Muscle Intelligence

Welcome back to another Q&A session with Ben and Ash! Today they are tackling the topics of social conditioning, negative anchors, the opportunities provided by large hurdles, teenage inflammation and circadian rhythms, and the benefits of journaling! We start off the episode reflecting on Ben's recent trip to LA and the great new things that his time there has led to. From there, Ben takes some time to unpack the ideas of the book, Brain Wash by Dr. Perlmutter, a read that he highly recommends. The conversation then turns to negative associations and anchors and Ben shares a personal story around his difficulties with speaking growing up and how this related to nervousness around his father. We then get into a strong argument for disciplined and structured life for children and teenagers in order to achieve good nutrition and sleep in a potentially tricky period, before Ben explains our susceptibility to cookies and social media! Remember to check out our great show sponsors, BUBS, at https://www.bubsnaturals.com/ and use the code 'intelligence' for an amazing discount on the best MCT and collagen on the market!   Timestamps Ben's recent trip to LA and some exciting things on the horizon. [3:47] Dr. Perlmutter's new book Brain Wash and the conditioning that we all face. [7:31] Negative responses and getting away from these negative anchors in our evolution. [11:25] Ben's early difficulties with speech and how this relates to his father. [15:19] The biggest obstacles provide the biggest opportunities for success! [21:26] Working around the teenage schedule and their particular circadian rhythms. [25:48] Benefits of journaling for reflecting, learning, progress and clarity. [31:27] The manipulations of social media and materialism and training the brain. [34:48]

Our guest on the Muscle Intelligence Podcast today is Dr. Stephen Hussey and he is here to tell you everything you need to know about heart health! He gives great insight into the topic and shares a bunch of helpful information, action items, mistakes, misnomers and common things that we need to do to optimize heart health. We discuss cholesterol and just how misunderstood it has been, the carnivore diet, plant toxins and the dangers of charred animal products. Dr. Hussey underlines the harmful effects of sugar and how some of these have been traditionally attributed to saturated fats. We finish off our chat with Dr. Hussey talking about the 'three imbalances' and how we can set ourselves up for the best life by addressing these. Remember to go check out the best blue light blocking glasses on the market at blublox.com/muscleintelligence. Use the code 'muscle' at checkout for a wonderful 15% discount!   Timestamps Current approaches to heart disease and the three categories that are recognized. [4:49] Understanding the role of structured water in our arteries and exclusion zones. [6:14] Correlations between dental health and heart health; heavy metals and endotoxemia. [13:36] A clarification on the role of cholesterol and how it has been misunderstood. [16:56] Small practices can impact heart health over the long term. [18:32] The negative effect of eating vegetables on our heart and its functions. [21:54] Impacts of overcooking animal products and the damaging effects of charred meat. [27:18] Best dietary practices for optimum heart health and long life! [28:56] The benefits of CoQ10 and cholesterol on our general health and diabetes resistance. [35:07] Misconceptions about the effects of saturated fats and how sugar is actually to blame. [38:36] Dr. Hussey's 'three imbalances' and addressing all of our evolutionary needs. [43:00]

With so many different theories on how to lose weight, it is hard to know what to trust when trying to shed those pounds. Dr. Bill Campbell, our guest today, is an expert in the field of weight loss and he is here to share a whole of that expertise with you! Based in Tampa Bay, he works at the University of South Florida and his research and lab work at the college is precisely around what does and does not work with regards to losing weight. He has a wealth of information about optimizing body composition and the insights he shares in this episode are truly remarkable. We discuss diet breaks, the hormonal effects of dieting, what we really should be doing and more! If you do not already, it is highly recommended to follow him on Instagram as he shares informative posts daily on the subject! Dr. Campbell does a great job of helping us properly understand the metabolic process and how it can be measured, why macros are the biggest piece of the weight-loss pie and how diet refeeds measure up against other strategies. Don't forget to go check out our amazing show sponsors, chiliPAD for the best sleep-cooling solutions on the market! Visit https://www.chilitechnology.com/ and use the code 'muscle' at checkout for a great discount today!   Timestamps The focus on female weight-loss at Dr. Campbell's lab and the study that kicked this off. [5:45] Diet re-feed studies and the differing results that Dr. Campbell noticed. [11:12] Why Dr. Campbell insisted on simple designs for these studies. [14:06] Finding subjects for the studies; the investment in the education process. [17:13] The choice to focus on the female body; practical concerns around compliance. [24:25] Dr. Campbell's dream research study and what he would pursue with no limits. [26:02] What happens in our bodies, metabolically, during a period of diet. [30:30] The possible effects of breathing and HRV on the state of fat loss. [34:40] The number one variable that Dr. Campbell wants control over in his idea study. [38:22] Avoiding crash diets and why Dr. Campbell is still designing rapid fat loss diet studies. [40:35] Which aspect of a diet study to realistically standardize for best results. [46:28] How Dr. Campbell got into the study of physique and weight loss. [48:28] Dr. Campbell's dissertation on skeletal muscle hypertrophy, mTor, and leucine. [53:55] Possible studies for the future and why Dr. Campbell plans to stay in the female lane. [56:12] The three principles for the best, highest weight loss from our guest. [56:66] How we properly define a metabolic rate; oxygen consumption and calorie burning. [59:17] Fasting and creating a caloric deficit to achieve weight loss. [1:03:23]

