
Muscle Intelligence
The Muscle Intelligence Podcast empowers men with the skills, habits, beliefs and processes to lead from the front. After spending more than 25 years in the health and fitness industry, Ben has done the research, coached, worked with or spoken to the best in class, and distilled it down into actionable items for you to take away and implement.
If you’re an executive, entrepreneur or high-performer who wants to work smarter, not lose his edge as he ages, or just get the advice of someone who has been in the trenches for the last 25 years, this podcast is for you.
Latest episodes

Aug 25, 2023 • 53min
DNA, Detoxification, and Light Medicine with Dr. Ana Mihalcea #349
Dr. Ana Mihalcea, a physician blending science and spirituality, discusses the impact of light and sound waves on DNA, detoxification practices, and using peptides for longevity. She emphasizes the power of consciousness in healing and the need for natural alternatives. The podcast also explores the integration of science and spirituality in medicine, identifying food and environmental triggers, torsion physics, and teachings of Ramtha on divine nature and light medicine.

Aug 21, 2023 • 1h 1min
Recast: Peptides for Brain Optimization, Composition & Longevity with Ryan Smith #348
Ryan Smith, Co-founder of Tailor Made Compounding, discusses peptides for brain optimization, composition, and longevity. Topics include improving cognitive function, supporting body composition goals, influencing HgH and testosterone levels with peptides, safe sourcing, and seeking open-minded physicians.

8 snips
Aug 17, 2023 • 1h 6min
Recast: The Formula for a Profitable Fitness Business with Alex Hormozi #347
Alex Hormozi, entrepreneur and business coach, shares his valuable insights on successful sales, effective business decisions, and maximizing customer value. He reveals his high-impact system for closing clients and a four-step monetization structure. Other topics include setting expectations, building trust, overcoming objections, tonality in sales, reinforcing decisions, creating an identity shift, and making compelling offers.

18 snips
Aug 14, 2023 • 1h 31min
Back Pain Treatment, Prevention and Insights from Leading Spine Expert Dr. Stuart McGill #346
If you’re a man over 35 looking for a simple, effective and personalized plan to help you look, feel and perform better than you did in your 20s, head to https://muscleintelligence.com/mipapply to learn more about our upcoming programs. According to the NIH, 8 out of 10 people are affected by back pain at some point in their lives... I've seen it in those who are quite sedentary, as well as in my most high-performing, active clients. As with most problems, however, there is an effective framework and process that can lead to a solution. And, so, I went to see the world's foremost expert in assessing, diagnosing, and treating back pain... Today on the Muscle Intelligence Podcast, I'm joined by Dr. Stuart McGill, who is THE go-to expert for high performers who experience back pain, and for the most difficult cases of back pain. Dr. McGill spent 30 years as a professor at the University of Waterloo, where he is a distinguished professor emeritus. His laboratory and experimental research clinic investigated issues related to the causal mechanisms of back pain, how to rehabilitate back-pained people and enhance both injury resilience and performance. Dr. McGill now operates as the Chief Science Officer of his BackFitPro Inc. clinic, where I was lucky enough to record this in-person interview. We discuss everything from the affect of muscle hypertrophy on joints, to the different pain patterns that present in various sports and activities (and how to address them), to the mindset of elite athletes... If you (like me), are fascinated by how the human body works - this one's for you. You'll learn: The Mechanics of Muscle Hypertrophy and Effects on Joints How the Mindset of Elite Athletes Affects Pain and Performance What is Required of the Spine in Different Sport Settings How Spinal Joint Architecture Aids in Specific Activities How to Understand Pain Triggers to Navigate and Manage Back Pain Learn more from Dr. Stuart McGill: https://backfitpro.com Please support our sponsors: BiOptimizers MagBreakthrough is one of my top two favorite, staple supplements. What's the second one? BiOptimizers MassZymes. Get 10% off these fantastic products at magbreakthrough.com/muscleintelligence and masszymes.com/muscle - OR use code MUSCLE10 to get 10% off their entire product line. Don't forget to pick up your free copy of the episode guide at muscleintelligence.com/learn.

