50% Facts
A podcast that examines how health, fitness, nutrition, mental health, and sex are portrayed in popular culture, including movies and social media, and how those portrayals are often distorted. Veteran podcaster Jim McDonald hosts discussions with guests from the worlds of weights, fitness, entertainment, and sports. Jim is the owner of Third Street Barbell in Sacramento, CA. The show also features co-host Mike "Silent Mike" Farr through mid-2025.
Episodes
Scrooged! (1988)| 50% Facts Holiday Special Review | Guest cohost Josh Hajar
In this conversation, Jim and Josh discuss the Christmas movie 'Scrooge'd', reflecting on its nostalgic value, Bill Murray's career, and the themes of corporate greed and morality. They explore the film's impact on their childhood memories, the casting choices, and how it compares to other holiday films. The discussion also delves into character development, relationships, and the film's overall m
Creating safe outlets for coping with trauma| Guest: firefighter Chad Dillon
In this conversation, Jim McDonald and firefighter Chad Dillon delve into deeper topics surrounding mental health, community, and self-expression through photography and music. They discuss Chad's journey from firefighting to founding the nonprofit, Ruted Above, aimed at fostering community connections and safe spaces for expression. The conversation highlights the importance of therapy, the impac
Die Hard 2: Die Harder | Holiday Film Fest | Guest co-host Josh Hajjar
In something of an annual tradition, the Holiday Film Fest is back with this Christmas flick for Thanksgiving. Yes, Die Hard 2 is a Christmas movie! In this film, detective John McClane (Bruce Willis) tries to stop a terrorist plot at Washington D.C.'s Dulles International Airport on Christmas Eve. After the incident at Nakatomi Plaza, it’s fair to wonder if this guy can ever catch a break.If not
Paul Oneid | From Injury to Strength
In this conversation, Jim and Paul Oneid discuss the current state of gyms post-pandemic, sharing insights on the challenges faced by gym owners and members alike. They delve into Paul's personal journey of injury recovery after a severe quad injury, exploring the innovative rehabilitation techniques he employed. The discussion also highlights the importance of foundational training and the long-t
Larry Wheels with John Gaglione | The Power of Resilience
This is something of a follow-up to episode 491 with John Gaglione about the training environment. This time, Larry Wheels, who was coached by John and has become an iconic figure in the fitness world, joins (from Russia!).In this conversation, Larry Wheels Williams discusses his journey in powerlifting, emphasizing the importance of resilience, communication, and mental preparation. He reflects o
Mission-driven Fitness | Guest Kevin Meier (@purebullfit)
In this conversation, Jim McDonald speaks with Kevin Meier, a former Marine, video game character, and fitness coach, about his journey from military service to the fitness industry. Kevin has survived and learned to cope with a devastating accidental injury.Through his employment at Blizzard Entertainment, he met someone who was critical to recovering his strength and physical capabilities. He al
John Gaglione: The Evolution of Powerlifting Culture
John Gaglione joins to discuss the evolution of powerlifting, coaching philosophies, and the importance of community in strength training. They explore the challenges of weight loss expectations, the significance of performance goals, and the shift in training approaches over the years. John shares his experiences in bodybuilding and the impact it had on his powerlifting journey, while also emphas
Comedian Nick Scopoletti
Comedian (and personal training manager) Nick Scopoletti returns to chat about growing his comedy career, working with Lisa Lampanelli, managing personal trainers, and how his personal warmth has been kind of a cheat code. You can find Nick on Instagram @nickscopes https://www.instagram.com/nickscopes/ and as Lisa Lampanelli’s sidekick on her podcast, Shrink This https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podc
Things that make dieting hard (plus some influencers who are getting it right)| Guest: Jerry Molinero
Jerry Molinero, one of our trainers here at Third Street Barbell, joins to talk about losing over 100 lbs and some of the habits, foods, and situations that make dieting harder. We also discuss a few influencers we think are getting it right on social media. You can find him on Instagram @jerrykilos https://www.instagram.com/jerrykilosJoin our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check o
Navigating Parenthood and Performance | Guest: Jonathan Gregg
In this conversation, Jim McDonald and Jonathan Gregg explore a variety of themes, including parenting, the dynamics of living in New York City, the journey of performance and acting, mental health, and the impact of social media on personal identity. They discuss the importance of authenticity, the role of anger in society, and the significance of personal growth. The conversation also touches on
David Thomas Tao
