Mind Pump: Raw Fitness Truth

Sal Di Stefano, Adam Schafer, Justin Andrews, Doug Egge
  • 4.8 (12K)
  • Fitness
  • Updated Daily

MindPump exposes the RAW TRUTH about health, fitness, nutrition and more... Hosts Sal Di Stefano, Adam Schafer & Justin Andrews pull back the curtain on the mythology, snake oil and pseudo-science that pervades the fitness industry and present science-backed solutions that result in increased muscular development and performance while simultaneously emphasizing health. No fitness institution or fitness "truth" is safe from their quick wit and over 40 years of combined experience in the fitness industry. Produced by Doug Egge. Find Mind Pump and the Mind Pump hosts on Instragram @mindpumpmedia, @mindpumpsal, @mindpumpadam, @mindpumpjustin & @mindpumpdoug and at mindpumppodcast.com. Get expertly programmed Mind Pump training protocols at mapsfitnessproducts.com

  1. 17h ago

    2882: Hormones, Peptides & Body Transformation with Phil Vella CEO of Vita Bella Health

    In this episode Phil Vella, founder of Vita Bella, returns to break down the wild west of the gray market peptide industry. He shares new data showing 70 percent of research peptides now fail purity and contamination testing, why so many random people are running peptide side hustles out of their garages, and the real risks of injection site infections and improperly dosed products. They cover why hormone optimization should always come before peptides, the most popular peptides Vita Bella prescribes, the science behind PDE5 inhibitors for both performance and longevity, and the regulatory battle between big pharma and compounding pharmacies over GLP medications. Phil also opens up about a brutal stretch of his life that included losing his father, a double spinal fusion injury, and nine people from his childhood neighborhood dying by suicide within about a year, and how that period reshaped his understanding of money, purpose, and fatherhood. Vita Bella / MP Hormones: https://mphormones.com Go to mphormones.com and BOOK A COMPLIMENTARY 10 minute consultation with a membership specialist to find out if Vita Bella is right for you. Or use code mindpump365 to start your annual membership and get your free blood panel and Gift. Raffle entry: https://meetings-na2.hubspot.com/alever/marketing-membership-consultation?uuid=ff3ae3e9-7828-4d4b-be06-7d8d68ba2929 SPONSORS Troscriptions: https://troscriptions.com/MINDPUMP Code: MINDPUMP for 10% off your first order. Medical grade supplements including methylene blue and Calm. MAPS Anabolic Relaunch: https://mapsanabolic.com Code: ANABOLIC for 50% off through the end of the month. Includes updated female blueprints, updated FAQ and phase overview videos, masterclass videos on the barbell squat, bench press, overhead press, barbell good morning and behind the neck press, and three days of live coaching with one of the Mind Pump coaches. LINKS Mind Pump Store: https://mindpumpstore.com Maps Fitness Products: https://mapsfitnessproducts.com Instagram: @mindpumpmedia 0:00 - Intro 3:07 - Phil Vella returns to talk peptide industry quality and regulation 5:04 - 70 percent of research peptides now fail purity testing 7:26 - Everyday people running peptide side hustles out of their homes 10:39 - Contamination, infection, and dosing risks from research peptides 13:12 - The difference between FDA regulated compounding pharmacies and the gray market 16:23 - Why hormones must be dialed in before starting peptides 19:12 - Testosterone for women and the most prescribed hormones at Vita Bella 22:04 - Recent changes to peptide regulation and the FDA review process 33:06 - Blood Pump and PDE5 inhibitors for performance, pumps, and longevity 38:22 - The Glow and Clo peptide stacks for recovery and skin health 43:15 - Metformin and glutathione as part of a longevity stack 51:11 - Phil's double spinal fusion injury and recovery 52:46 - Losing his father and nine people from his neighborhood to suicide in one year 58:11 - Moving to Bali and rebuilding his sense of purpose 1:00:38 - The Bell Curve of Happiness and why money stops buying happiness 1:09:04 - The membership model behind Vita Bella and future plans for the company

