Science Communication with Dr. Eric Helms, Ep 202

EPISODE 202: SCIENCE COMMUNICATION WITH DR. ERIC HELMS

🚨 What if the biggest problem in health and fitness today isn't misinformation... it's not knowing who to trust?

This week on The Macro Perspective Podcast, we sat down with Dr. Eric Helms—researcher, coach, science communicator, co-founder of 3DMJ and MASS Research Review, author of the Muscle & Strength Pyramids, and one of the most respected voices in evidence-based fitness.

With over two decades of experience coaching athletes, conducting research, and helping people navigate the ever-changing world of health and performance, Eric breaks down why science seems so confusing, how social media has changed the way we consume information, and what it actually means to be "evidence-based."

Some of our biggest takeaways:

🧠 "People have cynicism masquerading as skepticism." Being skeptical is healthy. Automatically dismissing information because of who it's coming from isn't.

📚 Science isn't a collection of facts—it's a process. The goal isn't to be perfectly right. It's to become a little less wrong over time.

🎙️ The best information doesn't always win. Great storytelling, marketing, and communication often outperform expertise in today's social media landscape.

🏗️ Before chasing the latest supplement, peptide, or health hack, make sure your foundation is solid. Sleep, nutrition, training consistency, and lifestyle habits still matter most.

This conversation goes far beyond fitness. It's about critical thinking, navigating uncertainty, and learning how to make better decisions in a world overflowing with information.

#EvidenceBasedFitness #FitnessEducation #ScienceBasedCoaching #EricHelms #MASSResearchReview

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(00:00) Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice (02:28) Navigating Social Media and Fitness (05:14) Understanding Evidence-Based Medicine (08:01) The Confusion of Science and Pseudoscience (10:40) Cynicism vs. Skepticism in Science (13:00) The Role of PhDs in Fitness and Nutrition (15:41) The Importance of Communication in Science (18:19) The Future of Science Communication (32:47) The Role of Sales in Science Communication (33:18) Debating Nutrition: The Power of Storytelling (36:00) The Evolution of Science Communication in Academia (38:31) Navigating the Challenges of Academic and Public Engagement (42:36) The Investment in Content Creation and Education (44:10) The Journey of Influencers in the Fitness Industry (49:31) Understanding the Complexities of Peptides and Health Claims (55:28) The Gray Market of Peptides (57:21) Anecdotes vs. Scientific Evidence (01:00:31) The Role of Pharmaceutical Companies (01:03:44) Understanding Peptides and Patents (01:10:38) Wrapping Up: Insights and Reflections

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You can find Eric Helms here:

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You can find The Macro Perspective and its hosts here:

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About Eric Helms: Eric Helms, PhD, CSCS, AccredSpNut, is a science communicator, sport science/nutrition researcher and coach. He is a co-founder and reviewer for MASS Research Review and the co-director of the Sport Research Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ) at the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) where he conducts strength and physique sport science and mentors masters and PhD students. A trainer and coach for competitive and recreational drug-free strength and physique athletes at all levels for two decades via Team 3D Muscle Journey since 2009, where he is the science officer and co-founder. As a lifter, he is a WNBF pro natural bodybuilder and competes in strength sport.

About the Podcast:

The Macro Perspective is hosted by Marcos Rivera and Seamus Sullivan, and was born from a simple but powerful mission: to help people take ownership of their health and lives. As performance health coaches, they've spent their careers empowering clients to think critically, stay curious, and make informed choices in all aspects of life.