Flex Diet Podcast

In this episode of the Flex Diet Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Masha McKay, a physician specializing in integrative and regenerative medicine, to get a clear, practical breakdown of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. We talk about why HBOT’s biggest benefit may be reducing inflammation, who it can help most, and how to think about protocols — pressure, oxygen concentration, session length, frequency, and total number of sessions —so you’re not comparing totally different approaches. We also dig into where she sees HBOT used most (including cancer support and professional sports), why solid tumors may respond differently than blood cancers, and how HBOT can support recovery and quality of life during treatment. We cover safety, home chamber considerations, and how mitochondrial and metabolic health, HRV, and downregulation all fit into better outcomes. Sponsors: Daily Fitness Insider Newsletter: https://flex-diet.kit.com/bfa1510fa8 Coming up: ISSN 2026: https://www.sportsnutritionsociety.org/ Available now: Grab a copy of the Triphasic Training II book I co-wrote with Cal Deitz here. Episode Chapters: 02:26 Why Hyperbaric Works 03:50 What Inflammation Means 07:32 Tracking Inflammation Markers 10:57 Avoiding Over Testing 16:19 Who Uses Hyperbaric 19:57 Hyperbaric for Cancer 27:38 Protocol Variables Explained 34:38 Science Meets Clinical Art 37:31 Access and Chamber Limits 37:56 Constraints Led Programming 39:27 Home Hyperbaric Boom 40:12 Safety Training And Side Effects 44:55 Performance Versus Recovery 48:08 Oxygen Brain And Mitochondria 52:19 Downregulation After Sessions 56:55 CO2 Therapy And Medical Gases 01:02:17 Hydrogen Therapy Basics 01:04:32 Where To Find Dr Masha 01:07:20 Podcast Wrap Up And Disclaimer Flex Diet Podcasts you may enjoy: Episode 362: Maximizing Athletic Performance and Recovery with Dr. Jeremy Bettle YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj_nWeQhs0s Episode 350: From Halo to Flow: The Future of Brain Performance Tech w/ Erin Lee of Flow Neuroscience YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YT_7YWPQX4 Connect with Dr Makeeva: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/how_to_hyperbaric/ Website: https://drmasha.com/ Get In Touch with Dr Mike: Instagram: Drmiketnelson YouTube: @flexdietcert Email: Miketnelson.com/contact-us

A physician buddy asked me whether the general population should focus on cardio or lifting — and I wanted to share my answer with you. In this solo cast, I break down why cardio and resistance training produce different adaptations, offer my go-to weekly framework for getting started, and talk about zone two training, high-intensity intervals, VO2 max assessments, and why compliance beats the perfect program every time. Plus, the Flexible Meathead Cardio Course is open for enrollment through Wednesday. Sponsors: Fitness Insider Newsletter: https://miketnelson.com/ Enroll in the Flexible Meathead Cardio course. Enrollment ends Wednesday, April 1, at midnight PST. https://miket.me/cardio Available now: Grab a copy of the Triphasic Training II book I co-wrote with Cal Deitz here. Episode Chapters: 01:11 The Cardio vs Lifting Question 01:29 Research Case for Lifting 03:02 Short Answer Do Both 03:34 Context Matters and Zone 2 04:24 Compliance and Daily Steps 04:57 Can Lifting Improve Cardio 06:23 Simple Weekly Training Split 07:29 Adding HIIT for VO2 10:16 Assessing VO2 Max Baseline 12:13 Limits of Metcon for Cardio 14:14 Practical Template and Retesting 15:45 Zone 2 Nuance and Wrap Up Get In Touch with Dr Mike: Instagram: Drmiketnelson YouTube: @flexdietcert Email: Miketnelson.com/contact-us

In this episode of the Flex Diet Podcast, I sit down with my friend Kristi Storoschuk, a PhD candidate in exercise physiology, to unpack her review paper on zone 2 cardio and what the evidence actually shows. We dig into what “zone 2” really means (including lactate thresholds and why common proxies like heart rate and the talk test can miss the mark), where the 80/20 endurance model came from, and why messaging around zone 2 for mitochondrial function, fat oxidation, metabolic flexibility, and health may be overstated, especially for the general population. Kristi explains why higher intensities often produce equal or better mitochondrial and performance-related adaptations, how training volume and population context change the conversation, and where low-intensity work like walking may still fit. Sponsors: Flex 4: Kristi's Top 4 tips for improving aerobic fitness as a recreational lifter: https://flex-diet.kit.com/17ac1beade Daily Fitness Insider Newsletter: https://flex-diet.kit.com/bfa1510fa8 Coming up: ISSN 2026: https://www.sportsnutritionsociety.org/ Available now: Grab a copy of the Triphasic Training II book I co-wrote with Cal Deitz here. Episode Chapters: 04:04 Why Zone Two Went Viral 09:40 Defining Zone Two Lactate 14:15 Talk Test and Practical Limits 16:43 Does Zone Two Even Matter 21:08 The 80/20 Misapplied 26:14 Origins of Base Training 32:06 Mitochondria Volume vs Intensity 40:08 How Myths Persist Online 44:16 Zone Three Over Zone Two 44:46 Why Some Recover Faster 45:37 Overtraining Study Lessons 49:59 Listen To Output Signals 52:20 How Often To Train 54:42 Short Daily Progressives 57:46 Tabata Reality Check 01:00:19 Walking And Health Outcomes 01:05:23 Mitochondria Versus Performance 01:08:04 Lactate Threshold Beats VO2 01:12:43 Fueling And Final Wrap 01:14:33 Podcast Outro And Disclaimer Flex Diet Podcasts you may enjoy: Episode 360: Exploring Aerobic Development & Concurrent Training with Jason Brown YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkqim0EDfec&t=4s Episode 269: From Mitochondria to Metabolic Health Insights with PhD Candidate Kristi Storoschuk YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9EFRluKt6Q Connect with : Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krististoroschuk/ Website: https://krististoroschuk.com/ Get In Touch with Dr Mike: Instagram: Drmiketnelson YouTube: @flexdietcert Email: Miketnelson.com/contact-us

