Are you prioritizing getting "wiped out" in the gym over actual progression? In this episode, We sit down with Matt Jennings, a veteran personal trainer who started his business in New York City in 1993 and currently owns The Lift Gym in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey. Matt specializes in small group personal training for the 40 to 65+ demographic, focusing strictly on progressive, conservative strength training using the big lifts.

The group dives deep into the mechanics of bilateral versus unilateral deficits, exploring why single-leg strength combined often exceeds the force production of bilateral exercises like the traditional squat. They also debate the pitfalls of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) classes, the brutal effectiveness of Mike Mentzer-style training to momentary muscular failure, and a curious anomaly about how women respond to sub-maximal lifting percentages.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• The Bilateral Deficit: Matt explains why the total force production in a bilateral lift is typically less than the sum of an individual's unilateral capabilities.
• Stability vs. Strength: Why using a "kickstand" modification for single-leg movements is crucial for older adults who struggle with balance, allowing them to focus on moving weight safely.
• Chasing the Shake: Michael explains how the initial "shake" during unilateral isometric holds is a sign of neurological fatigue, noting that true hypertrophic muscle growth takes at least six weeks, while early gains are purely neurological.
• The Problem with HIIT: Why high-intensity interval classes often cause participants to plateau after about 10 weeks, largely because these models prioritize feeling exhausted over tracking measurable progression and recovery.
• Mike Mentzer's High-Intensity Protocol: A breakdown of taking exercises to absolute "momentary muscular fatigue" and why this brutal method requires massive amounts of central nervous system recovery between sessions.
• The Female Rep Anomaly: Matt shares his observation that women can inexplicably perform significantly more reps (sometimes 18-23 reps) at 70-75% of their 1-rep max compared to men, sparking a debate on how 1-rep max formulas apply to female physiology.

Support the show

Support the Show: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star review and subscribe on YouTube! It helps us continue to bring you the best health insights so you can Go Fix Yourself.

You can also so your support through donations! You can click here and pledge a monthly amount to help keep this podcast running! We'll give you a shout out and answer a question of your choosing on an episode!

Find us on the Following!
Instagram: @gfy.podcast
Spotify:
Website:
Youtube:

Available on all podcast streaming sites!

If you have general questions about pain you're experiencing send us a DM on instagram or email at wellinformed24@gmail.com

Michael Stant has also launched a weekly blog, Well-Informed. If interested in following. You can subscribe to the following link: https://wellinformed24.substack.com/

Mikey just completed his fourth marathon in two years, snagging a PR of 3:30 in Salisbury, Maryland. But it wasn't a perfect race. Unexpected heat, pacing off the wrong people, and late-race stomach knots made it a grind.

In this episode, We break down the race, focusing on how a massive 800-calorie fueling strategy allowed Mikey to walk away feeling better than ever the next day. We also dive into the truth about multitasking your fitness goals, how to program your "off-season" to avoid losing power, and why taking four weeks completely off after a big race is a terrible idea for your strength. Finally, Mikey discusses a lingering hip issue and the mindset behind continuing to train through minor tweaks rather than shutting down completely.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• Mikey's Marathon Recap: A breakdown of the Salisbury Marathon, dealing with an unexpected 70-degree heat wave, and why pacing off a stranger is a risky strategy .
• The Power of Fueling: Why taking in 50-60 grams of carbs per hour (almost 800 total calories) during the race saved Mikey's post-race recovery, despite some stomach knots .
• Post-Race Recovery Mistakes: Why taking weeks completely off after a big event destroys your strength and power, and how to safely maintain your fitness without overloading your system .
• Stop Multitasking Your Fitness: Why you can't effectively train for maximum strength, power, and a marathon all at the same time—and how to prioritize your training based on your current season .
• Running Through Pain vs. Stopping: Mikey discusses his current right hip issue and the clinical mindset behind pushing through minor tweaks as long as performance isn't hindering .
• Looking Ahead: Prepping for the Chicago Marathon in October and predicting Mikey's upcoming 5K race time .

Connect with Us:

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on your listening platform or subscribe to our YouTube channel!

Disclaimer: Although we are healthcare providers, we are not YOUR healthcare provider. Content is for educational purposes only. Please consult your physician before making lifestyle changes .

Support the show

Support the Show: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star review and subscribe on YouTube! It helps us continue to bring you the best health insights so you can Go Fix Yourself.

You can also so your support through donations! You can click here and pledge a monthly amount to help keep this podcast running! We'll give you a shout out and answer a question of your choosing on an episode!

Find us on the Following!
Instagram: @gfy.podcast
Spotify:
Website:
Youtube:

Available on all podcast streaming sites!

If you have general questions about pain you're experiencing send us a DM on instagram or email at wellinformed24@gmail.com

Michael Stant has also launched a weekly blog, Well-Informed. If interested in following. You can subscribe to the following link: https://wellinformed24.substack.com/

Are you crushing it at work and in your career, but constantly finding excuses for why your health and nutrition are falling behind? You aren't alone, and it might be time to stop "white-knuckling" your diet.

In this episode, We are joined by Krysta Huber, a multifaceted coach who runs the nutrition brand The Fitness Fyx, the social media marketing agency The Spread, and hosts the No Such Thing podcast. Krysta breaks down why highly ambitious people struggle the most with health consistency, why we live in an "information rich but information poor" world, and why you need to earn the right to try extreme interventions like a 22-hour fast by mastering the basics first.

The group also dives into the psychology of tracking small victories, how to stop identifying with your pain or excuses, and a hilarious debate on the elusive "runner's high."

In This Episode, We Cover:

• The Pitfalls of DIY Nutrition: Why creating restrictive, vacuum-sealed diet plans fails when real-life stress hits, and why the "I'll just cut carbs" mentality is outdated.
• Information Rich, Information Poor: How social media and search algorithms feed us a tiny, curated slice of health information that keeps us stuck in a loop of trying complex solutions for simple problems.
• Clocking the Wins: A neuroscience-backed daily habit of writing down compliments and small victories to completely reframe your mindset and build confidence.
• Accountability for High Achievers: Why the standards you hold yourself to in your career should match the standards you hold for your physical health.
• The "Runner's High" Debate: Krysta questions if the runner's high is real, while the guys explain the psychology of asserting your dominance after a brutal Sunday long run.

Resources Mentioned:

• Guest: Krysta Huber (The Fitness Fix, The Spread, No Such Thing podcast).
• Concepts: Cell autophagy vs. mastering basics, the Information Paradox, "Clocking the Wins."

Connect with Us:

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on your listening platform or subscribe to our YouTube channel!

Disclaimer: Although we are healthcare providers, we are not YOUR healthcare provider. Content is for educational purposes only. Please consult your physician before making lifestyle changes.

Support the show

Support the Show: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star review and subscribe on YouTube! It helps us continue to bring you the best health insights so you can Go Fix Yourself.

You can also so your support through donations! You can click here and pledge a monthly amount to help keep this podcast running! We'll give you a shout out and answer a question of your choosing on an episode!

Find us on the Following!
Instagram: @gfy.podcast
Spotify:
Website:
Youtube:

Available on all podcast streaming sites!

If you have general questions about pain you're experiencing send us a DM on instagram or email at wellinformed24@gmail.com

Michael Stant has also launched a weekly blog, Well-Informed. If interested in following. You can subscribe to the following link: https://wellinformed24.substack.com/