Building Strength in Fitness and Relationships with Coach G | Like Love Stories

Description

What do fitness and dating have in common? More than you think. In this episode of Like Love Stories, Kristina and John sit down with Coach Giacomo (aka Coach G), a personal trainer, athlete, and single guy navigating both the gym and the dating scene.

Coach G shares his journey from the Bay Area to Arizona, how he turned his passion for exercise into a career, and why strength training, mobility, and proper form matter just as much for everyday people as they do for athletes. Whether you’re just getting started in the gym or looking to level up your workouts, you’ll get practical tips you can use right away, like the five foundational lifts everyone should know and why warming up could be the key to staying injury-free.

But it’s not all barbells and squats. Kristina and John also dive into the parallels between training and relationships: patience, consistency, and doing the work. Along the way, Coach G opens up about his own dating experiences, what he’s learned about building strong connections, and how the discipline of fitness translates into finding (and keeping) love.

If you’re interested in fitness, self-improvement, dating insights, or just love a good story, this episode is packed with inspiration, laughter, and real talk you won’t want to miss.

Tune in and discover how building strength in the gym can help you build strength in your relationships too.

Like Love Stories — where authentic connections meet unforgettable stories. Follow us for insightful conversations, fun dating anecdotes, and expert advice on building meaningful relationships. Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.

