The Revive Stronger Podcast

In this episode of the Revive Stronger podcast, host Steve Hall interviews Alec Blenis, a competitive athlete and strength coach. They discuss Alec's diverse athletic background, his transition from physics to fitness coaching, and the evolution of training methodologies. The conversation delves into the interference effect in training, the balance between strength and endurance, and the importanc...

In this conversation, Steve Hall and Paul Revelia delve into the intricacies of coaching in the bodybuilding world, reflecting on Paul's 15-year journey as a coach. They discuss the importance of client-coach alignment, share horror stories from the prep world, and highlight the red flags to look for when choosing a coach. Paul emphasizes the need for personal connection and the evolution of coach...

In this engaging conversation, Steve Hall and Jeff Alberts reflect on the past year in bodybuilding, discussing the evolution of mindset from competition-focused to enjoyment-driven. They explore the importance of fun in the contest prep process, the impact of social media on expectations, and the necessity of adapting training as one ages. Jeff shares insights on recovery, learning from other spo...

In this conversation, Holly Baxter shares her journey from amateur to professional bodybuilder, discussing the challenges of self-coaching, the competitive landscape of bikini competitions, and the importance of flexibility in training and nutrition. She emphasizes the need for dietary variety to prevent deficiencies and shares insights on body composition measurements and the limitations of DEXA...

In this episode of the Revive Stronger podcast, host Steve Hall and coach Kassem Hanson discuss the evolving landscape of fitness, particularly focusing on the impact of social media on training methodologies. They explore the importance of understanding fatigue, the role of experience in coaching, and the necessity of individualization in training programs. Kassem shares insights from his own jou...

This conversation delves into the intricacies of training volume, intensity, and their effects on hypertrophy and strength. The speakers discuss the methodologies of meta-analyses, the importance of dose-response relationships, and the practical applications of research findings. They explore the differences between training for hypertrophy and strength, the limitations of current research, and th...

In this conversation, Steve Hall and Martin MacDonald catch up after two years, discussing various updates in Martin's life, including the growth of Mac Nutrition Uni and the introduction of new courses. They delve into the concept of aggressive dieting, addressing common misconceptions and the importance of community support in coaching. The discussion also touches on the role of AI in nutrition...

In this episode, Steve Hall welcomes back Dr. Martin Refalo to discuss his recent research on protein intake and its relationship with fat-free mass retention during calorie deficits. They explore the differences between exploratory and confirmatory research, the importance of practical recommendations, and how to interpret research findings in the context of coaching. Martin emphasizes the signif...

In this episode, Steve Hall and Dr. Greg Potter discuss various lifestyle changes that can promote better health and longevity. They explore the importance of nutritional diversity, dietary timing, innovative training techniques, and environmental changes. Additionally, they delve into the impact of microplastics on health, emphasizing the need for awareness and actionable steps to mitigate exposu...

In this episode of the Revive Stronger podcast, host Steve Hall and guest Jake Remmert delve into the latest research on training volume and its effects on hypertrophy and strength. They discuss the importance of recovery, the methodology behind their research, and the practical applications of their findings for coaches and athletes. The conversation highlights the significance of individual diff...

In this episode, Steve Hall reconnects with Dr. Mike Israetel to discuss his recent transition in training focus, updates on his bodybuilding journey, and the challenges he faced during his recovery from surgery. Mike shares insights into his training split, the psychological impact of being unable to train, and the importance of managing volume and frequency for optimal recovery. He also opens up...

In this episode of the Revive Stronger podcast, host Steve Hall welcomes back Dr. Milo Wolf and Dr. Pak for a roundtable discussion on health, training, and nutrition. The conversation covers their personal updates, the importance of evergreen content in science communication, insights on health and longevity, the relevance of blood tests, and the myths surrounding ultra-processed foods. They also...

In this episode, Steve Hall speaks with Dr. Greg Potter about the importance of longevity and health, exploring various aspects of aging, the hallmarks of aging, and the implications for health and wellness. They discuss the aging of organs, the role of supplements in promoting longevity, and the controversies surrounding the supplement industry. The conversation also touches on practical advice f...

