Damian Rodriguez
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Switchbacks on the Molecular Pathway to Muscular Development
Specific adaptations to imposed demands (the SAID principle), the idea that the body adapts specifically to the demands that you place upon it, is one of exercise physiology’s most accepted concepts. Those who have trained for athletic performance or body composition at a high-level recognize that your training must go through cycles, because as astonishingly […]
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The Ninja Mindset: Crashing Through Physical and Mental Obstacles like a Bull
As an exercise physiologist, heath scientist, and parent, I can’t help but be a huge fan of American Ninja Warrior. Having spent much of my life researching the limits of human performance and having had the opportunity to work with world-class athletes in a variety of disciplines, I am fascinated by the inimitable combination of […]
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Turning Adversity into Adventure
Recent research suggests that the ability to overcome setbacks and view them as temporary obstacles rather than permanent barriers may be one of the greatest predictors of high achievement in any endeavor. This characteristic, commonly referred to as “grit” due to the research conducted by behavioral psychologist Angela Duckworth, has become an area of great […]
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Food and DrinkFoods & CulinaryHealthHealth & FitnessMens HealthSports & AthleticsVitaminsweight lossWomen's Health
Why the Whey?
With research suggesting that over 25% of regular gym-goers use it and annual U.S. sales exceeding $6B, dairy-based protein is the single most used product in the sports supplement world. Like most products in the sports supplement industry, it is best you take the marketing claims with a mountain of salt (Himalayan Pink of course), […]
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Food and DrinkFoods & CulinaryHealthHealth & FitnessHealth Care & MedicalMens HealthSports & AthleticsWomen's Health
Super Bowl-ing to Sleepless Nights: Random Musings from a Health (Nut) Scientist
I have adverse reactions to changes in my dietary patterns…to put it mildly. Lethargy, outwardly apparent sleepiness, severe gastrointestinal distress, edema, and circulation issues. I’ve just kind of accepted that my irregular consumption of unhealthy foods will ultimately result in as long as a few days of adverse consequences. My family has even came up […]
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The (Whole) Truth About Eggs…and Gains
Two decades ago, during the opening stages of my own health journey, I’d often buy 10 dozen or so eggs at a time. Not only are eggs a cheap and highly bioavailable source of lean tissue building protein, but having to toss out half the egg (the yolk) due to dietary cholesterol and fat concerns […]
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4 Steps to Process Your Way to Success in 2018
The single greatest factor in the success or failure of any venture is not capability or even my favorite personal character trait (hint: it starts with “work” and ends with “ethic”), but something far less complex: setting clearly defined goals. This is not my feeble attempt at a Tony Robbins impression, it’s me speaking as […]
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Don’t Feed the (Cancer) Cells
That pumpkin pie is calling out your name; we can all hear it, but allow me to make that orange cylinder of sweetness a little less appealing in two words: sugar and cancer. The two terms are very often discussed in conjunction, and if medical literature is any indication, the debate about their association isn’t […]
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This is Why I Squat
Using the outtakes from an exercise shoot we did in our corporate gym, one of my colleagues put together an entertaining video of me performing random lifts to the tune of rapper Mims’s hit song “This is Why I’m Hot.” Talk about great blackmail material—it’s not something I’m likely to live down for the remainder […]
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Children's HealthFood and DrinkFoods & CulinaryHealthHealth & FitnessHealth Care & MedicalMens Healthweight lossWomen's Health
A Few Florets for Your Intestinal Flora
Broccoli has quite the impressive nutritional resume: low in calories, high in fiber and vitamin C, nearly the same amount of calcium as a serving of milk, rich in phytochemicals, and a high concentration of protein for a non-starchy vegetable. Outside of its relatively high content of raffinose, a sugar that tends to cause bloating […]
