Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews
Mike Matthews
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Top 10 Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Jordan Syatt on Achieving Holistic Health
Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews
05/29/24 • 94 min
It’s tempting to view health as a purely physical pursuit, especially in the age of social media and constant visual stimuli.
We often associate being healthy with having a fit physique, but health doesn’t mean having abs or being the strongest person in the gym.
True health encompasses much more than just our physical appearance or exercise habits, and it's essential to keep an open mind and adapt our perspectives as we grow and learn.
In this episode, Jordan Syatt, former competitive powerlifter, renowned fitness coach, and fitness industry veteran and entrepreneur, shares his journey of redefining what it means to be truly healthy.
In this conversation, we explore . . .
- The evolving definition of health and how Jordan's perspective has changed over the years
- The significance of incorporating mobility work and flexibility training for long-term health and well-being
- The role of community and engaging in difficult conversations for personal growth and mental well-being
- Strategies for having productive difficult conversations with yourself and others
- Practical tips for managing stress in an increasingly complex and demanding world
- And more . . .
So, if you're ready to challenge your perceptions of health and discover new ways to optimize your physical, mental, and emotional well-being, click play!
--- Timestamps:
(0:00) Please leave a review of the show wherever you listen to podcasts and make sure to subscribe!
(3:10) Try Pulse today! Go to https://buylegion.com/pulse and use coupon code MUSCLE to save 20% or get double reward points!
(05:25) What does it mean to be a healthy person, and how has that changed for Jordan Syatt over the years?
(10:19) How is Jordan thinking about health now? What are the new aspects of a healthy life?
(17:11) Why is flexibility important? How do you improve your flexibility?
(20:56) Is stretching a waste of time if you lift weights regularly?
(25:01) What resources should people look into for improving flexibility?
(29:14) How does body composition fit into Jordan's view of health, and how has that changed?
(36:33) The Little Black Book of Workout Motivation: https://mfl.show/motivation
(38:06) What is the importance of community, having difficult conversations, and their impact on overall health?
(39:33) What are "difficult conversations"?
(43:00) Has having difficult conversations caused issues in Jordan's life?
(59:59) How does Jordan go about having difficult conversations with himself productively?
(1:08:04) How does Jordan prevent negative self-talk from spiraling out of control?
(1:24:57) How can you cope with and reduce stress?
(1:32:24) Where can people find Jordan Syatt and his work?
(1:32:46) Find the Perfect Strength Training Program for You: www.muscleforlife.show/trainingquiz
(1:33:33) Subscribe and please share the podcast with a friend! www.mfl.show
--- Mentioned on the Show:
Legion Pulse: https://buylegion.com/pulse and use coupon code MUSCLE to save 20% or get double reward points!
The Little Black Book of Workout Motivation: https://mfl.show/motivation
Find the Perfect Strength Training Program for You in Just 60 Seconds: http://www.muscleforlife.show/trainingquiz
The Inner Circle: www.sfinnercircle.com
Jordan’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/syattfitness/?hl=en
The Jordan Syatt Mini-Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jordan-syatt-mini-podcast/id1348856817
Lucas Hardie Range of Strength’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rangeofstrength/?hl=en
1 Listener
Simon Hill on the 10 Must-Track Health Metrics for a Longer Life
Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews
07/03/24 • 80 min
What are the top ten “biomarkers” that can help you predict how long and healthy your life will be? And how can you track and improve these to increase your chances of a healthier, longer life?
In this episode, I chat with Simon Hill, a physiotherapist, nutrition scientist, podcaster, and author of The Proof is in the Plants. We discuss his "Living Proof Challenge," a 12-week program aimed at fostering habits that enhance both physical and mental health, lower the risk of chronic diseases, and help you live a longer life.
In this episode, you’ll learn . . .
And more . . .
So, whether you're aiming to enhance your longevity, optimize your health, or deepen your understanding of the biomarkers that predict lifespan, this episode offers invaluable insights and practical tips.
Timestamps:
(4:20) What are the ten most important biomarkers for longevity and why do they matter?
(15:58) Are there other factors that influence fat distribution toward visceral fat?
(24:23) Does lack of sleep correlate with the accumulation of visceral fat?
(32:07) How important is cardiovascular health for longevity?
(44:18) Is it true that eating a significant amount of dietary fat can improve your hormonal profile?
(45:51) What practical steps can people take to slow cholesterol accumulation?
(48:14) The truth about seed oils
(50:45) Why is consuming large amounts of butter unhealthy?
(55:51) What is VO2 Max and why does it matter?
(01:00:09) How does strength training relate to VO2 Max?
(01:04:36) Why is blood pressure important for longevity?
(01:09:11) Should people measure APOB and VO2 Max?
(01:15:58) Where can people find you and your work?
Mentioned on the Show:
1 Listener
Bret Contreras on Squats vs. Hip Thrusts for Glute Gains
Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews
08/23/23 • 53 min
If you want to grow your glutes, and you’ve looked around online for tips, you’ve almost certainly come across hip thrusts.
But are they better than squats for getting a bigger butt? Should you do squats or hip thrusts?
Well, after years of speculation among booty-building enthusiasts, we now have a scientific study that directly compared hip thrusts and squats in terms of hypertrophy.
And I thought, who better to discuss this study than “The Glute Guy” himself, Dr. Bret Contreras. Not only is Bret a glute training expert, but as the cherry on top (or should I say peach?), he was actually one of the head honchos involved in conducting the study.
In case you're not familiar with Bret, he's a PhD in Sports Science, renowned researcher, educator, bestselling author, and a personal trainer for over two decades, whose title "The Glute Guy" reflects his unmatched expertise in lower body training, making him the foremost authority on building a great butt.
Our discussion includes . . .
The surprising results of the hip thrust versus squats study, including how they compare for glute hypertrophy and non-specific strength transfer
Bret's take on a potentially fabricated study that stirred the fitness community
The benefits and challenges of studying beginner trainees
An exploration of training the glutes at varied muscle lengths
The relationship between EMG studies and muscle hypertrophy
-The importance of technique over "feeling the burn" in compound movements
Nuanced insights into the complexities of muscle growth mechanisms
Practical strategies for those seeking to optimize their glute training
And more . . .
So, if you want to learn about the nuances of glute training and how to grow a bigger butt, or want to know what the science says about hip thrusts versus squats, don’t miss this episode!
Timestamps: (0:00) - Please leave a review of the show wherever you listen to podcasts and make sure to subscribe!
(2:39) - Why was this research essential, and what drove its inception?
(13:59) - What's the rationale behind focusing on novice trainees?
(17:58) - How would outcomes differ with more advanced lifters?
(25:49) - Shop Legion Supplements Here: https://buylegion.com/ and use coupon code MUSCLE to save 20% or get double reward points!
(28:59) - The role of EMG in predicting muscle hypertrophy.
(31:42) - EMG's Relevance in Bodybuilding Science
(35:04) - How does this study redefine our understanding of biomechanics and other exercises?
(39:22) - What larger impacts does this study have on fitness research?
(45:13) - Additional insights from the findings and final thoughts.
(49:35) - How to connect with Bret Contreras and his work.
Mentioned on the Show:
The study: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.06.21.545949v1
Shop Legion Supplements Here: https://buylegion.com/ and use coupon code MUSCLE to save 20% or get double reward points!
Bret Contreras’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bretcontreras1/
1 Listener
Dr. Bill Campbell on Re-Evaluating the Science of Rapid Fat Loss
Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews
11/24/21 • 65 min
In this podcast, I chat with scientist and friend Dr. Bill Campbell about a new study on rapid fat loss that came out of his lab.
In case you’re not familiar with Dr. Campbell, he’s a professor of Exercise Science and the Director of the Performance & Physique Enhancement Laboratory at the University of South Florida, who’s also published more than 150 scientific papers.
In other words, Dr. Campbell is busy conducting studies that test questions many of us have with answers we all want to know.
His latest study on rapid fat loss is a prime example. While most of us want to strip away fat as quickly as possible, we also don’t want to lose our hard-earned muscle in the process. So the question is, how aggressive should we be during a cutting phase to maximize our fat loss benefits and minimize any negative consequences of being in a deficit.
And that’s exactly what Dr. Campbell’s latest study looked at and the results actually changed his mind about rapid fat loss. In this episode, Dr. Campbell describes the study, the results, practical tips you can implement to lose fat as quickly as possible, and what future studies on this topic might look like.
So, if you want to learn about the latest research on losing fat fast without shriveling into an atrophied raisin of your former self, don’t miss this episode! Press play and let me know what you think.
Timestamps:
15:28 - Why did the study you conducted change your mind about rapid fat loss?
16:21 - How big of a deficit can you go into and for how long?
17:30 - What do you consider to be an aggressive deficit?
24:15 - What were the results of the study?
29:52 - What were the effects on RMR?
32:32 - How does this compare to protein-sparing modified fasts? What is a practical use for this rapid fat loss?
40:44 - What is the constrained energy model?
47:44 - What did training look like in your study?
49:10 - How was compliance among participants?
50:17 - How did people feel on the diet?
57:47 - Where would you implement this rapid fat loss in a cutting phase? At the beginning of a fat loss phase? Near the end?
1:02:02 - Where can people find you and your work?
Mentioned on the Show:
Bill Campbell’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billcampbellphd/
Building Your Ultimate Body: https://cleanhealth.edu.au/shop/bill-campbell-building-your-ultimate-body/
BLACK FRIDAY SALE!
Shop Legion Supplements Here: https://buylegion.com/
Q&A: Social Dinners While Cutting, Seated vs. Standing Presses, Time Management, and More
Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews
06/17/22 • 18 min
Is TRT getting too trendy? How do I manage my work and time as a parent of young kids? How can you stay in a calorie deficit while going to social dinners? Can keto optimize your hormones? All that and more in this Q&A podcast.
This podcast is a Q&A, but it’s a bit different from the kind you’ll typically find here on Muscle For Life.
In my usual Q&A episodes, I take a question from email or Instagram and then fully answer it in an episode of the podcast every week.
However, over on Instagram, I’ve started doing weekly Q&As in the stories, and it occurred to me that many podcast listeners might enjoy hearing these questions and my short answers. So, instead of talking about one thing in an episode, I’m going to cover a variety of questions. And keep in mind some of these questions are just for fun. :)
So if you want to ask me questions in my Instagram stories, follow me on Instagram (@muscleforlifefitness), and if I answer your question there, it might just make it onto an episode of the podcast!
If you like this type of episode, let me know. Send me an email ([email protected]) or direct message me on Instagram. And if you don’t like it, let me know that too or how you think it could be better.
Timestamps
0:00 - My free meal planning tool: buylegion.com/mealplan
2:41 - What are your thoughts on tattoos?
3:37 - Do you think that TRT is getting too trendy?
5:27 - What is missing in the fitness industry?
6:37 - Do seated dumbbell/barbell presses work the core as much as standing overhead dumbbell/barbell presses?
7:23 - How can I maintain a calorie deficit when social dinners are constantly on my schedule?
9:36 - How much do you love listening to me talk about horses?
10:02 - How can I maintain my goal and strong mindset while cutting?
11:23 - How do you manage all that you do while having kids?
14:17 - What is the recommendation on warm up weights vs set weights?
16:31 - What are your thoughts on keto in terms of hormonal optimization and preservation?
Mentioned on the Show:
Want a free meal planning tool that figures out your calories, macros, and micros, and allows you to create custom meal plans for cutting, lean gaining, and maintaining in under 5 minutes? Go to https://buylegion.com/mealplan and download the tool for free!
Book Club: My 10 Favorite Takeaways from "Yes!" by Goldstein, Martin, & Cialdini
Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews
02/20/23 • 16 min
My Book Club series is back! These are my top 10 key takeaways from Yes!: 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive by Noah J. Goldstein, Steve J. Martin, and Robert Cialdini.
“Can you recommend a book for...?”
“What are you reading right now?”
“What are your favorite books?”
I get asked those types of questions a lot and, as an avid reader and all-around bibliophile, I’m always happy to oblige.
I also like to encourage people to read as much as possible because knowledge benefits you much like compound interest. The more you learn, the more you know; the more you know, the more you can do; the more you can do, the more opportunities you have to succeed.
On the flip side, I also believe there’s little hope for people who aren’t perpetual learners. Life is overwhelmingly complex and chaotic, and it slowly suffocates and devours the lazy and ignorant.
So, if you’re a bookworm on the lookout for good reads, or if you’d like to get into the habit of reading, this book club for you.
The idea here is simple: Every month, I’ll share a book that I’ve particularly liked, why I liked it, and several of my key takeaways from it.
I’ll also keep things short and sweet so you can quickly decide whether the book is likely to be up your alley or not.
Alright, let’s get to the takeaways.
Timestamps:
(0:00) - Please leave a review of the show wherever you listen to podcasts and make sure to subscribe and leave a comment!
(4:26) - Decision fatigue.
(5:09) - Devote training time on errors and how those errors can be avoided.
(7:20) - Argue against your self interest.
(7:38) - Search others for their virtues.
(8:00) - Point out potential losses.
(8:27) - Have product and company names that are easy to read and pronounce.
(8:50) - Give gifts that are significant, unexpected, and personalized.
(9:11) - My award-winning fitness books for men and women: https://legionathletics.com/products/books/
(11:10) - Commitment and consistency based strategies.
(11:43) - Free the consumer from previous commitment.
(12:17) - Mysterious influences.
Mentioned on the Show:
My award-winning fitness books for men and women: https://legionathletics.com/products/books/
Research Roundup: Activating Your Glutes, Vitamin D Reduces Injury, Blood Flow Restriction For Muscle Growth, and More
Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews
06/06/22 • 25 min
Do glute activation exercises actually work? Is the 5:2 diet worse for muscle retention than a continuous calorie deficit? Does vitamin D supplementation protect you against injury? Can blood flow restriction training help you gain muscle just as effectively as traditional training? I’m going to give you the TLDR for the latest studies on these topics.
This podcast is another installment in my Research Roundup series of episodes, where I give you concise and practical takeaways from studies that I think are interesting and that can help us gain muscle and strength faster, lose fat faster, perform better athletically, feel better, live longer, or get and stay healthier.
There is a ton of scientific research that gets published every year, and even if you narrow your focus to fitness research, it would still take several lifetimes to unravel the hairball of studies on nutrition, training, supplementation, and related fields.
That's why my team and I put a lot of time into reviewing, dissecting, and describing scientific studies in articles, podcasts, and books.
In today's episode, I'm tackling studies on whether glute “activation” exercises boost glute growth, how effective the 5:2 diet is for preserving muscle while you diet, whether vitamin D can actually help prevent injury, and how well blood flow restriction training works for building muscle. Press play if you want to learn the answers to those questions.
Oh and if you like this type of episode, let me know. Send me an email ([email protected]) or direct message me on Instagram (@muscleforlifefitness). And if you don’t like it, let me know that too or how you think it could be better.
Timestamps
0:00 - Shop Legion Supplements Here: https://buylegion.com/ and use coupon code MUSCLE to save 20% or get double reward points!
4:20 - Do glute activation exercises boost glutei activation when you squat?
8:59 - How effective is the 5:2 diet?
14:44 - What are the benefits of Vitamin D?
19:06 - How can blood flow restriction training help you gain muscle?
Mentioned on the Show:
Shop Legion Supplements Here: https://buylegion.com/ and use coupon code MUSCLE to save 20% or get double reward points!
Does Electrical Muscle Stimulation Work? What The Science Actually Says
Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews
08/21/19 • 24 min
What if shocking your muscles with electricity helped them grow and develop faster?
What if it could reduce exercise-induced muscle damage and help you recover better from your workouts?
What if it could straight up make you stronger?
Well, this is why people buy and use electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) machines.
They believe they’re an easy and safe way to gain muscle and strength faster and boost post-workout recovery.
You might want to believe, too, but you’re skeptical.
On one hand, the whole approach sounds pretty scientific, and haven’t we seen various professional athletes hooked up to these machines?
Then again, some scientific studies aren’t worth the paper they’re published on and some athletes will beat the drum for anything that brings a paycheck.
EMS machines are expensive, too, so there would need to be a considerable payoff to justify the cost.
Well, when you take a cold, hard look at the science, here’s what you learn:
EMS isn’t silly pseudoscience, but it’s also not as great as the machine manufacturers would have you believe.
Yes, it’s safe, but no, it’s not going to dramatically impact muscle growth or recovery.
That said, it doesn't mean you shouldn't necessarily give it a go. You should just have the right expectations.
And in this podcast, we’re going to break down what EMS is, how it works, and what science has to say about its effectiveness. Let’s get started.
5:00 - What is EMS?
5:26 - Does EMS work?
6:37 - Does EMS increase muscle growth?
7:59 - Does EMS increase strength?
12:35 - Can EMS improve muscle recovery?
12:52 - How do I do EMS correctly?
18:56 - How do I use EMS to build strength?
Want to get my best advice on how to gain muscle and strength and lose fat faster? Sign up for my free newsletter!
Click here: https://www.legionathletics.com/signup/
Dr. Stuart Phillips on Optimizing Protein Intake for Muscle Growth
Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews
04/03/24 • 60 min
How much protein can your body actually use in one sitting? Is there an upper limit to muscle protein synthesis? Does protein timing really matter?
If you're serious about gaining muscle, you've likely asked these questions and many more like them.
To help answer these questions, I interviewed Dr. Stuart Phillips, a world-renowned protein researcher who has published more than 450 peer-reviewed articles. He’s a bonafide protein metabolism expert.
In this episode, we discuss the findings of a recent groundbreaking study that challenged the common belief that there's a limit to how much protein your body can use in one meal.
Dr. Phillips breaks down the study's surprising results and shares his insights on optimal protein intake for muscle growth. He also delves into other fascinating topics like the role of protein as you age, the anabolic window, and the "first meal effect."
Whether you're a bodybuilder, athlete, or simply looking to optimize your fitness, this episode will provide you with cutting-edge and practical information to help you reach your goals.
In this podcast, you'll learn about . . .
The upper limit of protein absorption in a single meal and the effects of consuming a massive dose of protein
Protein timing and the duration of the “anabolic window” post-workout
Why protein overfeeding might not be the answer to enhanced muscle gain
The potential differences between protein supplements and whole-food protein source
How aging affects muscle protein synthesis and anabolic resistance
Protein quality and its role in overall health and muscle development.
Practical strategies to optimize your daily protein intake
The role of exercise versus nutrition in muscle growth and health
And more . . .
So, click play and get evidence-based recommendations for optimizing your protein intake for health, longevity, and muscle gain.
Timestamps: (0:00) Please leave a review of the show wherever you listen to podcasts and make sure to subscribe!
(3:09) Try Pulse today! Go to https://buylegion.com/pulse and use coupon code MUSCLE to save 20% or get double reward points!
(8:14) How much protein can your body absorb and use in one meal?
(13:10) How do results compare when splitting up 100g of protein into smaller doses?
(17:32) Are multiple protein feedings throughout the day superior for muscle gain?
(21:40) Could consuming mixed meals with whole foods affect protein absorption differently than supplements?
(24:40) What novel insights did this study provide about muscle protein synthesis?
(28:06) Is the muscle-building response to protein impacted by workout timing or training in general?
(29:32) Please share the podcast with a friend! www.muscleforlife.show
(30:08) Is there an "anabolic window" where your body is more responsive to protein post-workout?
(32:14) Should you increase your protein intake on days you train?
(35:15) Is there a benefit to consuming a massive amount of protein post-workout?
(38:58) How does the muscle-building response to protein change as you age?
(41:50) Should you eat more protein as you get older?
(44:04) Why is it important to start your day with a high-protein meal?
(46:52) What is the "first meal effect" and its significance?
(48:24) Is "protein quality" a concern for muscle growth?
Mentioned on the Show:
The study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38118410/ Try Pulse today! Go to https://buylegion.com/pulse and use coupon code MUSCLE to save 20% or get double reward points!
Stuart Phillips's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mackinprof/
Stuart Phillips's Twitter: https://twitter.com/mackinprof
How Bad Is Alcohol for You, Really?
Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews
03/23/20 • 14 min
There’s no doubt heavy drinking is a ticket to an early death.
The CDC estimates 88,000 Americans die annually from alcohol-related causes, which includes car accidents, a cornucopia of cancers, and liver disease.
Fifteen million Americans are believed to have an alcohol dependency disorder, and until recently alcohol killed more people than opioids.
That’s not to mention the disastrous effects of alcoholism on quality of life, mental health, productivity, and relationships.
Of course, you’ve heard all this before, and don’t need me to tell you heavy drinking can ruin and shorten your life.
That said, you’ve also probably heard that moderate drinking is good for you. That’s the claim doctors, scientists, and beverage companies have promoted for years—heavy drinking is bad for you and moderate drinking is beneficial.
Now, though, the pendulum is swinging in the other direction after a series of studies emerged that seemed to show alcohol is dangerous in any amount.
For example, CNN published an article titled “Even one drink a day could be shortening your life,” in reference to one such study (which you’ll learn about in a moment). Now, the fashionable opinion is that any alcohol is bad for you, full stop, and even moderate drinking is an invitation to long-term health problems.
Is this true, though?
Are you shortening your life by having a glass or two of wine or beer each night?
Well, the simple answer is no, probably not.
The more complicated answer is that there’s still a lot we don’t know about the long-term effects of alcohol and there’s no one size fits all answer for how much alcohol you can safely drink.
So, what exactly does alcohol do to your body, and how much can you safely drink?
Keep listening to learn the answer.
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Mentioned on The Show:
Books by Mike Matthews: https://legionathletics.com/products/books/
---
Want to get my best advice on how to gain muscle and strength and lose fat faster? Sign up for my free newsletter!
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FAQ
How many episodes does Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews have?
Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews currently has 1162 episodes available.
What topics does Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews cover?
The podcast is about Health & Fitness, Fitness and Podcasts.
What is the most popular episode on Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews?
The episode title 'Bret Contreras on Squats vs. Hip Thrusts for Glute Gains' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews?
The average episode length on Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews is 41 minutes.
How often are episodes of Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews released?
Episodes of Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews are typically released every 2 days.
When was the first episode of Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews?
The first episode of Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews was released on Dec 18, 2014.
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