David Tao returns to the show to take us inside the world of theater production and spirits (not the BOO!) kind. Following up his role as the successful CEO of Barbend.com, David has taken on two new roles he’s passionate about: producing theater in New York, and writing about spirits – primarily whiskey and bourbon. He discusses the role of a producer and gives us an inside view of the process of
Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser | 50% Facts Review
From 2009 to 2020, The Biggest Loser was a phenomenon. A huge cultural moment.What it wasn’t, however, was a show about healthy lifestyles and healthy weight loss. Netflix’s Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser examines what it was like for some contestants on the show and some members of the production. The push to keep the show in the spotlight wreaked havoc on lives, relationships, and
The inside scoop on rehabbing an on-the-job injury | Guests: Ammar Alhaidar and Mohammed Rashed
Our gym, Third Street Barbell, is blessed to have three physical therapy providers as members at the moment. Ammar and Moe work together in a clinic that treats patients covered by workers comp insurance. Are the metrics of physical therapy success different when return to work is the goal?You can find Ammar on Instagram @ammar_alhaidar https://www.instagram.com/ammar_alhaidar and Moe at @thebuff
Getting older but getting stronger | Guest: Ralph Caggiano
Some things definitely diminish with age, but the need for strength is not among them. After being introduced to designing fitness training for others in the Coast Guard and a career in the California Highway Patrol, Ralph Caggiano turned to helping clients get stronger as they age. While he does train clients of all ages, he specializes in older clients and their specific needs. You can find Ral
Journey to bodybuilding | Guest: Riley Corbett
Unlike some powerlifters who turn to bodybuilding, Riley always knew it was something he wanted to do. Other goals and priorities simply got in the way. When the opportunity came to leave construction work and retail management for personal training, he jumped in with both feet. Riley is our head trainer at Third Street Barbell. He shares the story of his journey to the stage in this episode.You c
What should powerlifters eat to maximize performance? | Guest: Dan Feldman, RD
Powerlifter and Registered Dietitian Dan Feldman guests this episode to break down some nutrition strategies for competitive powerlifters. Is a crazy amount of protein necessary? Are carbs around workouts good or bad?You can find Dan on Instagram @powerlifterdietitian https://www.instagram.com/powerlifterdietitian/. Shoot him a follow.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out o
USAPL calls out the IPF on drug testing | Guest co-host: Josh Hajar
The former International Powerlifting Federation affiliate representing the United States, the USAPL, took to instagram recently to criticize the integrity of its drug testing program through WADA. The post using quotes from Olympic athletes casting doubt on some actions made by the testing agency. This is significant because a disagreement over the frequency of testing through WADA caused the USA
The keys to fitness for executives | Guest: Justin Wright
Justin Wright is a sales executive who found himself in a position that’s all too common for executives: overweight and out of shape. Work stress, the demands of travel and entertaining, inconsistent diet, family responsibilities, etc., had taken control. He felt that he had to take it back. So, he lost 60 pounds, got jacked, and along the way, he leveraged his background in science into a system
The “Okayest Coach” on finding purpose as a male military spouse and the essentials of good coaching | Guest: Toby Ralph
Toby spent a decade as a first responder -- with all the stress and hazards those careers entail. Then, he left it all behind to marry a woman with a military career. Military families are used to not having control of a lot of the conditions of their lives, especially where they live and what kinds of jobs are available to spouses. A lifelong interest in fitness led to the kind of flexible work t
The Voices of Men (2020) | Men’s mental health documentary | 50% Facts Review
Just a couple of days past the official Men’s Mental Health Month, we take a look at a short, but powerful documentary available on YouTube, “The Voices of Men.” It was produced in the UK and is driven by men telling their personal stories of struggle with mental health conditions such as depression and PTSD. Their faces are never seen, and their identities are never revealed. No doubt their words
Untold: The Fall of Favre (2025) | 50% Facts Review
Some athletes are made for super stardom on the field of play, but truly fumble in their personal lives. Brett Favre is one of them. From dick pic scandals to alleged fraud, Farve tarnished his legacy with a series of seemingly boneheaded moves. This Netflix documentary series takes a sharply critical look at one of the game’s best quarterbacks, one who maybe never understood how good he had it, a
What to look for in a good physical therapist (or coach)? Guest: PT Dr. Patrick Bell
At Third Street Barbell, we’re lucky enough to have three physical therapists as members. Jim’s been working with Patrick Bell on a shoulder injury and has been very impressed with his knowledge and how he structures and communicates his rehab exercise selections. Since Patrick’s clients are mainly online, we thought it would be good to chat with him about what makes a good physical therapy (and c
Why don’t lifters share a bar anymore? Guest: Jacob Ross
Jacob Ross joins Jim to take on the question, “Why do so many lifters resist training in groups in the current age of powerlifting?” We also cover Jacob’s time working with the South Sudanese Olympic Basketball team in Paris for the Olympics last year. We also share stories of gym ownership (Jacob owns Be Better Barbell with Tom Kallas outside Chicago). You can find him at @jacob.w.ross on Instag
Josh Hajar: Staying positive, beating cancer, and losing over 100 lbs
Mike is out of town, so Jim brought in one of Third Street Barbell’s most consistent and inspirational members, Josh Hajar.Josh is an emergency department nurse who faced a harrowing fight with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and then suffered an injury that set back his recovery and fitness goals. When he arrived at Third Street, he was finally ready to execute a winning game plan for losing weight and g
Netflix’s How to Change Your Mind (2022) | Review
Psychedelics in psychotherapy. That’s the theme of this four-part documentary from Netflix. Can psychedelics break damaging thought patterns and allow people to heal from depression and trauma? This doc series would like to prove that they at least hold promise to do that. We cover episodes #1 (LSD) and #3 (MDMA).(Interesting, very recent twist: researchers have altered LSD to make it helpful to t
Netflix’s Untold: The Liver King | Review
Netflix’s Untold documentary series takes a look at the phenomenon of The Liver King. Purportedly already a multi-millionaire, Brian Johnson launched a muscular social media and YouTube presence as a “primal” influencer who used raw organ meats, including testicles, rather than steroids to build his crazy physique. He amassed a huge following and reaped more revenue for his supplement company, but
The IPF reverses on stiff knee sleeves plus World’s Strongest Man quiz
Under pressure from, well, pretty much everyone, it appears the IPF will allow stiff knee sleeves through the end of 2026. World’s Strongest Man is back in Sacramento this week, just about a mile from our gym. We take a look at the history of WSM and take an online trivia quiz.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com ht
The Way Down rewind | Examining media about cults
We’ve been talking about cults and how they’re covered in the media. Back in 2021, we looked at the HBO documentary series “The Way Down: God, Greed and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin” on a couple of episodes. It is about a crazy, scary religious cult. This week, Mike’s under the weather, and we haven’t had a chance to record, so this seems like a good time to present these episodes again as one.As a r
How YouTubers covered the downfall of a Scientologist’s skateboard channel | Examining media about cults
The founder of the biggest YouTube skateboarding channel is a Scientologist. Has that fact become public, explaining the channel's drop in popularity over the past few years? Was it the money he spent climbing the rungs of this cult (and not on his skaters and staff)? Or was it just the normal life cycle of a YouTube channel?Rather than reviewing a documentary, this time we’re examining the handli
Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief (2015)| Review | Examining media about cults
We’re taking a closer look at a topic that we’ve touched on briefly before: Media covering the effects and inner workings of cults. The HBO documentary Going Clear is one of the most recognizable documentaries about the Church of Scientology. Celebrities like Tom Cruise have deep ties to this cult that was founded by prolific author L. Ron Hubbard. Some interesting aspects of this belief system a
Getting stiffed by knee sleeves : The politics of IPF approval
A couple of episodes ago, we talked about a dramatic change in leadership at the International Powerlifting Federation. The latest wrinkle is that the federation has recently notified the manufacturers of “stiff” knee sleeves that their products are banned from use in competition – immediately. Is the IPF being fair to manufacturers or its members? What prompted this sudden change? Mike offers so
Hungry for Change (2012) | A 50% Facts Review
A stroll back 13 years in time takes us to a very “well-reviewed” nutrition documentary that ultimately only delivers a laundry list of fear appeals, misinformation, and pro-vegan propaganda. Not that there’s anything wrong with being a vegan, but getting there because you’ve been told that every other way of eating is somehow dangerous is kind of a cheap way to do it. Sugar is the poison, but so
IPF drama at the top, AI stealing jobs at the bottom?
