The Dan Patrick Show: Hour 1 – Coach Rich & Fitness Fads
Date: February 28, 2026
Podcast Host: Dan Patrick (iHeartPodcasts / Dan Patrick Podcast Network)
Episode Overview
This hour of The Dan Patrick Show, featuring Covino & Rich, is a lively deep-dive into the intersection of sports, nostalgia, and the ever-changing world of fitness fads. Broadcasting just ahead of baseball’s return, the hosts riff on the magic of Opening Day, Little League coaching, inspirational athlete stories, and the wild world of workout trends—from raw eggs to Shake Weights. The show’s humor and camaraderie shine as they blend sports talk, personal anecdotes, and pop culture riffs, keeping the energy high and the laughs coming.
Key Discussion Points & Segments
The Magic of Opening Day and Baseball Nostalgia
[03:22 - 05:30]
- Rich reflects on the unique excitement of Opening Day in both kids’ sports and MLB.
- “Is there anything more magical than an opening day in kids sports or the bigs?” – Rich [03:23]
- Covino reminisces about Little League parades, the snack shack, and the hope baseball brings every spring.
- “There’s magic in the air, smell in the air.” – Covino [03:25]
- Encouragement for youth coaches to make watching Team USA in the World Baseball Classic mandatory for inspiration.
- “I think it'll be great inspiration, great motivation for these kids...” – Covino [04:17]
Personal Fandoms and Evolving Sports Loyalties
[05:30 – 08:57]
- Rich and Covino admit growing more attached to individual players, even on rival teams, as they age, using examples like hanging with Dallas Goedert and Le’Veon Bell.
- “As you grow up, you do start to appreciate certain players, of course, more than the team.” – Covino [07:07]
- Sound engineer Sam and Dan Byer chime in about rooting for local college players who make it to the pros.
Youth and Pro Player Inspiration: Ryan Lambert’s Story
[09:35 – 11:20]
- Covino introduces Mets pitcher Ryan Lambert, who went from being cut from his college team to making the opening day roster—all by transforming his physique.
- The dramatic weight gain is driven by a staggering raw egg intake: “This guy's having 30 a day. That's a big boy. That's a beefcake.” – Covino [11:01]
- Rich reads Lambert’s outrageous egg regimen: “10 [raw eggs] in a cup at a time. 10 for breakfast...10 more after my workout, 10 before bed.” – [10:47]
- Hosts debate the dangers, cholesterol, and logistics of consuming 30 raw eggs a day.
Evolution of Pitcher Training & Athlete Development
[12:25 – 13:38]
- Discussion on how 100+ mph pitching used to be rare but is now a standard many prospects reach, with frequent mentions of MLB and fictional “Wild Thing” Rick Vaughn as benchmarks for speed.
- “Now it's like, how are you not hitting over a hundred miles per hour?” – Covino [12:25]
Fitness Gimmicks and Diet Fads: From Retro to Today
[14:07 – 22:07]
- Throwback to infomercial fitness and diet crazes from childhood to today.
- Callbacks include John Basedow, Tony Little, Body by Jake, Ab Roller, P90X, CrossFit, Orange Theory, the Bullworker, ThighMaster, Richard Simmons, Jane Fonda tapes, Jack LaLanne, Atkins, Weight Watchers, keto, and the carnivore diet.
- “I did drop a significant amount of weight…pure vanity, because Rich and I were on ESPN.” – Covino (on trying keto) [18:39]
- Anecdotes about home equipment disasters—like resistance bands snapping and COVID-era attempts at home fitness.
- “I'm doing, like, this thing snaps and hits me in the head…” – Rich [22:52]
Notable Quotes on Fitness Fads
- “Some of these people…[who] made or like came up with these diets, a lot of them didn’t live into their 80s and 90s. Jack LaLanne lived into his 90s…” – Sam [20:20]
- “Billy Blanks and Taebo—kick it like Taebo.” – Covino [21:17]
- “I took Rex Kwon Do to stay in...I was more into martial arts.” – Covino [21:29]
Listener Call-Ins: Audience Reminiscences
[24:31 – 36:03]
- Callers remember pasteurized eggs, the Gazelle, and a wave of fitness gadgets.
- “Shake Weight from, like, the late 2000.” – Neil [35:04]
- “I felt bad for every, like, local news woman who had to do, like, a demo and then went viral because of it…” – Rich [35:13]
- Reflecting on absurd inventions like vibrating belts and ab stimulators.
Personal and Family Fitness Memories
[45:16 – 47:30]
- Rich fondly recalls his childhood Hulkamania workout set, complete with hand squeezers, dumbbells, and a headband, inspired by Hulk Hogan’s motivational tape.
- “How you doing all you little hucksters? This is the Incredible Hulk Hogan…” – Rich, playing the old tape [45:57]
- Covino admits to previously using an “ab shocker” device in Las Vegas for effortless “ab stimulation.”
- “He's walking through a Vegas casino with an ab shocker on. And we're like, what are you doing?” – Rich [47:25]
Memorable Moments & Notable Banter
- Egg-cellent Regimen: “This guy's having 30 a day. That's a big boy. That's a beefcake.” – Covino [11:01]
- Raw Egg Debate: “Would you do it if I brought an egg next week?” – Rich [11:26]
- CrossFit Affairs: “CrossFit… is like the number one place people have affairs. Did you know that?” – Rich [15:29]
- Home-Workout Fails: “I'm doing, like, this thing snaps and hits me in the head. I fall to the floor.” – Rich [22:52]
- Shake Weight Saga: “Shake Weight from, like, the late 2000.” – Caller Neil [35:04], “…Every, like, local news woman who had to do, like, a demo and then went viral because of it…” – Rich [35:13]
- Hulkamania Memories: Rich quotes the Hulk Hogan workout cassette [45:57]
- Ab Shocker Confession: “He's walking through a Vegas casino with an ab shocker on…” – Rich [47:25]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Opening Day & Youth Baseball – [03:22 – 05:30]
- Player Fandoms & Adult Loyalties – [05:30 – 08:57]
- The Ryan Lambert Raw Egg Method – [09:35 – 11:20]
- Pitching Speeds: Then and Now – [12:25 – 13:38]
- Fitness Fads & Home Workout Disasters – [14:07 – 22:07]; [22:19 – 23:14]
- Listener Fitness Memories – [24:31 – 36:03]
- Hulkamania & Personal Fitness Gimmicks – [45:16 – 47:30]
Episode Tone and Style
Lighthearted, nostalgic, and full of rapid-fire banter, this episode blends sports talk with comedic riffs on pop culture and personal experiences. Covino, Rich, and their crew keep things relatable, poking fun at themselves and each other while inviting listeners to reminisce about their own infomercial-fueled fitness journeys.
For Further Engagement
Listeners are encouraged to share their own fitness and diet fad stories and check out video content on the Covino & Rich YouTube channel. As always, episodes can be found wherever you get your podcasts.