Episode 317: Sal Di Stefano: The Truth Behind Harmful Health Trends

Habits and Hustle

You’re scrolling on Instagram and stop dead in your tracks as you’re served an ad for a ‘new’ fitness product.

Except it’s not new…it’s a slightly sleeker product from 20 years ago that promises you abs of steel in 28 days. While it feels like we face a new fitness trend every week, it’s scary to think that the promise of a ‘quick fix’ is just being recycled over and over again.

In this episode of Habits & Hustle, I’m joined by Sal Di Stefano to reveal the truth behind some of the trends we’re (unfortunately) seeing re-emerge in the health and fitness space. We tackle intermittent fasting, not as a diet trend, but as a cultural practice. And break down how it's being used as another fast way to weight-loss despite its potential health risks, especially for women.

We also debunk a whole host of myths such as: sweat-equals-weight-loss, how much cardio you actually need, plant based ‘milks’ vs dairy milk, the politicization of the vegan diet, and how supplements can completely transform your personal health journey.

Sal Di Stefano is a personal trainer, co-founder of Mind Pump Media and co-host of Mind Pump, a podcast dedicated to providing truthful fitness and health information. Sal is dedicated to prioritizing health over appearance, and he aims to shift the direction of the fitness industry from aesthetic/insecurity based to one based in self-love and self-care.

What we discuss…

(00:01) - Breaking down the truth around major fitness trends

(10:32) - Are fake ‘milks’ actually better for you than dairy milk?

(17:02) - Collagen protein: is it worth the hype?

(28:57) - The real benefits of intermittent fasting and cold plunges for fat loss

(38:36) - Does sweat actually equal weight loss? And how to fix your relationship with exercise

(46:08) - How strength and metabolism are a better indicator of fitness progress than weight alone

(53:17) - The need for exercise consistency over variety and the effects of caffeine on your training

(01:00:13) - How the use of supplements has transformed our personal health journeys

(01:10:34) - Why detaching yourself from the diet crazed culture is essential to long term health

…and more!

Thank you to our sponsors:

Pendulum: head over to pendulumlife.com and use my special code HUSTLE15 for 15% off your order.

Therasage: go to therasage.com and use code B-BOLD for 15% off

Find more from Jen:

Website: https://www.jennifercohen.com/

Instagram: @therealjencohen

Books: https://www.jennifercohen.com/books

Speaking: https://www.jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagement

Find more from Sal:

Website: https://www.mindpumpmedia.com/

Podcast: https://mindpumppodcast.com/

Instagram: @mindpumpdistefano

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