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 co-founder 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 big-box gyms in the California Bay Area. At the age of 24, he opened a wellness-based fitness studio that offered hormone, nutrition, gut health specialists, and fitness trainers. During this time, Sal developed his behavioral-focused approach to helping his clients achieve long-term success and solve their most persistent problems with health and fitness.

Sal is one of the most highly sought-after experts in fitness, and he has a practical and easy-to-execute communication style. He is the co-host of Mind Pump Podcast, the world's number-one 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 ultra-processed 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/maps-15-minutes?utm_term=&utm_campaign=Performance+Max+-+Black+Friday&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=6283497906&hsa_cam=20776319929&hsa_grp=&hsa_ad=&hsa_src=x&hsa_tgt=&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gclid=Cj0KCQiA6vaqBhCbARIsACF9M6lj2KnBm74un-tHOjwe4wlwfjKH7OF9eoz2eAs88Ifg4fBa3lCtc4AaAq5KEALw_wcB
-Study on Sleep Regularity: https://academic.oup.com/sleep/advance-article/doi/10.1093/sleep/zsad253/7280269?login=false#421317746
-Article on Seed Oils: https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/is-seed-oil-bad-for-you-wellness-influencers-right-wing-debunked-1234809499/
-The Roseto Effect Study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1695733/
-Ultra Processed Food Article: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/nov/13/some-ultra-processed-foods-are-good-for-your-health-who-backed-study-finds
-Dr. Satchin Panda Twitter: https://twitter.com/SatchinPanda/status/1647953054480621576


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

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