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

Getting Fast and Strong: Weightlifting, Sprinting, and Improving Athleticism w/Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Travis Mash #737

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 can be found playing soccer, doing BJJ or exploring the great outdoors that Vancouver offers with his wife and two young daughters.   Work With Allen Kenny Website: www.alankennynutrition.com Instagram - @akennynutrition Linkedin Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram Coach Travis Mash on Instagram Alan Kenny - Preventum: Personalized Health Care | LinkedIn

[DEXA Scans] How to Test, Analyze, and Optimize Body Composition w/ Alan Kenny, Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Travis Mash #736

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 in her career, Emily’s practice was based in a neurology clinic, where she integrated her approach with cutting-edge neuroscience and research. Her clients include the United States Special Operations Command Adaptive Care Unit and other Veterans services in the US and Abroad. She also served as the Education Director for the Headwaters Institute, facilitating river education seminars on 28 watersheds in the US and Chile. Emily is a Master Yoga Teacher with 16,000+ hours of teaching experience specializing in Pranayama Breathing. She lives with her husband, Brian Hightower, and their son and loves to ski, run rivers, and bow hunt.   Emily Hightower on Instagram Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram Coach Travis Mash on Instagram

[Stress Resilience] Navigating Injury and Anxiety w/ Emily Hightower, Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Travis Mash #735

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

Muscle, Protein, and Aging with Dr. Stuart Phillips, Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Travis Mash #734

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 concepts to dozens of other elite college and NFL teams along with presenting to numerous Fortune 500 companies. He is also one of the most featured coaches in the sports, health, and wellness space with features in USA Today, Outside Magazine, ESPN, and has been sought after as a guest on over 60+ podcast episodes. Pratik is also the author of 4 scientific publications through peer reviewed journals. Pratik is a Registered Dietitian and board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD) through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) as well as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).   Pratik resides in the Kansas City area with his family and two children (newborn son) and can be reached on his X/Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn social media accounts @pratikxpatel.   Follow Pratik on Twitter Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram Coach Travis Mash on Instagram

[Biometrics] How to Use Data to Build Your Own Nutrition and Supplementation Program w/ Pratik Patel, Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Travis Mash #733

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 Mash on Instagram

[Chronotype] The One Thing More Important than Getting 8 Hours of Sleep  w/ Dr. Chris Perry, Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Travis Mash #732

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

How to Build a Killer Cardiovascular System w/ Dr. Mike T. Nelson, Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Travis Mash #731

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

How to Raise Strong, Healthy Kids w/Anders Varner, Doug Larson and Travis Mash #730

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. Olympic team, as well as with all branches of the U.S. elite armed forces. He and Juliet co-founded one of the first CrossFit gyms in San Francisco and co-authored the Wall Street Journal bestseller Deskbound. Juliet Starrett is an attorney and CEO of The Ready State. She co-founded the nonprofit StandUp Kids and is a two-time whitewater rafting world champion, winning five national titles. Work with The Ready State: Website: https://thereadystate.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thereadystate Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram Coach Travis Mash on Instagram

[Juliet and Kelly Starrett] Built to Move w/ Juliet and Dr. Kelly Starrett, Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Travis Mash #729

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 individuals and communities embrace vibrant well-being and embrace the joy of living a nourished life.   Work with Jason Phillips Website: https://ncicertifications.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nutritionalcoachinginstitute/ Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram Coach Travis Mash on Instagram

Building a Nutrition Coaching Business in 2024 w/ Jason Phillips, Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Travis Mash #728

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

[Performance Psychology] Developing a Mindset for Peak Performance w/ Dr. Alex Auerbach, Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Travis Mash #727

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 Helms Instagram: @helms3dmj Website: https://3dmusclejourney.com Podcast: https://3dmusclejourney.com/podcast/   Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram Coach Travis Mash on Instagram

[Peak Physique] The Journey to a Bodybuilding Pro Card w/ Dr. Eric Helms, Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Travis Mash #726

