Barbell Shrugged - Talking Training W/ Crossfit Games Athletes, Strength Coaches & More

Peter Ballerstedt is a prominent figure in the fields of forage agronomy, ruminant nutrition, and sustainable agriculture. With a background in forage production and utilization, Ballerstedt has dedicated his career to promoting the importance of forage-based agriculture in supporting healthy ecosystems and livestock production systems. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy from the University of Kentucky, a Master of Science in Agronomy from Oregon State University, and a Ph.D. in Forage Management from the University of Kentucky. Ballerstedt has served in various roles within the agricultural industry, including as a forage extension specialist for the University of Georgia and as a forage product manager for a seed company. He has also worked as a dairy forage consultant, providing expertise on optimizing forage production and utilization in dairy operations. In addition to his practical experience, Ballerstedt is a passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture and has been active in promoting the b

In today’s episode of Barbell Shrugged, Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Coach Travis Mash dive into periodization models and a framework for longevity through the lens of health and performance. Longevity is a common goal. Unfortunately, it is impossible to define. How do you know if you are doing it right? Do you have to wait 40 years to find out all the at effort gave you 10 extra days? Longevity is great what you really want is a long life filled with performance goals that amounts to a life full of high quality experiences. In today’s episode we will tackle this exact question so you can stay at the top of your game, while living a long, healthy life. Work with RAPID Health Optimization Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram Coach Travis Mash on Instagram

Dan Garner is a co-founder of RAPID Health Optimization which offers high-level, personalized online health and performance coaching for world class results. His coaching resume is second to none having worked with dozens of professional athletes, CEO’s, and Investors. Within his clientele he has worked with three superbowl champions, two UFC title winners, an Olympic gold medialist, two Olympic bronze medalists, three hall-of-fame inductees and two all-time world record breakers. In this Episode of Barbell Shrugged: Why bloodwork, stool samples, urine, and hair create a full health profile How micros are the secret to ultimate performance How to increase testosterone in the shortest amount of time How confidence can be the secret to increased testosterone Specific supplements for increased testosterone Connect with our guests: Work with this full team at RAPID Health Optimization Dan Garner Instagram Dr. Andy Galpin Instagram Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram Coach Travis Mash on Instagra

Dr. Michael Miletic is a former Olympic athlete and a prominent physician specializing in clinical neuroscience and metabolic medicine. Dr. Miletic evaluates the brain, mind, and body and brings the latest science and evidence-based treatments to optimize your health. Specializing in athletes, executives, and adolescents looking to reach their full potential. Dr. Miletic’s comprehensive training and evidence-based research have enabled him to understand something many healthcare providers do not: that approaches that treat the body without addressing the mind are limited in their effectiveness. Getting to know you, your life experiences, and the way you think and feel is thus a critical aspect of the care you receive from Dr. Miletic. Work with Dr. Miletic Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram Coach Travis Mash on Instagram

Phil Heath is a renowned American bodybuilder. He gained widespread recognition in the world of professional bodybuilding, particularly for his impressive physique and numerous accolades. Heath's journey into bodybuilding began during his college years at the University of Denver, where he initially pursued basketball. However, he soon redirected his focus towards bodybuilding and started competing in NPC (National Physique Committee) competitions. In 2005, Heath won the NPC USA Championships, earning his IFBB (International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness) Pro Card, which allowed him to compete at the professional level. He quickly rose through the ranks, showcasing his remarkable genetics, dedication, and work ethic. Heath's competitive career reached its pinnacle when he won the prestigious Mr. Olympia title for the first time in 2011, succeeding bodybuilding legend Jay Cutler. Phil Heath went on to dominate the bodybuilding scene, securing a total of seven Mr. Olympia titles between 2011 and 2017.

Dr. Christopher A. Perry, an Assistant Professor at Eastern Kentucky University, began his fitness journey at Penn State University, where he developed a robust background in Strength & Conditioning leading to 17 years in the industry to date. His academic path, leading through a PhD at Arizona State University, deepened his expertise in Exercise Science & Sports, Sleep & Circadian Rhythms, and Nutrition. Chris's current research focuses on sleep, movement analysis, and CO2 tolerance, particularly in tactical populations and collegiate athletes. His work aims to enhance performance, wellness, and longevity health outcomes, demonstrating his commitment to advancing the field of exercise and sports science. Beyond his academic pursuits, Chris is an executive performance coach, weight loss consultant, fitness entrepreneurship mentor, podcast host, and enjoys engaging in coffee culture and movie discussions. Dr. Chris Perry on Instagram Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram Coach Travis

