
Lift Free And Diet Hard with 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.
Latest episodes

Jan 7, 2025 • 53min
#327 Dr Allan Bacon - Supplements: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
In this engaging discussion, Dr. Alan Bacon, a nutrition educator and owner of Maui Athletics, busts myths about supplements and shares practical insights. He highlights the benefits of creatine for all ages, including its role in bone health. Bacon emphasizes individual needs in supplementation, tackling the importance of omega-3s and vitamin D. He also explores baking soda’s effectiveness pre-workout and addresses misconceptions around anti-nutrients, promoting a balanced diet that includes both whole and plant-based foods.

Jan 2, 2025 • 45min
#326 Luka Hocevar - Why Everyone Should Train Like An Athlete For Life
Luka Hocevar returns with his usual big energy to share wisdom on:
-The importance of training and maintaining speed, power, and explosiveness as we get older.
-Building resilience against fall injuries.
-How to structure training programs for athletic qualities .
-How strength training reduces risk and slows the progression of neurodegenerative disease like Parkinson’s.
-The importance of developing movement and muscle reserves as we age.
-And much more.
Enjoy this deep dive into where Luka’s life’s work intersects close to home with the health issues of loved ones.
Follow Luka on IG: https://www.instagram.com/lukahocevar?igsh=MTc2aHRkZGlwdnFpYQ==
Thank you for listening.
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:16 Catching Up with Luka Hocevar
02:33 The Athlete for Life Philosophy
06:05 Training for Longevity and Quality of Life
12:06 Programming and Training Strategies
21:33 Advanced Warmup Techniques
22:06 The Importance of Intent in Training
22:21 Using Technology for Performance Tracking
23:43 Contrast Training Explained
24:33 Post Activation Potentiation (PAP)
24:58 Time Efficiency in Training
26:15 Maintaining Skills Under Fatigue
27:00 Personal Challenges and Lifestyle Impact
28:41 Strength Training and Parkinson's
31:20 Building Physical and Mental Reserves
37:41 Focus on What You Can Control
39:21 Empowering Clients Through Training
41:09 Resources and Final Thoughts
I’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 episode
Thank you so much
Follow Andrew Coates:
Instagram: @andrewcoatesfitness
Join My Email List: www.andrewcoatesfitness.com

Dec 31, 2024 • 49min
#325 Brad Jensen - A Conversation About Addiction and Fitness
Brad Jensen, The Sober Bodybuilder joins me to share his story of a history of addiction and homelessness and how fitness was a linchpin in his recovery and sustained sobriety.
Learn:
-Can fitness addiction be taken too far?
-Why the people you surround yourself with matter A LOT.
-Why more people are drinking less or giving up alcohol completely.
-Why identity is an important part of change and success.
-First steps to get help or try to help someone in your world who’s battling addiction.
And More
This episode is among the earliest in a significant shift in discussion topics and theme for this podcast going forward. I still believe there’s a goldmine here for coaches, but this is now intended to be a valuable resource to the end users, the enthusiasts, and even the beginners who need our help navigating the often confusing and conflicting world of fitness and nutrition. If you find this valuable, please share it with a friend who needs it. Thank you.
00:00 Introduction and Podcast Mission
00:15 Welcoming Brad Jensen
02:09 Brad's Journey with Addiction and Fitness
04:28 The Role of Fitness in Recovery
08:05 Balancing Fitness and Life
13:27 Social Dynamics and Healthy Living
18:37 Changing Attitudes Towards Alcohol
23:11 Choosing Not to Drink
24:10 Recognizing Problematic Drinking
25:05 Addiction and Food
26:24 Life Changes and Priorities
28:43 The Role of Environment
33:45 Identity and Sobriety
40:32 Helping Others with Addiction
42:04 Spirituality and Sobriety
46:20 Final Thoughts and Resources
Follow Andrew Coates:
Instagram: @andrewcoatesfitness
Join My Email List: www.andrewcoatesfitness.com

Dec 27, 2024 • 48min
#324 Rachel Henley - Tough Conversations And Setting Boundaries
Rachel Henley has cracked the code on creating evidence based and practical training content and scaling a massive audience.
We talk about:
-Dealing with unwelcome comments from loved ones, shame triggers, and having tough conversations around this
-The “silly shit” Rachel used to do before finding evidence based fitness and nutrition
-Dealing with comments and beliefs about “ideal bodies”
-Our mission to focus on getting more everyday people into the gym and access to fitness instead of arguing over technical training minutiae
-How to tell who’s a real coach and who’s an entertainer masquerading as a coach.
And much more
Please follow Rachel on IG: https://www.instagram.com/henleyfitness?igsh=Njl6djZ6dzJ4dzM2
This episode is among the earliest in a significant shift in discussion topics and theme for this podcast going forward. I still believe there’s a goldmine here for coaches, but this is now intended to be a valuable resource to the end users, the enthusiasts, and even the beginners who need our help navigating the often confusing and conflicting world of fitness and nutrition. If you find this valuable, please share it with a friend who needs it. Thank you.
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
01:33 Rachel Henley's Viral Moment
02:50 Navigating Family Criticism
04:05 Empathy and Setting Boundaries
07:14 Shame Triggers and Family Dynamics
09:52 Silly Fitness Mistakes
12:16 The Shortcut to Shred Experience
17:12 Body Image and Public Perception
20:21 Authenticity in Social Media
22:35 Authenticity in Social Media
23:22 Building Trust with the Audience
24:24 Encouraging Gym Confidence
25:53 Critique of Social Media Trends
26:47 Navigating Fitness Misinformation
29:11 Shameless Plug and Advice
34:10 The Problem with Viral Content
46:21 Final Thoughts and Farewell
Follow Andrew Coates:
Instagram: @andrewcoatesfitness
Join My Email List: www.andrewcoatesfitness.com

28 snips
Dec 27, 2024 • 1h 1min
#320 Dr. Alyssa Olenick - Zone 2 Cardio, Hybrid Training, V02 Max and Longevity
Dr. Alyssa Olenick, a PhD in exercise physiology and successful fitness brand owner, delivers a masterclass on Zone 2 cardio and hybrid training. She explains practical strategies for improving VO2 max and making cardio enjoyable. Dr. Olenick emphasizes the significance of movement quality, especially for aging populations, while debunking myths about explosive training. Discover how to balance intensity in workouts and the benefits of incorporating strength training for hypermobility, making fitness more accessible for everyone.

