#484 Dr Nick Tiller - The Health and Wellness Lie

#484 Dr Nick Tiller - The Health and Wellness Lie

Author: Andrew Coates July 7, 2026 Duration: 56:44

Dr Nick Tiller joins me to share a scathing critique of the health and wellness industry, including:


Why the health and wellness industry isn’t your friend—it’s a trillion-dollar con

Defining the wellness industry

The most concerning wellness trends

Why the wellness industry has become so massive

The incentives for influencers and even credentialed "authorities" to grift on bogus wellness products

Do well-intentioned people slide into misinformation, or are most wellness grifters motivated by money from the start?

How much responsibility does the consumer bear?

How can consumers become better equipped to protect themselves?

Will we ever see meaningful regulatory change?

How AI-generated content is exploding online to cash in on the wellness trend

And much more


Instagram: @nb.tiller


CHAPTERS


01:06 The Wellness Industry Con

02:24 Defining Wellness Terms

04:55 Experts vs Influencers

07:32 Credentialed Grifters

10:00 Consensus vs Contrarians

11:25 The Playbook for Undermining Trust

14:16 Scientists vs Storytelling

17:43 The Sagan Effect and Public Outreach

21:31 Staying In Your Lane

25:07 TikTok Peptides Panic

30:54 Peptide Heart Risks

31:18 Regulation vs Personal Responsibility

33:33 Science Communication, AI, and Media Literacy

37:03 Why Platforms Won't Police Misinformation

39:36 Bad Faith Wellness Actors

42:52 The Influencer Economy Exposed

46:06 Deepfakes and Fake Physiques

50:46 Bodybuilding Pressure and Deaths

55:10 Curate Your Feed

56:09 Book Plug and Farewell


SUPPORT THE SHOW


If this episode helped you become a more skeptical consumer of health information, you can support the show by:


Subscribing and checking out more episodes

Sharing it on social media (tag me and I'll respond)

Sending it to someone trying to separate evidence from wellness hype


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 – FREE Premium Trial

Download MacrosFirst and during setup select ANDREW


KNKG Bags (15% off)

https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676


Versa Gripps

https://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoates


TRAINHEROIC – FREE 90-Day Trial

https://www.trainheroic.com/liftfree


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


L1 BIOMECHANICS AND ASSESSMENT COURSE

https://pro.activelifeprofessional.com/assessmentworkshopevents


Use code COATES at checkout.


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: 50

Lift Free And Diet Hard with Andrew Coates
Podcast Episodes
#495 Ben Yanes - Why Your Assessment Might Be a Waste of Time [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:35
Ben Yanes makes his long-overdue first appearance on the podcast and brings his trademark nuance to assessment, biomechanics, exercise selection, injury narratives, science-based fitness, and what good coaching actually…
#492 Jason Brown - In Defense of Zone 2 Cardio [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:33
Jason Brown returns for a nuanced discussion about Zone 2 cardio, walking, conditioning, stress, recovery, and how cardio should fit into an individual’s life.Jason joins me to discuss:• Whether Zone 2 cardio is actually…
#490 Q Willey - Does Training With Barbells Cause More Injuries? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:32
Q Willey is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach who joins me to discuss barbell training, back pain, injury risk, metabolic health, rehabilitation, and the way strength training is…
#487 Joe DeFranco - Long Live In-Person Training [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:15
Iconic gym owner, podcaster, strength coach, educator, and trainer of elite athletes Joe DeFranco returns to share insights from decades of coaching in person.Joe shares:Why he still coaches in person, and why it's essen…
#486 Alberto Nunez - Zen and the Art of Bodybuilding [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:27
Coaching and bodybuilding legend Alberto Nunez of Team 3DMJ joins me for a humble discussion about the principles that have made him one of the most respected coaches in natural bodybuilding.Alberto shares his thoughts o…