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Transcription

Speaker #0
Welcome to Like Love Stories. We are going to help you connect the dots from like to love and all the things that you go through on that journey.
Speaker #1
Now we are here to share stories of modern love, dating, relationships, and the beautiful magic of real human connections and why like love is changing the game.
Speaker #0
I'm Christina.
Speaker #1
And I'm John. And we're good friends.
Speaker #0
With great stories that I think you're going to like.
Speaker #1
I think you're going to love. Hey everyone,
Speaker #0
we're back. I'm Christina.
Speaker #1
And I'm John, and we're good friends.
Speaker #0
With stories you're going to like.
Speaker #1
With stories you're going to love.
Speaker #0
All right, we have a special guest with us here today, Coach G. Hi.
Speaker #2
Welcome. I'm so happy to be here. Really excited.
Speaker #0
We're excited to have you here too, because we're going to dive into all things fitness. He's actually one of my coaches at the gym. He's amazing. But he's also single. So we have lots to talk about today,
Speaker #2
right, John?
Speaker #1
Absolutely. Now, I've got to tell you, Coach, when we met, because we met at a Like Love event. Yes. It was the Lux and Lean event. Yeah. And you came in, like, dressed to the nines, looking awesome. Like, how is this guy single? Like, look at him. He is amazing. And you've got to tell everyone, we're calling you Coach G, but what's your name?
Speaker #2
So my first name is Giacomo. I go by Jock. It's a bit of a nickname. And so it's just easier to go by Coach G. Yeah. Yeah, a little bit easier.
Speaker #1
Yeah. But your friends call you Jock.
Speaker #2
Yeah, a lot of my boys out here call me jock.
Speaker #1
So to all the ladies out there, you could have a boyfriend and call him jock. Like, how cool would that be to be telling your friends at brunch? Yeah, I'm dating jock. So you want that in your life, right?
Speaker #0
Yeah. Awesome. So tell us a little bit about your backstory.
Speaker #2
So I've lived out here since 2017. I went to Arizona State. It's the reason I moved out here. I got my bachelor's in exercise and wellness in 2020 and then decided to stay. My family was currently in California in the Bay Area where I grew up. And after I graduated, I was like, there's more opportunity for me to be in the fitness industry out here than it is up there. And I didn't want to move back to California during the COVID times. And so it was a little, I was going back and forth with it, but I'm like, you know what, let me stay and see what's out here. And so I got an internship after college, still work at the place training young athletes and been working in the fitness industry ever since in 2020. And then started training at General Pop that same year. And then been training ever since then. So five years in the fitness industry. Absolutely love it. I truly love helping people get to their fitness goals, but also just love communicating with people the right ways to do fitness and nutrition.
Speaker #0
Very nice. Yeah. So the training, the athletes,
Speaker #2
what kind of athletes do you train? So I train all sorts of athletes, athletes of all ages. I mean, there's ranges from like seven to 17, 18. I do all sports. You can think of like football, baseball, basketball. I do hockey. I've done tennis. All sorts of athletes. I really, really like it a lot. It feels really impactful when I do that. I really, really enjoy it.
Speaker #1
Do you also train breakups? Post-breakup workouts?
Speaker #2
Not specifically. However, I'm sure there have been that without me knowing. I'm sure I can easily do that.
Speaker #1
I love it. Tell us a little bit about when you're taking an athlete. You're taking a person, you're taking them through this fitness journey. What are some of the things that you would recommend someone do? And then what are some of the pitfalls?
Speaker #2
I would say a good foundation to start with is always just strength. Getting a good foundation of strength and learning the proper form and technique when it comes to certain exercises and proper warm-ups too, because the warm-up, in my opinion, is just as important as the workout itself. And so starting there with a good foundation and then... showing them like stretches and different stretching mobility things that they can do to help improve their performance on the field for sure because i mean what we do what they do in the in the training uh side of it is it's applicable and it translates to the field but it's not like what it's all about it really only is about 10 to 15 percent of what they should be doing and practicing whereas like the on the field work the speed and agility drills things like that's going to translate more to their sport and getting them better and getting them scholarships and all this and that. Yeah, that's where I would, that's personally what I would start.
Speaker #1
Right. Wow. Noted. I never stretch. I never warm up.
Speaker #2
It's very important.
Speaker #1
I never do.
Speaker #0
I'll run seven miles and not stretch when I get home. It's ridiculous. And then you wonder why I sit down and I can't, like my knees, I can't. When I do cross-legged, my knees don't touch the ground. So bad.
Speaker #1
So starting with strength and then like you've got someone, a good foundation, a good base and strength, right? Like what's the next way that you kind of like increment them up?
Speaker #2
I would say starting with some... speed drill so basically like straight line speed starting them there uh how we work at the facility that i work at so i'm just an assistant strength coach at the facility and the owner of it he lays out the program for for the athletes and so depending on their level their experience level takes them through certain things and so it really is case dependent and so whatever he has written out is what I take him through but a lot of a lot of the athletes I train they'll do change of direction stuff they'll do linear speed which is just straight straight line speed and so a lot of them will start there and it's pretty easy to coach them to do certain drills that way they can get them running with good form and get them faster hard ground contact to make them.
Speaker #1
run you know harder and faster things like that cool yeah cool now i mean when it comes to working out for the average person right like not everyone in here is going to be an athlete though it's really good to know like we should train like athletes but let's say for like a guy and then oh for a woman what
Speaker #2
are some of like the areas they should focus on to get you know that physique uh i would say honestly with the what it comes down to is just focusing again on strength like having good form and technique, but focusing on like. five compound lifts. So that would be squat, your bench, deadlift, bent over row and then overhead press. So starting there is a good place to start really for anyone where I used to start my clients earlier, earlier in my training career. And so starting there is a good place to begin for anyone there and then showing them again, proper ways to prime their body before they jump into lifting like a lot of the stuff we do at alloy is great because it really is. warming up that whole body and firing those muscles that we're going to be using during the workout. And so depending on the routine, depending on the person, making sure they're properly warmed up is, is, uh, another good place to start as well.
Speaker #1
So this is good. Cause I always work out the show muscles and you're like, I need to do the compound lifts.
Speaker #2
Absolutely. How did you get, um,
Speaker #0
how did you get into alloy?
Speaker #2
Tell us a little bit. So I got an ally by, uh, coach T or Tatiana, her, she's the manager of the studio there and she her and I went to Arizona State together actually we were in the same degree program so we both have the same degree exercising wellness from Arizona State she graduated the year after me she I was the same job for a couple of years and I knew that job was only a stepping stone for me and so she reached out to me in March of this year saying like hey you know hope you're doing well like where do you work at do you like your job blah blah and so uh to fast forward we end up meeting up in person for coffee. We caught up a little bit. She told me about the job and I'm like, okay, I like what I see. I like what I hear. You set up an interview with the owner and she's like, absolutely. And so she set up an interview and I got hired on the spot. That's great.
Speaker #0
That's awesome. Not surprising.
Speaker #1
No, not surprising at all.
Speaker #2
I feel very blessed for sure. So,
Speaker #1
I mean, obviously compound lifts and all that, but what about nutrition when someone, let's say someone starting from zero, right? Like they're used to Cheerios in the morning, right? Yeah. How are you starting someone off with like, this is the nutrition you should be eating or start?
Speaker #2
So I, I like to keep it super simple for all my clients, no matter the age, no matter the experience, no matter the level. And so what I, the main three things, like three things that I tell people is whole natural foods. So if you stick to whole natural foods, that is the things that you are literally one ingredient, like steak, chicken, potatoes, like things like that, broccoli. And they stick to that and they eliminate the heavily processed foods, the things that come in wrappers, boxes with a load of lists of. Long ingredients. Yeah. And so you stick away from those. They'll see results just simply from that. But then you add in, you make protein the centerpiece of every single meal you have. That's when you start to see the strength. That's when you start to see you become more satiated and not gravitate towards those heavily processed foods. Because those heavily processed foods are literally engineered to make you overeat. Yep. Oh. Yep. So here's an interesting fact, something I've learned over my last few years of training, is that the cigarette industry, people came into that. who were that industry when cigarettes became like you know not as popular those engineers and those people who made those properties of cigarettes so addicting moved into the processed food industry like the colors the pictures the like all those things and like the list of ingredients they moved into that industry to make those foods addictive in you know quote unquote and so yeah it's crazy right it's nuts and so when i learned that i was just like wow that makes a lot of sense And so when you think about it, like. Think about this. There's a comparison I learned as well. It's like you think of a whole bag of potato chips. Those whole bag of potato chips is made up of like, let's say, three to four like white potatoes. You can easily eat a whole bag of potato chips. Right. But could you eat like three to four like boiled potatoes?
Speaker #1
No, no,
Speaker #2
exactly. If you hit palate fatigue. And so it's crazy. Right. So when you compare it to like that, they're literally engineered to make you overeat, which is, in my opinion, at least the reason for the obesity. So it's getting better. However, I will say this, it's getting a lot better than it has been. But yeah, that's part of the reason. So to bring it back to what I was saying was that stick to whole natural foods, make protein a priority, stay away from heavily processed foods, aim for half a gallon to a gallon of water. You stick to those three things, no matter your goal, no matter what, you will feel better. You'll get stronger. You'll see body fat come down. It's just a three general rules that I stick by and I live by that I've been doing for the last few years has worked for me and I believe would work for anyone.
Speaker #0
I like the tip that you gave me about. And I know one had ever told me this before to eat as much protein as my body weight. Yeah. Yeah. So I've been really trying to I've been like cognizant of really doing that. And it is funny. Like once. Um, and I, I got sick recently and I think, I wonder if, I don't know, but I was, I have been eating so healthy. I subscribed to, um, eat clean Phoenix just to keep us on track with like grilled chicken steak, vegetables, you know, whatever, a few nights a week kind of thing. And also I'm a fan of protein house. So getting bowls and stuff from there. Yes, exactly. That when I did eat something crappy, I mean, I got. really really sick and I wonder if there's a correlation to like I've been so good for so long and then I kind of we ordered chicken wings on July 4th and it was like the start of like a week long like yeah I noticed the same thing like I just got back into town from a wedding as I was telling you guys off air and I
Speaker #2
