The Next Level Health & Fitness Podcast

In this episode of The Next Level Health & Business Podcast, Brad Jensen and Craig Smith dive into the deep importance of connection, community, and surrounding yourself with like-minded people.

We kick things off by recapping the recent Next Level Experience annual in-person retreat—an unforgettable weekend full of breakthroughs, vulnerability, and real connection. Craig shares what it was like to speak at the event and why the energy in that room was something you can’t put into words.

From there, the conversation unfolds in a lot of powerful directions—personal growth, leveling up, the impact of environment, and how being in proximity to the right people can shift everything. At the end of the day, it all circles back to this: you can’t grow alone—and you’re not meant to.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, isolated, or like you’re doing this journey solo, this episode is your reminder to find your people—or create that space yourself.

 

Free Guides:

• Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide
• Hight Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide
• Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide

 

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Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.

 

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Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition

 

Connect with us on Instagram

Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder

Co-Host Craig Smith - @greatestdaymindset

Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

In this short solo episode, Brad delivers 10 minutes of straight fire on one of the biggest roadblocks to success—quitting when things get hard.

He brings it back to one of the core teachings from The Four Agreements, especially the one that’s most misunderstood: “Always do your best.”

But here’s the kicker…

Your best doesn’t mean your best ever.

It means the best you can do today.

And that will look different on a Monday after a full night of sleep versus a Thursday when life is chaos.

Brad challenges you to stop falling into the all-or-nothing trap and start owning what “doing your best” looks like for you—day in, day out.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, inconsistent, or beating yourself up for not being perfect… this episode is your reset button.

 

What You’ll Hear:

    •    Why quitting when it gets hard is the pattern that’s stealing your momentum

    •    The misunderstood truth about “doing your best”

    •    How to stay in the game when motivation is gone

    •    A straight-up reminder of what showing up actually looks like

 

Listen, reflect, and get back in the fight.

 

Free Guides:

• Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide
• Hight Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide
• Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide

 

Join Us On Patreon - Join Here

 

Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.

 

Order from Cured Supplement

Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition

 

Connect with us on Instagram

Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder

Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

 

Episode Timestamps

00:00:00 – Brad introduces the return of "10 minutes of fire" and sets the intention for a motivating, no-nonsense episode.

00:01:02 – "Stop quitting when things get hard." Brad emphasizes the importance of not running from adversity and how purpose often comes from pain.

00:03:00 – Brad discusses how our minds create stories from fear and how recognizing this pattern helps break it.

00:04:51 – Key difference between pivoting on your goals and actually quitting; making intentional decisions is contrasted with giving up.

00:07:44 – Brad references “The Four Agreements” as simple yet life-changing principles.

00:10:54 – Always do your best, even if your best changes from day to day. "Act better than you feel" is emphasized.

00:13:19 – Importance of progress over perfection; evaluating daily best based on current circumstances.

00:15:00 – Pivoting vs. quitting in fitness, career, and relationships—growth often comes from adapting, not stopping.

00:16:01 – Empowerment and changing your identity by aligning actions with goals.

00:16:55 – Closing motivation.

In this episode of The Next Level Health & Fitness Podcast, we dive into a surprising topic: the potential dangers of relying too heavily on ChatGPT and other AI tools—especially when it comes to nutrition, fitness, and critical thinking.

AI can be helpful, no doubt. But when it replaces real thought, personalization, and context, it can actually set people back. We break down where things go wrong—particularly in the nutrition space—and how blindly trusting AI advice can lead to confusion, misinformation, and poor results.

We also explore new research showing that overuse of AI tools may be affecting brain development and reducing critical thinking skills in students and young adults.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why generic nutrition advice from AI can do more harm than good
• The importance of nuance and context in health and fitness
• How AI might be rewiring the way we think—and not in a good way
• How to use ChatGPT as a tool without outsourcing your brain
• The difference between information and wisdom—and why it matters

This one’s a call to stay sharp, think critically, and remember: technology is a tool—but you’re the driver.

 

Free Guides:

• Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide
• Hight Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide
• Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide

 

Join Us On Patreon - Join Here

 

Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.

 

Order from Cured Supplement

Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition

 

Connect with us on Instagram

Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder

Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

 

Episode Timestamps

00:00:00 – Brad Jensen welcomes listeners to the Next Level Podcast and jokes about being the "first listen" of the day.
00:00:46 – Craig notes he's present and joins in on the "first listen" banter.
00:01:02 – Brad and Craig discuss when the podcast episode drops and their international listeners.
00:01:32 – Brad recounts technical errors with episode drops and not wanting to point fingers.
00:02:10 – Craig brings up common phrases like "no disrespect" or "can I be honest?" and their impact on communication.
00:03:07 – Brad and Craig discuss better ways to offer feedback or express concerns, emphasizing open communication.
00:03:28 – Brad shares a personal story about being asked if he was ready to receive tough feedback and the benefits of postponing tough conversations.
00:04:17 – Craig dives into the importance of welcoming communication, asking permission, and setting the stage for productive conversations.
00:05:14 – The hosts shift into lighthearted banter about T.J. Maxx, Bed Bath & Beyond, and store nostalgia.
00:06:23 – Brad tells a story from a police show about honesty and the surprising confessions of a man pulled over.
00:07:39 – Brad introduces the main topic: the uses and flaws of ChatGPT and other AI tools like Gemini, comparing them to Google.
00:09:52 – Brad discusses the bias of ChatGPT's answers, how prompts affect responses, and examples of biased answers.
00:11:33 – Craig talks about the danger of losing critical thinking skills due to overreliance on AI for quick answers.
00:13:59 – Brad highlights how AI content lacks "soul" and why personal writing and human connection matter, especially for coaches and entrepreneurs.
00:20:12 – Brad shares a cautionary story about a client using AI for advice on anabolic steroids and the risks of poorly sourced AI information.

 

In this insightful episode, we’re joined by Andres Ayesta — RD, fat loss coach, and founder of Planos Nutrition — who has helped over 600 clients achieve lasting fat loss with expert-built systems. With more than 12 years of coaching experience, Andres shares why so many people fail in their fitness and fat loss journeys, and what it actually takes to succeed.

Andres breaks down his powerful “rocks, pebbles, and sand” analogy, helping you understand what’s truly important in your health journey — and what’s just noise. We unpack why foundational habits like daily movement, strength training, and protein intake are your “rocks,” while debates over seed oils or supplements are more like “sand.”

You’ll hear practical tips on prioritizing what matters most, plus examples of how clients get caught up in distractions that don’t drive real progress. Andres shares actionable strategies to simplify your approach and finally see results.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Why most people fail to make lasting changes in fitness and nutrition.
• The “rocks, pebbles, and sand” framework for setting health priorities.
• Common distractions like seed oils vs. foundational habits like walking more.
• How to simplify your diet approach for sustainable fat loss.
• Coaching insights from working with 35+ men and women over 12+ years.

About Our Guest:

Andres Ayesta is a Registered Dietitian and Fat Loss Coach with 12+ years of experience helping men and women 35 and up achieve fat loss that sticks. He has served over 600 clients through his evidence-based, habit-focused systems. Based in Tampa, Florida, Andres shares practical nutrition and lifestyle strategies to help people transform their health for good.

 

Check out his coaching: linktr.ee/planosnutrition

 

4th of July Sale! Get 15-20% off Nutrition Coaching until July 5th - Work With A Coach

 

Free Guides:

• Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide
• Hight Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide
• Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide

 

Join Us On Patreon - Join Here

 

Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.

 

Order from Cured Supplement

Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition

 

Connect with us on Instagram

Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder

Guest Andres Ayesta - @andresayesta

Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

In this episode, Brad and Craig dive into two essential topics for anyone looking to level up their health, mindset, and lifestyle:

Dealing with Opinions & Online Noise

Craig shares his recent experience of a TikTok video going viral and the flood of comments—both supportive and critical—that came with it. The guys break down how to stop letting the opinions of strangers get in your head, why it’s key to remember most people don’t know you or your journey, and how to keep your confidence intact in a world full of noise.

The Calorie Bomb of Dining Out

Brad pulls back the curtain on how deceptively high in calories restaurant meals can be, sharing a real-life example from an Italian restaurant menu where the average entrée clocked in at 1,500+ calories. They unpack why dining out so easily derails progress, and why we often underestimate what’s actually on our plate.

Key Takeaways & Actionable Tips:

• Why most comments online have more to do with the commenter than with you
• How to block out negative opinions so you stay focused on your goals
• The truth about restaurant calorie counts (they’re almost always higher than you think)
• Simple strategies to enjoy dining out without blowing your calorie budget, including:
• Pre-checking menus online
• Asking for dressings and sauces on the side
• Prioritizing protein-forward options
• Splitting entrées or taking half home
• And more

 

4th of July Sale! Get 15-20% off Nutrition Coaching until July 5th - Work With A Coach

 

Free Guides:

• Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide
• Hight Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide
• Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide

 

Join Us On Patreon - Join Here

 

Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.

 

Order from Cured Supplement

Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition

 

Connect with us on Instagram

Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder

Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition