The Discover Strength Podcast

In this powerful solo episode, Discover Strength CEO and Exercise Physiologist Luke Carlson unpacks a newly published review paper in the journal Physical Education and Sports, Studies and Research titled “A Critical Analysis of the Disconnection Between Science and Practice in Weight Training.” Drawing from a systematic review of 47 studies, Luke reveals a troubling truth: most fitness profession...

In this episode of the Discover Strength Podcast, CEO Luke Carlson breaks down the rise of popular fitness trends—like walking with a weighted vest, cold plunging, Zone 2 cardio, yoga, and Pilates —and asks the critical question every smart fitness consumer should start with: “What is your objective?” Luke explores how trends gain momentum through podcast influencers, social media, and industry su...

In this episode of the Discover Strength Podcast, CEO Luke Carlson is joined by Dr. James Fisher, a globally recognized exercise scientist, to explore what happens in our bodies from the very first weeks of resistance training through years of disciplined effort. They break down the neurological adaptations that drive early strength gains, the morphological changes that come later, and what advanc...

What do Steve Jobs and your next strength workout have in common? In this episode, Discover Strength CEO and exercise physiologist Luke Carlson tells the surprising story of how a freshman-year paper on high-intensity training (HIT) led to an unforgettable analogy: HIT is the Apple of strength training. Luke explores how HIT—rooted in evidence-based, efficient, and safe exercise —shares the same e...

In this episode of the Discover Strength Podcast, CEO and exercise physiologist Luke Carlson interviews Dr. Brendon Gurd of Queen's University to unpack one of the biggest fitness buzzwords of the last five years: Zone 2 training . Dr. Gurd breaks down his recently published paper in Sports Medicine , titled “Much Ado About Zone 2” , and reveals what the current science says about the efficac...

What separates a good strength training session from a great one? In this episode of the Discover Strength Podcast, CEO Luke Carlson is joined by three of the brand’s most experienced exercise physiologists—Rick Regnell, Kayla Ezuck, and Taylor Melvin—for a candid conversation rooted in over 100,000 training sessions. They break down the habits and mindset traits that expert trainers notice—and de...

In this pivotal episode, Discover Strength CEO Luke Carlson dives deep into the core purpose and bold 10-year vision that will shape the future of the company—and potentially, the entire fitness industry. Luke unpacks the driving force behind Discover Strength’s mission: to lead a movement in evidence-based exercise , and outlines the newly defined BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal): to become the de...

Discover Strength CEO and exercise physiologist Luke Carlson takes you behind the scenes of Project Discover—our ongoing effort to advance the science of strength training and lead the movement in evidence-based exercise. In this episode, Luke shares:  The history of Discover Strength’s published research and collaborations with Dr. James Fisher and Dr. James Steele.  Why our supervised, high-qual...

In this powerful solo episode, Luke Carlson—CEO of Discover Strength shares 20 hard-earned lessons from completing 30 marathons over the past two decades. Blending cutting-edge exercise science with personal experimentation, Luke explores the real factors that drive performance: running economy, durability, strength training, progressive overload, nutrition, body composition, mental fortitude, and...

Fitness content is everywhere—but how do you separate science from sound bites? In this episode of the Discover Strength Podcast, CEO and exercise physiologist Luke Carlson shares four expert-backed filters for determining whether fitness information is credible. Learn why flashy confidence is a red flag, why you shouldn’t blindly follow the fittest person in the room, and how real experts lean in...

For years, we've been told that losing weight is the key to better health. But what if everything you thought you knew about fitness and fatness is wrong? In this episode, Discover Strength CEO and exercise physiologist Luke Carlson unpacks the science behind the Fit and Fat Paradox — revealing why being aerobically fit and strong matters far more than the number on the scale. You’ll learn: W...

In this episode of the Discover Strength Podcast, CEO and exercise physiologist Luke Carlson breaks down three powerful "here and now" techniques to immediately improve the quality of your next strength training workout. From eliminating momentum at the start of each rep, to applying maximum effort with proper intent, and maintaining perfect form regardless of how many reps you did last...

