50% Facts with Silent Mike & Jim McD

The Tillman Story: Documentary review

The Tillman Story: Documentary review Pat Tillman, who walked away from NFL millions to join the Army and was later killed, is a legendary heroic figure. What was the real story of his death by friendly fire? This documentary reflects his family’s efforts to find the truth and get the military and the government to admit to efforts to cover it up. Dean Saddoris of Caffeine and Kilos joins us in our review and reaction. You can find Dean on Instagram @deansaddoris.ck, and at caffeineandkilos.c...

Should you be trying to get dates at the gym? | Topic Thunder (Mini-episode)

We discuss the rights and wrongs of trying to get dates, or even talk to strangers, at the gym. Can you do it without throwing up red flags? Are there times that it’s ok, and times it’s really not ok? Our friend and gym member Dan Storniuolo @stormcloud415 joins us, and our gym manager, Kyle Castro @kyle.castroo. You can check out the video version of this episode on Mike’s channel here. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our app...

Two physical therapists who powerlift explain why sometimes moving “wrong” is actually right

We’re lucky to have not one, but two physical therapy docs as members of our gym. We sat down with Emily Snee and Dominic Violi to discuss what it really takes to get back in the game, and the stuff that’s probably just a waste of time and money. It didn’t shock us, and it shouldn’t shock you, that they’re fans of some folks we’ve interviewed in the past and that their approach emphasizes the basics. Why does most physical therapy revolve more around treatment interventions than actual moveme...

Foam rollers, mobility, etc.: What interventions actually helped us? | Topic Thunder (Mini-episode)

We discuss which strategies for dealing with the aches and pains of both lifting and life have worked for us. We’ve seen both scams and actual relief. We’re joined on the panel by Dean Saddoris of Caffeine and Kilos, and our gym manager, Kyle Castro. You can find Dean on Instagram @deansaddoris.ck, and at caffeineandkilos.com. Kyle’s at @kyle.castroo. You can check out the video version of this episode on Mike’s channel here. Listener resources: Layne Norton on blood flow restriction trainin...

Foam rollers, mobility, chiropractic, etc.: What interventions actually helped us? | Topic Thunder (Mini-episode)

We discuss which strategies for dealing with the aches and pains of both lifting and life have worked for us. We’ve seen both scams and actual relief. We’re joined on the panel by Dean Saddoris of Caffeine and Kilos, and our gym manager, Kyle Castro. You can find Dean on Instagram @deansaddoris.ck, and at caffeineandkilos.com. Kyle’s at @kyle.castroo. You can check out the video version of this episode on Mike’s channel here. Listener resources: Layne Norton on blood flow restrictio...

How do you escape from a scary religious cult? | The Way Down docu-series parts 2 and 3

In this episode, we discuss the final chapters of The Way Down. These episodes cover the impact on the lives and families of the cult surrounding the Remnant Fellowship and diet guru Gwen Shamblin Lara. Many former members detail the extent to which the cult controlled their behavior and actions, and their struggle to get free of its grip. Check out this article for some good coverage of the issues around leaving a cult. Quick recap of the series: The author of the bestselling diet book The W...

Should stringers be banned? | Topic Thunder (Mini-episode)

We take a lighthearted look at the world’s most minimal gym wear. Are stringer tanks a fashion statement or just a way to get around the rules that make you wear a shirt in the gym? Should they be banned, or should only some people be allowed to wear them? We’re joined on the panel by Dean Saddoris of Caffeine and Kilos, and our gym manager, Kyle Castro. You can find Dean on Instagram @deansaddoris.ck, and at caffeineandkilos.com. Kyle’s at @kyle.castroo. You can check out the video version o...

What happens when a diet guru launches a scary religious cult? | The Way Down docu-series Part 1

The author of the bestselling diet book The Weigh Down, Gwen Shamblin, appeared on national TV talk shows and sold her weight loss philosophy to people across America. Especially churchgoers. By 1999, she had essentially started her own Tennessee church (or cult depending on your point of view). Her background as a nutritionist brought some actual common sense to the diet, but when she put herself forward as a prophet who equated devotion to diet as devotion to God she stepped into dangerous ...

