The Dad Bods and Dumbbells Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Link to the Mindset Forge Podcast on Apple Podcasts:   https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mindset-forge/id1535891737 Barton’s RIVIAN Referral Code: BARTON16694413 Become a Premium Member of Dadbods and Dumbbells by visiting:  https://dadbodsanddumbbells.supercast.com ---------- Follow Mitch: http://instagram.com/runwithmitch Follow Bart:  http://instagram.com/bartonguybryan...

Send us Fan Mail We sit down with Jungian analyst Susan Schwartz to talk about what makes a father emotionally present, not just physically around. We dig into trust, pressure, phones, sports, and how our own unfinished stories can quietly land on our kids. • emotional presence as daily curiosity, not proximity • asking better questions about feelings, friends, dreams, and body changes • follow-up...

Send us Fan Mail  break down the energy drink landscape with a clear plan for smarter caffeine: how much to have, when to stop, and which cans keep it clean without wrecking sleep. We compare brands, sugar vs sweetener, strength vs cardio timing, ketones hype, and our Ghost flavor tier list. • key FDA guideline of 400 mg caffeine per day • why tolerance builds and how to reset it • risks of mixing...

Send us Fan Mail We celebrate checked-off goals at 51, from a powerlifting meet to singing the national anthem, then pivot to a real talk breakdown of body dysmorphia versus everyday insecurity. Peptides, recovery, sports highs, and a four-jar balance check give listeners tools they can use now. • sponsor shoutouts and peptide basics for recovery and fat loss • bloodwork-led protocols and first st...

Send us Fan Mail We unpack the quiet strain many men carry in midlife—loneliness, stress overflow at home, and the gap between outward discipline and inner connection. We trade the old chase for status and control for a new pursuit of presence, wisdom, and honest community. • premium extras from our Optimize chat and a$50 monthly discount code • marathon-as-a-tree plans, suits, and shifting timeli...

Send us Fan Mail We dig into how peptides and doctor-guided HRT can protect muscle, reduce fat, and restore energy with real oversight and bloodwork. Jack and Nathan from Optimize share safe protocols, timelines, and why microdosing GLP‑1s plus recomposition stacks beat crash weight loss. Optimize Health & Performance is more than telehealth—it’s a belief that with the right protocols, you can...

Send us Fan Mail We pull apart eight fitness myths social media keeps selling and replace them with simple, sustainable habits that actually change your body. From grinding daily to detox shortcuts, we show why boring consistency beats flashy fixes. • new sponsor Optimize Health and Performance and monthly discount • why daily workouts backfire without recovery • sweat and heart rate zones vs actu...

Send us Fan Mail We swap quick fixes for steady wins and answer the internet’s top fitness questions with simple, durable strategies. From two-day strength splits to real motivation and better form, we map out a plan you can keep without chasing deadlines. • sponsor highlight and monthly $50 discount at Optimize Health and Performance • why people start then quit: external vs intrinsic motivation...

Send us Fan Mail We spin through six topics—smarter training tweaks, the magic of live shows, where AI helps or harms, who should control national data, and how to plan family time during busy seasons—then set a bold growth goal for the podcast. Real tools, real tradeoffs, and a clear push toward intentional choices. Tidbits from the episode: • new workout additions that boost consistency and leg-...

Send us Fan Mail We trade grand resolutions for durable habits, centering presence with family, disciplined training, and honest self-work. We also introduce our new Wellness Sponsor: Optimize Health and Performance for physician-guided solutions, and set the tone for a more intentional season two. • holiday reset and a slower start to the year • quick college football reactions and fan life • spo...

Send us Fan Mail We sit down with four-time Natural Mr. Olympia Philip Ricardo Jr. to explore how planning, smart training, and faith create strength that lasts. The focus moves from ego lifts to longevity, with clear tactics for men in midlife to train hard, recover well, and stay consistent. • daily planning routines that protect training time • evening workouts for stress relief and consistency...

Send us Fan Mail First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO Mitch (Dec. 18th).  As we are on a hiatus, here is a deep track episode from the Mindset Forge Podcast discussing Mindset around peak performance.   In this Episode, we explore how elite performers push past the brain’s early stop signal and how mindful acceptance turns pressure into presence. Taylor Brown shares the Brown–Harvard sprint, a sub‑5 mi...

Send us Fan Mail Two Apaches fly into a Taliban kill box and survive on trust, training and minimal words, then pull the win apart to expose mistakes and build a better playbook. We unpack chairflying, stress inoculation and how preparation can turn trauma into growth without bravado. Lt. Col. Brian Slade shares his stories of Flying Helicopters in Afghanistan.  • the pretzel maneuver ambush and m...

Send us Fan Mail In this Bonus Episode, Barton and David explore how discomfort, discipline, and honest self-assessment create growth in midlife, guided by 17-time Ironman.  From signing up for scary goals to choosing sobriety and leading as a dad, we focus on practical ways to expand your comfort zone and set real priorities. • season focus on thriving men aged 40 to 60 • mindset shift that pain...

Send us Fan Mail Barton and Michael dive into how a championship mindset survives real life: raising kids, navigating marriage, earning roles others overlook, and building a business that fits the neighborhood, not the myth. Michael Griffin shares how pressure shaped him from Bowie to Texas to the NFL. • fatherhood lessons from a pro athlete mind • why tone beats content in family talks • early Au...

Send us Fan Mail We rethink work-life balance with clear tactics for busy dads, cutting screens and excuses in favor of short, targeted workouts, better sleep, and deeper presence at home. Along the way, we talk faith, identity, forgiveness, and why some games deserve to be turned off. • sponsor update on oral peptides and semaglutide options • micro-workouts anchored to fixed routines • early tra...

Send us Fan Mail We go from college football and whiskey festivals to a real talk on sciatica, recovery, and how to train smarter without losing momentum. Mitch shares a new role at Moon Valley Nursery and we lay out a practical plan to cool nerve pain and manage load through the holidays. • gratitude for sponsors and premium members • quick Texas and Oregon playoff outlook • recap of Smoke and Wh...

Send us Fan Mail Barton shares updates on Mitch’s new, focus, and Bart's 18 years of marriage.  He also digs into the real differences between building muscle and building strength. Barton updates listeners on Ryon Talbot and Barton's Premium member workout at Tiger ATX and practical tips on weighted vests and farmer’s carries in the neighborhood. • Mitch’s Oregon Ducks, Hoosiers take, m...

Send us Fan Mail Three dads talk with former Austin mayor Steve Adler about raising independent kids, building family culture that lasts, and setting tech boundaries that keep values first. We focus on modeled behavior, earned privilege, and why agency beats entitlement. • modeling values through consistent choices • designing age-appropriate privileges and limits • teaching agency over outcomes a...

Send us Fan Mail We trade jokes for honesty and talk about aging, injury, and the fear of being average, then land on a challenge: pick one thing and be undeniable. Adult competition, powerlifting vs marathons, and real talk about identity turn a casual catch-up into a turning point. • sponsor shoutouts and premium member thanks • health updates: knees, hamstring, cold plunge, cleats • youth feedb...

Send us Fan Mail Get ready for a raw, hopeful talk about therapy, identity, and finding a sustainable way into fitness as dads. Britt shares how counseling has allowed him to level up in his relationships and ease the anxiety that kept him up nights worrying about work.   Episode Highlights:  • college football check-in across Baylor, Oregon and Texas • Britt’s post-accident weight gain and reset...

Send us Fan Mail We thank the community, shout out premium members, and reflect on Ryon’s courage to share his story, share his race results to unpack a bigger theme: fitness as the most reliable common denominator of success. From dad-league soccer to strength training stats, we make a practical case for starting now and modeling discipline for our kids. • gratitude for listeners, shares and prem...

Send us Fan Mail Barton’s RIVIAN Referral Code: BARTON16694413 Become a Premium Member of Dadbods and Dumbbells by visiting:  https://dadbodsanddumbbells.supercast.com ---------- Follow Mitch: http://instagram.com/runwithmitch Follow Bart:  http://instagram.com/bartonguybryan Follow the Podcast:  http://instagram.com/dad_bods_and_dumbbells Visit Mitch's website: http://Bigboysruntoo.com Visit...

Send us Fan Mail Mitch announces his plan to break a Guinness World Record at the Austin Marathon by running the entire race dressed as a book to promote literacy, potentially making him a two-time record holder.  • Reflecting on last week's popular episode with Ryan O'ay about sobriety and identity shifts in midlife • Exploring fatherhood challenges and how men often project their own &...

Send us Fan Mail Ryan O'Dea shares his inspiring journey from weighing 325 pounds after college to becoming a competitive bodybuilder at 245 pounds. Through overcoming health issues, quitting alcohol, and finding community in the gym, he transformed both his physique and his approach to fatherhood. • From college weight gain to fitness journey: taking control of health after needing medicatio...