
The Beauty and The Geek
Layne Norton (PhD) and Holly Baxter (MS) discuss hot topics in fitness and nutrition using science and some humor. This podcast is meant to educate, entertain, and probably piss you off. We hope you enjoy and if you don't, then you probably suck.
Latest episodes

Sep 2, 2021 • 8min
Season 1 Wrap-Up at The Beauty and The Geek!
Just a quick wrap-up of our first season of the podcast and some of the things to look forward to coming in Season 2! A huge thank you to everyone who has tuned in, reviewed, shared, or even just enjoyed the show. We truly couldn't do this without you!
Get our new nutrition coaching app, Carbon Diet Coach, for iOS and Android to get custom nutrition coaching for less than $10/month: https://joincarbon.com
Get our books on how to lose fat: https://www.biolaynestore.com
Take my online course "The Science of Nutrition": https://cleanhealth.edu.au/product/science-of-nutrition
Get custom workouts by us for $12.99/month: https://www.biolayne.com/members/workout-builder
Find Layne and Holly on Instagram @biolayne and @hollytbaxter
----
Post-production by Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd) and David Margittai (inpostmedia.com)
© 2021, Biolayne LLC. All rights reserved.

Aug 27, 2021 • 1h 38min
James Smith on Steroids, Calling Out Bullshit, & His Bizarre Path To The Fitness Industry
In this episode of the podcast, Layne and Holly interview James Smith. James is the author of two best-selling books "Not a Diet Book" and "Not a Life Coach" and is known in the fitness industry as someone who takes no shit and pulls no punches. He also has one of the most interesting and, quite frankly, bizarre stories of how he came to be an established figure in the industry. James is also extremely transparent when discussing his experiences with anabolic steroids, alcohol, and various other things. This episode is very entertaining, funny, and a must-listen for aspiring fitness professionals.
You can find James on Instagram @jamessmithpt and at https://www.jamessmithacademy.com
Get our new nutrition coaching app, Carbon Diet Coach, for iOS and Android to get custom nutrition coaching for less than $10/month: https://joincarbon.com
Get our books on how to lose fat: https://www.biolaynestore.com
Take my online course "The Science of Nutrition": https://cleanhealth.edu.au/product/science-of-nutrition
Get custom workouts by us for $12.99/month: https://www.biolayne.com/members/workout-builder
Find Layne and Holly on Instagram @biolayne and @hollytbaxter
----
Post-production by Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd) and David Margittai (inpostmedia.com)
© 2021, Biolayne LLC. All rights reserved.

Aug 12, 2021 • 1h 25min
Gunnar Peterson on Training World-Class Athletes, Celebrities, & How to Make It (& Last) in the Industry
In this episode, Layne and Holly chat with celebrity trainer and former LA Lakers trainer, Gunnar Peterson. Gunnar is well known for having trained some of the biggest stars like The Rock, Lindsey Vonn, Sylvester Stallone, Kate Beckinsale, and many others. He shares his experience and tons of wisdom for up-and-coming coaches/PTs on how to be successful. This episode was wildly entertaining for us & Gunnar was one of our absolute favorite guests! We know you’ll love this episode as well!
You can find Gunnar on Instagram @gunnarfitness and at https://gunnarpeterson.com
Get our new nutrition coaching app, Carbon Diet Coach, for iOS and Android to get custom nutrition coaching for less than $10/month: https://joincarbon.com
Get our books on how to lose fat: https://www.biolaynestore.com
Take my online course "The Science of Nutrition": https://cleanhealth.edu.au/product/science-of-nutrition
Get custom workouts by us for $12.99/month: https://www.biolayne.com/members/workout-builder
Find Layne and Holly on Instagram @biolayne and @hollytbaxter
----
Post-production by Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd) and David Margittai (inpostmedia.com)
© 2021, Biolayne LLC. All rights reserved.

Jul 29, 2021 • 1h 13min
Hypertrophy Talk: Volume, Load, Intensity, & Going to the 'Dark Place' with Dr. Mike Israetel of Renaissance Periodization
In this episode, Holly and Layne interview Dr. Mike Israetel. Dr. Israetel is one of the most well-known evidence-based hypertrophy experts in the world. We chat with him about what matters most for hypertrophy, with the discussion centering around volume, load, intensity, and proximity to failure. We also get insight into the mindset of hardcore training where we will teach our listeners about the difference between training to failure... and training to failure by going to the 'dark place.' This episode is sure to blow some minds, so you don't want to miss it!
You can find Dr. Israetel on Instagram @rpdrmike and at https://renaissanceperiodization.com
Get our new nutrition coaching app, Carbon Diet Coach, for iOS and Android to get custom nutrition coaching for less than $10/month: https://joincarbon.com
Get our books on how to lose fat: https://www.biolaynestore.com
Take my online course "The Science of Nutrition": https://cleanhealth.edu.au/product/science-of-nutrition
Get custom workouts by us for $12.99/month: https://www.biolayne.com/members/workout-builder
Find Layne and Holly on Instagram @biolayne and @hollytbaxter
----
Post-production by Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd) and David Margittai (inpostmedia.com)
© 2021, Biolayne LLC. All rights reserved.

Jul 15, 2021 • 1h 23min
The Resistance Training Revolution: Benefits, Myths, & Why Everyone Should Do It with Sal Di Stefano of Mind Pump
There are many myths that have been perpetuated about resistance training over the years including but not limited to:
-Lifting makes you bulky
-Lift light weights to be 'toned'
-Lifting stunts your growth
-Lifting makes you 'muscle bound'
In this episode, Layne talks with Sal Di Stefano from Mind Pump. Sal began his fitness journey of lifting weights as a teenager and became a personal trainer at 18 years of age, then was promoted to general manager of a large gym by age 19, and started his own business at 22 by opening his own personal training studio. A veteran of 'in the trenches' hands-on personal training, Sal brings a practical element of resistance training knowledge with an ability to distill complex topics into engaging content.
Layne and Sal rap about the many benefits of resistance training, the myths about it, and why almost everyone should be resistance training in some form. To check out Mind Pump visit: https://www.mindpumpmedia.com and to order a copy of Sal's new book 'The Resistance Training Revolution' visit: https://theresistancetrainingrevolution.com
You can find Sal on Instagram @mindpumpsal
Get our new nutrition coaching app, Carbon Diet Coach, for iOS and Android to get custom nutrition coaching for less than $10/month: https://joincarbon.com
Get our books on how to lose fat: https://www.biolaynestore.com
Take my online course "The Science of Nutrition": https://cleanhealth.edu.au/product/science-of-nutrition
Get custom workouts by us for $12.99/month: https://www.biolayne.com/members/workout-builder
Find Layne and Holly on Instagram @biolayne and @hollytbaxter
----
Post-production by Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd) and David Margittai (inpostmedia.com)
© 2021, Biolayne LLC. All rights reserved.

Jul 1, 2021 • 1h 38min
Partial vs Full Range of Motion, Post-Training Heat Stress, & Their Effects on Hypertrophy with Dr. Dan Newmire
Dan Newmire is a professor at Texas A&M and has also competed as a successful bodybuilder, winning the superheavyweight class at 2012 NPC Junior USA Championships. Dan's research centers around the mechanisms behind hypertrophy and one of his specific areas of research is examining the utility of partial ranges of motion on hypertrophy compared to more conventional methods. He also is interested in the adaptations to resistance exercise and the effects of warm & cold immersion on recovery from resistance training. It is rare that a researcher such as Dan also has the same 'hardcore,' in-gym experience as many top bodybuilders. This gives him a unique perspective on what is useful for fat loss, muscle gain, and body composition. Don't miss this episode!
You can find Dan on Twitter & Instagram @dnewmire
Get our new nutrition coaching app, Carbon Diet Coach, for iOS and Android to get custom nutrition coaching for less than $10/month: https://joincarbon.com
Get our books on how to lose fat: https://www.biolaynestore.com
Take my online course "The Science of Nutrition": https://cleanhealth.edu.au/product/science-of-nutrition
Get custom workouts by us for $12.99/month: https://www.biolayne.com/members/workout-builder
Find Layne and Holly on Instagram @biolayne and @hollytbaxter
----
Post-production by Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd) and David Margittai (inpostmedia.com)
© 2021, Biolayne LLC. All rights reserved.

Jun 17, 2021 • 1h 29min
Volume, Intensity, & the Mechanisms Behind Muscle Growth with Dr. Brad Schoenfeld
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Brad Schoenfeld. Brad is considered one of the most preeminent if not THE MOST preeminent researcher of muscle hypertrophy in the world. He is a professor at Lehman College and has published several popular books including "The MAX Muscle Plan" as well as "The Science and Development of Muscular Hypertrophy." We speak with him about all things muscle growth, including discussions on volume, intensity, and the mechanisms behind how muscle actually grows from training. Don't miss out on your chance to learn from the best!
You can find Brad on Instagram @bradschoenfeldphd and at his website, http://www.lookgreatnaked.com
Get our new nutrition coaching app, Carbon Diet Coach, for iOS and Android to get custom nutrition coaching for less than $10/month: https://joincarbon.com
Get our books on how to lose fat: https://www.biolaynestore.com
Take my online course "The Science of Nutrition": https://cleanhealth.edu.au/product/science-of-nutrition
Get custom workouts by us for $12.99/month: https://www.biolayne.com/members/workout-builder
Find Layne and Holly on Instagram @biolayne and @hollytbaxter
----
Post-production by Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd) and David Margittai (inpostmedia.com)
© 2021, Biolayne LLC. All rights reserved.

