In this episode, I sit down with yoga coach and exercise physiologist Shelby Hicks to explore the power of stillness, breath, and reconnection. We talk about what it really means to slow down, how the body stores stress, and why true strength isn’t just about movement—it’s about presence. Whether you’re an athlete, a coach, or just feeling burnt out, this one’s a reminder to come back to yourself.

In this powerful conversation, Joe sits down with performance coach and former D1 athlete Kristina Centenari to challenge the way we talk about mental health. Together, they unpack the pressures of high achievement, the identity crises that follow burnout, and how real strength begins when we stop performing and start listening. This episode redefines mental health as a process of inner training — a path of stillness, self-awareness, and emotional regulation that parallels physical mastery. Whether you're an athlete, a high performer, or simply trying to hold it all together, this is your invitation to come back to center.

In this episode, I open up about my personal journey with nutrition — from struggling with control to finding real balance. I share how I’ve learned to eat with intention when pursuing results, and how to pull back when it’s time to enjoy life and focus on health. This isn’t about strict macros or rigid rules — it’s about developing an empowering relationship with food that supports your goals and your well-being.

In this episode, Joe Rodonis sits down with Austin Current — elite coach, author, and educator — to break down what true mastery in training and life really demands. From the mindset it takes to pursue real, lasting growth, to the evolution of strength training beyond the surface level, Joe and Austin dive deep into the work that separates those who chase quick wins from those building something that lasts.
This is a conversation about discipline, self-awareness, and the relentless pursuit of excellence — on the gym floor and far beyond it.
If you’re serious about your training, coaching, or personal development, this one is non-negotiable.

Ready to maximize your results in 12 Weeks to Jacked? In this episode, I’m tackling all your top questions—from when you're ready to start, how to balance cardio (including running), and the role of pacing in muscle growth. We’ll also dive into program adjustments for injuries, training strategies for different ages, and how to integrate strength training with sports like mountain biking and surfing. Plus, nutrition insights to fuel your gains and mindset tips to dominate both accumulation and intensification phases.

If you’re serious about getting jacked and making this program work for your lifestyle, this episode is for you. Let’s get into it.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by fitness advice or unsure where to start, this episode is for you. Kyle Dobbs and I break down how the same training principles used for elite athletes can be applied to your own workouts—without the confusion.

We talk about why the key to long-term success isn’t chasing the most complicated methods but focusing on structure, consistency, and small wins that build confidence. Whether you're new to training or looking to level up, this episode will help you cut through the noise, avoid common mistakes, and get excited about your progress.

Listen in and learn how to train smarter, stay motivated, and build a foundation that lasts.

Breaking Down "12 Weeks to Jacked"

My latest program, 12 Weeks to Jacked, just launched on Tonal—marking the first-ever 12-week program on the platform. This structured, progressive plan takes you through four distinct phases, alternating between accumulation and intensification, with a focus on muscle growth, strength, and performance.

In this episode, we’ll break down the program from a high level, discussing how to approach it for maximum results. Whether your goal is hypertrophy, strength, or overall athleticism, understanding your priorities in training is key. Let’s dive in.

Podcast Episode Summary: My Training Journey & Lessons Learned

I was recently asked to share more about my training journey and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. So that’s exactly what we’re going to do.

Nothing about my health journey was neat, organized, or a straight line. I started as someone working a corporate job, just trying to get in great shape—but without proper guidance, role models, or a real understanding of nutrition. My relationship with food wasn’t great, and honestly, I used to eat terribly. I knew if I wanted to figure this out, I’d have to do it on my own.

The one thing I did right? I stayed committed. I kept learning. I became a student of training and fitness. That’s the message I want to share today: You don’t have to be perfect. Starting something new is hard, especially when you’re not good at it yet. I’ve been there. I was there for years—but I didn’t stop.

In this episode, I’m sharing the mistakes I made, the lessons I learned, and how my mindset has evolved. I experimented with all kinds of training programs, nutrition strategies, and even different approaches to life. Through trial and error, I gained a deeper understanding of how everything connects—training, mindset, self-discovery, and growth.

Over time, I developed a system that truly works for me, one that considers not just physical training but mental health, resilience, and sustainable progress. My goal for this episode is to give you permission to mess up, make mistakes, and embrace being a beginner. Just get started, pay attention, and keep making small course corrections as you go.

Let’s dive in.

On this episode I breakdown the main differences between strength training and hypertrophy. Also discussing some of the basics of periodization and how can you install a simple approach in your own training.

We want to train hard but also smart. There needs to be a strategy and a through line that connects your workouts so that you are growing through the years. Without that path, we are exercising...not training.

I share my perspective on these approaches and how I incorporate them into my training.

In this episode of Athletes Pursuit, we are joined by Laura Kunces, the VP of Medical Strategy at Thorne Health. Laura, an expert in nutrition and exercise physiology, has an impressive background: she's a registered dietitian, earning her PhD from the University of Connecticut in Nutrition, holds two master's degrees (in exercise physiology and clinical nutrition), and was a Division I collegiate swimmer.

This episode will dive into the microbiome and gut health, a hot topic in the health and wellness space. Laura will discuss how the microbiome affects not only physical health but also mental well-being, including its influence on weight management, mood, and disease prevention. The conversation will cover actionable strategies for optimizing gut health and specific ways to address imbalances that could lead to health issues.

