Valerie Lusvardi is back on the show, and since her last appearance over a year ago, she’s become not only a good friend but someone I’ve worked with in a professional capacity. We even teamed up to help a girl prep for a bodybuilding show.

Val is one of the sharpest minds in the game when it comes to training and programming, and she’s just as dialed in with nutrition. Not to mention—she’s an IFBB pro, a coach, a wife, and a mom to three boys.

In this episode, we covered a lot of ground:

• Val’s journey through 17 bodybuilding shows and the lessons she’s taken away from competing.
• The real power of maintenance calories for women—how to optimize maintenance to build muscle without forcing a huge surplus.
• How long you can (and should) keep certain lifts in your program before switching things up.
• The balancing act of being a coach, competitor, wife, and mom—and how Val shows up strong in every role.

Valerie's Links

Work with Valerie - Learn More

Follow on Instagram - @valerielusvardi

Next Level Links

Nutrition Coaching - www.becomenextlevel.com

Nutrition Coaching Free Consultations - Schedule Here

Next Level Experience Waitlist - Join Here

Craig's Links

Focus Journal - Order Here

www.greatestdaymindset.com

Free Guides:

• Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide
• High-Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide
• Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide

Join Us On Patreon - Join Here

Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.

Order from Cured Supplement

Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition

Connect with us on Instagram

Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder

Guest Valerie Lusvardi - @valerielusvardi

Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

This milestone episode is a special one. Brad and Craig dive deep into a topic that separates people who stay stuck from those who create real transformation: choosing hard on purpose.

We live in a world designed for comfort—but comfort rarely produces growth. In this conversation, Brad and Craig unpack the art of designed discomfort and why leaning into hard things is the gateway to the life you want.

They cover:

• The science behind discomfort and what it does to your brain.
• Why intentionally putting yourself in uncomfortable situations builds resilience and confidence.
• How to reframe “hard” so you stop avoiding it and start using it as a tool for growth.
• The truth that everything you want is on the other side of uncomfortable.

This episode will challenge you to stop waiting for change to magically appear and start seeking out the hard things that sharpen you into the person you’re meant to be.

If you’re ready to get unstuck, break through plateaus, and live at your next level—this one’s for you.

Next Level Links

Nutrition Coaching - www.becomenextlevel.com

Nutrition Coaching Free Consultations - Schedule Here

Next Level Experience Waitlist - Join Here

Craig's Links

Focus Journal - Order Here

www.greatestdaymindset.com

Free Guides:

• Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide
• High-Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide
• Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide

Join Us On Patreon - Join Here

Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.

Order from Cured Supplement

Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition

Connect with us on Instagram

Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder

Co-Host Craig Smith - @greatestdaymindset

Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

If you’ve been stressing over every tiny detail in your health and fitness journey… this episode is your permission slip to chill out.

I’m breaking down six things you just don’t need to waste your mental energy on anymore — from obsessing over your friend’s macros, to comparing your progress to someone else’s transformation timeline, to that outdated BMI chart that’s about as useful as a flip phone in 2025.

This is part straight talk, part humor, and part motivational kick to remind you: your journey is yours. The less you stress over the wrong stuff, the more you can focus on what actually moves the needle.

By the end, you’ll walk away with less noise in your head and more clarity on what matters.

Next Level Links

Nutrition Coaching - www.becomenextlevel.com

Nutrition Coaching Free Consultations - Schedule Here

Next Level Experience Waitlist - Join Here

Craig's Links

Focus Journal - Order Here

www.greatestdaymindset.com

Free Guides:

• Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide
• High-Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide
• Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide

Join Us On Patreon - Join Here

Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.

Order from Cured Supplement

Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition

Connect with us on Instagram

Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder

Co-Host Craig Smith - @greatestdaymindset

Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

In this Q&A episode of the Next Level Podcast, Craig and I dive into a variety of real-life questions you’ve sent in. We talk about how to genuinely help loved ones when you can see they’re struggling, whether getting 15,000 steps one day and 5,000 the next still evens out to your goal, and what to do when you’re trying to help a client who clearly doesn’t want to do the work.

