50% Facts

50% Facts

Author: Jim McDonald Language: English Episodes: 500
Ever notice how a movie scene about training or a social media trend about nutrition can feel a bit off, like the reality got lost in translation? That’s the space where 50% Facts lives. Hosted by veteran podcaster and gym owner Jim McDonald, this series digs into the wide gap between how popular culture depicts our well-being and how things actually work. Each episode takes a closer look at the portrayals of health, fitness, mental health, and more in films, TV, and online media, questioning where the truth ends and the distortion begins. Jim brings his perspective from running Third Street Barbell in Sacramento to conversations with a diverse range of guests, from fitness experts and athletes to voices from entertainment. The discussions are grounded, often surprising, and focused on separating Hollywood flair from actionable knowledge. Tune in for a podcast that doesn’t just review media but investigates the stories we’re told about our own bodies and minds, all through Jim’s straightforward and experienced lens.
Episodes
Getting stiffed by knee sleeves : The politics of IPF approval [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:01
A couple of episodes ago, we talked about a dramatic change in leadership at the International Powerlifting Federation. The latest wrinkle is that the federation has recently notified the manufacturers of “stiff” knee sl…
Hungry for Change (2012) | A 50% Facts Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:44
A stroll back 13 years in time takes us to a very “well-reviewed” nutrition documentary that ultimately only delivers a laundry list of fear appeals, misinformation, and pro-vegan propaganda. Not that there’s anything wr…
IPF drama at the top, AI stealing jobs at the bottom? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:24
We take a stab at which jobs AI might eliminate (do you want your drive-through order taken by a bot?). Plus, the long-time IPF president resigned suddenly a few weeks ago. Is there any situation where a quick exit from…
Generation Iron: Natty 4 Life (2020) | A 50% Facts Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:37
The third sequel to the bodybuilding documentary Generation Iron is all about the natties. It follows a group of competitors during the countdown to the Natural Olympia of 2019. Will natural bodybuilding ever gain the ki…
CT Fletcher: My Magnificent Obsession (2015) | A 50% Facts Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:46
The “Superman from Compton” took YouTube in the 20-teens by way of a video called “The Strongest Man You’ve Never Heard Of.” Who was this man who “commanded” his arms to grow and reminded us over and over that it was ind…
Generation Iron (2013) | A 50% Facts Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:05
This documentary, the first from Generation Iron, covers the runup to the 2012 Mr. Olympia bodybuilding contest. Phil Heath is a repeat winner, but Kai Greene is pushing him hard. A number of other well-known competitors…
Is powerlifting in a slump? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:18
Have you noticed that powerlifting is experiencing a bit of a dip in popularity? We have. What might be the cause? We kick around some possibilities. Is the last wave of lifters starting to age out and move on to other h…
Ronnie Coleman: The King (2018) | A 50% Facts Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:53
This documentary from Generation Iron recaps the career of 8-time Mr. Olympia, Ronnie Coleman, as he prepares for yet another back surgery. While we don’t gain a lot new information, it’s a nostalgic look at some of the…