Jun 3, 2021 • 1h 49min
Talking All Things Protein with Dr. Donald Layman
On today's show, we have an extremely special guest, Dr. Donald Layman, Layne's PhD advisor. Dr. Layman is a legend in the field of nutrition, especially protein metabolism. In this episode, we talk about Dr. Layman's research, all things protein, as well as dispelling some popular nutritional sciences myths. Don't miss your chance to learn from the man who taught Layne how to think like a scientist.
You can find Dr. Layman on Twitter @donlayman
Get our new nutrition coaching app, Carbon Diet Coach, for iOS and Android to get custom nutrition coaching for less than $10/month: https://joincarbon.com
Get our books on how to lose fat: https://www.biolaynestore.com
Take my online course "The Science of Nutrition": https://cleanhealth.edu.au/product/science-of-nutrition
Get custom workouts by us for $12.99/month: https://www.biolayne.com/members/workout-builder
Find Layne and Holly on Instagram @biolayne and @hollytbaxter
----
Post-production by Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd) and David Margittai (inpostmedia.com)
© 2021, Biolayne LLC. All rights reserved.

May 20, 2021 • 1h 56min
Interview with James Krieger on Volume & Volume Cycling for Hypertrophy
In this episode, Layne interviews James Krieger, someone we consider to be at the forefront of evidence-based nutrition and training recommendations. He has a master's degree in nutrition and a second master's degree in exercise physiology. He has published research in journals such as the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and the Journal of Applied Physiology. He runs weightology.net and has his own research review (that we are subscribed to). He is also a professional day trader and co-founder of FitProFinancial, which specifically helps fitness pros manage their finances.
Layne and James go DEEP into the latest science on training for hypertrophy as well as fat loss. They discuss the role of volume and new concepts such as volume cycling. This episode is one of my (Layne) personal favorites and it actually made me adjust my training based on some of the ideas that were discussed. You definitely do not want to miss this one!
You can find James on Instagram @james.krieger, his website, https://weightology.net, and you can find out more about FitProFinancial at https://fitprofinancial.com
Get our new nutrition coaching app, Carbon Diet Coach, for iOS and Android to get custom nutrition coaching for less than $10/month: https://joincarbon.com
Get our books on how to lose fat: https://www.biolaynestore.com
Take my online course "The Science of Nutrition": https://cleanhealth.edu.au/product/science-of-nutrition
Get custom workouts by us for $12.99/month: https://www.biolayne.com/members/workout-builder
Find Layne and Holly on Instagram @biolayne and @hollytbaxter
----
Post-production by Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd) and David Margittai (inpostmedia.com)
© 2021, Biolayne LLC. All rights reserved.

May 6, 2021 • 1h 54min
Interview with Professor of Exercise Science, Dr. Jay Cholewa
In this episode, we interview Dr. Jay Cholewa, professor of exercise science at the University of Lynchburg. We talk about Jay's abnormal route to becoming a professor and what led him to turn his life around. We also discuss the extensive history between Jay and Layne: how they met in the early 2000s on the bodybuilding.com forums as aspiring bodybuilders, how their paths diverged and then came back together. Of course, we discuss Dr. Cholewa's research, much of which focuses on supplements like Betaine. We think you will very much enjoy this episode and learn quite a bit during the process.
Don’t forget to leave us a review if you are enjoying these podcast episodes!
You can find Dr. Cholewa on Instagram @dr.redperformance
Get our new nutrition coaching app, Carbon Diet Coach, for iOS and Android to get custom nutrition coaching for less than $10/month: https://joincarbon.com
Get our books on how to lose fat: https://www.biolaynestore.com
Take my online course "The Science of Nutrition": https://cleanhealth.edu.au/product/science-of-nutrition
Get custom workouts by us for $12.99/month: https://www.biolayne.com/members/workout-builder
Find Layne and Holly on Instagram @biolayne and @hollytbaxter
----
Post-production by Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd) and David Margittai (inpostmedia.com)
© 2021, Biolayne LLC. All rights reserved.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.