The Leo Alves Podcast

The Leo Alves Podcast

Fitness advice is everywhere. Most of it either overcomplicates things or pretends getting in shape is the only thing you have going on in your life. This podcast is the opposite. I talk about getting leaner, getting stronger, eating better, building habits that stick, and navigating all the messy stuff in between—based on what I've learned through years of coaching, formal education, and figuring plenty of it out myself. Sometimes, we'll even wander outside of fitness too!

Episodes

2026

Why Calorie Tracking Works For Some People (But Not Others)

Ep. 264

In this episode, I answer 10 honest questions about calorie tracking, fat loss, and why so many people struggle to stay consistent with nutrition. I cover whether you really need to track calories to lose weight, if calorie tracking is becoming obsessive, the biggest beginner mistakes people make, why some people succeed while others still struggle, and what actually happens after you stop tracking.

Fat Loss Q&A: Plateaus, Cardio & Busy Schedules

Ep. 263

In this Q&A episode, I answer 15 questions on fat loss, consistency, workout structure, and fitness. I cover how to know if your fat loss phase is working, what to do when progress stalls, and how to stay consistent when life gets busy. I also break down why you might not be losing weight—even if you're eating "healthy"—and how to build a routine that lasts. You'll also get practical advice on workout splits, cardio for fat loss, and how long your sessions should be, along with a realistic look at what sustainable fitness actually looks like.

Can You Build Muscle Without Gaining Fat? (Q&A)

Ep. 262

In this Q&A episode, I answer the most common questions around building muscle without gaining unnecessary fat. From calorie surpluses and protein intake to training mistakes and body recomposition, I break down what matters if you want to stay lean while making progress in the gym.

A Personal Update!

Ep. 261

This episode was meant to be a Q&A… but I went completely off-script and just rolled with it. I talk through how I started the podcast back in 2020, my upcoming trip to London and Europe's biggest trading card show, my old "gym rat" phase, getting back into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, dealing with tennis elbow, and where my training and nutrition are at right now—including calorie tracking and how my approach has evolved over time. Think of it more as an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes episode.

I Did 813 Chin-Ups in 30 Days — Here’s What Happened (ft. Myles Nesbeth)

Ep. 260

I recently completed a 30-day chin-up challenge—logging over 800 reps—and in this episode, I sit down with coach Myles Nesbeth as he interviews me on what actually happened behind the scenes. We break down where the idea came from, how I structured the training, and what it really felt like to show up every single day—even when motivation wasn't there. From managing elbow stress to dealing with mental fatigue and the reality of pushing consistency to its limits. Myles' Instagram Myles' TikTok

Fat Loss, Gym Supplements, Anime & Trading Cards | Q&A

Ep. 259

In this Q&A episode, I answer 15 questions covering fat loss, fitness myths, gym confidence, and a few personal topics you've been curious about. We talk about how long fat loss realistically takes, whether supplements actually matter, why so many people regain weight after dieting, and whether walking is enough for fat loss. I also share thoughts on training to failure, starting the gym when you feel intimidated, and what a sustainable fitness routine really looks like. Along the way, I answer a few non-fitness questions too—including how I first got into anime, my favourite trading card pull, how I met my wife, and one life lesson that took me years to learn.

10 Brutally Honest Fitness Lessons That Work

Ep. 258

It took me nearly a decade in the gym to fully understand these fitness patterns — and I now see them repeatedly in people who feel stuck despite "doing everything right." In this episode, I break down ten hard-earned lessons around energy, motivation, consistency, calorie awareness, and long-term progress. If you've ever felt like you know what to do but still struggle to execute consistently, this will likely hit close to home.

Why Fat Loss Feels Hard in the U.S.

Ep. 257

In this episode, I share what happened when I spent 10 weeks living in Texas, and why, despite being a fitness coach, my weight still crept up. The experience forced me to confront something most fitness advice ignores: your environment plays a massive role in your fat loss success. I break down how walkability, food accessibility, social pressure, and daily convenience can quietly work against you—especially if you live in the U.S.—and what you can actually do about it without relying on endless willpower.

Carnivore, Calorie Myths & Over-Optimising (ft. Andrew Coates)

Ep. 256

In this episode, I'm joined by Andrew Coates to unpack the current state of the fitness industry and the explosion of health information online. We discuss why even experts don't agree, how social media rewards status games over nuance, and why over-optimising your approach can stall real progress. We also dive into the future of trends like the carnivore diet, the evolution of GLP medications, and why many people wrongly believe they're the exception when it comes to calorie expenditure.

Lifting 3x Per Week But No Results? Q&A on Fat Loss, Fasting, Supplements & Discipline

Ep. 255

In this solo Q&A episode, I answer 15 honest questions about fat loss, strength training, consistency, calorie tracking, intermittent fasting, supplements, burnout, and the minimum effective dose of training for busy adults. If you're lifting three times per week but not seeing results, struggling to stay consistent despite knowing what to do, or wondering whether fat loss is moving too slowly, this episode breaks it down clearly.

Pokémon Card Rarity, Investing Regret & The Reality of YouTube (ft. Sleeve No Card Behind)

Ep. 254

In this episode, I sit down with Sleeve No Card Behind to talk about Pokémon card rarity, investing mistakes, and how rarity levels are shaping the modern hobby. We dive into missed opportunities like shadowless first edition Charizard, why top-tier vintage cards rarely crash, and whether YouTube helps or harms long-term enjoyment of collecting. We also cover Pokémon's lack of pull-rate transparency, the risks of addiction in trading cards, and powerlifting and calisthenics. "Sleeve No Card Behind" YouTube Channel

The Boring Middle of Fitness and Why It Matters

Ep. 253

In this episode, I break down the "boring middle" of fitness — the phase where nothing is wrong, progress feels flat, and motivation has worn off. I'll talk about why this stage confuses so many people, the common mistakes that cause slow drift backwards, and what long-term consistency actually looks like beyond hype and fresh starts.

What Consistent People Do Differently (That No One Mentions)

Ep. 252

Most people believe consistent people are simply more motivated or disciplined — but that's not what's actually happening. In this episode, I break down what consistent people really do differently, and why so many fitness plans fall apart even when you care and know what to do.

Why You Keep Starting Over Every Monday (And What To Do Instead)

Ep. 251

Ever wondered why you keep starting over every Monday? In this episode, I break down the real psychology behind the "fresh start" mindset — why it feels good in the moment, why it keeps you stuck long-term, and what actually creates consistency that lasts longer than a week. I share coaching lessons, real client examples, and personal stories about perfectionism, snacking triggers, weekend spirals, and the start-stop cycle so many people fall into.

15 Honest Answers About Fitness, Consistency, and Life

Ep. 250

In this Q&A episode, I answer 15 honest questions about fat loss, consistency, and fitness for people with busy, chaotic lives. I cover the minimum effective dose for fat loss, whether tracking food still matters when consistency is shaky, what people overthink that barely moves the needle, and what a "good enough" week actually looks like.

Why Most New Year Fitness Goals Fail (And How to Fix It)

Ep. 249

In this episode, I break down how to set yourself up for real health and fitness success in 2026. I explain why most New Year's goals fail, how to create realistic fitness and nutrition goals, and why structure, consistency, and accountability matter far more than willpower. You'll learn how to track progress properly, optimise your environment, and build habits that actually last beyond January.

2025

Q&A on Fat Loss, Healthy Eating Mistakes, and Changing Beliefs

Ep. 248

In this Q&A episode, I answer 15 real questions covering fat loss, training 2–3 times per week, protein intake, calorie tracking, walking vs the gym, and what actually matters for long-term results. I also share a few personal answers about discipline, habits I've had to rein in, living in multiple countries, and beliefs I've changed since my early 20s.

Gut Health 101: Daily Habits, Supplements & Red Flags (ft. Angela Genoni)

Ep. 247

In this episode, I sit down with Australian nutritionist and gut-health expert Angela Genoni to unpack the most misunderstood areas of digestive health. We cover the gut symptoms people ignore, why the carnivore diet can appear to "work," where supplements fit in, and whether fruit sugar is something to worry about. Angela also explains what your daily bowel movements can reveal about your health, the biggest sources of misinformation online—especially in women's health—and the simple daily habits anyone can start today to rebuild a healthier gut.

How to Survive Week 3 of Any Fat Loss Plan

Ep. 246

Week 1 feels exciting. Week 2 still feels doable. But Week 3? That's where most people often lose control of their fat-loss goals without even realising why. In this episode, I break down reasons people fall apart in Week 3, the psychology behind the "first friction point," and the exact strategies that make Week 3 the turning point instead of the downfall. If you feel stuck, inconsistent, frustrated, or like your early motivation always disappears at the same time… this one is for you.

Why Collectors and Gamers Struggle With Snacking — The Real Reason

Ep. 245

In this episode, I break down the eating habits I built as a teenager during long gaming sessions—habits that many collectors, gamers, anime fans, and creators still struggle with today. I explain why "automatic snacking" happens during hyper-focus activities, how those patterns form, and why so many adults in this niche never truly escape them. You'll learn the psychology behind gaming-snack loops, the behaviours that carry into adulthood, and the exact framework I used to outgrow those habits for good.