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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 bo

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 Olym

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

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 mu

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

Erik Korem is the founder and CEO of AIM7, a health and wellness content creator, and a former NFL sports scientist. His mission is centered around equipping people with the confidence and knowledge to live a healthy and fulfilled life. He is making advancements in wearable technology that will be the most personal device to date in order to create unique lifestyle changes and habits for each and every individual. For a free trial offer of AIM 7, use code “SHRUGGED” at https://www.aim7.com/get-started   Connect with Dr. Erik Korem, PhD:  Website  The Blueprint Podcast  LinkedIn  Instagram Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram

Dr. Jordan Shallow D.C. is a Chiropractor, Strength and Conditioning Coach, Powerlifter and founder of both Pre-Script and RX'D RADIO. Jordan currently works with teams, companies and individuals all over the world, lecturing, coaching and consulting on applied biomechanics, sports performance, and injury risk management. Understanding the needs of the individual, and the subsequent demands that a particular lifestyle imposes on each person, is the cornerstone on which his clinical practice is built and provides the guidance for him to provide the best care, to everyone.   Dr. Jordan Shallow on Instagram Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram Coach Travis Mash on Instagram

Ben Pakulski, “The Godfather of Intelligent Muscle Building”, is widely considered the world’s best muscle expert and top authority on physique optimization and lifestyle integration for high-achieving men over 40. Ben is the CEO of the Muscle Intelligence Brand, host of the Muscle Intelligence Podcast, and creator of Mi40, the best selling brand that has helped millions of students, coaches and trainers transform their bodies and lives. As an IFBB Professional Bodybuilder, Ben competed in 23 shows from 2008-2016. He finished top 10 in the prestigious Arnold Schwarzenegger Classics Ohio for 6 consecutive years, placing 2nd in 2013. Ben reached the pinnacle of the bodybuilding world in 2012 and 2016, competing in the Mr. Olympia Contest and was considered one of the top 10 bodybuilders in the world for many years. After a 20-year bodybuilding career, Ben found his new passion and redirected his focus towards helping executives, pro-athletes and entrepreneurs look, feel and perform at their best. Ben now teache

Bryan Boorstein is the coach that created Evolved Training Systems and Paragon Training. In today’s episode we discuss the importance of improving cardiovascular health, energy systems, and why meatheads need to get better at breathing.   Bryan Boorstein Bio: 25 Years Training; 14+ Years Coaching     •    3X CrossFit Regional Athlete     •    CrossFit Games Coach     •    Owner of CrossFit Pacific Beach     •    Former Physique Competitor     •    CrossFit L-1, CrossFit-2, CrossFit Mobility     •    Bachelor of Science     •    OPEX, N1 Training Biomechanics & Programming     •    Featured on ESPN Radio + Numerous Podcasts     •    Training & Nutrition Podcast Host: Eat Train Prosper (http://eattrainprosper.com/)   Bryan Boorstein on Instagram Anders Varner on Instagram Doug Larson on Instagram Coach Travis Mash on Instagram