The Dad Bods and Dumbbells Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Mitch and Bart share their intense 500-meter rowing challenge, with Bart achieving an impressive 1:34 time and Mitch coming in at 1:59, showcasing how friendly competition pushes our limits and reveals our true capabilities. • Bart discusses his physical transformation from 226 pounds to a leaner 213, shifting his fitness goals away from constantly gaining strength toward a more b...

Send us Fan Mail Mitch and Bart discuss recovery strategies for fitness enthusiasts over 40, preview college football season, and share exciting personal and business updates. • Mitch is building a brand management agency connecting hybrid workout influencers with brands • Coming soon: a partnership with a peptide company • College football preview with predictions for the Texas vs Ohio State game...

Send us Fan Mail Chris shares his remarkable journey from juvenile delinquent with a seventh-grade education to physical therapy practice owner, revealing how adversity built the resilience that shaped his success. His story challenges conventional wisdom about overcoming obstacles, finding direction without guidance, and creating meaningful change despite starting with significant disadvantages....

Send us Fan Mail Barton and Mitch break down the most effective supplements for men over 40, separating science from hype and offering practical advice for optimal health and performance. • Creatine tops the list as an energy source for muscles during strength training, with potential cognitive benefits • Vitamin D is crucial for immune function, with most people being deficient • Omega-3 fatty ac...

Send us Fan Mail Mitch and Bart explore the impact of childhood trauma on adult relationships and parenting, examining how creating safe spaces for our children to process difficult experiences can break generational cycles of emotional disconnection. • Announcement of new supporter program through Supercast for $9/month with special perks and on air shout outs.  Special Shoutout to Ross Van Burkl...

Send us Fan Mail The team welcomes back Riley, a literary agent and former intern to discuss Love Island, social media's influence on reality TV, and cultural phenomena shaping younger generations. • Riley shares how she transitioned from college to full-time literary agent and is "climbing a new mountain" in life • Love Island USA Season 7 allows viewers to vote through an app to i...

Send us Fan Mail We explore the delicate balance between protecting our kids and giving them independence as they grow. Mitch shares his experience of sending his 10-year-old son to an overnight soccer camp for the first time, sparking a deeper conversation about parenting anxieties and letting go. • Comparing our more free-range childhood experiences to today's more protective parenting styl...

Send us Fan Mail We discuss the devastating floods in Texas and how people can help the affected communities by donating to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country.  • Reflecting on the transition from powerlifting competition to new fitness goals • Exploring workout variations including shoulder press, Bulgarian split squats, and high-volume training • Finding balance between maintaini...

Send us Fan Mail Michael Mercieca shares his powerful story of transformation through judo and how a tough-love coach changed the trajectory of his life from a bullied, anemic child to a champion athlete. • Former professional athlete nicknamed "The Silver Moose" by his judo coach at age 11 • Found judo at Pinewood Judo Club after being bullied at school and within his large immigrant fa...

Send us Fan Mail We've just discovered our national powerlifting rankings, with Bart placing #2 in Texas and #20 nationally in Masters 2 division, while Mitch ranks #8 in Texas and #44 nationally in Masters 1 division.  • Bart spent time in Newport Beach teaching his son, niece, and nephew how to surf • Mitch traveled to New York for a media tour promoting Nick Bare's book "Go One M...

Send us Fan Mail Mitch, Bart, and their guest Britt dive into their Spin the Zin discussions, covering everything from favorite movies to embarrassing songs, revealing surprising connections between personal preferences and core values. • Top three movies reveal emotional connections – from The Natural and Dead Poets Society to the entire John Wick franchise • Sports teach kids crucial life skills...

Send us Fan Mail Our summer series continues with returning guest Brit as we dive into the challenges of parenting during summer break, conspiracy theories we find most plausible, and celebrating marriage milestones. • Creating structure during summer break to avoid the dreaded "I'm bored" from kids • Dealing with mixed emotions when kids are away at summer camp • The mathematical p...

Send us Fan Mail Mitch and Bart share their experiences from their first powerlifting competition, discussing both the challenges they faced and the personal records they achieved.  • Overcoming the formalities of an organized powerlifting competition including weigh-ins and attempt selections • Learning the importance of following judges' commands after both hosts had lifts disqualified  • C...

