After speaking in St. Louis at the fitness summit together and catching up it was so great to have Ali come on the show to talk about everything men’s health, testosterone, training, boners, and what it takes to get fit and healthy in every way as a man in 2023and beyond.  Ali Gilbert is a fitness professional who specializes in men's health, helping men get jacked, optimizing testosterone, and conquering nutrition. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: The shocking image of what men will look like by the 2040’s; Ali and I discuss the the lifestyle behaviors that are influencing negative hormone imbalances in both men and women and what to do about. Why microwaving in plastic Tupperware and plastic water bottles in the summer can cause negative changes in your hormones. Low testosterone is big men’s health risk that influences heart and cardiovascular health, cognitive health, neurodegenerative disease, sexual health, and much more. Why the standards of testosterone have dropped in the US and what you should really be shooing for as a healthy man (hint: to be the most optimal don’t follow current guidelines). How your nutrition is a huge culprit in crashing mens testosterone and how to match your nutrition to your goals and performance. The problem with many competing goals and how it’s stopping you from fixing your hormones for good.  My story of how sleep, work and lack of recovery crushed my hormones and made me feel like crap, and how you can avoid doing the same.  The high stress non-stop work life that stops you from prioritizing your health and how to create a structure for health and success. The reason why men need a tribe, a safe space to connect, be challenged and pushed to be better.  When to possibly get TRT or go the route of lifestyle improvements first. Why obesity and visceral fat affects hormones and the reason TRT may not be a good idea at certain body fat percentages.   The step-by-step process that will help any man improve their health and hormones.  Why it’s smart to get a blood panel done to assess your “deep health” and see how to improve your overall health.  The red flags you must look for when it comes to recommendations for testosterone therapy at clinics.  What is the “TRT Starter Pack” you should always avoid!  Why men need estrogen and messing with it can have big downsides.  Shout out to our sponsor Vagaro Pro! It’s the leading booking & management app for any size business whether you are a solopreneur or you own multiple gym locations. They’re also our new partner for the Vigor Life podcast! We can’t wait to bring you more insight & knowledge to help you reach those goals, both physically AND fiscally. So, keep tuning in, and tell a friend, because this year we’re taking it to new levels! Check out their website https://bit.ly/3IaU9Ux Go to https://bit.ly/3IaU9Ux to see how your business could benefit too! LINKS AND RESOURCES: Ali Gilbert Website https://ali-gilbert.com/ Ali Gilbert Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thealigilbert/ Testosterone School https://ali-gilbert.com/l/testosterone-school-enrollment-wait-list/ Book: Count Down - How The Modern World Is Threatening Sperm Count, Altering Male and Female Reproductive Development https://a.co/d/duT8YSE Silverback Summit https://www.silverbacksummit.com/ Vigor Life Podcast (iTunes)  h Vigor Life Podcast on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0gp1uXtwfRUcBkfS1P1uim?si=kcUu2vhPRwuxdV5kTzQrug Luka Hocevar YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ29YcBh-g6onRujX3wD_XA?view_as=subscriber

