In this episode, we dive into the complex relationship between needs and wants, especially in the context of fitness and health. By exploring various philosophical perspectives, we examine how "need" can mean different things—from survival necessities to living an optimal life. Drawing from Kantian ethics, we pose the thought-provoking idea that a life focused only on needs is empty, while a life centered solely on wants is blind. We also explore the tension between biological needs and desires, discussing how lower-order wants (like junk food or laziness) clash with higher-order needs (such a ..read more

In this Part 2, James and Robby continue their discussion about the connection between equality and fitness. They discuss issues and questions like the following: -Biology is inherently unfair and unequal. For example: · A biological man could have a child at age 60 or 70 (not ideal but possible) should he choose where the that is not a possibility for biological women · A biological male cannot get pregnant or give birth to a child · A biological male has more absolute strength potential than a biological female Should we change or alter things in society to accommodate these facts? If we gai ..read more

In this episode James and Robby discuss the connection between equality and fitness. They discuss issues and questions like the following: -Biology is inherently unfair and unequal. For example: · A biological man could have a child at age 60 or 70 (not ideal but possible) should he choose where the that is not a possibility for biological women · A biological male cannot get pregnant or give birth to a child · A biological male has more absolute strength potential than a biological female Should we change or alter things in society to accommodate these facts? If we gain the ability, perhaps i ..read more

In this episode James and Robby discuss the connection between the concept of tolerance and fitness. At base level, tolerance is defined as: showing willingness to allow the existence of opinions or behaviors that one does not necessarily agree with So, how does this relate to fitness/health? There are so many fitness and nutrition fads, cleanses and programs that are money making-schemes, false or outright harmful. What are our responsibilities as fitness professionals to tolerate things with which we disagree? For example, say a fitness client wants to do a 1000 calorie a day diet, but you k ..read more

In this episode, James and Robby continue their discussion regarding the connection between ignorance and fitness. In philosophy there is a very antagonistic relationship to ignorance. Philosophy (and science) are attempts in many ways eradicate as much ignorance as possible for as many people as possible Different philosophical takes on ignorance include -The unexamined life is not worth living (Socrates) -Neither is the examined one (MacIntyre-in response to Socrates) -Better to be Socrates unsatisfied than an (ignorant) pig satisfied (Mill) -“Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than ..read more

In this episode James and Robby explore the connection between humility and fitness. Humility is an admission of one's own limitations. Fitness, by its very nature involves encountering one's own limitations in the physical world. For example if someone can't do a pull-up or run 3 miles continuously that typically involves them eating a slice of humble-pie, in a good way. In this episode they ask and try to answer the following questions about humility and its connection with fitness. -Is fitness a means of achieving or furthering the virtue of humility in one’s own life? -How does fitness tea ..read more

In this episode James and Robby discuss the connection between ignorance and fitness. In philosophy there is a very antagonistic relationship to ignorance. Philosophy (and science) are attempts in many ways eradicate as much ignorance as possible for as many people as possible Different philosophical takes on ignorance include -The unexamined life is not worth living (Socrates) -Neither is the examined one (MacIntyre-in response to Socrates) -Better to be Socrates unsatisfied than an (ignorant) pig satisfied (Mill) -“Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge.” - Charles D ..read more

How should the fact that we all die at some point inform our fitness journey? That is the central question of this episode. There's almost a paradox when think of fitness and it's relation to death On the one hand, ·for many who engage in health and fitness activities it involves a deep acknowledgement of the fundamental reality of the inevitability of death. And yet, on the other hand, ·engaging in health and fitness activities ultimately involves trying to resist or delay death by any natural means possible. In this episode, James and Robby discuss the following questions: Is it wrong, probl ..read more

In this episode James and Robby discuss the question, "what do we owe the future?" and how does this relate to health and fitness? When it comes to general life we want to leave people in the future with: -a better overall world than the one we had -a habitable planet -an easier life (to a certain extent) But when it comes to fitness and health unique questions arise when we ask "what do we owe the future" like: -do we have a moral duty as a society to get rid of processed and junk foods? -do we have a duty to not let life get to easy so we still have a connection fitness and our biology? -how ..read more

There's a very real possibility that in the next 100 years what it means to be human will fundamentally change because of AI and robotics. Yes, what it means to be human has changed throughout history but in terms of our basic biology it's been essentially the same for 10s of thousands of years. Now it is poised to change significantly in the coming couple of centuries. Biology is central to our health and fitness practices, so it stands to reason that if our biology changes our health and fitness outlook will change. In this episode James and Robby explore the following questions related to t ..read more