Stay ConnectedWelcome to The Brad Jensen Show! Your one stop shop for everything nutrition, fitness and mindset. We believe this a mind, body and spirit evolution. Educational episodes drop every Tuesday and Guest Appearances drop every Friday! My name is Brad Jensen, owner and CEO of Next Level. It’s my oath to bring you value. That is the whole goal of this podcast. Thanks for tuning in!
(Formerly The Next Level Podcast)
Copyright: Copyright © 2024
In this special re-airing, I'm bringing you my powerful conversation from Mind Pump – the #1 fitness podcast in the world. This episode was originally recorded for their show, but it was too impactful not to share here with The Next Level community.
We go deep into my story—how I went from rock bottom in addiction to building a life rooted in purpose, health, and service. I open up about the darkest chapters of my past, the moment everything changed, and the work it took (and still takes) to stay on the path of growth and integrity.
We also dive into the current state of the health and fitness industry—where it's headed, what's broken, and what truly works when it comes to transformation. This isn't just about macros or workouts. It's about coaching people to rise to their full potential—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Whether you're a coach, someone on your own transformation journey, or just love raw, real conversations—you're going to feel this one.
Learn More About Mind Pump - Visit Mind Pump's Website
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Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.
Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition
Connect with us on Instagram
Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder
Mind Pump - @mindpumpmedia
Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition
Episode Timestamps
00:00 "Transformation Through Diet and Discovery"
06:33 Smuggling Steroids from Mexico
14:00 "Functioning Addict's Job Journey"
17:56 Relapse and Recovery Struggles
23:36 "Danger of Relapse Realization"
28:53 Descent Into Drug-Induced Paranoia
32:11 Car Vomit and Funeral Delay
37:02 "Rock Bottom and Recovery"
43:11 Overcoming Addiction to Launch Business
50:13 "Sharing My Journey of Hope"
56:09 Sobriety: Path to Self-Discovery?
01:01:29 Gym Judgement While Hiding Addiction
01:07:24 Zoom Coaching Enhances Client Connection
01:12:37 Balancing Family, Self, and Health
01:16:00 Overcoming Addiction: A Personal Reflection
01:20:14 "Alcoholism: The Socially Accepted Struggle"
01:24:14 "Content Creation: Embracing Criticism"
In this month's Q&A episode, Brad and Craig dive into your questions and keep it real with no fluff—just honest insight and actionable advice.
We cover a wide range of topics, including:
This one's a mix of mindset, hormones, lifestyle, and coaching wisdom. If you've ever had one of these questions cross your mind, this episode is for you.
Greatest Day Mindset Scholarship - Apply Here
Live Your Greatest Life Program - Enroll Here
Join The Collective - Join Here
Interested in working with a coach? Get a free nutrition consultation - Schedule Here
Join Us On Patreon - Join Here
Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.
Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition
Connect with us on Instagram
Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder
Co-Host Craig Smith - @greatestdaymindset
Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition
Episode Timestamps
00:00 Uneven Arm Size Story
05:45 Shifting Competition Outcomes
11:56 "Scholarship Winners' Dedication Celebrated"
20:08 Therapy Blending with Coaching
25:50 Steroid Use and Health Considerations
27:29 "Estrogen Regulation and Acne Causes"
32:17 Coaching Success: Trust and Accountability
41:11 "Revisit Past Positive Habits"
42:59 Sleep Issues & Calorie Deficit Correlation
51:42 Adjusting Workout Intensity and Habits
56:29 Overcoming Perceived Porn Addiction
59:22 "Palpable Darkness and Relationship Strains"
01:06:19 "Dark Energy: A Slippery Slope"
01:09:43 Subscribe and Share Request
In this powerful in-studio episode, I'm joined by Treavor Hawkins — an active-duty military member and competitive bodybuilder who's survived two serious suicide attempts. His story is raw, real, and incredibly inspiring.
Treavor takes us through the darkest moments of his life and how they became the catalyst for emotional, mental, and spiritual transformation. From the depths of hell to a life filled with purpose, Treavor now uses his voice to uplift others through his own podcast and message.
We dive into:
This is more than a comeback — it's a reminder of what's possible when you refuse to give up.
If this hit home, share it with someone who needs it — and don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review.
Treavor Hawkins Email - treavor.hawkins@gmail.com
I've Been There Too Podcast
Apple Podcasts - Listen
Spotify - Listen
Join The Collective - Join Here
Interested in working with a coach? Get a free nutrition consultation - Schedule Here
Join Us On Patreon - Join Here
Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.
Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition
Connect with us on Instagram
Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder
Guest Treaver Hawkins - @ivebeentheretoo_podcast
Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition
We've all said it… "I'll start tomorrow." Whether it's your fitness, nutrition, or that one habit you've been meaning to build — there's something strangely comforting about pushing it off to tomorrow.
