Muscle Intelligence

Podcasts are better with visuals! → Watch On YouTube Join 50,000+ men getting weekly strategies to build muscle, boost energy, and extend performance, delivered straight to your inbox. → Join the Newsletter We're here to help you build muscle. Download our FREE body part specializations below. → Free Resources Show Notes/Description What happens when you combine obsessive consistency, pain-free movement, and training intensity with surgical precision? Eric Janicki joins Ben Pakulski on the Muscle Intelligence Podcast, for a powerful deep dive into the evolution of his training philosophy, from early football grit and aesthetic modeling to intelligent bodybuilding and elite physique coaching. Eric shares the personal journey that shaped his mindset, why full range of motion changed his physique, and how intentional training helped him eliminate chronic joint pain. They explore nuanced programming, the psychology of progression, and the future of fitness tech and coaching. Whether you're an aging athlete, bodybuilder, or everyday lifter, this episode will change how you train forever. Points To Watch Out For How deep-range training fixed chronic knee and back pain Why most lifters never fully activate their muscles The truth about joint health and full range of motion How Eric gained 85 lbs of muscle post-30 Building a business around passion and purpose   Connect with Eric YouTube Channel Instagram Momentus Clothing Sculptd Training App HTLT Supplements About Ben Ben Pakulski is the Chief Performance Officer to elite executives, successful entrepreneurs, and top athletes. With over 25 years of experience, he coaches high achievers to build the physical, psychological, and metabolic resilience required to lead at the highest level. As the creator of the Muscle Intelligence framework, Ben specializes in aligning biology and behavior to drive sustained peak performance. His mission is to redefine what’s possible for people in their prime and push the boundaries of human potential.  

Podcasts are better with visuals! → Watch On YouTube Join 50,000+ men getting weekly strategies to build muscle, boost energy, and extend performance, delivered straight to your inbox. → Join the Newsletter We're here to help you build muscle. Download our FREE body part specializations below. → Free Resources   Show Notes How do you actually measure muscle growth? In this episode of Muscle Intelligence, Ben Pakulski sits down with Dr. Eduardo De Souza, one of the top hypertrophy researchers in the world, to break down the real science behind building muscle. They unpack why most studies don’t use the gold standard (MRI), how ultrasound stacks up, and whether training volume, exercise selection, or rep schemes truly matter. They explore the myths around sarcoplasmic hypertrophy, how aging affects muscle quality, and what actually determines growth after 40. Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or lifelong lifter, this is essential knowledge for training smarter, not just harder. Get ready for a deep, clear, and evidence-backed conversation on hypertrophy like you’ve never heard before.   Points To Watch Out For  MRI is still the gold standard for hypertrophy Ultrasound can be a valid, cheaper alternative Aging muscle shows more fibrous, non-contractile tissue High volume ≠ always better gains, individual response matters Effective Reps Model lacks peer-reviewed validation About Ben Ben Pakulski is the Chief Performance Officer to elite executives, successful entrepreneurs, and top athletes. With over 25 years of experience, he coaches high achievers to build the physical, psychological, and metabolic resilience required to lead at the highest level. As the creator of the Muscle Intelligence framework, Ben specializes in aligning biology and behavior to drive sustained peak performance. His mission is to redefine what’s possible for people in their prime and push the boundaries of human potential.    