I did eat out a lot and like I noticed like maybe one or two things upset my stomach because I was eating so clean leading up into it and so but I noticed that a lot of things I was like huh okay that's interesting so I think it's very much so case dependent yeah i'm like where you go what you choose to get so but i can totally do it yeah yeah yeah yeah but the protein thing is it's like once you know that's exactly how much you should have you yeah adjust a little bit what she's referring to john is that when you so she's talking about eating one gram of protein per pound of target body weight so i tell a lot of clients and a good general rule to follow no matter what your goal is especially for those who want to build muscles so like eating shooting for one gram of protein per pound of target body weight so like For example, I weigh around now probably around like 220 to 225 in between there. My goal is about 230 grams of protein a day, which is a lot. And I eat it through all whole natural foods. And so it is very tough to get that. But my goal is to like maintain muscle, build muscle. And so like for someone like you, for example, like how much do you weigh? Yeah,
Speaker #1
180.
Speaker #2
180. Okay. So do you, what's the goal right now? Gain muscle, burn body fat?
Speaker #1
Gain muscle.
Speaker #2
Gain muscle. All right. So for you shooting for 180 to 190 grams of protein a day would be ideal. Okay. Gain that muscle. Yep.
Speaker #1
How do you make it so simple? Like already in the conversation, it's... Like warm up compound moves. It's stretching then single ingredient foods.
Speaker #2
Right.
Speaker #1
And then like the target protein. Yeah. Phenomenal.
Speaker #2
Yeah. So I like to say it's not, it's difficult, but it is simple. So I've learned that over the years. You know what? You just simplify it into these three things and you stick to it and you stay consistent. That's the main thing is you stay inconsistent with those things that work for you. That's how the results come. And it's a great thing to see over time.
Speaker #0
What do you think about lifting versus cardio versus things like yoga, Pilates? Like what's a good balance?
Speaker #2
So I think it depends on the person and what they are looking for. At least for me personally, I'm a huge proponent of weightlifting. I've been lifting weights since I was 14. So I was a freshman in high school. I'm now 30. And so 16 years consistently started in high school football, lifting weights and been consistent with that ever since. And so I think no matter what your goal is. I truly believe that resistance training and building muscles, the fountain of youth when it comes to that. And so starting there, something simple, like one to two days a week, full body, I'm a huge proponent for full body. I've been lifting that way since, well, on and off, I would say since I was a freshman in high school. And so I did a, I did a few years of a short stint of doing a body part, just doing five, six days a week. And so I know it's one of those days I wasn't as consistent, but anyway, so full body one to two days a week, three days a week, if you can be consistent with that. And, um, Cardio is great. It's great for your health. I personally love walking. I really do enjoy it. You get extra steps, you burn extra calories, especially after you eat. Helps the digestion process. Huge, huge fan of that. And I noticed that I feel immediately better, especially after eating a big meal, which I typically do because I have a huge appetite. And so, yeah, doing that is great. I think if you like those things, like do them. There's nothing wrong with that. But depending on your goal, let's say your goal is to build muscle. And, you know, let's say for females, for example, is to grow their butt. you are going to get more bang for your buck when it comes to doing resistance training squatting doing hip thrust dead lifting things like that then you are running on the treadmill or doing pilates or you know yoga like like i said those things are great to feel good but in my opinion if you have a goal like of like i said building your glutes doing that you have to make that your foundation your priority okay so what about like sauna and cold plunges oh i love them i do them all the time. I used to Cancel my membership, but it belongs to a place called Optimize. There are a few locations around the valley. But yeah, cold plunges are great. I personally like them. I usually do them before I work out. Sauna is actually amazing after your workout. There's actually data out there that it mimics like exercise so much that doing it afterwards, it helps with facilitating recovery and just sweating out those toxins from like, you know, the world or whatever, you know, things you eat, drink, whatever. Yeah, sure. Exactly. It's always Hawaiian. That's okay. But yeah, so I honestly love those tools. If you can, if you have the bandwidth to be able to go to a place that has those things, I think by all means, like I wouldn't, I know that every time I do those things, I feel great afterwards. and I started implementing that consistently since February and been feeling really good. Like my cold tolerance has gone, has gone up for sure. Like I don't get as, I mean, I run warm and so hopping in a cold plunge when it's 110 degrees out here feels great. Oh my gosh. I look forward to it. So yeah, I love this thing. Nice.
Speaker #1
Okay. Anything that's like coming up on the horizon and health trends, like, yeah, like a trend trends and fitness.
Speaker #2
So at least from what I've learned. peptides are huge right now in the fitness industry they they're more so well known i mean everybody knows like the ozambic the wagovis like those things like that for like the gop ones to lose weight but there's so many other peptides that i think a lot of people don't know or they're beginning to learn about that help with recovery building muscle increasing metabolism like things like that and so i think doing your research and looking into like different peptides is something that uh could benefit people if they have the bandwidth they are a little on the the pricey side, but they are amazing. at least from what I've learned. And I've experimented with a couple of peptides since working in the fitness industry. And I mean, I saw results from them. I did them orally. There are injectable peptides and stuff. So yeah, they're great from what I've learned. But I mean, other than like trendy, like not super trendy things. I think one thing that's trending is like, I mean, we talk about creatine a lot in the gym there and creatine for people who don't know it helps. Basically people take it to build muscle, to increase recovery, you know, squeeze out a few extra reps, but... a lot of people don't realize that creatine is so, so good for your brain. It's good for your organs. It's good for your joints, your bones, like everything. And it's an overall encompassing health supplement. And I truly believe in the near future, it's going to be put into like multivitamins and like different other and other supplements that people take just on a daily basis. And so that's something that I've been paying attention to.
Speaker #0
I feel like a lot of people are talking about creatine on social. was there
Speaker #2
feel like years ago there was like a don't take creatine is there a time where there was some kind of like stigma around there yeah there was i feel like there was that it was kind of a no-no and now it's like it really wasn't until i think it was in the 80s or 90s from what i've learned is that it was seen as like a performance enhancer or whatever but yeah studies of studies and data come out showing that it's like the most well-rounded supplement no matter if you're no matter your nutrition no matter what you're training if you're training at all like I literally got my whole family to start taking creatine. My mom doesn't lift weights. She doesn't really go to the gym. Unfortunately, we're working on it. Don't worry. But I got them to start taking it. And I think she's noticed. I want to say she's noticed a difference and stuff. And so a lot of those, a lot of that is becoming more well-known in the general population sector. And so I think it's great that I've been taking it since I was 20. And so I personally started taking it to gain weight for football. And it helped me put on. 20 pounds in i wasn't all muscle but 20 pounds in about like a six seven eight six seven eight month period and so yeah it was it was a good amount of time yeah and so i was training for college football i needed to get stronger definitely got i definitely noticed the strength gains for sure that was the main thing i noticed like my strength increased dramatically so any brand of creatine that you know i think so the main thing to look for when it comes to creatine is just creatine monohydrate and so and don't get the none of the flavors or anything any additives just literally one ingredient creatine monohydrate if you want to not get that gritty uh texture and taste look for micronized creatine monohydrate it just basically what that is is just it mixes really well and it's still it's still creatine but that's the one that i get i mix it in my jug that you guys saw i have over there and i i don't taste it just looks like i'm it feels like i'm just drinking water without anything i was just gonna ask you what the plate like what it does yeah there is a taste no there really isn't a taste the one that i get and the ones that i've gotten in the past there really isn't a taste and so just yeah
Speaker #0
i just ordered a collagen that has like 10 grams of... protein in it that you put in your coffee and mix it i still think it tastes fishy though like it's yeah there is this mild because of the marine collagen and oh yeah i still feel like it's a little it's still it's got a taste i haven't found anything i like that doesn't collagen can be a little gritty i personally never tried the marine collagen i've tried the grass fed you know yeah the
Speaker #2
animal collagen so but i personally never tried that so i left that shot is the do you like the grass fed collagen I do like it. I used to get the one from Costco. I don't take collagen anymore. My supplements are pretty minimal these days, but I used to take a lot of supplements back a few years ago.
Speaker #0
It's a wide landscape. There's so much out there. It can be confusing.
Speaker #2
It's very overwhelming and can be very overstimulating, I would say.
Speaker #1
Well, coach, I think, I mean, you are gifted at simplifying the process, right? You're good. Like you can simplify it, make it really easy for people to comprehend. Like this is what I need to do. Um, but there's like this gap between, I know what I need to do and I need to do it. The motivation piece of it. Okay. And I'm going to tell you my very unhealthy hack that I use to work out and I'm going to stop doing this. I promise. But what I do is I will take like a whole scoop of pre-workout and that's all I have to do is like, if I take the scoop of pre-workout. and don't work out, I will blow up. Like I will die. So I have to do it. I know it's not healthy to be like, all right, I'm gonna just take the scoop and then like, if I don't work out. So like, what do you do to motivate yourself? Cause I know, I mean, this is obviously a habit of health that you have, but I'm sure that you feel like it's sometimes like, I just don't want to, I don't really want to work out. Like, how do you motivate yourself?
Speaker #0
Do you actually feel that way?
Speaker #2
I feel like you've never feel that way.
Speaker #1
I'll be honest. I do.
Speaker #2
Okay, I love it. No, no, no. I'll be very honest. There's been times where I'm like, it's honestly pretty rare where I'm like, I don't feel like going. But then I just, you know what? I know I realize like how I'm going to feel when I leave and how I feel during. It's like I've always looked at it as like my form of therapy. So like if I don't go to the gym for like, like I've worked out since Friday. I worked out on Friday on vacation. I work out again today. It's like when I get to like five days, I'm like, okay, I need to leave something. Because it's like, it keeps me calm. I'm a very cool, calm and collected person. person actually but like it keeps me that much more grounded and calm and it's it's my therapy um along with my relationship with god which is you know another story so yeah but yeah so that's another that's i i always tell people like motivation's an emotion it's fleeting it can come and go it can come and go in waves it's like when you find those things that drives you that gets you into the gets you into the gym that make you that much more disciplined when you find those things I do then, you know. that's what's going to continue to get you going and so i mean this is this also will sound unhealthy but just like thinking like looking back how far i came like how i used to look in high school or even my beginning in college i look completely different so like physique wise you know appearance everything and so it's just thinking like i don't ever want to look like that version of myself again and it's just that may be unhealthy but it's it's also it's like the slightest driving force why i like to go and so yeah okay that's good i can have a picture of fat John that I keep around and every once in a while I look back and I'm like oh my
Speaker #0
goodness.
Speaker #2
