In this episode of Ben Thinking, host Ben Neveras sits down with Adrian Wolf — author, personal trainer, PhD candidate, and former Navy serviceman — to dive deep into the psychology of fitness, healing, and discipline.
Adrian opens up about his journey from hockey coach to exercise scientist, the lessons from his divorce, and how therapy and writing helped him rebuild his purpose. They unpack his two books, Skate Lift Recover and Awareness Before Action, exploring how awareness, community, and values shape lasting health — both physical and mental.
💭 This episode isn’t just about reps and sets. It’s about resilience, reflection, and the power of asking yourself the right questions.
00:00 – Intro: Meet Adrian Wolf
02:00 – From hockey to strength coach: the early years
05:00 – Writing Skate Lift Recover and Awareness Before Action
09:00 – Why mindset and psychology matter more than any program
12:00 – Emotional eating and awareness in daily decisions
15:00 – Value-based decision making in fitness and life
17:00 – Why Adrian pursued a PhD at UNLV
20:00 – Divorce, adversity, and rediscovering self-worth
24:00 – The power of therapy and asking hard questions
29:00 – Finding the right therapist and timing your healing
32:00 – On medication, stigma, and mental health
33:30 – The role of community and human connection in fitness
36:00 – Favorite exercises: squats, deadlifts, and Navy training stories
39:00 – Coaching coaches: communication and growth
43:00 – Why strength coaches are underpaid
46:00 – Passion vs. practicality: balancing fulfillment and finances
50:00 – The reality of PhD life and future goals
54:00 – Lessons learned and staying open-minded
56:00 – Where to find Adrian Wolf online
58:00 – Outro
#BenThinking #BenNeveras #AdrianWolf #FitnessMindset #ExerciseScience #HealthAndHealing #Resilience #TherapyJourney #MentalHealthAwareness #PhDLife #UNLV #StrengthCoach #PersonalDevelopment #SelfAwareness #HealingJourney #Discipline #GrowthMindset #AwarenessBeforeAction #SkateLiftRecover
👉 If this episode made you think differently about your health, mindset, or purpose — hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and share it with someone who needs
🕒 Timestamps (58:10 total)🏷️ Social Media Tags / Keywords📢 Call to Action