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Iron Culture presented by MASS

Iron Culture presented by MASS

By: Eric Helms & Eric Trexler
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About this listen

Iron Culture was started by Eric Helms and Omar Isuf as a means of exploring the world of physical culture and attempting to distill a unified philosophy of lifting and to help listeners find greater meaning from the iron. It's now hosted by Eric Helms and Eric Trexler, who repeatedly beg Omar to return as a guest. Iron Culture focuses on dispensing practical, useful information to the listener, bouncing from history, to philosophy, to contemporary lifting culture issues, to science. The format includes casual conversations between the two hosts on a variety of topics, discussions with a panel of experts and interviews with authoritative figures in the lifting community. Iron Culture is proudly presented by the MASS Research Review.(c) 2024 Eric Helms Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • Ep 361 - Are N = 1 Anecdotes Meaningless?
    Jan 8 2026

    In this episode of Iron Culture, Eric Helms and MASS Research discuss the importance of self-experimentation in fitness, the history and significance of statistics in science, and the balance between skepticism and curiosity in science communication. They explore the claims made about self-experimentation, the role of statistical significance versus meaningful outcomes, and the necessity of integrating various sources of evidence in practice. The conversation emphasizes the importance of humility and open-mindedness in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding in the fitness community.

    Chapters

    00:00 Celebrating Milestones: Personal Reflections

    06:33 Housekeeping: Supporting the Podcast

    08:20 The Intersection of Science and Lifting

    10:43 Self-Experimentation: Claims and Critiques

    14:05 The History of Statistics in Science

    22:26 Understanding Scientific Consensus and Its Pitfalls

    30:10 Navigating Science Communication and Expertise

    34:20 The Complexity of Self-Experimentation

    39:45 Understanding Individual Responses in Exercise Science

    44:24 Navigating the Challenges of Self-Experimentation

    49:03 The Importance of Meaningful Outcomes

    54:40 Integrating Evidence-Based Practice

    01:01:52 The Balance of Skepticism and Curiosity in Fitness Science

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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Ep 360 - WNBF Champs Eddie Saldana and Max Melchard
    Dec 29 2025

    In this episode of Iron Culture, Eric Helms interviews WNBF Pro champions Eddie Saldana and Max Melchard, discussing their journeys in natural bodybuilding, the competitive mindset, and the culture of bodybuilding in Europe. They share insights on training, conditioning, and the importance of enjoying the process of bodybuilding. The conversation highlights the growth of natural bodybuilding and the unique challenges and experiences faced by competitors.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Champions

    02:55 Eddie Saldana's Journey to the Top

    06:00 Max Melchard's Competitive Spirit

    08:57 The Importance of Passion in Bodybuilding

    12:06 The Competitive Landscape of Bodybuilding

    15:06 Personal Stories and Training Histories

    18:00 The Evolution of Eddie and Max's Careers

    20:48 Reflections on Competition and Personal Growth

    29:44 The Journey of Competition

    36:51 Building Confidence and Experience

    43:41 The Natural Bodybuilding Culture in Europe

    50:58 Life Beyond Bodybuilding

    59:35 The Journey of Self-Improvement

    01:01:38 Navigating Relationships During Prep

    01:04:38 Future Competitive Plans and Off-Season Strategies

    01:11:36 Balancing Family Life and Bodybuilding

    01:19:31 The Impact of Parenthood on Competitive Sports

    01:24:49 Looking Ahead: Goals and Aspirations

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    1 hr and 30 mins
  • Ep 359 - Tribalism in Evidence-Based Fitness
    Dec 24 2025

    In this episode of Iron Culture, hosts Eric Trexler and Eric Helms discuss various themes surrounding fitness, nutrition, and the importance of open discourse in the community. The conversation addresses criticism received from listeners, the role of cynicism versus skepticism in fitness discussions, and the necessity of engaging with differing perspectives for personal and professional growth. The episode concludes with a call for self-awareness and openness in navigating the complexities of fitness discourse.

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    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction and Holiday Greetings
    02:18 Tiny Utensils and Eating Behavior
    05:40 The Controversy Surrounding Brian Wansink
    08:23 Updates and Future Directions for Iron Culture
    11:20 Addressing Criticism and Community Discourse
    17:20 Navigating Evidence-Based Practice and Guest Selection
    30:27 Evaluating Content and Moral Standards
    32:35 The Role of Evidence in Interviews
    34:11 Career Paths in Fitness and Coaching
    36:54 Critiques and Misunderstandings in Fitness
    40:34 Navigating Disagreements in Evidence-Based Fitness
    46:16 Cynicism vs. Skepticism in Fitness Discourse
    55:45 The Shift from Ideas to Personal Attacks
    59:03 The Drama of Evidence-Based Fitness
    01:01:47 The Importance of Empirical Science
    01:06:14 Navigating Cynicism and Skepticism
    01:12:21 Engaging with Different Perspectives
    01:17:59 Self-Awareness in Fitness Discourse
    01:24:08 The Role of Change and Growth in Fitness

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    1 hr and 29 mins
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