Chasing Clarity: Health & Fitness Podcast

Body recomposition — the process of building muscle and losing fat at the same time — is one of the most contested and most misunderstood concepts in physique development.The conventional view is that recomp is reserved for two specific groups — beginners and individuals with excess body fat. And while those populations do see the most dramatic outcomes, that framing leaves out several other groups who can absolutely still recomp under the right conditions.On this week’s episode of the CHASING CLARITY HEALTH & FITNESS PODCAST, I’m joined by Jeff Hoehn for Episode 5 of our monthly collaboration where we break down topics that bridge evidence-based research with real-world coaching application.In this conversation, we go deep on what body recomposition actually is, the three different forms it can take, and the five populations of individuals who can realistically expect to recomp when their training and nutrition are properly structured.HERE’S WHAT WE COVER:WHAT BODY RECOMPOSITION REALLY MEANS & WHY THE SCALE OFTEN MISLEADS YOU THE 3 FORMS OF BODY RECOMP & THE PHASES WHERE EACH ONE SHOWS UP FAT LOSS FOCUSED RECOMP, BUILDING FOCUSED RECOMP & SIMULTANEOUS FAT LOSS WITH MUSCLE GAIN WHY NEWBIES & INDIVIDUALS WITH EXCESS BODY FAT SEE THE MOST DRAMATIC RECOMP OUTCOMES THE MUSCLE MEMORY ADVANTAGE FOR DETRAINED INDIVIDUALS RETURNING TO TRAININGWHY TRAINED LIFTERS CAN STILL RECOMP & THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRAINING AGE & TRAINING ADVANCEMENT THE LATEST RESEARCH FROM VARGAS-MOLINA ET AL. ON RECOMP IN TRAINED INDIVIDUALS WHAT ENHANCED ATHLETES TELL US ABOUT THE NATURAL LIFTER’S PHYSIOLOGICAL CEILINGIf you’ve been spinning your wheels between cutting and bulking, or if you’ve ever wondered whether recomp is even possible for you — this episode will give you the clarity you’ve been missing.WHERE TO CONNECT WITH ME:Follow Brandon on IG: https://www.instagram.com/brandondacruz_/For Info on Brandon’s Coaching Services: https://form.jotform.com/bdacruzfitness/coachinginquiryEmail: Bdacruzfitness@gmail.comMy Reading Recommendations:THE MUSCLE & STRENGTH PYRAMIDS https://getdpd.com/cart/hoplink/25469?referrer=1l54og96lf1ccw

What actually makes a great coach?In this episode of the CHASING CLARITY HEALTH & FITNESS PODCAST, I sit down with longtime bodybuilding coach, mentor & founder of Cement Factory Nutrition — AJ Sims.AJ is a coach, a leader, and a man who lives the standards he teaches. From training alongside Jay Cutler as a teenager to building a reputation rooted in discipline, faith, identity & high standards, AJ brings a perspective that goes far beyond macros & programming.This conversation goes deeper than training.We talk about:AJ’s early journey into bodybuilding & lessons from training with Jay CutlerWhat separates a real coach from someone just handing out macrosThe responsibility that comes with leading othersThe qualities that drive long-term transformationThe common traits of clients who actually succeedCoaching isn’t about information.It’s about leadership, empathy, standards & helping people become someone capable of sustaining the result.If you’re a coach, athlete, or someone serious about leveling up your physique & life, this episode will hit. WHERE TO CONNECT WITH ME:Follow Brandon on IG: https://www.instagram.com/brandondacruz_/Email: Bdacruzfitness@gmail.comFor Info on Brandon’s Coaching Services: https://form.jotform.com/bdacruzfitness/coachinginquiryBrandon’s Website: https://www.brandondacruzfit.comMy Reading Recommendations: THE MUSCLE & STRENGTH PYRAMIDS https://getdpd.com/cart/hoplink/25469?referrer=1l54og96lf1ccw

