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The Shocking Truth About “Fake Failure” and How It Hurts Your Gains
In this episode of The Phi Life Podcast, hosts John Barban and Brad Pilon explore a question that’s stirred up years of gym-floor debate: should you train to failure—and is it still necessary as you get older?
The conversation kicks off with a trip down memory lane, recalling those early days of high school training where failure was the goal, not the exception. Back then, pushing every set to the edge felt like the only way to grow. But now, with decades of training behind them and age creeping up, John and Brad re-examine whether that level of intensity is still worth it—or even safe.
Throughout the episode, they unpack the different types of failure most lifters encounter, from form failure to absolute muscular shutdown. But perhaps the most relatable (and surprising) is what Brad dubs “fake failure”—when you stop a set not because your body gave out, but because your mind wandered, or you just got bored mid-rep. It’s a concept that hits home for anyone who's ever bailed on a set early, thinking they’d “done enough.”
John shares how his approach to failure has shifted over the years, especially now that he's in his 50s. For him, the goal isn’t to build new muscle anymore—it’s to keep the muscle he’s earned. And that changes the strategy entirely. The discussion naturally evolves into how to maintain intensity without inviting injury, especially when training alone or working with complex lifts like squats and deadlifts. Spoiler: not every movement is meant to be pushed to failure.
Brad and John also address the psychological aspect of training—the need to stay present, focused, and intentional. They explain how losing that mind-muscle connection mid-set is its own form of failure, and why recognizing it early could be the difference between a great workout and wasted reps.
The episode is filled with sharp observations, gym-tested wisdom, and plenty of laughs. Whether they’re calling out sloppy “kayak” bench presses or explaining why your squat shouldn’t look like an accordion, John and Brad keep it real with their no-nonsense, science-backed insights.
As always, the message is clear: this isn’t about grinding yourself into the ground every session. It’s about training smart, knowing your limits, and redefining what progress looks like—especially if you’ve been lifting for a while.
Whether you're a beginner unsure about how hard to push, or a seasoned lifter questioning if you've been overdoing it, this episode offers a fresh, practical take on failure—and why it’s not the badge of honor we’ve made it out to be.
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WEBSITES
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https://johnbarban.com
https://bradpilon.com
https://www.totaltclinic.com/podcast-contact/
https://eatstopeat.com
https://www.ultalabtests.com
View all episodes
By John Barban and Brad PilonIn this episode of The Phi Life Podcast, hosts John Barban and Brad Pilon explore a question that’s stirred up years of gym-floor debate: should you train to failure—and is it still necessary as you get older?
The conversation kicks off with a trip down memory lane, recalling those early days of high school training where failure was the goal, not the exception. Back then, pushing every set to the edge felt like the only way to grow. But now, with decades of training behind them and age creeping up, John and Brad re-examine whether that level of intensity is still worth it—or even safe.
Throughout the episode, they unpack the different types of failure most lifters encounter, from form failure to absolute muscular shutdown. But perhaps the most relatable (and surprising) is what Brad dubs “fake failure”—when you stop a set not because your body gave out, but because your mind wandered, or you just got bored mid-rep. It’s a concept that hits home for anyone who's ever bailed on a set early, thinking they’d “done enough.”
John shares how his approach to failure has shifted over the years, especially now that he's in his 50s. For him, the goal isn’t to build new muscle anymore—it’s to keep the muscle he’s earned. And that changes the strategy entirely. The discussion naturally evolves into how to maintain intensity without inviting injury, especially when training alone or working with complex lifts like squats and deadlifts. Spoiler: not every movement is meant to be pushed to failure.
Brad and John also address the psychological aspect of training—the need to stay present, focused, and intentional. They explain how losing that mind-muscle connection mid-set is its own form of failure, and why recognizing it early could be the difference between a great workout and wasted reps.
The episode is filled with sharp observations, gym-tested wisdom, and plenty of laughs. Whether they’re calling out sloppy “kayak” bench presses or explaining why your squat shouldn’t look like an accordion, John and Brad keep it real with their no-nonsense, science-backed insights.
As always, the message is clear: this isn’t about grinding yourself into the ground every session. It’s about training smart, knowing your limits, and redefining what progress looks like—especially if you’ve been lifting for a while.
Whether you're a beginner unsure about how hard to push, or a seasoned lifter questioning if you've been overdoing it, this episode offers a fresh, practical take on failure—and why it’s not the badge of honor we’ve made it out to be.
---------------------------------
WEBSITES
---------------------------------
https://johnbarban.com
https://bradpilon.com
https://www.totaltclinic.com/podcast-contact/
https://eatstopeat.com
https://www.ultalabtests.com