Milos Sarcev, a bodybuilding legend renowned for his aesthetic physique, shares his extraordinary journey through 77 competitions over 12 years. He discusses his radical devotion to muscle building, highlighting extreme workouts and meticulous nutrition strategies. Milos reveals his unique hyperemia methods and how he trained athletes like Hidetada Yamagishi to the pinnacle of bodybuilding. The episode also details exciting upcoming global fitness camps combining his intense techniques with a focus on form, promising transformative fitness experiences.

Joy and progress do not just happen out of nowhere. They take planning, preparation, and steady, hard work. Today Ashleigh and Ben are here to remind you of the importance of this kind of commitment and use this Q&A session to really drill down and what can help you succeed in fitness and beyond. They talk about morning routines, mindfulness, intentionality and more! The ability to say no to some things can make all the difference in your long-term success, as will setting these horizon goals that you can slowly work towards. The discussion also covers attitude and how the enjoyment of difficulty can determine your success and capability later on. Ben talks about the importance of increasing testosterone and dopamine in a world that seems set on depleting your stores of these important parts of physiology. It is through these that we can remain motivated, committed and energetic; all the things we need to have lasting success. Remember to go check out blublox.com and use the code 'muscle' for your 15% discount on the best blue-blocking eyewear on the market!   Timestamps Learning to say no and focus on one thing rather than more than you can handle. [2:26] Morning routines, gratitude and the feeling of being alive and committed. [09:50] Intentional work towards a long-term goal instead of mindless action. [12:41] Planning joy, starting your day in the right way and the difference this can make. [15:45] How finding joy in difficult activities can define how successful you are subsequently. [20:49] Increasing testosterone and dopamine for motivation and energy levels. [22:50] Changing habits and making conscious decisions about our daily rituals. [29:01] A special review from Keith about the podcast what he loves about it! [35:31] Up-regulating and getting out of the more lethargic physical and mental states. [39:37]

Today we are doing a scientific deep-dive into the mechanisms of muscle building and how to optimize muscle building in the least amount of time. Joining us to share his knowledge on the topic is Dr. Jeremy Loenneke, who talks to us about what happens when a muscle is lifted, what triggers and blunts the muscle-building response, and how we can maximize muscle building. For him, rest and recovery between workouts are vital in building muscle, and he shares around the overemphasis on constant training in our contemporary fitness culture. We shift to talking about the latest developments in the blood flow restriction space and Dr. Loenneke explains the relationship between blood flow restriction and muscle gains. What emerges strongly from our conversation is the care that should be taken in scientific research, especially as it pertains to random error. Sometimes the muscle-building discrepancies that are observed among different people are not as clear-cut as research shows — there are variables and random noise that affect outcomes. Join us to also hear more about myokines, the role of cortisol and antioxidants in muscle gains, incorporating fast and slow-twitch training, genetic factors, and the exciting studies they are currently working on. Remember to head over to blublox.com/muscleintelligence to claim your 15% discount from BLUblox by using the code “muscle”.   Timestamps The three mechanisms for stimulating hypertrophy and the relevance of each. [3:02] A brief description of what myokines entail. [5:54] Best dietary and environmental practices to avoid negating muscle-building responses. [7:29] The role of cortisol and antioxidants in blunting or contributing to muscle adaptation. [12:22] Differentiating between fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscle recruitment training. [13:48] Training to optimize intermediate fibers and transitioning from type 1 to type 2. [16:19]  The biggest mistakes people are making in their attempt to build muscle. [18:54] Thoughts on plateauing and accepting it as a natural consequence of training. [21:45] New developments in the blood flow restriction space and why it leads to muscle gain. [23:15] How genetics impacts muscle building and why there is a discrepancy among people. [27:31] The importance of considering random error in comparing muscle building. [29:59] Is it possible for us to improve satellite cell translation? And if so, how? [34:48] The potential problems that might occur if you fail to account for random error. [37:22] Testing whether there is a point where load becomes so low that blood restriction is required. [39:03] A study to discover whether people can be conditioned to recognize the right amount of pressure on the body. [43:55]