    1h 15m

  2. 1d ago

    2881: The Right Way to Use a GLP Without Losing Muscle

    In this episode the guys break down the most effective GLP strategy for fat loss and muscle gain, covering how to start lifting before beginning a GLP, why minimal effective dose matters, keeping training volume low while on it, using essential amino acids to preserve muscle, replacing old eating behaviors with new ones, and how to scale down successfully. They also get into a probiotic study showing a 40 percent reduction in anxiety among menopausal women, Sal's appearance on Dr. Seeds' peptide podcast, a debate about SpaceX's trillion dollar valuation and what it means for AI infrastructure, AI getting measurably "dumber" after training on social media data, and a tangent on horror movies and low budget filmmaking economics. Then they coach live callers submitted through mplivecaller.com. MAPS Anabolic Relaunch: https://mapsanabolic.com Code: ANABOLIC for 50% off through the end of the month. SPONSORS Kion Aminos: https://getkion.com/mindpump 20% off automatically applied at checkout, no code needed. 40% leucine enriched formula for muscle protein synthesis. Seed Daily Synbiotic: https://seed.com/mindpump Code: 25MINDPUMP for 25% off your first month. Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/mindpump Use code MINDPUMP for a discount on the Pod 5 Ultra. May qualify as an HSA/FSA medical expense through Truemed, with qualified customers saving about 30% on average. LINKS Submit a live caller question: https://mplivecaller.com Mind Pump Store: https://mindpumpstore.com Maps Fitness Products: https://mapsfitnessproducts.com Instagram: @mindpumpmedia 0:00 - Intro 3:13 - Most effective GLP strategy for fat loss and muscle gain 14:24 - Building a foundation before starting a GLP and why timing matters 20:28 - Minimal effective dose, training volume, and essential amino acids on a GLP 25:06 - Replacing old behaviors and scaling down off a GLP successfully 26:54 - Probiotic study links to a 40 percent reduction in anxiety in menopausal women 29:46 - Sal's experience on Dr. Seeds' peptide podcast 36:13 - SpaceX valuation debate and what it means for AI infrastructure 41:20 - AI training on social media data and getting measurably dumber 1:04:46 - Caller: Carrie (Utah) navigating Hashimoto's, hormone shifts, and rebuilding after a difficult year 1:19:09 - Caller: Kyle (British Columbia) follow up on strength gains after switching to free weights 1:38:37 - Caller: John (Ohio) on growing a personal training business through in person client work 1:54:01 - Caller: Jenna (Texas) 60 day update alternating strength and endurance training block

    2h 9m

  3. 3d ago

    2880: The Program That Built Mind Pump: 10 Years & 100,000 Transformations

    Ten years ago, before there was a podcast, before there were millions of downloads, there was a workout program built in a gym by a few trainers who were obsessed with one question: why does almost everyone train wrong? That program was MAPS Anabolic—and a decade and 100,000-plus customers later, it's still the one the guys point to when someone asks where to start.   Right now MAPS Anabolic is 50% off at https://mapsanabolic.com with code ANABOLIC   Watch the original Mind Pump Sales video here: https://mindpumpproducts.com/original-video   Episode Sponsor: "Pre Alcohol" Zbiotics: https://zbiotics.com/mindpump26   Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:23 Ten Years Later 13:07 Mind Pump Begins 19:06 Strength Changes Everything 19:59 Why Most Programs Fail 23:57 Heavy Lifting 26:17 Full Body and Trigger Sessions 29:43 Relaunch Details

    34 min

  4. 5d ago

    2879: How to Eat Carbs for Muscle Gains and Fat Loss (The Full Breakdown)

    In this episode the guys break down how to eat carbs for muscle gains and fat loss — why they're not essential but are beneficial, how to figure out if you do better higher carb or lower fat, timing carbs around workouts, choosing easy-digesting sources, and why drinking carbs is almost always a mistake. They also get into a deep dive on PDE5 inhibitors (Viagra/Cialis) and the emerging data showing 30–40% reduction in all-cause cardiovascular mortality, potential neuroprotective and anti-cancer effects, and why Sal thinks they'll be recommended to most men over 40 within a decade. Plus: side bends as a highly underrated QL exercise, the Guy Ritchie movie "In the Gray," Sal's son's gem hustle, Adam's commercial-grade mosquito killer, Google releasing 32 million lab-bred mosquitoes into California, pirates and their eye patches, cauliflower ear plastic surgery in Russia, and giant tree spiders in Malaysia. Then they coach live callers submitted through mplivecaller.com — Jesse from Florida on reverse dieting after a bad coach left her overtrained and underfed, Augie from Alabama on combining MAPS PPL with running for fall race prep, Kaylene from New York on sobriety from THC and getting comfortable bulking, and Vanessa from the UK on building her glutes while letting go of the step and scale obsession. MAPS Summer Sale — https://mapsfitnessproducts.com Code: SUMMER40 — 40% off everything — June 1–14 only Mind Pump Fitness Coaching — https://mindpumpfitnesscoaching.com 1.9 NASM CEUs SPONSORS Crisp Power (protein pretzels) — https://www.crisppower.com/mindpump Code: MINDPUMP — 10% off. Up to 28g protein, 15g carbs, baked not fried, zero added sugar, vegan, GLP-1 friendly. New 7.1oz variety pack bundles now available. Joovv (red light therapy) — https://joovv.com/mindpump Code: MINDPUMP — $50 off first purchase. Discussed on air for stretch marks and skin health. Seed Daily Synbiotic — https://seed.com/mindpump Code: 25MINDPUMP — 25% off first month LINKS Submit a live caller question: https://mplivecaller.com Mind Pump Store: https://mindpumpstore.com Maps Fitness Products: https://mapsfitnessproducts.com Instagram: @mindpumpmedia 0:00 - Intro 2:07 - How to eat carbs for muscle gains and fat loss — the full breakdown 17:29 - Bookending workouts with carbs & choosing easy-digesting sources 23:42 - PDE5 inhibitors (Viagra/Cialis) — 30–40% cardiovascular mortality reduction & longevity data 33:41 - Side bends for the QL — the most underrated exercise nobody does 39:32 - Sal's son's gem hustle, World Vision kids & the Lego birthday revelation 47:08 - Adam's commercial mosquito killer, Google releasing 32M lab mosquitoes & laser bug defense 1:08:29 - Caller: Jesse (Florida) — overtrained, underfed by bad coach, incredibly strong, gets a coach 1:17:53 - Caller: Augie (Alabama) — combining MAPS PPL with running for fall races 1:22:23 - Caller: Kaylene (New York) — THC sobriety, cannabinoid hyperemesis, bulking comfort 1:39:16 - Caller: Vanessa (UK) — building glutes, letting go of steps and scale, needs to gain weight

    1h 52m

  5. 6d ago

    2878: Why You're Losing Muscle While Trying to Lose Fat (And How to Fix It)

    In this episode the guys break down the muscle paradox! Why people are losing muscle while trying to lose fat, why this crisis is being amplified by GLP-1 use, and the three things that cause it: inadequate protein, poor resistance training programming, and a cardio focus. They also get into the testosterone U-shape curve and how more isn't always better for libido, Sal's upcoming talk at the World Peptide Congress in Arizona, Adam's sauna routine and how it kept him from getting the norovirus that took down his whole family, the shriek bird that impales its prey on thorns, and polar bear fun facts nobody asked for. Then they answer questions submitted through Instagram, covering how to add cardio after years of strength training, what's actually happening in your body when you under-eat but still get stronger, physical standards for men and women in their late 30s and early 40s, and how to approach warm-up sets. MAPS Summer Sale — https://mapsfitnessproducts.com Code: SUMMER40 — 40% off everything including Maps Prime — June 1–14 only SPONSORS Paleo Valley (grass-fed meat sticks) — https://paleovalley.com/mindpump 15% off automatically applied at checkout — no code needed. Fermented, gut-friendly, 8g protein per stick. Legion (supplements) — https://buylegion.com/mindpump Code: MPB2G1 — Buy 2 get 1 free. Third-party tested, efficacious doses only. Rice Krispie protein bars and pure creatine highlighted this episode. Hiya (kids' multivitamin) — https://hiyahealth.com/MINDPUMP 50% off first order — no code needed, deal only available at this link. Zero sugar, non-GMO, vegan, allergy-free. LINKS Mind Pump Store:  https://mindpumpstore.com Maps Fitness Products:  https://mapsfitnessproducts.com Instagram: @mindpumpmedia 0:00 - Intro 2:59 - The muscle paradox — why you're losing muscle while trying to lose fat 8:21 - How GLP-1 and Retatrutide are amplifying the muscle loss crisis 17:27 - The 3 causes: inadequate protein, poor RT programming & cardio focus 23:01 - Testosterone U-shape curve — why more isn't always better for libido 27:16 - Sal's World Peptide Congress talk at the Biltmore in Arizona (June 20th) 39:26 - Adam's sauna routine — how he dodged the norovirus that wrecked his whole family 52:15 - The shriek bird, the barrel-eye fish & polar bears that hunt humans 59:53 - Q&A: How to add cardio after 2–3 years of just strength training 1:04:22 - Q&A: What's happening in your body when you under-eat but still get stronger? 1:06:12 - Q&A: Physical standards for men and women in their late 30s and early 40s 1:10:57 - Q&A: Should you do warm-up sets for every exercise?

