#417 Austin Current - Does “Optimal” Matter In Training and Lifestyle?

#417 Austin Current - Does “Optimal” Matter In Training and Lifestyle?

Author: Andrew Coates November 18, 2025 Duration: 55:29

Austin Current, author of The Science of Strength Training, joins me for a deep dive into what “optimal” really means - and doesn’t mean - in training, coaching, and everyday life.

We explore how perfectionism, online debates, and unrealistic standards can derail people who simply want to train well, feel good, and live a sustainable lifestyle.

Austin shares insight on:
• Why keeping promises to yourself builds self-belief
• Why it’s better to view your effort like a dial, not an on/off switch
• What he means by a Goldilocks zone in training and life
• The messy online war over what is “optimal”
• Why “good enough” is truly enough for most people’s exercise technique
• How to think about fatigue, form, and technique without overcomplicating training
• Whether two-a-day sessions are useful or unnecessary
• And much more


CHAPTERS

00:45 The Importance of Self-Belief and Keeping Promises
03:39 Balancing Professional and Personal Life
08:51 The Concept of 'Good Enough' in Fitness and Life
18:10 RP Strength and Personal Training Insights
22:03 Form, Technique, and Injury Prevention in Training
30:55 Training to Failure - Observations and Beliefs
32:33 Client Progress and Adaptation
34:07 Technique vs. Form - A Deeper Dive
35:40 Pattern Recognition in Training
37:14 Effective Coaching Cues
43:37 Two-a-Day Training Sessions - Pros and Cons
50:19 Final Thoughts and Recommendations


SUPPORT THE SHOW

If this episode helped you, you can help me by:
• Subscribing and checking out more episodes
• Sharing it on your social media (tag me - I'll respond)
• Sending it to a friend who needs this


FOLLOW ANDREW COATES

Instagram: @andrewcoatesfitness
https://www.andrewcoatesfitness.com


PARTNERS AND RESOURCES

RP Strength App (use code COATESRP)
https://www.rpstrength.com/coates

Just Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off)
https://justbitememeals.com/

MacrosFirst (nutrition tracking)
https://www.macrosfirst.com/

KNKG Bags (15% off)
https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676

Versa Gripps (discount link)
https://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoates

TRAINHEROIC - FREE 90-DAY TRIAL (2 steps)

  1. Go to https://www.trainheroic.com/liftfree

  2. Reply to the email you receive (or email trials@trainheroic.com) and let them know I sent you



Andrew Coates hosts Lift Free And Diet Hard, a conversation grounded in the belief that strength and wellness are built on more than just routines. This podcast moves beyond quick fixes to examine the principles and personal stories that shape a sustainable, intentional life. You’ll hear from a variety of inspiring guests who share not only their expertise but also the real-world challenges and triumphs they’ve faced. The discussions naturally weave together the science of fitness with the practicalities of daily choices, offering a nuanced look at what it means to truly care for your physical and mental health. Each episode is designed to provide actionable insights you can use to navigate your own path, fostering resilience and confidence whether you're in the gym or the kitchen. By focusing on informed decision-making over dogma, the Lift Free And Diet Hard podcast becomes a resource for anyone looking to cut through the noise of wellness culture. Andrew facilitates these explorations with a focus on empowerment, ensuring every conversation adds a layer of understanding to the complex journey of building a strong, healthy life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Lift Free And Diet Hard with Andrew Coates
Podcast Episodes
#411 Dr. Ben Rein - Social Interaction and Your Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:01
Dr. Ben Rein is a neuroscientist and the author of the new book Why Brains Need Friends.Ben guest stars on my podcast to share his expertise about:-Is loneliness as dangerous as smoking, and why-How social interaction im…
#409 Dr. Joey Munoz - Fat Loss and Long Term Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:12
Dr Joey Munoz is one of my favourite authorities and communicators about exercise science and nutrition. Joey joins me for a masterclass on fat loss, muscle, and health outcomes. Joey shares his expertise on:-Does losing…
#408 Christian Thibaudeau - How to Get Stronger [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:18
Christian Thibaudeau is a legend in strength and conditioning and joins me for a quick masterclass on how to train strength, plus his expertise on:-How quickly do we lose strength if we don’t train it-How much of our str…
#406 Dr. John Rusin - Pain Free Performance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:41
Dr John Rusin is back with details about his new book, Pain Free Performance. John joins me to share his expertise on:-How to approach your training and stay pain free-How to improve your odds of living pain free with ot…
#405 JP Tremblay - Trailer Park Health, Fitness, and Nutrition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:33
JP Tremblay is a Canadian entertainment icon famous for his role as Julien of the Trailer Park Boys in addition to being a founding creator and writer of the show. JP joins me in a rare out of character interview to shar…
#404 Dr. Susan Kleiner - Women’s Performance Nutrition Masterclass [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:46
Dr Susan Kleiner is a PhD of Nutrition and Human Performance and a Registered Dietician who’s worked with the highest level athletes in sports. Susan guests in this masterclass on performance nutrition to share her exper…
#403 Sharelle Grant - Using Your Weekend to Get Ahead Not Fall Behind [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:34
Sharelle Grant is a nurse turned online coach and founder of the Women’s Health Movement. Sharelle joins me to share her philosophy on success in fitness, health, and life including:-Setting and maintaining boundaries -W…