Today on the show we have a Q&A session with fitness coach, Chris Spearman. Chris and Ben take this opportunity to share some of the things that they have had on their minds and been talking about in their time together recently. They discuss the idea of community building towards a common goal, aims that reach beyond your personal ambitions and how to be of best service to all those around you. This ties into the conversation about entrepreneurship and online business and how to set yourself apart from the many others that might be trying to do something similar to you in the online space. From there, Ben and Chris segue into a section on mindfulness, meditation, and Dharma before underlying the importance of clear expectations and communication. The last part of the episode is spent considering the place of money in this discussion and how impact and empowerment can trump financial gains when positioned correctly. Remember to visit out great show sponsor BLUblox for the best range of blue-light blocking eyewear available and receive a 15% discount when you use the code 'muscle' at checkout!   Timestamps Building a tight-knit circle of expertise and authenticity around yourself. [1:23] Adjusting identities and working hard for something beyond the immediate. [9:48] Ben's lifelong goal to help and love people around him. [16:53] How to separate yourself as an online business coach or entrepreneur. [21:21] The neuroscience behind meditation and mindfulness practices. [26:35] Clearly defining expectations at the beginning of any kind of relationship. [31:13] Language, communication and opening the door to better conversations. [37:29] Money mindsets the influence of our thoughts and speech. [44:18] Impact and empowerment; the best service and value to those around you. [47:19] Redirecting negativity and animosity into something positive and transformative. [54:17]

Today on the podcast we feature an exceptional woman, Annette Verpillot. Annette is the founder of Posturepro, a health company specializing in neuromechanics and Postural Recalibration. She is a Canadian entrepreneur, therapist, public speaker, and internationally esteemed Posturologist. On today's show, we discuss Annette’s methodology in optimizing brain, body connection. She’s developed some of the world’s most advanced rehabilitation and injury prevention techniques where she helps people optimize performance, optimize their mind and optimize the development of the children. We also get into how your feet, your jaw, and your breathing are implicated in everything as far as your brain develops and performs, and the way you think. Annette is a wealth of knowledge and she's here to share some of that knowledge with us today! We’re excited to have her back so, be sure to stay tuned for more insights into optimal posture and body mechanics! Don’t forget to check out our great sponsors, BLUblox for amazing blue light blocking eyewear and receive a 15% discount off your purchase when you use the code 'muscle' at checkout or go directly to blublox.com/muscleintelligence!   Timestamps Understanding the Posturepro method and how it relates to posturology. [6:10] Things that affect your ideal posture and postural stability. [08:50] The future of prevention in sports. [10:20] Movement in children and how it activates the brain. [11:11] The first 6 years of life an important time in developing brain stimulus. [13:17] Identifying imbalances in the brain and how it affects your posture. [15:40] Posture as a visual representation of the map of the brain and whether change is possible. [18:39] Postural abnormality as a sympathetic stress and how to calm it down. [21:25] Steps to follow to ensure the full development of a child’s brain. [24:28] Development of the jaw and how it affects the connection of our brain and body. [28:32] Creating a change to help stimulate good habits that can help the development of the jaw. [32:00] The connection between eyesight and posture. [37:39] Big sensory connection between our feet and brain and how our footwear is affecting our gait and our posture. [41:16] Rewiring the brain by changing the input going to the brain. [43:30] The benefits of barefoot for foot abnormalities and shoes to help develop the foot. [44:16] Postural abnormalities and how they contribute to emotional instabilities. [46:03] Annette recommends some ways for parents to help with brain development. [51:05] Why you should ensure your posture is properly aligned. [53:05] The three pillars: sensory information - visual stimulation, vestibular stimulations, and proprioception. [55:10] The accreditation process for becoming a Posturepro practitioner. [56:50] Addressing the cause rather than managing the symptoms, what it entails. [58:37] What age groups Annette works with why starting with children is so important. [59:56]

