Barbell Shrugged

On this podcast, Dr. Latt Mansor and Dan Garner join the hosts to discuss the benefits of using exogenous ketones for cognitive and athletic performance. They debunk marketing gimmicks surrounding the keto diet and explore the advantages of ketones as an alternative fuel source. They also delve into optimizing peri-workout nutrition, the benefits of ketones for anaerobic exercise, and finding the optimal balance and personalization in using the ketogenic diet and exogenous ketones.

In today’s episode of Barbell Shrugged Dan Garner dives into how you can start to analyze your yearly bloodwork for performance. Standard blood tests can be ordered around the globe, in every country, and are the gold standard for understanding basic health. The normal reference ranges, however, are not giving you the answers you are looking for when it come to optimizing your health and performance. In this episode you will learn: What's the mindset/philosophy of looking at bloodwork for performance if it's classically a health screen? Generally speaking, energy is what every performer needs regardless of their pursuit. How can one look at bloodwork to improve their energy levels? Electrolytes come on every panel, can these be used to look at hydration and performance? You've talked a bunch about the immune system in past podcasts so I'm wondering what a basic blood panel can tell us about the current state of our immunity? What general recommendations do you have in terms of preparation so when someone gets their blood draw they can ensure it's accurate?   To learn more, please visit rapidhealthreport.com to see Dr. Andy Galpin and Dan Garner do a free lab, lifestyle, and performance analysis. Dan Garner on Instagram Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram

Louisa leverages her experience as a neurophysiologist and professional triathlete to not only teach but inspire your audience to perform like an athlete. By using science-driven data from EEG scans, labs tests and cognitive assessments, Louisa has a first class ticket inside the brain of elite NBA, MLB and NFL stars as well as Wall Street’s biggest Hedge funds and portfolio managers. 9 years ago, Louisa was training to go to the Olympics (representing Australia in the triathlon), when she was hit by a car and suffered seemingly insurmountable injuries. Desperate to accelerate her recovery, Louisa integrated brain training into her physiology regime and was able to make a near-miraculous recovery to not only go to the Auckland World Championship series, but place 13th in the triathlon.  Louisa has since helped so many elite performers become the top 1% in their field by leveraging neuroscience, exercise physiology, and biomedical services. Louisa has successfully given her signature talk “Perform like an athlete” to the head of sales at IBM, Salesforce and Google, etc. Louisa graduated from the University of Sydney medical school with a master of medicine in neurophysiology and is currently completing her doctorate under the guidance of Dr Tommy Wood at UW, studying the effects of resistance exercise on the brain. She is on the scientific advisory board of Tonal, Klora and Momentous. Louisa Nicola on Instagram Work with Louisa Nicola Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram

Dr. Brager is a subject matter expert in behavioral genetics, sleep, and biological rhythms research. She is passionate about discovering new factors that promote resilience in extreme environments, particularly for military personnel. She also serves on the NCAA task force for mental health and sleep, contributing to the first edition of the NCAA student-athlete mental health handbook. She is author of Meathead: Unraveling the Athletic Brain, which debunks the myth of the ‘dumb jock’ and serves as a performance manual for functional athletes. Outside of the laboratory, Allison was a two-time CrossFit Games (team) athlete, a two-time CrossFit Regionals (individual) athlete, and a four-year varsity NCAA Division I athlete in track and field. Dr. Brager has an Sc.B. in Psychology from Brown University and a Ph.D. in Physiology from Kent State University. Allison Brager on Instagram Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram  

Coach PJ Nestler, the Director of Performance at XPT and Fitlab. Is a human performance specialist with over a decade of experience preparing top athletes for competition. His life mission is to help athletes and coaches realize their true potential.  With a passion for sports and a commitment to excellence, PJ has become a leader in sports performance training. He has trained dozens of athletes from the NFL, NHL and MLB and has worked extensively with over 100 fighters, including multiple Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champions and Top 10 ranked UFC fighters.  Through the application of his progressive training philosophy and unique approach to every situation, Coach PJ continues to raise the bar for fitness professionals. He has emerged as a sought-after expert in human performance and trainer education. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have him on the XPT team, as the new Director of Performance! Coach PJ Nestler on Instagram  Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram

L-Carnitine is a naturally occurring amino acid derivative that plays a crucial role in energy metabolism within the human body. It is synthesized in the liver and kidneys from the amino acids lysine and methionine. L-Carnitine is primarily involved in the transport of long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria, the energy-producing organelles within cells, where they can be oxidized to generate ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the body's main energy currency.   Here are some key aspects and functions of L-Carnitine: Energy production: L-Carnitine facilitates the transport of fatty acids into the mitochondria, enabling their breakdown and subsequent conversion into ATP. This process is essential for maintaining energy levels throughout the body. Fat metabolism: By aiding in the utilization of fatty acids as an energy source, L-Carnitine contributes to fat metabolism and can potentially support weight management and fat loss efforts. Exercise performance: L-Carnitine has been studied for its potential benefits in enhancing exercise performance. It may help improve endurance, reduce muscle damage, and enhance recovery by optimizing energy utilization during physical activity. Heart health: L-Carnitine plays a crucial role in maintaining cardiovascular health. It assists in the transport of fatty acids to the heart muscle, providing a valuable energy source. L-Carnitine supplementation has been studied for its potential benefits in various cardiac conditions, including heart failure and angina. Brain function: L-Carnitine is involved in maintaining healthy brain function. It can cross the blood-brain barrier and acts as a neuroprotective agent, potentially supporting cognitive health and neurological well-being.   Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram Dan Garner on Instagram

