

Docs Who Lift
Docs Who Lift
Drs. Spencer and Karl Nadolsky talk about nutrition, medicine, and fitness through the lens of two physicians who lift weights. Both doctors are former NCAA division 1 wrestlers who have gone into medicine. Dr. Spencer Nadolsky is a board certified family physician specialized in obesity medicine and lipidology. Dr. Karl Nadolsky is a board certified endocrinologist also specialized in obesity medicine.
Episodes
Mentioned books

31 snips
Sep 25, 2025 • 58min
Debunking The Myths of Metabolism and Weight Loss
In this conversation, nutrition researcher Kevin Hall and science journalist Julia Belluz tackle myths about metabolism and weight loss. They reveal how media miscommunication has shaped public perceptions, particularly related to the Biggest Loser study. Kevin explains metabolic adaptation and its role in weight regain, while Julia emphasizes the cultural factors influencing eating habits. They also discuss the significant impact of food environments and the need for bipartisan policy changes to improve dietary health.

Sep 1, 2025 • 39min
Menopause Medicine Meets Obesity Care: Doctors React
Takeaways Menopausal women often prioritize weight gain concerns over other symptoms.The study observed an association between hormone therapy and weight loss with GLP-1 medications.Retrospective studies have limitations but can provide valuable insights.Future research should focus on randomized controlled trials to confirm findings.The relationship between estrogen and GLP-1 signaling needs further exploration.Funding for research can be challenging, especially for early career investigators.Collaboration between different specialties is crucial for comprehensive patient care.The media often misrepresents research findings, leading to misconceptions.Individualized treatment plans are essential for menopausal women.There is a need for more awareness about the effects of menopause on health.Research Links:Weight loss response to semaglutide in postmenopausal women with and without hormone therapy useCombination of obesity medication tirzepatide and menopause hormone therapy fuels weight loss Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

30 snips
Aug 29, 2025 • 1h 7min
Women’s Fitness Needs Debate: Dr. Stacy Sims vs. Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple
Join Dr. Stacy Sims, an environmental exercise physiologist known for her groundbreaking work on sex differences in fitness, and Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple, a leading researcher on muscle growth and the effects of hormonal cycles. They dive into fasted training and its unique implications for women, the importance of post-workout nutrition considering hormonal influences, and tailored strength training for those in perimenopause. They also discuss the evolving landscape of women's health research, advocating for individualized and evidence-based fitness strategies.

Aug 22, 2025 • 34min
Do You Really Lose Muscle on Semaglutide or Tirzepatide?
In this discussion, body composition expert Grant Tinsley shares valuable insights on GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide and tirzepatide. He highlights the remarkable body composition changes observed in patients, illustrating how one lost significant fat while preserving lean mass. The importance of resistance training and proper nutrition in weight management takes center stage. Tinsley emphasizes the need for more randomized trials to deepen understanding, all while underscoring individual experiences with these innovative weight loss treatments.

Aug 16, 2025 • 50min
Predatory Lab Testing: What They’re Not Telling You
Austin Baraki and Jordan Feigenbaum, physicians from Barbell Medicine, dive into the risks of direct-to-consumer lab testing. They discuss alarming marketing tactics that prey on patient anxieties and the pitfalls of inadequate communication within healthcare. The duo highlights the rise of unqualified influencers promoting questionable lab services and the dangers of misinterpretation of results. They call for ethical practices in testing, emphasizing the need for thorough professional evaluation and collaboration to improve patient outcomes.

Aug 8, 2025 • 20min
CVS Pulled the Plug on Zepbound?!
In this episode of the Dr. Lift podcast, hosts Dr. Spencer Nadolsky and Dr. Karl discuss the recent changes in obesity medication coverage, particularly focusing on the CVS Caremark decision to drop ZEPBound from their formulary in favor of Wegovi. They explore the implications of this decision for patients and providers, the role of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in healthcare, and the ongoing advocacy efforts to ensure access to effective obesity treatments. The conversation highlights the complexities of insurance coverage, the need for patient-centered care, and the importance of making medications more affordable.- The recent changes in obesity medication coverage have raised concerns among providers and patients.- CVS Caremark's decision to drop ZEPBound has sparked a petition advocating for better access to medications.- Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) play a significant role in determining medication coverage and costs.- There is a need for more nuanced insurance policies that consider patient needs and clinical severity.- Advocacy efforts are crucial in reversing negative trends in medication coverage.- Patients often face challenges with prior authorization processes when switching medications.- The cost of obesity medications is a significant barrier to access for many patients.- Insurance companies are increasingly dropping coverage for anti-obesity medications, impacting patient care.- The conversation emphasizes the importance of patient-centered care in obesity treatment.- There is a call for making obesity medications more affordable and accessible to patients.https://www.change.org/p/stop-cvs-caremark-s-zepbound-ban-restore-coverage-of-the-superior-obesity-medicationClick to join Dr. Spencer's online clinic if you need help with this Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 3, 2025 • 11min
More Than Weight Loss? GLP-1s and Cardiovascular Risk
In this episode of the Dr. Lift podcast, hosts Dr. Spencer Nadolsky and Dr. Karl discuss the Surpass CVOT trial, which evaluates the cardiovascular outcomes of Monjaro compared to Dulaglutide (Trulicity). They delve into the significance of the trial, the implications of the results, and the potential benefits of Monjaro for patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risks. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding cardiovascular outcome trials and the evolving landscape of diabetes medications.Takeaways: The Surpass CVOT trial compares Mounjaro to Dulaglutide.Dulaglutide has shown cardiovascular benefits in previous trials.The trial results indicate Monjaro is at least not inferior to Dulaglutide.There is a trend towards better cardiovascular outcomes with Mounjaro.Weight loss and glycemic control are significant benefits of Mounjaro.The trial did not include a placebo, but used a putative analysis.The results are reassuring for patients at high cardiovascular risk.The conversation emphasizes the importance of comprehensive treatment for metabolic diseases.The hosts express enthusiasm for the potential of Mounjaro.Future discussions will delve deeper into the trial's findings. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

12 snips
Jul 24, 2025 • 42min
Semaglutide vs. Tirzepatide: Are We Closing the Gap?
Sean Wharton, a physician and clinical trialist renowned for his work on obesity and the STEP-UP trial, shares fascinating insights on the advancements in weight loss treatments. He discusses the significance of the higher 7.2mg dose of semaglutide, trial design intricacies, and the promising future of dual and triple therapies. The conversation highlights the barriers to healthcare access, the role of intermittent fasting in weight management, and the importance of nutrition science, particularly in addressing biases that affect dietary guidelines.

Jul 2, 2025 • 32min
Clinical vs Anthropometric Obesity
Dr. Yao, a researcher in preventive cardiology, and Dr. Blaha, from Johns Hopkins, explore the complexities of obesity classification. They discuss the discrepancies between clinical and anthropometric definitions, emphasizing waist measurements over traditional BMI. The conversation highlights the prevalence of preclinical obesity in normal-weight individuals, the challenge of metabolically healthy obesity, and the need for nuanced definitions in obesity-related research. Real-world data from programs like All of Us are portrayed as vital for future studies.

18 snips
Jun 23, 2025 • 34min
GLP-1 meds and macular degeneration
Join Dr. Brueger, an ophthalmologist and retina specialist, as he dives into age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and its potential links to GLP-1 medications. Discover the types and causes of AMD, including key risk factors like genetics and lifestyle. The fascinating conversation also explores how diabetes and its treatments relate to eye health. Dr. Brueger clarifies misconceptions about vision loss from macular degeneration, making it both informative and engaging.