In this episode of the Flex Diet Podcast, I sit down with coach Kevin Dineen to talk about where fitness and healthcare are headed and whether their merger is a net positive or negative. We dig into why people still default to asking physicians about training and nutrition, the problems created by siloed systems, and what a more client-centered model could look like with coaches, PTs, massage therapists, and physicians collaborating under one roof. We also discuss the pros, cons, and liability concerns around coaches using blood work for performance, how hard training can skew lab results, and why basic habits like lifting, cardio, steps, and community support matter more than expensive supplement stacks. Kevin closes with key advice for newer coaches: professionalism, mentorship, travel to learn standards, and clarifying your “why.” Sponsors: Flex4: Kevin's top 4 things new coaches can do to get better at their craft: https://flex-diet.kit.com/17ac1beade Daily Fitness Insider Newsletter: https://flex-diet.kit.com/bfa1510fa8 Check out: Real Coaches Summit 2026: https://realcoachessummit.com Available now: Grab a copy of the Triphasic Training II book I co-wrote with Cal Deitz here. Episode Chapters: 04:42 Kevin Joins the Show 05:47 Peter Attia and Doctor Pedestals 10:01 Broken System and Referrals 13:06 Client First Collaboration Model 16:59 Trainer Centered Prevention 19:05 All-in-One Gym Healthcare Hub 23:33 Pricing Niche and Community 28:23 Supplement Hype vs Basics 34:15 Movement Over Nutrition Debate 35:16 Blood Work Timing and Context 38:01 Community Keeps You Honest 39:11 Programming Phases And Deficits 39:56 Blood Work As A Service 42:18 Leveling Up With Truth 44:48 Assessments Without Shame 47:00 Do The Obvious Work 52:15 Experience Finds Hidden Links 55:02 Licensing Versus Professionalism 01:00:52 Business Skills Raise The Bar 01:04:17 Where To Find Kevin 01:05:29 Listener Wrap Up Flex Diet Podcast you may enjoy: Episode 295: Future of Coaching, Humanizing Your Brand, and the Rise of AI with Mike Doehla YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB1Pa51OW3o&t=2s Connect with : Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachkevdineen Website: https://structurepf.com/ Get In Touch with Dr Mike: Instagram: Drmiketnelson YouTube: @flexdietcert Email: Miketnelson.com/contact-us

In this episode of the Flex Diet Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Ashley Dwyer, a PharmD-turned nutrition and fitness coach, to cover a wide range of topics, with a strong focus on PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), a metabolic condition that affects fertility, cycles, and systemic health. We dig into practical lifestyle strategies for insulin-resistant PCOS, including balanced meals, protein and fiber, blood sugar management, movement, and stress reduction, plus why long-term keto often isn’t a great fit. We also discuss GLP-1 medications, including concerns about HRV and resting heart rate, and why foundations and coaching matter when someone uses them. Finally, we discuss the current “wild west” of peptides, the lack of human data, dosing and purity issues, and the importance of transparency, consistency, and identity-based behavior change for body composition and long-term health. Sponsors: Flex4: Dr Ashley Dwyer's top 4 things for women to improve body composition: https://miketnelson.com/flex4 Daily Fitness Insider Newsletter: https://flex-diet.kit.com/bfa1510fa8 Check out: Real Coaches Summit 2026: https://realcoachessummit.com Available now: Grab a copy of the Triphasic Training II book I co-wrote with Cal Deitz here. Episode Chapters: 05:02 Meet Dr Ashley 06:16 PCOS Explained 09:37 PCOS Nutrition Basics 11:31 Keto And Thyroid 15:21 Stress And Cardio 18:27 GLP1 Heart Effects 22:21 Maintenance And Habits 30:27 Identity And Mindset 32:56 Identity Reps and Habits 33:25 Daily Affirmations and Reminders 34:23 Taming Negative Self Talk 36:24 Peptides Hype and Risks 38:18 Anecdotes Dosing and Quality 42:38 Influencers Quick Fixes Foundations 43:56 Research Funding and Regulation 47:40 Transparency Natty vs Enhanced 49:55 Coaching Clients on Supplements 56:20 Outro Summit and Disclaimers Flex Diet Podcasts you may enjoy: Episode 359: Debunking Women’s Fitness Myths with Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG_iahp6t40 Episode 292: Expert Insights on Pelvic Floor Health, Stress Management & Functional Technique with Dr Catrina Fabian YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3V3tCse-IA Connect with Dr Dwyer: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.dwyer Get In Touch with Dr Mike: Instagram: Drmiketnelson YouTube: @flexdietcert Email: Miketnelson.com/contact-us