Episodes
Published 03/23/24
This week I talk to Chris Barakat, we dig into his life since bringing a child into the world and how that’s impacted his bodybuilding. Before diving into his experience at WNBF Worlds and a general discussion surrounding his preference how higher protein diets. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:37 Becoming a father and the impact on the business and bodybuilding 06:40 What does training look like now? 09:41 Is it Possible to hit the genetic ceiling? 12:03 Goals & expectations as a natty...
Published 03/23/24
This week I talk to Max Coleman who recently published a study looking at the influence of being supervised on muscle growth. Does having a team of researchers help or hinder peoples muscle growth? We also dig into some broader discussions on science, what it can and cannot tell you. Finally seeing if Max has any updated thoughts surrounding reloads. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:26 Study on the effects of supervision 12:26 Gender differences 15:59 Cues during lifting helpful? 19:35...
Published 03/15/24
What leads to more growth leaving reps in the tank or taking reps to failure? Today I talk to Martin Refalo about just that as he recently published a paper that investigated this question. Learn about the current state of evidence as it pertains to proximity to failure and the relationship to hypertrophy and why Martin's study helps fill a void within the literature to date. And finally the important practical takeaways for you as a trainee or coach. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:26 What is...
Published 03/09/24
The dose-response relationship between resistance training volume and muscle hypertrophy This week we have a roundtable to discuss whether or note there is a dose-response relationship between training volume and hypertrophy. Samuel Buckner and Holly Baxter recently authored (along with E.Moreno - not on the show) a paper that put some doubts into this relationship. And so they are on along with Menno Henselmans and Josh Pelland to try and dig deeper into our understanding. One you don’t want...
Published 03/02/24
Today I talk to Cliff Wilson, who is also my new prep coach for 2024. I answer why I chose Cliff as my coach before we dive into questions like; the difference between coaching advanced vs. gen population clients, what traits make a successful client, why refeeds during an off-season and much more. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:39 Update on Cliff 04:39 Muscle Memory effect 09:49 Why Steve chose Cliff as a coach 16:14 Biggest difference between advanced and less advanced clients 23:28 Being...
Published 02/24/24
Today I am talking with Dr Pak about all things training techniques to maximise muscle growth. He recently spearheaded a paper titled ‘Optimizing Resistance Training Technique to Maximize Muscle Hypertrophy: A Narrative Review’ and we dive deep into that. How much of what you deem as good technique has solid evidence to support it? Find out here Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:24 Definition of what Technique is 06:27 Effects of tempo on hypertrophy 10:46 Fast vs. slow eccentrics 17:23 Where do...
Published 02/17/24
Kassem Hanson is back on the show and we dive into a variety of topics ranging from his biggest lessons from 2023, what his goals are for 2024 before a deep dive into things like integrated partials. Lots of gold to be found within. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 04:07 Has anything changed being 40 08:37 Goals for N1 11:43 What is programming? 15:48 What is optimal volume 20:27 Online vs. offline seminars and courses. What can be learned, partials, practical applications, etc. 38:54 Being a...
Published 02/10/24
Dr. Eduardo De Souza is currently a tenured professor at the University of Tampa. Today we are going to discuss things more broadly & look to Understand the Caveats in Training Volume Research for Strength and Hypertrophy before diving into some Practical Recommendations. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:01 Reasons to understand the caveats to training volume in strength and hypertrophy 07:08 Does the research impact practical recommendations? 13:53 Study design and washout period 20:42 Gender...
Published 02/03/24
Today Eric Trexler is back on the show to answer the age-old question “how fast can we diet without risking muscle loss?” As you might expect, there isn’t a simple one-word answer to this. Eric dives into the complexities of this question but not without giving you the practical takeaways to apply to your own fat loss goals. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:23 Risk and fear of muscle loss. How much muscle mass do we lose when dieting? 17:48 Things change with added resistance training. How fast...
Published 01/27/24
Today I talk another time to Mike Murry, who is a writer for examine, an RD and a competitive bodybuilder. This time we talk about training. His take on lengthened partials, advanced training techniques and transitioning into becoming a vegan bodybuilder Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:08 Training at long muscle lengths 11:06 Integrated partials 17:04 Injury risk 22:37 Advanced training techniques 29:22 Using science to confirm your biases 33:50 How to approach training 35:28 Transitioning into...
Published 01/20/24
Josh Pelland is on the show, he is pursuing his PhD under Mike Zourdos & is the co-owner of Data Driven Strength. We dig into his background before diving into the topic of advanced training techniques. What are they? And what does Josh think might be one that isn’t commonly used but could be the holy grail of gains? Find out today. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 03:12 Who is Josh and what does he train for? 07:44 What got Josh into doing his PhD in exercise science? 14:56 How much time is...
Published 01/13/24
Jeff at the age of 52 just brought his best-ever physique to stage and came away with a top 5 placing as a pro at WNBF Worlds, the most competitive stage there is. We dig into his season, the highs, the lows and the lessons. As well as a lot of his journey covering his 14 competitive seasons. Lots of nuggets to take away for any competitor, coach or future competitor. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:44 Post-show thoughts and feelings 07:11 What would have made this season a success? 10:20...
