My friend Dr. Michael Miletic, renowned Neuropsychiatrist and former Olympic weightlifter, joins me on today's episode for a deep conversation about embracing and transforming emotions, mental health and his approach on helping his clients. We cover topics such as trauma in athletes, the feeling of hope, negative self-talk, repressing emotions and many more. Dr. Miletic has brought his life experience to his work as a pioneer of the Brain-Body-Mind approach to medicine. In his clinic, The Mileti...
Feb 01, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 160
Over the past 12 years, today's guest Luke Leaman has taught thousands of personal trainers and coaches how to get better at their craft, and how to build great careers. The co-founder of Muscle Nerds first picked up a barbell at 8 years old and never stopped. After attending a Poliquin seminar, he was hooked and eventually ended up working for Charles and travelling the world teaching. Helping others and this industry are his passion. Luke's seen it all, has coached high level athletes as well ...
Jan 25, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 159
In today's solo episode, I let you in on how flipping my consciousness gave me the clarity to let my soul determine my values and the simple tools you can use on your journey to finding your purpose and living a life that you love. Timestamps: [2:50] View obstacles as opportunities [3:50] Getting clarity on purpose [9:15] Wake up inspired [13:30] Embrace your humanness [15:20] Designing your future [17:50] Inspired living [20:00] Break the negative spiral [24:20] Practice these tools, develop th...
Jan 14, 2021•44 min•Ep. 158
Dr. Thomas D. Zweifel is a strategy & performance expert, board member & sparring partner for CEOs & leaders of Fortune 500 companies. Since 1984, he has coached clients on 4 continents to open strategic frontiers and meet business imperatives. On average his clients have realized 40X ROI in management results from working with Thomas. An authority on integrating planning, people and performance, he helps clients ask the right questions, confront taboos, build strategy alignment, and...
Jan 08, 2021•58 min•Ep. 157
Killian Hamilton joins me on today's episode about skill acquisition in programming. If you've ever done any of my programs, you'll know that my clients always go through a primer phase to learn the skills of muscle activation and exercise execution. So I'm excited to hear him and the team at Pre-Script talk about this often neglected but certainly essential aspect to achieving competency in the weight room. Killian is the Director of Innovation and Program Design at Pre-Script as well as Head C...
Jan 05, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 156
Adam Feit, Precision Nutrition's head strength and sport psychology coach, joins me on today's episode to talk about managing client expectations, goal setting and creating lasting behavioral change. We get into the future of coaching, some sports psychology research and being a coach that seeks strengths. Known for his passion, drive, and enthusiasm for excellence in coaching, Adam has presented around the world on the topics of nutrition, coaching, and strength and conditioning. He has consult...
Dec 30, 2020•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 155
Derek Woodske joins me on today's episode for a deep drive into the champion mindset and champion-producing coaching, both of which Derek can speak of from experience. Few can give you advice on successful high-level coaching, even fewer are able to give you an insight into the psychology of a professional athlete. Derek does both on this episode. While competing in the USA college system, Derek earned three national titles in the Hammer Throw, a top two world ranking indoors and four All-Americ...
Dec 24, 2020•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 154
The legendary Dr. John Demartini is with me today, a world-renowned specialist in human behavior, researcher, author and global educator. His unique teachings start at the core of the issue, addressing the human factor and range out to a multitude of powerful tools that have stood the test of time. His goal is to leave clients with insights into their behavior and the empowering keys to unlock their full potential. In this episode we discuss the 7 areas of empowerment in your life, the 7 questio...
Dec 21, 2020•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 153
In today's episode, Ben speaks with the Head of Nutrition for Precision Nutrition, Brian St Pierre. Brian holds a master's degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition from the University of Maine. St. Pierre is a Registered Dietitian (RD), Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), and a Certified Sports Nutritionist (CISSN). In this conversation, the two cover the foundational principles in nutrition, REDs in sports, tracking vs self-regulation, and nutrient timing. In addition, Bria...
Dec 17, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 152
Dr. Jordan Shallow and Killian Hamilton recently visited me at Mi40 gym in Tampa to interview me for their podcast RX'd Radio . The conversation was so enjoyable, that I wanted to share it with you all. Dr. Jordan Shallow is someone I essentially consider my brother, and so we get deep in this conversation about vice and virtue to which Killian brought a great perspective. If you haven't yet, please check out these two gents and what they're doing over at PreScript - two of the smartest guys in ...