    1h 17m

  6. Jun 11

    2877: The Best Workout Strategy If You Want to Lose Weight (Step by Step)

    In this episode the guys break down the best workout strategy for people who want to lose weight and keep it off — and why most people are going about it completely backwards. They cover why strength training beats cardio for fat loss head to head, how to structure your training as a full body split or 1–2 lifts per day, why compound movements are the only ones that matter at this stage, hitting 8,000 steps through lifestyle rather than scheduled cardio, and simple diet steps that create a natural calorie deficit without counting calories. MAPS Summer Sale — https://mapsfitnessproducts.com Code: SUMMER40 — 40% off everything (programs, bundles, mods & guides) — June 1–14 only   SPONSORS LMNT (electrolytes) — https://drinklmnt.com/MindPump Free 8-count sample pack with any purchase — no code needed. 1,000mg sodium per serving, no sugar, no artificial sweeteners. No-questions-asked refunds on all orders. LINKS Mind Pump Store:  https://mindpumpstore.com Maps Fitness Products:  https://mapsfitnessproducts.com Instagram: @mindpumpmedia   0:00 - Intro 1:55 - New study: Strength training vs. cardio vs. no exercise — who lost the most fat? 5:40 - Why cardio burns more calories but strength training burns more fat 9:27 - Why the scale moves faster with cardio — and why that's actually a trap 13:17 - Full body split or 1–2 lifts per day — which approach works best 15:07 - Compound lifts only — why isolation exercises don't move the needle here 20:41 - 8,000 steps a day — why lifestyle movement beats scheduled cardio 24:40 - Diet steps: whole foods, protein first, eat when hungry, half to one gallon of water

    31 min

  7. Jun 10

    2876: GLP-1, Wearables & Longevity Fads; The Fitness Traps Nobody Warns You About

