Perform with Dr. Andy Galpin

In this episode, my guest is Dan Garner, a renowned human performance coach behind UFC champions, Olympic medalists, and CEOs. We discuss how he bridges the gap between sports science and real-world coaching. Dan explains constraint theory — finding the single bottleneck holding someone back — and walks through the blood markers he uses to find it, including why a 20% testosterone swing can be pure noise, why vitamin D has no usable reference change value, and why the omega-3 index is the most honest marker he tracks. We cover his three-step approach to fat loss, diet breaks, low energy availability, hypertrophy clusters, deload strategy, and an evidence-first framework for evaluating peptides. This episode is for anyone who wants to measure what they're doing and adjust it intelligently rather than guessing. Show notes: https://www.performpodcast.com/episodes/dan-garner-how-to-reach-your-fitness-goals Sponsors Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/galpin Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/perform David: https://davidprotein.com/perform LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/perform Chapters (00:00:00) White House UFC & Ronda Rousey's Return (00:06:14) Dan Garner's Coaching Career & Health as a Performance Constraint (00:11:19) Build a Better Schedule: Daily Review, Preparation & Consistency (00:23:22) Results vs. Activity: Measurement, Progression & Deep Work (00:35:29) Evidence-Based Coaching: Science, Context & Critical Thinking (00:41:32) Prescribe, Measure & Adjust: Adherence Before Physiology (00:47:15) Real-Life Constraints, Goal Alignment & Extreme Balance (00:56:36) Protein, Fiber, Sunlight & Constraint Theory (01:00:03) Biomarker Noise: Testosterone, Vitamin D & Omega-3 (01:09:42) Testosterone: Optimal Ranges, Performance & Low Levels (01:15:31) Low Energy Availability, Diet Breaks & Metabolic Health (01:21:09) Fat-Loss Blueprint: Calories, Macros & Nutrient Timing (01:27:27) Diet Readiness: Symptoms, Blood Work & Removing Constraints (01:31:30) Testosterone Testing: Meaningful Change, Free T & Lab Variability (01:36:31) Omega-3 Index: Targets, Dosing & Measuring Your Response (01:45:46) Vitamin D: Targets, Dosing & Misleading Results (01:54:41) Building a Better Physique: Timing, Meal Frequency & Adherence (02:03:26) Combining Cardio & Lifting; Training Splits for Aesthetics (02:08:35) Flexible Programming, Recovery Days & Smarter Deloads (02:14:39) Lagging Muscles, Calf Training & Hypertrophy Clusters (02:24:20) Training to Failure & the "One Bad Rep" Rule (02:27:31) Sleep Supplements, Pre-Workouts & Recovery Strategies (02:40:50) Peptides: Evidence, Risk, Monitoring & SS-31 (02:51:33) MOTS-c: Mitochondria, AMPK & Response Variability (02:56:20) Retatrutide: Triple-Agonist Therapy, Benefits & Unknown Risks Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I answer your questions in the first-ever open Q&A on Perform, working through the five themes that came up most. I start with how I think about training for longevity—why being well-rounded and resilient matters more than chasing any single marker like grip strength or VO2 max. From there, I break down the basics of training for muscle, strength, and fat loss, including the simple rules I use for each: the 72-hour rule for hypertrophy, the 3-to-5 rule for strength, and the 5-4-3-2-1 rule for fat loss. I then walk through my exact process for program design, what "functional" training really means, and where AI is actually useful—and where it falls short—for your health and performance. This one is for anyone who wants a clear, practical foundation for building their own training. Sponsors Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/galpin David: https://davidprotein.com/perform LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/perform Chapters (00:00:00) Introduction: The First-Ever Perform Q&A (00:02:48) Training for Longevity & Resilience (00:05:52) Grip Strength & VO2 Max: Proxies vs. Real Targets (00:12:51) Muscle vs. Strength vs. Fat Loss (00:14:10) Building Muscle: Mechanical Tension & the 72-Hour Rule (00:19:54) Progressive Overload (00:22:39) Training Strength as a Skill (00:26:45) The 3-to-5 Rule for Strength & Power (00:30:10) Fat Loss & the 5-4-3-2-1 Rule (00:36:48) Program Design: The Modifiable Variables (00:38:07) Frequency, Exercise Choice & Order (00:45:24) Intensity, Volume & Rest Intervals (00:48:52) Predicting Problems in Your Program (00:50:24) Functional Training & Movement Quality (00:59:12) Stretching, Flexibility & Lengthened Partials (01:03:26) AI in Health & Performance (01:09:10) Recap & Closing