Chasing Clarity: Health & Fitness Podcast
The Chasing Clarity Health & Fitness Podcast aims to bridge the gap between complexity and clarity within the health and fitness space. Hosts Brandon and Jeff discuss nutrition, training, health, and fitness, covering both information and practical application. The podcast is designed for anyone interested in improving their health, fitness, and body composition.
Episodes
ERIC HELMS: TRAINING IN A DEFICIT: WHAT THE RESEARCH ACTUALLY SAYS ABOUT VOLUME, MUSCLE LOSS & FAT LOSS PHASE PROGRAMMING | EP. 222
How you train during a Fat Loss Phase determines whether you finish the diet leaner and more defined or just smaller and softer. But the conversation around how to actually train during a deficit has become one of the most polarized debates in the evidence-based fitness space.One camp says you should proactively reduce training volume the moment you enter a deficit because recovery is compromised
HOW TO TRAIN DURING A FAT LOSS PHASE TO LOSE FAT WITHOUT LOSING MUSCLE | FAT LOSS SERIES PART 2 | EP. 221
Most people think fat loss is just about eating less.And while your diet determines whether or not you lose weight, your training determines what that weight loss actually looks like from a physique standpoint.Are you losing body fat while maintaining muscle and building a leaner, stronger, more defined physique?Or are you just becoming a smaller, scrawnier version of yourself?That distinction com
LYLE MCDONALD: FITNESS MYTHS FOR WOMEN (PART 2) — DOES FASTED CARDIO WRECK YOUR HORMONES? THE TRUTH ABOUT CORTISOL, ZONE 2 TRAINING, FAT LOSS & BIRTH CONTROL | EP.
There is no shortage of advice when it comes to cardio, fat loss, and hormones.And when it comes to women…this is where a lot of the misinformation becomes the most convincing.You’ll hear things like:Fasted cardio wrecks your hormones.Zone 2 cardio doesn’t work for women.Birth control is killing your progress in the gym.And the reason these claims spread so quickly is because they sound scientific
FAT LOSS PHASE MASTERCLASS: THE NUTRITION STRATEGY TO LOSE FAT & MAINTAIN MUSCLE | FAT LOSS SERIES PART 1 | EP. 219
Fat loss isn’t just about eating less and watching the scale drop.If your goal is to build a lean, strong, defined physique, your approach has to go far beyond just creating a calorie deficit. It has to be more strategic, more structured and more sustainable than what most dieters default to.Because most people who diet end up disappointed with the result. They hit their goal weight but they don’t
LYLE MCDONALD: TRAINING MYTHS FOR WOMEN — DO FEMALES NEED TO LIFT IN THE 3-5 REP RANGE TO BUILD MUSCLE? THE TRUTH ABOUT LIFTING HEAVY, REST TIMES, EXERCISE VARIETY & MUSCLE GROWTH | EP. 219
There is no shortage of training advice in the fitness industry.But when it comes to women, a lot of that advice is not just inaccurate, it’s completely misleading.Women are constantly being told they need to train differently.That they need to lift heavier or muscle growth won’t happen.That shorter rest periods are better.That they need to constantly switch workouts to keep progressing.And the pr
WHY MOST DIETS FAIL, THE DRAWBACKS OF SWITCHING YOUR TRAINING PROGRAM TOO OFTEN & DOES CARDIO KILL MUSCLE GAIN | COACHING Q&A WITH JEFF HOEHN
In this month’s Q&A episode of the Chasing Clarity Health & Fitness Podcast, I’m joined once again by Jeff Hoehn for Episode 4 of our monthly series.Each month, we answer your questions and break down the strategies that actually move the needle when it comes to improving your physique, your performance, and your overall health.This episode is focused on the principles that separate traine
FAT LOSS FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW: CUTTING THROUGH THE NOISE WITH EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES
Fat loss is simple in theory but far from easy in practice. With so much misinformation in the fitness industry, most people end up spinning their wheels, chasing fad diets, or relying on quick fixes that don’t last.In this episode of the Chasing Clarity Health & Fitness Podcast, I’m breaking down the research-backed truths about fat loss so you can finally separate fact from fiction and make
LYLE MCDONALD: FAT LOSS FOR WOMEN MASTERCLASS | COMMON DIETING MISTAKES, SEX DIFFERENCES & WHY FAT LOSS FEELS HARDER FOR FEMALES
Women are more likely to diet for fat loss than men.But they’re also more likely to run into challenges that make the process feel frustrating, confusing, and harder to sustain.In this episode of the Chasing Clarity Health & Fitness Podcast, I’m joined by Lyle McDonald for a deep dive into the topic of female fat loss.Lyle has been writing about fitness, nutrition, dieting, and female physiolo
BUILDING PHASE MISTAKES: WHY YOU’RE GAINING FAT & NOT MUSCLE | LEAN GAINS SERIES PART 5 | EP. 215
Most people go into a Building Phase with the right intention. But they execute it the wrong way. And that’s why they either spin their wheels…or they gain far more fat than muscle.In Part 5 of my LEAN GAINS SERIES, I break down the most common building phase mistakes that accelerate fat gain and limit muscle growth.IN THIS EPISODE, I COVER THE FOLLOWING MISTAKES:NOT STAYING IN A BUILDING PHASE LO
THE MOST IMPORTANT FAT LOSS HABITS, SCALE WEIGHT FLUCTUATIONS & TRAINING EXECUTION COACHING Q&A WITH JEFF HOEHN
In this month’s Q&A episode of the Chasing Clarity Health & Fitness Podcast, I’m joined once again by Jeff Hoehn for Episode 3 of our monthly series.Each month, we answer your questions and break down the strategies that actually move the needle when it comes to improving your physique, your performance, and your overall health.This episode is focused on the fundamentals that too many peop
HOW BIG OF A CALORIE SURPLUS DO YOU NEED FOR MUSCLE GROWTH? | LEAN GAINS SERIES PART 4 | EP. 213
Most people still think building muscle is as simple as “just eating more.”So they push their calories in the name of muscle gain and then they wonder why they gained far more fat than muscle.In Part 4 of my LEAN GAINS SERIES, I break down the truth about calorie intake for muscle growth and answer one of the most common questions I get as a coach:HOW BIG OF A SURPLUS DO YOU ACTUALLY NEED TO BUILD
MIKKI WILLIDEN: THE HABITS OF SUCCESSFUL DIETERS, HOW TO IMPROVE INSULIN SENSITIVITY & THE BIGGEST NUTRITION MISTAKES WOMEN MAKE | EP. 212
There is no shortage of nutrition advice in the health and fitness industry.Yet despite all the information available, many people still struggle with the same core challenges: losing fat and keeping it off, improving metabolic health, and building a lean, strong physique.In this week’s episode of the Chasing Clarity Health & Fitness Podcast, I’m joined once again by nutrition researcher and e
DR. SCOTT STEVENSON: ARE YOU REALLY TRAINING HARD ENOUGH TO MAXIMIZE MUSCLE GROWTH? | WHY SOME PEOPLE TRAIN FOR YEARS & STILL LOOK THE SAME
One of the biggest bottlenecks holding many back from reaching their ideal physique is that many people overestimate how hard they’re actually training.They believe they’re pushing their sets to failure…But in reality they often still have several reps left in the tank.When this happens, the training stimulus they think they’re creating doesn’t match the stimulus their muscles are actually receivi
LEAN BUILDING VERSUS BULKING PHASES: HOW TO GAIN MUSCLE WITHOUT GETTING FAT | LEAN GAINS SERIES PART 3 | EP. 210
A lot of people say they want to build muscle.But what they end up doing is taking the same extreme mindset they use during fat loss and flipping it in the opposite direction.They go from cutting calories aggressively to force feeding food, loosening up diet quality, gaining weight too fast, and calling that a productive building phase.And that is exactly where a lot of people go wrong.In this epi
ERIC HELMS: IS BULKING DEAD & MAINGAINING IN? | EP. 209
A lot of people still think muscle gain is simple: eat more to gain more muscle.But the real question is: do you actually need an energy surplus to maximize hypertrophy or do you just need to be out of a deficit, training hard, and executing consistently?In this episode, I’m joined by return guest Dr. Eric Helms to break down the relationship between weight gain, rate of gain, and muscle growth —
LEAN BUILDING BLUEPRINT: LEAN GAINS SERIES PART 2 | EP. 208
Most people keep trying to diet their way into a better physique.They chase scale weight loss.They bounce from deficit to deficit.And they never build the foundation of muscle that actually creates the look they’re after.So they end up becoming a smaller version of themselves, not a better version of themselves.And this is especially true for the person who describes themselves as “skinny fat” or
THE OVERLOOKED BENEFITS OF EATING AT MAINTENANCE | METABOLIC, PHYSIOLOGICAL, BEHAVIORAL & PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVANTAGES WITH JEFF HOEHN
In the fitness space, most conversations revolve around two things.Being in a calorie deficit to lose body fat. Or being in a calorie surplus to build muscle.But very rarely do you hear people talk about the value of intentionally spending time eating at maintenance. And that’s a mistake.Because spending time at maintenance can provide a wide range of metabolic, physiological, behavioral, and psyc
AJ SIMS AKA CEMENT FACTORY: WHAT SUCCESSFUL COACHES & CLIENTS DO DIFFERENTLY | EP. 206
What actually makes a great coach?In this episode of the CHASING CLARITY HEALTH & FITNESS PODCAST, I sit down with longtime bodybuilding coach, mentor & founder of Cement Factory Nutrition — AJ Sims.AJ is a coach, a leader, and a man who lives the standards he teaches. From training alongside Jay Cutler as a teenager to building a reputation rooted in discipline, faith, identity & high
WHY YOU CANNOT MAXIMIZE MUSCLE GROWTH IN A CALORIE DEFICIT: LEAN GAINS SERIES PART 1 | EP. 205
A lot of people think they can diet their way to the body they want.But if your goal is to look lean, strong, and muscular, here’s the truth:You cannot maximize muscle growth in a calorie deficit.In this episode of the Chasing Clarity Health & Fitness Podcast, I break down why living in a deficit year-round keeps you stuck, why building a foundation of muscle has to be prioritized and how to a
COACHING ROUNDTABLE Q&A: PHYSIOLOGICAL FACTORS THAT DETERMINE FAT LOSS READINESS, HOW TO IMPROVE RECOVERY & REDUCE SORENESS WITH JEFF HOEHN OF THE MIND MUSCLE CONNECTION | EP. 204
