Strength Changes Everything - Video Edition

Strength Training Can Lead to an Improvement in Quality of Life

If you had to put a number on your happiness, energy, and overall well-being—what score would you give your life right now? In this episode, Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher dig into the science of quality of life—how researchers actually measure it, and why it’s about so much more than health stats or fitness levels. They reveal why building physical strength often leads to emotional freedom and how strength training improves mental health, social connection, and vitality. Tune in to learn how training your body can completely reshape the way you feel about your life. Amy shares her...

Why Strength Training Is the Best Exercise For Your Arthritis

Strength Changes Everything - Video Edition

What if you could keep your joints strong and pain-free for decades—without endless cardio or risky workouts? Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher continue their series on the benefits of strength training, breaking down the connection between osteoarthritis and strength training. They reveal how targeted strength work can reduce joint stress, slow degeneration, and even improve quality of life. Tune in to learn how strength training can protect your joints and keep you moving pain-free. Dr. Fisher starts by explaining what osteoarthritis really is--a degenerative joint disease where cartilage...

What the Science Says About How Strength Training Can Prevent and Reverse Diabetes

Strength Changes Everything - Video Edition

Did you know strength training can do more for type 2 diabetes than medication ever could? Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher continue their series on the benefits of strength training and reveal how powerful it can be for managing—and even reversing—type 2 diabetes. They break down why excess sugar builds up in the bloodstream, how your muscles play a critical role in blood sugar control, and what kind of training yields real, measurable results—without needing extreme diets. If you—or someone you know—is dealing with type 2 diabetes, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Dr....

The Best Exercises to Lower Cholesterol – The Science Behind Strength Training

Strength Changes Everything - Video Edition

We’ve been told to run, bike, and diet our way to lower cholesterol, but what if the real game changer is strength training? In this episode, Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher unpack the science behind resistance training and why it might be the best exercise to lower cholesterol. They explore what research actually says about lifting weights, LDL reduction, and long-term heart health — and why it might be time to rethink your approach to fitness. Dr. Fisher defines cholesterol--a waxy, hormone-like substance that your body produces and regulates on its own. While it often gets labeled as...

Why Strength Training Should Be Your Go-To Exercise for Blood Pressure Reduction

Strength Changes Everything - Video Edition

What if lowering your blood pressure didn’t require medication, endless cardio, or drastic lifestyle changes? In this episode, Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher explore the benefits of strength training as an effective, science-backed way to reduce blood pressure. They discuss how lifting affects your heart health, the ideal training intensity for real results, and why even short, infrequent workouts can make a big difference. Tune in to hear how simple, time-efficient workouts can support heart health, and why it might be the most underrated tool in your fitness routine. Dr. Fisher...

Muscle Size Increases - What's Happening Within Your Muscles

Strength Changes Everything - Video Edition

Is bigger always better when it comes to strength training? In this episode, Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher break down the science of muscle growth, revealing why increased size doesn’t always equal increased strength. From neural adaptations to muscle fiber recruitment, they explore what’s really happening inside your body when you train – and why understanding it can transform the way you approach your workouts. Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher talk about increasing muscle size, and when that doesn’t happen. Back in the 1980s, a hypothesis by Digby Sale looked at the two key...

Fix Your Core, Fix Your Back: Personal Training Insights You Probably Haven’t Heard Before

Strength Changes Everything - Video Edition

Think core training is all about crunches and six-packs? What if the real key to a strong, pain-free core is the muscles you can’t see? Hosts Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher dive deep into the science of core strength, bust common myths, and reveal how personal training can help you target the low back and pelvic muscles that truly support your spine, posture, and overall function. Today’s episode features hosts Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher addressing a listener’s question about the core. Dr. Fisher starts his contribution by discussing the origin of the core, as well as where it’s...

Evidence-Based Strength Training: Ditching Old Paradigms for Proven Success

Strength Changes Everything - Video Edition

When it comes to your health and to your strength training, more specifically…Do you rely on social media trends or real science for your exercise routine? And how do you know if your workouts are actually safe and effective? Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher break down what “evidence-based strength training” really means, exposing common myths and highlighting why scientific research – and not old paradigms – should drive your fitness decisions. Hosts Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher unpack evidence-based strength training. Dr. Fisher believes that personal trainers should embrace an...

Beyond the Gym: The Role of Protein in Personal and Strength Training Success

Strength Changes Everything - Video Edition

Did you know that what’s on your plate can help you while you’re at the gym? Join hosts Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher as they dive into the vital role of protein in muscle health and strength training. What’s the ideal protein intake you should aim for every day? And where can you get proteins from, in the first place? Whether you’re just starting out or enhancing your regimen, this episode will equip you with the knowledge to optimize your protein intake for maximum personal training and health gains. Hosts Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher begin the conversation by discussing why...

