Podcast
Savage Perspective Podcast
Hosted by Robert Sikes · EN
The "Savage Perspective Podcast" is hosted by Robert Sikes, WNBF Pro Natural Bodybuilder. Robert has been deconstructing human performance and is willing to push the envelope to see what is possible. He's been following a ketogenic lifestyle for over a decade, is the founder and formulator of Keto Brick, and has a passion for helping others achieve their highest potential. In the show, he brings on guests to dive deeper into what has led to their successes and failures in all walks of life from fitness to business, relationships to spirituality so you can learn and take action!
77episodes
Episodes
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What Your Love Handles Reveal About Visceral Fat
4w ago01:04:52Tap to summarizeStruggling to break through your keto or low carb plateau? Book a free consultation call with Robert Sikes here: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/callYour love handles are not just stubborn fat. They are a warning sign of the visceral fat hiding deep inside your body, and it could be quietly making you sick. In episode 901 of the Savage Perspective Podcast, host Robert Sikes sits down with Dr. Sean O'Mara to break down what MRI scans really reveal about visceral fat, deep subcutaneous fat, and the fat around your heart. Dr. O'Mara shares how one man reduced his heart fat by 60 percent in just five days, why fasting and sprinting beat long cardio, how gut bacteria and fermented foods change your body, and why your blood work may be lying to you. If you care about fat loss, longevity, and looking and performing your best, watch the full episode now.Follow Dr. O'Mara on IG: https://www.instagram.com/drseanomara/Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQChapters0:00 - The MRI Experiment: Scanning a Natural vs. Enhanced Bodybuilder2:00 - Natty vs. Steroids: What Do MRI Scans Actually Reveal?3:35 - Do Steroids Cause Visceral Fat? A Doctor's Prediction4:37 - What Are Love Handles Really? The Deep Subcutaneous Fat Problem7:46 - Why Fascia Is a Bigger Deal Than Your Doctor Told You9:32 - Good Fat vs. Bad Fat: The Membrane That Separates Them11:54 - Why the Future of Healthcare Is Trainers, Not Doctors12:55 - Superficial vs. Deep Subcutaneous Fat: What Drives Each?14:21 - The Longevity Molecule Bodybuilders Are Starving Themselves Of15:53 - How To Burn Deep Subcutaneous Fat (Without Losing the Good Kind)18:06 - The Muscle You've Never Trained: Why Blood Flow Beats Hypertrophy20:38 - Can You Have Low Visceral Fat But Stubborn Love Handles?22:17 - How Fast Does Heart Fat Disappear? An NFL Player's Scan24:15 - The 60% Heart Fat Reduction in Just 5 Days26:23 - The 39-Hour Body Transformation That Shocked a Doctor29:06 - The Secret Probiotics That Supercharge Fat Loss30:57 - A Word on Keto Brick31:43 - Do You Need Fermented Foods on a Carnivore Diet?32:35 - How Gut Bacteria Create Natural GLP-1 (Ozempic Alternative?)34:00 - The Probiotics That Gave Him "Superhuman" Senses41:22 - The "Living Diet": Why You Should Chew Meat With Ferments43:05 - Why the Government Now Recommends Fermented Foods45:00 - DEXA vs. MRI: Which Is Accurate for Visceral Fat?47:09 - Why an MRI Scan Changes Your Life (And a Number Doesn't)53:03 - Why Blood Work Lies: The Case for Structural Health Markers58:07 - The Danger of Extreme Fasting (And How To Do It Right)1:00:31 - Why You Should Only Work Out in a Fasted State1:02:37 - Where To Find Dr. Sean O'Mara
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Marriage After Babies Is Hard (Watch If You’re A New Parent)
4w ago00:55:14Tap to summarizeBook a free keto or low carb plateau consultation with Robert Sikes: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/callMarriage after babies can test even the strongest families. In episode 900 of the Savage Perspective Podcast, host Robert Sikes sits down with his wife, Crystal Sikes, for an honest look at marriage after kids, life with a toddler and a baby, postpartum fitness, homeschooling, homesteading, business pressure, and the hard truth about trying to stay close when life feels full. Crystal shares why she paused a new business idea, how she lost postpartum weight without GLP-1s, and why she chooses natural aging over Botox and filler. Robert and Crystal also talk about faith, family, keto, low carb living, strength training, and building a life that keeps marriage, kids, and health at the center.Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQChapters0:00 - Episode 900: Robert & Crystal Sikes Life Audit1:34 - What’s Changed Since the Fourth Trimester?3:01 - Should Homesteaders Raise Turkeys Next?3:47 - Why Busy Couples Need a Life Audit5:54 - Why Asking for Help Feels So Hard6:44 - When Your Kid Finally Becomes a Daddy’s Boy9:33 - How Should Parents Start Homeschooling?11:03 - What Is TPLO Surgery for Dogs?14:50 - Why Crystal Is Pausing Her Apothecary Business19:56 - Is Motherhood the Season to Build or Slow Down?22:27 - Why Parents Should Stop Rushing the Little Years24:27 - How Crystal Changed Her Workout Routine as a Mom29:16 - Why Barbell Training Feels Better in a Private Gym30:29 - How Crystal Lost Postpartum Weight Without GLP-1s35:19 - Rebuilding Strength After Pregnancy: Bench, Squat & Deadlift37:12 - Keto Bodybuilding Resources for Fat Loss & Muscle38:52 - How to Organize Life When Everything Feels Chaotic40:28 - How to Protect Marriage During the Baby Years42:43 - Why Homeschooling and RV Travel Could Change Everything45:20 - Crystal’s Role in the Savage Business46:12 - Why Women Feel Pressure to Get Botox and Filler47:20 - Why Crystal Chooses Natural Aging Over Looksmaxing51:32 - Are GLP-1s Replacing Real Lifestyle Change?52:55 - Why Natural Strength and Healthy Habits Age Better54:51 - Where to Follow Crystal and Live Savage
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The Work Podcast Episode 65- Pull One Lever
Jul 1000:23:44Tap to summarizeThis week on The Work, Greg is back from a Fourth of July road trip, while I share stories from a weekend of fireworks, family, chainsaws, and a tree that definitely didn't blow up the way I planned. We also talk about training, body composition, why patience beats constant dieting, and the value of making one change at a time instead of chasing quick results. We wrap things up with updates on new apparel, upcoming Keto Brick products, and what's next behind the scenes. Thanks for tuning in. Greg Mahler is also a lifetime natural bodybuilder, and can be followed on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/ketogreg80/Register For My FREE Masterclass: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/registration-2Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQ
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Why You’re Still Constipated (Do This First)
Jul 800:43:37Tap to summarizeBreak through your keto or low carb plateau. Book a free call with Robert Sikes: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/callConstipation can wreck your gut health, detox, energy, and results long before you notice the real problem. In episode 899 of the Savage Perspective Podcast, host Robert Sikes sits down with gut health expert Marina Ortega to talk about why you’re still constipated and what to fix first. Marina shares how stress, dehydration, low electrolytes, laxative use, and poor drainage can keep the body stuck. They also cover colon hydrotherapy, coffee enemas, castor oil packs, parasite cleansing, black mold exposure, liver detox, GLP-1 constipation, bloating, and why men, athletes, and high performers should pay more attention to daily elimination.Follow Marina on IG: https://www.instagram.com/marinathepoopfairyGet Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQChapters0:00 - What Is the Gut Microbiome and Why Does It Matter?0:19 - Marina Ortega’s 5-Year Battle With Chronic Constipation1:49 - How Stress and Dehydration Can Shut Down Digestion3:01 - Why Is Poop Still So Hard to Talk About?3:45 - Are Laxatives Making Constipation Worse?4:33 - How Often Should You Poop Each Day?5:38 - Constipation vs. Diarrhea: What Is Actually Normal?5:51 - When Does Constipation Become Dangerous?6:56 - How Black Mold Exposure Nearly Took Marina Down9:49 - The Hidden Black Mold Risk in Steam Rooms11:01 - What Is the Best Way to Test for Mold?13:18 - The Biggest Mistake People Make With Detox Cleanses15:20 - How To Open Your Detox Pathways First16:38 - How Do Coffee Enemas Actually Work?18:16 - Coffee Enemas vs. Distilled Water Enemas19:23 - Should Healthy People Do Detox Treatments?19:53 - Keto Brick Interruption20:43 - Why Coffee Enemas and Castor Oil Packs Are Back21:05 - What Is a Castor Oil Pack and How Does It Work?22:29 - Is Dehydration Causing Your Constipation?23:02 - How To Choose the Right Electrolytes23:41 - How Much Water Should