Anytime I get my brother Adam Bornstein on the show, insights and wisdom is dropped! Adam Bornstein is a New York Times best-selling author, and an award-winning fitness and nutrition journalist and editor. Named "one of the most influential people in health", Bornstein is the CEO and founder of Born Fitness. Previously, he was the editorial director for LIVESTRONG.COM and the fitness editor for Men's Health magazine. His first book, The Impact! Body Plan was a fitness bestseller, and that was followed by The Men's Health Diet (with Stephen Perrine), The Women's Health Big Book of Abs, and The Men's Health Big Book: Getting Abs. Bornstein has articles featured in publications such as The New York TImes, ESPN the Magazine, Forbes, and Fast Company. He also has a monthly column in Men's Fitness magazine called "Learn It." Bornstein has appeared on Good Morning America, The Early Show, and E! News. Adam is releasing a new book “You Can’t Screw This Up” to help people finally create an effective sustainable nutrition habit, while he’s also running Arnold Schwarzenegger’s daily newsletter The Daily Pump as well as running his companies Born Fitness and Pen Name Consulting.  IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: The nutrition book that is not a nutrition book and why its what everyone that is struggling with nutrition needs. The big problem with the fitness and nutrition industry and how we change it to actually help people. How to finally stop with diets and rigid rules to change your nutrition to achieve your goals without stressing your life away.  Why your nutrition “slip up” is not the problem, what REALLY is, and how to change it. How to change who you think you are so you can become who you want - the secret mindset strategy most people miss! Why what worked for authors of certain nutrition methods, doesn’t work for most people when it comes changing their food habits. What are the 5 trap doors that derail people from achieving their lifestyle nutrition change and how to spot them.  The toolbox to help you execute the “next step” for YOU to be successful in making a change.  Why coaches will become better with getting results for clients by letting go of what they know (trust me you need to hear this).  The blueprint for sharing the right message with the world and attracting clients that need help (create a bigger megaphone AND get more clients). Why almost 400,000 people read Adam’s newsletter daily (that he writes for Arnold Schwarzenegger) and what you can learn from it as a coach.  And much, much more…. Shout out to our sponsor Vagaro Pro! It’s the leading booking & management app for any size business whether you are a solopreneur or you own multiple gym locations. They’re also our new partner for the Vigor Life podcast! We can’t wait to bring you more insight & knowledge to help you reach those goals, both physically AND fiscally. So, keep tuning in, and tell a friend, because this year we’re taking it to new levels! Check out their website ⁠vagaro.com/pro⁠ to see how your business could benefit too! IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:LINKS AND RESOURCES:  Book: You Can’t Screw This Up https://a.co/d/4IoeLvl Adam Bornstein site  www.BornFitness.com Adam Bornstein Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bornfitness/ The Daily Pump Newsletter https://schwarzenegger.ck.page/0943ca5e13 Pen Name Consulting https://penname.co/ Vagaro  ⁠vagaro.com/pro⁠  Vigor Life Podcast (iTunes)  h Vigor Life Podcast on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0gp1uXtwfRUcBkfS1P1uim?si=kcUu2vhPRwuxdV5kTzQrug Luka Hocevar YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ29YcBh-g6onRujX3wD_XA?view_as=subscriber

Brian Cain, MPM is the creator of The Mental Performance Mastery (MPM) Coaching Certification Course and The 30 Days to MPM for Athletes Program, a #1 International Best-Selling Author, Speaker, Coach and Consultant. Brian is widely regarded as the foremost authority on Mental Performance Mastery. He has worked with Fortune 500 companies, executives and organizations as well as coaches, athletes, and teams at the Olympic level, in the National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA) National Hockey League (NHL), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), in Professional Golf (PGA, LPGA, Korn Ferry, Symetra) and in Major League Baseball (MLB). Brian has taught his 10 Pillars of Mental Performance Mastery System on stages all over the world to audiences such as John Paul Mitchell Systems, Whirlpool, Fuddruckers and Burton Snowboards. His client list includes 4 Major League Baseball Cy-Young Award winners, a Heisman Trophy Winner, 6 UFC World Champion Mixed Martial Artists, World Series and Super Bowl Champions and MVPs, Olympic Medalists, Team USA Baseball, Team USA Bowling and multiple NCAA National Players of The Year, NCAA National Champions and over 1,000 professional sports draft selections. Brian and I dive into all the aspects of building mental performance, unstoppable confidence, resilience, and mental mastery. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: What led Brian into the world of mental performance coaching when it wasn’t popular at all. How failure, loss, and adversity led Brian to finding his purpose and being on a mission. The blueprint for building confidence no matter how many times you’ve failed. The 3 things that build unstoppable confidence that you can start applying today. The power of mental performance habits and the steps you can “steal” from Brian’s coaching of the top performers. The 3-steps Brian’s elite athlete’s take before every performance and how you can apply them to win your day, every day. Why you need a pre-game and a post-game journal whether you’re an athlete or a business person. Drills create the skills to build the skillsets, Brian breaks down how to build the 10 mental skills. Motivation starts after movement begins! Learn the success checklist that builds discipline over motivation. Discover how to determine just the right amount of mental training so the client thrives and doesn’t get overwhelmed. The 4-step person development formula that determines how the mental performance will look like. What’s Brian diving into to improve his mental performance and energy What’s the wall of mentors and how to build an environment of success every day. And much, much more…. Shout out to our sponsor Vagaro Pro! It’s the leading booking & management app for any size business whether you are a solopreneur or you own multiple gym locations. They’re also our new partner for the Vigor Life podcast! We can’t wait to bring you more insight & knowledge to help you reach those goals, both physically AND fiscally. So, keep tuning in, and tell a friend, because this year we’re taking it to new levels! Check out their website vagaro.com/pro to see how your business could benefit too! LINKS AND RESOURCES: Brain Cain website https://briancain.com/ Mental Performance Mastery Certification https://briancain.com/certification Brian Cain Instagram https://www.instagram.com/briancainpeak/ Brian’s Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mental-performance-daily-with-brian-cain/id1578012159 Book: The Practice Of Groundedness https://a.co/d/fKPa65f Vigor Life Podcast on iTunes Vigor Life Podcast on Spotify Luka Hocevar YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ29YcBh-g6onRujX3wD_XA?view_as=subscriber

Was excited to have Dr. Jordan Shallow on the show a month ahead of hosting him for the Pre-Script Level 1 Certification at Vigor Ground Fitness and Performance and talk about the topic I love; building an athlete for life. Dr. Jordan Shallow D.C. is a Chiropractor, Strength and Conditioning Coach, Powerlifter and founder of both Pre-Script and RX’D RADIO. Jordan currently works with teams, companies and individuals all over the world, lecturing, coaching and consulting on applied biomechanics, sports performance, and injury risk management. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: Why strength training and athletic training are skills, and you must treat them as such. The often missed ingredient in getting better at athleticism (at any age) – sensory input, and how to implement it. When does all the tracking and performance metrics NOT get you the desired outcomes and something you have to pay attention to. Why Tyson Fury dominates even though he doesn’t look athletic and what that means for you (and having both). Sensory vs Motor Output and how to dose each of them based on what YOU need to achieve the best results. Is micro-dosing training the new “secret” and how to use it for yourself. When you’re younger, THE best thing you can do for your performance is improving STRENGTH. The reason Saquon Barkley doesn’t need more strength but you do, and the markers that determine what to work on so you can perform better when you play as well as how you look. What you can learn from high level Crossfit athletes when it comes to program design. What are the differences between stability and strength, and why single leg is used vs. bilateral and when. Using single leg exercises as an assessment tool before your training session. If you can’t do a simple one leg RDL with bodyweight, it may not be the best idea to load a deadlift heavy that day – the insights behind it and how it plays into your programming. Why wearables can’t help you at the highest level of coaching and what makes you unique at helping clients. The difference between one spider and another and how it relays to your exercise selection, and why you need to have a depth of understanding exercises at a deeper level. The truth about tissue tolerance and making sure you have the best foundation to not get injured. Training clients in a smart way and why we shouldn’t “auto-regulate” and make things easier, here’s what we should do. Why the light pods for visual training don’t really do much but what does help. Why you should NOT have contrarian thought but should have original thought. Shout out to our sponsor Vagaro Pro! It’s the leading booking & management app for any size business whether you are a solopreneur or you own multiple gym locations. They’re also our new partner for the Vigor Life podcast! We can’t wait to bring you more insight & knowledge to help you reach those goals, both physically AND fiscally. So, keep tuning in, and tell a friend, because this year we’re taking it to new levels! Check out their website vagaro.com/pro to see how your business could benefit too! LINKS AND RESOURCES: Dr. Jordan Shallow Instagram https://www.instagram.com/the_muscle_doc/ Pre-Script Level 1 Certification Seattle https://www.pre-script.com/in-person-l1-seattle Dr. Jordan Shallow Website https://themuscledoc.com/ RX’D Radio Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rxd-radio/id1197955534 Vigor Life Podcast (iTunes)  h Vigor Life Podcast on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0gp1uXtwfRUcBkfS1P1uim?si=kcUu2vhPRwuxdV5kTzQrug Luka Hocevar YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ29YcBh-g6onRujX3wD_XA?view_as=subscriber

