Weights and Plates Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this candid conversation, host Robert Santana sits down with Zoe Schroeder, RD—owner of Zoe Schroeder Nutrition and known as Fat Loss RD—to explore the messy reality behind becoming a nutrition professional. After connecting at a wellness event in Scottsdale, they dive deep into Zoe's transformation from a college student doing three-a-day workouts and dangerous Pinterest cleanses to becoming the evidence-based coach she needed during those struggles.

Zoe opens up about her freshman 15 experience, the toxic cycle of restriction and over-exercise, and even wrapping herself in saran wrap with coffee grounds (yes, really). But more importantly, she shares how hitting rock bottom with disordered eating led her to switch from nursing to nutrition—using herself as a case study to understand metabolism, proper fueling, and sustainable body composition changes.

This episode tackles the gap between clinical dietetics and real-world coaching, why telling people to "eat less, move more" fails spectacularly, and how both hosts learned that helping clients means addressing the emotional and psychological relationship with food—not just handing out meal plans. If you've ever felt like you were doing "everything right" but still stuck, or wondered why nutrition advice seems so contradictory, this honest discussion offers practical insights on building habits that actually last beyond the honeymoon phase.

In this episode of the Weights and Plates podcast, Robert Santana and Andy Baker pick up where they left off—diving deep into what really matters after the novice phase of strength training. From chaotic early training setups (including recording in a truck to escape jackhammers) to the predictable pitfalls lifters fall into, they unpack why so many people are eager to “major in the minors” before mastering the fundamentals.

Together, they explore how goals shape programming—whether you’re training for strength sports, performance, aesthetics, or simply to avoid being “weak.” With candid discussion on genetics, aging, muscle-building potential, drug-influenced advice online, and why variety matters for performance and longevity, this conversation lays out the realistic roadmap every lifter needs once the newbie gains start to slow down.

Subscribe for more episodes of Weights & Plates where we cut through the noise and get real about strength training, nutrition, and long-term progress. https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/

Follow Weights & Plates YouTube: https://youtube.com/@weights_and_plates?si=ebAS8sRtzsPmFQf-
Instagram: @the_robert_santana
Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/weightsandplates Web: https://weightsandplates.com

In this episode of the Weights and Plates Podcast, Robert Santana gets real about what lifting weights actually does for your body—and what it doesn't. He breaks down the difference between training for strength and chasing aesthetics, why most people misunderstand barbell training, and how steroids and genetics skew expectations.
Whether you're a beginner confused by conflicting advice or a coach trying to get clients under the bar, this episode is a deep, no-BS look at what matters, what doesn't, and how to train for the long haul.

https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/

Follow Weights & Plates YouTube:
https://youtube.com/@weights_and_plates?si=ebAS8sRtzsPmFQf-
Instagram: @the_robert_santana
Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/weightsandplates
Web: https://weightsandplates.com

Starting Strength Coach Robert Santana talks about how everyone looks different when they train, why that is, why squatting, deadlifting, bench press will help you gain long-term strength, and how to evaluate coaches and trainers.

https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/

Follow Weights & Plates YouTube: https://youtube.com/@weights_and_plates?si=ebAS8sRtzsPmFQf-

Instagram: @the_robert_santana

Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/weightsandplates 

Web: https://weightsandplates.com

Starting Strength Coach Robert Santana talks about how getting stronger helps you achieve every fitness goal, bodybuilding vs powerlifting vs starting strength, novices, and more. 

https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/

Follow Weights & Plates YouTube: https://youtube.com/@weights_and_plates?si=ebAS8sRtzsPmFQf-

Instagram: @the_robert_santana

Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/weightsandplates Web: https://weightsandplates.com

Hari Fafutis, SSC joins the show to talk about doing the Starting Strength Linear Progression, gaining weight, building big arms, and more. 

https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/

Follow Weights & Plates YouTube: https://youtube.com/@weights_and_plates?si=ebAS8sRtzsPmFQf-

Instagram: @the_robert_santana

Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/weightsandplates Web: https://weightsandplates.com

Hari's Instagram: @harifafutis

Jesse Vezina joins the show to talk weightlifting, training like an athlete, the trade-offs of pushing your limits, coaching, and more. 

https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/

Follow Weights & Plates YouTube: https://youtube.com/@weights_and_plates?si=ebAS8sRtzsPmFQf-

Instagram: @the_robert_santana

Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/weightsandplates Web: https://weightsandplates.com

Coach and RDN Juliette Gonzalez joins Robert Santana to discuss her fitness journey from Globo Gyms to Starting Strength, becoming a dietician, working as a coach, beauty standards, and more.

https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/

Follow Weights & Plates YouTube: https://youtube.com/@weights_and_plates?si=ebAS8sRtzsPmFQf-

Instagram: @the_robert_santana

Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/weightsandplates Web: https://weightsandplates.com

In this episode, Robert Santana talks about programming for your upper body and how it differs from lower body training.

https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/

Follow Weights & Plates YouTube: https://youtube.com/@weights_and_plates?si=ebAS8sRtzsPmFQf-

Instagram: @the_robert_santana

Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/weightsandplates Web: https://weightsandplates.com

In this episode, Robert Santana sits down with Gretchen Geist to talk about her fitness journey, how she went from doing Crossfit to Starting Strength, becoming a coach, and exaggerated expectations in the fitness industry.

https://weightsandplates.com/online-coaching/

Follow Weights & Plates YouTube: https://youtube.com/@weights_and_plates?si=ebAS8sRtzsPmFQf- 

Instagram: @the_robert_santana 

Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/weightsandplates Web: https://weightsandplates.com

Follow Gretchen on Instagram: @sofechsogretch