Podcasts are better with visuals! → Watch On YouTube Join 50,000+ men getting weekly strategies to build muscle, boost energy, and extend performance, delivered straight to your inbox. → Join the Newsletter We're here to help you build muscle. Download our FREE body part specializations below. → Free Resources   Show Notes/Description In this groundbreaking episode, Ben Pakulski sits down with Dr. Dominic D’Agostino to unpack a revolutionary approach to fighting cancer using metabolic therapy, ketosis, and fasting protocols. Dr. D’Agostino shares over 15 years of cutting-edge research on how ketones, calorie restriction, and metabolic biomarkers can suppress tumor growth, reduce treatment side effects, and potentially prevent cancer altogether. You’ll learn how to personalize your glucose-ketone index, why metabolic health is the key to longevity, and what fasting protocols may optimize immunity and resilience. Whether you’re focused on performance, prevention, or recovery, this episode is packed with actionable insights that challenge the status quo of modern medicine. Points To Watch Out For How ketones suppress cancer cell growth The glucose-ketone index you should track Fasting as a cancer prevention strategy Why metabolic health is your first defense How ketone therapy boosts immune response About Ben Ben Pakulski is the Chief Performance Officer to elite executives, successful entrepreneurs, and top athletes. With over 25 years of experience, he coaches high achievers to build the physical, psychological, and metabolic resilience required to lead at the highest level. As the creator of the Muscle Intelligence framework, Ben specializes in aligning biology and behavior to drive sustained peak performance. His mission is to redefine what’s possible for people in their prime and push the boundaries of human potential. Connect with Dominic Audacious Nutrition Instagram Website

Join 50,000+ men getting weekly strategies to build muscle, boost energy, and extend performance, delivered straight to your inbox. → Join the Newsletter   Show Notes/Description In this powerful and wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Jordan Shallow returns to the Muscle Intelligence Podcast to unpack the physical, mental, and emotional journey of becoming his highest self. From hitting rock bottom in a toxic life path to spending a year on the road teaching seminars and redefining movement education, Jordan shares how pain, panic, and performance shaped his evolution.  He and Ben dive deep into the mental models behind freedom, authenticity, athleticism, and personal transformation, plus practical insights on training, learning, and leading others. This episode is a raw, real, and inspiring look at what it means to design your life intentionally from the ground up.   Points To Watch Out For  Why pain and anxiety often trigger personal evolution How to train smarter by treating movement like learning The real reason most people never change What great athletes do differently neurologically How to update your mental “operating system” and find freedom About Jordan Shallow Dr. Jordan Shallow is a performance specialist who transforms how elite athletes, professional teams, and corporations approach human optimization. With extensive experience working alongside world-class athletes and sports organizations, Jordan has developed a comprehensive methodology that bridges the gap between injury prevention, training, and peak performance. Jordan's integrated approach follows athletes through every stage of their journey—from rehabilitation and recovery to training optimization and game-day execution. This holistic perspective has made him a sought-after expert who understands that true performance enhancement requires addressing every element of an athlete's development. Whether working with Olympic competitors or Fortune 500 companies, Jordan delivers cutting-edge strategies that unlock human potential at the highest levels. Learn more from Jordan at pre-script.com   About Ben Ben Pakulski is the Chief Performance Officer to elite executives, successful entrepreneurs, and top athletes. With over 25 years of experience, he coaches high achievers to build the physical, psychological, and metabolic resilience required to lead at the highest level. As the creator of the Muscle Intelligence framework, Ben specializes in aligning biology and behavior to drive sustained peak performance. His mission is to redefine what’s possible for people in their prime and push the boundaries of human potential.

