Lift Free And Diet Hard with Andrew Coates
Lift Free And Diet Hard with Andrew Coates

Lift Free And Diet Hard with Andrew Coates

Andrew Coates

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Episodes

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The Lift Free and Diet Hard Podcast dives deep into the science and practice of living a strong, healthy, and intentional life. Hosted by Andrew Coates, the show brings together inspiring guests to share insights, stories, and practical advice that empower listeners to build confidence, make informed choices, and stay resilient in their fitness and wellness journeys. Every episode encourages thoughtful exploration of what it means to lift free, diet hard, and live fully.

Recent Episodes

#453 Dr Tommy Wood - How to Reduce the Risk of Cognitive Decline and Dementia
MAR 19, 2026
#453 Dr Tommy Wood - How to Reduce the Risk of Cognitive Decline and Dementia
Dr Tommy Wood is a leading authority on neurodegenerative disease, cognitive health and decline, and related lifestyle interventions. Tommy has a medical degree from the University of Oxford, and a PhD in physiology and neuroscience.I believe every guest and episode are excellent, but this episode and topic are off the charts for importance and valuable information. Everyone should care about their long term cognitive health and independence, and that of your loved ones.Tommy shares his expertise about:How we can decrease the long term risks of dementiaWhat’s within and what’s beyond your controlWhy our idea of retirement may be a terrible ideaIs there a better way to retireWhat is “headroom” and why does it matter for long term cognitive healthHow important is physical activity for reducing risk of cognitive decline and does the type or intensity matterDoes bodyweight matter for long term neurodegenerative decline riskWhat metabolic health factors and lifestyle diseases contribute to dementia riskIs there a sweet spot for overall energy consumption and cognitive healthWhat role can nutrition play in cognitive healthAre video games beneficial in cognitive decline preventionHow dancing may be potent for preventionAnd a ton moreIG: @drtommywoodCHAPTERS01:15 Video Games And Brain Health04:15 Cognitive Headroom Explained07:57 Gaming Context Matters09:59 Cognitive Reserve And Education12:24 Learning Beyond School15:19 Three S Brain Model20:17 Uncontrollable Risk Factors22:54 Genetics And APOE427:08 Family History And Lifestyle28:23 Exercise Type And Intensity29:03 Movement Minimums29:46 Walking Grows Hippocampus30:41 HIIT And Lactate32:37 Lifting For White Matter33:40 Dancing And Open Skills36:18 Falls Illness And Decline39:43 Retirement Brain Risk45:04 Weight And Metabolic Health46:35 GLP1s And Dementia49:22 Key Brain Nutrients52:17 Wrap Up And Book PlugSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode helped you think differently about long-term brain health, you can support the show by:• Subscribing and checking out more episodes• Sharing it on social media (tag me — I’ll respond)• Sending it to someone you care aboutFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP Strength App (use code COATESRP)https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJust Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off)https://justbitememeals.comMacrosFirst – FREE Premium TrialDownload MacrosFirst and during setup select: ANDREWKNKG Bags (15% off)https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676Versa Grippshttps://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC – FREE 90-Day Trialhttps://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive (or email [email protected]) and let them know Andrew sent you
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54 MIN
#452 Elizabeth Davies - Training For Your Old Lady Body
MAR 17, 2026
#452 Elizabeth Davies - Training For Your Old Lady Body
Elizabeth Davies is the author of Training For Your Old Lady Body and famous for the quote:“Training for my summer body? Fuck no. I’m training for my old lady body. Dense bones, strong muscles, a healthy heart, good balance, functional independence.”Elizabeth joins me to share her thoughts and experience about:What is SkinnyTok and why it’s dangerousThe cycles of body image standards and why chasing them can create problemsIs Kim Kardashian a good role model for body imageWhy building a bank of bone health early matters, and why chasing skinny at a young age compromises thisHer frustration with the marketing messaging about getting in shape for summerWhy she’s focused on taking care of her body for now and laterWhere being focused on training for aesthetics can go wrong“Why is there so much focus on helping women avoid looking old as we age and so little focus on helping us avoid feeling old”And much moreIG: @thiswomanliftsCHAPTERS00:56 What Is Skinny Talk02:27 Debulking And Gym Myths05:11 Beauty Standards Shift08:43 Why Skinny Talk Harms10:50 Who Gets Triggered12:49 Artifacts Of Diet Culture15:40 Old Lady Body Quote16:15 From Lawyer To Trainer17:02 Summer Body Panic19:55 Plagiarism And Sharing23:19 Looking Good Vs Longevity25:13 Confidence Through Care25:47 Aesthetic Goals Debate27:16 Realistic Expectations29:03 Long Game Fitness29:52 MacrosFirst Ad30:56 Harmful Beauty Tactics33:41 Training For Later Life34:40 Cardio And Weights36:53 Avoid Feeling Old38:34 Aging Anxiety And Control42:36 Botox Culture Critique44:44 TrainHeroic Ad46:04 Closing And Where To FollowSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode resonated with you or changed how you think about training, you can support the show by:• Subscribing and checking out more episodes• Sharing it on your social media (tag me — I’ll respond)• Sending it to someone navigating body image or fitness messagingFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP Strength App (use code COATESRP)https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJust Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off)https://justbitememeals.comMacrosFirst – FREE Premium TrialDownload MacrosFirst and during setup you’ll be asked “How did you hear about us?”Type in: ANDREWKNKG Bags (15% off)https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676Versa Gripps (discount link)https://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC – FREE 90-Day Trialhttps://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive (or email [email protected]) and let them know Andrew sent you
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47 MIN
#451 Sheridan Skye - Is Resistance Training Safe During Pregnancy?
MAR 12, 2026
#451 Sheridan Skye - Is Resistance Training Safe During Pregnancy?
Sheridan Skye is a pre-and postnatal coaching specialist and educator and joins me to share her expertise about:Is resistance training safe for pregnant womenDo mom and baby have better outcomes when the mother works outWhy some physicians might be hesitant to advise their clients to workout during pregnancyAre there medical conditions where women should avoid or approach working out with caution during pregnancyCan exercise help improve symptoms of postpartum depressionWhat are the guidelines for returning to working out post pregnancyHow much of working out during and after pregnancy is varied based on each individuals experienceWhat she means with “We’ve reached a point where women’s normal physiology is being repackaged as a pathology and marketed as female empowerment”And much moreIG: @sheridanskyefitCHAPTERS01:06 Is Lifting Safe02:35 Miscarriage Myths05:07 Evidence On Exercise10:18 Benefits For Mom13:00 Postpartum Fear14:10 When Not To Train16:19 Sponsor Break19:19 Postpartum Depression23:34 Return To Exercise25:27 Six Week Myth27:12 Gradual Return Plan28:08 Core Rehab Framework28:36 Symptom Feedback Loop29:30 Load Management Principles32:00 Scalable Core Training35:58 Barriers Not Biology38:06 Misinformation Marketing44:51 Why Women Feel Better47:42 Energy Balance Nuance50:34 Storytelling Versus Facts51:54 Wrap Up And ResourcesSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode helped clarify exercise during pregnancy or postpartum training, you can support the show by:• Subscribing and checking out more episodes• Sharing it on social media (tag me — I’ll respond)• Sending it to a coach, trainer, or expecting parentFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP Strength App (use code COATESRP)https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJust Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off)https://justbitememeals.comMacrosFirst – FREE Premium TrialDownload MacrosFirst → During setup answer “How did you hear about us?”Type: ANDREWKNKG Bags (15% off)https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676Versa Grippshttps://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC – FREE 90-Day Trialhttps://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive (or email [email protected]) and let them know Andrew sent you
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52 MIN
#450 Robert Linkul - Cardiovascular and Cognitive Health For Older Adults
MAR 10, 2026
#450 Robert Linkul - Cardiovascular and Cognitive Health For Older Adults
