Savage Perspective Podcast

Are you wired to be soft? Discover how choosing the harder path physically rewires your brain’s “grit center” for unbreakable mental toughness and discipline. In episode 818 of the Savage Perspective Podcast, host Robert Sikes sits down with author and high performance coach Ryan Munsey to explore the raw truths of building true strength. They discuss how simple daily choices, like taking the stairs, forge the discipline needed for entrepreneurship, leadership, and even intense backcountry hunting. Learn why the ketogenic diet is an incredible tool for endurance and how to balance the relentless drive for success with being a present husband and father. This conversation provides a real world guide to winning the battle in your mind and building a life of purpose and integrity.Ready to build the physical foundation that supports a disciplined mind? Join Robert’s FREE Bodybuilding Masterclass and learn the simple, effective strategies to get in your best shape. Sign up here: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/registration-2Follow Ryan on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ryanmunsey_/Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQChapters:0:00 - The Science of Building GRIT & Mental Toughness 0:51 - How to Maintain a Lean Physique Year-Round 1:20 - The Best Way to Train for Hunting Season 2:02 - Planning a Backcountry Elk Hunt 3:02 - Why Most People Underestimate Mountain Hunting 3:50 - Is Hunting in a Deer Stand a "Real" Sport? 4:42 - Backcountry Hunting vs. Base Camp: Which is Better? 5:52 - A Hunter's Guide to Finding Water in the Wild 7:00 - The Life-Changing Power of a Wilderness Detox 8:31 - What to Eat on a Backcountry Keto Hunt 9:05 - Why Keto Is a "Cheat Code" for Physical Endurance 11:51 - A Sneak Peek at Ryan Munsey's New Book 12:46 - The Journey of a 100,000-Copy Bestseller 15:26 - A Practical Framework for Winning Your Inner Battles 16:03 - Is Society Too Soft? Discussing "The Comfort Crisis" 17:47 - Simple Daily Habits to Build Unbreakable Discipline 20:48 - How to Strengthen the "Grit Center" of Your Brain 22:05 - How Ambitious People Can Justify Rest & Relaxation 24:58 - The CEO's Guide to Energy Management 26:38 - The Entrepreneur's Dilemma: Work vs. Family 28:32 - Why CEOs Must Let Go of the Daily Grind to Grow 30:18 - How Your Calendar Reveals Your True Priorities 31:22 - The Best Method for Capturing Business Ideas 33:16 - 8 Years of Business: Lessons in Integrity & Peace 36:20 - How to Grow Profits Without Sacrificing Quality 39:37 - A Founder's True Definition of Success (It's Not Money) 40:42 - Are Big Conferences or Intimate Retreats More Valuable? 42:15 - A High-Performer's Daily Routine for Success 45:13 - Why Every Man Should Own His Own Land 47:04 - Is Instinctive Shooting the Ultimate Therapy? 48:00 - The #1 Strategy for Preventing Founder Burnout 49:48 - New Keto Brick Flavors Revealed 51:45 - How a Supply Chain Crisis Led to a Better Product 55:53 - The Perfect Carnivore Hunting & Travel Snack 57:15 - How to Legally Hunt Deer 6 Months a Year 59:34 - Who Do You Live For? An Honest Talk on Motivation 1:04:18 - Knife Debate: Replaceable Blade vs. Fixed Blade for Hunting

This week’s episode is short and sweet because it’s peak week and the show is right around the corner. Greg’s feeling all the prep fatigue - hungry, irritable, and sore - but also the leanest and best he’s ever looked. We talk about how to bounce back after slip-ups, why you don’t “slash all four tires” when you get a flat, and how consistency pays off.We share some behind-the-scenes details about the inaugural show: we hit our goal of 30 competitors, stacked pro-qualifying classes, and even a live stream for those who can’t attend in person. It’s been stressful, sleep-deprived, and expensive, but we’re making this first year unforgettable so it can only grow from here.On a personal note, I talk about my sleep struggles, using a chili pad to stay cool at night, and even building a chicken yard in the rain while sore and exhausted. We also go over Greg’s peak week plan - cardio taper, show-day nutrition with fatty coffees, bacon, eggs, and timed bricks, plus electrolytes and creatine.Finally, we look ahead to the offseason build. Stage photos will be huge for tracking progress and weak points, and the tribe calls are going to shift into structured reverse dieting and growth. No matter the results this weekend, I’m proud of Greg for pushing through, helping run the show, and setting the stage for an incredible building year ahead.Greg Mahler is also a lifetime natural bodybuilder, and can be followed on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/ketogreg80/Register For My FREE Masterclass: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/registration-2Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQ

Discover how eating only ultra-processed foods for 30 days can tank your testosterone by 30% and cause a 5.5x increase in dangerous visceral fat, even when calories and weight stay the same. In episode 817 of the Savage Perspective Podcast, your host Robert Sikes sits down with Throne founder Scott Hickle to reveal the shocking truth about how the standard American diet impacts your hormones, gut health, and mood. Scott shares the results of his 30-day experiment, discusses the future of health tracking, and explains how analyzing your poop can provide incredible insights into your body's performance and help detect hidden diseases like colon cancer.Want to build a stronger, healthier body? Join Robert’s FREE Bodybuilding Masterclass to learn the exact methods to optimize your nutrition and training. Sign up here: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/registration-2Follow Scott on IG: https://www.instagram.com/scotthickleGet Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQChapters:0:00 - How Ultra-Processed Food KILLS Your Testosterone 0:46 - Meet the Man Who Invented the "Whoop for Your Poop" 1:42 - How a Poker Night Joke Became a Health Tech Startup 2:56 - Why Doctors Secretly Hate Getting Pictures of Your Poop 4:06 - The Untapped Health Data Hidden in Your Toilet Bowl 5:14 - What Is the Bristol Stool Chart & How Does It Work? 6:13 - How to Find Your Food Triggers (The Automated Way) 7:16 - We Paid Gastroenterologists to Label THOUSANDS of Poop Photos 8:06 - Is STRESS or DIET Worse For Your Gut Health? 10:14 - My 30-Day Ultra-Processed Food Experiment (The Rules) 12:52 - The REAL Effect of Sugar on Your Mood & Energy 15:51 - How a Processed Food Diet TANKED My Testosterone by 30% 17:26 - The Hidden Danger of Visceral Fat (And How to Measure It) 19:12 - Are You Eating The Standard American Diet? (The Uncomfortable Truth) 20:02 - What 3200 Calories of Junk Food Actually Looks Like 21:58 - The Day Energy Gels Almost Made Me Crash My Car 24:15 - My Testosterone Levels After 30 Days of Junk Food (The Exact Numbers) 25:00 - Did 30 Days of Junk Food Destroy My Cholesterol? 25:56 - Did I Lose Muscle Eating Only Processed Food? (DEXA Results) 27:02 - How a Junk Food Diet Made Me "Radiate Bad Energy" 28:33 - Whoop vs. Aura vs. Levels: Which Health Tracker is Best? 29:45 - The Single Best Feature in Wearable Health Tech Today 32:17 - Is Microbiome Testing a Waste of Money? 37:44 - How a Junk Food Diet Impacts Your Strength in the Gym 40:43 - The #1 WORST Processed Food I Ate 42:34 - What Does the "Perfect" Poop Look Like? 44:49 - The Most Common Poop Problem Affecting 40 Million Americans 46:52 - How This Smart Toilet ACTUALLY Works 49:54 - How to Measure Your Prostate Health at Home 52:14 - What Happens if You Poop in a Different Toilet? 54:41 - The Business of Poop: Building a Viral Health Company 57:26 - The Ultimate Goal: A "Smoke Detector" for Colon Cancer 59:01 - Where to Find the Throne Smart Toilet

