

Paint The Edges
Pre-Script
Paint The Edges is a podcast that challenges conventional thinking in fitness and performance. Hosted by industry veterans James Macintosh and James Thayer, each episode explores conversations beyond the mainstream, diving deep into the edges of performance, nutrition, business, and education. The show offers practical insights for coaches, athletes, and anyone passionate about human potential, inspiring listeners to think outside the box and push the limits of what's possible
Be sure to follow hosts James Macitosh @coachjamesmac and host James Thayer @thayer2513 on Instagram. For all things education, check out www.pre-script.com.
Be sure to follow hosts James Macitosh @coachjamesmac and host James Thayer @thayer2513 on Instagram. For all things education, check out www.pre-script.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 7, 2025 • 54min
E49: Why Overcomplication Is Holding Athletes Back
Mac and Thayer break down the importance of sticking to foundational principles in fitness. They tackle how overcomplication and fear-based tactics derail progress, showing that big results often come from mastering basics. The discussion dives into pattern recognition, load management, and recovery are essentials for both everyday training and competitive performance. https://www.instagram.com/coachjamesmac/ https://www.instagram.com/thayer2513/ Join the PSL1 Waitlist Now For Our Only Course Discount. https://www.pre-script.com/psl1 FREE Coach's Field Guide: https://www.pre-script.com/coachs-field-guide Intro (00:00:00) Simplicity Over Flash (00:00:38) The Basics Solve 95% (00:02:59) Selling Fundamentals & Buy-In (00:04:41) Guru Theater vs Foundations (00:06:38) The “Quad-Dominant” Myth (00:07:39) Ditch Fear-Based Coaching (00:11:10) Build a Coach’s Eye (00:14:27) Awareness Precedes Change (00:18:01) Film It, Fix It, Keep It Simple (00:27:18) Comp-Day Back Fix: Bridges & Squeezes (00:33:39) Principles > Sport; Manage Exposure (00:41:15)

Aug 31, 2025 • 50min
E48: The Why Behind Every Rep
Mac and Thayer dig into the importance of deeper thinking in coaching, stressing how understanding the ‘why’ behind exercise selection and implementation separates high level training from guesswork. They challenge coaches to look past surface solutions and build programs with purpose. https://www.instagram.com/coachjamesmac/ https://www.instagram.com/thayer2513/ Join the PSL1 Waitlist Now For Our Only Course Discount. https://www.pre-script.com/psl1 FREE Coach's Field Guide: https://www.pre-script.com/coachs-field-guide Intro & Setup (00:00:00) The Gym Encounter Story (00:00:43) “Above Average Physique” Fallout (00:04:09) Processing Ego Hits & Identity (00:06:28) Personas, Perceptions & First Impressions (00:13:21) Breaking Industry Stereotypes (00:15:24) Depth Beyond Titles & Trojan Horse Mentality (00:17:27) Coaching as the People Business (00:27:06) Learning From Clients Beyond Fitness (00:28:08) Why Curiosity & Asking “Why” Matters (00:41:13) Ashwagandha, Cortisol & Critical Thinking (00:42:14) Lateral Thinking & Innovation in Coaching (00:46:11)

Aug 24, 2025 • 47min
E47: Precision Over Quick Fixes
Mac and Thayer dive into exercise execution, the value of simplicity in coaching, and the cultural influences shaping their perspectives. They stress the importance of mastering the basics while exposing the pitfalls of chasing quick fixes for complex problems. https://www.instagram.com/coachjamesmac/ https://www.instagram.com/thayer2513/ Join the PSL1 Waitlist Now For Our Only Course Discount. https://www.pre-script.com/psl1 FREE Coach's Field Guide: https://www.pre-script.com/coachs-field-guide Childhood Flashbacks (00:00:00) South African Mothers (00:02:00) Zoom Waiting Rooms and Old Pre-Script Days (00:05:00) Fake History Lessons from Apparel (00:09:00) Irish vs. Scottish Mix-Ups and Strong Training Partners (00:13:00) The Search for Magic Bullets in Training (00:16:30) Why Exercise Execution Beats Fancy Fixes (00:19:00) Bulgarian Split Squats and Back Foot Mistakes (00:23:00) Bench Press Pain and Rumble Strip Analogies (00:29:00) Complex Problems, Simple Solutions (00:36:00) Quality Over Fancy Drills (00:40:00) Prep Work vs. Actually Training Right (00:42:30) James Is the Problem (00:46:00)