We take a stab at which jobs AI might eliminate (do you want your drive-through order taken by a bot?). Plus, the long-time IPF president resigned suddenly a few weeks ago. Is there any situation where a quick exit from a top position like that doesn’t mean really bad things have happened? Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStree
Court of Gold | Netflix Documentary | Olympic Basketball (2025) | A 50% Facts Review
The 5-part Netflix Documentary Court of Gold chronicles the 2024 Olympic Basketball tournament in Paris. It’s obviously a love letter to the gold medalist US team, but more specifically, Kevin Durrant, Steph Curry, and to a lesser extent, LeBron James. The episodes follow the tournament's progression and highlight a few of the other national teams along the way. The series features several insight
Generation Iron: Natty 4 Life (2020) | A 50% Facts Review
The third sequel to the bodybuilding documentary Generation Iron is all about the natties. It follows a group of competitors during the countdown to the Natural Olympia of 2019. Will natural bodybuilding ever gain the kind of traction that its “enhanced” counterpart does? And are the competitors really drug-free? Several commentators in the film cast doubt on that. Dean Saddoris @deansaddoris.ck
Would you rather live under the ocean or on the moon?| One Good Question
We’re pulling from our backlog of short, unreleased One Good Question episodes to fill this week’s gap in scheduling due to travel. This time, we tackle a listener question that’s pretty philosophical in nature: Would you rather live under the ocean or on the moon. After a bit of detour into stupid moon landing conspiracies, we finally offer up our answers. Back to regular programming next week!
CT Fletcher: My Magnificent Obsession (2015) | A 50% Facts Review
The “Superman from Compton” took YouTube in the 20-teens by way of a video called “The Strongest Man You’ve Never Heard Of.” Who was this man who “commanded” his arms to grow and reminded us over and over that it was indeed still our set?This documentary sketches a portrait of a man whose great personal warmth can’t be obscured by his sometimes rough and compromising demeanor. A man who took a dif
Generation Iron (2013) | A 50% Facts Review
This documentary, the first from Generation Iron, covers the runup to the 2012 Mr. Olympia bodybuilding contest. Phil Heath is a repeat winner, but Kai Greene is pushing him hard. A number of other well-known competitors are also hoping to dominate the Olympia stage. Do any of them have a chance against “The Gift?” Dean Saddoris @deansaddoris.ck chops it up with us again. Join our Discord for f
Is powerlifting in a slump?
Have you noticed that powerlifting is experiencing a bit of a dip in popularity? We have. What might be the cause? We kick around some possibilities. Is the last wave of lifters starting to age out and move on to other hobbies? Is it turmoil among the federations? How do other hobby sports maintain their popularity? Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third S
Ronnie Coleman: The King (2018) | A 50% Facts Review
This documentary from Generation Iron recaps the career of 8-time Mr. Olympia, Ronnie Coleman, as he prepares for yet another back surgery. While we don’t gain a lot new information, it’s a nostalgic look at some of the most iconic training footage from his long Olympia run, along with a painful chronical of his current, painful condition and his love of family. Dean Saddoris @deansaddoris.ck ch
Generation Flex | A 50% Facts Review
This documentary from Men’s Health tells us that body dysmorphia is running rampant among teenage boys in America. It follows four teens who take “extreme” measures to try to match the body images they see on social media (sorta). Then, the video takes a turn into a “debate” about supplements for some reason. This doc is pretty aimless and pointless, but we had fun tearing it apart. Dean Saddori
Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever |A 50% Facts Review
Bryan Johnson, former head of the firm that owned Venmo (and sold it to Paypal), is obsessed with slowing down his aging process. Is there anything he won’t try toward that end? Dozens of daily vitamins, nearly religious workouts, red laser masks, and even experimental gene splicing are all in play. This Netflix documentary attempts to explain his motivations and the sharp contrast between the man
Weight Loss Island and East Coast travels
And we’re back with a fresh 2025 episode! Mike headed to Florida to coach three streamers to losing 25 lbs each while streaming 24 hours a day from "Weigh Loss Island." Jim went to Canada for some family time, and to NYC for some shows, including a spot in the audience for a Stephen Colbert taping. Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at
If you could start a business with zero risk, what would it be?
We’ve still had some holiday and non-holiday travel going on, so we’re dipping into the vault again for a One Good Question episode to fill the gap. FRESH 2025 EPISODE NEXT WEEK. A listener asked, “If you could start a business with zero risk, what would it be?” We had to make a call about whether this meant that you’d automatically succeed (boring) or it was with someone else’s money, and there
How to make new friends in the gym?
We’ve got some holiday and non-holiday travel going on, so we’re dipping into the vault for a couple of One Good Question episodes to fill the gap. A lot of people are joining gyms at this time of year. Some for the first time. Gyms can make you feel isolated…or part of a community. How do you approach other gym members to make new friends or become part of a community? Are some types of gyms bet
Do vegans crave meat?
We’ve got some holiday and non-holiday travel going on, so we’re dipping into the vault for a couple of One Good Question episodes to fill the gap. This episode features one of our gym members who is a practicing vegan, Nick Squires, sharing some more about how he transitioned from being an ardent meat eater to being a vegan. Since this is the time of year that some people make radical diet chang
Top Fitness Trends for 2025
It’s a new year, and it’s time once again to examine at least one publication’s ideas for fitness trends in the coming year. This time, we tapped into a more serious -- and less pop culture – source: the American Council on Exercise.Let us know on our Discord or in YouTube comments if you agree or disagree with the list and/or our takes on it. Dean Saddoris @deansaddoris.ck is back for this one.
Lethal Weapon (1987) | A 50% Facts Review
Is this the most Christmas movie of our little film festival? Probably. Is it even better that we’re dropping it on Christmas Day? For sure! Mel Gibson and Danny Glover starred in one of the first really great buddy cop movies. Will they catch the bad guys before Gibson offs himself?Did Rorion Gracie choreograph one of the craziest fight scenes ever? Dean Saddoris @deansaddoris.ck is back for t
Just a quick little break in the action
Well, we had some confusion about the movie we were planning to cover on that day, a guest who couldn’t make it, and an acute shortage of time. So, we punted with a quick discussion about the state of streaming services, a crazy old music video, and thoughts on handling public accusations. Next week, Lethal Weapon (and a bit of Rocky IV).Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) | A 50% Facts Review | Christmas, not Christmas
There’s a Christmas in the first Harry Potter? Yes! Three of the eight films include a bit of Christmas. This one seems to show Harry’s first Christmas gifts ever. There are a ton of other firsts as well. This film set the tone for the seven films that followed and wove itself into kids' consciousness everywhere. If Harry is truly a special kid, why does nobody listen to him? Dean Saddoris @dea
Die Hard (1988) | A 50% Facts Review | Christmas, not Christmas
So, whether or not it’s a Christmas movie, Die Hard definitely happens at Christmas. Is it the original action-adventure hostage film? We can’t think of an earlier one. Beyond that, Bruce Willis would never have become a movie star without it. Why is it that the person who sees the situation the most clearly is the one no one wants to listen to? Dean Saddoris @deansaddoris.ck joins us again for
Iron Man 3 (2013) | A 50% Facts Review | Christmas, not Christmas
Continuing our festival of films set at Christmas, but not about Christmas, we take a critical look at Iron Man 3. Is this the best Iron Man flick – even though Tony Stark doesn’t spend much time in the suit? How hot is Pepper when she’s hardly wearing anything? Dean Saddoris @deansaddoris.ck joins us again for this one. Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Th
Batman Returns (1992) | A 50% Facts Review | Christmas, not Christmas
We’re heading into the holiday season, and with that always comes a couple of things: travel and holiday movies. Because of the first thing, we’re diving into the second thing. We’ve got another “film festival” of movies set during the holiday season, but may not be considered holiday movies. First up, the second Tim Burton Batman film, “Batman Returns,” starring Micheal Keaton. Does it hold up?
Are microplastics stealing your gains? Plus, CrossFit athlete’s cause of death revealed
Plastic was supposed to be inert, right? I mean, it wasn’t supposed to be able to cause real problems for humans, except maybe the whole issue of disposing of them. But plastics are a lot more complicated than that, and microplastics, tiny little fragments of plastic material, are apparently everywhere. And there’s not as inert as we hoped. Are they messing with our hormones? Making us fat? Squash
Why are federations always in turmoil? | WRPF drama
Why are there so many federations? Is it just because people can’t get along? Without getting too far down in the details of each incident, you must ask, “Why is there nearly always some kind of drama within federations?” No one really knows, but it’s possible to take some guesses. Is there any hope for unified federations in powerlifting, or is there too much friction? Listener resources: Redd
Kickass-tober wrap-up
We wrap up our kickass movie series by discussing things that are kickass, or could be, in the real world.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/!Local memberships and international fresh fits!
