Welcome to the PAC Talk where we help you explore your capacity to move better, push further and achieve your limitless potential through fitness, nutrition, recovery, and lifestyle. I’m your host Pieter Vodden, co-owner of PHAROS Athletic Club in Echo Park. Thanks for tuning in and Welcome To The PAC!”
Welcome to the Pac, please make sure you subscribe wherever you are listening to this show and if you loved this show please leave us a 5 star review in the iTunes store. It is the currency of podcasts and it really goes along in helping us grow our show.
If you are in Los Angeles swing by to our gym at 1316 Glendale Blvd in Echo Park.
Check out our website here for class times and follow us Pharos and Piet on Instagram for more fitness related content.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to the PAC Talk where we help you explore your capacity to move better, push further and achieve your limitless potential through fitness, nutrition, recovery, and lifestyle. I’m your host Pieter Vodden, co-owner of PHAROS Athletic Club in Echo Park. Thanks for tuning in and Welcome To The PAC!”
Welcome to the Pac, please make sure you subscribe wherever you are listening to this show and if you loved this show please leave us a 5 star review in the iTunes store. It is the currency of podcasts and it really goes along in helping us grow our show.
If you are in Los Angeles swing by to our gym at 1316 Glendale Blvd in Echo Park.
Check out our website here for class times and follow us Pharos and Piet on Instagram for more fitness related content.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this live PAC Talk session, coach Pieter Vodden sits down with writer and strength-training historian Michael Joseph Gross to explore what strength really means — not just for performance, but for longevity and quality of life. They trace the history of strength culture from ancient Greece to modern gyms, unpack how we’ve told stories about muscle over the centuries, and why we’re only just beginning to understand how powerful strength training is for living longer, better lives.
Michael shares how learning a scary new sport in his 40s pushed him into serious training and ultimately into eight years of research on strength — from motor units and neurology to myth, culture, and identity. He and Pieter break down why strength training has to become as automatic as brushing your teeth, how a simple, consistent program can change your body and mind at any age, and why the real magic happens when strength becomes part of your story, not just your routine.
They dive into the science of muscle and aging, including landmark studies on people in their 90s who dramatically improved strength, independence, and life expectancy after just eight weeks of resistance training. Michael explains how lifting can reduce risk for chronic disease, support brain health, and even rival antidepressants for many people. The conversation also tackles the myth of “brain vs. brawn,” showing how muscle actually supports cognition, emotional resilience, and empathy.
A big part of this talk centers on women and strength, featuring the story of Jan Todd and the fight to normalize heavyweight training for women. Pieter and Michael break down persistent myths about “bulking,” “girl exercises vs. boy exercises,” and the way fitness marketing has confused people about what really works. They also talk about the synergy between strength and cardio, the pros and cons of bodybuilding culture, why relatability matters more than extremity, and how community gyms like Pharos help people build not just muscle, but a shared sense of meaning and connection through training.
Connect with Michael
💪 Join the 7-Day Results Accelerator to build clarity, momentum, and sustainable joy in your routine. pharosathleticclub.com
If you are in Southern California come train with us
Follow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.