These Weights Won't Lift Themselves!

Disclaimer: There are podcasts by professional obstacle course racers out there who know what they are doing. Don't lump me in with that bunch. I am a guy who likes to lift weights and can run a couple of miles. I am not fast, nor particularly agile. But I can grind.  Yes that is true, I can grind with the best of them. So if I am not a long distance runner, or an obstacle racer, why in the world do a Spartan Race? Listen and find out the deep inner workings of my mind.

Welcome to episode 117. Let's be honest here. I like to run but I don't consider myself a runner. At least I don't look like your average runner. And I think that is a good thing because I have to worry about things that small, lightweight people don't have to worry about. So that is what this episode is about. I cover a really good free running app I found, my new 2 minute plank challenge, the Castle Rock Stair climb and more.

Welcome to episode 116. This podcast has 3 segments to it, so I am sure you are going to like at least one. Oh, who are we kidding. You are going to love them all. 1. Well, I have given the world 16 years to ease into the 21st century and it hasn't happened yet. So I am easing out of it. Remember when you were young, how cool you thought this time would be? Given, Iphones, Hd Televisions and streaming music are awesome. Given to fact you have access to unlimited information and can read any book ever published...why are we still watching squirrels on water skis? No I am going into my fitness cocoon. I am working on some very cool things and I should be giving you weekly announcements on a daily basis. So Stay Tuned. 2. Neural pathways and why you should never miss a lift. Have you ever thought about this?

Hey all, Welcome to episode 115.  Here is the link to this non-story. http://dailyhealthremedies.com/8-poisonous-foods-commonly-eat/1/ Why do I let this stuff bother me? Am I the biggest hypocrite in the world? Here I am talking about ignoring the media and their attempts to continually keep viewers stressed, and look what happens. I let this non-story take over a perfectly good podcast that could have been used to educate. Shame on me. Next week I will get back in the saddle and bring you fitness stuff you can use. But on the other hand, if we don't get ticked off at crap like this, will it ever end? I am not saying send them any nasty email or anything but does that stuff really deserve a place on the interwebs? Again, my fault for bringing it to light. But if it was sent to me, it sent to thousands of other people, right?  This sad little article has done nothing but confuse me. I think I held back a little too much on this, I should have blasted them. Eh, give it a listen. Let me know what you think. Michael

Hi Everyone, Welcome to episode 114! In the nutrition world, there is a lot of discussion on how to eat. Obviously.  In this world you have 2 camps that like to go after each other.  On one side you have the purists that think you should eat healthy every meal every day because the "other" food is bad for you. Opposing this army is the "free day" thinkers that believe if you eat clean for 6 days you deserve a break and should eat some of these "bad" foods. Anyone who knows me, knows I belong to the latter camp. Number one: I don't believe there are any "bad foods". I think these foods are over-processed and have a lot of chemicals you don't want in your body but in moderation, they are not going to harm you. Number two: Staying strict all the time is a truly herculean task. Very few are up to the challenge and are they any healthier? Number three: Why not enjoy life a have a doughnut every once in a while? Why become a pariah from society? Number four: In terms of weight loss, I have never seen a study where having a cheat day adversely affected an eating plan. If anything, it gives you a chance to satisfy those cravings. Oh hell, I just gave away the whole podcast. Do me a favor an d listen anyway. It is good. Here is a link to the article. http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/the-problem-with-cheat-days/

Hi everyone, I have decided that if I do 2 types of Podcasts. 1. Nice friendly, positive podcasts that are geared to helping you get something in life. Call these the "HappyCoach Mike" episodes. I love doing these episodes because I can share really cool things with you and I have a great time doing it. 2. Other times, I am a little ticked off at the my industry and want to tell you about it. Call these the "Grumpy Mike" episodes. In these episodes I am like an exterminator poking through the cellars of fitness and nutrition, looking for bad advice, made up crap and other marketing gimmicks that only cause you pain and waste your time. Actually, I get most of these articles in my email, so I don't have to look. This is how bad the problem really is. I get the idea that putting someone else down doesn't make me look better. I learned that in 1st grade. Then 2nd grade, then 3rd grade etc... you get the point.  The truth of the matter is that some people really say some amazingly stupid things. Unbelievably stupid things.  I thought as the 21 century began, I could cruise through the remaining years of my life enjoying how far we come as a society. The last couple of years have brought to my attention how much more work needs to be done . This is especially true for health and fitness. So when I come across shockingly bad or generic advice, where I used to be able to ignore it, it now makes me mad. This is just me. So welcome to the most generic, thoughtless article ever put on the internet. http://health.usnews.com/health-news/articles/2016-04-04/health-tip-why-is-my-skin-dry

In this episode we finsih up with "the method", talk about the Amazing Randi documentary "Honest Liar" and talk about an article by the great Dan John, 10 Things Every Lifter Should be able to do.If you are in a hurry or don't like the sound of my voice, here is the list.1 – Bench Your Bodyweight 2 – Deadlift Double Your Bodyweight 3 – Hold a Two-Minute Plank 4 – Sleep With Only One Pillow 5 – Sit on Floor Without Using Hands, Knees, or Shins 6 – Balance on One Foot for 10 Second7 – Hang for 30 Seconds, Pull-Up8 – Long Jump Your Height9 – 30-Second Bodyweight Squat and Hold10 – Farmers Walk Your Bodyweight Link https://www.t-nation.com/training/10-things-every-lifter-should-be-able-to-do

