The modern "sick care" model wants you to settle for average. We’re here to restore your standards.

In the debut episode of No Hype, Just Standards, host Zac Armstrong—former Marine, Naval Officer, and fighter pilot—sits down with personal injury attorney Rory Pendergast. Rory built a successful law firm from the ground up, but despite the outside success, he hit a wall of fatigue and brain fog that his doctor dismissed as "normal."

Zac and Rory break down the "Sick Care" game and explore what happens when a high performer realizes their current hustle is no longer sustainable. They discuss the shift from endless cardio to data-driven weight training, the impact of inflammatory foods on executive focus, and how restoring your health makes you a better leader, father, and husband.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why "normal" blood work is a dangerous baseline for high performers.
• The hidden cost of "unintentionally starving" your body while chasing success.
• How to integrate a comprehensive health protocol into a demanding professional schedule.
• The psychological shift required to move from "misplaced steps" to peak performance.

Connect with Zac Armstrong:

• Website: The Executive Health Edge
• Instagram: @zacarmstrongfit
• LinkedIn: Zac Armstrong
• Email: zac@myempowermentfitness.com

Some notable moments from this episode:

00:00 – The "Sick Care" Game: Why your doctor says you’re "normal."

01:24 – Welcome to No Hype, Just Standards: Zac’s Mission.

02:33 – Meet Rory Pendergast: From the Peace Corps to Law Firm Founder.

05:48 – "The puck will not come to you": The mindset of a high performer.

08:33 – Building a "15-minute bubble" for family and efficiency.

15:25 – The Moment the Superpower Vanished: Recognizing the wall.

21:05 – Making the Decision: Health in your 40s vs. puttering in your 70s.

29:31 – The Inflammatory Food Episode: The truth about "healthy" diets.

33:20 – The Shift: Trading cardio for weights at 46 years old.

38:20 – Unintentionally Starving: Why tracking data changed everything.

44:18 – The Metamorphosis: Physical and mental changes after 9 months.

51:25 – Advice to your former self: Just jump in.

57:25 – The Real ROI: Showing up as a present father and husband.

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