Progressive overload is one of the most misunderstood concepts in fitness — and it’s the reason many people train hard without seeing results.

In Episode 113 of Your Ultimate Comeback, Brad and Raquel break down what progressive overload actually means, how to apply it correctly, and why randomly pushing harder every workout often leads to burnout or injury instead of progress.

They cover why having a structured training plan matters, how to track progress intelligently, and how accumulation and intensification phases work together to build real strength over time. Brad also shares real-world examples from coaching clients and training his son, showing how smart programming — not just effort — creates results.

This episode also digs into the overlooked role of recovery, balance, and lifestyle stress, and how they directly impact your ability to progress in the gym.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, sore all the time, or confused about how much weight, volume, or intensity you should be using — this episode will clear it up.

🎧 Train smarter. Recover better. Progress consistently.

This special Best Of episode of Your Ultimate Comeback brings together some of our favorite guest conversations centered around stress, health, reinvention, and doing life differently.

From understanding how stress impacts hormones and long-term health, to exploring modern wellness tools like peptides, to navigating midlife burnout and redefining success, these moments reflect the heart of the show: honest conversations with people who are figuring it out in real time.

Brad and Raquel revisit standout segments from guests who shared insight, curiosity, vulnerability, and perspective. No hype, no extremes. Just thoughtful conversations about health, balance, and becoming more aligned with yourself.

If you’re new here, this is a great place to jump in.
If you’ve been listening for a while, this episode is a reminder of why these conversations matter.

This episode is a little different.

Instead of deep dives and protocols, this is a best-of clip show featuring the funniest stories, unplanned moments, and very human conversations between Brad and Raquel in the studio.

From parenting chaos and food confessions to awkward laughs, side tangents, and moments that didn’t make the outline, this episode captures what really happens when the mics are on and the conversation is flowing.

If you’ve ever wondered what it sounds like when two people who talk about health, recovery, and life spend years building chemistry in a room together… this is it.

No scripts.
No polish.
Just real laughs, relatable stories, and the moments we didn’t plan.

Whether you’re a longtime listener or brand new to Your Ultimate Comeback, this episode is a reminder that progress doesn’t have to be serious all the time, and sometimes the most important part of the journey is being human along the way.

Sit back, laugh with us, and enjoy the best of Brad & Raquel having fun in the studio.

🎙️ Your Ultimate Comeback

What if some of the struggles you’re facing today didn’t start in this lifetime?

In Episode 110 of Your Ultimate Comeback, Brad and Raquel sit down with hypnotherapist Jonathan Robinson to explore the world of past life regression and how subconscious memories, patterns, and beliefs may be shaping our current lives more than we realize.

Jonathan breaks down what past life regression actually is (and what it isn’t), how the process works, and why accessing the subconscious can help people release trauma, fears, and long-standing limitations. He shares real client stories, including powerful breakthroughs around weight loss, phobias, smoking, and the feeling of “never being enough.”

Brad also opens up about his own past life regression experience, while Raquel helps guide the conversation with thoughtful questions around identity, healing, and how this work applies to everyday life.

This episode isn’t about convincing anyone of anything. It’s about curiosity, healing, and understanding the deeper layers of who we are. Whether you’re spiritually curious, skeptical-but-open, or simply looking for new tools for self-discovery, this conversation offers a fascinating look into how the past may be influencing the present.

This episode is a little different.

As we wrapped up 2025, there were a few conversations from Your Ultimate Comeback that kept coming back to us. Not because they were polished or perfect, but because they were honest, vulnerable, and stuck with us long after we stopped recording.

So we pulled together a Best Of 2025 episode. No new interviews. No added commentary. Just the moments that mattered most.

You’ll hear from:

• Matthew Carolan on addiction, identity, and rebuilding life from the inside out
• Cody Vidal on mindset, purpose, and becoming a who instead of a what
• Maya Christine on trying something unfamiliar, real-time reactions, and listening to your body
• Mary Buckingham on self-awareness, healing, and slowing down enough to hear what matters
• Tony Everett on confidence, mindset, and resetting after failure

These are stories about hitting walls, changing direction, and learning how to move forward when life forces a reset.

If you’re in the middle of your own comeback, or just need a reminder that growth doesn’t always look linear, this episode is for you.

Welcome to Episode 108 of Your Ultimate Comeback! Today, Brad and Raquel sit down with Cody Vidal (@knuckle.maniac) — a professional bare knuckle fighter and hypnotherapist whose story is as intense as the sport he competes in.

Cody’s journey began in MMA, where countless injuries forced him to rethink his path. What could’ve been the end of his fighting career instead became the start of something far greater. Bare knuckle fighting reignited his purpose — but what separates Cody from other athletes is his mastery of the mind.

In this conversation, Cody breaks down:

🔥 how every breakthrough begins as a thought
🔥 why self-talk is the foundation of confidence
🔥 how hypnotherapy rewired his mental, emotional, and spiritual strength
🔥 what truly separates successful fighters from the rest
🔥 how he overcame setbacks, rebuilt his identity, and manifested the life he wanted

Whether you're an athlete, a parent, or someone navigating your own comeback, this episode is packed with insight on mindset, identity, performance, and the power of belief.

If you’ve ever wondered how elite fighters think — or how hypnotherapy can transform your life — you don’t want to miss this one.

📲 Connect with Cody on IG: @knuckle.maniac
🎧 Thank you for being part of the YUC community — your comeback starts in your mind.

Welcome to Episode 107 of Your Ultimate Comeback! Today, Brad and Raquel (reporting in from beautiful Hawaii!) break down the most underrated recovery tool on the planet: walking.

In this Q&A-style episode, we explore why a simple daily walk can drastically improve your health — from lowering stress hormones and boosting insulin sensitivity to improving sleep and speeding up recovery. Brad shares his personal routine, including why he prioritizes walks after meals and how this one habit can reshape your metabolism.

We also answer listener questions around:
✨ Magnesium and why most people aren’t getting enough
✨ How to know if you’re training too much or too little
✨ The REAL importance of rest days
✨ The biggest lessons we’ve learned interviewing top experts
✨ Parenting approaches that build confidence instead of crushing it

This episode is packed with practical tools you can start using today to improve your energy, mindset, and overall well-being. Walking might be simple — but the benefits are life-changing.

Don’t underestimate the power of the basics.
Tune in and take your comeback to the next level.

Welcome to Episode 106 of Your Ultimate Comeback! Today, we’re getting real about burnout — one of the most misunderstood and overlooked struggles of modern life.

If you’re waking up tired no matter how long you sleep…
If small frustrations feel overwhelming…
If stress hits you harder than it used to…
If cravings, anxiety, irritability, or exhaustion are becoming constant companions…
You might be experiencing burnout — and you’re not alone.

In this episode, Brad breaks down:
• The true signs of burnout (beyond just being tired)
• Why your body stops handling stress the way it used to
• How burnout affects cravings, sleep, mood, and energy
• His own personal journey with burnout
• Practical strategies to climb out of burnout and reclaim your life
• What to do when nothing seems to help and you feel stuck

Burnout doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you’ve been strong for too long without the right recovery.
Let’s break the cycle, reset your system, and help you return to the healthiest version of yourself.

You deserve to feel good again. This episode will help you start that comeback.