Our modern society doesn’t always allow daily movement, eating whole foods, and prioritizing quality sleep. Yet we know these factors, among others, are critical for preventing chronic disease and increasing longevity. With all the content on movement, calories, and body composition, it can be challenging to sort through what we must implement and what we don’t have to expend as much energy avoiding. Whether you are just starting your wellness journey or looking to move to the next level, this episode is for you.

Today on The Dhru Purohit Podcast, Dhru sits down for round two with personal trainer and cofounder of Mind Pump Media, Sal Di Stefano, to get his expertise on losing belly fat, calorie counting, strength training, and community. Sal shares the latest research on forming healthy habits, movement, and cancer prevention. He also shares his best practices for strength training for beginners or those looking to optimize their workout routines. He also discusses the importance of sleep, critical supplements for recovery, and how to change our algorithms for optimal personal growth.

Sal Di Stefano started as a trainer at the young age of 18. His passion for fitness and love of people quickly propelled him to open some of the largest bigbox gyms in the California Bay Area. At the age of 24, he opened a wellnessbased fitness studio that offered hormone, nutrition, gut health specialists, and fitness trainers. During this time, Sal developed his behavioralfocused approach to helping his clients achieve longterm success and solve their most persistent problems with health and fitness.

Sal is one of the most highly soughtafter experts in fitness, and he has a practical and easytoexecute communication style. He is the cohost of Mind Pump Podcast, the world's numberone fitness and health podcast, has been a guest on hundreds of top podcast shows, and frequently speaks at trainer and health practitioner events.

In this episode, Dhru and Sal dive into:
Beyond salt, sugar, and fat: Why you can’t lose belly fat
What is causing the obesity epidemic
The benefits from strength training
Why bodybuilders have lower chances of cancer and the protective nature of muscle
The overconsumption of ultraprocessed foods globally and the connection to overeating
The role of cortisol and stress in gaining belly fat and why lifestyle changes matter the most
Roseto Effect and the importance of community
How technology has halted authentic connections
Profound changes after the age of 65
Gyms as a source of community
Use it or lose it in relationship to muscle
The appropriate way to train and the importance of moving each day
Sal’s suggestions for strength training for beginners, habit stacking, and protein intake
Sal’s bonus suggestions optimization, peptides, and creatine when the fundamentals are in place
The best modalities to help with recovery: sleep
Alcohol consumption in moderation versus consumption for numbing
Demonization and politicization of wellness and exercise in the media
Sal’s final thoughts

Also mentioned in this episode:
Mind Pump Podcast: https://mindpumppodcast.com/
MAPS 15 Fitness Programs: https://www.mindpumpmedia.com/maps15...
Study on Sleep Regularity: https://academic.oup.com/sleep/advanc...
Article on Seed Oils: https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/...
The Roseto Effect Study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
Ultra Processed Food Article: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2...
Dr. Satchin Panda Twitter:   / 1647953054480621576  


For more on Sal Di Stefano:
Instagram @mindpumpsal
Twitter/X @mindpumpsal
Website: https://mindpumpmedia.com

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