The Dad Bods and Dumbbells Podcast
The hosts Mitch and Bart discuss fitness, fatherhood, and guy stuff to help men live a great life, have fun, laugh, and get a little more fit in this weekly Podcast.
Episodes
96 episodes
Where is Mitch? and a Big Announcement Regarding Bart's Pod
Link to the Mindset Forge Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mindset-forge/id1535891737
Bart and Mitch Learn the Profound Impact of a Present Father for your child w/ Susan Schwartz PhD
We sit down with Jungian analyst Susan Schwartz to talk about what makes a father emotionally present, not just physically around. We dig into trust, pressure, phones, sports, and how our own unfinished stories can quietly land on our kids....
The Good, Bad, and the Ugly of Energy Drinks like Ghost, Red Bull, and Monster
break down the energy drink landscape with a clear plan for smarter caffeine: how much to have, when to stop, and which cans keep it clean without wrecking sleep. We compare brands, sugar vs sweetener, strength vs cardio timing, ketones h...
Body Dysmorohia, the NBA, Olympics, and Barton’s 51st Birthday
We celebrate checked-off goals at 51, from a powerlifting meet to singing the national anthem, then pivot to a real talk breakdown of body dysmorphia versus everyday insecurity. Peptides, recovery, sports highs, and a four-jar balance check giv...
Quiet Battles: Men, Midlife, And Finding Community
We unpack the quiet strain many men carry in midlife—loneliness, stress overflow at home, and the gap between outward discipline and inner connection. We trade the old chase for status and control for a new pursuit of presence, wisdom, and hone...
Next Level Peptide Science to Optimize Health with The Optimize HP Guys
We dig into how peptides and doctor-guided HRT can protect muscle, reduce fat, and restore energy with real oversight and bloodwork. Jack and Nathan from Optimize share safe protocols, timelines, and why microdosing GLP‑1s plus recomposition st...
Don’t Fall For the Fake Social Media Fitness Myths
We pull apart eight fitness myths social media keeps selling and replace them with simple, sustainable habits that actually change your body. From grinding daily to detox shortcuts, we show why boring consistency beats flashy fixes.• ne...
What are People Asking Chat GPT about Fitness in 2026
We swap quick fixes for steady wins and answer the internet’s top fitness questions with simple, durable strategies. From two-day strength splits to real motivation and better form, we map out a plan you can keep without chasing deadlines.<...
Table Topics: Goals, Concerts, AI takeover, and more!!
We spin through six topics—smarter training tweaks, the magic of live shows, where AI helps or harms, who should control national data, and how to plan family time during busy seasons—then set a bold growth goal for the podcast. Real tools, rea...
Season TWO!! Reconnecting and talking Real Big "Soft" Goals For Dads
We trade grand resolutions for durable habits, centering presence with family, disciplined training, and honest self-work. We also introduce our new Wellness Sponsor: Optimize Health and Performance for physician-guided solutions, and ...
BONUS Episode: Never Stop Training! 52 year old former Natural Mr. Olympia Phillip Ricardo Jr talks Strength after 50.
We sit down with four-time Natural Mr. Olympia Philip Ricardo Jr. to explore how planning, smart training, and faith create strength that lasts. The focus moves from ego lifts to longevity, with clear tactics for men in midlife to train hard, r...
BONUS Episode: Pushing Past The Mind’s Limits with Mindset Coach Taylor Brown
First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO Mitch (Dec. 18th). As we are on a hiatus, here is a deep track episode from the Mindset Forge Podcast discussing Mindset around peak performance. In this Episode, we explore how elite performer...
BONUS Episode: Helicopter Pilot Lt. Col. Brian Slade Talks Elite Mindset in a Kill Box
Two Apaches fly into a Taliban kill box and survive on trust, training and minimal words, then pull the win apart to expose mistakes and build a better playbook. We unpack chairflying, stress inoculation and how preparation can turn trauma into...
BONUS Episode: David Garza, an Ironman Triathlete and Father talks highs and lows, Alcoholism, and Mindset
In this Bonus Episode, Barton and David explore how discomfort, discipline, and honest self-assessment create growth in midlife, guided by 17-time Ironman. From signing up for scary goals to choosing sobriety and leading as a dad, we focu...
BONUS Episode: Former Texas Longhorn National Champion Talks Mindset, Texas Football, and the NFL w/ Michael Griffin
Barton and Michael dive into how a championship mindset survives real life: raising kids, navigating marriage, earning roles others overlook, and building a business that fits the neighborhood, not the myth. Michael Griffin shares how pressure ...
Final 2025 Episode: How to Prioritize Your Life and Go Deeper with Both Family and Fitness
We rethink work-life balance with clear tactics for busy dads, cutting screens and excuses in favor of short, targeted workouts, better sleep, and deeper presence at home. Along the way, we talk faith, identity, forgiveness, and why some games ...
Bart and Mitch talk about Mitch's New Chapter, Sciatica issues, and College Football
We go from college football and whiskey festivals to a real talk on sciatica, recovery, and how to train smarter without losing momentum. Mitch shares a new role at Moon Valley Nursery and we lay out a practical plan to cool nerve pain and mana...
Building Strength vs. Building Muscle, Anniversaries, and "Where is Mitch?"
Barton shares updates on Mitch’s new, focus, and Bart's 18 years of marriage. He also digs into the real differences between building muscle and building strength. Barton updates listeners on Ryon Talbot and Barton's Premium member workou...
Former Austin Mayor Steve Adler on Raising Strong Kids Without Entitlement
Three dads talk with former Austin mayor Steve Adler about raising independent kids, building family culture that lasts, and setting tech boundaries that keep values first. We focus on modeled behavior, earned privilege, and why agency beats en...
Bart Challenges Mitch to go All In as a Powerlifter and things get Deep!!
We trade jokes for honesty and talk about aging, injury, and the fear of being average, then land on a challenge: pick one thing and be undeniable. Adult competition, powerlifting vs marathons, and real talk about identity turn a casual catch-u...
Health Challenges, Telling Funny Stories, and Breaking the Stigma of Therapy for Men w/ Britt Knighton
Get ready for a raw, hopeful talk about therapy, identity, and finding a sustainable way into fitness as dads. Britt shares how counseling has allowed him to level up in his relationships and ease the anxiety that kept him up nights worrying ab...
Finding Dad-Life Discipline: Why Fitness Fuels Success at 40 and Beyond
We thank the community, shout out premium members, and reflect on Ryon’s courage to share his story, share his race results to unpack a bigger theme: fitness as the most reliable common denominator of success. From dad-league soccer to strength...
Interview w/ Ryon Talbot: Breaking the Cycle of Trauma to become Healthy and a Good Dad
Fatherhood discoveries, Bart’s Rivian delay, & Mitch's Guiness Book World Record Announcement
Mitch announces his plan to break a Guinness World Record at the Austin Marathon by running the entire race dressed as a book to promote literacy, potentially making him a two-time record holder. • Reflecting on last week's popular...
Interview w/ Ryan O’Dea: How Fitness, Fatherhood and overcoming Alcohol Changed his Life
Ryan O'Dea shares his inspiring journey from weighing 325 pounds after college to becoming a competitive bodybuilder at 245 pounds. Through overcoming health issues, quitting alcohol, and finding community in the gym, he transformed both his ph...