The Knowledge And Mileage Podcast

When it comes to mountaineering, preparation is everything. Mountain climbing is much more difficult than hiking and requires a higher level of fitness as well as experience on a variety of terrain. There's a lot to do to prepare, from training your body and ensuring you have the technical skills for a safe, successful climb to training your mind for the endurance ahead. For mountain climbers, the strength-to-weight ratio is an important key performance indicator. Have you ever attempted to hike up a steep trail while carrying a heavy backpack? The more you carry, the more difficult the effort. Weight is important. It will be better for a mountaineer to be as close to their ideal body composition as possible so they don't have to carry a lot of extra weight up the mountain. One of the most important factors in determining a healthy weight goal is how much of a person's weight is body fat. For climbers, excess body fat can be reduced to improve performance. This is one of the challenges my client, Dan Eckstein

Between the demands of work, family, and the rest, it is easy to lose sight of your health.  For many of us, finding the time, money and motivation to hit the gym can be a constant struggle. That's why I am so impressed with my client's incredible fitness transformation, who managed to lose 80 pounds in just three months while juggling two jobs! Shaun Howard is a hard-working father of two young boys. He works at a university in Cambridge, UK as a print technician, and he managed to have a part-time job in the evening as well. He struggled with his weight for all of his adult life, and, at 6 feet, he was the heaviest he'd ever been when he started working with me: 255 pounds.   When Shaun first reached out to me, he said that he felt like he was neglecting his personal health and well-being because of his jobs. He works two jobs to support his family, which is why he was finding it difficult to fit in his regular workout. But he knew it was time for a change so he made a promise to himself that he would start

You need to constantly travel for work. You also like to lose weight and get those six-pack abs. So what happens when you're away from home? You may not be able to find a gym. You probably won’t be able to stick to your normal diet plan. When most people travel, they stop working out, or trying to maintain their fitness habits. No matter how much fun you have on the trip, you feel a twinge of guilt when you get home. For 10 years, my client, Marc-Andre Heroux has been consistent in body intensity training. However, he had never focused on his diet, and as a result, his weight loss plateaued. He struggled to lose weight for that reason, but also because of his work travel and new fatherhood. His motivation was low, and he felt like he did not have the tools to succeed. The turning point came when he joined my program. He found more support than ever before, and finally felt accountable for the progress he made—or didn't make. In just three months, he lost 30 pounds and packed more muscles! For Marc, there are

When it comes to physique improvements, muscle building is often a top priority. Added muscle mass will increase the definition of your muscles, improve your lean body mass, and add bulk and size to your frame in all the right places. Muscle growth takes time, persistence, and a long-term commitment to the process. With the right training programs and the right foods, most people can build a lot of muscle, even if they don't think they can do it at first. My client, Josh Dollar, has increased his muscle mass from 143 to 160 pounds in just 12 weeks! Josh, a professional gamer and an athlete, talks about his amazing journey of gaining more muscles and reducing his biological age. After Josh joined me for our 12-week program, the results were extraordinary. In addition to gaining nearly 20 pounds of muscle, he also improved his overall body health! He attributes this success to the right diet plans, exercise, and motivation. There’s nothing that can hold him back from being more confident and overall healthy at

Between the daily agony of long hours spent at an uncomfortable desk, and an unrelenting schedule, having a demanding job can often interfere with your exercise habits — if not stop them dead in their tracks. And that's a problem, because when you're stressed out and sedentary, exercise is one of the best things you can do to manage anxiety and ensure that you stay physically active through all that sitting. When it comes to fitness, it often seems like working people have two options: 1) waking up early enough to go work out, or 2) hoping that they have enough energy to work out in the evening. While hopping over to the gym in the middle of the day sounds like a nice solution, most of us don't have that luxury on a daily basis. And keeping a set of weights or foam roller stashed under your desk may not be in sync with your office culture. Everyone's work life is different, so what works for you and your schedule or job demands might not work for the next person. So how do you fit exercise in when working ful

