

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

Jul 31, 2025 • 54min
#386 Dr. Matthew Nagra - Debunking Myths About Plant Based Nutrition
Dr Matthew Nagra is a Naturopathic Doctor and Plant Based Nutrition Educator.Matthew guests to share his experience on:-Dealing with fraudulent AI based marketing, including his own experience having his voice and image stolen and used to promote dubious products. -Are extreme tribal diets as common in the general population as they seem from social media.-Dealing with the false claims about vegan diets from the most extreme vegan influencers. -Are energy drinks actually harmful.-Are plant based sources of protein really inferior to animal sources.-Are plant sources of protein actually “incomplete” proteins.-What’s the relationship between saturated fat and poor health outcomes.-Popular misconceptions about plant based nutrition. -Convenient ways to get more protein if you practice a plant based diet.-Debunking claims about anti-nutrients in plants.-And much more.00:42 AI Misinformation Incident03:31 Legal and Platform Responses06:33 AI and Music Industry07:43 Consumer Responsibility and Verification12:14 Extreme Diets and Social Media14:26 Veganism and Ideology22:50 Energy Drinks: Myths and Facts26:33 Cardiac Risks of Energy Drinks27:28 Caffeine Sensitivity and Consumption29:49 Energy Drinks and Cognitive Function33:02 Plant-Based vs. Animal Protein46:28 Debunking the Toxic Plants Narrative52:36 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsI’ve been putting a lot of time and effort into making these new episodes valuable for you. You can help me get these great guests and their knowledge in front of more people by:-Subscribing and checking out more episodes-Sharing on your social media (please tag me - I promise I’ll respond)-Sharing with the friend you think of who needs this episodeFollow Andrew Coates:Instagram:@andrewcoatesfitnessJoin My Email List:www.andrewcoatesfitness.comGet the RP App at www.rpstrength.com/coates - use the code COATESRPUse Code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS to save 10% off at https://justbitememeals.com/Use MacrosFirst for tracking nutrition https://www.macrosfirst.com/Go to www.knkg.com/Andrew59676 for 15% off your KNKG bag.

Jul 29, 2025 • 47min
#385 Emma Storey Gordon - Change Your Story, Change Your Lifestyle Behaviour
Emma Storey Gordon, a behavior change and fat loss expert, shares her insights on improving energy levels and overall well-being through simple lifestyle adjustments. She discusses the significance of overcoming self-sabotage and the misconceptions around intuitive eating and hunger. Emma explores the connection between financial freedom and healthy habits, as well as the pitfalls of popular dietary supplements like collagen. Listeners will also gain valuable strategies for planning and navigating societal pressures tied to health goals.

Jul 24, 2025 • 49min
#384 Eve Guzman - How I Changed My Narratives, Lost 150 Pounds, And Kept It Off
Eve Guzman, a former clinical lab scientist and successful nutrition coach, shares her inspiring journey of losing 150 pounds and empowering other women. She discusses the importance of changing narratives that keep people stuck and highlights the psychological challenges of weight loss. Eve emphasizes the benefits of tracking nutrition, addressing fears of regaining weight, and battling societal pressures. She also touches on overcoming food noise and the complexity of embracing a new identity post-transformation.

Jul 22, 2025 • 53min
#383 Danny Matranga - Diet Tribalism and Unpleasant Truths About How Much You Can Eat and Stay Lean
Danny Matranga, a certified strength and conditioning coach known for his evidence-based insights, dives into the challenges of calorie tracking and the common pitfalls people face. He explains why extreme diets can be misleading and critiques dietary tribalism, urging for a more inclusive approach to nutrition. The discussion also addresses the unique struggles short and older women encounter in achieving a lean physique, while offering practical strategies for healthy eating and how social media influences dietary trends. It's a candid look at the complexities of modern nutrition.

Jul 17, 2025 • 51min
#382 Dr. Mike T Nelson - Metabolic Flexibility Masterclass, Efficiently Using Carbs and Fat As Fuel
Dr. Mike T. Nelson, a leading expert in nutrition and training, dives into the fascinating world of metabolic flexibility. He explains how our bodies can efficiently use carbs and fats as fuel, revealing the intricacies of insulin resistance and the impact of sleep on metabolic health. Listeners will learn about the challenges of extreme diets like the ketogenic plan and the emerging 'Sugar Diet.' Discover the surprising relationship between activity levels, caloric burn, and metabolic function, alongside practical tips to enhance insulin sensitivity!

Jul 15, 2025 • 1h 21min
#381 Dr. Eric Helms - How Much Muscle Can The "Average" Person Build?
Dr. Eric Helms, a leading expert in muscle building and co-founder of Team 3DMJ, dives into fascinating insights on muscle growth potential. He discusses how much muscle the average person can realistically build, considering factors like gender and genetics. The conversation includes a critique of social media's role in fitness misconceptions and the divide between traditional and evidence-based bodybuilding practices. Helms also tackles myths about high-protein diets and clarifies the complexities of natural versus enhanced bodybuilding.