Join 50,000+ men getting weekly strategies to build muscle, boost energy, and extend performance, delivered straight to your inbox. → Join the Newsletter ***Muscle Intelligence Exclusive*** Save 15% at Biolongevity Labs with code "BPak"!  Show Notes/Description In this jam-packed episode of the Muscle Intelligence Podcast, Ben Pakulski sits down with peptide and hormone optimization expert Jay Campbell for a masterclass on the future of human longevity and performance. From mitochondrial peptides like SS-31 to GLP-1 agonists and bioregulators, they cover the science, the protocols, and the risks behind these powerful tools.    Whether you’re a high performer, a longevity enthusiast, or simply want to optimize your body as you age, this is the deep dive you need. They also discuss sourcing, trust in manufacturing, microdosing, and the ethical implications of mainstream use. This is the future of health, and it’s happening now. Points To Watch Out For The top peptides Jay uses for energy and fat loss How bioregulators support aging systems Why most people misuse GLP-1 drugs The mitochondrial stack Ben swears by Real talk on sourcing peptides you can trust Here are 3 ways we can help you look, feel and perform at your best: Grab a free copy of 1 of our BRAND NEW Peak Performance Protocols. This is for high performers looking to 10x their training and nutrition results by becoming 10x more effective. Click here - https://go.muscleintelligence.com/high-performance-executive-report/  Join the Muscle Intelligence Community and connect with other men like you who want to uplevel their health and fitness. It’s our new Facebook group where I coach members live, share what’s working with my private clients and announce tickets to my upcoming trainings and events. Click here - https://www.muscleintelligence.com/community Work with me 1-on-1 If you’re a top performing executive or entrepreneur who wants a fully customized comprehensive health protocol and support from a team of world-class specialists, click here to speak with a member of my team to review all of your goals and options: https://www.muscleintelligence.com/apply About Ben Ben Pakulski is the Chief Performance Officer to elite executives, successful entrepreneurs, and top athletes. With over 25 years of experience, he coaches high achievers to build the physical, psychological, and metabolic resilience required to lead at the highest level. As the creator of the Muscle Intelligence framework, Ben specializes in aligning biology and behavior to drive sustained peak performance. His mission is to redefine what’s possible for people in their prime and push the boundaries of human potential.

Join 50,000+ men getting weekly strategies to build muscle, boost energy, and extend performance, delivered straight to your inbox. Join the Newsletter   Episode Description In this powerful solocast, Ben Pakulski reveals his personal mission to become an elite athlete at 80, and the exact strategies he’s using to get there. This isn't about trends or following influencers. It's about aligning your training, nutrition, and daily actions with your unique genetic code. Ben shares how his journey from bodybuilding to fatherhood has evolved into a high-performance system for longevity. You’ll learn why cookie-cutter health advice fails, how to build your own performance dashboard, and what it really takes to stay strong for decades to come. Whether you’re a dad, athlete, or high-performer, this episode will change how you think about aging. Points To Watch Out For  - Why genetic testing should guide your fitness plan - The 4 capabilities every man must optimize - Ben’s real-life system for aging like an athlete - How to stop copying routines and start personalizing - The mindset shift that extends physical performance About Ben Ben Pakulski is the Chief Performance Officer to elite executives, successful entrepreneurs, and top athletes. With over 25 years of experience, he coaches high achievers to build the physical, psychological, and metabolic resilience required to lead at the highest level. As the creator of the Muscle Intelligence framework, Ben specializes in aligning biology and behavior to drive sustained peak performance. His mission is to redefine what’s possible for people in their prime and push the boundaries of human potential.  

If you're a man over 35 who wants to optimize strength, energy, and longevity, start here: Join 50,000+ men getting weekly strategies to build muscle, boost energy, and extend performance, delivered straight to your inbox. → Join the Newsletter About the Episode In this Solocast episode, Ben Pakulski pulls back the curtain on the exact reflection process he uses to dominate each year and how you can apply it to unlock your best self in 2025. He shares the 8 domains he evaluates annually (from fitness to finances), how he identifies gaps in alignment, and the powerful habit of realigning your schedule with your true values. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing a lot but not moving forward, this episode is your wake-up call. Expect real talk, practical systems, and a personal challenge from Ben to commit fully. If you’re ready to stop coasting and start leading, this is your moment. Points To Watch Out For • The 8 domains that define peak performance • Why reflection is the most underused success tool • The difference between health and fitness • How to align your schedule with your values • The mindset shift that creates real commitment   About Ben Ben Pakulski is the Chief Performance Officer to elite executives, successful entrepreneurs, and top athletes. With over 25 years of experience, he coaches high achievers to build the physical, psychological, and metabolic resilience required to lead at the highest level. As the creator of the Muscle Intelligence framework, Ben specializes in aligning biology and behavior to drive sustained peak performance. His mission is to redefine what’s possible for people in their prime and push the boundaries of human potential.  

