PAC Talk with Pieter Vodden

One Week After ACL Reconstruction: The Unfiltered Recovery Report | PAC Talk Podcast with Pieter VoddenNo script. No filter. Just an honest breakdown of what week one after ACL reconstruction actually looks like.Piet's ACL was completely detached. He opted for a patella tendon graft — the gold standard, the strongest option, and also the most painful with the longest recovery. His reasoning was simple: he's not going to stop doing dumb shit, so it needed to be as strong as possible.In this update he walks through everything: the surgery at USC with Dr. Weber, the first physio session with Dr. Sophie at Pharos Echo Park, hitting 80% knee flexion within 24 hours, heel slides, electric stim, the Game Ready ice machine, red light therapy, and the peptide protocol he's running.He also gets into the parts nobody talks about — how hard it is to sleep, the paranoia that you've re-torn something every time it feels good, the muscle loss you can see in the mirror, the calorie adjustment when you go from active to sedentary overnight, and the mental side that's been far harder than the physical.He's been in the gym every single day. Push, pull, single leg, core. Because as he puts it — if you have surgery and then do nothing, that's an excuse. There's always something you can do.The goal at the end of all this: the Austin Half Marathon in February.If you're going through injury or surgery right now, this one's for you. Nothing here is special or unique — it's all completely doable. Get a good doctor, a good physio, and a good gym. Interested in learning more about our coach-led, medically guided approach to health optimization?Reach out to schedule a consultation and discover whether our programs are the right fit for you.💪 Join the 7-Day Results Accelerator to build clarity, momentum, and sustainable joy in your routine. pharosathleticclub.comIf you are in Southern California come train with us Echo ParkRedondo BeachIdyllwildPalm SpringsFollow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.

Piet sits down with Josh Phillips — GM of Pharos Idyllwild and Pharos Palm Springs — for one of the most wide-ranging conversations in Pac Talk history. Five years in the making and worth every minute.Josh grew up in Idyllwild, got hooked on weightlifting at 14, spent years as a trail runner and rock climber, and somewhere along the way survived an avalanche at 21 that changed how he looks at everything. He and his climbing partner both thought they were going to die on a snow-covered mountain in their own backyard. What came out of it wasn't fear — it was gratitude, hunger and a decision to live a richer life.From there, Josh found Pharos. Got his ass kicked. Kept showing up. Became a coach, then a manager, then helped build Pharos Palm Springs from the ground up — driving equipment down the mountain, laying floors, running on empty during a bodybuilding prep and never once complaining.They get into what it actually takes to run a gym — the spreadsheets nobody warned you about, the thin margins in California fitness, the difference between being a great coach and being a great manager, and why everything you see on Instagram about overnight gym success is complete nonsense.They also break down the 6x6 training method they did before recording — high volume, lower weight, short rest, great pump. A protocol you can do anywhere.This one is honest, real and genuinely inspiring. Interested in learning more about our coach-led, medically guided approach to health optimization?Reach out to schedule a consultation and discover whether our programs are the right fit for you.💪 Join the 7-Day Results Accelerator to build clarity, momentum, and sustainable joy in your routine. pharosathleticclub.comIf you are in Southern California come train with us Echo ParkRedondo BeachIdyllwildPalm SpringsFollow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.

Your Diagnosis Doesn't Define You — It Just Changes the PlanHave you ever been told to “just rest” after an injury… only to feel like you were being asked to stop being yourself?In this Shorty episode Emylee jumps in to give an update after Pieter’s ACL reconstruction surgery and being a high achiever forced to modify. It’s about identity, adapting when life forces you to slow down, and why the right strategy and support system can help you keep chasing what you love. Whether you’re recovering from surgery, dealing with arthritis, staring at an MRI report, or simply trying to get back to doing what you love, I hope this conversation reminds you that there’s almost always a way to keep moving forward.Interested in learning more about our coach-led, medically guided approach to health optimization?Reach out to schedule a consultation and discover whether our programs are the right fit for you.💪 Join the 7-Day Results Accelerator to build clarity, momentum, and sustainable joy in your routine. pharosathleticclub.comIf you are in Southern California come train with us Echo ParkRedondo BeachIdyllwildPalm SpringsFollow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.

Have you ever left an appointment, seminar, or coaching session completely inspired… only to find yourself slipping back into old habits within days?This week, I share a simple story that completely changed how I think about behavior change. You’ll learn why motivation isn’t enough, how your environment quietly shapes your decisions, and one practical framework you can use today to stop setting yourself up to fail and start building habits that actually last.Connect with PAC BioPerformanceInterested in learning more about our coach-led, medically guided approach to health optimization?Reach out to schedule a consultation and discover whether our programs are the right fit for you.💪 Join the 7-Day Results Accelerator to build clarity, momentum, and sustainable joy in your routine. pharosathleticclub.comIf you are in Southern California come train with us Echo ParkRedondo BeachIdyllwildPalm SpringsFollow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.

