Shows
Iron Culture presented by MASSEp 331 - Contest Prep and Weight Cutting Across SportsIn this episode of Iron Culture, the Erics begin by discussing Helms' prep updates and the standout performances from the recent powerlifting World Champions. The conversation also touches on body composition and attractiveness, highlighting the misconceptions in the fitness industry regarding ideal body fat levels. After that they take a deep dive into the strategies of cutting weight in various sports, comparing the approaches of powerlifting, bodybuilding, and combat sports. Finally, they explore the differences in weight cutting techniques across different sports, emphasizing the importance of planning and strategy for optimal performance. Time stamps: 00:00 Helms Prep...2025-06-111h 10Iron Culture presented by MASSEp 319 - Bodybuilding Mortality Across the Eras (ft. Drs Conor Heffernan and Juan Carlos Cassano)In this episode of Iron Culture, Eric Helms and guests Conor Heffernan and Dr. Juan Carlos Casano delve into the intricate relationship between bodybuilding, performance-enhancing drugs, and athlete welfare. They discuss the historical context of bodybuilding, the cultural norms that have evolved over the years, and the alarming trends in mortality rates among bodybuilders. The conversation emphasizes the need for transparency in the sport and the impact of social media on perceptions of bodybuilding. The guests advocate for a more nuanced understanding of the issues surrounding drug use in bodybuilding and the importance of separating competitive practices from recreational...2025-03-191h 40Iron Culture presented by MASSEp 318 - Resistance Training as a Fat Loss Tool (ft. Dr. Mike Ormsbee)In this episode of Iron Culture, hosts Eric Helms and Michael Zourdos engage in a deep discussion with Dr. Mike Ormsbee about the role of resistance training in fat oxidation and body composition. They explore how resistance training can be an effective tool for fat loss, the physiological mechanisms behind fat metabolism during exercise, and the importance of myokines and hormones in this process. The conversation challenges common perceptions about fat burning and emphasizes the need for a nuanced understanding of energy expenditure and body composition changes. In this conversation, Michael Zourdos and Mike Ormsbee delve into various aspects...2025-03-121h 39Iron Culture presented by MASSEp 317 - Training Volume: How Much Is Enough? (ft. Dr. Eduardo De Souza)In this episode, Drs Trexler and Helms are joined by Dr. Eduardo De Souza to discuss the complexities and misconceptions surrounding high volume training in the context of hypertrophy research. He shares insights from his extensive research background, emphasizing the importance of understanding participant experiences and the nuances of training volume. The conversation also touches on the challenges of research methodology, the need for improved reporting standards, and the future directions of exercise science research. Time stamps: 0:00 Introducing Dr Eduardo De Souza and some housekeeping https://sportsnutritionassociation.com/sna-annual-2025-conference/ 2025-03-061h 23Iron Culture presented by MASSEp 314 - Science Is Broken (But Fixable)This episode of Iron Culture begins with a rant/story by Dr. Trexler that highlights some issues with scientific publishing. He describes a study on apple cider vinegar, his MASS article criticizing the study, and the subsequent letter to the editor (and response from the original authors). This discussion is followed by a Q&A session with Dr. Helms covering protein during weight loss, headaches from creatine, machines for joint comfort, mixing creatine + caffeine, low volume training for hypertrophy, biceps curl variations, fiber recommendations, and more. The MASS crew records Iron Culture LIVE on YouTube, Monday nights...2025-02-131h 12Iron Culture presented by MASSEp 310 - Are People Getting "Metabolic Stress" Wrong?In today's episode, Drs Trexler and Helms discuss a wide range of fitness topics including metabolic stress, "the pump," targeting the different heads of the biceps, individualising diets and supplement protocols, maximal rates of fat loss, blood flow restricted training, the philosophy of science, and much more! We had some technical issues while recording this episode live, but it's all fixed now with the wonders of editing. If you don't understand a couple of the jokes, they're referring to chaos that has been deleted. Time stamps: 00:00 Straight into the topic: why should anyone...2025-01-151h 33Iron Culture presented by MASSEp 309 - Finding the Volume “Sweet Spot” During PlateausIn this episode of Iron Culture, Eric Helms and Trex discuss a variety of evidence-based fitness topics. In this conversation, Dr. Trexler and Dr. Helms delve into the complexities of muscle gain, recovery, and the role of nutrition in performance. They discuss the nuances of identifying plateaus in training, the impact of training volume, the importance of food quality, and how psychological factors can influence recovery and performance. The dialogue emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to training volume and exercise selection, as well as the impact of nutrition on overall health and performance in bodybuilding. They also...2025-01-121h 35Iron Culture presented by MASSEp 308 - The Future of Natural Bodybuilding (w/ WNBF Pros Alberto Nuñez and Steff Noble)In this episode, Eric Helms is joined by returning guest, his fellow 3DMJ coach and WNBF Pro bodybuilder, Alberto Nuñez, who is also the male WNBF athlete rep. In addition, they are joined by first time guest Steff Noble, a WNBF Figure pro, experienced coach, and president of WNBF UK. The trio first reflects on what was arguably the most competitive natural bodybuilding season to date, and the overall state of drug free bodybuilding, which in many ways is flourishing. There is more interest, higher competitive levels, higher productive quality in some regions, and in some countries natural bo...2025-01-041h 34Iron Culture presented by MASSEp 303 - Is the Obesity Epidemic an Evolutionary "Factory Error"?This week we’ve got a MONSTER episode in the form of a live Q&A episode with Dr. Helms and Dr. Trexler. The Good Doctors begin with a recap of the recent WNBF World Championships, followed by an insightful discussion about whether or not humans have a “factory error” in our design that promotes obesity. This is followed by a number of listeners’ questions about functional anatomy, exercise selection, the importance of the eccentric phase of a lift, factors impacting reps in reserve (RIR) accuracy, biceps contributions to back exercises, hypertrophy considerations for the deadlift exercise, mini-cuts, set-to-set fatigue...2024-11-291h 40Iron Culture presented by MASSEp 301 - A New Era for Iron CultureEven among the many monster episodes of Iron Culture, today’s episode truly stands out. First, the MASS crew discusses this new era of Iron Culture and lets the cult know what they can expect as the show pushes forward and climbs to new heights. After that, the crew has an insightful discussion about the science of satellite cells – what they are, when they might (or might not) matter, and how they intersect with many hypertrophy-related topics, such as sex differences, aging, muscle damage, and factors that limit long-term muscle growth. The MASS crew records Iron Culture LIVE...2024-11-131h 26Iron Culture presented by MASSEp 300 - The End of Iron Culture As You Know It (Omar Is Leaving)I’m going to break the fourth wall here and speak directly to our dear listeners. When we started this podcast almost six years ago, I never imagined it would last this long or become such a fixture in the community. The goal was always to create a space aimed at enriching the listener's appreciation and understanding of lifting. I want to thank every single person who has tuned in, supported throughout the years and engaged with us in this journey. I feel very confident in the future direction of Iron Culture with the two Erics taking lead. We'll ca...2024-11-111h 22Iron Culture presented by MASSEp 297 - Is More Volume Always Better? (feat Josh Pelland PhD(c))In this crossover episode of Iron Culture and MASS Office Hours, Dr. Trexler is joined by special guest Josh Pelland, a coach for Data Driven and a PhD candidate at Florida Atlantic University, to discuss Pelland's recent meta-analysis which investigates the effects