Unsolicited Lifting Advice

New Series Alert! Introducing the first of hopefully many to come, this is the Simplified Series, in which we'll lay down the fundamentals of different aspects of fitness. This week we'll be breaking down weight loss as this is a major goal for a lot of people getting into the gym. Lucky for you, Sam and Manas are well versed in the art of repeating things that qualified experts say; a key skill when it comes to simplifying things. 

If you’re surprised that for 15 straight weeks two former(ish) degenerates have stuck to an upload schedule with military-like precision then you’re not alone! They say the only constants in life are death and taxes and we’d like to add weekly episodes of the ULAPodcast to that list. In celebration of our momentous achievement we’re taking a look back at where we started 3 months ago and where we want to be 3 months from now. Progress checks are an important part of achieving any goal whether its weight loss or being the biggest podcast to come out of a college park basement. Hopefully this week’s episode will inspire you to check in with yourself (before you wreck yourself).

If the fitness journey was a magical quest through strange and ancient lands filled with treasures to be claimed and glory to be won, Body Dysmorphia would be the troll living under the bridge. It’s an ever present nuisance that can be vanquished but takes dedicated work to overcome. Body Dysmorphia whispers lies to the hero in an attempt to derail their quest for glory and force them to live under the bridge too. No adventurer is immune from the trial of the troll and no shame is deserved if the hero needs to call for aid in defeating the creature. Sam and Manas walk through their experiences fighting Body Dysmorphia and give some tools to help you on your journey.

Is the anguish of your recent breakup no longer providing the raging fire needed to sustain your gym habit? Do you find yourself questioning if being constantly sore has any benefits beyond getting Swole Body Thicc Daddy? Well fear not dear listener, Sam and Manas are here to assuage all your concerns. In this week's episode they go over all the ways lifting has improved their lives and how it can improve yours too! From not committing war crimes during pick up soccer to helping grandma rearrange her living room, the gym is the go to source for self improvement.

Oh the places you'll grow, oh the places you'll be

Where you get nasty delt pumps and stretch out your tee.

Oh the places you'll grow, oh the gyms you'll walk through

With barbells and dumbells and kettlebells too.

You'll find gym bros and gym babes and gym OGs lifting

Shaking the ground with the weight they are shifting.

But fear not young lifter for gains you will find

If only you'll dig deep and embrace the grind

Do you remember a time when you didn't have the right tool for the job? Maybe you lacked an allen wrench whilst putting together IKEA furniture, or instead of using a ruler to do you crush's algebra homework you used the Valentine's day card you didn't have the guts to give her as your straight edge. We can all agree that both situations are less than ideal and would be remedied by having the correct apparatus for completing the task. Well your health and wellness goals are no different. Sam and Manas discuss the variety of ways you can gauge your progress when it comes to measuring goals and why it's always better to have more than one option available. 

What do a dive bar, a fitness addiction, and a caffeine habit all have in common? Besides being the Professor Utonium recipe for making a Former(ish) Degenerate, they are the link between this episode’s participants. Sam and Manas are joined by old coworker and good friend Jamie Rapp and pick her brain on how she trains her clients, what her opinion on balance is, and whether or not eating bread alone in the dark is kinda sad or really sad.

Rest day best day! Now before you spit out your C4 in disgust at the lack of balls to the walls training mentality displayed in that statement give us a chance to explain. We understand “Rise and Grind”, “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop”, and the plethora of other “motivational” quotes that make up the bedrock of your personality, but let's talk about the importance of taking time off. Sam and Manas walk through the times when taking a day off from the gym or reducing the intensity of a training session is actually the most badass thing to do. 

Flag on the play! Wait, not enough flags on the play? Sam and Manas are joined by collegiate football referee and longtime drinking buddy: the man, the myth, the legend, Nasty™. The combination of his professional experience and our crippling need to hear our own voices results in a conversation spanning the solidification of Tom Brady’s GOAT status, recounting a time where Nasty had to be escorted to his car by police after a high school game, and the differences in training for athletics vs. training for strength sports. If you like football commentary but feel the Former(ish) Degenerate Millennial is underrepresented in the broadcast booth, this is the podcast for you!

So you’re into lifting, now what? The gym is a high school lunchroom, and the table you sit at will determine the rest of your lifting career. Do you sit with the always popular Bodybuilders, the degenerate Powerlifters, or the eclectic collection of personalities that is Crossfit? Lucky for you Sam and Manas are here to walk you through the various cliques that inhabit the gym and help you decide which cult will best condense your self worth down to a number.