    In this episode the guys break down the four biggest fitness traps of 2026 — over-reliance on wearables and tech, the GLP-1 shortcut and muscle loss crisis, chasing longevity fads over basics, and aesthetics over everything. They also get into the alien.gov website reveal (spoiler: not what anyone expected), the black market GLP-1 side hustle spreading through social circles, a new study showing resistance training beats cardio for fat loss head to head, and Doug's 30-day Dose liver enzyme experiment update. Then they coach live callers submitted through mplivecaller.com — Aidan from Kansas on lingering strength and nerve issues after mono, Jamie from Oklahoma on rebuilding her relationship with food and training after anorexia and overtraining, and Caleb from Pennsylvania who shares an inspiring 18-month reverse diet success story before getting help with chronic forearm pain. MAPS Summer Sale — https://mapsfitnessproducts.com Code: SUMMER40 — 40% off everything (programs, bundles, mods & guides) — June 1–14 only SPONSORS Vuori — https://vuoriclothing.com/mindpump 20% off first order — no code needed, automatically applied Dose (liver & cholesterol support) — https://dosedaily.co/MINDPUMP Code: MINDPUMP — 25% off first month subscription. Clinically backed, all-natural liquid supplement. Supports liver enzymes, LDL, HDL and skin health. Fatty15 (C15 essential fatty acid) — https://fatty15.com/MINDPUMP Code: MINDPUMP — additional 15% off the 90-day Starter Kit subscription. C15 has been shown to have 3x more cellular benefits than omega-3. LINKS Submit a live caller question: https://mplivecaller.com  Mind Pump Store: https://mindpumpstore.com  Maps Fitness Products: https://mapsfitnessproducts.com  Instagram: @mindpumpmedia 0:00 - Intro 2:12 - Fitness trap #1: Over-reliance on wearables and tech — when data becomes a stressor 8:21 - Fitness trap #2: GLP-1 and the muscle loss crisis — what nobody is telling you 16:36 - Fitness trap #3: Chasing longevity fads while ignoring the basics 20:56 - Fitness trap #4: Aesthetics over everything — why chasing the look kills the look 33:23 - Vuori — the random guy at the park who wouldn't stop complimenting Sal's joggers 44:57 - Resistance training vs. cardio for fat loss — new head to head study 47:57 - Dose liver supplement — skin benefits and Doug's 30-day cholesterol experiment 55:43 - Alien.gov — the government website reveal nobody saw coming 59:33 - Caller: Aidan (Kansas) — college swimmer, post-mono nerve issues, lost 100lbs on bench 1:13:13 - Caller: Jamie (Oklahoma) — anorexia history, overtraining, inner thigh pain, gets a coach 1:27:24 - Caller: Caleb (Pennsylvania) — 18-month reverse diet success story, now dealing with forearm pain

    1h 41m

  8. Jun 8

    2875: How to Look Your Best This Summer (With 30 Days or Less)

    In this episode the guys break down exactly how to look your best this summer with 30 days or less. They debate personal strategies — carb and water manipulation, peak week bodybuilding tactics, creatine loading, blood flow restriction training for arms and calves, building your abs instead of just leaning out, training rear delts and upper back for the beach, tibialis training for better looking legs, and why switching to whole foods alone will make you look visibly different in 30 days.   MAPS Summer Sale — https://mapsfitnessproducts.com Code: SUMMER40 — 40% off everything (programs, bundles, mods & guides) — June 1–14 only   SPONSOR   Rho Nutrition (liposomal NAD+ & Glutathione) — https://www.rhonutrition.com/discount/MINDPUMP Code: MINDPUMP — 20% off everything. NAD+ raises your baseline energy without stimulants.     LINKS Mind Pump Store: https://mindpumpstore.com  Maps Fitness Products: https://mapsfitnessproducts.com Instagram: @mindpumpmedia   0:00 - Intro 2:02 - Adam's 30-day strategy — push carbs and volume, then taper and peak the final week 9:12 - Creatine loading for muscle fullness — why the scale going up is actually good 10:05 - Spray tans, haircuts and the real reason bodybuilders tan up 13:19 - Sal's strategy — build your abs instead of just leaning out, rear delts & upper back 20:44 - Blood flow restriction for arms and calves — a quarter inch of size in 30 days 22:10 - Justin's strategy — eliminate the extras, clean up the diet, rows and cleans for the yoke 23:43 - Why switching to whole foods alone makes you look visibly better in 30 days

    26 min
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Hosts & Guests

4.8
out of 5
12,018 Ratings

About

MindPump exposes the RAW TRUTH about health, fitness, nutrition and more... Hosts Sal Di Stefano, Adam Schafer & Justin Andrews pull back the curtain on the mythology, snake oil and pseudo-science that pervades the fitness industry and present science-backed solutions that result in increased muscular development and performance while simultaneously emphasizing health. No fitness institution or fitness "truth" is safe from their quick wit and over 40 years of combined experience in the fitness industry. Produced by Doug Egge. Find Mind Pump and the Mind Pump hosts on Instragram @mindpumpmedia, @mindpumpsal, @mindpumpadam, @mindpumpjustin & @mindpumpdoug and at mindpumppodcast.com. Get expertly programmed Mind Pump training protocols at mapsfitnessproducts.com

Information

  • Creator
    Sal Di Stefano, Adam Schafer, Justin Andrews, Doug Egge
  • Years Active
    2014 - 2026
  • Episodes
    1K
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2017+
  • Show Website
    Mind Pump: Raw Fitness Truth

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