How to: Fitness
What’s the deal with MLMs? How are weight loss drugs reshaping body standards? Can we actually trust what supplement companies are selling us Why do we eat the way we do - and who’s influencing it?
Veteran coaches Michael Ulloa and Kate Lyman are here to pull back the curtain on the wellness industry. How To: Fitness is a myth-busting, BS-free podcast that dives into the messy, nuanced, and often confusing world of fitness and nutrition. With evidence-based insight, candid takes, and digging into the darker corners of the wellness space, we help you make sense of what actually matters for your health—and what’s just noise.
How to: Fitness
57 | Cortisol: The Most Misunderstood Hormone in Fitness
Is cortisol really the villain it’s made out to be?
We’ve all seen the headlines, TikToks, and wellness trends blaming cortisol for everything from weight gain to “cortisol face.” But the truth is, cortisol isn’t just a stress hormone but an essential element for energy, metabolism, and survival.
In this episode, we dig into what cortisol actually does, what really causes high levels, and why detoxes and “cortisol blockers” are NOT the answer. We’ll break down myths around adrenal fatigue, explore the link between exercise and cortisol and share what the research really says about supplements, stress, and lifestyle.
🎗️ Timestamps:
00:14 Quick Catch-Up & Why Cortisol Matters
07:18 What Cortisol Actually Is (beyond “stress hormone”)
09:38 Why Cortisol Isn’t Just A Stress Hormone
14:14 What Really Drives High Cortisol Levels
24:23 The Truth Behind “Cortisol Face”
29:43 Why Cortisol Detoxes Are A Scam
31:15 How Exercise Impacts Cortisol Response
36:15 Do Cortisol-Blocking Supplements Actually Work?
37:49 The Myth Of Adrenal Fatigue Explained
41:45 Final Takeaways: What Really Helps Regulate Cortisol
📒 Resources Mentioned:
🎧 34 | Q&A: Optimizing Hormones, Supplement Safety, and Set Point Weight Theory
📄 Sleep loss results in an elevation of cortisol levels the next evening📄 Exercise and circulating cortisol levels: the intensity threshold effect
📄 Low Calorie Dieting Increases Cortisol
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🟡 How to: Fitness
Instagram: @howtofitnesspod
🟡 Michael Ulloa
Website: michaelulloa.com
Instagram: @michaelulloapt
🟡 Kate Lyman
Website: katelymannutrition.com
Instagram: @klnutrition
Thank you for listening to the How to: Fitness Podcast with Michael Ulloa and Kate Lyman!