

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

Feb 27, 2025 • 1h 3min
#342 Brianna Battles - Postpartum Strength and Athleticism
Brianna Battles, CEO of Pregnancy and Postpartum Athleticism, is an expert in training pregnant and postpartum athletes. She discusses the outdated research surrounding female athleticism and pelvic health, debunking myths about exercise during and after pregnancy. Brianna emphasizes the emotional challenges mothers face and the importance of individualized training strategies. She also highlights pelvic floor health, the benefits of rucking for bone density, and the necessity of understanding body composition for aging well.

Feb 25, 2025 • 47min
#341 Lucas Hardie - Stretching, Flexibility, and Strength Training
Lucas Hardie, known as @rangeofstrength on Instagram, is a coach specializing in unconventional strength and flexibility training. He discusses the importance of integrating flexibility into strength routines while debunking common misconceptions about stretching. Lucas emphasizes progressive overload in mobility training, shares insights on hypermobility, and promotes the Jefferson curl as a valuable technique. He also highlights the value of personalized training approaches and upcoming workshops in Austin focused on safe movement exploration and injury rehabilitation.

Feb 20, 2025 • 54min
#340 Joe DeFranco - How To Evolve Your Training As You Get Older
Joe DeFranco, an iconic fitness educator and gym owner, shares his insights on adapting training as we age. He discusses the shift from performance goals to overall well-being, emphasizing recovery and family balance. Joe highlights the importance of functional exercises and injury prevention in longevity training. He addresses the misleading fitness standards perpetuated by social media, advocating for authenticity and healthy living. Additionally, he emphasizes the significance of tracking nutrition for better eating habits.

Feb 18, 2025 • 45min
#339 Dean Somerset - Rock Solid Resilience
Dean Somerset, a prominent personal trainer known for his work in mobility and injury management, discusses his upcoming book 'Rock Solid Resilience.' He shares insights on training through injuries, emphasizing the importance of resilience and mental health in recovery. The effectiveness of foam rolling and practical strategies for reducing injury risks are explored. Dean underscores the role of allostatic load in managing stress and promotes a balanced understanding of load and technique in strength training, challenging common misconceptions.

Feb 13, 2025 • 48min
#338 Susan Niebergall - Muscle and Strength For Healthy Aging
Susan Niebergall, author of "Fit at Any Age" and esteemed fitness coach, shares her insights on healthy aging and strength training. She recounts her personal journey through hip replacement surgery, emphasizing the importance of pre-surgery strength and rehabilitation. The discussion pivots to how strength training can dramatically reduce fall risks and improve mobility for older adults. Niebergall highlights motivating fitness journeys across generations and stresses the need for increased protein intake to support aging healthily.

Feb 11, 2025 • 49min
#337 Mike Doehla - Successful Nutrition Philosophy and Tactics
Mike Doehla, the retired founder of Stronger You, shares his wealth of knowledge on nutrition and fitness. He critiques branded diets like keto and veganism, arguing for a more holistic understanding of health. The discussion navigates the challenges of the fitness industry, highlighting the importance of transparency and real-time support in coaching. Mike also dives into the impact of social circles on dietary choices and offers practical tips for meal planning, emphasizing personal responsibility in today’s complex eating environment.

Feb 6, 2025 • 47min
#336 Dr. Mike Israetel - A.I. and the Future of Your Fitness
Legendary PhD of Sport Physiology and co-founder of Renaissance Periodization Dr Mike Israetel joins the podcast to talk about how A.I. promises to enhance our everyday fitness and health lifestyle and health outcome. Dr Mike talks about:-How coaching will be affected by A.I.-How likely we’ll see an I Robot scenario (Will Smith movie).-What will humans do with their extra time if robots take care of daily household tasks?-Why we’ve seen a rise in Mike Mentzer style low volume training ideology on social media-Why there appears to be a rift between traditionally PhD educated authorities and social media hypertrophy coaches on training volume?-and much more00:16 Welcoming Dr. Mike Israetel00:35 The Role of AI in Health and Fitness01:36 AI in Coaching and Medicine04:53 Human Element in Coaching07:25 Future of AI and Robotics in Daily Life16:02 Ethical Considerations and AI20:15 Impact of AI on Fitness and Lifestyle25:56 The Status Game: A Never-Ending Cycle30:50 The Illusion of Superiority31:46 Debating Hypertrophy: Volume vs. Intensity32:26 Fitness Influencers: Credibility and Influence36:31 The Appeal of Low Volume Training40:08 The Importance of Vibes in Training45:28 Wrapping Up: Final Thoughts and ResourcesI’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.com

