Unfiltered Extra

Confidence is the cornerstone of success in any personal, professional and performance endeavour. But many of us get caught in a vicious cycle of telling ourselves what we can’t do, rather than what we can. And we repeatedly talk ourselves down in a way that we would never dare dream of speaking to our friends, family or colleagues. This was the case for leading strength coach Jay Ferruggia who, despite his many successes in his 30-year coaching career, wasn’t always the calm, collected and confident man we meet in our exclusive Unfiltered interview. In a wide-ranging conversation with Unfiltered contributing editor Dr Jonny Rees, PhD, that also covers his world-leading expertise on training, nutrition and recovery for strength, hypertrophy and optimal performance, Ferruggia explains how he built unwavering confidence and self-belief in his own abilities which propelled him to success, and how you can learn to become a master storyteller to take back control of your internal narrative to start living the life you’ve always wanted. Watch the full interview with bonus footage at https://unfilteredonline.com/jay-ferruggia-be-a-master-storyteller-and-find-success-at-all-you-do/For exclusive access to all Unfiltered's video interviews, features and documentaries visit https://unfilteredonline.com/ Get in touch in the comments below or talk to us on:Email: editorial@unfilteredonline.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGSV7XVaBYUYq5YidLI12owInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unfiltered.extraTwitter: https://twitter.com/UnfilteredExtra

To say that there is a lack of trust in the established practices of western medicine is something of an understatement.Since the rise of social media you don’t have to search very far to find a significant number of widely followed and well-credentialed experts highly critical of modern medical methodology, or who claim that much of the accepted understanding, teaching and treatment of almost all health ailments are fundamentally wrong, and even go against the “first, do no harm” central tenet of the Hippocratic oath. Some of main areas of medicine in the firing line are the current efforts to tackle dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases; ignoring potential therapeutic nutritional strategies, such as ketogenic diets or the carnivore diet to combat chronic illness where traditional remedies have failed; and even whether novel attempts to dramatically extend human lifespan should be encouraged or curtailed.Yet no subject draws the level of clamour, controversy and conspiracy than the discourse around the impact of the food we eat on our weight, and whether government-issued guidelines on exactly what we should eat, and how much, are actually causing the widespread obesity epidemic, instead of solving it. One of the most vocal critics of our long-standing dietary recommendations is Dr Robert Lufkin, MD, a former professor in world-leading medical research and teaching institutes.He believes much of what he taught his students was wrong and is so convinced he’s right he’s written a book “The Lies I Taught In Medical School” to document the error of his ways - and the make his case for why the next generation of med school students, who will ultimately become our doctors of the future, deserve a better and more accurate education.In our exclusive interview with Unfiltered editor-in-chief Joe Warner, recorded in Los Angeles, California, Dr Lufkin explains the biggest lies he believes he taught, why he told them, and what damage he thinks the “miseducation” of young doctors has had on American society.And in a wide-ranging conversation he also discussed the role Big Tobacco has in creating the “fast food nations” in which many of us now live and the impact it’s had on our health; whether we can ever combat Big Food, Big Pharma, and other hugely wealthy and influential interest groups to turn the tide in the war against obesity; why the fastest way to start an argument online is to post about nutrition, and much more.For the full interview and bonus content visit https://unfilteredonline.com/dr-robert-lufkin-i-regret-the-lies-i-taught-in-medical-school/ For exclusive access to all Unfiltered's video interviews, features and documentaries visit https://unfilteredonline.com/ Get in touch in the comments below or talk to us on:Email: editorial@unfilteredonline.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGSV7XVaBYUYq5YidLI12owInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unfiltered.extraTwitter: https://twitter.com/UnfilteredExtra

