Mind Pump: Raw Fitness Truth

MAPS Sale:⁠ https://mapsfitnessproducts.com⁠Code: SCARY40 for 40% off everything sitewide for 3 days only. Also: MAPS Abs and Butt at⁠ https://mapsabsandbutt.com⁠ — Code: LAUNCH for 40% off.

In this episode the guys sit down and tell the full origin story of how they each got into fitness and the personal training industry. Sal shares starting at 13 with plastic sand-filled dumbbells, spotting his dad benching 300 pounds, getting his first job at 24 Hour Fitness at 18 with zero certification, and selling $6,000 of personal training on his first day without knowing what it cost. Adam shares falling into fitness accidentally, the moment money sold him on making it a career, his early knack for communicating ideas rather than science, and becoming a fitness manager at 18. Justin shares moving to the Midwest alone knowing nobody, reinventing himself completely, the reinvention that started it all, and his first cold call becoming his wife. Doug shares the Rocky 3 physique inspiring his training in his 30s and the plateau that followed. The guys also cover their biggest regrets — Sal not listening to the bodybuilder who told him exactly how to train at 16, Adam's early steroid experimentation and the crash that followed, and Justin's lack of mobility training during college football costing him his speed. The episode closes with each of them reflecting on why they still love this industry after 30-plus years and why they genuinely cannot wait for Mondays.

Apply to be a Mind Pump trainer:⁠ https://mindpumpjobs.com⁠

SPONSORS

Legion (supplements):⁠ https://buylegion.com/mindpump⁠ Code: MINDPUMP — new customers buy one get one 50% off, returning customers get 20% cash back.

LINKS

Mind Pump Store:⁠ https://mindpumpstore.com⁠ Maps Fitness Products:⁠ https://mapsfitnessproducts.com⁠ Instagram: @mindpumpmedia

0:00 - Intro

2:09 - How the guys got into fitness — telling the full origin story

3:16 - Sal's origin — plastic dumbbells at 13, spotting his dad at 300 pounds

4:37 - Adam's origin — falling into fitness at 24 Hour Fitness across from his grandmother's house

12:42 - Justin's origin — the chip on his shoulder, football and moving to the Midwest alone

16:38 - Doug's origin — Rocky 3 and the plateau that followed every program

18:43 - Biggest regrets — Sal ignores the bodybuilder who told him exactly how to train

21:30 - Justin gains 30 pounds for football in one summer and loses his speed

23:38 - Adam's early steroid use and the hormonal crash that followed in his early 30s

28:47 - Day one stories — selling training without knowing what it cost, firing an employee at 18

42:30 - How Justin shattered Adam's idea of what a great trainer needed to look like

49:48 - The best management advice Adam ever received and the team he is most proud of

1:12:00 - Why they still love this industry after 30 years and why they cannot wait for Mondays

MAPS Abs and Butt: https://mapsabsandbutt.com

Code: LAUNCH for 40% off. Includes Butt Building Diet Guide, Women's Supplement Guide, at-home dumbbell version and a free second program at checkout (Muscle Mommy or Muscle Mommy 15).

In this episode the guys break down the secrets for training in a calorie deficit — why bodyweight lifts are psychologically and physically the best choice when cutting, what it actually feels like to train depleted and why anticipating it helps you push through, why low reps beat high reps in a deficit because they preserve muscle with far less stress on the body, why nighttime hunger is normal and how to reframe it instead of fighting it, and the sodium hack that makes you feel dramatically better when eating whole foods and low carbs. They also cover Parachew and how paraxanthine gives you the clean energy of caffeine without the jitters, crash or sleep disruption, Adam training with his wife in the garage and her calling out that he flipped his plan from "lower volume" to "get shredded" without realizing it, how Adam's readiness score went from 47 to the high 70s after taking three days off and the three pounds of inflammation that dropped overnight, the Noah's Ark ground-penetrating radar findings and the pattern of biblical archaeology validating stories that scientists dismissed, the Founder School that charges $150,000 a year but refunds it all if you do not build a $1 million profitable business by graduation, the patron saint of comedians who said "turn me over, I'm done on this side" while being grilled alive, and Caldera Lab eye serum and the clinical study results. Then they coach live callers submitted through mplivecaller.com.