In this episode of the Chasing Clarity Health & Fitness Podcast, I’m joined by Ben Mayfield-Smith for a raw and honest conversation that goes far beyond reps, macros, and training splits.We dive deep into the pivotal moments that shaped who we are from career-altering accidents to caring for terminally ill family members and how adversity became the catalyst for personal growth, mindset evolution, and purpose.Together, we unpack:How major life events reshape your identityThe mindset shift required to rebuild yourself after traumaWhat bodybuilding teaches beyond the stageTime management, work ethic & using failure as feedbackWhat it means to live with radical extreme ownershipTurning personal pain into purpose, leadership & serviceThis one’s for anyone who’s ever been knocked down and had to rebuild from the ground up.WHERE TO CONNECT WITH ME:Follow Brandon on IG: https://www.instagram.com/brandondacruz_/Email: Bdacruzfitness@gmail.comFor Info on Brandon’s Coaching Services: https://form.jotform.com/bdacruzfitness/coachinginquiryBrandon’s Website: https://www.brandondacruzfit.comMy Reading Recommendations: THE MUSCLE & STRENGTH PYRAMIDS https://getdpd.com/cart/hoplink/25469?referrer=1l54og96lf1ccw

Training volume has become one of the most misunderstood and oversimplified topics in fitness.Over the last few years, there’s been a strong push toward low-volume training. It’s often framed as more efficient, more recoverable and even superior for long-term muscle growth.And while that idea sounds appealing, especially if you’re short on time, the science tells a more nuanced story. In this episode, I’m joined once again by Dr. Eric Helms to break down where the training volume research actually stands as we move into 2026.WE COVER:• THE LATEST TRAINING VOLUME RESEARCH, INCLUDING THE 2025 PELLAND META-REGRESSION• WHY THE LOW VOLUME VS HIGH VOLUME DEBATE IS A FALSE DICHOTOMY• WHAT THE HYPERTROPHY LITERATURE ACTUALLY SHOWS ABOUT DOSE-RESPONSE & DIMINISHING RETURNSThis conversation isn’t about doing the most volume possible or the least volume possible.It’s about understanding what the evidence supports, how training volume actually drives adaptation over time and how to apply it intelligently based on your goals, training age, and recovery capacity.If your goal is long-term muscle growth, better performance, and sustainable progress, this episode will give you clarity.WHERE TO CONNECT WITH ME:Follow Brandon on IG: https://www.instagram.com/brandondacruz_/Email: Bdacruzfitness@gmail.comFor Info on Brandon’s Coaching Services: https://form.jotform.com/bdacruzfitness/coachinginquiryBrandon’s Website: https://www.brandondacruzfit.comMy Reading Recommendations:THE MUSCLE & STRENGTH PYRAMIDShttps://getdpd.com/cart/hoplink/25469?referrer=1l54og96lf1ccw

Most people think of metabolic health as just managing blood sugar or burning fat efficiently but the ability to adapt to stress, perform under pressure, and recover from it all… that’s the true definition of a resilient body.On this episode of THE CHASING CLARITY HEALTH & FITNESS PODCAST, I’m joined once again by Dr. Mike T. Nelson to break down metabolic flexibility, physiologic flexibility, and how building adaptability across multiple systems of the body creates a healthier, more responsive physique.HERE IS WHAT WE COVER️ WHAT METABOLIC FLEXIBILITY ACTUALLY MEANS & WHY IT’S CRITICAL FOR PERFORMANCE, RECOVERY & BODY COMP️ HOW TO IMPROVE FUEL ADAPTABILITY THROUGH NUTRITION, TRAINING, MOVEMENT, ETC.WHAT PHYSIOLOGIC FLEXIBILITY IS THE 4 SYSTEMS OF PHYSIOLOGIC FLEXIBILITY THAT DETERMINE STRESS RESILIENCE • TEMPERATURE REGULATION • OXYGEN & CO₂ TOLERANCE • FUEL USAGE • ACID-BASE BALANCE️ HOW TO USE COLD, HEAT, BREATHWORK, HIIT & NUTRITION TO BUILD A BODY THAT’S HARDER TO DERAILIf this episode gives you a new lens on health & performance, share it with a friend, post it on your stories, and tag us with your biggest takeaway.A HEALTHY BODY IS A RESPONSIVE BODY.A FLEXIBLE BODY IS A RESILIENT BODY.WHERE TO CONNECT WITH ME:Follow Brandon on IG: https://www.instagram.com/brandondacruz_/Email: Bdacruzfitness@gmail.comFor Info on Brandon’s Coaching, Consultation & Mentorship Services: https://form.jotform.com/bdacruzfitness/coachinginquiryBrandon’s Website: https://www.brandondacruzfit.com