Is there really a difference between grocery store coffee beans and specialty roasted high end coffee? What is the most expensive coffee you would want to buy? Why spend more for something when you can get a super cheap deal down the street?

 

One of Toronto’s most obsessed coffee experts Ray from Hale Coffee stops by the Revenge Gym cabin to tell you what most coffee shops are doing wrong, and how he wants you to look at coffee differently.

Although coffee has been around forever, Todd and Marie are shocked to find out how little they know about quality coffee. Ray explains why spending a bit more on your cup of coffee is not something you can do, its actually something you should do.

 

Hale Coffee is quickly changing Canada's coffee landscape by implementing coffee and food pairings in our city's local restaurants, a practice more well known globally to wine and food. Ray believes a great cup of coffee at the end of your meal should leave an impression upon you from the moment you step out of the restaurant, to the moment you walk through your front door. Ray’s extensive knowledge and colourful language left such a great impression on Todd and Marie, that a part 2 episode is already in the works.

There seems to be an ongoing debate about wether athletes perform better on a vegan or vegetarian diet vs a diet that includes consuming meat and animal protein. 

 

Beyond the ethical and environmental reasons for consuming animal protein, many say that eating animal protein is more bio available, thus easier to use for physical performance. There are others still that insist recovery is faster with a vegan or vegetarian diet.

 

This weeks episode explores both camps while Todd and Marie try to make sense of it all. To make things even more controversial, Todd tells the listeners that even the strictest of vegetarians often go back to eating meat at some point.

 

 Are there equally effective protein alternatives? Well, sort of. Food options are being explored as the planet becomes more strained, and by the end of the show you will have heard of alternative protein sources you may never have known existed.

Is it possible to win gold medals with either diet? The answer is revealed in the show.

Do you think you have this healthy-life, clean-living thing under control?

Hold on to your pants because this episode reveals there are some not so common ways to improve your health, and nobody is talking about them. 

We all know that eating right, exercising regularly, quality sleep and drinking clean water is paramount to feeling strong, sexy and catapults you to a quality life. This week Todd and Marie take these concepts one step further and explore how you might be missing some of the most important ways to looking awesome and feeling great.

There have been so many reasons (excuses) Todd and Marie have heard throughout their careers as to why people lose the battle of the bulge year after year. Some people just can’t seem to lose weight. Why is that? Is it really just their "bad genes" at work, or is there something else going on? Today’s episode is a rant about some of the top reasons why people can’t lose weight or get in shape. Listeners beware, Todd is unapologetic about his opinions on this topic.

Later on in the show we are Joined by Andrew Robertson, the President of Northern Cryo who walks Todd through a cryo sauna session at Pursuit OCR. Listen to an actual cryo session taking place, and hear what Todd has to say about his two minute experience.

One of Toronto’s most unique and fun running group co-founders Tej Sandhu stops by the Revenge Gym cabin for a beer tasting and some candid discussion about running. 

 

Running is certainly not new, but creative and innovative ways to stay on track with your running (or any other physical endeavours for that matter) is expanding. Running groups revolving around beer are a part of this fun evolvement. 

 

Tej shares his own personal story on why he began running, how he progressed to his first 5k, and how Run T.O. Beer was born. Obviously there can’t be a discussion about a beer running group without diving into some beer tasting, so Todd and Marie manage to bring some surprise brews for Tej to critique. 

 

Todd and Marie's Seven day health challenge is still going strong, but surprisingly isn’t making it to the seven day completion yet.

 

We would like to thank Louis Cifer Brew Works Located at 417 Danforth  for their Irish Stout Howler. If you are in Toronto, visit this microbrewery owned By Erin Gamelin and Craig Abbott and take home some great beer from the store located right inside the restaurant.

Todd and Marie start the show with updates on their most recent seven day health and fitness challenge. You would think this would be simple. Once you hear how easy the challenge is, you will understand why these two fitness professionals are mildly embarrassed that they couldn’t get past day four of the challenge.

 

On a similar note, being a pro athlete in the public eye can be embarrassing as well. Some of the worlds top athletes are not impervious to having the exact same struggles you, the listeners have.

 

Yes believe it. Just because someone has incredible athletic skill does not mean they don’t do stupid things when they get home.

 

This week’s episode features our own version of the top ten list of athletes that totally messed up their own careers over things that almost everyone can relate to.

Have you ever been chosen last or near last on a sports team? Perhaps you have been socially rejected in some way for how you dress or who you hang with?

Remember that one time you lived in a place that reflected the opposite of who you felt you were inside? Worst of all, what would you do if you ever fell into homelessness?

 

There are many types of “outcasts" in our society today: counter culture enthusiasts, computer nerds, at times the physically or mentally ill, technology innovators, low income groups, social iconoclasts, music geniuses, and often, the homeless.

 

All these things can and do happen to everyday people. No one is exempt from misfortune. This week’s episode looks at how difficult or near to impossible it can be to maintain a training routine while being labeled an outcast. Todd and Marie share some very personal stories, and later offer ideas on how to get out of outcast trouble, and stay out for good.

Have you ever taken a really cold shower on purpose? What about sweating your face off in a sauna to the point you thought you would turn into a sweaty puddle of teeth and bones?

 This episode touches on the benefits of hot and cold therapy. Learn what some of these are and why you might want to try them. 

Infrared saunas are much more than just a heated box you sit in. Infrared saunas can heal wounds and other maladies, including fibromyalgia, and can also help lower blood pressure.

Cold therapy is good for not only running, but other sports. It can flush out cell debris, and help keep your immune system strong.

Running has evolved quite a bit in recent years. The studies are out. You don’t have to run very far, or for very long to benefit greatly. If you run, listen to why less can be more. If you don’t run, listen to this show to find out why you should start.

What is a Tough Mudder event anyway?

The Tough Mudder event is a 10-12 mile outdoor military style obstacle course event involving lots and lots of mud. It’s not a race, but a fun group event to test your physical strength, endurance, mental grit, and teamwork skills. To date, there have been 2 million participants in Tough Mudder events since 2010.

This show highlights points of preparation if you would like to train for these types of events long before the event, the week before, the night before, and on the big day. Some of the obstacles that you might come across are described in this show. There are tips and tricks you can use to prepare specifically for some of these obstacles safely and efficiently. Use these suggestions at your own risk.

Part of the fun of participating in these events is getting a team together and raising money for charity. The Wounded Warrior Project is the charity associated with the Tough Mudder events. This charity has raised over 8.5 million dollars for the Wounded Warrior Project USA, and 250 thousand for Wounded Warriors Canada. This charity helps warriors returning form the battlefield who are suffering from the physical and mental effects of war.

Think a Tough Mudder is too difficult for you? There are many other similar mud events all over North America happening right now. You can join and train intelligently to experience this type of fun event. Each event is different, and may have different skill levels. See which one is best for you and have fun!

The Tipsy Teachers Rachel and Ashley from Schoolhouse Booze fame stop by the Revenge Gym cabin to update us on their upcoming events, taste some craft beer, and discuss all things alcoholic. 

 

What do ladies drink these days? It’s getting more diverse every day. Ontario is a very special place to not only taste apple cider, but wines, ice wines and delicious craft beer.

 

Why learn about booze? You just drink it, right? What the heck is Vaportini?

Listen to this show to find out how these ladies fuse Yoga and beer, what they think about emerging trends in alcohol, the vaping experience, and other ways to blend food, exercise and booze.