Mind Pump Fitness Coaching: https://mindpumpfitnesscoaching.com

1.9 NASM CEUs

SPONSORS

Parachew (paraxanthine gummies): https://parachew.com/mindpump

Code: MINDPUMP for 20% off first order.

Caldera Lab (Eye Serum): https://calderalab.com/mindpump

Code: MINDPUMP for 20% off.

Seed Daily Synbiotic: https://seed.com/mindpump

Code: 25MINDPUMP for 25% off your 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

2:24 - Secrets for training in a calorie deficit

5:36 - Secret 1: Bodyweight lifts — pull ups and dips get better as you get lighter

8:25 - Secret 2: Anticipate the depleted training feel — it is supposed to feel different

11:55 - Secret 3: Low reps work better in a deficit — less volume, less stress, more muscle preserved

14:03 - Why you should dramatically cut volume when calories drop

16:45 - Secret 4: You will feel hungry at night — make friends with it

18:49 - Secret 5: The sodium hack — bump sodium when whole food calories drop

21:07 - Parachew — what paraxanthine is and why it beats caffeine for afternoon energy

27:51 - Adam's wife calls him out for flipping from lower volume to trying to get shredded

32:22 - Adam's readiness score went from 47 to the high 70s after three days off

38:39 - Noah's Ark ground-penetrating radar findings and the pattern of biblical archaeology

48:26 - Founder School — $150K per year, full refund if you do not build a $1 million business by graduation

57:57 - Caldera Lab eye serum and the clinical study results

1:01:25 - Caller: Kevin (Massachusetts) — 37-year-old former skateboarder, lifts for 22 months, strong genetics, gets MAPS Anabolic Advanced

1:17:11 - Caller: Jen (West Virginia) — former group fitness instructor, hitting PRs on Muscle Mommy 15, how hard to push at 49, gets full MAPS 15 library

1:24:37 - Caller: Katie (Texas) — returning caller, loves Old Time Strength and Performance, ready for MAPS Upper Lower and a calorie push

1:32:43 - Caller: Jessica (Massachusetts) — returning caller, eating disorder history, up to 1900 calories at 50/50 consistency, starts therapy, gets grace and direction

MAPS Abs and Butt: https://mapsabsandbutt.com

Code: LAUNCH for 40% off. Includes Butt Building Diet Guide, Women's Supplement Guide, at-home dumbbell version and a free second program at checkout (Muscle Mommy or Muscle Mommy 15).

In this episode the guys break down the best forms of cardio for fat loss, endurance and athleticism. They cover why walking is the best cardio for fat loss, why steady state is best for building endurance, why HIIT develops the kind of explosive stamina that sports actually require, and why playing a sport or just going out and having fun is the most underrated form of cardio for everything. They also get into Butcher Box pricing vs. fast food and why the grass-fed quality argument actually makes financial sense, Adam tracking his calorie burn on Oura and noticing how fitness naturally increases NEAT over time, Adam's fat loss competition strategy heading into a Cabo trip, the origin of the phrase blowing smoke, the Canadian grandma euthanasia lawsuit that has everyone appalled, Max starting drum lessons and showing real promise in his first session, and Justin finally agreeing to do the Organifi parasite cleanse. Then they answer questions from Instagram.

SPONSORS

Butcher Box: https://butcherbox.com/mindpump

No code needed. Free ribeyes, NY strip steaks or filet mignons in every order for a year plus $20 off first box.

Organifi (parasite cleanse): https://organifi.com/mindpump

Code: MINDPUMP for 20% off.

LMNT (electrolytes): https://drinklmnt.com/MindPump

Free sample pack with any purchase, no code needed.