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  Best Personal Development Books of the Year by Audible.  The Globe and Mail called Indistractable, “the best business book of 2019.”   In addition to blogging at NirAndFar.com, Nir’s writing has been featured in  The New York Times, The Harvard Business Review, Time Magazine, and Psychology Today.   Nir invests in habit-forming products that improve users’ lives. Some of his past investments include Eventbrite (NYSE:EB), Anchor.fm (acquired by Spotify), Kahoot! (KAHOOT-ME.OL), Canva, Homelight, Product Hunt, Marco Polo, Byte Foods, FocusMate, Dynamicare, Wise App, and Sunnyside.   Nir attended The Stanford Graduate School of Business and Emory University.   Free Tools and Resources from Nir Eyal: Indistractable the book: http://geni.us/indistractable Indistractable bonus content is here: http://www.nirandfar.com/indistractable/ Indistractable summary article: https://www.nirandfar.com/skill-of-the-future/ Timeboxing article: https://www.nirandfar.com/timeboxing/ Values article: https://www.nirandfar.com/common-values/ Free habit tracker tool: https://www.nirandfar.com/habit-tracker/ Free schedule maker tool: https://www.nirandfar.com/schedule-maker/ List of  top articles: https://www.nirandfar.com/best-articles/ Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram

[Indistractable] How to Choose Your Attention and Choose Your Life w/ Nir Eyal, Anders Varner, and Doug Larson #725

Michael Ruscio is a DC, clinical researcher, and author working fervently to reform and improve the fields of functional and integrative health. With his clinical and research teams, he scours existing studies to inform his ongoing clinical research, patient care, and guidance for health seekers and fellow clinicians around the world. His primary focus is digestive health and its impact on other facets of health, including energy, sleep, mood, and thyroid function and optimization.  Dr. Ruscio’s, DC, book, Healthy Gut, Healthy You, has paved the way for a ‘start with the gut’ philosophy that has enabled doctors and patients to see improved outcomes with minimal expense and effort. Since 2011, Dr. Ruscio, DC has pioneered the way to providing practical, cost-effective functional medicine care by pragmatically applying evidence-based therapies to thousands of people with real symptoms. Dr. Ruscio’s, DC, ability to objectively analyze medical literature has made him a trusted voice of reason, which he shares in his top-rated podcast and blog, and in a newsletter for functional medicine practitioners.   Connect with Dr. Michael Ruscio Instagram YouTube Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram

[Gut Health] How to Heal Your Digestive Tract w/ Dr. Michael Ruscio, Anders Varner, and Doug Larson #724

In this episode of Barbell Shrugged, Dan Garner and Travis Mash discuss the relationship between blood work and high performance. In this episode you will learn:   How to find internal stressors that hold back performance   Where to unlock performance gains by improving energy   Locating stressors and how to manage cortisol   How to build a better relationship with your athletes through blood work   How to adjust training programs based on blood work     Travis Mash on Instagram Dan Garner on Instagram Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram

[Performance Blood Work] How Blood Work Lights the Path to Performance w/ Dan Garner, Travis Mash, Anders Varner, and Doug Larson #723

Tommy Wood is a Senior Fellow in the Pediatrics Department at the University of Washington, and Chief Scientific Officer of Nourish Balance Thrive, an online-based company using advanced biochemical testing to optimize performance in athletes. Tommy was born in the US to Icelandic and British parents (which means he has three passports in two different names). He was predominantly raised in the UK, but also spent periods of time at school in Iceland, Germany, and France. Tommy received a bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences and Biochemistry from the University of Cambridge before studying medicine at the University of Oxford. He worked as a junior doctor in central London for two years after medical school, and then moved to Norway to complete a PhD in physiology and neuroscience at the University of Oslo. Tommy is currently President-elect of Physicians for Ancestral Health, he is a director of the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine and the Icelandic Health Symposium, and is on the scientific advisory board of Hintsa Performance. Tommy has also coached and competed in multiple sports including rowing, CrossFit, powerlifting, and ultra-endurance racing. Alongside his career in medicine and research, Tommy has published and spoken on multiple topics surrounding functional and ancestral approaches to health, including examining the root causes of multiple sclerosis and insulin resistance.   Connect with Dr. Tommy Wood   Instagram Website Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram

[Nutrition for Brain Health] How to Eat for Brain Performance and Longevity w/ Dr. Tommy Wood, Anders Varner, and Doug Larson #722

Ashleigh is an author, speaker, podcast host, health coach, and leading authority on understanding the nutrient density of animal protein: she’s the author of one of the only nose-to-tail, organ-meat centric cookbooks in existence, called It Takes Guts. Her latest cookbook, co-authored with Beth Lipton, is called Carnivore-ish. She is the co-host of the Muscle Science for Women podcast with Rachel Gregory—with more than 1.5 million downloads— where she interviews some of the leading minds in exercise and nutrition methodology and overall wellness. She’s developed a range of coaching programs and workshops aimed at improving physical strength, overall wellness, and a deeper understanding of our bodies and optimal health, including her Jacked Back pull-up program, Muscle Science for Women, and the Strength Training for Women Specialist Certification for coaches. Ashleigh holds a master’s degree in professional communications and a range of certifications including CrossFit Strongman Certification, CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certification, Primal Blueprint Coaching Certification, Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certification, and a Certification in Applied Women’s Physiology and Training. Connect with Ashleigh Vanhouten Instagram Website Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram

[Carnivore-ish] A Nutrition Framework for Better Energy, Body Composition, and Health  w/ Ashleigh Vanhouten, Anders Varner, and Doug Larson #721

Dr. Mike Zourdos is a Full Professor of Exercise Physiology at Florida Atlantic University. He has contributed over 50 published research papers. He received his PHD in Exercise Physiology from Florida State University in 2012.  He is a regular contributor at MASS (Monthly Applications in Strength Sport).   Connect with Dr. Mike Zourdos Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram Coach Travis Mash on Instagram

[Brain Health] How Exercise and Strength Training Impact Cognitive Function  w/ Dr. Mike Zourdos, Anders Varner, Doug Larson and Coach Travis Mash #720

Eric started lifting at the age of 12, and has been hooked ever since. Eric has a background in powerlifting and strength coaching, and has been competing in natural bodybuilding since 2011. Now he’s a pro natural bodybuilder with a PhD in Human Movement Science, and serves as the Director of Education for Stronger By Science. As a scientist, Eric has published over thirty peer-reviewed papers on a variety of exercise and nutrition topics related to performance and body composition. Some of his studies have evaluated the effects of dietary supplements, including creatine, caffeine, beta-alanine, and nitric oxide boosters. He has also done research evaluating body composition changes that collegiate and professional athletes experience across a single season, and even across an entire collegiate career. These studies have observed changes in a wide range of sports and competitive levels, including college and NFL football players. Eric was also able to blend his research with his biggest passion, completing multiple studies investigating how to effectively prepare for bodybuilding and physique competitions.   Eric has been involved in strength and fitness coaching for around a decade. Eric spent about four years working with high school wrestling and football teams, and has spent the last six working with a Special Olympics powerlifting team. At Stronger By Science, Eric now coaches online clients with a wide range of goals, and provides leadership and educational support for the entire team of online coaches. Connect with Dr. Eric Trexler Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram

[Metabolism] Nutrition, Exercise, and Lifting Weight to Improve Your Metabolism   w/ Dr. Eric Trexler, Anders Varner and Doug Larson #719

Today we're speaking with Dr. Anthony Balduzzi, a weight loss expert, and doctor in naturopathic medicine. Dr. Anthony is the founder of The Fit Father and The Fit Mother project, and has helped over 40,000 people lose weight and get healthy without following fad diets or spending countless hours in the gym. Anthony is a former national champion bodybuilder who has used his unique blend of knowledge and experience to help men and women all over the world, in over 100 countries, to lose weight, keep it off, and perform at peak capacities.    Connect with Dr. Anthony Balduzzi Website Instagram YouTube Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram

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