From 320 Pounds to Coaching the Long Game of Health – Episode 131 (with Dominic Matteo)

From 320 Pounds to Coaching the Long Game of Health – Episode 131 (with Dominic Matteo)

If you’re a pilot, parent, or busy professional who has bounced between “all‑in” and “off the rails” with your health and wants a more sustainable way forward, you can start your application to work with me here: https://bluechipathleticclub.com/program-application [https://bluechipathleticclub.com/program-application] In this episode of the Blue Chip Athletic Club Podcast, I sit down with Dominic Matteo—nutrition coach, former D‑III lineman and rugby player—to talk about what it really takes to go from a 320‑pound “bowling ball” to losing over 120 pounds and building a life where health is non‑negotiable. Dominic shares his origin story growing up as the chubby kid with a single dad, bouncing between Tucson, Las Cruces, and Cleveland, and eventually using football and rugby as outlets that still couldn’t outrun a diet of double bacon cheeseburgers and 24 beers a night. He walks through the moment everything changed: finding out his wife was pregnant with their son the same day a close friend passed away, and deciding his kids would never see him physically unhealthy again. We spend time on the mental game: why he refused to set a “goal weight,” instead committing to doing the best he could every day for a year, and how he handled missed workouts, hungover days, and weight fluctuations without quitting. Finally, Dominic shares how that transformation led him back to school, into certifications, and ultimately into a full‑time coaching role with Precision Nutrition—leaving a Fortune 100 insurance job the day he got the offer and never looking back. If you’ve ever felt stuck between “microwave” expectations and “crockpot” reality, this conversation will give you a clear, honest blueprint for changing your health without having to turn into a monk or bail on your real life. Listen to more episodes: https://bluechipathleticclub.com/podcast [https://bluechipathleticclub.com/podcast] Connect w/Dominic on IG: @dmatteo77 Partners & Resources 1st Phorm supplements (protein, greens, and more) – free samples available, message us to claim yours. Sweet Profections protein cookies (code BLUECHIP10): https://sweetprofections.com/?ref=mhcptczo [https://sweetprofections.com/?ref=mhcptczo] DashTrack websites and automations for coaches: https://labs.dashtrack.com/brand/showcase/bbefd5f0-637f-4a05-a80a-b19688147979 [https://labs.dashtrack.com/brand/showcase/bbefd5f0-637f-4a05-a80a-b19688147979] LogTen Pro / PilotBase pilot logbook (free 3 months): https://logten.com/partner/logten-for-bluechip/ [https://logten.com/partner/logten-for-bluechip/] Harvest Hosts (RV overnights at farms, wineries, and unique spots) – use code BLAISE20 for 20% off (affiliate link): https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=111454&awinaffid=2964805&ued=https://www.harvesthosts.com/special-offer?showcode=true&utm_content=BLAISE25 [https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=111454&awinaffid=2964805&ued=https://www.harvesthosts.com/special-offer?showcode=true&utm_content=BLAISE25] DISCLAIMER: This episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not medical advice, business advice, or financial advice. Always consult appropriate professionals about training, health, and business decisions.

Coaching the Next Generation of Strong Girls – Episode 130 (with Emma Hollanti)

If you’re a pilot, parent, or busy professional who wants the girls in your life to be confident, resilient, and strong in both sport and life, you can start your application to work with me here: https://bluechipathleticclub.com/program-application [https://bluechipathleticclub.com/program-application] In this episode of the Blue Chip Athletic Club Podcast, I sit down with Arizona-born strength and conditioning coach Emma Hollanti, whose niche is training youth female athletes. Emma shares her journey from hating the idea of sports in fourth grade to falling in love with softball, traveling the country with her club team, and playing in front of packed stands at major recruiting tournaments like Colorado Sparkler. She talks about the pressure of being watched by hundreds of college coaches, the chemistry that comes from growing up with the same teammates, and the wild story of breaking her arm nine days before a state championship game and still finding a way to play and win on the field she grew up watching at ASU. Emma walks through her StrongHer program, built in four‑week blocks that combine physical training with mental skills work, workshops, and guest speakers. She shares examples like bringing in a sports psychologist to talk about fear of failure and confidence, and a “raise your ceiling” challenge where girls earn points by stepping outside their comfort zone and doing things they wouldn’t normally do. We also zoom out into bigger themes: why athletes ignore pain and injury, how to think about performance versus long‑term health, and what it looks like to coach girls in a social‑media‑heavy world where doom‑scrolling and highlight reels make them feel behind and “not enough.” Emma talks about trying to unlearn the idea that misery equals success, why life is meant to be lived (not just optimized), and how focusing on energy, relationships, and consistency over time has made her athletes better on the field and happier off it. Listen to more episodes: https://bluechipathleticclub.com/podcast [https://bluechipathleticclub.com/podcast] Connect with Emma Instagram: @emma.hollanti Partners & Resources 1st Phorm supplements: https://1stphorm.com/66bf90e5bed64 [https://1stphorm.com/66bf90e5bed64] Sweet Profections protein cookies (code BLUECHIP10): https://sweetprofections.com/?ref=mhcptczo [https://sweetprofections.com/?ref=mhcptczo] DashTrack websites and automations for coaches: https://labs.dashtrack.com/brand/showcase/bbefd5f0-637f-4a05-a80a-b19688147979 [https://labs.dashtrack.com/brand/showcase/bbefd5f0-637f-4a05-a80a-b19688147979] LogTen Pro / PilotBase pilot logbook (free 3 months): https://logten.com/partner/logten-for-bluechip/ [https://logten.com/partner/logten-for-bluechip/] Harvest Hosts (RV overnights at farms, wineries, and unique spots) – use code BLAISE20 for 20% off (affiliate link): https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=111454&awinaffid=2964805&ued=https://www.harvesthosts.com/special-offer?showcode=true&utm_content=BLAISE25 [https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=111454&awinaffid=2964805&ued=https://www.harvesthosts.com/special-offer?showcode=true&utm_content=BLAISE25] DISCLAIMER: This episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not medical advice, business advice, or financial advice. Always consult appropriate professionals about training, health, and business decisions.