What happens when a diet guru launches a scary religious cult? | The Way Down documentary Part 1

The author of the bestselling diet book The Weigh Down, Gwen Shamblin, appeared on national TV talk shows and sold her weight loss philosophy to people across America. Especially churchgoers. By 1999, she had essentially started her own Tennessee church (or cult depending on your point of view). Her background as a nutritionist brought some actual common sense to the diet, but when she put herself forward as a prophet who equated devotion to diet as devotion to God she stepped into dangerous...

What sucks (and doesn’t suck) about home gyms? | Topic Thunder (Mini-episode)

In this mini-episode, we share are thoughts and experiences with lifting in home gyms versus commercial gyms.  The pandemic forced a lot of people into home gym situations. Some people hated it, while others joined the ranks of long-time home gym lovers What’s missing when you lift at home? And what makes it better than lifting away from home? We’re joined on the panel by Dean Saddoris of Caffeine and Kilos, and our gym manager, Kyle Castro. You can find Dean on Instagram @deansaddoris.ck, an...

Ba-dee-ya, Myers Briggs, and canceling Gruden?

To what extent is “canceling” someone in 2021 just a way to take someone off the board? Does intent matter? And can people really be educated/rehabilitated? We take a look at the recent scandal around former Raiders’ head coach/GM John Gruden’s emails and his hurried resignation. We kick it off with a discussion history of using nonsense words in music, and we’re led down the rabbit hole on a site with the Myers Briggs personality profiles of celebrities. Listener resources: September by Eart...

Who you gonna let yuck your organic yum? | Topic Thunder (Mini-episode)

Welcome to another short Friday episode of the show we’re now calling “Topic Thunder with the Gossip Boyz” (subject to change). In this episode, we discuss not so much whether organic food is better but whether we should pay any attention to “influencers” on either side of the issue. We’re joined on the panel by Dean Saddoris of Caffeine and Kilos, and our gym manager, Kyle Castro. You can find Dean on Instagram @deansaddoris.ck, and at caffeineandkilos.com. Kyle’s at @kyle.castroo. You can c...

More things people say without knowing what they mean w/ Dan Storniuolo

Dipping back into a kind of causal series we’ve been doing about common words are phrases that we use all the time, but we may not entirely understand: Do you really want someone to “break a leg?” Does “getting the upper hand” have anything to do with a knob? Why is a “master of none” sometimes a good thing? Does “sleep tight” have anything with cutting your guest some slack? Is “close but no cigar” somehow about carnivals? Is there slapping involved with being “brand spanking new?” We kick o...

Does giving up “self love” equal “self improvement?” | The “no fap” trend | Topic Thunder (Mini-episode)

Welcome to another short Friday episode of the panel discussion segment we’re now calling “Topic Thunder with the Gossip Boyz” (subject to change). In this episode, we take on the “No Fap” trend which has guys (and maybe girls?) give up masturbation in order to gain more focus, get stronger, etc. We’re joined on the panel by Dean Saddoris of Caffeine and Kilos, and our gym manager, Kyle Castro. You can find Dean on Instagram @deansaddoris.ck, and at caffeineandkilos.com. Kyle’s at @kyle.castr...

How do you make your first meet a success? w/ Sebastian Brambila

Hey, powerlifting-specific content! We asked one of our gym members who had just competed in his first meet, the USAPL California State Championships, to talk about the experience. We also share our personal experiences and best practices. What should your last week of training look like? Do you need a handler? How should you warm up? Who do you give your attempts to? What should you eat? How do you keep your concentration during the meet day chaos? You can find Sebastian on Instagram @seba...

Who are you really training to impress? | Mini-episode

Who are you really training to impress? | "Topic Thunder" Mini-episode

We wanted to share a side project that we’re working on. It’s a panel show that mostly relies on opinions – some outrageous, some insightful, and some just well…funny. All packed into roughly ten minutes. We’re joined on the panel by Dean Saddoris of Caffeine and Kilos, and our gym manager, Kyle Castro. You can find Dean on Instagram @deansaddoris.ck, and at caffeineandkilos.com. Kyle’s at @kyle.castroo. In this episode, we discuss to what extent people workout to attracted attention from the...

