Iron Sights

In this episode of the Iron Sights Podcast, I sit down with Red Dot Fitness nutrition coach Steven Brenna to talk about essential amino acids (EAAs) and what role they actually play in muscle, performance, and long-term health.We break down what the research says, what it doesn’t, and how EAAs compare to BCAAs—without getting lost in the weeds. If you’re training hard, trying to maintain muscle, or just want to make smarter decisions about supplementation, this episode will give you some real clarity.No hype. Just context and practical takeaways you can use.-25% OFF! Red Dot Fitness Programs: rdfprograms.comFFA Program:  https://reddotfitness.net/fitforactionRed Dot Fitness Training Programs:rdfprograms.comOnline Membership (Full Access To All Programs & Virtual Coaching):https://www.reddotfitness.net/online-membershipVirtual Coaching:https://www.reddotfitness.net/virtual-coachingSelf-Guided Programs:https://www.reddotfitness.net/Self-Guided-Programs1(NEW) Iron Sights Podcast Website:ironsightspodcasts.comTimestamps:00:00 Intro03:40 Creatine04:50 EAAs vs BCAAs12:28 Amino Basics20:54 Muscle & Aging33:29 Protein Intake36:22 Bulk vs Cut45:08 EAA Timing50:39 Choosing EAAs58:13 HMB01:00:02 Wrap-UpConnect With Us:Website - https://ironsightspodcast.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ironsightspodcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/

Today on the Iron Sights Podcast After Dark, I’m sitting down with Billy Barton — a Grand Master USPSA shooter, high-level competitor, and the owner of SpecTrain | Firearms Training. Billy has been on my short list for a long time, and after a few missed connections, we finally made it happen here in California.What makes Billy interesting is not a military or law enforcement background — it’s his process. He’s a shooter who went all-in, became highly competitive in a short period of time, and then naturally transitioned into coaching and instruction. In this conversation, we dig into how he trains, how he thinks about skill development, how he prepares for competition, and how he approaches teaching shooters at every level.This episode is especially valuable if you’re deep into your shooting journey — whether you’re competing, instructing, or trying to figure out how to train smarter instead of just doing more reps. Billy breaks down the systems, habits, and decision-making that actually move the needle. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but there is a formula, and Billy does a great job laying it out.If shooting performance matters to you, grab a notebook. Billy doesn’t waste words, and there’s a lot here worth unpacking. Sit back and enjoy this After Dark episode with Billy Barton of Spectrain on the Iron Sights Podcast.Timestamps:00:00 Intro04:54 Billy's Background06:22 Competition22:28 Spec Train39:23 Fundamentals41:31 Structure42:19 Dry Fire44:24 Hard Lessons49:15 2026 Plans59:57 Consistency01:09:40 Skills01:18:08 Modes01:21:58 Evolution01:38:26 Coaching02:02:43 LE & Competition02:13:12 ClosingRed Dot Fitness Training Programs:rdfprograms.comOnline Membership (Full Access To All Programs & Virtual Coaching):https://www.reddotfitness.net/online-membershipVirtual Coaching:https://www.reddotfitness.net/virtual-coachingSelf-Guided Programs:https://www.reddotfitness.net/Self-Guided-Programs1Connect With Us:Website - https://ironsightspodcast.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ironsightspodcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/

Training doesn’t always feel good. It doesn’t always feel motivating. And it definitely doesn’t always feel “fun.”In this episode of the Iron Sights Podcast, I’m back in the studio with Ryan and CeCe to talk about what happens when your workouts stop giving you that sense of enjoyment or fulfillment. If you’ve been training long enough, you’ve probably hit this phase at least once. We talk honestly about where training fits into our lives, why workouts don’t have to be fun all the time, and why chasing motivation is usually the wrong move. This isn’t about quitting or forcing yourself through it either. We walk through five practical ideas to help you reframe your approach, stay consistent, and keep moving forward even when you’re not feeling it.If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “I’m just not into this right now,” this episode is for you. Sit back, listen in, and hopefully take away a few tools to help you keep training in a way that actually works for the long haul.-25% OFF! Red Dot Fitness Programs: rdfprograms.comFFA Program:  https://reddotfitness.net/fitforactionRed Dot Fitness Training Programs:rdfprograms.comOnline Membership (Full Access To All Programs & Virtual Coaching):https://www.reddotfitness.net/online-membershipVirtual Coaching:https://www.reddotfitness.net/virtual-coachingSelf-Guided Programs:https://www.reddotfitness.net/Self-Guided-Programs1(NEW) Iron Sights Podcast Website:ironsightspodcasts.comTimestamps:00:00 Intro02:52 Loving (and Hating) Training08:19 Finding Your Why14:13 Community Matters16:45 Training Environment18:18 Coaching Matters20:17 Coach’s Role23:06 Learning New Skills29:09 Changing ProgramsConnect With Us:Website - https://ironsightspodcast.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ironsightspodcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/

In this episode of the Iron Sights Podcast, I sit down with Stephen Brenna, our nutrition coach at Red Dot Fitness, for a raw, unfiltered conversation. We hit record and break down the five things we’d absolutely be doing if our goal was to not achieve our nutrition and fitness goals going into 2026.No trends. No shortcuts. Just honest insight into the habits and mistakes that quietly derail progress—and what to think about if you want real results.-25% OFF! Red Dot Fitness Programs: rdfprograms.comFFA Program:  https://reddotfitness.net/fitforactionRed Dot Fitness Training Programs:rdfprograms.comOnline Membership (Full Access To All Programs & Virtual Coaching):https://www.reddotfitness.net/online-membershipVirtual Coaching:https://www.reddotfitness.net/virtual-coachingSelf-Guided Programs:https://www.reddotfitness.net/Self-Guided-Programs1(NEW) Iron Sights Podcast Website:ironsightspodcasts.comTimestamps:00:00 Intro02:52 Planning Failure05:44 Weight Loss Mistakes11:29 Overtraining13:57 No Plan17:25 Routine & Flexibility19:38 Accountability21:05 Diet Basics22:23 Support Systems28:31 Injuries30:15 Future GoalsConnect With Us:Website - https://ironsightspodcast.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ironsightspodcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/

Welcome back to the Iron Sight Podcast. Today I’m in the studio with Cece and Ryan, and we’re digging into one of the most persistent myths in the fitness world: the repetition continuum. You’ve heard it before — heavy weights for strength, moderate reps for hypertrophy, and light loads for endurance. It’s simple, it’s clean… and it’s not really true.In this episode, we break down where that model came from, why it stuck around for so long, and what the current research actually says. We talk about some of the voices online influencing this conversation, and a well-known researcher who pretty much takes a sledgehammer to the old rep-range chart. We’re going to cover what really drives strength, growth, and endurance — and how to use that information to train smarter, adapt better, and get more out of the work you’re already doing.Enjoy the show!-25% OFF! Red Dot Fitness Programs: rdfprograms.comFFA Program:  https://reddotfitness.net/fitforactionRed Dot Fitness Training Programs:rdfprograms.comOnline Membership (Full Access To All Programs & Virtual Coaching):https://www.reddotfitness.net/online-membershipVirtual Coaching:https://www.reddotfitness.net/virtual-coachingSelf-Guided Programs:https://www.reddotfitness.net/Self-Guided-Programs1(NEW) Iron Sights Podcast Website:ironsightspodcasts.comTimestamps:00:00 Intro03:48 Fitness Myths05:26 Rep Continuum08:44 Industry Issues14:56 Practical Tips29:42 Hypertrophy Zone Myth33:35 Rep Basics39:07 Failure Training39:39 Programming47:56 Endurance MythsConnect With Us:Website - https://ironsightspodcast.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ironsightspodcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/