{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"2912: SS-31 Peptide Benefits: Why Ben Pakulski Says This Is the Most Exciting Peptide Right Now","description":"In this episode the guys sit down with IFBB pro bodybuilder and science-driven performance coach Ben Pakulski for a wide-ranging conversation on peptides, performance, identity and the hard lessons of a 20-year bodybuilding career. Ben breaks down the peptide landscape \u2014 why he's optimistic about the science but deeply cautious about sourcing (90%+ of research peptides come from China with no quality guarantees), the most exciting peptides he's currently working with including SS-31 for mitochondrial repair, and myostatin inhibition and where the science actually stands. They also cover Ben's origin story \u2014 going from 160 pounds at 17 to 240 by 19 purely naturally, getting cut from a baseball team at 12 and how that shaped everything, the culture of his Toronto gym and what hard training actually looks like, the Arnold Classic story where he competed sick all night with vomiting and diarrhea and still got second. Ben shares how bodybuilding was never his identity \u2014 just something he did \u2014 and why leaving the sport felt like relief rather than loss. They also dig into GLP-1 use, the looming frailty epidemic, genetic testing for coaching, why the guys fixed their training plateaus through gut health and hormone optimization, and why Ben thinks the hard work of getting fit is the actual prize \u2014 not the physique.   MAPS Upper Lower: https:\/\/mapsupperlower.com Code: LAUNCH for 40% off. Two days left on this offer. Four day split, male and female versions, workout videos and live coaching with Cole.   SPONSORS Ketone IQ: https:\/\/ketone.com\/MINDPUMP 30% off subscription orders plus a free gift with your second shipment. Also available at Target stores nationwide.   GUEST LINKS Ben Pakulski: https:\/\/www.benpakulski.com Ben's Podcast \u2014 Muscle Intelligence: available on all major platforms Instagram: @bpakfitness   LINKS Mind Pump Store: https:\/\/mindpumpstore.com Maps Fitness Products: https:\/\/mapsfitnessproducts.com Instagram: @mindpumpmedia 0:00 - Intro 1:58 - The peptide landscape \u2014 incredible potential, serious sourcing risk 5:14 - SS-31 for mitochondrial repair and why Ben's dad is on 10mg three times a week 9:04 - Mots-C vs SS-31 \u2014 why people respond differently and what might explain it 10:17 - Myostatin inhibition \u2014 what the science actually says about building muscle without training 13:32 - Gene therapy for myostatin in Mexico and what Ben's friends actually reported 15:28 - Why putting on muscle through shortcuts doesn't build confidence \u2014 only the process does 17:54 - Why physical stress and psychological stress are disconnected in modern life \u2014 and why that matters 22:05 - Getting cut from a baseball team at 12 and how that shaped everything 24:06 - The four master skills Ben teaches his kids \u2014 body, finances, communication, emotions 25:51 - How Ben transitioned out of pro bodybuilding without an identity crisis 28:58 - Going from 160 to 230 pounds naturally at 17 \u2014 the real story 33:01 - Getting a Muscle Tech contract at 19 by just walking around a show 38:03 - Training culture at Gold's Venice vs his Toronto gym \u2014 what hard work actually looks like 43:36 - Why headphones in the gym killed community \u2014 and why CrossFit understood something bodybuilding missed 48:24 - The Arnold Classic sick story \u2014 vomiting all night, competing anyway, getting second 55:28 - First steroid cycle at 19 and what it actually did 1:02:43 - How Ben's business pivoted through Covid and why coaching replaced digital programs 1:06:32 - Warrior and monk \u2014 how Ben learned to wield intensity as a tool rather than let it control him 1:13:06 - GLP-1 use in bodybuilding, the looming frailty epidemic and the gut motility problem 1:23:07 - Genetic testing for coaching \u2014 seeing constraints before clients hit them 1:31:05 - Sal's gut health and testosterone story \u2014 15 pounds of muscle from a parasite cleanse ","author_name":"Mind Pump: Raw Fitness Truth","author_url":"http:\/\/www.mindpumpmedia.com","html":"