In this solo episode, Steve Hall discusses the intricacies of mass gaining and bulking, focusing on the importance of being in a caloric surplus for muscle growth. He explores the debate surrounding whether a surplus is necessary, the optimal rate of weight gain, and effective nutritional strategies for bodybuilders. Hall emphasizes the significance of training intensity and the need for a balance...

In this engaging conversation, Chris Barakat shares his journey as a bodybuilder, reflecting on the emotional and practical challenges of competing while navigating significant life changes. He discusses the importance of self-trust, the role of scale weight in tracking progress, and insights into body recomposition. Chris also explores the new Classic division in bodybuilding and shares his futur...

In this episode of the Revive Stronger podcast, host Steve Hall interviews Dr. Grant Tinsley, a professor and researcher in kinesiology and exercise nutrition. They discuss Grant's journey into the world of exercise and nutrition, the importance of body composition assessment, and practical methods for tracking changes in body fat and muscle mass. The conversation also touches on the physiological...

In this episode, Steve Hall interviews Brandon Kempter, a renowned natural bodybuilding coach and competitor, about his journey back to the stage after a five-year hiatus. They discuss the mental shifts Brandon has made to reduce stress during contest prep, the importance of coaching and support, and how to manage expectations and pressure. Brandon shares insights on identifying weaknesses during...

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Colby Sousa—sport scientist, coach, and lifter—to discuss his journey from being an overweight kid to pursuing a PhD in hypertrophy research under Eric Helms. We cover his biggest takeaways from working with top researchers like Helms & Zourdos. Surprising insights from studies on energy surpluses & reps in reserve accuracy. His approach to training & nutrition...

In this conversation, Steve Hall and Dr. Scott Stevenson delve into the implications of AI on our lives, particularly in the context of coaching and bodybuilding. They discuss the importance of 'clean thinking' as a mental nourishment akin to clean eating, and the dangers of over-reliance on technology, which can lead to cognitive decline, or 'digital dementia.' The discussion emphasizes the value...

Astrid Naranjo joins the podcast to share her journey through her first competitive season. We discuss what finally made her step on stage, how she handled the highs and lows of prep, and the key lessons she learned. She also opens up about her past eating disorder and whether competing triggered any challenges, plus her unique approach to post-show recovery. Finally, we look at her future plans i...

Dr. Eric Helms is back on the podcast for an in-depth discussion on his latest training and nutrition insights. We revisit his uni-corn offseason gains, how his recent mini cut set him up for prep, and why he’s able to handle close to 30 sets per week for multiple muscle groups. We also break down his latest research on protein intake when dieting, including key takeaways from his recent paper wit...

In this episode of the Revive Stronger podcast, we dive into how training studies are actually conducted with insights from Eric Helms, Dr. Eduardo de Souza, Chris Barakat, Jake Remmert, Martin Refalo, and Dr. Pak. We cover common misconceptions, RIR accuracy, training intensity, music’s impact, and guiding participants in research. If you rely on studies for your training, this episode will help...

In this episode of the Revive Stronger podcast, Dr. Eduardo De Souza joins us to dissect the latest research on training volume and muscle hypertrophy. We explore how recent meta-analyses have shaped the 'more is better' narrative, these studies' critical limitations and caveats, and the distinction between statistical significance and real-world application. Dr. De Souza also shares practical adv...

In this episode of the Revive Stronger podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Eric Trexler to unpack the role of novelty in muscle growth. Is switching things up essential for gains, or is it overrated? We’ll dive into the science behind novelty, discuss its pros and cons, and give you practical tips for incorporating it strategically into your training. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced lifter, this e...

Why is there so much hate for science-based lifters right now? In this episode, I’m joined by Geoffrey Verity Schofield to unpack the misconceptions about evidence-based training, the pitfalls of ‘optimality,’ and how to actually apply science without getting lost in the weeds. Plus, Geoffrey shares his 2.5-week mini-cut experience and how he managed to drop nearly 10 pounds without tracking food....