Aug 17, 2025 • 43min
E46: Gamifying the Message: Coaching Beyond Words
Mac and Thayer break down how language shapes coaching, exploring gamification as a tool to engage clients and improve results. They unpack the gap between what’s said and what’s understood, highlighting the role of perception in effective communication. PSL1 Enrolment closes in two days! Sign up now at https://www.pre-script.com/psl1 FREE Coach's Field Guide: https://www.pre-script.com/coachs-field-guide https://www.instagram.com/coachjamesmac/ https://www.instagram.com/thayer2513/ Lighting Mishap (00:00:00) Pre-Script L1: Language & Glossary (00:01:58) Why Definitions Matter in Coaching (00:04:08) Teaching Language for Clarity (00:05:40) Labs, Nutrition & The Collective (00:07:15) Gamification & Coaching Systems (00:10:23) Vegas, Instagram & Dopamine Loops (00:11:18) Gamification in Client Check-Ins (00:14:19) Coaching Personalities & Perception (00:16:21) Personality Tests & Client Insights (00:18:20) Communication vs. Comprehension (00:23:32) Tools for Better Client Understanding (00:26:01) Evolution, Colors & Coaching Signals (00:30:08) Color Coding Training Intensity (00:37:15) Efficiency, Systems & Scaling Coaching (00:39:42) The Power of a Glossary (00:42:04)

Aug 10, 2025 • 47min
E45: Coaching Growth Through Knowledge and Application
Mac and Thayer discuss their experiences returning home, focusing on the contrasts between their past and present. The conversation highlights the importance of evolving coaching practices and the need for practical application of knowledge in the fitness realm. https://www.instagram.com/coachjamesmac/ https://www.instagram.com/thayer2513/ Class Starts Monday! Sign Up Now at https://www.pre-script.com/psl1 FREE Coach's Field Guide: https://www.pre-script.com/coachs-field-guide Back Home and Load Shedding Realities (00:00:00) Candlelight Ambience and South African Infrastructure (00:06:15) The Unchanged Hometown Experience (00:07:01) Grocery Stores Frozen in Time (00:11:24) Peppermint Crisp and Nostalgia (00:12:27) Why Nothing Evolves Without Environmental Change (00:16:05) Parallels Between Stagnant Towns and Coaching Evolution (00:19:33) Gym Layouts and Equipment Stuck in the Past (00:24:23) Rehabilitation Without Integration (00:31:10) Accessibility of Education and Industry Catch-Up (00:35:14) Falling Behind and the Drive to Improve (00:36:58) Underdeveloped Areas in Performance Training (00:38:03) Misguided Sport-Specific Training Examples (00:39:25) Managing Fatigue in Performance Programs (00:42:24) Information Rich, Application Poor (00:44:31) Knowing When Not to Use an Exercise (00:46:11)

Aug 3, 2025 • 1h 8min
E44: The Arm Day Mistakes You're Still Making
Mac and Thayer dive into the nuts and bolts of effective programming with a special focus on arm hypertrophy. They break down how to strategically manipulate training volume, why less can often lead to more, and how to avoid the common pitfalls of junk volume. PSL1 Starts August 11th! Sign Up Now At https://www.pre-script.com/psl1 https://www.instagram.com/coachjamesmac/ https://www.instagram.com/thayer2513/ FREE Coach's Field Guide: https://www.pre-script.com/coachs-field-guide Riverside Mic Chaos & Heavy Breathing Fame (00:00:00) Powerlifting & Building Work Ethic (00:05:05) How Strength Training Shapes Mental Toughness (00:08:04) Weekly Sets & Load Management 101 (00:13:21) Real-World Volume Application with Clients (00:16:32) Programming Around Travel & Recovery (00:18:34) The Anatomy of an Arm Block (00:22:19) Using Physique Assessments to Guide Programming (00:23:13) Mistakes in Load Distribution for Hypertrophy (00:26:04) Strategic Set Reduction to Boost Arm Volume (00:30:12) Why Your Arm Exercises Aren’t Equal (00:34:22) Real Programming Data from Mac’s Training Blocks (00:36:01) Using Fatigue to Limit Load for Recovery (00:40:29) Dieting, Travel, and Why You Shouldn’t Add Volume (00:42:18) The Logic Behind 41 Working Sets (00:45:09) How to Increase Arm Volume Without Doing More (00:47:11) Influencer Programming vs Real Program Design (00:50:04) Smart Exercise Sequencing for Arms & Chest (00:52:04) Pull Day Setup, Shoulder Health (00:59:03) How to Test New Exercises Without Breaking the Program (01:02:07) Why You Should Always Program 2 Blocks Ahead (01:04:12) Runways for Progression & Future Blocks (01:06:07)

