The Absolute Strength Podcast

In this episode of The Absolute Strength Podcast, I sit down with CrossFit Games champion and fitness entrepreneur Jason Khalipa. We dive into Jason's current mission: Train, Protect, and Provide. Jason shares how this mindset evolved, what it means to him now, and how other men can apply it in their own lives. We also talk about the impact of his Saturday Men's Club workouts, a weekly gathering that's about more than just fitness. Sit back, relax, and enjoy! Connect with Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jasonkhalipa/ Sign up for the newsletter: https://kylehuntfitness.beehiiv.com/subscribe Hire Kyle as your coach: http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/services/ Connect with Kyle: KyleHuntFitness@gmail.com http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/ Programs: Powerbuilding: Absolute Progress 2.0 Powerlifting: Absolute Strength 3.0 Bodybuilding: Absolute Muscle Get 10% OFF PR Breaker Supplements: DISCOUNT CODE: "HUNT" at https://www.prbreaker.com/discount/HUNT

In this episode of The Absolute Strength Podcast, Derek and I dive into your questions all about building muscle and optimizing your training. We cover everything from how to peak for a photo shoot, the truth about progressive overload, and whether the mind-muscle connection really matters. We also talk about supplements we've changed our minds about, the role of aerobic conditioning in recovery, whether direct ab training is necessary, and the biggest mistakes we see experienced lifters make. If you're serious about making gains and training smart, this episode is packed with practical takeaways. Sit back, relax, and enjoy! Sign up for the newsletter: https://kylehuntfitness.beehiiv.com/subscribe Hire Kyle as your coach: http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/services/ Connect with Kyle: KyleHuntFitness@gmail.com http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/ Connect with Derek: @DerekCharlebois https://www.prbreaker.com/ Programs: Powerbuilding: Absolute Progress 2.0 Powerlifting: Absolute Strength 3.0 Bodybuilding: Absolute Muscle Get 10% OFF PR Breaker Supplements: DISCOUNT CODE: "HUNT" at https://www.prbreaker.com/discount/HUNT

In this episode of The Absolute Strength Podcast, Derek and I explore how strategically adding cardio and increasing your daily activity can actually improve muscle growth rather than hinder it. We also dive into the supplements that genuinely make a difference, explaining how and when to use them to enhance your results. If you've been skeptical about cardio or unsure which supplements are worth your time, this episode provides clarity and practical tips for maximizing your gains. Sit back, relax, and enjoy! Sign up for the newsletter: https://kylehuntfitness.beehiiv.com/subscribe Hire Kyle as your coach: http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/services/ Connect with Kyle: KyleHuntFitness@gmail.com http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/ Connect with Derek: @DerekCharlebois https://www.prbreaker.com/ Programs: Powerbuilding: Absolute Progress 2.0 Powerlifting: Absolute Strength 3.0 Bodybuilding: Absolute Muscle Get 10% OFF PR Breaker Supplements: DISCOUNT CODE: "HUNT" at https://www.prbreaker.com/discount/HUNT

In this episode of the Absolute Strength Podcast, Derek and I dive deep into bodybuilding nutrition—what it really means to eat for aesthetics and how it differs from general healthy eating and even powerlifting nutrition. We break down the core principles that make bodybuilding nutrition unique and the mental discipline required during bulking and cutting phases. Sit back, relax, and enjoy! Sign up for the newsletter: https://kylehuntfitness.beehiiv.com/subscribe Hire Kyle as your coach: http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/services/ Connect with Kyle: KyleHuntFitness@gmail.com http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/ Connect with Derek: @DerekCharlebois https://www.prbreaker.com/ Programs: Powerbuilding: Absolute Progress 2.0 Powerlifting: Absolute Strength 3.0 Bodybuilding: Absolute Muscle Get 10% OFF PR Breaker Supplements: DISCOUNT CODE: "HUNT" at https://www.prbreaker.com/discount/HUNT

In this episode of The Absolute Strength Podcast, I sit down with Eric Helms and discuss what it takes to continue making progress as an advanced lifter. From better exercise selection and volume distribution to optimizing motivation, Eric shares practical insights grounded in both science and real-world coaching experience. If you have been in the iron game for a minute, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Mass Article: https://massresearchreview.com/2025/03/02/how-do-i-keep-progressing-as-an-advanced-lifter/ Connect with Eric: https://www.instagram.com/helms3dmj/ Sign up for the newsletter: https://kylehuntfitness.beehiiv.com/subscribe Hire Kyle as your coach: http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/services/ Connect with Kyle: KyleHuntFitness@gmail.com http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/ Programs: Powerbuilding: Absolute Progress 2.0 Powerlifting: Absolute Strength 3.0 Bodybuilding: Absolute Muscle Get 10% OFF PR Breaker Supplements: DISCOUNT CODE: "HUNT" at https://www.prbreaker.com/discount/HUNT

In this episode of The Absolute Strength Podcast, Derek and I discuss exactly how to set up a bodybuilding training program to maximize muscle growth and physique development. We break down the fundamental principles of effective programming, including how to select the best exercises, optimal training splits, how much volume you actually need, and the right way to progress over time. Sit back, relax, and enjoy! Sign up for the newsletter: https://kylehuntfitness.beehiiv.com/subscribe Hire Kyle as your coach: http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/services/ Connect with Kyle: KyleHuntFitness@gmail.com http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/ Connect with Derek: @DerekCharlebois https://www.prbreaker.com/ Programs: Powerbuilding: Absolute Progress 2.0 Powerlifting: Absolute Strength 3.0 Bodybuilding: Absolute Muscle Get 10% OFF PR Breaker Supplements: DISCOUNT CODE: "HUNT" at https://www.prbreaker.com/discount/HUNT

