Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

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After 40, building and keeping muscle gets harder, joints take longer to recover, and the training volume that used to work starts costing more than it returns.

I sit down with Jesse Salas, movement coach and Foundation Training specialist, and Steve Munatones, co-creator of KAATSU Global, to break down how KAATSU actually works, who it's for, and how to use it to build muscle, support recovery, and extend the years you stay physically capable.

What we explore:
- How blood flow restriction training builds muscle with less load and less joint stress, especially after 40.
- Why vascular health is trainable, and how daily KAATSU use improves circulation, recovery, and energy over time.
- What the 12-minute post-KAATSU growth hormone window is and how to use it for performance or physical therapy.
- How KAATSU supports nervous system recovery and why it's being used for stress, sleep, and PTSD protocols.
- Who KAATSU is actually for: aging adults, injured athletes, sedentary beginners, and everyone in between.

Chapters:


00:00 Intro
03:46 KAATSU Origins: Dr. Sato and the Aging Population
07:36 How Blood Flow Restriction Actually Works
09:32 Muscle Quality vs. Heavy Lifting
13:19 Daily KAATSU Use and Cumulative Benefits
17:29 Lactate, Healing Hormones, and Pain Relief
20:16 Steve's 13 Years Training Under Dr. Sato
25:20 KAATSU for Weight Loss and Pre-Diabetes
50:04 KAATSU and Barbell Training: Strength Protocols
57:35 Vascular Elasticity and Metabolic Longevity
01:05:51 The 12-Minute Growth Hormone Window
01:08:22 Nervous System Recovery: PTSD and Stress
01:13:45 Habit Design: Getting the Bands On Daily
01:41:25 Hydration and Fueling for KAATSU Training
01:48:02 Core, Posture, and Foundation Training
01:49:34 How to Get Started with KAATSU


About Jesse Salas:
Movement coach, former firefighter, and Foundation Training specialist. Jesse integrates KAATSU with breathwork and movement fundamentals to help athletes and everyday people train smarter, recover faster, and stay injury-free.


Instagram: instagram.com/coachjsalas


About Steve Munatones:
Co-founder of KAATSU Global and the person who brought Dr. Yoshiaki Sato's research from Japan to the world. After 13 years of direct training under Dr. Sato, Munatones has applied the technology across Olympic athletes, rehab patients, and aging populations on every level.


Website: kaatsu.com
Instagram: instagram.com/kaatsuglobal


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The Gabby Reece Show

This is where I have real conversations with the people I find most worth listening to: scientists, athletes, coaches, parents, and thinkers who are doing the hard work of building a life that holds up over time. No hacks. No quick fixes. Just honest, practical conversations about performance, longevity, relationships, and what it actually takes to show up well at every age.

If you are here, you probably already know that health is not a destination. It is how you live. I am glad you are along for it.

Connect with Gabby Reece:

Instagram: instagram.com/gabbyreece
TikTok: tiktok.com/@gabbyreeceofficial
Website: gabriellereece.com