Join the new Wits & Weights Physique University at just $27/month (was $87) - get access to training templates, course library, private community, and so much more.

Podcast listeners get a custom nutrition plan FREE (normally $47) when you join by the end of July using this special link: bit.ly/podcast-new-wwpu

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Hitting the gym consistently but not seeing the muscle growth you want?

You might be making one critical mistake with your training volume.

Most lifters either do way too little to stimulate growth or pile on so much that they're hitting a wall and burning out.

Learn about 12 evidence-based rules that separate muscle builders from muscle stragglers.

Episode Resources:

• "The New Approach to Training Volume" - article by Greg Nuckols
• Physique & Biofeedback Tracker - available in the new WWPU (now just $27/mo plus a FREE custom nutrition plan for podcast listeners with this link: bit.ly/podcast-new-wwpu)

Episodes Mentioned:

• Strength vs. Hypertrophy (The 65% Threshold for Lifters Chasing PRs vs. Muscle Size) 

Timestamps:

• 0:01 - The critical volume mistake most lifters make
• 4:59 - Rule 1: Hard sets per muscle group
• 6:29 - Rule 2: Proximity to failure
• 7:48 - Rule 3: Does more volume = more growth?
• 9:19 - Rule 4: How many sets per muscle per week?
• 10:32 - Rule 5: Rep range doesn't matter, effort does
• 12:15 - Rule 6: What about strength (vs. hypertrophy)?
• 15:28 - Rule 7: Periodize volume over time
• 16:23 - Rule 8: Recovery capacity determines your ceiling
• 18:57 - Rule 9: Wasted volume kills progress
• 20:55 - Rule 10: Compound vs isolation lifts
• 21:45 - Rule 11: What exactly should you track?
• 22:33 - Rule 12: The ONE rule about volume that matters most
• 24:49 - Advanced concept: Volume landmarks

Support the show

🎓 Build muscle, lose fat, and train smarter in Physique University (tap here for exclusive early access + a FREE custom nutrition plan for just $27/month)

👥 Join our Facebook community for live Q&As & support

👋 Let's connect! Ask a question, get my FREE newsletter, or find me on Instagram

📱 Try MacroFactor for free with code WITSANDWEIGHTS

🏋️‍♀️ Download Boostcamp for free for evidence-based workout programs

Get your free Nutrition 101 Guide at witsandweights.com/free to learn how to structure your nutrition (including carbs) for optimal health and body composition based on your goals.

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Could everything you've been told about carbs, insulin, and managing prediabetes be completely backward?

For the 96 million American adults living with prediabetes, the standard advice has been clear. Cut carbs, avoid bread, ditch fruit. 

But groundbreaking research reveals this approach might be keeping you stuck in a cycle of restriction without addressing the real problem.

Insulin resistance isn't a carbohydrate problem. It's a muscle problem. 

Today we expose the real culprit behind insulin resistance and why upgrading your ability to use and dispose of glucose efficiently can stop prediabetes and insulin resistance WITHOUT cutting out carbs.

Main Takeaways:

• Prediabetes isn't a carb problem; it's a muscle problem
• Every 10% increase in muscle mass = 11% reduction in insulin resistance and 12% reduction in prediabetes risk
• Just 1 strength training session can increase glucose uptake by 40% and improve insulin sensitivity for up to 48 hours
• Strategic carb inclusion around workouts reverses insulin resistance
• Muscle tissue releases myokines during contractions that improve metabolic function

Episodes Mentioned:

• Blood Sugar Spikes, Carb Myths, GLP-1s, and Fat Loss Tips from a Type 1 Diabetic (Ben Tzeel) or YouTube
• Strength vs. Hypertrophy (The 65% Threshold for Lifters Chasing PRs vs. Muscle Size)
• The 2-Minute Walking Hack That Builds 47% More Muscle
• The REAL Triggers of Chronic Inflammation

Timestamps:

