Fahad sits down with Matt Peele—corrective exercise specialist, sports performance coach, author of Athlete in the Game of Life, and host of The Peele Appeal Podcast – for a mind-opening conversation on the hidden dangers of our sedentary modern lives. From endless desk sitting and long commutes to smartphone hunching, Matt explains how prolonged sitting can reshape our posture, weaken key muscles, and even impact brain function. He breaks down muscle imbalances, the power of complex movements for cognition, why exercise boosts learning and decision-making, and simple fixes anyone can do at their desk to fight back against the “new smoking” – sitting.

• Sitting is the new smoking: 10–16+ hours a day of sitting (desk, commute, couch) shortens hip flexors/abs and weakens glutes/hamstrings, leading to poor posture and chronic pain.

• The body “remodels” itself: Prolonged positions become your new “normal,” pulling joints out of alignment and creating muscle imbalances.

• Fix it with the right approach: Stretch what’s tight (hip flexors, quads, chest) and strengthen what’s weak (glutes, hamstrings, upper back).

• Exercise supercharges your brain:

• Complex movements build cognition: Multi-joint exercises (squats, deadlifts, presses) under moderate stress create neuroplasticity and grow cells in the hippocampus.

• Warning signs: Chronic low back/knee pain, inability to squat properly, or getting winded easily are red flags it’s time to act.

• Kids need movement too: Cutting recess and PE hurts focus and learning – physical activity makes brains ready to absorb complex info.

00:00 – Exercise Primes the Brain for Learning (and Why Schools Are Getting It Wrong)

00:41 – Welcome to the Energy Podcast + Intro to Matt Peele

04:08 – Matt’s Journey: From Marketing to Fitness Industry Since 2008

06:55 – The Spark Behind Writing Athlete in the Game of Life

08:32 – What’s Inside the Book: Aging, Posture, and Corrective Fixes

09:29 – The Reality of Sedentary Jobs (Cubicles, Driving, Commutes)

11:23 – How Sitting Remodels Your Body and Creates Muscle Imbalances

13:36 – Personalized Assessments and Fixing Individual Posture Issues

16:24 – Real Client Success Story: Transforming Pain and Mobility in Retirement

18:03 – Postural Problems Showing Up Earlier (Even in 20s) Due to Tech

20:41 – Athletes & Lifters Aren’t Immune – Common Mistakes Even Fit People Make

25:33 – Sports Performance Training for Executives: Boosting Cognition & Decision-Making

30:25 – The Science: How Exercise Builds Brain Cells & Neuroplasticity

33:42 – Easy Starter Moves for Desk Workers (Sit-to-Stands, Desk Push-Ups)

35:50 – Final Thoughts + Where to Find Matt’s Resources

36:31 – Plugs: Book, Podcast, Website & Socials

• Matt’s book Athlete in the Game of Life – available on Amazon (paperback, Kindle, and audiobook narrated by Matt) • Online programs & resources – mattpeale.com (check “I’m tired of being in pain” or the 10-Minute Professional series: Stretch/Strengthen at Your Desk) • The Peele Appeal Podcast – wherever you get podcasts (Fahad was on Episode 101!) • Follow Matt: Instagram @mattpeelces, LinkedIn, Facebook (Athlete in the Game of Life), TikTok @strengthenatyourdesk • Energy Pods & CocoZen – kgfoodco.com (perfect desk-friendly fuel to power your movement breaks)

Fahad chats with Justin Saroyan, co-founder of iRecreate and organizer of the Mare Island Half Marathon, about the event's evolution from triathlons to family-friendly runs, the rich history of Mare Island, community impact, and inspiring stories like an 80-year-old triathlete dominating the course.

They dive into planning challenges, historical course highlights, getting started as a runner, the "Burn Your Couch" mantra, and how events like this build Vallejo's positive vibe—plus a nod to Energy Pods as perfect runner fuel.

Key Takeaways

• From lifeguard events to marathons: Started in 2014 as triathlons, now an annual half marathon drawing nearly 1,000 runners.

• Mare Island's WWII naval legacy adds epic scenery—oldest West Coast base, historic ships, Tiffany glass chapel, and more.

• Inclusive for all: Walk the 5K, join kids' runs, or aim for PRs—no swimming/biking required anymore.

• Community first: Strong family involvement, local partners like Mare Island Brewing Co., and groups like Vallejo Run Club.

