Lift Free And Diet Hard with Andrew Coates

Michael Mash is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and the founder of Barbell Rehab. Known for bridging the gap between rehabilitation and strength training, Michael returns to challenge some of the most common fears surrounding injuries, barbells, and lifting heavy. In this episode, Michael joins Andrew Coates to explain what he really means when he says “I’d rather be strong and in pain than weak and...

Dan Feldman returns for a masterclass in evidence-based nutrition, covering two of the most debated topics in modern health conversations: gluten intolerance and organic foods. Dan is a trusted voice in evidence-based nutrition media and practice, and in this episode he joins Andrew to break down what the research actually says — without fear-mongering, food moralizing, or ideology. THIS EPISODE C...

Chris Bailey is the bestselling author of The Productivity Project , Hyperfocus , How to Calm Your Mind , and his newest release, Intentional . In this episode, Chris joins Andrew Coates to explore why so many capable, driven people still feel stuck, scattered, or unfulfilled—and how the issue is often not effort, but misalignment between goals, values, and intentions. Drawing from years of resear...

Luka Hocevar returns to the show with lessons drawn from decades as a coach, mentor, and educator—and now, his newest and most meaningful role: fatherhood. In this episode, Luka joins Andrew Coates to unpack what it actually takes to balance high-level coaching, athleticism, business ownership, and family life without burning out or lowering standards. Rather than preaching productivity hacks, Luk...

Dr. Alyssa Olenick is one of the fastest-rising educators and coaches in the evidence-based fitness space. Known for her clarity, skepticism, and ability to translate complex physiology into practical coaching decisions, Alyssa returns to the show to tackle one of the most misunderstood topics in modern fitness. In this episode, Alyssa joins Andrew Coates to unpack what she actually means when she...

Clifton Harski is the COO of The PPSC, a veteran of group exercise and traveling seminar education, and a much-needed jester pushing back against an increasingly ultra-serious fitness media landscape. In this episode, Clifton joins Andrew Coates for a fun, thoughtful, and refreshingly honest deconstruction of functional training —how it earned its reputation, where it went off the rails, and what’...

Kevin Carr is an author, educator, and co-owner of multiple fitness businesses and brands, including Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning (MBSC) and the Certified Functional Strength Coach (CFSC) certification. In this episode, Kevin joins Andrew Coates to have a candid conversation about the state of the fitness industry—and why, despite unprecedented access to gyms, information, and technology,...

Chad Landers is a former NSCA Personal Trainer of the Year award winner, with over 30 years of hands-on coaching experience and more than 20 years as a gym owner. Chad is also the author of the new book Building Strength and Muscle After 50 , which draws on decades of real-world coaching rather than trends or fear-based messaging. In this episode, Chad joins Andrew Coates to discuss what actually...

Steve Hall is a WNBF Natural Pro Bodybuilder and one of the most trusted evidence-based voices in muscle building. As the host of the Revive Stronger podcast and a long-time practitioner, Steve brings rare clarity and nuance to topics that are often oversimplified online. In this episode, Steve joins Andrew to break down what actually matters for hypertrophy when it comes to rest periods, fatigue,...

Dr. Justin Farnsworth is a highly respected physical therapist who emphasizes strength training, movement, and education as foundational tools for managing pain and injury. In this episode, Justin joins me to challenge some of the most deeply held beliefs in modern healthcare - particularly the assumption that pain automatically requires surgery or rest. Justin brings clarity, nuance, and evidence...

Mark Carroll is a legendary Australian transformation coach, educator, and entrepreneur. Known publicly for elite-level results and business success, Mark joins me for one of his most open and vulnerable conversations to date. In a world driven by artificial polish, highlight reels, and performance, Mark peels back the curtain on what was really happening behind the scenes while his career and fin...

Ebenezer Samuel , Fitness Director of Men’s Health , joins me for a wide-ranging and insightful conversation on the current and future state of fitness media , where people learn about training, and how the landscape has shifted dramatically over the last decade. Ebenezer brings both industry-level perspective and hands-on coaching experience to explore how research, hypertrophy culture, entertain...

Melody Schoenfeld is an author, gym owner, nutrition coach, and holds a Master's in Health Psychology. She brings deep expertise, a sharp nonsense detector, and evidence-based nuance to one of the most polarizing topics in nutrition - vegan diets . In this episode, Melody and Andrew dive into the most persistent vegan myths, bad-faith arguments, and common misunderstandings from both sides of...

Dr. Allan Bacon returns to break down one of the trickiest parts of health and fitness: fat loss plateaus . Allan blends evidence, coaching experience, and no-nonsense communication to clarify why plateaus happen, why most people misunderstand them, and what to actually do to overcome them. Allan and Andrew dive into: • How much of a plateau is physical vs. psychological • When a plateau becomes a...

Alex Allen is one of the most skilled coaches in the industry at communicating nuance around training, lifestyle, and nutrition. She brings deep compassion and lived experience to the conversation - including weight gain, weight loss, PCOS, relationships, identity, and self-worth. Alex and Andrew dive into: • Why you’ll never hate yourself into a body you love • How people misjudge your journey wh...

Chris Duffin is an iconic strength athlete, entrepreneur, inventor, author, and educator known for engineering both world-class feats of strength and world-class systems of mindset. In this episode, Chris opens up about how his unconventional and turbulent upbringing forged his resilience and shaped his approach to life, leadership, and legacy. Chris and Andrew explore: • How growing up with homel...

Danny Lennon is one of the most respected and longest-tenured evidence based nutrition authorities in the world. It’s an honour to welcome him back for an incredibly nuanced and level-headed conversation on one of the most contentious topics in all of nutrition - seed oils. In a landscape filled with loud, sensational nutrition claims, Danny brings clarity, evidence, and calm to a discussion that...

Jaime Filer is the founder of Filer Fitness and a respected speaker and educator in the fitness industry. In this episode, Jaime brings a mix of humor, vulnerability, and hard-earned wisdom to help unpack the very real ways anxiety impacts fitness, health, relationships, and identity . Jaime and Andrew dive into: • How dealing with anxiety has a massive impact on your fitness efforts and outcomes...

Austin Current , author of The Science of Strength Training , joins me for a deep dive into what “optimal” really means - and doesn’t mean - in training, coaching, and everyday life. We explore how perfectionism, online debates, and unrealistic standards can derail people who simply want to train well, feel good, and live a sustainable lifestyle. Austin shares insight on: • Why keeping promises to...

Dr. Tony Boutagy, PhD in Exercise and Sports Science, joins me for a myth-busting conversation about the surge of influencer claims surrounding peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women’s strength training. Tony brings clarity, scientific context, and decades of applied expertise to help cut through misinformation and fear-driven content targeted at women in midlife. He breaks down: • Debunking th...

Kris Gethin is one of the most recognizable figures in the global fitness industry, known for his role as the longtime Editor-in-Chief of Bodybuilding.com , his transformation programs, and his relentless commitment to physical and mental growth. In this conversation, Kris shares his philosophy and experience around personal transformation - physically, mentally, and emotionally. He dives into: •...

Dr. Dwayne N. Jackson , PhD in Neuromuscular Physiology, joins me to bring clarity, evidence, and nuance to one of the most hyped and misunderstood topics in modern fitness and medicine— peptides . With an extensive background in academic research, education, and business, Dwayne draws from his PhD work on peptides to help separate legitimate science from marketing myth . He shares expert insight...

Endocrinologist and obesity specialist Dr. Karl Nadolsky joins me to bust myths, debunk pseudoscience, and share evidence-based nuance around: • Whether “adrenal fatigue” is a real thing • What adrenal insufficiency actually is • The most common symptoms people misattribute to “adrenal fatigue” • Thoughts on self-proclaimed “hormone specialists” • The marketing of “hormone balancing” and why it’s...

Industry icon Krista Scott-Dixon joins me to share her wisdom, expertise, and philosophy on: • Why “sciencey protocols” are often a grift (with nuance and context) • Why living smaller and spending less is often boring—but better • Sleep routines and avoiding fragility in your lifestyle rituals • Performance psychology from coaching elite tactical personnel—and how it helps everyday people • How a...

Dr. Ben Rein is a neuroscientist and the author of the new book Why Brains Need Friends. Ben guest stars on my podcast to share his expertise about: -Is loneliness as dangerous as smoking, and why -How social interaction improves our health and well being -The difference between solitude and isolation -Why we experience isolation as stress -How isolation leads to inflammation  -Is increased virtua...