Lift Free And Diet Hard with Andrew Coates

Practical strategies for training clients who have pain and how to train around injuries without stopping progress. Clear tactics for when to refer to allied health and how to describe pain to guide care. Career advice for modern trainers, including starting paths, scaling with semi-private training, and building writing and online systems. Thoughts on influencers, attention economy, and planning sustainable fitness businesses.

Dr Katie Dabrowski returns to educate on the magnitude of the role metabolic health and obesity play in injury risk and rehab. Katie shares expertise on:Defining metabolic healthThe importance of addressing the full picture of a person and not just the localized site of pain and injuryThe mechanisms behind how excess body fat can increase injury risk and pain, and hinder rehabWhat “poor tissue quality” means and why it’s important for rehabHow to approach and address obesity and metabolic health issues without dismissing the specific pain and injuryHow cardiovascular health plays a role in injury and rehabHow to incorporate more cardiovascular training into rehabHow understanding the role of metabolic health in injury management can help people feel more control over their outcomesIs rounded back deadlifting dangerousThe flaws in the argument for each side of the rounded back deadlift online battleA lot of nuance about what rounded back deadlifting meansWhen to train with a neutral spineHow to make sense of random flares of painAnd a lot moreInstagram: @ktdabrowskiCHAPTERS01:26 Metabolic Health Matters04:55 Tissue Quality Breakdown08:35 Adiposity And Injury Risk13:44 Sponsor Break14:47 Talking Weight Without Shame20:14 Cardio And Healing27:43 Building A Cardio Plan31:25 Habit Stacking In Real Life33:04 Fitness Fads To Habits34:39 Metabolic Health Meets Rehab36:31 Knee Pain Two Column Plan38:17 Sponsor Break – TrainHeroic39:39 Rounded Back Deadlift Debate49:54 Form Load And Coaching Trust54:01 Random Pain Flares ExplainedSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode helped you better understand injury, rehab, or metabolic health, you can support the show by:• Subscribing and checking out more episodes• Sharing it on social media (tag me — I’ll respond)• Sending it to someone dealing with pain or injuryFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP Strength App (use code COATESRP)https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJust Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off)https://justbitememeals.comMacrosFirst – FREE Premium TrialDownload MacrosFirst and during setup select: ANDREWKNKG Bags (15% off)https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676Versa Grippshttps://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC – FREE 90-Day Trialhttps://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive (or email trials@trainheroic.com) and let them know Andrew sent you

Cody McBroom is a sports nutritionist, personal trainer, and founder of Tailored Coaching Method.Cody joins me to share his thoughts on:Will AI like ChatGPT help people get healthier, stronger, lose weight, or is it just another way for people to consume info without acting on itHow will AI integration in fitness apps help end usersHow creating your environment helpsWhy “pre-deciding” is powerfulHaving grown up overweight, how did Cody change to keep the weight offHow “borrowing confidence” worksWhy keeping promises to ourselves mattersHow your narratives can help or hurt youThe biggest mistakes people make when tracking their foodAnd much moreInstagram: @codymcbroomCHAPTERS01:25 AI In Coaching03:30 Info Versus Action07:49 AI In Fitness Apps09:23 Accountability Limits11:06 Robots Shape Habits16:17 Guardrails And Identity20:45 Cody Weight Loss Story24:28 Stats And Empowerment27:26 Reframing Failure27:58 Words Shape Mindset28:53 Alter Ego Confidence32:22 Fear of Failure Success34:31 Discipline as Skill39:01 Journaling Affirmations41:08 Narratives Identity Coaching45:38 Tracking Mistakes Fixes49:03 Accountability No JudgmentSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode made you reflect on your habits, identity, or use of tools like AI, you can support the show by:• Subscribing and checking out more episodes• Sharing it on social media (tag me — I’ll respond)• Sending it to someone trying to change their habitsFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP Strength App (use code COATESRP)https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJust Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off)https://justbitememeals.comMacrosFirst – FREE Premium TrialDownload MacrosFirst and during setup select: ANDREWKNKG Bags (15% off)https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676Versa Grippshttps://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC – FREE 90-Day Trialhttps://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive (or email trials@trainheroic.com) and let them know Andrew sent you

Jon Heck is a sought after strength and nutrition coach who’d previously worked for 9 years in Division 1 and NFL strength and conditioning.Jon joins me with lessons and expertise in:How to structure fat loss phasesWorking with people seeking to lose substantial body fatWhy Jon always starts with strength training and step counts with fat lossCan you hold the simultaneous goals of high performance and fat lossWhy Jon believes “Almost everyone should go through a true hard fat loss diet once in their life” and what it teaches youWhy should you get really lean before trying to put on a lot of muscleHow to approach people who are deconditioned and present as “skinny fat”How to reverse diet and why it helps post fat loss phaseThoughts on incorporating GLP-1 agonist drugs for fat lossIs someone better off using GLP-1 agonist drugs for significant fat loss even if they haven’t begun to strength trainJon’s experience gaining 55 pounds of mass in 18 weeksAnd much moreInstagram: @what_the_heck71CHAPTERS01:12 Leaving Football Behind03:35 Fat Loss Basics06:48 Big Weight Loss Clients10:58 Tracking App Break12:02 Performance While Cutting16:30 When Athletes Should Cut20:25 In Season Weight Loss22:46 Stress Eating Archetypes23:37 Fueling Without Fat Gain26:14 Hard Diet Lessons31:51 Lean Before Gaining35:39 Why Cut Before Bulking36:03 Reverse Diet Basics39:34 Avoiding Post Diet Rebound41:26 Reverse Diet Nuance43:36 Skinny Fat Strategy47:36 Training Drives Results48:28 GLP1 Drugs Done Right54:26 Who Needs Muscle Focus56:53 Meal Prep Sponsor Break57:58 8000 Calorie Bulk01:02:04 Feeling Heavy vs Lean01:04:08 Strength Sports Bodyfat01:06:43 Athlete Specific Targets01:08:53 Where to Follow JonSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode helped you better understand fat loss, you can support the show by:• Subscribing and checking out more episodes• Sharing it on social media (tag me — I’ll respond)• Sending it to someone working toward fat lossFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP Strength App (use code COATESRP)https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJust Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off)https://justbitememeals.comMacrosFirst – FREE Premium TrialDownload MacrosFirst and during setup select: ANDREWKNKG Bags (15% off)https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676Versa Grippshttps://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC – FREE 90-Day Trialhttps://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive (or email trials@trainheroic.com) and let them know Andrew sent you

Jason Brown returns in a unique episode where he opens up about some of the behind the scenes pressure and challenge of being a fitness professional including:His struggles with being pulled in multiple directions between coaching and educatingWhy he shut down his programming course after a successful launchGetting clear on what lights him up vs what doesn’t fulfill him and causes stressAlignment in your professional pursuitsHow stress played a role in some health issuesThe pressure to be successful in education and social mediaThoughts on the growing negativity of social mediaJason and I engage in a lot of dialogue about our shared challenges, experience, pressures, and narratives about careers in fitness.Instagram: @jasonbrowncoachingCHAPTERS01:18 Career Identity Crisis03:42 Who Are You Serving06:41 Health Wake Up Call07:40 Andrew Shares His Story11:42 People Pleasing And Doubt14:28 What Actually Lights Me Up18:30 Launch Stress And Bandwidth24:08 Cardiac Issues Explained30:00 Making A Hard Pivot31:59 Pure Intentions Win33:54 When Growth Stalls35:57 Status Chasing Reality Check41:40 Viral Influencer Fraud43:38 Why He Won’t Play Dirty45:39 Social Media Course Lessons49:31 How Algorithms Changed54:26 Building What Matters58:32 Final Wrap UpSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode resonated with you as a coach, creator, or business owner, you can support the show by:• Subscribing and checking out more episodes• Sharing it on social media (tag me — I’ll respond)• Sending it to someone navigating pressure in their careerFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP Strength App (use code COATESRP)https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJust Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off)https://justbitememeals.comMacrosFirst – FREE Premium TrialDownload MacrosFirst and during setup select: ANDREWKNKG Bags (15% off)https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676Versa Grippshttps://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC – FREE 90-Day Trialhttps://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive (or email trials@trainheroic.com) and let them know Andrew sent you

