The Catalyst

Seed oils are toxic. They cause inflammation. They're driving the obesity epidemic. One prominent voice called them "worse than glyphosate, herbicides, and pesticides combined." In response, fast food chains switched to beef tallow, food companies started reformulating, and people across North America threw out their canola oil.

But is any of this based on evidence?

In this episode, Coach Chris Cooper breaks down the seed oil controversy from the ground up — what seed oils actually are, where the fear came from, and what the research actually shows.

The science is consistent and substantial. A 2019 study tracking over 68,000 people across 13 countries found that higher blood levels of linoleic acid — the primary fat in seed oils — were associated with lower rates of cardiovascular disease and stroke. A 2025 study of nearly 1,900 people found higher linoleic acid linked to lower inflammation markers. A peer-reviewed 2026 paper in Nutrition Today concluded clearly: linoleic acid does not promote inflammation or oxidative stress.

The anti-seed-oil movement has correctly identified a real health problem — ultraprocessed food. They've just pointed at the wrong culprit. The oil isn't what's making those foods harmful.

You'll learn what's actually worth worrying about, why the omega-3 to omega-6 conversation matters but isn't solved by avoiding canola oil, and three evidence-based steps that address the real issue.

Don't let a well-marketed panic distract you from what actually matters.

Book your free No-Sweat Intro at catalystgym.com/free-intro.

This is our "deep dive" into Catalyst programming for June 22-28, 2026.

This is our "deep dive" into Catalyst programming for June 15-21, 2026.

Have you ever watched someone cross a triathlon finish line and thought — I wonder if I could do that?

Most people talk themselves out of it before they ever start. Not fit enough. Not a strong swimmer. Not a real athlete. This episode is for everyone who's had that thought and then let that voice win.

Coach Chris announces Catalyst's 5 Weeks to Tri program — a structured, coached program designed specifically for everyday athletes who want to complete their first triathlon, duathlon, or 5km race at the Copper Town Triathlon in Bruce Mines on July 19th.

The program runs five weeks starting June 17th and includes weekly strength and endurance workouts at Catalyst (Wednesday mornings, lunches, and evenings, or Saturday mornings), a complete training plan covering swimming, biking, and running, and an exclusive Ride the Course event on July 18th — where participants ride the actual bike course with a veteran racer who knows every hill and turn.

You'll also hear why the triathlon community is one of the most welcoming in sport, how the Copper Town Try-A-Tri, Sprint Duathlon, and Copper Dash 5km give everyone an entry point regardless of fitness level, and why the fear of not being a "real athlete" is the single most common thing Chris hears — and why it's wrong.

The program is $179 plus HST. Spaces are strictly limited.

Email [email protected] to secure your spot. Race registration at coppertowntri.com.

This is a deep dive into Catalyst programming for June 8-14, 2026.

Peptides are everywhere right now — in fitness ads, longevity podcasts, and your gym buddy's supplement stack. But what actually are they, and do they work?

In this episode, Coach Chris Cooper breaks down the science behind peptides: what they are (short chains of amino acids your body already makes), why they've exploded in popularity, and whether the fitness-focused ones are actually worth your money.

The short version: pharmaceutical peptides like Ozempic are the real deal — rigorously tested, FDA-approved, and backed by large clinical trials. The peptide supplements being sold online for fat loss, muscle growth, injury healing, and anti-aging? Most of them exist almost entirely in the animal research stage. There are no established human doses, quality control is unknown, and several popular ones are classified by the FDA and World Anti-Doping Agency as unapproved substances.

Chris explains why the hype isn't accidental — the supplement industry runs on novelty, and the success of GLP-1 medications created a massive halo effect for the entire peptide category. Influencers and media coverage did the rest.

You'll also learn three practical ways to protect your wallet: demand human clinical trial data before buying any supplement, seek out actual medical professionals for injury recovery, and put your money where 30+ years of human research already points.

The boring answers — creatine, protein, sleep, progressive training — are still the right ones.

Ready to cut through the noise? Visit catalystgym.com.

This is our weekly "deep dive" into the Catalyst methodology for June 1-7, 2026.

You're eating reasonably well. You're trying to move more. But the weight keeps showing up around your middle and won't budge. It might not be your diet. It might be your cortisol.

In this episode, Coach Chris breaks down exactly what chronic stress does to your body — and why it works directly against every health goal you have.

Cortisol is your primary stress hormone. In short bursts it's essential. But when stress is chronic — shift work, financial pressure, a Northern Ontario winter that never seems to end — cortisol stays elevated all day. And that changes everything.

Elevated cortisol encourages your body to store fat specifically in your abdomen — the most dangerous location, linked to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. It can even trigger the creation of new fat cells in adults. It hijacks your brain's reward pathways, driving cravings for high-fat, sugary comfort foods. It disrupts your sleep, which elevates cortisol further and throws your hunger hormones completely off balance. And over time, it breaks down muscle — slowing your metabolism and making fat loss even harder.

This isn't a willpower problem. It's biology. And the interventions are specific.

You'll learn why moderate exercise is one of the most powerful cortisol regulators available, why sleep is a non-negotiable health intervention, and how to build one stress-management habit that isn't food.

You can't fix a cortisol problem with willpower. But you can fix it with the right habits.

Start at catalystgym.com/free-intro.

Most people quit their fitness routine between weeks three and six. That's almost always right before the results actually show up.

In this episode, Coach Chris breaks down exactly when fitness results happen — and in what order. Because results don't all arrive at once, and if you're only watching the mirror, you'll miss most of what's happening for the first six to eight weeks.

The research is clear: your nervous system adapts within weeks one and two. Strength improves measurably by weeks three to six. Visible changes in muscle and body composition show up between weeks eight and twelve. The problem isn't that results take too long — it's that most people are measuring the wrong things too early.

You'll also learn the four factors that actually determine your timeline, and three prescriptions for getting through the waiting period without quitting.

The results are coming. You just need to know where to look.

Book your free No-Sweat Intro at catalystgym.com/free-intro.

Hybrid racing is exploding in popularity—and for good reason. It's accessible, challenging, and gives you a clear goal to train toward.

In this episode, Chris breaks down what hybrid racing actually is, starting with Hyrox: the fitness race that combines running with functional workout stations like rowing, sled pushes, burpees, and wall balls. Hyrox events sell out in minutes, which is why gyms worldwide now host "sims" to give athletes a taste of competition without the travel and expense.

But Hyrox isn't the only option. Hybrid racing includes triathlons, duathlons, biathlons, Spartan races, and even some CrossFit workouts like Murph. The common thread? They all mix endurance with strength or power in one continuous event.

Why is hybrid racing so appealing? The barrier to entry is low. Unlike a CrossFit competition with complex barbell lifts, hybrid races use simple movements you can learn in a single session. But the ceiling is high—elite athletes find endless room for improvement through better pacing, conditioning, and raw output.

Chris also answers a key question: is CrossFit hybrid racing? Not quite. While some CrossFit workouts fit the mold, full competitions include max lifts and gymnastics skills that create a higher technical barrier.

This summer, Catalyst is programming hybrid racing workouts every Saturday. If you're ready to try a real event, check out the Copper Bay Triathlon and Duathlon in Bruce Mines, Ontario.

Whether you're chasing a podium or just looking for a training goal, hybrid racing gives you something to work toward.