In this video, I break down why I believe probiotics are overrated and in some cases, even risky. We've been sold the idea that popping a capsule is the key to better gut health, but the science isn’t as convincing as the supplement industry wants you to believe. I dive into the gut microbiome, probiotic side effects, and the real role of dietary fiber in building a resilient digestive system.

I also cover what most probiotic ads conveniently leave out: the strain specificity problem, inflated claims, and how natural recovery through food often outperforms expensive digestive supplements.

It’s not that all probiotics are useless but treating them like a miracle pill is about as misguided as thinking your favorite political party has all the answers. Let’s stop swallowing what we’re told and actually look at the data.

Chapters
00:00 The Overrated Nature of Probiotics
01:14 Understanding the Gut Microbiome
03:42 People That Should Be Cautious
05:30 Scientific Evidence Against Probiotics
14:52 Final Thoughts on Gut Health

Coaching inquiries email me at randall@alwaysadaptive.com or visit alwaysadaptive.com

In this episode, I break down the ongoing debate between kettlebell and barbell training. Popular fitness influencer TNF⁩ has been under attack lately. There’s a war brewing between kettlebell purists and science-based lifters, and I wanted to take a step back to look at what each tool actually brings to the table.

I walk through the differences between power movements, traditional strength lifts, and what I call “pillar movements,” and explain where kettlebells shine and where they fall short. While I use kettlebells with clients and respect their value, I also think it’s important to recognize their limitations. This isn’t about identity or dogma. It’s about using the right tool for the right job. If you're a coach, lifter, or just someone trying to train smarter, this one's for you.

00:00 Introduction
00:43 The Internet Beef Video
04:20 List of Exercises to Review
05:40 Power Movements
08:00 Strength Movements
10:55 Pillar Movements
13:08 Body Building
15:15 Where Kettlebells Shine

Coaching inquiries email me at randall@alwaysadaptive.com or visit alwaysadaptive.com

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Sean Pastuch to explore what it really takes to be an effective coach in today’s fitness landscape. Sean breaks down why most trainers aren’t equipped to truly help people, especially when pain and movement limitations are involved. We talk about the importance of thinking like a problem solver instead of just counting reps and why understanding pain as a threat to someone’s way of life, not just a physical symptom, matters more than most coaches realize.

Sean also explains the in-depth intake system he uses at Active Life and how it helps coaches understand the full picture. We touch on why effective communication is one of the most underrated skills in coaching, how chasing perfection can do more harm than good, and why the fitness industry needs to set its own standards instead of waiting on outdated systems like insurance to catch up.

If you're a coach, trainer, or anyone trying to help people move better and feel better, this episode is about raising the standard and owning the responsibility that comes with being a true coach.

Coaching inquiries email me at randall@alwaysadaptive.com or visit alwaysadaptive.com

00:00 Introduction
01:07 The Gut-Brain Axis
04:30 Serotonin and the Gut
07:05 Blood Sugar Roller Coaster
13:20 Nutritional Deficiencies
17:20 Tips for Food to Improve Mood

Can food really change how you feel?

In this episode, I dive deep into the science behind how nutrition affects your mood, and I’m not just talking about sugar crashes. From the gut-brain axis to blood sugar swings, inflammation, and nutrient deficiencies, I walk you through exactly how what you eat can shape your mental health. I also share personal stories and give you practical tips you can start using today to stabilize your mood through diet.

You’ll learn why your gut is called the "second brain," how neurotransmitters like serotonin are mostly made in your digestive system, and why even people without diabetes are seeing higher depression rates due to blood sugar instability. Plus, I cover the nutrients most commonly linked to mood disorders and what the science says about supplementation.

If you’ve ever felt anxious, foggy, or irritable after a meal and thought, “is it just me?”

It’s not. Your food is talking to your brain, whether you notice it or not.

Coaching inquiries email me at randall@alwaysadaptive.com or visit alwaysadaptive.com

In this video, I break down the ongoing debate between functional movement and traditional resistance training. The fitness industry loves to polarize everything, and this is one of the clearest examples. I talk about how that false certainty holds people back and why it’s more important to understand the principles behind each training method.

We dive into the SAID principle, general physical preparedness, and specific physical preparedness to explain how each style contributes to different adaptations. I compare both approaches when it comes to building muscle, gaining strength, and preventing injury.

By the end of this, my goal is to show why the smartest path isn’t choosing one or the other but knowing how to blend them both to get the most out of your training.

Chapters
00:00 Polarization in Fitness
04:51 Steelman for Functional Training
09:17 Steelman for Traditional Training
10:07 SAID Principle
11:55 GPP vs SPP
13:15 Hennemans Size Principle
14:24 How That All Applies to the Arguments
17:30 Comparing Functional and Traditional Training Outcomes
22:36 Application Scenarios for Each
25:13 Integration Into Your Life

Coaching inquiries email me at randall@alwaysadaptive.com or visit alwaysadaptive.com

Every spring, millions of people start sneezing, sniffling, and feeling miserable, and most of them have no idea why it’s happening or what they can actually do about it.

In this episode, I break down the real reasons behind seasonal allergies, and it’s not just about pollen. We dive into histamine, chronic inflammation, and how stress, poor sleep, and even your gut health can make your immune system overreact to things that should be harmless.

