In this episode, we cut through the hype surrounding one of the fastest-growing trends in health and fitness: peptides. Joining us is Dr. Leigh Baxt, a translational scientist with experience advancing more than 30 therapeutic programs across oncology, metabolic disease, infectious disease, and regenerative medicine. Drawing on her background at Brown University, Stanford University School of Medicine, and Harvard Medical School, Dr. Baxt explains how drugs move from promising laboratory discoveries to proven human therapies, and why that process matters. We explore why peptides have become so popular, how social media has outpaced the science, and what people often misunderstand about anecdotal success stories, animal research, and theoretical mechanisms. We also discuss why many compounds that appear promising early in development never become approved treatments, the biological risks of manipulating growth and repair pathways, and where commonly discussed peptides like BPC-157, TB-500, MOTS-C, and KPV currently stand from an evidence perspective. Finally, we tackle some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding Big Pharma, patentability, regulation, and what consumers should expect as peptide oversight continues to evolve. Whether you're considering peptides yourself or simply want to separate scientific evidence from internet marketing, this episode provides the framework needed to evaluate the claims you're seeing online. Coach VinnyEmail: [email protected]: vinnyrusso_balancedbodiesFacebook: Vinny Russo Dr. ErynEmail: [email protected]: dr.eryn_balancedbodiesFacebook: Eryn Stansfield Dr. Leigh BaxtEmail: [email protected] Instagram: sciencemomscicommLeigh collaborates heavily with unbiased science: https://www.unbiasedscience.com/ LEGION 20% OFF CODEGo to https://legionathletics.com/ and use the code RUSSO for 20% off your order!

In this special on-base talk, Vinny Russo sits down with the soldiers of the 328th Field Hospital stationed at Fort Douglas, Utah, to cut through the noise on military nutrition. No fluff. No miracle supplements. No "eat clean" lectures. Just the real foundations that drive performance — and the marketing myths that have been costing service members results for years. This isn't theory. It's the same framework Vinny uses with pro athletes, executives, and operators who *have* to show up ready, every single day. What started as a one-hour talk turned into the longest Q&A Vinny has ever been a part of — soldiers brought every question from cutting weight for tape, to MRE strategy in the field, to late-night cravings on shift work, and Vinny answered all of it. **Inside this episode:** → The 5 nutrition foundations that decide 95% of your results → Why every popular diet "works" for the exact same boring reason → How much protein you actually need (most service members miss it by 50+ grams) → The hydration math behind reaction time, decision-making, and endurance → 6 nutrition myths Vinny shuts down with the actual research — carbs, late eating, detoxes, gluten, fruit, artificial sweeteners → How to build a winning plate in any DFAC using the Go for Green system → MRE do's and don'ts — when to eat the whole thing, when to ration, and the mistake that crashes you 90 minutes later → Why sleep is a nutrition issue (and what it does to your hunger hormones) → The longest live Q&A Vinny has ever done — real questions from real soldiers If you're active duty, prior service, a first responder, or just someone whose performance matters — this one's for you. Recorded live at the Fort Douglas Historical Theater, Fort Douglas, Utah Special thanks to the 328th Field Hospital Coach Vinny Email: [email protected] Instagram: vinnyrusso_balancedbodies Facebook: Vinny Russo Dr. Eryn Email: [email protected] Instagram: dr.eryn_balancedbodies Facebook: Eryn Stansfield LEGION 20% OFF CODE Go to https://legionathletics.com/ and use the code RUSSO for 20% off your order!

In this episode, I'm walking you through Balanced Bodies Intelligence — the smartest nutrition coaching app on the market and the system I built to give people real coaching without the $400-$600/month price tag of 1-on-1 work. Most nutrition apps just track. They give you a calorie number on day one and leave you to figure out the rest. This one actually coaches you. It uses machine learning to analyze your weight trends, compliance, biofeedback, recovery, habits, and movement — then makes weekly decisions to cut, feed, or hold based on what your body is actually doing. I break down every feature inside the app:→ How the baseline phase and weekly decision cycle work → Why a plateau doesn't always mean "eat less" → Phase-based coaching (deficit, maintenance, controlled feeds) → The biofeedback and readiness score system → Why compliance is a confidence measure, not a judgment → Progress photos, measurements, and trend analysis → The dashboard, habit tracker, and streak system → The food optimizer and Smart Optimize feature → Flex Days for social events, dinners, and parties → The Movement Score (and why steps matter more than workouts) → Ask Your Coach — and why it stays in its lane → The 4-layer accountability system: banners, texts, emails, and at-risk detection → Weekly reports and built-in education If you've been spinning your wheels with macro calculators, MyFitnessPal, or apps that just track food without telling you what to do next — this episode is for you. Whether you're not ready for full coaching, can't afford it right now, or just need structure and accountability to finally get consistent — Balanced Bodies Intelligence is the bridge. Sign up for your FREE 7 DAY TRIAL Here: https://app.balancedbodies.io Questions? DM me — I'll personally help you figure out if it's the right fit. Coach VinnyEmail: [email protected]: vinnyrusso_balancedbodiesFacebook: Vinny Russo Dr. ErynEmail: [email protected]: dr.eryn_balancedbodiesFacebook: Eryn Stansfield LEGION 20% OFF CODEGo to https://legionathletics.com/ and use the code RUSSO for 20% off your order!

In this episode We join Bryan on his FIT40 Podcast to talk about what a truly effective health and fitness team looks like. We dive into how personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and medical professionals can work together to help people improve their health, prevent disease, and build sustainable habits that last for decades. Coach Vinny Email: [email protected] Instagram: vinnyrusso_balancedbodies Facebook: Vinny Russo Dr. Eryn Email: [email protected] Instagram: dr.eryn_balancedbodies Facebook: Eryn Stansfield Bryan Fitzsimmons Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coach_fitzz Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bryan.fitzsimmons Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coach_fitzz?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bryan_fit40 LEGION 20% OFF CODE Go to https://legionathletics.com/ and use the code RUSSO for 20% off your order!

Dr. Christle Guevarra gets real in this episode—sharing her personal journey from early fitness struggles and body image challenges to becoming a physician who now lives both sides of the conversation.We dive deep into what “food noise” actually feels like, how it impacted her relationship with food, and what changed when she started a GLP-1.She walks through her first week, the unexpected mental shift around hunger, how it affected her training, and the trade-offs that don't get talked about—like energy, muscle retention, and social eating. This is an honest, unfiltered look at balancing discipline with medication, and what she wishes more patients (and coaches) understood. Coach VinnyEmail: [email protected]: vinnyrusso_balancedbodiesFacebook: Vinny Russo Dr. ErynEmail: [email protected]: dr.eryn_balancedbodiesFacebook: Eryn Stansfield Dr. Christle GuevarraInstagram: dr.christle LEGION 20% OFF CODEGo to https://legionathletics.com/ and use the code RUSSO for 20% off your order!

The peptide trend is everywhere…in wellness clinics, on influencer feeds, and now inside coaching programs promising six- and seven-figure practices built on injectable protocols. But what does the actual science say?In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple, Ph.D., a research scientist and contributing author at MASS Research Review whose sharp, no-nonsense breakdowns of health and exercise science have made her one of the most trusted voices for evidence-based practitioners. She joins us to dissect her viral article The Peptide Problem… and pull absolutely zero punches.We go deep on the three most hyped peptide drugs circulating in the wellness space right now (CJC-1295, Ipamorelin, and BPC-157), and the uncomfortable truth that their bold promises of muscle gain, fat loss, accelerated recovery, and anti-aging are built almost entirely on rodent data. Zero approved human trials. Zero FDA oversight. Zero manufacturing standards. Yet coaches are being handed pre-built protocols and told this is the new standard of care.Dr. Colenso-Semple explains why "natural" doesn't mean safe, why anecdotal success stories aren't evidence, and what the real risks, including tumor angiogenesis and immune reactions, could look like for everyday people injecting unapproved compounds. She also gives coaches a clear playbook for navigating client pressure, ethical red flags to watch for in mentorship programs tying coach income to selling unapproved drugs, and the evidence-based tools that actually move the needle when you strip the hype away.If you're a coach, trainer, or health professional trying to stay on the right side of science and your integrity… this one is essential listening Coach VinnyEmail: [email protected]: vinnyrusso_balancedbodiesFacebook: Vinny Russo Dr. ErynEmail: [email protected]: dr.eryn_balancedbodiesFacebook: Eryn Stansfield Dr. Lauren Colenso-SempleInstgram: drlaurencs1Website: https://www.drlaurencs.com/Mass Research Review Article: https://massresearchreview.com/2026/02/26/the-peptide-problem/ LEGION 20% OFF CODEGo to https://legionathletics.com/ and use the code RUSSO for 20% off your order!