On this episode of the Chasing Clarity Health & Fitness Podcast, Jeff Hoehn and I kick off a new monthly collaboration series where we break down listener questions and dive into the strategies that actually move the needle for physique progress, fat loss, recovery & long-term health.We start with personal updates, then move into one of the most important conversations in physique coaching
OVERCOMING ADVERSITY, BUILDING THROUGH BODYBUILDING & LIVING WITH RADICAL OWNERSHIP WITH BEN MAYFIELD-SMITH | EP. 203
In this episode of the Chasing Clarity Health & Fitness Podcast, I’m joined by Ben Mayfield-Smith for a raw and honest conversation that goes far beyond reps, macros, and training splits.We dive deep into the pivotal moments that shaped who we are from career-altering accidents to caring for terminally ill family members and how adversity became the catalyst for personal growth, mindset evolut
BODY RECOMP FOR HIGH PERFORMERS: MY COACHING FRAMEWORK FOR BUILDING MUSCLE & LOSING FAT SIMULTANEOUSLY | EP. 202
Most people still think about physique transformation in black & white: you’re either cutting or you’re bulking.But in my coaching, I use a third strategy—body recomposition—when it’s the right client, at the right time, under the right conditions.This episode breaks down exactly how I coach recomp phases to help high performers improve both ends of the spectrum—gain muscle & lose fat at t
ERIC HELMS: APPLYING THE TRAINING VOLUME RESEARCH IN THE REAL WORLD | EP. 201
Training volume makes sense on paper. Applying it in the real world is where most lifters get stuck.In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Eric Helms for part two of our training volume discussion. In the previous episode, we broke down the research, dose-response relationships, and what the hypertrophy literature actually shows.Today, we shift to the applied side.We cover:HOW MUCH TRAINING VOLUME BOD
BODY RECOMPOSITION EXPLAINED: CAN YOU REALLY LOSE FAT & BUILD MUSCLE AT THE SAME TIME? | EP. 198
Body recomposition — the process of losing fat and building muscle simultaneously — is one of the most sought-after goals in all of fitness.But it’s also one of the most misunderstood.In this solo episode, I break down the science, physiology and strategy behind body recomposition and explain exactly what it takes to achieve it in the real world.WE COVER:WHAT BODY RECOMPOSITION REALLY IS & THE
ERIC HELMS: THE TRAINING VOLUME DEBATE: WHAT ACTUALLY BUILDS MUSCLE LONG-TERM | EP. 199
Training volume has become one of the most misunderstood and oversimplified topics in fitness.Over the last few years, there’s been a strong push toward low-volume training. It’s often framed as more efficient, more recoverable and even superior for long-term muscle growth.And while that idea sounds appealing, especially if you’re short on time, the science tells a more nuanced story. In this epis
13 LESSONS FROM 13 YEARS OF ONLINE COACHING | EP. 198
In this solo episode, I’m sharing 13 of the most important lessons I’ve learned after over a decade of coaching clients across all walks of life from IFBB pros to lifestyle clients, corporate execs, entrepreneurs, and fitness professionals.These lessons weren’t pulled from textbooks. They were earned through experience. Through the wins, the failures, the hard conversations, and the real-life tran
DERRICK VAN EVERY: THE SCIENCE OF BUILDING MUSCLE: MECHANISMS, MYTHS & MISCONCEPTIONS | EP. 197
Muscle hypertrophy is one of the most researched topics in exercise science. And yet, it’s still one of the most misunderstood.In this episode, I’m joined by exercise scientist and researcher Derrick Van Every, author of the 2025 review Load-Induced Human Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy: Mechanisms, Myths, and Misconceptions, to separate what actually drives muscle growth from what simply shows up alo
METABOLIC & PHYSIOLOGIC FLEXIBILITY: BUILDING A BODY THAT ADAPTS WITH DR. MIKE T. NELSON | EP. 196
Most people think of metabolic health as just managing blood sugar or burning fat efficiently but the ability to adapt to stress, perform under pressure, and recover from it all… that’s the true definition of a resilient body.On this episode of THE CHASING CLARITY HEALTH & FITNESS PODCAST, I’m joined once again by Dr. Mike T. Nelson to break down metabolic flexibility, physiologic flexibility,
WHY THE SCALE DOESN’T TELL THE WHOLE STORY SEX-SPECIFIC COACHING SERIES PART 2 EP. 19
Most women don’t struggle with fat loss because they’re doing something wrong. They struggle because they’ve been taught to judge progress using the wrong measurement. The scale reflects body weight, not body composition, and when you don’t understand what drives fluctuations, it’s easy to panic, overcorrect, and sabotage results.On this episode of THE CHASING CLARITY HEALTH & FITNESS PODCAST,
FEMALE FAT LOSS EXPLAINED: HOW I COACH WOMEN DIFFERENTLY | EP. 194
Most women don’t struggle with fat loss because they’re unmotivated or undisciplined. They struggle because they’ve been given the wrong strategy for their biology and they’ve been dieting from a suboptimal position where their body isn’t ready to lose fat in the first place.On this episode of THE CHASING CLARITY HEALTH & FITNESS PODCAST, I break down the physiological realities that make fat
