Iron Radio

Bodybuilders and physique athletes progressively diet more strictly in order to get on stage. But then what? Magazines and web sites focus so much on the front-end period of getting ripped that almost no one gives attention to the post-contest period. How does one return to normalcy? Join the guys, and gal, to discuss extreme diets, metabolic damage, psychology, re-feeds, and more. There's also cool science news on green tea in this episode. Come on in to travel there and back again.

What does it take for you to change your training or eating? Do you follow the opinions of an authority figure? Do you wait for a consensus in the scientific literature? Or do you self-experiment? Dr. Lowery, Fortress and Phil talk about evidence-based practice. Even as creatures of habit, each lifter has standards by which he operates and forms conclusions. Also, in the news, get insider information on protein, insulin, and fat loss. There's lots to discuss, so come on in!

Join the guys in an hour-long conversation with arguably the greatest powerlifter of all time. Ed Coan, The Man, The Myth, shares thoughts on his origins, his numerous records, his favorite accomplishment, and on bodybuilding, on judging, and plenty more. At 50, Ed's methods still focus on simplicity, consistency and dogged determination. Tune in to hear how Ed picks his training loads, his current competitive and other goals, and other gold nuggets. It's time for an hour with Ed Coan!

Dr. Lowery, Fortress and Phil share some sad news, then talk shop with figure competitor Alycia Israel. In the news, the legendary Larry Scott, our first Mr. Olympia, has passed away. After honoring this forefather of the sport, the guys get a female perspective regarding the crossover powerlifting-bodybuilding lifestyle. Alycia is a well-educated, sincere coach in her own right, who is just two weeks from stepping on stage as a figure competitor. Tune in to learn many tips about how women competently move from the offseason to the posing dais. There's so much to this!

Coach Stevens and Dr. L cover breaking news and talk with powerlifter-inventor-publisher Mark Bell. The purported risks of animal protein are back in the news, as are creepy new protein sources, and listener mail about old school gyms. Then after the break, Mark tells the guys about the ups and downs of running a strength and muscle magazine. He explains how he solicits articles and photos, how he maintains quality, and why paper mags will not die in a digital age. It's time to look behind the scenes with Iron Radio!

This week the guys offer news, a contest, and some feedback for listener-competitor Holly Chapman. In the news, testosterone injections, muscle memory, fructose, and current competitions get attention. For the landmark 250th episode, a contest gets put up on the Iron Radio Facebook page. And in the Q-and-A Topic of the Day, answers range from peri-workout nutrition, to spot reduction, to proper lifting form. Finally, who's playing with his mic? Help our beleaguered audio editor yell at the other co-hosts. It's time again to get caught up, win stuff, and join the discussion on Iron Radio!

Phil and Lonnie get in 30 minutes with world class powerlifter Donnie Thompson. Issues range from his monstrous 3000-pound total, to mobility and performance therapy, to getting -pretty- later in a career. Then Lonnie and Phil change gears and discuss how to choose federations and contests. Whether it's bodybuilding or powerlifting, there are a few things worth considering. From marketing and money for promoters, to inflated titles, to setting yourself up for success, there are plenty of tips. Come on in!

Dr. L, Phil and Fortress share news and talk with powerlifter Joe Schillero. In the news, newly publicized side effects of testosterone gel and injections get coverage. Listener successes and new t-shirts from Phil get attention, too. Then the guys talk with Joe Schillero about all sorts of things. Get gold nuggets from the recent strength workshop Joe hosted in Ohio. Then join the conversation on how to become an effective coach, how raw and equipped lifting can be wed for best progress, and tons more. It's time again for Iron Radio!

After threatening to do it for weeks, the guys finally move Iron Radio to its new morning show, mainstream format! The usual muscle industry news and listener mail get attention, of course, but now in the style that the mainstream media and fitness industry demand. Tune in as Polar Bear, The Pullmaster and Dr. Strong entertain and inform just like every other radio show does. PLUS, join the Titanic Trio in welcoming new sponsors, Swole-Tech and Forklift Sports. Forget the usual no-nonsense version of Iron Radio; it's time to wake up to the level of professionalism that apparently millions enjoy! Key words - joke, satire, mock, parody.

There's so much going on! The Mighty Fortress returns to field listener mail, discuss news, and engage in some gym talk. The show ranges though many topics, from size discrimination to success stories to new records and catastrophic injuries. But wait, there's more! Sunday, Sunday, Sunday! The LA FitExpo just took place, breakthroughs in stem cells are happening, and cheesy mainstream talk shows get attention. There's even a preview of the Akron Strength Seminar and Clinic. It's time again to grab a cup of joe and talk shop on Iron Radio!

Dr. Lowery and Coach Stevens field Facebook questions, then learn from Dr. Joey Antonio. In the Facebook world, questions involve favorite books, lifting belts, and protein dosing. Then, in the Topic of the Day, Dr. Antonio offers insights into one of the stem cell types in muscle tissue, and what these cells do for lifters. Is muscle memory real? What role do satellite cells play? What drugs, supplements, and other factors enhance satellite cell activity? Tune in for some permanent muscle gains!