Wes Watson is an inspirational speaker, fitness trainer, an ex-convict. Watson grew up in San Diego, California, where he enjoyed skateboarding, surfing, and snowboarding before becoming engaged in the marijuana trade. This set off a downhill spiral that finally resulted in Wes being sentenced to ten years in the Californian prison system. Following his release, he founded Watson Fit, an organization dedicated to releasing individuals from their mental prisons and helping them achieve their fitness objectives. Watson's YouTube channel, GP Penitentiary Life, has amassed hundreds of thousands of subscribers who are fascinated by his detailed and gory accounts of life within the prison system. Most of us think of jail as a place where individuals end up after their life goals fail. We see it as the end of a story, not the beginning. But it doesn't have to be. For Wes Watson in California, the prison was the place where he developed himself. He transformed into a person who inspires millions through his YouTube c

It’s never too late to get in shape and reap the health benefits of physical fitness. In fact, increasing physical activity later in life results in the same risk reduction of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality as being active from adolescence through adulthood, the study’s researchers said. So, while getting fit after 40 is about easing into specific exercises tailored for success, it’s also about understanding your underlying motivation for doing so. The success factor is an ability to connect the dots between one’s diet and exercise routines and their ambitions in life. At 40, Matt Selph decided to embark on a journey of weight loss, muscle gain, and beating back the chronic back pain that had plagued him since childhood. When he was a teenager, he was diagnosed with a lower spine deformity, which caused him to stop being active and playing football. He managed his pain with painkillers, but by the time he was in his 30s, he realized that it wasn't a long-term solution for him. By the

As vegan diets become more popular than ever among consumers, those who regularly exercise may have questions, "Is it possible to get enough protein as a vegetarian if you want to gain muscle?" Building muscle as a vegan is about simple lifestyle and dietary changes; for those who take building muscle seriously at a professional level. For those who are just looking to tone up and maintain muscle, this is completely possible on a vegan diet too. Protein is required to build muscle, and contrary to popular belief, it is entirely possible to get enough of it on a vegan diet. Everything from pulses like lentils and beans to soy-based foods and vegan meat products is permissible. Saumya Tyagi is a vegetarian who used to be lean but skinny. During his college years, he became a little more active, but not into daily exercises. Saumya leads a sedentary lifestyle as an IT professional, sitting for 8-10 hours per day. In 2014, he discovered bodybuilding.com and followed my program for 12 weeks while watching videos;

Are you one of those people who gained a lot of weight as a result of the COVID-19 lockdowns? This episode may make you realize how critical it is to be physically fit during these times. Losing weight and becoming physically fit may seem a bit insane during this time when fear is running rampant due to the possible pandemic. But you should know that having a healthy body is one of the best ways to safeguard your immune system, an important part of staying healthy during even the most dangerous of epidemics. Depending on how severe the outbreak is and how long it lasts, you may be tempted to skip working out or taking care of your diet. This is natural. You should know that cleaning and maintaining your body will improve your immune system, thus helping you stay safe during any pandemic outbreak when panic would make everyone less than aware of his or her own health needs. Eating healthy and getting enough physical activity can help you lose weight. However, getting started can be difficult, especially if you

Why optimizing your testosterone levels is essential for helping your body function properly, and how it affects far more than your muscles or your physical strength?   When you think of testosterone, you likely think of sexual function, libido, and muscle mass — things that define men in many ways. What you may not realize is that testosterone also plays a role in your mental health, which can be made abundantly clear when your levels are low.   After age 30, testosterone levels in men can decline somewhat, and this is often not problematic. But if your testosterone levels get too low, it can cause a range of symptoms and interfere with your daily life, overall wellness, and relationships.   Jay Campbell, the Amazon Best Selling author of four change making books in the optimization healthcare space talks about his book "Testosterone Optimization Therapy Bible" in this episode, and how he fought testosterone deficiency.   He shares the SHOCKING TRUTH about the nearly unavoidable lifestyle, health and environ

