Build for Health with Srdjan Injac

In this episode of Build for Health, Pete and trainer Srdjan Injac dig into what the “core” really is—and why it’s far more than the six-pack we’ve all been taught to chase. Srdjan breaks down the core as a 360-degree muscular system, not a single muscle group, and explains why abs alone represent only about 20% of what truly keeps us upright, stable, and injury-resistant. From the way sitting at a desk weakens deep stabilizers, to why most back pain comes from core fatigue rather than structural damage, Srdjan reframes core training as the foundation of long-term strength and mobility.

Together, they explore why machines shut off the core, why instability is your best friend, and how breathing and bracing are as essential as the exercises themselves. Srdjan walks through the muscles you never hear about—multifidus, transverse abdominals, pelvic floor—and explains how they work together to protect your spine, improve form in big lifts, and reduce fall and injury risk as we age. They also tackle myths, overrated exercises, and the mistake of thinking the core’s job is to move you. Its real job? Resist movement.

Whether you’re new to strength training or trying to understand why your lifts feel stuck, this conversation redefines what it means to “train your core” and how to build a body that supports you for decades to come.

Links & Notes

What is Build for Health with Srdjan Injac?

Build for Health is a show that flips the script on fitness. Hosted by longtime podcaster Pete Wright and strength coach Srdjan Injac of ELEV8 Fitness, this show isn’t about gym culture or getting shredded—it’s about why building muscle is the most important investment you can make in your long-term health.

Each week, Pete and Srdjan break down the science, bust the myths, and offer real-world insight into how resistance training supports not just strength, but brain function, metabolic health, emotional well-being, immune resilience, and aging with independence.

If you think lifting weights is just for looks, think again. It’s time to rethink strength—and build a body that’s built for life.

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Meet the Hosts

Srdjan Injac is a certified strength coach and the founder of ELEV8 Fitness in Portland, Oregon. With a background in kinesiology and a lifelong passion for movement, he’s trained everyone from elite athletes to everyday professionals to feel strong, live pain-free, and age with purpose. Srdjan’s coaching style is built on evidence-based training, long-term sustainability, and a deep belief in the power of muscle as medicine.

Pete Wright is a veteran podcaster, storyteller, and—most importantly—a guy who used to avoid the gym at all costs. Srdjan’s just so happens to be his trainer. As such, Pete tries to bring curiosity, candor, and a deeply personal perspective on what it really takes to change your relationship with strength... no matter how much it hurts. With a background in health communication and habit-building for adults with ADHD, Pete asks the questions we’re all wondering—and helps listeners stay curious while getting stronger.