Cillian O’Connor is a strength coach with a masters of strength and conditioning who joins me to share his skill and philosophy about:Does your training split really matterWhy trying to over optimize training programs and lifestyle usually leads to failureWhy starting with an extreme approach may be an intentional or subconscious way to prove someone isn’t the type of person who can be fit and healthyWhy hitting rock bottom is an unreliable way to changeWhy taking lessons from elite bodybuilders may lead you astraySurvivorship bias in fitnessThe value of being around the right people and in the right training environmentThe training variables that matter most for resultsMusings on online vs in-person trainingHow people will interact with AI based vs human coachingAnd much moreIG: @cilloconnorCHAPTERS01:32 Programs Need Repeatability03:28 Self Efficacy And Identity04:57 Why People Self Sabotage07:33 Quick Fixes And Messaging11:57 Change Windows And Privilege14:38 Avoiding Rock Bottom15:55 Kids Sports And Foundations19:03 Irish Sports And Rugby21:53 Internet Optimization Trap26:13 Bodybuilding Ideologies28:56 Survivorship Bias Lesson31:20 What Actually Matters32:38 Survivorship Bias Lessons33:22 Training Frail Older Adults34:07 Do Training Splits Matter38:37 Less Is More Training42:15 Full Body Done Right46:34 Focus Beats More Volume47:31 Train With Stronger People50:03 Accountability Is The Edge53:43 AI And Coaching Future01:00:43 Online Coaching Trust IssuesSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode helped you simplify your approach to training or rethink optimization, you can support the show by:• Subscribing and checking out more episodes• Sharing it on social media (tag me — I’ll respond)• Sending it to someone overwhelmed by fitness adviceFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP Strength App (use code COATESRP)https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJust Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off)https://justbitememeals.comMacrosFirst – FREE Premium TrialDownload MacrosFirst and during setup select: ANDREWKNKG Bags (15% off)https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676Versa Grippshttps://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC – FREE 90-Day Trialhttps://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive (or email trials@trainheroic.com) and let them know Andrew sent you

Dr Tommy Wood, a medical doctor and PhD in physiology and neuroscience focused on neurodegenerative disease, offers practical advice for preserving cognitive health. He explores video games, dancing, and different exercise types as brain-protective activities. He explains cognitive headroom, the 3S model (stimulus, supply, support), retirement risks, metabolic health, and key nutrients to help reduce dementia risk.

Elizabeth Davies is the author of Training For Your Old Lady Body and famous for the quote:“Training for my summer body? Fuck no. I’m training for my old lady body. Dense bones, strong muscles, a healthy heart, good balance, functional independence.”Elizabeth joins me to share her thoughts and experience about:What is SkinnyTok and why it’s dangerousThe cycles of body image standards and why chasing them can create problemsIs Kim Kardashian a good role model for body imageWhy building a bank of bone health early matters, and why chasing skinny at a young age compromises thisHer frustration with the marketing messaging about getting in shape for summerWhy she’s focused on taking care of her body for now and laterWhere being focused on training for aesthetics can go wrong“Why is there so much focus on helping women avoid looking old as we age and so little focus on helping us avoid feeling old”And much moreIG: @thiswomanliftsCHAPTERS00:56 What Is Skinny Talk02:27 Debulking And Gym Myths05:11 Beauty Standards Shift08:43 Why Skinny Talk Harms10:50 Who Gets Triggered12:49 Artifacts Of Diet Culture15:40 Old Lady Body Quote16:15 From Lawyer To Trainer17:02 Summer Body Panic19:55 Plagiarism And Sharing23:19 Looking Good Vs Longevity25:13 Confidence Through Care25:47 Aesthetic Goals Debate27:16 Realistic Expectations29:03 Long Game Fitness29:52 MacrosFirst Ad30:56 Harmful Beauty Tactics33:41 Training For Later Life34:40 Cardio And Weights36:53 Avoid Feeling Old38:34 Aging Anxiety And Control42:36 Botox Culture Critique44:44 TrainHeroic Ad46:04 Closing And Where To FollowSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode resonated with you or changed how you think about training, you can support the show by:• Subscribing and checking out more episodes• Sharing it on your social media (tag me — I’ll respond)• Sending it to someone navigating body image or fitness messagingFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP Strength App (use code COATESRP)https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJust Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off)https://justbitememeals.comMacrosFirst – FREE Premium TrialDownload MacrosFirst and during setup you’ll be asked “How did you hear about us?”Type in: ANDREWKNKG Bags (15% off)https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676Versa Gripps (discount link)https://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC – FREE 90-Day Trialhttps://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive (or email trials@trainheroic.com) and let them know Andrew sent you