On this episode, one of my very good friends Scott Grossnickle joins the show. I first met Scott when I was a coach at Tone House in NYC during one of the classes. It didn't take long to figure out Scott is an impressive human. Physically; the dude's a Clydesdale. What stood out to me though is how the man carries himself; how he treats people, his love for his wife and family, the unshakeable work ethic, and calmness in tough moments.

So Scott and I sat down over a coffee to talk about all of it. Life, work, becoming a better man / husband, and developing presence / peace of mind.

Enjoy.

This week I sat down with a good friend of mine, Ryan Turner. Ryan's a Registered Dietitian focusing on sports performance. We're talking about all things food - Macros for building muscle, fueling for performance, developing a healthy relationship with your food, and taking overall ownership.

On this episode, I'm joined by Coach Sam Tooley. Sam is the founder of Alpha Fit Club which is now up to 15 locations and a run/strength coach on Ladder. Sam has always been someone I've had a lot of respect for in this industry. He's seen as a great leader, businessman, and a knowledgeable/inspiring coach. He's built an incredible business and community; but this journey was not always easy. Sam shares his story of becoming.

Today we are joined by Wes Barnett - VP of Business Development with Thorne Health. Wes is also a former Olympic Weightlifter for Team USA, earning a bronze and silver medal in the 1997 World Championships. Wes also served on the Olympic Committee for 17 years.

The main focus of this episode is surrounding the quality of our supplements and how the industry is regulated. Not all brands are created equal or follow the same quality control processes. Understanding what to look out for as a consumer is incredibly important.

We discuss some of the best practices overseen by Thorne Health and their role as a guiding light in the industry.

Supplements play a vital role in assisting an athlete and members of the general population: Addressing weaknesses/deficiencies, aiding in proper recovery, and improving our performance. However, quality of the product itself plays a large role in how the supplement is absorbed in the body.

How can you spot the difference between a high and low quality product? Why does it matter? You may assume the industry is regulated to ensure only a high quality products hit the shelves; unfortunately that's not always the case.

Enjoy this conversation and wisdom from Wes Barnett.

This is something I needed to hear early on. When I started making positive changes in my life (training frequently, eating healthier and going out less); it wasn't all easy.

Growth / Change is difficult by nature. When we decide to make a change for ourselves in a positive way it's not always met with support. I faced challenges with friends, family, work, etc. I can imagine these obstacles could be a reason people quit. So I wanted to share some of my experiences and what helped me stay on course.

In this episode, we're joined by Kristina Centenari, a seasoned coach with Tonal. With a rich background including certifications in RRCA Run Coaching, SFG 1 Kettlebell, RYT 200 hour, FRC, Kinstretch, and FRC-ISM, Kristina brings a wealth of expertise to the table. Her impressive athletic resume includes conquering 11 half Ironmans, 1 full Ironman, and completing 7 marathons.

Kristina delves into her personal journey with training and sports. She shares her experience grappling with the pressure to win from a young age, the challenges of maintaining a performance mindset, and ultimately finding a balance to rekindle a healthy relationship with movement.

As the first episode of 2024, I wanted to revisit the mission of this show. This is about the pursuit of consistent growth and improvement. The gym served as a place for me to improve myself. We understand the physical benefits of training, but this allowed me to improve my mental strength.

This is the lens in which I see life and how I use the gym to develop myself in every area.

I want to introduce you all to Cameron Ahouse.  Cam is a trainer based in Boston, but his route to get there wasn't so direct.  He has a journey that's actually quite similar to my own.  Cam also began his career in finance and talks about his transition into the fitness world.

I've always had a great deal of respect for Cameron, as a trainer and as a human.  It's not hard to see that Cam has a lot of fun with his training, always tackling new challenges and encouraging his community to do the same.  His work extends far beyond the gym, however.  Cam is also an advocate for men's mental health.  Leading and supporting work that encourages men to share what they are going thru and to support one another.

I loved diving into Cam's story and hearing about his journey into the fitness world.  It took a lot of courage to leave a cushy and secure finance job to essentially start over in the fitness world.  Taking a lot of humility and patience to just follow your passion and do work you love.

Enjoy this conversation with Cameron Ahouse.

What is 'absolute responsibility'?

While at the University of Kentucky Cheer Program, Chris Rodonis was introduced to this idea.  While simple to understand, application in your daily life and thought process is very different.  

Discussing true ownership over your life and results.  Enjoy this episode with Chris Rodonis!

This is our first episode of 2022 and I couldn't be more excited to have my brother, Chris Rodonis, joining us.  

Chris has a great story to share. Chris ultimately became a 2x national champion and the University of Kentucky in Cheerleading. While receiving a scholarship, and completing his MBA. Since graduation, he carried his success into the business world and is currently a Chief Revenue Officer.  

The road to success was not an easy or obvious one, however.  Growing up, athletics was not his natural gift.  But he had something else, a relentless quality about him.  He had this way of setting his sights on a goal and just simply worked at it.  Sounds simple enough...and it is. But his consistent work and attention to detail paid off. 

We hear his story about how he even found the opportunity at UK.

We talk about the strength training program in college and the power of team. 

What was the transition away from college, being in peak shape, to striking balance in business. 

I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did