Wits & Weights | Fat Loss, Nutrition, & Strength Training for Lifters
Philip Pape, Evidence-Based Nutrition Coach & Fat Loss Expert
For skeptics of the fitness industry who want to work smarter and more efficiently to build muscle and lose fat. Wits & Weights is one of the best fitness podcasts for evidence-based nutrition and fitness strategies. We cut through the noise and deconstruct health and fitness with an engineering mindset to help you develop a strong, lean physique without wasting time.Evidence-based nutrition coach Philip Pape explores efficient strength training, nutrition, and lifestyle strategies to optimize your body recomp and metabolism. Whether you're focused on weight loss, muscle building, or both, you'll get simple, science-based, and sustainable info from an engineer turned lifter (that's why they call him the Physique Engineer). This show serves both women's fitness and men's health goals, with special attention to strength training over 40 and hormone health.From restrictive fad diets to ineffective workouts and hyped-up supplements, there's no shortage of confusing information out there. Getting in the best shape of your life doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming! By using your WITS (mindset and systems!) and lifting weights efficiently, you can build muscle, lose stubborn fat, and achieve and maintain a lean physique through sustainable body recomp.We bring you smart and efficient strategies for movement, metabolism, muscle, and mindset. You'll learn:- Why fat loss is more important than weight loss for health and physique- Why all the macros (protein, fats, and yes even carbs) are critical to body composition- Why you don't need to spend more than 3 hours in the gym each week to get incredible results with proper hypertrophy training- Why muscle (not weight loss) is the key to medicine, obesity, and longevity- Why age and hormones (even in menopause) don't matter with the right lifestyle- How the "hidden" psychology of your mind can unlock more personal (and physical) growth than you ever thought possible, and how to tap into that mindsetIf you're ready to separate fact from fiction, learn what actually works with evidence-based training and nutrition, and put in the intelligent work, hit that "follow" button and let's engineer your best physique ever!Popular Guests Include: Mike Matthews (author of Bigger Leaner Stronger), Greg Nuckols (Stronger by Science), Alan Aragon (nutrition researcher), Eric Helms (3D Muscle Journey), Dr. Spencer Nadolsky (Doc Who Lifts), Eric Trexler (Stronger by Science), Bill Campbell (exercise science researcher), Jordan Feigenbaum (Barbell Medicine), Andy Morgan (Ripped Body), Karen Martel (hormone optimization expert), Steph Gaudreau (women's strength and nutrition), Bryan Boorstein (hypertrophy coach)Popular Topics Include: hormone health, metabolism optimization, hypertrophy training, longevity and healthy aging, body positivity, best protein powder selection, strength training over 40, women's fitness, men's health, muscle building, body recomp, macros and nutrition tracking
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 19, 2025 • 45min
Calorie Counting vs. Pattern Analysis for Fat Loss and Muscle Building Over 40 | Ep 402
Download Fitness Lab (live now for iPhone!) – Get AI-powered nutrition analysis, daily guidance, and adaptive strength training that responds to your biofeedback. Like a physique coach in your pocket.Built for adults over 40 who want sustainable fat loss and muscle building without guesswork. Get 20% off through Black Friday at http://witsandweights.com/app--We compare traditional calorie and macro tracking with a pattern-based approach that uses eating behaviors, biofeedback, and trends to drive fat loss and muscle gain over 40.What if cutting-edge AI nutrition and physique coaching could analyze your eating patterns, correlate them with your body's response, and provide a high level of awareness without logging every meal? Learn how Fitness Lab is the #1 (and only) app that can spot correlations across sleep, stress, meals, and training to give precise daily coaching, especially for midlife adults dealing with issues like hormones and