Robert Linkul is the master of Training the Older Adult and returns with more lessons about working with this population, including:-How Robert’s own extensive medical history helps him relate to the injuries and restrictions of older populations-How we as coaches think about our own aging, and eventual shift into this demographic, and how we approach our training to prepare-Why he doesn’t plan to retire from in-person coaching-How he approaches cardiovascular training for older adults-Why he likes rucking/walking with weighted packs-How to keep people from becoming inactive and suffering greater risk of cognitive decline during periods of life interference for older adults-Training around injuries and degenerative issues-And much moreIG: @robertlinkulCHAPTERS00:41 NSCA Journey01:56 Aging Changes Training02:33 Injuries Shaped Approach04:31 Training Smarter Now06:43 Barbell Debate Online08:37 Why Barbells Can Fail13:10 Unilateral Tools Win16:14 Creative Workarounds18:54 Sponsor Break – TrainHeroic20:13 Staying On The Floor24:06 Career Arc Myth26:08 Cardio for Aging Adults27:06 Zone Two Strength Circuits30:23 Rucking on Off Days32:15 Rucking Hype and Load Management34:31 Weighted Vest Metabolism Story38:03 Training for Brain Health38:43 Discovery Workouts for Focus42:45 Small Group Training Sweet Spot46:57 Sponsor Break – Just Bite Me Meals48:02 Avoiding Inactivity After Injury51:52 Wrap Up and Where to FollowSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode helped you rethink training for aging populations, you can support the show by:• Subscribing and checking out more episodes• Sharing it on your social media (tag me — I’ll respond)• Sending it to a coach or trainer who works with older adultsFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP Strength App (use code COATESRP)https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJust Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off)https://justbitememeals.comMacrosFirst – FREE Premium TrialDownload MacrosFirst and during setup you’ll be asked “How did you hear about us?”Type in: ANDREWKNKG Bags (15% off)https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676Versa Gripps (discount link)https://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC – FREE 90-Day Trial (2 steps)https://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive (or email [email protected]) and let them know Andrew sent you
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53 MIN
#449 Gareth Sapstead - How To Transform Your Physique and Your Life
MAR 5, 2026
#449 Gareth Sapstead - How To Transform Your Physique and Your Life
Gareth Sapstead, my long time T-Nation writing peer joins me to talk about his new book (which I contributed to) and share wisdom and experience about:-Where to start if you look in the mirror and you’re not happy with what you see-How to approach your training and nutrition if you want to change your life-How social support matters if you’re aiming to change your life and health-Thinking in terms of “architecture for your life”-What his new book - 100 Best Physique Workouts offers-And much moreIG: @thefitnessmaverickCHAPTERS01:00 Why In Person Events02:34 Connections Create Careers03:41 Transformation Starting Point04:02 Assessments Online Vs In Person11:16 Gen Pop Transformation Tactics13:14 Output First Nutrition Plan15:52 Strength Training Guardrails19:55 Sustainable Deficits21:30 Sponsor Break RP Strength22:54 Environment Biggest Loser24:34 NEAT And Diet Adaptation27:02 Muscle Loss Expectations29:34 Milo And Load Bearing30:08 Fat Loss Muscle Tradeoff31:24 Skinny Fat Metabolic Health32:09 Education Over Extremes33:25 Flexible Dieting Macros34:27 Tracking To Intuition36:41 Training Structure Levels38:38 Meal Prep Lifestyle Hack41:57 Maintenance Training Phase42:55 Sponsor TrainHeroic44:15 Cardio While Learning46:59 Make Cardio Enjoyable50:49 Transformation Basics Structure53:23 100 Physique Workouts Book55:53 How To Use WorkoutsSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode helped you think more clearly about transforming your physique or your life, you can support the show by:• Subscribing and checking out more episodes• Sharing it on your social media (tag me — I’ll respond)• Sending it to someone starting their transformation journeyFOLLOW ANDREW COATESInstagram: @andrewcoatesfitnesshttps://www.andrewcoatesfitness.comPARTNERS AND RESOURCESRP Strength App (use code COATESRP)https://www.rpstrength.com/coatesJust Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off)https://justbitememeals.comMacrosFirst – FREE Premium TrialDownload MacrosFirst and during setup you’ll be asked “How did you hear about us?”Type in: ANDREWKNKG Bags (15% off)https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676Versa Gripps (discount link)https://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoatesTRAINHEROIC – FREE 90-Day Trial (2 steps)Go to https://www.trainheroic.com/liftfreeReply to the email you receive (or email [email protected]) and let them know Andrew sent you
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59 MIN