In this episode, Brad and Craig break down the real reason we fall into the "starting tomorrow" mentality — and it's not just laziness. Craig unpacks the science behind it, explaining how putting off change actually triggers a dopamine rush that makes us feel good, even though we're doing nothing. Wild, right?
We also dig into the deeper mindset behind this pattern: perfectionism, fear of failure, identity issues, and the illusion that tomorrow you will somehow be more motivated, more disciplined, or have more time.
But don't worry — this isn't just a callout. We also give you real strategies to break free from the loop and start taking imperfect action today.
What You'll Learn:
If you've been stuck in that cycle of almost starting, this episode is your wake-up call.
Join The Collective - Join Here
Interested in working with a coach? Get a free nutrition consultation - Schedule Here
Join Us On Patreon - Join Here
Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.
Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition
Connect with us on Instagram
Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder
Co-Host Craig Smith - @greatestdaymindset
Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition
Episode Timestamps
00:00 Egg Breakfast Digestive Trouble
04:40 Baseball Cards for Dope
07:48 Exploring Ineffective Feel-Good Habits
12:24 "Dopamine's Role in Procrastination"
15:19 "Start Immediately, Not Tomorrow"
17:51 "The Fresh Start Effect"
21:31 Procrastination and Future Self-Deception
25:45 "Finding Motivation: Perspective Matters"
28:16 "Balancing Breaks and Exercise"
29:27 Restart Anytime: Recovery Mindset
34:35 "Tomorrow's Free Drinks Joke"
36:15 Start Small, Start Now
39:14 "Embrace Awareness and Act Now"
In this solo episode, Brad breaks down five of the most overrated exercises you see people doing all the time in the gym. These aren't flashy TikTok moves—these are the staples that have been passed down for years, but might not be giving you the results you think they are.
Whether it's poor mechanics, ego lifting, or just outdated thinking, Brad dives into why these exercises are often misused or misunderstood—and what smarter, more effective alternatives you can do instead.
If you're serious about training with purpose and intention, this episode will help you rethink your programming and get more out of every workout.
Join The Collective - Join Here
Interested in working with a coach? Get a free nutrition consultation - Schedule Here
Join Us On Patreon - Join Here
Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.
Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition
Connect with us on Instagram
Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder
Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition
Episode Timestamps
00:00 Solo Episode Explanation
04:22 Exercise Perspectives by "The Book of Brad"
07:18 Hip Thrusts: Overrated for Hypertrophy?
11:41 Smith Machine Squat Critique
15:38 Cable Tricep Kickback Benefits
18:40 Spinal Flexion Concerns in Exercise
21:57 "Train Hard vs. Technical Lifting"
23:48 "Quick Workout Insights"
If I could go back and coach the younger version of myself when I first started my fitness journey, I'd have a lot to say. In this episode, I break down the biggest mistakes I made early on—and the key things I'd do differently if I had to start all over today.
From being a clean-eating zealot and blindly following meal plans to underestimating the power of sleep, fiber, and mental health… this is the real, unfiltered truth about what I've learned over the years. I also dive into comparison traps at the gym, the shift from restriction to flexibility, and why focusing on the long game always wins.
Whether you're just starting your journey or you've been at this a while, this episode will give you some honest perspective and practical takeaways to help you level up—with fewer detours than I took.
Join The Collective - Join Here
Interested in working with a coach? Get a free nutrition consultation - Schedule Here
Join Us On Patreon - Join Here
Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.
Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition
Connect with us on Instagram
Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder
Co-Host Craig Smith - @greatestdaymindset
Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition
Episode Timestamps
00:00 "Podcast Appreciation and Sharing Request"
05:42 Ditching Old Diet Myths
08:59 Opinion vs. Fact on Social Media
10:11 Mindset Shift in Competition Diet
13:19 Embrace Flexible Dieting Early
17:54 Real Life Stress and Sleep's Importance
21:22 The Four-Legged Chair of Fitness
26:03 Nutrition Insights & Mistakes
28:27 Prioritizing Supplements in Fitness Regimens
30:49 Join Our Weekly Membership Calls
34:18 "Long-Term Fitness Mindset"
36:15 Grateful for Listening Support
In this raw and vulnerable solo episode, I share the scariest moment of my life—an unexpected and severe allergic reaction that sent me into full-blown anaphylactic shock while I was still driving. I blacked out, nearly died, and somehow, by what I believe were divine miracles, I'm still here to tell the story.
This episode isn't just about what happened—it's about what that moment taught me. I open up about the profound lessons I took from this brush with death, including the deeper perspective on life it gave me and the unshakable power of gratitude, even in the middle of chaos.
Whether you've faced your own life-threatening scare or just been through something heavy, my hope is that this episode gives you insight, perspective, and maybe even peace. Sometimes it takes a traumatic moment to wake us up—but we don't have to wait until it's life or death to start living fully.
What You'll Hear in This Episode:
If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who needs a reminder of how precious life really is.
Interested in working with a coach? Get a free nutrition consultation - Schedule Here
Join Us On Patreon - Join Here
Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.
Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition
Connect with us on Instagram
Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder
Co-Host Craig Smith - @greatestdaymindset
Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition
Episode Timestamps
03:34 Observing and Reframing Experiences
09:01 Amoxicillin Allergic Reaction
13:17 Allergic Reaction at Dom's School
16:09 Severe Allergic Reaction Collapse
18:49 Quick Recovery and Grateful Intuition
21:51 Life's Fragility Reminder
25:17 Emotional and Physical Recovery Journey
29:21 Grateful for Supportive Friends
31:42 Surrendering to Life's Terms
36:40 Growth Through Discomfort
37:11 "Grateful Podcast Farewell"
Personal development is supposed to help you grow, but what if it's actually keeping you stuck? In this episode, we break down the hidden traps of self-improvement—where growth turns into self-sabotage—and how to move forward.
What We Cover:
How to Actually Use Personal Development the Right Way:
This episode is all about breaking free from the self-improvement cycle that keeps you stuck and actually making progress.
If this resonates, share it with someone who needs to hear it. And if you're enjoying the podcast, leave a review—it helps more people find it.
Interested in working with a coach? Get a free nutrition consultation - Schedule Here
Join Us On Patreon - Join Here
Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.
Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition
Connect with us on Instagram
Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder
Co-Host Craig Smith - @greatestdaymindset
Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition
Episode Timestamps
00:00 Ear Cleaning Anxiety
05:25 Avoid Burnout through Balance
07:45 Virtual Relationship Conference Reflections
11:36 "Personal Growth and Relationships"
12:52 Balancing Fitness and Relationship Dynamics
18:49 Specializing in Women's Hormonal Health
20:07 Key Insights from Relationship Conference
23:51 Perfection Paralysis Explored
28:23 Healing Phases and Gender Differences
29:06 Trapped in Self-Help Loops
32:39 "Relationship Work: Balance Alone and Together"
37:19 Reflecting on Past Resilience
40:35 "Embrace the Boring for Growth"
42:24 "Long-Term Programs Yield Lasting Gains"
45:26 "Mindful Listening and Reflection"
48:48 "Nonlinear Content Appeal"
Struggling to eat enough to gain muscle? Or maybe you're eating in a surplus but gaining too much fat? In today's episode, I break down 5 expert strategies to help you maximize muscle growth while keeping fat gain under control. From calorie-dense food swaps to supplements that actually work, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways to help you bulk the right way.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
Interested in working with a coach? Get a free nutrition consultation - Schedule Here
Join Us On Patreon - Join Here
Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.
Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition
Connect with us on Instagram
Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder
Co-Host Craig Smith - @greatestdaymindset
Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition
Episode Timestamps
00:00 – Intro: Why a proper calorie surplus is key for muscle gain
04:10 – Tip 1: Optimize Your Protein Intake (Without Overdoing It)
08:30 – Tip 2: Eat Calorie-Dense Foods to Make Surplus Easier
13:55 – Tip 3: Meal Timing & Frequency for Digestion and Energy
18:40 – Tip 4: How to Track & Adjust to Prevent Excess Fat Gain
23:15 – Tip 5: Smart Supplementation (Including GDAs for Carb Utilization)
28:45 – Bonus Tip: The Mindset Shift You Need for Long-Term Gains
32:00 – Outro: Recap + final thoughts
In this episode of The Next Level Hope and Fitness Podcast, Craig and I kick things off with an unexpected conversation that had us both literally in tears—like, the kind where your stomach hurts from laughing too hard. We're pretty sure you'll get a good laugh along with us before we shift gears into something that really matters: accountability.
We break down a hard truth—no matter who's holding you accountable, at some point, you have to care that they're holding you accountable. Coaches can try all the tactics in the world, but until the client actually wants to be held accountable, nothing will change.
Accountability is the crutch that helps you make things happen—but only if you care enough to let it work. If you've ever struggled with staying consistent, following through, or making lasting changes, this episode is for you.
What You'll Learn:
Get ready for some laughs, some tough love, and some serious truth bombs about what it really takes to level up.
Interested in working with a coach? Get a free nutrition consultation - Schedule Here
Join Us On Patreon - Join Here
Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.
Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition
Connect with us on Instagram
Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder
Co-Host Craig Smith - @greatestdaymindset
Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition
Episode Timestamps
00:00 Expanding Podcast to YouTube
03:42 "Episode Planning and Spontaneity"
06:47 Back-Shaving Confession Inspired by Ad
12:29 Gym Equipment and Culture Shift
13:17 Planet Fitness Shifts Strategy
17:22 Entrepreneur's Shift to Solo Coaching
21:44 Accountability's Fleeting Impact
24:11 Strength Training Boosts Health and Longevity
26:14 Protein Powder Concerns: Beware of Amino Spiking
31:34 Self Accountability Over Coach Dependency
34:36 Commitment Uncertainty and Respect
35:19 Personal Accountability in Relationships
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