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How can you become a (fit) pro gamer? w/Michael “Flamesword” Chaves Aug 07, 2019

Show notes

Many people would love to be professional e-sports gamers. How do you get to that level? And how do you stay in good shape when you’re spending hours and hours a day playing games online? Here are the additional angles we came up with: What are some common physical issues associated with extended game play (other than weight gain)? Is there an ideal age for becoming a pro gamer? How do you become a pro anyway? How do you manage stress around tournaments? What physical activities are the best for staying in shape while gaming? Is it weird that you can now see celebrities on Twitch playing Fortnite? Michael “Flamesword” Chaves is well-known as a HALO player (and now coach), and was the first gamer whose picture was printed on Red Bull cans. He’s also known for his commitment to fitness, and avoiding the stereotype of the overweight, couch potato gamer. He shares how got into both gaming and fitness, and how each pursuit has helped the other. You can find him on IG @flamesword and on Twitter: @OpTicFlamesword We kick off the show talking about why it’s hard to know when to trust sales people. This episode is sponsored by Away: Thoughtful luggage for modern travel For $20 off a suitcase, visit awaytravel.com/facts and use promo code "facts" during checkout! Free shipping on any Away order within the contiguous US, Europe, and Australia. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.
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How do you do a weight cut and still be at your best for competition? w/Eric Helms & Omar Isuf Jul 31, 2019

Show notes

The existence of weight classes and coefficients drive many people to do last minute weight cuts, but many don’t make the best choices when making these cuts. If competition is about being your best, are you setting yourself up for a sub-par performance? There are many ways to cut, but which ways are optimal? We cover these points, and the questions below, in this very compact episode. How much is too much to lose for a 24-hour weigh-in? Or a two-hour weigh-in? Are laxatives a good idea or will you have to poop on the platform? Can you cut enough weight without manipulating water intake? Do you have to cut carbs? Or salt? How do you put the weight back on quickly, safely, and without stomach upset? Is pigging out ever a good idea? Eric holds a BS in fitness and wellness, an MS in exercise science, a second masters in sports nutrition, a PhD in strength and conditioning, and is a research fellow for AUT at the Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand. Omar is a successful YouTube content creator from Canada, a partner with Mike Farr and Bart Kwan on Kizen Training, as well has pursuing other business ventures. You can find Eric at 3DMuscleJourney.com and on Instagram: @helms3dmj You can find Omar on his hugely successful YouTube channel. And Instagram as @omarisuf. You can find them both on their new podcast, Iron Culture. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.
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Should everybody be bodybuilders? w/Eric Helms & Omar Isuf Jul 24, 2019

Show notes

Once again, we take on this question with that help of guests Eric Helms and Omar Isuf. With the known injury rates of many sports…including or maybe especially strength sports…maybe we should all just…be bodybuilders? Unpacking this question inevitably leads to more questions: Can you actually call bodybuilding a sport? Is bodybuilding style training actually safer in terms of injuries? Do you have to use performance enhancing drugs? Is the “bodybuilding lifestyle” actually healthy? Does bodybuilding – or other types of aesthetic competition – lead inevitably to disordered eating? Are you really a bodybuilder if you don’t actually compete? Is the sacrifice worth it in the end? Eric holds a BS in fitness and wellness, an MS in exercise science, a second masters in sports nutrition, a PhD in strength and conditioning, and is a research fellow for AUT at the Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand. Omar is a successful YouTube content creator from Canada, a partner with Mike Farr and Bart Kwan on Kizen Training, as well has pursuing other business ventures. He’s also a keen observer of media. You can find Eric at 3DMuscleJourney.com and on Instagram: @helms3dmj You can find Omar on his hugely successful YouTube channel. And Instagram as @omarisuf. You can find them both on their new podcast, Iron Culture, but we’re drawing a blank on when new episodes get released. This episode is sponsored by Blue Chew. BlueChew brings you the first chewable with the same FDA-approved active ingredients as Viagra and Cialis so you know they work. You can take them anytime, day or night--even on a full stomach--and since they’re chewable, they work up to twice as fast as a pill. Right now, we’ve got a special deal for our listeners: Visit BlueChew.com and get your first shipment FREE when use our special promo code [facts]-- Just pay $5 shipping. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.
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Does your gut microbiome affect your fitness? w/Dr. Jimmy Bagley Jul 17, 2019

Show notes

Our digestive system has all kinds of stuff living in it that we can’t see with the naked eye – and even if we could, it would still be inside of us so... Anyway, does any of this stuff we’re carrying around affect how fit we are? Dr. Jimmy Bagley is an Assistant Professor of Kinesiology, and Director of the Muscle Physiology Lab (@musclephyslab), Co-Director of the Exercise Physiology Lab, and Research Director of the Strength and Conditioning Lab at SF State. His department has conducted studies about the human gut microbiome. We got him on the line to run down some findings from the Human Genome Project, as well as some of his own work. But first we followed our guts and asked some additional questions about how what’s living in our guts might affect many different aspects of human life and health. Here’s what we came up with: Can we change our gut microbiome or does it change us? Or both? Does self-improvement start with our guts? Are there genetic or gender differences in the composition of our gut microbiome? Can your microbiome make you crave? Can a fat person get gut bacteria from a skinny person…and get skinny? Our ideas start about 14:04. Dr. Bagley joins us about 21:38. We kick off the episode talking about an appropriate topic: food. Why are combo meals with mandatory tortilla chips LESS expensive that the same items WITHOUT the chips? We also talk about two ends of the Sacramento restaurant spectrum: Taco Bell Cantina and The Kitchen (which was recently awarded a Michelin star). You can find Dr. Bagley on Instagram at @drjimmybagley, and on Twitter at @drjimmybagley. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.
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How do you spot a gimmick (before you waste your money or your time on it)? w/Eric Helms & Omar Isuf Jul 10, 2019

Show notes

We take on this question with that help of previous guests Eric Helms and Omar Isuf, who joined us in studio. Eric holds a BS in fitness and wellness, an MS in exercise science, a second masters in sports nutrition, a PhD in strength and conditioning, and is a research fellow for AUT at the Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand. Omar is a successful YouTube content creator from Canada, a partner with Mike Farr and Bart Kwan on Kizen Training, as well has pursuing other business ventures. He’s also a keen observer of media. Here's part of how we broke it down. What sets off our BS detectors? What are some common elements of gimmicks and scams in fitness? Is anything ever really too good to be true? Who usually ends up pitching them? How should scrupulous marketers (and content creators) craft their messages in ways that are not misleading? You can find Eric at 3DMuscleJourney.com and on Instagram: @helms3dmj You can find Omar on his hugely successful YouTube channel. And Instagram as @omarisuf. You can find them both on their new podcast, Iron Culture, but we’re drawing a blank on when new episodes get released. Thanks to Eric and Omar for joining us! This episode is sponsored by The Great Courses Plus. For a limited time only, they are offering our listeners an entire Month for FREE! Check out the course Understanding Human Behavior for free. It’s a great fit for the topic of this episode. Start your free month trial today using our special URL: Thegreatcoursesplus.com/FACTS Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.
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Why would anyone choose a carnivore diet? w/Jason Phillips Jul 03, 2019

Show notes

When weight-loss diets work, they work by creating a caloric deficit and not through any other magic. We’ve established that with our experts on the show already. We’ve also established that cutting out a whole category of nutrient --like cutting carbs in a ketogenic diet – can accomplish a calorie reduction. But what if you cut everything but meat? You may be accomplishing the goal of reducing calories, but at what nutritional cost? Jason Phillips joined us to ponder this diet and share thoughts about whether it’s a good idea…apart from whether or not it’s effective. Jason is the founder of iN³ Nutrition and the Nutritional Consulting Institute. Jason has written for several publications including Men’s Fitness and his own book, Macros Explained: Your Ultimate Guide to Macronutrient Prescription for Health, Performance, and Aesthetics and Macros Applied: Bridging the Gap from Science to Application. Here’s what we came up with on our own: If there’s no real downside to eating vegetables, why not eat them? Outside of a reduction in calories, is there anything special about meat that makes the diet more worthwhile? Are all-or-nothing strategies just easier for some people to stick to? Is there a marketing/FOMO angle? Does taking a more extreme stance equal greater popularity in the fitness space? When does Mike’s “Tequila and Broccoli diet book come out? Our ideas start pretty much from the jump. Jason joins us about 13:38. You can find Jason on Instagram at @jasonphillips_in3 and at in3nutrition.com This episode is sponsored by The Great Courses Plus. For a limited time only, they are offering our listeners an entire Month for FREE! Check out the course Understanding Human Behavior for free and maybe you’ll be able to tell US why someone would choose to eat carnivore. It’s a great fit for the topic of this episode. Start your free month trial today using our special URL: Thegreatcoursesplus.com/FACTS This episode is also sponsored by Warby Parker! Jump into the FREE home try-on program. Get five pairs of glasses to check out at home with no cost or obligation at warbyparker.com/facts Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.
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What does "self-help" even mean? [Bonus] Jun 29, 2019

