Episodes - Page 6 | 50% Facts with Silent Mike & Jim McD

Nov. 16, 2023

How should we judge the judges?

Every powerlifting federation has similar rules about how lifts should be performed in competition, but how those rules are applied rests with the judges/referees. Different feds have different reputations for judging, and any time an “all-time world...

Nov. 10, 2023

Joint pain in your 30s?

This week’s question from one of our Discord members: YumYumNmy🍑 asked, “How do you personally deal with age-related joint pains? 30s have been rough on my hip and back.” We discuss some ways of dealing with joint pain, but should you have it in...

Nov. 8, 2023

Best superhero physique?

With all the talk about how actors eat, workout, and potentially use PEDs to achieve superhero physiques, who did the best job of it. Which actors end up looking the most appropriately built for the characters they portray? We talk through the top...

Nov. 3, 2023

AMRAPS for Powerlifting?

We ganked this week’s question from the /Powerlifting sub-Reddit: “Is there a cut off range for AMRAPS?” \What does AMRAP mean, and does it have a place in powerlifting training? And as to the original question, how many reps is too many?...

Nov. 1, 2023

Housekiping!

Time for a housekeeping episode. We announce our next USAPL meet, a new sponsor, our 3-year anniversary sale, and discuss the WRPF American open. Support for this episode was provided by Legion Athletics. Use our code “goodcompany” for 20% off...

Oct. 27, 2023

What do you want to be remembered for?

This week’s question from one of our Discord members is another deep one: Keith Honeycutt asked “What would you like your family and friends to think or say about you once you are dead and gone? (What do you want to be remembered for?)” Have a...

Oct. 25, 2023

Do we have free will? What if all our decisions are foregone conclusions?

We’ve got no free will. Stop attributing stuff to us that isn’t there. — Stanford neurobiologist Robert Sapolsky When a Stanford neurobiologist states that free will largely doesn’t exist, and he’s joined in this thought by other neurobiologists...

Oct. 20, 2023

Good habits that stuck?

This week’s One Good Question from a member of our Discord: Dom Oviedo asked, “What’s a habit/Lift that was necessary for a certain diet/program that has just lingered and become your preference? Example: I started drinking black coffee while I...

Oct. 18, 2023

Could any fitness influencer ever become a movie/TV star?

A few influencers that have come to the attention of mainstream media in the past few years. Social media presence has even become one factor in casting actors in big projects. Are there any fitness influences who could cross over? Considering the...

Oct. 13, 2023

Trap bar dead only if you don’t compete in powerlifting?

This week’s question comes from…us. If you’re not competing in powerlifting, are there any good reasons to deadlift with a straight bar rather than at trap bar? What would you be giving up, and what would you be gaining? If you do compete, should...

Oct. 11, 2023

Snacks and Powerlifting: US vs UK | Guest Oliver Munby

Think of this as a little compare and contrast essay we put together with our friend and visitor from the other side of the pond, Oliver Munby. A re powerlifting gyms the same? How do American snacks like Mega Stuff Oreos and Saltines match up? Do...

Oct. 7, 2023

How do you balance being a competitive powerlifter and a runner?

How do you balance being a competitive powerlifter and a runner? Next Wednesday’s guest, Oliver Munby, helps out with this week’s question from our Discord. Yasssuke Da GOD asks, “I know there’s a lot out there about hybrid training, but has...

Oct. 4, 2023

What are your best and worst traits as a lifter?

Avi Lieu joins us for an open discussion on how our personality traits – things we don’t have a ton of control over – impact our performance as lifters. Look for Avi on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/avi.lieu. Have a question for one of our...

Sept. 29, 2023

Best guests we can’t get (because they’re dead)

This week’s question from our Discord is kind of a tough one. Dom Oviedo asked, “Who are the top 5 dead people you wish you could have on your podcast?” Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media...

Sept. 27, 2023

BS High | A 50% Facts review

Of all the documentaries we’ve reviewed, this has got to be the strangest. How does a team of supposedly high school-aged football players, who are supposedly students of a school that doesn’t really exist, end up on ESPN getting walloped by one of...

Sept. 22, 2023

Best way to improve your overhead press?

This week’s question from members of our Discord: Keo asked, “What program would you recommend for increasing the OHP from 1.5 plates to 2? I’ve been stuck for over 2 years now.” Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question”...

Sept. 20, 2023

Untold: Swamp Kings | A 50% Facts review

The 2005--2009 Florida Gators football team, led by coach Urban Meyer, is one of the most legendary teams in college football history. He pushed them to two national championships in three years and an undefeated season. This 4-part Netflix series...

Sept. 15, 2023

Is there one weird trick for finding your strongest bench press grip?

Back to our Discord for another question: Detesestro asked, “What's the ideal way to tell your ideal bench press width?” Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag...

Sept. 13, 2023

International competition: When is it legit? When are you ready? When is it worth it?

We explore what makes international competitions across all sports different from those even at the national level. Should international competition be one of your goals? Should a certain number of countries be included before it’s called a “World...

Sept. 8, 2023

Intensity vs arousal: Are you using either one of these words correctly?

“Intensity” has a specific meaning as related to lifting – a much different meaning than in the rest of the world – yet lifters misuse it all the time. The same is true of “arousal.” That one might spark a bit of a giggle, but when it comes to...

Sept. 6, 2023

Untold: Hall of Shame – A 50% Facts Review

BALCO. Victor Conte. Steroids. The Netflix Untold documentary series looks back at a time when we all wanted to believe that athletes were suddenly capable of record-breaking achievements simply by perfecting their diets, training, and...

Sept. 1, 2023

What sucks (and doesn’t suck) about home gyms? | Topic Thunder Rewind

We’re taking a short Labor Day break and have this classic Topic Thunder (our panel format) episode. Labor Day Weekend is always a good time to fill in the gaps in your wardrobe! Head over to 3sb.co and use the code “pod” for 10% off your entire...

Aug. 30, 2023

Untold: Johnny Football – A 50% Facts Review

We’ve been big fans of the Netflix documentary series Untold. The new season debuted with a look at the rise and fall of Johnny Manziel. A winning Texas high school quarterback. A wildly inventive freshman season at Texas A&M that propelled him to...

Aug. 25, 2023

Powerlifting belts: Prong, prongs, or lever?

This week’s (somewhat paraphrased) question is from Instagram: What kind of belt do we prefer? Do single-prong, double-prong, or lever belts all work the same? Or are there advantages and disadvantages to each one? Further, how much can you expect to...