You Drink Per Day?24:28 - Is Coffee Dehydrating You?25:13 - What Happens During Colon Hydrotherapy?26:01 - Colon Hydrotherapy vs. Enemas: What’s the Difference?26:31 - Is Colon Hydrotherapy Safe?27:48 - Should Everyone Do a Parasite Cleanse?29:21 - How Often Should You Do a Parasite Cleanse?30:34 - Why Parasite Cleanses Can Make You Feel Worse First31:05 - What Comes Out During a Parasite Cleanse?32:17 - What Ingredients Kill Parasites?34:48 - Ancient Detox Remedies That Still Work36:10 - Are Castor Oil Packs and Parasite Cleanses Safe for Kids?36:57 - What To Expect After a Parasite Cleanse37:54 - Why More Men and Athletes Are Doing Gut Detox39:46 - How GLP-1 Drugs Can Cause Constipation40:28 - What’s Next for Marina Ortega and Trust Your Gut41:47 - Why Liver Cleansing Is So Underrated42:17 - Can Extended Fasting Detox the Liver?43:10 - Where To Find Marina Ortega
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I Added Carbs Back to Keto to Build Muscle
Jul 600:58:27Tap to summarizeBook a free consultation call with Robert Sikes to break through your keto or low carb plateau here: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/callOne of the most well known low carb/keto advocates adding carbs back to build muscle changes the whole conversation. In episode 898 of the Savage Perspective Podcast, host Robert Sikes sits down with Maria Emmerich to break down why she added carbs back into her diet, how protein, fat, and strength training support muscle gain, and why nutrition is never one size fits all. They also dig into gluconeogenesis, metabolic health, hormones, HRT, peptides, GLP-1s, menopause, body composition, and the real cost of chasing weight loss over strength. This is a practical talk for keto, carnivore, and low carb listeners who want better results, better health, and a smarter plan. Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQChapters0:00 - What Does Maria Emmerich Eat Now?2:37 - Why Add Carbs to Carnivore for Muscle Gain?4:02 - How Much Protein, Fat, and Carbs Does She Eat?5:31 - Why Morning Strength Training Feels Like an Antidepressant6:26 - What Is Gluconeogenesis and Is It Demand-Driven?8:23 - Can You Eat Too Much Protein on Keto or Carnivore?10:24 - Are Peptides Overrated Without the Basics Dialed In?13:14 - What Hormone Panel Markers Matter Most for Women?14:45 - Why HRT Matters Even If You Feel Fine16:46 - Is Bioidentical HRT Really Unnatural?19:05 - Do Hormones Start Declining Earlier Than People Think?20:43 - Should Every Perimenopausal Woman Consider HRT?21:50 - How Often Should You Test Hormones and Is It Ever Too Late?23:05 - How Women 40+ Should Train, Eat, and Protect Bone Density24:03 - Why GLP-1s Can Backfire During Perimenopause25:13 - The Perfect Storm of Kids, Stress, and Hormone Decline27:20 - Why HRT May Be a Better Investment Than Peptides28:11 - Quick Break: What Is Keto Brick?29:00 - When Do Peptides Actually Make Sense?29:42 - Which HRT Option Is Best: Pellets, Creams, or Injections?31:56 - What Men Get Wrong About Testosterone Therapy33:12 - What Are Peptides and What Was the First One?34:48 - Which Peptides Help With Weight Loss, Gut Health, and Inflammation?35:32 - Are Peptides Safe Long Term?36:40 - Can GLP-1s Cause Anhedonia and Dopamine Problems?38:33 - How Should You Cycle Peptides the Right Way?40:47 - Should You Cycle Off GLP-1s Instead of Staying on Forever?41:26 - What’s Next for GLP-4, GLP-5, and Myostatin Inhibitors?42:48 - Can Athletes Even Test for Peptides?43:27 - Do GLP-1s Cause Muscle Loss or Mostly Water Loss?45:02 - Why Peptides Should Never Replace the Fundamentals46:44 - Do GLP-1s Make It Easier to Eat More Junk Food?48:36 - Should You Focus on Performance Instead of Scale Weight?49:18 - The Dangerous High of Getting Too Lean51:03 - Why Gaining Weight Can Be the Healthier Goal52:21 - How Maria Is Mentally Navigating Weight Gain54:16 - Why Maria Emmerich Keeps Evolving Her Views55:26 - The Sardine Experiment That Spiked Arsenic56:01 - Maria Emmerich’s Global Keto Retreats57:28 - Where to Find Maria and Her New Book57:46 - Hunting, Freezers, and Final Thoughts
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The Work Podcast Episode 64- High Fat Fourth
