Shows / Paint The Edges
Paint The Edges
Paint The Edges is a podcast that challenges conventional thinking in fitness and performance. Hosted by industry veterans James Macintosh and James Thayer, each episode explores conversations beyond the mainstream, diving deep into the edges of performance, nutrition, business, and education. The show offers practical insights for coaches, athletes, and anyone passionate about human potential, inspiring listeners to think outside the box and push the limits of what's possible Be sure to follow…
Episodes
- Paint The Edges
E99: Pre-Script® Programming Principles Course Returns
In the 99th episode of Paint The Edges, Mac and Thayer dive into the return of the new Pre-Script® Programming Course, exploring adaptable, intention-based…
- Paint The Edges
E98: The S-Tier Problem: Education, Social Media, and Engagement
In this episode, we explore the origins of the S-tier ranking system, the current state of education and its relevance to modern industries, and the declining…
- Paint The Edges
E97: Teaching Beyond the Script
Education doesn't happen on slides, it happens in conversation. Mac and Thayer discuss why the most effective coaches and educators rely on curiosity…
- Paint The Edges
E96: It Starts Before the First Rep
Great shoulder training starts long before the first rep. Mac and Thayer explore the mechanics of scaption, challenging common approaches to shoulder exercise…
- Paint The Edges
E95: The Environment Effect
Mac and Thayer reflect on the impact of environment on sleep, recovery, and overall wellness. Using Mac's move to Dubai as a backdrop, they explore healthcare…
- Paint The Edges
E94: Don't Outsource Your Thinking
Join Mac and Thayer as they challenge the growing reliance on AI-generated answers and explore why critical thinking, assessment, and experience remain the…
- Paint The Edges
E93: How Environment Shapes Performance
In this episode, we explore the impact of environment on focus and recovery, the evolution of gym spaces, and the cultural nuances of international sports…
- Paint The Edges
E92: Rethinking the Step-Up
In this episode of Paint the Edges, Mac and Thayer break down the principles of stability, support, and loading in exercise selection, using the step-up as a…
- Paint The Edges
E91: When Every Decision Matters
In this episode of Paint the Edges, Mac and Thayer discuss the role of emotional intelligence, time management, and decision-making in high-stakes coaching…
- Paint The Edges
E90: Preparing for High-Stakes Conversations
Mac and Thayer unpack the challenges and lessons learned from navigating the visa interview process. The conversation offers practical insights on handling…
- Paint The Edges
E89: Questions That Shape Coaches
In this episode of Paint the Edges, Mac and Thayer explore the power of asking better questions in coaching and education as a way to improve problem-solving…
- Paint The Edges
E88: 3 Foot World: From Concept to Creation
Mac share's the journey behind building Three Foot World, a focus-driven nootropic designed with intention rather than hype. They break down key insights into…
- Paint The Edges
E87: Moves Like Butter: Building Resilient Shoulders
Mac and Thayer explore innovative approaches to shoulder health, load management, and exercise variability in training…
- Paint The Edges
E86: Q1 Reflection: 2026 Check-In
Mac and Thayer explore the importance of foundational principles in fitness and movement, and why deeper understanding often leads to better outcomes than…
- Paint The Edges
E85: First Impressions Maketh the Man
In this episode of Paint the Edges, Mac and Thayer break down why etiquette in cold outreach matters and how it directly impacts your opportunities. They…
- Paint The Edges
E84: Reduction Mindset
In this episode of Paint the Edges, Mac and Thayer dive into the power of reflection and auditing as tools for long-term growth in training, life, and…
- Paint The Edges
E83: Noise, Stress, and Staying on Track
Mac and Thayer share some real-life chaos from tech-induced stress to a bike race gone wrong and lessons from Coach by Colors workshop. They unpack how…
- Paint The Edges
E82: Sensation Isn't Strategy: Training That Actually Works
This episode features a lively discussion on training principles, biomechanics, and industry trends in fitness. Mac and Thayer explore the importance of…
- Paint The Edges
E81: Inside College Gymnastics: Through a Performance Lens
In this episode of Paint the Edges, Thayer breaks down his first experience attending a college gymnastics meet through the lens of a performance coach. He…
