Listener Reviews

Brian does a great job of providing simple tips and habit changes that I can stick to long term. I really like that he encourages small adjustments that can be incorporated into normal life and used to build habits and routines. I have done the major sweeping changes to both fitness and nutrition but never had success in sticking with them; adjusting a few small things is much more attainable and once the habit is formed additional small changes can be implemented to improve and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

I’ve been working with Coach Brian for 3 years now, and this podcast has helped me remember the times when we started working together! Everything in the episodes breaks down the process to losing weight. Definitely look forward to the episodes

I’ve been working with Brian for the past two years in the gym, and it’s been incredible to watch how he brings that same energy and passion to his podcast. He’s truly dedicated to helping people grow — not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. Brian is knowledgeable, compassionate, and genuinely cares about making a difference in people’s lives. Listening to him share insights, stories, and motivation reminds me why so many look up to him. His passion for helping others shines through in every episode.

I found Coach Brian after I had lost a significant amount of weight but due to some very big life stressors, my weight was slowly creeping back up despite my continued exercise. I knew I needed to do something differently and that I needed to be more strategic about both my exercise and nutrition. Working with Coach Brian has been an experience of developing more self-discipline than I ever thought I would be interested in attempting. It’s been a journey of self-discovery, growth and stretching my limits - a process of coming to be really happy with who I am, how I feel physically and emotionally, as well as how I look, while simultaneously being constantly inspired to improve. Brian is direct, honest, and no-nonsense but always respectful and supportive. On our first call, the first thing he did, as I was multi-tasking, banging around my kitchen doing dishes, was to say, “Kate, I want you to stop what you’re doing, sit down and focus. If you can’t show up for yourself, no one else will...” Right then, he made it clear that the only way to succeed in my weight loss and fitness goals would be to give it my attention and effort. I respect that he looks for clients who are serious and committed. He expects a lot of his clients but by setting a high bar, and providing consistent, reliable support, he inspires me to work hard. When I started working with Coach Brian, my knowledge of nutrition was quite basic. I thought I ate fairly healthily but I really had no idea what I was doing and I wasn’t thinking about nutrition a great deal. I just knew it was a weak link I needed to correct yet it felt overwhelming. Four months later, I am still learning but my diet has changed significantly and my knowledge base has grown considerably. Brian has a wealth of knowledge regarding nutrition, fitness and stress management that he puts at his clients’ disposal. He continues to educate me constantly. After an initial observation period of about a week, he changed my protein/carb/fat ratios and a few months later the results are obvious looking at how my body has changed. I was exercising daily but not strategically. He gently pushed me to integrate weights into my routine and has walked me through the process every step of the way, responding to questions and providing critiques and celebrations throughout. This has been a challenging habit for me to integrate into my lifestyle but after a couple months of relatively light strength training (2 x week), I both feel and see the difference in my body. Where there used to be flab, my arms are now taught, strong, and much leaner. I get comments all the time now about the muscle definition in my arms and I can feel how the increased strength is improving my ability to perform in the sports that I do. He also gently moved me into tracking my calories and macronutrient ratios, which is something I didn’t think I’d ever be willing to do. At first it was overwhelming but he patiently and without pressure led the way until I was able to do it independently. Brian got me to change habits I never thought I’d be willing to change- and the results are evident. Between the diet changes and shifts in my exercise routine, I’ve lost thirteen pounds so far, 3 inches off my waist and 9 inches total from my body. My clothes that were getting too tight to wear all fit great now or are even getting too loose in some cases. Time to go shopping! Working with Brian is a pleasure. He is responsive daily and will field questions as they arise. If I am in the gym, doing a new weight resistance exercise and have a question, he will respond whenever possible. Or if I’ve had a question about something I’m about to eat, he’ll often fire back a quick response. He stays in tune with my life’s daily challenges, whether it’s a business trip throwing a wrench in my exercise and diet plans, going out to eat, or other life priorities coming up… he will provide guidance and support for getting through while staying on track with nutrition and exercise. He also responds to the type of support that I ask for based on my particular challenges. At the same time, he will not hesitate to tell me what I need to do differently. It’s a good balance. Brian is realistic. He doesn’t expect his clients to never have treats, or bad days where diet or exercise go out the window. I feel like he understands that we’re all human and he just expects that we get up and keep trying our best. He is hardline about sticking to goals but there’s never any shaming. He acknowledges importance of balanced life and that people also have other important priorities of family, jobs, etc. and he helps to work fitness and nutrition in and around those. Brian got me to take stock of my priorities and works on me constantly to simplify my life – to make time for the important things and get rid of the clutter that wastes my energies. He takes a holistic approach to health and will address your stress... whatever it is keeping you down but always in a respectful manner. Brian is an amazing cheerleader. When I was sick for days, frustrated and down that couldn’t exercise, he sent me a series of personal video messages intended to lift me up, and they did. When I was facing some very difficult issues his response was, “I’ve got your back. I want the best for you.” He has honed in on my vision for making changes in my professional life, gotten excited about it, and is encouraging me to follow through to make it a reality.