Feb 4, 2025 • 59min
#335 Dr. Joe Zundell - Cancer and Strength Training
Dr. Joe Zundell, a cancer biologist and educator, shares profound insights on the connection between strength training and cancer risk reduction. He discusses the vital role of resistance training in combating cachexia in cancer patients, stressing the importance of tailored exercise regimens. Dr. Zundell also debunks myths about diet and cancer, emphasizing the impact of environmental and lifestyle factors. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how balanced nutrition and exercise can improve quality of life during cancer treatment.

Jan 30, 2025 • 51min
#334 Tom Morrison - How Strength Is Essential For Mobility And Dealing With Injuries
Mobility expert Tom Morrison joins to share wisdom from years of managing his own injuries and coaching others.
Tom talks about:
-How Tom avoided movement restrictions or pain despite probably having broken his neck
-What the everyday person with a busy life can do with limited time to improve mobility?
-How strength is the foundation of mobility
-The difference between active and passive range of motion
-Why being “degenerative” isn’t necessarily something you should be worried about
-Why medical scans of your joints doesn’t tell the whole story
-Why having physical injuries doesn’t guarantee you’ll experience pain
-Effective warmups for lifting
-Why spending time working down on the floor is important
-and much more
01:21 The Relationship Between Mobility and Injury Risk
02:52 Improving Mobility: Techniques and Tips
05:24 Strength and Mobility: Finding the Balance
12:21 Using Weights to Enhance Mobility
17:39 Personal Experiences with Injuries and Recovery
20:42 Understanding Abduction and Adduction
21:48 The Reality of Degeneration and Scans
25:14 Understanding Tissue Degeneration
26:53 Adapting Training with Age
28:07 Importance of Muscle Strength and Motor Control
32:54 Making Fitness Accessible for Busy Lives
34:57 Effective Warm-Up Strategies
39:25 Overcoming Mental Barriers in Mobility
42:35 Daily Movement and Lifestyle Tips
45:24 The Importance of Floor Movements
48:17 Conclusion 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
Follow Andrew Coates:
Instagram: @andrewcoatesfitness
Join My Email List: www.andrewcoatesfitness.com

Jan 28, 2025 • 1h 6min
#333 Jordan Syatt - How to Prioritize Your Fitness as a Parent
Jordan Syatt joins me to discuss:
-How his fitness routine has changed since becoming a parent
-How he prioritizes and finds time for fitness
-How his fitness goals have evolved over time
-Why Jordan has been working on doing Jean Claude Van Damme splits
-Jordan’s mobility routine
-What are “Movement Snacks”
-Choosing workout timing
-If Jordan misses the grind of his career before his family life
And much more
00:15 A Warm Welcome to Jordan Syatt
00:38 Balancing Fitness and Fatherhood
00:52 Flexible Fitness Routine
02:34 Maintaining Fitness Goals
03:46 Late Night Workouts and Family Life
05:25 Fitness Philosophy and Social Media
22:35 The Importance of Walking and Small Movements
33:41 Consistency is Key: Finding Your Optimal Workout Time
34:47 Fasted Training: Pros and Cons
35:28 Training on a Full Stomach: Lessons Learned
38:22 Family Fitness: Setting an Example
40:05 The Science of Mobility and Flexibility
51:46 Balancing Family Life and Career
55:00 The Impact of Social Media Fame
01:01:18 Final Thoughts and Reflections
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
Follow Andrew Coates:
Instagram: @andrewcoatesfitness
Join My Email List: www.andrewcoatesfitness.com