Is the future of performance enhancement creating 350-pound genetic mutant bodybuilders? In episode 816 of the Savage Perspective Podcast, host Robert Sikes sits down with peptide expert Jay Campbell to reveal the shocking truth about new fat loss drugs, controversial fasting methods, and the future of human potential. They explore how new peptides are changing muscle growth and fat loss forever and discuss why most of what you know about nutrition might be completely wrong.Want to learn how to build an elite physique with proven, no-nonsense methods? Join Robert’s FREE Bodybuilding Masterclass today to get the exact strategies for building muscle and achieving your ideal body composition. Register here: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/registration-2Follow Jay on IG: https://www.instagram.com/jaycampbell333/Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQChapters:0:00 - What Are Peptides and How Do They Work? 0:44 - Guest Intro: Performance Expert Jay Campbell 1:34 - What is The Fruit & Sugar Fast for Fat Loss? 3:51 - Why Modern Nutrition is So Confusing 5:46 - Is AI Making Society Less Intelligent? 7:23 - How AI Will Divide Society in the Future 9:47 - A Beginner's Guide to Peptides 13:42 - New Peptide Delivery Systems (Beyond Injections) 17:58 - Are Peptides Legal & Regulated by the FDA? 23:58 - How Are Peptides Manufactured? 27:09 - Why Peptide Manufacturing is Moving to the USA 32:50 - The Future of Bodybuilding & Performance Enhancement 39:12 - Should Natural Bodybuilders Use Peptides? 41:04 - Can Peptides Increase Longevity and Healthspan? 46:34 - Do GLP-1 "Easy Button" Fat Loss Drugs Work? 52:25 - How To Lead by Example for Your Children 1:00:17 - Jay Campbell on His Passion & Purpose 1:02:30 - 10 Life-Changing Questions to Ask Yourself 1:05:41 - Where to Find Jay Campbell's Work

We kick off with positive Monday energy and a real talk moment from Greg. After a long weekend and some creeping anxiety, he polished off way too many calories in minutes—think bricks, pork rinds, protein shakes—the whole spiral. We don’t sugarcoat it, and we don’t glamorize “fixing” it either. No punishment cardio. No crash corrections. Own it, hydrate, move, learn, and get right back on plan. The mental game of prep is often the hardest part, and this was a good reminder that discipline includes how you respond when you slip.On the community front, I just got back from the Low Carb for Better Health conference in Burns, TN—great people, great questions, and a solid lineup of talks. Back home, huge congrats to our crew: Ralph stepped on stage for the first time at 63 and crushed it, and our friend (and client) Joe continues to level up with his sights on the Amateur Olympia. Seeing the camaraderie backstage and in the crowd shows why we love this sport.Quick show update: our own Natural State Savages event is September 27. Registration closes Sunday at midnight so we can lock in peak week details. We’ve got pro-qualifying numbers in several classes, the medals and swag are dialed, and we’ve built something at the end of the show you won’t want to miss. Also in the kitchen: Buttered Maple Pecan season is on—last weekend’s cacao butter-based drop followed by a tallow version Buttered Maple Pecan dropping this Sunday—plus a broad restock on bricks with a special new flavor coming in October. Next week we’ll dive into peak week nutrition, smart ways to handle celebratory meals, and Robert’s next experiment (hint: a lot of canned fish).Greg Mahler is also a lifetime natural bodybuilder, and can be followed on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/ketogreg80/Register For My FREE Masterclass: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/registration-2Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQ

We kick this one off AMA-style and with a tasty update: Buttered Maple Bacon Keto Brick is back as a seasonal drop this Sunday, the 14th, at noon Central. We talk fall vibes, pecan butter and chunks, and why the cacao-butter version hits just right. We also run through how we’re leveling up the Natural State Savages show: bigger medals and trophies (plus a fun surprise), premium venue with dedicated dressing rooms and a backstage livestream, on-site shirt printing, top-tier vendors and a DEXA Fit tie-in, a smoother running order, and even family-friendly touches like getting the kids involved. My dad’s smoking barbecue butts all night and Stan’s grilling chicken, and judges’ feedback will happen upstairs in a single session. Competitor registration closes Sunday the 21st so we can finalize bios and peak-week logistics; spectator tickets are on the same site.In the AMA, we cover a lot: sucralose isn’t doomsday but we still lean to stevia/monk fruit; you don’t need carbs to run if you’re deeply fat-adapted (we reference our VO2 testing and staying mostly in Zone 3). For building, accept a reasonable body-fat window—about 12–15 percent for most guys—while pushing progressive overload. We reframe “cheat days” into on-plan free meals during non-prep phases. On a budget? Eggs, ground beef, and buying from local farmers still win, and bricks are cost-effective per calorie. Protein shakes are overrated versus real food, especially when isolates crank up GI issues. We close with a reverse-diet playbook (bump protein first, then fats, progress weekly, phase out refeeds as daily intake rises) and advice for perimenopause/menopause: eat enough, lift with intent, and prioritize muscle and bone.If this one sparks more questions, send them our way for the next AMA.Greg Mahler is also a lifetime natural bodybuilder, and can be followed on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/ketogreg80/Register For My FREE Masterclass: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/registration-2Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQ

Discover the truth about your body fat percentage and why your bathroom scale is lying to you. In episode 813 of the Savage Perspective Podcast, host Robert Sikes sits down with Dexafit's Jerry Bylers to reveal what a DEXA scan truly says about your body composition, visceral fat, and bone density. They analyze Robert's personal results from years of a ketogenic diet, exploring his resting metabolic rate, VO2 max, and how his body has become incredibly efficient at burning fat for fuel, offering a deep dive into understanding the data that drives real progress.Ready to transform your own body composition? Join Robert’s FREE Bodybuilding Masterclass to learn the proven strategies to build muscle and burn fat effectively. Sign up here: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/registration-2Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQChapters:0:00 - What is a DEXA Scan? 0:35 - Navy Vet's New Mission in Arkansas 1:48 - From Navy Retirement to Fitness Expert 2:54 - How a Simple Chat Started a Business 4:15 - No More 3-Hour Drives For This Test 5:24 - Hospital-Grade Tech For Everyday People 8:28 - See Your Body Data on a Big Screen TV 10:53 - Stop Guessing, Start Knowing Your Body 12:15 - My Exact Body Fat Percentage Revealed 14:20 - How Much "Bad" Fat Am I Storing? 15:59 - The Muscle Index That Predicts Longevity 19:45 - Are You "Big Boned?" The Truth 22:47 - Your Skeleton Weighs HOW MUCH?! 24:51 - How Often Should You Get a DEXA Scan? 27:32 - Find Out Your TRUE Calorie Burn (RMR) 31:43 - My Shocking Cardio Fitness Score 34:12 - The Ultimate Fitness Marker Explained (VO2 Max) 39:17 - Sugar-Burner vs. Fat-Burner: What Fuel Do You Use? 43:30 - 10+ Years on a Ketogenic Diet Did THIS to My Metabolism 46:32 - The Keto Advantage: A "Nearly Unlimited" Fuel Source 50:12 - Why All Lifters Need Good Cardio 52:25 - Finding Out My "Biological Age" 55:32 - Special Offer: FREE 3D Body Scan 58:39 - The Winning Combo for Bodybuilders 1:01:40 - Why Every Athlete Needs This Data 1:02:45 - How To Book Your Own DEXA Scan

Could you row 2,700 miles across the Pacific Ocean fueled by nothing but fat? In episode 812 of the Savage Perspective Podcast, host Robert Sikes sits down with Virta Health CEO Sami Inkinen, a man who did just that to expose the truth about sugar and carbohydrates. Sami shares his incredible story of going from a world class triathlete to pre-diabetic, a journey that led him to question everything about nutrition. He explains how he now helps thousands reverse type 2 diabetes and achieve incredible health, proving that you don't need carbs to thrive. This conversation will challenge everything you thought you knew about diet, metabolic health, and human potential.Inspired to build a powerful physique using the right fuel? Join Robert’s FREE Bodybuilding Masterclass to learn the exact strategies for building muscle and getting lean without carbohydrates. Sign up here: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/registration-2Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQChapters:0:00 - Rowing 2,400 Miles on ZERO Carbs?! 0:51 - The 45-Day Rowing Trip That Changed Everything 1:50 - Why He Did The Impossible 3:28 - How They Slept, Ate, and Survived at Sea 5:32 - The One Question You NEVER Answer 6:03 - The Moment They Almost Gave Up 8:15 - The Secret to Overcoming Extreme Pain 10:34 - He Did This With ZERO Experience 12:05 - What The Middle of The Ocean is REALLY Like 14:22 - From World-Class Athlete to Pre-Diabetic 16:23 - The SHOCKING Truth About Carbs 17:40 - Why "Calories In, Calories Out" is a Lie 21:45 - Are Some Carbs "Healthier" Than Others? 24:00 - The TRUTH About Long-Term Keto 27:54 - How a Top Athlete FUELS for Performance 29:34 - The Most Important Training Metric to Track 32:38 - The Mission to Reverse Diabetes in 1 BILLION People 39:10 - Why Isn't The Government Fixing This? 40:24 - The Vicious Cycle Keeping America Sick 44:06 - How The Virta Health Protocol Works 46:16 - How They Get Patients to Stick to The Plan 51:23 - Have We Lost Our Common Sense? 57:09 - The Truth About Ozempic & GLP-1s 1:00:35 - Why You SHOULDN'T Exercise for Weight Loss 1:05:08 - The Tattoo That Proves This Works

