#443 Stefan Gehrig - From Studying Muscle Wasting Disorders to Making The Best Gym Bags In The World

Please enjoy this rare bonus Saturday episode with Stefan Gehrig, founder of KNKG - my favourite gym bag and duffel company.

Stefan also holds a PhD in Muscle Biology and worked in research studying muscle wasting disorders before pivoting into entrepreneurship. While he no longer works directly in academia, I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to ask valuable questions about his expertise in muscular dystrophy, sarcopenia, and other muscle-wasting conditions.

We also discuss the leap from research to building one of the most respected gym bag brands in the world - and what it takes to go all-in on a side hustle.

THIS EPISODE COVERS:

The story behind founding KNKG

Pivoting from academic research to entrepreneurship

What went into deciding to go all-in on a side hustle

What muscular dystrophy is and who is at risk

Other muscle wasting diseases and their individual and societal impact

How lifestyle affects muscle health and disease risk

Sarcopenia and age-related muscle loss

Why strength training matters for long-term health

Neurological conditions like ALS and MS and their connection to muscle wasting

Applying scientific thinking to business

And much more

We’ll both be at the Arnold Sports Festival March 6th and 7th at the KNKG booth — come say hello.

If you’d like to grab your own KNKG bag, DM me and I’ll send you my 15 percent discount code.

Instagram: @knkg

CHAPTERS

00:16 Meet Stefan Gehrig: KNKG founder, PhD, CrossFit Games athlete

01:09 How Andrew became a KNKG superfan (Arnold booth announcement)

02:23 KNKG’s origin story: from PhD research to building bags since 2011

04:09 From scientist to founder: CrossFit niche + The 4-Hour Workweek spark

05:30 Designing without experience: materials, factories, and manufacturing

06:21 What was missing in gym bags: organization, shoe compartments, function

08:02 The leap: leaving academia and going all-in on KNKG

10:22 Why it worked: timing, runway, and applying the scientific method to business

12:27 Arnold Sports Festival + 15% discount details

13:38 The 80/20 of KNKG: product development, word-of-mouth, long lead times

15:44 Muscular dystrophy explained (Duchenne, risks, treatments)

19:07 Staying current in research — and why science is all-consuming

20:28 Sarcopenia: age-related muscle loss and why strength training matters

25:23 Training for life: resistance + cardio, hybrid programming

28:18 ALS & MS: neurological causes of muscle wasting

31:01 See you at the Arnold: booth details

32:12 Wrap-up: where to follow KNKG

SUPPORT THE SHOW

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Sending it to someone interested in entrepreneurship or muscle health

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PARTNERS AND RESOURCES

RP Strength App (use code COATESRP)

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KNKG Bags (15 percent off — DM for code)

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