In serious strength training circles few voices resonate with as much authority and authenticity as Jordan Shallow.A chiropractor by profession and powerlifter by passion, Shallow has carved a formidable presence in the health and fitness world, not just through his physical prowess but through his thought-provoking insights.In our exclusive conversation with the man known online as The Muscle Doc, Shallow explains why at the forefront of his concerns is the pervasive and growing “anti-work” mentality.Because for him, achieving success isn’t about circumventing the grind; it’s about embracing it intelligently. He argues fervently against the culture of seeking shortcuts, emphasising that genuine success in any arena requires a blend of working both smart and hard.It’s his raw and unfiltered take on life and lifting that has amassed him a considerable following on social media. In an age where polished personas and rehearsed routines are the norm, Shallow’s authenticity stands out, sharing both his triumphs and tribulations with a dedicated audience that values genuineness over glamour.And as a passionate observer of the evolving fitness landscape, Shallow also weighs in on rise of the bio-hacking movement, a trend that has seen many enthusiasts seeking ways to “hack” their biology for better performance and health. While acknowledging its potential benefits, he remains wary of its oversimplified solutions, stressing the importance of foundational knowledge.We also discuss the meteoric rise of social media as a primary source for health and fitness information. Does the democratisation of knowledge outweigh the sheer volume of overwhelming information – and misinformation – now at our disposal? And just how damaging is the constant bombardment of men and women in phenomenal shape doing phenomenal things on social media to our own sense of happiness and self-worth?Watch the full video interview at https://unfilteredonline.com/the-muscle-doc-jordan-shallow-youre-not-working-hard-enough/Get in touch in the comments below or talk to us on:Email: editorial@unfilteredonline.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGSV7XVaBYUYq5YidLI12owInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unfiltered.extraTwitter: https://twitter.com/UnfilteredExtra

We’ve all been there. Life gets in the way, and you miss a few scheduled training sessions. Frustration creeps in and, if you’re anything like most people, fears that you’ll stop progressing - or worse still, begin regressing - begin to emerge.But what if we told you that it takes less - much less - time and effort to not only maintain what you have, but also make meaningful progress. Enter Dr Patroklos Androulakis-Korakakis, PhD - AKA Dr Pak - and minimum effective dose training.In an extensive conversation with Unfiltered contributing editor Dr Jonny Rees, PhD, Dr Pak explains how his doctoral research demonstrates you can continue improving with very little volume and time spent training. In fact, you might not even have to set foot in a gym. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll see that (lack of) time rarely provides an impediment to your strength and body composition goals.In a world where many obsess over what’s optimal, and sometimes let the perfect be the enemy of the good, this is the antidote. Pareto would approve - find out how to get 80% of the benefits in 20% of the time in our full Unfiltered conversation.For exclusive access to all Unfiltered's video interviews, features and documentaries visit https://unfilteredonline.com/ Get in touch in the comments below or talk to us on:Email: editorial@unfilteredonline.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGSV7XVaBYUYq5YidLI12owInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unfiltered.extraTwitter: https://twitter.com/UnfilteredExtra

How do you define success? Perhaps it’s as simple as excelling at whatever you put your mind to. However you choose to define it, there are many metrics by which it can be measured, and much will of course depend on your own personal values and worldview. Some might think of achievements, particularly those that can be listed on a LinkedIn page or CV. In the realm of health and fitness, you might think of measures of physical fitness or physique development. In academia, it might be doctoral degrees, books and published papers. But maybe those sorts of things don’t convince you, or at least don’t tell the full story. Fundamentally, much of our success or failure can be judged by the impact we have on others, and the wider world. One man who does pretty well by all the above criteria is Sebastian Porsdam Mann. The bioethicist and legal scholar is currently finishing a second doctorate on the human right to science and scientific progress at Oxford’s Faculty of Law.With a unique career not only glittering with academic accomplishments but also real impact on consequential issues such as human enhancement and the ethics of large language models, it’s interesting to note Porsdam Mann stresses the importance of exercise, sleep, nutrition and social connection above all.In a fascinating and wide-ranging conversation with Unfiltered contributing editor Dr Jonny Rees, PhD, Porsdam Mann explains his recent doctoral research and its implications, as well as the habits and daily routines that set him up for success. We discuss his work on human enhancement - particularly cognitive enhancement - and the implications of large language models - like ChatGPT - for academia and beyond. For exclusive access to all Unfiltered's video interviews, features and documentaries visit https://unfilteredonline.com/ Get in touch in the comments below or talk to us on:Email: editorial@unfilteredonline.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGSV7XVaBYUYq5YidLI12owInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unfiltered.extraTwitter: https://twitter.com/UnfilteredExtra

