Weights and Plates Podcast

Robert Santana
  • 4.6 (76)
  • NUTRITION
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

Starting Strength Coach and Registered Dietitian Robert Santana shares his knowledge of all things diet, training, barbells, and more.

  1. 1D AGO

    #109 - Nuttrition Debate: Quantity vs Quality

    In this episode of the Weights and Plates podcast, host Robert Santana shifts the focus to the "plate" side of health by diving into the ongoing debates around diet. He discusses the difference between diet quality and diet quantity, highlighting how people often justify their eating habits based on new health guidelines or personal beliefs. Robert reflects on the latest dietary recommendations and how they align with the choices many people make, emphasizing the importance of understanding what truly matters when it comes to nutrition. The episode encourages listeners to think critically about the reasons behind their dietary decisions and to distinguish between the quality and quantity of the foods they consume.

    39 min

  2. JAN 13

    #108 - Strength Over Trends

    In a compelling episode of the Weights & Plates podcast, host Robert Santana and guest Gretchen Geist explore the fleeting nature of fitness trends, with a focus on Pilates, and contrast these with the enduring value of strength training.  Santana, leveraging his deep expertise in dietetics and kinesiology, emphasizes the necessity of progressive overload for true strength development, a concept often absent in trendy fitness regimes.  The discussion pivots around the idea that while fitness fads may be appealing, they lack the long-term health benefits and measurable progress provided by foundational strength training. This episode serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing sustainable health and strength over the allure of the latest fitness craze. Follow us on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

    55 min

  3. 12/10/2025

    #107 - From Pinterest Cleanses to Evidence-Based Practice: A Dietitian's Journey Through Diet Culture with Zoe Schroeder, RD

    In this candid conversation, host Robert Santana sits down with Zoe Schroeder, RD—owner of Zoe Schroeder Nutrition and known as Fat Loss RD—to explore the messy reality behind becoming a nutrition professional. After connecting at a wellness event in Scottsdale, they dive deep into Zoe's transformation from a college student doing three-a-day workouts and dangerous Pinterest cleanses to becoming the evidence-based coach she needed during those struggles. Zoe opens up about her freshman 15 experience, the toxic cycle of restriction and over-exercise, and even wrapping herself in saran wrap with coffee grounds (yes, really). But more importantly, she shares how hitting rock bottom with disordered eating led her to switch from nursing to nutrition—using herself as a case study to understand metabolism, proper fueling, and sustainable body composition changes. This episode tackles the gap between clinical dietetics and real-world coaching, why telling people to "eat less, move more" fails spectacularly, and how both hosts learned that helping clients means addressing the emotional and psychological relationship with food—not just handing out meal plans. If you've ever felt like you were doing "everything right" but still stuck, or wondered why nutrition advice seems so contradictory, this honest discussion offers practical insights on building habits that actually last beyond the honeymoon phase.

    1h 29m

  4. 12/05/2025

    #106 - Strength Without the Noise: Beyond Novice Training

    In this episode of the Weights and Plates podcast, Robert Santana and Andy Baker pick up where they left off—diving deep into what really matters after the novice phase of strength training. From chaotic early training setups (including recording in a truck to escape jackhammers) to the predictable pitfalls lifters fall into, they unpack why so many people are eager to “major in the minors” before mastering the fundamentals. Together, they explore how goals shape programming—whether you’re training for strength sports, performance, aesthetics, or simply to avoid being “weak.” With candid discussion on genetics, aging, muscle-building potential, drug-influenced advice online, and why variety matters for performance and longevity, this conversation lays out the realistic roadmap every lifter needs once the newbie gains start to slow down. Subscribe for more episodes of Weights & Plates where we cut through the noise and get real about strength training, nutrition, and long-term progress. https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/Follow Weights & Plates YouTube: https://youtube.com/@weights_and_plates?si=ebAS8sRtzsPmFQf-Instagram: @the_robert_santanaRumble: https://rumble.com/user/weightsandplates Web: https://weightsandplates.com