Logan (2017) | A 50% Facts Review | Kickass-tober
It was the end for Wolverine and Professor X. At least it was supposed to be. Instead, it’s one of the most realistic movies ever made about...mutants with superpowers. High fructose corn syrup has killed off most of the other mutants, and the government is trying to make their own – to become trained assassins. And Wolverine has a daughter? Dean Saddoris @deansaddoris.ck joins us again for this
John Wick (2014) | A 50% Facts Review | Kickass-tober
The moral of this film could be as simple as “Never kill a retired hitman’s dog.” In The Matrix, Keanu Reeves helped change the sci-fi action genre. In this one, he helps entirely redefine the revenge action genre. With a fighting style borrowed from imports like “The Raid” and some imaginative world-building, John Wick is a film you can’t look away from – though sometimes you may want to. Dean S
Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991) | A 50% Facts Review | Kickass-tober
All this month, we’re watching (some of us for the first time) some kickass flicks! Following up last week’s look at The Terminator (1981), we dig into its first sequel. This time Arnold Schwarzenegger plays a good guy, and this film has non-stop action. We largely discuss the impact this chapter of the Terminator saga had on films that followed and popular culture. Huge Arnold fan Dean Saddoris
The Terminator (1984) | A 50% Facts Review | Kickass-tober
All this month, we’re watching (some of us for the first time) some kickass flicks! First up, the movie that cemented Arnold Schwarzenegger as a bankable Hollywood star and launched a multi-billion dollar film and TV franchise. Does the mid-to-low-budget horror flick stand the test of time? What did 1984 vintage special effects look like? How appropriate was it for Arnold to play an emotionless r
Unforced errors
When we recorded this, the leaked IPF with “tips” about coaching women hadn’t surfaced yet, but we did get to talk about other bad behavior and unforced errors. Diddy had 700 dildoes, Vince McMahon may have manipulated women and men into compromising situations, and Andy Frisella publicly and disturbingly hated on women cops.Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes
A Powerlifting Quiz?
Sometimes, we need to take a minute to look at what people outside of powerlifting think about the sport. We take a look at a powerlifting quiz published by a fitness site. Some questions were easy, and others…a bit harder even for us. We kick it off by looking at the P. Diddy situation and Mike’s internet skirmishes over his loathing of 35 lb. plates.Do you have a question for one of our Friday
A shocking loss for powerlifting
We were saddened to learn of the accidental death over the weekend of Kim Tran AKA Kim Valentine. We discussed some of her accomplishments on the platform and the role she played in bringing women and Asian lifters into the sport. Kim was a guest on our previous podcast 9 years ago. You can watch that episode here: https://youtu.be/oKz4tBIQdGU?si=RyITUYZ6vfoQFe5OIn lighter discussion, we list the
Why isn’t there an apples-to-apples way to compare deadlifts?
You probably think that pulling sumo is the biggest variation between deadlifts, but there are many more. It can even be challenging to tell the conditions of a particular lift, let alone compare them. Is it wrong to “game” the system to get a deadlift record? Similarly, should major sports all-star teams have standards – beyond just being a popularity contest?Join our Discord for free at goodcom
CrossFit athlete association demands assurances of safety and change
Understandably, the fallout from the death of CrossFit Games athlete Lazar Đukić is far from over. We discuss some posts and articles about the private meetings held at the Games concerning whether to continue and the demands made by the Professional Fitness Athletes Association in the days after the Games. Is there a difference between fault and responsibility? Should athletes be more proactive
Gen Z is showing up in record numbers at the gym. Does the "no show” business model still work??
Zoomers are making gyms the “third space” of their generation. We see it in our gym, but it’s happening everywhere. How are gyms that have been designed to accommodate far fewer members than they’ve sold memberships to going to cope? To kick things off, Mike calls out the motives of “influencers” in the fitness space. Listener resources: https://fortune.com/well/article/gym-use-increase-pandemic
CrossFit tragedy: Who is responsible for athlete safety?
The unthinkable happened. CrossFit lost an athlete during the games. Without having all the answers yet about exactly what happened when Lazar Đukić drowned, clearly sufficient safety measures were not in place. Athletes have been complaining for years about safety issues. Is there a lack of funding? A lack of qualified volunteers? Are volunteers really the way to go? If CrossFit would be nowhere
Olympic controversies: Who decides who competes?