Greg has over a decade of experience under the bar and a M.A. in exercise and sports science. He’s held three all-time world records in powerlifting in the 220lb and 242lb classes. He’s trained hundreds of athletes and regular folks, both online and in-person. He’s written for many of the major magazines and websites in the fitness industry, including Men’s Health, Men’s Fitness, Muscle & Fitness, Bodybuilding.com, T-Nation, and Schwarzenegger.com. Furthermore, he’s had the opportunity to work with and learn from numerous record holders, champion athletes, and collegiate and professional strength and conditioning coaches   Greg Nuckols on Instagram  Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram Travis Mash on Instagram Dan Garner on Instagram

In today's episode of Barbell Shrugged the team digs into liver health, biomarkers, and optimization. The liver is a remarkable organ that performs numerous essential functions necessary for our overall well-being. Maintaining a healthy liver is vital, and understanding the role of biomarkers and optimization can help us achieve that goal. Our lifestyle choices significantly impact liver health. Unhealthy habits such as a processed food-heavy diet, excessive alcohol consumption, sedentary behavior, and chronic stress can damage the liver. On the other hand, adopting a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management, and moderate alcohol consumption promotes optimal liver function. Biomarkers play a crucial role in assessing liver health. These measurable indicators, including liver enzymes like ALT and AST, bilirubin levels, and imaging techniques like ultrasound and MRI, provide valuable insights into liver function and overall health. By monitoring these biomarkers, healthcare professionals can identify inflammation, damage, and diseases such as fatty liver disease or viral hepatitis at an early stage, enabling timely intervention and prevention of further damage. Diet is a key factor in optimizing liver health. A nutrient-rich diet low in processed foods, added sugars, and unhealthy fats supports liver function. Foods such as leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats like avocados and olive oil provide necessary nutrients and antioxidants for the liver's detoxification processes. Supplements and herbs can also aid liver health. Milk thistle, containing silymarin with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has been used for centuries for its hepatoprotective effects. Other supplements like N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and turmeric have shown potential benefits in supporting liver health. It's important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new regimen to ensure personalized guidance. Alcohol consumption significantly impacts liver health. Excessive and chronic alcohol consumption leads to inflammation, fatty liver disease, and cirrhosis. Practicing responsible drinking by limiting alcohol intake and incorporating alcohol-free days is crucial for liver protection. Mental well-being is intertwined with liver health. Chronic stress and poor mental health can affect liver function. Implementing stress management techniques such as meditation, exercise, and seeking support from loved ones or professionals can reduce stress levels and support liver health. In conclusion, optimizing liver health through lifestyle modifications, biomarker monitoring, dietary adjustments, responsible alcohol consumption, and stress management is essential for overall well-being. Prioritizing a healthy lifestyle and seeking professional guidance can make a significant difference in supporting the liver's vital functions. Remember, a healthy liver leads to a healthier life.   Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram Travis Mash on Instagram Dan Garner on Instagram

Brad Schoenfeld, PhD, CSCS, CSPS, FNSCA, is an internationally renowned fitness expert and widely regarded as one of the leading authorities on body composition training (muscle development and fat loss). He is a lifetime drug-free bodybuilder, and has won numerous natural bodybuilding titles. Brad earned his masters degree in kinesiology/exercise science from the University of Texas at Permian Basin and his PhD at Rocky Mountain University where his dissertation focused on elucidating the mechanisms of muscle hypertrophy and their application to resistance training. He has published over 300 peer-reviewed research articles on exercise and sports nutrition, as well as editing multiple textbooks and authoring several textbook chapters. He acts as the Assistant Editor-in-Chief for the NSCA’s Strength and Conditioning Journal, as well as serving on the editorial advisory board for numerous peer-reviewed exercise- and nutrition-related journals. Brad is widely regarded as a „trainer of trainers.“ He is a tenured full professor in the Health Sciences Department at Lehman College in the Bronx, NY, and serves as the Graduate Director of the Human Performance and Fitness program. Moreover, he is a dedicated mentor to young sports scientists, and has served as a chair or member on more than a dozen thesis and dissertation committees. Brad is a best-selling author of multiple fitness books including The M.A.X. Muscle Plan 2.0 (Human Kinetics, 2021), which has been widely referred to as the “muscle-building bible” and Strong and Sculpted (Human Kinetics, 2016), which details a cutting-edge body sculpting program targeted to women. Brad also has authored the seminal textbook Science and Development of Muscle Hypertrophy (Human Kinetics, 2020), the first text devoted to an evidence-based elucidation of the mechanisms and strategies for optimizing muscle growth. In total, Brad’s books have sold over a half-million copies. Brad Schoenfeld on Instagram Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram Travis Mash on Instagram Dan Garner on Instagram

Sam Miller has more than a decade of experience as a health, fitness, and nutrition coach.  His programs help coaches and health professionals improve their clients’ results.  A popular online educator, podcast host, and mentor, he consistently offers simple, strategic methods for transformation and translates complex concepts into leverage for any health and fitness goal. His workshops, classes, and specialization programs have served over 2,500 coaches worldwide. He has been a featured speaker for companies like LinkedIn and a content contributor for industry titans such as Barbell Shrugged, Muscle Intelligence, T-Nation, Elite FTS, and more.  He is a certified nutritionist and licensed, board-certified health practitioner who holds a master’s degree from North Carolina State University and a Bachelor of Science from Elon University. To learn more about RAPID Health Optimization, please visit https://rapidhealthreport.com to see a free lab, lifestyle, and performance analysis from Dr. Andy Galpin and Dan Garner   Connect with our guests: Sam Miller Science on Instagram Sam Miller Science Website Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram Dan Garner on Instagram