Fit To Succeed

There is a whole lot more to nutrition than just learning the theory and factual knowledge! Becoming an exceptional coach is a completely different ball game. Leading nutrition coach, Ben Coomber, joins us for episode 37 to reveal the importance of combining the skills of ongoing nutrition learning together with good coaching.Guest biography:Ben is a nutritionist, fitness professional, educator and speaker and has the UK’s number 1 health and fitness podcast Ben Coomber radio. He has helped thousands of people achieve their goals through his courses, books, blogs, videos and social media. Ben also educates personal trainers and coaches via the Body Type Nutrition Academy, recently collaborating with Active IQ to create a Level 4 certification in Nutrition Coaching. Episode content:In this episode we discuss a range of fascinating topics, including these key areas:- 1:06: Why Ben chose to specialise in nutrition- 2:56: How Ben changed his diet to bring about significant weight loss- 7:18: the primary principle

Supporting athletes, or the general public, through changes in diet and daily food intake can be a tricky road to navigate at times. Adam Feit from Precision Nutrition offers guidance and direction on how to best coach others in the world of sports nutrition and behaviour change. Guest biography:Adam Feit is a Level 2 Master Class Coach as well as the Performance Nutrition Coordinator at the global educator, Precision Nutrition. He has years of experience working with youth, collegiate, Olympic and professional athletic teams including the Calgary Flames, Brooklyn Nets, and the ALTIS track and field club. He is the co-author of the Coaches Guide to Jump Training and Complete Guide to Training the Female Athlete. Adam is also a PhD Candidate in Sport and Exercise Psychology. Episode content: The interview and fascinating discussion covered a broad range of subjects around sports nutrition and supporting behavioural change. 1.35: Adam's ranking of the importance of diet and nutrition in supporting an athlete's

Long-term training in sport and fitness has been built on the linear periodisation training model. But is this model too rigid? Is it focused on too much on the progression of training numbers? Should we be considering a more flexible approach that takes into account all the unique variables of each individual client? Learn about the flexible periodisation method and how this may just expand your training philosophy.Guest biography:Karsten Jensen MSc has trained world-class and Olympic athletes from 27 different sports for 25 years with their successes coming at European, World, and Olympic level. Karsten is the first strength coach to create a complete system of periodization, known as the Flexible Periodization Method.Episode content:In this episode, we get deeper into the concepts and principles behind the standard linear, and the flexible periodisation approach. 1.26 - Karsten shares an early training experience where he applied an alternative, uncommon method that succeeded in creating the gains nee

Summary:In this first episode of the new series, Reed Davis provides a fascinating discussion around key principles for managing our health and wellbeing, especially in managing body weight. He discusses the importance of an individualised approach and how hormonal imbalance can lead to weight gain. Guest biography:Reed Davis, Holistic Health Practitioner (HHP) and Certified Nutritional Therapist (CNT), is an expert in functional lab testing and holistic lifestyle medicine.  He is the Founder of Functional Diagnostic Nutrition® (FDN) and the FDN Certification Course.  Key content:In this episode we discuss:1.35 - What is Functional Diagnostic Nutrition?4.45 - Reed defines the acronym DRESS for success8.34 - The importance of the root cause in preference to relying on symptoms alone15.47 - Accessible tools for health and fitness professionals to monitor client health24.50 - What factors are the top priority in managing body weight? Calories? Hormones?33.45 - Which hormones are commonly out of balance in the ov

Recently the creator of our Sleep Recovery Specialist course, Ben Pratt, was interviewed on the Pro-Fit podcast (episode 7) by Matt Robinson, a member of the Pro-Fit Personal Training team. With the permission of Pro-Fit we are featuring the video recording of the full interview as episode 33 of the Fit to Succeed podcast. This episode is a little longer than our normal podcast show. Enjoy. During this episode, a wide range of topics was discussed, including:- the importance of sleep to health and wellbeing- how sleep habits have changed during the last 3 decades- why correctly assessing sleep habits and behaviours is important- the powerful connection between chronic sleep loss and weight gain- fundamental principles to train circadian rhythm and establish effective sleep - ideas and strategies to help develop good sleep habits in young children- how to correctly utilise naps to help improve performance following periods of sleep lossIf you enjoy this episode, then please rate the show and share it with your

