Welcome back to the Flex Diet Podcast. I’m Dr. Mike T. Nelson, and in this episode, I’m joined by the legendary Coach Cal Dietz from the University of Minnesota. This was originally a bonus call for the Phasic 2 book, but it was packed with so much gold, I had to bring it to the podcast. We dig into a wide range of performance topics, including everything from the surprising benefits of using water bags in training to how footwear can affect pain and mechanics. Cal and I also discuss strategies ...
Jul 08, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 333
In this episode of the Flex Diet Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Doug Goldstein for a deep dive into biomechanics, performance, and recovery. We get into the weeds on muscle performance, body comp, and how to reduce injury risk—stuff that matters whether you're an elite athlete or just trying to move and feel better. We also explore some cutting-edge tools like Springbok Analytics and dive into how intramuscular dry needling can change muscle properties to enhance performance. Plus, we break down c...
Jun 30, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 332
In this episode of the Flex Diet Podcast, I’m diving into the nitty-gritty of blood work and why it matters for your health, performance, and longevity, especially if you're an athlete, bodybuilder, or serious about your training. Fresh off the ISSN (International Society of Sports Nutrition) conference, I’m joined by Michael Warner, a sharp coach at Marek Health and the owner of Set the Standard. Together, we unpack some of the most important markers in blood work, how training and nutrition ca...
Jun 27, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 331
Flex Diet Certification Enrollment Deadline (click here ) & Optimal Weight Loss Strategies In this episode of the Flex Diet Podcast, Dr. Mike Nelson discusses the closing of the Flex Diet Certification enrollment, emphasizing its comprehensive program for improving body composition, muscle gain, and performance through nutrition and recovery. Dr. Nelson provides a key tip for weight loss. Listen in for more. 00:24 Flex Diet Certification Enrollment 01:50 Expert Interviews and Course Content ...
Jun 23, 2025•16 min•Ep. 330
Hey there, Dr. Mike T Nelson here. In this episode of the Flex Diet Podcast, I’m excited to announce that the Flex Diet Certification is officially open! I’m recording this one from Europe, and I’ll walk you through what the cert is all about. The Flex Diet Cert is my comprehensive program that dives deep into the worlds of nutrition and recovery, all built around the concepts of metabolic flexibility and flexible dieting . But we don’t just stop at macros and science—we also dig into habit-base...
Jun 16, 2025•21 min•Ep. 329
Welcome back to the Flex Diet Podcast! I'm Dr. Mike T Nelson, and in this episode, I’m joined by Ben Mayfield Smith, a coach, researcher, and all-around grit expert from Australia, for a deep dive into what it really means to build resilience in both training and life. We unpack the science and psychology behind grit, perseverance, and stress adaptation and how you can strategically apply these principles to become more robust as an athlete, coach, or everyday human. Ben and I get into the weeds...
Jun 09, 2025•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 328
Welcome back to the Flex Diet Podcast! I’m your host, Dr. Mike T. Nelson, and today’s episode is a special rebroadcast of a conversation I had on the Barbell Shrugged podcast with Anders Varner. We dive deep into what I call the Flexible Meathead Cardio Approach — a method designed specifically for strength athletes and lifters who know they need cardio but don’t want it to kill their gains. In this episode, I break down how to build a cardio plan that enhances, not competes with, your strength ...
Jun 02, 2025•51 min•Ep. 327
Welcome back to the Flex Diet Podcast! I’m your host, Dr. Mike T. Nelson, and in this episode, I sit down with my good friend Dr. Kenneth Jay, a PhD in Physiology and Biomechanics, coach to Olympic-level athletes, and creator of the Row Forge app. We go deep on all things cardiovascular performance, especially how to improve aerobic capacity without losing your hard-earned strength. You’ll hear us geek out over the Concept2 rower (yes, it’s a love-hate relationship), and dig into the science of ...
May 26, 2025•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 326
Welcome back to the Flex Diet Podcast. I'm Dr. Mike T. Nelson, and today I’m diving into the frigid but fascinating world of cold water immersion with Dr. Thomas P. Seeger — a true pioneer in sustainable engineering and a leading voice on cold exposure. We break down the latest science behind cold plunges, including how they impact brown fat, metabolism, HRV, testosterone and overall resilience. Tom also shares key takeaways from his excellent book Uncommon Cold , and gives us a peek into the th...
May 19, 2025•1 hr 45 min•Ep. 325
In this episode of the Flex Diet Podcast, I sit down with Dr. James Fadiman and Jordan Gruber to talk all things microdosing—what it is, what it isn’t, and why it’s gaining so much traction in health, performance and even mental clarity. We dig into their new book, Microdosing for Healing, Health, and Enhanced Performance , and cover everything from the history of psychedelics to the latest research and how people are using tiny doses of these compounds to potentially improve cognitive function,...