Jul 10, 2025 • 47min
#380 Zack Zillner - Lessons For The Everyday Lifter From Training Elite Athletes
Zack Zillner is the Director of Sports Performance at The University of Miami for men's basketball and co-host of the Coach Em Up PodcastZack joins to talk about:-The problem with movement cults-Why we sometimes see people overvalue trends popularized by high level athletes, like cupping and kinesiotape -Managing off season vs in season training for athletes-What matters for recovery for the athlete and the every day person-What qualities does an everyday athlete need to train and maintain to stay active in sports-Qualities Zack hopes to install in the young athletes he workouts with, outside of the sports skills-And much more01:29 Movement Cults: A Critical Discussion03:30 Injury Risks and Misconceptions07:37 Functional Movement Patterns and Dogma09:28 Athleticism vs. Training Methodologies15:20 Balancing Training and Recovery23:28 Effective Recovery Strategies24:52 Realizing the Importance of Nutrition in Your Thirties26:01 Balancing Party Life and Athletic Performance26:30 Educating Young Athletes on Drinking Habits29:14 The Impact of Alcohol on Recovery and Performance29:57 Adapting Training as You Age35:06 The Role of Speed and Power in Aging Athletes36:51 Incorporating Athletic Training for General Population41:41 Developing Life Skills Through SportsI’ve been putting a lot of time and effort into making these new episodes valuable for you. You can help me get these great guests and their knowledge in front of more people by:-Subscribing and checking out more episodes-Sharing on your social media (please tag me - I promise I’ll respond)-Sharing with the friend you think of who needs this episodeFollow Andrew Coates:Instagram:@andrewcoatesfitnessJoin My Email List:www.andrewcoatesfitness.comGet the RP App at www.rpstrength.com/coates - use the code COATESRPUse Code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS to save 10% off at https://justbitememeals.com/Use MacrosFirst for tracking nutrition https://www.macrosfirst.com/Go to www.knkg.com/Andrew59676 for 15% off your KNKG bag.Join my Forever Strength 13 week women’s online strength program www.foreverstrength.ca and use the code: liftfree to save 10%Get 13 weeks of progressive full body strength workouts. Choose between 2 to 4 workouts each week, workout at your schedule. And have me to coach and support when you need it. You also get access to my Facebook community, full of other supportive members. Join today to secure your spot, they’re limited to 125 total. Starts Monday June 30th

Jul 8, 2025 • 1h 2min
#379 Amanda Thebe - Menopause Masterclass
Amanda Thebe, a leading menopause advocate and author of Menopocalypse, tackles rampant menopause misinformation and empowers women. She discusses how strength training helped her recover from an accident and the critical role of resistance training for aging women. Amanda debunks myths around menopause, particularly regarding hormone therapy and supplements. She emphasizes the importance of credible information, exercise, and the supportive role men can play during this transition, offering a comprehensive look at navigating menopause with confidence.

Jul 3, 2025 • 54min
#378 Brad Dieter - How to Lose Excess Weight and Keep It Off
Brad Dieter, COO of Macros Inc., dives into the science of successful weight loss. He debunks the myths of fad diets and emphasizes the significance of resilience and resistance training for long-term maintenance. Brad explores how a personal narrative affects health goals and encourages listeners to embrace the gym during tough times. He also discusses the importance of support structures and the need to redefine identity beyond fixed labels. Check out his insights on fostering a healthier, guilt-free approach to wellness!

Jul 1, 2025 • 1h 9min
#377 Jeb Stuart Johnston - How To Build Emotional Eating Skills
Jeb Stuart Johnston specializes in working with people who struggle with emotional eating. Jeb joins me to share:-Understanding emotional eating and why its a significant driver of our obesity crisis-Important skills for managing emotional eating-Why he approaches emotional eating with non-judgemental curiosity -If GLP-1 Agonist drugs help with emotional eating-Why some people struggle with emotional eating more than others-Why overeating may be a coping mechanism that’s turned on you-The nervous systems role in eating-His frustration with narcissistic influencer self-aggrandizement-Plus a bonus discussion about some fitness industry thoughts between old friends-And much more03:10 Emotional Eating and Societal Obesity06:13 The Role of Emotions in Decision Making08:31 Practical Skills for Emotional Regulation16:38 Childhood Influences on Emotional Eating30:25 GLP-1 Agonists and Emotional Eating34:21 Athlete's Weight Management Journey34:56 Compact Resources on Specific Topics35:05 Personal and Professional Insights36:45 Transformation and Mentorship37:58 Nervous System and Emotional Eating43:37 Impact of Social Media and Outrage Culture48:55 Building Meaningful ConnectionsI’ve been putting a lot of time and effort into making these new episodes valuable for you. You can help me get these great guests and their knowledge in front of more people by:-Subscribing and checking out more episodes-Sharing on your social media (please tag me - I promise I’ll respond)-Sharing with the friend you think of who needs this episodeFollow Andrew Coates:Instagram:@andrewcoatesfitnessJoin My Email List:www.andrewcoatesfitness.comGet the RP App at www.rpstrength.com/coates - use the code COATESRPUse Code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS to save 10% off at https://justbitememeals.com/Use MacrosFirst for tracking nutrition https://www.macrosfirst.com/Go to www.knkg.com/Andrew59676 for 15% off your KNKG bag.Join my Forever Strength 13 week women’s online strength program www.foreverstrength.ca and use the code: liftfree to save 10%Get 13 weeks of progressive full body strength workouts. Choose between 2 to 4 workouts each week, workout at your schedule. And have me to coach and support when you need it. You also get access to my Facebook community, full of other supportive members. Join today to secure your spot, they’re limited to 125 total. Starts Monday June 30th