- Paint The Edges
E80: From Silos to Systems: Rethinking Athlete Care
Mac and Thayer unpack the disconnect between strength and conditioning and care teams and how it's quietly limiting performance and durability. They explore…
- Paint The Edges
E79: Training Strategies Around Injuries
In this episode of Paint the Edges, Mac and Thayer break down how to train through injuries without losing progress. They share practical strategies for…
- Paint The Edges
E78: Stop Treating Business Like a Hobby
In this episode, Mac and Thayer explore how to optimize your coaching business using systems, SOPs, and AI tools. They discuss practical steps for business…
- Paint The Edges
E77: Built on the Basics
Mac and Thayer explore the value of foundational movement principles in building effective coaching strategies and supporting long-term development in both…
- Paint The Edges
E76: AI is Not Your Coach
Mac and Thayer explore the growing role of AI in fitness coaching and how technology is reshaping the industry. They emphasize developing genuine coaching…
- Paint The Edges
E75: Resistance Curves & Modern Machines
Mac and Thayer explore the evolution of gym equipment and how modern machines can better align with strength profiles and resistance curves. They discuss why a…
- Paint The Edges
E74: Look Up: The Lost Skill of Awareness
In this episode of Paint the Edges, Mac and Thayer explore the importance of spatial awareness in the gym and beyond, highlighting how awareness of your…
- Paint The Edges
E73: The Exercise Draft: 25 Exercises (Part 2)
In Part 2 of this two-part discussion, Mac and Thayer continue ranking and debating exercises based on their effectiveness and real-world utility in training…
- Paint The Edges
E72: The Exercise Draft: 25 Exercises (Part 1)
Part 1 of a two-part discussion, Mac and Thayer review and debate 25 exercises, deciding which movements to keep or kill in a practical training program…
- Paint The Edges
E71: The Case for Morning Training: When Preparation Beats Motivation
Mac and Thayer break down the realities of morning training, weighing its benefits and drawbacks through the lens of circadian rhythms, cortisol, and…
- Paint The Edges
E70: NFL Injuries & the Conspiracy Machine
In this episode of Paint the Edges, Mac and Thayer explore the world of conspiracy theories in a discussion about the claim linking the San Francisco 49ers'…
- Paint The Edges
E69: From South Africa to Alabama
Mac and Thayer catch up on major life transitions; from Mac's chaotic return to South Africa to Thayer's move to Alabama and the familiar challenge of living…
- Paint The Edges
E68: How the Neutral Scapular Plane Improves Training
In this episode of Paint the Edges, Mac and Thayer dive into muscle function, the importance of starting positions in exercise, and common misconceptions…
- Paint The Edges
E67: Rest Periods: The Most Overlooked Training Variable
Mac and Thayer dive into the often-overlooked role of rest periods in training and why they matter more than most people realize. They explore how rest…
- Paint The Edges
E66: Keep The Goal The Goal
Mac and Thayer break down what it means to truly keep the goal the goal. They discuss the role of maintenance, surplus, and deficit phases in fat loss, how to…
- Paint The Edges
E65: F#*% Off in 2025: Expectations, Noise, and Nonsense
Mac and Thayer reflect on the transition out of 2025, unpacking the expectations, disappointments, and trends best left behind. They explore why real coaching…
- Paint The Edges
E64: Simplifying the Noise in Fitness
In this episode, Mac and Thayer reflect on recent experiences from tech frustrations to lessons learned over the past year while unpacking what real…
- Paint The Edges
E63: Movement Education for Modern Coaches
Today on Paint The Edges, Eric Bugera discuss the Exercise Technique Lab he hosts for Pre-Script through The Collective. Eric and Thayer break down how coaches…
- Paint The Edges
E62: Better Coaching Starts With Better Question
Mac and Thayer break down the role of education in coaching and why good coaching starts with asking better questions. They explore the principles that drive…
- Paint The Edges
E61: Weightlifting Fails and Frustrations Explained
Mac and Thayer answer a listener's question about the frustrations of weightlifting, breaking down why technique and sequencing are essential for success…
- Paint The Edges
E60: Roadmapping: The Coach's Guide to Intentional Training
In this episode, Mac and Thayer dive into the importance of intentionality in coaching and programming, exploring how clarity drives better outcomes. They…
- Paint The Edges
E59: The Core of Better Movement
In this episode of Paint the Edges, Mac and Thayer build on last week's discussion by diving deeper into the foundational principles that drive effective…
- Paint The Edges
E58: From Shoulder Health to Hip Function: Coaching the Basics
Mac and Thayer dive into the fundamentals of movement, connecting shoulder health with hip function and overall performance. They break down how scapular…
- Paint The Edges
E57: Coaching Under Pressure: Thinking Fast in Dubai
Mac and Thayer dive into the art of adaptive coaching. When quick decisions and creativity can make or break success. Mac shares a behind-the-scenes story from…
- Paint The Edges
E56: Decoding Protein: Truth, Timing, and Training
Mac and Thayer decode the truth behind protein marketing and popular diet trends, revealing how small, informed choices can lead to meaningful results. Through…
- Paint The Edges
E55: Why Strength Curves Actually Matter
In this episode of Paint the Edges, Mac and Thayer break down strength curves and resistance profiles to reveal how understanding them can elevate your…
- Paint The Edges
E54: The Sensation Effect: How Awareness Shapes Performance and Rehab
In this episode of Paint the Edges, Mac and Thayer examine the consequences of action in exercise and rehabilitation, exploring how movement choices shape…
- Paint The Edges
E53: Small Details That Create Big Training Experiences
In this episode of Paint the Edges, Mac and Thayer explore how professionalism and genuine human connection shape the training experience. They highlight the…
- Paint The Edges
E52: A Year of Painting The Edges
In this special anniversary episode, hosts Mac and Thayer celebrate a full year of Paint The Edges with 52 episodes in the books. The conversation blends…
- Paint The Edges
E51: How Social Media Skews the Way We Train
Mac and Thayer share their observations on modern gym culture and how social media shapes the way people train. They break down effective training…
- Paint The Edges
E50: Atmospheres That Build Great Gyms
Mac and Thayer dive into the world of gym culture, the struggle of finding quality spaces to the role of design, equipment, and atmosphere in shaping the…
- Paint The Edges
E49: Why Overcomplication Is Holding Athletes Back
Mac and Thayer break down the importance of sticking to foundational principles in fitness. They tackle how overcomplication and fear-based tactics derail…
- Paint The Edges
E48: The Why Behind Every Rep
Mac and Thayer dig into the importance of deeper thinking in coaching, stressing how understanding the 'why' behind exercise selection and implementation…
- Paint The Edges
E47: Precision Over Quick Fixes
Mac and Thayer dive into exercise execution, the value of simplicity in coaching, and the cultural influences shaping their perspectives. They stress the…
- Paint The Edges
E46: Gamifying the Message: Coaching Beyond Words
Mac and Thayer break down how language shapes coaching, exploring gamification as a tool to engage clients and improve results. They unpack the gap between…
- Paint The Edges
E45: Coaching Growth Through Knowledge and Application
Mac and Thayer discuss their experiences returning home, focusing on the contrasts between their past and present. The conversation highlights the importance…
- Paint The Edges
E44: The Arm Day Mistakes You're Still Making
Mac and Thayer dive into the nuts and bolts of effective programming with a special focus on arm hypertrophy. They break down how to strategically manipulate…
- Paint The Edges
E43: The Education Trap: Are You Learning or Just Consuming?
In this episode of Paint the Edges, Mac and Thayer explore the value of continuous education, balancing depth and breadth of knowledge, and applying concepts…
- Paint The Edges
E42: Leveraging Training Variables for Better Results
Mac and Thayer break down the importance of effective exercise selection, assessing setups for safety, and understanding key training variables. They emphasize…
- Paint The Edges
E41: Momentum Over Balance: Rethinking Productivity
In this episode, Mac and Thayer dive into the role of routine and productivity in both personal and professional life. They share practical strategies for task…
- Paint The Edges
E:40 Packed with Promises: The Gimmicks We Fell For
In this episode of Paint the Edges, Mac and Thayer unpack the most absurd fitness gadgets and trends that have filled gym bags over the years. From altitude…