In this episode of Pac Talk, Emylee Vodden dives deep into how we talk to kids about food—and how those conversations shape their relationship with health for life. What starts as a heartbreaking moment with a five-year-old worried about “getting fat” turns into a powerful reflection on breaking generational cycles of diet culture, shame, and restriction. Emylee shares her framework for sustainable nutrition—fuel × joy × results—and explores how parents (and adults re-parenting their inner child) can create a healthier, more joyful relationship with food. Whether you’re raising kids or healing your own food story, this conversation offers a practical and compassionate path forward.

Welcome to the Pac, please make sure you subscribe wherever you are listening to this show and if you loved this show please leave us a 5 star review in the iTunes store. It is the currency of podcasts and it really goes along in helping us grow our show.

If you are in Southern California come train with us 

Echo Park

Redondo Beach

Idyllwild

Palm Springs

Follow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.

#NutritionBeyondThePlate #HealthyKids #FoodEducation #BreakTheCycle #StopDietCulture #SustainableNutrition #ParentingHealth #PositiveNutrition #KidsAndFood #PacTalkPodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Piet Vodden breaks down what “coaching” really means in 2025—how we got from big-box machines to CrossFit’s barbell revolution, and now to the hybrid model that blends functional bodybuilding, conditioning, running clubs, and community. Piet explains why great coaching is a learned craft: commanding a room, progressing skills safely, creating energy, and delivering results without burning people out. Piet breaks down the lost art of group coaching, the difference between PT and group leadership, and why education, reps on the floor, and standards matter more than TikTok tips. If you’re a coach, gym owner, or member who thrives in coached sessions, this is your playbook—and an open invite to help raise the bar at Pharos.

Welcome to the Pac, please make sure you subscribe wherever you are listening to this show and if you loved this show please leave us a 5 star review in the iTunes store. It is the currency of podcasts and it really goes along in helping us grow our show.

If you are in Southern California come train with us 

Echo Park

Redondo Beach

Idyllwild

Palm Springs

Follow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.

#PacTalk #PieterVodden #FitnessPodcast #Sacrifice #HybridTraining #Bodybuilding #EnduranceTraining #Hyrox #MarathonTraining #LongevityFitness #StrengthAndConditioning #MuscleAfter40 #RecoveryMatters #GeneralPhysicalPreparedness

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Pac Talk, Emylee Vodden sits down with her longtime mentor Andrea Marcum—yoga teacher, retreat leader, and author of Close to Om. Andrea shares her 20+ years of experience in yoga and fitness, from running a grassroots LA studio to leading transformative retreats in Bali, Italy, Mexico, and beyond. Together, they explore the power of curiosity, resilience, and community in sustaining a long career in health and wellness.

Emylee and Andrea reflect on their own origin story, how a life-changing Bali retreat planted the seeds for Pharos Athletic Club, and why impact matters more than influence in today’s fitness world. They also dig into the importance of balancing strength training, yoga, and recovery—especially for women navigating perimenopause, bone density, and long-term vitality.

Whether you’re a yoga teacher, fitness coach, entrepreneur, or simply someone seeking sustainable health practices, this conversation is packed with wisdom on building a meaningful career and life rooted in movement, mentorship, and connection.

Connect with Andrea

Instagram

Yoga Journal

Welcome to the Pac, please make sure you subscribe wherever you are listening to this show and if you loved this show please leave us a 5 star review in the iTunes store. It is the currency of podcasts and it really goes along in helping us grow our show.

If you are in Southern California come train with us 

Echo Park

Redondo Beach

Idyllwild

Palm Springs

Follow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.

#PacTalk #PieterVodden #FitnessPodcast #Sacrifice #HybridTraining #Bodybuilding #EnduranceTraining #Hyrox #MarathonTraining #LongevityFitness #StrengthAndConditioning #MuscleAfter40 #RecoveryMatters #GeneralPhysicalPreparedness

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this solo episode of Pac Talk, Pieter Vodden dives deep into the reality of sacrifice in fitness. What does it take to be great at one discipline—and what do you give up along the way? From bodybuilding to Hyrox, half marathons, endurance hikes, and strength training, Piet shares how he balances competing priorities while still preserving muscle, family time, and long-term health.

At 47, Piet has learned that the real key isn’t chasing perfection in one lane but building general physical preparedness (GPP)—a foundation of muscle, conditioning, and mobility that serves you for life. He covers:

• The trade-offs between specialization vs. hybrid training
• How sacrifice plays into bodybuilding, endurance sports, and CrossFit
• Why muscle, VO₂ max, and mobility are essential for longevity after 40
• How sleep, nutrition, recovery, and hydration impact performance
• The mindset shift of training to be “good at many things” rather than “great at one”

Whether you’re chasing a marathon PR, training for Hyrox, or just trying to stay strong and healthy as you age, this episode will help you define what’s worth sacrificing—and what isn’t.

Welcome to the Pac, please make sure you subscribe wherever you are listening to this show and if you loved this show please leave us a 5 star review in the iTunes store. It is the currency of podcasts and it really goes along in helping us grow our show.

If you are in Southern California come train with us 

Echo Park

Redondo Beach

Idyllwild

Palm Springs

Follow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.

#PacTalk #PieterVodden #FitnessPodcast #Sacrifice #HybridTraining #Bodybuilding #EnduranceTraining #Hyrox #MarathonTraining #LongevityFitness #StrengthAndConditioning #MuscleAfter40 #RecoveryMatters #GeneralPhysicalPreparedness

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Procrastination isn’t a time‑management problem—it’s an emotion‑management one. In this solo episode, I unpack how shame fuels the procrastination loop and why “I’ll do it tomorrow” keeps us stuck. (This framing comes from researcher Tim Pychyl’s work showing procrastination is about regulating feelings, not calendars.)

I walk through a simple “Head, Heart, or Hands” check to pinpoint what’s really blocking action—overthinking (head), emotional resistance (heart), or missing tools/skills/environment (hands)—and how to respond to each.

Then we borrow from Anne‑Laure Le Cunff’s Tiny Experiments and make a short pact: a tiny, curiosity‑driven step (your “bare minimum habit”) that trades judgment for feedback and momentum.

By the end, you’ll have one micro‑action to break the cycle today—and a playbook to repeat tomorrow.

Welcome to the Pac, please make sure you subscribe wherever you are listening to this show and if you loved this show please leave us a 5 star review in the iTunes store. It is the currency of podcasts and it really goes along in helping us grow our show.

If you are in Southern California come train with us 

Echo Park

Redondo Beach

Idyllwild

Palm Springs

Follow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of PAC Talk, Piet sits down with longtime friend and first-ever PAC coach, Shepherd Tate. From his early CrossFit days in Memphis to becoming Head Coach at Pharos Athletic Club, Shep shares the journey, lessons, and philosophy that shape his approach to programming, coaching, and community building. They dive into the evolution of PAC’s training model, the importance of progressive overload, injury recovery insights, and how the 30-60-90 plan keeps members engaged and improving. Plus, a preview of the upcoming Monster Meet and why PAC’s long-term programming stands apart from the quick-fix fitness trend.

Connect with Shepherd

Instagram

Welcome to the Pac, please make sure you subscribe wherever you are listening to this show and if you loved this show please leave us a 5 star review in the iTunes store. It is the currency of podcasts and it really goes along in helping us grow our show.