Being born into socialism and having gone through post war hyperinflation, not being taught money and investment lessons until later in life, and learning many lessons the hard way; are some of the big reasons I want to pass on and share insights and experiences that will help fit pro’s build a successful financial career.  The reality is you’re not taught about money management in school, and many times not from your parents, and few Americans read book on money, investing, and money management, and then make decisions without all the insights. I wanted to start sharing some of the lessons I’ve learned from the best, things that I have done successfully, some things I haven’t and I’m just now getting into, all in the hope of getting more fit pro’s to secure their financial future.  IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: The most misunderstood and most important asset you have.  The powerful lesson I learned from the “Richest Man In Babylon” that set me down the right money path when I started my fitness career How my teenage years influenced my investment mindset and why I always kept cash in a box. The step-by-step process to get out of debt while also saving money.  The 8th wonder of the world and how to start compounding your money now no matter where you are in your career. The Rule of 72 and how it can help your financial future or crush it!  Education and experiences over _________. The Rule of 150 and why I bought an apartment building and commercial property before buying a home.  The investment strategy that will take you 1-hour a month to do and will beat 98% of hedge funds and over 80% of professional All Street Traders.  How this little fee is stealing 28 - 50% of your money over the course of 30 years.  The weird investment principle of the wealthy that you can employ to keep more money over time.  Why you should never listen to your friends when it comes to investing! 401k’s, IRA’s, stocks, bonds, venture capital - which, what, and when? My simple strategy to make you over $10,000 extra this year as a side hustle that can snowball over the years.  The most powerful investment and money management books. And much, much more Shout out to our sponsor Vagaro Pro! It’s the leading booking & management app for any size business whether you are a solopreneur or you own multiple gym locations. They’re also our new partner for Vigor Life! We can’t wait to bring you more insight & knowledge to help you reach those goals, both physically AND fiscally. So, keep tuning in, and tell a friend, because this year we’re taking it to new levels! Check out their website vagaro.com/pro to see how your business could benefit too! LINKS AND RESOURCES: Book: I Will Teach You To Be Rich (Ramit Sethi) https://a.co/d/7xmOcK6 Book: The Psychology Of Money (Morgan Houseal) https://a.co/d/7uZgL3W Book: Money Master The Game (Tony Robbins) https://a.co/d/1UCsC2m Book: The Earning Advantage (Jill Young) https://a.co/d/bAHvA5z Book: Secrets Of The Millionaire Mind (Harv T. Eker) https://a.co/d/c1UkCmn Book: Quit Like A Millionaire (Kristy Shen) https://a.co/d/0KSQxDf Book: The Automatic Millionaire (David Bach) https://a.co/d/9QeGIwk Book: The Millionaire Next Door (Thomas Stanley) https://a.co/d/73T54Ks Book: Playing With Fire (Scott Rieckens) https://a.co/d/c3jJFrG Vigor Life Podcast (iTunes)  h Vigor Life Podcast on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0gp1uXtwfRUcBkfS1P1uim?si=kcUu2vhPRwuxdV5kTzQrug Luka Hocevar YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ29YcBh-g6onRujX3wD_XA?view_as=subscriber

I’ve been following and communicating with Adriell for a while through social media (also known as “everygotdamndre” on Instagram) as I have loved his approach to training and wanted to connect with him in person. He flew out to Seattle and we got to train, eat, and talk a lot about principles of training, business and life. Adriell has built an incredible online presence, has become very well know for his kettlebell training and online programs, as well as full schedule of one on one personal training clients that he has retained for many years. On this episode we dive into career success in the training industry, both offline and online, helping clients get results and stay long term, life philosophies, and more.

This past weekend we ran the Becoming A Super Coach event at Vigor Ground Fitness and Performance with my friends Don and Mel Saladino, Kelsey and Dennis Heenan and it we had close to 30 amazing coaches attending and learning as we shared everything we could in a day with our combined experience of close to 55 years in the industry both offline and online. Don is like a brother and I’m glad we were able to speak in person and not on ZOOM as this conversation is so valuable.  Don has coached actors, athletes, & musicians for over 20 years. He opened his first NYC Gym, Drive 495, in 2005. After operating brick & mortar gyms for 15 years, Don expanded to a global online fitness business. He has developed a reputation for training some of the biggest names in Hollywood for the big screen. Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively,  John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Liev Schreiber, Sebastian Stan, Anne Hathaway, Jake Gyllenhaal, Hugh Jackman, & David Harbour are among his roster of clients.  He has been tapped as a fitness expert in publications such as Muscle & Fitness, Men’s Health, Women’s Health, & Men’s Fitness. He has also been featured in People, US Weekly, Origins, In Touch, Cosmo, & Shape; and has made appearances doing live fitness demos on The Today Show, Page Six TV, People NOW, E News, & WebMD. He sits on the advisory board of Men’s Health Magazine.  In March 2018 & October 2021, it was his great honor to shoot the cover of the iconic Muscle & Fitness Magazine.  Don lives in New York with his wife, Mel, and their two children, Amelia and Donny Jr. - & their pups Rigatoni & Sambuca. LINKS AND RESOURCES: Don Saladino https://donsaladino.com/ Don Saladino Instagram https://www.instagram.com/donsaladino/ 5 Steps To Monetize Your Online Business Course https://donsaladino.samcart.com/products/business-course/ Vigor Life Podcast (iTunes)  h Vigor Life Podcast on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0gp1uXtwfRUcBkfS1P1uim?si=kcUu2vhPRwuxdV5kTzQrug Luka Hocevar YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ29YcBh-g6onRujX3wD_XA?view_as=subscriber Athlete For Life Program Design Workshop https://lukahocevar.com/product/athlete-for-life/