On this episode of the Discover Strength Podcast, CEO Luke Carlson is joined by Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple, a leading researcher at McMaster University, to bust the top myths about strength training for women, especially during menopause. They unpack the truth about lifting heavy, the role of estrogen, cortisol misconceptions, and the science behind “cycle syncing.” Dr. Colenso-Semple also shares p...

In this episode of the Discover Strength Podcast, CEO Luke Carlson is joined by esteemed strength training researcher Dr. James Fisher for a special “10 Questions” conversation. With over 130 scientific publications to his name, Dr. Fisher dives deep into some of the most pressing topics in resistance training today—from the science behind training at long muscle lengths and the most common myths...

n this episode, CEO Luke Carlson recaps six powerful insights from the 2025 Discover Strength Summit in Dallas. From expert perspectives on pain management and resistance training for older adults, to hospitality-driven leadership lessons and the fight against health misinformation—this episode is packed with actionable takeaways for fitness professionals and clients alike. Discover Strength offer...

In this episode of the Discover Strength Podcast, CEO and exercise physiologist Luke Carlson dives into groundbreaking new research on how strength training enhances running economy and durability for long-distance runners. Fresh off the Boston Marathon, Luke shares key findings from a study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise , explaining why strength training isn't...

On this episode of the Discover Strength Podcast, CEO and exercise physiologist Luke Carlson is joined by Dr. Alyssa Larish, academic obstetrician, researcher at the Mayo Clinic, and competitive athlete. They dive into the latest evidence around exercise and pregnancy, the benefits of resistance training for maternal and fetal health, common myths, safe training guidelines, and how to optimize pos...

In this episode of the Discover Strength Podcast, CEO and exercise physiologist Luke Carlson challenges one of the biggest myths in fitness — that more is better when it comes to strength training. Luke unpacks the history behind the popular "3 sets of 10" approach, shares insights from his time with the Minnesota Vikings, and breaks down decades of research supporting single-set trainin...

In this episode of the Discover Strength Podcast, CEO and exercise physiologist Luke Carlson breaks down the latest research on protein and how it can amplify the benefits of your strength training. Luke shares a practical 5-point protein action plan, covering everything from how much protein you need, when to consume it, and why it's especially important as you age or aim to improve body com...

In this episode of the Discover Strength Podcast, CEO and exercise physiologist Luke Carlson breaks down three essential strategies for effectively integrating strength training into your competition prep—no matter the sport. Discover Strength offers free Introductory Workouts at any location across the United States. You can schedule your free Introductory Workout HERE !

Live from Las Vegas, Discover Strength CEO and exercise physiologist Luke Carlson is joined by a panel of experts— David Geschneidner, Rick Ricknell, and Taylor Melvin —to break down the six biggest insights from the Health & Fitness Association’s 2025 Convention. Discover Strength offers free Introductory Workouts at any location across the United States. You can schedule your free Introducto...

In this episode, Luke Carlson dives into groundbreaking new research on the effects of strength training for women across different stages of menopause. Published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise , this study examines how hormonal changes impact strength gains, balance, and muscle adaptation. Discover Strength offers free Introductory Workouts at any location across the United St...

In this episode, Discover Strength CEO and exercise physiologist Luke Carlson shares the ten books that have had the greatest impact on his leadership, business philosophy, and the foundation of Discover Strength . Dividing them into three categories—business, leadership, and biographies—Luke discusses why these books matter and how their insights can shape the way you think about work, leadership...

In this episode of the Discover Strength Podcast , Luke Carlson explores the growing popularity of strength training and the critical role that machines play in maximizing results. With the fitness industry shifting towards resistance training, Luke debunks common myths surrounding free weights and highlights seven key benefits of using strength training machines. Discover Strength offers free Int...

Join Luke Carlson, CEO of Discover Strength, as he dives into the science behind improving body composition and the evolution of the Body Comp Challenge , a program that has helped clients build muscle and lose fat for over 16 years. Luke shares the origins of the challenge, the latest research on strength training, protein intake, and fat loss, and what Discover Strength has learned along the way...