LINKS

Mind Pump Store: https://mindpumpstore.com

Maps Fitness Products: https://mapsfitnessproducts.com

Instagram: @mindpumpmedia

0:00 - Intro

2:06 - Best cardio for fat loss, endurance and athleticism — the breakdown

3:25 - Walking for fat loss — why this is the best form of cardio for body composition

8:06 - Why strength training should always take priority over cardio in a deficit

13:27 - Steady state cardio for endurance — who it's actually for and when to use it

15:56 - HIIT for athleticism — the explosive stamina that sports actually require

21:09 - Sport and play — the most underrated form of cardio for everything

25:56 - Butcher Box pricing breakdown — why grass-fed quality actually saves you money

30:18 - Adam tracking calorie burn on Oura — how fitness naturally increases NEAT over time

36:06 - Adam's fat loss competition strategy heading into Cabo

37:54 - The origin of blowing smoke — the real 18th century medical practice

40:19 - Canadian grandma euthanasia lawsuit — held down against her will

42:01 - Max starts drum lessons and shows real promise in his first session

59:22 - Justin finally agrees to do the Organifi parasite cleanse

1:03:49 - Q&A: Does it matter if you get close to failure with light high reps vs heavy low reps?

1:06:49 - Q&A: How important is leg strength if you have great balance endurance and can push a sled?

1:09:42 - Q&A: Is going heavy two months out from a bodybuilding show actually worth it?

1:13:59 - Q&A: How to cope with chronic shoulder bursitis beyond cortisone shots

MAPS Abs and Butt: https://mapsabsandbutt.comCode: LAUNCH for 40% off. Includes Butt Building Diet Guide, Women's Supplement Guide, at-home dumbbell version and a free second program at checkout (Muscle Mommy or Muscle Mommy 15).

In this episode the guys break down how cardio keeps getting rebranded with new names and logos while staying the same activity underneath. They cover cozy cardio, Japanese walking, the 666 walk, the 3-2-8 method, the fart walk, retro walking, zone two, rucking, High Rocks, Orange Theory and F45, the hot girl walk and the 8000 steps data — explaining what each one is, who it is actually good for, and why none of them are the best tool for the body composition goals most people are actually chasing. They also break down the winning formula for how to think about cardio: activity for health versus endurance for performance versus strength training for aesthetics.

Free resource: 3 Mistakes with HIIT Programs — https://mindpumpfree.com

SPONSORS

Rho Nutrition (liposomal supplements): https://www.rhonutrition.com/discount/MINDPUMP Code: MINDPUMP for 20% off everything.

LINKS

Mind Pump Store: https://mindpumpstore.comMaps Fitness Products: https://mapsfitnessproducts.com Instagram: @mindpumpmedia

0:00 - Intro

2:14 - Cardio got rebranded and you fell for it — what's actually going on

3:34 - Who cardio is actually for and who it is not for

5:54 - Cozy cardio — candles, slippers and a latte on the treadmill

7:44 - Japanese walking — three minutes fast, three minutes easy, repeat

8:53 - The 666 walk and the 3-2-8 method

10:21 - The fart walk — ten minutes post-meal and why it is actually the best one here

13:03 - Retro walking — walking backwards and why this is the least favorite

14:19 - Zone two cardio — the fat burning zone myth revisited

17:04 - Rucking — who it is actually for and why it is not a body composition tool

18:49 - High Rocks — the CrossFit alternative and the sport vs aesthetics distinction

20:57 - Orange Theory and F45 — cardio with weights is still cardio

23:46 - The hot girl walk — great branding, great community, still just walking

26:50 - The 8000 steps data — where the real benefits actually plateau

28:57 - The winning formula — activity vs endurance vs strength training for aesthetics

MAPS Abs and Butt: https://mapsabsandbutt.com

Code: LAUNCH for 40% off. Includes Butt Building Diet Guide, Women's Supplement Guide, at-home dumbbell version and a free second program at checkout (Muscle Mommy or Muscle Mommy 15).

In this episode the guys break down five fat loss diet myths — why feeling hungry during a cut is normal and expected (and why reframing it is the key), why no food actually burns body fat, why a calorie is not just a calorie when it comes to behavior and palatability, why neither carbs nor fat are the enemy, and why treating food as just fuel is a dysfunctional mindset that most people cannot actually live by. They also cover Sal and Adam both happening to sync up on a winter cut, Sal taking 5-amino-1MQ from MP Hormones for NAD support and fat metabolism, Adam's Oura ring readiness score data after the team pickleball tournament showing how much inflammation can hold water weight even during a perfect week of dieting, the free weights vs machines study debate between Sal and Brad Schoenfeld on X, Andy Galpin's set volume recommendations and why they do not apply to everyday people, Adam sleeping through a heat wave with a broken AC using only his Eight Sleep Pod at 85 degrees in the room, and the Woodstock 99 Limp Bizkit moment that started it all. Then they coach live callers submitted through mplivecaller.com.

T-Shirt Winners:

Apple Podcasts: Cinflute7

Facebook: Amanda Lee and Jerry Swab

Send name, shirt size and shipping address to: [email protected]

SPONSORS

Eight Sleep (Pod 5 Ultra): https://eightsleep.com/mindpump

Code: MINDPUMP for up to $350 off.

Vita Bella / MP Hormones: https://mphormones.com

Code: MINDPUMP365 to unlock exclusive annual membership perks.

Joovv (red light therapy): https://joovv.com/mindpump

Code: MINDPUMP for $50 off first purchase.

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

2:37 - 5 fat loss diet myths that make losing body fat nearly impossible

5:06 - Myth 1: You should never feel hungry if you're doing it right

10:36 - Myth 2: There are fat burning foods

13:10 - Myth 3: A calorie is a calorie is a calorie

17:23 - Myth 4: Carbs or fats make you fat

21:28 - Myth 5: Food is just fuel — and why this mindset is dysfunctional

24:46 - Sal and Adam both on a winter cut — and Sal is taking 5-amino-1MQ for NAD and fat metabolism

28:33 - Adam's Oura ring readiness score after the pickleball tournament — why you can look worse holding water even on a perfect week

36:04 - Correcting the over-correction — why the worst thing to do when water is up is push harder

38:18 - Woodstock 99 — the moment Limp Bizkit broke it and why music moves culture

43:13 - Free weights vs machines study debate — Sal's response to Brad Schoenfeld on X

47:13 - Andy Galpin's set volume recommendations and why they do not apply to real people

49:37 - Adam's AC breaks during a 102-degree heat wave — sleeps through it on Eight Sleep with all covers on

58:47 - Joovv red light therapy — why it is the only red light brand that matches study wavelengths

59:50 - Caller: Susan (Missouri) — 51 years old, 22% body fat, two years with an online coach, ready to go independent, gets MAPS People and concierge option

1:09:19 - Caller: Alvin (Florida) — 64 years old, glider pilot, long distance hiker, lost ability to squat, gets MAPS Starter and creatine advice

1:20:27 - Caller: Jordan (Arizona) — 21 years old, 9.8% body fat, lost menstrual cycle, needs to reverse diet, gets coaching referral

1:33:17 - Caller: Returning caller (California) — hypermobility, single mom, gets MAPS Symmetry isometric protocol and community advice

MAPS Abs & Butt is still 40% off: ⁠https://mapsabsandbutt.com⁠

If your goal is a stronger, rounder butt and visible abs, this episode gives you the programming logic, the exercise selection, the rep ranges, the rest periods, and the mindset shift you need to actually make it happen.