If you are in Southern California come train with us 

Echo Park

Redondo Beach

Idyllwild

Palm Springs

Follow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of PAC Talk, I sit down with fitness industry legend Paul Fetters to talk about a lifetime in bodybuilding, business, and the pursuit of sustainable health. From training at the iconic Gold’s Gym during bodybuilding’s golden era to pioneering personal training, launching semi-private training studios, and building a nationwide nutrition program, Paul shares the lessons that kept him thriving for decades. Hear stories of Arnold-era Venice Beach, competing in 44 bodybuilding shows, building businesses from scratch, and why sustainability—not extremes—is the key to lasting results. Packed with history, insight, and practical advice, this is a must-listen for gym owners, trainers, and anyone chasing long-term health.

Connect with Paul

Instagram

Welcome to the Pac, please make sure you subscribe wherever you are listening to this show and if you loved this show please leave us a 5 star review in the iTunes store. It is the currency of podcasts and it really goes along in helping us grow our show.

If you are in Southern California come train with us 

Echo Park

Redondo Beach

Idyllwild

Palm Springs

Follow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final installment of our PAC Perspective Anchors series, Piet and Emylee dive into their favorite core value: Lead with Light — to be the best part of someone’s day.

Rooted in the origins of the Pharos lighthouse, this anchor is about showing up with intention, positivity, and human connection. It’s not just about reps and sets — it’s about smiling when people walk through the door, offering unexpected compliments, celebrating small wins, and being radically present.

Piet shares how the metaphor of a lighthouse shaped the vision for Pharos Athletic Club, while Emylee explores how positive reinforcement, consistency, and micro-moments of joy can uplift an entire community. Whether you're a coach, gym owner, or just trying to be a better human, this episode is a reminder to check in with your compass and spread light wherever you go.

Catch up on the full anchor series, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and swing by one of our five gym locations — we’d love to be the best part of your day.

Check out the Pillars series on our website

Welcome to the Pac, please make sure you subscribe wherever you are listening to this show and if you loved this show please leave us a 5 star review in the iTunes store. It is the currency of podcasts and it really goes along in helping us grow our show.

If you are in Southern California come train with us 

Echo Park

Redondo Beach

Idyllwild

Palm Springs

Follow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of PAC Talk, we (Piet and Emylee) break down the second anchor of our PAC Perspective series: Move With Purpose—Anticipate the Need. This anchor is at the heart of everything we do at Pharos Athletic Club, from how we train to how we lead.

We talk about what it means to act with intention and develop intuition, how quality beats speed, and why humility and awareness are non-negotiables in our space. Whether you’re lifting, coaching, leading, or learning, this one’s for you. We dive into the ways our coaches and community create an experience that’s thoughtful, elevated, and deeply personal—where everyone shows up to be 1% better every day.

We also share stories from inside the gym and offer insights on reading the room, managing energy, and meeting people where they are—because moving with purpose doesn’t just build better athletes, it builds better humans.

Check out the Pillars series on our website

Welcome to the Pac, please make sure you subscribe wherever you are listening to this show and if you loved this show please leave us a 5 star review in the iTunes store. It is the currency of podcasts and it really goes along in helping us grow our show.

If you are in Southern California come train with us 

Echo Park

Redondo Beach

Idyllwild

Palm Springs

Follow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the first episode of our PAC Perspective Anchors series on PAC Talk, hosted by Pieter Vodden and Emylee Covell. This episode breaks down the first core anchor that defines the culture at Pharos Athletic Club: "Show Up to Build Others."

From pandemic parking-lot workouts to creating an unshakable tribe of support, Piet and Emylee unpack what it means to lead by example, cultivate community, and build a gym culture rooted in effort, accountability, and human connection.

Whether you're a coach, gym member, or just someone seeking more meaning from your fitness experience, this episode dives into the values that drive sustainable transformation—and why showing up for others is one of the most powerful things you can do for yourself.

Check out the Pillars series on our website

Welcome to the Pac, please make sure you subscribe wherever you are listening to this show and if you loved this show please leave us a 5 star review in the iTunes store. It is the currency of podcasts and it really goes along in helping us grow our show.

If you are in Southern California come train with us 

Echo Park

Redondo Beach

Idyllwild

Palm Springs

Follow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.