Dec 11, 2020•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 151
Alex Hormozi joins me on today's podcast to talk about business. As a struggling gym owner, Alex went into educating himself and experimenting on how to fix the problems that kept him from success. As a result, he's created a system to help other struggling gym owners and personal trainers thrive in their business. Gym Launch , founded in 2017, has grown to 24M/year and has served over 3,000+ gyms in 3 years. This conversation is extremely valuable not only if you run your own business - whether...
Nov 26, 2020•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 150
Recently, I sat down in Colorado with my friend and mentor Tom Purvis, someone who has changed my thought process and taught me more than anyone else when it comes to exercise. In this conversation, you get a taste of the brilliant mind that is Tom Purvis as we talk about breathing mechanics, client assessment, prescribing vs continuously analysing and forces. If you can, I'd recommend watching this conversation on YouTube. Head over to Tom's website www.exerciseprofessional.com to learn more. I...
Nov 23, 2020•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 149
Which virtues does bodybuilding instill in those pursuing a better physique? Is it superficial, the exterior only? Or is there much more to the sport of bodybuilding, that transcends into all aspects of your life? That's what I'd like to explore with you on today's episode- the virtues training hard for over 20 years has taught me and what it can teach you. Let's look under the surface, dig a little deeper and be grateful for the abundance of lessons in this sport. Today's sponsor is Bubs Natura...
Nov 16, 2020•36 min•Ep. 148
Jeff Chilton, founder of Nammex - the leading supplier of organic mushroom extract ingredients to supplement companies – joins me on today's podcast to talk about – you guessed it – all things mushrooms. Jeff was one of the first to bring organic mushroom extracts to the North American marketand has over 40 years of mushroom growing experience. We talk about medicinal mushrooms, how they're proven to work and which to choose, plus some experiences on special mushrooms. If you enjoyed today's epi...
Nov 14, 2020•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 147
Friend of the show and well-known figure in the fitness industry, Mark Bell joins Ben on today's episode to speak about success, momentum, training and family. This is a great conversation between two successful former professional athletes who have taken the lessons they learnt in the gym and applied them to their life. Mark Bell is the owner of Super Training Gym, CEO of Mark Bell Sling Shot and host of The Mark Bell Power Project. Super Training Products LLC www.MarkBellSlingShot.com Mark Bel...
Nov 10, 2020•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 146
Lisa Wimberger, founder of the NeuroSculpting Institute, is on a mission to help individuals find healthy ways to navigate the great unknown of emotional and mental confusion and stress. She joins Ben on this episode to tell her journey of studying the nervous system and finding strategies of dealing with her own life-threatening trauma - a journey that led her to develop NeuroSculpting®. NeuroSculpting® is a 5-step meditation process that can strategically help an individual release the grip of...
Oct 20, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 145
In this episode, Ben is joined by Dr. Dominik Nischwitz - a dentist and naturopath from Germany, who is a pioneer and leader in the field of biological dentistry and ceramic implants. Dr. Dome - as he is also known - is on a mission to educate and start the conversation on how your oral health impacts your entire body and overall wellbeing. This conversation is filled with incredible information on why teeth are considered organs, what cavities are and how to avoid getting them, implantology wit...
Oct 16, 2020•1 hr•Ep. 144
Dawson Church, PhD, joins us in today's episode to talk about how utilising the energy flows in your body can help heal trauma, beat degenerative illnesses and cancer, increase productivity, up-regulate gene expressions and build character traits. He is a wealth of knowledge who has changed his own life and that of thousands of others popularising EFT techniques and meditation. He has conducted dozens of clinical trials and his work with The National Institute for Integrative Healthcare (NIIH) h...
Oct 12, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 143
In today's Q&A episode, Ben gives you the details on how he is approaching his 12-week transformation and the aspects you should consider when attempting a transformation - whether it be with a client or for yourself. He covers topics such as the importance of aerobic fitness, his personal daily walking and breathing practice, his nutritional approach and top 10 supplements, the trilogy of a good training program and why 100% commitment in necessary to achieve excellence. Ever wondered how t...
Oct 06, 2020•43 min•Ep. 142
Ever wondered why Ben frames his teachings around the 6 Pillars of a Lean, Healthy and Muscular Body... for Life? In this episode, Ben explains what he was searching for at the beginning of his bodybuilding career and why he felt the need to create something that was previously missing in the fitness industry. He speaks to how the Muscle Intelligence brand has evolved, gives you his approach and definition of health, goes into the only type of client he takes on for contest prep and so much more...