of training volume and frequency on hypertrophy and strength outcomes. These data have created a lot of stir in the evidence based community as very high volumes seem to be associated with hypertrophy without a definitive plateau. But as you can expect, there’s much more to the story. The analysis synthesizes data from numerous studies and qu...2024-10-211h 49Iron Culture presented by MASSDo Lifters Need Carbs? (with Dr. Cliff Harvey and Danny Lennon)The Iron Culture universe is expanding! In this crossover episode the host of Sigma Nutrition Radio, Danny Lennon, joins Eric Helms to co-host! Dr. Cliff Harvey, who did his PhD on ketogenic diets at AUT, joins Danny and Eric to discuss the often conflicting research and anecdotes on the effect of carbohydrates on lifting performance, adaptations and body composition change. Eric, Danny and Cliff are all on the Sports Nutrition Association (SNA) advisory board - an organisation dedicated to supporting the profession of sports nutrition. The board is packed with nutrition experts with a ton of experience. This is...2024-10-071h 33Iron Culture presented by MASSCutting Edge Research on Volume, Protein & CardioResearch moves slow, well, at least slower than we wish it did. But, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t also produce paradigm shifts that shake up practice. In this episode Dr. Helms and Dr. Trexler sit down to answer questions using research, most of which that is actually still in the publication process and not yet available. This research will have a major impact on the future of practice in nutrition, as it relates to protein while dieting, training, as it relates to how much volume lifters perform, and cardio, for both training and health. You don’t want t...2024-09-161h 07Iron Culture presented by MASSWho is the Male Natural Bodybuilding G.O.A.T?In this Iron Culture episode Dr. Helms sits down with fellow 3DMJ coaches and Iron Culture veterans Brian Minor and Alberto Nunez for a spirited debate about who they each think are the top 5 natural male bodybuilders of all time. Bodybuilding is where art and culture meet science, where science meets sport, and if you are a fan of natural bodybuilding and its history, you will love this episode. Listen in as they struggle to even agree on a criteria for someone to be The Natty GOAT, learn little-known facts about the early years of Kai Greene’s career wh...2024-09-091h 29Iron Culture presented by MASSDo Advanced Lifters Need More Volume?The Erics are back, and this time, they work through a mental model of how training volume, or rather, the training dose changes over time. With a rank novice, a single set to failure done once per week will typically produce continued adaptation, and they won’t plateau for 1-2 years! However, if you take an advanced strength athlete or bodybuilder, a single set to failure done once per week seems to not only be insufficient for measurable progress to occur, but is even lower than doses that result in small losses of muscle mass. So, it seems the th...2024-08-121h 16Iron Culture presented by MASSJared Maynard: Rebuilding StrongerA long lifting career comes with plenty of ups and downs, so we’re accustomed to hearing stories about setbacks, comebacks, and perseverance from our favorite lifters. These setbacks can take many forms, but Jared Maynard’s extraordinary story exists in a league of its own. Over the course of a few short weeks, a rare autoimmune disease took Jared from being a young, strong, healthy man in his early 30s to being on life support in the intensive care unit. With survival odds worse than the flip of a coin, Jared fought his way out of the ICU and...2024-07-151h 21Iron Culture presented by MASSPain Don’t Hurt MuchThe most dynamic Iron Culture duo is back in action. In this episode, Omar and Dr. Trexler talk all about pain, injury, and factors that impact the relationship between them. Back in the day, most lifters were all-in on the “Cartesian” or “biomedical” model of pain, which posits that pain is a simple, reliable indicator of damaged tissue causing nociceptors to send a “pain signal” to the brain. Nowadays, the “biopsychosocial” and “fear-avoidance” models are all the rage in the evidence-based lifter circles. These models are a major upgrade, but there are still some pervasive misunderstandings and misinterpretations of these models in the...2024-07-081h 43Iron Culture presented by MASSIs Saturated Fat Inherently Fattening?The trio is back, and this time to discuss the science of saturated fat. For decades, saturated fat was widely blamed for a dramatic rise in rates of obesity and heart disease. In recent years, that narrative has been challenged by proponents of increasingly popular ketogenic and carnivorous diets. For many, the back and forth on this topic is dizzying, and confusing. Fortunately, we have Dr. Trexler to walk us through several recent studies to help determine if saturated fat is actually inherently more fattening than other fat sources, either via its impact on energy expenditure or appetite, and...2024-07-011h 03Iron Culture presented by MASSDoes Drinking Water Help Weight Loss?One of the most common recommendations a personal trainer or dietitian might make to someone embarking on a weight loss journey, is to drink more water. It’s a basic behavioural recommendation, like going on walks, eating more fruit, vegetables and lean protein, adopting a consistent sleep schedule, and engaging in regular exercise; all solid recommendations. Being hydrated is certainly important for health, wellbeing and performance, but is there actually evidence that drinking water will aid weight loss? Tune into this deep dive by Dr Trexler as he breaks it down and explains why drinking more water is great ad...2024-06-171h 08Iron Culture presented by MASSIs Arched Bench Press Cheating?Powerlifters use techniques to milk every last kilo out of their bench press, including wide grips, tightly wound wrist wraps, leg drive, and – the most hated technique in the comment section – an arched-back to reduce the range of motion. Indeed, it can get so heated in the comments it likely even influenced an IPF rule change last year. But how many kilos does an arch really give you? How many bench pressers did this rule change impact, and was there really a need for the rule changes? Further, why do we apply a different standard for what is considered “cheati...2024-06-101h 14Iron Culture presented by MASSPowerlifting, Natural Bodybuilding & Science (Eric Trexler’s Journey)Trextopia, this is your episode. We peel back the layers of pro natural bodybuilder, exercise science researcher & co-host of Iron Culture, Eric Trexler. Learn how he got into lifting, what low bar squatting 500lb ATG will do to your body & why there might be more controversy in Iron Culture’s near future. This might be the peak of Iron Culture but Trexler is no fan of peak weeks. 00:00 Introduction to an episode with Eric without the other Eric 03:06 An inside peak into Trexler’s day as a scientist (Trex lore) 09:42 Trexler’s foray...2024-04-221h 31Iron Culture presented by MASSAddressing Data Fraud in Nutrition ScienceThe holy trinity is back and holy smokes do we have a Holy Ghost of an episode! First, to kick things off the crew discusses the recent “March madness” of powerlifting that just finished: IPF European Champs, the UK Arnold, and Powerlifting America Nationals. Some absolutely stunning performances occurred all over the world in powerlifting and it seems the rising tide of talent has no end. Then we get into the meat - or should I say the bottomless soup - of the episode. While fraud in research is exceedingly rare, it does happen, and unfortunately, more common issues such...2024-03-251h 34Iron Culture presented by MASSAre Plant-based Proteins Actually Superior?After their recent reconciliation, the Erics got together for this duo episode to bond over their mutual love of protein. But, dear listener, this might not be the home-cooked high-protein meal you hoped for. Dr. Trexler tackles the question of whether or not, GASP, protein restriction might extend lifespan! Then, to add insult to injury, the Erics dig into the question of whether or not plant-based protein sources could be superior to animal sources for improving healthy aging! Along the way, you’ll also learn about the limitations of both epidemiological and mechanistic protein research, and how the two ca...2024-03-181h 26Iron Culture