODCAST sponsored by www.mystait.com  - the ultimate daily formula for optimum hormone health, stress management, energy and performance.   100% natural and clinically proven ingredients, it provides everything you need to raise your game, in a convenient gut-friendly capsule.  And the Mason Survival Protocol - https://www.carnivoreretreat.com/post/masonsurvival-protocol-carnivore-retreat Links for my former shows are here- WATCH on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpt-Zy1jciVn7cWB0B-y5WATyzrzfwucZ LISTEN on:  spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1rlAGRXCwLIJfQCQ5B3PYB?si=UmgsMBFkRfelCAm1E4Pd3Q Itunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/straight-talk-mind-and-muscle-podcast/id1315986446?mt=2    Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5bce2d31-a171-4e83-bada-d1384c877e76 Subscribe for more amazing tips, interviews and wisdom from phenomenal guests ------- And get your ** FREE Video Workshop here- https://www.hownottodieguy.com/

    1h 8m
  6. LAURIN PONCE: HOW I LOST MYSELF — Rules Women Don’t Want to Hear (But Need to Become Their Best Selves)

    Apr 21

    LAURIN PONCE: HOW I LOST MYSELF — Rules Women Don’t Want to Hear (But Need to Become Their Best Selves)

    Laurin is a transformation coach focused on relationships, mindset, and personal development, with a direct focus on male–female dynamics. Her approach is simple: “Raw truth. Real growth. No apologies.” In her words: “Truth over comfort. Structure over chaos. Coaching for people ready to lead themselves and stop repeating the same patterns.“ Her starting point wasn’t unusual—stable job, predictable routine, and a life that looked fine from the outside. Underneath it, things weren’t working. That drift led her to nearly 125kg (275 lbs), before a moment where she made a clear decision: continue as is, or take control. What followed wasn’t a quick fix, but a shift in identity, standards, and behaviour. Laurin shares her transformation from 275 pounds to bikini competitor, This amazing physical change came from consistent execution—early mornings, structured training, disciplined nutrition. But that wasn’t the hard part. Relationships that once felt normal started to break down.  The hard part was addressing the behaviours behind it. Binge eating, people-pleasing, avoidance—none of that gets fixed in a gym. It gets fixed by recognising it, owning it, and changing it. Her patterns weren’t solved with workouts—they were addressed through awareness, coaching, ownership over emotion. Growth is selective. Not everyone comes with you. We talk about how her coach became her husband, and the “controversial” marriage rules that keep their relationship structured, passionate, and functional—covering respect, submission, boundaries, and avoiding sexless marriages. She also breaks down why the majority of her audience is male, the reality behind resistance to accountability, and what men can actually do to stay attractive, lead with confidence, and maintain polarity in male/female relationships. Laurin is direct about what most people avoid: without standards, you tolerate things you shouldn’t. Over time, that creates resentment, confusion, and instability—whether that’s dating or marriage (long-term relationships). Most of the time, it’s not a compatibility issue. It’s a self-leadership issue. Her work on masculine and feminine dynamics is grounded in what actually plays out, not theory. Attraction and stability rely on polarity. When there’s no direction, no accountability, no emotional control—things fall apart. Respect drops first. Attraction follows. What’s left is tension, inconsistency, and eventually, disconnection. This isn’t about control or dominance. It’s about clarity. Knowing your standards, holding them, and acting in line with them—consistently. Laurin’s message is simple: You don’t rise to your intentions—you fall back to your behaviours. Standards you don’t enforce do not exist. And how you lead yourself determines everything that follows. At its core Lauren's message is grounded in reality: transformation hinges not on motivation, but on daily decisions, a supportive environment, high standards, and a powerful mindset. Transformation is not about motivation. It’s about your decisions, repeated daily. Don't miss Laurin's insights on the dangers of silence in marriage, roles in relationships and why your mindset matters more than anything. 🔗 Connect with Laurin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishwithlaurin/  Website: https://linktr.ee/FlourishWithLaurin I am Damian Porter , Former NZ Special Forces Operator, Subject Matter Expert from www.hownottodieguy.com  and www.eatwellmovewell.net And you are listening to my STRAIGHT TALK MIND AND MUSCLE PODCAST sponsored by www.mystait.com  - the ultimate daily formula for optimum hormone health, stress management, energy and performance.   100% natural and clinically proven ingredients, it provides everything you need to raise your game, in a convenient gut-friendly capsule.  And the Mason Survival Protocol - https://www.carnivoreretreat.com/post/masonsurvival-protocol-carnivore-retreat Links for my former shows are here- WATCH on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpt-Zy1jciVn7cWB0B-y5WATyzrzfwucZ LISTEN on:  spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1rlAGRXCwLIJfQCQ5B3PYB?si=UmgsMBFkRfelCAm1E4Pd3Q Itunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/straight-talk-mind-and-muscle-podcast/id1315986446?mt=2 Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5bce2d31-a171-4e83-bada-d1384c877e76 Subscribe for more amazing tips, interviews and wisdom from phenomenal guests ------- And get your ** FREE Video Workshop here- https://www.hownottodieguy.com/

