#504 Harley Pasternak - Diets and GLP-1 Use in Popular Culture

#504 Harley Pasternak - Diets and GLP-1 Use in Popular Culture

Author: Andrew Coates September 15, 2026 Duration: 1:02:15

What happens when evidence-based nutrition collides with celebrity culture, fad diets, GLP-1 medications, and increasingly extreme body-image trends?


Harley Pasternak is an internationally renowned trainer, author, educator, and professor who has coached some of the most famous people in the world.


He joins me to discuss what fitness and nutrition actually look like behind the scenes—and how very different that can be from the stories presented online.


In this episode, we discuss:


• How Harley navigates popular fad diets while staying evidence based

• Why extreme diets can become normalized through social media

• “A lot of today’s most popular diets look suspiciously like disordered eating”

• Harley’s experience coaching high-profile celebrities

• What celebrity fitness actually looks like behind the scenes

• Whether GLP-1 medications are as common in Hollywood as people think

• GLP-1s, weight loss, and changing body-image expectations

• Why cherry-picked photos of extremely thin celebrities can distort reality

• Media narratives around celebrity weight loss

• Harley’s thoughts on the 10,000-steps guideline

• Why daily walking and movement still matter

• What makes a great home gym

• What makes a great hotel gym

• Gym layout, equipment selection, and user experience

• Coaching people with extremely busy schedules

• Why sustainable habits still beat most fitness trends

• And much more


Follow Harley Pasternak on Instagram:


@harleypasternak


SUPPORT THE SHOW


If this episode helped you think differently about celebrity fitness, fad diets, GLP-1s, or daily movement:


• Subscribe and check out more episodes

• Share the episode on social media and tag @andrewcoatesfitness

• Send it to someone trying to make sense of the latest diet or weight-loss trend


FOLLOW ANDREW COATES


Instagram: @andrewcoatesfitness


https://www.andrewcoatesfitness.com


PARTNERS AND RESOURCES


ANDREW COATES’ 13-WEEK ONLINE GROUP STRENGTH PROGRAMS


Join my Men’s or Women’s 13-Week Online Group Strength Programs today.


Choose between:


• A Gym Upper/Lower Program

• A Home Upper/Lower Program

• A Full-Body Program


Get full access to me with prompt responses throughout the program.


Use code SEPTEMBER10 to save 10%.


Join here:


www.foreverstrength.ca/join-now/


Have questions?


Message me on Instagram:


https://www.instagram.com/andrewcoatesfitness/?hl=en


I would love to coach you.


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

• Begin setting up your account

• When asked, “How did you hear about us?” enter: ANDREW


KNKG BAGS — 15% OFF


https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676


VERSA GRIPPS


https://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoates


TRAINHEROIC — FREE 90-DAY TRIAL


• Visit: https://www.trainheroic.com/liftfree

• Reply to the email you receive or email trials@trainheroic.com

• Let them know Andrew sent you


L1 BIOMECHANICS AND ASSESSMENT COURSE


Use code COATES:


https://pro.activelifeprofessional.com/assessmentworkshopevents


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
#505 Elizabeth Ward & Hillary Wright - Menopause Nutrition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:36
Elizabeth Ward and Hillary Wright are registered dietitians, authors of *The Menopause Diet Plan*, and together are known as The Menopause Dietitians.They join me to cut through the noise around menopause nutrition and e…
#503 Kevin Carr - How to Train for Independent Aging [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:45
Kevin Carr is co-owner of several businesses and brands, including Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning and Certified Functional Strength Coach, and author of the new book Prescribing Movement as Medicine.Kevin returns t…
#501 Stan Efferding - Nutrition for Muscle Growth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:53
Stan Efferding is an icon of bodybuilding, powerlifting, and elite evidence-based coaching.Stan returns with his unique ability to interpret cutting-edge research and combine it with decades of real-world experience coac…
#500 Dr. Layne Norton - You Will Not Outwork Me [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:07
I’m honoured to celebrate episode #500 with Dr. Layne Norton as my guest.Layne is an icon of the fitness industry: a prolific educator, author, champion, world-record-holding powerlifter, and a major influence throughout…
#499 Dr. Sean Pastuch - Live More, Hurt Less [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:30
Dr. Sean Pastuch returns to share lessons from his career and his new book, Live More, Hurt Less.Sean joins me to discuss:• How he defines “Live More, Hurt Less”• What that philosophy looks like in real life• Why helping…
#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…