It's honestly whatever, whatever helps, whatever works for you is what, is what I tell people. And so it can be hard to like finding those, but finding those healthy ways to drive yourself, to pick yourself up and just go like, just thinking of, you know, I may not feel like it now, but 95% of it is showing up. So if you show up to the gym, you pull up to the parking lot, at least do that and be like, okay, I'm going to go in and do this. Even if you go like, Here's a hack. So even if you don't want to go. still drive to the gym. If you can muster up, if you can muster it up to go inside the gym and just do like one exercise, then that will get the wheels spinning. It's like, okay, I feel good now. Let's do another one. And then another one that just compounds. And so at least doing that, that's like 95% of the 97%. So yeah, showing up, that's really what it comes down to. And then you just do something that usually leads to more.
Speaker #1
That's good. Cause I have spent 10 minutes in the gym parking lot. I've been like, Oh no, I have a call. I just can't go.
Speaker #0
It sounds like Matt when he gets in the gym. Matt joined and he's been coming. Yeah.
Speaker #2
It's funny.
Speaker #1
So you can even do one, just one exercise.
Speaker #2
Yeah. Just get to the gym, do one exercise. Usually when that, that gets the blood flowing, that gets the endorphins running and it just, it leads to you be like, okay, I can definitely do more. Let's do this. Let's do that. Let's do that. Cool. Very cool.
Speaker #1
Dang. Good stuff. Yeah.
Speaker #0
Well, let's talk about. your singleness.
Speaker #2
Sure. Let's do it. So how let's get,
Speaker #0
give us your relationship history.
Speaker #2
Uh, so let's see. Uh, I have had, I wouldn't say the best fortune with relationships. However, the longest relationship I've been in the six months. And so all of the ones previous for like three months. And so for some reason, it's either been not the right person or the timing has been off. And so, I mean, I've dated girls on and off for a few months and it's been fine. Like my most recent relationship ended a little over two years ago and we were together for six months and uh could definitely could have seen myself you know in the beginning was like yeah i could see she's wifey material all this and that but we just weren't compatible at the end of the day i took her home with my family first girl i ever took home to meet my family being that they just moved down here that was around the time that they moved down here and so brought her home was a huge deal for me and uh unfortunately didn't work out but that's you know that's just not the person god had intended for me and so still still working on it what do you what do you think the challenges are in dating in general. Oh, boy.
Speaker #0
From a guy's perspective.
Speaker #2
That's a loaded question. I would say, I mean, honestly, compatibility, not wanting the same things because I have a very. I want I don't want to put like women in a box, but like I do have boxes that I would like for someone to check because like I do believe that I'm a catch and I am a good man that my parents made me up to be a gentleman. And so just seeing how my dad treated my mom, you know, modeling it after that. And so and then my grandfather as well. So he was a big role model to me as well. So I think just expectations, they expect them to make a certain amount of money to do these certain things to check this, that third box. And like, again, I said I have boxes, so not knocking those boxes they have. But it's like, I just believe that women now have these expectations of men that they have to meet like right away rather than waiting and seeing the potential in someone and believing in them that they can be the person that they see right now and like see the potential in them. Because, I mean, I'm still that person. I'm still working on myself. And I truly like the next person that I end up, you know. getting in a relationship with or end up marrying, I want them to see the potential person that I can be. Right. So that's all that I really would want with someone to believe in me. And so I think if women, certain women keep an open mind when it comes to that, then it would lead to, you know, potentially happy relationships or more. It's just, you know, I guess it depends.
Speaker #0
That's a great point. I love that you said that because like you're only 30, you are going to grow. You're, I mean, you're going to be a totally different person in 10 years. Like you're going to be more evolved. and you are going to grow naturally and authentically. And then I agree. I think that people are short-sighted a lot of times and don't, don't have the wherewithal to like, see a little bit into the future and they expect everything right now, everything to be perfect.
Speaker #2
I don't get me wrong. I think it's important to like focus on like the present obviously, but like seeing that and then seeing the qualities in that person in this present, in the present moment that they're in, what they could potentially be is, I think something that is overlooked.
Speaker #0
Yeah, and focus on like, what are your common goals about the way you want to live your life? Exactly. You know? So tell us what you're looking for.
Speaker #1
Yeah.
Speaker #2
Okay. So the main thing I'm looking for is like... For the single girls out there. Right, for the single girls. So I'm a newly saved Christian as of a couple years ago. And so definitely want something, a woman of faith, ideally, if they are a Christian, would love that. Being that I'm very heavily involved in my church. And it's definitely changed my life over these last couple years. Helped me grow. as a man and as a person. And so would love for someone who has a faith practice, who enjoys going to church and growing in their faith. Someone who is into taking care of themselves, lifting weights, you know, overall just health, like active lifestyle. I have a very active lifestyle. And then someone who's very family oriented. I have a, I have a very, my family and I are very close. We do anything for them. And so someone who has a pretty tight family dynamic and And... Someone who's into sports. I coach high school football out here. Shout out to Pinnacle High School. So I'm assistant coach out there. And so, yeah, they they're into sports. They follow sports here and there. They don't have to be a crazy fanatic like I am. But if they are so interested, then, yeah. So those are those are really the main things. Obviously, they have to be a good person, have a big heart. You know, I have a huge heart. And so someone who's understanding and patient, too. Yeah. So obviously, yeah, those are the those would be the main things. But the first three things I mentioned are pretty much the main things that I'm looking for in a partner.
Speaker #0
I noticed you really didn't say anything about looks.
Speaker #2
Yeah. I mean, I wouldn't say I have a looks type physically. I definitely go for more of the ethnic or spicy women, I could say. But I'm open to I wouldn't say I have a type physically. So obviously, I have to find you physically attractive. Yeah. But it's also like if you have those good qualities and personality, then we can make it work. Because looks do obviously, looks. Yeah. Oh, another thing, I'm in a good sense of humor.
Speaker #0
So I can make some of that. So yeah.
Speaker #2
Awesome. So yeah.
Speaker #0
Where did you get your confidence from? I think it's you. The couple of things I've learned about you just in spending some time with you, very emotionally intelligent for a 30 year old, I think. Yeah. And confident. And I love that because I feel like we do live in a world where a lot of people lack just self-confidence.
Speaker #2
I'll be honest. I've struggled with confidence my whole life. It's been a very big insecurity for me. But I mean, I honestly attribute that to my relationship with God and like getting closer to him. is he's just made me see the world in a different way and just showed me a different way of looking at things and so I think I from reading the bible and like getting closer to him and going to church and having my pastors pouring to me it's like it just showed me a new way and I'm able to carry myself in a different way with with that confidence knowing that like he's up there like at the real at the helm and I'm able to control the controllables down here and so it's just
Speaker #0
I'm not as anxious or worried as I used to be. So I think really what it comes down to is that, and then my experiences with, you know, dating and then my experiences in life when it comes to that. And so I've always been a cool comic collective person, but I definitely, I've noticed it as of recently and just overall, when you, when I, when I've experienced certain things, it's been, it's added to that confidence, but I appreciate that. It means a lot. That's something I've been working on.
Speaker #1
Yeah. And marriage and children. Yes.
Speaker #0
Yes. Definitely want a traditional. I'm. I'm definitely considering myself like an old soul and like old fashioned when it comes to that. Want to get married. Um, want to have kids. What after I get married? And so, uh, so yeah, very much so traditional.
Speaker #2
You would be a great dad telling me about like, you would be such a great dad.
Speaker #0
I've been told that by quite a few people. So yeah, I can, I'm great with kids. Obviously I train young athletes and I work with kids. And so, yeah, I really do enjoy, I really do enjoy kids. And so I grew up with a bunch of little cousins and I was always great with them. So yeah.
Speaker #2
I appreciate that.
Speaker #0
I love that.
Speaker #1
I do too. It's really awesome. And so you came to an event for like love.
Speaker #0
I did. Yes.
Speaker #1
And you met somebody in about 10 minutes and actually had a couple positive dates with that person.
Speaker #0
Shout out to your husband, Matt. He's the one that brought, obviously you brought her over to me, but yeah, shout out to Matt for the initial conversation.
Speaker #1
It happened that fast though.
Speaker #0
It really did happen pretty fast. I think I was zeroed in. Yeah, I was just like, she's like, okay, wing woman over here. So yeah, shout out to you for being a wing woman. So yeah, I met this girl at the Like Love event. We went on a couple of dates. First date, I took her axe throwing and then we had dinner afterwards. It was a great time. Yeah, it was a great time. After axe throwing, we actually did that for an hour and then we went to the restaurant for a couple hours. Great conversation. Just, you know, initially getting it over. And then the second date, I took her out to happy hour at Postino. And I brought this card game that was pretty cool. cool that has a bunch of open-ended questions you just go back and forth asking each other questions and that led to side you know side uh questions asked different different avenues of conversation so yeah that was a it was a solid date we were laughing we made each other laugh you know the whole time and so uh but again it just came down into like what we both wanted and she didn't want uh something that was pretty big on my list and so yeah um so yeah but it is what it is i've learned to just kind of let those things roll off my shoulder being that i've gone through I've got not to say heartbreak, but I've gone, I've experienced like girls leading me on, telling me things or like, you know, say like, oh yeah, you know, this and that, but don't want it. Like their actions say otherwise. And so I've learned to let those things roll off. And plus like, again, going back to my relationship with God, it's like, I know he's got me at the end of the day. He's got the perfect person out there for me. And I have trust and faith in that.
Speaker #2
Dude, I gotta, I gotta double down on something that you just said, because it is so critical for everybody to hear a man or woman. Everybody's got to hear this is people's actions did not align with their words.
Speaker #1
right like they were saying something but their actions did not align with what they were and and the only response to that is to remove yourself 100 yeah totally yeah i agree and i love it and you've got faith that that person's out there because i have belief that there's someone for everyone like i really do it's just a matter of finding them 100 yeah well you've got a wingman and a wing woman here yeah so we are going to be looking out for you and for the girls out there listening, if you have a friend, if you're single.
Speaker #2
it's a good catch right here definitely this guy you get the full stamp of approval i appreciate it guys it means a lot yeah uh so any do you want to do a last plug on your coaching yes so i coach at
Speaker #0
alloy personal training it's in north scottsdale it's off of uh thompson peak and scottsdale road just north of the 101 i'm the head coach there so the lead trainer that you'll see there most of the time we do small group. personal training six on one. And it's a great atmosphere, great environment. The community of people is what I really love and that are just open to learning new things, resistance training, and just take their goals seriously. So I would love to help you. If you are in the area, if you're in the surrounding areas, come check us out. I'd love to help you out to reach your goals. Awesome.
Speaker #1
Well, thanks, Coach G. It's been so fun having you.
Speaker #0
Thank you for having me. I enjoy this a lot.
Speaker #2
absolutely you're a good man thanks for all your help yeah i think you're getting even more fit such great information anytime absolutely well that's a wrap everyone i'm christina and i'm john we're good friends with great stories that you're gonna like no that you're gonna love see you next time

