9 Year Old Deadlifts 180lbs! Does Lifting Stunt Growth in Kids?

9 Year Old Deadlifts 180lbs! Does Lifting Stunt Growth in Kids?

A 9-year-old deadlifted 180lbs in competition and the internet had opinions. Some people were excited. Others asked "how is this even allowed?" and those people are wrong.  In this video I break down the evidence on youth resistance training: the growth plate myth, injury rates compared to popular youth sports, bone mineral density data, childhood obesity tracking, and the psychological outcomes of resistance training in young people. The data will surprise you and leans HEAVILY in one direction. Coaching inquiries email me at randall@alwaysadaptive.com or visit alwaysadaptive.com

Responding to Comments: Protein Myths, Gymnasts vs Bodybuilders, and Stretching vs Lifting

People have been leaving some wild comments lately… so it was time to bring this series back. In this episode, I respond to comments covering protein intake recommendations, stretching vs resistance training for flexibility, BOSU balls and instability training, gymnasts vs bodybuilders, functional training, cheat meals, calorie tracking, fiber intake, and more. We dig into the current evidence on protein requirements for muscle growth and strength, talk about why “functional” training still lacks a consistent definition, and break down the difference between what’s possible vs what’s optimal when it comes to training methods. I also respond to a video claiming calorie restriction is a bad method for weight loss, discuss why sustainability matters more than perfection in nutrition coaching, and explain why I think nuance matters when interpreting studies instead of blindly accepting conclusions that confirm our biases. If you enjoy evidence based fitness discussions, breaking down studies, and long-form responses to internet fitness debates, this one’s for you. Coaching inquiries email me at randall@alwaysadaptive.com or visit alwaysadaptive.com

Stretching vs Resistance Training: The Flexibility Debate

Most people think flexibility is just about stretching muscles longer. That’s part of it, but it’s not the whole story. In this video, we’re digging into what actually controls your range of motion. We’ll break down the role your nervous system plays, how motor patterns influence flexibility, and why simply forcing yourself deeper into stretches doesn’t always lead to lasting results. Then we’ll walk through the research comparing stretching and resistance training, looking at how each one impacts flexibility, strength, and long-term carryover. Not just what improves range in the moment, but what actually sticks and transfers to real movement. I’ll also show you how full range of motion strength training fits into this conversation, where different types of stretching can still be useful, and how to structure both depending on your goal. Coaching inquiries email me at randall@alwaysadaptive.com or visit alwaysadaptive.com

Strength vs Cardio: The Longevity Debate

Longevity has become the focus of modern health. There’s no shortage of YouTube influencers pushing supplements like NAD and resveratrol with promises of extending your life. But do you want to know what consistently shows up in the data? Being fit. So the real question isn’t supplements. It’s this: what matters more for longevity, cardio or strength? That’s exactly what we’re breaking down today. I’ll walk you through the data comparing both, where each one wins, and what happens when you combine them. And if you want something practical to follow, I’ve built a free hybrid program you can start immediately. Just drop your email here and I’ll send it over: http://eepurl.com/h1vzjr Coaching inquiries email me at randall@alwaysadaptive.com or visit alwaysadaptive.com

Jillian Michaels vs Body Positivity: INTENSE Surrounded Debate Reaction

Is body positivity actually helping people… or is it missing something important? In this video, I break down the Jubilee “Surrounded” debate featuring Jillian Michaels and 20 body positivity activists, looking at the claims, the arguments, and most importantly, the data behind them. We get into:  • The difference between association and causation in obesity research  • Mendelian randomization and what it actually tells us about risk  • The “metabolically healthy obesity” debate and why definitions matter  • Intuitive eating and whether hunger cues can be trusted  • Hormonal changes like leptin resistance and ghrelin dysregulation  • Weight bias in healthcare and what the data actually shows  • The role of perception and interpretation in social interactions Coaching inquiries email me at randall@alwaysadaptive.com or visit alwaysadaptive.com