If you've ever thought:"I don't feel like myself.""I shouldn't be this tired.""Why am I working so hard for so little return?"this episode is for you.In this webinar replay, Emylee and Pieter from PAC BioPerformance explore the Core 4 systems that influence how you feel, recover, perform, and adapt to the demands of everyday life:Energy & Cellular HealthRecovery & Tissue RepairMetabolism & Body CompositionHormone Health & Regenerative SignalingYou'll learn why more discipline isn't always the answer, how to identify potential bottlenecks limiting your progress, and the framework PAC has used through thousands of transformations to help people achieve results that last.We also dive into medically guided wellness strategies, including peptide therapy, discussing what peptides are, who may benefit, common misconceptions, and the potential risks and considerations—even when everything is done right.Whether you're looking to improve energy, optimize recovery, enhance performance, or simply better understand your options, this episode will help you take a more informed approach to your health.Because getting results isn't just about working harder. It's about building a body that can keep up.Connect with PAC BioPerformanceInterested in learning more about our coach-led, medically guided approach to health optimization?Reach out to schedule a consultation and discover whether our programs are the right fit for you.💪 Join the 7-Day Results Accelerator to build clarity, momentum, and sustainable joy in your routine. pharosathleticclub.comIf you are in Southern California come train with us Echo ParkRedondo BeachIdyllwildPalm SpringsFollow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.

If the apocalypse happens tomorrow and Piet gets one phone call, it's going to Andy McKenzie. Ex-British military, parachute regiment veteran, rehabilitation specialist, strength coach, and one of the most quietly brilliant minds in the health and performance space.Andy joined the military at 16, passed P Company at 17 — one of the hardest physical courses in the British armed forces — and served across Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Sierra Leone and Iraq before a three-story fall fractured his neck and three parts of his spine. Instead of ending his career, that injury sent him down the path of rehabilitation, and he never looked back.In this conversation Andy and Piet cover what real coaching actually looks like — why the job of a great coach is subtraction not addition, how to train an injured athlete without treating them like they're broken, and why smashing people into exhaustion is the laziest and most counterproductive thing a coach can do. Andy shares the philosophy he built over 30 years working with special forces soldiers, professional rugby players, polar explorers, world class ultra marathon runners and everyday people who've been bounced around between doctors, physios and coaches and never got better — until they found him.They also get into fatherhood, the business of coaching, AI, community, and why the biggest predictor of longevity isn't your VO2 max — it's the quality of your relationships.This one is a masterclass. 🎙️💪Don’t forget you have a chance to win a free $3000 90-day health and performance intensive where we help you integrate a simplified system a personalized plan and one on one support to guarantee results . Register here to win before the June 14 webinar.Sign up here!💪 Join the 7-Day Results Accelerator to build clarity, momentum, and sustainable joy in your routine. pharosathleticclub.comIf you are in Southern California come train with us Echo ParkRedondo BeachIdyllwildPalm SpringsFollow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.

your morning routine should start the night before”If your mornings feel rushed and stressful, this episode will show you how a few minutes of preparation the night before can completely change the way you start your day. Don’t forget you have a chance to win a free $3000 90-day health and performance intensive where we help you integrate a simplified system a personalized plan and one on one support to guarantee results . Register here to win before the June 14 webinar.Sign up here!💪 Join the 7-Day Results Accelerator to build clarity, momentum, and sustainable joy in your routine. pharosathleticclub.comIf you are in Southern California come train with us Echo ParkRedondo BeachIdyllwildPalm SpringsFollow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.

In Part 2 of our peptide series, Piet sits down again with Vincent Ronquillo — biology researcher, CrossFit athlete and co-founder of Z-Peptides and Pharmazine — to break down the two most talked about recovery peptides in the game right now: BPC-157 and TB-500, otherwise known as the Wolverine Stack.BPC-157 was originally discovered in the stomach — the compound that protects your stomach lining from its own acid. Researchers found that when applied to injured tissue, it triggers angiogenesis — new blood vessel growth — directly at the injury site, accelerating the repair process. TB-500, a fragment of Thymosin Beta-4, works systemically, guiding cells to the injury location and driving them to repair. Together they form one of the most studied peptide combinations in preclinical tissue repair science — and one of the most popular in the athletic and recovery community.They also break down the Reboot Stack — the Wolverine Stack plus GHK-Cu, the copper peptide. Originally studied for skin, GHK-Cu stimulates collagen and elastin production, making it the third piece of the puzzle for more serious injuries. Think of it this way: BPC-157 starts the healing, TB-500 directs it, and GHK-Cu provides the quality collagen to rebuild it stronger.Piet shares his own experience using the Wolverine Stack to recover from a badly rolled ankle — running a desert trail half marathon just six weeks later. Vincent shares how it brought him back from a knee injury that had him questioning whether he'd ever compete again.This is not medical advice. Always consult a doctor before starting any peptide protocol — which is exactly what we set up for you through Pharos and Z-Peptides.Part 3 coming soon. Drop your questions in the comments. Interested in getting started with peptides through Pharos? We're launching in Palm Springs first with full medical guidance, doctor consultation and 503A compliant sourcing.Click the link for our bio-performance survey.💪 Join the 7-Day Results Accelerator to build clarity, momentum, and sustainable joy in your routine. pharosathleticclub.comIf you are in Southern California come train with us Echo ParkRedondo BeachIdyllwildPalm SpringsFollow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.