
Mind Pump: Raw Fitness Truth
MindPump exposes the RAW TRUTH about health, fitness, nutrition and more... Hosts Sal Di Stefano, Adam Schafer & Justin Andrews pull back the curtain on the mythology, snake oil and pseudo-science that pervades the fitness industry and present science-backed solutions that result in increased muscular development and performance while simultaneously emphasizing health. No fitness institution or fitness "truth" is safe from their quick wit and over 40 years of combined experience in the fitness industry. Produced by Doug Egge. Find Mind Pump and the Mind Pump hosts on Instragram @mindpumpmedia, @mindpumpsal, @mindpumpadam, @mindpumpjustin & @mindpumpdoug and at mindpumppodcast.com. Get expertly programmed Mind Pump training protocols at mapsfitnessproducts.com
Latest episodes

Apr 18, 2025 • 1h 9min
2578: Get Abs That Pop: The Perfect Core Workout & More (Listener Coaching)
In this episode of Quah (Q & A), Sal, Adam & Justin answer four Pump Head questions drawn from last Sunday’s Quah post on the @mindpumpmedia Instagram page. Mind Pump Fit Tip: Get abs that pop! The perfect core workout. (1:52) A STAPLE supplement for mental health. (17:35) Parenting blunders. (23:23) Shilajit for gut health! (28:48) The MOST rewarding partnership. (34:19) The protective effects of religion and the father’s impact on their child’s spiritual practice. (37:42) Navigating the ethics of bringing back the dire wolves. (46:36) #Quah question #1 – Is there a specific range of caloric surplus for optimal muscle growth? Is there a specific range for a caloric deficit to not lose muscle? (58:04) #Quah question #2 – What would you recommend I eat before working out? I am typically not hungry and only have a coffee before my morning workout. I have read that eating something before working out could be beneficial. I am 53 years old and currently doing a 90-day transformation program. I always work out in the morning before work. (1:01:35) #Quah question #3 – What are the best natural ways to lower cortisol? (1:04:09) #Quah question #4 – How can you not lose upper body gains or become too imbalanced while training after suffering an injury? (1:05:51) Related Links/Products Mentioned Visit Organifi for the exclusive offer for Mind Pump listeners! **Promo code MINDPUMP at checkout for 20% off! (4/18 - 4/20: Easter Weekend- Free Green Juice Crisp Apple & Kids Easy Greens with any 2 product purchases!) ** Visit Rock Recovery Center for the exclusive offer for Mind Pump listeners! ** Ben and Tom know firsthand the struggles of addiction and alcoholism. With years of experience helping thousands of individuals, they offer a free consultation call to discuss your situation. Whether you’re personally battling addiction or have a loved one in need of help, they’re here to guide you toward the support you need. By filling out the form and scheduling your call, you’ll also be entered for a chance to win a free 60-day scholarship at Rock Recovery Center, their premier treatment center in West Palm Beach, Florida. Don’t wait—take the first step today. ** April Special: MAPS HIIT or Extreme Fitness Bundle 50% off! ** Code APRIL50 at checkout ** Mind Pump #2085: Abs & Core Masterclass Creatine for the Treatment of Depression Mind Pump #2392: Steps to Overcoming Addiction with Tom Conrad & Ben Bueno Real Recovery Talk The Role of Parents in The Spiritual Formation of Their Children The Impact on Kids of Dad's Faith and Church Attendance The Reason Why Children Are 800% Worse When Their Mothers Are Around Joe Rogan Experience #2301 - Ben Lamm Mind Pump Apparel Mind Pump Podcast – YouTube Mind Pump Free Resources People Mentioned Thomas Conrad (@realrecoverytalktom) Instagram Ben Bueno (@realrecoverytalkben) Instagram Arthur Brooks (@arthurcbrooks) Instagram Jordan B. Peterson (@JordanBPeterson) X/Twitter

Apr 17, 2025 • 39min
2577: Should Women Train & Diet Differently From Men?
Should Women Train and Diet Differently from Men? What makes women physically different than men? (1:19) What are some of the considerations you take when training a female? (4:26) Should Women Train and Diet Differently from Men? Diet. (6:59) Training. (12:58) Aesthetics. (16:22) Supplements. (20:45) Special considerations. (22:45) Individual variance trumps everything. (25:16) Questions: Should I train differently based on my cycle? (29:22) Should I take more calcium for osteoporosis risk? (31:53) Best way to exercise while pregnant? (34:14) Related Links/Products Mentioned Special Promotion: MAPS Muscle Mommy | MAPS Starter 50% off! ** Code FEMALE50 at checkout ** Visit PRx Performance for an exclusive offer for Mind Pump listeners! ** No Code for 5% Discount gets automatically applied at checkout. ** Mind Pump #2040: Balancing Female Hormones With Dr. Becky Campbell and Dr. Krystal Hohn Mind Pump #2340: The Ultimate Muscle Mommy Workout Program Mind Pump #2345: The Muscle Mommy Revolution Researchers debunk common belief that women get better muscles by timing their workouts to their menstrual cycles Mind Pump #1375: How to Train Before, During & After Pregnancy Mind Pump Podcast – YouTube Mind Pump Free Resources

Apr 16, 2025 • 1h 37min
2576: Top 5 Superfoods Trainers LOVE for Their Clients & More (Listener Live Coaching)
In this episode of Quah (Q & A), Sal, Adam & Justin coach three Pump Heads via Zoom. Mind Pump Fit Tip: Top 5 superfoods trainers LOVE for their clients. (2:09) What actually causes muscle growth? (21:23) Sal’s weekly training update. (25:53) Justin’s Road to 315. (29:23) Signs of overreaching. (32:58) Attracting high-end health clients. (35:41) Red light to reduce sunburns. (38:20) Super mom! (41:18) Conceptional vs. reality. (44:46) E-bikes are the move. (48:04) One of the BEST supplements for blue-collar workers. (51:45) Vitamin D and hormones. (54:27) #ListenerLive question #1 – How do I change my workouts accordingly without overtraining during this cut, all while trying to help with my hip mobility issues and SI joint pain? (1:00:42) #ListenerLive question #2 – I successfully implemented a reverse diet alongside MAPS Split, starting from a low of 1700 calories. Now that I've completed phase 3, should I repeat MAPS Split in a caloric deficit, or transition to MAPS Anabolic? (1:13:42) #ListenerLive question #3 – Any tips you have for believing in yourself, and your abilities, and going for it? Would you recommend contacting successful trainers and mentoring/shadowing with them, and learning the trade? (1:22:19) Related Links/Products Mentioned Ask a question to Mind Pump, live! Email: live@mindpumpmedia.com Visit Joovv for an exclusive offer for Mind Pump listeners! ** Code MINDPUMP to get $50 off your first purchase. ** Visit Transcend for this month’s exclusive Mind Pump offer! ** 25% Off All GHRPs (April 7 – April 30). Tesamorelin (Troches + Injections), Hexarelin (Capsules + Injections), IGF-1 LR3, and Sermorelin. Bundle Options: 2-Month Bundle & 4-Month Bundle. ** April Special: MAPS HIIT or Extreme Fitness Bundle 50% off! ** Code APRIL50 at checkout ** Maximizing Muscle Hypertrophy: A Systematic Review of Advanced Resistance Training Techniques and Methods Sore muscles…what does it mean? – Mind Pump Blog Justin’s Road to 315 Push Press Kawasaki unveils hydrogen-powered robotic horse that you can ride Porsche begins production of ‘e-fuel’ that could provide gas alternative amid EV push Get your free Sample Pack with any “drink mix” purchase! Also, try the new LMNT Sparkling — a bold, 16-ounce can of sparkling electrolyte water: Visit DrinkLMNT.com/MindPump Mind Pump #2385: Five Reasons Why You Should Hire a Trainer Online Personal Training Course | Mind Pump Fitness Coaching ** Approved provider by NASM/AFAA (1.9 CEUs)! Grow your business and succeed in 2025. ** Mind Pump Podcast – YouTube Mind Pump Free Resources People Mentioned Joe DeFranco (@defrancosgym) Instagram Dr. Stephen Cabral (@stephencabral) Instagram

