Episodes - Page 14 | 50% Facts with Silent Mike & Jim McD

Jan. 21, 2022

After the Fear? Our first after-show

After our conversation with Garrett Fear in the previous episode, we kicked around some additional ideas about the viability of powerlifting as entertainment for “gen pop” audiences. We also talked about what we watched during our holiday break. Is...

Jan. 20, 2022

Garrett Fear: Can powerlifting ever grab a mainstream audience?

Can the next generation of powerlifters (and powerlifting promoters) finally bring the audiences (and sponsor money) the sport has dreamed of? Garrett Fear thinks so, and he gives us some insight into how it might work. We kick it off with talk of PC...

Jan. 15, 2022

Is bodybuilding a sport? | Topic Thunder Mini-episode

If a sport requires a physical performance that is measured against other competitors, can bodybuilding really be a sport? Or is the actual sport in the preparation? Or is it more like a pageant or even a dog show? We’re totally unqualified to answer...

Jan. 13, 2022

Why does CrossFit get so much hate? | Topic Thunder Mini-episode

Full-length Wednesday episodes return next week! As powerlifters, we've observed the impact that CrossFit has had on general fitness, weightlifting, powerlifting, etc. On balance, its influence has been pretty positive, right? So why did/do so many...

Jan. 7, 2022

If you could delete one thing from the fitness world, what would it be? | Topic Thunder Mini-episode

Which one thing do you think we’d be better off without? Is it a social media posturing? A training method? A useless supplement? Or is it just the ways that “fitness” is sold to us? Dean Saddoris of Caffeine & Kilos joined us in this discussion. You...

Jan. 5, 2022

What’s the best pre-workout? | Topic Thunder Mini-episode

While the main show is on a holiday break, please enjoy this episode of our show, Topic Thunder. How do people decide that they need a boost just to get through a workout? Are some too much and some not enough? What can you get from a pre-workout...

Dec. 31, 2021

Are New Year’s resolutions a cop out? | Topic Thunder Mini-episode

Does it matter when you decide to set goals and make changes in your life? Should you keep your goals private until you’ve made some progress? Does stating your goals out loud more or less likely to keep pursuing them? Is any period of improvement...

Dec. 29, 2021

Who’s on your Fitness Mt. Rushmore? | Topic Thunder Mini-episode

While the main show is on a holiday break, please enjoy this episode of Topic Thunder. Which four people have contributed the most to the current state of the fitness industry? Or what you enjoy about the industry? Who’s had the broadest impact, and...

Dec. 24, 2021

Best lifting shoes? | Topic Thunder Mini-episode

When did it become a thing to have specialized shoes for everything? Are flat shoes better than heeled shoes or vice versa? If you’re thinking about putting your Christmas money into lifting shoes…or you’ve got a really specific opinion…give this one...

Dec. 23, 2021

What did we learn from running our first meet?

We partnered with Caffeine & Kilos to hold an unsanctioned deadlift meet at our gym. What did we find out that we didn’t know before? We’ve participated in running meets in the past, but this was our first shot at making it happen by ourselves. Shout...

Dec. 17, 2021

What was your first definition of “fitness?” | Topic Thunder Mini-episode

We throw our minds back to our first ideas of what “fitness” meant when we were first exposed to it as kids. Was it gadgets like the Thighmaster? Was it Richard Simmons? Was it bodybuilding magazines in the supermarket? Oh, the nostalgia… Dean...

Dec. 16, 2021

King Richard | BioPic Review and Reaction

We’re taking our first jump into scripted film territory. Will Smith stars as the father, and sometimes coach of, Venus and Serena Williams in this 2021 “definitely-not-a-documentary” biographical film. Does the film do justice to the amazing rise...

Dec. 11, 2021

Should steroids be legal in sports? | Topic Thunder Mini-episode

MLB’s Hall of Fame recently voted on a slate of potential inductees from baseball’s “steroid era.” The game benefited from the performance of these players. Specifically, they helped bring enthusiasm and crowd back to the sport after a bitter work...

Dec. 9, 2021

Top Fitness Trends for 2022?

We take our year-end traditional look at what websites and bloggers project to be the top fitness trends for next year. Hybrid workouts, new wearables, outdoor workouts, and bringing (say it with us ) balance. How likely do we think these things are?...

Dec. 4, 2021

Is movement really the medicine? | Topic Thunder Mini-episode

We recently (episode #155) accidentally posted the opening of an episode about chiropractors, stretching, and foam rolling with the body of an episode about fitness gimmick devices. Honest mistake, since they all fit into the broad category of...

Dec. 2, 2021

How do you keep your head together while you’re getting your gainz back? | December Q & A

After some period of time away from the gym, how do you deal with the mental impact of being WAY off your PRs? Are meal replacements worth or it or a good idea? What have we learned that we didn’t know while making this show? What would we tell our...

Nov. 26, 2021

Shaming: Fit, Fat, and all the other kinds | Topic Thunder Mini-episode

Does shaming actually motivate anyone? Why shame someone else anyway? And they really just shaming themselves? We talk through our thoughts. Dean Saddoris of Caffeine & Kilos joined us in this discussion. You can find Dean on IG @deansaddoris.ck and...

Nov. 24, 2021

The Commissioner of Power | Documentary Review and Reaction

It’s fitting that Rogue Fitness would decide to underwrite an expansive documentary on the life of Terry Todd -- a name known to many in the strength world for decades. As a lifter and coach, he was a formative presence in Olympic lifting,...

Nov. 19, 2021

What do we hate to see in the gym? | Topic Thunder (Mini-episode)

Is curling in the squat rack a huge break of gym etiquette or just a practical solution? Is loading the leg press up with every plate in the gym, five linebackers, and 7 cheerleaders a good move? Does training on an inflated half-sphere ever make...

Nov. 17, 2021

Home gyms (revisited) | The North Pull | w/Caffeine & Kilos

In a bit of a mashup between a regular 50% Facts and one our shorter Topic Thunder episodes, we sat down with our friends from Caffeine & Kilos to take another swing the advantages and disadvantages of home gyms. We also hit on “do not disturb” on...

Nov. 12, 2021

What’s a good protein source and why does everyone think it’s peanut butter? | Topic Thunder (Mini-episode)

Everybody loves peanut butter, or do they? Many people love it so much that they think it’s a great protein source, but it’s not relative to its calorie count. We talk about the allure of nut butters, what we like and don’t like, and which protein...

Nov. 11, 2021

The Tillman Story: Documentary review

The Tillman Story: Documentary review Pat Tillman, who walked away from NFL millions to join the Army and was later killed, is a legendary heroic figure. What was the real story of his death by friendly fire? This documentary reflects his family’s...

Nov. 6, 2021

Should you be trying to get dates at the gym? | Topic Thunder (Mini-episode)

We discuss the rights and wrongs of trying to get dates, or even talk to strangers, at the gym. Can you do it without throwing up red flags? Are there times that it’s ok, and times it’s really not ok? Our friend and gym member Dan Storniuolo...

Nov. 3, 2021

Two physical therapists who powerlift explain why sometimes moving “wrong” is actually right

We’re lucky to have not one, but two physical therapy docs as members of our gym. We sat down with Emily Snee and Dominic Violi to discuss what it really takes to get back in the game, and the stuff that’s probably just a waste of time and money. It...