In Episode 3 of the Truth in the Arena podcast, Nate Huffstutter speaks with Coach Zach Evan-Esh, founder of the Underground Strength Gym in Manasquan, New Jersey. Coach Even-Esh draws on his deep experience coaching across a range of levels in the community, from teaching in school PE programs to training competitive high school athletes to working with the general adult population.

For Even-Esh, it all starts with family, health, and a base of fitness and strength. Reflecting on the twenty-plus years that he has been working with kids, he’s marked a notable downturn in general levels of physical fitness, nutritional awareness, and overall robust health.

Passionate about ways to positively impact better health in his community, Even-Esh discusses his support for the MAHA movement and some of the “inarguable” pillars, such as encouraging better elementary school physical education standards, more dynamic park equipment, limiting highly-processed and unhealthy food, and focusing healthcare on returning sick people to productive health vs. managing illness.

The coaches discuss Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s role in spearheading the movement, as well as some of the controversies that RFK’s detractors consider disqualifying. Ultimately, Even-Esh shares his take on how he believes political leader should embody the same principles as coaches, but there’s a pragmatic, money-based factor in terms of who can outlast competition to effect actual change.

In addition to the importance of prioritizing real food and a healthy diet, the coaches also discuss the building blocks of a healthy media diet. Even-Esh points out how often physical exercise and strength improvements corelate with confidence and a positive outlook, and just the same, consuming too much negative media content and misinformation causes emotional stress. Community is again an important resource, providing ways to vet information and be exposed to different viewpoints.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Coaching Values and Principles

01:56 Evolving Coaching Perspectives

07:24 Coaching and Political Principles

18:35 The State of Physical Education and Health

29:23 Inarguable Principles of Health Advocacy

35:02 Protecting the Next Generation's Health

39:05 The Role of Politics in Health Initiatives

44:49 Education and Community Health

55:56 Media Consumption and Its Impact on Health

01:01:48 Patriotism and Community Involvement