Aug 10, 2023 • 49min
Four Training Mistakes & Effective Programming Over 35 #345
If you’re a man over 35 looking for a simple, effective and personalized plan to help you look, feel and perform better than you did in your 20s, head to https://muscleintelligence.com/mipapply to learn more about our upcoming programs. You may not have any serious bodybuilding aspirations... Most men over 35 simply want to feel great. We want the ability to perform in the gym, in the boardroom, and as the leader of our families. Whether your goal is to be able to run and play with your kids, or to feel confident shirtless on your next vacation... There's a small number of basic guiding principles that will make a big difference in your life. Because, if you're not already building a strong foundation of physical capability, the older you get... It WILL get tougher. If you're ready to maximize the effectiveness of your training to match your lifestyle goals of capability and longevity, today's episode is for YOU. I outline the four biggest mistakes men make in the gym, and give you a framework to scale up your results (and make them sustainable). My team has also detailed the key action items and ideas from this episode in the implementation guide. You'll learn: The Two BIG Reasons You’re Not Building Muscle How to Perform Exercises for Maximum Efficacy The #1 Training Secret for Lasting Results A Framework to Improve EVERY Body Part How to Maintain High Standards in Your Fitness Journey

Jul 31, 2023 • 1h 10min
The Six-Pillar Framework for Peak Performance and Health #344
If you’re a man over 35 looking for a simple, effective and personalized plan to help you look, feel and perform better than you did in your 20s, head to https://muscleintelligence.com/mipapply to learn more about our upcoming programs. I use a very specific framing to look at what it REALLY takes to lose fat, build muscle, and optimize human health... Mindset, Sleep, Nutrition, Training, Environment, and Breath: this Six-Pillar framework is the lens that I take when looking at the most impactful habits, skills, and processes that myself and my clientele need to develop to accomplish our greatest goals. Today's episode takes a deep dive into ALL six pillars... You'll hear from a handful of experts who have worked extensively with high performers - Britt Lefkoe, Dr. Erik Korem, Dr. William Davis, Alison Armstrong, and myself - about everything from turning fear into discomfort, to treating gut dysbiosis, to how to manage your metabolism and energy demands. My team has also outlined the key findings and tools from this episode in the free implementation guide - grab your copy at muscleintelligence.com/learn You'll learn: The Top 8 Training Opportunities for Men Over 35 High Impact Tools for Better Sleep - and Better Performance A Mindset to Reframe Fear and Change Your Behavior How to Improve Breathing Mechanics for Metabolic Health A Framework to Address the Root Cause of Gut Dysbiosis Listen to the full episodes from this Six-Pillar Series: Britt Lefkoe: Reprogramming Your Subconscious Beliefs #330 Dr. Erik Korem and Dr. Chris Morris: How to Increase Your Capacity for Stress #331 Dr. William Davis: The Surprising Link Between All Chronic Diseases #316 Ben Pakulski: 8 Critical Growth Opportunities for Men Over 40 #334 Alison Armstrong: How Our Biology Impacts Relationships and Desire #324 Ben Pakulski: Optimize Your Metabolism Through Breathing #340

7 snips
Jul 27, 2023 • 1h 11min
The Metabolic Treatment for Cancer with Dr. Thomas Seyfried #343
If you’re a man over 35 looking for a simple, effective and personalized plan to help you look, feel and perform better than you did in your 20s, head to https://muscleintelligence.com/mipapply to learn more about our upcoming programs. As we age, the walls are closing in around us, and the actions you take and decisions you make TODAY are either speeding it up or slowing it down. So, I invited Dr. Thomas Seyfried onto the podcast to share a substantially researched and tested metabolic treatment for cancer that is both radically different from, but can also increase the efficacy of, the current standard of care. A professor of biology, genetics, and biochemistry at Boston College, Dr. Seyfried's research focuses on mechanisms of chronic diseases such as cancer, epilepsy, neurodegenerative lipid storage diseases, and caloric restriction diets. We discuss full treatment to prevention tactics - including how to use the Glucose-Ketone Index, steps for mitochondrial optimization of the entire human system, and how metabolic treatment can work in combination with more conventional cancer therapies. My team has also compiled the key findings and tools outlined by Dr. Seyfried, as well as links to the external resources we discussed, in this episode's free implementation guide. You'll learn: Why Cancer is a Disease of the Mitochondria How to Shift Cellular Energy Metabolism for Cancer Treatment How to Use the Glucose-Ketone Index for Metabolic Therapy Which Diet and Lifestyle Choices to Prioritize for Cancer Prevention Mentioned in this episode: BiOptimizers MagBreakthrough is the absolute BEST magnesium supplement on the market. I take it daily and even have my kids take it! Save 10% now at magbreakthrough.com/muscle GKI Monitor from Keto Mojo - mentioned by Dr. Seyfried to measure Glucose:Ketone Index. Foundation for Metabolic Cancer Therapies - this organization helps to fund Dr. Seyfried's reserach.** **The Foundation for Metabolic Cancer Therapies supports Dr. Seyfried's research. There is currently a protocol in development for metabolic cancer therapy, which will be widely available in the near future. Below is information on donating to the Foundation for Metabolic Cancer Therapies. The “Foundation for Metabolic Cancer Therapies”, is dedicated to supporting Dr. Seyfried's studies using metabolic therapy for cancer management with 100% of the donated funds going directly to his research on metabolic therapy for cancer. The Foundation for Metabolic Cancer Therapies is a (501(c)(3) foundation (EIN # 46-4127870). The donation tag “donate” is on the top row of the foundation site (http://www.foundationformetaboliccancertherapies.com/). The Foundation address is 3213 West Main Street #256, Rapid City, SD 57702. The Foundation encourages donations through PayPal because they process the tax info by sending out receipts. The PayPal giving fund or a check is also an easy option for larger donations. No donation amount is too small or too large. Those interested in supporting Dr. Seyfried's research can do so by donating to this foundation.

