Please enjoy this rare bonus Saturday episode with Stefan Gehrig, founder of KNKG - my favourite gym bag and duffel company.
Stefan also holds a PhD in Muscle Biology and worked in research studying muscle wasting disorders before pivoting into entrepreneurship. While he no longer works directly in academia, I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to ask valuable questions about his expertise in muscular dystrophy, sarcopenia, and other muscle-wasting conditions.
We also discuss the leap from research to building one of the most respected gym bag brands in the world - and what it takes to go all-in on a side hustle.
THIS EPISODE COVERS:
The story behind founding KNKG
Pivoting from academic research to entrepreneurship
What went into deciding to go all-in on a side hustle
What muscular dystrophy is and who is at risk
Other muscle wasting diseases and their individual and societal impact
How lifestyle affects muscle health and disease risk
Sarcopenia and age-related muscle loss
Why strength training matters for long-term health
Neurological conditions like ALS and MS and their connection to muscle wasting
Applying scientific thinking to business
And much more
We’ll both be at the Arnold Sports Festival March 6th and 7th at the KNKG booth — come say hello.
If you’d like to grab your own KNKG bag, DM me and I’ll send you my 15 percent discount code.
Instagram: @knkg
CHAPTERS
00:16 Meet Stefan Gehrig: KNKG founder, PhD, CrossFit Games athlete
01:09 How Andrew became a KNKG superfan (Arnold booth announcement)
02:23 KNKG’s origin story: from PhD research to building bags since 2011
04:09 From scientist to founder: CrossFit niche + The 4-Hour Workweek spark
05:30 Designing without experience: materials, factories, and manufacturing
06:21 What was missing in gym bags: organization, shoe compartments, function
08:02 The leap: leaving academia and going all-in on KNKG
10:22 Why it worked: timing, runway, and applying the scientific method to business
12:27 Arnold Sports Festival + 15% discount details
13:38 The 80/20 of KNKG: product development, word-of-mouth, long lead times
15:44 Muscular dystrophy explained (Duchenne, risks, treatments)
19:07 Staying current in research — and why science is all-consuming
20:28 Sarcopenia: age-related muscle loss and why strength training matters
25:23 Training for life: resistance + cardio, hybrid programming
28:18 ALS & MS: neurological causes of muscle wasting
31:01 See you at the Arnold: booth details
32:12 Wrap-up: where to follow KNKG
SUPPORT THE SHOW
If you enjoyed this bonus episode, you can support the show by:
Subscribing and checking out more episodes
Sharing it on social media (tag me — I will respond)
Sending it to someone interested in entrepreneurship or muscle health
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 percent off)
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MacrosFirst – FREE Premium Trial
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Type: ANDREW
KNKG Bags (15 percent off — DM for code)
Versa Gripps (discount link)
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