Iron Culture presented by MASS

Mike Tuchscherer and Natalie Hanson return to Iron Culture in this obscenely strong episode. These world champions and top tier powerlifting coaches are joined by first-time Cult member, Canadian champ Bryce Krawczyk, also an elite lifter and coach. Uniquely, each has competed at the highest level in both raw, and equipped powerlifting and has experience coaching both types of lifters. We cover the short history of supportive equipment, how the sport went from its raw roots to being dominated by equipment, to now in modern times seeing raw re-emerge as the common expression of the sport. The three guests discuss the similarities and differences of equipped to raw lifting, the experience of equipped lifting, bust myths surrounding this side of the sport, and share how you can get started if you want to give it a try. 

Accused of being "Aesthetic Boys" that just care about muscular men, the hosts decide to pivot and talk about the next best thing; Strongmen/women. The hosts are joined by Strongman competitors Joey Szatmary & Alan Thrall. Joey is the recent USS National Strongman champion and Alan has been competing in Strongman for almost a decade. The two provide informative content on YouTube, helping to spread the knowledge and awareness of Strongman/woman. The hosts explore the interesting origin of Strongman/woman, its recent rise in popularity, and how to get involved. 

Dr. Bill Campbell is a full professor at the University of South Florida where he runs the “Physique Lab”, a unique place in the world of sports science. At his lab, Dr. Campbell and his students and volunteers specifically conduct research on practical strategies to improve body composition that are both sustainable and evidence-based. Interestingly enough, he often consults with leading coaches in the bodybuilding community, specifically to ask them what questions they want answered, what approaches they use which haven’t been validated empirically, and what methods they employ that should be compared to one another. In this episode of Iron Culture, he joins us so we can learn the story behind the physique lab and what cutting edge methods are being studied.

“Documentaries” have changed the game (pun intended) when it comes to nutrition. Unfortunately, this has not been for the better, as misinformation, bias, and conflicts of interest have polluted available knowledge. However, there is always the consummate guardian against confusion: logic. In this episode, Omar and Eric discuss these changes in the latest chapter of the diet wars, and how you can arm yourself against the propaganda of any type. In addition, Omar and Eric continue their meta-discussion of a theme across Iron Culture, the meaning and significance of moderation.

Coach Ian Pyka has more history than fits in an episode. While currently an instructor of kinesiology, biomechanics and strength and conditioning at Florida Atlantic University, Coach Pyka has done it all. He was a 3 time NCAA All American Shot Putter and made the 1980 Olympic team as an alternate. He completed his MS in Ex Phys at The University of Tennessee in 1984 and got his CSCS in 1986. Since then, he’s worked at all levels as an S&C coach. As the former head S&C of the University of Massachusetts, Tulane University, the New England Patriots, the Florida Panthers, and in his own S&C company, he‘s accumulated an incredible depth of experience that we were privileged to discuss on Iron Culture.

It is no secret that co-host Omar Isuf has had a long and difficult relationship with Creatine Monohydrate. Today's episode is about facing your addictions head-on as the hosts bring leading Creatine researcher Dr. Darren Candow on to discuss the potent white powder. The talk extends beyond the normal discussions on Creatine, examining not only the performance benefits but the cognitive perks as well. Even if you are a fellow Creatine enthusiast like one of the hosts, we're positive you'll walk away with a few new insights on everyone's favorite PES (Performance Enhancing Supplement).  

Humans try to reduce answers to binary outcomes: yes or no, black or white, or often as is the case in fitness, good or bad. Unfortunately, this is often to our own detriment as few fitness questions have binary answers. Training frequency is no different. While there is a recent perception that higher frequency is better, full stop, in many cases it is no different and if improperly implemented has the potential to be worse. In this episode join the cult leaders as they discuss frequency conceptually. Listeners will leave with tools rather than a false binary answer.

John Berardi has been a voice of evidence-based nutrition for decades. A competitive bodybuilder in his youth he went on to pursue his Ph.D. and became one of the first well-known voices advocating for a scientific approach to performance nutrition. Before social media, he became a well-known writer on topics related to nutrient timing, macronutrient breakdown, and nutrition for enhancing fat loss and muscle gain, and was one of the first writers on T-Nation. Since, he started Precision Nutrition which became a wildly successful personal trainer education company helping professionals learn nutrition to aid clients in achieving weight loss, wellness and performance goals. We were very fortunate to sit down with Dr. Berardi to discuss the long road that took him from being a young bodybuilder to a successful fitness entrepreneur. Dr. Berardi's new book -- Change Maker -- is being called the health and fitness industry’s #1 career guide. And, for a short time, he’s making the first few chapters (plus other bonuses) available to Iron Culture listeners.   ===> Check out the free chapters + bonuses now: ===> https://www.changemakeracademy.com/chapter/   If you decide you like what you're reading and want to order the book, you can pre-order and save 10%.   ===> In the USA? Click here to to save 10%: ===> https://www.amazon.com/Change-Maker-Passion-Powerful-Successful/dp/1948836556 ===> Coupon code to use at checkout: 10GNCM (expires November 4th)   ===> In Canada or International? Click here to save 10% and get free shipping: ===> https://www.bookdepository.com/Change-Maker-John-Berardi/9781948836555 ===> Coupon code: none required

If you've been in the fitness industry long enough, you've undoubtedly heard of flexible dieting. Depending upon who you ask, flexible dieting is either a liberating way of quantifying the food you consume or needlessly obsessive. The question becomes, what is the best approach for an individual looking to get into their best shape? Today, the hosts are joined by accomplished coach Laurin Conlin (MSc in Exercise Science) who's Masters research focused on how different dieting strategies affect weight loss and weight regain. Particularly, looking at a ‘flexible’ diet where no foods are excluded versus a meal plan, where foods were excluded. Her research was the first study to directly examine this relationship between these two diets. Join us for an in-depth conversation on nutrition.  

James Krieger has been putting out some of the best science-based information in the lifting community for over a decade. With expertise in nutrition, resistance training, statistics, and with personal experience in physique sport and with substantial coaching experience across a diverse spectrum from recreational lifters, to high-level competitors, he’s a voice of reason worth listening to. In this episode, James helps us understand the oft-misrepresented and frequently demonized hormone: insulin! Is it the cause of obesity? What role does it play in the body? How should we conceptualize it? If you’ve struggled with these questions, you won’t want to miss the episode where he joins Eric and Omar on Iron Culture.