In this high-energy, deeply insightful episode, Brad sits down with Andrew Finnefrock to talk all things personal transformation. From breaking through self-limiting beliefs to navigating relationships, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom, humor, and real talk. Andrew shares how most people are unknowingly standing in their own way, and what it actually takes to get unstuck and live a life by design. They dive into the power of belief, patterns from childhood, emotional honesty, an...
Jun 27, 2025•52 min•Ep. 686
In this powerful and raw episode, Brad and cohost Craig Smith dive deep into a message that hits home for so many: the connection between pain and purpose. This isn’t a long episode—but it’s one that pulls no punches. We talk about how the toughest seasons of your life often don’t make sense until later … when you can finally look back and realize they shaped you, strengthened you, and gave you something powerful to share with others. We break down the idea of turning your mess into your message...
Jun 24, 2025•24 min•Ep. 685
In this solo episode, I’m speaking directly to the men out there — especially the dads. This is a wake-up call. Not to be the most shredded dad on the block… but to be the present one . The disciplined one . The example your kids actually need . You don’t need six-pack abs. But you do need to model what it looks like to take care of yourself — physically, mentally, and emotionally. Because whether you realize it or not… your kids are watching. And they’re learning more from your example than you...
Jun 20, 2025•26 min•Ep. 684
In this Q&A episode, Brad Jensen and cohost Craig Smith tackle a wide range of listener-submitted questions that span fitness, mindset, spirituality, and real-life challenges. From teenage fat loss struggles to navigating a spiritual path after stepping away from organized religion, this conversation is real, raw, and packed with practical insights. Here’s what we cover in this episode: Do you really need to cycle off creatine? We break down the science and the myths. Our go-to mantras and a...
Jun 17, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 683
In this powerful episode of The Next Level Podcast , I’m joined by two of our lead coaches in The Next Level Experience , Frank Young and Cass Zimmerman. Together, we unpack one of the biggest truths in personal transformation: if you want to change your life, you’ve got to change your identity . We dive deep into the psychology of why people stay stuck — stuck in patterns, stuck in ruts, stuck in stories they didn’t choose. We explore what it really takes to shift out of autopilot and into inte...
Jun 13, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 682
In this episode, I sit down with my best friend, Trevor Cochever, for a real, raw, and wide-ranging conversation. If you missed Trevor’s story of overcoming drug addiction and rebuilding his life, we’ll link that in the show notes—it’s a powerful listen. But today, we pivot from the past and dive straight into the tough realities and powerful breakthroughs that come from major life changes, breakups, and the relentless pursuit of self-improvement. We talk about what it looks like to stop settlin...
Jun 10, 2025•56 min•Ep. 681
We’ve all felt it—that knot in your stomach, the second-guessing, the urge to play small. Fear shows up fast and loud anytime you’re about to do something big. But what if fear isn’t something to avoid… what if it’s the exact sign you’re on the right path? In today’s episode, I break down fear in a way you may have never heard before. We’ll dive into the real reason fear exists, the difference between fear of failure and fear of success, and how to reframe fear as fuel instead of a roadblock. Th...
Jun 06, 2025•32 min•Ep. 680
This episode is a ree-air from my recent appearance on The Shawn Rivers Podcast , titled “He Lived Through Six Overdoses to Tell His Story of Sobriety.” But this wasn’t just another interview about my past. Yes — we touched on my journey through addiction and the chaos I survived. But it was the questions Shawn asked after that part of the story that really hit me. They weren’t the usual surface-level ones. They were the kind that made me pause and think… deeply. About sobriety, yes — but also a...
Jun 03, 2025•51 min•Ep. 679
In this episode of The Next Level Health & Fitness Podcast , I sit down with James Yount — a longtime listener and social media supporter who reached out to share his personal story of transformation. And after hearing it, I knew we had to record this episode. James has been sober from meth for five years. But his story isn’t your typical “before and after.” He was actually overweight during his active addiction — something not often talked about — and has since lost a significant amount of ...
May 30, 2025•59 min•Ep. 678
In this powerful episode, I’m joined by special guest Oliver Amundson —a graduate of The Next Level Experience—and my good friend and cohost for this one, Cass Zimmerman . Oliver’s story is raw, real, and damn inspiring. Just over a year ago, he was an employee barely making ends meet. Today? He owns a thriving painting company with multiple employees and a growing reputation. But that business breakthrough didn’t happen overnight. It started when he made the scary—but life-altering—decision to ...
May 27, 2025•58 min•Ep. 677
In this powerful and raw episode, Brad sits down with special guest Paul Casey , whose story of redemption will leave you inspired and fired up to take full ownership of your life. Paul spent 10 consecutive years in some of the toughest prisons in the California Department of Corrections. But instead of letting that time break him, Paul used it as fuel for transformation. Toward the tail end of his sentence, he got sober , dove into fitness and nutrition , and began helping others with their mac...
May 23, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 676
If you’ve ever felt fired up on a Monday and totally off the rails by Thursday, you’re not alone — I’ve been there too. In this solo episode, I’m breaking down why motivation is one of the most overrated tools in your toolbox… and what actually keeps you going when motivation fades (because it will ). I’ll walk you through a powerful mindset shift that’s changed everything for me — how identity, discipline, and simple systems are what really drive lasting results. We’re diving into James Clear’s...
May 16, 2025•28 min•Ep. 674
In this episode of the Next Level Health & Fitness Podcast, Brad Jensen and cohost Craig Smith dive into Mel Robbins’ popular “Let Them” theory that’s been making the rounds on social media. You’ve probably seen it—someone disrespects you or doesn’t meet your expectations and the advice is: “Let them.” But is it that simple? We unpack the potential benefits of this mindset—especially when it comes to releasing control, protecting your peace, and avoiding unnecessary emotional burnout. But we...
May 13, 2025•34 min•Ep. 673
In this solo episode, I dive into three of the most talked-about compounds in the world of biohacking: methylene blue, NAD+ injections, and glutathione . Whether you’re trying to optimize your brain, recover faster, or just feel more energized and resilient, these tools are worth understanding before jumping in. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: Methylene Blue – once used as a dye, now used to upgrade mitochondrial function. I break down how it enhances energy production, boosts mental c...
May 09, 2025•28 min•Ep. 672
In this episode of The Next Level Health & Fitness Podcast , Craig Smith and I dive into a viral Instagram clip from sales coach Andy Elliott that’s sparked serious controversy. He brought his 12- and 9-year-old daughters on stage at a business conference and had them show off their six-pack abs — the result of a 60-day challenge he gave them in exchange for a shopping spree. Needless to say, the internet had thoughts. And so did we. This episode goes deeper than just reacting to a tone-deaf...
May 06, 2025•54 min•Ep. 671
In this episode of The Next Level Health & Fitness Podcast , I had the absolute honor of sitting down with Leah Mancuso—someone who has completely transformed her life by losing over 215 pounds, all naturally. Leah’s story is beyond inspiring. She dropped the weight in just about two years, and maybe even more impressive—she’s kept it off for the last year. Her journey has blown up on Instagram, with multiple viral reels and a rapidly growing following. But with all that attention came some ...
May 02, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 670
In this episode, I’m joined by one of our most established and trusted coaches here at Next Level — Coach Jenn Pinnell. Jenn’s been with the company for 7 years and has coached hundreds of clients through their transformation journeys. We jammed on some of the biggest missing links that hold people back from reaching their goals — and they’re probably not what you think. We hit on the mindset traps, habits, and subtle patterns that quietly sabotage progress. Jenn also drops some real wisdom that...
Apr 25, 2025•43 min•Ep. 669
In this episode of The Next Level Health & Fitness Podcast , Craig and I react to a viral Instagram reel where a guy quickly rattled off a list of things you supposedly don’t need in your fitness journey. It was the classic quick-hit, no-context, bait-style content… so naturally, we had thoughts. We broke it down one by one—what we actually agree with and what we think is complete BS. Some of the points were solid, others were just flat-out misleading. Either way, it sparked a fun and inform...
Apr 22, 2025•51 min•Ep. 668
In this episode of The Next Level Health & Fitness Podcast , I’m joined by someone who’s been a mentor and friend to me for over six years — Jason Phillips. Jason is the founder of NCI (Nutritional Coaching Institute), a powerhouse in the coaching and certification space. We dove deep into the current state of the coaching industry , where it’s heading, and how to actually stand out in a saturated space. One of the biggest topics we covered was Jason’s bold move to buy back NCI after selling...
Apr 18, 2025•52 min•Ep. 667
In this solo episode, I’m breaking down one of the most talked-about tools in the health optimization world right now— peptides . From healing faster to building lean muscle, improving fat loss, enhancing sleep, and even slowing down the aging process… peptides are powerful. But they’re also misunderstood, under-regulated, and often misused. So in this episode, I’m walking you through exactly what peptides are , how they work, the most popular ones in each category , and both the pros and cons o...