Jul 27, 2025 • 48min
E43: The Education Trap: Are You Learning or Just Consuming?
In this episode of Paint the Edges, Mac and Thayer explore the value of continuous education, balancing depth and breadth of knowledge, and applying concepts in real-world coaching. They highlight the role of critical thinking and share personal experiences that shape their approach to fitness and learning. https://www.instagram.com/coachjamesmac/ https://www.instagram.com/thayer2513/ Certification for professionals tired of slow progress and corrective exercise. PSL1 enrolment is now LIVE! https://www.pre-script.com/psl1 FREE Coach's Field Guide: https://www.pre-script.com/coachs-field-guide Introduction and Podcast Dynamics (00:00:00) Exciting Developments in Teaching and Nutrition (00:02:48) Practical Applications in Assessments (00:05:06) Observations on Gym Behavior and Training Techniques (00:06:56) Reflections on Personal Growth and Education (00:13:23) Expanding Knowledge: Depth vs. Breadth (00:19:43) The Importance of Practical Application (00:22:41) Personal Experience and Its Influence on Learning (00:28:35) The Role of Curiosity in Coaching (00:31:30) Navigating the Balance of Knowledge (00:36:27) Defining Moments in Coaching and Learning (00:44:15)

Jul 20, 2025 • 48min
E42: Leveraging Training Variables for Better Results
Mac and Thayer break down the importance of effective exercise selection, assessing setups for safety, and understanding key training variables. They emphasize the value of grounding training decisions in proven principles rather than chasing trends, offering insights to help lifters train smarter and see better results. https://www.instagram.com/coachjamesmac/ https://www.instagram.com/thayer2513/ Certification for professionals tired of slow progress and corrective exercise. PSL1 enrolment is now LIVE! https://www.pre-script.com/psl1 FREE Coach's Field Guide: https://www.pre-script.com/coachs-field-guide Caffeine Confessions & Energy Drink Debates (00:00:00) Why PSL1 Is Our Favorite Course to Teach (00:05:34) The Value of Labs in Coaching Development (00:07:08) Training Variables: Where Theory Meets Practice (00:12:28) Shortened, Mid, and Lengthened Range: What It Means (00:14:03) Why That Glute Exercise on Instagram Might Suck (00:20:12) Smart Glute Programming: Avoiding Redundancy (00:25:02) Bicep Curls & Load: The Real Difference Makers (00:26:39) Foot Pressure, Stability & Dumb Exercise Setups (00:28:36) Smith Machine Madness & Common Sense Training (00:33:18) Old-School Training Still Wins (and Why) (00:35:05) Marketing vs. Mechanics: Don’t Fall for Fitness Fads (00:39:48) When to Modify Exercises & When to Keep It Simple (00:42:05) Train Smarter, Not Just More: Reducing Trash Volume (00:46:10)

Jul 13, 2025 • 49min
E41: Momentum Over Balance: Rethinking Productivity
In this episode, Mac and Thayer dive into the role of routine and productivity in both personal and professional life. They share practical strategies for task management, such as prioritization and building momentum through action, while challenging the myth of work-life balance. The discussion touches on coping mechanisms, the value of self-awareness, and the importance of meaningful outlets to prevent burnout. https://www.instagram.com/coachjamesmac/ https://www.instagram.com/thayer2513/ Certification for professionals tired of slow progress and corrective exercise. PSL1 enrolment is now LIVE! https://www.pre-script.com/psl1 FREE Coach's Field Guide: https://www.pre-script.com/coachs-field-guide Finding Structure in Chaos (00:00:00) Nicotine, Routines & Getting Sh*t Done (00:00:50) You Don’t Need Motivation—You Need Systems (00:02:39) The Eisenhower Matrix & Prioritization (00:05:34) Momentum > Motivation (00:07:38) How to Outsmart Burnout with Small Wins (00:11:22) Working When You Don’t Want To (00:16:42) The Lie of Balance and the Power of Full Effort (00:25:28) Coping Mechanisms That Actually Work (00:36:17) How to Work Smarter Without Losing Steam (00:41:04) Optimize Your Day By Understanding Yourself (00:47:56)

Jul 6, 2025 • 48min
E:40 Packed with Promises: The Gimmicks We Fell For
In this episode of Paint the Edges, Mac and Thayer unpack the most absurd fitness gadgets and trends that have filled gym bags over the years. From altitude masks to the infamous Shake Weight, they explore how marketing hype often outmuscled actual effectiveness in training. https://www.instagram.com/coachjamesmac/ https://www.instagram.com/thayer2513/ It's time we get serious about exercise prescription. PSL1 Registration Is Now Live! www.pre-script.com/psl1 FREE Coach's Field Guide: https://www.pre-script.com/coachs-field-guide Intro: Why This Episode Matters (00:00:00) Are We Actually Coaching? (00:03:48) The Problem with Internet Rehab (00:07:30) Why Pain Isn’t Always the Priority (00:12:05) Making Clinical Ideas Practical (00:16:42) Instagram Coaches vs. Real-World Results (00:21:09) Are You Coaching the Nervous System or Just Saying You Are? (00:26:45) The Impact of Environment on Performance (00:31:26) Building Buy-In Without Buzzwords (00:36:58) What’s Next for Performance Education (00:42:13)