Podcast Summary
New equipment at Mecca Gym and the addition of Zach Phillips as general manager: Mecca Gym adds new equipment like seated hamstring curl and leg extension, and hires Zach Phillips as general manager to enhance the training experience for members
The Power of Lifting podcast is undergoing significant improvements, including enhanced production quality and new hires. The latest addition to the team is Zach Phillips, the new general manager of Mecca Gym, who shares the team's enthusiasm for the new equipment, including a seated hamstring curl and leg extension. These additions have already made a positive impact, with Zach expressing his satisfaction after using them. The team is confident that they have secured some of the best equipment currently available. Overall, the podcast and gym are undergoing exciting changes that aim to enhance the training experience for members.
New gym equipment with adjustable tension through unique pulley system: New gym equipment features adjustable tension through a unique pulley system, enabling users to target specific muscle areas and optimize workouts
The new gym equipment, specifically the leg extension, hamstring curl, and selectorized preacher curl machines, offer adjustable tension through a unique pulley system with a cam shaped like an egg. This feature allows users to focus on different parts of the muscle's range of motion and find the optimal contraction point for maximum activation. The gym goer, Zack, who is new to the gym, is a fan of setting four on these machines for optimal results. Zack, who is from Dothan, Alabama, grew up in a coastal area with a hunting and fishing background. He discovered his love for fitness at a young age and is excited about the new equipment's capabilities. The adjustable tension system is a game-changer for those seeking to target specific muscle areas and optimize their workouts.
A young man's thirst for adventure leads him to join the Marines and explore the world: Joining the Marines at 18, the interviewee embarked on a journey of adventure and exploration, adapting to new climates and cultures in Japan and Afghanistan, and overcoming challenges through determination
The interviewee had a strong desire for adventure and exploration from a young age, which led him to join the Marine Corps and experience various climates and cultures around the world. He grew up in Alabama with a love for fishing and the outdoors, but his ambition extended beyond that to include military service and international travel. After joining the Marines at age 18, he was sent to Okinawa, Japan, which presented a vastly different climate compared to Alabama. Despite the challenges, he adapted and went on to serve three tours in Afghanistan. Throughout his military career, he faced numerous deployments and experiences that tested his limits, but his sense of adventure and determination kept him going.
Military Deployment: Intense Experiences and Long-Term Health Effects: Military deployment brings intense experiences and long-term health effects, including TBIs, requiring ongoing care and attention for veterans.
Military service, especially during deployment, can involve intense and unpredictable experiences. This can include being one of the first personnel in a new location with limited infrastructure, attaching to infantry units to support their needs, and even experiencing traumatic events like explosions leading to injuries and TBIs. Despite the challenges, there's a sense of camaraderie and fun that comes with the experience. Upon returning home, veterans may face ongoing health issues that were not immediately apparent and require long-term care and attention. The military's approach to identifying and addressing TBIs has evolved over time, but the impact on veterans' lives can be significant and long-lasting.
Clearing IEDs in the desert: Military teams use metal detectors to clear IEDs in desert deployments, building bridges with manpower and heavy equipment, and encountered unexpected incidents causing injuries.
During a military deployment in the desert, the team encountered improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted in the desert, similar to minefields in World War II. To clear the route before convoys, they used metal detectors and cleared the areas before establishing a presence. The team also built bridges using manpower and heavy equipment, but during one instance, the bridge was launched unexpectedly, causing the speaker to receive a severe elbow injury. The deployment took place in June 2011, and the team encountered mine rollers, which were designed to detonate IEDs before the vehicles passed over them. Despite the dangerous circumstances, the team continued their mission, and the speaker kept the incident from his pregnant wife until later.
Personal experiences and connections lead to unexpected opportunities: Connecting with people using empathy and understanding body language led the speaker to success in sales despite initial struggles.
Personal experiences and connections can lead to unexpected opportunities. The speaker shared his experience of leading a team to inspect bridges post-military, encountering an accident and getting lost in thought. This led him to recall his post-military life, moving from California to Texas, and starting a job at a Gold's Gym. Initially offered a job as a fitness consultant, he struggled with sales but found success by connecting with people using his understanding of body language and empathy. Despite initial hesitation, he thrived in his role and learned to master sales techniques from his team. This experience demonstrates how personal experiences and connections can open doors to new opportunities and help individuals grow in unexpected ways.
Initiative and adaptability lead to opportunities: Taking the initiative to offer solutions and adapting to new situations can lead to unexpected opportunities and career growth.
Being proactive and offering solutions can lead to significant opportunities. The speaker shared how he suggested a body language course for trainers at his gym and, despite having only worked there for a few months and not having impressive numbers, the owner was impressed and offered him a sales manager position. This experience demonstrates the importance of taking initiative and showing value to an organization, even when you're new. Additionally, the speaker's ability to adapt and overcome challenges, as well as his focus on culture, played a role in his success. The speaker also shared how a unexpected turn of events led him to move to Idaho and eventually find a new opportunity in construction, but eventually seeking out new challenges and growth led him to interview for and join Gold's Gym.
