Iron Radio: Protein Labeling, Plant Proteins, and Arnold Classic Highlights

On Iron Radio, hosts Coach Phil Stevens, Dr. Mike T. Nelson, and Dr. Lonnie Lowery discuss a recent Food and Nutrition Policy (Feb 2026) proposal to eliminate in vivo protein digestibility requirements (PDCAAS) for protein content claims in North America, arguing it would favor plant proteins and could mislead consumers by focusing on grams per serving rather than usable amino acids. They debate implications for athletes, older adults, and the general public, raise concerns about industry-driven label changes, and note how protein blends and undisclosed ratios could be used for profit. The episode also includes show updates (new distribution via the Iron Radio Nutrition Radio Network, newsletter and book mentions) and a brief recap of Arnold event results, prize money disparities, expo changes over time, and how strongman deadlift numbers have escalated.

00:00 Iron Radio Introductions

00:55 Vegas Trip Chatter

01:40 Protein Labeling News

02:59 PDCAAS vs DIAAS Explained

04:30 Plant Proteins and Policy Push

09:57 Athletes vs Gen Pop Impact

11:59 Confusion and Digestibility Debate

15:33 Industry Motives and Sponsorship

17:03 Protein Blends and RTD Cutting

19:18 Novel Proteins and Vegan Examples

20:38 Protein Priorities Debate

21:41 Plant Based Politics

22:03 Iron Radio Network Update

23:14 Mike Nelson Newsletter Plug

23:52 New Supplements Book

25:00 Arnold Winners and Payouts

27:37 Expo Changes Since COVID

31:09 Strongman Deadlift Explosion

33:43 Media Pass Ideas and Wrap

35:03 Final Disclaimer and Outro

Donate to the show via PayPal HERE.

You can also join Dr Mike's Insider Newsletter for more info on how to add muscle, improve your performance and body comp - all without destroying your health, go to www.ironradiodrmike.com

Thank you!

Phil, Jerrell, Mike T, and Lonnie

RPE in Strength Training: Why Beginners Misuse It (and How to Calibrate It)

On Iron Radio, hosts Coach Phil Stevens, Dr. Lonnie Lowery and Dr. Mike T. Nelson discuss rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and why it can be misapplied in strength training. They define RPE as a subjective intensity scale (including the Borg 6–20 scale) and contrast it with objective measures like heart rate and percentages of 1RM. Phil argues RPE requires calibration through experience and that newer lifters often avoid hard work because they don’t yet know what true maximal effort feels like, while “tough guys” may under-rate effort. The group recommends pairing RPE with objective targets, tracking output over time for patterns, using coaching to calibrate effort, and reserving true all-out attempts for the competition platform to reduce injury risk.

00:00 Show Intro

00:33 Hosts And Agenda

01:26 RPE Hype And Pitfalls

02:53 Percentages Plus RPE

03:45 Coaching New Lifters

04:15 Strain Versus Pain

05:46 Mike Joins And Defines RPE

06:59 Subjective Versus Objective

08:32 Beginners Need Calibration

13:50 Westside Daily Max Explained

16:05 Track Output Over Time

16:24 Avoiding The RPE Hole

17:21 Peaking With RPE

18:19 Objective vs Subjective Load

19:20 RPE Ego And Failure Culture

19:44 Coaching For Psychology

21:09 Calibrating RPE Signals

23:17 Percent Work Plus RPE

24:13 Extra Work As Reward

25:47 Training Toughness Adaptation

28:19 Patterns And Outlier Days

29:40 Warmups Dont Overthink

31:13 Wrap Up And Disclaimer

Donate to the show via PayPal HERE.

You can also join Dr Mike's Insider Newsletter for more info on how to add muscle, improve your performance and body comp - all without destroying your health, go to www.ironradiodrmike.com

Thank you!

Phil, Jerrell, Mike T, and Lonnie

Iron Radio: Nutrition Knowledge, Diet Quality, and Where Athletes Get Their Info

On Iron Radio, hosts Coach Phil Stevens and Dr. Lonnie Lowery discuss how heavy training taxes recovery, then focus on athlete nutrition knowledge and diet quality using a Current Developments in Nutrition editorial summarizing six articles. They note adolescents often get nutrition info from social media, with athletes valuing credible sources more and viewing food as fuel, while non-athletes see food as social. They discuss YouTube as a major information source and how expert content may lack trust-building communication compared to non-experts. A study in Ireland found sensory appeal as the top driver of food choice even in active populations. Data from Florida State Division I cross-country athletes showed inadequate carbs, calcium, and vitamin D, but adequate protein, fat, and iron, alongside poor overall diet quality. They also cover Iranian bodybuilders’ supplement use patterns and debate how veteran strength athletes simplify supplement choices.

00:00 Show Intro and Hosts

00:35 Meet Prep and Big Lifts

01:30 Squat vs Deadlift Grind

03:01 Risk and Willpower

04:00 Lonnie Background and Credentials

05:01 Today Topic and Upcoming Guests

06:39 Athletes Nutrition Knowledge

08:12 Social Media and Mentors

10:23 YouTube Experts vs Influencers

12:11 Taste Drives Food Choices

14:17 Athlete Fuel Mindset

15:44 Learning to Eat for Gains

16:47 Taste Preferences Get Skewed

17:38 New Podcast Feed

18:48 Mike Nelson Newsletter

19:27 Supplements Book Update

20:35 Runner Diet Quality Study

23:12 Elite Sport vs Health

27:27 Bodybuilder Supplement Habits

31:59 Old School Protein Tales

34:29 Athletes More Mindful

35:04 Wrap Up and Disclaimer

Donate to the show via PayPal HERE.

You can also join Dr Mike's Insider Newsletter for more info on how to add muscle, improve your performance and body comp - all without destroying your health, go to www.ironradiodrmike.com

Thank you!

Phil, Jerrell, Mike T, and Lonnie