presented by MASSAre Your Supplements Contaminated?As you know, Iron Culture reps the neutral to positive gang around these parts. While most new supplements released to the market don’t pan out as effective, some do. So, if preliminary data supports the potential efficacy of a new supplement, why not try it out? The only potential downside of trying a new supplement is wasted money, right? Not so fast. In this episode the Erics duo explains why the typical supplement consumer is not accurately weighing the true potential cost of supplement investment. Unbelievably, some data indicates 10-30% of all supplements are contaminated - you heard th...2024-03-111h 33Iron Culture presented by MASSSheffield 2024 RecapThe trio is back on the heels of THE Sheffield 2024, the biggest powerlifting competition to date, which outdid its inaugural 2023 performance. Once again, the 12 best IPF-unequipped women and men clashed in a cross-weight class competition ranked by their total as a percentage of their respective world record. This meet incentivizes going BIG, rewarding cash prizes for both placing and breaking individual lift records, with over $500k USD up for grabs, boy did it deliver. The sold out crowd watched the first ever 300kg women’s squat in sleeves by Sonita Muluh, and Jesus Olivares break Ray Williams’ squat world reco...2024-02-191h 25Iron Culture presented by MASSEp. 261 - A Unified Theory of Metabolic Adaptation?The nerd super duo is back at it again. This time, Dr. Trexler plays Sherlock and Dr. Helms plays Watson in a discussion of how overtraining syndrome, metabolic adaptation, relative energy deficiency in sport, exercise energy compensation, body fat regulation, and more, are both distinct from one another, yet are all also closely related. Surprisingly, it took a couple meat head bodybuilders to notice the shared characteristics and overlap between these separate concepts. That’s precisely because bodybuilders are crazy enough to go through a process that often results in their simultaneous occurrence! Listen in to find out what th...2024-02-121h 21Iron Culture presented by MASSDoes Powerlifting with a Rounded Back Cause Pain?In classic Iron Culture throwback style, it’s just Omar and Dr. Helms on this one, while the leader of Trex-topia is away at a conference. Omar and Eric give you the classic banter you love, go over reviews, and even engage in an off-the-cuff discussion of the health at every size movement. Then, they get to the meat of the conversation, a recent paper published on whether or not a lumbopelvic movement screen can predict back pain in powerlifters. What can this study teach us about the links between pain, injury, and movement in powerlifting? Tune in to fi...2024-02-051h 03Iron Culture presented by MASSMASScast 6: Response Variation, Individualizing Training, and Protein Consistency (ft. Dr. Mike Zourdos and Dr. Eric TrexlerYou’ve seen Iron Culture MASScasts before, but none quite like this. In this very special episode of Iron Culture, we’re co-publishing the most recent episode of MASS Office Hours, which is a live podcast run by the good people over at the MASS Research Review (Dr. Eric Trexler, Dr. Eric Helms, Dr. Mike Zourdos, and soon-to-be-doctor Lauren Colenso-Semple). The MASS crew does this live (and totally free) Q&A every Wednesday night on YouTube. They also offer episodes to all major podcast platforms so you can catch the replay at your convenience. 2024-01-291h 46Iron Culture presented by MASSWNBF Pro World & Pro Natural Olympia 2023 Champion Beccy PatemanIn our third interview following the 2023 natural bodybuilding season, we sit down with another historic champion with a truly outlier series of performances. This time, Australian phenom Beccy Pateman joined the Erics on Iron Culture to discuss her season, which culminated not only in her winning her WNBF pro card in both Figure and Fit Body, but also winning the WNBF pro world fit body title. As we’ve discussed, for an athlete to turn pro in the WNBF and win a pro world title in the same season is incredibly rare. Further, the weekend prior to WNBF worlds, Be...2024-01-151h 19Iron Culture presented by MASSThe Challenge of Science Communication (feat Layne Norton)Layne Norton and Eric Helms have some similarities in their areas of interest and expertise as well as their career paths. However, they have different personalities and distinct approaches to science communication. That’s what makes this one on one discussion between Eric and Layne interesting and relevant. Each approach has its pros and cons in terms of reach, impact, and effectiveness. Dr Layne Norton joins Iron Culture for the first time in this episode to candidly discuss the importance and challenges of science communication in the modern age where good information is abundant, but good interpretation is sparse. Th...2024-01-081h 28Iron Culture presented by MASSThe First Bodybuilding Show (with Marcus Kment & Dr. Conor Heffernan)The Great Competition, 1901, Royal Albert Hall, London…this was the birthplace of modern bodybuilding. The one and only Eugen Sandow managed to persevere through multiple years of war, logistical setbacks, and a political and cultural climate that viewed physique displays as potentially indecent, sometimes immoral, and at worst, as illegal pornography, to host the first championship bodybuilding show to find the “best built man in Britain and Ireland”. To even compete, entrants had to place top three in a full series of regional qualifiers where hundreds upon hundreds of athletes battled against one another in the years prior. Further, to eve...2023-12-111h 52Iron Culture presented by MASSEp. 251 - Making Gains as an Advanced LifterWe’re back. We’re so back (except for Dr. Trexler, he’s sick …but he will be so back). Omar is getting his body composition tested in July and he has publicly guaranteed that he’s going to have increased his lean mass by then. Likewise, Dr. Helms just publicly announced his monogamous commitment to bodybuilding and his push to become a pro champion now that he’s turned pro. How are these not-so-spring chickens going to do it? More importantly for you dear listener, how are you going to do it if you’ve been in the game a while...2023-12-041h 28Iron Culture presented by MASSWNBF Worlds, Pathological Bodybuilding, Muscle LossThe good Doctors Eric are still figuring out how to start episodes without Omar, and let’s just say it’s off to a rough start. But to their credit, they went on to deliver a monster episode even if Omar wasn’t there to officially dub it so. In this conversation, Dr. Helms recaps the amazing battles and historic performances that took place at WNBF Worlds on Nov 18-19, where he participated as both a coach and athlete. Then, Dr. Trexler and he cover a couple of relevant and interesting research papers, the first, covered by Dr. Helms explor...2023-11-271h 59Iron Culture presented by MASSA Tale of Two BodybuildersThis episode almost didn’t happen. With Omar away, the Erics left to figure out how to do an episode of Iron Culture on their own, and nearly got stuck waiting forever for someone to say “Eric.” But, cooler heads prevailed and they found their way into a thoughtful, introspective, and nostalgic conversation. While both Trexler and Helms ended up taking very similar paths in life when you look at the outcome - competitive bodybuilders with PhDs in exercise-related fields who communicate science - their motivations and perspectives are actually quite unique. In this episode, you’ll learn how someone...2023-11-061h 33Iron Culture presented by MASSWhy BULKING is NOT the Answer“Gotta eat big to get big brother!” “It’s the off-season man, I’m on that SEE-food diet, heheh ya feel me?!!” It’s been like this for decades in the muscle building world, and there’s a ton of anecdotes that you gotta eat enough to grow. Certainly, we can’t build muscle out of thin air. But given the modern understanding that body recomposition - at least in novice and early stage intermediate lifters who aren’t too lean - is actually quite normal, how much do you really have to eat? In this episode Omar interviews Eric Helms who just...2023-10-301h 08Iron Culture presented by MASSEp. 244 - Does Your Body Composition Affect Your Testosterone Levels? (ft. Eric Trexler)The new co-host of Iron Culture, Eric Trexler, is back with another (monster) episode. In this episode we take a look at everyone's favorite hormone, testosterone. Specially, Dr. Trexler examines the role of maconutrient changes on testosterone levels. How does fat & carbohydrate intake impact a person's testosterone? We also explore body composition differences and how this can have an even larger impact on one's testosterone. Lastly after sharing the not so pleasant realities of dieting and experiencing low testosterone symptoms, Eric shares key points for maintaining a healthy level of testosterone. 00:00 Reading comments: t...2023-10-161h 43Iron Culture presented by MASSExercise Energy Compensation: It's Not JUST About Calories (ft. Eric Trexler)This is a monster episode. Newly added co-host Eric Trexler details his impressive credentials, groundbreaking new line of research and perhaps most importantly, the best way to effectively execute a single leg take-down on an unsuspecting person. His new appointment at Duke University will be looking in part at the topic of today, exercise energy compensation. It turns out that calories in, calories out is a little more complicated than most would assume. Made famous by Dr. Herman Pontzer and his book Burn, Dr. Trexler explores what exactly this phrase means, the utility of doubly labelled water a...2023-10-091h 45Iron Culture presented by MASSAll About Body Composition & Body Fat (feat. Dr. Grant Tinsley)The duo’s recent pilgrimage to Texas ended with a trip to the state-of-the-art Texas Tech University body composition lab led by Dr. Grant Tinsley. Eric and Omar went through a battery of body composition assessments and had their RMR tested there, and Eric’s second epic duel with the Bod Pod went down. This duel resulted in only partial redemption for Eric, and we also learned just how “headstrong” Omar truly is. In this episode Grant joins Iron Culture to discuss the findings of the trip and all the nuances of body composition testing to help us understand the some...2023-09-111h 35Iron Culture presented by MASSWhat is the Dietary Fat Minimum Intake? (MASScast 7 ft. Dr. Eric Trexler)The MASScast Iron Culture episodes are back! Today Dr. Eric Trexler joins us to answer the murky question: “What is an evidence-based guideline for a minimum dietary fat intake?” It’s easy to find guidelines and minimums for various circumstances and goals for protein, and while there is some debate, the same could be said for carbohydrate. However, a minimum intake for fat has been elusive. Fortunately, Dr. Trexler has been thinking deeply about this topic and wrote an extensive article on the topic in our upcoming issue of The MASS Research Review, and he’s here to discuss his conc...2023-08-281h 21Iron Culture presented by MASSThe Bikini Division - The Good, Bad, & Ugly (feat Laurin Conlin)Laurin Conlin is back on Iron Culture after a long hiatus! For those who missed her first appearance, Laurin Conlin, MS is a coach and high-level competitor, having competed as an IFBB Pro Bikini athlete from 2014-2018. She recently visited Eric before they flew to Melbourne to present at the annual Ultimate Evidence Based Conference at JPS Health & Fitness. In her and Eric’s conversations in and around the event, they discussed “the competitor trap”; the unique atmosphere and culture in the NPC and IFBB that seems to encourage bikini competitors specifically to compete annually, stay lean, and in many c...2023-08-141h 36Iron Culture presented by MASSDietary Fat, Metabolic Rates & Low Carb Diets (MASScast 1 ft. Eric Trexler)We have an exciting announcement at Iron Culture, we are combining forces with MASS, Monthly Applications in Strength Sport to bring you regular “MASScast” episodes where we will be joined by one or more of the expert MASS reviewers to talk science. In this inaugural MASScast episode we’re joined by Dr. Eric Trexler to discuss surprising recent data that suggests basal metabolic rates have been decreasing at the population level over recent decades. Is this true? And if so, what’s causing it? In addition, we discuss the continuing confusion regarding high versus low-carb diets. Where is the cut-off...2023-05-221h 37Iron Culture presented by MASSThe Most Important Powerlifting Meet In History? (The Sheffield Retrospective)Last week was the first time in our history that we left you without an episode, but don’t worry this painful experience was for good reason. Omar and Eric were in fact, both together in person, with Dr. Conor Heffernan at the SBD Sheffield. Eric was on stage coaching Jessica Buettner, and Conor and Omar were in the audience filming with the help of the newest member of the fellowship, Jonathan Akagha, the strongest cameraman in Europe. The Sheffield was perhaps the most significant meet in raw tested powerlifting, and for the two days leading up to it, th...2023-04-031h 55Iron Culture presented by MASSIs Bodybuilding a Sport?(feat Adrian Kind)Look no further than the comment section of this post/video and you’ll find knee-jerk answers to the question posed in this title driven by emotional reactions, that are justified after the fact by a poorly thought-out argument that is logically inconsistent. In the philosophy of sport, however, you go the opposite direction. You put forth a logically consistent case, based on established information, within the constraints of the argument. In this episode we chat with philosophy Ph.D. candidate at the Berlin School of Mind and Brain Adrian Kind, who recently collaborated on the article: “Is Bodybuilding a Sp...2023-03-201h 56Iron Culture presented by MASSHigh Level Powerlifting & Eric's Last DanceThe boys are reunited, don’t worry cult, and yes, reunited atop the pyramid. After catching up on what’s been going on for Omar that took him away from us last week, the boys get down to powerlifting talk. This is a big year for powerlifting, with COVID behind us and the Sheffield ahead, and epic battles to come in both the 93 and 76kg divisions at multiple international competitions. Eric discusses how different it can be to coach athletes at the highest level in powerlifting, where scouting, chips, lot numbers, attempt changes, and other subtle aspects of coaching that...2023-02-271h 44Iron Culture presented by MASSTraining Specificity Revisited & New Diet Break DataDear listener, we just can’t let go. Even though we told you in 2023 we wouldn’t be able to stick to the weekly schedule, we are trying our best to do so anyway. This week, to maintain our codependent relationship with you, we have a solo episode from Mr. Dr. Eric Helms. Unfortunately, Omar had to travel for Raskol and couldn’t join him, but the Cult lives on in a weekly format for a little longer. No, you won’t hear Omar say “Eric” to kick things off, no you won’t have a half-hour of banter, nor will you h...2023-02-201h 20Iron Culture presented by MASSSheffield Final Roster, USPA controversy, New Bodybuilding ResearchIt’s episode 208 and yes, you’re right, that means it’s been four years of episodes coming out weekly, every single . And guess what? In typical iron culture fashion, we completely forgot it was our 4 year anniversary while we recorded this episode. But, dear listener, that’s because we were totally focused on YOU, bringing you the latest news in the iron game, from the final Sheffield roster now that the wildcard picks are complete, to the recent USPA controversy, to a new study published on physique contest preparation. Next week, we’ll have our belated 4 year anniversary, but this w...2023-01-301h 34Iron Culture presented by MASSWe Have An Important Announcement (Surprisingly Not Clickbait)We can’t believe it. 200 episodes. What else is there to say except thank you from the bottom of our hearts? It’s always a blast for us to hang out and chat, but it’s a huge bonus that so many people find value in our conversations. At the outset, we hoped we’d be able to provide both educational and entertainment value to our listeners, and it seems like we’ve succeeded. This episode is a bit of a celebration, as we reflect on what brought us here, and what it’s going to lead to. We have big pla...2022-12-051h 21Iron Culture presented by MASSGetting Shredded…But Not CompetingMr Dr. Ben House is back on Iron Culture, but this time, he’s fully indoctrinated. That’s right, Ben is making a push to experience what it’s like to get into bodybuilding stage condition. He’s been collaborating with Eric in the process, learning to pose, reincorporating tracking after a long time away, and getting leaner than lean. When is he competing you ask? Believe it or not, he’s probably not going to! Ben decided to do this for a few reasons, first to support a friend who is a competitor, second to get the experience of what it...2022-10-241h 35Iron Culture presented by MASSAre Evidence Based Influencers Selling Out? (Q&A)We’re back with another completely legit Q&A episode from 100% real listeners. Once again, thank you, Tommy, Tanya, and Tyrone. Omar was the highlight of this one, as the second question was specifically about using “questionable” marketing tactics, but in the name of good, to distribute evidence-based information, and whether doing so was ultimately helping people, or discouraging critical thinking. Sandwiching Omar’s fantastic answer, Eric addressed two science-based questions in this episode, the first being about when is it best to be process-focused versus outcome-focused, and the second is about how periodization operates with respect to other types of...2022-03-071h 34Iron Culture presented by MASSAutoregulation & Individualization: Everything You Wanted To KnowRecently, the first systematic review and meta-analysis on the effect of autoregulation on strength and hypertrophy was published. In this episode we explore why this publication almost sent Eric into a proverbial dark cave without a pen light, never to return, and what realizations helped him find his way out. In this episode, we discuss that the promise of autoregulation is really Individualization. With that discovery, we explore how it succeeds, and fails, at least in its current limited form, what research on autoregulation can and canto capture, and what will be needed in the future for autoregulation to...2022-02-281h 32Iron Culture presented by MASSEp. 153 - Were Ancient Warriors Actually Jacked?Watch Episode 1 Here: https://youtu.be/VHBTMm94yeM In this episode, we lean heavily into the history and culture side of Iron Culture and discuss ancient history, specifically, ancient warfare and its accompanying physical culture. For those who don’t know, Omar teamed up with the History Channel to host a series that just launched on the History Channel’s YouTube and streaming service titled “Ancient Workouts”. You can catch the first episode which is already out now, and in this episode, we discuss some of the coolest aspects of the show. Specifically, we evaluate the various tropes we have in...2022-01-101h 31Iron Culture presented by MASSEverything You Need To Know About Velocity Based TrainingVelocity-based training, you’ve probably heard of it and have a vague understanding of what it is, but don’t fully grasp it. That’s about to change with this episode as we bring two experts on to discuss it, both of who are literally doing their Ph.D.’s on topics related to it. Landyn Hickmott, MS is a powerlifting coach, semi-pro hockey player, creator of RTS’s new velocity-based training course, and a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Saskatchewan. He joins Ivan Jukic, MS a strength and conditioning coach and Ph.D. candidate at Auckland University...2021-11-011h 56Iron Culture presented by MASSNatty or Not, Drug Testing and Genetics (Q&A #3)Omar and Eric are back with another Q&A episode! This time, they go IN on the topic of not just being skeptical but also being rational when thinking about the likelihood of someone being drug-free. As you are probably aware, skepticism abounds on this topic online, which is fine, but the question is: what do you base that skepticism on? Since most of the information on this topic consists of sweeping generalizations that simply don’t generalize outside of a specific context, is purposely clickbaity and controversial, and is heavily biased, we do our best to present things lo...2021-06-211h 07Iron Culture presented by MASSFrom Bodybuilding to Crafting High Quality Content (ft. Jeff Nippard)What goes into making a YouTube channel dedicated to educating people about lifting, nutrition, getting stronger, and bodybuilding? We asked Jeff Nippard just that on this episode of Iron Culture where he was kind enough to join us to share his experience. But, not before Eric engaged him in probably one of the most important discussions we’ve had to date, who should have won the 2007 Mr. Olympia? In this episode, you’ll learn what goes into content creation, and which bodybuilder got robbed 14 years ago. 2021-06-072h 14Iron Culture presented by MASSTapering For Strength: What You Probably Don’t KnowThis week, Dr. Hayden Pritchard joins Iron Culture. Hayden did his Ph.D. specifically on tapering for maximal strength enhancement, which included surveying top powerlifters to see what they do in practice prior to competition. Since his Ph.D. he’s gone on to survey strongmen/women, CrossFit competitors and weightlifters as well. No stranger to maximal strength himself, Hayden Pritchard is also a national-level weightlifter, and a world-level powerlifter, having represented New Zealand at IPF Worlds in the 93kg class. As you know, we value nepotism here at Iron Culture, as you’ll find out that Eric and Hayd...2021-04-191h 40Iron Culture presented by MASSThe Truth About Making Fitness ContentInfographics, YouTubers, podcasters, and blogs, oh my! It ain’t easy being a content creator in these hyper-speed feed times. In this episode, the hosts reflect on the challenging balance of producing meaningful, high-quality content that will help, while also staying relevant in the social media age, and somehow managing to pay the bills. Listen and you'll learn how and why Instagram makes it harder for Eric to read and review research, why Omar is one of the few surviving YouTubers who started their channel before the twenty-teens, and also the host's combined insights in how to stay afloat, an...2021-03-291h 37Iron Culture presented by MASSSustainable Fat Loss, Bench Plateaus & More (Q&A #1)You got questions? We got answers. In fact, we have THE answers. In this episode Omar and Eric take a step in a bold direction, doing what no other podcasts or fitness content creators have previously done, and answer questions from our subscribers. No, it’s never been done before, yes it’s a wild idea never previously considered (and if someone claims they’ve done it or thought it already, trust us, they actually stole it from us). But ever the bold innovators, Iron Culture steps into the breach. No need to thank us. 2021-03-011h 14Iron Culture presented by MASSPowerlifting, Community & Opening Your Own GymOpening a community gym in the middle of a pandemic: crazy, or if done safely, sorely needed? That’s exactly what Mike Farr (Silent Mike) and Jim McDonald did. These Nor Cal natives return from their previous episode alongside Alan Thrall and Eric Helms where we discussed what the heck is in the water in Sacramento that produces so many iconic lifting groups. They join us today to talk about their experience of pulling the trigger on their dream of opening a gym in Sacramento, despite the challenges of COVID. Philosophically, they have the outlook that you can only pu...2021-02-081h 39Iron Culture presented by MASSLifting During PregnancyThe majority of personal training clients are women, and the majority of women will be pregnant at least once in their life. Yet, resistance training and nutrition during and following pregnancy are not topics most trainers are well versed in. Join Omar and Eric in this episode to watch these two flawed protagonists find redemption. They previously used the documentary “Junior” starring Saint Schwarzenegger and Danny Devito as their sole information source on pregnancy, but now they are enlightened. Join them on their knowledge-seeking journey in this episode. They learn all about lifting and nutrition during and following pregnancy with...2020-11-092h 06Iron Culture presented by MASSThe Original Iron Sport: GymnasticsBefore there was powerlifting, bodybuilding, weightlifting, and strongman, there was the iron game, and it all overlapped. Before that, there was the physical culture movement. During this era, you couldn’t find a strongman or woman who didn’t do hand balancing, calisthenics, or tumbling as a part of their training. Gymnastics has a long history, but today it is its own sport and embedded in some national sport systems to build a foundation for young athletes‘ careers. Further, it’s a major component of CrossFit. Finally, you ever see the delts on a gymnast?? In today’s episode, we explore...2020-09-141h 45Iron Culture presented by MASSStrength & Conditioning (for Mixed Martial Arts)The recent explosion of washed-up lifters getting in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has sparked some introspection within the CULT. To discover their chances of becoming a mixed martial legend, Eric & Omar bring in notable Strength & Conditioning coaches Phil Daru and Seth Lenetsky to discuss what it is liked getting punched in the face. Phil has coached many top lifters at ATT (American Top Team) and Seth is one of the few published researchers on the subject of MMA, with his Ph.D. being in "Punchology" as he puts it. Find out how fighters train to improve their performance and discover a...2020-07-201h 48Iron Culture presented by MASSWhat We Now Do DifferentlyThis is the episode where the two hosts sell out. You knew it was going to happen. Inside you'll find Eric's top tips in order to become the biggest dancing sensation on TikTok and Omar explains how there really is no moral conundrum with selling photos of your calves on OnlyFans. Somewhere between those two sizzling topics, the hosts manage to give a sneak peek at the content creation process at Iron Culture. Many Iron CULT members have noted enjoying the diversity and depth of the discussions; it is high time the hosts explain the guiding principles of the...2020-07-061h 36Iron Culture presented by MASSThe Science of Supplements (ft. Eric Trexler & Ben Esgro)A few years ago, the supplement industry was in such a state that simply putting effective ingredients at their proper dosage on a label, without a proprietary blend was revolutionary. Fortunately, today there are a handful of “evidence-based” companies that do this and do it well. However, in a competitive market, where do you go from here? What is the process? In this episode, we’re rejoined by a registered dietician and DeNovo Supps founder and formulator, Ben Esgro. He has two masters, one in Sports Nutrition, the other in Pharmaceutical Chemistry. He gives a behind the scenes look at for...2020-06-081h 52Iron Culture presented by MASSHow To Stay On Track With Your NutritionDig if you will this picture, of you inside with the kids. This is what it sounds like when gains die. At this point, it has been four weeks without access to gyms for most individuals. Exacerbating the painful absence of the gym is the abundance of free time at our disposal, leading many to struggle with their nutrition. Fear not because in this episode today, Iron Culture co-owners (and current hosts) Eric Helms and Omar Isuf overview what you can do to stay on track with your nutrition. Eric delves into what the literature shows when it comes...2020-04-131h 30Iron Culture presented by MASSSupplement Companies (ft. Ben Esgro and Mike Matthews)From the 1900s when Eugen Sandow promoted “Plasmon” and his “Health and Strength Cocoa”, the supplement industry has been rife with dubious claims. Since, like a game of limbo, the bar for quality, and scientific accuracy has only lowered. Rather than bending under the low bar, a few individuals vaulted right over by doing the unthinkable: starting companies that sell science-backed products, educate consumers, and use no-nonsense marketing. This week, Eric hosts a roundtable consisting of Ben Esgro, the biochemical-artist behind De Novo Nutrition, Mike Matthews of Legion Athletics, and our very own Omar Isuf, founder of Ouroboros. Learn the chal...2020-03-302h 00Iron Culture presented by MASSStretching, Mobility & Rehab (ft. Dean Somerset)Ten years ago, any supposedly knowledgeable PT would be making judicious use of the friendly blue foam roller with clients. Ten years later, the blue idol has fallen out of fashion and we've seen a trend towards minimalism. Stretching is overrated. Doing a squat will prepare you to squat and that is the end of the story. Or is it? Co-owners Eric Helms & Omar Isuf are joined by veteran personal trainer and gym owner Dean Somerset. Dean has been successfully navigating the realm beyond simply counting 3 sets of 10 for almost 20 years and his approach is an exemplary model for...2020-03-231h 36Iron Culture presented by MASSBeginner Training Mistakes (And Successes) We MadeRewind the clock. The year is 2009, Lady Gaga is all the rage, MySpace is THE social media platform and if you eat carbs after 6 pm, you are sabotaging your gains. Enjoy this episode of co-hosts Eric Helms and Omar Isuf reminiscing on their early days as lifting enthusiasts. You'll learn about the most anabolic chili, how far Eric is willing to go to get his protein intake and why adding 5lb per week to the bar doesn't work forever. You'll probably find yourself nodding along relating to many of the anecdotes...and probably being horrified by several others.2020-03-161h 33Iron Culture presented by MASSHow To Properly Cut Weight To Maximize Performance (ft. Kedric Kwan, David Nolan, and Arthur Lynch)Omar and Eric realized that if they maintained their current totals, and cut to the 59kg class, they’d rank among the top 10 raw drug-free powerlifters in the world. In this episode, they bring on three researchers/coaches/athletes: Kedric Kwan, David Nolan, and Arthur Lynch, experts who in the course of their ongoing PhDs have published the only peer-reviewed research in existence on this topic. Ultimately, Omar and Eric’s dreams of becoming elite 59kg lifters are crushed, but the listeners come away with valuable knowledge.2020-03-022h 12Iron Culture presented by MASSIntuitive Eating & Autoregulation (ft. Gabrielle Fundaro and Mike Tuchscherer)Eric & Omar are joined once again by guests Gabrielle Fundaro and Mike Tuchscherer to discuss a seemingly taboo concept in the "evidence-based" fitness community: intuition. Find out how intuitive eating & autoregulation are related and why listening to biological feedback has a high degree of utility. Our subjective experiences can provide useful inputs for how we shape our decision making. Intuition need not be relegated to the background of our choices and fortunately, Gabrielle & Mike emphatically explain why.2020-02-101h 57Iron Culture presented by MASSTraining Differences In Men & Women (ft. Greg Nuckols and Sohee Lee)This week Omar and Eric sit down with Greg Nuckols and Sohee Lee. Both are fantastic science communicators in the world of fitness, but specifically, they both have expertise in sex differences among lifters. Greg did his master's thesis specifically looking at sex differences in inter-set recovery during resistance training, while Sohee is in the early stages of her Ph.D. in which she’s planning to examine how circuit vs traditional resistance training may impact female lifters. What differences are there between men and women, different modalities of lifting, and why? Join us this week to find out!2020-02-032h 08Iron Culture presented by MASSPeriodization & Programming For HypertrophyPeriodization in and of itself tends to be a confusing and hotly debated topic, heavy on opinions but light on evidence. But periodization for hypertrophy alone is an even greater unknown. Join Omar and Eric this week as they explore this nebulous topic by discussing the scant, and not perfectly applicable research on the topic, periodization theory, and mechanisms of hypertrophy. In the end, this speculative discussion sheds a bit of light on what elements of periodization, if any, might be applicable for hypertrophy training and how they could be applied.2020-01-271h 45Iron Culture presented by MASSWhy Meal Timing Really Matters (Chrononutrition Ft. Danny Lennon)At last, the long-standing feud between Iron CULTure, free speech and Danny Lennon of Sigma Nutrition comes to a close. The co-owners, Eric and Omar, interview the very friendly (there is not even a remote possibility that he is a serial killer) Danny Lennon on chrononutrition, the intersection of circadian rhythms and nutrition. Learn about your master clock, why it appears those who eat the majority of their calories earlier in the day lose more weight and dietary considerations for every individual.2020-01-201h 50Iron Culture presented by MASSWhat Makes A Great Coach (Ft. Bryce Lewis)Bryce Lewis, elite powerlifter and founder of The Strength Athlete is back on Iron Culture fresh off his 2019 USAPL Raw Nationals 105kg Open win. Now a 3-time national champion, his 902.5kg total is an unofficial world record and ranks him #1 in the world for tested raw 105kg lifters. His eyes are on IPF Classic Worlds 2020 to secure a 2nd World title, but 2020 also marks his 10 year anniversary of working with