Ever put on an up-tempo metal rock with pulse-raising beats to brace yourself for a heavy deadlift? It may help you unleash your inner beast and agony but the downside is your eardrum could be damaged by the loud music. Instead of listening to eardrum-busting music, why not put on some inspirational podcasts or audiobooks for a long workout to rev up your motivation, stamina and unlock your subconscious mind? Some music can trigger your lingering thoughts about day-to-day trivial things that bug you whereas listening to motivational podcasts can help you keep your mind off them and channel the positive energy from inside out. Read on to find out more about the best audiobooks and podcasts for workouts!

Motivational Audiobooks:

What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

A memoir of a well-acclaimed novelist and avid runner who went through antagonizing pain as he struggled to finish the New York City Marathon, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running gives you insight into how the author managed to overcome insecurities and push through to the end. According to the author, the greatest qualities of a novelist are the talent, focus, and endurance, which are pretty much what it takes to be a bodybuilder. Those who thrive on challenges will definitely resonate with it. It is also sure to rev up your stamina and motivation when you’re lifting heavy weights or running on the treadmill.

The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph

Perfect for those who want to thrive in a high-stress environment, The Obstacle Is the Way is a collection of ancient stories and philosophies about stoicism. It offers thought-provoking perspectives on how to accomplish your goals and find triumph from tragedy. Whether you’re hammering away at the gym or just going through hardships, this audiobook is sure to leave you with a new way of thinking. Some of the quotes like “Being stuck is not a fate but a position”, and  “What stands in the way becomes the way. There’s always a way out or another route to get to where you need to go” are very profound and inspirational.

Fitness Podcasts

The Mike Dolce Show

If audiobooks that talk about life philosophy don’t float your boat, then put on The Mike Dolce Show that shares topics revolving around weight loss, muscle gain, and overall healthy living. Mike Dolce was voted the World MMA Trainer from 2013-2016 and acclaimed for helping many UFC athletes like Johny Hendricks and Ronda Rousey lose weights. This podcast also takes you behind closed doors to the world-class training camps. Mike also published a few international best-selling books include The Dolce Diet: 3 Weeks to Shredded, The Dolce Diet: Living Lean, etc

Barbell Shrugged

Looking specifically for quality content on CrossFit, weightlifting, and physical health goals? Barbell Shrugged has it covered. Featuring hundreds of entertaining and interactive interviews with professional athletes like Kettle-bell World Champion Mike Salemi, Barbell Shrugged provides gym-goers all aspects of health tips ranging from how to improve conditioning, the magic of mushrooms to nutrition for weightlifters.

We are all somewhat familiar the gym rat stereotype – shredded bodybuilders knocking back a protein shake after coming out of the gym with blood pumping through their veins. Whey protein might be foreign to those with sedentary lifestyle but the truth is it doesn’t just belong to the bodybuilders’ world. Don’t be deferred from the stereotype, whey protein doesn’t just help increase strength or build muscles but also serves as a powerful tool during weight loss. That being said, you can whip up a whey protein smoothie too to supplement your diet even if you’re not so much of a regular gym goer.

What’s Whey Protein?

For those who didn’t know, milk actually contains two types of protein – casein and whey. Whey is derived from milk and produced as a byproduct during the cheese production process, then gets processed and sold as chocolate or strawberry flavoured powder. Different types of whey protein like concentrate, isolate and hydrolysate contain different levels of protein and digestibility. You can add whey protein to your breakfast smoothie with avocado, vegetables or fruits. If chugging protein shake smoothie doesn’t quite float your boat, then you can considering making protein bars, oatmeal or even pancakes and pizza infused with whey protein.

Why’s Whey Protein Good for Weight Loss?

Whey protein has been shown to aid weight loss by reving up metabolism and suppressing munchies. Whey protein contains many bioactive compounds, such as glymocro peptide which has been shown to increase the gut hormone that is instrumental in enhancing satiety. Munchies are usually caused by a massive spike of glucose and insulin level after a meal loaded with carbs. Whey protein plays an important role in helping you curb cravings and keep your hunger in check by releasing incretins to promote steady blood glucose. It also helps to maintain muscle mass during weight loss. In short, taking whey protein is the best way to regulate hunger, stabIlise blood glucose and ditch weights

Other Health Benefits of Whey Protein

Whey protein is touted as the best studied and most nutrient-dense supplement that can enhance overall health. Apart from aiding weight loss by boosting metabolism and suppressing appetite, whey protein also helps prevent our muscle mass from declining with age as it contains a type of amino acids called laucine that doesn’t just help suppress appetite but also can promote muscle growth. Taking whey protein also helps cut the risk of getting chronic inflammation as it has been shown to reduce blood levels of C-reactive protein. Other health benefits of whey protein include strengthening the body’s antioxidant defenses and regulating blood pressure, etc

According to researchers, depending on your lifestyle choices (such as diet, exercise, stress, anxiety, or environmental toxins) somewhere between 10,000 to 100,00 free radicals attack our living cells.

Nutrient-dense superfoods are packed with valuable micronutrients, phytochemicals and antioxidants and can improve overall health and longevity. They could also significantly lower the risk of chronic diseases and reduce the damage from free radicals and toxins.

As they say “the food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison”.

Food is the most powerful medicine and has the power to heal us or harm us. Keep in mind that the organic farmer is more important to your children’s health than the pediatrician.

You should add nutrient-dense superfoods to your diet on a regular basis and cut junk foods, processed foods, fried foods, sugary foods and foods that have artificial sweeteners, coloring, additives and preservatives.

Here are the top 10 superfoods that you should add to your diet on a regular basis:

1. Green leafy vegetables: such as kale, broccoli, celery and cabbage
2. Berries: Blueberries, goji berries, raspberries, and strawberries
3. Superfruits: Pineapple, mango and papaya
4. Raw organic cacao beans
5. Nuts and seeds: walnut, sesame seeds and flaxseed
6. Super-spices: Cinnamon, ginger, cayenne pepper, saffron and turmeric
7. Superherbs: Basil, mint, and parsley
8. Spirulina and chlorella
9. Seaweed
10. Avocado