Chasing Clarity: Health & Fitness Podcast

Hunger is the #1 challenge most people face when trying to lose body fat. It’s not that people don’t know they need to eat fewer calories, it’s that staying consistent in a deficit feels impossible when hunger and cravings take over.In this episode of the Chasing Clarity Health & Fitness Podcast, I’m breaking down the science of hunger and sharing practical, research-backed nutrition strategies to help you manage appetite, improve adherence, and make fat loss feel easier.We’ll cover:WHAT IS HUNGER? THE SIMPLE DEFINITIONHOMEOSTATIC VS HEDONIC HUNGERDIETING REALITY: HUNGER IS A PART OF THE PROCESSNUTRITIONAL FACTORS FOR MANAGING HUNGER & MAKING FAT LOSS FEEL EASIERSMART NUTRITION CHOICES THAT MAKE FAT LOSS EASIERENERGY DENSITY: EAT MORE FOOD FOR FEWER CALORIESMANAGING THE CALORIE BUDGET THROUGH ENERGY DENSITYSATIETY INDEX: FOODS THAT KEEP YOU FULL LONGERMAXIMIZING SATIETY PER CALORIE USING THE SATIETY INDEXLOWER PALATABILITY TO LOWER INTAKETHE ROLE FOOD PROCESSING PLAYS IN FAT LOSSWHERE TO CONNECT WITH ME:Follow Brandon on IG: https://www.instagram.com/brandondacruz_/For Info on Brandon’s Coaching Services: https://form.jotform.com/bdacruzfitness/coachinginquiryEmail: Bdacruzfitness@gmail.comBrandon’s Website: https://www.brandondacruzfit.com

Dr. Mikki Williden, a nutrition expert with a PhD in public health, dives into the often neglected challenge of fat loss maintenance. She reveals why maintaining results can be tougher than losing weight, addressing physiological and psychological barriers. The conversation highlights the pitfalls of focusing solely on scale weight, advocating for body composition maintenance instead. Dr. Williden emphasizes the importance of habit formation, activity levels, and lifestyle factors like sleep and stress for sustainable success. Mindset shifts are presented as key strategies for long-term adherence.

Lyle McDonald, a renowned nutrition and physique expert, returns to discuss his updated Rapid Fat Loss framework. He examines the balance of high protein intake and resistance training crucial for fat loss while preserving muscle. Lyle introduces the concept of the Relaxed RFL, explaining how small calorie allowances enhance adherence. He also covers the significance of maintenance days for psychological resets and moderation, as well as practical strategies for implementing these diets sustainably. His insights offer an engaging roadmap for effective, healthy fat loss.

On this week’s episode of the CHASING CLARITY: HEALTH & FITNESS PODCAST, I sat down with Calvin Scheller to break down one of the most misunderstood topics in nutrition: appetite regulation.We explore how your hormones, macronutrient intake, and food choices shape the way you experience hunger and why so many people struggle to feel full, even when they’re eating enough.This conversation goes far beyond “just eat less.” It’s about understanding the physiological drivers of hunger, how to work with your body instead of against it, and how to improve appetite regulation so you can better manage your energy intake, physique, and long-term results.Whether you’re looking to lose fat, trying to build muscle, or simply want to feel more in control of your appetite, this episode is for you.WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE:WHAT IS APPETITE?WHAT IS LEPTIN & WHAT ROLE DOES IT PLAY IN APPETITE REGULATION?WHAT IS LEPTIN RESISTANCE & HOW DOES IT IMPACT HUNGER SIGNALS?WHAT STRATEGIES IMPROVE LEPTIN SENSITIVITY?WHAT IS INSULIN & HOW DOES IT AFFECT APPETITE & SATIETY?HOW INSULIN SUPPRESSES HUNGER WHAT IS GHRELIN & HOW DOES IT INFLUENCE HUNGER & FOOD-SEEKING BEHAVIOR?WHAT IS CORTISOL & HOW DOES STRESS IMPACT APPETITE REGULATION?HOW DO PROTEIN & AMINO ACIDS IMPACT APPETITE?CLINICAL RESEARCH ON HIGH-PROTEIN DIETS & SATIETYHOW DO GLUCOSE & CARBOHYDRATES IMPACT APPETITE?WHY INSULIN-SPIKING, HIGH-CARB MEALS ARE OFTEN MORE SATIATING THAN HIGH-FAT MEALSWHAT EFFECT DO DIETARY FATS HAVE ON APPETITE & HUNGER?WHY DIETARY FAT IS THE LEAST SATIATING MACRONUTRIENT PER CALORIEWHAT ARE HYPER-PALATABLE FOODS & HOW DO THEY OVERRIDE SATIETY SIGNALS?WHAT THE RESEARCH SHOWS ABOUT ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS & CALORIE INTAKEThis one’s a masterclass in appetite regulation blending deep science with practical takeaways so you can make better nutrition decisions, regulate hunger, and stay on track with your goals.WHERE TO CONNECT WITH ME:Follow Brandon on IG: https://www.instagram.com/brandondacruz_/For Info on Brandon’s Coaching Services: https://form.jotform.com/bdacruzfitness/coachinginquiryEmail: Bdacruzfitness@gmail.comBrandon’s Website: https://www.brandondacruzfit.com

On this week’s episode of the CHASING CLARITY HEALTH & FITNESS PODCAST, I’m breaking down the fatal fat loss mistakes that stall progress, slow results, and keep you stuck spinning your wheels.These are the blind spots that make so many dieters think their metabolism is broken, when in reality, it’s their execution, tracking, or awareness that needs refining.We’ll cover the most common mistakes I see in both research and real-world coaching, and more importantly, how to fix each one so you can finally start seeing sustainable fat loss results.HERE’S WHAT WE COVER:️MISTAKE #1: INCONSISTENT EXECUTION OF THE DIET / LACK OF ADHERENCE️MISTAKE #2: MISESTIMATING CALORIE INTAKE & THINKING YOU’RE IN A LARGER DEFICIT THAN YOU ARE️MISTAKE #3: TRACKING BLIND SPOTS- UNTRACKED BITES, LICKS, TASTES & “CALORIE AMNESIA”  • The Power of Grazing & BLTs  • The Weekend Effect  • Restaurant Meals & “Zero-Calorie” Foods  • Common Tracking Mistakes I See as a Coach  • Solutions: How to Eliminate Blind Spots️MISTAKE #4: CHASING WEIGHT LOSS ON THE SCALE RATHER THAN FOCUSING ON FAT LOSS & MUSCLE PRESERVATION️MISTAKE #5: OVERESTIMATING CALORIES BURNED THROUGH EXERCISE️MISTAKE #6: NOT TRACKING STEPS & NOT ACCOUNTING FOR DROPS IN NEAT  • Why Step Tracking Matters  • NEAT, Appetite!& Energy Balance  • Practical Coaching Strategy️FATAL FAT LOSS MISTAKES THAT ALSO HINDER PROGRESS  • Poor Sleep & Recovery  • Chronic Stress & Emotional Eating  • Ignoring Micronutrient Intake  • Taking in Too Many Liquid CaloriesThis episode is your roadmap to identifying the habits, blind spots, and mindset traps that hold most people back during fat loss.If you’ve been consistent but still not seeing results, this one will show you exactly what’s missing and how to fix it.WHERE TO CONNECT WITH ME:Follow Brandon on IG: https://www.instagram.com/brandondacruz_/For Info on Brandon’s Coaching Services: https://form.jotform.com/bdacruzfitness/coachinginquiryEmail: Bdacruzfitness@gmail.comBrandon’s Website: https://www.brandondacruzfit.com

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Eric Helms to break down the science & practical strategies behind getting super lean while holding onto hard-earned muscle.We cover:RATE OF LOSS THAT SHOULD BE TARGETED WHEN GETTING SUPER LEANAt the start of a Fat Loss Phase, calories are high, diet fatigue is low, and motivation is at its peak. Clients are also carrying more body fat at this stage, so there’s a larger energy reserve to pull from. Seeing faster results early on builds momentum and motivation. WHY YOUR RATE OF LOSS SHOULD SLOW DOWN THE LEANER YOU GET Higher risk of muscle loss as body fat gets lowerGreater metabolic adaptation when very leanTraining performance & recovery become harder to maintainWHY INCREASING PROTEIN INTAKE DURING A DEFICIT CAN BE BENEFICIALHelps preserve lean muscle mass when energy intake is low.Supports higher satiety & appetite control compared to carbs or fats.Provides an “insurance policy” against lean tissue loss in very lean athletes.EVIDENCE THAT A DEFICIT REDUCES MPSDecreases muscle protein synthesis (MPS)Increases muscle protein breakdown (MPB)Increases protein oxidationERIC’S NEW META-REGRESSION ON PROTEIN INTAKE DURING A DEFICIT HUNGER MANAGEMENT STRATEGIESAcceptance based approach Lean into low-energy-density foodsStart meals with a salad or soup preloadLook for harder-texture, solid food sources over liquidsEat slowly and mindfullyWhether you’re prepping for the stage, a photoshoot, or just want to understand how to get lean without sacrificing muscle, this episode gives you the tools to do it smarter.WHERE TO CONNECT WITH ME:Follow Brandon on IG: https://www.instagram.com/brandondacruz_/For Info on Brandon’s Coaching Services: https://form.jotform.com/bdacruzfitness/coachinginquiryEmail: Bdacruzfitness@gmail.comBrandon’s Website: https://www.brandondacruzfit.com

In this week’s episode of the Chasing Clarity Health & Fitness Podcast, I sit down with my client and former Division 1 athlete, fitness professional, and tech sales leader Nikki Zahka to unpack her journey from chronic under-fueling and hypothalamic amenorrhea to restoring her health, rebuilding her physiology, and achieving her best physique yet.We cover:NIKKI’S ATHLETIC HISTORYNIKKI’S PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORSHigh performers often burn the candle at both ends not realizing that stress adds up across life domains.WHERE NIKKI WAS AT THE START OF COACHING (JANUARY 2023)Physique looked great externally but internally her health was compromised.Chronic under-eating (1200–1350 kcal/day) with high-output training.Showing signs of suppressed physiology, poor digestion, and hormonal dysfunction.WHAT NIKKI WAS EXPERIENCING WHEN WE STARTED WORKING TOGETHEROver 3 years without a menstrual cycle.Classic RED-S biofeedback: fatigue, hormone suppression, stress overload.Chronic under-fueling led to poor quality of life despite looking “fit.”HYPOTHALAMIC AMENORRHEA (HA)Causes: low energy availability + high stress suppressing hypothalamic signaling.Effects: reduced thyroid, elevated cortisol, reduced estrogen/progesterone.RELATIVE ENERGY DEFICIENCY & LOW ENERGY AVAILABILITY (LEA)Adaptable LEA: short-term, strategic, recoverable.Problematic LEA: chronic, damaging, with systemic consequences.Nikki had been in problematic LEA for years due to mismatch of intake/output.CONSEQUENCES OF RED-SHORMONAL: ↓ thyroid, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, IGF-1, leptin; ↑ cortisol.METABOLIC: suppressed RMR, reduced MPS.BONE HEALTH: ↓ bone mineral density, ↑ fracture risk.GI: constipation, digestive distress.PERFORMANCE: ↓ strength, endurance, glycogen storage, recovery; ↑ injury risk.HEMATOLOGICAL: iron deficiency → worsened thyroid function.THE PRIMER PHASEFoundation-building stage where we focused on restoring physiology, habits, and metabolic health.Pulled back from high-intensity, exhaustive training.Focused on fueling, recovery, sleep, stress management.INTENTION OF THE PRIMER PHASEReverse chronic low energy availability.NUTRIENT TIMING & WITHIN-DAY ENERGY AVAILABILITYImportance of distribution, not just daily totals.Even fueling throughout the day → reduces stress, improves recovery, supports hormones.Avoid large gaps without eating & fasted high-intensity training.OUTCOMES OF THE PRIMER PHASEAfter 6 months: improved training performance, recovery, and body recomposition.Fueling at  >2000 kcal on training days at ~110 lbs.Biofeedback improved across the board.Proof that correcting EA + structured resistance training = muscle gain & better hormone function.LEAN BUILDING PHASESNext step after Primer: structured lean muscle gain phase RESTORED MENSTRUAL CYCLE after 3+ years.Focused on performance, fueling, and health markers.Out of 55 weeks, only 6 spent dieting; most time spent building.Mindset shift: from chasing leanness to fueling abundance.LESSONS & TAKEAWAYSNikki’s story is a powerful reminder that A HEALTHY BODY IS A RESPONSIVE BODY and when you prioritize physiology, the physiqueresults follow.WHERE TO CONNECT WITH ME:Follow Brandon on IG: https://www.instagram.com/brandondacruz_/For Info on Brandon’s Coaching Services: https://form.jotform.com/bdacruzfitness/coachinginquiryEmail: Bdacruzfitness@gmail.comBrandon’s Website: https://www.brandondacruzfit.com

Join Dr. Eric Helms, a senior research fellow and WNBF pro bodybuilder, as he dives into the nuances of intuitive versus informed eating. He uncovers why many in the fitness community struggle with truly eating intuitively. Eric also shares the latest insights on refeeds, revealing their psychological rather than physiological benefits. Most importantly, he emphasizes living the fitness lifestyle year-round for sustainable results, offering practical guidance backed by research to help you thrive in your fitness journey.

Learn how to build and maintain a lean body year-round by prioritizing muscle through resistance training. Discover the lesser-known importance of NEAT as a metabolism booster and how to incorporate cardio effectively for long-term results. Explore sustainable strategies that avoid extreme diets while allowing you to enjoy food. Uncover the concept of high energy flux, which helps you eat more without gaining weight. This podcast dives into practical tools and techniques for achieving a healthy physique.

Lyle McDonald, a renowned nutrition researcher and author specializing in body recomposition, shares invaluable insights on aggressive fat loss. He stresses the importance of progressive resistance training and high protein intake for muscle retention during caloric deficits. Discover practical tools for managing hunger and cravings, from food selection to innovative low-calorie snacks. Lyle debunks myths about aerobic exercise effectiveness and emphasizes a balanced approach to exercise and nutrition for sustainable results.