Aggressive Strength Conversations
Why fat burners cause more harm than benefit
By Mike Mahler
Most fat-burning supplements on the market are stimulant-based, thus they work by increasing the neurotransmitter/hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine. Norepinephrine and epinephrine are catecholamines, secreted by the adrenals, which trigger the “fight or flight” response (also known as an adrenaline rush) providing an energy and strength boost by way of the central nervous system for 2-15 minutes. …
If Bulbine Natalensis is so effective, how come it’s not in more products?
By Mike Mahler
First, you’re being presumptuous in assuming the vast majority of supplement companies care about designing effective products. The reality is the preponderance of supplement companies care foremost about maximum profit and tend to put 90% of funds into marketing and only 10% if even that into product development. Whether a product works or not is …
The ASTB Origin story! The one that actually works
By Mike Mahler
The first herb I ever tried that resulted in a large increase in testosterone was the cornerstone ingredient in ASTB the one and only Bulbine Natalensis. I learned about Bulbine from my friend Anthony Roberts (Not to be confused with Anthony Robbins!). Anthony has written books about anabolics and is very well-researched in ergogenic aids …
Blood tests for comprehensive hormone optimization
By Mike Mahler
Last time I covered recommended tests to acquire before engaging in any testosterone-boosting protocol. As important as testosterone is, it is one of many hormones that need to be addressed for comprehensive hormone optimization. Here are the other important hormones to test. Pregnenolone is a master control hormone manufactured by the adrenal gland and …
Excessive estrogen levels are a problem for men
By Mike Mahler
The hormone optimization world is similar to any other world. There are many dissenting opinions and always some who purposely take contrarian views to whatever the current narrative is. When I first got interested in hormone optimization around 2005, I remember going to an anti-aging doctor in Santa Monica, CA who specifically stated the goal …
How does fish oil compare to Restorezyme for reducing excess inflammation?
By Mike Mahler
Fish oil lowers inflammation by suppressing the immune system. This can be useful if you have an overactive immune response. However, if you don’t then suppressing the immune system is as negative as it sounds. Restorezyme lowers cortisol levels, more specifically it lowers the need for a cortisol response to inflammation which will in turn …
Recovery is everything! Restoration must be prioritized
By Mike Mahler
Recovery is everything. Without adequate recovery not only will your training performance suffer greatly, you will place yourself in a rapidly aging state and increase the likelihood of health issues. Your hormonal profile for sure will be negatively affected which is why sex drive and function are obliterated when stress levels remain too high for …
My journey to find effective supplements started in the 90s
By Mike Mahler
I developed a fascination with supplements soon after I began weight training when I was 17. The notion that you could take something and accelerate strength and muscle gains was captivating. I was obsessed with getting bigger and stronger and wanted to believe there were effective natural things I could take to acquire results faster. …
Unlike Tribulus, ASTB is the one that actually works
By Mike Mahler
Growing up in the 90s, the first supplement that we all had high hopes for improving the natural production of testosterone was the Bulgarian herb Tribulus Terrestris. Of course, it was marketed in a hyperbolic manner like everything else at the time in the 1990s a practice that continues to this day. One company said …
Efficacious methods to optimize your testosterone levels
By Mike Mahler
Testosterone is a principal hormone that enables men to be at their best. While the common narrative is testosterone causes men to be aggressive, quick-tempered, and violent, the reality is men with optimal testosterone levels are more likely to be assertive, calm, and have protective instincts. When your testosterone levels are ideal, you feel strong …
African herbs rule for increasing testosterone
By Mike Mahler
My favorite supplement stack to improve sleep
By Mike Mahler
Which supplements do you recommend to improve sleep quality? My favorite supplement stack to improve sleep quality is the trifecta of Taurine, Inositol, and Magnesium. All three help with inducing relaxation, reducing, anxiety, and putting you into a deep sleep state. I could write a book on the wild dreams this stack provokes! I take …