Trusting your gut feeling can lead to unexpected opportunities: Following your instincts can lead to new experiences and personal growth, even if the opportunity isn't initially sought out.
Following your instincts and trusting your gut feeling can lead to unexpected opportunities and personal growth. The speaker shares a story of how they went through the hiring process for a sales manager position but had a gut feeling that something wasn't right. Despite not seeking out the opportunity, they eventually agreed that it felt right and ended up getting the job. This experience resonated with them as it had happened before when they were known as "the beard man" in Texas, and their identity went beyond just their appearance. The speaker also shared that they enjoy hobbies such as fishing and hunting, with a memorable experience being their second day in Texas where they bought a kayak and caught a large bass. Overall, trusting your gut and embracing new experiences can lead to personal growth and unexpected opportunities.
Fishing and Hunting Adventures and Fitness Journey: The speaker shares his enthusiasm for fishing and hunting, recounts a large bass catch and potential elk discovery, and discusses his commitment to fitness and keeping hobby spots private.
The speaker shares a passion for both fishing and hunting, and has had notable experiences in both hobbies. He described catching a large bass during a fishing trip and the excitement of potentially discovering a hidden herd of elk while hunting. The speaker also mentioned his background as a "fat kid" who turned to lifting weights to improve his life. Throughout the years, fitness has remained an important aspect of his lifestyle. However, he emphasized the importance of keeping certain fishing and hunting spots a secret to maintain their exclusivity.
Personal Growth Through Fitness: Fitness provides a platform for self-improvement and overcoming challenges. Committed individuals can achieve their goals despite limited resources and physically demanding environments.
Fitness serves as a therapeutic release and source of personal growth for the speaker. He shares his experiences of focusing on gaining weight during high school and in the military, despite the challenges of limited resources and physically demanding environments. The speaker's dedication to fitness stems from his passion for self-improvement and desire to teach others. He also mentions his admiration for motivational figures like Zig Ziglar and a preference for personal development books. Overall, the speaker emphasizes the importance of commitment and resilience in achieving fitness goals and personal growth.
Jurassic Park movie reviews: Speakers shared differing opinions on the latest Jurassic Park movie, with some finding it disappointing and others enjoying its new premise and parallels to current events.
The latest Jurassic Park movie received mixed reviews from the speakers in this conversation. They shared their experiences of watching it with their kids, expressing varying opinions. Some found it disappointing due to the corny script and references to previous movies, while others enjoyed it for its new premise involving a genetically engineered locust decimating crops, leading to a dinosaur-centric investigation. The introduction of a new, larger dinosaur that kills the T-Rex and is helped by urban warfare elements was also discussed. Despite the differences in opinion, they all agreed that the movie had some parallels to current events and continued the Jurassic Park theme of dinosaurs and humans coexisting.
Johnny Depp's reported financial troubles and love for movies and music: Wealth doesn't ensure financial stability or wise spending habits. People connect through shared interests like movies and music.
Wealth does not necessarily equate to financial stability or wise spending habits. The discussion revolved around Johnny Depp's reported extravagant lifestyle and potential financial troubles despite his significant earnings from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. The conversation also highlighted the importance of favorite movies, music genres, and personal preferences in connecting with people. Regarding movies, the group agreed that Johnny Depp's character, Jack Sparrow, is essential to the Pirates franchise, and Orlando Bloom could be replaced with clones. In terms of music, the participants enjoyed a diverse range of genres, including country, heavy metal, rock, and alternative. When asked about their music preferences, they identified Staind and Breaking Benjamin as favorite rock bands. The conversation also revealed that they were fans of Adam Sandler and Chris Farley, with a gym playlist consisting of country, heavy metal, rock, and alternative songs.
Discovering shared appreciation for whiskey and camaraderie: During a conversation, two individuals bonded over their love for whiskey and the importance of enjoying it responsibly. They discussed their favorite types and shared a vision of a barbecue event to savor their drinks and food.
During a conversation between two individuals, they discovered their shared appreciation for whiskey and the experience of having a drink responsibly. The speaker shared his preference for TX whiskey from Fort Worth, Texas, while the other expressed his fondness for Pendleton whiskey. They also discussed the importance of enjoying whiskey on the rocks and the negative effects of excessive drinking. In the spirit of camaraderie, they suggested having a barbecue event to enjoy their favorite drink and food. The speaker also shared his experience of acquiring a high-quality American Wagyu brisket and the influence he had on its breeder to raise Wagyu cattle. Overall, the conversation highlighted the enjoyment of good drinks, food, and company, and the importance of moderation.
Unexpected Surprise with American Wagyu Beef: The speaker, who focuses on high calorie red meat diet for bodybuilding, was grateful for the unexpected American Wagyu beef surprise and enjoyed the quinoa dish provided by chef Eva Flavas, making him consider phasing out chicken from his diet.
