Flex Diet Podcast

In this episode of the Flex Diet Podcast, I sit down with my good friend John Gorman to unpack the current “wild west” of peptides, TRT, GLP medications, and performance-driven bloodwork. We dig into how John’s telemedicine clinic approaches comprehensive lab testing — and why running a full panel (including markers like reverse T3) matters far more than cherry-picking a few numbers. If you’ve been dieting hard, training consistently, and still feeling stuck, we break down how chronic stress, poor recovery, and subtle hormone disruptions can quietly crush metabolism and make fat loss feel like a white-knuckle grind. We also cover testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) — the real pros and cons, common oversimplifications in the industry, and what most clinics fail to discuss. From there, we dive into GLP-1 medications and tirzepatide, what we currently know, what we don’t know about long-term use, and how to think critically about risk versus reward. John shares practical guidance on legitimate peptide sourcing, red flags to watch for, and how to think about “periphery” tools like methylene blue and injectable carnitine without getting sucked into hype. If you’re interested in optimizing performance, improving body composition, or simply making smarter decisions in a rapidly changing medical landscape, this episode will help you separate signal from noise.

In this episode of the Flex Diet Podcast, I sit down with my good buddy Vince Maltz, a high-performance mindset coach who works with NHL players, Division I athletes, and elite performers. We dig into what “mindset training” actually looks like in real life, beyond the clichés, and why it’s inseparable from physiology, recovery, and nervous system regulation. We also get into the modern performance environment: fake expertise, too many voices in the kitchen, and why big organizations adapt slowly. Vince breaks down centralized vs. decentralized leadership, how athletes can learn to think for themselves inside a system, and why being a “nerd” at your sport is becoming a competitive advantage. From there, we hit practical tools: how athletes move from conscious competence to unconscious competence faster, why distributed cognition matters in team sports, and what individuals can do today to improve performance through breathing, cold exposure, communication, and environment. Sponsors: Shiftwave: https://shiftwave.co/drmiketnelson - Save $300 with the link above. Note: This is an affiliate link. Daily Fitness Insider Newsletter: https://flex-diet.kit.com/bfa1510fa8

Welcome back to the Flex Diet Podcast! In this episode, I chat with Dr. Eric Rawson about the fascinating world of creatine, not just for muscle growth and performance, but also for brain health. We review the latest research on how creatine supplementation may affect brain function, support concussion recovery, and more. Dr. Rawson shares insights from his extensive research, highlights the amazing safety profile of creatine monohydrate, and offers practical advice on supplementation for athletes and those at high risk of traumatic brain injuries. Tune in for an in-depth look at the science and practical applications of this powerful supplement! Don’t forget to subscribe and share with friends. Enjoy! Sponsors: Fitness Insider Newsletter: https://miketnelson.com/ Enroll in the Flex Diet Certification by midnight PST on Monday, Feb. 16. https://miket.me/fdc

In this episode of the Flex Diet Podcast, I sit down with strength coach and educator Jon Heck to explore the intricacies of carb cycling. We discuss everything from Jon's personal journey with different dietary approaches, including ketogenic diets and carb cycling, to specific strategies tailored for athletes and general fitness enthusiasts. Highlights include the timing and distribution of carb intake, the role of hydration and electrolytes, and the benefits of structured nutritional planning for optimizing performance and body composition. Whether you're an athlete, coach, or someone looking to improve your nutrition game, you won't want to miss this insightful conversation. Tune in and learn how to make carb cycling work for you.

Welcome back to the Flex Diet Podcast! I'm your host, Dr. Mike Nelson. Today, we're diving deep into hypertrophy training with my buddy from down under, Ben Mayfield Smith. We cover a wide range of topics, including his contest prep, hypertrophy techniques, volume and frequency, stretch-based hypertrophy, and even the underrated belt squat for building muscle. Ben shares insights on how to apply different training methods effectively to client coaching. We also discuss the importance of psychological preparation in bodybuilding and sustainable training practices. Whether you're curious about aerobic capacity's role in hypertrophy or looking for tips on evidence-based muscle growth strategies, this podcast has it all. Make sure to check out Ben's work at Matter Athletica and his Instagram for more amazing content.

In this episode of the Flex Diet Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Jeremy Bettle, a performance director and applied sports scientist, to dig into what actually moves the needle for performance, recovery, and long-term resilience. We cover everything from high ankle sprains and injury prevention to smarter load management, and why understanding stress, recovery, and tissue capacity matters far more than chasing random training trends. Dr. Bettle shares insights from years of work across the NHL, NBA, and international sport, along with how elite performance systems can — and should — be translated to non-elite humans who want to train hard, recover better, and keep doing this for decades. Sponsors: Rogue: https://miket.me/rogue Beyond Power Voltra 1: https://www.beyond-power.com/michael13 Fitness Insider Newsletter: https://miketnelson.com/

In this episode of the Flex Diet Podcast, I sit down with my good friend Aram Grigorian from the Real Coaches Summit to talk shop on what actually matters in coaching today. We dig into body composition and weight loss, why consistency still beats novelty, and how to think more clearly about calorie tracking without losing the forest for the trees. We also get into industry trends, client compliance, and why live, in-person events remain one of the most underrated tools for becoming a better coach. If you’re a trainer or just serious about improving your health and results, this is a practical, no-nonsense conversation you’ll get a lot out of. I also share a sneak peek at what’s coming up at the Real Coaches Summit. WARNING – you may be offended by some items that Aram or I say in this podcast. Just a heads-up, and enjoy.