Eric as his coach. In this episode Omar grudgingly puts aside jealousy to interview Eric and Bryce, getting to the heart of what makes an effective coaching relationship long...2020-01-131h 43Iron Culture presented by MASSHow To Not Be A Terrible Personal Trainer (ft. Jordan Syatt)Four words to describe this podcast would be authentic, vulnerable, and being real. Or something like that. We are joined by Jordan Syatt, a personal trainer who has grown an online presence by doing everything you shouldn't. You'll find almost no video or photo of him lifting, showing off abs, or "exposing" other practitioners. Instead, he delivers on a consistent basis practical, insightful, and useful fitness information. Explore with co-owners Eric Helms & Omar Isuf as they define what qualities make a good personal trainer and how to succeed in the online fitness space without selling your (immortal) soul.2020-01-062h 07Iron Culture presented by MASSBONUS: What We Learned In 2019It’s a new year, it’s a new decade, and it’s a year in review for Iron Culture. Join our hosts...or rather owners, as they reflect on the first year of Iron Culture and discuss their plans for 2020 in this tongue and cheek bonus episode. Bonus: Eric tries to expand the Culture’s demographics into Mukbang territory. Bonus Bonus: And apparently ASMR. We apologize.2020-01-021h 34Iron Culture presented by MASSEverything You Wanted To Know About Protein (Timing, Amount, Frequency)In one of our previous duo episodes, Omar went on a deep dive with Eric into autoregulation, the topic of his Ph.D. In this episode, Omar sits down with Eric and asks him to rewind the academic clock even further, to his first foray into academia and research, his masters. In this episode, the hosts not only discuss the roots of how Eric’s career as a trainer and online coach forked into becoming a researcher, but they also dive into the nitty-gritty of his master’s thesis, which was done on everyone’s favorite macronutrient: protein!2019-12-301h 39Iron Culture presented by MASSVeganism, Nutrition & Moderation“Documentaries” have changed the game (pun intended) when it comes to nutrition. Unfortunately, this has not been for the better, as misinformation, bias, and conflicts of interest have polluted available knowledge. However, there is always the consummate guardian against confusion: logic. In this episode, Omar and Eric discuss these changes in the latest chapter of the diet wars, and how you can arm yourself against the propaganda of any type. In addition, Omar and Eric continue their meta-discussion of a theme across Iron Culture, the meaning and significance of moderation.2019-12-021h 34Iron Culture presented by MASSInsulin, Obesity & Weight Loss (Ft. James Krieger)James Krieger has been putting out some of the best science-based information in the lifting community for over a decade. With expertise in nutrition, resistance training, statistics, and with personal experience in physique sport and with substantial coaching experience across a diverse spectrum from recreational lifters, to high-level competitors, he’s a voice of reason worth listening to. In this episode, James helps us understand the oft-misrepresented and frequently demonized hormone: insulin! Is it the cause of obesity? What role does it play in the body? How should we conceptualize it? If you’ve struggled with these questions, you won’...2019-10-211h 38Iron Culture presented by MASSWhat Bodybuilders Do Differently (ft. Alberto Nunez)In this episode of Iron Culture, you get to observe the emotional maturity of Omar as he realizes he’s in an open relationship with Eric. The original bodybuilding bromance is on display this week, as Alberto Nuñez joins Iron Culture so that he and Eric Helms can discuss the “lifestyle” of bodybuilding. While many take careful notes on the sets, reps, exercise selection, food choices and macros of physique competitors, most miss the deeply entrenched habits that are the true keys to their long term success.2019-10-072h 11Iron Culture presented by MASSAlan Thrall, Silent Mike & Jim McDonald (SacTown Boys)Consider this episode a homecoming as co-host Eric Helms reminisces on Sacramento lifting culture. He is joined by fellow Sacramento natives Alan Thrall, Silent Mike, and Jim McDonald. A seemingly small city tucked away in Northern California, the soon to be infamous SacTown Boys explore the reasons why Sacramento has made such a strong impact inside the lifting community. From weightlifting legend Tommy Kono to Body Tribe in the present, Sacramento is home to a vibrant, diverse lifting community. The conversation also explores starting your own business, traversing the fitness industry and why Iron Culture is the world's friendliest...2019-09-161h 39Iron Culture presented by MASSChronicling Weightlifting & World’s Strongest Man (ft. Randall Strossen)Over the last three decades, Randall Strossen was there for it all. World records in weightlifting at the Olympics and world championships, incredible performances at the Highland games world championships and the worlds strongest man; if he wasn’t behind the lens as a photographer, he might have been the commentator, or written about the performances in Milo magazine or in his sport psychology column in Ironman magazine which ran for 12 years. Randall has a Ph.D. in psychology, founded IronMind in 1988, and Milo magazine in 1993. Thousands of lifters have seen what level of IronMind Captains of Crush grippers th...2019-09-091h 26Iron Culture presented by MASSThe Science of Weight Loss (Metabolic Adaptation ft. Dr Eric Trexler)Is Iron Culture big enough for two pro natural bodybuilders with PhDs named Eric (or was it Derek)? The banter heats up as metabolisms cool down this week as the cult leaders are joined by Dr Eric Trexler to discuss metabolic adaptation. Why is weight loss difficult to sustain? What is adaptive thermogenesis, the phenomenon we call metabolic adaptation colloquially? Is it the cause of our fat loss woes, or are it’s effects overhyped? If it is overhyped, what really are the barriers to successful fat loss and fat loss maintenance? Join us on this episode as we di...2019-09-021h 47Iron Culture presented by MASSThe Science & History of Steroids (And Drug Testing ft. Alex Kolliari-Turner)Doping: the topic every 19 year old in the YouTube comments section seems to be an expert on. Maybe it’s more complicated and nuanced than the local internet culture would have you believe? In this episode, we have Ph.D. candidate Alex Kolliari-Turner on Iron Culture. He is a true expert in this field, doing his Ph.D. research on the long term effects of anabolic steroids on muscle. His research examining the impacts of steroids on anabolic signaling pathways and potential permanent retention of myonuclei may have wide-reaching impacts on how we view doping, doping detection, and the co...2019-08-261h 58Iron Culture presented by MASSThe Problem With The Fitness Industry (ft. Chip Conrad)In this episode, Eric & Omar are joined by firebrand Chip Conrad. A true physical culture enthusiast, Chip has been involved with seminal figures in our culture (Mel Siff, Tommy Kono, Jan Todd and Dan John to name but a few). Chip's unique approach to training stands in stark contrast to the modern fitness industrial complex. Combining aspects of different disciplines from strongman to yoga, Chip is a rare thinker and teacher. Listen to how he redefines what strength means, what the point of lifting is and the merit of early Van Halen. PS www.chipconrad.com (it'll b...2019-08-191h 42Iron Culture presented by MASSNatural Bodybuilding (ft. Brian Whitacre)In this episode, Eric and Omar are joined by one of the most celebrated, revered, and respected pro natural bodybuilders, Brian Whitacre. Brian is a legendary figure, historically being the first to win both the WNBF Worlds and Yorton Cup Overalls the same year in 2015. The hosts discuss natural bodybuilding, economics, and what it takes to be a champion. Listen up, you might be surprised.2019-08-121h 14Iron Culture presented by MASSThe Truth About Gut Health (And Pseudoscience)At the edges of scientific understanding, pseudoscience is bred and born. When a topic is studied, but not yet understood, marketers plant the seeds of hype to suck you in. “This one weird trick”, “doctors hate him”, “the herb the FDA doesn’t want you to have”. The emerging field of gut health is an arena rife with such quackery. Fortunately, we have Dr. Gabrielle