#152 Mobility = More Muscle

In this Live in the Tribe episode of the Tom the Trainer Fitness Over 40 Podcast, I answer questions directly from my free Facebook community, delivering deep coaching insights on everything from powerlifting mechanics and protein choices to mobility strategy and injury recovery. I kick things off with a technical deep dive into why the stretch reflex is often used in Olympic and powerlifting squats, but not in benching, explaining how joint structure, muscle function, and evolutionary movement patterns affect how we train and why.Next, I unpack why lean pork isn’t often seen in meal plans, diving into digestion, nutrient partitioning, and the historical bias baked into bodybuilding culture. I explain how foods like pork can fit into flexible meal planning for general population clients, even if they're not always “optimal” from a physique competitor’s perspective. From there, the conversation shifts to mobility, what it actually is, why it's different from flexibility, and how it plays a crucial role in both performance and muscle growth. I share my own experiences with mobility training, how it’s baked into my coaching programs, and how using movements like roundhouse kicks and deep stretch finishers can improve both training output and joint health.I also break down my take on training with hernias, offering advice on isolations, pre-fatiguing, and using single-leg exercises as safer hypertrophy tools, all while emphasizing that medical advice comes first. The episode finishes with a detailed explanation of how to rehab hamstring tendinopathy, covering exercise progression, load tolerance, and how to reintroduce cardio methods like the elliptical, treadmill, and cross-trainer safely and effectively.Whether you're managing joint pain, trying to eat smarter, or just want to feel and move better in your 40s and beyond, this episode is a masterclass in applied fitness coaching.And if you want to transform your body, message me the word "Coaching" on IG at Tomthetrainerfitness, Facebook at Tom Trainer Mouland, or book a Free Strategy Call 👉 https://tomthetrainerfitness.com/dominate to apply for coachingDon't forget to join Tom The Trainer’s Tribe!Have the best day ever! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.