In a compelling episode of the Weights & Plates podcast, host Robert Santana and guest Gretchen Geist explore the fleeting nature of fitness trends, with a focus on Pilates, and contrast these with the enduring value of strength training. 

Santana, leveraging his deep expertise in dietetics and kinesiology, emphasizes the necessity of progressive overload for true strength development, a concept often absent in trendy fitness regimes. 

The discussion pivots around the idea that while fitness fads may be appealing, they lack the long-term health benefits and measurable progress provided by foundational strength training. This episode serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing sustainable health and strength over the allure of the latest fitness craze.

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In this candid conversation, host Robert Santana sits down with Zoe Schroeder, RD—owner of Zoe Schroeder Nutrition and known as Fat Loss RD—to explore the messy reality behind becoming a nutrition professional. After connecting at a wellness event in Scottsdale, they dive deep into Zoe's transformation from a college student doing three-a-day workouts and dangerous Pinterest cleanses to becoming the evidence-based coach she needed during those struggles.

Zoe opens up about her freshman 15 experience, the toxic cycle of restriction and over-exercise, and even wrapping herself in saran wrap with coffee grounds (yes, really). But more importantly, she shares how hitting rock bottom with disordered eating led her to switch from nursing to nutrition—using herself as a case study to understand metabolism, proper fueling, and sustainable body composition changes.

This episode tackles the gap between clinical dietetics and real-world coaching, why telling people to "eat less, move more" fails spectacularly, and how both hosts learned that helping clients means addressing the emotional and psychological relationship with food—not just handing out meal plans. If you've ever felt like you were doing "everything right" but still stuck, or wondered why nutrition advice seems so contradictory, this honest discussion offers practical insights on building habits that actually last beyond the honeymoon phase.

In this episode of the Weights and Plates podcast, Robert Santana and Andy Baker pick up where they left off—diving deep into what really matters after the novice phase of strength training. From chaotic early training setups (including recording in a truck to escape jackhammers) to the predictable pitfalls lifters fall into, they unpack why so many people are eager to “major in the minors” before mastering the fundamentals.

Together, they explore how goals shape programming—whether you’re training for strength sports, performance, aesthetics, or simply to avoid being “weak.” With candid discussion on genetics, aging, muscle-building potential, drug-influenced advice online, and why variety matters for performance and longevity, this conversation lays out the realistic roadmap every lifter needs once the newbie gains start to slow down.

Subscribe for more episodes of Weights & Plates where we cut through the noise and get real about strength training, nutrition, and long-term progress. https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/

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In this episode of the Weights & Plates Podcast, Robert Santana sits down with Andy Baker — owner of Baker Personal Training and co-author of Practical Programming for Strength Training. They dive into how strength coaching has evolved, what most lifters get wrong about programming, and why results matter more than methods. Andy shares lessons from nearly two decades of coaching everyone from competitive powerlifters to everyday clients, emphasizing practicality, consistency, and efficiency.

The two also discuss the connection between strength and hypertrophy, the misconceptions spread by social media fitness culture, and why good diet and smart training will always beat shortcuts. It's an honest, no-nonsense conversation about what really drives long-term progress in the gym.

Subscribe for more episodes of Weights & Plates where we cut through the noise and get real about strength training, nutrition, and long-term progress. https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/

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In this episode of Weights & Plates, Coach Robert Santana breaks down one of the most overlooked elements of training success: mindset and consistency. Everyone wants to get stronger, leaner, or more muscular—but few understand that true progress takes years, not weeks. Robert dives into why most lifters quit when training gets hard, why "12-week transformations" are a lie, and how the real key to progress is showing up even when you don't want to. He covers common pitfalls like program-hopping, unrealistic expectations from social media, and trying to "out-program" a bad lifestyle.

If you've ever felt stuck, burned out, or tempted to skip the gym, this episode is the wake-up call you need.

Subscribe for more episodes of Weights & Plates where we cut through the noise and get real about strength training, nutrition, and long-term progress. https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/

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In this solo episode, coach Robert Santana takes a hard look at exercise science research—what it really tells us, and where it falls short. He dives into the history of lifting, the rise of "evidence-based" fitness, and why so many studies don't translate to real-world results. From sample size problems and lifestyle confounders to the obsession with volume over load, Robert explains why lifters can't blindly follow the latest paper or guru. Instead, he breaks down the principles that actually build muscle and strength: progressive overload, smart programming, and the smell test of what works in the gym.

If you're tired of fitness "science" complicating simple truths, this episode will cut through the noise.

Subscribe for more episodes of Weights & Plates where we cut through the noise and get real about strength training, nutrition, and long-term progress.

https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/
Follow Weights & Plates YouTube: https://youtube.com/@weights_and_plates?si=ebAS8sRtzsPmFQf-
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Consistency, recovery, and lifestyle — that's what really makes or breaks your strength gains. In this episode, Robert Santana breaks down why most lifters stall out after the "newbie gains" phase, the truth about diminishing returns, and the five rules every lifter needs to keep progressing. From balancing training with work, kids, and travel, to why sleep, food, and environment matter more than complicated programming, Robert shares hard-hitting lessons learned from decades of coaching. If you've ever asked yourself, "Why am I not making progress?" — this episode is your answer.

Subscribe for more episodes of Weights & Plates where we cut through the noise and get real about strength training, nutrition, and long-term progress.

https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/

Follow Weights & Plates YouTube: https://youtube.com/@weights_and_plates?si=ebAS8sRtzsPmFQf- Instagram: @the_robert_santana 
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In this episode of the Weights & Plates Podcast, Robert Santana takes a Q&A-style approach to tackle some of the most common training and nutrition challenges. He explains why hydration is more than just drinking water, breaking down the role of electrolytes, sugar, and sodium in performance—especially in extreme heat or for early morning lifters. Robert also covers why training fasted can hurt your lifts, how to fuel properly before a workout, and why post-meal blood sugar spikes are normal for healthy people despite what continuous glucose monitors might suggest.

He also dives into the truth about carbs, keto, and fueling for high-intensity strength work, clears up myths about protein intake and kidney health, and emphasizes the importance of proper technique to prevent injury. Whether you're a competitive lifter or just looking to get stronger and perform better in the gym, this episode is packed with straightforward, actionable advice you can put into practice immediately.

If you're ready to build muscle, build status, and build options — this episode is for you.

https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/

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Welcome to the Weights & Plates Podcast, hosted by strength coach and nutrition expert Robert Santana. In this kickoff episode, Robert is joined by Jay Ware, a long-time friend and fellow coach who might just be sticking around as the podcast's new co-host.

🎙️ In this episode, Robert and Jay dive into:

• How they met through strength coaching and coaching internships

• Jay's background growing up in a small town and his journey into fitness

• The evolution of strength training and why coaching goes beyond just sets and reps

• Real talk about the fitness industry – what's working, what's broken

• Their shared vision for the podcast and what you can expect moving forward

This episode sets the stage for a podcast that blends science, experience, and honest conversations – whether you're a lifter, coach, or just trying to figure out what works in a noisy fitness world.

👊 Subscribe to hear weekly episodes about training, nutrition, mindset, and more — no BS, just results.

https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/

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In this episode, Michael Sartain — former Air Force captain, social dynamics expert, and founder of Men of Action — breaks down the science of attraction, how fitness fuels confidence, and why most men are failing in today's dating market.

We dive into why being the "nice guy" doesn't work, how evolutionary psychology explains what women are actually attracted to, and the role of social proof in modern dating. Michael explains how building muscle and boosting testosterone are foundational to male confidence and success — but that's only part of the equation.

He also unpacks the biggest myths around masculinity, why emotional trauma affects men and women differently, and how to rebuild your life with discipline, purpose, and leadership. From his early days managing strip clubs to serving in military intelligence, Michael shares the real-world lessons that shaped his Men of Action protocol and helped him coach thousands of men into becoming high-value individuals.

If you're ready to build muscle, build status, and build options — this episode is for you.

https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/

Follow Weights & Plates YouTube: https://youtube.com/@weights_and_plates?si=ebAS8sRtzsPmFQf- Instagram: @the_robert_santana

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Web: https://weightsandplates.com