Documentaries about star athletes we didn’t know were trans (Part 2)

We spend a couple of episodes talking about a couple of high profile (in their sports) transgender athletes through the lens of documentaries about their lives: “Transformer” about the life of powerlifter/bodybuilder Janae Kroczaleski, and “Untold: Caitlyn Jenner” about the 1976 US Olympic Decathlon gold medal winner. Most people did not know either was transgender when they were at the peak of their careers and they were held up as heroic male icons. In part two, we discuss the impact their ...

Documentaries about star athletes who were secretly transgender (Part 1)

We spend a couple of episodes talking about a couple of high profile (in their sports) transgender athletes through the lens of documentaries about their lives: “Transformer” about the life of powerlifter/bodybuilder Janae Kroczaleski, and “Untold: Caitlyn Jenner” about the 1976 US Olympic Decathlon gold medal winner. Most people did not know either was transgender when they were at the peak of their careers and they were held up as heroic male icons. In part one, we focused mostly on contras...

Do we need heroes?

Humans seek heroes. They probably always have, but is this a good thing? And who qualifies as a hero? Can you be considered a hero just because of your job title? Does performing a heroic act make someone a hero? Do heroes have to be perfect people in all aspects of their lives? Where should we draw the line between being inspired by heroes and patterning our lives after them? Mike kicks off the episode with observations on the unnecessary stigma surrounding “kid foods” like chicken nuggets. ...

Anxiety self-help, carb cycling, conjugate versus progressive overload questions. | September Q&A

Discussion about the book, "The Power of Now" and other approaches that help people with anxiety live in the moment. Viewer questions include our funniest gym moments, whether carb cycling is worthwhile, and making progress on the bench. We also talk about some of the nuances of conjugate programs versus progressive overload. We kick it off with the news that Usain Bolt has dropped an album. Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our...

Is sharing explicit content (of yourself) on social media going too far to make a buck ?

This is a conversation about the limits and challenges of monetizing a presence on social platforms. Last week the OnlyFans platform announced an end to explicit content. This week that decision was reversed. Since many personalities and creators in fitness rely on social platforms to make money – yes, even through sexually explicit content on sites like OnlyFans– we thought it was worthwhile to take a look at the ethics and policies involved. We close it out with get well wishes for Bill Phi...

“Untold: Malice in the Palace” Documentary Review – How did the Pacers-Pistons brawl really start?

The 2021 Netflix documentary “Untold: Malice in the Palace” unpacks some overlooked elements of a riot that broke out during an Indiana Pacers/Detroit Pistons in November 2004. The careers of Pacers’ Jermaine O’Neal, Reggie Miller, Stephen Jackson, and Ron Artest (Metta World Peace) were all impacted in the aftermath. All but Miller received suspensions…and he chose to retire at the end of the season (his 18th}. Many involved in the melee also faced criminal charges. All of this coming after ...

“Athlete A” Documentary Review – How did medals become more important than children?

The 2020 Netflix documentary “Athlete A” details the scandal that nearly destroyed USA gymnastics. Team doctor Larry Nassar sexually violated young women gymnasts for decades before a shocking number came forward to tell their stories of abuse – so many that the story could no longer be ignored or covered up. Some of the top names of Olympics past were among the victims. After Simone Biles, perhaps the greatest US gymnast of all time had to bow out of several events after having revealed that...

What are algorithms and why do they rule our lives?

After a brief, unplanned break last week, we’re back to follow up on another of the words/phrases that people say all the time but not everyone understands. Nearly all the social media and streaming platforms we all encounter daily run on “recommendation algorithms that control what we see. We break down what we know about how they (probably) work, and how they can make or break creators on every platform. What the hell happened to fitness and lifting videos on YouTube in 2019 anyway. Check o...

What makes a sociopath a sociopath? Are you one?

