Mind Pump: Raw Fitness Truth
Sal Di Stefano, Adam Schafer, Justin Andrews, Doug Egge
MindPump exposes the RAW TRUTH about health, fitness, nutrition and more... Hosts Sal Di Stefano, Adam Schafer & Justin Andrews pull back the curtain on the mythology, snake oil and pseudo-science that pervades the fitness industry and present science-backed solutions that result in increased muscular development and performance while simultaneously emphasizing health. No fitness institution or fitness "truth" is safe from their quick wit and over 40 years of combined experience in the fitness industry. Produced by Doug Egge. Find Mind Pump and the Mind Pump hosts on Instragram @mindpumpmedia, @mindpumpsal, @mindpumpadam, @mindpumpjustin & @mindpumpdoug and at mindpumppodcast.com. Get expertly programmed Mind Pump training protocols at mapsfitnessproducts.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 30, 2026 • 26min
2825: How To Build Your Shoulders, Arms, and Glutes Before Summer
They explain why shoulders, arms, and glutes form the key aesthetic trio and why you should build muscle before cutting. Programming matters more than exercise choice; order, volume, and cycling intensity drive results. Prioritize compound lifts, reallocate volume toward target muscles, and alternate heavy and pump-focused sessions. Protein and sleep are non-negotiable for progress.
20 snips
Mar 28, 2026 • 1h 47min
2824: Why Skipping Meals Is Hurting Your Metabolism
They argue skipping meals and fasting can slow metabolism and sabotage muscle. They cover protein timing, blood sugar control, and why restriction often backfires psychologically. They discuss GLP-1 drugs, risks of rapid weight loss, and sex differences in fasting’s effects. They also touch on when fasting might make sense and practical meal-timing tips for better energy.
36 snips
Mar 27, 2026 • 1h 22min
2823: The Fitness Skills You Stop Using First (And Regret Later)
They highlight six human movement skills people stop practicing and why that matters. You hear about losing overhead mobility, squatting and hinging, plus the decline of running, jumping and throwing. Balance, sitting on the ground, and rebuilding impact tolerance through play and swimming also come up. There's a quick look at red light therapy and shifts from aesthetics to functional fitness.
28 snips
Mar 26, 2026 • 1h 15min
2822: The Truth About Insulin Sensitivity & Muscle Growth
Dr. Rhett Langley, a physician focused on metabolic and sexual health who runs a clinic and advises NutriSense. He discusses how insulin sensitivity and blood sugar shape cravings, energy, and muscle growth. Strength training, sleep, and lifestyle beat pills alone. Continuous glucose monitors reveal surprising individualized responses and help change behavior.
55 snips
Mar 25, 2026 • 1h 46min
2821: If You're Not Doing THIS You're Leaving Gains On The Table
They argue strength work alone can miss gains and explain how targeted cardio can boost lifting capacity. Mobility, Pilates and range-of-motion work are shown as ways to unlock more muscle. Recovery tools like massage, sauna and strategic rest are highlighted. Conversation expands into modern stress, the power of community for resilience, and new research on fish oil and mental health.
24 snips
Mar 23, 2026 • 29min
2820: What Every Woman Needs To Know About Creatine
Clear advice on whether women should use creatine and how it supports ATP and strength. Discussion of dietary sources, who needs supplementation, and vegan-friendly options. Practical guidance on dosing, loading, hydration, and debunking the bloating myth. Coverage of mood, cognition, sleep-deprivation benefits, bone health, and small fat-loss advantages.
24 snips
Mar 21, 2026 • 1h 60min
2819: You'd Look Better With MORE Body Fat
They argue why being ultra-lean year-round can harm appearance, hormones, and performance. Muscle and lean mass often look better than obsessing over low body fat. Practical tips include reverse dieting, recovery after big weight loss, and swapping alcohol for protein. They also cover social media algorithms, parenting tech limits, and simple salmon cooking and honey remedies.
43 snips
Mar 20, 2026 • 1h 9min
2818: Beyond the Scale: Rethinking Metrics for Fitness Success
They argue daily weigh-ins often sabotage progress and share client stories where the scale misled perception. Better metrics like performance, strength, sleep, digestion and energy get recommended. They cover inflammation, water retention and creatine myths about appearance. Training topics include blue-collar programming, preserving strength while boosting VO2 max, and why drop sets are rarely emphasized.
31 snips
Mar 19, 2026 • 30min
2817: Should You Bulk or Cut First? (Most People Get This Wrong)
They debate whether to bulk, cut, or aim for body recomposition and when each path makes sense. They explain why building muscle first can ease long-term fat loss and how metabolic “runway” affects results. The conversation covers reverse dieting, common calorie-cutting mistakes, psychological traps of dieting, and practical rules for a true recomposition.
25 snips
Mar 18, 2026 • 1h 47min
2816 : Fat Burner Supplements Are a Scam (Here's Why)
They debunk fat burner supplements and explain why stimulants and quick fixes fail. They explore probiotics, gut microbiome research, and modest links to fat loss. Surprising science on Viagra-type drugs and cardiovascular benefits comes up. Practical coaching covers training after 40, managing weight loss and plateaus, and balancing parenting and money lessons. Tech tangents include Tesla tunnels in Vegas.