Description

If you’re interested in fitness, self-improvement, dating insights, or just love a good story, this episode is packed with inspiration, laughter, and real talk you won’t want to miss.

Tune in and discover how building strength in the gym can help you build strength in your relationships too.

Stay connected: LikeLove.com | @likelove_az

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Transcription

Speaker #0
Welcome to Like Love Stories. We are going to help you connect the dots from like to love and all the things that you go through on that journey.
Speaker #1
Now we are here to share stories of modern love, dating, relationships, and the beautiful magic of real human connections and why like love is changing the game.
Speaker #0
I'm Christina.
Speaker #1
And I'm John. And we're good friends.
Speaker #0
With great stories that I think you're going to like.
Speaker #1
I think you're going to love. Hey everyone,
Speaker #0
we're back. I'm Christina.
Speaker #1
And I'm John, and we're good friends.
Speaker #0
With stories you're going to like.
Speaker #1
With stories you're going to love.
Speaker #0
All right, we have a special guest with us here today, Coach G. Hi.
Speaker #2
Welcome. I'm so happy to be here. Really excited.
Speaker #0
We're excited to have you here too, because we're going to dive into all things fitness. He's actually one of my coaches at the gym. He's amazing. But he's also single. So we have lots to talk about today,
Speaker #2
right, John?
Speaker #1
Absolutely. Now, I've got to tell you, Coach, when we met, because we met at a Like Love event. Yes. It was the Lux and Lean event. Yeah. And you came in, like, dressed to the nines, looking awesome. Like, how is this guy single? Like, look at him. He is amazing. And you've got to tell everyone, we're calling you Coach G, but what's your name?
Speaker #2
So my first name is Giacomo. I go by Jock. It's a bit of a nickname. And so it's just easier to go by Coach G. Yeah. Yeah, a little bit easier.
Speaker #1
Yeah. But your friends call you Jock.
Speaker #2
Yeah, a lot of my boys out here call me jock.
Speaker #1
So to all the ladies out there, you could have a boyfriend and call him jock. Like, how cool would that be to be telling your friends at brunch? Yeah, I'm dating jock. So you want that in your life, right?
Speaker #0
Yeah. Awesome. So tell us a little bit about your backstory.
Speaker #2
So I've lived out here since 2017. I went to Arizona State. It's the reason I moved out here. I got my bachelor's in exercise and wellness in 2020 and then decided to stay. My family was currently in California in the Bay Area where I grew up. And after I graduated, I was like, there's more opportunity for me to be in the fitness industry out here than it is up there. And I didn't want to move back to California during the COVID times. And so it was a little, I was going back and forth with it, but I'm like, you know what, let me stay and see what's out here. And so I got an internship after college, still work at the place training young athletes and been working in the fitness industry ever since in 2020. And then started training at General Pop that same year. And then been training ever since then. So five years in the fitness industry. Absolutely love it. I truly love helping people get to their fitness goals, but also just love communicating with people the right ways to do fitness and nutrition.
Speaker #0
Very nice. Yeah. So the training, the athletes,
Speaker #2
what kind of athletes do you train? So I train all sorts of athletes, athletes of all ages. I mean, there's ranges from like seven to 17, 18. I do all sports. You can think of like football, baseball, basketball. I do hockey. I've done tennis. All sorts of athletes. I really, really like it a lot. It feels really impactful when I do that. I really, really enjoy it.
Speaker #1
Do you also train breakups? Post-breakup workouts?
Speaker #2
Not specifically. However, I'm sure there have been that without me knowing. I'm sure I can easily do that.
Speaker #1
I love it. Tell us a little bit about when you're taking an athlete. You're taking a person, you're taking them through this fitness journey. What are some of the things that you would recommend someone do? And then what are some of the pitfalls?
Speaker #2
I would say a good foundation to start with is always just strength. Getting a good foundation of strength and learning the proper form and technique when it comes to certain exercises and proper warm-ups too, because the warm-up, in my opinion, is just as important as the workout itself. And so starting there with a good foundation and then... showing them like stretches and different stretching mobility things that they can do to help improve their performance on the field for sure because i mean what we do what they do in the in the training uh side of it is it's applicable and it translates to the field but it's not like what it's all about it really only is about 10 to 15 percent of what they should be doing and practicing whereas like the on the field work the speed and agility drills things like that's going to translate more to their sport and getting them better and getting them scholarships and all this and that. Yeah, that's where I would, that's personally what I would start.
Speaker #1
Right. Wow. Noted. I never stretch. I never warm up.
Speaker #2
It's very important.
Speaker #1
I never do.
Speaker #0
I'll run seven miles and not stretch when I get home. It's ridiculous. And then you wonder why I sit down and I can't, like my knees, I can't. When I do cross-legged, my knees don't touch the ground. So bad.
Speaker #1
So starting with strength and then like you've got someone, a good foundation, a good base and strength, right? Like what's the next way that you kind of like increment them up?
Speaker #2
I would say starting with some... speed drill so basically like straight line speed starting them there uh how we work at the facility that i work at so i'm just an assistant strength coach at the facility and the owner of it he lays out the program for for the athletes and so depending on their level their experience level takes them through certain things and so it really is case dependent and so whatever he has written out is what I take him through but a lot of a lot of the athletes I train they'll do change of direction stuff they'll do linear speed which is just straight straight line speed and so a lot of them will start there and it's pretty easy to coach them to do certain drills that way they can get them running with good form and get them faster hard ground contact to make them.
Speaker #1
run you know harder and faster things like that cool yeah cool now i mean when it comes to working out for the average person right like not everyone in here is going to be an athlete though it's really good to know like we should train like athletes but let's say for like a guy and then oh for a woman what
Speaker #2
are some of like the areas they should focus on to get you know that physique uh i would say honestly with the what it comes down to is just focusing again on strength like having good form and technique, but focusing on like. five compound lifts. So that would be squat, your bench, deadlift, bent over row and then overhead press. So starting there is a good place to start really for anyone where I used to start my clients earlier, earlier in my training career. And so starting there is a good place to begin for anyone there and then showing them again, proper ways to prime their body before they jump into lifting like a lot of the stuff we do at alloy is great because it really is. warming up that whole body and firing those muscles that we're going to be using during the workout. And so depending on the routine, depending on the person, making sure they're properly warmed up is, is, uh, another good place to start as well.
Speaker #1
So this is good. Cause I always work out the show muscles and you're like, I need to do the compound lifts.
Speaker #2
Absolutely. How did you get, um,
Speaker #0
how did you get into alloy?
Speaker #2
Tell us a little bit. So I got an ally by, uh, coach T or Tatiana, her, she's the manager of the studio there and she her and I went to Arizona State together actually we were in the same degree program so we both have the same degree exercising wellness from Arizona State she graduated the year after me she I was the same job for a couple of years and I knew that job was only a stepping stone for me and so she reached out to me in March of this year saying like hey you know hope you're doing well like where do you work at do you like your job blah blah and so uh to fast forward we end up meeting up in person for coffee. We caught up a little bit. She told me about the job and I'm like, okay, I like what I see. I like what I hear. You set up an interview with the owner and she's like, absolutely. And so she set up an interview and I got hired on the spot. That's great.
Speaker #0
That's awesome. Not surprising.
Speaker #1
No, not surprising at all.
Speaker #2
I feel very blessed for sure. So,
Speaker #1
I mean, obviously compound lifts and all that, but what about nutrition when someone, let's say someone starting from zero, right? Like they're used to Cheerios in the morning, right? Yeah. How are you starting someone off with like, this is the nutrition you should be eating or start?
Speaker #2