Jul 24, 2023 • 1h 17min
How to Regulate Blood Sugar for Body Composition & Longevity with Dr. Casey Means #342
If you’re a man over 35 looking for a simple, effective and personalized plan to help you look, feel and perform better than you did in your 20s, head to https://muscleintelligence.com/mipapply to learn more about our upcoming programs. Today's guest, Casey Means, MD is a Stanford-trained physician, Chief Medical Officer and Co-founder of metabolic health company Levels, and Associate Editor of the International Journal of Disease Reversal and Prevention. Dr. Means's mission is to maximize human potential and reverse the epidemic of preventable chronic disease by empowering individuals with tech-enabled tools that can inform smart, personalized, and sustainable dietary and lifestyle choices. In today's episode, Dr. Means offers an incredible lesson into everything from how to most effectively use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), to the five key lab tests for top metabolic insight, to her top tools for sustaining mitochondrial health long-term. My team has also compiled the key tools for using CGMs and managing metabolic health in this episode's implementation guide. You'll Learn: The #1 Tool for Real-Time Metabolic Health Insights How to Build Meals that Mitigate Glucose Spikes Five Important Metabolism Tests to Order from Your Doctor The Six BIGGEST Levers to Pull for Mitochondrial Health How to Avoid the #1 Cause of Chronic Disease & THRIVE Instead P.S. After listening to today's episode, if you're ready to take action on improving your metabolic health, head over to levels.link/MUSCLE for a special offer to our community.

Jul 20, 2023 • 1h 7min
Red Light Therapy for Healing and High Performance with Dr. Bjørn Ekeberg #341
Dr. Bjørn Ekeberg, co-founder and CEO of Recharge Health, discusses the performance benefits of red light therapy, practical daily applications of infrared devices, and the energetics behind light and human energy. They explore the most effective infrared wavelength for healing, using red light to treat injuries and increase performance, and a framework to sync up your circadian rhythm. They also touch on the limitations and uncertainties in cosmology and the benefits of infrared light therapy for sleep, recovery, and vasodilation. Additionally, they discuss the importance of heavy strength focus sessions for hypertrophy.

Jul 17, 2023 • 34min
Optimize Your Metabolism Through Breathing #340
If you’re a man over 35 looking for a simple, effective and personalized plan to help you look, feel and perform better than you did in your 20s, head to https://muscleintelligence.com/mipapply to learn more about our upcoming programs. If you’re familiar with my philosophy, you may already know that I see breathwork as one of the biggest gaps AND one of the biggest opportunities for performance enhancement… So many men, even those at the top of their athletic game, breathe inefficiently, and often in a manner that negatively impacts everything from metabolic function, to digestion, to strength output… But, once you have the right breathing tools to move forward with, you can VERY quickly take yourself to the next level. Whether it’s in your ability to focus in your business, perform at your peak in the gym, or lead your family with unparalleled calm and wisdom - breath is a superpower. In today’s episode, I deconstruct the most effective breathing practices from the world’s top masters in the science of breath. I also detail out what works best for myself and my clients, and how YOU can break these practices down into daily action steps. For full episode implementation notes, pick up our episode guide, where my team has detailed the key takeaways for you. You'll learn: How to Increase CO2 Tolerance to Enhance Performance The Breathing Mechanics for Optimal Movement How Breath can Help You Manage Stress and Anxiety The PIllars and Metabolic Benefits of Efficient Breathing The BEST Breathwork to Increase Athletic Capability Please support our sponsors: Get 20% off Organifi when you use code MUSCLE or visit organifi.com/muscle