In this episode:

• Rest periods are what make strength training strength training: resting two to four minutes between hard sets trains the energy system tied to muscle growth, while cutting rest short shifts you into aerobic, stamina-based work that does NOT build the butt

• A study in the Journal of Applied Physiology confirmed that heavy load versus light load matters far less than effort: sets taken close to failure build muscle regardless of whether you are using five-pound or fifty-pound dumbbells

• Progressive overload does not just mean adding weight — slowing the rep tempo, pausing at peak contraction, adding reps, or changing the angle of an exercise all challenge the body to adapt and grow without a single extra pound

• A Frontiers in Physiology study on glute growth ranked hip thrusts and deep squats at the top, followed closely by Romanian deadlifts, all of which can be done at home with dumbbells alone

• The biggest programming mistake when targeting a specific body part is stacking extra volume ON TOP of your existing program; you must reduce volume on non-priority muscles to one to two maintenance sets per week so recovery can actually happen

• Strength gains always precede visible aesthetic changes: for the first few weeks you will get stronger without much mirror feedback, but the muscle and fat loss follow reliably once the strength accumulates

• A subpar program done consistently beats a superior program done inconsistently — removing the commute and friction of a commercial gym dramatically raises the odds you actually show up

• To build the glutes while also shrinking the waist, focus on reverse dieting and building first; muscle speeds the metabolism, which makes the subsequent fat-loss phase far more effective and easier to sustain

Chapters:

00:23 Intro

01:23 MAPS Abs and Butt Launch

01:50 Why a Gym Is Not Required

03:19 Strength Training vs. HIIT at Home

04:57 Progressive Overload Explained

07:00 Why Rest and Heavy Loads Build Glutes

11:00 The Case for Working Out at Home

14:27 Best Exercises for Glute Growth

17:45 The Exact Training Recipe

20:00 How to Balance Volume Across the Body

20:48 Two Free Sample Workouts

22:56 Building Glutes and Losing Waist at the Same Time

Products:

MAPS Abs & Butt: ⁠https://mapsabsandbutt.com⁠

Sponsors:

Ketone-IQ: ⁠https://ketone.com/mindpump⁠

Mentioned:

Arnold Schwarzenegger: Referenced for his famous claim that he could make one exercise more effective than most people's entire one-hour workout.

MAPS Abs and Butt: https://mapsabsandbutt.com

Code: LAUNCH for 40% off. Includes Butt Building Diet Guide, Women's Supplement Guide, at-home dumbbell version and a free second program at checkout (Muscle Mommy or Muscle Mommy 15).

In this episode the guys break down how to cut fat and keep muscle — covering why you need to be in a good metabolic position before you start cutting, why letting food create the deficit beats trying to burn calories through exercise, why cutting volume during a cut is counterintuitive but essential, and why increasing low-stress activity like walking is the secret sauce for getting lean without losing muscle. They also cover Adam's friend who dropped total cholesterol from 293 to 201 and LDL from 200 to 124 using Dose alongside dietary changes, a processed food study linking ultra-processed foods to hidden intramuscular fat in the thighs, the first reversal of adult obesity rates in decades and why GLP-1 is almost certainly responsible, new data showing GLP-1 improving psoriasis before weight loss even begins suggesting an independent autoimmune mechanism, Sal two and a half weeks into MAPS Anabolic for the first time in years and the strength gains already surprising him, Adam's friend Ryan DeVita finally diagnosing the pec major tear that has been baffling Adam for months, and Sal noticing a dramatic difference in digestion after running out of Seed for two weeks. Then they coach live callers submitted through mplivecaller.com.

Mind Pump Fitness Coaching: https://mindpumpfitnesscoaching.com

1.9 NASM CEUs

SPONSORS

Dose for Your Liver: https://dosedaily.co/MINDPUMP35

Code: MINDPUMP35 for 35% off first month subscription. Adam's friend dropped total cholesterol from 293 to 201 and LDL from 200 to 124 — all natural liquid supplement with clinical studies behind it.

Seed Daily Synbiotic: https://seed.com/mindpump

Code: 25MINDPUMP for 25% off your first month. Sal ran out for two weeks and noticed a huge difference in digestion — confirms it works best as a daily consistent habit.

Butcher Box: https://butcherbox.com/mindpump

No code needed. Free ribeyes, NY strip steaks or filet mignons in every order for a year plus $20 off first box.

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

2:18 - How to cut fat and keep muscle — why your body wants to lose muscle when you diet

8:35 - Step 1: Are you in a good metabolic position to cut from?

9:59 - Step 2: Let food create the deficit — stop leaning on exercise to burn calories

13:03 - Step 3: Lower your training volume — this is the opposite of what most people do

16:00 - Step 4: Increase low stress activity — walking is the secret sauce for getting shredded

18:18 - Step 5: Eat in ways that produce satiety — whole foods and high protein

23:31 - Adam's friend drops cholesterol from 293 to 201 using Dose and dietary changes

28:33 - Ultra-processed food study — hidden intramuscular thigh fat linked to processed food intake

33:41 - Adult obesity rates reversed for the first time in decades — GLP-1 is almost certainly responsible

42:43 - GLP-1 improving psoriasis before weight loss begins — independent autoimmune mechanism

52:51 - Sal two and a half weeks into MAPS Anabolic Phase 1 — why he is only adding 2.5 pounds at a time

57:35 - Ryan DeVita diagnoses Adam's pec major tear that has been baffling him for months

1:00:28 - Sal runs out of Seed for two weeks and notices a huge difference in digestion

1:04:15 - Caller: Kyle (British Columbia) — returning caller, 6 pounds of lean mass in 90 days, gets MAPS Upper Lower and Powerlift package

1:19:01 - Caller: Justin (California) — law enforcement, 3-4 night shifts a week, 4-5 hours sleep, gets MAPS 15 and sleep strategy

1:31:07 - Caller: Casey (North Carolina) — returning caller, Hashimoto's, gluten-free 90 days, no scale change but all markers improved

MAPS Abs and Butt: https://mapsabsandbutt.com

Code: LAUNCH for 40% off. Includes Butt Building Diet Guide, Women's Supplement Guide, at-home dumbbell version and a free second program at checkout (Muscle Mommy or Muscle Mommy 15).

In this episode the guys break down seven easy food swaps that lower calories, bump protein and still taste great — protein snacks over carb snacks (Crisp Power honey mustard), high-protein Greek yogurt desserts with cocoa whip and berries, shelled nuts instead of pre-shelled roasted ones, grass-fed beef over grain-fed (200-calorie difference in a 12oz ribeye), two lettuce-wrapped burgers instead of a burger and fries, crustless pizza in an iron skillet, and spaghetti squash instead of pasta. They also do a deep dive into Gen Z male depression and anxiety data — why this is the first generation doing worse than midlife adults in mental health metrics, and what the data says actually helps: lifting weights (50% reduction in depression and anxiety symptoms), going to church (33% lower odds of developing depression), and getting a job (95% higher mental health risk when unemployed). They also cover the new FDA-approved myostatin inhibiting drug, bone broth protein for people with high-protein digestion issues, and the anti-protein influencer backlash. Then they answer questions from Instagram.

SPONSORS

Crisp Power (honey mustard protein pretzels): https://www.crisppower.com/mindpump

Code: MINDPUMP for 10% off. Honey mustard flavor discussed on air — 25-28g protein per bag, high fiber, zero added sugar.

Paleo Valley (bone broth protein): https://paleovalley.com/mindpump

15% off automatically applied at checkout. Bone broth protein discussed on air — easiest to digest protein the guys have used, chocolate flavor tastes like a chocolate donut.

Fatty15 (C15 essential fatty acid): https://fatty15.com/MINDPUMP

Code: MINDPUMP for additional 15% off 90-day Starter Kit. First new essential fatty acid discovered in over 90 years. 3x more cellular benefits than omega-3.

