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Show Notes/Description:
In this episode, Ben Pakulski sits down with world-renowned spine expert Dr. Stuart McGill to uncover the real science behind back pain and how to fix it for good.
They explore the mechanics of spine health, how elite athletes build resilient backs, and the common mistakes that keep people in pain. Dr. McGill reveals why most treatment approaches fail, what truly causes injury, and the proven methods he’s used to help thousands avoid surgery and return to peak performance.
Whether you’re an athlete, executive, or everyday lifter, this episode is packed with insights to help you move better and live pain-free.
Points To Watch Out For:
- The real root causes of back pain revealed
- How to build a resilient, injury-proof spine
- Why most back pain treatments fail
- The truth about strength vs. mobility
- Dr. McGill’s proven recovery system.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro: Meet Dr. Stuart McGill
03:00 – The Real Cause of Back Pain
07:20 – Why Most Treatments Fail
12:10 – The Athlete’s Spine: Built Different
17:40 – The Science of Strength & Stability
23:10 – Isometrics, Power, and Pain
29:45 – Fixing the Real Problem: Mechanics vs. Mindset
37:30 – Hypertrophy, Aging, and Losing Stability
44:20 – The Mental Side of Extreme Strength
51:50 – Parenting, Masculinity & Resilience
59:40 – From Athlete to Civilian Life
1:08:20 – How to Build a Spine That Lasts a Lifetime
About Stuart:
Dr. Stuart McGill is one of the world’s foremost authorities on spine health, injury prevention, and performance. As a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Waterloo, he spent over 30 years researching the biomechanics of back pain and has published more than 245 peer-reviewed papers. Dr. McGill has consulted with elite athletes, military personnel, and global organizations to solve complex back issues that others couldn’t. He’s the author of Back Mechanic and The Gift of Injury, both considered gold standards in back rehabilitation. Known for his precise, science-based approach, Dr. McGill’s work bridges the gap between clinical research and real-world results—helping thousands build stronger, pain-free spines.
Learn more from Dr. Stuart McGill: https://backfitpro.com
About Ben:
Ben Pakulski is the Chief Performance Officer to elite executives, successful entrepreneurs, and top athletes.With over 25 years of experience, he coaches high achievers to build the physical, psychological, and metabolic resilience required to lead at the highest level. As the creator of the Muscle Intelligence framework, Ben specializes in aligning biology and behavior to drive sustained peak performance. His mission is to redefine what’s possible for people in their prime and push the boundaries of human potential.
Learn more: muscleintelligence.com/mipapply
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- Unlock Your Full Muscle Building Potential With Our Complete Training Guides
- Hypertrophy Execution Mastery: The most comprehensive MI40 muscle-building program EVER! https://hypertrophymastery.com/