The speaker had an unexpected experience with American Wagyu beef and received a large prime rib and brisket as a surprise. He typically orders specific cuts when ordering a cow, but this time he was grateful for the surprise. When it comes to food in the context of bodybuilding, the speaker eats a high calorie diet with a focus on red meat, which he believes is more nutrient dense than chicken. He is currently considering phasing out chicken from his diet. The speaker also praised a chef named Eva Flavas for providing delicious and varied meals, making it easy for him to stay on track with his diet without getting bored or sick of the same foods. Despite his military background of eating for function rather than enjoyment, he found himself enjoying the quinoa dish Eva brought him that week.
Food is a significant part of people's lives: Bodybuilders and non-bodybuilders alike value food for its efficiency, enjoyment, and shared human experience.
Food plays a significant role in people's lives, whether they are bodybuilders or not. The speaker shared his experience of having oatmeal and eggs for seven years during his bodybuilding days, which he found efficient and enjoyable. He also mentioned his love for southern cooking and barbecue, and how he enjoys sharing his recipes and cooking techniques. The conversation revealed that people have unique food preferences and traditions, and food can bring joy and comfort. Whether it's a simple oatmeal and egg breakfast or a complex southern barbecue, the experience of preparing and enjoying food is a shared human experience.
Barbecuing Brisket with a Passion for Salt and Dry Rub: Season heavily with salt and dry rub, use butcher paper instead of foil, combine Southern, California, and Portland liberal seasoning styles, and leave uncovered in fridge for 24 hours before cooking at 225 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-9 hours to reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
The speaker is passionate about making barbecue, specifically brisket, with a liberal application of salt and a dry rub, using butcher paper instead of foil to allow the bark to form. He recommends using a combination of Southern, California, and Portland liberal seasoning styles, and favors kosher salt and red Hawaiian salt for their flavors and size. The brisket is seasoned heavily and left uncovered in the fridge for 24 hours to allow the salt to penetrate before cooking at around 225 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-9 hours until it reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. The speaker also mentions that he often makes his own brisket and prefers to use a "holy cow" butcher's cut, and that he appreciates the concept of dry aging, although it can be challenging with smaller cuts of meat.
Cooking a Perfect Brisket: Temperature, Time, and Flavor: Cook a brisket at 250 degrees Fahrenheit, wrap in butcher paper, rest for 2 hours, use pellets for flavor, and serve with coleslaw and corn salad. Can take up to 16 hours total.
Cooking a perfect brisket involves careful attention to temperature and rest time. The brisket should be cooked at around 250 degrees Fahrenheit, wrapped in butcher paper, and rested for a minimum of two hours before serving. The use of pellets, such as Mesquite and Apple, can add bold flavors to the brisket. Cooking a brisket can take up to 16 hours in total, with four hours of cooking and an additional 12 hours of rest. The process can be made easier with modern cooking equipment like triggers, but the old-school method of cooking all night and checking the brisket regularly still works. Pairing the brisket with homemade coleslaw and corn salad are popular side dishes. This method was passed down from growing up and further refined in Texas.
The Speaker's Unconventional Upbringing and Passion for Barbecue and Fishing: The speaker, with an unconventional upbringing, is passionate about his cultural heritage and hobbies, specifically barbecue and fishing, which he perfects through self-teaching. He values patience and meticulousness in both activities and hopes to provide more opportunities for his child.
The speaker's upbringing was unconventional, and he's passionate about his culture and hobbies, particularly barbecue and fishing. He's self-taught in these areas and takes great care in perfecting his techniques. The speaker also mentioned his disconnect with his father and his desire to provide more opportunities for his own child. When it comes to barbecue, the speaker uses a combination of honey, brown sugar, and his homemade barbecue sauce to enhance the flavor of the brisket, especially the drier flat cut. He recommends cooking the cubed fatty point slowly with the sauce for an additional two hours to create "burn ends." The speaker also shared that if he had to choose between his hobbies, fishing would be his top pick. He's patient and meticulous in his approach to both barbecue and fishing. The speaker was open to the suggestion of Bradley Cooper playing him in a biopic, although he personally doesn't care for the actor.
The power of role models and self-improvement: Embrace the inspiration from role models and influences to continuously strive for personal growth and improvement, not just for others but for one's own satisfaction.
Having role models and influences in life, such as Zig Ziglar and Matthew McConaughey, can inspire us to continuously strive for personal growth and improvement. This mentality of competing against oneself and constantly pushing forward is a powerful motivator. It's not just about looking good for others, but also about bettering oneself for one's own satisfaction. As Zach Phillips mentioned, his grandfather's words, "Meat, meets, and gains," have stayed with him and remind him of the importance of putting in the work and striving for self-improvement. Whether it's through lifting weights, eating well, or pursuing personal goals, the drive to be the best version of oneself is a common thread that resonates with many.