SAM MILLER: THE FUNCTIONAL COACHING CRISIS | WHEN “HOLISTIC” BECOMES HARMFUL | EP. 193
Functional and “holistic” coaching is more popular than ever but a lot of people are walking away from these programs feeling more confused, more anxious, and more convinced that they are broken than when they started.On this episode of THE CHASING CLARITY HEALTH & FITNESS PODCAST, I sit down with Sam Miller to break down where functional coaching is going wrong, how fear based messaging and d
FAT LOSS OVER 40: THE TRUTH ABOUT FAT LOSS IN PERIMENOPAUSE & MENOPAUSE | THE SCIENCE & STRATEGIES BEHIND LONG LASTING PHYSIQUE CHANGE FOR WOMEN | EP 192
Women over 40 are constantly told that fat loss becomes impossible once they reach perimenopause or menopause. Social media is filled with claims that hormones prevent fat loss, that metabolism crashes and that weight loss resistance is inevitable. These messages create anxiety, confusion and frustration for women who feel like their bodies have stopped responding.In today’s episode, we cut throug
LYLE MCDONALD: METABOLISM & FAT LOSS FOR WOMEN 40 PLUS | THE TRUTH ABOUT MENOPAUSE & BODY COMP | EP 191
Women in their 40s and 50s are constantly targeted with misinformation around hormones, metabolism and fat loss. Social media is filled with claims that menopause crashes your metabolism, makes fat loss impossible and guarantees belly fat no matter what you do. These fragility narratives create fear and confusion and leave many women feeling frustrated and defeated.In this episode, I sit down with
LYLE MCDONALD: DEBUNKING THE BIGGEST NUTRITION, FAT LOSS & BODY COMP MYTHS TARGETING WOMEN | SEPARATING THE SCIENCE FROM THE BS SOLD ON SOCIAL MEDIA | EP. 190
Women are constantly targeted with confusing and fear based messaging around hormones, metabolism, and weight loss. Especially during perimenopause and menopause, misinformation spreads rapidly and leads many women to believe their bodies are broken or that fat loss is no longer possible.In this episode of the Chasing Clarity Health and Fitness Podcast, I sit down with Lyle McDonald to dismantle t
HOLIDAY NUTRITION BLUEPRINT: HOW TO ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS WITHOUT DERAILING YOUR GOALS | EP. 189
Most people see the holidays as an obstacle to progress, a time when all the hard work they’ve put in throughout the year gets undone. But the truth is, the holidays don’t have to derail your goals. With the right systems, structure, and mindset, you can enjoy the food, the people, and the season without losing the habits that drive long-term success.In this episode of the CHASING CLARITY HEALTH &
ERIC HELMS: FROM LIFESTYLE LEAN TO STAGE SHREDDED: COSTS, CONSEQUENCES & WHY YOU SHOULD NOT TRY TO WALK AROUND IN STAGE CONDITION YEAR-ROUND| EP. 188
Most people see stage shredded physiques on social media and assume they can or should walk around looking like that year round. What they do not see are the physiological costs, the metabolic adaptations, the low energy availability and the trade offs that come with pushing down to essential levels of body fat.In this episode of the CHASING CLARITY HEALTH & FITNESS PODCAST, I sit down with Dr
MAKING FAT LOSS FEEL EASIER: DIETARY FACTORS FOR MANAGING HUNGER & APPETITE | EP. 187
Hunger is the #1 challenge most people face when trying to lose body fat. It’s not that people don’t know they need to eat fewer calories, it’s that staying consistent in a deficit feels impossible when hunger and cravings take over.In this episode of the Chasing Clarity Health & Fitness Podcast, I’m breaking down the science of hunger and sharing practical, research-backed nutrition strategie
DR. MIKKI WILLIDEN: WHY FAT LOSS MAINTENANCE IS SO CHALLENGING & HOW TO APPROACH IT | EP. 186
On this week’s episode of the CHASING CLARITY HEALTH & FITNESS PODCAST, I’m joined by Dr. Mikki Williden to unpack one of the most overlooked but most important phases of any transformation, the maintenance phase.Losing fat can be challenging but keeping it off is the true test. Research shows that the majority of people who lose weight eventually regain it but that doesn’t have to be the case
LYLE MCDONALD: RAPID FAT LOSS EVOLVED- LYLE’S UPDATED APPROACH TO DROPPING BODY FAT FAST | EP. 185
On this week’s episode of the CHASING CLARITY HEALTH & FITNESS PODCAST, I’m joined once again by Lyle McDonald, one of the most influential voices in evidence-based nutrition and physique science.In this episode, we revisit and expand upon one of the most effective, misunderstood and highly structured approaches to accelerated fat loss: The Rapid Fat Loss Diet (RFL).Lyle breaks down his update
CALVIN SCHELLER: THE PHYSIOLOGY OF APPETITE: HOW HORMONES & FOOD CHOICES DRIVE HUNGER | EP. 184
On this week’s episode of the CHASING CLARITY: HEALTH & FITNESS PODCAST, I sat down with Calvin Scheller to break down one of the most misunderstood topics in nutrition: appetite regulation.We explore how your hormones, macronutrient intake, and food choices shape the way you experience hunger and why so many people struggle to feel full, even when they’re eating enough.This conversation goes