The health and fitness space is constantly being bombarded with one supplement after another! Is supplementation really necessary? Where does diet fit in with the whole nutritional picture? What supplements should I take? If you have asked yourself any of these questions, then this episode with Dr Keoni Teta is for you. Guest biography:Dr. Keoni Teta ND, is a naturopathic physician, acupuncturist and expert in the science and application of exercise and nutrition as it relates to fat loss. Keoni is a co-author of The Metabolic Effect Diet and Lose Weight Here. He is a co-founder of the fat-loss and lifestyle company Metabolic Effect. He also co-hosts a weekly podcast called The Well Man’s Podcast. Episode content:In this episode on the role of supplementation in health and physical performance we cover some important ground including:the role of diet versus supplements in the journey to good healthprinciples that govern the use of effective supplementationfundamental principles for choosing good quality suppl

Being a successful face to face personal trainer does not necessarily translate into success when shifting towards online personal training. Jonathan Goodman shares his expertise and provides some key insights into how online personal training is different from in-person training.Jonathan Goodman is an experienced and respected personal trainer from Toronto, Canada. He is the author of several books, including Ignite the Fire and also the Personal Trainer Pocketbook. Jon is also the founder of the Personal Trainer Development Centre and created the Online Trainer Academy.This episode covers a wide range of subjects related to fitness business and more specifically online personal training, including:- problems associated with marketing across a broad audience rather than focusing on a specific niche- the importance of communicating value to the customer or personal training client- the difference in demonstrating value between a budget and a high-end service model- key differences between a face to face versu

Low energy? Stubborn body fat? Low tolerance? Could it be time to reset your health priorities? Leading naturopathic doctor,  Alan Christianson joins us on the Fit to Succeed podcast to share a few vital principles from his 2 best-selling books. Guest biography:Dr Christianson is a certified Naturopathic doctor and the founder of the Endocrine Association of Naturopathic Doctors. He has been running his integrative health clinic since 1996 and has become a renowned name in the field of natural hormonal health and wellness.Episode content:In this episode, we discuss many topics including:the difference between adrenal fatigue and adrenal resethow chronic stress impacts hormonal balancesymptoms of faulty daily cortisol rhythmdifference between overfat and overweight and the associated health risksthe role of the liver and thyroid in metabolic healthrecognisable symptoms of metabolic damagehelpful strategies to support health improvementIf you enjoy this episode, then please rate the show and share it with your

Leading youth strength coach, David Parker, shares some important and engaging reasons why children and youth should be utilising the gym environment to improve movement capacity and physical abilities. Guest biography:David Parker FAFS, has worked in the fitness industry since 1995 and has benefited from teaching and mentoring by some of the most respected names in the fitness industry, such as Paul Chek, Gary Gray, and Fraser Quelch. Over the years David has worked for leading health and fitness education organisations including Premier Training, Fitpro, TRX, Active IQ, Lifetime, and PT Academy. As a qualified personal trainer, strength and conditioning coach, and functional trainer, David set up his own youth physical development programme in 2011 called IMove Training. Episode content:In episode 29 of the show with David Parker, we discuss a range of important and insightful topics including:Is the gym a suitable environment for the physical development of children?Does weight training stunt children&apos

An exploration of the strengths and weaknesses of the modern functional training paradigm with world-class strength and conditioning coach, JC Santana from the Institute of Human Performance (IHP). Santana is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with the NSCA and a certified Health Fitness Instructor with the ACSM. He is also a certified Senior Coach and Club Coach Course Instructor with the USA Weightlifting Team, and a Level I coach with the USA Track and Field Association. Santana currently serves on the NSCA Board of Directors and is Sports Specific Conditioning Editor for the NSCA Journal. In this episode, we discuss some really fascinating content, including:the spiri-e-motion paradigm model used by Santana at IHPJC's definition of functional trainingconcerns with the commonly applied CrossFit training modelminimal training for maximum resultstraining individual abilitythe 4 exercise tweak categoriesIf you enjoy this episode, then please rate the show and share it with your friends

