PAC Talk with Pieter Vodden

How do you stay healthy, grounded, and strong when summer throws your routine off track? In this episode of PAC Talk, Pieter Vodden and Emylee Cavell share their real-world travel tips—from road tripping with kids to staying fit without a gym. They reveal how they personally navigate vacation workouts, nutrition on the go, and family time without letting it all fall apart. Plus, they introduce the...

This week, I sit down and discuss the top 10 lessons I learned from this year’s Limitless Challenge. How did people lose so much fat, gain so much muscle, and improve their lives? We always learn as much as we teach because the challenge is a collection of individualized experiences. Everybody goes through their own set of obstacles and wins, and the information and data we get back helps us bette...

In this episode of Pac Talk , Pieter and Emylee Vodden share the real metrics that matter when it comes to progress—beyond just the number on the scale. After working with 75 people over a six-week challenge, Pieter and Emylee Vodden, reflects on what actually leads to meaningful transformation. From energy levels and mood to sleep, hunger cues, and performance, this episode helps you redefine wha...

This week, I sit down with John Kim—aka The Angry Therapist . John is a therapist and author currently working on his seventh book. This is our fifth podcast together, and I think it’s our best yet. John was one of the first people I met in L.A. and my first roommate in the U.S. We’ve both been on a journey that’s led to a natural fork in the road. New beginnings are on the horizon after an unfore...

In this week’s Limitless Challenge call, Emylee Vodden walks you through a powerful framework for habit formation, inspired by Atomic Habits by James Clear. Whether you're trying to build a morning routine, save money, or finally ditch the doom scroll, this episode helps you get clear on the “structured how.” Learn how to make good habits obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying — and break bad o...

Most people think they’re in a caloric deficit… until they realize they’re not. In this clip from the Limitless Challenge weekend call, I break down what a true caloric deficit actually looks like, why it’s essential for fat loss, and how to track it without obsessing over every bite. If you’ve hit a plateau or are frustrated by your results, this might be the missing piece. Let’s make sure the wo...

Emylee here back once again! This week, I’m sharing something personal from inside the Limitless Challenge—a practice I’ve been using to call out the quiet, sneaky stories I tell myself that hold me back. Stories like “I have no time,” “I have no self-control,” or “I don’t finish what I start.” Sound familiar? In this episode, I walk through how I’ve been learning to separate story from truth—and...

In today’s episode, I’m stepping in as your guest host, Emylee Vodden. We don’t fail because we’re lazy—we fail because we build routines that only work when we’re at our best. In this episode, I’m flipping that script. What’s the laziest version of you still willing to do? That’s where the real change happens. Whether it’s drinking water before coffee, hitting your step count even on a rough day,...

We’re excited to introduce the Limitless Challenge —a six-week coaching program we designed to help you reach your fitness and nutrition goals in a sustainable, community-driven way. This recording is from our Limitless Challenge onboarding call this weekend. We dive into why we created this challenge, the kinds of people we built it for, and how our own experiences—Pieter’s background in personal...

This week, I sit down with Lizzy Picardi. Lizzy is a powerlifter, marathon runner, and founder of Rose City Barbell in Pasadena. We talk about her journey from powerlifting to bodybuilding to endurance athletics, how she manages her training schedule, how she fuels her hybrid body, and the benefits and hardships of running her own gym. I’ve been fortunate enough to know Lizzy for a long time, and...

This week I sit down with “The Queen of Regenerative Ranching “ Carrie Richards . Carrie is the owner of “Richard’s Regenerative”, a fifth generation farm in California committed to provide “our customers with a healthier and more sustainable source of beef“. It has been a few years since our last podcast, lessons have been learned and changes have happened to ensure survival. We talk about the im...

Training must be measured; the right amount of the right kind must be applied at the right time. In this Podcast Emylee and I discuss her scare with Rhabdomyolysis, what it taught her and how she rebuilt her body and her mind from the ground up. The hardest lessons can sometimes be the most educational... Listen, share and reach out if something similar has happened to you and you need advice...