Dec 27, 2024 • 48min
#323 Dr Joseph Munoz - Nutrition Misinformation, Harmful Vs Incorrect
Dr Joseph Munoz joins to distinguish between how some nutrition misinformation is harmful while others are just incorrect.
We talk about:
-Debunking the carb - insulin hypothesis
-Does protein timing matter that much?
-Creating change through identity shift
-Is there any merit within the “Make America Healthy Again”? (without getting political)
-What really moves the needle for your nutrition?
And much more
Please follow Joey on IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.joeymunoz?igsh=MTJuaHlsMTdhd2ZtNg==
This episode is among the earliest in a significant shift in discussion topics and theme for this podcast going forward. I still believe there’s a goldmine here for coaches, but this is now intended to be a valuable resource to the end users, the enthusiasts, and even the beginners who need our help navigating the often confusing and conflicting world of fitness and nutrition. If you find this valuable, please share it with a friend who needs it. Thank you.
00:00 Welcome to the Lift Free and Diet Hard Podcast
00:15 Introducing Dr. Joseph Munoz
01:18 Debunking Fitness Myths: Carb Insulin Hypothesis vs. Carnivore Diet
02:52 The Rise and Fall of Carb Backloading
07:30 The Truth About Nutrient Timing and Protein Intake
19:53 The Importance of Lifestyle Changes for Long-Term Health
24:53 Understanding Environmental Influence on Behavior
26:24 The Power of Identity and Accountability
28:48 Navigating Political and Health Debates
30:06 Debunking Food Myths and Misconceptions
35:28 The Role of Regulation and Personal Responsibility
43:41 Final Thoughts and Gentle Myth Busting
Follow Andrew Coates:
Instagram: @andrewcoatesfitness
Join My Email List: www.andrewcoatesfitness.com

Dec 27, 2024 • 48min
#322 Ali Gilbert - Why Testosterone Is Declining In Men And How To Fight Back
Ali Gilbert, The Queen of Men’s Health joins to share wisdom about men’s declining testosterone levels.
Learn:
-Why men’s testosterone is declining
-It this as serious as media headlines make it appear?
-What “environmental toxins” are creating problems
-How to reduce your exposure to plastics
-Is hormone replacement therapy steroids?
-What are the tradeoff’s for a woman to walk around with a 6-pack?
And More
Follow Ali on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thealigilbert?igsh=MWZ6c3E2eHptZ2c5cg==
This episode is among the earliest in a significant shift in discussion topics and theme for this podcast going forward. I still believe there’s a goldmine here for coaches, but this is now intended to be a valuable resource to the end users, the enthusiasts, and even the beginners who need our help navigating the often confusing and conflicting world of fitness and nutrition. If you find this valuable, please share it with a friend who needs it. Thank you.
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
01:23 The Decline of Testosterone Levels
04:45 Consequences of Low Testosterone
09:48 Environmental Toxins and Hormone Disruption
16:26 Alcohol's Impact on Health
22:35 Fertility Crisis and Hormone Disruption in Women
23:45 Impact of Phthalates on Male Reproductive Health
25:56 The Decline in Testosterone Levels Among Young Men
27:10 Effects of Plastics on Women's Health
28:18 Hormone Replacement Therapy for Men
36:23 Navigating Fitness and Diet as a Woman
43:54 Debunking Protein Myths
45:40 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Follow Andrew Coates:
Instagram: @andrewcoatesfitness
Website: www.andrewcoatesfitness.com

Dec 27, 2024 • 50min
#321 Jack Hallows - Science Based Vs Old School Lifting
In a lively discussion, trainer and online coach Jack Hallows shares his insights from Australia’s outdoor-centric fitness culture. He explores the surprising similarities between science-based lifters and old-school bodybuilders, emphasizing core training principles that unite both worlds. The conversation dives into effective training methods, including the nuances of training to failure and whether machines can rival free weights for muscle growth. Jack’s engaging approach makes complex topics relatable for fitness enthusiasts and beginners alike.

Aug 6, 2024 • 35min
EP #319 Jennifer Van Barneveld: No Backup Plan
Jennifer Van Barneveld returns with stories of her humble beginnings before building a successful business and running one of the few remaining in print fitness publications.
Jennifer highlights how she went all in with no plan B, her mindset that led to growth and success, and how she found important people to build with.
Jennifer will also be appearing as a speaker at my event, The Evolve Strength - Business and Coaching Conference, Sept 13-14, message me for more details.

Jul 30, 2024 • 39min
EP #318 Dr Christle Guevarra: Coaching Clients On Ozempic
Dr. Christle Guevarra, a medical expert specializing in GLP-1 Agonist drugs, shares her insights on the use of Ozempic in client coaching. She dispels myths about the drug being a form of 'cheating' and stresses the importance of resistance training while on Ozempic. Christle also delves into the psychological aspects of hunger and obesity, advocating for a balanced approach to nutrition. Finally, she highlights how personalized coaching can significantly improve health outcomes for those using such medications.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.