Building a Creative Business as a Military Spouse and New Mom – Episode 129 (with Olivia Toscano)

If you’re a pilot, military spouse, or busy professional trying to grow something of your own without letting your family, fitness, or sanity fall apart, you can start your application to work with me here: https://bluechipathleticclub.com/program-application [https://bluechipathleticclub.com/program-application] In this episode of the Blue Chip Athletic Club Podcast, I sit down with Olivia, a Montana-born farm kid turned Florida-based wedding and lifestyle photographer, to talk about what it actually looks like to build a creative business while navigating military life and new motherhood. Olivia shares her story from small-town Illinois and biology lectures to discovering photography in college, meeting her husband Christian (shoutout to Tinder), bouncing between Detroit and Jacksonville with the Coast Guard, and finally finding her groove as a photographer in two cities that became special launchpads for her business. We get into the realities behind the pretty photos: trying to stand out in a saturated market, marketing yourself when you move every few years, and learning that perfection doesn’t live in this space—especially when you’re juggling a baby, PCS orders, and clients who still need to be served at a high level. Olivia talks about seasons of life, how becoming a mom and a military spouse reshaped her schedule and priorities, and why “something is better than nothing” has become a mantra for both her business and personal health. We also zoom out into the bigger themes—identity, flexibility, family time, and the pressure entrepreneurs feel when life events (babies, moves, injuries) force you to rebuild your “normal” from scratch. If you’re a creative, entrepreneur, or military family trying to grow a business that can move with you and adapt to your life instead of the other way around, this conversation will give you both permission and tactical perspective on how to keep showing up, even when your world is changing fast. Listen to more episodes: https://bluechipathleticclub.com/podcast [https://bluechipathleticclub.com/podcast] Connect with Olivia Instagram: @oliviatoscanophotography https://instagram.com/oliviatoscanophotography [https://instagram.com/oliviatoscanophotography] TikTok: @ortoscano https://www.tiktok.com/@ortoscano [https://www.tiktok.com/@ortoscano] Partners & Resources 1st Phorm supplements (protein, greens, and more) – free samples available, message us to claim yours. Sweet Profections protein cookies (code BLUECHIP10): https://sweetprofections.com/?ref=mhcptczo [https://sweetprofections.com/?ref=mhcptczo] DashTrack websites and automations for coaches: https://labs.dashtrack.com/brand/showcase/bbefd5f0-637f-4a05-a80a-b19688147979 [https://labs.dashtrack.com/brand/showcase/bbefd5f0-637f-4a05-a80a-b19688147979] LogTen Pro / PilotBase pilot logbook (free 3 months): https://logten.com/partner/logten-for-bluechip/ [https://logten.com/partner/logten-for-bluechip/] DISCLAIMER: This episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not medical advice, business advice, or financial advice. Always consult appropriate professionals about training, health, and business decisions.

Mold and Why Your House Might Be Making You Sick – Episode 128 (with Brian Karr)