This week Emylee and I discuss how we are keeping the train on the tracks. With 2 kids, 4 gyms, 50 employees, a lot of responsibilities and financial pressure it would be easy to crumble. We discuss steps we have taken, management tools, coping mechanisms and strategies to stay productive and progressive.  Join the PAC and learn how to set yourself up for success, one habit at a time. Welcome...

This week I sit down with the legendary Bobby Strom. Bobby is as OG as it gets in the business. He was Bodybuilding with the forefathers of muscle in the 70s and 80s, competed in over 30 shows, won multiple awards and went on to be one of the most sought after Personal Trainers in the industry. Bobby was one of the original “Celebrity Trainers” in Hollywood before the term even existed. From...

This week I sit down with Laura Hood, our Director of Operations at PHAROS Athletic Club. We talk about our journey together, growth, overcoming obstacles and the future. “Not a day goes by when we thank God for Laura“ is something we have been saying for a very long time…here’s why! Great podcast for anyone trying to grow a small business, anyone in the fitness industry or anyone that just likes...

This week I sit down with Coach Amanda Perri to talk all things recovery. Amanda’s journey from yoga to strength and conditioning and her experience with a near fatal accident has given her a unique and fascinating perspective on fitness . She has used many techniques to create a life of growth, strength and stability. We learn the why, the how and the details of our curre...

How many Calories do you need? No matter which we you swing it, calories will always be the biggest variable when it comes to fat loss and muscle gain. How can we calculate how many we need and whats the deal with macronutrients? In this episode I give you a great place to start and some simple/helpful things to think about when improving your nutritional program. Enjoy!  Join the PAC and lea...

This week I sit down with our GM of PHAROS REDONDO Eric Libardoni and discuss our exciting new RACE program. What it is, how it rolls and where it fits in our broad hybrid programming at the club. With so many of our athletes competing in the upcoming HYROX in Vegas it felt like a great time to take a deep dive….  Eric’s is one of the fittest guys I know , and after years competing in CrossFi...

This week Piet dives in to the new BUILD Cycle and puts it in context of the evolution and current trends in fitness. Great one for everyone jumping in to the cycle, everyone who is considering it (both in house or remotely) and anyone who has a general interest in fitness and programming.  Join the PAC and learn how to set yourself up for success, one habit at a time. Welcome to the Pac, ple...

This week we get an update on the build out of our new 27,000 square ft facility in Palm Springs . This one will change the game and Piet gives us a little insight in to what we can expect and when. Join the PAC and learn how to set yourself up for success, one habit at a time. Welcome to the Pac, please make sure you subscribe wherever you are listening to this show and if you loved this show ple...

Discover the science and power of breath control in this insightful episode of Pac Talk with Emylee Vodden . Learn how to optimize your breath mechanics for enhanced strength, conditioning, and overall fitness. Emylee shares practical techniques such as box breathing, Valsalva maneuvers, and cadence breathing, designed to help you breathe more effectively during workouts, from endurance runs to he...

In this special episode, Piet sits down with longtime friend Joe Riggio on The Business of Strength podcast to reflect on their 20 years in the fitness industry. Piet shares the story behind Pharos Athletic Clubs, from humble beginnings to their latest milestone—the opening of a 27,000-square-foot facility in Palm Springs. Tune in as they discuss the evolution of fitness, the Pharos philosophy, an...

In this episode of PacTalk, I’m taking you on a journey through the evolution of fitness. From my early days influenced by bodybuilding to the dynamic world of CrossFit, I’ve seen it all, and I want to share my perspective on where the industry is heading. We’re at a critical point in fitness, where the need for a balanced approach—combining strength training, functional workouts, and recovery—is...

On this episode of PAC Talk, I am joined by my wife Emylee, as we dive into the concept of non-negotiables—the essential principles and habits that guide our daily lives. Starting with personal philosophies and extending into daily actions, we explore the importance of staying consistent and true to one's values in fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle. Emylee and I share our own non-negotiables, incl...

In this episode of PAC Talk, I dive into the top 12 common mistakes people make in the gym that hold back their fitness progress. From excessive cardio and poor dietary habits to neglecting proper mechanics and the pitfalls of overtraining, I cover every aspect. Each of these errors can significantly impede achieving your fitness goals, and I'm here to guide you on how to avoid them. Mistakes Disc...