Send us Fan Mail Mitch and Bart count down the final days before their first-ever powerlifting competition, facing unexpected challenges and embracing their rookie status in a new sport. • Bart discusses a rib injury that threatens his competition readiness, currently giving him a 70% chance of competing • Mitch shares his anxiety about wearing a powerlifting singlet and making weight for his clas...

Send us Fan Mail Bart announces his retirement from boot camp training after a decade, reflecting on the community built and lives changed through fitness programs. The guys explore the challenges of getting visible abs at 40 and debate what sacrifices are worth making for fitness goals. • Bart is retiring from Camp Gladiator boot camps after 10+ years of training • Final workout celebration happe...

Send us Fan Mail We return from our short break to discuss Bart's impressive gains in powerlifting and our upcoming competition on June 7th.  • Bart makes significant strength improvements with a focus on technique and programming • Mitch orders his singlet and powerlifting belt in preparation for June 7th • We break down projected attempts for squat, bench press, and deadlift • Bart hopes to...

Send us Fan Mail We explore competitive powerlifting as middle-aged fitness enthusiasts, breaking down the key differences between training for strength versus muscle growth, while also touching on NBA playoff predictions and Cam Haines' upcoming book release. • Discussing current NBA playoff matchups with focus on Lakers-Timberwolves and other key series • Announcing Cam Haines' new boo...

Send us Fan Mail We uncover the nuts and bolts of maintaining and building muscle in your 40s and 50s through optimized gym workouts. This chapter of life requires smart training strategies as our bodies don't recover as quickly as they once did. • Seven essential concepts for building muscle past 40 years old • Creating an effective workout split: push-pull-legs or push-pull-legs-rest-upper-...

Send us Fan Mail Patrick O'Connor shares his experiences working with police dogs in the Austin Police Department's canine division, revealing the deep bonds formed with his partners Tex and Murph and the life-saving work they performed together. • Police dogs work primarily as locating tools with extraordinary scent capabilities that function at parts per billion • German Shepherds, Mal...

Send us Fan Mail James DeLacy shares his expertise on strength training for parents and athletes, revealing why less can sometimes mean more when it comes to building strength. • Former strength and conditioning coach for professional rugby with a Master's in Sports and Exercise Science • Father of two young children who fits training around family life in his garage gym • Acquired the Lift B...

Send us Fan Mail Mitch and Bart share their transformative experiences with hair restoration treatments from Solutions Pharmacy, discuss powerlifting progress updates, and swap harrowing spring break vacation stories. • Remarkable results from a specialized hair restoration cream combining cetrozyte and ribose that activates dormant hair follicles • The importance of starting hair restoration trea...

Send us Fan Mail Britt Knighton shares his remarkable journey from getting fired before his first job to becoming CEO of Home Care Interact, with pivotal stops including tsunami relief work in Sri Lanka where he met his wife and overcoming a life-changing car accident. • Fourth-generation Baylor graduate who planned to write speeches and join SNL • Lost his first job before starting, leading him t...

Send us Fan Mail Bart celebrates his 50th birthday with a unique "lift big, eat big" party at an outdoor gym followed by BBQ with close friends, demonstrating you can still deadlift 400 pounds at the half-century mark. • Bart - Turning 50 with a workout party at Lift ATX instead of a traditional pub crawl • Mitch - Deadlifting 400 pounds with minimal warm-up, suggesting potential for 500...

Send us Fan Mail A candid exploration of body image challenges in powerlifting, along with strategies for maintaining a healthy lifestyle while managing weight. Staff concerns about weight, training intensity, and emotional ties to eating habits highlighted. • Jokes and light-hearted moments start the episode  • Spotlight on Rx Solutions as key sponsor  • Discussion about body image and feelings o...

Send us Fan Mail Running a marathon doesn't have to be just about the finish line. We share entertaining insights from Bart's recent experience at the Austin Marathon, where the spirit of celebration met the trials of physical feats. It’s a humorous take on how community spirit and libations can merge with endurance races. • Bart discusses the challenges of being under-trained for the Au...