Fundaro as a guiding light. She has a Ph.D. in human nutrition, is a competitive strength and physique athlete, and was a professor at Georgia Gwinnett College before joining Renaissance Periodization as a coach and scie...2019-07-291h 25Iron Culture presented by MASSWhat Is Autoregulation?In this episode of Iron Culture, Omar leads a discussion looking inward to the academic journey of Eric Helms through his Ph.D. As we explore the science, history, and culture of lifting, it’s important to not only consume the outcome of scientific research but to consider it in the context of the human experience of the researchers who dedicate years of their lives to sometimes uncovering ludicrously simple answers through intense and complicated study. Like lifting itself, exercise and nutrition research is a marathon not a sprint, and a labor of love. In this episode learn not on...2019-07-221h 42Iron Culture presented by MASSWhy You Should Listen To This PodcastModern social media has an abundance of choices. Look up any particular topic and you’ll find a plethora of options. An abundance of choice does not mean an abundance of quality, however. In this episode, Eric & Omar explore the role of the evidence-based practitioner, contrasting it with the rise of the “guru”. In this podcast, you might not find easy answers but you will find deeper meaning.2019-07-011h 20Iron Culture presented by MASSHow Technology Can Make Lifting EasierIn 2019 technology is not only a part of life, but a part of fitness. Whether you wear a heart rate monitor, track your steps, scan the barcodes of foods to track their calories, or watch videos of your lifts to assess form, you’ve experienced this intersection first hand. We take these things for granted, but we miss the behind he scenes hard work, success, failures, struggles, ingenuity, creativity, setbacks and triumphs of the fitness-tech developers who make the augmented fitness world we live in possible. In this episode Iron Culture welcomes the founders of three lifter-specific apps, Obi An...2019-06-101h 32Iron Culture presented by MASSExamining the Psychology of BodybuildingOmar and Eric are joined by two experts in psychology, Dr Kori Propst and Amanda Rizo, MS, who are not only therapists, but are both lifters themselves. Dr Kori Propst was a elite level natural physique athlete and has worked with the Diet Doc alongside Dr Joe for a decade as a world leader in bodybuilding psychology. Likewise, Amanda Rizo, MS is a licensed therapist and the Team 3DMJ mental health consultant. Join us for an in depth discussion of what goes on in the minds of physique competitors.2019-06-032h 08Iron Culture presented by MASSThe Art of CoachingThis is a Podcast you'll want to listen to from start to finish. Selected by hosts Eric Helms & Omar Isuf as one of their favourites (look, they can do that), this Podcast delves deep into the art of coaching. The hosts are joined by Sioux-z Hartwig-Gary, Matt Gary and Dan John; three veteran coaches at the top of their respective fields. Coaching is so much more than giving someone a spreadsheet or telling them their macros. Learn insights from these three who have spent decades honing their craft. Whether your goal is to become a better coach or just...2019-05-271h 43Iron Culture presented by MASSWhy Lifters Lose MotivationThe reality of lifting is that most individuals do not make it a lifelong pursuit. For a variety of reasons people start lifting and somewhere along the way, they stop. Why? In this episode, Eric & Omar explore motivation and take a look at the outcome vs the process of any activity. How can we frame lifting in such a way that we stick with it forever?2019-05-131h 00Iron Culture presented by MASSJeff Nippard & Greg Nuckols Talk Science CommunicationFor a long time in the fitness industry, it was said that scientific information wasn't sexy. If you wanted to attract an audience, go with a captivating headline and tell people what they want to hear. One weird trick to lose weight. And for a long time, this was the norm. However, two individuals in the last several years have completely disproved this theory. Greg Nuckols & Jeff Nippard have grown sizeable audiences while actually increasing the complexity of science in their fitness information. How do you effectively communicate information so it reaches a large audience? How do you avoid...2019-05-072h 10Iron Culture presented by MASSBodybuilding Prep, Online Coaching And Being An EntrepreneurEric & Omar are joined by Dr. Joe Klemczewski, the pioneer of modern natural bodybuilding coaching. Many practices taken for granted today, including tapering for a proper peak week, were first utilized by Dr. Joe. He is the OG evidence based natural bodybuilding coach. He also was one of the first successful coaches to transition into online coaching. The hosts discuss his successes in a multitude of business ventures and learn tips applicable for aspiring fitness entrepreneurs.2019-04-151h 32Iron Culture presented by MASSHistory of Lifting Part 2 (1900-1950s)Eric and Omar are joined again by Dr. Dominic Morais, Physical Culture and Sport Studies scholar, to discuss the emergence of the “Iron Game” in the early to mid 1900’s. We learn what it was like to be a lifter when Muscle Magazines emerged. Communities formed around shared experiences created by the stories told in magazine columns. This contemporary history would be the first battle grounds between magazine owners, athlete icons, “gurus” and training philosophies. During this era Olympic Lifting underwent changes, bodybuilding became a legitimate separate endeavour and powerlifting would also formalize. Further Resources: 1. https://www.starkc...2019-04-081h 50Iron Culture presented by MASSCarbohydrate & Ketogenic RoundtableEric and Omar sit down with Danny Lennon and Cliff Harvey for a non-dogmatic discussion of the ins and outs of carbohydrate manipulation, ketogenic diets, and the context of when one might use various carbohydrate intakes in various situations. Cliff Harvey is a registered clinical nutritionist, author and researcher in the final stages of his PhD at the Auckland University of Technology. He has extensive experience working with athletes, the lay public and clinical populations and is a published researcher in the field of ketogenic diet induction and low carbohydrate diets. Danny Lennon is the founder of Sigma Nutrition...2019-03-181h 44Iron Culture presented by MASSContent vs Clickbait: What Is Selling Out In The Fitness Industry?This week on Iron Culture Eric and Omar reflect on the decisions content producers make in the fitness industry. While snake oil peddlers are abundant, even well meaning, well informed leaders have to figure out how to help as many people as possible without losing the quality and utility of their message. In this episode Omar and Eric reflect on their own content and where they personally try to find the balance between building a broader reach without turning away from their mission statements.2019-03-1159 minIron Culture presented by MASSEp. 2 - History of Lifting Part 1 (1700s-1900s)Eric and Omar are joined by Dr. Dominic Morais and Dr. Ben Pollack, not only accomplished strength athletes but also experts with PhDs in Physical Culture and Sport Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. The guests take us through the history that leads to modern lifting culture. We trace the strongmen and strongwomen doing Vaudeville performances in the 1700s to the early 1900s where the earliest organized strength sports were forming and when the culture-shifting Eugen Sandow emerged, planting the seed for bodybuilding. Further Resources: https://www.starkcenter.org/ https://phdeadlift.com/ h...2019-02-191h 11Iron Culture presented by MASSEp. 1 - What Is Iron CultureIron Culture was started by Eric Helms and Omar Isuf as a means of exploring the world of physical culture and attempting to distill a unified philosophy of lifting and to help listeners find greater meaning from the iron. The lifting community has become fractured over the last ~70 years and this Podcast will attempt to explore the fundamental threads that unite these different tribes. The Podcast focuses on dispensing practical, useful information to the listener, bouncing from history, to philosophy, to contemporary lifting culture issues, to science. This can range from teaching the audience about lifting, programming, nutrition, supplements/P...2019-02-0827 min