FATAL FAT LOSS MISTAKES: THE HIDDEN REASONS YOU’RE NOT LOSING BODY FAT | EP. 183
On this week’s episode of the CHASING CLARITY HEALTH & FITNESS PODCAST, I’m breaking down the fatal fat loss mistakes that stall progress, slow results, and keep you stuck spinning your wheels.These are the blind spots that make so many dieters think their metabolism is broken, when in reality, it’s their execution, tracking, or awareness that needs refining.We’ll cover the most common mistake
ERIC HELMS THE SCIENCE OF GETTING SHREDDED: RESEARCH-BACKED STRATEGIES TO MAXIMIZE FAT LOSS & MUSCLE RETENTION | EP. 182
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Eric Helms to break down the science & practical strategies behind getting super lean while holding onto hard-earned muscle.We cover:RATE OF LOSS THAT SHOULD BE TARGETED WHEN GETTING SUPER LEANAt the start of a Fat Loss Phase, calories are high, diet fatigue is low, and motivation is at its peak. Clients are also carrying more body fat at this stage, so the
MENSTRUAL CYCLE RESTORATION: NIKKI ZAHKA’S JOURNEY TO BETTER HEALTH, PERFORMANCE & METABOLIC RECOVERY | EP. 181
In this week’s episode of the Chasing Clarity Health & Fitness Podcast, I sit down with my client and former Division 1 athlete, fitness professional, and tech sales leader Nikki Zahka to unpack her journey from chronic under-fueling and hypothalamic amenorrhea to restoring her health, rebuilding her physiology, and achieving her best physique yet.We cover:NIKKI’S ATHLETIC HISTORYNIKKI’S PROFE
ERIC HELMS: INTUITIVE VS INFORMED EATING, REFEEDS & WHY LIVING THE FITNESS LIFESTYLE YEAR-ROUND MATTERS | EP. 180
On this week’s episode of the Chasing Clarity: Health & Fitness Podcast, I’m joined once again by Dr. Eric Helms, one of the most respected voices in evidence-based bodybuilding and nutrition.Eric and I dive into some of the most misunderstood yet important topics in physique development and lifestyle coaching, including:THE TRUTH ABOUT INTUITIVE EATING VS INFORMED EATING WHY MOST PHYSIQUE ATH
BUILDING A LEAN BODY FOR LIFE: THE TRAINING, CARDIO & MOVEMENT BLUEPRINT | EP. 179
Most people know how to lose weight. Almost nobody knows how to build and maintain a lean, muscular body year-round.In this episode of the Chasing Clarity Health & Fitness Podcast, I’m breaking down the exact training, cardio, and movement blueprint I use with clients to help them not just get lean but stay lean for life.We’ll cover:THE ROLE THAT MUSCLE PLAYS IN GETTING LEAN & STAYING LEAN
LYLE MCDONALD: PRESERVING MUSCLE & MANAGING HUNGER DURING RAPID FAT LOSS PHASES | EP. 178
In this week’s episode of the Chasing Clarity Health & Fitness Podcast, I’m back with Lyle McDonald for Part 2 of our conversation on Rapid Fat Loss.In part one, we broke down the foundations of RFL. Today, we shift gears into the practical side: how to actually run an aggressive fat loss phase without losing muscle or struggling with insatiable hunger. Here’s what we cover in this episode:W
HOW TO GET LEAN & STAY LEAN FOR LIFE: NUTRITIONAL PRINCIPLES THAT ACTUALLY WORK | EP. 177
Getting lean is one thing. Staying lean? That’s where most people struggle.In today’s episode, I walk you through the exact nutrition strategies and frameworks I use with clients to help them build and maintain a lean, healthy physique without falling into the cycle of crash dieting, burnout, or rebound fat regain.We’ll cover:THE BIG ROCKS OF NUTRITION: WHY CALORIES, MACROS & FOOD QUALITY ALL
RAPID FAT LOSS REVISITED: LYLE MCDONALD’S UPDATED INSIGHTS ON PROTEIN-SPARING MODIFIED FASTS | EP. 176
MOST PEOPLE HAVE HEARD OF “RAPID FAT LOSS” DIETS…BUT FEW UNDERSTAND THE SCIENCE BEHIND THEM.On this week’s episode of the CHASING CLARITY HEALTH & FITNESS PODCAST, I’m joined by none other than Lyle McDonald, author of The Rapid Fat Loss Handbook and one of the greatest thought leaders in evidence-based nutrition.Together, we dig into the origins, evolution, and practical application of Protei
DR. LAUREN COLENSO-SEMPLE: FIGHTING BACK AGAINST FEMALE-SPECIFIC FRAGILITY NARRATIVES | EP. 175
On this week’s episode of the CHASING CLARITY: HEALTH & FITNESS PODCAST, I sat down with Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple one of the top researchers in the field of female physiology to dismantle some of the most pervasive and misleading fragility narratives being pushed onto women in today’s fitness space.From the hype around cycle syncing…To the claim that women can’t build muscle without lifting h
LYLE MCDONALD: HOW TO MASTER LONG-TERM FAT LOSS MAINTENANCE | EP. 174
On this episode of the Chasing Clarity Health & Fitness Podcast, I sat down with renowned author Lyle McDonald to unpack the most overlooked and most important phase in any fat loss journey: maintenance.While most people know how to lose fat, very few know how to keep it off. That’s where this episode comes in.We dive deep into:WHEN & WHY TO TRANSITION TO MAINTENANCE (EVEN IF YOU HAVEN’T H
FAT LOSS Q&A: HOW TO MANAGE HUNGER, CRUSH CRAVINGS & IMPLEMENT DIET HACKS THAT ACTUALLY WORK WITH PHILIP PAPE OF WITS & WEIGHTS | EP. 173