0:02 - The carb restriction myth for prediabetes
2:53 - What prediabetes really is (and standard medical advice)
4:13 - The muscle mass connection: 13,000-person study results
5:17 - How insulin resistance works at the cellular level
7:16 - GLUT4 transporters and glucose "doorways"
8:44 - How to engineer your glucose disposal machinery (training, walking, carbs, sleep, and stress)
17:18 - Myokines - how muscle acts as an endocrine organ
19:29 - Why this is a muscle disease, not a carb disease

Support the show

🎓 Build muscle, lose fat, and train smarter in Physique University (tap here for exclusive early access + a FREE custom nutrition plan for just $27/month)

👥 Join our Facebook community for live Q&As & support

👋 Let's connect! Ask a question, get my FREE newsletter, or find me on Instagram

📱 Try MacroFactor for free with code WITSANDWEIGHTS

🏋️‍♀️ Download Boostcamp for free for evidence-based workout programs

Join the new Wits & Weights Physique University at just $27/month (was $87) - get access to training templates, course library, private community, and so much more.

Podcast listeners get a custom nutrition plan FREE (normally $47) when you join by the end of July using this special link: bit.ly/podcast-new-wwpu

--

Ever wondered if you could hack your bulking phase to gain more muscle and less fat?

This episode answers a question from our free Facebook community that many data-driven "optimizers" are wondering about.

John asked if strategic extreme deficit days during an otherwise surplus-focused bulking phase could help "clean up" fat gain.

It seems logical on paper... create a weekly calorie surplus while periodically burning fat through protein-sparing modified fasts. But does your body respond to this the way you might expect?

Learn how muscle building actually works and how to optimize your approach to building muscle with minimal fat gain.

And if you want YOUR question answered with this level of detail, join our free Wits and Weights Facebook group and use the #AskPhilip monthly thread.

Support the show

🎓 Build muscle, lose fat, and train smarter in Physique University (tap here for exclusive early access + a FREE custom nutrition plan for just $27/month)

👥 Join our Facebook community for live Q&As & support

👋 Let's connect! Ask a question, get my FREE newsletter, or find me on Instagram

📱 Try MacroFactor for free with code WITSANDWEIGHTS

🏋️‍♀️ Download Boostcamp for free for evidence-based workout programs

Are you overpaying for food that’s supposed to be healthier? Have food labels like “grass-fed,” “non-GMO,” and “all-natural” been misleading you? What if the truth behind your grocery cart was simpler and way less stressful?

Natalie Kovarik, a fourth-generation cattle rancher and co-host of the Discover Ag podcast, joins me to clear up the confusion. We go behind the food labels to talk about what matters when it comes to nutrition, budgeting, and values, and what’s just clever marketing. Whether you're training hard, feeding your family, or just trying to make better choices, this will help you shop smarter without the overwhelm.

Today, you’ll learn all about:

0:00 – Intro
2:18 – Why “non-GMO” frustrates farmers
4:06 – What is greenwashing?
5:39 – Organic vs all-natural vs grass-fed
7:44 – Smarter ways to shop on a budget
13:13 – The huge impact of food waste
16:10 – Grain-fed vs grass-fed nutrition
24:28 – How safe is your grocery store milk?
32:31 – Glyphosate and the dirty dozen
41:06 – Why fresh and local still matter
45:05 – Safe vs healthy: important distinction
48:10 – Debunking myths about factory farms

Episode resources:

• Website: discoverag.com and kovarikcattleco.com 
• Instagram: @nataliekovarik and @discoveragpodcast 
• Tiktok: @discoveragpodcast
• Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/discover-ag/id1615443750 
• Youtube: @Discoveragpodcast 
  
  

Support the show

🎓 Build muscle, lose fat, and train smarter in Physique University (tap here for exclusive early access + a FREE custom nutrition plan for just $27/month)

👥 Join our Facebook community for live Q&As & support

👋 Let's connect! Ask a question, get my FREE newsletter, or find me on Instagram

📱 Try MacroFactor for free with code WITSANDWEIGHTS

🏋️‍♀️ Download Boostcamp for free for evidence-based workout programs

Join my email list for exclusive content on the psychology of transformation that you won't find anywhere else. Go to witsandweights.com/email

--

Struggling with fat loss despite knowing exactly what to do? You're not alone.