If you’re a pilot, active duty military member, or busy professional who trains hard, eats clean, and still feels way worse than you “should,” you can start your application to work with me here: https://bluechipathleticclub.com/program-application [https://bluechipathleticclub.com/program-application] In this episode of the Blue Chip Athletic Club Podcast, I sit down with indoor environmental expert Brian Karr to unpack a blind spot in most people’s health journeys: how the air in your home might be quietly wrecking your energy, hormones, and immune system. Brian explains what mold actually is, how it shows up in normal homes and base housing, and why it can drive chronic sinus problems, asthma, gut issues, brain fog, anxiety, fatigue, and kids who are “always sick” but never really get better. We talk through the basics of mold, mycotoxins, and other environmental toxins in a way that even a Coast Guard pilot can understand, and why your body’s detox systems were never designed to keep up with the modern toxic load we’re all swimming in. From there, we dig into the difference between conventional and functional approaches to chronic symptoms—why chasing labs and treating individual issues often fails if you never look at the environment you’re living in every day. Brian walks through real-world patterns he’s seen in thousands of homes, why some people get wrecked while others in the same house feel “fine,” and what that means for families trying to make sense of confusing, persistent health problems. We spend extra time on pilots, active duty military, and their families who are often forced into housing they didn’t choose, and we discuss practical first steps for identifying mold issues, deciding when testing makes sense, and how to think about remediation without losing your mind... Check it out! Listen to more episodes: https://bluechipathleticclub.com/podcast [https://bluechipathleticclub.com/podcast] Partners & Resources Troscriptions (methylene blue & cognitive support) – use code BLAISE for a discount (affiliate link): https://troscriptions.com/?rfsn=9152280.4092506&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=9152280.4092506 [https://troscriptions.com/?rfsn=9152280.4092506&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=9152280.4092506] 1st Phorm supplements: https://1stphorm.com/66bf90e5bed64 [https://1stphorm.com/66bf90e5bed64] Sweet Profections protein cookies (code BLUECHIP10): https://sweetprofections.com/?ref=mhcptczo [https://sweetprofections.com/?ref=mhcptczo] Built Different Mastermind (code BLAISE25): https://www.builtdifferentcommunity.com/feed [https://www.builtdifferentcommunity.com/feed] DashTrack websites and automations for coaches: https://labs.dashtrack.com/brand/showcase/bbefd5f0-637f-4a05-a80a-b19688147979 [https://labs.dashtrack.com/brand/showcase/bbefd5f0-637f-4a05-a80a-b19688147979] LogTen Pro / PilotBase pilot logbook (free 3 months): https://logten.com/partner/logten-for-bluechip/ [https://logten.com/partner/logten-for-bluechip/] DISCLAIMER: This episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare provider about environmental, medical, and training-related decisions

Two Broken Feet, Cold Plunges, and What Injury Teaches You About Identity – Episode 127 (19JUN26)

If you’re a pilot, active duty military member, or busy professional who trains hard and secretly fears what would happen if you got benched by an injury, you can start your application to work with me here: https://bluechipathleticclub.com/program-application [https://bluechipathleticclub.com/program-application] In this episode recorded straight from the cold plunge, I break down the full story of how I managed to break both of my feet doing a backflip I’ve hit hundreds of times—and what the last few days have taught me about ego, risk, and rebuilding. I explain exactly what went wrong on the flip, the diagnosis (broken big toe on the right, navicular fracture on the left), and how it instantly blew up summer plans that included an adventure race and a packed training calendar. Instead of pretending I’m fine, I talk honestly about the sadness, frustration, and “sad boy” vibes that came with suddenly needing crutches and having my routine ripped away. From there, I zoom out into the bigger lesson: when you’ve been athletic your whole life, your identity gets wrapped up in what your body can do, and an injury can feel like someone just pulled the plug on who you are. Sitting in the plunge, I walk through how I’m trying to navigate that tension—honoring that it sucks, while also choosing to control what I can: nutrition, upper‑body training, mobility, rehab, mindset, and staying useful at home and in the business. I also share how this changes the way I think about coaching injured or limited clients, and why having a deeper “why” than PRs or race dates matters when life tackles you out of nowhere. Whether you’re currently healthy or listening from your own version of “two broken feet,” my hope is that this episode reminds you that your health journey is bigger than any single workout—and that how you respond when things go sideways might be the most important rep you ever take. Listen to more episodes: https://bluechipathleticclub.com/podcast [https://bluechipathleticclub.com/podcast] Partners & Resources Troscriptions (methylene blue & cognitive support) – use code BLAISE for a discount (affiliate link): https://troscriptions.com/?rfsn=9152280.4092506&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=9152280.4092506 [https://troscriptions.com/?rfsn=9152280.4092506&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=9152280.4092506] 1st Phorm supplements: https://1stphorm.com/66bf90e5bed64 [https://1stphorm.com/66bf90e5bed64] Sweet Profections protein cookies (code BLUECHIP10): https://sweetprofections.com/?ref=mhcptczo [https://sweetprofections.com/?ref=mhcptczo] Built Different Mastermind (code BLAISE25): https://www.builtdifferentcommunity.com/feed [https://www.builtdifferentcommunity.com/feed] DashTrack websites and automations for coaches: https://labs.dashtrack.com/brand/showcase/bbefd5f0-637f-4a05-a80a-b19688147979 [https://labs.dashtrack.com/brand/showcase/bbefd5f0-637f-4a05-a80a-b19688147979] LogTen Pro / PilotBase pilot logbook (free 3 months): https://logten.com/partner/logten-for-bluechip/ [https://logten.com/partner/logten-for-bluechip/] DISCLAIMER: This episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare provider about injuries, training, and recovery decisions