Apr 14, 2025 • 1h 20min
2575: Raising Resilient Children With Jen Cohen
The Secret to Raising Mentally Strong Kids in a Fragile World with Jen Cohen The reasoning behind her latest Ted talk. (2:02) Characteristics of a “gentle” parent. (4:52) Why aren’t parents letting their kids struggle? (7:51) The two things that have CRUSHED mental resilience in kids. (11:37) The barrier to entry to date a person is so low. (18:11) How kids mimic what they see. (20:22) Building life skills through challenge. (22:08) If you have too many options, you end up with nothing. (25:20) Sports and kids: The good, the bad, and the ugly. (27:33) Creating a ‘Lord of the Flies’ scenario with our kids. (34:47) The root of ‘woke’ culture. (38:59) How to avoid your kids feeling isolated as a parent. (47:58) Alarming statistics in our current culture. (50:41) There is a light at the end of the tunnel. (54:55) Allowing your children to overcome challenges in an age-appropriate way. (1:01:51) Have traditional values around gender roles played a part in these issues? (1:06:25) The importance of banding together as parents. (1:16:53) Related Links/Products Mentioned The Secret to Raising Mentally Strong Kids in a Fragile World | Jennifer Cohen | TEDxCoral Springs Visit Transcend for this month’s exclusive Mind Pump offer! ** 25% Off All GHRPs (April 7 – April 30). Tesamorelin (Troches + Injections), Hexarelin (Capsules + Injections), IGF-1 LR3, and Sermorelin. Bundle Options: 2-Month Bundle & 4-Month Bundle. ** April Special: MAPS HIIT or Extreme Fitness Bundle 50% off! ** Code APRIL50 at checkout ** Smartphones and Kids: Massive Evidence of Harm 1. Children's engagement with digital devices, screen time Survey: 26% of Gen Zers Brought a Parent to a Job Interview Mind Pump #2277: The Five Best Sports for Kids Inmates Spend More Time Outside Than Kids Mind Pump #2342: The Porn Addiction Solution With Sathiya Sam Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked – Book by Adam Alter Unplugged: Evolve from Technology to Upgrade Your Fitness, Performance & Consciousness iGen: Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy--and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood--and What That Means for the Rest of Us The Reason Why Children Are 800% Worse When Their Mothers Are Around Mind Pump Podcast – YouTube Mind Pump Free Resources Featured Guest/People Mentioned Jen Cohen (@therealjencohen) Instagram Habits & Hustle Podcast Jordan B. Peterson (@JordanBPeterson) X/Twitter

31 snips
Apr 12, 2025 • 1h 34min
2574: Build a Big Round Butt in 30 Days
Discover how to build a big round butt in just 30 days with six essential steps! Unpack the surprising mental health benefits of creatine supplementation, including its role in alleviating depression. Explore the power of music on athletic performance and how high-tempo tracks can boost your workouts by nearly 6%. Reflect on the lessons learned from youth sports and the importance of consistency in fitness journeys. Plus, get insights into nutrition, protein prioritization, and personalized fitness strategies for achieving your goals.

