Share

cover art for Your NonNegotiable's + Bare Minimum Habits

PAC Talk with Pieter Vodden

Your NonNegotiable's + Bare Minimum Habits

Season 2, Ep. 102

On this episode of PAC Talk, I am joined by my wife Emylee, as we dive into the concept of non-negotiables—the essential principles and habits that guide our daily lives. Starting with personal philosophies and extending into daily actions, we explore the importance of staying consistent and true to one's values in fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle. Emylee and I share our own non-negotiables, including our commitment to fitness, the importance of mental well-being, and daily habits like journaling and making time for movement. This episode is packed with insights on how to maintain a balanced and fulfilling life, even when faced with challenges. Whether you're looking to establish your own set of non-negotiables or simply seeking inspiration to stay on track, this conversation offers valuable takeaways for everyone.


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 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 Pharos and Piet on Instagram for more fitness related content.

More episodes

View all episodes

  • 126. Resilience When It Hurts: How to Keep Going When Everything's Falling Apart

    24:35||Season 2, Ep. 126
    What does it really mean to be resilient—not when things are easy, but when life is actively falling apart? In this powerful episode of Pac Talk, Piet Vodden and Emylee Cavell get honest about the emotional, financial, and physical weight of building something meaningful from scratch. From personal struggles and $2 million in debt to opening four gym locations without big corporate backing, this is the behind-the-scenes story of grit, growth, and grit again.Together, they break down the three pillars that keep them in the game:Build your environmentDo hard thingsLive out your purpose—with pleasureThis episode is not a highlight reel. It's a real-life playbook for staying strong when everything around you says give up. If you're building something, parenting through chaos, or simply trying to survive the day—this one’s for you.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.
  • 125. The Strong Summer Survival Guide: How to Stay Fit, Eat Smart & Travel Well

    11:54||Season 2, Ep. 125
    How do you stay healthy, grounded, and strong when summer throws your routine off track?In this episode of PAC Talk, Pieter Vodden and Emylee Cavell share their real-world travel tips—from road tripping with kids to staying fit without a gym. They reveal how they personally navigate vacation workouts, nutrition on the go, and family time without letting it all fall apart.Plus, they introduce the PAC Travel Guide—a free resource packed with at-home workouts, mobility videos, nutrition strategies, and mindset tips to help you survive (and even thrive) through your strong summer.Whether you're camping in the mountains, chilling at the beach, sweating in the desert, or bouncing around SoCal, this episode gives you the tools to stay consistent—even when life’s a little wild.Grab the PAC Travel Guide HereAnd remember: just because it’s summer doesn’t mean your progress has to melt.Enjoy, listen, share, and comment. Thanks, and see you in the gym!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.
  • 124. 10 Things We Learnt from The Limitless Challenge

    24:19||Season 2, Ep. 124
    This week, I sit down and discuss the top 10 lessons I learned from this year’s Limitless Challenge. How did people lose so much fat, gain so much muscle, and improve their lives? We always learn as much as we teach because the challenge is a collection of individualized experiences. Everybody goes through their own set of obstacles and wins, and the information and data we get back helps us better prepare for the future — maybe through correlation, maybe through inspiration, maybe through connection. We gather, and we grow.Enjoy, listen, share, and comment. Thanks, and see you in the gym!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.
  • 123. How to Measure Wins On (and Off) The Scale

    13:15||Season 2, Ep. 123
    In this episode of Pac Talk, Pieter and Emylee Vodden share the real metrics that matter when it comes to progress—beyond just the number on the scale. After working with 75 people over a six-week challenge, Pieter and Emylee Vodden, reflects on what actually leads to meaningful transformation. From energy levels and mood to sleep, hunger cues, and performance, this episode helps you redefine what a “win” looks like. Plus, they break down six essential habits for long-term success, and explores how accountability, courage, and freedom play a role in staying consistent—even when motivation dips.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.
  • 122. Burn It Down to Start Again: John Kim & Pieter Vodden on Reinvention, Simplicity & Shedding Identity

    56:39||Season 2, 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.