Better Every Rep

You Don’t Need A Perfect Body To Begin, You Just Need A First Step

Don Elrod Season 1 Episode 1

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Episodes Starting 12/5/2025

Ready to start again without the shame spiral or the “all or nothing” trap? We open the door to a simpler, kinder path into fitness where small steps, honest talk, and real-life strategies beat flashy plans every time. Don is starting over after life and excuses got in the way, and John brings the coach’s toolkit to turn good intentions into actions that stick.

We break down the mindset shift from motivation to discipline and show how tiny habits remove friction so you actually show up. From setting a “minimum viable session” to planning workouts like meetings, we focus on repeatable wins that build identity and confidence. Then we head into the gym with clear, beginner-friendly guidance: master the big patterns—squat, hinge, push, pull, carry—track what matters, and stop a rep before failure to grow without burnout. You’ll hear how to navigate the room, ask for a spot, and create a routine you’ll want to keep.

Food gets simpler too. We share nutrition anchors that work on busy days: protein at each meal, a fist of vegetables, carbs near training, and water before coffee. Batch-cook basic staples, use plate visuals if you dislike tracking, and treat supplements as optional. Recovery ties it all together with sleep routines, easy walks, and stress-aware training so progress keeps moving even when life gets messy. When you hit the wall—and you will—we show how to downshift without quitting, adjust the plan, and return stronger.

Expect myth busting, laughs, and a plan you can follow today. If fitness has felt intimidating or you’ve drifted off course, this is your starting line. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a reset, and leave a review to tell us the first small step you’re taking this week.

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If fitness has ever felt intimidating, or you're starting over, this is the show for you. I'm a regular guy, Don, just starting over after letting life, work, and excuses get in the way.

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And I'm John, the trainer who helps people start. Not chasing perfect bodies or impossible routines.

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Some of the things that we're going to talk about in this podcast is we're going to talk about fitness, nutrition, the other important mindset, and the messy in between.

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Myth busting, real stories, practical steps. You can actually do real life.

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And that's real important. And some of the topics that we're going to use to cover these items. We're going to talk about motivation versus discipline. Our first episode, starting from zero, and gym confidence. We'll talk cover some nutrition basics, recovery, and what to do when you hit that inevitable wall.

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Expect laughs, and definitely honest talk.

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Our first episode, day one. We're going to face your fears together and take that first step.

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Every rep counts, and so does every step you take toward a better you.

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We'll see you in episode one.

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Or you're just starting over. I didn't know. Take two.

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I'm glad we had that rehearsal earlier. That was really good.

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Okay.

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That's the deal. That's the deal. That's the deal. That's the deal. That's the deal.