In this episode, I'm joined by functional health specialist and coach Austin Stout to talk through the real-life nuances of high-level coaching, physique development, and the evolving landscape of functional health.

From the danger of overprescribing protocols to the growing popularity of GLP-1s for fat loss, Austin shares his philosophy on what it takes to create sustainable results—mentally and physically.

The conversation spans stress management, the reality of emotional reactivity in contest prep, the role of root-cause coaching, and how both general population and high-level competitors are navigating modern performance expectations.

Whether you're a competitor, coach, or someone navigating chronic stress, this episode delivers unmatched value on how to evolve your mindset and approach.

Timestamps:

- [00:00 – 16:51] - Root cause coaching and functional health vs. symptom treatment

- [16:51 – 25:26] - Determining protocol rigidity and stress from overprescription

- [25:26 – 35:23] - Defining “optimal” for competitors vs. general population

- [35:23 – 42:51] - Stress management and emotional resilience in coaching

- [42:51 – 55:00] - Cultural pressure to be happy & normalize emotional variability

- [55:00 – 1:02:40] - Stress accumulation & allostatic load in prep and lifestyle

- [1:02:40 – 1:06:30] - Why contest prep should feel “normal” if set up correctly

- [1:06:30 – 1:08:00] - Placings don’t always reflect progress or development

- [1:08:00 – 1:15:00] - GLP-1 medications: when, why, and how they’re used

- [1:15:00 – 1:20:00] - Practitioner responsibility, education, and client safety

- [1:20:00 – 1:23:00] - Self-awareness and recognizing feedback loops

- [1:23:00 – 1:26:00] - Chronic stress, adaptation, and coaching through fatigue

- [1:26:00 – 1:28:14] - Final thoughts: sustainability, emotional maturity, and trust

Links & Resources:

Follow Austin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinst8/?hl=en

Work With Austin: https://integratedmuscle.wordpress.com/

Listen to The Mind Body Broadcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1PD7CIxNQmaOCtDrciM4wo?si=3fkgDwQ6QJmoh0aNwGfofg&nd=1&dlsi=f9665ca92d17488f

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