In this episode of the Discover Strength Podcast, CEO and exercise physiologist Luke Carlson shares how putting simplicity at the center of your life—from your business to your workouts—can transform your results. Drawing inspiration from Essentialism by Greg McKeown, Insanely Simple by Ken Segall, and The One Thing by Gary Keller, Luke explores how a minimalist mindset leads to greater clarity, deeper focus, and measurable outcomes. You’ll learn: How Apple’s obsession with simplicity m...

In this powerful solo episode, Discover Strength CEO and Exercise Physiologist Luke Carlson unpacks a newly published review paper in the journal Physical Education and Sports, Studies and Research titled “A Critical Analysis of the Disconnection Between Science and Practice in Weight Training.” Drawing from a systematic review of 47 studies, Luke reveals a troubling truth: most fitness professionals, physical therapists, and even coaches lack up-to-date knowledge on resistance training, per...

In this episode of the Discover Strength Podcast, CEO Luke Carlson breaks down the rise of popular fitness trends—like walking with a weighted vest, cold plunging, Zone 2 cardio, yoga, and Pilates—and asks the critical question every smart fitness consumer should start with: “What is your objective?” Luke explores how trends gain momentum through podcast influencers, social media, and industry supply chains—often without evidence of efficacy. He explains the difference between mechanistic sci...

In this episode of the Discover Strength Podcast, CEO Luke Carlson is joined by Dr. James Fisher, a globally recognized exercise scientist, to explore what happens in our bodies from the very first weeks of resistance training through years of disciplined effort. They break down the neurological adaptations that drive early strength gains, the morphological changes that come later, and what advanced trainees can do to keep progressing. You'll learn about muscle architecture, sarcomere genesis...

What do Steve Jobs and your next strength workout have in common? In this episode, Discover Strength CEO and exercise physiologist Luke Carlson tells the surprising story of how a freshman-year paper on high-intensity training (HIT) led to an unforgettable analogy: HIT is the Apple of strength training. Luke explores how HIT—rooted in evidence-based, efficient, and safe exercise—shares the same ethos of simplicity, sophistication, and innovation that defined Apple under Steve Jobs. He breaks ...

In this episode of the Discover Strength Podcast, CEO and exercise physiologist Luke Carlson interviews Dr. Brendon Gurd of Queen's University to unpack one of the biggest fitness buzzwords of the last five years: Zone 2 training. Dr. Gurd breaks down his recently published paper in Sports Medicine, titled “Much Ado About Zone 2”, and reveals what the current science says about the efficacy of Zone 2 training for improving mitochondrial function and cardiorespiratory fitness. Listeners will g...

What separates a good strength training session from a great one? In this episode of the Discover Strength Podcast, CEO Luke Carlson is joined by three of the brand’s most experienced exercise physiologists—Rick Regnell, Kayla Ezuck, and Taylor Melvin—for a candid conversation rooted in over 100,000 training sessions. They break down the habits and mindset traits that expert trainers notice—and deeply respect—in high-performing clients. From mastering form under fatigue to communicating clear...

In this pivotal episode, Discover Strength CEO Luke Carlson dives deep into the core purpose and bold 10-year vision that will shape the future of the company—and potentially, the entire fitness industry. Luke unpacks the driving force behind Discover Strength’s mission: to lead a movement in evidence-based exercise, and outlines the newly defined BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal): to become the destination for resistance exercise as medicine by 2035, with 250 studios nationwide. Learn how foun...

Discover Strength CEO and exercise physiologist Luke Carlson takes you behind the scenes of Project Discover—our ongoing effort to advance the science of strength training and lead the movement in evidence-based exercise. In this episode, Luke shares: The history of Discover Strength’s published research and collaborations with Dr. James Fisher and Dr. James Steele. Why our supervised, high-quality training environment is ideal for groundbreaking studies. Highlights from past...

In this powerful solo episode, Luke Carlson—CEO of Discover Strength shares 20 hard-earned lessons from completing 30 marathons over the past two decades. Blending cutting-edge exercise science with personal experimentation, Luke explores the real factors that drive performance: running economy, durability, strength training, progressive overload, nutrition, body composition, mental fortitude, and more. Listeners will learn: Why strength training is essential for runners—and how it improves l...

