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PAC Talk with Pieter Vodden

Welcome To The Pharos Fit Podcast

Hey, guys, this is Pieter Vodden and I'm one of the co-owners of Pharos Athletic Club in Los Angeles, and I wanted to welcome you to our new podcast, The Pharos Fit Podcast.


Our gym exists as a space in which we're trying to cure the fitness industry. My co-founders Jeffrey Scarborough and Emylee Covell and I saw a lot of things wrong with the finished industry. We were frustrated with a lot of things and we really wanted to build a gym that provides something new, something buried, something educational, something interesting and really helped people achieve what they are trying to achieve.


Our purpose is to create the best fitness path for people. We started this podcast because we want to stay in touch with our members as we grow as as a gym while finding a way to stay to connect with new audience members outside the walls of Pharos Echo Park.


Welcome to the Pac, please make sure you subscribe wherever you are listening to this show and if you loved this show please leave us a 5 star review in the iTunes store. Its the currency of podcasts and it really goes along in helping us grow our show.


If you are in Los Angeles swing by to our gym at 1316 Glendale Blvd in Echo Park.


Check out our website here for class times and follow us on Instagram for more fitness related content


More episodes

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  • 122. Burn It Down to Start Again: John Kim & Pieter Vodden on Reinvention, Simplicity & Shedding Identity

    56:39||Season 1, Ep. 122
    This week, I sit down with John Kim—aka The Angry Therapist. John is a therapist and author currently working on his seventh book. This is our fifth podcast together, and I think it’s our best yet. John was one of the first people I met in L.A. and my first roommate in the U.S. We’ve both been on a journey that’s led to a natural fork in the road. New beginnings are on the horizon after an unforeseeable tragedy. But sometimes, light comes from darkness—and what we thought was the end is really just the end of Act One. It’s a reflective conversation—sometimes sad, sometimes funny—but ultimately a lesson in rejuvenation and possibility. Thank you for taking the time, John. I’ll miss you, my friend… but I’ll see you up the road.Enjoy, like, and share. Thanks for listening—and see you in the gym!Connect with JohnWebsiteInstagramTikTokHis Book SeriesWelcome to the Pac, please make sure you subscribe wherever you are listening to this show and if you loved this show please leave us a 5 star review in the iTunes store. It is the currency of podcasts and it really goes along in helping us grow our show.If you are in Southern California come train with us Echo ParkRedondo BeachIdyllwildPalm SpringsFollow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.
  • 121. How to Actually Build (or Break) a Habit: Systems for Lasting Change

    13:17||Season 2, Ep. 121
    In this week’s Limitless Challenge call, Emylee Vodden walks you through a powerful framework for habit formation, inspired by Atomic Habits by James Clear. Whether you're trying to build a morning routine, save money, or finally ditch the doom scroll, this episode helps you get clear on the “structured how.” Learn how to make good habits obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying — and break bad ones by reversing the formula. Plus, Emylee shares real-life examples from her own journey and the community’s progress to help you systemize the life you actually want.Welcome to the Pac, please make sure you subscribe wherever you are listening to this show and if you loved this show please leave us a 5 star review in the iTunes store. It is the currency of podcasts and it really goes along in helping us grow our show.If you are in Southern California come train with us Echo ParkRedondo BeachIdyllwildPalm SpringsFollow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.
  • 120. Caloric Deficit Explained: Why You’re Not Losing Fat (Yet)

    13:01||Season 2, Ep. 120
    Most people think they’re in a caloric deficit… until they realize they’re not. In this clip from the Limitless Challenge weekend call, I break down what a true caloric deficit actually looks like, why it’s essential for fat loss, and how to track it without obsessing over every bite. If you’ve hit a plateau or are frustrated by your results, this might be the missing piece. Let’s make sure the work you’re putting in is actually getting you closer to your goals.Welcome to the Pac, please make sure you subscribe wherever you are listening to this show and if you loved this show please leave us a 5 star review in the iTunes store. It is the currency of podcasts and it really goes along in helping us grow our show.If you are in Southern California come train with us Echo ParkRedondo BeachIdyllwildPalm SpringsFollow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.
  • 119. Excuses vs. Truth: How to Rewrite the Story and Reclaim Your Goals with Emylee Vodden

    11:54||Season 2, Ep. 119
    Emylee here back once again! This week, I’m sharing something personal from inside the Limitless Challenge—a practice I’ve been using to call out the quiet, sneaky stories I tell myself that hold me back. Stories like “I have no time,” “I have no self-control,” or “I don’t finish what I start.” Sound familiar?In this episode, I walk through how I’ve been learning to separate story from truth—and how that shift is helping me take real action toward the life I want. If you’ve ever felt stuck in shame, overwhelm, or procrastination, I hope this conversation helps you feel seen, supported, and ready to rewrite your own story. You don’t have to do this alone—we’re stronger as a pack.Welcome to the Pac, please make sure you subscribe wherever you are listening to this show and if you loved this show please leave us a 5 star review in the iTunes store. It is the currency of podcasts and it really goes along in helping us grow our show.If you are in Southern California come train with us Echo ParkRedondo BeachIdyllwildPalm SpringsFollow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.
  • 118. What is The Laziest Version of you Willing To Do with Emylee Vodden