ASC #53 Jerry Brainum on HIT, Mike Mentzer, Finasteride, TRT, DHEA, Arimidex, and influencer idiocy
By Mike Mahler
Estrogen-increasing myths propagated by the clueless
By Mike Mahler
BCAA supplements are overrated
By Mike Mahler
Similar to many training enthusiasts I have wasted a great deal of cash on BCAA supplements to no avail. I never saw an increase in performance, building muscle, or improved blood work. Even with very large amounts such as 20 grams plus per day. They may be useful for competitive bodybuilders during the dieting phase …
Mushroom coffee is garbage! Stop whoring yourself out by endorsing garbage products
By Mike Mahler
ASC 52: Fitness expert Alan Levi on how he recovered fully from Lyme disease
By Mike Mahler
ASC 51 Elite strength coach Vince McConnell on effective training as you age and rest-pause training
By Mike Mahler
ASC #50: Author Dan Austin joins to discuss testosterone myths and thriving as a vegan powerlifter
By Mike Mahler
I had a great time talking with Dan Austin author of “The Way Of The Vegan Meathead” Dan is a high-level competitive powerlifter who has thrived on a vegan diet for over a decade. Now in his 40s, he continues to get stronger and his best lifts remain ahead of him. Check out Dan’s website …
ASC #48 Will Chung on being in the pocket, training, hormone optimization, real networking
ASC 47: Christian Thibaudeau on training to failure, rep speed, and dopamine desensitization
By Mike Mahler
It is always a pleasure to chat with my friend and one of the best strength coaches in the game! Every time I talk to Christian I pick up useful tips to improve my training and performance and I know you will as well. In addition, this episode will always be special as it marks …
ASC 46: Dr. Garcia on the benefits of Dihexa, Rhapamyocin, and Metformin. TRT pros and cons
By QubDigital
ASC 45: Scott Shetler on thriving with training as we age and fitness influencer idiocy
By QubDigital
ASC Episode 44: Steve Maxwell on training longevity, fitness industry trends, and avoiding injuries
By QubDigital
ASC Episode 42: Jerry Brainum on maintaining a high level of strength and fitness with aging
By QubDigital
ASC Episode 41: Jackson Yee on suffering better to raise your resilience for training and life
By QubDigital
ASC Episode 40: Dr. Julio Garcia on the benefits of peptides for GH, healing, sex drive, gut health
By QubDigital
ASC Episode 38: Elite kettlebell instructor Lauren Brooks on thriving in the fitness industry on her terms
By QubDigital
ASC Episode 37: Christian Thibaudeau on adrenaline resistance, isometrics, and optimal training
By QubDigital
Watch this episode and it will become abundantly clear why Christian is one of the best strength coaches in the business and in my opinion the best! Here are some highlights from the super informative discussion: Why overtraining is really adrenaline resistance and how to avoid it Christian’s current training regimen and why he is …
ASC Episode 36: Elite strength coach Tobi Alder on strength training, dancing, and bullying
By QubDigital
ASC Episode 35: Kirsten Tulloch on everyday training, kettlebells, and competing in bodybuilding
By QubDigital
ASC Episode 34: Tim Boyer on weight loss struggles, serious injuries, and kettlebell training
By QubDigital
ASC Episode 33: Jerry Brainum on the benefits of cortisol and the best options for the immune system
By QubDigital
ASC Episode 32: Chris Becker on surviving cancer, appreciating being healthy, and living fully
By QubDigital
ASC Episode 31: Fitness expert Franz Snideman on aging well and why explosive training is important
By QubDigital
ASC Episode 30: Dr. Frank Lipman, MD on The New Rules Of Aging Well
By QubDigital
ASC Episode 29: Brian Peskin on fish oil fallacies and the importance of parent essential oils
By QubDigital
ASC Episode 28: Fabio Vierra on BJJ, strength training, mental health and race relations in Brazil
By QubDigital
ASC Episode 27: BOSU inventor Dave Weck on corruption in the fitness industry
By QubDigital
ASC Episode 26: Elite Strength Coach Joel Seedman on training athletes and everyday people
By QubDigital
Check out the latest episode of the ASC show with elite strength coach Joel Seedman! Here are some of the talking points from the episode: Joel on the importance of variety when it comes to training but not variety for the sake of variety Mike on the benefits of deposit training and why you should …
ASC Episode 25: Sadhvi Anubhuti and Sadhvi Siddhali Shree on their film “Stop Human Trafficking”
By QubDigital
ASC Episode 24: Ori Hofmekler on the warrior diet, controlled fatigue training, and adversity
By QubDigital
I have known Ori since 2002 and he has and continues to have a huge influence on how I look at nutrition and training. He is the author of the influential Warrior Diet and in my opinion, is the Godfather of the modern-day intermittent fasting world. Here are some of the talking points from the …