In 2020, low back pain affected 619m people across the world, a figure expected to rise to 843m people by 2050, according to research by the World Health Organisation. Globally low back pain is the single leading cause of disability and the highest number of cases is in patients between the ages of 50 and 55.Non-specific low back pain, which is far harder to diagnose and treat, is the most common condition, responsible for around 90% of all cases. It’s no exaggeration to say that if you suffer from low back pain it negatively impacts almost every area of your life, not only limiting what you can do physically but often leading to severe mental health issues.If you’re one of the millions of people suffering with low back pain you’ll know exactly how it makes you feel. You may have even given up hope that you’ll ever look, feel and perform as well as you used to.But help is at hand. World-renowned spine health specialist Professor Stuart McGill has helped professional athletes suffering from crippling back issues return to their former glories - in many cases setting new records and winning international competitions.In an exclusive interview with Unfiltered's contributing editor Dr Jonny Rees, PhD, Professor McGill explains what you can do to take better care of your back, including how he selected three spine-sparing and core-stabilising exercises to improve back health that have become synonymous with his name and expertise in treating low back pain problems, as well as his views on the biological cost of training, why strength starts as a thought, and how lifting heavy sometimes requires you to be ready to "commit homicide" on your own body.Watch the full video interview at https://unfilteredonline.com/dr-stuart-mcgill-how-to-take-better-care-of-your-back/For exclusive access to all Unfiltered's video interviews, features and documentaries visit https://unfilteredonline.com/ Get in touch in the comments below or talk to us on:Email: editorial@unfilteredonline.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGSV7XVaBYUYq5YidLI12owInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unfiltered.extraTwitter: https://twitter.com/UnfilteredExtra

There exists more data on Dr Michael Snyder than any other human in history.

The Chair of Genetics at Stanford University has been collecting, analysing and responding to a constant stream of information about his brain, body and environment for the last decade, amassing two petabytes of data.

So what has he learned about the impact of different foods on his blood glucose levels?Which breakfast food that almost all of us eat does he consider a “poison” because it causes a huge spike in 80% of people?And what can you change about how you eat, and how can you modify your mealtime behaviours, if you want to live the healthiest life possible?For exclusive access to all Unfiltered's video interviews, features and documentaries visit https://unfilteredonline.com/Get in touch in the comments below or talk to us on:Email: editorial@unfilteredonline.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGSV7XVaBYUYq5YidLI12owInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unfiltered.extraTwitter: https://twitter.com/UnfilteredExtra

Not many people know the personal training and fitness industry than Phil Learney.And as the founder of the Advanced Coaching Academy he understands better than most the inherent problems that blight the sector, preventing people getting the physical activity advice and instruction they so desperately need at the time they need it most.As Learney explains, in an exclusive interview with Unfiltered editor-in-chief Joe Warner, many of the problems are structural and others are so entrenched so there is no quick or easy fix.These include a proliferation of rogue trainers who hold no personal training qualifications, the gyms so eager to hire them to fit their high-turnover, low-standards business model, and the insurers happy to insure them for their lucrative annual premium.There’s also the growing issue, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and lengthy lockdown of all fitness facilities – the pubs were allowed to open before gyms, remember? – of the fitness fraudsters who operate online coaching services that promise the world – for an up-front fee – only to disappear from trace once they’ve got your hard-earned cash, only to pop up again a few months later with a different name but the exact same scam.But all is not lost. While the personal training industry is more cut-throat than ever, Learney distills his years of gym-floor wisdom into actionable and impactful advice you can use to stand out from the crowd and build a growing successful coaching career by doing things the right way.Watch the full interview with bonus features at https://unfilteredonline.com/phil-learney-we-must-fix-the-perennial-problems-with-personal-training/For exclusive access to all Unfiltered's video interviews, features and documentaries visit https://unfilteredonline.com/Get in touch in the comments below or talk to us on:Email: editorial@unfilteredonline.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGSV7XVaBYUYq5YidLI12owInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unfiltered.extraTwitter: https://twitter.com/UnfilteredExtra