I always love having my friend Mike Robertson on the show as he’s not only a great coach, a gym owner, but he’s been doing it for decades and is always learning, doing and sharing his knowledge at the highest level. Mike and I go back 15 years and have been there, done that, and still doing it. In this episode we dive into the biggest “musts” when it comes to coaching in person. Our frame was that these are the principles the “young Jedi’s” of the industry must follow. Mike Robertson is the President of Robertson Training Systems and the co-owner of Indianapolis Fitness and Sports Training (I-FAST) in Indianapolis, Indiana which has been named top 20 gyms in America by Men’s Health a number of times. Mike has made a name for himself as one of the premier performance coaches in the world, helping clients and athletes from all walks of life achieve their physique and sports performance goals. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: What’s the absolutely most important principal when it comes to being a successful coach. What’s Luka’s #1 “no, no” when it comes to coaching clients and Soft skills or X’s and O’s? Which one wins out and how much time should you dedicate to each. Actionable step you can take today to discover what the best coaches do, this is a cheat code. What does it mean to take the “Megatron” approach to learning and applying within your sessions. How to distill what works by using it in “the fire” and the step-by-step process of doing that. What Mike is currently working on to improve assessments at IFAST and take their athletes to the next level. Why plateaus in learning and development are good and the catalyst for growing. What do you do when you see a lot of things “wrong” with someones form, how do you approach it coaching wise. The reason average doesn’t exist and why you can’t coach to average. How to be a complete coach and create a successful career in the industry. LINKS AND RESOURCES: Complete Coach Certification Seattle https://completecoachcertification.com/seminar/ Mike Robertson   https://robertsontrainingsystems.com/ Physical Preparation Podcast h IFAST Gym https://indianapolisfitnessandsportstraining.com/ Vigor Life Podcast (iTunes)  h Vigor Life Podcast on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0gp1uXtwfRUcBkfS1P1uim?si=kcUu2vhPRwuxdV5kTzQrug Luka Hocevar YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ29YcBh-g6onRujX3wD_XA?view_as=subscriber

Brad Stulberg’s book Peak Performance has always been on my top list of recommendations for entrepreneurs. I just found out he had written a new book just as I was scheduling an episode with him. I read it within days and was glad I did, because The Practice of Groundedness gave me a deep poke on things I needed to continue to work on. Brad researches, writes, and coaches on the characteristics that underlie sustainable excellence. No gimmicks or “hacks.” Just what works. Brad’s books are The Practice of Groundedness and Peak Performance. They have sold more than 350,000 copies and have been translated into more than 20 languages. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, where I am a regular contributor to the opinion section, as well many other publications including The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Wired, The New Yorker, Forbes, GQ, Outside Magazine, TIME, and more. In his coaching practice I work with executives, entrepreneurs, physicians, and athletes on their performance and overall well-being. He’s the co-creator of The Growth Equation an online platform dedicated to defining and realizing a more fulfilling, genuine kind of excellence and sustainable success. Brad is also a fellow at the University of Michigan’s graduate school of public health, where he advises and lectures on health, human potential, and excellence. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN: Even though Brad was successful in his field and had it all together on the outside, inside he had an anxiety and frenetic energy that always made him feel he was on shaky ground, this led to finding out why and writing this book The reason many high achievers and successful people feel are always striving and not feeling at peace with where they are. Why do entrepreneurs want to “turn it off” and have some peace but when they do they feel like they should be working. How to find the balance between striving to be excellent in your craft and career, and not losing yourself and having peace. What is “Summit Fever” and how it may lead to a huge downfall after a success. How to be grounded in the process of striving where you spend 99.9% of the time. Is awareness the most important principle to become grounded and something that is critical to becoming aware. Breaking down the 6 principles of groundedness and  how to practice them in a skill based way. Why “good enough” consistently can make you the best in the world. A practice and strategy to be able to take your own advice; true wisdom. What is performative vulnerability vs. true vulnerability, and the power of this principle on your life and business. What is deep community and why it may be the most important one to build roundedness. Why Brad and I agree that its better to have one gym that makes a deeper impact than a chain of national gyms (and our reasoning behind it). How being the most know and being excellent at your craft are two very different things. The power of movement and exercise and how it affects mindset, psychology, health, and is a catalyst to improve every factor of your life. The formula for discovering the right movement approach for you to have lifelong success and health.

It was about time I had my friend Ben Bruno on the Vigor Life Podcast. Ben went from starting of in the industry working for Michael Boyle and putting in the work day in and ay out, eventually moving to LA, and with time becoming one of the most well known celebrity and elite athlete trainers in the country. Throughout all this time he has remained humble, a great voice in the industry, both for how to get results, treat clients, conduct yourself with integrity, and also how to succeed as a trainer. We dive-in and talk about many topics, ranging from his beginnings in the industry, what it takes to stand out, how to get results and retain clients for over a decade, and how to have success on social media while staying yourself. This is truly a MUST listen to episode if you’re a coach (or anyone for that matter!).