Welcome to another inspiring episode of the Nutrition and Life podcast! In today’s conversation, host Lisa Franz is joined by Mike Edgar, a physician, chiropractor, and accomplished bodybuilder whose blend of medical expertise and athletic background brings fresh perspective to mindset, chronic pain, and sustainable wellness.
Mike Edgar shares his real-world journey from overcoming sports injuries to building inclusive rehab programs for under-served populations. He opens up about lessons learned through bodybuilding, the value of coaching over perfectionism, and how anyone—from the competitive athlete to the busy parent—can cultivate discipline and real, lasting results.
You’ll discover practical strategies for working through plateaus, why “less is more” in both fitness and medicine, and how to shift your approach for lifelong health, energy, and confidence. Whether you’re motivated by aesthetics, longevity, or simply want to live and move better, this episode delivers science-backed encouragement with a dose of reality, warmth, and humor.
Tune in for compelling stories, actionable tips, and a level-headed guide to building a body and mindset, you love!
Timestamp Overview:
00:00 – Introduction & Episode Vision
00:24 – Takeaway: Less Is More in Chronic Pain & Coaching
01:04 – Mike Edgar’s Journey: Injuries, Bodybuilding, Rehab, and Medicine
03:08 – From Clinic to Hospital: Understanding Real-World Rehab
05:13 – Developing Inclusive Rehab for Gender-Affirming Surgeries
05:43 – Bodybuilding Competition & Teaching Discipline
07:13 – Can Anyone Build Discipline?
08:33 – Individualized Coaching: Understanding Client Barriers
11:31 – Measuring Wins: Beyond Macros & Scale
13:41 – Building Discipline and Growth Mindset
15:03 – Fitness Meets Medicine: Creating At-Home Rehab Tools
17:03 – Translating Training for Recovery and Function
19:14 – Chronic Pain, Mindset, and The Medicalization Trap
20:03 – Communication, Reassurance, and Gradual Exposure
22:18 – Breaking the Chronic Pain Cycle
26:14 – What Medical School Reinforced About Health & Muscle
28:33 – Supplements, Labs, and Smart Conversations with Your Doctor
31:08 – Medicine and Wellness: Finding the Right Balance
33:27 – Skin, Longevity, and the Truth about Collagen
36:07 – Fillers, Injections, and Avoiding “Alternative” Health Risk
37:36 – Protein Quality: Collagen vs Whey for Results
39:59 – Mike Edgar’s Current Training: Balancing Family & Fitness
40:43 – Final Thoughts, Family, and What Really Matters
Connect with Mike Edgar:
Instagram: @originalphysiques https://www.instagram.com/originalphysiques/
Website: http://www.originalphysiques.com/
Connect, Share & Subscribe: For more science-driven episodes and motivational stories, subscribe to the podcast and follow us for updates, new expert guests, and more empowering content. Share your aha-moment from this episode and tag us on Instagram @nutritioncoachingandlife or visit the website nutritioncoachingandlife.com.