The Work Podcast Episode 19 - Do Hard Things

In this episode, we dive into the nitty-gritty of how we’re training, eating, and staying locked in mentally. I’ve been experimenting with alternate-day fasting while still in a building phase — packing in 5,000 to 6,000 calories on my eating days, then fasting the next. It’s been working well. I feel tighter, leaner, and surprisingly strong even when training fasted. We talk through how that’s playing out, how I structure it, and why it’s more sustainable for me than being in a constant deficit.

Greg’s working through a bit of a shoulder impingement, so we’re adjusting our training to focus more on controlled tempo, full range of motion, and time under tension. We’re still doing full-body workouts for now, but after his prep wraps up, we’re probably shifting back to that eight-day push/pull/legs split we loved before.

But this episode goes way deeper than just macros and gym talk. We get real about why we choose to stay natural, why we focus on quality food, and how that compares to the direction a lot of the fitness world is heading. We use traditional bow hunting as a metaphor for what we do — it's not flashy, but it’s real, raw, and rooted in craft.

We also open up about some heavier stuff: addiction, hormone manipulation, integrity, and even what it’s like to sit with someone in their final moments. It’s a reminder that life is short, but the work — the real work — is worth it. If we want peace, if we want fulfillment, we’ve got to earn it.

We wrap things up with some exciting updates: the Brick by Brick launch is live (get in before the Sunday deadline!), and the Natural State Savages show is right around the corner. We’re going all-in — custom swag bags, serious trophies, good food, and a stacked lineup of competitors and spectators. If you’re not competing, show up anyway — the energy’s going to be unreal.

Greg Mahler is also a lifetime natural bodybuilder, and can be followed on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/ketogreg80/

Register For My FREE Masterclass: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/registration-2

Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/

Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQