• The Anti-Diet Fitness Approach with CEO & Founder of Loyobo, Courtney McCarthy
    Jun 5 2025

    In this episode of the Mindful Muscle Podcast, hosts Gio and Jodi welcome fitness instructor and confidence coach, Courtney McCarthy, CEO and founder of Love Your Body Fitness (Loyobo). Courtney shares her personal fitness journey, how she created a supportive online community, and the importance of rewriting the rules around exercise and self-worth. They discuss the significance of finding joyful movement, challenging traditional fitness norms, and providing a more inclusive approach to health and wellness. Tune in to explore a transformative perspective on fitness that emphasizes sustainability and mental well-being.

    00:00 Introduction and Welcome

    00:43 Meet Courtney McCarthy: Fitness Instructor and Confidence Coach

    01:23 The Story Behind Loyobo

    02:26 Courtney's Fitness Journey

    05:19 Redefining Fitness and Health

    14:25 Joyful Movement and Playful Exercise

    21:52 Starting Small: The Power of Five Minutes

    22:53 The Snowball Effect of Starting Small

    23:39 Rewriting the Rules of Fitness

    25:39 The Power of Community in Fitness

    29:37 Body Positivity and Representation

    31:56 Diet Culture and Health at Every Size

    37:08 Embracing Imperfection and Curiosity

    41:03 Joining the Community and Final Thoughts

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    46 mins
  • GLP-Me Not: A Quickie on Habits, Health & Self-Talk
    May 22 2025

    Welcome back to the Mindful Muscle Podcast! In this special solo episode, Jodi Dolo addresses a question that recently she is commonly asked. Jodi discusses the topic of weight loss prescriptions, stressing the importance of consulting with a doctor and building sustainable, healthy habits regardless of whether or not you choose to use medications like Wegovy or Ozempic. She emphasizes the significance of movement, nutrient-dense meals, and consistent progress. Additionally, she gives insights into the importance of word choices, celebrates milestones in fitness journeys, and shares the backstory of how he and Gio started this podcast. Tune in to hear about Jodi's personal journey, her approach to health and wellness, and a call to find a registered dietitian to join as a guest in future episodes.

    00:00 Welcome to the Mindful Muscle Podcast

    01:55 Introduction to Weight Loss Prescriptions

    02:47 The Importance of Building Healthy Habits

    03:48 Personal Weight Loss Journey

    06:52 Ethics in Weight Loss Influencing

    11:17 The Role of Registered Dieticians

    13:18 How the Hosts Met and Podcast Origins

    17:12 Closing Remarks and Where to Find Us

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    18 mins
  • The 50K Challenge: 50 States win 50 days! Ron du Preez' Inspirational Journey at 73
    May 15 2025

    Welcome to a special episode of the Mindful Muscle Podcast! Hosted by lifelong friends and fitness enthusiasts, Gio and Jodi, who together have lost 140 pounds and gained a healthier lifestyle. In this episode, they introduce Dr. Ron Dupri, an inspiring guest from South Africa. At 73 years old, Dr. Dupri is on an incredible journey called 'Senior Strides,' where he plans to walk 50 kilometers a day in 50 states over 50 days to encourage seniors aged 65 and above to stay active. Dr. Dupri shares his past experiences, including a life-altering injury, his transition to a plant-based diet, and his rigorous physical training. He also discusses the mental and spiritual preparation required for such an endeavor and gives insights into how he plans to maintain his health throughout the challenge. Tune in for this inspiring story of resilience, faith, and the vital importance of health and fitness at any age.

    00:00 Introduction and Welcome

    00:41 Meet Dr. Ron Dupri

    01:28 The Senior Strides Initiative

    01:53 The Importance of Physical Exercise for Seniors

    02:59 The 50K Challenge: 50 Days, 50 States

    06:50 Training and Preparation

    09:39 Nutrition and Lifestyle Choices

    12:12 Rest and Recovery Strategies

    19:00 Route Planning and Logistics

    24:08 Overcoming Challenges and Setbacks

    26:12 Mental Preparation for Extreme Challenges

    26:43 Finding Solitude and Strength in Nature

    29:31 Mantras and Gratitude: Keys to Endurance

    32:01 Nutrition Strategies for Consecutive Marathons

    35:13 The Importance of Listening to Your Body

    36:24 Race Walking Techniques and Safety Measures

    37:22 Tracking and Support Systems for the 50-50-50 Challenge

    43:37 Inspiration and Advice for Future Generations

    46:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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    47 mins
  • Weight Loss Remarks: Helpful or Harmful? With Guest Host, Kristin Petrony
    May 8 2025

    Welcome to another enriching episode of the Mindful Muscle Podcast! Join hosts Gio Marin and Jodi Dolo, along with guest co-host Kristin, as they delve into the nuanced topic of commenting on people's bodies and weight loss journeys. With a combined weight loss of 140 pounds and transformative strength gains, the hosts share their experiences and insights on how to appropriately acknowledge physical changes without triggering negative feelings. They discuss the impact of comments, offer advice for those on health journeys, and emphasize the importance of celebrating non-physical achievements. Tune in for an empowering conversation about self-love, resilience, and the true essence of fitness.

