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Stronger Weekly
30 episodes
Overtraining, Training After 40 & Do You Really Have to Run? (AUA w/ Ben Barker)
Ep 135 · Aug 5, 2026 · 1 hr 5 min
Ben Barker is back for another Ask Us Anything. How do you tell the difference between real overtraining and just being tired and needing to push through? If you genuinely hate running, do you have to do it at all to get the cardiovascular benefit? And should a 46-year-old be running the same program she ran at 30, or is "train differently as you age" an excuse people hide behind? Jesse and Ben also get into how each of them structures a day to stay productive, and close it out with the worst fi…
Why You're Always Tired (And How to Actually Fix Your Energy)
Ep 135 · Jul 29, 2026 · 28 min
You get seven hours and still wake up flat. Coffee gets you upright, 2 p.m. drops you off a cliff, and then you finally climb into bed exhausted and your brain switches on. Most people assume that's a sleep problem and try to sleep more. When that doesn't work, it's the tell: fatigue is almost never one problem. It's a stack of them, and they feed each other. This episode breaks down five research-backed drivers of low energy and the specific fix for each — sleep debt and the irregularity that m…
Your Fitness Report Card: 5 Tests and the Benchmarks for Your Age
Ep 134 · Jul 22, 2026 · 39 min
Most people have no idea how fit they actually are. They guess, they compare themselves to the guy at the squat rack, or they measure against who they were at 25 — and then coast for years assuming they're fine. This episode replaces the guessing with five real tests exercise physiologists use, plus the exact benchmark you should be hitting at your age. You'll get your numbers on VO2 max, push-ups, grip strength, the plank, and the wall sit — what each one measures, the research behind why it ma…
We Put 12 People on Creatine for 90 Days — Here's What Actually Happened (with Ashley Boyer)
Ep 133 · Jul 15, 2026 · 1 hr 2 min
Creatine is one of the most researched supplements on earth — and also one of the most hyped, doubted, and misunderstood. So instead of arguing about it, REP Fitness ran the experiment: they took 12 people who had never touched creatine, held their training steady, and tracked everything for 90 days. This episode unpacks exactly what happened. Jesse sits down with Ashley Boyer — Editor-in-Chief at REP Fitness, certified personal trainer, and the sports-performance researcher who designed and ran…
Kids & Screen Time, Intermittent Fasting, & Blasting Lower Belly Fat (AUA w/ Ben Barker)
Ep 132 · Jul 8, 2026 · 56 min
Jesse and Ben Barker are back for an Ask Us Anything, tackling the real-life questions busy parents and lifters are actually asking: how much screen time to allow your kids (now that even the government is warning about it), how to unwind at night without reaching for a drink, how to finally lose the stubborn lower-belly pooch that won't budge, whether the Presidential Fitness Test's return means you should train your kids, the best way to actually track your lifts, how to keep running without w…
Hyrox vs. CrossFit vs. Bodybuilding: Which Should YOU Do?
Ep 131 · Jul 1, 2026 · 34 min
Should you try Hyrox? Is CrossFit actually good for you? Should you just run a bodybuilding split? With a hundred ways to train and only a few hours a week to spend, the hard part isn't effort — it's choosing where to put it. This episode cuts through the noise. Jesse grades the biggest training styles — Hyrox, CrossFit, traditional bodybuilding, and hybrid training — with actual letter grades across four things that matter: convenience, building muscle and aesthetics, community, and longevity.…
5 Tips to Finally Lose Those Last 5 Pounds (Stubborn Fat Attack Plan)
Ep 130 · Jun 24, 2026 · 35 min
You spent the spring trying to dial it in — then work, stress, and life got in the way. Now summer's here and you're a few pounds short of revealing the work you put in. It happens to almost everyone, and those last five pounds are always the most stubborn. But it is not too late. This episode is a tight, practical playbook: tighten your calorie deficit (and why you're probably eating more than you think), optimize the all-day movement most people ignore, fix what's in your glass, train with the…
Do You Need a Dopamine Detox? How to Give Your Brain the Break It Needs
Ep 129 · Jun 17, 2026 · 41 min