We open loose and light—think random earworms and inside jokes—then tee up next week’s format: a full-on Work AMA. We’ve got a stack of questions coming in, so send yours and we’ll fold them in.Life update: a teen flipped a truck, wiped out our mailbox, and mangled a few fence posts outside the house in the middle of the night. Everyone was okay, we stayed calm, patched the fence, hammered the mailbox back into shape, and even got a chuckle out of the “just junk mail today” timing. Perspective > panic.Show news: Natural State Savage is getting real—venue walk-throughs, lights, audio, trophies, the works. Parking could be wild with a Notre Dame home game in town, so plan to walk a bit (follow the smell of meat on the grill). If you’re on the fence about competing: pull the trigger. First shows are about growth, not perfection, and our stage vibe is zero ego.Cutting/Reverse update: Robert’s alternate-day fasting experiment is dialed. Feast days: ~5,500–6,000 kcals; “fat-fast” days: coffee with heavy cream to keep sanity without sliding backward. Scale target: ~174 lbs after fasting, ~179 lbs after feasting—steady, strong, and psychologically easier when you expect those fluctuations.Client wins: Ralph hit his first strategic refeed (+1,000 mg sodium), woke up three pounds lighter and looking sharp. Momentum’s real.Product pipeline: Cookie Dough (tallow) and Mocha Cream are back—new rendering technique brings a firmer set and (we think) a bump in stearic acid for a slightly different bite. Fresh from the fridge is elite.Ops & brand: International shipping is still a slog—Norway customs drama, and a big India endurance project got hung up despite premium shipping. We’ll re-run the numbers on whether the juice is worth the squeeze. On a happier note, apparel’s moving: we found a Pima-cotton blank that fits and performs, and we’ll launch it right when it’s truly ready.That’s the vibe this week: keep it calm under pressure, train hard, eat with intention, and build things the right way. Drop your questions—we’re stacking them for the AMA.Greg Mahler is also a lifetime natural bodybuilder, and can be followed on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/ketogreg80/Register For My FREE Masterclass: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/registration-2Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/

Discover the surprising truth that extreme physical discipline and self-imposed hardship are the keys to building unbreakable mental resilience. In episode 811 of the Savage Perspective Podcast, host Robert Sikes sits down with natural pro bodybuilder Josh Lay to reveal how the intense sacrifices of competitive bodybuilding teach invaluable life lessons. They explore how dieting to extreme levels of leanness, managing a demanding career, and navigating the psychological challenges of prep can forge a powerful mindset that translates directly to success in business and life. This conversation reveals the raw, unfiltered truth about what it truly takes to succeed.Ready to build your own foundation of discipline and transform your physique? Join Robert’s FREE Bodybuilding Masterclass to learn the exact strategies used by top natural athletes to build muscle and get lean. Sign up here: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/registration-2Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQChapters:0:00 Why Bodybuilding is The Ultimate Life Hack 1:41 Inside a First-Time Competitor's Season 3:50 The Dangers of Extreme Dieting 5:28 What Pushes a Lifter to Finally Compete? 6:55 The Hidden Sacrifices of a Bodybuilder 8:58 Balancing a Demanding Career & Bodybuilding 11:10 My Plan To Earn a Pro Card 13:25 Off-Season Bulk vs. Shredded Stage Weight 15:30 My Exact Training & Nutrition Philosophy 18:40 The Brutal Reality of a No-Carb Diet 21:25 How Extreme Prep Affects Your Mood 25:05 How Dieting Craters Your Testosterone 27:26 The #1 Mistake Natural Bodybuilders Make 30:53 The Most Overlooked Aspect of Competing 35:16 Why I Refuse to Take Steroids 39:30 What Your Body Can Do Without Excuses 42:27 How Bodybuilding Impacts Your Relationships 49:52 The Hardest Part of Bodybuilding (It's Not The Prep) 52:45 Your Prep is a Reflection of Your Off-Season 58:20 My Old-School Training for Maximum Muscle