Lift For Life with Graham and Angus

In this special episode, Graham and Angus dive into their very first HYROX experience, breaking down the highs, the lows, and everything in between. They describe exactly what happens in the arena, how they prepared on the day, what they ate, and how they celebrated afterwards. There are plenty of post-race reflections. It’s ideal if you don’t know what a HYROX race is or if you are debating wheth...

Angus and Graham describe how they each came to love their respective fitness journeys. Many people exercise, run or go to the gym as a chore because they feel they need to. In reality, fitness should be a highlight of your day, a way to connect mind and body, and to feel truly alive. Both Graham and Angus have changed their mindsets over the years. This episode describes how they did that.

Graham and Angus discuss gym anxiety. Many people don’t know what to do in the gym, and feel self-conscious around the weights section, so default to the cardio machines. This is a big waste of a valuable resource. They detail strategies for resolving this. Both Angus and Graham have felt this in the past, and they even quote Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s thoughts on it.

Angus and Graham discuss why weight training makes Graham feel so awesome. Angus was skeptical about this episode as he thought it was obvious but Graham persuaded him to do it. Graham digs into the science of dopamine, endorphins, and the mental effects of resistance training.

To start 2025, Angus and Graham describe their respective Christmas breaks and then give listeners advice to start the new year strong. Many people set themselves unattainable short term goals and resolutions. This is a bad idea. Graham suggests what you can do over the first weekend of the year to get yourself on the right track.

Graham & Angus interview Johnny Lye, the 20-year-old founder of the performance-enhancing supplement company, Ovrload. This is an extraordinary story of an 18-year-old sports enthusiast who decided not to go to university. Instead, he founded a consumer company. With self-belief, passion, and resilience he now sells hundreds of thousands of bags of Creatine/electrolyte gummies each month, unde...

Angus & Graham get into the Christmas spirit and have some fun. They discuss Angus’ Christmas tree shopping and their annual LFL Christmas party. They also discuss how fantastic Christmas lunch is, Christmas movies, and a niche version of the Christmas story that Graham came across during his research. It seems that the Bible may have missed some critical aspects of the nativity (Luke 1:26 - 2...

Graham and Angus reintroduced themselves to welcome all the new listeners who joined post the interview with Stefan Hoops, CEO of DWS last week. They review that episode and explain why they started the Lift For Life podcast. Topics include their friendship and how things have changed over the past 18 months, and more than 70 episodes.

Graham & Angus fly to Frankfurt to interview Stefan, the 44 year old Chief Executive of Germany’s largest asset manager, with over US$1 trillion of assets under management. Stefan details his daily weight-training regime, his nutrition, and his passion for basketball. He emphasises the symbiosis of lifting and leadership, and how he thinks being physically strong makes him perform better in th...

Angus & Graham discuss the very emotive and controversial topic of ‘juicing’, ‘juice cleanses’ and ‘juice retreats’. They struggle to find evidence as to the efficacy of these activities, but give extensive detail on their impact on the digestive system, and other bodily functions. Nonetheless, consuming nothing other than juices for extended periods can impact a persons weight. The ‘Juice Mas...

Graham & Angus discuss barefoot running and the history of training shoes. Graham wonders if his new trainers have contributed to his recent calf injury, whilst Angus questions why he was diagnosed with ‘flat feet’ when he was younger, which contributed to knee pains. They also discuss the history of Nike, Adidas and how training shoe designs have adapted. A key conclusion is that we are all b...

Graham & Angus discuss the disadvantages and advantages of online fitness apps, from the Nike Training Club to Strava etc. The lack of progressive overload is key, whilst community building can be a motivator. Graham also lists some surprising, and amusing. challenges that app users have faced in recent years, including President Putin’s security entourage.

Angus & Graham discuss whether continuing to exercise when ill is a good idea or not. They detail studies from international medical and academic institutions which suggest that not only can exercising accelerate recovery, but maintaining a resistance training regime can prevent illness from occurring in the first place.

In this week’s episode Graham & Angus discuss the vital power of carbohydrates in a weight loss and training journey. Carbs work in tandem with the other macronutrients, increasing absorption of protein and boosting metabolism. Despite this, carbs are often demonised by some who are persuaded by corporate marketing, without reading the science.

Angus & Graham discuss how anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) have had a deeply damaging impact on the fitness industry generally and weight training specifically. They also update their HYROX training programme. Graham describes all the different types of PEDs and their side effects such as testicular shrinkage and reduced sex drive. They discuss what Arnold Schwar...

Graham & Angus discuss the power of non-exercise activity thermogenesis and multiple easy lifestyle hacks to aid fat loss. Obesity is not just about appearance; it’s a serious medical condition that can lead to a host of devastating physical, emotional, and social consequences if not managed. Some basic health and nutrition education can help to prevent its onset.

Graham & Angus discuss how the gym is a force for positivity. Graham digs into scientific research on how positive and negative thinking affects your brain, your body and even your immune system. They also discuss how the community in the gym always seems to be upbeat.

Graham & Angus discuss training plateau. Graham feels that he was at a plateau for a decade, making no progress and being demotivated. It is in fact quite simple to escape such situations via adapting your programme, focusing on progressive overload, improving your nutrition, focusing on your weak points, and setting new goals. Arnold Schwarzenegger also discussed these issues and he used a tr...

Angus & Graham discuss all aspects of calorie consumption vs calorie expenditure. Watching overweight people running to try and lose weight is so dispiriting. It won’t work and may just end up injuring them and cause long term démotivation. A much more successful process would be a proper study of their current diet and making small tweaks that could have an outsized impact. They can then start to...

Graham & Angus discuss the importance of rest. As regular listeners will know, this is a challenge for Graham as he loves going to the gym every day. In addition to discussing the strategies of elite athletes, and how useful zone 2 cardio, reduced loading and mobility can be, towards the end it descends into absurdity when Angus suggests playing Hide & Seek in the gym.

Graham & Angus discuss rucking & zone 2 cardio (incline treadmill walking). Graham describes the Roman and military history behind rucking, his mistakes with Instagram purchases of equipment, and Angus sets a yet another challenge. How to get started with incline treadmill walking is also described - as are it’s benefits vs running.

Graham & Angus discuss the difference between mobility and flexibility. Mobility is especially important prior to a training session. Graham used to static stretch before running - which is counter-productive, but now mobilises before lifting. Graham also investigates the fascia, a vital organ in the body which many do not even know about, let alone, appreciate how to use its incredible struct...

Angus & Graham discuss sweet foods and sugar cravings. They cite studies that suggest sugar cravings can stem from emotional stresses (stomach, mouth, and heart hunger). Graham mentions the journey of the (formerly obese) actress, Rebel Wilson. Angus talks about how he was rationed sweets during childhood. Women can experience cravings as a result of their menstrual cycle. They highlight ways...

Angus & Graham discuss rest and recovery post training. This is essential to ensure gains and reduce injury risk. In addition to discussing their own experiences, and challenges, Graham researches elite athlete including premier league footballer recovery regimes. Elite athletes regularly train 2 or 3 times per day so understanding hydration, sleep, mobility, and nutrition is essential. Topics...

Graham & Angus discuss training post holiday, and their summer holidays this year. Whilst they both tend to train at near to normal levels when away, as training has become an intrinsic part of their lives, it’s clear that this is not common. Proximity to a gym may not be a priority for all when on holiday. So how do you ramp back up after returning home? How do you overcome guilt post an exer...