The Michael Caz Podcast

CrossFit is evolving, and so is three-time CrossFit Games athlete Patrick Vellner. This week, he joins the Brute Podcast to discuss his mind shift in the sport, why he may be one of the only athletes that can beat Mat Fraser and some of the new changes to the CrossFit community. Topics: 05:10 – Life before CrossFit 16:30 – Accidentally qualifying for the CrossFit Games 24:30 – Mind shift from 2017 to 2018 40:00 – New announcements in CrossFit 56:00 – Balancing life and CrossFit Links: Instagram Twitter Reviews: If you love this podcast, please click HERE to leave a review, and thank you for the support! Follow us on Instagram @brute.strength.

Adee Cazayoux, founder of Working Against Gravity, makes her third appearance on the Brute Podcast this week to talk about personal development. In this episode, Adee talks about building courage, maintaining accountability and what it means to develop yourself from within. Listen along and get an honest look at self-improvement with her six questions to make you think, break out of the ordinary cycle and reach the next level in life. If you enjoyed this episode, catch up with all things Adee and be sure to check out episodes 148 and 162 of the Brute Podcast. Topics: 01:10 – What is personal development? 09:25 – Myths of personal development 21:50 – How to build courage & accountability 28:40 – Integrity made simple 38:25 – Tips for developing yourself 47:00 – Building self-awareness 51:15 – Six questions to find your next breakthrough Links: Working Against Gravity Adee Cazayoux Michael Cazayoux Books: Daring Greatly – Brene Brown Reviews: If you love this podcast, please click HERE to leave a review, keep Michael energized and push us higher in the rankings! Thank you for all the support. Follow us on Instagram @brute.strength.

Rachel Balkovec, the first female strength and conditioning coach in professional baseball, makes her second appearance on the Brute Podcast this week! Rachel grew up adamant to break out of her comfort zone, and shares her tips for personal and professional development, like falling in love with the process rather than the outcome. Listen this week to understand why this passionate coach thinks you should support the people around you minimally, as well as her personal coaching philosophies you can adapt into your lifestyle. Topics: 04:00 – Intentional vs. unintentional growth 13:15 – Mentors & coaching 22:06 – Defining a good coach 39:00 – "Minimally supporting others" 47:30 – Performance Pyramid 51:15 – Coaching methods Links: Instagram rachelbalkovec.com Books: Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance – Duckworth Reviews: If you love this podcast, please click HERE to leave us a review! Thank you for all the support. Follow us on Instagram @brute.strength.

Dr. Stephan Guyenet is on the Brute Podcast this week to dive into his book, The Hungry Brain. Hunger is one of the strongest biological influencers for survival in all species, but is it a physical or mental need? Tune in as host Michael Cazayoux and Dr. Guyenet define hunger, how it influences decisions and how to hack the process in order to take control of cravings and improve eating behavior. Topics: 06:35 – Eating behavior 14:50 – What is hunger? 20:04 – Fasting & calorie restriction 38:45 – Sleep, stress and hunger 42:00 – Making a change in your eating 55:30 – Food choices for children Links: www.stephanguyenet.com Twitter Books: The Hungry Brain – Guyenet Reviews: If you love this podcast, please click HERE to leave a review, and thank you for all the support! Follow us on Instagram @brute.strength.

One of the original CrossFit gymnastics experts, Carl Paoli, makes an appearance on the Brute Podcast this week, but instead of talking shop, Carl gets into some of his more recent accolades in lifestyle coaching. Carl shares his best tips for designing the life of your dreams, controlling your emotions and taking charge of creating your own reality. There's a lot to be said about taking an active effort in pursuing your biggest passions, and this episode's purpose is to guide you on the path to creating the life you've always wanted. Topics: 13:50 – Courage & authenticity 18:30 – 2013 hiatus & lessons learned 26:40 – Lifestyle design/life coaching 39:00 – Labeling emotions 56:50 – Creating a lifestyle Links: freestyleconnection.com Freestyle Connection Carl Paoli YouTube Books: Free+Style: Maximize Sport & Life Performance with 4 Basic Movements – Paoli Reviews: If you love this podcast, please click HERE to leave a review and thank you for all of the support! Follow us on Instagram @brute.strength.

