#241 Beyond Pleasure: Eating for Fuel and Long-Term Health with Tony Andonoff

Welcome back to another inspiring episode of the Lisa podcast! In today’s episode, Lisa sits down with the incredible Tony Andonoff—a passionate coach, late-blooming bodybuilder, and advocate for sustainable, lifelong health. If you’ve ever struggled with your relationship to food, building lasting discipline, or finding a coaching approach that works in real life (not just for athletes), this episode is a must-listen.

Tony shares his journey to peak physique at age 47, how his family motivated him to lead by example, and why viewing food as fuel—not just pleasure—can be transformative for anyone. Together, Lisa and Tony dig deep into practical strategies for making “boring” meals enjoyable, the challenges (and surprising rewards) of macro tracking, and the essential role of mindset, accountability, and support systems in building long-term fitness habits.

Whether you’re just starting your health journey, coaching others, or navigating the ups and downs of everyday life, this episode is packed with relatable insights, tactical advice, and plenty of encouragement to help you transform your mindset and your habits—for good.

So grab your notebook, settle in, and get ready for another episode packed with expert guidance and no-nonsense motivation!

Timestamp Overview:

• [00:00] – Introduction & Topic Overview
• [00:26] – What Tony Wants Listeners to Learn: Food as Fuel
• [01:52] – Tony’s Journey: From Gen Pop to Competitive Bodybuilding
• [04:11] – Learning from Coaching, Keto Diet & Mindset Shifts
• [05:59] – Coaching General Population: Practical Advice
• [09:03] – Shifting Clients’ Attitude About Food Choices
• [10:18] – Key Habits: Hydration, Protein Intake, & Vegetables
• [13:12] – Meal Composition Strategies for Real Life
• [14:20] – Essential Fats & Building Better Meals
• [15:28] – Adapting Taste Buds & Making Healthy Food Enjoyable
• [18:12] – Committing to the Process & Taste Bud Transformation
• [21:43] – Condiments & Practical Tips for Meal Prep
• [22:32] – Macro Tracking: Overcoming Resistance & Learning
• [24:45] – Long-Term Coaching Mindset
• [29:04] – Why Tracking Food Changes Everything
• [31:01] – Meal Plans vs. Macros: Which Works Best?
• [33:49] – Mindset, Discipline & Navigating Social Support
• [38:11] – The Critical Role of Communication & Accountability
• [43:51] – Lasting Change: Inspiration, Self-Priority & Personal Growth
• [44:34] – Closing Thoughts & Where to Find Tony

Follow Tony Andonoff:

• Instagram: @teamadonoff https://www.instagram.com/teamandonoff/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Team-Andonoff-Coaching/100094725375420/

Episode Availability: Listen to this powerful conversation with Tony Andonoff on all major platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and directly on our website.