ASC Episode 23: Warrior Angels co-founder Andrew Marr on optimizing hormones to address TBI
By QubDigital
Retired Special Forces Green Beret Andrew Marr has been on the LLA show many times and it was a pleasure to have him on ASC this week. Here are some of the discussion points Andrew on being at his lowest point in which he had zero sex drive and was very suicidal. Using TRT to …
ASC Episode 22: Shark Week’s Paul de Gelder on surviving a shark attack, peptides, and thriving
By QubDigital
The Discovery channel’s Shark Week host Paul de Gelder is a very interesting guy with some crazy life experiences, to say the least. Here are some of the discussion points The benefits of peptides for fat loss, workout recovery, growth hormone, and injuries Which peptides Mike is using and what benefits he has experienced How …
ASC Episode 21: Dr. Mark Gordon on the importance of DHEA, DHT, Finasteride negatives and much more
By QubDigital
Leading hormone optimization expert Dr. Mark Gordon returns to discuss the following Why everyone should be taking zinc ionophores to protect against viruses The best zinc ionophores on the market The benefits of DHEA for the immune system The benefits of Vitamin D for protection against COVID The benefits of testosterone cream for women and …
ASC Episode 20: Elite strength coach and power lifter Tobi Alder on effective strength training
By QubDigital
Tobi Alder is a very strong young man! He has deadlifted over 750lbs for reps with jeans on which says it all. In addition, he is a highly intelligent strength coach and is the master of designing effective powerlifting and strength training regimens. Here are some of the discussion points from the conversation. How Tobi …
ASC Episode 19: Sumana Dutta Burman on the challenges of being a fitness professional in India
By QubDigital
What a pleasure to talk to my friend Sumana Dutta Burman. Sumana is a fitness professional based in India and got into the industry fourteen years ago when there was barely a fitness industry at all in India. Here are some of the things we discussed How Sumana got into fitness and the challenges she …
ASC Episode 18: Powerlifting competitor Lil Bianchi Kimble on the impact of training on her life
By QubDigital
Lil is one badass lady and she can deadlift 3.5 times her bodyweight! If you want to be strong, you need to pay attention to her and if you aspire to compete in powerlifting, contact her about her personalized program design services. Here are some of the talking points from the conversation. The importance of …
ASC Episode 17: Giuliana Colosimo on horrific trauma and social media’s complicity with child abuse
By QubDigital
While this was a tough conversation to have at times it is also a very important one that has been in the shadows for too long. Fitness expert Giuliana Colosimo embodies the true meaning of strength. You will be inspired by her story of survival and forgiveness and taking horrible experiences and using them to …
ASC Episode 16: Alexander Cortes on life in Thailand, ancient ideas on wellness, online business development
By QubDigital
Renaissance man and fitness expert Alexander Cortes is the guest and here are some of the topics we got into: Owning your day and living life on your terms What freedom means to Alexander and how he achieved it Ancient philosophies on mental health, physical health, and overall wellness Why Alexander moved to Thailand What …
ASC Episode 15: Dr. Nick Delgado on cortisol, sex hormones, and estrogen dominance
By QubDigital
Dr. Nick Delgado is one of the best hormone optimization experts around and a wealth of knowledge on nutrition, training, and performance. He has been plant-based for over forty years and embodies all of the information he professes with his incredible levels of fitness, health, and energy. Here are some of the things we discussed: …
ASC Episode 14: Elite Strength Coach Vince McConnell on clarity and optimal performance
By QubDigital
Excellent conversation with elite strength coach Vince McConnell. Here are some of the talking points from the episode. Why trying to live a balanced life all the time will lead to abject failure Why you need to embrace being in an imbalanced state to acquire high-level success Why external motivation is fleeting and why internal …
ASC Episode 13: Strength training discussion with MMA fighter Tom Lawlor
By QubDigital
UFC veteran and current PFL fighter Tom and I had a fantastic conversation on strength training, MMA, using social media, and kettlebell training. What inspired Tom to want to train to be an MMA fighter The ups and downs of UFC career and why he ultimately moved on Where Tom is fighting now and what …
ASC Episode 12: Andrew Durniat on being a great trainer, taking on new challenges, and authenticity
By QubDigital
Fun and inspiring conversation with long time friend and elite strength coach Andrew Durniat. Here are some of the highlights from the discussion Why your personal example is your best marketing tool as a trainer Why training others is an art just as much as it is a science People are always watching what you’re …
ASC Episode 11: Dr. Mark Gordon on estrogen myths, Why you should use PCT on anabolic and SARM cycles, clomid benefits, protection against COVID19
By QubDigital
Dr. Mark Gordon is, in my opinion, the Michael Jordan of hormone optimization doctors. He is extremely generous with his time and has donated over thee million dollars of billable hours to help soldiers with PTSD. Just shows you the kind of individual he is! A Doctor who actually cares and is dedicated to improving …
ASC Episode 10: Mike Catherwood on body dysmorphia, Nick Curson, alcoholism
By QubDigital
Such a pleasure to have a great conversation with the very talented Mike Catherwood. Here are some of the highlights from the conversation. Mike C on having body dysmorphia and how he treats it Mike C on the effects of being sexually abused as a young man Mike C on how he addressed being an …
ASC Episode 8: Elite strength coach and Strongman legend Mark Philippi on training in his 50s, deadlift performance, and intermittent fasting
By QubDigital
Everyone who matters considers Mark to be one of the best strength coaches in the game and in my opinion he is the best! I had the pleasure of training under his tutelage for several months back in 2010 and it was a transformative experience. He is most well known for being a strongman competitor …
ASC Episode 7: Sincere Hogan on BLM, defunding the police, and reparations
By QubDigital
My guest in episode 7 is my close friend Sincere Hogan. Here are some of the topics we got into: The real meaning of Black Tuesday and why it goes way beyond just posting black squares on social media. An important step the African American community needs to take for communities to thrive. Why defunding …
ASC Episode 6: Alan Levi on Charles Poliquin and following your bliss
By QubDigital
The high-level UK based personal trainer Alan Levi is my guest and we had a great conversation and discussed the following The immense influence Charles Poliquin had on both Alan and Mike Why Alan prioritized stress management and building a strong immune system during the pandemic How Alan battled Lyme disease successfully The importance of …
ASC Episode 5: Adam Blake on the future of concerts and deposit training
By QubDigital
My guest in this episode is stand out personal trainer and bassist for the hardcore band H2O Adam Blake. Here are some of the highlights from the conversation How concerts may exist moving forward post-pandemic Why hardcore shows might be some of the first shows to come back Why mainstream fitness media does a real …
ASC Episode 4: World renown kettlebell expert Steve Cotter on Glassman, BJJ, Ayuhuasca
By QubDigital
This is a new series I will be doing in addition to the Life Life Aggressively podcast that I do with Sincere Hogan. For more info on the LLA show go to https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast… My guest on this episode is my long time friend Steve Cotter. Steve is a world-renown kettlebell instructor and fitness expert and …
ASC Episode # 3: Self protection expert Tim Larkin on police brutality, protests, and the pandemic
By QubDigital
This is a new series I will be doing in addition to the Life Life Aggressively podcast that I do with Sincere Hogan. For more info on the LLA show go to https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast… My guest on this episode is my good friend Tim Larkin. Tim is a self-defense expert and author of the NY Times …
ASC Episode 2: Elite strength coach Scott Shetler on super squats, Louie Simmons, and getting in the door
By QubDigital
This is a new series I will be doing in addition to the Life Life Aggressively podcast that I do with Sincere Hogan. For more info on the LLA show go to https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast… In this episode, Scott and I discuss the following: The benefits of the classic Super Squats program and how it has been …
ASC Episode 1: Fitness expert Ory Ortega on making the pandemic work in your favor
By QubDigital
Aggressive Strength Conversations is a new series I will be doing in addition to the Life Life Aggressively podcast that I do with Sincere Hogan. For more info on the LLA show go to https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast… In this episode Ory and I discuss the following: What life is like in Panama during the pandemic Staying healthy …