When it comes to competing, there's a lot to be said about choosing the right coach. Dr. Sean Pastuch, the founder of ActiveLifeRX, joins Michael this week to help identify the four steps needed for finding a coach, choosing a program and reaching your full potential. If fitness is your passion or your job, then this episode will help you go the extra mile as Dr. Pastuch dives deep into program goals, different styles of programming and the dynamic between staying healthy and competing at a high level. Topics: 06:00 – Goals of your program 15:13 – Does the "best" program exist? 22:43 – Periodization in programming 32:13 – Different styles of training programs 56:00 – Staying healthy & competing at a high level 58:13 – 4 steps to reach your potential Links: ActiveLifeRX Instagram Pick Your Program Reviews: If you love this podcast, please click HERE to leave a review. Thank you all for the support. Follow us on Instagram @brute.strength.

Eric Helms, author of The Muscle and Strength Pyramid, joins Michael Cazayoux on the Brute podcast to discuss exercise and nutrition science. Whether you're eating for competition, physique or longevity, Helms' Ph.D.-certified advice can help you reach your goals. Helms also covers popular nutrition topics such as flexible dieting, keto and high-carb diets. Grab your favorite snack and enjoy the show! Topics: 24:10 – The Muscle and Strength Pyramid 42:50 – What your clients want vs. what they need 47:30 – Nutrition Pyramid 58:20 – Manage stress 1:03:40 – Keto diet 1:13:00 – High-carb dieting 1:19:30 – Resources on nutrition coaching Links: Headspace App The SBS Academy FitGenie App 3D Muscle Journey Instagram Books: Deep Work – Newport Muscle And Strength Nutrition Pyramid – Helms Reviews: If you love this podcast, please click HERE to leave a review and thank you all for the support! Follow us on Instagram @brute.strength.

CEO of the Shrugged Collective Podcast, Mike Bledsoe, is on the Brute Podcast this week to talk about his evolution in the fitness industry. He plunges into the difference between a coach and a trainer, what it takes to create better leaders and coaches, and how to start seeing better results with your clients. Be sure to check out his Strong Coach Podcast series for more tips on how to build trust and become a better coach! Topics: 03:20 – Trainer vs. Coach 17:20 – Mike's evolution in the fitness world 37:00 – Goals & obstacles 48:12 – Breathwork & mental toughness 1:06:40 – Coaching coaches Links: Thestrongcoach.com The Strong Coach Podcast Instagram Reviews: If you love this podcast, please click HERE to leave a review and thank you all for the support! Follow us on Instagram @brute.strength.

Trevor Moawad, a top sports psychologist, joins the Brute Podcast this week to talk about his work with Seattle Seahawks' quarterback Russell Wilson. The thought leader and mental conditioning coach was also known as the "brain trainer" for the University of Alabama football team and discusses how to eliminate negativity and create a more neutral thought process. Topics: 06:50 - College football 13:00 - Neutral thinking 40:00 - Challenge vs. Threat 1:02:40 - Embracing uncertainty Links: I Am Not Your Guru - Netflix Trace Me App Books: You're Nature's Greatest Miracle - Moawad Reviews: If you love this podcast please click HERE to leave me a review. It energizes me to keep doing these as well as pushes us higher in the rankings. Thank you all for the support. Follow us on Instagram @brute.strength.

NASA engineer Cody Burkhart joins the Brute Podcast this week. A competitor at the 2012 CrossFit Games Regionals, Cody has continued influencing the fitness world by developing exercise systems for astronauts preparing to travel to space. In this episode, Cody addresses recovery, mindset, breath work and the path to mastery, so be sure to listen for the best takeaway tips and book recommendations. Topics: 3:25 - Working at NASA 14:20 - Oxygen and breath work 32:00 - Martial Arts 46:20 - Mentorship & Mastery Links: Instagram Books: The Oxygen Advantage - McKeown The Alchemist - Coelho The Disappearing Spoon - Kean Deep Work - Newport Reviews: If you love this podcast please click HERE to leave me a review. It energizes me to keep doing these as well as pushes us higher in the rankings. Thank you all for the support. Follow us on Instagram @brute.strength.