

Wits & Weights | Evidence-Based Fitness & Nutrition for Lifters Over 40
Philip Pape, Evidence-Based Nutrition Coach & Fat Loss Expert
Wits & Weights is a strength and nutrition podcast where in every episode I put a popular piece of fitness advice under the microscope, find the hidden reason it doesn't work, and give you the deceptively simple fix that does.For skeptics of the fitness industry who are tired of following the rules and still not seeing results. If you've been lifting weights, tracking macros, and doing "all the right things" but your body composition hasn't changed, you're probably overcomplicating it. This is the fitness podcast that shows you how to build muscle, lose fat, and achieve a real body recomp by focusing only on what the evidence actually supports.Evidence-based fat loss coach Philip Pape brings an engineer's approach to strength training, nutrition, and metabolism. Instead of another generic program or meal plan, you get specific, science-based strategies for optimizing body composition, whether you're focused on building muscle, losing fat, or both. The focus is on strength training over 40, hormone health, perimenopause and menopause, and longevity.You've seen the conflicting advice. One expert says cut carbs, the next says eat more. One says train six days a week, another says three is plenty. Building the body you want doesn't have to be this confusing or time-consuming. By using your wits (systems + identity-based behavior change) and lifting weights, you can build muscle definition, improve your physique, and maintain your results for life without rebound weight gain.You'll learn smart, efficient strategies for movement, metabolism, muscle, and mindset, such as:- Why fat loss matters more than weight loss for both your health and your physique- Why all the macros, including protein, fats, and yes even carbs, are critical to body composition- How just 3 hours a week of proper hypertrophy training can deliver better results than most people get in twice that time- Why building muscle is the single most powerful thing you can do for metabolic health, longevity, and aging well- Why perimenopause and menopause don't have to derail your progress when your training and nutrition are dialed in- How shifting the way you think about fitness can unlock more physical (and personal) growth than any program aloneIf you're ready to learn what actually works with evidence-based training and nutrition, hit "follow" and let's engineer your best physique ever!Popular Guests Include: Mike Matthews (author of Bigger Leaner Stronger), Greg Nuckols (Stronger by Science), Alan Aragon (nutrition researcher), Eric Helms (3D Muscle Journey), Dr. Spencer Nadolsky (Docs Who Lift), Bill Campbell (exercise science researcher), Jordan Feigenbaum (Barbell Medicine), Holly Baxter (evidence-based physique coach), Laurin Conlin (physique coach), Lauren Colenso-Semple (nutrition researcher), Karen Martel (hormone optimization expert), Steph Gaudreau (women's strength and nutrition), Bryan Boorstein (hypertrophy coach)Popular Topics Include: hormone health, metabolism optimization, hypertrophy training, longevity and healthy aging, nutrition tracking, best protein powder selection, strength training over 40, women's fitness, perimenopause, menopause, muscle building, body recomp, macros and nutrition tracking
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 19, 2025 • 1h 7min
How He Lost 340 Pounds with Lifting, Walking (No Cardio), & GLP-1 (Jamie Selzler) | Ep 376
Want to build muscle, lose fat, and train smarter? Join the new Physique University for just $27/month and get a FREE custom nutrition plan using this special link.—Can you really lose 340 pounds without surgery? What if the secret isn’t dieting harder, but thinking differently?I am joined by Jamie Selzler, who completely transformed his body and life using three tools: GLP-1 medication, walking, and lifting weights, and four simple rules that kept him consistent when motivation ran out. Jamie reveals how he went from struggling to walk 20 feet to seeking out movement every day, why food noise nearly controlled his life, and how self-respect changed everything. Whether you want to lose 20 pounds or 200, Jamie’s story proves it can be done without extremes.Today, you’ll learn all about:3:06 – From avoiding movement to seeking it6:07 – Facing mortality and fear of dying young10:15 – Confidence versus true self-respect14:25 – Keeping promises to yourself daily18:03 – Food noise, GLP-1s, and relief29:47 – Loose skin, body comp, and lifting40:34 – Jamie’s four rules for sustainability59:01 – Why lasting change takes yearsEpisode resources:Website: jamieselzler.com Instagram: @jselzler Facebook Group: Jamie’s Wellness CircleTiktok: @jamselz Youtube: @jselzler 💪 Join Eat More Lift Heavy - A 6-month coaching program for lifters over 40 who are done collecting information and ready to have real human coaches watch their data and know what to focus on each week.📱 Get Fitness Lab (exclusive 20% off) - The #1 adaptive fitness and nutrition app. Daily coaching, workouts, and biofeedback-based guidance to help you build muscle and lose fat over 40.👥 Join our Facebook community - For adults over 40 who want to build muscle, lose fat, and stop following bad advice. Weekly Q&A threads, coaching insights, and real chat with other lifters.👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram

10 snips
Sep 17, 2025 • 20min
3 Sleep Fixes to Improve Fat Loss and Recovery | Ep 375
Discover why sleep is crucial for fat loss and recovery. Learn how training timing and temperature regulation can enhance your sleep quality. Uncover the importance of avoiding long weekend sleep-ins to prevent social jet lag. Plus, get tips on wicking sheets for cooler nights and quick hacks for restoring alertness, like coffee naps. This episode dives deep into optimizing your sleep for better performance and physique goals!

Sep 15, 2025 • 33min
The Adaptive Cardio Pyramid That Maximizes Fat Loss in Minimum Time | Ep 374
Join the Adaptive Cardio Workshop tomorrow (Tuesday, September 16) at 12 PM Eastern for only $27 (replay included). Get Philip's complete system for losing fat while personalizing your "minimum effective" cardio, plus the replay, 8 workout programs, and a custom 6-month nutrition plan. Register at live.witsandweights.com--If you've been doing hours of cardio every week expecting fat loss results, but you're either not seeing changes, feeling exhausted, or watching your strength training suffer, this episode will transform your approach.What if there was a smarter, more efficient way to incorporate movement that actually supports fat loss, preserves muscle, and enhances longevity?That's exactly what the Adaptive Cardio Pyramid delivers – a 3-layer framework that prioritizes what truly works while eliminating what doesn't. It tells you exactly how much movement you need for fat loss, muscle growth, and longevity without wasting time.Main Takeaways:Why "cardio only" underperform by 20-50% and the 3 big cardio mythsThe Adaptive Cardio Pyramid to "layer" your cardio in a sustainable (and enjoyable) wayThe 4 common implementation mistakes that cause people to burn outPractical tips to start building your pyramid from the bottom upEpisode Resources:The Adaptive Cardio Workshop - Tuesday, September 16, 12 PM Eastern. Grab your spot at live.witsandweights.comRelated Episode: 7 Benefits of Sprinting to Lose Fat (And Why It Beats Cardio, Especially for Lifters!) | Ep 293Timestamps:0:00 - The 3 biggest cardio myths 10:10 - The Adaptive Cardio Pyramid framework 22:23 - The science behind each layer 25:32 - Common mistakes when "doing cardio" 27:22 - Tips to implement the pyramid for fat loss and recovery💪 Join Eat More Lift Heavy - A 6-month coaching program for lifters over 40 who are done collecting information and ready to have real human coaches watch their data and know what to focus on each week.📱 Get Fitness Lab (exclusive 20% off) - The #1 adaptive fitness and nutrition app. Daily coaching, workouts, and biofeedback-based guidance to help you build muscle and lose fat over 40.👥 Join our Facebook community - For adults over 40 who want to build muscle, lose fat, and stop following bad advice. Weekly Q&A threads, coaching insights, and real chat with other lifters.👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram

Sep 14, 2025 • 6min
Why Your Cardio Isn't Working and How to Fix It | Bonus
Register for the Adaptive Cardio Workshop this Tuesday, September 16th at 12pm Eastern (replay included) at live.witsandweights.com--Confused about cardio?Tired of wasting hours on exercise that does nothing for fat loss?This episode introduces a brand new concept called adaptive cardio, where you use the minimum effective dose to maximize fat loss, muscle, and longevity. Ready to stop wasting time? Join the Adaptive Cardio Workshop this Tuesday, September 16th at 12pm Eastern (replay + bonuses included).Get the complete Adaptive Cardio Pyramid (and guide), baseline assessment tools, personalized planning framework, a custom 6-month fat loss plan, and a full month in Wits & Weights Physique University. Register at live.witsandweights.com💪 Join Eat More Lift Heavy - A 6-month coaching program for lifters over 40 who are done collecting information and ready to have real human coaches watch their data and know what to focus on each week.📱 Get Fitness Lab (exclusive 20% off) - The #1 adaptive fitness and nutrition app. Daily coaching, workouts, and biofeedback-based guidance to help you build muscle and lose fat over 40.👥 Join our Facebook community - For adults over 40 who want to build muscle, lose fat, and stop following bad advice. Weekly Q&A threads, coaching insights, and real chat with other lifters.👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram

Sep 12, 2025 • 59min
Losing Weight is Easy But Keeping It Off Takes Real Skill (Mikki Williden) | Ep 373
Want to build muscle, lose fat, and train smarter? Join the new Physique University for just $27/month and get a FREE custom nutrition plan using this special link.—Lost weight only to gain it back? Tired of quick-fix diets that leave you weaker, not stronger? What if real success has nothing to do with the scale?Dr. Mikki Williden, a registered nutritionist, researcher, and host of the Mikkipedia Podcast, joins me, and we break down why most people are chasing the wrong metrics. We discuss why weight loss and lasting transformation are completely different skill sets, and how to develop the competencies that actually keep the results you’ve worked for. This conversation will change the way you measure progress and help you build not just a smaller body, but a stronger, healthier, and more capable one.Today, you’ll learn all about:0:00 – Intro4:06 – Why weight loss isn’t the real goal7:44 – The danger of regaining weight11:18 – Weight loss as a learned skill14:47 – Meal prep and planning as foundation18:53 – Building mindset through daily input22:08 – Shifting identity to strength and health40:24 – The truth about rapid fat loss47:36 – Why maintenance is not a free-for-all57:35 – Flexibility, sustainability, and final takeawaysEpisode resources:Mikkipedia PodcastWebsite: mikkiwilliden.com Instagram: @mikkiwilliden Facebook: @mikkiwillidennutrition X: @MikkiWilliden 💪 Join Eat More Lift Heavy - A 6-month coaching program for lifters over 40 who are done collecting information and ready to have real human coaches watch their data and know what to focus on each week.📱 Get Fitness Lab (exclusive 20% off) - The #1 adaptive fitness and nutrition app. Daily coaching, workouts, and biofeedback-based guidance to help you build muscle and lose fat over 40.👥 Join our Facebook community - For adults over 40 who want to build muscle, lose fat, and stop following bad advice. Weekly Q&A threads, coaching insights, and real chat with other lifters.👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram

Sep 10, 2025 • 26min
Does Soreness Equal Muscle Growth? (What Science Says) | Ep 372
Join Wits & Weights Physique University for unlimited access to evidence-based training templates, our "Lifting Lessons" course, and a free custom nutrition plan when you use this special link: https://bit.ly/wwpu-free-plan--Are you sore after workouts... and does this even matter?Learn why DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) is actually a terrible indicator of workout effectiveness, what it really tells you about your training, and the performance metrics you should track instead to know if you're making real progress toward your physique goals.This episode answers a question from a Wits & Weights Physique University member about whether soreness indicates workout quality and how to measure progress effectively.Main Takeaways:Soreness indicates novelty and adaptation to new stimuli, not workout effectiveness or muscle growthYou can get sore from ineffective activitiesExperienced lifters get less sore over time while still making gainsTrack much more targeted metrics of performance and progress instead of how sore you areHowever, soreness can be used to measure recoveryTimestamps:0:00 - Does pain equal progress? 2:57 - What is DOMS? 5:27 - Why soreness doesn't equal progress 8:51 - The repeated bout effect 10:53 - What soreness tells you about training 12:09 - When soreness becomes counterproductive 14:10 - Performance metrics that matter 17:20 - Recovery strategies for managing soreness 21:57 - From pain-focused to performance-focused💪 Join Eat More Lift Heavy - A 6-month coaching program for lifters over 40 who are done collecting information and ready to have real human coaches watch their data and know what to focus on each week.📱 Get Fitness Lab (exclusive 20% off) - The #1 adaptive fitness and nutrition app. Daily coaching, workouts, and biofeedback-based guidance to help you build muscle and lose fat over 40.👥 Join our Facebook community - For adults over 40 who want to build muscle, lose fat, and stop following bad advice. Weekly Q&A threads, coaching insights, and real chat with other lifters.👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram

Sep 8, 2025 • 24min
My 7 Favorite Food Logging Hacks with MacroFactor | Ep 371
Download my favorite nutrition app (use code WITSANDWEIGHTS for a FREE 2 week trial): https://bit.ly/philipmacrofactor--Food logging doesn't have to be tedious or time-consuming when you use the right tools and strategies.I'm revealing 7 of my favorite hacks to transform tracking from a daily struggle into a seamless 3-minute habit (cutting your time by 80%) while making your nutrition data more useful for reaching your goals.Episode Resources:Try MacroFactor for free with code WITSANDWEIGHTS (download from your phone's app store)Try our new 2-minute Metabolic Quiz to find out what's stalling your metabolism... and get a personalized roadmap to sustainable fat lossJoin Physique University for access to my Meal Planning Advisor GPT; this special link includes a free custom nutrition plan when you join: https://bit.ly/wwpu-free-planTimestamps:0:00 - The food logging friction problem 2:36 - MacroFactor vs. other apps 5:20 - Hack #1: Copy/paste 6:51 - Hack #2: Recipes from log 8:06 - Hack #3: Biggest contributors 9:20 - Hack #4: Pre-logging and planning 12:16 - Hack #5: Logging the "main" ingredients only 14:32 - Hack #6: Label scanning vs. barcodes 15:49 - Hack #7: Macro/micro trends 17:51 - Bonus Hack #1 19:19 - Bonus Hack #2💪 Join Eat More Lift Heavy - A 6-month coaching program for lifters over 40 who are done collecting information and ready to have real human coaches watch their data and know what to focus on each week.📱 Get Fitness Lab (exclusive 20% off) - The #1 adaptive fitness and nutrition app. Daily coaching, workouts, and biofeedback-based guidance to help you build muscle and lose fat over 40.👥 Join our Facebook community - For adults over 40 who want to build muscle, lose fat, and stop following bad advice. Weekly Q&A threads, coaching insights, and real chat with other lifters.👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram

Sep 7, 2025 • 3min
What PHYSIQUE Really Means (Beyond Six-Pack Abs) | Bonus
🔥 Try our new (free) 2-minute Metabolic Quiz to find out what's stalling your metabolism... and get a personalized roadmap to sustainable fat loss--What comes to mind when you hear the word "physique"?Six-pack abs? Bulging muscles? The perfect Instagram body? That's only scratching the surface of what your physique truly represents.Your physique isn't just how you look. It's the embodiment of your strength, function, health, and identity.When you train for these, you create a physique that serves your life in every dimension.Text this episode to a friend who might benefit from reframing their fitness journey!💪 Join Eat More Lift Heavy - A 6-month coaching program for lifters over 40 who are done collecting information and ready to have real human coaches watch their data and know what to focus on each week.📱 Get Fitness Lab (exclusive 20% off) - The #1 adaptive fitness and nutrition app. Daily coaching, workouts, and biofeedback-based guidance to help you build muscle and lose fat over 40.👥 Join our Facebook community - For adults over 40 who want to build muscle, lose fat, and stop following bad advice. Weekly Q&A threads, coaching insights, and real chat with other lifters.👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram

Sep 5, 2025 • 58min
Why Women in Their 30s Should Learn About Menopause (Zora Benhamou) | Ep 370
Register for the Live Q&A with Zora on September 23, only in Physique U. Use this special link to join and get a free 6-month transformation plan: https://bit.ly/wwpu-free-plan--Could menopause be closer than you think? What if it’s already starting in your 30s without you knowing?I bring on gerontologist and biohacker Zora Benhamou, host of Hack My Age, to reveal the hidden hormonal shifts most women miss. Zora shares why progesterone quietly dips in your mid-30s, how strength and mobility become your best defense, and why baseline lab tests are game-changers before symptoms kick in. We also talk about practical biohacks that help you build energy, confidence, and resilience now and for decades to come. Whether you’re in your 20s, 30s, or already approaching perimenopause, this conversation will show you how to prepare early so you don’t just get through menopause, you thrive.Today, you’ll learn all about:0:00 – Intro1:03 – Meet expert guest Zora Benhamou3:08 – Why most women aren’t informed5:11 – Common myths about modern menopause7:42 – Hormone timeline across the decades10:13 – Early signs of progesterone decline12:30 – Labs every woman should consider24:32 – Lifting weights for hormone support33:39 – Biohacks for your 20s and 30s42:06 – Flexibility, mobility, and healthy aging49:18 – Blood sugar hacks that workEpisode resources:Website: hackmyage.com Facebook: @HackMyAge Instagram: @HackMyAgeYoutube: @hackmyage 💪 Join Eat More Lift Heavy - A 6-month coaching program for lifters over 40 who are done collecting information and ready to have real human coaches watch their data and know what to focus on each week.📱 Get Fitness Lab (exclusive 20% off) - The #1 adaptive fitness and nutrition app. Daily coaching, workouts, and biofeedback-based guidance to help you build muscle and lose fat over 40.👥 Join our Facebook community - For adults over 40 who want to build muscle, lose fat, and stop following bad advice. Weekly Q&A threads, coaching insights, and real chat with other lifters.👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram

Sep 3, 2025 • 22min
Ed Coan, 71 World Records and Still the GOAT of Powerlifting (Lifting Legends #2) | Ep 369
Get your free Progressive Overload Guide to apply these principles to improve your training: witsandweights.com/free--Ed Cohn, nicknamed the "Mozart of Strength," set 71 world records in powerlifting and became the lightest man to total over 2,400 pounds through his mastery of progressive overload and passion-driven consistency.His approach contrasts sharply with today's overcomplicated fitness culture, proving that simplicity and fundamentals still build champions.Ed is still considered the greatest powerlifter of all time, so what can we as modern lifters learn from his timeless approach to building strength?Learn how Ed went from a bullied 155-pound teenager training in his basement to becoming the lightest man to total over 2,400 pounds, and why his simple, passion-driven methods still outperform today's complicated training programs.Main Takeaways:Ed Coan set 71 world records using 3 simple principlesHis 1991 total of 2,402 pounds at 218 bodyweight represented a 14.5% improvement over previous world recordsModern fitness culture has more information than ever but less wisdomPassion endures where motivation failsTrue champions elevate others instead of just dominating themPrevious Lifting Legend Episodes:5 Rules of Ronnie Coleman, King of Bodybuilding (Lifting Legends #1) | Ep 353Timestamps:0:00 - Why Ed Coan is still the GOAT of powerlifting 2:22 - From bullied kid to basement training legend 3:26 - The systematic approach that built a champion 5:17 - 71 world records and seemingly impossible strength-to-weight ratio 10:27 - Simple principles vs. complicated programming 13:05 - The human behind the machine 16:24 - Passion vs. motivation and overcoming setbacks 20:00 - Ed's legacy💪 Join Eat More Lift Heavy - A 6-month coaching program for lifters over 40 who are done collecting information and ready to have real human coaches watch their data and know what to focus on each week.📱 Get Fitness Lab (exclusive 20% off) - The #1 adaptive fitness and nutrition app. Daily coaching, workouts, and biofeedback-based guidance to help you build muscle and lose fat over 40.👥 Join our Facebook community - For adults over 40 who want to build muscle, lose fat, and stop following bad advice. Weekly Q&A threads, coaching insights, and real chat with other lifters.👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram


