

Brains and Gains with Dr. David Maconi
Dr. David Maconi
On the Brains and Gains podcast, Dr. David Maconi discusses all things exercise science, nutrition, health, and personal development. Every week, Dr. Maconi invites health experts and thought leaders to share their expertise. Each episode ends with a charity donation to the charity of the guest's choice.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 10, 2024 • 1h 42min
Q&A 14 (Ft. Abel Csabai) - Wasting Newbie Gains, Importance of Carbs, Extending Intensity Sets
In this episode, fitness expert Abel Csabai shares his insights on effective training techniques and nutrition. He discusses the nuances of myo-reps and rest-pause sets, addressing how to push your limits safely. Abel emphasizes the critical role of carbohydrates in muscle growth and explores the potential for wasting newbie gains if training isn't optimized. He also touches on the importance of dental health and how fitness influences romantic attraction, revealing that personality often outweighs physical appearance.

Jul 26, 2024 • 1h 43min
Eric Helms + Steve Hall - Leaner Gains, Individual Fatigue, Supersetting
Eric Helms, a PhD in strength and conditioning and competitive bodybuilder, teams up with Steve Hall, a fellow natural bodybuilder and coach, to dive into effective training strategies. They discuss the surprising impacts of untrained muscles on growth and the importance of workout tracking. The duo shares insights on bulking, fatigue management, and the use of supersets versus traditional sets for better gains. With a humorous twist, they also touch on personal experiences with cardio and even some surprising bathroom habits while bulking.

10 snips
Jul 13, 2024 • 1h 16min
Pete Rubish - Regaining Muscle Drug Free, Ultra Running, Health Above All
Pete Rubish, a former powerlifter turned ultra runner, shares his transformative journey from strength sports to ultra running after stepping away from performance-enhancing drugs. He candidly discusses the physical and mental challenges of training for a grueling 100-mile race, including hydration issues and preparation mistakes. Rubish also delves into his health struggles with kidney stones and adjusts his lifestyle through diet and supplements. Listeners will gain insights into balancing strength with health while navigating the complexities of endurance training.

Jul 6, 2024 • 1h 6min
Basement Bodybuilding - Breaking Arm Plateaus, Backing Off Leg Training, Home Gyms
0:00- Intro 0:30- Hitting 18in arms 10:45- Progressive overload 12:20- What was done specifically to get to 18in arms 26:00- Exercise and rep selection 36:30- Should you train legs as hard as upper body? 46:00- Home gymsBasement Bodybuilding Channel: / @basementbodybuilding Basement Bodybuilding Instagram: / basement.bodybuilding Website and Coaching: https://brainsandgainspodcast.com/Instagram: / dave_maconi / @brainsandgainspodcast -For those looking to support the channel and our donations to various charities, please consider the above link to become a member and have the opportunity to appear on the channel!Jacked Up home gym equipment: https://jackedupbrands.com/pages/_go_...

May 18, 2024 • 1h 28min
Abel Q&A 13 (Ft. Abel Csabai) - Bulking on Fewer Meals, Exercise Frequency, Ab Progression
In this discussion, fitness content creator Abel Csabai shares his insights on bulking with fewer meals, arguing it's feasible with proper protein management. He dives into the intricacies of exercise frequency and variability, emphasizing the balance needed for strength gains. Abel also discusses the emotional impact of water retention in weight loss and critiques common training volume myths. Personal anecdotes reveal the challenges of muscle growth, especially for stubborn areas, while offering practical advice on rest-pause techniques for effective workouts.

May 4, 2024 • 53min
Dr. Stuart Phillips - Misguided Hypertrophy Ideas, Di- and Tripeptides, Protein Frequency
In this discussion, Dr. Stuart Phillips, a notable expert in exercise science and nutrition, challenges common misconceptions about muscle growth. He critiques misguided views on hypertrophy and highlights the debate between myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic hypertrophy. The conversation also unpacks the frequency of protein intake, advocating for fewer, higher-quality meals. Phillips raises skepticism about collagen supplementation and the efficacy of amino acids, emphasizing the need for rigorous research over marketing claims.

Apr 13, 2024 • 1h 32min
Geoffrey Verity Schofield + Kassem Hanson - RP Methods, Rotating Exercises, Contracted Positions
Geoffrey Verity Schofield, a fitness coach and content creator known for critiquing training methods, joins Kassem Hanson, a coach from N1 Education focusing on exercise selection and biomechanics. They dive into the discrepancies around Renaissance Periodization, how social media shapes training narratives, and evolving views on exercise form. Kassem shares insights on contracted positions and the synergy of different training focuses. Both discuss balancing consistency with variation to maximize gains, emphasizing flexibility in exercise choices for effective hypertrophy.

Mar 30, 2024 • 53min
Nicolas Verhoeven (Pt 2) - Curcumin, How to Look Youthful, Melatonin
Health and wellness enthusiast Nicolas Verhoeven discusses curcumin benefits, skin health with collagen, melatonin dosage, and the hype around supplements. Emphasis on prioritizing foundational health practices over quick-fix solutions.

Mar 23, 2024 • 1h 1min
Nicolas Verhoeven (Pt 1) - Oreo Experiment, Cholesterol & Longevity, High Sodium
0:00- Intro 1:00- Nic’s background 4:00- Oreo’s bringing down LDL 25:00- Cholesterol 31:00- High sodium intake 36:00- Low saturated fat experiment 49:00- Minnesota coronary experiment

Mar 16, 2024 • 1h 18min
Alex Leonidas - Bro Splits, Going Vegan, Calisthenics
0:00- Intro0:30- Progression in the natural community 4:00- Shifting training routines and priorities8:00- Issues with “optimal” biomechanics training17:00- Specific exercises26:00- Lifting with Mike Israetel and Jared Feather40:00- Perception when shredded vs bulked44:00- Calisthenics58:00- Bro splits 1:06:00- What’s next for Alex?1:09:00- Vegan diets / health


