Here’s a question that was asked recently in The Renegade Strength Club Forum, followed by my response. I’m posting it here because it could help a lot of people suffering through a similar plight. Jay, I’m coming back from multiple injuries. I recently got my bloodwork done because I just felt like something was off. And I was right. My estrogen levels are higher than my testosterone, which is low. My cortisol is high as well. I’m 5’10, 168 pounds. I am skinny fat! A guy I hired put me on six meals a day and… continue reading.

Nothing makes me happier than seeing friends succeed. The journey of improving yourself, building a successful business, and creating a life you’re proud of can be long and tiring. But having inspiring people around you serves as the most potent source of motivation. Today’s guest, Eric Cressey, is one of those people. Eric is a highly respected strength & conditioning expert who has made a name for himself in the world of fitness and baseball training. President and co-founder of Cressey Sports Performance, Eric has worked with countless athletes all the way up to the professional and Olympic levels. continue reading.

Guest Post by Logan Christoper I was incredibly weak when I was growing up. My brother, who was a star football player in high school, got me to sign up to play freshman year. The summer before that started he began training me. It’s sad to say but on that first day I couldn’t even do a regular pushup. While within a few days I was able to achieve that goal I was still far from strong. When I started benching I struggled for a long time before I could handle even a real plate on each side of the… continue reading.

Guest Post by Mitch Calvert Are you struggling with a goal right now – unsure how you will accomplish it? Maybe it’s finally getting around to building the body you want. Maybe it’s a career change you’ve been dying to make. Or maybe it’s popping the question to your girl, moving into new digs and starting the next chapter of your life. Whatever it is, do you have the goal written down with actionable steps to get there along the way? The make-it-up-as-you-go approach might get you there eventually (if you’re lucky), but it’s not optimal. Sure, that paddle… continue reading.

You’re putting too much stock in talent. Don’t get me wrong, to make it to the absolute elite level of the NFL or NBA, you need a certain amount of natural ability. But when it comes to the goals 99% of people pursue, the importance of talent is a myth. Thousands have proved this, including myself. Let me make it clear. I was born a nitwit. I had horrible people skills, didn’t understand business, and was a skinny runt. But by reading the right books, associating with the essential mentors, and drilling the most high-yield habits, I’ve focused my way… continue reading.

If you don’t have access to a full gym or even any barbells and other standard equipment fear not, my friends…. You can still get great results in the confines of your own basement or garage with nothing but your bodyweight and a set of dumbbells. Below I have listed my top 10 dumbbell exercises for strength and size. I tried to keep myself honest by only including exercises that were better with dumbbells than they are with kettlebells. So that’s why there are no swings, Turkish get ups, farmers walks (because dumbbells tend to roll out of your… continue reading.

“Just when they think they got the answers, I change the questions.” – Rowdy Roddy Piper Things get flipped upside down this week as I let my good buddy, Craig Ballantyne, interview me on my personal development throughout the course of our friendship. I leave no topic untouched as Craig pulls out the stories and thought processes behind my growth over the past two decades. We dive into the critical factors behind Renegade’s growth, the ways I keep my marriage and friendships healthy, and the strategies I use to maintain balance. You’ll notice we all go through the same… continue reading.

I used to think the definition of a “hardgainer” was a skinny dude who had trouble gaining muscle. But now I know that’s not true. A skinny ripped dude is just too lazy too eat. That’s his only problem. A “hardgainer” is the skinny fat guy who has zero muscle mass with an A-frame physique, narrow shoulders, pipe cleaner arms, a little belly and soft pecs. They’re everywhere these days. For some odd reason it seems like not as many of these guys existed years ago. The majority of skinny guys were leaner. The ever declining quality of our food… continue reading.

People often say, “Anyone can do anything.” I’ve said it. But is this really true? It’s a harsh reality to accept, but some of us have opportunities others never will. Success, happiness, financial security: these can all stem from opportunities many people never see. But you do. You see them every day. It’s no secret that once you make enough money, more does not equal more happiness. The same is true for opportunity and success. Once you hit a certain amount of resources, a lack of opportunity does not hold you back. You hold yourself back. You decide you have… continue reading.

If you want to get better, surround yourself with the right people. Never be the smartest person in the room. It hinders your growth. Living by these concepts allows me to interact with some of the sharpest minds in the fitness business, including today’s guest, Craig Ballantyne. A Men’s Health Magazine Training Expert and my long-time friend, Craig runs multiple mastermind groups and is part of some of the world’s most highly acclaimed online business seminars. Over the years, Craig has helped me become more productive, get focused and make more money, and today, he’s here to do the same for you. After the… continue reading.

What’s up, Renegades? I’m coming at you for another Q&A episode with more thoughts on training, business, and life. One thing I noticed is how much these answers reflect changes in my mindset. For example, you guys wanted to know my stance on deadlifts for size, strength, and athletic performance. What I think today is very different from what I did ten years ago. The same goes for the way I handle money and approach my day-to-day goals. Muhammad Ali has a great quote that summarizes… continue reading.

If you’re not moving forwards, you’re moving backwards. My buddy, and today’s guest, AJ Roberts is always on the move onward and upward. A former World Record holding powerlifter, AJ has been inducted into the Fitness Hall of Fame and has years of experience leading 7-figure businesses. His list of accomplishments looks like that of three people put together. Why? He never stops climbing to the top. Neither should you. As soon as you reach a new level, look for the next way up. Whether it’s networking, coming up with ideas, setting goals, or getting out of your comfort zone,… continue reading.

You must strive to make the world a better place. Doing so comes from improving yourself and the environment. Being a fit, smart, high-performing human is awesome. But at what expense? If you leave a trail of pollution and an enormous carbon footprint, are you making a positive impact? Seek to combine your ideal lifestyle with eco-friendly choices. To help you with this, health and wellness expert, Gillian Mandich, is here to talk sustainable living. A Yoga TuneUp Coach and former fitness competitor, Gillian is currently pursuing her PhD in Health and Rehabilitation Science. She also hosts a successful… continue reading.

I used to have crippling social anxiety. I was shy, couldn’t talk to people, and was a horrible communicator. But that could not be further from the person I am today. Whenever you feel this anxiety around interactions, you tend to think about how horrible things are for you. “Why do I have to be so shy? I hate it.” And beyond the emotional distress, you will never forge meaningful relationships. As bad as it is for you, it’s just as bad for the people you interact with. If you bring this anxiety to the conversation, there will be nothing… continue reading.

Brad Pilon and I continue our discussion as the conversation shifts away from The Protein Myth and Intermittent Fasting and towards training, business and happiness. Not only does Brad have a wealth of knowledge on all things fitness and nutrition, but he has also built an incredibly successful online business while staying true to his values. In addition to telling you about his recent thoughts on training, Brad was kind enough to share some valuable lessons on productivity and personal development. I have always had a tremendous amount of respect for Brad, and this conversation has only added to… continue reading.