Sep 28, 2020•43 min•Ep. 141
In today's episode, Dr. Krista Scott-Dixon from Precision Nutrition joins us to talk about nutrition. We get into what human beings need nutritionally to thrive, the role of epigenetics and the implication of DNA on your nutrition. Krista explains where to start with a new client, calorie recommendations, behavioral changes and stress mitigation. Krista Scott-Dixon, PhD, is Precision Nutrition's director of curriculum. She earned her doctorate in Women's Studies from York University. In her role...
Sep 25, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 140
On this episode of the Muscle Intelligence Podcast, Podiatrist Dr. Emily Splichal joins us to talk about all things feet: The often overlooked role healthy feet play in your overall posture, how footwear impacts your gait and essentially your health and the role of glute muscles in forming your gait - this interview covers that and a whole lot more. Listen to learn why orthotics are a quick fix and why foot health is all about the sensory input. ___ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a...
Sep 21, 2020•56 min•Ep. 139
Dr. Greg Wells studied Kinesiology and did his Masters in Physiology and PhD in Respiratory Physiology. For his PhD, he studied how high level athletes were able to improve their performance through improved breathing. In this interview, Dr. Greg Wells and Ben Pakulski discuss the extremes through which humans can use their breathing to accomplish whatever the task is, from extreme athletic performance to meditation. They talk about Dr. Greg Well's newest book: "Rest, Refocus and Recharge" and h...
Sep 18, 2020•1 hr 12 min
In today's Q&A episode, Ben answers your frequently asked questions about his personal practices. From his meditation practice to the shoes he wears, his thoughts on psychedelics, the supplements in his cabinet, his tracking devices to the books he's reading and the courses he is taking - he covers it all. This podcast is jam-packed with information and gives you an insight into Ben's daily practices that he has implemented to allow him to thrive and live his greatest life. If you enjoyed th...
Sep 14, 2020•30 min
Today Ben speaks with James Nestor, one of the world leaders in understanding the physiology of our breath and how it can impact our lives, our minds and bodies, and our resilience. In this info-packed episode you'll learn tangible ways to easily incorporate simple ideas and techniques that can have a dramatic impact on your mental state and clarity, anxiety levels, sleep, fitness, and more. James Nestor is an author and journalist who has written for Scientific American, Outside, The New York T...
Aug 28, 2020•1 hr 10 min
In today's episode Ben speaks with the cofounder of Renaissance Periodization, Dr. Mike Israetel. Mike holds a PhD in Sport Physiology from East Tennessee State University. Formerly a professor of Exercise and Sport Science in the School of Public Health at Temple University in Philadelphia, Mike has taught several courses, including Nutrition for Public Health, Advanced Sports Nutrition and Exercise, and Nutrition and Behavior. The two talk about a range of topics and how they relate to sports ...
Aug 24, 2020•50 min
In this episode with Brian Johnson, founder of the Optimize community, is packed full of inspiration, positivity, and tangible plans for a happier, calmer, more joy-filled life. Brian discusses his four main virtues (wisdom, self-mastery, courage, and love); he talks about what truly means to be a hero, and what it means to have "anti-fragile confidence"; they discuss the differences between being happy and simply being "not negative"; and Brian gets into his meditation practice, his experience ...
Aug 21, 2020•1 hr 3 min
In today's solo Q&A episode, Ben dives into his personal experience with habit building as it relates to growing a lean, healthy physique as well as a healthy mindset. He talks about the common habits that lean, healthy, happy people have; how to avoid the trap of the obsessive mindset, where you chase arbitrary goals at the cost of your health and happiness; and tangible ways to approach sustainable habit building. If you enjoy this episode, please share with people who could benefit! Thank...
Aug 14, 2020•34 min
Today Ben speaks with his good friend and fellow gym owner, fitness mentor, and trainer Mark Coles. Mark has just written a book called Level Up: The Fitness Professional's Road Map to Achieving Excellence (which Ben wrote the foreword to) and they discuss Mark's journey from personal trainer to gym owner to trainer mentor and beyond; how he grew his business through clarity of vision; how to identify goals and think big; and taking ownership of your process and your life, whether it's with rela...
Aug 10, 2020•1 hr 2 min
You can only reach your peak performance by doing more. At least that's what the old approach tells us. Instead of doing more , Dr. Michael Gervais' new model of being more not only takes you further but it gives you a greater mastery of your mind and body. In this episode, we talk to Michael about the Compete to Create system and book that he created with coach Pete Carroll — this system is responsible for the rise of the Seattle Seahawks. A key theme throughout our conversation, Michael emphas...
Aug 04, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 131