For Steven Rinaldi, the path to becoming CEO of a multimillion-pound company has not been easy, and it certainly hasn’t been traditional.From moving out of his home at just 15 to rent a bedsit above a Chinese karaoke restaurant in Glasgow, and working as an underage doorman, he tried many other jobs before finding his true calling as the founder and CEO of PRIMAL STRENGTH, which designs and manufactures high-end and innovative weight training equipment for both commercial and residential gyms.Founded in 2016, PRIMAL is one of the fastest-growing strength and fitness brands in the UK and has already embarked on an expansion drive across Europe, the Middle East, and South Africa.In 2022, PRIMAL sold 36,500 pairs of dumbbells, nearly 50,000 weight plates, and kitted out more than 700 gyms. The company has designed and fitted state-of-the-art facilities for leading athletes, including two-time World's Strongest Man Tom Stoltman and newly crowned Olympia Men's Physique champion Ryan Terry, and for major sports teams, including Scottish Premier League sides Rangers and Celtic, and has worked with gym chains including JD Gyms and UFC Gyms.In an in-depth conversation with Unfiltered editor-in-chief Joe Warner, Rinaldi opens up on PRIMAL’s origin story and how - in just seven years - it has become one of the UK’s most respected fitness brands.He also details the company’s aggressive growth plans for the coming years, with acquisitions being a key part of the expansion picture, reveals how PRIMAL plans to stay innovative and nimble as it becomes an established global player in the gym equipment game, and explains why the people you choose to work with on ambitious projects are as important as any other element to the ongoing success of your business. For exclusive access to all Unfiltered's video interviews, features and documentaries visit https://unfilteredonline.com/ Get in touch in the comments below or talk to us on:Email: editorial@unfilteredonline.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGSV7XVaBYUYq5YidLI12owInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unfiltered.extraTwitter: https://twitter.com/UnfilteredExtra

Most men will have only heard about PCOS - Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - if their partner, relatives or daughters suffer from the condition.Even then the chances are they will know very little about the causes, diagnosis and on-going treatment options to minimise the life-changing effects of PCOS.One man who knows more than most, and is leading the online educational efforts to empower more people to take back control of their physical health and mental wellbeing is Drew Baird, best known by his social media handle The PCOS Mentor.Indeed, picture in your mind a leading online authority and respected expert on on women’s hormonal health and the long-haired, bearded, former gym bro is not the image immediately conjured. But, as he explains in an in-depth conversation with Unfiltered editor-in-chief Joe Warner, for every person that criticises him for being yet another man telling women how to live their life, he gets ten times as many thanking him for his passion, advice and help.And as understanding and awareness of the physical and psychological impact of PCOS increases, so does the focus on personalised care and support, which is why Baird highlights the importance of individualised approaches in managing this multifaceted condition and provides detailed resources to do so.He also reveals the simple steps anyone with PCOS can take, starting today, to begin to alleviate the worst of their symptoms to regain control of the condition without resorting to the medical establishment’s preferred option of prescribing oral contraceptives or diabetes drugs, which only sideline the symptoms instead of reversing them. For the full video interview visit https://unfilteredonline.com/drew-baird-the-pcos-mentor-reveals-how-to-take-back-control-of-your-health-and-happiness/ Get in touch in the comments below or talk to us on:Email: editorial@unfilteredonline.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGSV7XVaBYUYq5YidLI12owInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unfiltered.extraTwitter: https://twitter.com/UnfilteredExtra