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50% Facts with Silent Mike & Jim McD

Life’s too short to be half right! Veteran podcasters Mike "Silent Mike" Farr and Jim McDonald try to answer a single question. Any question is fair game, but most involve health, fitness, nutrition, mental health, culture…even sex. They examine common misconceptions and then try to get to the correct answer -- often with the help of subject matter experts. They walk away with a better sense of the facts…and so do you.

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Recent Episodes

Scrooged! (1988)| 50% Facts Holiday Special Review | Guest cohost Josh Hajar
497
Dec. 24, 2025

Scrooged! (1988)| 50% Facts Holiday Special Review | Guest cohost Josh Hajar

In this conversation, Jim and Josh discuss the Christmas movie 'Scrooge'd', reflecting on its nostalgic value, Bill Murray's career, and the themes of corporate greed and morality. They explore the film's impact on their childhood memories, the casting choices, and how it compares to other holiday films. The discussion also delves into character development, relationships, and the film's overall message, culminating in ratings and final thoughts. You can find Josh on Instagram @amazingjrab https
Creating safe outlets for coping with trauma| Guest: firefighter Chad Dillion
496
Dec. 17, 2025

Creating safe outlets for coping with trauma| Guest: firefighter Chad Dillion

In this conversation, Jim McDonald and firefighter Chad Dillon delve into deeper topics surrounding mental health, community, and self-expression through photography and music. They discuss Chad's journey from firefighting to founding the nonprofit, Ruted Above, aimed at fostering community connections and safe spaces for expression. The conversation highlights the importance of therapy, the impact of culture on personal growth, and the role of art in healing. They also touch on the significance
Die Hard 2: Die Harder | Holiday Film Fest | Guest co-host Josh Hajjar
495
Nov. 26, 2025

Die Hard 2: Die Harder | Holiday Film Fest | Guest co-host Josh Hajjar

In something of an annual tradition, the Holiday Film Fest is back with this Christmas flick for Thanksgiving. Yes, Die Hard 2 is a Christmas movie! In this film, detective John McClane (Bruce Willis) tries to stop a terrorist plot at Washington D.C.'s Dulles International Airport on Christmas Eve. After the incident at Nakatomi Plaza, it’s fair to wonder if this guy can ever catch a break. If nothing else, the broadcast version of this film gave us the iconic phrase, “Yippee Ki‐Yay, Mister Falc
Paul Oneid | From Injury to Strength
494
Nov. 12, 2025

Paul Oneid | From Injury to Strength

In this conversation, Jim and Paul Oneid discuss the current state of gyms post-pandemic, sharing insights on the challenges faced by gym owners and members alike. They delve into Paul's personal journey of injury recovery after a severe quad injury, exploring the innovative rehabilitation techniques he employed. The discussion also highlights the importance of foundational training and the long-term commitment necessary for maintaining health and fitness. In this conversation, Paul discusses th
Larry Wheels with John Gaglione | The Power of Resilience
493
Nov. 5, 2025

Larry Wheels with John Gaglione | The Power of Resilience

This is something of a follow-up to episode 491 with John Gaglione about the training environment. This time, Larry Wheels, who was coached by John and has become an iconic figure in the fitness world, joins (from Russia!). In this conversation, Larry Wheels Williams discusses his journey in powerlifting, emphasizing the importance of resilience, communication, and mental preparation. He reflects on the setbacks he faced, particularly the feeling of bombing out of competitions, which ignited his
Mission-driven Fitness | Guest Kevin Meier (@purebullfit)
492
Oct. 29, 2025

Mission-driven Fitness | Guest Kevin Meier (@purebullfit)

In this conversation, Jim McDonald speaks with Kevin Meier, a former Marine, video game character, and fitness coach, about his journey from military service to the fitness industry. Kevin has survived and learned to cope with a devastating accidental injury. Through his employment at Blizzard Entertainment, he met someone who was critical to recovering his his strength and physical capabilities. He also came to understand that he had to find a life mission and let it chart his path. They discus

About the Hosts

Mike Farr Profile Photo
Mike Farr

Co-host

Mike Farr, aka Silent Mike, has dedicated his life to supporting others in their goals and to building community. After spending over 15 years playing and coaching basketball he switched gears into the weight room. Over the last decade, he focused on helping thousands of athletes around the world with their strength and fitness goals. Powerlifting is considered an individual sport but Mike has found his role in helping others through education and entertainment using the barbell as his vessel.

Jim McDonald Profile Photo
Jim McDonald

Creator and Co-host

Jim left the corporate world behind a couple of decades ago and became a consultant in IT and healthcare marketing. In the early 2000s, he discovered powerlifting and began to document its training and some of its greatest performances as an early YouTube fitness creator. He focused on visuals that helped the audience understand not only the technical aspects of powerlifting but also the emotions that drive lifters to lift. Eventually, he created a chart-topping podcast along with Mike Farr… just before the worldwide explosion in podcast listenership. His role at 3SB is both administrative and creative, and he’s finding the balance between those a day at a time.