We talk through a couple of the actual Olympic incidents and controversies. Who knew that pole vault and volleyball would draw focus? Which Olympic entity decides if a convicted rapist gets to compete on the Olympic stage? We also share information about the increased incidence of colorectal cancer in younger people after Dr. Jimmy Bagley shared his diagnosis. Jim also gives a health update. Do
Do you really need to forgive people who hurt you?
Last week, we talked a little about public figures who have committed terrible acts, been “canceled,” and then somehow rehabilitated their public images. Apologies – sometimes heartfelt, sometimes performative – have been given and somehow the public starts to move on. If you’re the injured party, either in a public situation or a private one, do you really have to accept an apology and forgive? T
The value of not falling in with a crowd?
We’re back in the studio together after several weeks away. We talk about the importance of South Sudan’s near victory over the US in a warmup Olympic basketball and admire the commitment of Luol Deng (and our friend, Jacob Ross) to the effort to improve conditions in the country. We discuss the value of maintaining your individuality rather than adopting the persona of any group. Unless you ca
Celebrity Death Match but influencers?
Well, maybe not precisely “death” matches, but can we build a brand new, fun, competitive sport from existing sports and fitness elements?Dean Saddoris (@deansaddoris.ck) joined us for this exercise/thought experiment. Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) joined and ran the board. Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Share it with us on social media using
Creed (2015) | A 50% Facts Review
Thirty-nine years after Rocky, and nine years after the last Rocky sequel, director Ryan Coogler served up a continuation/reboot of the Rocky story. This time, Balboa is not the center of the action. He reluctantly takes on the task of training Apollo Creed’s unknown love child, Adonis. Did he know about this kid before he was killed in the ring? (We never found out.) Does this kid possess the ski
Rocky (1976) | A 50% Facts Review
You don’t have to be wearing a pair of American flag boxing shorts to get that Rocky is a 4th of July flick (Even though it’s set in February and was released in December.) Why was Creed wearing those shorts anyway? (It was a Bicentennial gimmick.) How did this film set the template for a thousand Cinderella sports movies to come, and launched one of the most successful franchises in movie histor
How to get started as a trainer? w/Jacob Ross | One Good Question
Most of our friends in the industry who have trained both high-level athletes and gen pop clients don’t have the depth of experience of our guest, Jacob Ross. We asked him of this take on the question, “What should I do to get started as a personal trainer?” Jacob shares how he got started and the things he did along the way to continue to improve. You can (and should) find Jacob on IG (@jacob.w
Jacob Ross | Olympic Basketball
It’s been way, way too long since we connected here with our good buddy, Jacob Ross. He’s headed to Paris with the South Sudan Olympic Basketball team for the 2024 Olympics. We chat about how that all came together, his work with the NGO Matter, what it’s like opening a gym with Tom Kallas, and why he’s training like a bodybuilder now. You can (and should) find Jacob on IG (@jacob.w.ross) and @be
Do vegans crave meet? | One Good Question
Nick Squires is back for one more question: Do vegans miss the foods they used to eat? And how do they deal with cravings? You can (and should) find Nick on IG (@meatymcsorley). Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) also ran the board and joined in.Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Share it with us on social media using the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Jo
Can a vegan powerlifter be really strong? | Nick Squires aka Meaty McSorley
Not our first rodeo with this question, or with vegans among the members of our gym, but Nick is a big strong dude and a real hoot to chat with. What do you call a vegan who doesn’t really like vegetables? You can (and should) find Nick on IG (@meatymcsorley).Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) also ran the board and joined in.Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question”
An all-time records quiz? Part 2
In the previous episode, we quizzed Mike on the top three lifters in every weight class, regardless of raw or equipped, federation, etc., for squat, bench, and deadlift.In this episode, we cover total records. You can see them for yourself at openpowerlifting.org. Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) ran the board and chimed in. Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question”
An all-time records quiz?
We quiz Mike on the top three lifters in every weight class regardless of whether they are raw or equipped, federation, etc. In this episode, we cover squats, benches, and deadlifts. In Friday’s episode, we tackle total records.You can see them for yourself at openpowerlifting.org. Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) ran the board and chimed in. Do you have a question for one of our Friday “
Is program (or coach) hopping bad? | One Good Question
Our Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) brought us this question: “What’s your opinion of people program or coach hopping?” Sometimes change in necessary, but when and how often?Do you have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Share it with us on social media using the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!Check out our gym (T
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