It was a pleasure having Dr. Adrian Chavez on the show to talk about our current public health affairs and how much of our health is really within our control. Topics discussed:

-Discrepancies between health experts and social media influencers online

-Public vs. individual health and where responsibility really falls

-Changes and defunding to the NIH and what this means for science/research

-Recent cuts to healthcare, research and assistance programs

-How politics shape health + who it hits the hardest

-MAHA then vs. now. What the original message vs. reality and where they stand today

-The illusion of progress vs. actual improvements in population health

-Conversation around the new Dietary Guidelines, processed foods and consumer marketing

-Why we need to keep talking about politics and what we can do about it

+ so much more in-between. These are conversations that directly shape our health and deserve ongoing attention, regardless of political affiliation. I enjoyed this chat and I know you will too.

Where to find Dr. Adrian:

IG: @dr.adrian.chavez

Listen to The Nutrition Science Podcast HERE

Join the Nutrition Blueprint Course HERE

Where to find me:

IG: @lukesmithrd

Check out my website HERE

TIA for listening!

Such a great chat with my friend + colleague - Abby Langer - on this episode. Abby's been an RD for 25+ years and calling misinformation out for longer. Give her a follow if you don't already! Topics discussed:

-Importance of being loud and taking up space

-Why speaking your mind and calling people out on social media can be a good thing

-'Skinny' and 'thin' is in again.. why is that a problem for women?

-Why are so many women selling women unrealistic beauty standards online?

-How politics can shape/influence the health sphere

-Peptides, supplements and products/procedures being sold to women especially

-Anti-aging and why this obsession of always trying to look younger can be harmful

-Making informed decisions instead of society/cultural norms making them for you

+ so much more in-between.

I loved this chat, I know you will too. Where to find Abby:

IG: @langernutrition

Subscribe to her Substack HERE

Book a 1:1 session HERE

Where to find me:

IG: @lukesmithrd

Check out my website HERE

Fill out a coaching application HERE

TIA for listening!!

Keep it light here on this episode.. answering some fun q's I've gotten over the past 3-6 months. Nothing too serious but talking about some of the questions we need answers too. Topics discussed:

-FMK: regular fries vs sweet potato fries vs tater tots

-You can only get one fast food burger the rest of your life.. which one we choosing?

-A meal I can't live without

-What's the best concert I've ever been to?

-Is my name really 'Luke'?

-Have I started drinking coffee yet?

-Favorite sweet treat if I had to pick one forever

-The best Doritos flavor

+ so much more lol.

Where to find me:

IG: @lukesmithrd

Check out my website HERE

TIA for listening!

I opened up my food tracker for the first time this past week.. let's talk about why. Along with some updates on my fat loss phase, what my plan is moving forward and some thoughts around common arguments people might make against calorie tracking.

I'll do one more fat loss update at the end of this month as I wrap things up!

Where to find me:

IG: @lukesmithrd

Check out my website HERE

Fill out a 1:1 coaching application HERE

TIA for listening!!

Go check out my previous podcast (Episode 23: Making informed decisions) for a deeper dive into this topic.

Just wanted to talk about how that's applied to my life recently + what sacrifices I've had to make to get/stay at a lower body fat percentage.

Where to find me:

IG: @lukesmithrd

Check out my website HERE

Fill out a 1:1 coaching application HERE

TIA for listening!!

Talking about something you've heard me discuss before on here + reinforcing the importance of getting routine bloodwork done. Topics discussed:

• What routine bloodwork actually tells us (and what it doesn’t)
• CRP and what inflammation markers can indicate
• Lipid panel breakdown (HDL, LDL, triglycerides) + where ApoB fits in for cardiovascular risk
• Vitamin D and its roles beyond bone health
• Vitamin B12: why it matters and key considerations for plant-based eaters
• TSH and a discussion around thyroid function and additional labs to check
• Hemoglobin A1c and long-term blood sugar control
• Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) + CBC
• Testosterone (total, free, SHBG) and why looking at all three gives better context
• Nutrition + lifestyle considerations for each

+ so much more in-between. It's a longer episode but I know you'll be able to take a few things away from this one.

Where to find me:

IG: @lukesmithrd

Check out my website HERE

Fill out a 1:1 coaching application HERE

TIA for listening!!

Ever eaten something and immediately thought, “Wtf is wrong with me.. why can’t I control myself??” It’s a pretty loaded question and impossible to reduce it down to one podcast hah but let me tell you a client story from this past week that might hit home for you.

It’s usually not about the food.. it’s about the moments that came before it and everything else going on around you. Just know you’re not broken + this kinda stuff happens more than you think.

Where to find me:

IG: @lukesmithrd

Check out my website HERE

Fill out a 1:1 Coaching Application HERE

TIA for listening!!

A lot of questions over the past couple months on IG - tried to answer as many as I could today! Topics discussed:

-Lower body presses, exercise swaps and programming considerations

-My thoughts on cottage cheese for breakfast

-Doing 2 workouts a day - pros/cons/considerations

-Cava vs. Chipotle + some thoughts around fast casual dining

-Benefits of canned fish, addressing concerns around salt, BPA and mercury

-Chicken nuggets from Costco + some reminders about 'processed food'

-Walking pads

+ so many side tangents in-between. Ty to everyone who continues to ask q's as always.

Where to find me:

IG: @lukesmithrd

Check out my website HERE

Fill out a 1:1 Coaching Application HERE

TIA for listening!!

I had my friend and fellow fitness coach - Dani Harrington - on the show to talk all things glute growth and staying in shape as we get older. Dani is an online coach and in-person women’s trainer who specializes in helping women build strength and confidence in the gym. Topics discussed:

-Lifting essentials for rebuilding your body after babies (and navigating training as we age)

-The types of workouts women tend to gravitate toward vs what actually drives muscle growth

-How to build stronger, bigger glutes

-Lower body exercises to prioritize + a conversation around training volume and intensity

-The minimum effective dose of strength training each week

-Common barriers to getting back in shape after kids

-Managing time constraints, limited support and comparing your body to others

+ so much more in-between.

Where to find Dani:

IG: @coachdanih

Check out her website HERE

Where to find me:

IG: @lukesmithrd

Check out my website HERE

TIA for listening!!

Chances are... the ‘look’ you’re working towards isn’t gonna appear after losing the weight you’re trying to lose.

The people you compare ourselves to on social media have a combination of less fat AND more muscle than you do right now.

But who gives af what someone else looks like?

Wanting to look like someone else shouldn’t be the reason you wanna improve your nutrition + fitness habits. Do it because taking care of yourself is the ultimate form of self respect.. and no one else is gonna do it for you.

Ironically.. when you shift your mindset from wanting to look like someone else to wanting to create the best version of you.. cool s*** starts to happen.

I wanna share a story and make some points you can take with you here. Give it a listen and apply it to whatever season of life you find yourself in right now.

Where to find me:

IG: @lukesmithrd

Check out my website HERE

Fill out a 1:1 Coaching Application HERE

TIA for listening!!