Twins Debunking Fitness Myths with Diet & Exercise Experiments

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Reading Time: 8 minutes

What I Discuss with Ross & Hugo

• Their current adventure promoting a new electric vehicle by driving it from the UK to Shanghai, showcasing it at various dealerships and media events along the way…06:06
• How Hugo’s life-altering neck injury at 17 led them to embrace life’s uncertainties and embark on extreme expeditions, such as rowing across the Atlantic…12:37
• Comparing the effects of bodyweight versus weight training over 12 weeks, meticulously tracking their physiological changes and discovering significant improvements in strength and endurance (even with bodyweight exercises), challenging conventional fitness norms…17:44
• The specific bodyweight exercises Ross used during their lockdown experiment, the disadvantage he experienced in terms of muscle mass compared to Hugo’s weighted exercises, but also significant improvements in strength and leanness…22:00
• Blood flow restriction training and how it parallels their bodyweight training experiments, emphasizing time under tension and muscle fatigue — rather than heavy weights and their high volume versus low volume training experiment — which found minimal performance differences between 20-minute and 40-minute workouts…25:22
• The surprising efficiency of low-volume exercise for maintaining muscle, VO2 max, and mitochondrial density, suggesting that most people might need less workout time than they think to stay fit…33:09
• Ben’s use of exogenous ketones to stabilize his energy during podcasts, plus the usefulness of blood glucose monitors to understand and manage energy levels effectively and make informed dietary choices…39:09
• Their first nutrition experiment which compared the consumption of plant protein to animal protein over 12 weeks found minimal differences, which may suggest that both protein sources are similarly effective for post-workout recovery when dietary intake is consistent…43:11
• Their vegan versus meat diet experiment conducted for Men’s Health UK, which went viral and drew global attention, and their discovery that while the vegan diet significantly lowered cholesterol, it also reduced microbiome diversity, possibly due to the challenge of maintaining a varied plant-based diet…52:04
• The body composition changes during their vegan versus meat diet experiment, with Hugo, on the vegan diet, experiencing a consistent drop in body weight from 84.5 to about 83 kilos, while Ross, on the meat diet, saw his weight increase (however, their fat percentages remained similar)…58:44
• The benefits of genetic testing for better understanding of differences between identical twins and nature versus nurture debate, sharing examples like identical twins developing different health conditions despite living similar lifestyles…1:02:12
• Their fascinating project of converting a yacht to run on a hydrogen fuel cell to explore the pros and cons of hydrogen energy, and a challenging expedition across the Greenland ice cap where one twin used gear from 100 years ago while the other used modern technology…1:04:07
• The upcoming projects, such as setting the altitude world record with an electric paramotor above the French Alps and a similar record with an electric off-roader in South America, focusing on testing new battery technologies, hydrogen fuel cell expedition, and another physical fitness comparison, possibly exploring high fat versus high carb diets…1:07:00

Hugo and Ross Turner are twin brothers and professional adventurers. I first discovered them when I came across their various diet and fitness experiments, in which they have studied the differences between a vegan vs. omnivore diet, weighted vs. body weight gym programs, animal protein vs. plant protein for muscle gain, and a 20-minute vs. a 40-minute gym program to discover if 40 minutes actually offers twice the benefits (you’d be surprised at the results, which we discuss in this podcast!).

In 2007, Hugo narrowly missed paralysis after breaking his neck in a diving accident. In the mix of emotions that followed, a drive emerged to pursue their passion for exploration, anchored by three values: purpose, discovery, and always doing it together.

Ross and Hugo have since gone on to complete many expeditions which include rowing the Atlantic Ocean, attempting to cross the Greenland ice cap, climbing Mt. Elbrus, and reaching several of the world’s continental poles of inaccessibility.

Over the years, the twins have compared the clothing systems, kits, and food of past explorers against the latest modern equivalents to understand the performance differences. Working with scientific teams, they have provided unique insights into how the human body is affected by technology.

The twins are in a unique position to question the world’s understanding of the status quo, and in recent years, have conducted human performance studies to help understand the benefits or disadvantages of certain ideas, myths, and concepts.

They have reached several of the world’s poles of inaccessibility while testing technology that helps fight climate change (like electric motorbikes), and recently tested a yacht powered by an electric motor and hydrogen fuel cell. These projects have supported the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
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In this episode, you’ll get an insider’s look into the Turner Twins’ various experiments and journeys mentioned above, plus you’ll discover much more about their adventurous, explorative, and innovative lives. With that said, let’s dive into how they can enhance your understanding of geography, technology, science, human performance, and history!

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Resources from this episode:

• Ross and Hugo Turner:
• Podcasts and Articles:
  • 1 Cheap & Easy Underground Training Method For Growth Hormone Release, 5 Biohacks to Increase Strength in 60 Seconds, 7 Exercises for the Eyes to Radically Enhance Stamina & Speed
  • The Official KAATSU Episode: Everything You Need To Know About How To Use Blood Flow Restriction For Muscle Gain, Injury Recovery, Testosterone, Growth Hormone & Much More!
  • Stack Cold Thermogenesis, Blood Flow Restriction & Grounding With High Intensity Interval Training For Massive Cardiovascular & Hormonal Gains, With VASPER Inventor Peter Wasowski.
  • Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Blood Sugar & Glucose Monitoring, But Were Afraid To Ask Or Didn’t Realize, With Casey Means Of Levels.
  • A Rocket Scientist Homeschooler’s Insider Blood Glucose Monitoring Secrets, The Best Way To Use A Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM), Blood Sugar Biohacking Tips & Much More!
  • How To Tap Into The Secret Psychedelic Tactics Of The Ancients Using A Free & Fast Anti-Aging, Stress-Busting, Energy-Boosting Hack.
• Books:
• Studies:
• Other Resources:

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Do you have questions, thoughts, or feedback for Ross, Hugo, or me? Leave your comments below and one of us will reply!