Food, We Need To Talk The Psychology Behind Fitness Scams
Jan 12, 2026
Mark Faries, a professor specializing in behavior change and health decision psychology, delves into why people fall for fitness fads and gimmicks. He reveals the psychological tricks behind infomercials and how products like the Thighmaster exploit our hopes. Faries discusses misattribution, where people mistakenly credit diets for results that actually come from basic calorie reduction. His insights empower listeners to trust their skepticism and equip them to spot misleading health claims, ensuring their success comes from informed choices rather than shiny shortcuts.
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Thighmaster Cameo
- Mark Faries recalls a recent conversation about the Thighmaster and jokes about borrowing one.
- The hosts and guest riff on how popular vintage gadgets like the Thighmaster once were.
Question The Claimed Mechanism
- Do question where results actually come from and look for basic explanations like calorie reduction.
- Avoid assuming a niche mechanism (e.g., blood type diet) caused the change without solid evidence.
Simple Causes Behind Miracle Claims
- Many fad results come from simple causes like reduced calories, not the miracle claim.
- Mark Faries urges skeptics to attribute improvements to plausible mechanisms, not flashy explanations.