Since we like to tackle one health- or mental health-related issue every month -- and since we’ve developed an interest in words and phrases people use but don’t necessarily understand – we decided to look into the definition of the word “sociopath.” We took a trip through an online questionnaire to learn which traits are associated with being a sociopath, and discussed whether we felt any of those traits applied to us. You can check out the checklist we used and follow along with us here. H...

“I am Bolt” Review | Olympics Kickoff with a look at one of the fastest humans ever, Usain Bolt

With the postponed 2020 Olympics finally opening in Tokyo, we decided to take a look at the 2016 documentary about eight-time Olympic Gold medal Jamaican sprinter, Usain Bolt. The film offers a behind-the-scenes look at (some of) his training and preparation, as well as (some of) his life outside of training and competition. Dean Saddoris of Caffeine and Kilos joins us in our review and reaction to this film. You can find Dean on Instagram @deansaddoris.ck, and at caffeineandkilos.com. Check ...

Are we divided by a common language? Words and phrases not everybody understands

We asked the question, “People say (word or phrase) all the time, but I don’t know what it means. From training terms like “spread the floor” to slang like “no cap” to old school sayings like “getting down to brass tacks” we search for some definitive…uh…definitions. We kick it off with a discussion of small talk boundaries. Check out our new gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and international fre...

Fairness in athletic competition: Is anyone owed a level playing field?

Head to 3sb.co for our once-a-year blowout sale! Episode notes: As the time nears for the pandemic-postponed Olympic Games to commence in Japan, we dive into the issue of the rules around international competitions. Should smoking pot get you suspended when athletes using hormones are allowed to compete? Are these things even related? We offer our opinions on these topics, somewhat through the lens of our earlier review of the documentary, “Icarus,” and we’re faced with the question…what is f...

WeWork Documentary: Why do we want to fall for hucksters? | Review and Reaction with Dean Saddoris of Caffeine and Kilos

Head to 3sb.co for our once-a-year blowout sale! The 2021 documentary, WeWork: Or the Making and Breaking of a $47 Billion Unicorn, presents what seems like an age-old story. A “charismatic” leader paints a rosy picture of a money-making plan that seemingly can’t fail, and people – even the ones who should know better – fall for it hook, line, and sinker. WeWork is a co-working space provider that pitched what many thought would be a transformative, and all-inclusive, gamechanger. Even withou...

Is Seaspiracy really about pollution or nutrition? | Review and Reaction with Dean Saddoris of Caffeine and Kilos

The 2021 Netflix documentary, Seaspiracy, is a bit of a Trojan horse. It’s (so very) earnestly concerned with the many disconnected threats to life in Earth’s oceans, but it ends up in a far different place with a far different message. Is this slickly produced -- and highly-rated – film just a tract for a radical diet change like the other documentaries (Cowspiracy and What the Health) from the same producers? You can find Dean on Instagram @deansaddoris.ck, and at caffeineandkilos.com. Chec...

Does being “disciplined” in the gym automatically carry over to anything else? | June Q & A

Mike brings a “hot take Tuesday” issue to the table. Is how you do one thing really how you do everything? Other questions include whether we’re getting any World’s Strongest Man visitors? Do we have hobbies outside the gym? What’s our gym equipment wish list? What surprised us most about the process of starting a business? Finally, we discuss where we think the fitness industry is in its business cycle. Other than some contraction among some large gym chains, are there other pockets of the i...

Does fit/fat shaming accomplish anything? w/Kelly Lenahan

We all see instances of what many people categorize as “fat shaming” both in conversation and on social media. What’s the real intent of these comments? Is it meant to hurt or help? Do people ever make permanent, positive behavioral changes because they have been shamed? And are fit people similar targets for shaming because they’re too focused on maintaining their appearance? It is worse for women than for men? It was great having powerlifter and coach Kelly Lenahan us for this discussion. W...