In this solo episode, Ben Pakulski unpacks the science, psychology, and strategy behind the bodybuilding diet, and why it’s one of the most powerful tools for transforming your physique, performance, and mindset. This isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about rewiring your brain, regaining impulse control, and mastering your relationship with food. Ben breaks down how hyper-palatable foods hijack your biology, and how a 12-week reset can unlock energy, focus, and long-term sustainability. Whether you’re looking to lean out, build muscle, or just stop being controlled by cravings, this episode delivers real tools to operationalize nutrition like a high performer. Points To Watch Out For - Why hyper-palatable foods sabotage your results - The mental rewiring effects of caloric deficits - How to use food timing for impulse control - Genetic testing and personalized nutrition insights - The real reason most diets fail (and how to fix it) About Ben Ben Pakulski is the Chief Performance Officer to elite executives, successful entrepreneurs, and top athletes. With over 25 years of experience, he coaches high achievers to build the physical, psychological, and metabolic resilience required to lead at the highest level. As the creator of the Muscle Intelligence framework, Ben specializes in aligning biology and behavior to drive sustained peak performance. His mission is to redefine what’s possible for people in their prime and push the boundaries of human potential.  

More Muscle Intelligence? Join the Newsletter Personalized Optimization - DNAPerform.com   In this powerful solocast, Ben Pakulski shares the four essential pillars every high-performing man must master to unlock the limitless version of himself: Physical Capability, Mental Discipline, Stress Resilience, and Energy Optimization.  Drawing from 25+ years of experience and the latest in genetic research, Ben breaks down how to align your training, mindset, and lifestyle with your unique biology, so you stop guessing and start transforming. Whether you're a hard-charging entrepreneur, dedicated father, or a man seeking more energy and purpose, this episode delivers the clarity and tools to build a high-performance operating system. Points To Watch Out For • The 4 pillars every man must master • Why discipline is a trainable superpower • How genetic harmony unlocks performance • The biggest time allocation mistake men make • How to audit your lifestyle for alignment   About Ben Ben Pakulski is the Chief Performance Officer to elite executives, successful entrepreneurs, and top athletes. With over 25 years of experience, he coaches high achievers to build the physical, psychological, and metabolic resilience required to lead at the highest level. As the creator of the Muscle Intelligence framework, Ben specializes in aligning biology and behavior to drive sustained peak performance. His mission is to redefine what’s possible for people in their prime and push the boundaries of human potential.  

Ben Pakulski returns with the next evolution of the Muscle Intelligence Podcast. In this episode, Ben introduces the Four Resiliency Model, a transformative framework developed through years of working with elite performers and ultra-high net worth clients. This isn’t about chasing goals, it’s about building a Lifestyle Operating System that makes growth automatic, predictable and sustainable. You’ll discover: • Why traditional goal-setting breaks down under pressure • The hidden patterns that keep high achievers stuck • How to build unshakeable physical, psychological, physiological, and metabolic resilience • A proven path to take back control, live with precision, and dominate every area of life • This is more than a podcast. It’s a playbook for the next level. Points To Watch Out For  • Four Resiliency Model: Physical, psychological, physiological, and metabolic pillars of success • Lifestyle Operating System beats traditional goal-setting for sustainable transformation Time blocks must align with personal values for true fulfillment • Functional capacity determines your ability to follow through consistently • Living "on purpose" reveals your life's greater mission and direction About Ben Ben Pakulski is the Chief Performance Officer to elite executives, successful entrepreneurs, and top athletes. With over 25 years of experience, he coaches high achievers to build the physical, psychological, and metabolic resilience required to lead at the highest level. As the creator of the Muscle Intelligence framework, Ben specializes in aligning biology and behavior to drive sustained peak performance. His mission is to redefine what’s possible for people in their prime and push the boundaries of human potential. Join the Muscle Intelligence Mission at MuscleIntelligence.com