Jul 300:26:22Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Work, Greg and I kick things off with a tongue twister, stair master etiquette, and a pretty cool reminder not to judge people too quickly.We also talk through the upcoming posing seminar, Natural State Savages updates, Keto Brick showing up in the natural bodybuilding space, July launches, DEXA scan takeaways, high fat nutrition experiments, fireworks chaos, Diesel’s recovery, and a few flavors that may or may not make the cut.It’s a little bit bodybuilding, a little bit business, and a whole lot of real life as we keep putting in the work.Greg Mahler is also a lifetime natural bodybuilder, and can be followed on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/ketogreg80/Register For My FREE Masterclass: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/registration-2Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQ
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Why Women STORE Fat When They Cut Calories
Jul 101:03:58Tap to summarizeBook a free consultation call with Robert Sikes to break through your keto or low carb plateau: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/callEating less can make women store more fat, lose muscle, and wreck hormones.In episode 897 of the Savage Perspective Podcast, host Robert Sikes talks with Stephanie Crassweller about why women store fat when they cut calories, especially in perimenopause and menopause. They break down chronic under eating, reverse dieting, metabolism, thyroid issues, stress, muscle loss, hormone health, HRT, GLP-1 drugs, blood work, and the DUTCH test in simple terms. This episode is built for driven men and women who want real fat loss, better energy, stronger training, and long-term health without living in a constant calorie deficit.Follow Stephanie on IG: https://www.instagram.com/vitalityoet.stephanie/Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQChapters0:00 - Why Chronic Undereating Breaks Female Metabolism1:18 - Can Eating More Actually Help Women Lose Fat?2:50 - What Happens When You Stay in a Calorie Deficit Too Long?4:42 - Why Perimenopause Makes Stress and Fat Loss Harder6:39 - Reverse Dieting for Women: Why Nobody Talks About It7:56 - Why the Scale Controls So Many Women's Moods8:46 - How To Reverse Diet Without Rapid Weight Gain10:04 - Why Low Calories Can Cost You Muscle, Hair, and Nutrients12:04 - Stephanie Crassweller's Hormone Story and Coaching Mission14:36 - How Trauma, Stress, and Menopause Affect Long-Term Health16:47 - Is Low Carb Hurting Your Thyroid and Hormones?17:18 - Why Some Women Need More Carbs, Not Less19:06 - Can You Still Eat Donuts and Lose Fat?21:16 - How Stress Ruins Digestion and Nutrient Absorption21:57 - Why Your Nutrition Plan Should Change With Life Stress23:14 - How Long Should a Fat Loss Phase Really Last?26:14 - The Biggest Fat Loss Mistake: Living in Diet Purgatory27:17 - Why Your Values Decide Whether You Lose Weight30:19 - How To Find a Stronger Why Than Just Looking Better32:18 - Why Women Should Spend More Time Building Muscle33:11 - How Muscle Protects Women in Menopause and Aging34:52 - Are Your Workouts Actually Building Muscle?38:49 - Perimenopause vs Menopause: What Changes Most?44:17 - Is HRT Worth It for Menopause Symptoms and Longevity?46:14 - Why Estrogen Can Backfire If Your Liver Pathways Are Off48:34 - How Often Should Women Test Hormones and Adjust HRT?51:18 - GLP-1 Weight Loss: What Happens When the Drug Stops?54:02 - How Identity Shapes Fat Loss and Health Habits55:22 - Why Silence and Rest Are Missing From Modern Health57:02 - What Is the DUTCH Test and When Should Women Use It?58:31 - What Blood Work Should Women Get for Hormones and Thyroid?1:01:39 - Best Progress Metric If the Scale Isn't Moving1:02:35 - Stephanie Crassweller's Book, Certification, and Where To Find Her
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Mike Mentzer Was Right? The Case Against High-Volume Training
Jun 2901:24:49Tap to summarizeBook a free consultation call with Robert Sikes to break through your keto or low carb plateau here: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/callA contrast from what's been said on the podcast lately, but what if Mike Mentzer’s Heavy Duty method was right and high-volume training is holding you back?In episode 896 of the Savage Perspective Podcast, host Robert Sikes sits down with Chris Chavanu to break down Mike Mentzer, Heavy Duty training, low-volume training, high-volume training, workout intensity, failure, recovery, progressive overload, bodybuilding nutrition, contest prep, and healthspan. Chris explains why brief, hard