The Peak Performance Podcast by Brad Young

Brad Young
  • 5.0 (2)
  • FITNESS
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Welcome to the Peak Performance Podcast, your go-to guide for unlocking your potential and thriving in every aspect of life. We are in the 10% of podcasts globally and hosted by Brad Young, Ph.D.—a bestselling author and trusted voice in health, fitness, and personal growth—this podcast is designed to inspire action and fuel transformation. Brad’s mission is clear: to help YOU become the best version of yourself, one evidence-based step at a time. He dives deep into the workouts and training methods of elite athletes and military units, evaluating their techniques and diets to uncover what truly drives success. It’s not just theory—he puts these strategies into practice, testing their impact on both body and mind. When it comes to running, he breaks down the foundations needed to push your limits, showing you how far determination and dedication can take you. With a focus on modern health and fitness technology, he doesn’t simply review it—he lives it. By using these tools himself, he discovers what works and what doesn’t, sharing only the most effective methods to help you unlock your full potential. He sets you up for Peak Performance by combining insights from cutting-edge scientific research with real-world examples of the physical and mental toughness displayed by elite athletes. Their discipline, their diets—it all becomes a source of inspiration for you to elevate your game. This isn’t just about knowledge; it’s about action. Every piece of information is practically applied, tested, and shared with you so you can take charge of your journey and achieve results. The path to greatness is within your reach—it’s time to put in the work and unleash your best self. Together, we’re raising the bar. Every episode is packed with strategies designed to elevate your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Brad takes the research from his bestselling books, like Unleashing Your High-Performance Potential and Train to Be Your Best Self, and transforms it into practical steps you can take today. Whether it’s simplifying healthy eating with Eat Clean in a Fast Food World or learning techniques for focus and productivity from Simplify Your Life, these episodes are filled with tools to help you conquer challenges and achieve tangible results.This podcast is more than just tips—it’s a journey. Together, we’ll explore the mind-body connection with Healthy Body Happy Mind, uncover the truth about trending health fads, and build a roadmap that aligns fitness and nutrition to your personal goals. Feeling stuck? Brad dives deep into topics like overcoming food addiction in Breaking the Cycle or reframing your mindset for success with The Power of Positivity. Each episode is a chance to reset, refocus, and break through barriers holding you back.Life can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Brad’s relatable, no-nonsense approach simplifies complex topics, whether it’s navigating Mental Health in the Digital Age or drawing wisdom from ancient strategies with Strategize, Adapt, Overcome. You’ll walk away from each episode motivated, informed, and ready to tackle your next challenge.This is YOUR time. Whether you're an athlete striving for peak performance, a professional seeking balance, or someone ready to take control of their health and happiness, this podcast is here to guide you. Subscribe today and let’s start this transformative journey together—because the life you want is within reach. Disclaimer: The opinions shared on this podcast are for informational purposes only and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any medical conditions.

  1. 2D AGO

    Episode 95: Aleksandr Kareli - The Russian Bear

    To understand Karelin's dominance, you have to understand one technique that became so associated with him that it was eventually named after him. The Karelin Lift — sometimes called the Karelin Throw — is a move in Greco-Roman wrestling where a competitor lifts an opponent off the mat from behind, hoists them into the air, and slams them down onto their back. This sounds dramatic, but the technical reality makes it even more astonishing. In the super-heavyweight division, Karelin's opponents typically weighed between 260 and 286 pounds. He was lifting men of that size off the ground, inverting them, and driving them into the mat with enough force to score the highest possible points in the sport. Sports scientists who analyzed his mechanics determined that the forces involved in executing the Karelin Lift exceeded what most biomechanics models predicted was possible for a human being to generate through muscular effort alone. The explanation was not that the laws of physics were suspended. The explanation was that Karelin had developed his posterior chain — the muscles running from his hamstrings through his glutes, up his spinal erectors, across his lats and traps — to a degree that was genuinely unprecedented in super-heavyweight competition. He performed this move on opponents who knew it was coming. They trained specifically to defend against it. And he did it anyway. That is the detail that separates a great athlete from a generational one. When your best-trained adversaries prepare specifically for your signature weapon, and you execute it on them anyway, the gap in preparation is not about the technique. It is about the engine behind the technique. Karelin's engine was simply built differently — and we are going to talk about how you can start building yours. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    44 min

  2. MAR 20

    Episode 94: The Science of Recovery: Unlocking Your Body's Full Potential

    Why Recovery Is the Real Training Here's the thing most people get wrong about performance: they think the work happens during the workout. It doesn't. The workout is just the stimulus — the signal you send to your body that says, "things need to change around here." The actual adaptation, the actual growth, the actual performance gain happens during recovery. When you understand that, everything shifts. You stop treating rest days like guilty pleasures and start treating them like the main event. Research published in the Journal of Physiology has demonstrated that muscle protein synthesis — the process by which your muscles rebuild themselves stronger after training — peaks not during exercise but in the hours and days following it, provided the body has adequate nutrients, sleep, and reduced physiological stress. In plain terms: you can work as hard as you want in the gym, but if your recovery is a disaster, you're pouring water into a leaking bucket. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    49 min

  3. MAR 15

    Episode 93: Inca Warriors Part 2 of 2 : Bringing It to the Modern World

    Inca Warriors: We look at the Secrets of the Ancient Peak Performers. Sit down, get comfortable, and let the story come to you. By the time we are finished, you are going to have a completely new framework for what it means to perform at your absolute best — physically, mentally, and spiritually. And you are going to walk away with a real, practical training plan rooted in the ancient wisdom of the Inca warriors, adapted for your life today. Now we look at Bringing It to the Modern World Now comes the part that I find most exciting. Because everything we have discussed — the endurance, the diet, the mental resilience, the purpose — is not locked in the fourteenth century. It is completely, practically available to you right now. You do not need to live in the Andes. You do not need access to a sling or a quinoa field. What you need is to understand the principles behind what the Inca warriors did, and to apply those principles intelligently to your own life and training. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    26 min

  4. MAR 10

    Episode 92: Inca Warriors" Peak Performers Part 1 of 2

    This episode is on the Inca Warriors: We look at the Secrets of the Ancient Peak Performers. Sit down, get comfortable, and let the story come to you. By the time we are finished, you are going to have a completely new framework for what it means to perform at your absolute best — physically, mentally, and spiritually. And you are going to walk away with a real, practical training plan rooted in the ancient wisdom of the Inca warriors, adapted for your life today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    31 min

  5. MAR 5

    Episode 91: Ancient Motion: Unlocking the Secrets of Peak Performance Through Ancestral Movements

    This episode explores how reconnecting with these primal movement patterns can unlock levels of performance, vitality, and wellbeing that modern fitness culture often misses entirely. We will dive deep into practical strategies that honor our ancestral blueprint while fitting seamlessly into contemporary life. Think of this not as a return to the past, but as a reclamation of timeless wisdom that can transform your present and future. The Forgotten Language of Movement Our ancestors moved with an eloquence that modern humans have largely forgotten. Every day brought a symphony of natural movements: squatting to gather food, climbing to reach safety or resources, crawling through tight spaces, balancing across uneven terrain, lifting, carrying, throwing, and running. These were not isolated exercises performed in fluorescent-lit gyms. They were integrated, purposeful movements woven into the fabric of daily survival and thriving. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    51 min

  6. FEB 25

    Episode 90: 2 of 2 on Serge Nubret his Philosophy vs. Top Ten Training Methods

    Today we explore the legendary Serge Nubret, a man who carved his physique with methods that defied convention and continue to challenge modern bodybuilding wisdom. Known as The Black Panther for his sleek, aesthetic build and feline grace, Nubret represented something different in the golden age of bodybuilding. While his contemporaries lifted heavy and ate massive amounts, Nubret pursued volume, finesse, and simplicity. His approach wasn't just about building muscle, it was about crafting a work of art. In this episode, we'll journey through his training philosophy, compare his methods to both golden age icons and modern bodybuilders, examine how his approach prevents injuries while acknowledging its limitations, and provide you with a practical workout schedule inspired by his timeless wisdom. This is part 2 of 2 on Serge Nubret.Nubret's Philosophy vs. Top Ten Training Methods Comparing Serge Nubret's training philosophy against the ten most influential modern training methodologies reveals distinct advantages and limitations across different training goals. Each method represents a different balance of volume, intensity, frequency, and specificity. Understanding these trade-offs helps identify which approach or combination of approaches best serves individual needs, goals, and constraints. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    33 min