So I, I like to keep it super simple for all my clients, no matter the age, no matter the experience, no matter the level. And so what I, the main three things, like three things that I tell people is whole natural foods. So if you stick to whole natural foods, that is the things that you are literally one ingredient, like steak, chicken, potatoes, like things like that, broccoli. And they stick to that and they eliminate the heavily processed foods, the things that come in wrappers, boxes with a load of lists of. Long ingredients. Yeah. And so you stick away from those. They'll see results just simply from that. But then you add in, you make protein the centerpiece of every single meal you have. That's when you start to see the strength. That's when you start to see you become more satiated and not gravitate towards those heavily processed foods. Because those heavily processed foods are literally engineered to make you overeat. Yep. Oh. Yep. So here's an interesting fact, something I've learned over my last few years of training, is that the cigarette industry, people came into that. who were that industry when cigarettes became like you know not as popular those engineers and those people who made those properties of cigarettes so addicting moved into the processed food industry like the colors the pictures the like all those things and like the list of ingredients they moved into that industry to make those foods addictive in you know quote unquote and so yeah it's crazy right it's nuts and so when i learned that i was just like wow that makes a lot of sense And so when you think about it, like. Think about this. There's a comparison I learned as well. It's like you think of a whole bag of potato chips. Those whole bag of potato chips is made up of like, let's say, three to four like white potatoes. You can easily eat a whole bag of potato chips. Right. But could you eat like three to four like boiled potatoes?
Speaker #1
No, no,
Speaker #2
exactly. If you hit palate fatigue. And so it's crazy. Right. So when you compare it to like that, they're literally engineered to make you overeat, which is, in my opinion, at least the reason for the obesity. So it's getting better. However, I will say this, it's getting a lot better than it has been. But yeah, that's part of the reason. So to bring it back to what I was saying was that stick to whole natural foods, make protein a priority, stay away from heavily processed foods, aim for half a gallon to a gallon of water. You stick to those three things, no matter your goal, no matter what, you will feel better. You'll get stronger. You'll see body fat come down. It's just a three general rules that I stick by and I live by that I've been doing for the last few years has worked for me and I believe would work for anyone.
Speaker #0
I like the tip that you gave me about. And I know one had ever told me this before to eat as much protein as my body weight. Yeah. Yeah. So I've been really trying to I've been like cognizant of really doing that. And it is funny. Like once. Um, and I, I got sick recently and I think, I wonder if, I don't know, but I was, I have been eating so healthy. I subscribed to, um, eat clean Phoenix just to keep us on track with like grilled chicken steak, vegetables, you know, whatever, a few nights a week kind of thing. And also I'm a fan of protein house. So getting bowls and stuff from there. Yes, exactly. That when I did eat something crappy, I mean, I got. really really sick and I wonder if there's a correlation to like I've been so good for so long and then I kind of we ordered chicken wings on July 4th and it was like the start of like a week long like yeah I noticed the same thing like I just got back into town from a wedding as I was telling you guys off air and I
Speaker #2
I did eat out a lot and like I noticed like maybe one or two things upset my stomach because I was eating so clean leading up into it and so but I noticed that a lot of things I was like huh okay that's interesting so I think it's very much so case dependent yeah i'm like where you go what you choose to get so but i can totally do it yeah yeah yeah yeah but the protein thing is it's like once you know that's exactly how much you should have you yeah adjust a little bit what she's referring to john is that when you so she's talking about eating one gram of protein per pound of target body weight so i tell a lot of clients and a good general rule to follow no matter what your goal is especially for those who want to build muscles so like eating shooting for one gram of protein per pound of target body weight so like For example, I weigh around now probably around like 220 to 225 in between there. My goal is about 230 grams of protein a day, which is a lot. And I eat it through all whole natural foods. And so it is very tough to get that. But my goal is to like maintain muscle, build muscle. And so like for someone like you, for example, like how much do you weigh? Yeah,
Speaker #1
180.
Speaker #2
180. Okay. So do you, what's the goal right now? Gain muscle, burn body fat?
Speaker #1
Gain muscle.
Speaker #2
Gain muscle. All right. So for you shooting for 180 to 190 grams of protein a day would be ideal. Okay. Gain that muscle. Yep.
Speaker #1
How do you make it so simple? Like already in the conversation, it's... Like warm up compound moves. It's stretching then single ingredient foods.
Speaker #2
Right.
Speaker #1
And then like the target protein. Yeah. Phenomenal.
Speaker #2
Yeah. So I like to say it's not, it's difficult, but it is simple. So I've learned that over the years. You know what? You just simplify it into these three things and you stick to it and you stay consistent. That's the main thing is you stay inconsistent with those things that work for you. That's how the results come. And it's a great thing to see over time.
Speaker #0
What do you think about lifting versus cardio versus things like yoga, Pilates? Like what's a good balance?
Speaker #2
So I think it depends on the person and what they are looking for. At least for me personally, I'm a huge proponent of weightlifting. I've been lifting weights since I was 14. So I was a freshman in high school. I'm now 30. And so 16 years consistently started in high school football, lifting weights and been consistent with that ever since. And so I think no matter what your goal is. I truly believe that resistance training and building muscles, the fountain of youth when it comes to that. And so starting there, something simple, like one to two days a week, full body, I'm a huge proponent for full body. I've been lifting that way since, well, on and off, I would say since I was a freshman in high school. And so I did a, I did a few years of a short stint of doing a body part, just doing five, six days a week. And so I know it's one of those days I wasn't as consistent, but anyway, so full body one to two days a week, three days a week, if you can be consistent with that. And, um, Cardio is great. It's great for your health. I personally love walking. I really do enjoy it. You get extra steps, you burn extra calories, especially after you eat. Helps the digestion process. Huge, huge fan of that. And I noticed that I feel immediately better, especially after eating a big meal, which I typically do because I have a huge appetite. And so, yeah, doing that is great. I think if you like those things, like do them. There's nothing wrong with that. But depending on your goal, let's say your goal is to build muscle. And, you know, let's say for females, for example, is to grow their butt. you are going to get more bang for your buck when it comes to doing resistance training squatting doing hip thrust dead lifting things like that then you are running on the treadmill or doing pilates or you know yoga like like i said those things are great to feel good but in my opinion if you have a goal like of like i said building your glutes doing that you have to make that your foundation your priority okay so what about like sauna and cold plunges oh i love them i do them all the time. I used to Cancel my membership, but it belongs to a place called Optimize. There are a few locations around the valley. But yeah, cold plunges are great. I personally like them. I usually do them before I work out. Sauna is actually amazing after your workout. There's actually data out there that it mimics like exercise so much that doing it afterwards, it helps with facilitating recovery and just sweating out those toxins from like, you know, the world or whatever, you know, things you eat, drink, whatever. Yeah, sure. Exactly. It's always Hawaiian. That's okay. But yeah, so I honestly love those tools. If you can, if you have the bandwidth to be able to go to a place that has those things, I think by all means, like I wouldn't, I know that every time I do those things, I feel great afterwards. and I started implementing that consistently since February and been feeling really good. Like my cold tolerance has gone, has gone up for sure. Like I don't get as, I mean, I run warm and so hopping in a cold plunge when it's 110 degrees out here feels great. Oh my gosh. I look forward to it. So yeah, I love this thing. Nice.
Speaker #1
Okay. Anything that's like coming up on the horizon and health trends, like, yeah, like a trend trends and fitness.
Speaker #2
So at least from what I've learned. peptides are huge right now in the fitness industry they they're more so well known i mean everybody knows like the ozambic the wagovis like those things like that for like the gop ones to lose weight but there's so many other peptides that i think a lot of people don't know or they're beginning to learn about that help with recovery building muscle increasing metabolism like things like that and so i think doing your research and looking into like different peptides is something that uh could benefit people if they have the bandwidth they are a little on the the pricey side, but they are amazing. at least from what I've learned. And I've experimented with a couple of peptides since working in the fitness industry. And I mean, I saw results from them. I did them orally. There are injectable peptides and stuff. So yeah, they're great from what I've learned. But I mean, other than like trendy, like not super trendy things. I think one thing that's trending is like, I mean, we talk about creatine a lot in the gym there and creatine for people who don't know it helps. Basically people take it to build muscle, to increase recovery, you know, squeeze out a few extra reps, but... a lot of people don't realize that creatine is so, so good for your brain. It's good for your organs. It's good for your joints, your bones, like everything. And it's an overall encompassing health supplement. And I truly believe in the near future, it's going to be put into like multivitamins and like different other and other supplements that people take just on a daily basis. And so that's something that I've been paying attention to.