If you’re struggling with hunger, cravings, or diet adherence during a fat loss phase, this is the episode for you. I team up with Philip Pape of Wits & Weights to break down the most common fat loss questions I get from clients and listeners.We cover the most effective, research-backed strategies to manage hunger, crush cravings, and implement diet hacks that actually work in the real world.
LYLE MCDONALD CRAVINGS 101: MYTHS, TRIGGERS & EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES TO TAKE BACK CONTROL OF YOUR EATING | EP. 172
On this episode of the Chasing Clarity Podcast, I team up with Lyle McDonald to unpack everything you need to know about cravings: what cravings really are, why they happen, and what actually works to manage them.TOPICS COVERED:WHY DO WE EXPERIENCE CRAVINGS?THE MOST PREVALENT MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE CAUSES OF CRAVINGS MISCONCEPTION #1: CRAVINGS ARE A SIGN OF A NUTRIENT DEFICIENCYMISCONCEPTION #2:
LYLE MCDONALD RETHINKING FLEXIBLE DIETING: THE EVOLUTION INTO FLEXIBLE EATING | EP. 171
In this episode, I’m joined by Lyle McDonald for a no-fluff deep dive into the evolution of “flexible dieting” and why he now calls it “flexible eating.” We break down the psychological roots of eating behavior and explore how cognitive rigidity and emotional conditioning can sabotage even the most well-intentioned nutrition plans.This episode ties together the physiology and psychology behind eat
HIGH ENERGY FLUX: THE EAT MORE MOVE MORE METHOD TO ACHIEVING & MAINTAINING A LEAN MUSCULAR PHYSIQUE & BETTER METABOLIC HEALTH | EP. 170
In this episode of the Chasing Clarity: Health & Fitness Podcast, I’m diving deep into one of the most powerful strategies I use to help clients get lean and stay lean without living on low calories or constantly battling diet fatigue.We’re talking all about the High Energy Flux Model also known as the eat more, move more method and why it’s one of the most sustainable and effective frameworks
DR. ERIC TREXLER: HOW YOUR METABOLISM ADJUSTS DURING WEIGHT LOSS & THE MOST EXTREME ACCOUNTS OF METABOLIC ADAPTATION EVER SEEN | EP. 169
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Eric Trexler — researcher and science communicator — to unpack the concept of metabolic adaptation from both a scientific and practical lens.We dive deep into how your body adjusts calorie expenditure, hormone levels, and hunger signals during a Fat Loss Phase and more importantly how to work with these changes, not fear them.Whether you’re a coach, a competitor,
FAT LOSS PHASE BLUEPRINT: HOW I COACH CLIENTS TO LOSE FAT, MAINTAIN MUSCLE & GET RESULTS THAT LAST | EP. 168
In this episode of the Chasing Clarity: Health & Fitness Podcast, I’m breaking down exactly how I coach Fat Loss Phases to help clients lose body fat, retain muscle, and maintain their results long after the deficit ends.This is the next step in my Health-Centric Coaching Series and it’s all about approaching fat loss with intention, strategy, and sustainability.Inside the episode, I cover:⁃ W
ALAN FLANAGAN & DANNY LENNON: SATURATED FAT, BLOOD LIPIDS & HEART DISEASE RISK: WHAT THE EVIDENCE REALLY SAYS | EP. 167
Saturated fat is one of the most controversial topics in nutrition and one of the most misunderstood. In this episode of the Chasing Clarity Podcast, I’m joined by Alan Flanagan and Danny Lennon of Sigma Nutrition Radio to break down what the science actually says about saturated fat, LDL cholesterol and heart disease.PART 1: WHAT SATURATED FAT DOES TO BLOOD LIPIDS⁃ WHY METABOLIC WARD STUDIES ARE
THE PRIMER PHASE: THE MISSING PIECE TO SUSTAINABLE FAT LOSS & PHYSIQUE PROGRESS | EP. 166
Before you jump into another Fat Loss Phase, you need to ask yourself one important question: Is your body actually ready to respond?In today’s episode, I’m breaking down one of the most overlooked but essential phases I use with clients before we ever touch a calorie deficit, The Primer Phase.This is the strategic “pre-fat loss” phase where we focus on rebuilding your body’s internal health, rest
FROM BURNOUT TO BALANCE: A COACHING JOURNEY BACK TO HEALTH & PHYSIQUE PROGRESS WITH IFBB PRO KARLEN CROUCH | EP. 165
In this episode, I’m joined by my client IFBB Pro Karlen Crouch to walk you through her journey from burnout to balance.After years of contest prep, chronic dieting and getting stage-lean year after year, Karlen came to me in a state of severe metabolic adaptation, hormonal disruption and adrenal dysfunction.Together, we took a health-first, periodized approach to restore her physiology and today,
THE POWER OF NUTRITIONAL PERIODIZATION: A PHASIC APPROACH TO PHYSIQUE PROGRESS | EP. 164
TOPICS:⁃ WHAT NUTRITIONAL PERIODIZATION IS & HOW SCIENCE DEFINES IT⁃ WHY NUTRITION SHOULD BE PERIODIZED JUST LIKE TRAINING⁃ THE BENEFITS OF A STRUCTURED, PHASE-BASED APPROACH TO PHYSIQUE TRANSFORMATION⁃ HOW I DESIGN GOAL-SPECIFIC PHASES TO DRIVE LONG-TERM RESULTS⁃ WHY STAYING IN ONE PHASE (LIKE FAT LOSS) TOO LONG STALLS PROGRESS⁃ MY PERIODIZED COACHING FRAMEWORK: PRIMER → FAT LOSS → METABOLIC
LYLE MCDONALD: CHALLENGING THE CONSTRAINED ENERGY MODEL — IS EXERCISE REALLY USELESS FOR BURNING CALORIES & LOSING FAT? | EP. 163
