Dave Tate's Table Talk

#405 The 50% Testosterone Drop: The Hidden Cost of "The Grind." | Allan Bacon

Most people believe that mastering your physique requires a radical sacrifice of your professional sanity, but the reality is that the most elite transformations happen through calculated precision rather than brute force. Dr. Allan Bacon spent a decade operating as a dental surgeon before walking away from the clinic to prove that the same clinical rigor used in surgery could be applied to human metabolism and performance. After watching his father battle cancer, he realized that fitness isn't just about vanity—it's about building a physiological fortress that can weather any storm life throws at it. Inside the Episode: The 50% Testosterone Drop: Why your "healthy" 5-hour sleep habit is nuking your hormones and how to unlock overnight gains. The Surgeon's Lens: Why treating your nutrition with clinical precision is the only way to bridge the gap between "average" and "elite." The Protein Threshold: Why the common .7g/lb advice fails competitive athletes and what winning natural bodybuilders actually eat. The Mortality Wake-up Call: How a Christmas Eve emergency surgery sparked the transition from dentistry to world-class coaching. Metabolic Myth-Busting: The truth about "starvation mode," why cardio doesn't kill gains, and the real reason most people stall during a cut. Meet the Guest: Dr. Allan Bacon is a former dental surgeon turned elite physique and nutrition coach who co-founded Maui Athletics. As a professional supplement formulator and coach to American record-holding powerlifters, he specializes in the "unsexy" pillars of performance: precision nutrition, stress management, and optimized recovery. Support Dave Tate's Table Talk: Become a Channel Member: Elitefts Official Join the Crew: Full Access Limited Edition Apparel: Shop Here TYAO Application: Apply Now Best-Selling elitefts Products: Pro Resistance Bands: Shop Bands Specialty Barbells: Shop Bars Wraps, Straps, Sleeves: Power Gear Sponsors: elitefts: Get an extra 10% OFF (CODE: TABLETALK) - elitefts.com Marek Health: Get 10% OFF Labs (CODE: TABLETALK) - marekhealth.com/tabletalk LMNT: Get a FREE 8-count Sample Pack - drinklmnt.com/tabletalk Massenomics: Support the show at massenomics.com MASS Research Review: Save 20% (CODE: ELITEFTS20) - massresearchreview.com RP Hypertrophy App: Get 10% OFF (CODE: TABLETALK) - Hypertrophy App

#404 Stop Drinking Water: Why Every Elite Athlete is Doing Hydration Wrong | Nathan Payton

Your nutrition protocol is failing not because of your effort, but because you are ignoring the biological godfather that dictates every gram of muscle gained and every ounce of fat burned. Before Nathan Payton was the architect behind eight World's Strongest Man titles, he was a Duke-trained specialist navigating the clinical reality of integrative medicine to bridge the gap between science and the most extreme physical demands on the planet. By mastering the delicate art of insulin modulation, he transformed a career of observation into a proprietary methodology that has kept his athletes in the World's Strongest Man finals for seventeen consecutive years. INSIDE THE EPISODE: The Insulin Godfather: Why insulin is the primary lever that determines the efficacy of every supplement, training session, and recovery protocol. Controlling the Chaos: How Nathan manages the physiological "stuck adrenaline" response in elite athletes using unconventional nutritional triggers. The Hydration Paradox: Why drinking too much water during a competition can actually dilute your performance and increase injury risk. NFL Game Planning: The massive nutritional void in professional football and how specific metabolic timing could prevent rampant Achilles and bicep tears. MEET THE GUEST: Nathan Payton is a Duke University graduate in Integrative Medicine and the owner of Metroflex Gym in Houston, TX. Renowned as the strategist behind the dominance of champions like Brian Shaw and Tom Stoltman, he has spent over 20 years refining a proprietary insulin-modulation framework. His work spans the highest levels of professional sport and clinical medicine, making him the industry's premier authority on performance nutrition and metabolic health. SUPPORT THE SHOW: Become an elitefts Channel Member: Early access and perks ➡️ youtube.com/@eliteftsofficial Join the Crew: FULL Crew Access: elitefts.com/join-the-crew Limited Edition Apparel: elitefts.com/shop/apparel/limited-edition.html TYAO Application: elitefts.com/dave-tate-s-tyao-application Best-Selling elitefts Products: Pro Resistance Training Bands: elitefts.com/shop/bands.html Specialty Barbells: elitefts.com/shop/bars-weights/specialty-bars.html Wraps, Straps, Sleeves: elitefts.com/shop/power-gear.html SPONSORS: elitefts: Get an extra 10% OFF (CODE: TABLETALK) ➡️ elitefts.com Marek Health: Get 10% OFF Your Next Labs (CODE: TABLETALK) ➡️ marekhealth.com/tabletalk LMNT: Get a FREE 8-count Sample Pack ➡️ drinklmnt.com/tabletalk Massenomics: Support the lift ➡️ massenomics.com MASS Research Review: Save 20% (CODE: ELITEFTS20) ➡️ massresearchreview.com RP Hypertrophy App: Get 10% OFF (CODE: TABLETALK) ➡️ rpstrength.com/pages/hypertrophy-app

#403 The Peptide Gray Area: Crossing the Line in 2026 | Anthony Castore

EPISODE DESCRIPTION The industry lied to you: performance isn't built on a squat rack—it's engineered at the cellular level. Most coaches are guessing with your biology, while Anthony Castore has spent thirty years proving them wrong. Before becoming the bridge between elite medicine and the weight room, Castore was a student of the "Old Guard," forged in the high-stakes environments of Westside Barbell and mentored by legends like John Meadows and Charles Poliquin. He didn't just learn strength—he witnessed the systemic breakdown of high performers following conventional methods. This obsession with why the body fails—and how to make it more resilient—led him away from traditional coaching and into the deep science of SSRP protocols. The shift wasn't just about moving more weight—it was about mastering the invisible metrics of electron flow and redox balance. Castore identified the gap between medical diagnosis and peak performance—a gap where most athletic careers stall. If your cellular "factory" is compromised, adding more training stress only accelerates breakdown. INSIDE THE EPISODE The Energy Crisis: Why your perceived lack of oxygen during training may actually be a failure in ATP production—and how your chemoreceptors can mislead you The Peptide Hierarchy: Moving beyond the "natty vs enhanced" debate to understand how bioregulators influence gene expression The "Shadow" Deficiencies: Why standard bloodwork often misses mitochondrial dysfunction that limits fat loss and strength The Protocol Paradox: Why the same peptide can help one athlete and harm another based on autonomic regulation The 24-Hour Blueprint: From journaling and nervous system inputs to precise timing of compounds like Tesamorelin and IGF-1 MEET THE GUEST: ANTHONY CASTORE Anthony Castore is an SSRP Fellow and widely recognized as the "King of Peptides," operating at the intersection of body composition, longevity, and cellular efficiency. With over 30 years of experience working alongside leaders like Dr. Eric Serrano and Westside Barbell, Castore has moved beyond traditional training. He specializes in recalibrating human biology—helping high performers fix underlying dysfunction and optimize performance at the cellular level. SUPPORT THE PODCAST Become an elitefts channel member for early access to Dave Tate's Table Talk podcast and exclusive perks: ➡️ @eliteftsofficial FULL Crew Access: https://www.elitefts.com/join-the-crew Limited Edition Apparel: https://www.elitefts.com/shop/apparel/limited-edition.html Programs & More: https://www.elitefts.com/shop/dave-tate-s-table-talk-crew.html TYAO Application: https://www.elitefts.com/dave-tate-s-tyao-application BEST-SELLING ELITEFTS PRODUCTS Pro Resistance Training Bands: https://www.elitefts.com/shop/bands.html Specialty Barbells: https://www.elitefts.com/shop/bars-weights/specialty-bars.html Wraps, Straps, Sleeves: https://www.elitefts.com/shop/power-gear.html SPONSORS Get an extra 10% OFF at elitefts (CODE: TABLE TALK): https://www.elitefts.com/ Get 10% OFF Marek Health Labs (CODE: TABLETALK): https://marekhealth.com/tabletalk Get a free 8-count sample pack of LMNT drink mix: http://www.drinklmnt.com/tabletalk Support Massenomics: https://www.massenomics.com/ Save 20% on MASS Research Review (CODE: ELITEFTS20): https://massresearchreview.com/ Get 10% OFF RP Hypertrophy App (CODE: TABLE TALK): https://rpstrength.com/pages/hypertrophy-app

