Docs Who Lift

The new U.S. Dietary Guidelines just dropped, and the internet is freaking out over the updated food pyramid. In this episode, we break down what the guidelines actually say, who they’re really written for (hint: mostly policymakers, not everyday people), and why the pyramid graphic can be more confusing than helpful. We also dig into the biggest inconsistencies like the push for more protein and “natural fats,” the mixed messaging on saturated fat, and the messy “processed foods” debate without a clear definition. Bottom line: there’s some reasonable advice here, but a lot of the hype is performative, and the real impact depends on how these guidelines get translated into actual policy like school lunches and federal programs.

In this episode, Dr. Spencer and Dr. Karl break down some of the strangest and most misunderstood GLP-1 side effects, from slimmer’s paralysis and foot drop to bladder spasms and post-bariatric reactive hypoglycemia. They walk through real patient cases, why these issues happen, and what clinicians and patients can do to spot them early and manage them safely.

In this episode, Dr. Spencer and Dr. Karl talk with Dr. Karin Nordin, behavioral change specialist and founder of Body Brain Alliance, about why most advice on motivation, discipline, and habits gets it wrong. They break down the science of behavior change, exploring how identity, self-efficacy, and “future self thinking” can help people finally follow through on healthy routines that last.

Dr. Spencer and Dr. Karl sit down with Dr. Sean Wharton, lead author on the OASIS-4 and ATTAIN-1 trials, to unpack the groundbreaking data behind the new oral GLP-1 medications. They discuss how oral semaglutide and orforglipron compare to injectables, what makes these molecules unique, and why 2026 could be the year obesity care changes forever.

In this episode, Dr. Spencer and Dr. Karl sit down with Dr. Kevin Hall and Julia Belluz to break down the science behind metabolism, weight loss, and their new book Food Intelligence. They clear up the myths around the Biggest Loser study, explain why appetite biology matters more than a “broken metabolism,” and explore how our food environment, from ultra-processed diets to cultural norms, shapes health outcomes.

Do women really need to train and eat differently than men? In this episode, Dr. Stacy Sims and Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple join Spencer and Karl for a spirited debate on fasted training, protein timing, perimenopause, and whether women’s unique physiology calls for unique fitness strategies.

Some health companies are selling massive lab panels directly to consumers often with questionable medical value and zero real follow-up. We sit down with the Barbell Medicine crew to expose the risks, the marketing tactics, and the right way to approach lab testing without getting scammed.

Monjaro just dropped hot new trial results and they might show it helps you live longer. We break down the Surpass CVOT, compare it to Trulicity, and explain what this all means for your heart, kidneys, and overall health.