If nothing feels satisfying anymore — if you need your phone, your coffee, your drink, and your scroll just to feel normal — your dopamine system may be out of balance. And you're not broken. You're over-stimulated. This episode separates the real science from the viral nonsense. The dark-room "dopamine detox" is a myth — you can't drain a molecule your brain makes to keep you alive. But the underlying principle, drawn from the clinical work of Stanford psychiatrist Dr. Anna Lembke, is real: tip…
Are You Training Hard Enough? (Hint: Probably Not)
Ep 128 · Jun 10, 2026 · 48 min
The truth most fitness shows won't tell you: we're overestimating both how MUCH and how HARD we train. We think we're training. We're really just moving. Statistically speaking, only 24% of American adults meet the federal exercise guidelines. This episode breaks down what "training hard" actually means for strength versus cardio, why vigorous intensity is non-negotiable for longevity (a 2018 JAMA study found low VO2 max is a stronger mortality predictor than smoking), the two metrics that revea…
Fitness for Busy Parents, Talking Nutrition with Kids & Real Supplement Stacks (AUA w/ Ben Barker)
Ep 127 · Jun 3, 2026 · 58 min
Jesse and Ben Barker are back for an Ask Us Anything together, tackling listener questions on how much time busy parents really need to train (the realistic minimum), how to talk about nutrition with your kids without giving them food complexes, what's actually in their supplement stacks (no sponsored answers), how much weekly time it takes to check every fitness box (strength, muscle, cardio, mobility), whether you really need to squat-bench-deadlift to get strong, how to know if you're trainin…
The Truth About Fitness Influencers (And Why You Shouldn't Trust Them)
Ep 126 · May 27, 2026 · 46 min
Four in ten American adults — and half of adults under 50 — now get their health and fitness information from social media influencers. According to a landmark Pew Research study published this month, 16% of those influencers list ZERO credentials. No degrees. No certifications. No training. Just content, abs, and a follow button. This episode breaks down what the data actually shows, exposes the manipulative advice fitness consultants give new creators (take your shirt off, fire out content, bu…
GLP-1s and Muscle Loss: What Ozempic Users Need to Know
Ep 125 · May 20, 2026 · 40 min
One in eight American adults have now tried a GLP-1 (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound). The drugs work—people lose 15-22% of their body weight in clinical trials. But new research published this month confirms what many suspected: 25-40% of that weight loss is muscle, not fat. That is catastrophic for long-term metabolic health, strength, and healthspan. This episode breaks down the latest meta-analysis, explains why muscle loss matters (it's not just vanity—muscle is your metabolic engine, s…
Stop Doing These 8 Exercises (Safer Alternatives for Muscle Growth)
Ep 124 · May 13, 2026 · 1 hr 8 min
Most people think barbell back squats, conventional deadlifts, and wide-grip pull-ups are non-negotiable. They're not. Many of the most common exercises quietly wreck joints while safer alternatives deliver the same muscle activation with a fraction of the injury risk. This episode lays out the 8 riskiest exercises, backed by research, AND gives you safer swaps for each one. When it comes to fitness, you should choose smart exercises with high-return, with lower risk...especially as you age. If…
The Top 6 Fitness Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)
Ep 123 · May 6, 2026 · 48 min
Most people focus on program splits, exercise selection, and supplement stacks. They miss the six fundamental mistakes that actually matter: poor lifting skill, ego lifting, program hopping, chasing conflicting adaptations, overtraining without recovery, and eating more calories than they think. This episode breaks down the research on each mistake and offers a practical fix. Whether your fitness progress has stalled, or you're just starting out, this episode will help you avoid the top 6 fitnes…
Look Good Naked, Cold Plunge Science, Top 3 Supplements, and Sober Friendships (AUA Vol. 11)
Ep 122 · Apr 29, 2026 · 1 hr 7 min
Jesse and Justin are back for Ask Us Anything Vol. 11, tackling listener questions on cold plunge timing (does it blunt muscle growth?), protein on rest days, how to look good with your shirt off (not just clothed), essential supplements if you could only take three, meditation vs. breathwork (is it actually helping or just aspirational?), and when to tell your kids about your past mistakes. It's two dads being brutally honest about fitness, fatherhood, and fighting to be better than they were y…
Big Pharma vs. Addiction Recovery: Investigative Journalist Exposes the Truth | Ben Westhoff
Ep 121 · Apr 22, 2026 · 58 min
Ben Westhoff is an investigative journalist, bestselling author of "Fentanyl, Inc.", and filmmaker behind the new documentary "Antagonist". He was the first reporter to go undercover in a Chinese fentanyl lab, and his work has advised top government officials. His new film exposes how naltrexone—a life-saving addiction medication—has been systematically suppressed by big-money interests. The stakes: 80,000 opioid deaths and 140,000 alcohol deaths annually in the U.S. Ben breaks down why methadon…
When Exercise Becomes Unhealthy: Therapist & Strength Coach Laura Gordon Explains
Ep 120 · Apr 15, 2026 · 1 hr 19 min
Can exercise be unhealthy? Laura Gordon knows firsthand. She's a licensed therapist, strength coach, and PhD student at Clemson studying stress dysfunction and maladaptive coping. Today, she's researching how trauma rewires the brain and why PTSD diagnostic criteria need an overhaul. Laura breaks down stress dysfunction vs. PTSD, how exercise can become maladaptive coping (anger release, physical pain to avoid emotional pain), the role of genetic and epigenetic predispositions in addiction and m…
How to Protect Your Kids Online: Social Media Safety After Landmark Meta Ruling
Ep 119 · Apr 8, 2026 · 54 min
Last week, a California jury found Meta and YouTube liable for social media addiction. This week, Kaylin Peete from the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) delivers the solutions parents need. FOSI is a nonprofit that partners with Apple, Google, TikTok, Roblox, and other major tech companies to translate research into practical tools for families—reaching over 300,000 parents globally. Kaylin breaks down Australia's under-16 social media ban (and whether the U.S. should follow), FOSI's "7 Ste…
Meta & YouTube GUILTY: What The Verdict Means for Your Kids & Big Tech
Ep 118 · Apr 1, 2026 · 38 min
On March 25, 2026, a California jury found Meta and YouTube liable for social media addiction, ordering them to pay $6 million in damages. It's the first time platforms have been ruled defective products based on design—not content. Over 2,000 similar lawsuits are pending. One day earlier, Meta was hit with a $375 million verdict in New Mexico for failing to protect children from predators. Jesse breaks down the trial, the internal documents proving Meta knew Instagram harmed kids under 13, how…
Strength Training vs. Cardio, TRT for Men Over 40, and Faith & Fitness (AUA)
Ep 117 · Mar 25, 2026 · 50 min
Every month, we answer your real health & fitness questions. This month: cardio versus strength training, testosterone replacement therapy for men over 40, alcohol’s impact on your fitness goals, lost identity as a dad, and whether caring about your body is vain as a Christian. These aren’t hypothetical questions. These are real asks from real people trying to stay fit, stay healthy, and stay grounded while juggling careers, families, faith and more. BONUS: This Week’s Health & Fitness News This…
How to Lose Fat in 30 Days (The System That Actually Works)
Ep 116 · Mar 18, 2026 · 44 min
Most people fail fat loss because they don’t have a system. They crash diet for two weeks, overtrain, and quit the moment it gets uncomfortable. Then they start over and repeat the cycle, never truly achieving the physique they want. I’m 30 days out from a Florida trip with my family. I need to get lean. And I’m not guessing—I’m running the exact protocol I use every time I need to strip body fat and keep muscle. This episode breaks down the system: a 500-calorie daily deficit tracked with an AI…
What You Don’t Know About Chiropractic Care (Pediatrics, Prenatal, Sports)
Ep 115 · Mar 11, 2026 · 1 hr 6 min
Most people have NO idea just how helpful, and versatile, chiropractic medicine is. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Dan Wallis—chiropractor, father, and founder of Elevate Chiropractic in Fort Collins, Colorado—to explore the parts of chiropractic care most people have never heard of. Dr. Dan treats newborns with colic. He works with pregnant women preparing for labor. He optimizes nervous systems for student D1 athletes at CSU. And yes, he helps people recover from injury and manage chroni…
Faith, Fitness, and Fatherhood (A Dad's Guide to Winning at Life)
Ep 114 · Mar 4, 2026 · 1 hr 5 min
Most dads are trying to figure out how to stay fit while juggling work, kids, and everything else. But here’s the problem: They’re either chasing programs designed for 22-year-olds with unlimited time, or they’re settling for watered-down “quick workout” BS that doesn’t actually work. And even when they find something that fits their schedule, they’re still dealing with the bigger question: How do you balance fitness with being a present husband, a good father, and growing in your faith? In this…
Answering Beginner Fitness Questions from the Internet
Ep 113 · Feb 25, 2026 · 48 min
Every week, millions of people turn to the internet to ask basic, but important fitness questions online. Questions like: “Can I do cardio and lift weights on the same day?” Or “Should I be tracking macros?” Or “How do I know if I’m sore or injured?” They’re the questions everyone has when they’re starting out. They’re just afraid to ask them. In this episode, I’m pulling real questions from Reddit’s r/Fitness “Moronic Monday” thread—a weekly forum where 12+ million members ask the beginner ques…
The Smart Way to Build Muscle After 40 (Avoid These Mistakes)
Ep 112 · Feb 18, 2026 · 40 min
After 40, your body changes. Muscle loss accelerates. Recovery takes longer. Injuries don't heal like they used to. Most people over 40 fall into one of two traps: Either they ignore the biological reality and grind themselves into injury, or they assume they're broken down and settle for watered-down "everything workouts." Both approaches fail. In this episode, you'll learn the science-backed approach to building muscle after 40—what actually works for maintaining strength, minimizing injury, a…
Weekend Health Update: GLP-1 Breakthrough, Exercise vs. Depression, Caffeine & Dementia | Feb 15
Ep 111 · Feb 14, 2026 · 4 min
Your weekend health and fitness news briefing. We break down the health and fitness headlines that matter for busy people who want to stay informed without the noise. In less than 5 minutes. This week's coverage: GLP-1 medications: WHO confirms major weight loss results—and what the patent expiration means for prices Exercise and depression: 79,000-participant study finds aerobic exercise rivals medication Caffeine and dementia: Harvard's 43-year study reveals the protective nature of coffee Str…
Why Most People Are Dehydrated (And How to Fix It)
Ep 110 · Feb 11, 2026 · 43 min
A majority of Americans are dehydrated, while three out of four drink less than 3 cups of water per day. That means YOU are statistically likely to be chronically dehydrated, and you probably didn't realize it. And if you’re busy, active, or dealing with stress? The odds are even worse. In this episode, I break down: What hydration actually means—and why drinking water alone isn’t enough The hidden cost of dehydration: brain fog, mood swings, headaches, poor sleep, and reduced physical performan…
How Cold Plunging Reduced My Stress and Anxiety (6-Month Results)
Ep 109 · Feb 4, 2026 · 49 min
What if 3 minutes of cold water could replace your evening drink? In this episode, I share my 6-month journey with cold plunging—and how it completely changed my ability to transition from work stress to being present with my kids. I didn't start cold plunging for mental health. I started for the "bro science" stuff—testosterone, recovery, optimization. But what I discovered was something far more powerful: a tool that reduced my anxiety, helped me regulate my nervous system, and significantly r…
Is TRT Cheating? Plus: Gym Time vs. Family, Stress Without Alcohol, and Choosing the Right Fitness Program | Ask Us Anything Vol. 7
Ep 108 · Jan 27, 2026 · 1 hr 8 min
You ask, we answer! Welcome to our monthly Ask Us Anything episode. Jesse is joined by Justin Maziarz and Dave Lipay to unpack real listener questions on testosterone replacement therapy, balancing training with family, the guilt of not wanting to spend every waking moment with your kids, managing stress without alcohol, choosing the right fitness program, and knowing when to quit a job you hate. What We Cover: Should I Try TRT, and is it cheating? Keith from Montclair sees guys at his gym who l…
Exercise Variety Linked to Longevity, Measles Outbreak Hits 30-Year High & the Science of Workout Playlists | Health & Fitness News
Jan 23, 2026 · 13 min
This week in our weekly bonus news episode, we break down the most important health & fitness headlines of the week: A new Harvard study finds that exercise variety — not just volume — is linked to a 19% lower risk of early death. U.S. measles cases hit their highest level in over 30 years, with outbreaks spreading across multiple states and vaccination rates falling below herd immunity thresholds. University of Surrey research links vitamin D deficiency to a 33% higher risk of hospitalization f…
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