#402 11 Years of Ballroom Dancing Made Him This Strong | Adam Roszkowski

In this episode, we dive into the extraordinary "Triple-Threat" career of Adam "Rosco" Roszkowski, one of the most uniquely versatile athletes in modern strength training. We explore the mental and physical shift required to transition from the grace of competitive ballroom dancing to the gridiron of American football, and finally to the world stage of Strongman. This conversation breaks down the blueprint for athletic performance, elite-level muscle development, and the relentless discipline needed to secure five Strongman Champions League (SCL) titles and a spot at the World's Strongest Man. Meet the Guest Adam "Rosco" Roszkowski (WSM Athlete & 5x SCL Champion) Adam is a standout powerhouse in the international strongman circuit, recognized for his remarkable versatility and elite athletic performance. Before cementing his status as a World's Strongest Man competitor and five-time Strongman Champions League (SCL) winner, Adam reached the pinnacle of two other distinct sports as a Vice-Champion ballroom dancer and a European and German Champion in American football. Since committing to strongman in 2021, he has achieved monumental feats of strength, including a 400 kg deadlift and a World Record Bag Throw at the 2025 World's Strongest Viking. Beyond his 2x FIBO ClassX titles, Adam is a vocal advocate for the unfiltered side of pro-level training and high-stakes competition. Follow Adam Instagram: @rosco_strong YouTube: @rosco_strong Sponsored by: Silverback Gym Wear Become an elitefts channel member for early access to Dave Tate's Table Talk podcast and other perks. ➡️ @eliteftsofficial Support Dave Tate's Table Talk FULL Crew Access https://www.elitefts.com/join-the-crew Limited Edition Apparel https://www.elitefts.com/shop/apparel/limited-edition.html Programs & More https://www.elitefts.com/shop/dave-tate-s-table-talk-crew.html TYAO Application https://www.elitefts.com/dave-tate-s-tyao-application Best-selling elitefts Products Pro Resistance Training Bands https://www.elitefts.com/shop/bands.html Specialty Barbells https://www.elitefts.com/shop/bars-weights/specialty-bars.html Wraps, Straps, Sleeves https://www.elitefts.com/shop/power-gear.html Sponsors Get an extra 10% OFF at elitefts (CODE: TABLE TALK) https://www.elitefts.com/ Get 10% OFF Your Next Marek Health Labs (CODE: TABLETALK) https://marekhealth.com/tabletalk Get a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT's most popular drink mix flavors http://www.drinklmnt.com/tabletalk Support Massenomics https://www.massenomics.com/ Save 20% on monthly, yearly, or lifetime MASS Research Review (CODE: ELITEFTS20) https://massresearchreview.com/ Get 10% OFF RP Hypertrophy App (CODE: TABLE TALK) https://rpstrength.com/pages/hypertrophy-app

#401 The Most Overlooked Part of the 800lb Bench | Nick Benerakis

In this episode, we sit down with Nick Benerakis, the mastermind behind Big Benchas, to deconstruct the technical precision required for elite strength training and world-class athletic performance. With 13 years of experience in the trenches of powerlifting, Nick shares the secrets of the equipped bench press and how he navigated the journey to a massive 820 lb multi-ply lift. We explore the nuances of meet-day execution and the high-level coaching strategies that turn standard lifting into a pursuit of performance longevity and record-breaking strength. Meet the Guest Nick Benerakis (Founder, Big Benchas): Nick is a specialized powerlifting coach and renowned equipped bench specialist who has spent 13 years at the forefront of the sport. He is the creator of Big Benchas, one of the industry's most respected coaching and education platforms dedicated specifically to muscle development and bench press optimization. An elite athlete in his own right, Nick has achieved an 820 lb multi-ply bench press, cementing his status as a premier voice in the heavy strength community. Beyond his personal accolades, he has coached lifters across the globe, focusing on practical technique and the granular details of health optimization and strength mechanics. Follow Nick: Website: https://www.bigbenchas.com/ Instagram / YouTube / TikTok: @bigbenchas Support Dave Tate's Table Talk: Become a Channel Member: Early access & perks ➡️ @eliteftsofficial FULL Crew Access: https://www.elitefts.com/join-the-crew Limited Edition Apparel: https://www.elitefts.com/shop/apparel/limited-edition.html Programs & More: https://www.elitefts.com/shop/dave-tate-s-table-talk-crew.html TYAO Application: https://www.elitefts.com/dave-tate-s-tyao-application Best-selling elitefts Products: Pro Resistance Training Bands: https://www.elitefts.com/shop/bands.html Specialty Barbells: https://www.elitefts.com/shop/bars-weights/specialty-bars.html Wraps, Straps, Sleeves: https://www.elitefts.com/shop/power-gear.html Sponsors: elitefts: Get an extra 10% OFF (CODE: TABLE TALK) ➡️ https://www.elitefts.com/ Marek Health Labs: Get 10% OFF Your Next Order (CODE: TABLETALK) ➡️ https://marekhealth.com/tabletalk LMNT: Get a free 8-count Sample Pack ➡️ http://www.drinklmnt.com/tabletalk Massenomics: Support the show ➡️ https://www.massenomics.com/ MASS Research Review: Save 20% on monthly, yearly, or lifetime (CODE: ELITEFTS20) ➡️ https://massresearchreview.com/ RP Hypertrophy App: Get 10% OFF (CODE: TABLE TALK) ➡️ https://rpstrength.com/pages/hypertrophy-app