The conversation around cholesterol has been clouded with misconceptions for years… Recently, however, a clearer narrative has emerged, shedding light on the importance of understanding cholesterol beyond the simplistic labels of "good" and "bad." In fact, cholesterol is absolutely vital for our body's functions. This often-victimized molecule plays a pivotal role in hormone production, bile acid synthesis, and cell membrane formation, highlighting its indispensable nature for our survival. Our latest Muscle Intelligence Podcast episode, "Demystifying Cholesterol and Cardiometabolic Health," brings on four experts in cardiology and human metabolism… These four leaders in medicine delve into the complex world of cholesterol, nitric oxide, and the gut microbiome - and break down the impact each has on cardiovascular health and longevity. Dr. Doreen Saltiel and Dr. Michael Twyman address the common myth surrounding "good" and "bad" cholesterol, emphasizing that cholesterol, in essence, is just cholesterol. The key lies in understanding how its accumulation in arterial walls can lead to health issues, and what exactly the cause of this accumulation is. You’ll also learn the role that nitric oxide plays in coronary artery disease with Dr. Nathan Bryan, and valuable insights into how to adopt a holistic approach to heart health - which includes the health of the gut microbiome, with Dr. William Davis. From dietary strategies to lifestyle modifications, this episode offers practical tips for maintaining a healthy balance. – About Muscle Intelligence – We are raising the standard of men in their prime by helping aspirational men optimize their health so they can live longer, lead from the front and perform at their best everyday. Learn more: muscleintelligence.com/mipapply Join the Mission: Private Email List: muscleintelligence.com/viplist Private Community: muscleintelligence.com/community Instagram: instagram.com/muscleintelligencecoaching YouTube: muscleintelligence.com/youtube

A number of men experience, at some point in their lives, the downstream effects of mild brain trauma (often unbeknownst to them). And despite the word “mild” evoking an image of a condition easily treated and managed, the effects are too often detrimental… But there’s also the potential for brain inflammation due to poor lifestyle choices - and correcting the underlying causes for this inflammation is imperative… Plus, this inflammation is a MAJOR contributing factor to hormonal imbalance, and it’s too often commonly addressed with a “band aid” solution of some sort. That’s why I’m thrilled to share a long-anticipated, insightful podcast interview with Dr. Mark Gordon, a renowned expert in neuro regenerative medicine and the treatment of traumatic brain injuries. In this podcast, Dr. Gordon discusses his pioneering work in recognizing traumatic brain injuries as a cause of hormonal deficiencies. He emphasizes the importance of addressing brain trauma early, to prevent long-term challenges. – About Muscle Intelligence – We are raising the standard of men in their prime by helping aspirational men optimize their health so they can live longer, lead from the front and perform at their best everyday. Learn more: muscleintelligence.com/mipapply Support our Sponsors: Get 10% off all BiOptimizers products with code MUSCLE10 at checkout at bioptimizers.com Learn more from Dr. Mark Gordon: http://www.tbimedlegal.com/ https://millenniumhealthstore.com/ Join the Mission: Private Email List: muscleintelligence.com/viplist Private Community: muscleintelligence.com/community Instagram: instagram.com/muscleintelligencecoaching YouTube: muscleintelligence.com/youtube

