Help Me Understand

Are you bloated… or inflamed? In this episode, coach JK breaks down two terms that often get thrown around, but rarely explained in a way that makes sense. You’ll learn the real difference between inflammation and bloating, what causes them, and how to tell what your body is trying to say. Whether you’ve been told to cut out dairy, go low-FODMAP, or fear every post-meal puff in your belly, this ep...

You’re dialed in. You’re consistent. You’re eating well, sleeping enough, moving regularly. And just when it all feels like it’s finally clicking... and then an injury, illness, or unexpected health issue knocks the wind out of you. It feels unfair. Like you must’ve done something wrong. This episode is for you. Today, Coach JK is helping you reframe the all-too-common experience of being sideline...

In this episode of the Help Me Understand podcast, Coach JK McLeod shares his perspective on a distinction that can shape the way people approach their fitness, nutrition, and personal development journeys: the difference between opinion, advice, and counsel. With so much conflicting information floating around (especially on social media), it’s easy to mistake noise for guidance...but knowing wha...

In this Fitness & Nutrition Tuesday episode of the Help Me Understand podcast, Coach JK McLeod breaks down a simple, but often overlooked, truth in strength training...most people are focusing on the wrong things. If you’ve been spinning your wheels trying to find the "perfect" program or getting lost in the details of advanced techniques, this episode is your reality check. Drawing...

On this episode of Help Me Understand, Coach JK shares five habits that form the foundation of long-term fitness, and why they still matter…even if you’ve “heard it all before.”  From lifting weights and walking regularly to getting quality sleep, eating real food, and staying hydrated, these simple practices are often overlooked in favor of whatever’s trending. Listen in as JK shares his perspect...

In this episode, coach JK is joined by personal trainer and nutrition coach Alejandra Morse of The Elemental Coaching . JK and Alejandra have a transparent and vulnerable conversation about her fitness journey, and how that has helped her develop an expert eye for what’s truly holding people back from reaching their goals. This conversation covers: How body dysmorphia disguises itself as “motivati...

In this episode of Help Me Understand, Coach JK McLeod shares a timely perspective on managing energy, time, and expectations as we move into the summer months. Instead of overcommitting or burning out, JK breaks down how to check your personal capacity using a simple but powerful “ceiling and floor” framework. Learning and implementing this framework will help you understand and identify when to...

In this episode, Coach JK breaks down one of the most common fears in fitness: losing muscle when life throws off your training routine. Whether it’s travel, injury, or illness, taking time off doesn’t automatically mean you’re losing the progress you’ve worked so hard for. JK unpacks what really causes muscle loss, what the research says about timelines for atrophy, and why perception often doesn...

In this episode of Help Me Understand, Coach JK explores a familiar urge: the desire to start something new (another book, a different diet, a fresh workout plan), etc. without fully engaging with the one we’re already in. Drawing from personal stories and coaching experiences, JK dives into the mindset behind this pattern. Are you genuinely ready for a new strategy, or are you avoiding the uncomf...

When most people hear “build muscle,” they think only about aesthetics (tone, definition, size). But there’s so much more to it. In this episode, Coach JK McLeod shares four powerful, research-backed reasons to build and maintain muscle that have nothing to do with how you look in the mirror. From aging well to staying independent, managing blood sugar, and preventing injuries, this conversation w...

Is walking enough to boost your fitness? Coach JK explores High Intensity Interval Walking (HIIW) and a powerful study that shows how adding bursts of intensity can improve cardio, strength, and blood pressure (with no equipment needed). Tune in to learn how to walk smarter, not just more. Link to the study HERE ****** 00:00 Introduction to High Intensity Interval Walking 04:13 Understanding the R...

In this episode of Help Me Understand, Coach JK McLeod unpacks the often-misunderstood advice around sustainability in fitness and nutrition. You’ve probably heard “Don’t do anything you can’t sustain”, but what if that’s missing the point? JK breaks down the phases of a fitness journey (fat loss, maintenance, and muscle gain), and explains why some strategies aren’t meant to be sustainable foreve...

In this episode, Coach JK McLeod breaks down one of the most overlooked but essential phases in any fitness journey...the maintenance phase . He explains what it really means to be in maintenance, why it's just as active and intentional as fat loss, and how to tell if you're on the right track. From energy levels and workout performance to your mindset around food, this conversation will h...

In this episode of Help Me Understand, JK breaks down how fearing the extreme version of a goal keeps people from making real progress. From fitness to business to parenting, he explains why you won’t accidentally become "too much", and why building momentum starts with fully committing to the basics. If you’re tired of holding yourself back, this one’s for you. ---- Have a question or t...

In this episode of Help Me Understand, JK breaks down how to keep training effectively while dealing with a knee injury. Rather than hitting pause, J.K. shares a practical, lifestyle-centric approach that helps you adjust your workouts without losing momentum. From strengthening supporting muscles to dialing in upper body work and conditioning, you’ll learn how to maintain consistency and momentum...

In this episode of Help Me Understand, JK shares info and perspective on one of the most common (and frustrating) parts of any fitness journey...hitting training plateaus. Whether you're chasing strength gains, aesthetic goals, or just trying to stay consistent, everyone eventually hits a wall. But how do you know it’s actually a plateau, and not just a bad week? Listen in as JK breaks it down...

In this episode of Help Me Understand, Coach JK McLeod sits down with Roni Andrew, a coach, advocate, and founder of We Are Boundless , an organization focused on supporting adaptive athletes and bridging the gap by promoting inclusion and accessibility in all sports. Roni shares how her journey into adaptive sports began unexpectedly at the age of 40 with a dare to play soccer, and how it led to...

In this episode of the Help Me Understand podcast, host JK dives deep into the importance of hydration, specifically focusing on drinking water. He discusses the benefits of water for both physical and mental performance, how to determine the right amount of water to consume, the role of electrolytes, and debunks common myths surrounding hydration. The episode concludes with practical tips for inc...

In this episode, JK discusses some thoughts on the 1% better theory, which focuses on the importance of making small, incremental improvements over time. This is a theory that was most recently featured in the book 'Atomic Habits' by James Clear Listen in as JK reflects on personal experiences in fitness to illustrate the challenges and realities of applying this theory in daily life. You'll also...

In this episode of the Help Me Understand podcast, JK discusses fat burners, their effectiveness, common ingredients, potential risks, and alternatives. He shares his perspective that while fat burners do not directly burn fat they may help create conditions for weight loss. Along with info on fat burners, JK reiterates the importance of a balanced diet, proper training, and sleep as foundational...

In this episode of the Help Me Understand podcast, host JK discusses the recent 'SignalGate' scandal, and draws parallels to the concept of outcome bias. He offers is perspective on the importance of focusing on the decision-making process rather than just the results, using examples from fitness and sports to illustrate his points. This episode will challenge you to reflect on your own de...

In this episode, JK shares his coaching perspective on how often to change your workouts. He explains the importance of progression over constant variation, particularly in the context of hypertrophy. JK outlines when and why to change workout programs, including signs of plateauing, discomfort, and burnout. He provides guidelines for changing workouts and offers specific strategies to maintain en...

JK welcomes Women’s health coach Anita Fehr to talk about what it really takes for women over 40 to build strength and improve their health. Anita opens up about her own journey—how she used to chase perfection in fitness and nutrition, only to realize that real success comes from consistency and small wins. Now, as an online coach, she helps other women break free from the all-or-nothing mindset...

In this episode, JK shares his perspective on the difference between looking for answers and seeking validation, particularly in the context of coaching and personal development. He shares a personal anecdote about a tech issue to illustrate how people often resist straightforward solutions in favor of validating their existing beliefs. The conversation then shifts to the importance of not cherry-...

In this episode, JK discusses the importance of core training, sharing his perspective that it goes beyond aesthetics. He explains the various functions of the core, including support for the spine, balance, and overall movement efficiency. JK provides practical reasons for incorporating core training into fitness routines, highlighting its role in injury prevention and making daily tasks easier....