recovery.This approach requires less mental energy so you don’t fall off track, while teaching you how to "level up" your system to get and maintain results for life. Episode ResourcesDownload Fitness Lab AI-powered coaching, 20% off through Black Friday: http://witsandweights.com/appTimestamps0:00 - Why tracking calories and macros works (to a point) for fat loss and muscle building 6:45 - Pattern-based nutrition coaching explained 9:50 - The 5 metrics that replace calorie counting for body composition 13:46 - How to track eating behaviors, meal patterns, and biofeedback 18:56 - Building nutritional literacy whether or not you're logging food 22:31 - 4 foundations required for pattern analysis success over 40 25:41 - Protein awareness without counting every gram 29:36 - Daily consistency and minimum viable tracking habits 33:56 - Using feedback vs. hitting calorie targets 37:06 - When to use calorie tracking vs. pattern analysis (or both) 40:41 - How AI makes pattern-based coaching seamless and effortlessSupport the show📱 Get Fitness Lab - Philip’s science-based AI app for fat loss, muscle building, and strength training for people over 40. It adapts to your nutrition, recovery, and training to improve body composition without guesswork. 🎓 Try Physique University - Evidence-based nutrition coaching and strength training to help you lose fat, build muscle, and master your metabolism with support and accountability (free custom nutrition plan with code FREEPLAN). 👥 Join our Facebook community - Free fat loss, muscle building, and body recomposition strategies for adults over 40 who want practical, science-backed fitness guidance.👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram
Nov 18, 2025 • 22min
It’s Live! How Fitness Lab Works (My New Coaching App for Fat Loss Over 40)
Fitness Lab is live!Fitness Lab is an innovative, game-changing AI coach that adapts to your patterns, turns data into daily actions, and helps you LEARN about yourself and the science behind everything.From periodized programs and form checks to one-photo nutrition and biofeedback, the goal is less stress but more progress.Designed for building muscle and losing fat over 40, here's exactly how it works:Quick onboarding personalizes everything to your situation (including unique scenarios like hormone symptoms and HRT, weight loss medications like GLP-1s, and whether you have your own program or trainer)Daily coaching briefings personalized to YOUR dataConversational workout coaching (not manual logging)Meal photo pattern analysis (one photo daily, not calorie counting)Evening biofeedback that drives adaptationWeekly check-ins with AI analysisReal-time coaching chat trained on 400+ episodesApple Health integration is coming soon! (This is mentioned in the episode but is currently turned off while we make it the best experience)This isn't ONLY a new tool for physique transformation.It also teaches you to coach yourself, changing your identity from someone who guesses to someone who knows what they're doing.Black Friday pricing: 20% off through November 28Get it now: http://witsandweights.com/appSupport the show📱 Get Fitness Lab - Philip’s science-based AI app for fat loss, muscle building, and strength training for people over 40. It adapts to your nutrition, recovery, and training to improve body composition without guesswork. 🎓 Try Physique University - Evidence-based nutrition coaching and strength training to help you lose fat, build muscle, and master your metabolism with support and accountability (free custom nutrition plan with code FREEPLAN). 👥 Join our Facebook community - Free fat loss, muscle building, and body recomposition strategies for adults over 40 who want practical, science-backed fitness guidance.👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram
Nov 17, 2025 • 34min
Why Most Fitness & Nutrition Apps Fail People Over 40 (And What Actually Works) | Ep 401
