Build Muscle & Strength & Forge Your Life Path | Dorian Yates

Episode Moments

Build Muscle & Strength & Forge Your Life Path | Dorian Yates

huberman
January 19, 2026
20 Moments

🎯 All Moments (20)

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The Plateau of Overtraining

A scientific look at how increasing training volume can actually halt progress, as discovered through Dorian Yates' personal training experiments.

bodybuilding knowledge
5:09
Duration: 0:56

Mike Mentzer's Warning: Why 90% of What You Learn is Wrong

Andrew Huberman shares a personal anecdote about legendary bodybuilder Mike Mentzer's advice on education and the importance of identifying the few 'gems' of truth in any field.

Critical Thinking story
1:19:06
Duration: 1:11

The Top-Five Rule: Yates' Strategy for Brutal Self-Honesty

Dorian Yates explains the logical framework he used to decide whether to continue his professional bodybuilding career, emphasizing the importance of objective feedback.

Career Strategy advice
50:10
Duration: 0:57

The Existential Crisis of the Retired Elite Athlete

A profound look at the identity crisis that occurs when a high-level athlete retires and loses the 'tunnel vision' and routine that defined their existence.

identity knowledge
1:35:30
Duration: 1:18

The Ocean and the Drop: A Lesson from Ayahuasca

Dorian Yates shares the profound spiritual realization he gained from psychedelic experiences regarding the interconnectedness of all things.

psychedelics story
1:58:36
Duration: 0:57

Dorian Yates on Cannabis and Lung Capacity

Dorian Yates challenges conventional wisdom regarding cannabis and lung health by citing a long-term UCLA study and sharing his own 30-year experience as a heavy smoker with excellent lung function.

cannabis and lung health controversy
2:14:31
Duration: 1:49

Dorian Yates on the Nature of Reality

Dorian Yates shares his profound philosophical views on consciousness, describing human life as a journey of exploration for a singular underlying consciousness.

consciousness and purpose knowledge
2:38:12
Duration: 2:17

The Muscle Pump vs. Actual Growth

Dorian Yates clarifies the difference between the transient 'pump' and the actual physiological stress required to trigger long-term muscle adaptation.

health advice
15:04
Duration: 0:37

The Rocky Balboa Lesson: Avoiding the Trap of Comfort

Dorian explains why he stayed in England and avoided the celebrity lifestyle to maintain his competitive edge, citing Rocky III as a cautionary tale.

success advice
1:28:15
Duration: 0:55

The Hidden Health Benefits of Sunlight Beyond Vitamin D

Andrew Huberman and Dorian Yates discuss the essential nature of sunlight for human health, highlighting its role in dopamine synthesis, metabolic rate, and even its potential protective effects against schizophrenia.

health benefits of sunlight knowledge
2:07:42
Duration: 2:47

Transitioning from Underdog to Mr. Olympia Favorite

Dorian Yates discusses the psychological challenge of moving from an underdog mindset to being the favorite to win, and how he had to convince himself he deserved the title.

mindset motivation
1:25:26
Duration: 1:35

The Anabolic Merry-Go-Round and Its Mental Cost

Dorian Yates provides a sobering look at the psychological and physical cycle of performance-enhancing drugs, explaining why gains are temporary and the mental health risks are often overlooked.

Steroids & Mental Health advice
51:31
Duration: 1:00

The Gym as a Microcosm of Life

Dorian Yates explains how the discipline and effort required in bodybuilding translate to mental strength and resilience in all aspects of life.

mindset and resilience motivation
2:32:33
Duration: 1:12

Why Women Should Train Like Men

Dorian Yates debunks the myth that women will get 'too big' from lifting weights, explaining that the 'toned' look women often seek is actually the result of building muscle and losing body fat.

women's resistance training advice
2:29:08
Duration: 2:23

Give Your Body a Reason to Change

Dorian Yates explains the fundamental principle of muscle growth: overcoming the body's natural resistance to change through sufficient stress and recovery.

fitness advice
0:00
Duration: 0:37

Lessons on Presence and End-of-Life Regrets

Dorian Yates discusses the importance of living in the moment, drawing parallels between the presence of dogs and the common regrets people face at the end of their lives.

Life Perspective motivation
1:07:16
Duration: 1:15

Gaining Height at 60 Through Posture and Functional Training

Dorian Yates reveals how he actually grew taller by correcting the 'hunch' caused by years of heavy bodybuilding through Pilates and yoga.

longevity advice
1:43:38
Duration: 1:31

Why Comfort Kills Ambition

Dorian Yates reflects on how the loss of his father and a lack of comfort fueled the extreme dedication required to become a world champion.

mindset motivation
38:32
Duration: 0:37

The 6-Minute Sprint Protocol

Yates describes a highly efficient cardiovascular training method that provides the same benefits as 45 minutes of steady-state cardio in just a fraction of the time.

cardio advice
27:03
Duration: 1:54

Transforming Negative Energy into Elite Performance

Yates describes his 'F-you motivation' strategy, explaining how he used anger and negative emotions as fuel to achieve mastery in the gym before returning to a state of calm.

Performance Psychology motivation
1:01:27
Duration: 0:56