    1h 17m
  7. Sarah Haspel: Bestie Defense -The Invention That Fixes the Pepper Spray Mistakes

    Apr 14

    Sarah Haspel: Bestie Defense -The Invention That Fixes the Pepper Spray Mistakes

    Sarah Haspel is a lifelong martial artist and the founder of Bestie Defense — a patented personal safety invention, built after a real-world assault exposed the gap between training and reality. With nearly three decades of martial arts experience and a background that led to a 2022 Hall of Fame induction, she understood fighting — but what she experienced showed her something more important. In 2022, she was approached by a violent, unstable individual. Despite her experience, she didn’t rely on technique — she relied on a tool- pepper spray. And even then, she ended up within arm’s reach when it didn’t work. That moment exposed the truth: Strong, trained people don’t fail because they’re weak — they fail because real-world violence collapses distance fast. That insight drove what she built next. Bestie is a 3-in-1 self-defense invention designed for real-world use — not ideal conditions. It combines: OC spray (with optional tear gas + UV dye depending on model) A high-decibel alarm (attention + disruption) A reinforced striking tool (close range) All in one device — eliminating the need to switch tools under pressure. This wasn’t built by guesswork. Sarah partnered with: -A rocket engineer whose work is literally in orbit (SpaceX/Boeing background) -Law enforcement professionals with real-world deployment experience -Industry experts tied to legacy brands like Mace The result is a device that is: -Engineered properly -Stress-tested properly -Designed for real human behaviour under pressure Most tools solve one phase of violence. Spray works at distance Striking works in contact People fail in the transition between the two.That’s exactly what this fixes. Sarah’s invention isn’t just about the product — it highlights a bigger truth: Training often ignores reality Tools fail without context Violence is fast, chaotic, and close And if you’re not prepared for that transition — that’s where things go wrong. Bottom Line -This is one of the few self-defense tools I’ve seen that actually reflects how violence unfolds: Distance → Collapse → Contact And it’s built for all three. That’s why I am so excited to share Sarah’s story with you all! 🔗 Connect with Sarah” Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bestiedefense https://www.instagram.com/haspelofficial/  Website: https://bestie-defense.com  Bestie Defense - Personal Safety Device: https://bestie-defense.com I am Damian Porter , Former NZ Special Forces Operator, Subject Matter Expert from www.hownottodieguy.com  and www.eatwellmovewell.net And you are listening to my STRAIGHT TALK MIND AND MUSCLE PODCAST sponsored by www.mystait.com  - the ultimate daily formula for optimum hormone health, stress management, energy and performance.   100% natural and clinically proven ingredients, it provides everything you need to raise your game, in a convenient gut-friendly capsule.  And the Mason Survival Protocol - https://www.carnivoreretreat.com/post/masonsurvival-protocol-carnivore-retreat Links for my former shows are here- WATCH on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpt-Zy1jciVn7cWB0B-y5WATyzrzfwucZ LISTEN on:  spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1rlAGRXCwLIJfQCQ5B3PYB?si=UmgsMBFkRfelCAm1E4Pd3Q Itunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/straight-talk-mind-and-muscle-podcast/id1315986446?mt=2    Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5bce2d31-a171-4e83-bada-d1384c877e76 Subscribe for more amazing tips, interviews and wisdom from phenomenal guests ------- And get your ** FREE Video Workshop here- https://www.hownottodieguy.com/

    1h 14m
  8. Dr. J’aime Goguen-Locke: Coaching Strength and Fixing Injuries: Lessons From a Powerlifting Rehab Specialist

    Mar 15

    Dr. J’aime Goguen-Locke: Coaching Strength and Fixing Injuries: Lessons From a Powerlifting Rehab Specialist

    I want to extend a sincere thank you to Dr. J’aime Goguen-Locke for taking the time to share her knowledge and experience on this episode. Her ability to bridge the gap between clinical rehabilitation and real-world strength training is exceptional, and the work she is doing to help athletes recover, rebuild, and return stronger is having a meaningful impact across the strength community. J’aime is a rehabilitation clinician specialising in strength athletes, particularly powerlifters. Originally trained in Canada, she earned her doctorate before opening a private practice focused on musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Alongside her husband, she built a strength sports coaching company that now works with athletes around the world, and she co-owns a powerlifting coaching company called Kodiak Barbell. Working in a traditionally male-dominated space, J’aime has built a reputation through competence, clarity, and results. Coaching strength athletes requires more than simply writing programmes — it requires listening, understanding the athlete in front of you, and building a relationship that allows honest feedback and continuous improvement. Often the ability to communicate, analyse, and adapt proves more valuable than brute strength or athletic reputation alone. Her work also challenges a common belief within strength sports: that heavy weight itself is the primary cause of injury. One of the most powerful examples she shares is her own experience of herniating a disc while bending down to pick up a J-hook weighing less than a pound. The lesson is clear. Strong people often get injured doing simple things. The problem is rarely a single lift or one moment under a heavy bar. More often, injury is the result of cumulative stress, fatigue, poor recovery, and small technical faults that build over time — until the final straw breaks the system. J’aime’s work focuses on identifying and correcting those underlying causes. Many clinicians are not trained to rehabilitate barbell athletes, and movements like squat, bench press, and deadlift are rarely taught in medical education. As a result, athletes are often told to simply reduce load or stop training, only to return later with the exact same problem. Central to her approach is teaching athletes how to move and brace properly. Bracing — creating controlled pressure and stability through the core — protects the spine and allows force to move safely through the body. When bracing fails, stress accumulates in the wrong places and eventually becomes pain or injury. Her message extends beyond powerlifting. Learning how to brace and move efficiently is not just a gym skill — it is a life skill. Whether lifting heavy, carrying children, or performing everyday tasks, movement quality protects the body and builds long-term durability. But rehabilitation is not purely mechanical. Sleep, stress, emotional load, and recovery capacity all influence how the body responds to training. The body does not separate life stress from training stress — it simply accumulates it. Having helped over a thousand athletes return to training, she continues to bridge the gap between medicine, strength coaching, and performance. At its core, her message is simple: Fix the cause.
Respect recovery.
Learn to brace.
Move well — not just in training, but for life. 🔗 Connect with J’aime Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/jaimegoguenlocke https://www.kodiakbarbell.com Online resources, rehabilitation guides, and consultations available through her Instagram bio link. I am Damian Porter , Former NZ Special Forces Operator, Subject Matter Expert from www.hownottodieguy.com and www.eatwellmovewell.net And you are listening to my STRAIGHT TALK MIND AND MUSCLE PODCAST sponsored by www.mystait.com - the ultimate daily formula for optimum hormone health, stress management, energy and performance.  100% natural and clinically proven ingredients, it provides everything you need to raise your game, in a convenient gut-friendly capsule. 

And the Mason Survival Protocol - https://www.carnivoreretreat.com/post/masonsurvival-protocol-carnivore-retreat 

Links for my former shows are here-


WATCH on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpt-Zy1jciVn7cWB0B-y5WATyzrzfwucZ LISTEN on: spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1rlAGRXCwLIJfQCQ5B3PYB?si=UmgsMBFkRfelCAm1E4Pd3Q Itunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/straight-talk-mind-and-muscle-podcast/id1315986446?mt=2 


Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5bce2d31-a171-4e83-bada-d1384c877e76 Subscribe for more amazing tips, interviews and wisdom from phenomenal guests ------- And get your ** FREE Video Workshop here- https://www.hownottodieguy.com/

    1h 9m

Ratings & Reviews

4.2
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

I interview the Best People in the world at what they do-in Health, Fitness and all things Mind and Muscle- without the fluff- we tell it STRAIGHT... I am Damian Porter, Former NZ Special Forces Operator, Subject Matter Expert from www.hownottodieguy.com and Coach at www.eatwellmovewell.net You are listening to my STRAIGHT TALK MIND AND MUSCLE PODCAST sponsored by www.mystait.com - the ultimate daily formula for optimum hormone health, stress management, energy and performance.  100% natural and clinically proven ingredients, it provides everything you need to raise your game, in a convenient gut-friendly capsule. 

And the Mason Survival Protocol - https://www.carnivoreretreat.com/post/masonsurvival-protocol-carnivore-retreat Links for my former shows are here-


WATCH on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpt-Zy1jciVn7cWB0B-y5WATyzrzfwucZ LISTEN on: spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1rlAGRXCwLIJfQCQ5B3PYB?si=UmgsMBFkRfelCAm1E4Pd3Q Itunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/straight-talk-mind-and-muscle-podcast/id1315986446?mt=2

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