What I love the most about Brian is how passionate he is about what he does. What comes through loud and clear when you listen to him, work with him, or get to know him, is that he truly cares, not just about the result, but about the person.

Driven for Health is a valuable podcast for any man who wants to take control of his well-being. The hosts offer practical advice that is easy to understand and use. They discuss important subjects that are often ignored, from improving your fitness routine to handling stress and thinking more clearly. Listening to this podcast is like getting advice from a friend who truly cares about your success. What makes this podcast stand out is its focus on overall health. It is not just about exercise or diet; it is about building a healthy life that lasts. The discussions are supported by real experience and expert knowledge, giving you the confidence to make positive changes. Whether you are already fit or just beginning your health journey, you will find a lot of value in every episode. If you are ready to improve your health, this is the podcast you should be listening to.

I love any Brian content. He keeps me motivated and on track with my fitness/life goals. I like to listen to this when I’m out on the trail.

Driven For Health is the kind of podcast men need right now—straightforward, actionable tips rooted in real science, not fluff. Brian does a great job breaking down nutrition and fitness in ways that feel doable for everyday life. I’ve already pulled ideas I can apply immediately to boost energy and feel better. Highly recommend for anyone looking to live sharper, stronger, and more intentional.

Coach Brian has certainly helped me. Down around 28 lbs and still going strong. He is a great coach and encourager.

I’ve been a client of Coach Brian for the last 3 years. He helped me re-think my entire lifestyle - from the food I ate, to the amount of movement I practiced, as well as broader considerations about work, life and everything in between. Brian not only is a wealth of knowledge, he is a great human being who understands that everyone’s lives are different, and so must their relationships with a healthy lifestyle. Super excited for this podcast, and for those that will benefit from Brian’s expertise!

I’ve worked with Coach Brian for 9 months and lost 12.3 lbs. He’s patient, careful, and thoroughly recommended, maintaining a sense of humor about what’s a difficult topic for many. As a career driven man right in that 40s and 50s he’s describing, I’ve noticed a lot of his tips are really applicable to my circumstances, which I appreciate quite a bit given how little time and options I have to work with. Give him a try, and build some momentum

Driven for Health with Brian Parana is exactly the kind of podcast I’ve been looking for. Brian has an incredible way of breaking down health, fitness, and lifestyle strategies into practical steps that actually feel doable. His energy is motivating without being overwhelming, and you can tell he genuinely cares about helping people become the best versions of themselves. Every episode leaves me with something I can apply right away, whether it’s a mindset shift, nutrition tip, or fitness strategy. If you’re serious about improving your health in a sustainable way, this podcast is a must-listen!

Coach Brian has helped me have success with eating and exercising! His nutrition plan is sustainable unlike so many other plans. I would follow Coach Brian’s ideas for great and lasting results!

I worked with Brian for several years and experienced some of the best success of my life personally and professionally. He helped me with both my physical and mental health which led to me developing better relationships. It’s great to see him sharing his expertise with a bigger audience now.

I worked with Brian and not only did I meet my goals, I have maintained them. Brian goes the extra mile to make your journey a success

I had 4 marathons under my belt and was still chasing that BQ unsuccessfully when I hired Brian. I was doing all the training and continuously feeling bloated, gaining weight, and feeling so tired and drained after all training runs. Why was I gaining weight if my workouts were getting longer? Had to be nutrition. I worked with Brian for only 4 months before I got my first BQ. Not only did I achieve the goal time but I shed 20 lbs in the process. He worked with me on establishing what my body needed to fuel the long workouts as well as what I need post workout. Brian helped me establish the right macros I needed to feel fueled and ready to train each day. I cant recommend him enough for the wonders he did for me. He has such a great personality and knows so much that it makes you want to do and be better. I FINALLY HAVE ABS and have qualified for Boston a second time because of the years of work Brian has dedicated to helping me achieve my goals.

I worked with Coach Brian a couple years back and his guidance made a big difference from me. I’m excited to keep learning new stuff from him through this podcast.

Coach Brian knows his stuff and he makes it feel accessible. He breaks down health and nutrition, simplifying so it doesn’t feel so overwhelming. If you want to get be your healthiest self and you don’t know where to start, start with Coach Brian!

I worked with Brian starting November 2024 through March of 2025 while training for my first HYROX race. While I am an active person, I needed some direction and support with programming and macros in order to meet my fitness goals. Brian worked with me to find a challenging workout routine and a balanced diet that worked for me and my busy schedule. Brian knew when I needed support, when I needed a push, when I needed rest. He was communicative, understanding and cheered me on as I met my goals!