Thoughts Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, my guest is Dr. Thomas Wood, a UK-trained M.D. with a Ph.D. in physiology and neuroscience. He is a professor of pediatrics and neuroscience at the University of Washington. We discuss how both physical and mental challenges can enhance cognitive function in the short and long term. We also examine the crucial roles of nutrition, sleep, and other lifestyle factors in supporting overall brain health. Additionally, we explore the potential benefits of supplementation with creatine, caffeine, and certain vitamins and their impact on mental performance or recovery from traumatic brain injury (TBI). We explain the mechanisms by which different types of exercise—resistance, aerobic, and high-intensity training—positively affect brain health and longevity. We also discuss various behavioral approaches to combat brain fog and prevent age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. This conversation explores many practical steps anyone can take to improve brain health, regardless of age or background. Read the full episode show notes at performpodcast.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/perform LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/perform Renaissance Periodization: https://rpstrength.com/perform Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Tommy Wood 00:02:31 Cognitive Performance & Brain Health, Structure & Function 00:08:12 Brain Function & Stimulus, Brain Volume 00:12:13 Improve Cognitive Function, Skill Development 00:15:22 Sponsor: AG1 00:17:03 Skills, Near- vs Far-Transfer 00:20:13 Assess Short-Term Cognitive Health, Tool: Blood Test; Nutritional Status 00:27:19 Long-Term Brain Health; Tool: Cognitively-Demanding Tasks, Dance, Novelty 00:35:00 Task-Switching, Kids vs Adults 00:41:20 Sponsor: LMNT 00:42:42 Brain Training?, Virtual Reality 00:47:22 Nutrition, Processed Foods; Supplementation, Creatine, Caffeine, Alpha-GPC 00:55:02 Supplements & Trade-Offs, Subjective Effects, Sleep 01:00:55 Brain Fog, Subjective Cognitive Decline 01:04:34 Three ‘S’ Model & Cognitive Health, Brain Fog 01:10:47 Recap: Improve Cognitive Function & Reduce Brain Fog; Hydration 01:13:33 Sponsor: Renaissance Periodization 01:14:38 Vision Assessment, Tool: Vision Training 01:21:54 Vitamin A, Antioxidants, Supplement Use 01:24:39 Creatine, Caffeine & Sleep Deficits; Methylation, Homocysteine, B Vitamins 01:35:30 Cognitive Function & Creatine Benefits; What is Methylation?, Epigenetics 01:39:50 Creatine & Short-Term Energy, Lactate 01:45:45 Sponsor: Momentous 01:47:12 What is a Concussion?, Egg Analogy 01:51:26 Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Lactate & Ketones 01:54:43 TBI, Inflammation, Metabolic Changes, Mitochondria 02:00:40 Acute Treatment & TBIs; Testing for TBI, Cognitive Tests, EEG Technology 02:08:58 Calcium Supplementation?, Vitamin D, Magnesium 02:13:18 Dementia & Late-Onset Alzheimer’s, Prevention? Reversal?, Tool: Modifiable Risk Factors 02:19:08 Education & Peak Cognitive Function, Dementia, Stimulating Job 02:25:59 Sensory Inputs & Dementia, Tool: Being in Nature 02:28:44 Exercise & Dementia, Tool: Resistance & High Intensity Training 02:35:50 Tool: Designing Exercise Protocol for Brain Health 02:39:15 Muscle Strength, Cognitive Function & Overall Brain Health, Mechanism 02:44:49 White Matter, Exercise, Energetic Processes 02:49:39 Alzheimer’s Disease, Tau, Amyloids, Markers of Brain Aging 02:55:40 Recap; Tommy’s Projects & Links 03:01:50 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Subscribe & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Social Media, Perform Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I discuss nutrition and supplementation to reduce the risk of brain injury and enhance brain performance and long-term health. Most brain injuries, including traumatic brain injury (TBIs) and concussion, are not from sports and are actually quite common in non-athletes. I explain what happens in the brain when a TBI occurs and discuss science-supported nutrients to reduce the risk of brain injury, minimize symptoms, and improve recovery. Summarizing both research and clinical studies, I explain the neuroprotective effects of specific nutrients, including creatine monohydrate, fish oil (DHA and EPA), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), choline, branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), magnesium, and anthocyanins. I also describe the recommended dosages, frequency, timing, and potential adverse effects and provide options for supplementation and whole-food sources. Listeners of all ages and backgrounds will benefit from understanding which nutrients can support acute brain injury and natural age-related cognitive decline. Access the full show notes for this episode at performpodcast.