Speaker #0
I feel like a lot of people are talking about creatine on social. was there
Speaker #2
feel like years ago there was like a don't take creatine is there a time where there was some kind of like stigma around there yeah there was i feel like there was that it was kind of a no-no and now it's like it really wasn't until i think it was in the 80s or 90s from what i've learned is that it was seen as like a performance enhancer or whatever but yeah studies of studies and data come out showing that it's like the most well-rounded supplement no matter if you're no matter your nutrition no matter what you're training if you're training at all like I literally got my whole family to start taking creatine. My mom doesn't lift weights. She doesn't really go to the gym. Unfortunately, we're working on it. Don't worry. But I got them to start taking it. And I think she's noticed. I want to say she's noticed a difference and stuff. And so a lot of those, a lot of that is becoming more well-known in the general population sector. And so I think it's great that I've been taking it since I was 20. And so I personally started taking it to gain weight for football. And it helped me put on. 20 pounds in i wasn't all muscle but 20 pounds in about like a six seven eight six seven eight month period and so yeah it was it was a good amount of time yeah and so i was training for college football i needed to get stronger definitely got i definitely noticed the strength gains for sure that was the main thing i noticed like my strength increased dramatically so any brand of creatine that you know i think so the main thing to look for when it comes to creatine is just creatine monohydrate and so and don't get the none of the flavors or anything any additives just literally one ingredient creatine monohydrate if you want to not get that gritty uh texture and taste look for micronized creatine monohydrate it just basically what that is is just it mixes really well and it's still it's still creatine but that's the one that i get i mix it in my jug that you guys saw i have over there and i i don't taste it just looks like i'm it feels like i'm just drinking water without anything i was just gonna ask you what the plate like what it does yeah there is a taste no there really isn't a taste the one that i get and the ones that i've gotten in the past there really isn't a taste and so just yeah
Speaker #0
i just ordered a collagen that has like 10 grams of... protein in it that you put in your coffee and mix it i still think it tastes fishy though like it's yeah there is this mild because of the marine collagen and oh yeah i still feel like it's a little it's still it's got a taste i haven't found anything i like that doesn't collagen can be a little gritty i personally never tried the marine collagen i've tried the grass fed you know yeah the
Speaker #2
animal collagen so but i personally never tried that so i left that shot is the do you like the grass fed collagen I do like it. I used to get the one from Costco. I don't take collagen anymore. My supplements are pretty minimal these days, but I used to take a lot of supplements back a few years ago.
Speaker #0
It's a wide landscape. There's so much out there. It can be confusing.
Speaker #2
It's very overwhelming and can be very overstimulating, I would say.
Speaker #1
Well, coach, I think, I mean, you are gifted at simplifying the process, right? You're good. Like you can simplify it, make it really easy for people to comprehend. Like this is what I need to do. Um, but there's like this gap between, I know what I need to do and I need to do it. The motivation piece of it. Okay. And I'm going to tell you my very unhealthy hack that I use to work out and I'm going to stop doing this. I promise. But what I do is I will take like a whole scoop of pre-workout and that's all I have to do is like, if I take the scoop of pre-workout. and don't work out, I will blow up. Like I will die. So I have to do it. I know it's not healthy to be like, all right, I'm gonna just take the scoop and then like, if I don't work out. So like, what do you do to motivate yourself? Cause I know, I mean, this is obviously a habit of health that you have, but I'm sure that you feel like it's sometimes like, I just don't want to, I don't really want to work out. Like, how do you motivate yourself?
Speaker #0
Do you actually feel that way?
Speaker #2
I feel like you've never feel that way.
Speaker #1
I'll be honest. I do.
Speaker #2
Okay, I love it. No, no, no. I'll be very honest. There's been times where I'm like, it's honestly pretty rare where I'm like, I don't feel like going. But then I just, you know what? I know I realize like how I'm going to feel when I leave and how I feel during. It's like I've always looked at it as like my form of therapy. So like if I don't go to the gym for like, like I've worked out since Friday. I worked out on Friday on vacation. I work out again today. It's like when I get to like five days, I'm like, okay, I need to leave something. Because it's like, it keeps me calm. I'm a very cool, calm and collected person. person actually but like it keeps me that much more grounded and calm and it's it's my therapy um along with my relationship with god which is you know another story so yeah but yeah so that's another that's i i always tell people like motivation's an emotion it's fleeting it can come and go it can come and go in waves it's like when you find those things that drives you that gets you into the gets you into the gym that make you that much more disciplined when you find those things I do then, you know. that's what's going to continue to get you going and so i mean this is this also will sound unhealthy but just like thinking like looking back how far i came like how i used to look in high school or even my beginning in college i look completely different so like physique wise you know appearance everything and so it's just thinking like i don't ever want to look like that version of myself again and it's just that may be unhealthy but it's it's also it's like the slightest driving force why i like to go and so yeah okay that's good i can have a picture of fat John that I keep around and every once in a while I look back and I'm like oh my
Speaker #0
goodness.
Speaker #2
It's honestly whatever, whatever helps, whatever works for you is what, is what I tell people. And so it can be hard to like finding those, but finding those healthy ways to drive yourself, to pick yourself up and just go like, just thinking of, you know, I may not feel like it now, but 95% of it is showing up. So if you show up to the gym, you pull up to the parking lot, at least do that and be like, okay, I'm going to go in and do this. Even if you go like, Here's a hack. So even if you don't want to go. still drive to the gym. If you can muster up, if you can muster it up to go inside the gym and just do like one exercise, then that will get the wheels spinning. It's like, okay, I feel good now. Let's do another one. And then another one that just compounds. And so at least doing that, that's like 95% of the 97%. So yeah, showing up, that's really what it comes down to. And then you just do something that usually leads to more.
Speaker #1
That's good. Cause I have spent 10 minutes in the gym parking lot. I've been like, Oh no, I have a call. I just can't go.
Speaker #0
It sounds like Matt when he gets in the gym. Matt joined and he's been coming. Yeah.
Speaker #2
It's funny.
Speaker #1
So you can even do one, just one exercise.
Speaker #2
Yeah. Just get to the gym, do one exercise. Usually when that, that gets the blood flowing, that gets the endorphins running and it just, it leads to you be like, okay, I can definitely do more. Let's do this. Let's do that. Let's do that. Cool. Very cool.
Speaker #1
Dang. Good stuff. Yeah.
Speaker #0
Well, let's talk about. your singleness.
Speaker #2
Sure. Let's do it. So how let's get,
Speaker #0
give us your relationship history.
Speaker #2
Uh, so let's see. Uh, I have had, I wouldn't say the best fortune with relationships. However, the longest relationship I've been in the six months. And so all of the ones previous for like three months. And so for some reason, it's either been not the right person or the timing has been off. And so, I mean, I've dated girls on and off for a few months and it's been fine. Like my most recent relationship ended a little over two years ago and we were together for six months and uh could definitely could have seen myself you know in the beginning was like yeah i could see she's wifey material all this and that but we just weren't compatible at the end of the day i took her home with my family first girl i ever took home to meet my family being that they just moved down here that was around the time that they moved down here and so brought her home was a huge deal for me and uh unfortunately didn't work out but that's you know that's just not the person god had intended for me and so still still working on it what do you what do you think the challenges are in dating in general. Oh, boy.
Speaker #0
From a guy's perspective.
Speaker #2
That's a loaded question. I would say, I mean, honestly, compatibility, not wanting the same things because I have a very. I want I don't want to put like women in a box, but like I do have boxes that I would like for someone to check because like I do believe that I'm a catch and I am a good man that my parents made me up to be a gentleman. And so just seeing how my dad treated my mom, you know, modeling it after that. And so and then my grandfather as well. So he was a big role model to me as well. So I think just expectations, they expect them to make a certain amount of money to do these certain things to check this, that third box. And like, again, I said I have boxes, so not knocking those boxes they have. But it's like, I just believe that women now have these expectations of men that they have to meet like right away rather than waiting and seeing the potential in someone and believing in them that they can be the person that they see right now and like see the potential in them. Because, I mean, I'm still that person. I'm still working on myself. And I truly like the next person that I end up, you know. getting in a relationship with or end up marrying, I want them to see the potential person that I can be. Right. So that's all that I really would want with someone to believe in me. And so I think if women, certain women keep an open mind when it comes to that, then it would lead to, you know, potentially happy relationships or more. It's just, you know, I guess it depends.
Speaker #0
That's a great point. I love that you said that because like you're only 30, you are going to grow. You're, I mean, you're going to be a totally different person in 10 years. Like you're going to be more evolved. and you are going to grow naturally and authentically. And then I agree. I think that people are short-sighted a lot of times and don't, don't have the wherewithal to like, see a little bit into the future and they expect everything right now, everything to be perfect.
Speaker #2
I don't get me wrong. I think it's important to like focus on like the present obviously, but like seeing that and then seeing the qualities in that person in this present, in the present moment that they're in, what they could potentially be is, I think something that is overlooked.
Speaker #0
Yeah, and focus on like, what are your common goals about the way you want to live your life? Exactly. You know? So tell us what you're looking for.
Speaker #1
Yeah.
Speaker #2
Okay. So the main thing I'm looking for is like... For the single girls out there. Right, for the single girls. So I'm a newly saved Christian as of a couple years ago. And so definitely want something, a woman of faith, ideally, if they are a Christian, would love that. Being that I'm very heavily involved in my church. And it's definitely changed my life over these last couple years. Helped me grow. as a man and as a person. And so would love for someone who has a faith practice, who enjoys going to church and growing in their faith. Someone who is into taking care of themselves, lifting weights, you know, overall just health, like active lifestyle. I have a very active lifestyle. And then someone who's very family oriented. I have a, I have a very, my family and I are very close. We do anything for them. And so someone who has a pretty tight family dynamic and And... Someone who's into sports. I coach high school football out here. Shout out to Pinnacle High School. So I'm assistant coach out there. And so, yeah, they they're into sports. They follow sports here and there. They don't have to be a crazy fanatic like I am. But if they are so interested, then, yeah. So those are those are really the main things. Obviously, they have to be a good person, have a big heart. You know, I have a huge heart. And so someone who's understanding and patient, too. Yeah. So obviously, yeah, those are the those would be the main things. But the first three things I mentioned are pretty much the main things that I'm looking for in a partner.
Speaker #0
I noticed you really didn't say anything about looks.
Speaker #2
Yeah. I mean, I wouldn't say I have a looks type physically. I definitely go for more of the ethnic or spicy women, I could say. But I'm open to I wouldn't say I have a type physically. So obviously, I have to find you physically attractive. Yeah. But it's also like if you have those good qualities and personality, then we can make it work. Because looks do obviously, looks. Yeah. Oh, another thing, I'm in a good sense of humor.
Speaker #0
So I can make some of that. So yeah.
Speaker #2
Awesome. So yeah.
Speaker #0
Where did you get your confidence from? I think it's you. The couple of things I've learned about you just in spending some time with you, very emotionally intelligent for a 30 year old, I think. Yeah. And confident. And I love that because I feel like we do live in a world where a lot of people lack just self-confidence.
Speaker #2
I'll be honest. I've struggled with confidence my whole life. It's been a very big insecurity for me. But I mean, I honestly attribute that to my relationship with God and like getting closer to him. is he's just made me see the world in a different way and just showed me a different way of looking at things and so I think I from reading the bible and like getting closer to him and going to church and having my pastors pouring to me it's like it just showed me a new way and I'm able to carry myself in a different way with with that confidence knowing that like he's up there like at the real at the helm and I'm able to control the controllables down here and so it's just
Speaker #0
I'm not as anxious or worried as I used to be. So I think really what it comes down to is that, and then my experiences with, you know, dating and then my experiences in life when it comes to that. And so I've always been a cool comic collective person, but I definitely, I've noticed it as of recently and just overall, when you, when I, when I've experienced certain things, it's been, it's added to that confidence, but I appreciate that. It means a lot. That's something I've been working on.
Speaker #1
Yeah. And marriage and children. Yes.
Speaker #0
Yes. Definitely want a traditional. I'm. I'm definitely considering myself like an old soul and like old fashioned when it comes to that. Want to get married. Um, want to have kids. What after I get married? And so, uh, so yeah, very much so traditional.
Speaker #2
You would be a great dad telling me about like, you would be such a great dad.
Speaker #0
I've been told that by quite a few people. So yeah, I can, I'm great with kids. Obviously I train young athletes and I work with kids. And so, yeah, I really do enjoy, I really do enjoy kids. And so I grew up with a bunch of little cousins and I was always great with them. So yeah.
Speaker #2
I appreciate that.
Speaker #0
I love that.
Speaker #1
I do too. It's really awesome. And so you came to an event for like love.
Speaker #0
I did. Yes.
Speaker #1
And you met somebody in about 10 minutes and actually had a couple positive dates with that person.
Speaker #0
Shout out to your husband, Matt. He's the one that brought, obviously you brought her over to me, but yeah, shout out to Matt for the initial conversation.
Speaker #1
It happened that fast though.
Speaker #0
It really did happen pretty fast. I think I was zeroed in. Yeah, I was just like, she's like, okay, wing woman over here. So yeah, shout out to you for being a wing woman. So yeah, I met this girl at the Like Love event. We went on a couple of dates. First date, I took her axe throwing and then we had dinner afterwards. It was a great time. Yeah, it was a great time. After axe throwing, we actually did that for an hour and then we went to the restaurant for a couple hours. Great conversation. Just, you know, initially getting it over. And then the second date, I took her out to happy hour at Postino. And I brought this card game that was pretty cool. cool that has a bunch of open-ended questions you just go back and forth asking each other questions and that led to side you know side uh questions asked different different avenues of conversation so yeah that was a it was a solid date we were laughing we made each other laugh you know the whole time and so uh but again it just came down into like what we both wanted and she didn't want uh something that was pretty big on my list and so yeah um so yeah but it is what it is i've learned to just kind of let those things roll off my shoulder being that i've gone through I've got not to say heartbreak, but I've gone, I've experienced like girls leading me on, telling me things or like, you know, say like, oh yeah, you know, this and that, but don't want it. Like their actions say otherwise. And so I've learned to let those things roll off. And plus like, again, going back to my relationship with God, it's like, I know he's got me at the end of the day. He's got the perfect person out there for me. And I have trust and faith in that.
Speaker #2
Dude, I gotta, I gotta double down on something that you just said, because it is so critical for everybody to hear a man or woman. Everybody's got to hear this is people's actions did not align with their words.
Speaker #1
right like they were saying something but their actions did not align with what they were and and the only response to that is to remove yourself 100 yeah totally yeah i agree and i love it and you've got faith that that person's out there because i have belief that there's someone for everyone like i really do it's just a matter of finding them 100 yeah well you've got a wingman and a wing woman here yeah so we are going to be looking out for you and for the girls out there listening, if you have a friend, if you're single.
Speaker #2
it's a good catch right here definitely this guy you get the full stamp of approval i appreciate it guys it means a lot yeah uh so any do you want to do a last plug on your coaching yes so i coach at
Speaker #0
alloy personal training it's in north scottsdale it's off of uh thompson peak and scottsdale road just north of the 101 i'm the head coach there so the lead trainer that you'll see there most of the time we do small group. personal training six on one. And it's a great atmosphere, great environment. The community of people is what I really love and that are just open to learning new things, resistance training, and just take their goals seriously. So I would love to help you. If you are in the area, if you're in the surrounding areas, come check us out. I'd love to help you out to reach your goals. Awesome.
Speaker #1
Well, thanks, Coach G. It's been so fun having you.
Speaker #0
Thank you for having me. I enjoy this a lot.
Speaker #2
absolutely you're a good man thanks for all your help yeah i think you're getting even more fit such great information anytime absolutely well that's a wrap everyone i'm christina and i'm john we're good friends with great stories that you're gonna like no that you're gonna love see you next time

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