EP723 - The Myth Of Starvation Mode And What’s Actually Going On
Release Date: 11/25/2025
The Brad Jensen Show
This month’s Q and A episode is one of those conversations that went everywhere it needed to go. Craig Smith and I sat down and answered real questions from real people. Just honest perspectives from years in the trenches coaching humans through health, fitness, mindset, and life. We covered things like how to actually find a good personal trainer and what red flags to watch for before you waste your time or money. We had a real conversation around sobriety versus recovery and why those two things are not the same even though people use them interchangeably. This one always opens up some...
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In this solo episode of The Brad Jensen Show, I go on one of my classic rants while answering two of the most common questions I get asked all the time. First, we talk metabolism. What it actually is. Why almost everyone misunderstands it. And why blaming your metabolism is usually a convenient excuse instead of the real problem. I break down what’s really driving fat loss, energy, and body composition and why the internet has completely overcomplicated this topic. Then I shift gears into a conversation most people need to hear but don’t want to. The difference between true burnout and...
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On this week’s episode, Craig and I kick things off with a solid twenty minutes of pure holiday chaos and friendly rambling while we try to settle one of the most important debates of our generation. We attempt to figure out what the best Christmas movie of all time actually is. We share some nostalgia, some questionable takes, and way too many opinions for two grown men. From there, I shift gears and play a viral clip from an influencer on Instagram that got both of us thinking. We dive into the whole idea of “pretty privilege,” how it shows up in real life, and what having actual...
info_outlineIn this solo episode I unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in all of fat loss. Starvation mode. Or better stated. The myth of starvation mode.
I break down what most people actually mean when they say they are “in starvation mode” and why the vast majority simply are not in a consistent calorie deficit. I also get into why honesty in tracking and daily habits matters way more than blaming your metabolism.
But I also address the very small subset of people who really do experience something real. What I call conservation mode. I explain exactly what is happening in the body when you diet aggressively for long periods of time. How metabolic adaptation works. How stress, low calories, and low energy intake can down regulate output without you noticing. And why this can create the illusion that fat loss has stalled.
I walk through the key signs of conservation mode and how to course correct. More movement. Better recovery. Smarter refeeds. Tightening up tracking. Giving your metabolism and stress system some breathing room so the body feels safe to let go of fat again.
This episode will help you understand the truth behind starvation mode, the difference between excuses and physiology, and how to get fat loss moving again if you are truly stuck.
Tune in. Take notes. And take ownership of your results.
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