In this episode of The Absolute Strength Podcast, I sit down with Josh Settlage, a strength coach who specializes in helping Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes get stronger, faster, and more resilient on the mats. We dive into his approach to strength & conditioning for grapplers, how he balances lifting with mat work, and common mistakes BJJ athletes make. If you're serious about improving both your strength and your jiu-jitsu game, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. Sit back, relax, and enjoy! Sign up for the newsletter: https://kylehuntfitness.beehiiv.com/subscribe Hire Kyle as your coach: http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/services/ Connect with Josh: https://www.thestrengthmatrix.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joshuasettlage Connect with Kyle: KyleHuntFitness@gmail.com http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/ Programs: Powerbuilding: Absolute Progress 2.0 Powerlifting: Absolute Strength 3.0 Bodybuilding: Absolute Muscle Get 10% OFF PR Breaker Supplements: DISCOUNT CODE: "HUNT" at https://www.prbreaker.com/discount/HUNT

In this episode of The Absolute Strength Podcast, I dive into one of the biggest muscle-building debates: volume vs. intensity. Should you focus on lifting to failure with fewer sets or do long marathon workouts? We break down the history of both training styles—from Arthur Jones and Dorian Yates to the high-volume methods of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jay Cutler, and modern science-backed training. We also explore what research says, the pitfalls of each approach, and, most importantly, how to apply progressive overload no matter which method you choose. Sit back, relax, and enjoy! Sign up for the newsletter: https://kylehuntfitness.beehiiv.com/subscribe Hire Kyle as your coach: http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/services/ Connect with Kyle: KyleHuntFitness@gmail.com http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/ Programs: Powerbuilding: Absolute Progress 2.0 Powerlifting: Absolute Strength 3.0 Bodybuilding: Absolute Muscle Get 10% OFF PR Breaker Supplements: DISCOUNT CODE: "HUNT" at https://www.prbreaker.com/discount/HUNT

In this episode of The Absolute Strength Podcast, I sit down with Eugene from USA Streetlifting. Streetlifting is a competitive strength sport that blends weighted calisthenics with max-effort lifting. Athletes compete in four movements—pull-up, dip, muscle-up, and squat—each tested for a one-rep max similar to powerlifting. Competitors are divided by sex and body weight, with three attempts per lift to achieve their heaviest successful rep. The highest lift in each movement contributes to their total, and the highest combined score wins. It was a fascinating discussion that I think you guys will enjoy! Subscribe to Eugene on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StrengthGene Learn more about Streetlifting here: https://usastreetlifting.org/ https://final-rep.com/ Sign up for the newsletter: https://kylehuntfitness.beehiiv.com/subscribe Hire Kyle as your coach: http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/services/ Programs: Powerbuilding: Absolute Progress 2.0 Powerlifting: Absolute Strength 3.0 Bodybuilding: Absolute Muscle Get 10% OFF PR Breaker Supplements: DISCOUNT CODE: "HUNT" at https://www.prbreaker.com/discount/HUNT

In this episode of The Absolute Strength Podcast, Derek and I tackle a loaded Q&A covering everything from avoiding breaking down during meet prep to optimizing caffeine intake on meet day. Sit back, relax, and enjoy! Questions on the show: Hey Kyle, can you and Derek cover gaining strength without burning yourself out and stalling progress? I've done one meet, and I'm roughly four weeks out from my next. Both times, I've started strong, making great strength gains, and then 8ish weeks into meet prep, all progress stalls, and I just feel physically exhausted. What am I doing wrong? This was a long question. He provided some background and his workout routine, but the gist is that he is following an upper/lower-power-building routine and is experiencing lower back pain. Since this is a common issue, let's just talk about ways to mitigate lower back pain when training for strength. Hey guys, would there ever be a good reason to take a competition lift completely out of training for a while? My squat has been stuck at the same weight forever, and I'm wondering if I'd benefit from replacing it with variations for a couple of months. If someone can only train three days a week, how would you set up a powerlifting program to maximize progress? Is there a specific split that works best? I always feel like I lose tightness in the hole when I squat heavy. Are there any specific cues or drills you recommend to fix this? I've tried slowing down my descent, but it doesn't seem to help much. I lift first thing in the morning, and if I don't eat, I feel weak, but if I do eat, I feel sluggish. What's the best pre-workout meal or drink that won't slow me down? When should a powerlifter go through a hypertrophy block? Is it something that should only be done in the offseason, or do you think there's value in keeping some hypertrophy work year-round, even close to a meet? If someone pulls conventional and sumo about the same weight, is there a reason to specialize in one? Or would training both be more beneficial in the long run? On meet day, is caffeine timing more important than total intake? Should I be spreading out smaller doses throughout the day, or is it better to take a big hit of caffeine before each lift? Imagine you both compete at the same meet at the end of the year in your preferred weight class. How would each of you structure the training and nutrition to coach each other into the meet? Sign up for the newsletter: https://kylehuntfitness.beehiiv.com/subscribe Hire Kyle as your coach: http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/services/ Connect with Kyle: KyleHuntFitness@gmail.com http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/ Connect with Derek: @DerekCharlebois https://www.prbreaker.com/ Programs: Powerbuilding: Absolute Progress 2.0 Powerlifting: Absolute Strength 3.0 Bodybuilding: Absolute Muscle Get 10% OFF PR Breaker Supplements: DISCOUNT CODE: "HUNT" at https://www.prbreaker.com/discount/HUNT