Episodes - Page 7 | 50% Facts with Silent Mike & Jim McD

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...

Aug. 23, 2023

Real talk: Are you too injured to lift in your meet?

So many lifters get banged up in the course of meet prep and find themselves wondering if it’s even worth doing the meet they had planned. Should they just heal up and wait for the next one? If you can’t PR. If you can’t win. Is the juice worth the...

Aug. 19, 2023

What’s your gym fit inspiration?

This week’s question from our Discord member, msoli: “You have talked extensively about how style or fashion has come from the hip hop community, the skateboarding community, and the basketball community. Where do you see style coming from now? The...

Aug. 16, 2023

Mikey Doucet: A former foster kid who taught himself to hope and dream

From the age of eight, Mikey Doucet lived in uncertainty. Who would truly care for him? Would he have enough to eat? Would he get along with the people who were supposed to be responsible for him or would he end up on the outside of another closed...

Aug. 11, 2023

The most complicated part of owning a gym in 2023?

This week’s question comes from social media, and Mike gets it pretty often: “What’s the most complicated part of owning a gym?” Owning any business is complicated. Which complications are specific to gyms? Our own Avi Lieu join us for this...

Aug. 9, 2023

Shaun White: The Last Run --- A 50% Facts Review

Snowboard phenom Shaun White faces the end of his storied Olympic career in this Prime Video documentary series. We take a look at the first episode of this four-part series chronicling his start as a skateboarder and surfer and how his whole family...

Aug. 4, 2023

Are top powerlifters ever at 100% when then compete?

This week’s question from our Discord: ChrisAllDownHill asked, “How often are professional powerlifters competing at 100% (physical health)? I feel like I’m always battling some sort of strain, or injury, or discomfort so is it unrealistic to...

Aug. 2, 2023

“Quarterback” on Netflix: A 50% Facts Review

We took a look at the first episode or so of the 8-part Netflix doc series that follows Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins and Marcus Mariota through the 2022 NFL season. Are these three athletes engaging enough to carry a series? Or a winning football...

July 29, 2023

Fitness apps: Do they help or hurt?

We were asked about this via Instagram rather than Discord this time. Tracking apps and “AI” style apps for nutrition and training are being used all over now. What’s our experience been? Do you need to pay for an app to have a good experience?...

July 26, 2023

Should PhDs call themselves “Doctor” when marketing themselves in fitness?

In some states, only specific medical professionals (physicians and surgeons) can use the title “Doctor.” California law is particularly strict about this. Are potential clients confused when other professionals with doctorate degrees use the title,...

July 21, 2023

Who will be the next great athlete who also succeeds in business, media, etc.? | One Good Question

This week’s question from our Discord: Chili72 asked, “Do you ever think there will be another athlete that rivals Shaq in terms of dominating their sport, then continuing to branch out across different areas on at a high level Examples: DJ Diesel,...

July 20, 2023

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin Documentary: A 50% Facts review

Just a couple of times have been able to watch a documentary about someone we’ve met in person and podcasted with. This time it’s Stone Cold Steve Austin. We checked out the Biography Channel documentary on his life and career, which became free on...

July 14, 2023

How to calculate a calorie deficit?

This week’s question from our Discord: Fluffy999 asked: “How should I calculate a caloric deficit? Been struggling to find the perfect amount of calories without starving myself.” Avi Lieu join us for this one. She’s on Instagram at...

July 12, 2023

Threads vs. Twitter, Zuck vs. Musk, over-the-counter tests vs. lab tests?

Suddenly we’ve got a new social media platform trying to take down Twitter. Does Threads (spun off of Instagram) have a real chance at making Elon’s bird app irrelevant? Is this a preview of the rumored Zuckerberg vs Musk match in the octagon?...

July 7, 2023

How many glizzies? | Topic Thunder rewind

In honor of the Fourth of July holiday week – and to make up for the fact that the traditional hot dog eating contest didn’t happen this year – we’re bringing back a classic Topic Thunder episode. We tackle the question, “How many glizzies could you...

July 5, 2023

Muscles and Mayhem – Unauthorized American Gladiators documentary series : A 50% Facts review?

In this episode, we review Netflix's new docu-series Muscles and Mayhem, which tells the story of the rise and fall of the iconic American Gladiators. We discuss the show's meteoric success, its behind-the-scenes drama, and its eventual downfall. ·...

June 30, 2023

Fake fast food meat?

This week’s One Good Question actually comes from some comments on Mike’s Instagram. Does a certain fast food restaurant use meat that’s not really meat? And is the occasional fast food meat not that big a deal? Avi Lieu joins us for this one. You...

June 28, 2023

“Arnold” docuseries: A 50% Facts Review

Love him or hate him, Arnold Schwarzenegger has been a phenomenon in bodybuilding, movies, and even politics. A new three-part Netflix documentary series explores his triumphs and challenges through multiple decades and careers. This series plays...

June 24, 2023

How do you change your workouts when you’re cutting?

This week’s question from our Discord: Yasssuke Da GOD asks: “I am currently contemplating switching my workout routine since I am trying to cut. And I am realizing I won’t be able to increase my numbers while also trying to increase activities...

June 21, 2023

Is responding to negative social media comments worth it?

We take a look at a few recent comments we’ve seen on social media – to our own stuff and that of others – and contemplate when it’s worth it even to respond. Even just to correct the record. What motivates people to become keyboard warriors? A few...

June 17, 2023

How do you keep a podcast (or any long-term project) going?

This week’s question from our Discord: Keith Honeycutt (https://www.instagram.com/keithhoneycutt73/) asked… "I recently started a podcast with some of my buddies. We are currently 4 episodes in and I think it’s going well. Any advice to keeping a...