    2h 4m

  5. 10/31/2025

    #105 - ANDY BAKER | WHY YOU'RE STILL WEAK — AND HOW TO FIX IT

    In this episode of the Weights & Plates Podcast, Robert Santana sits down with Andy Baker — owner of Baker Personal Training and co-author of Practical Programming for Strength Training. They dive into how strength coaching has evolved, what most lifters get wrong about programming, and why results matter more than methods. Andy shares lessons from nearly two decades of coaching everyone from competitive powerlifters to everyday clients, emphasizing practicality, consistency, and efficiency. The two also discuss the connection between strength and hypertrophy, the misconceptions spread by social media fitness culture, and why good diet and smart training will always beat shortcuts. It's an honest, no-nonsense conversation about what really drives long-term progress in the gym. Subscribe for more episodes of Weights & Plates where we cut through the noise and get real about strength training, nutrition, and long-term progress. https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/ Follow Weights & Plates YouTube: https://youtube.com/@weights_and_plates?si=ebAS8sRtzsPmFQf- Instagram: @the_robert_santana Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/weightsandplates Web: https://weightsandplates.com

    1h 16m

  6. 10/17/2025

    #104 - DON'T QUIT WHEN LIFTING GETS HARD

    In this episode of Weights & Plates, Coach Robert Santana breaks down one of the most overlooked elements of training success: mindset and consistency. Everyone wants to get stronger, leaner, or more muscular—but few understand that true progress takes years, not weeks. Robert dives into why most lifters quit when training gets hard, why "12-week transformations" are a lie, and how the real key to progress is showing up even when you don't want to. He covers common pitfalls like program-hopping, unrealistic expectations from social media, and trying to "out-program" a bad lifestyle. If you've ever felt stuck, burned out, or tempted to skip the gym, this episode is the wake-up call you need. Subscribe for more episodes of Weights & Plates where we cut through the noise and get real about strength training, nutrition, and long-term progress. https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/ Follow Weights & Plates YouTube: https://youtube.com/@weights_and_plates?si=ebAS8sRtzsPmFQf- Instagram: @the_robert_santana Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/weightsandplates Web: https://weightsandplates.com

    42 min

  7. 09/19/2025

    #103 - RESEARCH FOR MEATHEADS

    In this solo episode, coach Robert Santana takes a hard look at exercise science research—what it really tells us, and where it falls short. He dives into the history of lifting, the rise of "evidence-based" fitness, and why so many studies don't translate to real-world results. From sample size problems and lifestyle confounders to the obsession with volume over load, Robert explains why lifters can't blindly follow the latest paper or guru. Instead, he breaks down the principles that actually build muscle and strength: progressive overload, smart programming, and the smell test of what works in the gym.   If you're tired of fitness "science" complicating simple truths, this episode will cut through the noise.   Subscribe for more episodes of Weights & Plates where we cut through the noise and get real about strength training, nutrition, and long-term progress. https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/ Follow Weights & Plates YouTube: https://youtube.com/@weights_and_plates?si=ebAS8sRtzsPmFQf- Instagram: @the_robert_santana Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/weightsandplates Web: https://weightsandplates.com

    58 min

  8. 09/05/2025

    #102 - THE REAL REASON YOU'RE NOT STRONGER

    Consistency, recovery, and lifestyle — that's what really makes or breaks your strength gains. In this episode, Robert Santana breaks down why most lifters stall out after the "newbie gains" phase, the truth about diminishing returns, and the five rules every lifter needs to keep progressing. From balancing training with work, kids, and travel, to why sleep, food, and environment matter more than complicated programming, Robert shares hard-hitting lessons learned from decades of coaching. If you've ever asked yourself, "Why am I not making progress?" — this episode is your answer. Subscribe for more episodes of Weights & Plates where we cut through the noise and get real about strength training, nutrition, and long-term progress. https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/ Follow Weights & Plates YouTube: https://youtube.com/@weights_and_plates?si=ebAS8sRtzsPmFQf- Instagram: @the_robert_santana  Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/weightsandplates  Web: https://weightsandplates.com

    43 min
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4.6
out of 5
76 Ratings

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Starting Strength Coach and Registered Dietitian Robert Santana shares his knowledge of all things diet, training, barbells, and more.

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