Get early access to Fitness Lab before the official launch! Join my email list at witsandweights.com/email (if you’re already on just reply and ask for the “secret link”)Get Cozy Earth bamboo-derived sheets (use code WITSANDWEIGHTS for 20% off) that regulate temperature for better sleep and recovery--Even if your tracker or workout/nutrition app logs everything, it still can’t tell you WHAT to do when progress stalls.We dig into the hidden gap sabotaging results... the missing interpretation layer... and show how to turn raw data into smart, timely decisions that finally help you get unstuck.If you’ve hit a wall with MyFitnessPal, MacroFactor, or your favorite lifting app, this conversation explains why the numbers look fine while your body says otherwise.You’ll hear how midlife physiology changes the rules over 40, why plateaus are often upstream issues like sleep debt or weekend habits, and how qualitative signals like training effort, hunger, and mood complete the picture missed by most algorithms.Learn how a coaching-style layer can synthesize your logs, photos, and health data into clear actions: training load, rest and recovery, protein and carbs, or a weekend plan that prevents backslides. The goal isn’t more tracking. It’s better decisions from the tracking you already do, so you can build muscle, lose fat, and sustain results with less guesswork and more confidence.Timestamps0:00 - Why tracking alone isn't enough for building muscle over 40 2:18 - The missing interpretation gap that keeps you stuck 5:30 - What fitness apps actually do well (and their limitations) 9:10 - When tracking algorithms miss the root cause of your plateau 14:06 - Why recovery capacity matters more in your 40s and 50s 18:56 - How identity and behavior change drive sustainable results 22:56 - Sleep and recovery optimization for strength training 25:06 - Making personalized coaching accessible and affordable 28:56 - How adaptive training decisions improve muscle-building progress 32:16 - Analyzing meal patterns beyond calories and macros for better body compositionSupport the show📱 Get Fitness Lab - Philip’s science-based AI app for fat loss, muscle building, and strength training for people over 40. It adapts to your nutrition, recovery, and training to improve body composition without guesswork. 🎓 Try Physique University - Evidence-based nutrition coaching and strength training to help you lose fat, build muscle, and master your metabolism with support and accountability (free custom nutrition plan with code FREEPLAN). 👥 Join our Facebook community - Free fat loss, muscle building, and body recomposition strategies for adults over 40 who want practical, science-backed fitness guidance.👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram
Nov 16, 2025 • 10min
AI Coaching for Building Muscle Over 40 (Launches This Week)
Get early access to the app AND the Black Friday pricing by joining my list (if you're already on my list, ask for the “secret link”):https://witsandweights.com/email--Get a first look at Fitness Lab, my new AI coaching app that turns your daily signals into clear guidance on food, training, recovery, and progress.Built for lifters over 40, it adapts plans in real time with low-stress tracking, meal pattern analysis, conversational training feedback, and daily/weekly check-ins to keep you consistent and accountable.Then it gives you daily activities related to what's most important to you, whether that's lifting, sleep, hydration, eating habits, protein, steps, and more, tailored to your current goal of fat loss, muscle gain, body recomp, or maintenance.It's not another "logger". Much more than that, Fitness Lab is a coaching intelligence layer that adapts to YOUR recovery, YOUR data, YOUR life.This Tuesday, November 18th, Fitness Lab goes live with Black Friday pricing, which means it will be 20% off through November 28.If you want early access to the app AND the Black Friday pricing, join my email list Support the show📱 Get Fitness Lab - Philip’s science-based AI app for fat loss, muscle building, and strength training for people over 40. It adapts to your nutrition, recovery, and training to improve body composition without guesswork. 🎓 Try Physique University - Evidence-based nutrition coaching and strength training to help you lose fat, build muscle, and master your metabolism with support and accountability (free custom nutrition plan with code FREEPLAN). 👥 Join our Facebook community - Free fat loss, muscle building, and body recomposition strategies for adults over 40 who want practical, science-backed fitness guidance.👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram
Nov 14, 2025 • 47min
15 Reflections from 400 Episodes of Evidence-Based Fitness | Ep 400
Join the early access list for my new Fitness Lab app, the #1 adaptive training and nutrition app that evolves with your progress, recovery, and lifestyle so you can build muscle and lose fat over 40 with science-based AI coaching:https://witsandweights.com/email--400 episodes and 4 years of challenging the fitness industry's myths and proving that building muscle and losing fat doesn't require complicated protocols or expensive interventions!Today you'll hear 15 reflections from the Wits & Weights journey, from listeners who transformed their physiques through evidence-based training, to world-class strength coaches and researchers who've shaped the field, to fellow podcasters who understand what consistency really means.Evidence-based fitness and body recomposition work across borders, backgrounds, and goals. Building muscle, losing fat, and getting sustainably strong comes down to consistency, systems thinking, and rejecting the industry's noise in favor of what actually works.Episode ResourcesJoin the FREE Facebook CommunitySearch the entire podcast library to find an episode mentioned in today's showTimestamps0:00 - 400 episodes of evidence-based fitness and building muscle1:43 - Jo S.: Breaking through training plateaus with strength training3:09 - Julia D.: How muscle tissue improved chronic health conditions8:41 - Kevin Palmieri: Prioritizing fitness while building a business12:41 - Pam Sherman: Strength training for women over 5014:41 - Dr. Eric Helms: Combating misinformation with evidence16:48 - Jenn Trepeck: Consistency for sustainable fat loss18:23 - Sam Brake Guia: Podcast growth and marketing22:39 - Brandon DaCruz: Evidence-based physique coaching25:00 - Carol Hanshew: From client to nutrition coach27:49 - Allan Friedman: Food as a tool for strength training over 4030:34 - Tony Perri: Flexible approach to building muscle32:35 - Gabilu M.: Morning workout motivation34:18 - Mike Millner: Consistency in fitness content36:06 - Alana V.: Weekend diet protocol for fat loss38:10 - Megan Dahlman: Strength training consistency41:22 - Building a strong physique through evidence and systemsSupport the show📱 Get Fitness Lab - Philip’s science-based AI app for fat loss, muscle building, and strength training for people over 40. It adapts to your nutrition, recovery, and training to improve body composition without guesswork. 🎓 Try Physique University - Evidence-based nutrition coaching and strength training to help you lose fat, build muscle, and master your metabolism with support and accountability (free custom nutrition plan with code FREEPLAN). 👥 Join our Facebook community - Free fat loss, muscle building, and body recomposition strategies for adults over 40 who want practical, science-backed fitness guidance.👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram
Nov 12, 2025 • 57min
Q&A - Women Over 50 Strength Training and Fat Loss (Pam Sherman) | Ep 399
Join the early access list for my new Fitness Lab app, the #1 adaptive training and nutrition app that evolves with your progress, recovery, and lifestyle so you can build muscle and lose fat over 40 with science-based AI coaching:https://witsandweights.com/email--Struggling to build muscle or lose fat after 50, even though you’re lifting weights and eating protein? Think your metabolism or hormones are to blame? You’re not alone.I team up with fitness coach Pam Sherman to answer your most pressing questions about body recomp, strength training, and nutrition for women over 50. We cover how to train around joint pain, boost bone density, eat enough protein, and understand what “lifting heavy” really means. You’ll learn how to manage metabolism, recovery, and hormones, and set meaningful goals that go beyond weight loss.This episode of Wits & Weights blends evidence-based training and nutrition to help you feel stronger, leaner, and more confident at any age. Today, you’ll learn all about:0:00 – How does strength training improve bone density?5:54 – What’s a realistic timeline to regain lost muscle after 50?9:35 – How can I stay consistent when motivation dips?12:11 – How do I train safely with joint issues or pain?15:05 – Is yoga or pilates enough for strength training?17:15 – How much protein should women over 50 eat?21:15 – How do I calculate a sustainable calorie deficit?28:21 – Does metabolism really slow down with age?34:12 – Can loose skin improve with strength training?35:20 – What’s the best way to recover as we age?39:50 – How can women set meaningful long-term fitness goals?46:50 – What’s the most essential home gym equipment?Episode resources:Instagram: @pam_sherman1 Tiktok: @pam_sherman1 YouTube: @PamShermancoWebsite: pamsherman.com Support the show📱 Get Fitness Lab - Philip’s science-based AI app for fat loss, muscle building, and strength training for people over 40. It adapts to your nutrition, recovery, and training to improve body composition without guesswork. 🎓 Try Physique University - Evidence-based nutrition coaching and strength training to help you lose fat, build muscle, and master your metabolism with support and accountability (free custom nutrition plan with code FREEPLAN). 👥 Join our Facebook community - Free fat loss, muscle building, and body recomposition strategies for adults over 40 who want practical, science-backed fitness guidance.👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram
Nov 10, 2025 • 34min
How Much Protein You Really Need to Build Muscle (Not What You Think) | Ep 398
Join the early access list for my new Fitness Lab app, the #1 adaptive training and nutrition app that evolves with your progress, recovery, and lifestyle so you can build muscle and lose fat over 40 with science-based AI coaching:https://witsandweights.com/emailGet Cozy Earth's temperature-regulating bamboo sheets that help you sleep deeper and recover faster from training. 100-night trial, 10-year warranty. Get 20% off with code WITSANDWEIGHTS... because you can't build muscle without quality sleep: https://witsandweights.com/cozyearth--How much protein do you need to build and maintain muscle?Do you need to hit the "leucine threshold" for muscle protein synthesis?Is there an "anabolic window" after strength training?Does per-meal distribution, timing, and amount matter?Today we're revisiting the latest evidence on PROTEIN! Whether you're eating 250 grams daily or struggling to hit 100, this evidence-based breakdown will help you dial in your nutrition strategy for maximum muscle gains without overthinking macros or wasting money.Episode ResourcesReady to hit your protein targets consistently without the guesswork? Join Physique University and get access to the Meal Planning Advisor GPT, a custom AI tool that builds flexible meal plans matching your exact macros, schedule, and food preferences. Use code FREEPLAN for a free custom nutrition plan: https://witsandweights.com/physiqueCozy Earth bamboo-derived sheets: witsandweights.com/cozyearth (use code WITSANDWEIGHTS for 20% off)Timestamps0:00 - What the research actually shows about protein intake 5:28 - Daily protein targets for muscle building 10:56 - Why more protein doesn't mean more muscle gains 14:40 - Per-meal protein distribution and the leucine threshold 21:06 - The anabolic window myth and when timing actually matters 24:40 - Protein quality - animal vs plant sources for strength training 28:17 - When high protein intake backfires (and steals your gains) 31:42 - Common protein mistakes lifters make (and easy fixes)Support the show📱 Get Fitness Lab - Philip’s science-based AI app for fat loss, muscle building, and strength training for people over 40. It adapts to your nutrition, recovery, and training to improve body composition without guesswork. 🎓 Try Physique University - Evidence-based nutrition coaching and strength training to help you lose fat, build muscle, and master your metabolism with support and accountability (free custom nutrition plan with code FREEPLAN). 👥 Join our Facebook community - Free fat loss, muscle building, and body recomposition strategies for adults over 40 who want practical, science-backed fitness guidance.👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram
Nov 9, 2025 • 3min
Something BIG is Coming...