“Super Size Me” – How did this junk food movie fool anyone? | Review and reaction

The 2004 Morgan Spurlock documentary, “Super Size Me” posited that fast food – and a sedentary lifestyle – caused America’s growing obesity epidemic. Spurlock spent 30 days eating food from McDonald’s three meals a day for 30 days, and cut his normal exercise to zero to “prove” the ill effects of these choices. Dean Saddoris of Caffeine and Kilos joins us for this episode. Mike and Dean had seen the film years ago and watched again recently. Jim had not seen it before. How much of it is still...

Mental health awareness month special episode w/Lisa Lampanelli, Nick Scopoletti, and Beau McDowell of the Losers with a Dream podcast

Nick Scopoletti returns to the show -- this time with fellow standup Beau McDowell, and their life coach, retired comic Lisa Lampanelli. Their podcast “Losers with a Dream” features conversations between Nick and Beau about their struggles toward comedy success…and just becoming better people. Then, Lisa weighs in with both life tips and comedy advice. Their show stresses the importance of working toward better mental health as a part of an overall strategy for success. We asked them to discu...

How much of success is just showing up? | May Q&A

We shifted the schedule around a little in anticipation of some special guests for next week’s show. This week, we address some comments and questions from social media. Is there a particular way that we’re totally wrong for our jobs? What was the easiest part of the project of building our gym? How much of the accomplishment was driven by just showing up? And finally, do keto and heavy lifting go together? Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb...

Icarus: Steroid documentary or spy thriller? | Reaction & Review w/Dean Saddoris of Caffeine and Kilos

This month’s media review and react episode is centered on the documentary “Icarus.” Dean Saddoris joins us to discuss this Oscar-winning 2017 documentary. This episode definitely contains spoilers. Filmmaker and cyclist Bryan Fogel made himself a guinea pig to learn if steroids would dramatically improve his race performance – and maybe more importantly, whether he could do it without being detected like Lance Armstrong. He ends up in the middle of a WADA and International Olympic Committee ...

Is this the golden age of MMA? w/Urijah Faber

A special edition episode. UFC Hall of Famer, and fellow Sacramento gym owner, Urijah Faber joins us. We talk about how sports fit into the hierarchy of human needs, the growth of combat sports in the past several years…and the power of excuses. He also explains how The Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act helps top boxers earn bigger purses than top MMA fighters. Tussana Martdee also joins us to offer perspectives from her background in Muay Thai. You can find Urijah on Instagram at @urijahfaber a...

Sponsorships: Are they worth it for smaller brands? Are they fair to athletes? | April Q & A

April’s Q and A episode kicks off with an unplanned behind-the-scenes discussion where we explore the question of sponsored athletes/ambassadors. What do brands like ours really expect to get from sponsoring athletes? How much influence do they really have and how would you measure it? What the difference between awareness advertising and direct response advertising with “promo codes?” How would we decide the best fit? Having been on both sides of this question leads us into a lively discussi...

Do influencers create culture or just reflect it? Are there any original creative ideas left? w/Bart Kwan of Barbell Brigade

Bart Kwan is a man with a HUGE platform, so his thoughts on creativity, culture, and social media influence are well…influential. In our second episode with Bart, we broke down these issues, as well as some related questions: Is everyone born creative? Does high-quality production undercut authenticity? Where should the moral line be for influencers in promoting products and ideas? You can find Bart on Instagram @bartkwan, at barbellbrigade.com, and on YouTube. Subscribe for updates ...

Bart Kwan: Do influencers create culture or just reflect it?

Bart Kwan is a man with a HUGE platform, so his thoughts on creativity, culture, and social media influence are well…influential. In our second episode with Bart, we broke down these issues, as well as some related questions: Is everyone born creative? Does high-quality production undercut authenticity? Where should the moral line be for influencers in promoting products and ideas? You can find Bart on Instagram @bartkwan, at barbellbrigade.com, and on YouTube. Subscribe for updates about o...

Does Power Unlimited hold up? w/Tommy and Tanner of Massenomics

Inside the Massenomics gym in Western Northeast South Dakota, an ever-vigilant DVD player spins a copy of the circa 2007 documentary “Power Unlimited” around the clock. Who better to have on deck for a look back at that film than the owners of that very gym? We were excited to have Tommy DeFea and Tanner Baird join us for the crossover event nobody knew they needed: What was their reaction the first time they saw the film, and how did they get their DVD copy? What scene in the film gets us t...