Phil and Dr. L talk about breaking news on testosterone and flu vaccines. The news then spills into the Topic of the Day, where the guys talk about flu season training in general. What do men have to consider when it comes to immunization and training? Which gyms are most risky when it comes to contracting influenza? And how does one decide when he or she is too sick to lift? There are also tips herein on avoiding overtraining this time of year and what nutritional supplements may actually help us fight viruses. Note: The audio on this episode is also a little sick, but the info. is valuable.

Do you have to be a bit nutty to be a serious lifter? After promising to interview some psychology experts, the guys start close to home with Counselor Kelly Lowery. She's not only graduate-trained, but has been around (and lived with) bodybuilding for decades. Lots of questions and issues get addressed. Are elite athletes abnormal? Are they protected from mental disorders? What toll does chronic pain take, and why do lifters endure it while pressing on? What about aging and identity loss in long-time lifters? And what about the mania and subsequent depression that can be induced by anabolic steroids? Join in as the discussion turns to what counselors do to treat anxiety, depression, and other issues that many strength athletes face. Also get a list of cognitive errors (stinking thinking) that counselors help clients, including lifters, identify. Do YOU fall prey to any of these in your work with the iron?

Rob, Phil, and Lonnie look back and look ahead. What happened in science and in the fitness industry in the recent past? What do the guys think will happen in the near future? From confusing controversies on fish oils and vitamin D, to premature deaths occuring in the upper echelons of body building and strength sports, to stimulant abuse and lifting trends, there's plenty to chew on as usual. Whether you're a powerlifter, a bodybuilder, or a recreational lifter just looking for a recap and look forward, welcome to Iron Radio in 2014!

Phil and Lonnie discuss some science news, Rob offers another CD review, then the guys talk about getting built cheaply. With Christmas over, Boxing Day upon us, and everybody feeling broke, economical eating and training sound attractive. The guys cover cheap sources of protein and quality fuels, ways to get OTC meds at a fraction of the cost, free and cheap ways to lift and do cardio, and more. Tune in and save a buck or two!

After some science news on a muscle mass breakthrough, Phil and Lonnie have a discussion with professional Highland Games competitor Jake Sullivan. Then, to cap it all off, Fortress and Lonnie field thematic Christmas questions from listeners. In the news, a real myostatin inhibitor has been awarded breakthrough recognition by the FDA. In the Topic of the Day, Jake tells the guys how he likes to train to maintain a balance between size and skill. And in the bonus X-mas segment, topics range from egg nog gains to anabolic steroids to gifts for gym employees. Enjoy this 90-minute Christmas mega-episode!

After some news, Dani Shugart joins the guys for a discussion on dieting gone wrong. Dani is a physique competitor with personal experiences involving disordered eating. She has also published a brand new book on the topic. News topics range from ways to rebuild lost muscle tissue to a new record powerlifting total to huge guys who die young. Questions that get addressed in the Topic of the Day with Dani include... What is it about physique athletes that makes them prone to eating disorders? How do men and women tend to differ in relation to food? What types of eating disorders exist and how do they overlap? And how does one return to normalcy after months of strict target date dieting? If you've dieted hard or have loved ones who struggle with disordered eating, this extra-long show is for you.

Dr. Lowery and Coach Stevens share industry news on anabolic steroids, then learn from Dr. Dan Ogborn. First, what kinds of doses of performance enhancing drugs are professional level bodybuilders using nowadays? Then, Dan has a long list of credentials and works in some world famous muscle physiology labs, so the guys get some juicy information. Specifically this week, Dr. Ogborn has plenty to share on eccentric training (negatives). How valuable are supra-maximal lifts? Is extreme muscle soreness requisite for maxing-out protein synthesis? How do aging, inflammation, fish oils, ibuprofen, and antioxidants affect the muscle building process? Come on in and find out!

Let's eat! Dr. Lowery and Phil unsurprisingly focus on FOOD. From meat substitutes to perfectly cooking the actin and myosin proteins in your turkey, to cooking tips and favorite dishes, the guys bring plenty to the table. The untimely death of a top strongman is also in the news, as is an FDA issue concerning genetic testing for consumers. The Topic of the Day deals with following natural rhythms to make mass gains during winter months. With harvest time upon us, and food-focused holidays everywhere, it's time to get serious. Bon appetit!

We all deal with inflammation and soft tissue damage during training. It can hurt progress. Is there a new way out? After some dietary supplement news, Phil and Dr. L learn about new kinds of injection therapy. Dean Reeves, MD, pain expert, and Associate Professor, shares his insights and experiences with prolotherapy and related treatments. With the growing buzz about these novel approaches to nerve, tendon, muscle, and cartilage repair, it's time to get it from the expert himself. Can simple dextrose, injected into a tendon or ligament, really regenerate tissue without scarring? And further, what nearly instantaneous results can reportedly be seen when nerves themselves are targeted? Tune in for your weekly injection of knowledge!