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/perform LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/perform Continuum: https://continuum.club/perform Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/perform Maui Nui Venison: https://mauinuivenison.com/perform David Protein: https://davidprotein.com/perform Timestamps 00:00:00 Brain Health & Injury 00:03:58 Sponsors: LMNT & Continuum 00:07:08 Nutrition & Supplements for Brain Injury 00:11:36 Brain Injury Categories, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Concussion 00:16:01 Brain Injury Pathophysiology 00:21:08 Burst Capillaries, Initial TBI Response 00:28:55 Delayed TBI Response, Neuroinflammation 00:33:11 Sponsors: Momentous & Maui Nui 00:35:44 Creatine Monohydrate; Second Impact Syndrome 00:40:44 Strength of Evidence Scale, Creatine 00:46:07 Creatine Doses, Frequency, Adverse Issues; Food Sources 00:52:14 Sponsors: AG1 & David Protein 00:54:57 Fish Oil, DHA, EPA 00:59:30 EPA & DHA Dosage, Timing, Adverse Issues; Food Sources; Omega-3 Index 01:03:38 Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B 01:07:49 Riboflavin Dosages, Timing; Food Sources 01:10:17 Choline 01:17:29 Choline Supplements & Food Sources, Alpha GPC, Dosage 01:20:22 Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs), Sleep 01:23:56 BCAAs Dosage, Whole Food Sources 01:26:54 Magnesium 01:30:12 Magnesium Dosage, Timing, Supplements, Adverse Issue; Food Sources 01:32:01 Blueberry Anthocyanins 01:34:20 Anthocyanins Dosage; Food Sources 01:36:09 Caffeine & Brain Injury Recovery 01:37:42 Perform Episodes, Perform Newsletter, Acknowledgements 01:40:11 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Subscribe & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Social Media Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I discuss genetic testing for sports and athletic performance. I describe the history of sports genomics and the search for genes that determine strength, endurance, and other performance markers. I explain how to interpret genetic test results, including how many genes determine a trait, the relative influence of a single gene, and the likelihood that a genetic variant produces noticeable performance effects. I discuss the ethical issues and current limitations of using genetic testing for athletic talent identification. I explain whether your genetic profile can help optimize personalized training, exercise, and nutrition programs to further accelerate performance. I also discuss gene doping, gene editing, gene therapy, and the future of sports genomics. If listeners have done or are considering genetic testing for personal or client use, this episode will provide a framework for the validity, accuracy, and reliability of current genetic testing and how to interpret their results. Access the full show notes for this episode at performpodcast.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/perform Rhone: https://rhone.com/perform Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/perform Continuum: https://continuum.club/perform Absolute Rest: https://www.absoluterest.com/perform Renaissance Periodization: https://rpstrength.com/perform Timestamps 00:00:00 Genetics, Sports Genomics 00:06:51 Genetic Testing & Human Performance 00:11:21 Sponsors: AG1 & Rhone 00:14:33 Sports Genomics, Genome vs. Gene, Athlete Passport 00:19:37 Genotype & Alleles; Variation, Polymorphisms, SNPs & Mutations 00:25:12 Myostatin Mutation; ACTN3 & ACE Genes 00:32:42 Sponsor: Momentous & Continuum 00:35:36 Investigate: Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing 00:38:10 History of Sport Genomics, Candidate Genes 00:45:41 Polygenic Traits, Polygenic Risk Score; Gene Editing 00:53:12 Sponsors: Absolute Rest & Renaissance Periodization 00:55:34 Interpret: 5 Questions About Genes & Traits; ACTN3 & ACE Genes 01:05:36 Traits & Gene Number; Height 01:11:14 Traits & Sports Performance, Elite Athletes; Athletic Talent Identification 01:18:19 Genetic Contribution to Traits, Variance 01:21:37 Likelihood & Magnitude of Genetic Effect; Ethnic Background & Genes 01:28:46 Intervene: Gene Doping, Gene Editing 01:31:56 Personalized Training, Precision Nutrition 01:34:29 Future of Sports Genomics & Ethics 01:37:50 Genetics & Athletic Performance 01:41:52 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Subscribe & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Perform Newsletter, Social Media Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices