Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In Episode 44 of Between Two Dumbbells, we challenge the idea that steroids are the primary driver of injuries in bodybuilding. Instead, we focus on what we believe plays a much bigger role in injury risk: suboptimal, poorly applied “evidence-based” training & hydration!
We dive into common fitness myths surrounding steroid side effects & injury risk, arguing that how you train matters far more for muscle growth, longevity, and injury prevention—whether you’re enhanced or natural. Skip pushes back hard, outlining what he sees as major flaws & limitations within the studies themselves, making this a true debate rather than a one-sided take.
As always, you’ll get Dr. Marv’s Rehab/Prehab Rodeo Roundup & Skip’s Cheat Meal Review to close things out.
Between Two Dumbbells exists to explore how to maximize muscle gain in the shortest amount of time possible—through debate, disagreement, & real-world experience. This isn’t a podcast where everyone nods along & pats each other on the back. If ideas don’t hold up under scrutiny, we say it.
Episodes:
Injury Risk (dangerous exercises)
Upper: youtu.be/bKrU9hcrMUg?si=rQrjnCgva0IX0BIb
Lower: youtu.be/TBRE9W8BV1U?si=EtqYSRJAln-iZv5X
Austin Stout: youtu.be/RKL4aASbJWM?si=F1Svh6S9z5nWbcz8
Back Squats: youtu.be/me5bckwJZC4?si=y9lBa6uQV1FnOzbA
Timestamps
01:04 A B2D Christmas ft. Nu-Metal Mariah
01:16 Welcome to the Show
01:41 Dr. Marv’s Position – Injury Risk on Anabolics
03:30 Study 1 – Injury & Poisoning Profiles in AAS Users
09:04 46% Increased Injury Risk?
09:28 Study 2 – Ruptured Tendons in AAS Users
13:16 Study 3 – Resistance Training, AAS & Muscle Damage
14:05 Studies vs Real-World Experience
18:55 Collagen Metabolism Explained
27:30 Plyometrics for Bodybuilders
32:20 Don’t Just Wrap It Tighter—Rehab It
32:57 Study 4 – AAS Effects on the Patellar Tendon
33:35 Androgens & Stem Cell Pool Theory
40:00 The Problem With GH & Collagen Data
43:48 Hydration Matters
45:55 Fish Oils & Recovery
48:20 Training Principles On Gear vs Off
49:01 Young Lifters & Terrible Warm-Ups
49:30 Take Warm-Up Sets Seriously
52:41 Drugs Aren’t the Reason Your Form Sucks
1:02:07 When to Delay Training
1:03:01 Rehab/Prehab Rodeo – Must-Try Warm-Up ft. Jordan Hutchinson
1:08:54 Cheat Meal Review – Monster Energy Zero
This is for entertainment and education only, this is NOT direct medical advice.
Dr. Christopher (MARV) Marvin DC has been involved in health, wellness and fitness for over 18 years. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Sonoma State University and his Doctor of Chiropractic from Palmer College West in San Jose, California as class valedictorian. Dr. Marv is the owner of Coastal Performance Chiropractic in Houston Bay Area. He also currently offers telemedicine video calls and nutrition coaching through the office for all TX residents. Dr. Marv recently launched The Educated Meathead that will be developed over the course of this year. Currently the website has his first online course, seminar recordings, CUSTOM workout programs, workout programs via subscription, and consults (he cannot legally diagnose non-TX residents with that option but still provide therapeutic exercise and nutrition/lifestyle recommendation).
SOCIALS
instagram.com/dr.marvin.saysdc
instagram.com/theeducatedmeathead_com
WEBSITE:
TheEducatedMeathead.com
WORKOUT PROGRAMS, CONSULTS, SEMINAR RECORDINGS
coastalperformancechiro.com PERFORMANCE CHIROPRACTIC IN HOUSTON BAY AREA, TELEMEDICINE & NUTRITION COACHING FOR ANY TX RESIDENT
ONLINE COURSE - BODYBUILDING ANATOMY & MEATHEAD BIOMECHANICS 101christopher-s-site-c9c9.thinkific.com/products/courses/bodybuilding-anatomy-course
PROMO CODES/PRODUCTS I ENDORSE:
Fullscript (DISCOUNT supplements GUARANTEED by Manufacturer): us.fullscript.com/welcome/drmarvindc
Amazon Approved Products List - coastalperformancechiro.com/coastal-performance-chiro-approved-products
Compression Therapy System
rapidreboot.com - PROMO CODE: DRMARVINSAYS (or use direct link in my bio)
Microlight Cold Laser Therapy - reach out to me directly to get a discounted rate/referral (you don't have to be a doc to buy one!)
BFR hpluscuff.com - PROMO CODE: DrMarvinSays (can even use your HSA/FSA for this FDA approved device)
Toe Pro
humanlocomotion.com/?hl=drmarvinsays - PROMO CODE: marvin-saysdc10
Gym Pin
gym-pin.com / - PROMO CODE: DrMarvinSaysDC
True Nutrition (PROTEIN & MORE!)
truenutrition.com / - PROMO CODE: DrMarvinSays..
OTC Supps – Rock’s Discounts Vitamins & Supps (29 TX stores) PROMO CODE: Dr. MarvinSays (or just drop my name at any of the 30 Rock’s Discount Vitamins & Supps stores all over Texas)
Gym
snapfitness.com/us/gyms/s ... - Mention myself & Coastal Performance Chiropractic at signup
https://dungeongym.live / - PROMO CODE: DrMarvinSays (applies to MOST membership options)
In Episode 44 of Between Two Dumbbells, we challenge the idea that steroids are the primary driver of injuries in bodybuilding. Instead, we focus on what we believe plays a much bigger role in injury risk: suboptimal, poorly applied “evidence-based” training & hydration!
