In something of an annual tradition, the Holiday Film Fest is back with this Christmas flick for Thanksgiving. Yes, Die Hard 2 is a Christmas movie!  

In this film, detective John McClane (Bruce Willis) tries to stop a terrorist plot at Washington D.C.'s Dulles International Airport on Christmas Eve. After the incident at Nakatomi Plaza, it’s fair to wonder if this guy can ever catch a break.

If nothing else, the broadcast version of this film gave us the iconic phrase, “Yippee Ki‐Yay, Mister Falcon!”

Josh Hajjar is back to help break this one down. You can find Josh on Instagram @amazingjrab https://www.instagram.com/amazingjrab/. Shoot him a follow.


____

Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!


Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/!


Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/


50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.


Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/


Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Show art by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)  






 



 


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

In this conversation, Jim and Paul Oneid discuss the current state of gyms post-pandemic, sharing insights on the challenges faced by gym owners and members alike. They delve into Paul's personal journey of injury recovery after a severe quad injury, exploring the innovative rehabilitation techniques he employed. The discussion also highlights the importance of foundational training and the long-term commitment necessary for maintaining health and fitness. In this conversation, Paul discusses the importance of sustainable fitness habits, the role of relationships in coaching, and understanding client motivations. He emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to nutrition and fitness, focusing on abundance rather than restriction. 

The discussion also explores the application of peptides in health and performance, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and understanding their effects. Overall, the conversation provides valuable insights into coaching, nutrition, and personal development.  


You can find Paul on Instagram @pauloneid https://www.instagram.com/pauloneid/

Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/!

Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/

50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.
____  

Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/
Produced by Jim McDonald
Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Show art by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

This is something of a follow-up to episode 491 with John Gaglione about the training environment. This time, Larry Wheels, who was coached by John and has become an iconic figure in the fitness world, joins (from Russia!).

In this conversation, Larry Wheels Williams discusses his journey in powerlifting, emphasizing the importance of resilience, communication, and mental preparation. He reflects on the setbacks he faced, particularly the feeling of bombing out of competitions, which ignited his determination to succeed. The dialogue explores how effective communication with coaches and teammates can enhance performance and the mental strategies that athletes can employ to prepare for competitions.

You can find Larry on Instagram @larrywheels https://www.instagram.com/larry wheels  

You can find John on Instagram @gaglionestrength https://www.instagram.com/gaglionestrength/  

All the info for the strict curl competition at Larry Wheels’ gym in California> https://meets.revolutionpowerlifting.com/2026/01/17/larry-wheels-west-coast-curl/

Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/!  

Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/   50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.   ____   Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Show art by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)    

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

In this conversation, Jim McDonald speaks with Kevin Meier, a former Marine, video game character, and fitness coach, about his journey from military service to the fitness industry. Kevin has survived and learned to cope with a devastating accidental injury.

Through his employment at Blizzard Entertainment, he met someone who was critical to recovering his strength and physical capabilities. He also came to understand that he had to find a life mission and let it chart his path.  

They discuss the importance of community-driven fitness initiatives, the value of low-cost resources, and personal transformation stories. Kevin shares his experiences with mental health, PTSD, and the challenges of the fitness industry, emphasizing the need for critical thinking and authenticity. The conversation highlights the potential of future generations to challenge existing norms and create positive change in the fitness landscape.  

You can find Kevin on Instagram @pure_bullfit https://www.instagram.com/pure_bullfit

Chapters  
00:00 Introduction to Kevin's Journey
05:42 Community-Driven Fitness Initiatives
11:32 Military Experience and Its Impact
17:16 Finding Purpose Through Strength Training
23:57 The Importance of Authentic Connections
29:06 Reflections on Life and Relationships
38:47 Impact and Authenticity in Life
45:56 Transitioning to Coaching and Mentorship
54:48 Personal Accountability and Growth
01:00:35 Critique of the Fitness Industry
01:08:23 Future Generations and Critical Thinking


Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/!  
Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/  

50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.  
____  
Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/

Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Show art by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)  

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

John Gaglione joins to discuss the evolution of powerlifting, coaching philosophies, and the importance of community in strength training. They explore the challenges of weight loss expectations, the significance of performance goals, and the shift in training approaches over the years. John shares his experiences in bodybuilding and the impact it had on his powerlifting journey, while also emphasizing the need for realistic expectations in fitness. The discussion also touches on the rise of strict curl competitions and the accessibility of strength sports, highlighting the importance of making fitness enjoyable and sustainable for everyone.

You can find John on Instagram @gaglionestrength https://www.instagram.com/gaglionestrength/  

All the info for the strict curl competition at Larry Wheels’ gym in California> https://meets.revolutionpowerlifting.com/2026/01/17/larry-wheels-west-coast-curl/

Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/!  
Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/  
50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.   ____  

Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ 
Produced by Jim McDonald
Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Show art by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Chapters  
00:00 Introduction and Background
02:02 Powerlifting Journey and Coaching Philosophy
05:55 Bodybuilding Experience and Personal Goals
10:06 Realistic Expectations in Weight Loss
13:51 Lifestyle Changes and Community Support
17:57 Training Culture and Powerlifting Evolution
21:35 The Role of Coaching in Powerlifting
27:50 Long-Term Goals and Consistency
36:36 The Importance of Realistic Coaching Expectations
39:38 The Dark Side of Bodybuilding Coaching
40:21 The Evolution of Powerlifting Training Methods
43:12 Long-Term Health in Strength Sports
45:47 The Balance Between Competition and Longevity
48:38 The Future of Strength Training and Coaching
50:40 The Rise of Strict Curl Competitions
01:06:26 Promoting Strength Sports Accessibility

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

Comedian (and personal training manager) Nick Scopoletti returns to chat about growing his comedy career, working with Lisa Lampanelli, managing personal trainers, and how his personal warmth has been kind of a cheat code. 

You can find Nick on Instagram @nickscopes https://www.instagram.com/nickscopes/ and as Lisa Lampanelli’s sidekick on her podcast, Shrink This https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shrink-this-with-lisa-lampanelli/id1819746873    

The AI generated summary

In this engaging conversation, Jim McDonald and Nick Scopoletti explore themes of friendship, cynicism, personal growth, and the comedy journey. They reflect on their experiences in the fitness industry, the impact of COVID, and the importance of networking in the comedy scene. The discussion also touches on family dynamics, wealth, and the challenges of managing people in the workplace. Throughout the conversation, they share humorous anecdotes and insights, emphasizing the value of perseverance and self-discovery in both personal and professional realms.

Chapters  
00:00 Warm Connections and Cynical Reflections
03:05 The Comedy Journey: Struggles and Triumphs
05:50 Navigating Life's Changes: Comedy and Personal Growth
08:46 The Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health
11:49 Family Dynamics and Personal Insights
14:38 The Reality of Working in the Fitness Industry
17:40 Acting, Comedy, and Authenticity
20:40 Nostalgia and Cultural Identity
23:26 Creative Outlets and Self-Expression
31:48 Expo Experiences and Bodybuilding Culture
35:44 Managing a Fitness Team
39:44 Clientele Development in Boutique Gyms
44:39 Wealth, Work Ethic, and Personal Growth
50:08 Networking and Social Media Surprises
55:58 Memorable Encounters with Icons

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

Jerry Molinero, one of our trainers here at Third Street Barbell, joins to talk about losing over 100 lbs and some of the habits, foods, and situations that make dieting harder.  

We also discuss a few influencers we think are getting it right on social media.  

You can find him on Instagram @jerrykilos https://www.instagram.com/jerrykilos

Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!  
Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/!  
Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/  
50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.

Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/
Produced by Jim McDonald
Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Show art by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

In this conversation, Jim McDonald and Jonathan Gregg explore a variety of themes, including parenting, the dynamics of living in New York City, the journey of performance and acting, mental health, and the impact of social media on personal identity. They discuss the importance of authenticity, the role of anger in society, and the significance of personal growth. The conversation also touches on fitness and the unique experiences of being a stay-at-home dad, as well as the cultural commentary that arises from their respective experiences.

(Experimenting with AI-generated show notes on this one. No idea if it will make any difference in discoverability.)

Jonathan is the only guest who has both been on this show and appeared in the MCU (Jessica Jones). Also, he's the only guest whose whole ass I've actually seen (HBO's High Maintenance, Season 2, Episode 1). He's super cool, and I could have kept talking to him a long time, but I'd already made him run late. You can catch Jonathan and his best friend, Tom on the No Homo Podcast -- Two best friends (one straight and one gay) riff on their daily lives, the insanity of current events, and what it means to be a man – gassing each other up while the world burns. (Jonathan is the straight one.) https://www.youtube.com/@NoHomoPodcastwJonathanandTom

You can find him on Instagram @jgregg_jonathan and @nohomopod.

Takeaways
Learning how to learn is crucial for personal development. 
Anger often masks deeper emotions like sadness or fear.
Parenting involves navigating societal norms and expectations.
Mental health discussions should be normalized and destigmatized.
Improv can teach valuable life skills like adaptability and listening.
Social media can amplify voices but also create pressure for validation.
Authenticity in content creation resonates more with audiences.
Fitness can be a form of personal expression and growth.
Cultural commentary is essential in understanding societal dynamics.
Personal growth often comes from recognizing and addressing one's own flaws.

Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!

Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/!

Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/

50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.

____

Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Show art by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

David Tao returns to the show to take us inside the world of theater production and spirits (not the BOO!) kind. Following up his role as the successful CEO of Barbend.com, David has taken on two new roles he’s passionate about: producing theater in New York, and writing about spirits – primarily whiskey and bourbon. He discusses the role of a producer and gives us an inside view of the process of selecting and developing a show for the stage. He also gives tips on how to find out spirits you enjoy, and how to develop a discerning palate (and have fun while doing it).

You can find David on Instagram @davidthomastao https://www.instagram.com/davidthomastao and on X @d-tao https://x.com/d_tao. Give him a follow. He's got great content every day. 

Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!

Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/!

50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.

Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/

____   Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Show art by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)



Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

From 2009 to 2020, The Biggest Loser was a phenomenon. A huge cultural moment.

What it wasn’t, however, was a show about healthy lifestyles and healthy weight loss.  

Netflix’s Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser examines what it was like for some contestants on the show and some members of the production. The push to keep the show in the spotlight wreaked havoc on lives, relationships, and, in some cases, health. Does the documentary series exploit the contestants in a similar way to the show did?

Josh Hajjar, who has personal experience with significant weight loss, joins in as guest cohost. You can find Josh on Instagram @amazingjrab https://www.instagram.com/amazingjrab/.

Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!

Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/!

Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/

50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.

____  

Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Show art by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)



Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.

Our gym, Third Street Barbell, is blessed to have three physical therapy providers as members at the moment. Ammar and Moe work together in a clinic that treats patients covered by workers comp insurance. Are the metrics of physical therapy success different when return to work is the goal?

You can find Ammar on Instagram @ammar_alhaidar https://www.instagram.com/ammar_alhaidar and Moe at  @thebuffguy https://www.instagram.com/thebuffguy

Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!

Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/!

Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/

50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.

Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Show art by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts-with-silent-mike-jim-mcd--5538735/support.