Sheridan Skye is a pre-and postnatal coaching specialist and educator and joins me to share her expertise about:Is resistance training safe for pregnant womenDo mom and baby have better outcomes when the mother works outWhy some physicians might be hesitant to advise their clients to workout during pregnancyAre there medical conditions where women should avoid or approach working out with caution during pregnancyCan exercise help improve symptoms of postpartum depressionWhat are the guidelines for returning to working out post pregnancyHow much of working out during and after pregnancy is varied based on each individuals experienceWhat she means with “We’ve reached a point where women’s normal physiology is being repackaged as a pathology and marketed as female empowerment”And much moreIG: @sheridanskyefitCHAPTERS01:06 Is Lifting Safe02:35 Miscarriage Myths05:07 Evidence On Exercise10:18 Benefits For Mom13:00 Postpartum Fear14:10 When Not To Train16:19 Sponsor Break19:19 Postpartum Depression23:34 Return To Exercise25:27 Six Week Myth27:12 Gradual Return Plan28:08 Core Rehab Framework28:36 Symptom Feedback Loop29:30 Load Management Principles32:00 Scalable Core Training35:58 Barriers Not Biology38:06 Misinformation Marketing44:51 Why Women Feel Better47:42 Energy Balance Nuance50:34 Storytelling Versus Facts51:54 Wrap Up And ResourcesSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode helped clarify exercise during pregnancy or postpartum training, you can support the show by:• Subscribing and checking out more episodes• Sharing it on social media (tag me — I’ll respond)• Sending it to a coach, trainer, or expecting parentFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP Strength App (use code COATESRP)https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJust Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off)https://justbitememeals.comMacrosFirst – FREE Premium TrialDownload MacrosFirst → During setup answer “How did you hear about us?”Type: ANDREWKNKG Bags (15% off)https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676Versa Grippshttps://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC – FREE 90-Day Trialhttps://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive (or email trials@trainheroic.com) and let them know Andrew sent you

Robert Linkul is the master of Training the Older Adult and returns with more lessons about working with this population, including:-How Robert’s own extensive medical history helps him relate to the injuries and restrictions of older populations-How we as coaches think about our own aging, and eventual shift into this demographic, and how we approach our training to prepare-Why he doesn’t plan to retire from in-person coaching-How he approaches cardiovascular training for older adults-Why he likes rucking/walking with weighted packs-How to keep people from becoming inactive and suffering greater risk of cognitive decline during periods of life interference for older adults-Training around injuries and degenerative issues-And much moreIG: @robertlinkulCHAPTERS00:41 NSCA Journey01:56 Aging Changes Training02:33 Injuries Shaped Approach04:31 Training Smarter Now06:43 Barbell Debate Online08:37 Why Barbells Can Fail13:10 Unilateral Tools Win16:14 Creative Workarounds18:54 Sponsor Break – TrainHeroic20:13 Staying On The Floor24:06 Career Arc Myth26:08 Cardio for Aging Adults27:06 Zone Two Strength Circuits30:23 Rucking on Off Days32:15 Rucking Hype and Load Management34:31 Weighted Vest Metabolism Story38:03 Training for Brain Health38:43 Discovery Workouts for Focus42:45 Small Group Training Sweet Spot46:57 Sponsor Break – Just Bite Me Meals48:02 Avoiding Inactivity After Injury51:52 Wrap Up and Where to FollowSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode helped you rethink training for aging populations, you can support the show by:• Subscribing and checking out more episodes• Sharing it on your social media (tag me — I’ll respond)• Sending it to a coach or trainer who works with older adultsFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP Strength App (use code COATESRP)https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJust Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off)https://justbitememeals.comMacrosFirst – FREE Premium TrialDownload MacrosFirst and during setup you’ll be asked “How did you hear about us?”Type in: ANDREWKNKG Bags (15% off)https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676Versa Gripps (discount link)https://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC – FREE 90-Day Trial (2 steps)https://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive (or email trials@trainheroic.com) and let them know Andrew sent you