Choosing a vegetarian diet is increasing in popularity, as a stark contrast to the modern, toxic, processed food society we live in. But is simply switching to plants foods the answer? Or is there more to consider with this dietary approach?Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride is a medical doctor with two postgraduate degrees: Master of Medical Sciences in Neurology and Master of Medical Sciences in Human Nutrition. Dr Natasha is a keynote speaker at many professional conferences and seminars around the world. She frequently gives talks to health practitioners, patient groups and associations. In this episode we discuss a number of principles contained within her book, Vegetarianism Explained, including:- the current prevalence of vegetarianism in society- the key differences between the digestive tracts of herbivorous animals and humans- the role of animal foods and plant foods in the human diet- concerns around processed foods, whether animal or plant-based in origin- how the natural human senses should guide o

Neuroscientist, leadership coach and personal trainer, Marcel Daane, shares some great insights into how the brain and body can be more effectively integrated and in tune to achieve your goals. With over 20 years of coaching experience across business, sports, health, and cognitive performance, Marcel's integrated approach has transformed the lives of thousands of executives and has subsequently helped improve the performance of numerous multi-national organizations around the world, from a wide range of industries.In this episode we discuss:- what motivated Marcel to change career and become a personal trainer- the important connection between the brain and the body as a foundational concept for leadership and performance- what is resilience and why it is key to both physical and mental performance- why outside-the-box thinking is essential for modern fitness professionalsIf you enjoy this episode, then please rate the show and share it with your friends so they can benefit from this free expert informa

Coaching is not just another word for training! Becoming a personal fitness coach requires a change in our approach to client support and behaviour change. Leading behaviour coach and personal trainer, Bobby Cappuccio, shares the important differences and will be sure to change your perspective. Bobby is a co-founder of PTA Global, former head of training and development at David Barton gym, former director of professional development at the National Academy of Sports Medicine (N.A.S.M.), Director of Coaching at the Institute of Motion (IOM) and a content curator for PTontheNet. His vast experience in the health and fitness industry has altered his perspective on how to best support individuals to make fundamental changes to their habits and behaviours.In this episode we cover:- Bobby's back story that brought him into the fitness and personal training industry- the definition of coaching- how personal training is connected to coaching- the concept of cognitive dissonance and how this can impact fitness

The turn of the millennium brought the world of functional training to the fitness industry, then in 2007-08 the elite PT's shifted focus to the role that fascia plays in movement control and function. Guest biography:Ian O'Dwyer was one of the leaders at the forefront of both of these changes within the fitness industry as he worked in conjunction with PT on the Net and PTA Global. He runs his own PT business, called OD on Movement, and is also the co-founder of a small training company called SOMA. Episode content:This episode includes answers to:What motivated Ian to get involved in the functional fitness movement?What is an effective definition of functional training?What are the foundational principles that underpin functional training?What is fascia? Why is this tissue so important to human movement?What is vector variation?Why are rhythm and timing such important training parameters?If you enjoy this episode, then please rate the show and share it with your friends so they can benefit from th

Have you ever experienced any kind of negative reaction following food intake? Do certain foods cause itchy mouth, sneezing, bloating, discomfort, gas, or bowel upset? Do you ever feel irritable, moodiness, fatigued, sudden drops in energy, or mental fogginess? All of these symptoms and more could be signs of a food sensitivity, especially to wheat, gluten, dairy or sugar. Episode 23 features world leading wheat/gluten  and autoimmunity expert, Dr Tom O'Bryan. Not only a well of knowledge on the subject, Dr Tom is also an excellent speaker and has a unique way of teaching this vital health information in memorable ways. Given a little freedom to roam during the interview, Dr Tom also drops in a few fascinating facts or 'truth bombs' on a few other important health topics such as fertility and brain health. During the interview you will learn about:- the fascinating back story that lead Tom O'Bryan into the health space to become a functional medicine practitioner.- the importance of zinc in fer

What is the best solution for weight loss? Calorie reduction? Speeding up metabolism? Or controlling hormones? Dr Jade Teta addresses all of these issues in this fascinating interview. He asserts that these 3 physiological factors actually work together in successful control of excess weight and body fat reduction. Dr Jade Teta is a highly experienced personal trainer of over 25 years. Jade has a degree in biochemistry, is a qualified naturopathic physician, and is also an expert in nutrition, exercise and supplementation. Jade describes his specialty as ‘integrative endocrinology.’ This is the study of hormones & metabolism. Jade’s career has centred on helping the most difficult metabolic cases to successfully lose weight.Episode 22 covers a range of intriguing topics, including:- The role of calories and metabolism in weight management- What impact do hormones play in the body weight control?- Is calorie reduction more important than insulin control in weight loss?- The role of insulin (blood gluc

This episode addresses the concept of nutrient density as a factor in the battle against obesity with expert obesity researcher, Dr Zoe Harcombe. Dr Zoe Harcombe is a researcher, author, blogger and public speaker in the field of diet and health. Her key areas of interest/expertise are public health dietary guidelines (especially dietary fat), nutrition and obesity. In 2016, Zoe was awarded a Ph.D. in public health nutrition. Episode 21 covers the following themes:- The importance of our relationship to food in the weight management battle- How is nutrient density scientifically defined?- How do commonly marketed 'health' foods measure up in terms of nutrient density?- What metabolic effect do low nutrient, processed foods have upon the body?- Dr Harcombe also shares her views on isolated oils, such as olive oil and coconut oil, that are marketed as 'healthy'.If you enjoy this episode, then please rate the show and share it with your friends so they can benefit from this free expert information. You

With the population living longer and becoming ever more health aware, the fitness market for clients 50 years and older is booming! But...you have to know how to train this population group effectively. Expert PT for older adults, Robert Linkul, joins us to share his insights. Guest biography:Robert Linkul is the head personal trainer and the owner of Be STRONGER Fitness. He is the Southwest Regional Coordinator with the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and was named the NSCA's 2012 Personal Trainer of the year. Robert serves as the chairman for the NSCA's personal trainer special interest group. Episode content:In this episode we discuss:the difference between 'older adults' and the 'elderly'what has motivated Robert to specialise in training adults in the 50+ categorymanaging expectations among the older adult clientelewhy strength training is a key aspect of training older populationskey principles for training older adults If you enjoy this episode, then

Health and fitness professionals are human too! It may come as a surprise that many in the fitness industry still struggle with doubt, uncertainty and a lack of confidence. Sometimes developing and maintaining a high level of fitness is a means to overcoming those personal limitations. However, there is another way...learn to motivate yourself, begin an action plan to gradually increase in confidence and self belief for true success. World leading expert and inspirator, Pete Cohen, joins us on the Fit to Succeed show and shares vital insights into how we can build our psychological muscles! In this episode: - what motivated Pete to become a fitness professional - what is 'self help' and why do we need it? - how to ensure we receive help from qualified coaches - actions for developing confidence and self-belief - how to shift from a negative relationship with exercise/diet to a more positive one If you enjoy this episode, then please rate the show and share it with your friends so they can benefit from this

Training or exercise in a fasted state is claimed to boost metabolism and drive up body fat burning, but is this really true? Get the answers to this, in context, in episode 18 of Fit to Succeed. Guest biography:Dr Laurent Bannock is a leading performance nutritionist and exercise physiologist who works in elite sport and has a noteworthy reputation among the scientific community. He is a highly experienced educator & lecturer and is the program director (and founder) for the ISSN Diploma postgraduate programme, as well being a senior lecturer and program leader for the MSc Sport & Exercise Nutrition program at Middlesex University, London. Episode content:This episode answers important questions and addresses the following:Why context is vital when interpreting scientific dataHow to take a broad view of science to apply it effectively in an exercise/nutrition environmentWhat metabolic or body composition benefits can be obtained through fasted training?Are the effects of fasting before training gende