I also talk about practical strategies I’ve used myself to get off the allergy-med hamster wheel. From daily movement and controlled exposure, to prebiotics, omega-3s, nasal rinses, and even local honey, I cover the full picture. This isn’t a “quick fix” episode, it’s about understanding how to actually train your immune system to respond better over time.

If you’ve ever felt like your allergies are getting worse, or if you’re tired of depending on meds that don’t solve the root issue, this episode is for you.

Let’s rethink how we approach allergies—through science, lifestyle, and a little common sense.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Allergies and Histamine
01:29 What is Histamine and Allergies
07:48 Practical Solutions for Managing Allergies
16:26 Supplements and Immune System Regulation
18:44 Gradual Allergen Exposure and Training Your Immune System

Coaching inquiries email me at randall@alwaysadaptive.com or visit alwaysadaptive.com

You’ve may have heard sucralose is harmful. But what does the science actually say?

This week, I break down four major concerns around sucralose: glucose impairment, gut microbiome disruption, potential weight gain, and mutagenicity.

Some studies show negative effects. Others show nothing. The truth lies in the nuance, and that's exactly what I unpack.

If you're consuming sucralose for weight management or blood sugar control, you need to understand how it really interacts with your body. I don't give you fear or fluff, just evidence.

This is just one part of the full story. Listen to the full episode if you want the complete breakdown.

00:00 Introduction to Sucralose and Its Controversies
02:15 Sucralose Origin Story
03:53 Glucose Impairment
08:33 The Gut Microbiome and Sucralose
15:24 Mutagenic Concerns and Safety of Sucralose
20:19 Weight Management and Sucralose's Role
24:21 Final Stance

References:
Glucose Impairment Bad Control Group: https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/36/9/2530/37872/Sucralose-Affects-Glycemic-and-Hormonal-Responses
Carb Sensing from Mouth Rinsing: https://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1113/jphysiol.2008.164285
Glucose Impairment/Gut Microbiome Better Control Group: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/shortterm-impact-of-sucralose-consumption-on-the-metabolic-response-and-gut-microbiome-of-healthy-adults/BF3E70C09C5514E4078DB3ED3E8D39B3?
Gut Microbiome Bad Control Group: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/shortterm-impact-of-sucralose-consumption-on-the-metabolic-response-and-gut-microbiome-of-healthy-adults/BF3E70C09C5514E4078DB3ED3E8D39B3?
Blautia Species Provides Benefits: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-47594-w?
More Blautia Benefits: https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.202309255
Mutagenicity Study: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10937404.2023.2213903#d1e1138
Sucralose and Weight Management: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916522031860?via%3Dihub

Coaching inquiries email me at randall@alwaysadaptive.com or visit alwaysadaptive.com

00:00 Introduction to Seed Oils Debate
03:33 Arguments Against Seed Oils
06:13 Arguments for Seed Oils
11:30 Deep Dive into Mechanisms
17:07 Hexane and Its Implications
21:53 Essential Fatty Acids and Dietary Needs
23:40 Understanding Linoleic Acid and Cardiovascular Health
26:17 Arachidonic Acid: Implications for Heart Disease
28:29 Omega-3 and Omega-6: Impacts on Diabetes
30:00 Seed Oils: Oxidation and Cooking Considerations
36:50 Hexane Extraction: Benefits and Concerns
38:20 My Final Stance Based on Everything

In a new ever evolving world where information flies at us 1000mph, so many people are quick to throw their opinion out there about the latest trending topic without doing their due diligence and getting all of their ducks and facts in a row.

I've been hesitant to form an opinion because I just did not have that much information, however as time has gone on I could feel the pull of the topic. I could no longer avoid it any longer.

I've seen too many people regurgitating things that they had heard elsewhere on podcasts in front of millions of people. Things that they had not looked up even in the slightest.

In this episode of the Always Adaptive Podcast, I’m diving headfirst into the heated debate over seed oils. Are they the silent killer lurking in your kitchen, or has the internet blown this way out of proportion? Instead of picking a side, I’m steel-manning both—breaking down the strongest arguments for and against seed oils to separate fact from fearmongering.

I’ll tackle the real science behind how seed oils impact health, dig into the role of essential fatty acids, and expose what food processing methods might not be telling you. There’s a lot of noise out there, but I’m here to cut through it with logic, research, and a no-BS approach. By the end of this episode, you’ll have everything you need to make an informed decision—and yeah, I’ll share where I personally stand on the issue, but not before giving both sides their fair shot.

Ready to challenge what you think you know about seed oils? Let’s go.

References:
Technical Report on Hexane: https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/supporting/pub/en-9001?
Iran Study on Hexane Quantities: https://openaccesspub.org/ject/article/622
Omega 6 and CVD: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.118.038908
Replacing Saturated Fat with PUFA: https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12937-017-0254-5
Pufas and Diabetes: https://www.bmj.com/content/366/bmj.l4697?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Omega 6 and Inflammation Markers: https://www.jandonline.org/article/S2212-2672(12)00464-9/abstract
Oils and Bodyweight: https://bmcnutr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40795-024-00907-0#Tab1

Coaching inquiries email me at randall@alwaysadaptive.com or visit alwaysadaptive.com