Is obesity really just about eating too much — or is something deeper driving it? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Yasmine Elamir to unpack the concept of “diabesity” — the intersection of insulin resistance, blood sugar regulation, and chronic overeating. We explore how glucose swings influence hunger, why many people struggling with weight may have underlying insulin resistance, and how muscle, sleep, and diet can improve metabolic health over time. We also take a thoughtful look at GLP-1 medications, why some patients stall on them, and the biggest mistakes people make when relying on medication without addressing behavior and lifestyle. Dr. Elamir explains how to interpret glucose patterns, determine carb tolerance, and break emotional eating cycles using practical strategies. If you want a deeper understanding of the biology and behavior behind modern obesity, this episode delivers a clear, evidence-based perspective. Coach Vinny Email: [email protected] Instagram: vinnyrusso_balancedbodies Facebook: Vinny RussoDr. Eryn Email: [email protected] Instagram: dr.eryn_balancedbodies Facebook: Eryn StansfieldDr. Yasmine Elamir YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@diabetes_MD Instagram: diabetes_mdLEGION 20% OFF CODE Go to https://legionathletics.com/ and use the code RUSSO for 20% off your order!

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Dr. Joe Zundell — aka “Cancer Daddy” — for a wide-ranging conversation on cancer science, early detection, and what's actually moving the field forward. We cover: • Multi-cancer early detection (MCED) testing and the promise of liquid biopsies • Accuracy, limitations, and clinical decision-making • Metabolic vulnerabilities in cancer (Warburg effect, glutamine dependence) • Epigenetics and tumor biology • Immunotherapy, targeted therapies, and radiopharmaceuticals • Translational research and the bench-to-bedside gap • Drug resistance and evolutionary pressure in cancer treatment • Personalized risk reduction and prevention strategies We also get very personal in this episode — discussing loss, integrity in academia, career pivots, and what truly drives Dr. Zundell's mission in cancer research. This is an honest, science-first, and deeply human conversation about cancer, prevention, innovation, and responsibility in modern medicine. Coach Vinny Email: [email protected] Instagram: vinnyrusso_balancedbodies Facebook: Vinny Russo Dr. Eryn Email: [email protected] Instagram: dr.eryn_balancedbodies Facebook: Eryn Stansfield Dr. Joe Zundell Email: [email protected] Instagram: dr.joezundell LEGION 20% OFF CODE Go to https://legionathletics.com/ and use the code RUSSO for 20% off your order!

In this episode, I sit down with Bryan Fitzsimmons on his Podcast "The Fit40 Podcast" for a raw, no-filter conversation that every person trying to get healthier needs to hear. We're cutting through the functional medicine hype, the 500-lab-marker rabbit holes, and the supplement industry BS that's costing you time, money, and results. We get into what your blood work is actually telling you, why most people are skipping the most important phase before a cut, and the real price you pay when you try to rush the process. If you're a dad trying to figure out how to train smarter, eat better, and stop falling for the latest trend, this one was made especially for you. Coach VinnyEmail: [email protected]: vinnyrusso_balancedbodiesFacebook: Vinny Russo Dr. ErynEmail: [email protected]: dr.eryn_balancedbodiesFacebook: Eryn Stansfield LEGION 20% OFF CODEGo to https://legionathletics.com/ and use the code RUSSO for 20% off your order! Podcast Credit: The Fit40 Podcast

Dr. Eryn and Coach Vinny sit down with Dr. Karl Nadolsky, a board-certified physician specializing in obesity and metabolic health, to explore why weight loss is far more complex than calories, willpower, or trends. The conversation covers scope of practice, responsible collaboration between physicians and coaches, and how obesity is often misunderstood by both the public and professionals. Dr. Nadolsky breaks down how GLP-1 medications are prescribed in real clinical settings, where compounded and off-label use creates risk, and what long-term outcomes actually look like when behavior change is missing. They also discuss ethical concerns, prevention, and the future of obesity treatment, along with Dr. Nadolsky's clinic model and why he moved away from insurance-driven care. This episode is a grounded, evidence-based discussion for anyone serious about metabolic health and sustainable fat loss. Coach VinnyEmail: [email protected]: vinnyrusso_balancedbodiesFacebook: Vinny Russo Dr. ErynEmail: [email protected]: dr.eryn_balancedbodiesFacebook: Eryn Stansfield Dr. Karl NadolskyInstagram: drkarlnadolskyWebsite: endocrineclinicatthegym.comPodcast: DocsWhoLift Podcast LEGION 20% OFF CODEGo to https://legionathletics.com/ and use the code RUSSO for 20% off your order!