LINKS

Mind Pump Store: https://mindpumpstore.com

Maps Fitness Products: https://mapsfitnessproducts.com

Instagram: @mindpumpmedia

0:00 - 7 food swaps for better results — eat this not that

0:00 - Swap 1: Carb snacks for protein snacks — why Crisp Power honey mustard kills cravings

5:35 - Swap 2: Desserts — Greek yogurt whipped cream, cocoa whip rice cakes and protein balls

9:16 - Swap 3: Shelled nuts instead of pre-shelled roasted ones

11:15 - Swap 4: Grass-fed for grain-fed beef — 200 fewer calories in a 12oz ribeye

13:20 - Swap 5: Two lettuce-wrapped burgers instead of a burger and fries

16:01 - Swap 6: Crustless pizza in an iron skillet

17:17 - Swap 7: Spaghetti squash instead of pasta

21:05 - Gen Z male depression data — first generation doing worse than midlife adults

22:55 - Lifting weights reduces depression symptoms by 50%

30:17 - Church attendance reduces depression odds 33%

31:35 - Getting a job — 95% higher mental health risk when unemployed

36:15 - Music and pain tolerance — eye of the tiger experiment and the metal festival study

44:07 - Bone broth protein for people who struggle with high protein digestion

47:26 - Myostatin inhibiting drug just got FDA approval

55:21 - Q&A: How to figure out your average calorie burn for muscle building

58:33 - Q&A: How long should I be in maintenance before cutting after a reverse diet

59:53 - Q&A: Steroids vs. peptides — what is the difference?

1:03:48 - Q&A: How to avoid the yo-yo of progressive overload injuries and crippling soreness

MAPS Abs and Butt: https://mapsabsandbutt.com

Code: LAUNCH for 40% off. Includes Butt Building Diet Guide, Women's Supplement Guide, at-home dumbbell version and a free second program at checkout (Muscle Mommy or Muscle Mommy 15).

Dr. Stephen Cabral returns to break down the seven blood markers that predict heart disease better than cholesterol. He explains what each one means, what optimal ranges look like versus what standard lab ranges say, and how to improve each one through diet, exercise and targeted supplementation. He then reveals the guys' individual omega-6 to omega-3 inflammation test results live on air — comparing where they were two years ago to where they are now and why Doug is the clear winner. They also cover the cyclosporiasis parasite outbreak in lettuce, natural parasite treatment protocols, PDE5 inhibitors for cardiovascular health, why glucose monitors are overused in athletic populations, and whether rancid fish oil is a real problem and how to avoid it.

50% Off Inflammation Test https://stephencabral.com/inflammation

SPONSORS

Zbiotics Pre-Alcohol: https://zbiotics.com/MINDPUMP26

Code: MINDPUMP26 for 15% off first purchase. World's first genetically engineered probiotic. Breaks down acetaldehyde in the gut before it causes next-day issues.

GUEST LINKS

Dr. Stephen Cabral: https://stephencabral.com

Inflammation test: https://stephencabral.com/inflammation

LINKS

Mind Pump Store: https://mindpumpstore.com

Maps Fitness Products: https://mapsfitnessproducts.com

Instagram: @mindpumpmedia

0:00 - Intro

3:03 - 7 blood markers that predict heart disease better than cholesterol

4:38 - Marker 1: ApoB — the most important predictor of arterial plaque that all cardiologists now look at

8:12 - Marker 2: High sensitivity CRP — how chronic inflammation embeds cholesterol into arterial tissue

10:05 - Marker 3: Homocysteine — methylation issues, optimal range and the B vitamin fix

12:30 - Marker 4: Total cholesterol to HDL ratio — why a 3 to 1 ratio is the target

14:57 - Marker 5: Triglycerides to HDL ratio — the metabolic disease predictor most doctors ignore

20:13 - Marker 6: Hemoglobin A1C — why athletes with spiking glucose still have perfect A1C

