In today's episode of Barbell Shrugged we cover:

• A framework for understanding mental health and physiology

• The relationship between the mind and the body

• How physiology follows psychology

• How to turn your thoughts into character traits

• How come prescriptions and medications can make mental health worse

• How sleep is the gateway to improving mental health

• Blood sugar management and how it affects mood

• Why broad solutions to improve mental health will not work

• Coaching the person before you coach their mental health issues

• Supplementation that positively affect mental health
• The process of creating and excreting dopamine and serotonin
• The impacts of B6 and Magnesium for mental health

To learn more, please go to https://rapidhealthoptimization.com

Connect with our guests:

Anders Varner on Instagram

Doug Larson on Instagram

Coach Travis Mash on Instagram

Dan Garner on Instagram

Dr. Justin Houman is a board-certified urologist and fellowship-trained Men's Sexual and Reproductive Health specialist whose practice is focused on male fertility, erectile dysfunction, sexual performance, testosterone management, Peyronie's Disease, vasectomy reversals, and vasectomies. As a minimally-invasive microscopic surgeon, he specializes in microsurgical varicocelectomies, vasectomy reversals, sperm retrievals, penile implants, Peyronie's disease, and male incontinence. Dr. Houman's practice is centered on enhancing men's quality of life through hormone management, improving sexual function, and achieving reproductive goals.

Work With Us: Arétē by RAPID Health Optimization

Links:

Dr. Justin Houman Website

Anders Varner on Instagram

Doug Larson on Instagram

Coach Travis Mash on Instagram

In today's episode of Barbell Shrugged:

1. Why adding water can help eliminate constipation
2. Why "more fiber" may not be the answer to better bowels.
3. Which magnesium supplement is optimal for reducing constipation.
4. Why you need to buy a squatty potty for your best pooping position.
5. How exercise improves motility.
6. Why coffee and caffeine are important to morning movement
7. The best natural stool bulkers
8. Stool Softeners that you can get through your nutrition
9. What are the best stool lubricants
10. What are Osmotic Laxatives and how to add them to your nutrition
11. Saline Laxatives for improved bowel function

To learn more, please go to https://rapidhealthoptimization.com/

Connect with our guests:

Anders Varner on Instagram

Doug Larson on Instagram

Coach Travis Mash on Instagram

Dan Garner on Instagram

Drew Manning is The NY Times Best Selling Author of the book, Fit2Fat2Fit, and creator of the hit TV show, Fit To Fat To Fit on A&E. He's been featured on many TV shows such as Dr. Oz, The Tonight Show, CNN, The View, GMA and many more. With over 1 million social media followers, Drew continues on his mission to reshape the fitness industry with an empathy first approach helping people with not only their physical health, but also their mental health. Drew is also a certified breath work practitioner and resides in Hawai'i with his two teenage daughters and is currently enrolled in a Master's program in psychology. Work With Us: Arétē by RAPID Health Optimization

Links:

Anders Varner on Instagram

Doug Larson on Instagram

Coach Travis Mash on Instagram

In today's episode of Barbell Shrugged:

1. The Thyroid's impact on weight gain
2. What is the function of the thyroid
3. What causes thyroid dysfunction
4. The relationship between hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and thyroid
5. Thyroids role in autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto's and Grave's disease
6. How gut health affects the thyroid
7. How Vitamin A regulates the thyroid
8. Parathyroid and thyroid connection
9. How birth control can affect thyroid function
10. Thyroid's role in impacting brain chemistry
11. The thyroid's role in your menstrual cycle

To learn more, please go to https://rapidhealthoptimization.com

Connect with our guests:

Anders Varner on Instagram

Doug Larson on Instagram

Coach Travis Mash on Instagram

Dan Garner on Instagram

Chris Hoppe has spent nearly two decades immersed in the world of coaching — from CrossFit and personal training to recovery support, breathwork, and behavioral health. His approach blends performance and presence, helping clients not just optimize their bodies, but reconnect to their lives in a deeper, more meaningful way.

Chris has guided people at every stage of transformation — from their first day sober to the CrossFit Games floor. Whether he's working with entrepreneurs, athletes, or those navigating major life transitions, his work centers on building nervous system resilience, emotional awareness, and personal agency.

More than a coach, Chris lives his practice. He brings curiosity, groundedness, and heart into every conversation — and creates space for people to be fully human.

Work With Us: Arétē by RAPID Health Optimization

Links:

Work with Chris Hoppe

Anders Varner on Instagram

Doug Larson on Instagram

Coach Travis Mash on Instagram

In today's episode of Barbell Shrugged you will learn:

1. The internal mechanisms that create your sex drive.
2. How psychological, hormonal, and functional dysfunction impacts sex drive.
3. The biochemistry of boners
4. The nervous system's response to sexual arousal
5. The psychology of porn addiction
6. Supplementation that can improve your sex drive
7. Impacts of chronic fatigue on sex drive
8. How estrogen and testosterone influence sex drive
9. Hormonal changes during pregnancy that heighten sex drive
10. How aging affects your libido
11. They affect of marijuana and alcohol on sex drive
12. Hair loss medication and erectile dysfunction symptoms

To learn more, please go to https://rapidhealthoptimization.com

Connect with our guests:

Anders Varner on Instagram

Doug Larson on Instagram

Coach Travis Mash on Instagram

Dan Garner on Instagram

Garrett Butler, MD. Husband, father, son, friend, and family doc in rural WV. Undergraduate in Physics from Johns Hopkins University. Undergraduate in Molecular and Cell Biology from Towson University. MD from West Virginia University School of Medicine. Family Medicine residency at WVU SOM. Hospitalist at Vandalia Health Davis Medical Center. Outpatient family physician at Vandalia Health Broaddus Family Care. Hospitalist at Vandalia Health Broaddus Hospital. Medical director of Mansfield Place nursing home.

Work With Us: Arétē by RAPID Health Optimization

Links:

Dr. Garrett Butler - Old Fellow Manor

Anders Varner on Instagram

Doug Larson on Instagram

Coach Travis Mash on Instagram

In today's episode of Barbell Shrugged you will learn:

1. How to determine total calories for your goals
2. Why maintenance calories are important for body composition and health
3. Why calories determine the size of your body
4. Understanding energy balance and finding your activity multiplier
5. How to properly increase and decrease your caloric intake to reach your goals
6. Macronutrient breakdown for aesthetics and performance goals
7. Why macros determine body composition
8. How to find the right amount of protein for your goals
9. Why micronutrients are so easily overlooked and what you are missing
10. How to get all your vitamins and minerals even if you hate vegetables

To learn more, please go to https://rapidhealthoptimization.com

Connect with our guests:

Anders Varner on Instagram

Doug Larson on Instagram

Coach Travis Mash on Instagram

Dan Garner on Instagram

Dr. Mike T. Nelson has spent 18 years of his life learning how the human body works, specifically focusing on how to properly condition it to burn fat and become stronger, more flexible, and healthier.

He's been called in to share his techniques with top government agencies, universities and colleges, fitness organizations and fanatics. The techniques he's developed, and the results Mike gets for his clients have been featured in international magazines, in scientific publications, and on websites across the globe.

Work With Us: Arétē by RAPID Health Optimization

Links:

Cardio for Meatheads Course

Dr. Nelson Website

Anders Varner on Instagram

Doug Larson on Instagram

Coach Travis Mash on Instagram