Show notes

No guest for this quick bonus episode. We sat down to brainstorm a little about our mission with this show in light of changes coming to the categories in Apple Podcasts. Our main category “Fitness and Nutrition” is being split up, and “Self-help” -- in which we're also listed -- is going away. Mental Health is being added as well as Self Improvement (under Education). These changes are supposed to occur later in this Summer (2019). That prompted us to discuss what self-help means, and ponder a few other questions: How often the words self-help NOT followed by the word “guru?” If self-help is such a huge category for books, why take that category away from podcasts? We try hard not to take any guru stances, but what are we really? How much of self-help is really mental health self-care, and how much is actually self-improvement (gaining new information or learning new skills)? How do we make the information we provide more findable in this new environment? We also touch on anxiety and depression as they related to self-help, and Mike also discusses some personal experiences with counseling and mental health care. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.
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When does a keto diet actually make sense? w/Jason Phillips Jun 26, 2019

Show notes

Keto diets have been the new hotness for a while, but do they actually make sense for most people? Is it a better diet for athletes, couch potatoes…or both Jason Phillips joined us to unpack this fat-laden diet choice. Jason is the founder of iN³ Nutrition and the Nutritional Consulting Institute. Jason has written for several publications including Men’s Fitness and his own book, Macros Explained: Your Ultimate Guide to Macronutrient Prescription for Health, Performance, and Aesthetics and Macros Applied: Bridging the Gap from Science to Application hits the market in February of 2019. Here’s what we came up with on our own: Do people even understand what keto is? How low should carbs really be on keto? Is all that fat really more satiating? Are the arguments for keto largely cherry picked from studies that really aren’t that supportive? Was keto’s popularity driven by a marketing angle? What has inspired keto zealotry? Are there gender differences in how the diet performs? Our ideas start about 11:39. Jason joins us about 27:34. We kick off the episode talking about rude people having loud phone conversations where everyone can hear. You can find Jason on Instagram at @jasonphillips_in3 and at in3nutrition.com This episode is sponsored by The Great Courses Plus. For a limited time only, they are offering our listeners an entire Month for FREE! Check out the Entrepreneur’s Tool Kit. It’s a great fit for the topic of this episode. Start your free month trial today using our special URL: Thegreatcoursesplus.com/FACTS Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.
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Are virtual reality games the future of fitness? w/Dr. Jimmy Bagley Jun 19, 2019

Show notes

VR games are probably never going to replace lifting weights, but could they make cardio more fun…and more likely to get done? Dr. Jimmy Bagley is an Assistant Professor of Kinesiology, and Director of the Muscle Physiology Lab, Co-Director of the Exercise Physiology Lab, and Research Director of the Strength and Conditioning Lab at SF State. His department has conducted studies using VR games to test how humans respond to exercise performed in virtual reality and augmented reality environments. We got him on the line to run down exactly how those studies worked, but first we took our own stab at this question. Here’s what we came up with: It seems very likely to work, but will this really get people off the couch? How available is this technology? If this really works well, will globo-gyms someday have VR rooms in place of bike/cardio rooms? Do people workout longer when they’re competing against others in a game environment? How similar is it to the recent experience Mike had at local bike gym All City Riders, or being on a Peloton bike at home. Our ideas start about 4:00. Dr. Bagley joins us about 12:45. We kick off the episode talking about why we don’t talk about politics. You can find Dr. Bagley on Instagram at @drjimmybagley, and on Twitter at @drjimmybagley. Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.
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How do doctors decide if you’re “healthy?” w/Dr. Spencer Nadolsky Jun 12, 2019

Show notes

You often see a disclaimer on a diet article or commercial that goes something like, “Please see a doctor before starting any exercise program.” What are they supposed to be looking for? We often hear about “health markers.” What are they? Bottomline: How do doctors decide if you’re generally healthy? Here’s what we came up with: Is there some standard list of results that matter the most? How important are HDL, LDL, and triglycerides? Are resting heart rate and blood pressure more or less critical?? What other tests might be important in determining whether you’re at immediate risk, or is even possible to know? Dr. Spencer Nadolsky is a practicing board-certified family medicine physician. After a successful athletic career at University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, he enrolled in medical school at Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg. He aspired to change the world of medicine by supporting lifestyle over drugs (when possible). He specializes in Obesity Medicine. And yes, he lifts. Our ideas start about 12:40. Dr. Nadolsky joins us about 20:00. We kick off the episode talking about whether being a "jack of all trades" is all it's cracked up to be. You can find Dr. Nadolsky on Instagram at @drnadolsky, on Facebook at facebook.com/DrSpencerNadolsky, on Twitter at @DrNadolsky, and at his website: drspencer.com Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Connor O’Neal. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo.
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