Iron Culture presented by MASS

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.

Cliff Wilson is universally respected in the bodybuilding community, on both sides of the fence, by enhanced and natural athletes and coaches alike. He's an example of a coach who is science-aware but informed by what works first and foremost. Never one to be trapped by how "it's supposed to be", his keen observations, attention to detail, and practices built through years of trial and error have resulted in the peak performance of many a competitor. Join us for this episode of Iron Culture as we discuss what peaking is for physique sport, and how the concept of there being a universal peaking formula is inherently flawed.

In this episode of Iron Culture, you get to observe the emotional maturity of Omar as he realizes he's in an open relationship with Eric. The original bodybuilding bromance is on display this week, as Alberto Nuñez joins Iron Culture so that he and Eric Helms can discuss the "lifestyle" of bodybuilding. While many take careful notes on the sets, reps, exercise selection, food choices and macros of physique competitors, most miss the deeply entrenched habits that are the true keys to their long term success.

We were joined by Dr. Mike Israetel to discuss Maximum Recoverable Volume...just kidding. Actually, we were moved to chat with Mike after his recent post where he went point-by-point through his self-perceived shortcomings as a science communicator. In an industry where "being right" is often valued more than being correct, and serving one's ego comes before serving the greater good, we saw this as an opportunity to discuss the importance of critical self-evaluation, and how to prevent your ego from ruining your career, life, goal pursuits or reputation.

Everybody hurts, but what if pain don't hurt much?! The immortal bard Dalton from Roadhouse might have been onto something. This episode the hosts are joined by three experts in the field of performance, rehab, and pain science. Nick Licameli of 3DMJ (PT, DPT), Quinn Henoch of Clinical Athlete (DPT), and Jordan Feigenbaum of Barbell Medicine (MD, MS) discuss the current status of pain science, injury reduction, and managing setbacks. Further Information For Our Guests: Quinn Henoch (DPT): https://www.clinicalathlete.com/ @quinn.henochdpt Nick Licameli (PT, DPT): https://3dmusclejourney.com/ @nicklicameli Jordan Feigenbaum (MD, MS): https://www.barbellmedicine.com/ @jordan_barbellmedicine