Hey everybody, This week we take a detour. Most people l know what I think of multi-colored weights and how useless they are. Great to hold doors open, lousy to get in shape with. Lo and behold I come across an article about superstar trainer Tracy Anderson and her method. This method uses 3 pound weights.  So we spend the episode delving into this.  Again, don't get hostile with me, I am only offering opinions on the subject.  Aside from that, it is probably the funniest podcast I have ever done. Check it out, you will like it. Links Mentionedhttp://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/diet-and-fitness/chew-on-this/light-weights-v--heavy-weights--whats-best-20131201-2ykkr http://tracyanderson.com http://blog.everafterland.com/2012/03/the-madness-in-her-method-a-short-explanation-of-the-tracy-anderson-method.html

Episode 110: Chubby Navy and What Exactly is Bulky?

Episode 109: 5 Topics Including Vitamin Profiles

Welcome to episode 104.  Today I am going to go over an article that was sent to me by Precision Nutrition.  I have been a coach with them for several years and really like them.  Never heard of them? Probably not. They are not owned by Oprah. They don't have celebrity spokespeople or scientists discovering exotic berries in Indonesia. Nope, they are common-sense people who advocate a sensible way of eating without having to count calories.  Sound boring? Well, are the other systems working for you?  Probably not and this is the point of the article.  I sent a link to my clients and they all thought it was really eye-opening. Weekends seem to be the diet-killer for most people. So why does this happen and what should you do about it? Here is a link to the article, http://www.precisionnutrition.com/weekend-overeating Get in Shape in the Comfort of Your Own Home Become a member of M Factor Online Training for $10/month

Welcome everyone. It was a week where I stepped into a time portal and was transported back into the 80's. No , not the cool 80's with CaddyShack, Stripes and New wave music. More like 80's aerobic hell where bunny hops and pink and blue lycra ruled. Apparently there are a number of people from back in the day that are now presenting programs "updated" with new science like: (These are Actual Quotes) The secret is engaging muscles called fast-twitch fibers.During a strength training session, you’re typically working your fast-twitch muscles.Research shows that it’s not what you do that makes a difference in strength training, but how you do it, especially after age 40.Because the fibers in fast-twitch muscles are denser, working them gives you a quicker visual payoff and they burn fat longer…up to several hours after a workout!Yes you too can activate fast twitch muscle fibers with 2 1/2 pound weights. Let's build some crazy strength with those multi-colored dumbbells folks.... Ha Ha ha Ha Ha! Who is this icon? You will have to listen to find out. Here is the link, https://www.kathysmith.com/home-recent-posts/3-strength-training-moves-for-fat-loss Also, enjoy my experience with watching a "Extreme Interval Training" cd. As part of my continuing ed, I spent $80 to learn about bunny hops and other such silly moves. Listen, I don't make this stuff up, I just report it. If I hadn't received this ad about building strength with 2 1/2 pound weights I wouldn't have believed it either. Did somebody out there ask for Online Personal Coaching for $10/month? If you did, here you go, http://mfactorfitnessandnutrition.com/online-training/

Hi Everyone, The 2 topics on this week's show are as follows. 1. Part 1 of my view of supplements I need to do this because you are going to get supplements whether I talk about them or not. So hopefully I can save you some wasted time and money by pointing you in the right direction. No this isn't a sales pitch for supplements. Much more boring than that. This is a way to put the role of supplements into your framework of health. And no, it is not at the top of the ladder. Topic 2: How do you get someone to exercise when they don't want to. Here I go into Dr. Phil mode. (I don't know if that is good or bad). Just my perspective on seeing this stuff for 13 plus years. Did somebody out there ask for Online Personal Coaching for $10/month? If you did, here you go, http://mfactorfitnessandnutrition.com/online-training/

Hi everybody, here is the link to the article, https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/21-dietitian-approved-tips-jump-start-weight-loss/It is cold and snowy here, the perfect time to podcast. Podcasting with the sound of snow blowers in the background and me with an unbeliveably stuffy nose should not prevent you from listening to the podcast.Or maybe it should. As you can imagine with a title like that you are going to get a lot of generic information. A lot. Even I can't make that stuff interesting. There are a couple nuggets but I am not spilling the beans here. You are just going to have to listen for yourselves.Did somebody out there ask for Online Personal Coaching for $10/month?If you did, here you go, http://mfactorfitnessandnutrition.com/online-training/

Welcome to episode 105. This is an episode about figuring out back pain. One of my clients has been in a stressful situation where she was forced to sit in an uncomfortable position for an extended time, days on end. In addition, there was a great deal of emotional stress at the same time. This will tend to screw up the back (technical term).So we worked through rolling, smashing and stretching to see if she could get some relief. And that is what this episode is about, I am going to take you through my thinking and give you some ideas you probably never thought about.Get in Shape in the Comfort of Your Own Home Become a member of M Factor Online Training for $10/month