The Excellence Cartel

Colitis, Coaching, and Comebacks – Jimmy Baydoun’s Journey with Jason TheobaldIn this episode of The Excellence Cartel, we sit down with competitor and coach Jimmy Baydoun to unpack a raw, eye-opening journey through colitis. This condition nearly sidelined his physique goals and quality of life. From debilitating symptoms to endless frustration with conventional medical approaches, Jimmy shares how navigating a high-level prep with a chronic illness forced him to think differently about health, performance, and longevity. But what changed everything was his partnership with coach Jason Theobald. Together, they began peeling back the layers, restoring gut health, reducing inflammation, and structuring training, nutrition, and supplementation to support healing and progress.We get into the science, yes—but more importantly, the lived experience. Jimmy walks us through what it’s like to coach and compete while battling a condition that flares unpredictably and can drain every ounce of energy. We cover the key protocols that worked, how mindset plays a critical role in chronic illness, and what he’d tell any athlete who feels like their body is working against them.If you or your clients are battling gut dysfunction, autoimmune issues, or feel like they’re doing everything right but still spinning their wheels, this one is packed with information from Jason's 20+ years of knowledge.

The Excellence Cartel x Dr. Emily Splichal: Rebuilding From the Ground UpEpisode Description:In this episode of The Excellence Cartel, we sit down with Dr. Emily Splichal—functional podiatrist, human movement specialist, and founder of Naboso Technology—for a conversation that will quite literally shift your perspective from the ground up.We dive into the overlooked yet critical role your feet play in strength, balance, posture, and overall movement efficiency. Dr. Splichal breaks down why foot health is the foundation of functional performance and how poor proprioception, tightness, and neglect of the feet can quietly sabotage your training and recovery efforts.We explore how Naboso Technology is changing the game through sensory-stimulating tools like the Neuro Ball, a simple but powerful solution for restoring foot awareness, improving balance, and enhancing neural feedback from the ground up. Whether you're an elite lifter, a weekend warrior, or recovering from chronic pain or injury, this episode delivers insights into why stimulating the feet can unlock strength, reduce pain, and build resilience throughout the kinetic chain.If you train hard but ignore what’s happening below your ankles, you’ll want to tune in. This episode is packed with actionable takeaways you can implement today—starting from the soles of your feet.Don’t miss it.

The Excellence Cartel interviews Aaron Williamson about his experiences and the challenges of navigating the acting industry. He offers valuable insights into the acting industry and discusses how to succeed in the film industry, whether as a personal trainer, nutritionist, or actor. Williamson also shares his experience as a fitness coach for actors.

Training NFL Athletes with Josh Cuthbert of Alpha 1 Strength – Featuring Jason Fitz (Yahoo Sports)What does it really take to train NFL players?In this episode, we sit down with Josh Cuthbert—founder of Alpha 1 Strength and one of the go-to coaches for high-level football talent. Josh has built a reputation for developing elite-level performance in pro athletes, and today, he pulls back the curtain on what it actually looks like to coach at that level.We dive into how he approaches programming for NFL players, the education that helped (and what was a waste of time), and how he’s built a system around what gets results—not what looks good on paper. If you're a coach who wants to work with pros or someone curious about what separates the average from the elite, Josh lays it out.We’re also joined by Jason Fitz, NFL analyst with Yahoo Sports, who brings his perspective from the other side of the industry. Fitz gets to ask Josh some key questions about player performance, training gaps, and what he sees on the field that ties back to the gym.Whether you’re a strength coach, personal trainer, athlete, or just a fan of the game—you’ll walk away with real insight into what it takes to train pros the right way.

In this episode, we sit down with 7-time Mr. Olympia Phil Heath, joined by our good friend Matt Christman, for a conversation that goes far deeper than sets, reps, or supplementation.This isn’t your typical bodybuilding interview.No drug talk.Barely any training or nutrition.Just real, unfiltered insight from a man who’s lived at the top and learned through the process of winning—and losing.We wanted a different kind of conversation with Phil. One built on the kind of perspective you only earn through time, setbacks, and self-awareness.If you’re looking for a raw, thoughtful, and unexpected look into the mind of a champion—this one’s for you.

Peaking a Pro: Inside the Mind of Jason Theobald with Coach Phil VizIn this episode, we dive deep into the science and strategy behind one of the most critical—and elusive—elements of bodybuilding: the peak. Physique coach Phil Viz joins us for an in-depth, cerebral conversation about working with IFBB Pro Jason Theobald, breaking down how he helped Jason achieve his best look on stage.We explore Jason's mindset as a seasoned pro, what led him to seek out a coach despite his own extensive knowledge, and the "why" behind his decision to bring Phil into the process. Phil shares his meticulous approach to peaking—covering everything from water manipulation to carb loading—and how he tailored his methods to fit Jason’s unique physiology and prep history.This episode is a must-listen for competitors, coaches, and anyone obsessed with the finer details of elite-level physique development. Learn what it takes to bring a professional bodybuilder to peak—and why even the best sometimes need another set of eyes.Want a more casual, hardcore fan-style version too?

What is weight-loss resistance? In this chat with fitness and health educator Justin Mihaly, we review the different weight-loss resistance levels. Listen to find out how you can work to finally break through plateaus you once thought impossible with some newer applications to restore results.

Join Jason, Jeffrey Su, and Jeff Black as they bring The Excellence Cartel podcast to a close for now.

Episode 175: Vince Pitstick on OID & Autophagy Vince joined us today to dive deep on Overactive Immune Disorder and clarify exactly what this means within the context of weight loss resistance and various disease states. What is weight loss resistance? How do you know if you have it? And why is the immune system at the center of it all? Listen to find out!

The Keto Playbook with Ben Azadi, best-selling author of "Keto Flex." Ben joined Jeff B and Jason to discuss implementing a Ketogenic diet that benefits you on a cellular level. We covered fasting, working out with a ketogenic diet, and even the fats you should avoid that are more dangerous than smoking cigarettes! Check us out and share if you learned something new!