In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Joey Munoz – nutrition PhD, science communicator, and former Team Biolayne coach. We have a wide-ranging conversation on building a career in this space, science communication, and the lessons fitness teaches beyond the gym.
We talk about Joey’s path from undergrad to PhD to full-time influencer, the realities of starting social media, why muscle is freedom (especially as we age), leading by example as a parent, content strategy, changing eating behaviors, resilience, and what it actually takes to build a business in fitness.
Hip Fracture 1-Year Mortality in Older Adults
- Multiple sources and reviews commonly cite 17–25% (or higher in some cohorts). Example: Recent studies suggest a 17%–25% 1-year mortality rate following hip fracture in older adults.
JMIR Aging (2022) - Systematic analyses and cohort data frequently fall in or near this range, with rates rising substantially with advanced age (e.g., higher in those ≥85).
Archives of Osteoporosis / related meta-analyses
Osteoporosis International meta-analysis on predictors - Excess mortality after hip fracture is well-documented (elevated risk that persists beyond the first year).
CHANCES project meta-analysis (J Intern Med)
Muscle Strength / Sarcopenia and Mortality Risk After Age 65
- Higher muscular strength (handgrip and knee extension) is associated with lower all-cause mortality risk (meta-analysis of ~2 million participants). Higher strength linked to ~31% lower risk.
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (2018) - Grip strength meta-analysis: Lowest vs. highest grip strength associated with higher all-cause mortality (HR ~1.41) and cardiovascular mortality.
Journal of the American Medical Directors Association (2017) - Dose-response evidence on handgrip strength and mortality risk.
Ageing Research Reviews (2022) - Sarcopenia linked to increased functional decline and all-cause mortality in community-dwelling older adults (systematic review/meta-analysis).
Frontiers in Nutrition (related reviews)
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Lean Mass Loss
- Network meta-analysis of GLP-1RAs: Lean mass loss comprised approximately 25% of total weight loss; relative lean mass percentage was largely unaffected.
Metabolism (2025 systematic review/network meta-analysis) - STEP 1 (semaglutide 2.4 mg) DXA substudy: Substantial fat mass reduction with lean mass also declining (absolute lean mass loss occurred; relative lean mass proportion improved because fat fell more).
NEJM main paper
(Body composition details from exploratory DXA analysis of the STEP 1 trial.) - SURMOUNT-1 (tirzepatide) DXA substudy: Approximately 75% of weight lost was fat and ~25% lean mass (similar proportion in the placebo group). Fat mass fell substantially more than lean mass.
Look et al., Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism (2025) – body composition analysis (summarizes the substudy)
Main SURMOUNT-1 trial: NEJM
