There’s a lot of buzz right now about GLP-1 drugs and nutrition gaps, with headlines making it sound confusing or extreme.

In this episode, Coach JK clears the noise and breaks it down: Eating less doesn’t automatically mean eating well. Whether you’re on a GLP-1 or not, the real issue is food quality.

JK explains what recent research is really saying, why it mirrors the same problems seen in the Standard American Diet, and how to avoid falling into the trap of restriction without nourishment.

You’ll walk away with a simple, grounded understanding of why nutrients matter just as much as calories, and what to focus on to support long-term health.

Resources & Links

- Article mentioned: First-ever Clinical Study Finds Nutritional Gaps in GLP-1 Users

- Research article mentioned: Investigating nutrient intake during use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist: a cross-sectional studyConnect with JK: @coachJKMcLeod or email [email protected]

A long drive doesn’t have to wipe out your routine. In this episode, Coach JK shares his personal road trip playbook; the simple, repeatable systems he’s built from years of car travel.

From pre-trip workouts and audiobook strategies to keeping gas station stops intentional, JK breaks down how to protect your fitness foundations (eat well, sleep enough, exercise regularly) while still enjoying the trip.

You’ll get realistic tips and tactics for before, during, and after the drive. You'll also get a few bonus strategies for when you arrive at your destination.

Whether you’re traveling for work, family, or fun, you’ll walk away with ideas you can adapt to your own trips without turning your vacation into a boot camp.

Listen in to learn:

Your next road trip can still support your goals — it just takes a little intention.

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Want to join the free Fitness Foundations Community? Connect with JK via IG ⁠⁠⁠@CoachJKMcLeod⁠⁠⁠ or email ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ for your community invite

Coach JK unpacks a personal reflection that turned into a powerful reminder: Sometimes, the win isn’t doing something new, it’s continuing to show up when life tries to knock you off course.

Inside this episode, you’ll hear JK talk through how the concept of “1% better” can feel frustrating when it’s only measured by actions or big wins.

What if progress looks like staying consistent through chaos? What if the win is holding your ground instead of losing it?

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Want to join the free Fitness Foundations Community? Connect with JK via IG ⁠⁠@CoachJKMcLeod⁠⁠ or email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ for your community invite

In this episode, Coach JK simplifies one of the most misunderstood areas of fitness: cardio. From walking to sprinting, not all cardio is created equal; and most people aren’t as clear as they think about what kind they’re actually doing.

You’ll hear Coach JK break down what cardio actually is, how to tell the difference between low, moderate, and high intensity using the talk test and RPE scale, and why Sprint Interval Training (SIT) became a necessary term after high-intensity interval training (HIIT) got watered down.

He also unpacks two key reasons people turn to cardio (fat loss and heart health) and explains why understanding the difference between burning dietary fat and body fat matters more than you think.

Episode topics:

In this free flow episode of the Help Me Understand podcast, Coach JK reflects on a few broader topics that have been on his mind.

Here’s what he gets into:

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is losing federal funding, and what that might mean for access to reliable, non-entertainment-driven journalism, especially in underserved communities.

Jessica Biel went viral for saying her shredded look in The Better Sister wasn’t maintainable. Why did that trigger so many fitness industry hot takes? JK weighs in on the disconnect between image, lifestyle, and sustainability.

A YouTube channel called My Life by AI showcases how one man used ChatGPT to guide his job search and help him lose over 60 pounds. JK explains why this is an example of how input quality still matters more than anything.

What people speak up about (especially in charged moments) often says more about them than they realize. Pay attention to patterns, not just one-off comments.

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Mentioned in today’s podcast:

- Betsy Foster’s podcast: Your Strongest Body

- My Life by AI  YouTube channel 

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Want to join the free Fitness Foundations Community? Connect with JK via IG ⁠⁠@CoachJKMcLeod⁠⁠ or email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ for your community invite

Most people measure habit change by streaks, motivation, or intensity, but there’s a more subtle shift that matters just as much.

In this short episode, Coach JK breaks down this overlooked turning point in habit formation. Whether it's workouts, sleep, or nutrition choices, the shift from “I hope I get it done” to “this is what I do” is a sign you’ve built something real.

If you're working on consistency, this is the kind of mindset marker worth paying attention to.

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Want to join the free Fitness Foundations Community? Connect with JK via IG ⁠@CoachJKMcLeod⁠ or email ⁠[email protected]⁠ for your community invite

In this episode of Help Me Understand, Coach JK tackles three listener-submitted questions that hit close to home for a lot of people trying to stay consistent with their fitness goals.

Topics/questions covered in this episode:

• Whether collagen protein counts the same as regular protein, and what to consider before tracking it
• How many days a week you really need to train to make progress, especially with changing schedules
• Why rest day guilt is so common, and how to start working through it

As always, coach JK aims to blend real education with the realities of everyday life without the hype, just honest answers and perspective that meet you where you are.

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Got a question you’d like answered on a future episode?
DM @CoachJKMcLeod or email [email protected].

Want to join the free Fitness Foundations Community? Reach out via email or IG for your invite!

In this episode of the Help Me Understand podcast, Coach JK shares a fresh perspective on affirmations, pulled straight from a re-read of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey.

You’ll learn about the four key components of an effective personal affirmation and why so many people unknowingly write theirs in a way that lacks power and clarity.

JK walks through examples of both ineffective and effective affirmations, with a specific lens on those working to build strength, improve fitness, and stay consistent with foundational habits.

This episode is less about trendy motivational quotes and more about creating affirmations that actually help you take action and feel aligned with your goals...without the fluff.

If you're looking for something deeper than “just try harder,” tune in.

To join the free Fitness Foundations Community, send JK a DM on Instagram (@coachjkmcleod) or email [email protected].

This one’s a bit different. JK hit “record” with no outline, no main topic, just a casual Free Flow episode. 

Here’s what he gets into:

The passing of Malcolm-Jamal Warner and why his role as Theo Huxtable meant more than just a spot on a sitcom.

What it’s been like starting the Fitness Foundations Community, and why he’s leaning into a little “delusional” energy to build something he believes in.

Why do we keep seeing programs for busy dads that push intermittent fasting like it’s the one-size-fits-all answer?

A reminder to check your “struggle language”, because the words you repeat to yourself matter more than you think.

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Want to check out the Fitness Foundations Community?Shoot me a DM on Instagram @coachjkmcleod or email me at [email protected]

Want free weekly workouts and behind-the-scenes programming notes from Coach JK?

In this episode, Coach JK McLeod is talking to the men. He breaks down what menopause actually is, how it affects the women in your life, and why you need to understand it.

Not because you need to “fix” anything, but because being aware of what’s really happening can help you show up better as a partner, coach, or friend.

Listen in to real talk from a coach who works with women 40+ every day.

JK explains the four stages of menopause (pre, peri, meno, and post), walks through the hormonal changes behind the symptoms, and shares why the advice of “just train harder” or “eat cleaner” might be missing the point.

You’ll learn:

If you’ve ever said “I don’t know what’s going on with her lately,” start here.

Want free weekly workouts and behind-the-scenes programming notes from Coach JK?