May 13, 2025•57 min•Ep. 324
In this episode of the Flex Diet Podcast, I sit down with Aaron Straker for a deep dive into his journey from natural bodybuilding to the enhanced side of the sport. We talk openly about the trade-offs, risks, and insights he's gained along the way—including the use of compounds like testosterone and growth hormone. We also get into the mental and physical shifts that come with that transition, and how Aaron approaches training, nutrition, and recovery with intention. He shares his thoughts on e...
May 05, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 323
In this episode of Iron Radio, hosts Coach Phil Stevens, Dr. Mike Nelson, Coach Jerell, and Dr. Lonnie Lowery discuss recent studies on the impact of cold water immersion on muscle protein synthesis and recovery. Dr. Nelson shares insights from a study published in March 2025, examining how post-exercise cooling affects blood flow and amino acid incorporation into muscle tissue. The team debates the pros and cons of cold water immersion, particularly for muscle hypertrophy and recovery, and shar...
May 02, 2025•56 min•Ep. 322
Welcome back to the Flex Diet Podcast. I’m Dr. Mike T. Nelson, and today I’m joined by my good friend and colleague, Dr. Mike Ormsbee. We’re digging deep into how to optimize metabolism using strategies from the Flex Diet Certification, as well as why both aerobic and resistance training are crucial for long-term success. We also delve into some advanced topics, such as how growth hormone and lipolysis contribute to effective fat utilization, and how cutting-edge techniques like microdialysis en...
Apr 28, 2025•58 min•Ep. 321
Welcome back to the Flex Diet Podcast! I’m Dr. Mike T. Nelson, and in this episode, I sit down with Dr. Hemal Patel, Chief Scientific Advisor to Discovery and the brilliant mind behind the ME screen blood test for mitochondrial function. We dive into Dr. Patel’s fascinating journey into the world of mitochondrial research, how mitochondria impact everything from metabolism to resilience, and why he developed a personalized blood test to better understand mitochondrial health. We also get into so...
Apr 21, 2025•58 min•Ep. 320
Join me, Dr. Mike T. Nelson, on this episode of the Flex Diet Podcast as I sit down with peptide expert Anthony Castore for a deep dive into the world of peptides and performance. We cover everything from what peptides actually are to how they may support recovery, muscle growth, and immune function. We also explore the difference between standard peptides and bioregulators—plus how I’ve personally used compounds like BPC-157, Thymosin Beta-4, and ketone esters (including brands like Teton and K...
Apr 16, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 319
Join me, Dr. Mike T Nelson, as I sit down with Dr. Guillermo Escalante on this week's episode of the Flex Diet Podcast to explore the fascinating potential of GAA (Guanidinoacetic Acid) as a precursor to creatine. We break down what the current research says, how GAA stacks up against creatine monohydrate, and what this could mean for performance and recovery. We also dive into the inner workings of the supplement industry—covering everything from regulation to formulation—and wrap up with a tho...
Apr 07, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 318
Welcome back to the Flex Diet Podcast! I'm Dr. Mike T. Nelson, and in this episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Tex from CaptainsAndCoaches.com. We dive deep into the art and science of leadership and coaching—everything from how social media is shaping the coaching world to the growing role of AI, and how to sharpen your prep and execution. Tex brings serious experience to the table, having worked with athletes and coaches at the high school, college, and even NFL level. We also talk about tool...
Mar 31, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 317
In this episode of the Flex Diet Podcast, I chat with Dr. Sharon Bergquist about her fascinating new book, The Stress Paradox: Why You Need Stress to Live Longer, Healthier, and Happier . We unpack why not all stress is bad — and how the right kinds, in the right doses, can actually make us stronger and more resilient. We dive into the biochemistry of stress, the different types of stressors, and how they affect cellular health, metabolic flexibility, and longevity. We also explore the role of e...
Mar 26, 2025•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 316
In this solo episode of the Flex Diet Podcast, I’m letting you know that the Physiologic Flexibility Certification is tonight at midnight PST on March 24, 2025. If you’ve been thinking about joining, now’s the time. I also dig into the core of what the cert teaches: how to train your body’s homeostatic regulators like temperature, pH, oxygen, CO₂, ketones, and lactate to improve recovery, build stress resilience, and boost performance. We’ll cover tools like cold water immersion, breathwork, and...
Mar 24, 2025•9 min•Ep. 315
Join me, Dr Mike T Nelson, on this week's Flex Diet Podcast as I sit down with Jordyn Payne from Advanced Brain Centers of Virginia to dig into the real benefits and applications of IV therapies and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). We get into the details of Myers Cocktails, NAD infusions, and other IV treatments—how they can boost brain function, improve performance, and speed up recovery. Jordyn also shares insights on HBOT’s role in treating traumatic brain injuries and concussions, plus how...
Mar 20, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 314
Welcome back to the Flex Diet Podcast. I'm your host, Dr. Mike T. Nelson. In this episode, I’m excited to announce that the Physiologic Flexibility Certification will be open from March 17th to March 24th, 2025. I’ll also be heading to Parker University Talks in Las Vegas, where I’ll be speaking alongside some incredible experts in the field. Today, we’re diving deep into Physiologic Flexibility—the key to upgrading your performance by targeting homeostatic regulators like temperature, pH balanc...
Mar 17, 2025•19 min•Ep. 313
In this episode of the Flex Diet Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Drew Gonzalez to explore strategies for optimizing performance and managing stress in high-demand professions like firefighting, military, and executive leadership. Dr. Gonzalez shares his latest research on how supplements like astaxanthin and creatine can benefit firefighters, the effects of time-restricted feeding, and how heat stress and VR training can be leveraged for better stress adaptation. We also explore his ongoing work at...
Mar 12, 2025•50 min•Ep. 312
In this episode of the Flex Diet Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Dylan Seeley to explore how neurology can enhance athletic performance. We dive deep into working with MMA fighters, focusing on how the brain influences movement, reaction time, and overall performance. Dr. Seeley shares insights into visual and vestibular training, explaining why peripheral vision, balance, and coordination are critical for elite athletes. We also tackle the impact of microdosing, discussing its potential effects on...
Mar 04, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 311
Welcome back to the FlexDiet Podcast! In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Allison Brager, a PhD neuroscientist, CrossFit athlete, and military sleep expert, to unpack everything you need to know about the science of sleep. We dive deep into the phases of sleep, circadian rhythms, and chronotypes, plus we take a critical look at popular sleep advice—what’s backed by science and what’s just noise? Dr. Brager also shares fascinating insights on sleep in the military, how to optimize recovery for a...
Feb 25, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 310
Join me, Dr. Mike T. Nelson, on the Flex Diet Podcast as I sit down with Dr. Jeremy Townsend to explore the fascinating world of adaptogens. We’re diving deep into how compounds like Rhodiola rosea, ashwagandha, and eleuthero can enhance performance, support muscle growth, and improve body composition—all without compromising overall health. Throughout our conversation, we discuss what the research says about these powerful herbs, including how they influence stress resilience, recovery, and ath...
Feb 17, 2025•51 min•Ep. 309
In this episode of the Flex Diet Podcast, I’m recording from sunny Mexico and sitting down with James LaValle, a powerhouse in metabolism and performance health. We dive deep into liposomal delivery, blood work, magnesium benefits, key dietary supplements, and why balancing your sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems is crucial for optimal performance. James shares his journey from writing Cracking the Metabolic Code to his latest research and innovations, including magnesium, probiotic...
Feb 10, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 308
In this episode of the Flex Diet Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Tommy Wood and Dr. Ben House for a deep dive into the nuances of scientific research, especially concerning body composition, muscle gain, and dietary strategies like low-carb and keto for advanced trainees. We break down common research methodologies, highlight the challenges of accurately measuring training volume, and explore why individual responses vary. Along the way, we tackle the practical aspects of collecting and interpretin...
Feb 05, 2025•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 307
Join me, Dr. Mike T. Nelson, as I sit down with Simon Wegerif, the visionary founder of iThlete and a pioneer in heart rate variability (HRV) technology. In this episode, we revisit Simon’s journey from creating the very first HRV app for iOS to his latest work at Lifelight, where they’re breaking new ground in measuring blood pressure and heart rate with cutting-edge technology. We’ll dive into the practical applications of HRV for training, hear Simon’s inspiring story about a health scare tha...
Jan 27, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 306
Welcome back to the Flex Diet Podcast! I’m Dr. Mike T. Nelson, your host, and in this episode, I’m diving into ways to boost performance, build muscle, and improve body composition—all within a flexible framework. I’m excited to be joined by Brett Bartholomew, the mind behind The Art of Coaching and author of Conscious Coaching . Together, we explore the many interactions coaches and trainers face, the value of practice in learning, and some of the latest fitness trends like cold plunges and red...
Jan 20, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 305
In this episode of the Flex Diet Podcast, I sit down with Jennifer Broxterman from Prosper Nutrition Coaching to dive into the world of nutrition coaching. We cover everything from the pros and cons of macro counting to the importance of understanding a client’s history and staying curious in coaching relationships. Jennifer brings a wealth of knowledge as a registered dietitian and shares powerful insights, including the motivational interviewing techniques she picked up from a university resea...
Jan 16, 2025•55 min•Ep. 304
