Feed the Right Wolf: Rewire Your Brain for Food Freedom with FFP Head Trainer Ben Sterling

Why do we keep eating foods we know are bad for us? In this powerful episode, #245 of the Fit Father Project Podcast, Dr. Anthony Balduzzi sits down with Head Trainer Ben Sterling to unpack this deeply human struggle — and share the science and strategies behind breaking food addiction for good.Ben opens up about his personal journey from pizza-fueled college nights to becoming a model of discipline and health. Together they explore why willpower alone isn't enough, and how understanding brain chemistry — specifically dopamine loops, habit cues, and emotional triggers — is the key to reclaiming control. The conversation blends cutting-edge neuroscience with hard-earned wisdom, offering listeners a toolkit to stop compulsive eating and feed the “good wolf” instead.You’ll learn how small, daily decisions either reinforce or break addictive patterns, why delayed gratification is a key to long-term success, and how food cravings are often just symptoms of deeper emotional needs. They also share practical strategies, from environmental design and mindful “urge surfing,” to movement-based interruptions and healthy substitutions that satisfy without sabotaging.If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why do I keep doing this?” — this conversation is your wake-up call. It’s raw, relatable, and deeply empowering. Whether you're trying to avoid late-night snacks, ditch sugar, or stop eating when stressed, this episode will give you the tools and perspective to finally take back control.Key TakeawaysDopamine-driven cravings start with a cue, not just hunger“Feeding the wolf” reinforces brain wiring for impulsivityStress and fatigue weaken the brain’s impulse control (prefrontal cortex)Long-term health is built by winning small daily decisionsWillpower is like a muscle — use it wisely, but don’t rely on it aloneSubstitutions (e.g., lettuce-wrapped burgers) can satisfy without derailing progress“Urge surfing” helps ride out cravings with mindfulness, not resistanceEvening walks can replace post-dinner dessert habitsProximity = temptation — keep junk food out of the housePainful post-binge consequences can be powerful learning toolsRewiring patterns means identifying your biggest triggers and replacing routinesAddictions (food, shopping, etc.) often stem from the same neural loopsCravings peak and then pass — delay action and you weaken themHealth is freedom — from disease and from compulsive patternsDiscipline becomes easier when your environment supports itTry Out Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil ClubGo to http://go.getfreshfitfather.com to enroll in the Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil Club, pay just $1 to help cover shipping costs, and receive a complimentary full-size bottle ($39 value) of one of the greatest olive oils T.J. has ever discovered. With T.J.’s Club, there’s never a commitment to buy anything, now or ever, and you can cancel your membership at any time.Just Thrive!Website: https://justthrivehealth.com/Use promo code: FITFAMILY and save 20% on your first 90-day bottle of Just Thrive Probiotics.BEAM Minerals and Your HealthYou can learn more at beamminerals.com/fitfamily. Use the code FITFAMILY for 20% off your first order.Let’s Meet Up in Phoenix!We are hosting our first-ever Fit Father / Fit Mother LIVE event in Phoenix, Aug. 29-31. We want to meet you there! Click here for all the details:

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If you’re a busy guy in your 40’s, 50’s and 60’s, chances are you have heard that you can no longer reap the benefits of the days of your youth. Society has told you that it’s not possible for you to stay lean, stay fit, and have the exuberance and energy you once felt and had as a young man. These constant messages are telling us that it's ok to not be our best selves. We don’t have to try or stay hungry as we once did when we were young. We no longer have anything to prove to ourselves. These messages are also contributing to a larger problem we are not addressing. Obesity. In the U.S., today, nearly 50% of all men over 40 are obesity. Being overweight and out of shape is the number one contributor to early death. And today more men are passing away at younger ages than ever before. Cancer diagnoses in men are escalating. Men are being put on prescription meds for blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease at younger ages. And more families are losing fathers and husbands by the day. Obesity is the enemy, the one that sits on the top of the hill peering down at us from afar. We have allowed for far too long to let ourselves lose. To take the hill is no easy task. There are no quick fixes. There are no hacks or shortcuts to winning this battle to a better and more healthy life. The only way to win is to work. Every day, little by little. And with the right methods, tools, and strategies, together we can help you stand tall against the enemy of obesity and mediocrity and take back your life. Hi, I’m Dr. Anthony Balduzzi, CEO of The Fit Father Project and Host of this show, the Fit Father Project Podcast. For the last 10 years, my team and I have perfected a health and weight loss system designed exclusively For Men Over 40. 40,000 men in over 100 countries have come through Fit Father Project ready to take on their own hill and conquer their enemies. And now it’s time we help you with yours. On this podcast, we’re going to cover tactics and strategies to help you wage war against your enemy such as - How to increase your testosterone to build age-defying muscle - How to make healthy eating simple and sustainable. - How to become the best version of yourself. My commitment to you is to set you up for success. Truth be told, there will be times your mind will tell you to take it easy, to go back to unhealthy habits. There will be times that the daily stresses of life will make you feel like the only way to deal with it is to eat your favorite junk food meal. There will be times you will feel satisfied with where you are and give up because you’re content. But together on this podcast, we will stay the course and conquer the hill. To get the latest episodes of the Fit Father Project Podcast, follow us on Apple, Spotify, and or wherever you get your podcast and turn your notifications on so you know when a new episode drops. Stay Strong. Stay Vigilant. And Take the Hill.