25:03 - Marker 7: Omega-6 to omega-3 ratio — 90% cardiovascular death risk reduction above 9% saturation

30:49 - The guys' live omega inflammation test results — two years of data revealed

35:08 - Adam's result — dropped from 7.3 to 6.0 without supplementing

36:23 - Sal's result — improved from 7.8 to 4.9 with sardines and omegas

37:55 - Doug's result — already at 3.7 and winning the whole room

43:18 - How to choose a quality fish oil — cold processed, third party tested, no mercury

46:28 - When to take vitamin D vs omega-3 and why timing matters

48:01 - Cyclosporiasis parasite outbreak and natural parasite treatment protocols

52:12 - Dr. Cabral's free at-home inflammation test — how to get it

MAPS Abs and Butt: https://mapsabsandbutt.com

Code: LAUNCH for 40% off. Includes Butt Building Diet Guide, Women's Supplement Guide, at-home dumbbell version and a free second program at checkout (Muscle Mommy or Muscle Mommy 15).

In this episode the guys break down rep speed — slow reps, fast reps and pause reps — and what the data actually says. They cover why saying it doesn't matter for hypertrophy misses the nuance completely, why injury risk alone makes rep speed matter enormously, why slow reps are essential for mind muscle connection and targeted esthetics, when moving fast matters for performance and everyday functionality, and why the novelty effect of switching rep speeds over time likely builds more muscle long term. Adam also shares why he does fasted cardio even though studies say it doesn't matter for fat loss — and why all the behavioral cascades it creates are the real reason it works. They cover the explosive growth of the electrolyte powder market (LMNT went from $7 million in 2020 to $206 million in 2023 and created the category), reading Love and Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs and why respect and love are fundamentally different needs for men and women, the challenges vegans face hitting protein and why Organifi plant protein is the best vegan protein they've used, and the upcoming Mind Pump pickleball tournament. Then they coach live callers submitted through mplivecaller.com.

SPONSORS

LMNT (electrolytes): https://drinklmnt.com/MindPump

Free sample pack with any purchase, no code needed. Deep dive on air — how LMNT created the electrolyte powder category and grew from $7M to $206M in three years.

Organifi (plant protein): https://organifi.com/mindpump

Code: MINDPUMP for 20% off. Best vegan protein any of them have used — well formulated amino acid profile, glyphosate free, low heavy metals, easy to digest and actually tastes good.

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

2:25 - Slow reps vs. fast reps vs. pause reps — what the data actually says

5:48 - Why slow reps are essential for technique, safety and mind muscle connection

9:23 - Injury risk is the biggest reason rep speed matters — and why studies miss this

14:28 - Why you need to train speed too — what happens when you never move fast

21:22 - The novelty effect — why changing rep speeds over time builds more muscle long term

23:24 - Why Adam does fasted cardio even though studies say it doesn't matter

28:10 - LMNT and the electrolyte powder market — from $7M to $206M in three years

36:19 - Furnace Fest and why it's the one thing Justin looks forward to all year

38:03 - Love and Respect — the book Sal is reading with his wife and why it clicked

48:08 - The challenges vegans face hitting protein and why Organifi plant protein is the best

53:02 - Mind Pump pickleball tournament — who is the best on the team

56:24 - AI conspiracy twist — Sal's take on why OpenAI and Anthropic are asking for regulation

1:04:44 - Caller: Matilda (Singapore) — returning caller, period back after one month, now gaining weight on 2700 calories, wants to drop tracking and switch programs

1:12:08 - Caller: Malia (Illinois) — type 1 diabetes, 20,000 steps a day, 1800 calories, DEXA not improving, gets coaching referral

1:26:05 - Caller: Shell (Pennsylvania) — full time RV dweller, wakes at 2am to work, DEXA getting worse every time, sleep is the clear issue

1:42:29 - Caller: Andrew (Washington) — CrossFit background, plant based, 1700 calories, rucking daily, losing lean mass on DEXA, overtrained and underfed