If you're a fan of professional hockey, you're likely familiar with the legendary Gary Roberts. With a career spanning over 20 years, including a Stanley Cup win, Gary's journey is nothing short of remarkable. After sustaining a severe injury and retiring, Roberts came back to play for 11 seasons - not only at a high level, but at maybe THE highest level he had ever played in his entire life. But his story doesn't end there. In today’s episode, I sat down with Gary to delve into his transition from player to coach, where he's been shaping incredible talents like Conor McDavid, widely regarded as the greatest hockey player today. Gary shares invaluable insights into harnessing McDavid and other young players’ phenomenal abilities, and discusses the methodologies that have led to his own sustained success, even in his fifties. What makes this episode truly special is that we recorded it live in Gary's home, right in his personal gym. Being welcomed into his family's space and witnessing where he hones his craft every day was a true privilege. Whether you're a high achieving athlete, a dedicated coach, or someone looking for inspiration and valuable insights into high-performance training and coaching, don’t miss this one! – About Muscle Intelligence – We are raising the standard of men in their prime by helping aspirational men optimize their health so they can live longer, lead from the front and perform at their best everyday. Learn more: muscleintelligence.com/mipapply Support our Sponsors: Get 10% off all BiOptimizers products with code MUSCLE10 at checkout at bioptimizers.com Learn more about Gary Roberts: https://www.garyrobertsperformance.com/ https://www.instagram.com/garyrobertshpt/ Join the Mission: Private Email List: muscleintelligence.com/viplist Private Community: muscleintelligence.com/community Instagram: instagram.com/muscleintelligencecoaching YouTube: muscleintelligence.com/youtube

Maybe you’ve learned a thing or two about nitric oxide over the years - particularly within the contexts of erectile function, or athletic performance… This gas plays a pivotal role in our overall well-being, and is produced in ALL of our cells to facilitate the dilation of blood vessels. The dilation of these vessels is fundamental to the proper functioning of EVERY cell in our bodies. Whether you're aiming to enhance cognitive function, maintain a healthy heart, optimize muscle performance, or ensure the vitality of your intimate relationships, understanding and sustaining nitric oxide production is paramount. This episode is your golden ticket to unlocking the secrets behind this essential gas. Joining me for this enlightening conversation is none other than Dr. Nathan S. Bryan, a globally recognized authority on nitric oxide production. In our conversation, we dive deep into the intricacies of nitric oxide, providing you with insights that are not only scientifically informative, but also highly actionable. You’ll discover some common habits that may be hindering your natural nitric oxide production, and why most pre-workout supplements are NOT effective for increasing nitric oxide. Dr. Bryan shares invaluable information that could potentially revolutionize the way you approach your health and well-being. Learn more from Dr. Nathan Bryan: Dr. Nathan Bryan YouTube https://drnathansbryan.com/

A major focus for myself and the Muscle Intelligence team in 2024 is the fascinating realm of longevity - and how it intersects with muscle building. Longevity is a topic that has garnered tremendous interest in the ever-evolving landscape of health and wellness… And admittedly, I was once a skeptic, questioning the vagueness and lack of substantial evidence surrounding longevity. However, my perspective has undergone a significant shift over the past year… I'm now genuinely excited about this field, driven by the increasing wealth of human data that has become available. Longevity isn't just about extending life; it's about enhancing the quality of life, ensuring a robust and thriving 'health span.' Quality of life is paramount, and muscle building plays a crucial role in this journey. In today’s episode, I delve into my personal longevity protocol, and explore how to support a vibrant and fulfilling life with everything from training, to fasting (or not fasting - depending on your unique needs), to biohacks. You’ll learn the FULL program that my elite clients follow to optimize for longevity, the best 32 supplements to support an anti-aging regime, and my tried and tested tools for maintaining muscle even while clearing senescent (“zombie”) cells from your body. Plus, I share my experience of whether the latest cutting edge bio-hacks are worth the cost. Join the (free) Muscle Intelligence Community to access the complete Muscle Intelligence Longevity Supplement Protocol. – About Muscle Intelligence – We are raising the standard of men in their prime by helping aspirational men optimize their health so they can live longer, lead from the front and perform at their best everyday. Learn more: muscleintelligence.com/mipapply Support our Sponsors: Get a 10% discount on all BiOptimizers products at bioptimizers.com/muscle - use code MUSCLE10 Join the Mission: Private Email List: muscleintelligence.com/viplist Private Community: muscleintelligence.com/community Instagram: instagram.com/muscleintelligencecoaching YouTube: muscleintelligence.com/youtube