The Art of Performance Podcast

In this episode Dean and Acos rip apart one of the biggest and most damaging myths in modern health and performance... The belief that people are overeating! Most high performers, tactical & hybrid athletes and everyday humans are actually chronically under fuelled because modern life has created the perfect storm of: The Under-Eating Paradox Stress, caffeine intake, dopamine addiction, poor sleep and chaotic schedules blunting hunger signals, suppressing appetite and literally tricking people into believing they "don't need much food" The Death of Satiety Hyper-processed food, poor meal structure, speed eating culture, digital overstimulation and disrupted gut–brain signalling have destroyed our ability to feel full, satisfied and substantially fuelled Nutrition Fatigue People don't fail because of willpower. They fail because the decision load of modern life has become unbearable. Too much choice. Too much noise. Zero routine. No defaults. No system. This episode is a deep dive into the physiology, the behavioural psychology and the social realities behind why modern humans struggle with nutrition and why it has doesn't have as much to do with fads, trends or dietary tribes as many think. You'll learn: Why "not feeling hungry in the morning" is a red flag How stress and caffeine quietly shut down appetite Why everyday athletes under-eat more than sedentary people How hyper-palatable food hijacks reward circuitry Why satiety signals lag behind eating speed How decision fatigue destroys consistency The real reason you snack at night Why structure beats motivation in every environment And what a reliable, athlete-ready nutrition system actually looks like This is not another surface-level nutrition chat. This is proper, evidence-based human performance coaching. If you train hard, think you're eating "enough" or feel like you underperform despite putting the work in this episode is about to give you answers you won't hear anywhere else.

In this episode, Dean and Acos unpack one of the most fascinating — and misunderstood - forces in human performance: the placebo effect. From fake supplements that still trigger weight loss to rituals that enhance focus, pain tolerance, and recovery, the science is clear - your beliefs change your biology. We break down the new research on open-label placebos (where people know they're taking something fake but still get results), how belief alters RPE, HRV, digestion, and sleep and why coaches must learn to remove bullshit without removing belief. No magic pills. No pseudoscience. Just evidence based insight into how your mind drives performance. "Where the mind goes, the body follows."

Joe Wicks says his new "Killer Protein Bar" proves how dangerous ultra-processed foods really are. The media says it's a wake-up call. We say it's an epic opportunity to discuss the real issue in fear marketing dressed up as health education. In this episode, Dean and Acos cut through the hysteria to expose what's really going on: • The truth about ultra-processed foods and what the science actually shows • Why blaming a single protein bar misses the entire systemic picture • How the fitness industry weaponises fear for clicks, clout and cash • The hidden ingredients Joe Wicks "forgot" to mention and where you already eat them daily • The real health risks that matter: behaviour, context and lifestyle patterns Expect sarcasm, science, and straight talk - no influencer filters, no sensational headlines. Because the real killer isn't the protein bar. EPIt's the bullshit we keep swallowing.  

Not all Lifts are created equal and neither are you. In this episode we break down why your lever lengths, hip structure, and joint mechanics decide how you move under the bar. Forget copy and paste form cues and Instagram 'perfect' squats this is about biomechanics, not bad form. We'll cover: Why bone length and torso ratios change mechanics Anthropometry How hip morphology and tendon moment arms put hard limits on range of motion A coach's framework to individualise big lifts without wrecking joints Backed by research, stripped of shite and made relatable for athletes and coaches alike - this is your blueprint for programming around anatomy not against it.

Creatine works...it's the most researched supplement in sport, proven to boost strength, power, recovery and even brain health. But somewhere along the way, people started asking: if 5 grams a day works… what about 20? 30? 50? That's where mega-dosing was born. In this episode, I break down: The truth about muscle saturation and why more isn't better Where the "mega-dose" idea came from (and how supplement companies spun it) The side effects and wasted money nobody talks about What the latest 2024-2025 research actually shows Exactly how much creatine you need to perform at your best Spoiler: once your muscles are full, they're full. Mega-dosing is just expensive diarrhoea. Key Takeaways: 3-5 g/day works. That's all you need. Loading is optional (20 g/day x 5-7 days → then 3-5 g/day). Mega-dosing has no added benefit for size, strength, or recovery in healthy athletes. Side effects go up as the dose goes up (bloating, cramps, GI distress). Creatine monohydrate wins - no need for fancy "new" versions.