We also cover how to get your menstrual cycle back after it’s gone missing, ways to maintain a healthy social life while living sober, and a handful of other topics that hit on health, mindset, and life balance. Throughout the conversation, we share straightforward solutions and tactical action plans so you can walk away with steps to take — not just ideas to think about.

Next Level Links

Nutrition Coaching - www.becomenextlevel.com

Nutrition Coaching Free Consultations - Schedule Here

Next Level Experience Waitlist - Join Here

Craig's Links

Focus Journal - Order Here

www.greatestdaymindset.com

Free Guides:

• Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide
• High-Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide
• Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide

Join Us On Patreon - Join Here

Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.

Order from Cured Supplement

Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition

Connect with us on Instagram

Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder

Co-Host Craig Smith - @greatestdaymindset

Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

If you’ve ever been curious about peptides but feel overwhelmed by the science — this episode is for you.

I sat down with my good friend Liz Roman, who’s not only a gut health ninja but also a wealth of knowledge when it comes to peptides. And we didn’t just talk about the usual suspects like BPC-157 or TB-500. Nope. We’re diving into 5 up-and-coming peptides you probably haven’t heard of — but need to.

From improving your cellular health, to boosting libido, to supporting fat loss, these lesser-known compounds could be game changers if used strategically.

Liz broke everything down in a super approachable way — backed by research but easy to digest (pun intended if you’re a gut health nerd).

Whether you’re new to peptides or looking for the next-level edge, you’ll get a ton out of this one.

GLP-1 Done Right - Download Guide

Next Level Links

Nutrition Coaching - www.becomenextlevel.com

Nutrition Coaching Free Consultations - Schedule Here

Next Level Experience Waitlist - Join Here

Free Guides:

• Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide
• High-Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide
• Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide

Join Us On Patreon - Join Here

Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.

Order from Cured Supplement

Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition

Connect with us on Instagram

Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder

Guest Liz Roman - @thepoopqueen

Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

In this episode, Craig and I cover a handful of great questions that came through — all totally different topics, but all worth talking about.

We kicked it off with a topic I’m super passionate about — morning sunlight. I get fired up about this one because too many people online treat it like some trendy “biohack” scam, when the reality is it’s one of the simplest and powerful ways to anchor your circadian rhythm, boost mood, improve sleep, and regulate hormones. It’s not some gimmick — it’s real and it works. If you’ve been skipping it, you’ll want to hear this one.

Then we dove into a common question:

Should your training intensity drop when you’re in a fat-loss phase?

Craig and I broke down how to approach lifting while in a calorie deficit — the difference between intensity vs. volume, what needs to shift (and what doesn’t), and how to keep your strength while cutting.

Finally, we answered a question from a teenage girl just starting out in the coaching space. She’s been through her own journey, including overcoming an eating disorder, and asked what advice we’d give to someone like her. Between Craig and I, we laid out some heartfelt and real feedback about staying authentic, walking the walk, and why your story is your superpower.

This episode had a little of everything — tune in!

Craig's Links

Focus Journal - Order Here

www.greatestdaymindset.com

Next Level Links

Nutrition Coaching - www.becomenextlevel.com

Nutrition Coaching Free Consultations - Schedule Here

Next Level Experience Waitlist - Join Here

Free Guides:

• Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide
• Hight Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide
• Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide

Join Us On Patreon - Join Here

Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.

Order from Cured Supplement

Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition

Connect with us on Instagram

Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder

Co-Host Craig Smith - @greatestdaymindset

Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

In this episode of The Next Level Health & Fitness Podcast, Craig Smith (licensed clinical therapist) and I dive into some of the most overused and overrated therapy sayings floating around in the personal development and mental health space.

You’ve heard them before—those catchy little one-liners that get thrown around like gospel in therapy rooms, Instagram posts, and coaching circles. And sure, some of them hold truth… but others? They’re either wildly overhyped, taken out of context, or in some cases, straight-up harmful when misapplied.

Craig brings the clinical perspective, breaking down why certain sayings might sound nice but don’t hold up in real-world application. I toss in my two cents from a coaching standpoint, sharing where I’ve seen clients latch onto these quotes like life mottos—only to end up more confused or stuck.

We’re not here to bash therapy or growth work—we’re both all in on that journey—but sometimes the real work starts when you stop hiding behind a quote and start asking what actually applies to you and your healing.

Whether you’re in therapy, coaching, or just working on becoming a better version of you—this episode will challenge you to think a little deeper about the words you live by.

Next Level Experience Waitlist - Join Here

Free Guides:

• Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide
• Hight Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide
• Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide

Join Us On Patreon - Join Here

Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.

Order from Cured Supplement

Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition

Connect with us on Instagram

Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder

Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

In this episode, I sit down with the one and only Jon Anderson—a man whose story will leave you fired up to go crush your goals. Jon went from being a kid who couldn’t read or write and was placed in resource classes… to becoming a professional wrestler, an IFBB pro bodybuilder, a multi-seven-figure entrepreneur, and now the founder of Peptide University.

The first half of this episode dives deep into Jon’s inspiring journey—how he built success against all odds using nothing but grit, belief, and an insane work ethic. This is about mindset. This is about refusing to be counted out.

In the second half, we switch gears and geek out on all things peptides—what they are, what they do, and how Jon is on a mission to educate the masses through his new venture.

If you’re ready to be inspired and educated in one powerful conversation, don’t miss this one.

⸻

What You’ll Hear:

• Jon’s raw and real story from learning disability to pro athlete
• The mindset of never backing down, even when the odds are stacked
• How Jon became a 7-figure entrepreneur
• Peptides 101: What you need to know
• How Peptide University is changing the game in education and transformation

Max Performance University - Click Here

Max Performance Peptides - Click Here 

Next Level Experience Waitlist - Join Here

Free Guides:

• Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide
• Hight Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide
• Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide

Join Us On Patreon - Join Here

Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.

Order from Cured Supplement

Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition

Connect with us on Instagram

Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder

Guest Jon Andersen - @thejonandersen

Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

You hear it all the time—“I’m doing the work.”

But what does that actually mean?

In this solo episode, I dive into what personal development really looks like beyond just reading books or listening to podcasts. I share a recent day where everything went sideways—including my dog getting bit by a rattlesnake—and how that chaos tested everything I’ve been practicing.

It’s easy to feel like we’re making progress when life is smooth. But the real work shows up in how we respond when things fall apart. This episode is a raw reflection on handling adversity, perspective shifts, and the compound power of small, consistent actions.

If you’ve ever wondered whether the daily “boring” habits are worth it—this one’s for you.

In this episode:

• What “doing the work” actually looks like
• How my reaction to a rough day showed growth
• Why consistency matters when life gets chaotic
• The power of 1% improvements over time
• A reminder to trust the process—especially when it’s hard

Next Level Experience Waitlist - Join Here

Free Guides:

• Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide
• Hight Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide
• Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide

Join Us On Patreon - Join Here

Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.

Order from Cured Supplement

Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition

Connect with us on Instagram

Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder

Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

In this episode, I sit down with CJ and Syd Spjute—a powerhouse husband-and-wife duo who not only compete together in bodybuilding, but coach clients and raise a family together, too.

They’ve lost over 150 pounds combined and built a strong Instagram following by simply sharing their truth: transformation, faith, family, and fitness.

We talked about:

• How fitness became the glue for their relationship and family
• How they involve their kids in the journey
• The way they keep God and family first, even in the chaos of prep
• What it’s really like doing bodybuilding show prep as a couple
• The biggest lessons they’ve learned from being out of shape to getting completely dialed in
• How they handle judgment from others—especially from close circles
• The balance between discipline, business, and being present parents

This one was inspiring, real, and packed with perspective shifts. Whether you’re a parent, couple, or coach—there’s something in here for you.

Free Guides:

• Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide
• Hight Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide
• Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide

Join Us On Patreon - Join Here

Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.

Order from Cured Supplement

Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition

Connect with us on Instagram

Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder

CJ & Syd - @spjute_strong.fit

Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition