Episodes - Page 9 | 50% Facts with Silent Mike & Jim McD

Feb. 17, 2023

Deadlifts are not worth the risks? | Topic Thunder

We’re still in Topic Thunder mode this week. Our panel tries to find agreement (or not) with the suggestion that training deadlifts the risks if you’re not a competitive powerlifter. Are they actually dangerous? Or are there just better ways to...

Guest: Omar Isuf

Feb. 15, 2023

Hook grip is unreliable? | Topic Thunder

We’re still in Topic Thunder mode this week. Our panel unpacks this hot take, “Hook grip Is unreliable and may be overrated.” Hook grip is a bandwagon that most lifters jump on at one time or another to try to up their deadlift. Is that a...

Feb. 10, 2023

Things NOT to overlook when you’re planning a meet | Topic Thunder

Our panel takes on a couple of related questions about the giant meet we just ran from members of our Discord: AR17 asked, “What do you believe was the most under (over) looked aspect of running/ prepping a meet?” Keith Honeycutt asked, “What...

Feb. 8, 2023

Powerlifting has become a meme? | Topic Thunder

We just hosted a great big meet – maybe the largest local USAPL meet ever – and we’re beat so we’re slipping into Topic Thunder mode for a bit to recover our calm and our voices. Topic Thunder episodes are short, sometimes rant-filled, panel...

Feb. 2, 2023

Do you need a mentor? | One Good Question

This week’s question from our Discord: EvilFern asked, “How important is having a mentor? Am I missing out by not having one? Feel like it's something that should happen naturally instead of seeking one out somehow.” Joe Stanek of Gameday...

Feb. 1, 2023

Our best and worst takes on what powerlifting looks like in 5 years Guest: Joe Stanek

Joe Stanek of Gameday Barbell joins us for this discussion. You can find Joe on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@thejoestanek ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag...

Jan. 27, 2023

Ground turkey vs ground beef vs ground chicken | One Good Question

This week’s question from our Discord: ArrogantFool asked, “Why do people use ground turkey instead of ground beef to lose weight when the macros and calories are nearly identical and there isn't a cost advantage?” We kinda misread this question...

Jan. 25, 2023

The Pandora’s Box of Powerlifting

Where’s the line between holding an organization accountable for turning a blind eye to unspeakable acts and stirring an angry mob to chase Frankenstein’s monster with torches and pitchforks? (Are there any more metaphors we can muddle here?) Can...

Jan. 18, 2023

Can you be too talented to need a coach? | NetFlix Doc series Break Point

Dean Saddoris is back to help us break down the first episode of the new Netflix documentary series “Break Point,” which documents up-and-coming tennis stars during the 2022 Grand Slam season. Gifted “bad boy” Nick Kyrgios and his play during the...

Jan. 13, 2023

Most people give low effort in the gym? | Topic Thunder

This episode is about reacting to a hot take that was sent to us: Most people are putting in such low effort in the gym, it’s a waste of time! Our own Kyle Castro and Sebastian Brambila on Instagram join us for this one. Kyle’s on Instagram...

Jan. 11, 2023

Pete Rubish

Pete’s on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/pete.rubish/ and his website https://www.koa-strong.com/ ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion....

Jan. 6, 2023

Should gym owners yell about stuff like dirty bars? | Topic Thunder

Our own gym manager Kyle Castro and lead trainer Avi Lieu join us for this one. Kyle’s on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/kyle.castroo/ and Avi on https://www.instagram.com/avi.lieu. ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good...

Jan. 4, 2023

What’s the best condiment? | Topic Thunder

Our own Kyle Castro and Sebastian Brambila on Instagram join us for this one. Kyle’s on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/kyle.castroo/ and Sebastian at https://www.instagram.com/sebastian_brambila. ____ Have a question for one of our...

Dec. 30, 2022

Should powerlifting be judged by robots? | Topic Thunder

Our own Kyle Castro and Sebastian Brambila on Instagram join us for this one. Kyle’s on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/kyle.castroo/ and Sebastian at https://www.instagram.com/sebastian_brambila. ____ Have a question for one of our...

Dec. 28, 2022

How to handle big business changes? | One Good Question

This week’s question from our Discord: Frequent contributor Keith Honeycutt asked, “What are some unexpected changes you have had to make to the gym or your business model since opening the doors?” Our own Kyle Castro and Avi Lieu join us for...

Dec. 24, 2022

Craziest question or comment from a total stranger? | Topic Thunder

We’re in Topic Thunder mode for most of our episodes over the holiday break. What’s Topic Thunder? It’s the name of our roughly 10-minute “rant” show with a four-member panel who throw out as ideas as possible about a particular topic. Sometimes...

Dec. 22, 2022

Forget resolutions. Build your legacy instead

It’s the time of year that everyone is making resolutions. Maybe a better idea is to set goals. Resolutions sound like goals, but they’re really just things you want to change about yourself. They try to make a positive out of a negative personal...

Dec. 16, 2022

Why do coaches need coaches?

This week’s One Good Question comes from our Discord: Iced-T asks: “Why is it that I keep seeing people offer coaching but they have a coach themselves? No hate here just a good example, I have noticed Mike keeps referring to a coach since his...

Dec. 14, 2022

From powerlifting to marathons with Joe Grinstain

Our friend and local gym (HyperThrive Athletics) owner, Joe Grinstain, got bored with powerlifting meets and decided to find something else to compete in. He chose running, and he recently qualified for the 2024 Boston Marathon. We talk about how he...

Dec. 9, 2022

Words we don’t want to hear in 2023?

In fitness, in social media, in life period, there are some words we’re just sick of hearing. Do you have any? Like if we never heard the word “liver” again… ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on...

Dec. 7, 2022

Our annual fitness trends episode…with a twist!

Every December for the past few years, we’ve chosen an article from mainstream media that attempts to predict the next year’s fitness trends. Then, we discuss which one’s actually have a chance of happening, and which are repeats of previous years....

Dec. 2, 2022

The biggest animal you could take out by yourself?

This week’s question came from Avi’s social media. It went a little off the rails, but we had fun with it. You can find Avi on Instagram @avi.lieu. ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social...

Nov. 30, 2022

The Liver King & The Public Persona Trap

Riffing on the YouTube expose by More Plates More Dates (which can be found here -- and our own view of the industry -- we cover some of the reasons why we never bought “Liver King” Brian Johnson’s “natty” claims in the first place. You shouldn’t have...

Nov. 23, 2022

Planes, Trains, & Automobiles: The only Thanksgiving movie?

We called our own 20-somethings, Sebastian and Avi, in to help us look at the most iconic Thanksgiving movie ever. Steve Martin and John Candy starred 1987’s Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. The film was written and directed by John Hughes, the...