

Lift Free And Diet Hard with Andrew Coates
Andrew Coates
The Lift Free and Diet Hard Podcast dives deep into the science and practice of living a strong, healthy, and intentional life. Hosted by Andrew Coates, the show brings together inspiring guests to share insights, stories, and practical advice that empower listeners to build confidence, make informed choices, and stay resilient in their fitness and wellness journeys. Every episode encourages thoughtful exploration of what it means to lift free, diet hard, and live fully.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 24, 2025 • 50min
#428 Chad Landers - Building Strength and Muscle After 50
Chad Landers, a former NSCA Personal Trainer of the Year and veteran coach, discusses the nuances of training after age 50. He highlights that training should focus on consistency over intensity as we age, debunking myths that aging limits progress. Chad emphasizes the importance of listening to one's body, gradual progression, and choosing appropriate exercise equipment. He also explores how lifestyle stresses can impact fitness routines and the essential role of social connections in sustaining long-term training success.

Dec 22, 2025 • 54min
#427 Steve Hall – Muscle Building - The Ideal Rest Break and Calorie Surplus
Steve Hall is a WNBF Natural Pro Bodybuilder and one of the most trusted evidence-based voices in muscle building. As the host of the Revive Stronger podcast and a long-time practitioner, Steve brings rare clarity and nuance to topics that are often oversimplified online.In this episode, Steve joins Andrew to break down what actually matters for hypertrophy when it comes to rest periods, fatigue, technique, and calorie surplus - without dogma, fear-mongering, or rigid rules.Steve shares insight on:• Whether there is an ideal approach to rest breaks between sets• How much calorie surplus is actually needed to build muscle effectively• Why autoregulation is a powerful strategy for managing rest periods• Whether shorter rest breaks hurt progress when time is limited• Practical tactics to make shorter workouts more effective• How fatigue influences strength and hypertrophy outcomes• Why Steve has become less rigid about “perfect technique”• How relaxing strict range-of-motion rules improved his own training progress• When technique matters most vs. when it becomes counterproductive• The nuance required to apply evidence in real-world training• And much moreIG: @revivestrongerCHAPTERS00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:16 Guest Introduction - Steve Hall00:58 The Evolution of Fitness Podcasts01:51 Muscle Building Insights - Rest Length Between Sets08:46 Strength vs. Hypertrophy Training17:41 The Role of Fatigue in Training24:11 Training Hard vs. Perfect Technique26:59 Advanced Techniques for Muscle Failure28:54 The Importance of Technique Over Form30:24 Reevaluating Range of Motion33:50 Sponsor Break - Train Heroic45:47 Nutrition for Muscle Growth46:24 The Role of Caloric Surplus in Muscle Building52:33 Final Thoughts and ResourcesSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode helped you, you can help me by:• Subscribing and checking out more episodes• Sharing it on your social media (tag me - I’ll respond)• Sending it to a friend who’s trying to build muscle without burning outFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP Strength App (use code COATESRP)https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJust Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off)https://justbitememeals.com/MacrosFirst - FREE PREMIUM TRIALDownload MacrosFirst and during setup you’ll be asked “How did you hear about us?”Type in: ANDREWKNKG Bags (15% off)https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676Versa Gripps (discount link)https://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC - FREE 90-DAY TRIAL (2 steps)Go to https://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive (or email trials@trainheroic.com) and let them know I sent you

Dec 18, 2025 • 58min
#426 Dr. Justin Farnsworth - Do You Really Need Surgery For Your Injury?
Dr. Justin Farnsworth is a highly respected physical therapist who emphasizes strength training, movement, and education as foundational tools for managing pain and injury.In this episode, Justin joins me to challenge some of the most deeply held beliefs in modern healthcare - particularly the assumption that pain automatically requires surgery or rest.Justin brings clarity, nuance, and evidence to a conversation that affects almost everyone at some point in their life.Justin and Andrew explore:• Why surgery performs no better than placebo for many common injuries• Which injuries truly require surgery and why elite athletes may make different choices than the general population• New understandings around ACL injuries and how many can heal without surgery• Why belief and expectation are often stronger predictors of pain than tissue damage• Why not exercising is a greater long-term health risk than many feared behaviors• How running can be protective for knee cartilage• How to safely and progressively reintroduce running into your life• How to train around pain without making it worse• And much moreCHAPTERS01:36 The Role of Imaging in Diagnosing Pain02:54 Understanding Degenerative Conditions03:37 The Placebo Effect in Surgery04:21 FAI and Other Common Diagnoses07:48 When Surgery is Necessary09:18 The Importance of Second Opinions24:20 Manual Therapy and Pain Management28:53 Manual Therapy and Its Effects29:23 Understanding ACL Injuries and Treatments35:47 The Role of Exercise in Long-Term Health38:37 Challenges and Solutions in Promoting Exercise45:15 Running and Knee Health54:23 Programming Around PainSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode helped you, you can help me by:• Subscribing and checking out more episodes• Sharing it on your social media (tag me - I'll respond)• Sending it to a friend who needs thisFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP Strength App (use code COATESRP)https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJust Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off)https://justbitememeals.com/MacrosFirst - FREE PREMIUM TRIALDownload MacrosFirst and during setup you’ll be asked “How did you hear about us?”Type in: ANDREWKNKG Bags (15% off)https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676Versa Gripps (discount link)https://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC - FREE 90-DAY TRIAL (2 steps)Go to https://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive (or email trials@trainheroic.com) and let them know I sent you

Dec 16, 2025 • 1h 10min
#425 Mark Carroll - Personal Pain and Financial Gain
Mark Carroll, a renowned Australian transformation coach and entrepreneur, opens up about his struggles with injury, depression, and the pressures of social media during his career. He advocates for authenticity in sharing both triumphs and hardships. Mark emphasizes the importance of strategic investment in life and business, contrasting aimless suffering with purposeful growth. He discusses how personal challenges increased his empathy and redefined his motivation, pushing towards meaningful goals rather than fleeting validations.

Dec 11, 2025 • 52min
#424 Ebenezer Samuel - Is Fitness Media Trending The Wrong Way?
Ebenezer Samuel, the Fitness Director at Men’s Health and a certified strength and conditioning coach, dives into the evolution of fitness media. He discusses the limitations of solely focusing on hypertrophy and the importance of blending research with real-world experience. They explore the shift towards entertainment in social media fitness content, questioning if useful skills are being learned. Ebenezer also highlights the future of coaching with AI while emphasizing the enduring value of in-person guidance and trust in fitness relationships.

Dec 9, 2025 • 50min
#423 Melody Schoenfeld - Vegan Myth Busting
Melody Schoenfeld, an author and nutrition coach with a Master's in Health Psychology, joins the discussion to dismantle common vegan myths. She argues against the idea that vegans can't be healthy, explaining essential nutrients like B12 and omega-3s from algae. Melody also addresses the misconceptions about protein quality and the role of soy. She highlights the socioeconomic factors impacting dietary choices and the mental health benefits of plant-based eating. Tune in to discover how a balanced vegan diet can thrive!

Dec 4, 2025 • 1h 1min
#422 Dr. Allan Bacon - Breaking Fat Loss Plateaus
Dr. Allan Bacon, an evidence-based coach and clinician, returns to discuss fat loss plateaus. He clarifies that these plateaus are often misunderstood and offers practical strategies to overcome them. Allan explores the psychological versus physiological aspects of plateaus, the importance of non-scale victories, and the impact of perceived restriction on adherence. He highlights that calorie needs fluctuate and emphasizes consistency in habits to reduce reliance on willpower. Join them for actionable insights on navigating your fitness journey!

Dec 2, 2025 • 52min
#421 Alex Allen - You’ll Never Hate Yourself Into a Body You Love
Alex Allen is one of the most skilled coaches in the industry at communicating nuance around training, lifestyle, and nutrition. She brings deep compassion and lived experience to the conversation - including weight gain, weight loss, PCOS, relationships, identity, and self-worth.Alex and Andrew dive into:• Why you’ll never hate yourself into a body you love• How people misjudge your journey when they only see your current physique• Alex’s experiences of being treated differently at various points of her weight changes• Navigating unintentional weight loss• How PCOS has shaped Alex’s personal and coaching journey• How PCOS can enable a victim mindset if left unexamined• What Alex means when she says:“Don’t sacrifice your own needs for the sake of others. Compromise and be thoughtful, but don’t neglect yourself in the process. Doesn’t make you difficult or unkind.”• And much moreCHAPTERS01:17 Alex's Fitness Journey03:15 The Importance of Self-Love04:45 Navigating Negative Emotions12:14 Dealing with Imposter Syndrome20:18 Unintentional Weight Loss26:43 Navigating Compliments and Self-Perception27:42 Shifting Dynamics in Relationships28:48 Balancing Physical Appearance and Personal Value31:08 Living with PCOS - Challenges and Misconceptions34:53 The Importance of Setting Boundaries42:21 Authenticity on Social Media49:01 Final Thoughts and Future PlansSUPPORT THE SHOW If this episode helped you, you can help me by:• Subscribing and checking out more episodes• Sharing it on your social media (tag me - I'll respond)• Sending it to a friend who needs thisFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP Strength App (use code COATESRP)https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJust Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off)https://justbitememeals.com/MacrosFirst - FREE PREMIUM TRIALDownload MacrosFirst and during setup you’ll be asked “How did you hear about us?”Type in the code: ANDREWKNKG Bags (15% off)https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676Versa Gripps (discount link)https://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC - FREE 90-DAY TRIAL (2 steps)Go to https://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive (or email trials@trainheroic.com) and let them know I sent you

Nov 27, 2025 • 56min
#420 Chris Duffin - Resilience Engineered
Chris Duffin, an iconic strength athlete and entrepreneur, shares his journey from a turbulent childhood of homelessness to legendary feats of strength. He discusses how adversity shaped his resilience and offers insights on recognizing opportunities amid challenges. Duffin introduces his Six-Ps framework for growth and emphasizes the importance of actively facing fears. He also contrasts life’s real hardships with athletic training, encouraging listeners to embrace their struggles as story-worthy moments while advocating for purposeful living.

Nov 25, 2025 • 56min
#419 Danny Lennon - Seed Oils: Devil Incarnate or Underrated Health Food?
Danny Lennon, an evidence-based nutrition researcher and founder of Sigma Nutrition, delves into the hot topic of seed oils. He challenges the notion that seed oils are harmful, discussing their real impact on cardiovascular health and obesity. Lennon emphasizes the nuances of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, debunking myths around their intake and ratios. He also shares practical dietary recommendations for lowering LDL cholesterol and the nutritional differences between farmed and wild salmon. Prepare for a thought-provoking discussion that cuts through the noise in nutrition!