We dive into common fitness myths surrounding steroid side effects & injury risk, arguing that how you train matters far more for muscle growth, longevity, and injury prevention—whether you’re enhanced or natural. Skip pushes back hard, outlining what he sees as major flaws & limitations within the studies themselves, making this a true debate rather than a one-sided take.
As always, you’ll get Dr. Marv’s Rehab/Prehab Rodeo Roundup & Skip’s Cheat Meal Review to close things out.
Between Two Dumbbells exists to explore how to maximize muscle gain in the shortest amount of time possible—through debate, disagreement, & real-world experience. This isn’t a podcast where everyone nods along & pats each other on the back. If ideas don’t hold up under scrutiny, we say it.
Episodes:
Injury Risk (dangerous exercises)
Upper: youtu.be/bKrU9hcrMUg?si=rQrjnCgva0IX0BIb
Lower: youtu.be/TBRE9W8BV1U?si=EtqYSRJAln-iZv5X
Austin Stout: youtu.be/RKL4aASbJWM?si=F1Svh6S9z5nWbcz8
Back Squats: youtu.be/me5bckwJZC4?si=y9lBa6uQV1FnOzbA
Timestamps
01:04 A B2D Christmas ft. Nu-Metal Mariah
01:16 Welcome to the Show
01:41 Dr. Marv’s Position – Injury Risk on Anabolics
03:30 Study 1 – Injury & Poisoning Profiles in AAS Users
09:04 46% Increased Injury Risk?
09:28 Study 2 – Ruptured Tendons in AAS Users
13:16 Study 3 – Resistance Training, AAS & Muscle Damage
14:05 Studies vs Real-World Experience
18:55 Collagen Metabolism Explained
27:30 Plyometrics for Bodybuilders
32:20 Don’t Just Wrap It Tighter—Rehab It
32:57 Study 4 – AAS Effects on the Patellar Tendon
33:35 Androgens & Stem Cell Pool Theory
40:00 The Problem With GH & Collagen Data
43:48 Hydration Matters
45:55 Fish Oils & Recovery
48:20 Training Principles On Gear vs Off
49:01 Young Lifters & Terrible Warm-Ups
49:30 Take Warm-Up Sets Seriously
52:41 Drugs Aren’t the Reason Your Form Sucks
1:02:07 When to Delay Training
1:03:01 Rehab/Prehab Rodeo – Must-Try Warm-Up ft. Jordan Hutchinson
1:08:54 Cheat Meal Review – Monster Energy Zero
This is for entertainment and education only, this is NOT direct medical advice.
Dr. Christopher (MARV) Marvin DC has been involved in health, wellness and fitness for over 18 years. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Sonoma State University and his Doctor of Chiropractic from Palmer College West in San Jose, California as class valedictorian. Dr. Marv is the owner of Coastal Performance Chiropractic in Houston Bay Area. He also currently offers telemedicine video calls and nutrition coaching through the office for all TX residents. Dr. Marv recently launched The Educated Meathead that will be developed over the course of this year. Currently the website has his first online course, seminar recordings, CUSTOM workout programs, workout programs via subscription, and consults (he cannot legally diagnose non-TX residents with that option but still provide therapeutic exercise and nutrition/lifestyle recommendation).
SOCIALS
instagram.com/dr.marvin.saysdc
instagram.com/theeducatedmeathead_com
WEBSITE:
TheEducatedMeathead.com
WORKOUT PROGRAMS, CONSULTS, SEMINAR RECORDINGS
coastalperformancechiro.com PERFORMANCE CHIROPRACTIC IN HOUSTON BAY AREA, TELEMEDICINE & NUTRITION COACHING FOR ANY TX RESIDENT
ONLINE COURSE - BODYBUILDING ANATOMY & MEATHEAD BIOMECHANICS 101christopher-s-site-c9c9.thinkific.com/products/courses/bodybuilding-anatomy-course
PROMO CODES/PRODUCTS I ENDORSE:
Fullscript (DISCOUNT supplements GUARANTEED by Manufacturer): us.fullscript.com/welcome/drmarvindc
Amazon Approved Products List - coastalperformancechiro.com/coastal-performance-chiro-approved-products
Compression Therapy System
rapidreboot.com - PROMO CODE: DRMARVINSAYS (or use direct link in my bio)
Microlight Cold Laser Therapy - reach out to me directly to get a discounted rate/referral (you don't have to be a doc to buy one!)
BFR hpluscuff.com - PROMO CODE: DrMarvinSays (can even use your HSA/FSA for this FDA approved device)
Toe Pro
humanlocomotion.com/?hl=drmarvinsays - PROMO CODE: marvin-saysdc10
Gym Pin
gym-pin.com / - PROMO CODE: DrMarvinSaysDC
True Nutrition (PROTEIN & MORE!)
truenutrition.com / - PROMO CODE: DrMarvinSays..
OTC Supps – Rock’s Discounts Vitamins & Supps (29 TX stores) PROMO CODE: Dr. MarvinSays (or just drop my name at any of the 30 Rock’s Discount Vitamins & Supps stores all over Texas)
Gym
snapfitness.com/us/gyms/s ... - Mention myself & Coastal Performance Chiropractic at signup
https://dungeongym.live / - PROMO CODE: DrMarvinSays (applies to MOST membership options)