Published 01/06/24
Brad & Pak are on the show as a duo to go over a recent systematic review regarding bodybuilding case studies & alterations in various measures from calories consumed, hormones & their training. Really valuable insights for any competitors, coaches or anyone dieting. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 06:21 What was the goal of the paper? 09:50 What were the results and differences observed 19:10 Gender differences 22:08 Losing lean mass 28:55 Conditioning as a genetic trait? 31:09 Hormonal...
Published 12/30/23
Today I talk to Mike Murry, who is a writer for examine, an RD and a competitive bodybuilder. We dig into a bit of his background, his recent competitive season and spend some time walking through nutrition and supplementation considerations around the workout window. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:21 Who is Mike and what brought him to examine 10:00 Sleep impact during prep 15:28 Rationale for competing 20:14 Enjoying stepping stage? 24:20 Methodologies during prep that are based on...
Published 12/23/23
This week Bill Campbell is back on the show to give us an update on his high-carb case study and much more. We delve into the insulin model for why people think this could drive adiposity. Before then moving on to a really interesting study looking at my people stop losing weight; is it a lack of adherence or metabolic adaptation? Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 03:17 Case study: High carb diet experiment 16:12 Any distinct differences to former dieting phases 22:04 Health markers and testosterone...
Published 12/16/23
Dr Helms is back on the show but not for his usual scientific insights into all things bodybuilding, but to talk about his own bodybuilding journey. We dive into his early motivations and how they developed over time. How competing has been a springboard for other success in life. And finally what it means to have turned pro within the WNBF, a lifelong goal that wasn’t guaranteed. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:01 Eric's bodybuilding journey 10:21 First and worst bodybuilding experience 17:10...
Published 12/09/23
Mike Israetel is back on the show and we dig deep, I mean really deep into his experience at the Olympia and also what he thought of the results. Will Cbum ever be beaten? What’s it like being famous? Why doesn’t anyone talk about Phil Heath's training? All questions were covered and much more! Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:19 Perception of time and public appearances, commercials and changes in marketing 17:13 Mr. Olympia 2023 and being famous 31:58 Talking to people, introverts vs...
Published 12/02/23
Jacob is back on the show to bust some more myths about injuries and the like. Also to discuss some of the changing in his own personal programming & discussing how people often underestimate what they can recover from. Lots of practical takeaways and interesting pieces to be taken from today's discussion. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 03:40 Transition from powerlifting to bodybuilding. How much volume can you recover from? 09:18 When and how to take a deload 12:38 Is there a reason for the...
Published 11/25/23
This week we have a fantastic roundtable episode with Brad, Milo & Pak. We dig into the recent high-volume study that kicked up a storm on social media. Everything from was the measurement of hypertrophy legit to whether junk volume is a myth? And much more before leaving you with the practical take-homes. Sponsor - https://saga.fitness/ Get 20% off with code ‘ReviveStronger’ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 03:46 Study summary and is two 2 weeks even enough time? 13:00 Ultrasound measurements...
Published 11/18/23
This week I talk to Astrid Naranjo who is a registered dietitian and a coach at Team Biolayne. She has a really interesting background which we dig into and expand on some of her knowledge surrounding emotional eating, body image disorder and coaching. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:26 Being a practitioner and online coach 09:09 How to help people 14:13 What lead Astrid to become a registered dietitian 24:42 Anti-diet dietitian 37:14 When to be "on" when to be "off". Control food 44:47 Working...
Published 11/11/23
Today I talked to Lauren Colenso-Semple who is currently undergoing her Ph.D. in Integrative Physiology & is part of the MASS research review team. We dig a bit into her background, research & interests, covering topics such as syncing one's training to their menstrual cycle and much more. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 13:25 Own athletic and coaching background 17:01 Physique sports for females 23:24 Periodising around menstrual cycle 29:56 Does it even make sense? 40:44 Hormonal...
Published 11/04/23
Eric is back on the show and we’re talking about his recent life changes, he’s back in the lab and then cover questions from rep ranges for hypertrophy, deloads and his views on the literature on range of motion and the role it plays for hypertrophy. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:11 Life update on Eric 09:25 What's compelling about doing research? 12:41 What Eric wants to research 20:16 What is the optimal rep range 26:16 Using arousal in order to increase performance 33:01 Anything beneficial...
Published 10/28/23
Today I talked to Menno and we dug into the idea of losing muscle if you’re not gaining strength during a diet, is this really true? Before digging into Menno’s preferred approach to mini-cutting and how fast we can lose fat before risking muscle loss. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:35 If your strength is stable while cutting, you're losing muscle mass 07:45 Risk of muscle loss, how likely is it 09:45 Does leverage change impact the strength much 18:26 Recovery as a culprit of muscle loss and...
Published 10/21/23
Brandon is back on the show to give you the low down on NSAID’s, do they help or hinder muscle growth? If you want to maximise your gains but have pain, how should you navigate use of NSAIDs? And what can we do to mitigate pain outside of using these drugs? Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 06:27 Anything changed to training and applications with new research? 08:20 Any new exciting findings? 11:07 The impact of NSAIDS and pain medication on muscle growth 14:48 Are there benefits for recovery? 18:22...
Published 10/14/23