The answer isn't about knowledge, it's about psychology. 

Learn how the PERMA framework from positive psychology reveals the 5 psychological elements that separate people who sustain their transformation from those who remain stuck.

Discover how to engineer your fat loss approach to work WITH your psychology instead of against it, creating conditions where healthy behaviors actually feel good to maintain.

Main Takeaways:

• The intelligence paradox: Why smart people often struggle most with sustainable fat loss
• The 5 PERMA elements: Positive emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment
• How to systematically engineer psychological momentum into your fat loss approach
• Why traditional approaches focus on mechanics but miss the psychological infrastructure
• How to audit yourself across the PERMA dimensions to identify your weakest area

Timestamps:

0:01 - The intelligence paradox in fat loss
3:22 - Why smart people struggle with fat loss
5:06 - Introduction to the PERMA framework
6:17 - P: Positive Emotion and cognitive flexibility
8:31 - E: Engagement and finding flow states
10:50 - R: Relationships and social connection
13:07 - M: Meaning and purpose-driven goals
14:05 - A: Accomplishment and self-efficacy
17:24 - How to engineer YOUR psychology

Support the show

🎓 Build muscle, lose fat, and train smarter in Physique University (tap here for exclusive early access + a FREE custom nutrition plan for just $27/month)

👥 Join our Facebook community for live Q&As & support

👋 Let's connect! Ask a question, get my FREE newsletter, or find me on Instagram

📱 Try MacroFactor for free with code WITSANDWEIGHTS

🏋️‍♀️ Download Boostcamp for free for evidence-based workout programs

Grab your free Ultimate Macros Guide ebook to implement everything covered in today's episode with specific formulas and practical steps. Go to witsandweights.com/free

--

What really works for fat loss?

After 70 years of scientific research spanning thousands of studies and millions of participants, the truth is both simpler and more nuanced than the fitness industry would have you believe.

Forget the latest fat loss hack or magic supplement. After 70 years of rigorous research (thousands of studies spanning from NASA's bedrest experiments in the 1970s to today's landmark trials), science has identified 7 key principles that determine fat loss success.

These aren't TikTok trends or new theories. They're evidence-based principles proven over and over again in controlled studies, meta-analyses, and real-world applications.

Main Takeaways:

• A calorie deficit remains non-negotiable for fat loss, but the method to create it is highly flexible
• Protein preserves muscle and controls hunger through multiple mechanisms
• Resistance training beats cardio for body composition every single time
• Diet adherence matters more than diet type when calories are controlled
• NEAT (non-exercise activity) can swing your daily calorie burn by up to 2,000 calories
• Muscle mass serves as your metabolic insurance policy for long-term success
• Sustainable approaches always beat aggressive "quick fix" methods

Episode Resources:

• Try MacroFactor for free with code WITSANDWEIGHTS
• Download our popular ebook, Ultimate Macros Guide
• Related episode: The 3+3 Optimal Model of Fat Loss

Timestamps:

0:01 - 70 years of research distilled into 7 principles
3:28 - Principle #1: A calorie deficit is required
7:23 - Principle #2: Protein is king
11:13 - Principle #3: Resistance training is best for body composition
15:45 - Principle #4: Diet adherence beats diet type
19:56 - Principle #5: NEAT can make or break your deficit
25:09 - Principle #6: Muscle mass is your fat loss insurance policy
29:39 - Principle #7: Sustainability vs. speed
35:36 - How these principles work together for life optimization

Support the show

🎓 Build muscle, lose fat, and train smarter in Physique University (tap here for exclusive early access + a FREE custom nutrition plan for just $27/month)

👥 Join our Facebook community for live Q&As & support

👋 Let's connect! Ask a question, get my FREE newsletter, or find me on Instagram

📱 Try MacroFactor for free with code WITSANDWEIGHTS

🏋️‍♀️ Download Boostcamp for free for evidence-based workout programs

What if everything you thought you knew about fitness was filtered through marketing hype rather than science?