Apr 11, 2025 • 1h 12min
2573: Lose 12 Pounds of Fat in Two Easy Steps & More (Listener Coaching)
In this episode of Quah (Q & A), Sal, Adam & Justin answer four Pump Head questions drawn from last Sunday’s Quah post on the @mindpumpmedia Instagram page. Mind Pump Fit Tip: Lose 12 lbs. of fat in 2 easy steps! (1:49) An alcoholism protective gene. (26:59) The history of hysteria. (30:32) Is there any truth to ‘period’ training? (35:32) Increase collagen production in your skin with GHK-CU. (38:07) DNA and God. (40:05) Community is undervalued. (43:18) #Quah question #1 – Some of my favorite influencer athletes seem to maintain a shredded look all of the time. Is this realistic? (57:03) #Quah question #2 – I just had knee replacement surgery, and now I’m having trouble with my quads not firing. Are there any priming exercises I can do to help me with this? (1:01:37) #Quah question #3 – If you're starting as a personal trainer but want to work online, should you work at a gym at least part-time to get hands-on experience with people? (1:03:35) #Quah question #4 – Is it normal for your waist to thicken as you get stronger and don’t use a weight belt? I can’t tell if it’s muscle or visceral fat as perimenopause is setting in. (1:07:13) Related Links/Products Mentioned Visit Pre-Alcohol by ZBiotics for an exclusive offer for Mind Pump listeners! ** Promo code MINDPUMP25 for 15% off first-time purchasers on either one-time purchases, (3, 6, 12-packs) or subscriptions (6, 12-pack) ** Visit Luminose by Entera for an exclusive offer for Mind Pump listeners! ** Promo code MPM at checkout for 10% off their order or 10% off their first month of a subscribe-and-save. ** April Special: MAPS HIIT or Extreme Fitness Bundle 50% off! ** Code APRIL50 at checkout ** Mind Pump #2437: What Happens to Your Body When You Quit Ultra-Processed Foods for 30 Days Man v. Food: Kitchen Sink Challenge – (YouTube) How Vibrators Cured Hysteria in the Victorian Age Researchers debunk common belief that women get better muscles by timing their workouts to their menstrual cycles Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data Yahweh Is Embedded In Our DNA The Bible Code The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind Visit Paleovalley for an exclusive offer for Mind Pump listeners! ** Discount is now automatically applied at checkout 15% off your first order! ** Online Personal Training Course | Mind Pump Fitness Coaching Mind Pump #2515: How to Become a Successful Trainer in 2025 Mind Pump #2502: Hormone Therapy for Aesthetics With Dr. Lauren Fitzgerald Mind Pump Podcast – YouTube Mind Pump Free Resources People Mentioned Mary Claire Haver, MD (@drmaryclaire) Instagram LAUREN FITZ, M.D. (@drlaurenfitz) Instagram

Apr 10, 2025 • 36min
2572: Only 15 Minutes a Day to Build Muscle & Burn Fat
Discover how just 15 minutes a day can lead to amazing muscle gains and fat loss. The hosts debunk myths about lengthy workouts, showing that minimal effective training can yield big results. They stress the importance of consistent daily activity and proper movement patterns. Tips on using free weights and suspension trainers are shared, along with a focus on balanced routines for injury prevention. Questions about muscle soreness and dietary impact on fitness are discussed, making fitness accessible for even the busiest lifestyles.

Apr 9, 2025 • 1h 36min
2571: How to Be a Great Leader & More (Listener Live Coaching)
In this episode of Quah (Q & A), Sal, Adam & Justin coach three Pump Heads via Zoom. Mind Pump Fit Tip: 7 attributes of a great leader. (2:09) Ginseng, the master adaptogen. (43:27) The guy’s frustration with the current state of the trainer space. (45:57) The differences between farmed vs wild-caught salmon. (52:25) #ListenerLive question #1 – Why does NASM recommend static stretching before resistance training if it turns on your parasympathetic nervous system? You guys say not to do any static stretching before your workout. (56:19) #ListenerLive question #2 – I’ve recently hit a plateau despite staying consistent with workouts and diet. I understand from your podcasts that sometimes increasing calories for 2-3 weeks can help break through a plateau. The problem is that I am on a GLP-1, my appetite is still low, and I can’t comfortably increase my intake much. Do you have any other suggestions or strategies to help break this plateau, considering my situation? (1:08:46) #ListenerLive question #3 – Do you have any advice on how to push past a mental and physical plateau? I want to be a good role model and show my boys that age is just a number, and that a man takes care of his body to care for his family and others. (1:22:31) Related Links/Products Mentioned Ask a question to Mind Pump, live! Email: live@mindpumpmedia.com Visit Joy Mode for an exclusive offer for Mind Pump listeners! ** Enter MINDPUMP at checkout for 20% off your first order. ** Visit Butcher Box for this month’s exclusive Mind Pump offer! ** New users who sign up will receive ground beef in every box for the LIFETIME of their subscription + $20 off their first box when they use code MINDPUMP at checkout. ** April Special: MAPS HIIT or Extreme Fitness Bundle 50% off! ** Code APRIL50 at checkout ** Developing the Leader Within You 2.0 - Book by John C. Maxwell The New One Minute Manager Mind Pump #2470: Personal Trainers & the Gym Industry with UFC Gym VP Don Cardona Visit NED for an exclusive offer for Mind Pump listeners! ** Code MINDPUMP at checkout for 20% off ** MAPS Prime Webinar MAPS Prime Pro Webinar Online Personal Training Course | Mind Pump Fitness Coaching Train the Trainer Webinar Series 7-Day Overtraining Rescue Guide | Free by Mind Pump Media Mind Pump Podcast – YouTube Mind Pump Free Resources People Mentioned Don Cardona (@dc.fit1) Instagram Arthur Brooks (@arthurcbrooks) Instagram Bishop Robert Barron (@bishopbarron) Instagram

Apr 7, 2025 • 1h
2570: Test Your Sex Hormones & Cortisol at Home With Dr. Stephen Cabral
Dr. Stephen Cabral How your hormones are connected to your circadian rhythm and sleep. (2:15) The differences between a cortisol and blood test. (3:24) The function of cortisol. (5:32) The most common lab results from this test. (8:12) Can someone develop cortisol resistance? (15:03) His recommended methods to apply for night shift workers. (20:45) Signs your catabolic hormones are taking over. (23:15) Can inappropriate levels of hormones promote visceral body fat? (23:57) Why it’s important to monitor your blood sugar. (25:47) PSA for the guys on TRT. (29:31) Revealing the guy’s Sex Hormones & Adrenals test results. Sal. (34:05) Justin. (38:47) Adam. (42:56) Doug. (48:25) How often should you test your hormones after the recommended protocols? (51:00) How they are using AI and what it means for the future. (54:38) Related Links/Products Mentioned For a limited time, Mind Pump listeners can test their sex hormones & adrenals at home! Visit here for HALF OFF! ** Includes a FREE 30-minute health coaching call with an EquiLife Certified Health Coach to answer all of your questions. ** Visit Eight Sleep for an exclusive offer for Mind Pump Listeners! ** Code MINDPUMP to get $350 off Pod 4 Ultra. Currently, it ships to the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia. ** April Special: MAPS HIIT or Extreme Fitness Bundle 50% off! ** Code APRIL50 at checkout ** Mind Pump Podcast – YouTube Mind Pump Free Resources Featured Guest Dr. Stephen Cabral (@stephencabral) Instagram Website Podcast

16 snips
Apr 5, 2025 • 1h 50min
2569: How to Build the Perfect Fitness Routine & More (Listener Live Coaching)
Discover how to create the ideal fitness routine tailored just for you. Explore the intriguing debate on whether cold plunges hinder muscle growth. Tune in for listener questions about weight management, appetite suppression, and goal-setting strategies. Delve into effective strength training for older adults and the importance of emotional health in fitness journeys. Plus, enjoy entertaining anecdotes about parenting incentives and household cooking sprays. It's a fun and insightful dive into fitness and well-being!