meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show

Stronger: The Untold Story of Muscle, Strength, and Human Potential | Michael Joseph Gross

The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show

Dr. Gabrielle Lyon

Medicine, Science, Health & Fitness, Life Sciences

4.6 • 911 Ratings

🗓️ 1 July 2025

⏱️ 83 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this episode, I’m joined by journalist and author Michael Gross, whose book, Stronger: The Untold Story of Muscle in Our Lives, reveals the powerful and often overlooked role of muscle in human health and society—tracing its importance from ancient civilizations to modern science. We explore how our understanding of muscle has evolved through history, from symbols of strength and vitality in antiquity to current misconceptions in modern society. Michael shares insights from his extensive research, highlighting the incredible resilience of muscle tissue, debunking common myths about strength and aging, and providing compelling evidence for why everyone—no matter their age or background—should prioritize building and preserving muscle.

We cover:

  • How muscle was viewed and valued from ancient cultures through modern times
  • Why muscle mass is one of the strongest predictors of overall health and longevity
  • How muscle acts as an endocrine organ influencing metabolism, immunity, and cognition
  • The common misconceptions about strength training, especially in women and older adults
  • How the science of muscle can change your approach to fitness and longevity
  • The societal impact of muscle loss—and how we can turn it around

This conversation will leave you with a renewed appreciation for muscle—past, present, and future—and actionable insights to help you stay forever strong.

Who is Michael Gross?

Michael Joseph Gross is an accomplished journalist and author, widely recognized for his deeply researched, insightful explorations of human health and societal trends. His latest book, Stronger: The Untold Story of Muscle in Our Lives, delves into the transformative power of muscle from a biological, societal, and cultural perspective, offering groundbreaking insights into how muscle impacts our health, aging process, and overall quality of life.

This episode is brought to you by:


Find Michael Joseph Gross at:


Find Me At:

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

You've been told to walk more to lose weight, to focus on cardio.

0:04.0

But here's what you likely haven't been told.

0:07.0

Muscle is one of the most underappreciated systems in the body,

0:11.0

and the consequences of ignoring it are showing up everywhere.

0:15.0

Muscle supports your brain, helps regulate blood sugar,

0:18.0

and plays a critical role in whether you remain physically independent

0:22.4

as you age. My guest today is Michael Joseph Gross, author of Stronger, the untold story of muscle

0:31.3

in our lives. He spent years exploring how muscle has shaped culture, health, and identity, and why it deserves a prominent

0:40.2

place at the table in health care. Keep watching if you want to not only add years to your life,

0:46.3

but more importantly, add life and strength to your years.

0:55.6

Michael Joseph Gross, welcome to the show.

0:58.4

Thank you, Gabrielle.

0:59.6

I have to say that you have written my new favorite book.

1:03.7

And I was thrilled when you agreed to come on the show.

1:07.0

This book is called Stronger, and it is the untold story of muscle in our lives.

1:13.7

Thank you so much for having me.

1:15.5

This book does something that I've never seen. It brings history, the history of muscle,

1:21.0

the history of movement, and it integrates science. Really well done.

1:26.8

Thank you. Thank you. Tell me about why. Why this book?

1:32.3

Think back to when we were in grade school. It starts really early how we get our ideas about muscle.

1:40.7

There are bigger kids and smaller kids. There are bullies and weaklings.

1:45.3

There are jocks and eggheads.

...

Transcript will be available on the free plan in 23 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.

Previous episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Dr. Gabrielle Lyon and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.