63. Do You Want to Get Shredded or Get Healthy?

Everyone says they want to get shredded..but is that really the goal?In this episode of the Excelsior Health Podcast, Coach Cory challenges one of the biggest misconceptions in the fitness industry: the belief that visible abs, ultra-low body fat, and a shredded physique are the ultimate indicators of health.For many busy professionals, parents, and working adults, what they actually want isn’t to be shredded—they want more energy, better sleep, improved confidence, greater strength, healthier blood markers, and a body that allows them to fully enjoy life. Coach Cory breaks down the difference between pursuing health and pursuing extreme leanness, and explains why most people need to master the fundamentals before focusing on advanced fat loss strategies.Whether you’re just starting your fitness journey or you’ve been frustrated by inconsistent results, this episode will help you understand which phase of the journey you should focus on and how to build sustainable habits that create long-term success.Episode SummaryCoach Cory discusses how social media has distorted our perception of what being healthy actually looks like and why many people mistakenly chase “shredded” physiques before building a healthy foundation.He explains the true cost of getting extremely lean, including the discipline, structure, recovery, calorie management, and lifestyle sacrifices often required to maintain low body fat levels. He also introduces the framework used at TFW Sauga and Excelsior Health, including the importance of a health phase before entering a dedicated fat loss phase.Throughout the episode, Coach Cory outlines three levels of fitness success—healthy, athletic and fit, and shredded—and helps listeners identify where they currently are and what they should prioritize next. The focus remains on creating sustainable habits, improving overall health, and building a lifestyle that can be maintained for years, not just weeks.In This Episode You’ll Learn:* Why being shredded and being healthy are not the same thing* How social media can create unrealistic health and fitness expectations* The hidden costs and sacrifices required to maintain very low body fat* Why most people need a health phase before a fat loss phase* The foundational habits that create long-term fitness success* How consistency drives better results than extreme short-term efforts* The difference between being healthy, athletic and fit, and shredded* Why strength training, daily movement, sleep, and whole foods matter most* How TFW Sauga helps members build sustainable health habits* Why investing in coaching, accountability, and community can accelerate progress👉 If you found this episode valuable, share it with a friend, family member, coworker, or anyone who could benefit from hearing this conversation.⸻Chapters:00:00:00 – Do You Want to Get Shredded or Get Healthy?00:02:24 – How Social Media Distorts What Healthy Looks Like00:06:18 – The Real Cost of Being Shredded00:10:24 – Why Most People Need a Health Phase First00:18:48 – The Three Levels of Fitness Success00:30:21 – Choosing the Right Goal for Long-Term Health⸻Hashtags#ExcelsiorHealth#TFWSauga#CoachCory#HealthPodcast#StrengthTraining#FatLoss#Fitness#HealthyHabits#BusyProfessionals#Wellness