I've been building something for the few months. Something that's going to change how you approach building muscle and losing fat after 40.I'm not telling you what it is yet.But if you want the first preview tomorrow, join my email list at https://witsandweights.com/emailMore coming this week.Support the show📱 Get Fitness Lab - Philip’s science-based AI app for fat loss, muscle building, and strength training for people over 40. It adapts to your nutrition, recovery, and training to improve body composition without guesswork. 🎓 Try Physique University - Evidence-based nutrition coaching and strength training to help you lose fat, build muscle, and master your metabolism with support and accountability (free custom nutrition plan with code FREEPLAN). 👥 Join our Facebook community - Free fat loss, muscle building, and body recomposition strategies for adults over 40 who want practical, science-backed fitness guidance.👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram
Nov 7, 2025 • 57min
The Most CRITICAL Meta-Skill for Fitness Consistency (Alan Lazaros) | Ep 397
Want to build your fitness meta-skills? Join Physique University and get a FREE custom nutrition plan using code FREEPLAN at:https://physique.witsandweights.com/—Why do so many people who know how to lift weights, track macros, and prioritize recovery still struggle to stay consistent long term? How do you design a fitness system that actually survives the chaos of real life? And what hidden “meta skills” separate lifelong success from endless restarts?Alan Lazaros, CEO and co-host of Next Level University, joins me to break down the architecture of consistency, how to build muscle, lose fat, and achieve lasting results through evidence-based fitness and self-mastery. We explore the difference between skills and meta skills, why consistency is a mental framework, and how engineering principles apply to sustainable strength training, body recomp, and weight loss.If you’ve ever felt stuck between knowing and doing, this conversation will rewire how you think about fitness forever. Tune in to Wits & Weights with Philip Pape, your go-to fitness coach for evidence-based nutrition and training.Today, you’ll learn all about:0:00 – Intro2:40 – The concept of meta skills5:50 – Flow and the challenge-skill sweet spot9:10 – The compound effect and daily progress12:00 – Redefining consistency as a meta skill19:00 – Minimum viable habits for long-term success26:00 – Alan’s seven pillars of fitness37:00 – Why engineers struggle with fitness47:00 – Focus as the ultimate meta skillEpisode resources:Website/Podcast: nextleveluniverse.comInstagram: @alazaros88 LinkedIn: @alanlazarosllc Facebook: @alan.lazaros Support the show📱 Get Fitness Lab - Philip’s science-based AI app for fat loss, muscle building, and strength training for people over 40. It adapts to your nutrition, recovery, and training to improve body composition without guesswork. 🎓 Try Physique University - Evidence-based nutrition coaching and strength training to help you lose fat, build muscle, and master your metabolism with support and accountability (free custom nutrition plan with code FREEPLAN). 👥 Join our Facebook community - Free fat loss, muscle building, and body recomposition strategies for adults over 40 who want practical, science-backed fitness guidance.👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram
Nov 5, 2025 • 37min
The Hypertrophy Hierarchy (Which Training Variables Actually Matter) | Ep 396
Get your free Strength Training for Hormone Health guide at witsandweights.com/free to learn how to structure your training to support healthy hormone levels as you age, applying the principles from this episode.--Every week there's new advice about training. Train to failure. Don't train to failure. Do more volume. No, you're overtraining. Meanwhile, you're stuck making zero progress because nobody's telling you what actually matters.Today, Philip ranks the 5 training variables that drive 80% of muscle growth, plus one hidden foundation that amplifies them all. Using the concept of Leverage Points from systems thinking, you'll discover which variables create disproportionate results and which ones are just noise distracting you from real progress.This is an evidence-based blueprint to stop spinning your wheels and start building the physique you want.Episode Resources12 Rules of Training Volume to Build More Muscle | Ep 348Join Physique University for Training Templates and Lifting LessonsTry MacroFactor for free with code WITSANDWEIGHTSTimestamps0:00 - Why you're stuck and overwhelmed by conflicting training advice 3:18 - Variable #1: Training volume (the primary driver of muscle growth) 8:02 - Variable #2: Training effort and proximity to failure 12:54 - Variable #3: Progressive overload (the adaptation mechanism)20:37 - Variable #4: Exercise selection and mechanical efficiency25:14 - Variable #5: Frequency (how to distribute weekly volume) 30:05 - Bonus variableSupport the show📱 Get Fitness Lab - Philip’s science-based AI app for fat loss, muscle building, and strength training for people over 40. It adapts to your nutrition, recovery, and training to improve body composition without guesswork. 🎓 Try Physique University - Evidence-based nutrition coaching and strength training to help you lose fat, build muscle, and master your metabolism with support and accountability (free custom nutrition plan with code FREEPLAN). 👥 Join our Facebook community - Free fat loss, muscle building, and body recomposition strategies for adults over 40 who want practical, science-backed fitness guidance.👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram
