2938: The Right (and Wrong) Reasons to Fast.  Most People Are Doing It for the Wrong One

2938: The Right (and Wrong) Reasons to Fast. Most People Are Doing It for the Wrong One

Author: Sal Di Stefano, Adam Schafer, Justin Andrews, Doug Egge September 4, 2026 Duration: 1:20:16

MAPS Abs and Butt: https://mapsabsandbutt.com

Code: LAUNCH for 40% off. Includes Butt Building Diet Guide, Women's Supplement Guide, at-home dumbbell version, and a free second program at checkout (Muscle Mommy or Muscle Mommy 15).

 

In this episode the guys break down the right and wrong reasons to use fasting — not for body composition, not for anyone with a history of restricting, but specifically for spiritual purposes, breaking food attachment, gut health issues, autoimmune conditions like psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis, and before or during chemotherapy. They also cover a detailed breakdown of grass-fed vs. grain-fed beef over one week and how the nutrient differences add up, Legion's pre-workout Pulse and the 350mg caffeine discussion, the happiness and money meta-study showing what the happiest high earners actually do with their money, Justin addressing the Arlo dog backlash from listeners and why the military dog trainer couldn't figure him out either, and how to separate cravings from real hunger. Then they answer questions from Instagram on whether pull-ups replace lat pulldowns, if you can take a break from high protein, healing injuries in a calorie deficit, and how to activate rear delts instead of traps.

 

SPONSORS

 

Legion (Pulse pre-workout): https://buylegion.com/mindpump

Code: MINDPUMP — new customers buy one get one 50% off, returning customers get 20% cash back. 350mg caffeine, beta-alanine and more.

 

Butcher Box: https://butcherbox.com/mindpump

No code needed. Free ribeyes, NY strip steaks or filet mignons in every order for a year plus $20 off first box. Sal discusses the weekly grass-fed beef nutrient breakdown on air.

 

Seed Daily Synbiotic: https://seed.com/mindpump

Code: 25MINDPUMP for 25% off your first month.

 

LINKS

 

Mind Pump Store: https://mindpumpstore.com

Maps Fitness Products: https://mapsfitnessproducts.com

Instagram: @mindpumpmedia 

0:00 - Intro

2:30 - How to use fasting for the right reasons — and who should never do it

4:51 - Reason 1: Spiritual purposes — the original and most powerful use of fasting

7:42 - Reason 2: Breaking food attachment — learning the difference between cravings and real hunger

10:54 - Reason 3: Gut health — why giving your digestive system a break has measurable effects

13:33 - Reason 4: Autoimmune conditions — psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis have the most data

18:12 - Reason 5: Before and during chemotherapy — how fasting mimicking diet improves cancer cell response

24:14 - Grass-fed vs. grain-fed beef — the nutrient difference over one week adds up more than you think

29:00 - The guys compare their Butcher Box orders and why they all live off ground beef

34:41 - Legion Pulse pre-workout — 350mg caffeine, beta-alanine and the bathroom timing problem

41:35 - The happiness and money meta-study — what the happiest high earners do differently

52:53 - Justin addresses the Arlo dog listener backlash — the military dog trainer gave up

1:02:37 - Sal on fasting before podcasts for mental sharpness

1:08:49 - Q&A: If you only do pull-ups, are you missing anything by skipping lat pulldowns?

1:14:23 - Q&A: Can you take a break from 1g of protein per pound of bodyweight?

1:16:58 - Q&A: Can you rehab and heal from an injury in a calorie deficit?

1:18:31 - Q&A: How to activate rear delts instead of traps

 


Tired of fitness fads and conflicting advice that leaves you more confused than when you started? Mind Pump: Raw Fitness Truth cuts through the noise with a no-nonsense approach you can actually trust. Hosts Sal Di Stefano, Adam Schafer, Justin Andrews, and Doug Egge bring their combined expertise to every conversation, dismantling popular myths and calling out the pervasive snake oil in the wellness world. Instead of hype, they focus on practical, science-backed strategies for building muscle, enhancing performance, and-most importantly-sustaining long-term health. Their discussions are grounded in reality, often challenging even the most sacred institutions in the industry with a blend of sharp insight and relatable humor. Each episode of this podcast feels like an honest talk with knowledgeable friends who aren’t afraid to question everything. You’ll find clarity on nutrition, training paradigms, and lifestyle choices, all delivered without an agenda other than giving you the unfiltered facts. For anyone exhausted by the constant churn of gimmicks and seeking a sustainable path to feeling and looking better, this is an essential listen. The raw truth isn’t always pretty, but with this team guiding you, it’s undeniably effective.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Mind Pump: Raw Fitness Truth
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