  7. FEB 20

    Episode 89: The Legend of Serge Nubret Part 1 of 2

    Serge Nubret was born in 1938 in Guadeloupe and became one of bodybuilding's most aesthetic competitors. Standing at 6 feet tall with a competition weight around 200 pounds, he competed against Arnold Schwarzenegger, winning the 1976 NABBA Mr. Universe and placing second in the 1973 Mr. Olympia. His physique was characterized by perfect symmetry, tiny waist, and full muscle bellies that created a V-taper rarely seen in any era. The Philosophy What separated Nubret from his peers was his unwavering belief in high-volume training with moderate weights and minimal rest. While others chased strength records, he chased the pump. While others counted calories obsessively, he ate intuitively. His methods were born from careful observation of his own body and an almost spiritual connection to the training process. He believed bodybuilding was meditation in motion. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    49 min

  8. FEB 15

    Episode 88: Elite Military Units: Peak Performance Lessons from the World's Best

    Elite military units represent the pinnacle of human performance under the most demanding conditions imaginable. These organizations have spent decades refining selection processes, training methodologies, and performance systems that push individuals beyond what most people believe possible. While most of us will never face combat, the principles these units use to create peak performers are universally applicable. Today, we're going to examine nine of the world's most elite military units, extracting the core lessons that separate exceptional performers from everyone else. More importantly, we'll translate these military-grade performance principles into practical strategies you can implement immediately, regardless of your current fitness level or life circumstances. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    43 min
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About

Welcome to the Peak Performance Podcast, your go-to guide for unlocking your potential and thriving in every aspect of life. We are in the 10% of podcasts globally and hosted by Brad Young, Ph.D.—a bestselling author and trusted voice in health, fitness, and personal growth—this podcast is designed to inspire action and fuel transformation. Brad’s mission is clear: to help YOU become the best version of yourself, one evidence-based step at a time. He dives deep into the workouts and training methods of elite athletes and military units, evaluating their techniques and diets to uncover what truly drives success. It’s not just theory—he puts these strategies into practice, testing their impact on both body and mind. When it comes to running, he breaks down the foundations needed to push your limits, showing you how far determination and dedication can take you. With a focus on modern health and fitness technology, he doesn’t simply review it—he lives it. By using these tools himself, he discovers what works and what doesn’t, sharing only the most effective methods to help you unlock your full potential. He sets you up for Peak Performance by combining insights from cutting-edge scientific research with real-world examples of the physical and mental toughness displayed by elite athletes. Their discipline, their diets—it all becomes a source of inspiration for you to elevate your game. This isn’t just about knowledge; it’s about action. Every piece of information is practically applied, tested, and shared with you so you can take charge of your journey and achieve results. The path to greatness is within your reach—it’s time to put in the work and unleash your best self. Together, we’re raising the bar. Every episode is packed with strategies designed to elevate your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Brad takes the research from his bestselling books, like Unleashing Your High-Performance Potential and Train to Be Your Best Self, and transforms it into practical steps you can take today. Whether it’s simplifying healthy eating with Eat Clean in a Fast Food World or learning techniques for focus and productivity from Simplify Your Life, these episodes are filled with tools to help you conquer challenges and achieve tangible results.This podcast is more than just tips—it’s a journey. Together, we’ll explore the mind-body connection with Healthy Body Happy Mind, uncover the truth about trending health fads, and build a roadmap that aligns fitness and nutrition to your personal goals. Feeling stuck? Brad dives deep into topics like overcoming food addiction in Breaking the Cycle or reframing your mindset for success with The Power of Positivity. Each episode is a chance to reset, refocus, and break through barriers holding you back.Life can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Brad’s relatable, no-nonsense approach simplifies complex topics, whether it’s navigating Mental Health in the Digital Age or drawing wisdom from ancient strategies with Strategize, Adapt, Overcome. You’ll walk away from each episode motivated, informed, and ready to tackle your next challenge.This is YOUR time. Whether you're an athlete striving for peak performance, a professional seeking balance, or someone ready to take control of their health and happiness, this podcast is here to guide you. Subscribe today and let’s start this transformative journey together—because the life you want is within reach. Disclaimer: The opinions shared on this podcast are for informational purposes only and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any medical conditions.

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