Did you experience a near death experience or illness? What was the most difficult part of the process for you?   Kris Shook is a family man and a business owner and has always been into health,fitness, and competitive  sports.   Between 2011 to 2012, he saw one of my series on bodybuilding.com, and was instantly inspired to compete as a bodybuilder.   Whilst preparing for the competition some time in early 2012, he noticed something different in his physique that was not right. He then consulted their family doctor as he felt that his lymph nodes were swollen.   He had undergone laboratory work -- all the results are normal. He actually felt good with no symptoms at all and just went back to his normal life.   However, the swelling did not subside until he decided to have  another consultation, and this time, he was referred to a specialist right away.   That moment he knew that there was really something wrong.   He felt utterly hopeless when he realized that all his hard work in preparing for the competiti

Getting fit can happen at any age.   There are lots of different reasons why you should take up exercising now, even if you're older. Maybe you want to live longer, or maintain independence for as long as possible?   Joan MacDonald, at 75 years of age, is proving that it's never too late to make big life changes.   MacDonald shared her desire to develop healthier habits with her daughter Michelle, a competitive powerlifter, who'd been pushing her mom to prioritize her health for years.   Initially, her goal was to lose weight as fast as possible. But now, she says she's all about feeling strong and powerful, challenging herself to achieve specific strength goals in the gym.    To MacDonald, fitness highlights the importance of encouraging yourself and others to work toward goals.   How did she deal with the added pounds, ditch all of the medications she was relying on, and achieve an amazing transformation at her age?   Check out this episode to learn how to regain your strength, health and vitality as you ag

Rohit was working in the corporate world for 20 years and was living an active lifestyle. He loved being physically active and played sports throughout college and into his early career. But he was losing motivation because of the stress and pressure from his corporate job.   The turning point came when Rohit discovered bodybuilding.com 15 years ago and took personal training with me. He realized that fitness is essential to an active life, and eventually became his passion.    He made it a daily habit to work out as regularly as he can each week while still handling his corporate career.   In 2021, he left the corporate world to become a full-time personal fitness trainer, where he now spends his days helping others discover ways to incorporate fitness into their lives and achieve their goals.   His enthusiasm for fitness fuels him to wake up every day excited for what's next and took the next level settling in fitness marketing that has become his new career.    The switch wasn't an easy decision at all; it

Most of us are used to the electronic conveniences of modern life. But few of us are aware of the possible health risks presented by the gadgets that make our world work. Our power lines, cellphones, microwaves, Wi-Fi routers, computers, and other appliances send out a stream of invisible energy waves. Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs) are produced anywhere electricity is used, including at home and in the workplace. Some experts are concerned about  potential health effects from these fields. But should we be worried? Electromagnetic fields are all around us. There are natural ones — produced by the earth, the sun, even our own bodies — and others generated by power lines, wireless devices, cell phone towers, TV and radio broadcasts, and more. Although these new technologies have become inevitable and indispensable, the electromagnetic field (EMF) they produce may cause health risks and hazards to humans. There are thousands of studies documenting a litany of harmful effects caused by electromagnetic fields — in

When you face an improbable obstacle in life, how do you respond? Do you give up, or do you keep pressing on?   Ricky Frey is a family man and a great father to his son. He grew up as an athlete and focused on playing soccer during his early school days and at the university level.   When he was at his lowest point in life, he felt completely lost in terms of fitness. He suffered from knee injuries, and had surgeries. He had no energy, was overweight, and depressed   Then he discovered bodybuild.com website twelve years ago, got interested, and immediately became a fan and a follower.   Ricky decided to change his lifestyle and lose weight to get back into shape. But he knew he needed more help than just watching fitness videos.   Eventually, he knew that making a real change would require drastic, constant changes to his lifestyle, so he signed up for one-on-one personal training sessions, and was determined that if he ever hoped to see results, he could not do it alone . By having a professional take him th

Body transformations are more than 'before' and 'after' pics. Behind those smiles and fresh gym kits are inspiring stories to be told about how people embarked on their personal journey to a healthier body. Unfortunately, not everyone gets to have happy endings where they successfully reach their health goals. What’s noteworthy is that a significant factor that determines success in any weight loss or body-building endeavors is how much support people get through programs. Moreover, fitness coaches and trainers who are personally involved in their clients’ growth tend to produce better outcome for clients. Brady Shaul shares his physical and mental transformation journey. As a busy self-employed father of two, Brady found himself with a "dad bod" after his wife gave birth to their second child. He was in denial over his obesity for far too long, made too many excuses, and lacked the discipline and accountability to take back his health. But in due time, Brady realized he needed to take responsibility and make

Over 7.9 billion people in the planet and yet only a handful can claim to be successful. While others dare argue that those who do succeed are the “lucky few”, we believe that those who reach their dreams are the few who put in the work and made their own luck. We believe these few are the ones who left nothing to chance, made no excuses, and just pushed through! It’s hard to fathom the idea of making your own luck when you’ve yet to experience it for yourself. But your own experiences aren’t the only teachers you can learn from. Get ready for some serious education with Paul Hearding. By profession, Paul is an educator. He and his wife own a tutoring business where they do hands-on work of tutoring their own students. Besides his career, Paul is also kept busy by his weight lifting and fitness endeavors, taking part in different challenges including the Kaged Muscle Challenge, where he personally got to train with Kris. He wasn’t always the fit and healthy person that he is today. Being an educator, his work

Transformations are more often results of choices rather than circumstances! The desire to transform is not in short supply. People want to change their lives, have bigger houses, earn more money, spend more time with their families, and have healthier bodies. Despite these desires, very few actually achieve their goals, because most people look to their circumstances instead of themselves. Most people attribute deteriorating health to work and family obligations, overwhelming amounts of stress, old injuries, among other excuses that form a long list, EXCLUDING PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY! On today’s episode, we’ve got Ross Assenheim to set the record straight! There will always be work, family obligations, stress, and other issues that will interrupt your transformation, ONLY if you let these factors take the wheel. Ross is a husband, and a father of 2 kids. He works insane hours (in the evening) managing his business, comes home to fulfill his obligations to his family, gets very little sleep, BUT still manages

With evolution comes renewed purpose and renewed life! Think about it! Sooner or later, we’re bound to outgrow our current roles. And if we don’t evolve, we risk falling into a life of redundancy, of wasted talents and opportunities, and of less than meaningful existence – that which is no way to live at all! In this solo episode, Kris Gethin recounts his journey of evolution and what that meant for Kaged Muscle. He went to college and took up International Health and Sports Therapy. From there, he took other courses and certifications in order to expand his knowledge on what he was passionate about. Kris knew he couldn’t wear the skin of being just a student forever. In order to grow further in pursuit of his passion, he had to apply what knew, thus deciding to compete in his first body-building competition. From there, he became a personal trainer, became editor-in-chief of a body-building website, and also became a video trainer. It was at the time of being a video trainer that Kris felt more responsibilit

The road to achieving great mental and physical health can be difficult when our heads are filled with noise! In that journey, having the focus to maintain hard work and dedication is of utmost importance, but that’s what most of us fall short of. It can only get easier when we develop discipline and start “seeing things the way they really are” – the very definition of Vipassana! Vipassana meditation is a technique taught at 10-day residential courses. Participants go on retreat in order to learn basics of the method, and immerse themselves in practice in order to experience its benefits. This is a great method that fosters mental and physical health, but is no means a “magic bullet”. It requires hard work and dedication, and participants are known to drop out of the course. People second guess the program, underestimate the value of it, or overestimate themselves believing they can easily master the course on their own without the difficult challenges. This begs the question, why go through with it at all?