Do you have what it takes to lift and work at home forever? w/Bart Kwan of Barbell Brigade

(This is the first of two episodes with Bart. The second will appear in a few weeks). The experience of running multiple businesses over zoom calls, and trying to stay in shape while rarely leaving the house, was enough for Bart and his wife Geo to decide they could free themselves and their family from LA life and move to Las Vegas. The plan? To continue to largely operate remotely as much as possible. With a number of businesses, including a demanding comedy production company and a powerli...

“The Last Blockbuster” | A preview of the death of retail? w/Dean Saddoris of Caffeine and Kilos

The fifth show of any month could literally be about anything. This time it’s a documentary review with our buddy Dean Saddoris. Think of it as meathead movie nerds looking for lessons for our own lives in popular media. The hot Netflix documentary “The Last Blockbuster” is a humorous – and quirky – look at the fall of a business that was a huge cultural institution. Could the business cycle of a retail category like video rental stores foretell what effects technological advancements, change...

What do ya wanna know? | March Q and A

Time for our monthly swing at your questions. Some of the topics: Who are our favorite Lord of the Rings characters? Which powerlifting bars do we have in our gym? Did Eleiko really start out making waffle irons? Is our gym open to the public? Do you have to be rich to be fashionable? What does it take to grow an online business? What are our long- and short-term goals? Subscribe for updates about our new gym (Third Street Barbell) and apparel line at 3sb.co! Local memberships and internati...

What do you need to know when starting a gym (or any business)?

This started out as a question asked on Mike’s Instagram: What did we learn in starting a gym? It quickly evolved into a larger discussion of the challenges associated with starting any business. We cover some of our previous experiences (this is not our first rodeo) and how they informed our approach to what we’ve been working on for the last year. It’s fair to say that we’ve learned at least as much about ourselves and each other as we have actual business knowledge. Some of the topics: If...

What do you need to know when starting a gym (or any business)?

This started out as a question asked on Mike’s Instagram: What did we learn in starting a gym? It quickly evolved into a larger discussion of the challenges associated with starting any business. We cover some of our previous experiences (this is not our first rodeo) and how they informed our approach to what we’ve been working on for the last year. It’s fair to say that we’ve learned at least as much about ourselves and each other as we have actual business knowledge. Some of the topics: ...

Did “Pumping Iron” create the fitness industry? | Reaction & Review w/Dean Saddoris of Caffeine and Kilos

In 1977, moviegoers were presented with images of sweaty, oily, and extremely muscular men wearing as little clothing as possible. Many cultural observers believed this was the dawn of what is now a multi-billion-dollar industry as members of the general public started working to make themselves “healthier” and more fit…by pretty much any means available. How did this low-budget documentary featuring relative unknowns Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno helmed by a first-time director beco...

What do regular gym guys think of powerlifting? w/Fat Dan & his brothers from the Bridge to Bridge Podcast

We brought in two of our buddy Dan Stornaiuolo’s hilarious and engaging brothers, Dom and Mike, to give an outsider’s perspective on powerlifting accomplishments – particularly their “little” brother’s lifting. Don and Mike host the Bridge to Bridge Podcast featuring interviews with SF Bay Area sports figures. Both grew up as athletes, so we unpack and contrast training and competition experiences among various sports. Other questions that came up: Do Silent Mike and Dom look alike and what ...

How do parents (or any busy people) fit fitness into family life? | Monthly Q&A

We’re setting a new pattern of episodes for the next few months. The final episode of each month will be a Q & A about…whatever you (our audience) want to talk about: previous episodes during the month, business, life, training, health, or whatever. Here are some of the questions we touched on this time: What happens if the Earth speeds up…or slows down? FMK – Cold brew, espresso, and brewed coffee? How’s the gym going so far? Is it a good idea to start two businesses at the same time? What’...