Beating the Gym: How Personal Trainers and Supervised Training Lead to Lasting Fitness Habits

Strength Changes Everything - Video Edition

Big Box Gyms: Yay or Nay? And how do they compare to working out with a personal trainer? Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher look at big box gyms and the benefits of working with a personal trainer. You’ll hear about everything from motivation and habit-building to fitness results, and will walk away with clarity on which option to go for to make the most out of your time and exercising efforts. Dr. James Fisher kicks things off by sharing a frightening stat: only about 10% of the population engages in regular strength training. What’s interesting is the fact that only about one-third of...

More Episodes

Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher tackle one of the biggest frustrations in fitness—plateaus. They break down why plateaus happen, the role of recovery, nutrition, and mindset, and how to adjust your training to keep moving forward. Tune in to hear why slow progress is better than doing nothing at all, the importance of balancing effort with rest, and practical strategies to help you train smarter and stay consistent even if you’re not seeing any progress.

Amy and Dr. Fisher start by exploring factors that influence our workout performance.
What is a plateau? According to Dr. Fisher, a plateau isn’t a dead end—it just means progress is happening in ways you can’t see.
Dr. Fisher on workout performance: Your workouts aren’t just about what you do in the gym—everything from sleep to stress to hydration plays a role.
If you’re running on fumes, skipping meals, or not drinking enough water, your body won’t have what it needs to perform at its best.
According to Amy, what you eat before a workout can make or break your session. A heavy meal leaves you sluggish, cutting carbs completely drains your energy, and too little protein slows down recovery. The better you fuel your body, the better it performs.
Dr. Fisher on recovery: Muscles grow and get stronger during rest, not during your workout.
Dr. Fisher breaks down the bitter truth about recovery: You might think you’ve bounced back from a tough workout, but recovery isn’t just about soreness going away. Your hormones, muscles, and energy systems all need time to reset.
Amy on overtraining--It’s easy to think that pushing through fatigue will get you better results, but your muscles need time to repair after intense workouts—if you don’t give them that time, you’re only making it harder for your body to perform at its best.
Understand that recovery is personal--some people bounce back in a day, others take longer.
Dr. Fisher shares his thoughts on hydration. Even being slightly dehydrated can make your workout feel harder than it should.
Amy and Dr. Fisher talk about exercise mindsets.
Some days, you walk into a workout ready to go. Other days, your mind resists it and everything feels harder. The trick is to show up anyway—once you start moving, your body usually catches up.
The key to long-term progress in strength training is making workouts sustainable so you can keep benefiting from them for life. A good personal trainer will emphasize building habits that last, not just quick results.
For Amy, not every workout will be your best, and that’s okay. Even on an off day, you’re still doing more for your body than if you skipped it entirely.
Dr. Fisher on chasing numbers. If you’re obsessing over one bad workout or a lower number on the bar, you’re missing the bigger picture.
Dr. Fisher talks about process vs. outcome: Chasing a specific number can be frustrating. Focus on the process—consistent training, good nutrition, proper rest—and the results will take care of themselves.
Amy and Dr. Fisher discuss how and why plateaus happen.
No matter how well you train, you will hit a plateau at some point. Accepting it as part of the process makes it easier to push through.
Why do plateaus happen? No one fully understands why they occur, but they happen in every form of training. Your body adapts to stress, and sometimes it needs a little extra challenge or rest before making the next leap forward.
The relationship between strength and life span.
Understand that strength training isn’t just about fitness—it’s about maintaining the ability to move freely and do the things you love for as long as possible.
Dr. Fisher breaks down the myostatin factor and why your body naturally limits muscle growth.
For Amy, even if you hit a plateau, you’re still miles ahead of where you’d be if you weren’t training at all.
Dr. Fisher on sustainability: Strength training isn’t about complicated programs or extreme effort like most personal trainers want you to believe. It’s about what you can stick with for life.
The reality of plateaus: Whether you’re lifting, running, or training for any sport, plateaus are inevitable. But they’re not a sign to quit—they’re a sign to adjust, stay consistent, and trust that progress is still happening.

Mentioned in This Episode:

The Exercise Coach - Get 2 Free Sessions!

Submit your questions at StrengthChangesEverything.com

This podcast and blog are provided to you for entertainment and informational purposes only. By accessing either, you agree that neither constitute medical advice nor should they be substituted for professional medical advice or care. Use of this podcast or blog to treat any medical condition is strictly prohibited. Consult your physician for any medical condition you may be having. In no event will any podcast or blog hosts, guests, or contributors, Exercise Coach USA, LLC, Gymbot LLC, any subsidiaries or affiliates of same, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, or agents, be responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to you or others due to any podcast or blog content.

Strength Changes Everything - Video Edition

TOPICS