    13:30||Season 2, Ep. 118
    In today’s episode, I’m stepping in as your guest host, Emylee Vodden.We don’t fail because we’re lazy—we fail because we build routines that only work when we’re at our best. In this episode, I’m flipping that script. What’s the laziest version of you still willing to do? That’s where the real change happens. Whether it’s drinking water before coffee, hitting your step count even on a rough day, or having go-to meals prepped, we’re talking about building bare minimum habits that still move you forward.This is how we make consistency sustainable—by anchoring to non-negotiables that reflect our real lives, not just our ideal selves. I also walk through how to define your value system, how to create alignment between your goals and your actions, and why it's okay to mess up—as long as you don't miss twice.Let’s stop chasing perfection and start building momentum—one low-friction habit at a time.Welcome to the Pac, please make sure you subscribe wherever you are listening to this show and if you loved this show please leave us a 5 star review in the iTunes store. It is the currency of podcasts and it really goes along in helping us grow our show.If you are in Southern California come train with us Echo ParkRedondo BeachIdyllwildPalm SpringsFollow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.
  • 117. Fast Track Results and Make Them Last - 6 Week Limitless Challenge

    53:55||Season 2, Ep. 117
    We’re excited to introduce the Limitless Challenge—a six-week coaching program we designed to help you reach your fitness and nutrition goals in a sustainable, community-driven way.This recording is from our Limitless Challenge onboarding call this weekend. We dive into why we created this challenge, the kinds of people we built it for, and how our own experiences—Pieter’s background in personal training and Emylee’s holistic approach to wellness—influenced the structure of the program. We talk about the importance of prioritization, hydration, flexibility in nutrition, and how skill acquisition can keep your workouts both fun and effective.We also break down what you can expect over the six weeks, from goal-setting and progress tracking to the power of gamification and accountability. Whether you're looking to level up your habits or just need a reset, this episode is a deep dive into the mindset and mechanics behind meaningful change.Welcome to the Pac, please make sure you subscribe wherever you are listening to this show and if you loved this show please leave us a 5 star review in the iTunes store. It is the currency of podcasts and it really goes along in helping us grow our show.If you are in Southern California come train with us Echo ParkRedondo BeachIdyllwildPalm SpringsFollow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.
  • 116. The Business of Lifting Heavy and Going Far with Lizzy Picardi

    49:49||Season 2, Ep. 116
    This week, I sit down with Lizzy Picardi. Lizzy is a powerlifter, marathon runner, and founder of Rose City Barbell in Pasadena. We talk about her journey from powerlifting to bodybuilding to endurance athletics, how she manages her training schedule, how she fuels her hybrid body, and the benefits and hardships of running her own gym.I’ve been fortunate enough to know Lizzy for a long time, and watching how she has grown and pivoted over the years has been amazing to see. This is a great podcast for anyone in the fitness space, anyone who owns a gym, or anyone who wants to be inspired by an all-around badass.Listen, like, and share 🙏🏽🙌🏻Connect with LizzyLizzy Picardi's InstagramRose City Barbell InstagramJoin the PAC and learn how to set yourself up for success, one habit at a time.Welcome to the Pac, please make sure you subscribe wherever you are listening to this show and if you loved this show please leave us a 5 star review in the iTunes store. It is the currency of podcasts and it really goes along in helping us grow our show.If you are in Southern California come train with us Echo ParkRedondo BeachIdyllwildPalm SpringsFollow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.
  • 115. Tallow is the new Bone Broth with Carrie Richards

    58:58||Season 2, Ep. 115
    This week I sit down with “The Queen of Regenerative Ranching “ Carrie Richards . Carrie is the owner of “Richard’s Regenerative”, a fifth generation farm in California committed to provide “our customers with a healthier and more sustainable source of beef“. It has been a few years since our last podcast, lessons have been learned and changes have happened to ensure survival. We talk about the importance of this movement and how we could make it more available and affordable for broad populations, including getting it into more schools! We also highlight Carrie’s new tech company Harvest Path, as she & her siblings & business partners look to merge the world of tech and traditional ranching in a progressive way. As well as running a ranch, building a new business and having a family, Carrie has also undergone a physical transformation and she is looking and feeling better than ever …. Find out how she did it. The story of ranching and farming in America is a fascinating and important one . Seeing it continue into the next generation is vital and make no mistake , it is under threat and needs attention. If we truly care about the environment, about feeding our kids nutritional dense food and about creating pathways for one of “The West’s” most significant industries to move forward then we need to listen to Carrie and the farmers & ranchers who are doing the work. Listen and please share .. Oh and if you haven’t heard, tallow is the new bone broth … https://www.harvestpath.co/https://richardsregenerative.com Check out our new traceability software!Harvestpath.coConnect with Richards GrassfedRichards Grassfed InstagramRichards Grassfed WebsiteRichards RanchJoin the PAC and learn how to set yourself up for success, one habit at a time.Welcome to the Pac, please make sure you subscribe wherever you are listening to this show and if you loved this show please leave us a 5 star review in the iTunes store. It is the currency of podcasts and it really goes along in helping us grow our show.If you are in Southern California come train with us Echo ParkRedondo BeachIdyllwildPalm SpringsFollow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.
  • 114. To The Edge & Back Again: Lessons Learned From Doing Too Much

    22:16||Season 2, Ep. 114
    Training must be measured; the right amount of the right kind must be applied at the right time. In this Podcast Emylee and I discuss her scare with Rhabdomyolysis, what it taught her and how she rebuilt her body and her mind from the ground up. The hardest lessons can sometimes be the most educational...Listen, share and reach out if something similar has happened to you and you need advice or help! Join the PAC and learn how to set yourself up for success, one habit at a time.Welcome to the Pac, please make sure you subscribe wherever you are listening to this show and if you loved this show please leave us a 5 star review in the iTunes store. It is the currency of podcasts and it really goes along in helping us grow our show.If you are in Southern California come train with us Echo ParkRedondo BeachIdyllwildPalm SpringsFollow Pharos, Piet and Emylee on Instagram for more fitness related content.