training may build more muscle with less time in the gym, while Robert challenges the idea with real world bodybuilding experience. If you care about muscle growth, training frequency, recovery, and staying lean while building a strong body, this talk gives you a clear look at both sides of the volume vs intensity debate.Subscribe to Chris' YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NattyandNice1Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQChapters0:00 - Was Mike Mentzer’s Heavy Duty Just a Business Play?3:05 - Who Was Arthur Jones and Why Did He Change Bodybuilding?5:17 - Why Did Mike Mentzer Quit High-Volume Training?6:20 - Can High Volume Still Build Muscle?8:27 - Is Volume vs. Intensity a False Debate?11:14 - What Matters Most for Growth: Intensity, Volume, or Frequency?12:41 - What Does Training Intensity Actually Mean?14:32 - Is Failure the Same With Light Weights and Heavy Weights?16:24 - Is “Junk Volume” Killing Your Gains?18:18 - Do Warm-Up Sets Prevent Injury or Waste Energy?21:32 - How Long Should You Rest Between Hard Workouts?23:20 - What Does a 12-Minute Heavy Duty Chest Workout Look Like?30:02 - How Does Chris Know When He’s Recovered Enough to Train Again?33:14 - What Is Mike Mentzer’s Leg Day Strategy?38:42 - Can You Build Muscle Training a Body Part Once Every 25 Days?42:06 - How To Use Progressive Overload and a Training Journal Correctly43:18 - Did Chris Actually Build Muscle With Low-Volume Training?49:33 - 5,700 vs. 71,900 Pounds of Volume: What Really Builds Muscle?51:20 - Why Does One Lifter Get Sore and Another Doesn’t?53:06 - What Causes a Pull-Down Plateau?57:17 - Is More Gym Time Better for Health, Fitness, and Enjoyment?58:35 - Aerobic vs. Anaerobic Training Explained Simply1:02:21 - Why Minimal Training Works for Busy Men With Real Lives1:05:24 - Can More Muscle Help You Live Longer?1:08:23 - What Is the Mike Mentzer Heavy Duty Diet?1:12:12 - Are 1,200 Calories Ruining Progress During Prep?1:13:34 - How To Handle Post-Show Blues, Hunger, and Low Testosterone1:17:07 - How To Lose Fat Without Living in the Gym1:20:00 - What Happened After Robert’s Sardine Diet Experiment?1:21:44 - What’s the Best Training Style for You?1:23:17 - Where To Find Chris Chavanu
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The Work Podcast Episode 63 - Coffee Enemas
Jun 2600:31:56Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Work, Greg and I catch up on everything from coffee enemas and parasite cleanses to business updates, Brick mishaps, vlogging gear, Father’s Day, fireworks, dog cones, DEXA scans, and the itch to get back on stage.We’ve got a lot cooking heading into Q3 with the apparel launch, Keto Brick projects, Keto Bodybuilding updates, Natural State Savages, and plenty of behind the scenes chaos along the way. As always, it’s a little bit business, a little bit bodybuilding, and a whole lot of real life.Greg Mahler is also a lifetime natural bodybuilder, and can be followed on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/ketogreg80/Register For My FREE Masterclass: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/registration-2Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQ
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Why Bioavailability Matters More Than the Supplement Label
Jun 2400:50:02Tap to summarizeBook a free consultation call with Robert Sikes to break through your keto or low carb plateau: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/callMost supplements look good on the label and still fail where it counts: absorption, results, and real health.In episode 895 of the Savage Perspective Podcast, host Robert Sikes talks with Marc Macaluso about why bioavailability matters more than the supplement label. This edited conversation dives straight into Marc’s work building a longevity supplement company and explains liposomal delivery, vitamin D, magnesium, NAD support, mushrooms, quercetin, hyaluronic acid, inflammation, thyroid health, and why many products underdeliver. They also cover blood work, manufacturing, and what honest wellness should look like for people who want better health, better energy, and a longer life.Find Marc Macaluso and TMW Longevity on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tmw.longevity/Learn more at https://tmwlongevity.com/Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQ
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