Fitness content is everywhere—but how do you separate science from sound bites? In this episode of the Discover Strength Podcast, CEO and exercise physiologist Luke Carlson shares four expert-backed filters for determining whether fitness information is credible. Learn why flashy confidence is a red flag, why you shouldn’t blindly follow the fittest person in the room, and how real experts lean into scientific nuance—not oversimplified answers. You’ll learn: ✅ Why conviction isn’t credi...

For years, we've been told that losing weight is the key to better health. But what if everything you thought you knew about fitness and fatness is wrong? In this episode, Discover Strength CEO and exercise physiologist Luke Carlson unpacks the science behind the Fit and Fat Paradox — revealing why being aerobically fit and strong matters far more than the number on the scale. You’ll learn: Why fitness (VO2 Max and strength) trumps weight as a predictor of mortalityHow healthcare professional...

In this episode of the Discover Strength Podcast, CEO and exercise physiologist Luke Carlson breaks down three powerful "here and now" techniques to immediately improve the quality of your next strength training workout. From eliminating momentum at the start of each rep, to applying maximum effort with proper intent, and maintaining perfect form regardless of how many reps you did last time—these science-backed strategies will elevate every set. Whether you're an elite athlete or training fo...

On this episode of the Discover Strength Podcast, CEO Luke Carlson is joined by Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple, a leading researcher at McMaster University, to bust the top myths about strength training for women, especially during menopause. They unpack the truth about lifting heavy, the role of estrogen, cortisol misconceptions, and the science behind “cycle syncing.” Dr. Colenso-Semple also shares practical, research-backed guidelines for effective resistance training at any age—and why it does...

In this episode of the Discover Strength Podcast, CEO Luke Carlson is joined by esteemed strength training researcher Dr. James Fisher for a special “10 Questions” conversation. With over 130 scientific publications to his name, Dr. Fisher dives deep into some of the most pressing topics in resistance training today—from the science behind training at long muscle lengths and the most common myths about women and strength training, to the minimal effective dose for strength gains and the role ...

n this episode, CEO Luke Carlson recaps six powerful insights from the 2025 Discover Strength Summit in Dallas. From expert perspectives on pain management and resistance training for older adults, to hospitality-driven leadership lessons and the fight against health misinformation—this episode is packed with actionable takeaways for fitness professionals and clients alike. Discover Strength offers free Introductory Workouts at any location across the united states. You can schedule your free...

In this episode of the Discover Strength Podcast, CEO and exercise physiologist Luke Carlson dives into groundbreaking new research on how strength training enhances running economy and durability for long-distance runners. Fresh off the Boston Marathon, Luke shares key findings from a study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, explaining why strength training isn't just beneficial—it's essential for maintaining performance late in a race. Discover Strength offe...

On this episode of the Discover Strength Podcast, CEO and exercise physiologist Luke Carlson is joined by Dr. Alyssa Larish, academic obstetrician, researcher at the Mayo Clinic, and competitive athlete. They dive into the latest evidence around exercise and pregnancy, the benefits of resistance training for maternal and fetal health, common myths, safe training guidelines, and how to optimize postpartum recovery. Dr. Larrish also shares her own training journey as she prepares for a speed cl...

In this episode of the Discover Strength Podcast, CEO and exercise physiologist Luke Carlson challenges one of the biggest myths in fitness — that more is better when it comes to strength training. Luke unpacks the history behind the popular "3 sets of 10" approach, shares insights from his time with the Minnesota Vikings, and breaks down decades of research supporting single-set training. Learn why doing less can actually help you achieve more strength, muscle growth, and health benefits — a...

In this episode of the Discover Strength Podcast, CEO and exercise physiologist Luke Carlson breaks down the latest research on protein and how it can amplify the benefits of your strength training. Luke shares a practical 5-point protein action plan, covering everything from how much protein you need, when to consume it, and why it's especially important as you age or aim to improve body composition. Discover Strength offers free Introductory Workouts at any location across the united ...