For today's Q&A session, we’re switching it up. Ben is chatting with health and fitness expert, Dr. Chris Spearman but Chris will be the one asking the questions today. From a Ph.D. in Cancer Research to a global cover model, Chris is now one of the world’s leading online fitness coaches and the CEO of Fitness Coach Freedom. Ben being an IFBB Bodybuilder himself and having trained Chris, he is well versed in the area of fitness and training. Chris is here today to pick Ben’s brain about his training. During this episode, they discuss what training looked like during Ben’s peak, during the ascension and now during the new mountain, he’s transcending. They’re each a very different point in life and it can be very helpful to other people going through their journey. They also talk about the psychological aspect linked to training and the benefits to breathing awareness and meditation.   Timestamps Ben’s training right now and how it fits into his life with family and business. [2:44] Advice Ben has for others - making a constant effort on intelligent muscle building. [6:40] In order to optimize growth it has to be perfect practice not just repetitive practice. [08:38] Putting force through a muscle without changing anything except for internal stimulus. [11:10] Meditation and why training is your best time to be present. [16:35] Would Ben still have trained this way if he had to go back in time. [19:58] Understanding progressive overload. [24:03] Distance: moment arm - from the line of force to the axis of rotation. [25:30] Advice to people who are hesitant about doing group training. [27:15] Building muscle by going through the different stages of mobility, stability and skill. [29:50] Where to go to learnt he fundamentals of muscle building . [32:39] Smaller, simple exercises people can do to be more aware of their breathing. [36:03] Anxiety is not a character trait, it's a state and you can fix it. [39:39] If Ben applied the knowledge he knows now, 10 years ago, what would the outcome be. [43:29] The significance of breathing in waist control. [45:22] The ability of someone to reach the heights that they’re physically and mentally capable of. [46:50] Values in discipline to be developed without having to experience the pain of failure. [50:19] Getting out of that victim mentality and acknowledging it in your life. [52:06] Rapid, immediate, drastic action toward fixing it. [55:55] Hear more about the Muscle Camps, what it’s all about it and the finalized dates. [58:05]

Welcome back to the show everybody! Today our guest is Nicolas Pineault, author of the new book, The Non-Tinfoil Guide to EMF and expert on electromagnetic fields and their effects on our health. Nicolas does a great job of pitching his information at an accessible level and on this show and in his book he lays out a realistic and sensible way to approach safeguarding yourself from the dangers that EMF's pose. He explains a few of the fundamental dimensions to the discourse around the topic before diving into strategies, tools, and resources for combatting negative effects. We talk about peroxynitrite, kill switches, cellular towers, and more! The conversation then turns to blue light and how it fits into these concerns. Nicolas offers some advice for eyewear, clothing, and furniture for better sleep and vision in this regard and we also get to hear about some of his future projects, including a podcast he will be launching soon! On the topic of blue-light-blocking, remember to check out our great show sponsors, BLUblox at blublox.com/muscleintelligence and receive 15% off your order!   Timestamps Nicolas' laptop lifestyle, partnership with his wife, and recent travels! [4:20] What electromagnetic fields do to our body; clarifying the effects. [7:13] Peroxynitrite and its consequences on our health on many levels [19:48] Simple strategies for blocking harmful effects at home and at work. [26:34] EMF kill switches and room shielding for your important spaces. [31:28] Cellular towers and the EMF environments that surround most of us. [37:56] Blue-light exposure and what we know about its effects on sight and sleep. [43:25] The foundational approach to reducing harmful EMF's before other measures. [50:43] Screen-time and healthier practices for young children. [53:23] Some of Nicolas' hopes for the future and the podcast he is working on. [59:16] EMF-blocking clothing and protecting sperm from harm. [1:02:28]