Apr 15, 2025•47 min•Ep. 666
In this special re-airing, I’m bringing you my powerful conversation from Mind Pump – the #1 fitness podcast in the world. This episode was originally recorded for their show, but it was too impactful not to share here with The Next Level community. We go deep into my story—how I went from rock bottom in addiction to building a life rooted in purpose, health, and service. I open up about the darkest chapters of my past, the moment everything changed, and the work it took (and still takes) to sta...
Apr 11, 2025•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 665
In this month’s Q&A episode, Brad and Craig dive into your questions and keep it real with no fluff—just honest insight and actionable advice. We cover a wide range of topics, including: Why you might be getting extra sore in a calorie deficit and how to adjust your training accordingly What to do when life feels like you’re chasing your tail and stuck in circles The hardest things we’ve ever done —and what we learned from them How to deal with acne after starting testosterone replacement th...
Apr 08, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 664
In this powerful in-studio episode, I’m joined by Treavor Hawkins — an active-duty military member and competitive bodybuilder who’s survived two serious suicide attempts. His story is raw, real, and incredibly inspiring. Treavor takes us through the darkest moments of his life and how they became the catalyst for emotional, mental, and spiritual transformation. From the depths of hell to a life filled with purpose, Treavor now uses his voice to uplift others through his own podcast and message....
Apr 04, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 663
We’ve all said it… “I’ll start tomorrow.” Whether it’s your fitness, nutrition, or that one habit you’ve been meaning to build — there’s something strangely comforting about pushing it off to tomorrow. In this episode, Brad and Craig break down the real reason we fall into the “starting tomorrow” mentality — and it’s not just laziness. Craig unpacks the science behind it, explaining how putting off change actually triggers a dopamine rush that makes us feel good, even though we’re doing nothing....
Apr 01, 2025•41 min•Ep. 662
In this solo episode, Brad breaks down five of the most overrated exercises you see people doing all the time in the gym. These aren’t flashy TikTok moves—these are the staples that have been passed down for years, but might not be giving you the results you think they are. Whether it’s poor mechanics, ego lifting, or just outdated thinking, Brad dives into why these exercises are often misused or misunderstood—and what smarter, more effective alternatives you can do instead. If you’re serious a...
Mar 28, 2025•25 min•Ep. 661
If I could go back and coach the younger version of myself when I first started my fitness journey, I’d have a lot to say. In this episode, I break down the biggest mistakes I made early on—and the key things I’d do differently if I had to start all over today. From being a clean-eating zealot and blindly following meal plans to underestimating the power of sleep, fiber, and mental health… this is the real, unfiltered truth about what I’ve learned over the years. I also dive into comparison trap...
Mar 25, 2025•37 min•Ep. 660
In this raw and vulnerable solo episode, I share the scariest moment of my life—an unexpected and severe allergic reaction that sent me into full-blown anaphylactic shock while I was still driving . I blacked out, nearly died, and somehow, by what I believe were divine miracles, I’m still here to tell the story. This episode isn’t just about what happened—it’s about what that moment taught me. I open up about the profound lessons I took from this brush with death, including the deeper perspectiv...
Mar 21, 2025•38 min•Ep. 659
Personal development is supposed to help you grow, but what if it’s actually keeping you stuck? In this episode, we break down the hidden traps of self-improvement—where growth turns into self-sabotage—and how to move forward. What We Cover: The “I Need More Information” Trap – Learning without action isn’t progress. Execution is where real growth happens. Perfectionism Paralysis – Waiting for the “perfect” moment? It doesn’t exist. Progress beats perfection every time. The “Healing” Excuse – Se...
Mar 18, 2025•51 min•Ep. 658
Struggling to eat enough to gain muscle? Or maybe you’re eating in a surplus but gaining too much fat? In today’s episode, I break down 5 expert strategies to help you maximize muscle growth while keeping fat gain under control. From calorie-dense food swaps to supplements that actually work , this episode is packed with actionable takeaways to help you bulk the right way. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How much protein you actually need (and why too much can hurt your gains) The best high-c...
Mar 14, 2025•32 min•Ep. 657
In this episode of The Next Level Hope and Fitness Podcast , Craig and I kick things off with an unexpected conversation that had us both literally in tears—like, the kind where your stomach hurts from laughing too hard. We’re pretty sure you’ll get a good laugh along with us before we shift gears into something that really matters: accountability. We break down a hard truth—no matter who’s holding you accountable, at some point, you have to care that they’re holding you accountable. Coaches can...
Mar 11, 2025•38 min•Ep. 656