In today’s episode of Barbell Shrugged, Bryan Boorstein is back to discuss Heart Rate Recovery. Heart rate recovery refers to the rate at which a person's heart rate decreases after a period of exercise. It is a crucial indicator of cardiovascular fitness and overall health. After intense physical activity, a healthy individual's heart rate should gradually return to its resting rate within a certain timeframe. Slower heart rate recovery may signify poor cardiovascular conditioning and an increased risk of heart-related issues. Monitoring heart rate recovery provides valuable insights into an individual's fitness level and helps tailor effective exercise programs for improved cardiovascular health.   Get in touch with Bryan Boorstein IG: @bryanboorstein website: www.evolvedtrainingsystems.com Owner/Founder @evolvedtrainingsystems @paragontrainingmethods Podcast Eat Train Prosper @eat.train.prosper Bachelor of Science JMU, 2006 CrossFit Games Coach, CF-2, CF-Mobility 3X CrossFit Regional Athlete

In this episode, Doug Larson, Travis Mash and Anders Varner catch up on the Olympic trials, international weightlifting meets, and Anders’ pursuit of a 6-minute mile. Coach Travis Mash has been out for a couple weeks as he has traveled the world for international weightlifting meets leading up to the USA Olympic Qualifiers for weightlifting. We initially discuss Anders' pursuit of the 6-minute mile, with training insights, and move into weight cuts, jet lag, performance and recovery, for athletes. We also dig into the latest research on Olympic weightlifting that offers new insights into speed development vs. top end strength and how Coach Mash is using this in preparation for the Olympic trials. Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram Coach Travis Mash on Instagram

Alan Kenny is a performance nutritionist with over 10 years experience supporting teams, athletes and executives to optimize their health. Holding a degree in Exercise Science and a Masters in Sports Nutrition, Alan has also lectured at University level in Ireland and currently heads a performance lab in an executive medical clinic in Vancouver, Canada. His work here is focused on optimizing health over a person’s lifespan using modern tools such as blood-work analysis, VO2 and DEXA scans. He also runs his own virtual nutrition consultancy and acts as a nutrition consultant for the University of British Columbia Sports Medicine Clinic, where he sees people to assess their dietary habits and body composition/bone density through DEXA and nutrition consultations. Alan has also previously worked as Head of Science & Education EMEA at Glanbia Performance Nutrition, the parent company of industry leaders in the Sports Nutrition Supplementation category such as Optimum Nutrition and BSN. When not working, he ca

As an Educator and Coach at SH/FT, Emily Hightower leverages her expertise in the neurophysiology of trauma and resilience to help clients master their stress response and improve their quality of life. By combining over 25 years of experience as a breathing expert, yoga teacher, river guide, and wilderness EMT, Emily empowers high performers to disrupt limits, align with nature, and heal their bodies and minds. Emily developed SH/FT’s Skill of Stress course and teaches the N=1 Exposure Experience and Mentorship program with Brian MacKenzie. Her experiential teaching approach enables clients to understand and direct their stress response to drive optimal performance under pressure while promoting long-term balance. Before joining SH/FT, Emily founded Intrinsic, where she helped combat veterans, athletes, and clients recovering from substance abuse resolve past traumas and gain clarity using a science-based approach and tools such as breath, exposure, somatic yoga, archery, and integrative nutrition. Earlier i

Professor Phillips is a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Skeletal Muscle Health in Aging. He is a Professor in Kinesiology, and Graduate Faculty in the School of Medicine at McMaster University. He is a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (FCAHS) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). His research is focused on the impact of nutrition and exercise on the mechanisms of human skeletal muscle protein turnover. He is also keenly interested in diet- and exercise-induced changes in body composition particularly in older persons. His research is funded by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research, the National Science and Engineering Council of Canada, the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, the US NIH, the USDA, and several industry partners. Dr. Stu Phillips on Instagram Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram Coach Travis Mash on Instagram

Pratik Patel is a health and performance coach, speaker, advisor, and consultant to sports teams, startups, and VC groups in the health, wellness, and performance realm. Pratik brings unique perspectives gained from his time in high level elite sport (NFL) to enhance the health and performance of individuals in the real world. Using his internal and external health approach and stress adaptation frameworks along with technology and wearables Pratik helps his clients implement effective health improvement strategies for long-term sustained success.   For the past 20 years, he has studied health, nutrition, fitness, recovery, and the interplay between these and health and performance and has had the opportunity to implement his strategies with multiple elite college teams and most recently the New York Football Giants (where they experienced the least number of games lost due to injury in their history during his tenure). Pratik is highly regarded in the field of sports, health, and wellness and teaches his con

Dr. Christopher A. Perry, an Assistant Professor at Eastern Kentucky University, began his fitness journey at Penn State University, where he developed a robust background in Strength & Conditioning leading to 17 years in the industry to date. His academic path, leading through a PhD at Arizona State University, deepened his expertise in Exercise Science & Sports, Sleep & Circadian Rhythms, and Nutrition. Chris's current research focuses on sleep, movement analysis, and CO2 tolerance, particularly in tactical populations and collegiate athletes. His work aims to enhance performance, wellness, and longevity health outcomes, demonstrating his commitment to advancing the field of exercise and sports science. Beyond his academic pursuits, Chris is an executive performance coach, weight loss consultant, fitness entrepreneurship mentor, podcast host, and enjoys engaging in coffee culture and movie discussions.   Work with Dr. Chris Perry Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram Coach Travis M