After experimenting with countless diet trends across my 20s and 30s, from Atkins to Paleo to keto and intermittent fasting, I've learned firsthand that what matters isn't finding the "one perfect approach" but building sustainable systems that work specifically for you.

The fitness world has become saturated with influencers making bold but oversimplified claims. If someone tells you there's only "one true way" to achieve fitness goals, your skepticism radar should go on high alert.

In this bonus episode from my recent appearance on the With Passion podcast hosted by Josh Taft, we discuss how to make sense of the barage of information from the fitness industry, why strength training is absolutely essential for longevity, and how to approach your health and fitness journey with a sustainable, evidence-based mindset.

Discover why most fitness advice is wrong, how to navigate conflicting information, and why muscle truly is your retirement plan, especially after 40.

Main Takeaways:

• Why being skeptical of fitness trends and guru claims can save your health and money
• The shocking truth about why 95% of diets fail and what successful people do differently
• How muscle mass is literally your insurance policy against aging and disease
• Why strength training beats cardio for fat loss, longevity, and metabolic health
• The psychology behind sustainable goal setting and why most people try to change too much at once
• How to use "seasons" of focused effort followed by maintenance phases for long-term success
• Why consistency with basics beats perfection with complex protocols

Episode Resources:

• Check out Josh's podcast With Passion

Support the show

🎓 Build muscle, lose fat, and train smarter in Physique University (tap here for exclusive early access + a FREE custom nutrition plan for just $27/month)

👥 Join our Facebook community for live Q&As & support

👋 Let's connect! Ask a question, get my FREE newsletter, or find me on Instagram

📱 Try MacroFactor for free with code WITSANDWEIGHTS

🏋️‍♀️ Download Boostcamp for free for evidence-based workout programs

Grab your free Muscle-Building Nutrition Blueprint to learn how to eat for your training goals (even when managing blood sugar and eating carbs). Go to witsandweights.com/muscle

–

Are carbs really your enemy? Should you be training fasted? Can someone with diabetes actually build muscle and thrive?

Registered dietitian and strength coach Ben Zeal, who’s been living with type 1 diabetes for over 25 years, joins me to break down some of the biggest myths in fitness and nutrition. We discuss carb fear, insulin misconceptions, and the truth about fasted training, CGMs, GLP-1s, and more. 

Ben also covers how blood sugar management isn't just for diabetics, but for anyone wanting consistent energy, better performance, and body composition goals that stick. Our discussion is packed with real talk and practical strategies to train smarter, eat with confidence, and stop fearing carbs.

Today, you’ll learn all about:

4:39 – Should non-diabetics track glucose?
6:13 – Walks, workouts, and insulin sensitivity
9:28 – Can movement replace medication?
13:11 – How to overcome carb fear
15:14 – Best training approach for blood sugar
22:36 – Stress: the hidden blood sugar saboteur
27:40 – GLP-1 drugs and smart strategy
30:48 – What insulin pumps actually do
36:32 – How to become a consistent lifter
41:44 – Does fiber really matter for blood sugar?
44:25 – Where to find Ben and free resources

Episode resources:

• Your Diabetes Insider Podcast
• Website: yourdiabetesinsider.com 
• Instagram: @manoftzeel 
• Youtube:  @yourdiabetesinsider
  
  

Support the show

🎓 Build muscle, lose fat, and train smarter in Physique University (tap here for exclusive early access + a FREE custom nutrition plan for just $27/month)

👥 Join our Facebook community for live Q&As & support

👋 Let's connect! Ask a question, get my FREE newsletter, or find me on Instagram

📱 Try MacroFactor for free with code WITSANDWEIGHTS

🏋️‍♀️ Download Boostcamp for free for evidence-based workout programs

Try MacroFactor for free with code WITSANDWEIGHTS to see exactly how these walking breaks impact your daily calorie burn and support your muscle-building or fat loss goals or go to witsandweights.com/blog/macrofactor

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Can you immediately increase muscle building by 47%?

It's 3 PM on a Tuesday, and you've been glued to your desk since 8 AM. Your back is stiff, your energy is crashing, and you can feel that familiar tightness setting in from hours of sitting.

But here's what you don't realize: that prolonged sitting isn't just making you uncomfortable. It's actively blocking your muscle protein synthesis, sabotaging your ability to build muscle from the food you eat.

A groundbreaking 2022 study revealed a shocking truth: prolonged sitting can reduce your muscle protein synthesis by nearly 50%, effectively blocking your body's ability to build muscle from the protein you eat. 

This happens through multiple pathways we'll discuss, and there's a stupidly simple solution that can have the opposite effect and boost muscle building by 47%!

Main Takeaways:

• Prolonged sitting creates "anabolic resistance" that can reduce muscle protein synthesis by up to 50%
• A simple walking hack can completely reverse this effect and boost muscle building by 47%
• The biological mechanisms: improved blood flow, enhanced amino acid delivery, reactivated mTOR signaling, and better insulin sensitivity
• Compound benefits beyond muscle building include stable energy, better blood sugar control, improved recovery

Study Mentioned:

• Study by Moore et al. (2022) published in The Journal of Physiology

Timestamps:

0:01 - The hidden cost of prolonged sitting
4:05 - Why sitting blocks muscle gains
8:08 - How 2-minute breaks reverse the damage
11:16 - Practical tips to implement TODAY
14:15 - Compound effects beyond muscle building

Support the show

🎓 Build muscle, lose fat, and train smarter in Physique University (tap here for exclusive early access + a FREE custom nutrition plan for just $27/month)

👥 Join our Facebook community for live Q&As & support

👋 Let's connect! Ask a question, get my FREE newsletter, or find me on Instagram

📱 Try MacroFactor for free with code WITSANDWEIGHTS

🏋️‍♀️ Download Boostcamp for free for evidence-based workout programs

Try Wits & Weights Physique University free for 2 weeks at witsandweights.com/physique - get a custom nutrition plan, live coaching calls, workout programs, and join Allan and our supportive community tackling similar fat loss and body composition challenges

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Have you ever looked in the mirror and felt like you were staring at a stranger... but in a good way?

That's exactly where Allan finds himself after successfully building visible muscle mass and fundamentally changing his relationship with food.

In this real-time coaching session, we get into the fascinating psychological phenomenon of mental lag that happens when your body transforms faster than your self-perception can keep up.

Discover how to handle rising metabolism during cuts, manage post-bulk hunger, and process the psychological side of major physique transformation.

Episode Mentions:

• Allan's previous episode: After Bariatric Surgery, He Found Optimal Health and Strength Over 60
• Try MacroFactor for free with code WITSANDWEIGHTS

Timestamps:

0:00 - Allan's physical and mental transformation since Episode 77
6:31 - "Feeling fat" is a fallacy
11:49 - Relationship with food and emotional eating
16:06 - Current training and what's working
19:03 - Live coaching on metabolism and hunger challenges
27:27 - Identifying the real cause of grazing behavior
34:32 - Family responsibilities and life balance
39:15 - Planning the next bulk
44:15 - The deeper "why" behind transformation
46:35 - Importance of proper warm-ups and injury prevention
52:40 - Biggest takeaways and next steps

Support the show

🎓 Build muscle, lose fat, and train smarter in Physique University (tap here for exclusive early access + a FREE custom nutrition plan for just $27/month)

👥 Join our Facebook community for live Q&As & support

👋 Let's connect! Ask a question, get my FREE newsletter, or find me on Instagram

📱 Try MacroFactor for free with code WITSANDWEIGHTS

🏋️‍♀️ Download Boostcamp for free for evidence-based workout programs