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Videos

Oct. 31, 2024

Logan (2017) | A 50% Facts Review | Kickass-tober

It was the end for Wolverine and Professor X. At least it was supposed to be. Instead, it’s one of the most realistic movies ever made about...mutants with superpowers. High fructose corn syrup has killed off most of the other mutants, and the government is trying to make their own…

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Oct. 29, 2024

John Wick (2014) | A 50% Facts Review | Kickass-tober

The moral of this film could be as simple as “Never kill a retired hitman’s dog.” In The Matrix, Keanu Reeves helped change the sci-fi action genre. In this one, he helps entirely redefine the revenge action genre. With a fighting style borrowed from imports like “The Raid” and some…

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Oct. 9, 2024

Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991) | A 50% Facts Review | Kickass-tober

All this month, we’re watching (some of us for the first time) some kickass flicks! Following up last week’s look at The Terminator (1981), we dig into its first sequel. This time Arnold Schwarzenegger plays a good guy, and this film has non-stop action. We largely discuss the impact this…

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Oct. 3, 2024

The Terminator (1984) | A 50% Facts Review | Kickass-tober

All this month, we’re watching (some of us for the first time) some kickass flicks! First up, the movie that cemented Arnold Schwarzenegger as a bankable Hollywood star, and launched a multi-billion dollar film and TV franchise. Does the mid-to-low-budget horror flick stand the test of time? What did 1984…

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Sept. 17, 2024

A shocking loss for powerlifting | 50% Facts

We were saddened to learn of the accidental death over the weekend of Kim Tran AKA Kim Valentine. We discussed some of her accomplishments on the platform and the role she played in bringing women and Asian lifters into the sport. In lighter discussion, we list the “16 seasons of…

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Aug. 14, 2024

CrossFit tragedy: Who is responsible for athlete safety?

The unthinkable happened. CrossFit lost an athlete during the games. Without having all the answers yet about exactly what happened when Lazar Đukić drowned, clearly sufficient safety measures were not in place. Athletes have been complaining for years about safety issues. Is there is lack of funding? A lack of…

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July 3, 2024

Rocky (1976) | A 50% Facts Review

You don’t have to be wearing a pair of American flag boxing shorts to get that Rocky is a 4th of July flick (Even though it’s set in February and was released in December.) Why was Creed wearing those shorts anyway? (It was a Bicentennial gimmick.) How did this film…

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June 28, 2024

Meteors, generations, and introductions | Tiffany Powers | 50% Facts

We sat down with our new trainer at Third Street Barbell, Tiffany Powers (@_tiffdeadlifts), to talk about strange lights in the sky, which generation Is which, and a bit about how she started lifting. Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) ran the board and chimed in on this one. Do you have a…

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June 26, 2024

Jacob Ross | Olympic Basketball

Jacob Ross | Olympic Basketball It’s been way, way too long since we connected here with our good buddy, Jacob Ross. He’s headed to Paris with the South Sudan Olympic Basketball team for the 2024 Olympics. We chat about how that all came together, his work with the NGO Matter,…

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June 25, 2024

Can a vegan powerlifter be really strong? | Nick Squires aka Meaty McSorley | 50% Facts

Not our first rodeo with this question, or with vegans among the members of our gym, but Nick is a big strong dude and a real hoot to chat with. What do you call a vegan who doesn’t really like vegetables? You can (and should) find Nick on IG (@meatymcsorley).…

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May 7, 2024

Does looking jacked always make a good impression?

We’ve always been told not to judge a book by its cover, but does that stop us? No! Even when it’s not a good idea to. Why do we make these judgments? We look at three physical characteristics that humans tend to let themselves be influenced by when judging the…

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April 25, 2024

How come some powerlifting rules make no sense? | 50% Facts

If short lifters can use blocks under their feet in competition, why can’t tall lifters use a taller bench? That’s just one example, but when you take a closer look there are definitely some things that don’t make sense. We also talk NBA, Taylor Swift, local crime, and bidets. Sebastian…

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April 19, 2024

What one thing would make you a good business owner? | One Good Question

A business question this week. What do you bring to the table as a potential business owner? What one thing would make you a better business owner than an employee? Our Wednesday guest, Ryan Thompson, joined us for this one. You can follow Ryan on Instagram at @rhinorooterplumbing. Sebastian Brambila…

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April 17, 2024

Ryan Thompson found his way, and you might find yours, too | 50% Facts

Ryan Thompson is a plumber. He’s actually Jim’s plumber. But he didn’t plan to be a plumber. After fighting through addiction, a chance moment at a gas station led to a path forward for him. Locking in on new goals -- and relying on discipline learned through sports and in…

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April 11, 2024

Avi shares plans

Our head trainer at Third Street Barbell, Avi Lieu (@avi.lieu), is making moves. She brings us up to date on what’s next and we try to fill her in on Firesticks, AppleTVs, and Rokus. Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) ran the board and joined us for this one. Have a question for…

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April 3, 2024

Is p*rn addiction real? | 50% Facts

We’ve seen people on social media, TV, etc. talk about their “porn addiction.” Most people nod their heads as if they believe and understand what the person is going through. Addiction is addiction, right? But…several years ago, scientists stopped believing in the condition. Studies didn’t support that it exists, and…

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April 2, 2024

IIFYM or just stick to eating clean? | One Good Question | 50% Facts

This week’s question on our Discord WarBoyWonder asked, “Thoughts on IIFYM or sticking to proper healthy foods during a cut?” It’s not always about Poptarts? Or is it? Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) ran the board and joined us for this one. Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good…

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March 29, 2024

Do celebrities inspire cult behavior (Huberman, Diddy, etc.)? | 50% Facts

While this is technically the 400th episode of the show, we’re treating it more like the “faux-hundredth” because we’ve used “rewind” episodes 11 times since we started. Look for something (hopefully) for our 400th episode of original content. We talked through the recent New York Magazine article about Andrew Huberman,…

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March 28, 2024

Our favorite easy macro-friendly meals? | One Good Question | 50% Facts

This week’s question comes from a member of our Discord. Bronzielocks asked, “Give us your best macro-friendly recipe that anyone of any skill level can cook!” One of our gym members, Jerry (@megaa_pandaa) who recently lost 70 lbs, joins us along with Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila) ran the board and joined…

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March 23, 2024

In what way are you your own worst enemy? | 50% Facts

We all practice self-sabotage sometimes. We use different methods, but in the end, we all do it. We share our own experiences and talk about the fallout from what we do to ourselves. We start off in a dangerous zone…talking about how much money we’d have to be paid to…

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March 17, 2024

Is fitness (social media) back? Do we have FOMO from missing the Arnold? | 50% Facts

Mike shares some signs that fitness social media and YouTube are regaining some of their old traction (2015-17 vibes, anyone?). Even attendance at the Arnold seems to be on the upswing again. Speaking of the Arnold, are we bummed that we didn’t go this year after making a return as…

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March 7, 2024

The IPF is coming to CBS? | 50% Facts

We didn’t have this announcement on our radar: “The IPF and CBS Sports (broadcaster of the Super Bowl 2024) have signed a multi-year agreement to bring IPF powerlifting to the TV in the USA and the whole of North America.” (Full release here: https://www.powerlifting.sport/about-ipf/news/news-detail/ipf-secures-tv-broadcast-partnership-for-north-america). For tested lifters in the US,…

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March 6, 2024

If you could cancel one thing? | One good question | 50% Facts

Today question sets up a bit of an “addition by subtraction” situation. If you could eliminate one thing from the world, in order to improve a lot of other things, what would it be? We took some creative swings at this one. Our own Sebastian Brambila (@sebastian_brambila), and Matt Ogihara…

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Feb. 29, 2024

How do you stick with a lifting hobby for the long haul? | Crew Show

We’ve all seen lifters go hard at the beginning and then burn out fast. Is it possible to pace yourself and continue to enjoy it year after year? Is competing the answer? We start off with trying to get consensus on what kinds of dogs we remind each other of.…

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