• Challenges: Adapting to island changes (roadwork, art installs), but reputation eases permits.

• Inspiring tale: 80s woman in a bathing suit outpacing 20-30s in Olympic triathlons—zero hesitation in cold water. • "Burn Your Couch": Ditch lazy habits, get active—rooted in college antics and health mindset.

• Drive: Giving back to Vallejo through fun, safe events that boost reputation and unite people.

Chapters

00:00 – Inspiring 80-Year-Old Triathlete Story

00:45 – Welcome to the Energy Podcast + Intro to Justin

05:21 – From Lifeguards to Race Founders: Origin Story

09:54 – Behind the Scenes: Planning, Permits, and Challenges

13:56 – Marketing, Word-of-Mouth, and Building a Vibe

15:53 – Running Through History: Mare Island's Unique Course

20:16 – Mare Island's WWII Legacy and Naval Impact

22:13 – Getting Started: Tips for Beginners and Run Clubs

27:36 – Community Impact, Partnerships, and Local Love

30:37 – Standout Moments from 11 Years of Races

33:32 – Justin's Drive: Giving Back to Vallejo

36:30 – Kids' Run Magic and Family Involvement

38:54 – The "Burn Your Couch" Story and Mantra

45:24 – Thoughts on Energy Pods and CocoZen 47:09 – How to Register and Get Involved

48:18 – Shoutouts to Supporters + Wrap-Up

Plugs

• Register for the Mare Island Half Marathon at irecreate.org

• Follow on Instagram @burn.your.couch

• Energy Pods & CocoZen at kgfoodco.com (sugar-free, almond-based fuel for runners)

Fahad welcomes back one of the very first supporters of the business – Dustin Cade (@KetoSimple)—for a heartfelt, long-overdue catch-up. From weighing 421 lbs and facing hernia + CPAP reality in 2016 to now living a simple, free, and deeply contented low-carb life, Dustin shares the real story: the early zealotry, the massive simplification, surviving skyrocketing meat prices, and why constant happiness is a myth (but lasting contentment is very real).

They talk rising food costs, buying half-cows, the birth of CocoZen (yes, Dustin is literally the reason that 12-oz jar exists), favorite easy recipes, family, freedom, and the ultimate lesson they’ve both learned after almost a decade in this space: keep it stupidly simple and know yourself.

Key Takeaways

• Happiness is fleeting; aim for contentment instead.
• Simplify everything – food, message, life. Complexity kills long-term success.
• Keto/low-carb doesn’t have to be fancy ingredients or hours in the kitchen (hamburger patties, eggs, and frozen thighs still win).
• Meat prices are insane everywhere, but ground beef, chicken thighs, turkey, Costco rotisserie chickens, and buying direct from farmers or splitting a cow are current lifesavers.
• The CocoZen jar exists because Dustin literally asked for “a bigger Energy Pod” years ago.
• True freedom today isn’t just money – it’s controlling your own time and being able to help the people you love.
• Get to know yourself deeply (your triggers, your strengths) so you can design the simplest system that actually works for YOU forever.
• Community > perfection. None of us are perfect, and that’s exactly why we need each other.
• A raw, real, brotherly conversation full of hard-earned wisdom.

Chapters

00:00 – Happiness vs. Contentment – Dustin opens with the big truth bomb

00:40 – Welcome Back to the Energy Podcast! Fahad’s return, winter in Napa, and introducing Dustin Cade

05:41 – Dustin’s Origin Story – 421 lbs in 2016, hernia, CPAP, and the first low-carb decision

10:15 – From Complicated Keto to Stupid-Simple Eating

11:29 – The Great Meat Price Crisis of 2024/2025 – Why beef is insane and real-world survival hacks

18:30 – Freedom as the New Currency – Grandkids, coffee with the wife, and owning your time

22:22 – What Happiness Actually Is – Dustin’s full answer + helping others

24:18 – The One Big Lesson After 8+ Years – Simplify everything and know yourself

30:57 – Energy Pods & CocoZen Origin Story – Dustin explains the products + how he literally created the 12-oz jar

39:45 – Where to Find Dustin, Live-Stream Schedule & Wrap-Up

Plugs:

• Follow Dustin everywhere @KetoSimple and get all links at ketosimple.shop
• Grab KetoSimple merch and free recipes at ketosimple.shop
• Energy Pods & CocoZen: www.kgfoodco.com