    00:00 Introduction and Welcome

    00:43 Introducing the Topic: Commenting on Bodies

    02:40 Personal Experiences with Body Comments

    07:00 Navigating Compliments and Sensitivity

    10:46 Sustaining Healthy Habits

    17:38 Best Compliments Beyond Appearance

    20:12 Memorable Compliments and Gym Inspiration

    21:11 The Fountain of Youth: Lifting Weights

    21:55 Fitness and Cancer Recovery

    22:09 Handling Side Effects with Fitness

    23:08 Motion is Lotion: Staying Active

    24:46 Self-Confidence and Compliments

    25:59 The Importance of Non-Physical Achievements

    27:10 Navigating Social Sensitivities

    29:11 Fitness at Any Age

    30:48 Handling Insensitive Comments

    33:46 Holiday Eating and Fitness

    35:33 Final Advice and Encouragement

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    41 mins
  • Metabolic Damage or Misunderstanding? Featuring Mike Smith: Your Body's Not Broken
    May 1 2025

    In this episode of the Mindful Muscle Podcast, co-hosts Gio Marin and Jodi Dolo share their incredible health and weight loss journeys, collectively maintaining a 140-pound weight loss. Joining them is special guest Mike Smith, an expert dedicated to the study and treatment of obesity. Mike opens up about his personal story, having lost 130 pounds himself, and discusses the premise and motivations behind his 'What Worked For Me' podcast. He dives deep into the importance of understanding meal timing, body composition, and glucose metabolism. Throughout the conversation, Mike stresses the significance of healthy, sustainable weight loss, planning for inevitable weight regains, and the hidden costs of rapid weight loss. Whether you're just starting on your own health journey or looking for ways to maintain long-term success, this episode is packed with valuable insights for everyone. Don't miss out – tune in now!

    00:00 Introduction to Mindful Muscle Podcast

    00:38 Meet Mike Smith: Obesity Expert

    01:34 Mike's Weight Loss Journey

    03:13 Challenges and Realizations

    08:33 Family Influence and Health

    15:19 Union Health and Fitness

    18:52 The Secret Sauce: Meal Timing and Metabolism

    23:14 Caloric Deficit and Muscle Mass

    24:54 The Importance of Listening to Your Body

    30:49 Weight Loss and Childhood Trauma

    34:20 The Reality of Weight Regain

    42:39 Practical Advice for Sustainable Health

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    46 mins
  • Fit Fatherhood: Lead by Example Nathaniel Hovsepian of Fit Fatherhood
    Apr 24 2025

    Join us in this episode of the Mindful Muscle Podcast as we welcome Nathaniel Hovsepian, a real estate investor turned health coach for busy dads. Nathaniel shares his passion for helping fathers prioritize their health and wellness through goal setting, nutrition planning, and time management. Learn about Nathaniel's own fitness journey, his experiences in the Marine Corps, and how he integrates health into his busy life as a father of three. Discover practical tips on overcoming common obstacles like lack of time and how to fit in exercise and healthy eating. Whether you're a busy dad or just someone looking to improve your wellness, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration.

    00:00 Welcome to the Mindful Muscle Podcast

    00:41 Introducing Nathaniel: Real Estate Investor and Dad Coach

    01:47 Nathaniel's Fitness Journey and Fatherhood

    06:18 The Fit Fatherhood Podcast and Community

    10:49 Balancing Fitness and Family Life

    20:11 The Importance of Public Spaces for Fitness

    20:37 Balancing Fitness and Personal Goals

    26:36 The Role of Nutrition in Fitness

    29:31 Time Management and Accountability

    34:25 Building a Supportive Community

    36:38 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

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    42 mins
  • Why Lifting Mattered During Breast Cancer: An Empowering Conversation with Kristin Petrony
    Apr 17 2025

    Welcome to another episode of the Mindful Muscle Podcast! Join co-hosts Gio and Jodi as they welcome special guest Kristen Petrony. Kristen, a former public school teacher for 18 years, turned her life around during the Covid pandemic to become a full-time fitness and nutrition coach, specializing in helping women. She shares her inspiring story of weight loss, strength training, and battling breast cancer. Kristen's journey from a sedentary lifestyle to a competitive powerlifter and cancer survivor highlights the transformative power of fitness. Tune in to hear her insights, success stories from clients, and the importance of strength training and proper nutrition, especially for women. Don't miss this episode filled with motivation, resilience, and practical advice for everyone on their health and wellness journey.

    00:00 Welcome to the Mindful Muscle Podcast

    00:44 Introducing Special Guest: Christian Pet

    01:43 Christian's Journey from Teacher to Fitness Coach

    05:50 Overcoming Myths and Embracing Weightlifting

    08:42 The Impact of Strength Training on Life

    10:19 A Breast Cancer Battle and the Importance of Early Detection

    19:25 Recovery and Moving Forward

    23:27 Navigating Gym Locations and Training Spaces

    24:50 The Importance of Weightlifting for Women

    27:49 Addressing Weight Loss and Body Image Issues

    32:01 Success Stories and Overcoming Gym Fears

    37:16 The Role of Protein in Women's Fitness

    42:55 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

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    46 mins
  • Weight Loss Quick Tips
    Apr 10 2025

    Quick Tips for Your Fitness Journey | Mindful Muscle Podcast

    In this episode of the Mindful Muscle Podcast, co-hosts Gio and Jody share their experiences and insights from their unique health and wellness journeys. Join them as they discuss their personal updates, including Jody's new role as a fitness coach and Gio's successful implementation of walking pads at home. This episode is packed with quick tips on protein calculation, pre-tracking calories, morning workouts, using AI like Chat GPT for estimating nutrition, and making quick healthy breakfasts. Tune in to learn practical advice and mental game strategies to help you stay on track with your fitness journey!


    00:00 Welcome to the Mindful Muscle Podcast

    00:56 Hosts' Personal Updates

    02:40 Jody's New Fitness Coaching Job

    12:08 Quick Tips for Fitness and Nutrition

    16:54 Scriptural Interpretations and Authority

    17:12 Premier Protein Cereal Review

    19:16 High Protein Pasta Options

    21:24 Pre-Tracking Calories and Morning Workouts

    27:10 Eating Out and Using AI for Nutrition Info

    30:15 Quick Breakfast Tips and Final Thoughts

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    34 mins