In today’s episode of Barbell Shrugged, Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Travis sit down with Anders coach, Dr. Mike T. Nelson. For those that have followed the show, you know Anders has been in pursuit of running a sub-6 minute mile at the age of 40. Dr. Nelson is the coach Anders hired to help with that goal. In this episode the crew walks through program design, initial intake, and execution of how to build cardiovascular fitness. You will learn performance tests used to design Anders training program, how priorities are scheduled into a busy life, understanding higher intensity efforts mixed with Vo2Max training, Zone 2 efforts, and how to maintain strength throughout the process. We hope you enjoy. Work with Dr. Nelson Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram Coach Travis Mash on Instagram

In today’s episode of Barbell Shrugged, Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Travis dive into the thought process and strategies we use to build a positive conversation around fitness and nutrition. We dig into the proper framing of how to eat, the benefits of specific foods, and the steps we take to ensure our kids are eating well. We also discuss the steps we take to ensure our kids see fitness as a healthy part of life by being outside, seeing us train, and celebrating an active lifestyle. This show will give you insight into a subject we do not dedicate full shows to, however, is something we think about on a daily basis when raising our kids. We hope you enjoy. Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram Coach Travis Mash on Instagram

Juliet Starrett and Dr. Kelly Starrett are pioneers of mobility. They’ve spent decades working with athletes of all types, teaching them how to move better to reach peak physical performance. Their revolutionary teachings on movement and the body present an easily achievable roadmap, which they have outlined in their new book Built to Move. Kelly and Juliet teach audiences how to seamlessly implement ten essential mobility habits that can be worked into even the busiest of schedules to alleviate chronic pain, improve range of motion, and break sedentary habits. They advise major companies on how to create a healthier workforce through simple mobility exercises and self-care techniques to alleviate and manage stress. Their teachings apply to all people who want to feel better, work better, and live better. Kelly Starrett, DPT, is a physical therapist and co-author of the New York Times bestseller Becoming a Supple Leopard. He consults with professional athletes and coaches from the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and U.S.

Jason Phillips is the founder and CEO of Nutritional Coaching Institute. NCI’s mission is to empower and inspire a global community of health and wellness enthusiasts, with the goal of positively impacting the lives of 1 billion people. They are dedicated to equipping nutritional coaches with cutting-edge knowledge and resources to transform lives through optimal nutrition and holistic well-being. Drawing upon their extensive expertise amassed over the years, they have become renowned for their exceptional certifications and evidence-based approaches in the field of nutrition. By fostering a culture of scientific rigor and innovative learning methods, they strive to provide world-class training that empowers coaches to guide their clients towards healthier and more fulfilling lifestyles. NCI is committed to cultivating a vibrant network of passionate professionals who share our dedication to advancing global health and wellness. Together, they aim to create a ripple effect of positive change, helping individu

Alex Auerbach is a counseling and performance psychologist currently working as an executive in professional sports.  He has been fortunate to work with the best athletes in the world in the NBA, NFL, MLB, and Olympians, as well as high-performers in other domains like elite military units, Fortune 5 companies, and venture-backed start-ups. In addition to his training as a psychologist, Alex is a former college football coach and NFL employee. I've been a part of several venture-backed start-ups in a range of roles from consultant to C-suite. My areas of expertise include wellness, high performance, performance under pressure, leadership, mindset training, systems optimization, and organizational development. Work with  Dr. Alex Auerbach X/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/alexauerbachphd Website: https://www.alexauerbach.info Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram Coach Travis Mash on Instagram

Eric Helms PhD, CSCS is the Chief Science Officer of 3DMJ. He helps the team members play to their strengths, stay up to date with best practice, and acts as a science communicator, helping lifters find sustainable pathways to high performance.    Eric is the chief author of the Muscle and Strength Pyramids, a founder of and reviewer for Monthly Applications in Strength Sport, and is a research fellow at the Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand at Auckland University of Technology, pursuing research in training, nutrition and psychology for strength and physique sport.    Eric has a PhD in Strength and Conditioning with a research focus on autoregulating powerlifting, a masters with a research focus on protein and macronutrient manipulation for dieting bodybuilders, a second masters in exercise science and health promotion, and a bachelors in sports management, fitness and wellness.    As an athlete, Eric is WNBF Pro bodybuilder and competes in multiple strength sports.   Work with  Dr. Eric Helm

Nir Eyal writes, consults, and teaches about the intersection of psychology, technology, and business. Nir previously taught as a Lecturer in Marketing at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford.   Nir co-founded and sold two tech companies since 2003 and was dubbed by The M.I.T. Technology Review as, “The Prophet of Habit-Forming Technology.” Bloomberg Businessweek wrote, “Nir Eyal is the habits guy. Want to understand how to get app users to come back again and again? Then Eyal is your man.”   He is the author of two bestselling books, Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products and Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life. His books have resonated with readers worldwide, selling over 1 million copies in over 30 languages.   Indistractable received critical acclaim, winning the Outstanding Works of Literature Award as well as being named one of the Best Business and Leadership Books of the Year by Amazon and one of the Bes