PODCAST TOPICS: THE CONSTRAINED MODEL OF ENERGY EXPENDITUREINTRODUCTION TO THE CONSTRAINED MODEL• Overview of Pontzer’s theory and Burn• Why this model gained popularity• Common misinterpretations of the modelCONSTRAINED VS ADDITIVE MODEL OF ENERGY EXPENDITURE• Definitions and key differences• Origins of the theory (Pontzer’s 2012 Hadza study)• Why these models matter for fat loss and real-world c
MY HEALTH-CENTRIC COACHING MODEL: THE PRINCIPLES & FRAMEWORK BEHIND MY COACHING | EP. 162
A Health-Centric Coaching Model: Why a Healthy Body Is a Responsive BodyIn this solo episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the exact coaching model I use to help clients look, feel and perform at their best not just temporarily, but for the long haul.After 15+ years in the fitness industry, I’ve come to one undeniable truth:A HEALTHY BODY IS A RESPONSIVE BODYThis episode breaks down the seven h
THE WHY BEHIND THE WORK: WHO I AM, WHY I COACH & THE CLIENTS I SERVE | EP. 161
In this solo episode, Brandon DaCruz, accredited nutritionist and online physique coach pulls back the curtain and walks you through the personal journey, career path and coaching philosophy that have shaped his work over the past 15+ years in the fitness industry.You’ll hear the story behind how Brandon went from under-fueling as a young athlete to becoming a nationally published fitness model, c
MICROS MATTER TOO: THE PREVALENCE OF NUTRIENT INSUFFICIENCY & THE IMPORTANCE OF MICRONUTRIENTS WITH DR. CLIFF HARVEY | EP. 160
TOPICS:⁃ DEFINING NUTRIENT INSUFFICIENCY⁃ WHAT DO WE ACTUALLY MEAN BY NUTRIENT INSUFFICIENCY & HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM FULL-BLOWN DEFICIENCY?⁃ WHY ARE WE SEEING SUCH WIDESPREAD INADEQUACY IN ESSENTIAL VITAMINS & MINERALS EVEN AMONG ACTIVE INDIVIDUALS?⁃ WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TOP MICRONUTRIENTS ATHLETES TEND TO FALL SHORT ON & WHY?⁃ LIFESTYLE FACTORS THAT WORSEN THESE NUTRIENT INSUFFICIE
METABOLIC RATE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN WOMEN & MEN- WHY WOMEN BURN FEWER CALORIES AT REST: SEX DIFFERENCES SERIES PART 3 | EP. 159
TOPICS:⁃ WHAT IS RESTING METABOLIC RATE (RMR)?⁃ SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ON SEX-BASED DIFFERENCES IN RMR⁃ WHY MEN BURN MORE CALORIES AT REST⁃ DEBUNKING THE “FEMININE METABOLISM” MYTH⁃ THE ROLE OF LEAN MASS IN INFLUENCING RMR⁃ HOW TO PRACTICALLY INFLUENCE YOUR RMRWHERE TO CONNECT WITH ME:Follow Brandon on IG: https://www.instagram.com/brandondacruz_/Email: Bdacruzfitness@gmail.comFor Info on Brandon’s C
STUBBORN BODY FAT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEN & WOMEN: SEX DIFFERENCES SERIES PART 2 | EP. 158
TOPICS:⁃ HOW STUBBORN BODY FAT DIFFERS BETWEEN SEXES⁃ WHY IT’S HARDER TO LOSE FAT IN CERTAIN REGIONS THAN OTHERS⁃ HOW BETA & ALPHA ADRENERIC RECEPTORS INFLUENCE FAT BREAKDOWN & FAT LOSS⁃ THE ROLE CATECHOLAMINES PLAY IN THE FAT LOSS PROCESS⁃ THE SCIENCE OF STUBBORN BODY FAT⁃ HOW BLOOD FLOW INFLUENCES LIPOLYSIS & FAT LOSS⁃ HOW DIFFERENCES IN HORMONES BETWEEN SEXES INFLUENCES FAT STORAGE
DIFFERENCES IN BODY FAT DISTRIBUTION, FAT LOSS, FAT STORAGE & FAT USE BETWEEN MEN & WOMEN: SEX DIFFERENCES SERIES PART 1 | EP. 157
TOPICS:⁃ INTRO TO A NEW PODCAST SERIES⁃ THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF FAT WE CARRY⁃ SEX DIFFERENCES IN BODY FAT DISTRIBUTION⁃ SEX DIFFERENCES IN FAT STORAGE & FAT GAIN⁃ SEX DIFFERENCES IN POST-MEAL FAT STORAGE⁃ DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MALES & FEMALES IN TERMS OF HOW THEY BURN FAT & RESTORE EXCESS FATTY ACIDS INTO FAT CELLS⁃ SEX DIFFERENCES IN FAT USE DURING EXERCISE⁃ SEX DIFFERENCES IN FAT GAIN,
LYLE MCDONALD GLP-1 MASTERCLASS: A DEEP DIVE INTO ANTI-OBESITY DRUGS | EP. 156
TOPICS:⁃ WHAT IS GLP-1 & GIP? WHAT ARE THE MECHANISMS BY WHICH THEY HELP WITH WEIGHT LOSS?⁃ CAN WE GO OVER THE CURRENT ANTI-OBESITY MEDICATIONS AVAILABLE AS WELL AS THE ONES THAT WILL BE RELEASED WITHIN THE NEXT FEW YEARS⁃ LIRAGLUTIDE⁃ SEMAGLUTIDE⁃ TIRZEPATIDE⁃ RETRATUTIDE⁃ CAGRISEMA⁃ BIMAGRUMAB⁃ SEX DIFFERENCES IN RESPONSE TO GLP-1 RA’S⁃ WHY WOMEN LOSE FASTER & MORE WEIGHT ON GLP-1’S⁃ WHA
THE BENEFITS OF DROPPING BODY FAT | EP. 155
TOPICS:⁃ INTRO TO THE BENEFITS OF DROPPING BODY FAT⁃ HOW MUCH WEIGHT DO YOU NEED TO LOSE TO SEE SIGNIFICANT HEALTH BENEFITS⁃ THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF 5-10% WEIGHT LOSS⁃ RESEARCH ON THE SIGNIFICANT BENEFITS & IMPROVEMENTS THAT MODEST WEIGHT LOSS CAN HAVE ON METABOLIC HEALTH MARKERS⁃ THE IMPACTS OF WEIGHT LOSS ON INSULIN SENSITIVITY, BLOOD SUGAR CONTROL & THE RISK OF TYPE 2 DIABETES⁃ THE IMPAC
LYLE MCDONALD: FEMALE FAT LOSS | EP. 154
TOPICS COVERED ON THIS PODCAST:⁃ THE MOST COMMON FAT LOSS MISTAKES WOMEN MAKE⁃ SEX DIFFERENCES THAT MAKE FAT LOSS MORE DIFFICULT FOR WOMEN⁃ WHY WOMEN LOSE WEIGHT SLOWER THAN MEN⁃ DIFFERENCES IN FAT LOSS & MUSCLE LOSS BETWEEN SEXES⁃ WHY WOMEN ARE MORE PREDIPOSED TOWARDS EXPERIENCING NEGATIVE EFFECTS FROM VERY LOW-CALORIE DIETING?⁃ LOW ENERGY AVAILABILITYWHERE TO CONNECT WITH ME:Follow Brandon o
ARE MOST PEOPLE OVERFAT OR UNDERMUSCLED? BREAKING DOWN THE FACTS ON THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF CARRYING EXCESS BODY FAT | EP. 153
TOPICS:⁃ INTRO TO THE QUESTION AS TO WHETHER THE ISSUE IS EXCESS BODY FAT OR INSUFFICIENT MUSCLE MASS⁃ OUR CURRENT OVERWEIGHT & OBESITY STATS⁃ WHAT IS THE AVERAGE BODY FAT PERCENTAGE OF AMERICANS?⁃ WHAT IS A HEALTHY LEVEL OF BODY FAT FOR MEN & WOMEN?⁃ HOW MUCH WEIGHT ARE PEOPLE GAINING ON AVERAGE EACH YEAR?⁃ HOW THE AVERAGE CALORIE INTAKE, ACTIVITY LEVELS & EXERCISE LEVELS OF INDIVIDUA
DR. MARTIN REFALO: SEX DIFFERENCES IN MUSCLE GROWTH & TRAINING TO FAILURE VERSUS KEEPING REPS IN RESERVE | EP. 152
TOPICS:⁃ SEX DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MALES & FEMALES⁃ MARTIN’S NEW RESEARCH LOOKING AT SEX DIFFERENCES IN MUSCLE GROWTH OUTCOMES FROM RESISTANCE TRAINING BETWEEN MALES & FEMALES⁃ REASONS AS TO WHY MANY FEMALES DO NOT MAXIMIZE THEIR MUSCLE GROWTH POTENTIAL⁃ MARTIN’S STUDY ON TRAINING TO FAILURE VERSUS 1-2 RIR⁃ PRACTICAL APPLICATION & TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS RESEARCHWHERE TO CONNECT WITH ME:Foll
THE NUMBER ONE NUTRITION MISTAKE HOLDING YOU BACK FROM DROPPING BODY FAT & HINDERING YOUR ABILITY TO GET LEAN & STAY LEAN | EP. 151
TOPICS:⁃ THE NUMBER ONE NUTRITION MISTAKE HOLDING YOU BACK FROM DROPPING BODY FAT⁃ THE ISSUES CAUSED BY UNDERESTIMATING, UNDERREPORTING & INACCURATELY TRACKING YOUR CALORIE INTAKE⁃ EVERY CALORIE COUNTS DURING A FAT LOSS PHASE EVEN IF YOU DON’T COUNT THEM⁃ HABITS & ITEMS THAT MOST NEGLECT TO TRACK⁃ HOW COMMON IS IT TO UNDERREPORT OUR CALORIE INTAKE?⁃ NEW RESEARCH ON THE INACCURACY OF SELF-R
HOW MUCH PROTEIN SHOULD YOU EAT DURING A FAT LOSS PHASE? | EP. 150
TOPICS:⁃ THE BENEFITS OF HIGH PROTEIN DIETS⁃ WHY PROTEIN INTAKE MAY NEED TO SCALE UP WHEN WE’RE IN A DEFICIT⁃ HOW BEING IN A DEFICIT IMPACTS MUSCLE PROTEIN SYNTHESIS & MUSCLE PROTEIN BREAKDOWN LEVELS⁃ BREAKING DOWN THE NEWEST SYSTEMATIC REVIEW & META-REGRESSION⁃ PRACTICAL APPLICATIONWHERE TO CONNECT WITH ME:Follow Brandon on IG: https://www.instagram.com/brandondacruz_/Email: Bdacruzfitnes
DR. SCOTT STEVENSON NUTRIENT TIMING MASTERCLASS: HOW TO FUEL YOURSELF TO ENHANCE PERFORMANCE & FACILITATE RECOVERY | EP. 149
TOPICS:⁃ INTRODUCTION TO THE SHOW⁃ WHAT IS NUTRIENT TIMING & PERI-WORKOUT NUTRITION?⁃ PRE-WORKOUT NUTRITION⁃ WHAT MACROS SHOULD BE PRIORITIZED PRIOR TO TRAINING?⁃ WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PRE-WORKOUT FUELING?⁃ EVIDENCE ON PRE-WORKOUT NUTRITION⁃ INTRA-WORKOu UT NUTRITION⁃ WHAT’RE THE BENEFITS OF USING AN INTRA-WORKOUT DRINK?⁃ HOW INTRA-WORKOUT CARBS INFLUENCE CORTISOL LEVELS⁃ EVIDENCE ON INTRA-
THE MISCONSTRUED SCIENCE OF MENSTRUAL CYCLE SYNCING | EP. 148
TOPICS:⁃ WHAT IS MENSTRUAL CYCLE SYNCING⁃ THE MAIN LIMITATIONS OF THIS APPROACH⁃ LIMITATION 1: USES THE TEXTBOOK 28 DAY MENSTRUAL CYCLE WHICH MANY WOMEN DO NOT HAVE⁃ LIMITATION 2: THE THEORY BEHIND WHY WOMEN SHOULDN’T TRAIN INTENSELY IN THEIR LUTEAL PHASE IS BASED ON MECHANISTIC DATA IN RODENTS NOT OUTCOME DATA IN HUMANS⁃ LIMITATION 3: SEX HORMONE FLUCTUATIONS ACROSS THE CYCLE OFTEN DO NOT SIGNIFI
DR. ALLAN BACON: DECONSTRUCTING PREVALENT SOCIAL MEDIA MYTHS & FRAGILITY NARRATIVES AROUND CYCLE SYNCING, MENOPAUSE, AUTOPHAGY, FASTING & CARNIVORE | EP. 147
TOPICS:⁃ RIDICULOUS TRENDS, APPROACHES, PROTOCOLS & FRAGILITY NARRATIVES THAT ARE TARGETED AT WOMEN⁃ MENSTRUAL CYCLE SYNCING⁃ BODY COMPOSITION CHANGES DURING THE MENOPAUSE TRANSITION⁃ AUTOPHAGY & FASTING⁃ CARNIVORE DIET
WHERE TO CONNECT WITH ME:
Follow Brandon on IG: https://www.instagram.com/brandondacruz_/
Email: Bdacruzfitness@gmail.com
For Info on Brandon’s Coaching, Consultation &
THE MOST EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING METABOLIC FLEXIBILITY, INSULIN SENSITIVITY & METABOLIC HEALTH | EP. 146
TOPICS COVERED:⁃ NUTRITION FOR METABOLIC FLEXIBILITY⁃ HOW YOUR DIET & HORMONES IMPACT WHAT MACROS YOU USE FOR ENERGY & YOUR DEGREE OF METABOLIC FLEXIBILITY⁃ STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING METABOLIC FLEXIBILITY, PERFORMANCE & BODY COMPOSITION PROGRESS⁃ STRATEGY 1: USE CALORIE & CYCLING TO IMPROVE METABOLIC FLEXIBILITY, PERFORMANCE & FAT LOSS⁃ STRATEGY 2: USE NUTRIENT TIMING TO FUEL FO
ACHIEVING OPTIMAL BODY COMPOSITION & METABOLIC HEALTH THROUGH IMPROVING METABOLIC FLEXIBILITY | EP. 145
TOPICS COVERED:⁃ DEFINING THE CONCEPT OF METABOLIC FLEXIBILITY⁃ THE IMPORTANT ROLE METABOLIC FLEXIBILITY PLAYS IN OPTIMIZING TRAINING PERFORMANCE, BODY COMPOSITION & METABOLIC HEALTH⁃ THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FAT BURNING & FAT LOSS⁃ WHEN WE WANT TO USE FAT FOR ENERGY VERSUS WHEN WE WANT TO USE CARBS FOR ENERGY⁃ THE BENEFITS OF BEING METABOLICALLY FLEXIBLE⁃ CURRENT STATS ON METABOLIC HEALTH⁃
JOE JEFFERY: FEMALE PED USE, TRT & GH THERAPY & MAXIMIZING MUSCLE GAIN WHILE MINIMIZING FAT ACCRUAL | EP. 144
TOPICS COVERED:⁃ BIGGEST MISTAKES MANY MAKE WHEN IT COMES TO FEMALE PED USE⁃ WHY ANAVAR SHOULD NOT BE YOUR FIRST CYCLE AS A FEMALE⁃ WHAT CONTRIBUTES MOST TO VIRILIZATION; DOSE OR DURATION?⁃ THE BENEFITS OF ESTROGEN⁃ THE POTENTIAL DRAWBACKS OF CRUSHING ESTRADIOL⁃ WHAT TO FOCUS ON WHEN LOOKING TO REGAIN YOUR CYCLE POST-CONTEST⁃ HRT CONSIDERATIONS FOR WOMEN⁃ TRT FOR WOMEN⁃ GH FOR WOMEN⁃ SEX DIFFERENC
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