Iron Culture presented by MASS

Mr Dr. Ben House is back on Iron Culture, but this time, he’s fully indoctrinated. That’s right, Ben is making a push to experience what it’s like to get into bodybuilding stage condition. He’s been collaborating with Eric in the process, learning to pose, reincorporating tracking after a long time away, and getting leaner than lean. When is he competing you ask? Believe it or not, he’s probably not going to! Ben decided to do this for a few reasons, first to support a friend who is a competitor, second to get the experience of what it’s like so he can be a better coach and also make more accurate representations in his content, and finally, he’s scientifically interested in exploring how to find one’s lower intervention point. Ben wants to know just how sustainable or unsustainable being in such a position is. Learn about not only his experience in this episode, and what he’s learned, but also how we integrate concepts like energy availability and body fat regulation in terms of practical application.  00:00 (Re)introducing Dr Ben House and how this episode came to be 9:26 Ben’s dieting journey Iron Culture Ep. 192- He's Not Just A Bodybuilder (ft. Mr. Universe Alberto Nunez) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kseqS8jFgbg 20:10 Ben’s experience of getting shredded 37:20 Getting to the summit and how it could affect your life Towards a Sustainable Nutrition Paradigm in Physique Sport: A Narrative Review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31315180/ 49:00 🚨❗️ Officially entering monster episode territory❗️🚨 52:46 The physiological effects of getting lean Trexler 2017 Physiological Changes Following Competition in Male and Female Physique Athletes: A Pilot Study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28422530/ Longstrom 2020 Physiological, Psychological and Performance-Related Changes Following Physique Competition: A Case-Series https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33467243/ Iron Culture Ep. 14- Why Lifters Lose Motivation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErMpLl106Vw 1:03:33 Framing energy availability and what is “healthy”? Can You Stay Shredded? https://www.strongerbyscience.com/stay-shredded/ Iron Culture Ep. 146- What The Fitness Industry Gets Wrong About The Obesity Epidemic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfAbKeiAuII 1:10:41 Individual differences in metabolic adaptation and the ability to live in low energy availability 1:23:30 Is Omar getting shredded!? 1:31:35 Closing out and where to find Mr Dr Ben House Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbenhouse/?hl=en Deconstruct Nutrition: https://www.deconstructnutrition.com/  

We’re back with another Q&A episode! Our first question is about the utility, if there is any, of doing singles at a low RPE. Basically, if singles are a specificity tool, why do them light? Great question, and often, the premise of a question needs to be addressed to get a more useful answer. Then, we address the question of whether gains are linear, especially in advanced lifters. Just what the heck is going on when we see an advanced lifter seemingly make a slew of progress after a long plateau (and no we aren’t talking about them jumping on gear)?   00:00 Intro: reviewing reviews and the obligatory banter 10:48 Giving everyone the boot: an update on Eric’s calf training Iron Culture Ep. 189 Stretching & Range of Motion for Strength and Hypertrophy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFrO2UQoIBg  Warneke 2022 Influence of Long-Lasting Static Stretching on Maximal Strength, Muscle Thickness and Flexibility https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2022.878955/full 17:50 Q&A #1 The function and utility of performing low(er) RPE singles Iron Culture Ep. 143 Everything You Need To Know About Velocity Based Training https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFLZz2k11D0&t=1983s 38:40 Q&A #2 Are gains linear or do they come in spurts in the advanced lifter? Bjørnsen 2018 Delayed myonuclear addition, myofiber hypertrophy, and increases in strength with high-frequency low-load blood flow restricted training to volitional failure https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30543499/  Bjørnsen 2019 Type 1 Muscle Fiber Hypertrophy after Blood Flow-restricted Training in Powerlifters https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30188363/ MASS Research Review https://www.strongerbyscience.com/mass/ Iron Culture Ep. 109 Empiricism vs Rationalism: What Do We Really Know When It Comes To Fitness? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qT3KPnTgO7M&t=492s 1:20:01 Q&A #3 How do you know if you have actually plateaued? https://muscleandstrengthpyramids.com/ 1:29:44 Closing out with some Blueberry Bis

Alberto Núñez is back on Iron Culture, but he’s changed. If you thought his prior appearances were him in his final form, you were wrong. He’s fresh off his WNBF Universe pro overall win, meaning he’s Mr. Universe. So forget the best bodybuilder on planet earth, or the best bodybuilder in the nearest 10 parsecs, or hell, the best bodybuilder in the Milky Way galaxy! No, this super Saiyan is the best in the universe. In this Big Bang of an episode, you won’t learn how to get freaky quads, a wide back, capped delts, or peeled to the socks like Berto, but you will learn lessons through his bodybuilding journey which apply to life in ways that would surprise you. Even the Watcher is mirin because Alberto is coming for the multiverse next!   0:00 Introducing Mr. Universe Team3DMJ YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8fhb7upVSZ0q-zK5snR9BA Iron Culture Ep. 191- Steroids, Staying Natural & The Tyranny of Progress https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp30-AeTITQ Berto’s Instagram post https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci-qBg_O6IB/ 19:40 Reflecting upon the journey of competing 27:41 Framing aging and the inevitable decline 42:29 Show day and the experience of being on stage Iron Culture Ep. 128- Book Bodybuilding & The Dog (ft. Ryan Doris) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0Y93_jKSgU 53:44 Breaking down the competitors at the WNBF Pro Universe 1:11:20 The unique intricacies of bodybuilding and the motivations for competing 1:21:45 Berto finding satisfaction in his performances and the acknowledgment from his peers 1:25:28 The start of the 3DMJ community 1:35:02 Closing out   Where to find Mr. Universe Alberto Núñez Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nunez3dmj/ Team 3DMJ https://3dmusclejourney.com/

Intrinsic motivation: we talk about it’s importance, but let’s be honest, most people first step in the gym mostly or entirely for external reasons. That’s not always bad, but one thing is for sure, it needs to change over time, or at least be complemented by other forms of motivation, or inevitably lifters quit. Even when the shift is made to focusing on personal progress rather than external goals or standards, it can go wrong. Having something to continually improve upon or strive to achieve can provide a continuous staircase to personal improvement, but it can also be an overbearing presence invading every thought, making the inevitable plateaus experienced lifters face feel like failures. At these crossroads some lifters seek anabolic assistance, or quit. Sometimes one of these choices might be the right decision for an individual, but many times, both choices simply avoid the deeper issue. This deeper issue is also the reason some “noble” natties see themselves as morally superior to enhanced lifters, and why some spend so much time calling out those they believe to be fake. This is a deep one folks, well, once you get past the banter.  00:00 Intro: reacting to reviews Can You Stay Shredded by Greg Nuckols Eric Trexler Mike Zourdos Helms https://www.strongerbyscience.com/stay-shredded/ Iron Culture Ep. 109- Empiricism vs Rationalism: What Do We Really Know When It Comes To Fitness? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qT3KPnTgO7M&t=492s 16:00 Natural or enhanced? The pressures of social media Iron Culture Ep. 188- Steroids, Aesthetics & Irresponsible Influencers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oF31sb3Db0 23:34 Intrinsic motivation, goals, and satisfaction tied to lifting What Is Strong? https://www.strongerbyscience.com/how-to-get-strong-what-is-strong/ 39:55 Comparing yourself to and living up to an ideal 49:38 The application of effort when enhanced and the psychological impact Health Science Explained Podcast Ep. 197- The path out of muscle dysmorphia https://open.spotify.com/episode/2CRNuQrn1MSmRpBdow2xwQ?si=a91fe465ed4c4712 1:14:04 The unintended consequences of our choices and the inherent issues of setting external goals 1:27:23 Being self-aware and the fragile social hierarchy in the lifting space 1:42:40 Wrapping up another monster episode 

For more than two decades Elite FTS has been a household name for powerlifting information, equipment, and a sense of community. The progenitor behind Elite FTS, Dave Tate, honoured us at Iron Culture by joining us to share his story, wisdom and experience. Tune in to learn about the history of Dave as an athlete, thinker, and entrepreneur. Also you’ll learn the history of Elite FTS, it’s future, and what paths weren’t traveled and why. Finally, we hear what lessons Dave’s learned from decades under the bar, not only for lifting itself but also how he’s applied it to business and life.   00:00 Introducing Dave 05:08 Demographics and the changing of the guard in the fitness industry 11:25 Dave’s journey 23:05 Joining Westside Barbell   34:49 EliteFTS as a content creator in the social media era 50:01 “Evidence-based”, being open-minded and continuing to learn 1:01:25 Dave’s powerlifting experience and the double-edged sword of the going all in mentality 1:19:19 EliteFTS in the business world 1:32:55 Playing the long game: using numbers to learn and grow 1:42:33 Providing a service for your consumer 1:53:55 The future of EliteFTS Where to find Dave and EliteFTS Dave Tate  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/underthebar/ Podcast: Dave Tate’s Table Talk https://www.elitefts.com/content/table-talk/ EliteFTS Website: https://www.elitefts.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elitefts/

Full ROM is king, right? Well, more or less. But why? And are there any types of partials that are worthwhile? What if your goal is strength? What if your goal is hypertrophy? In this episode we’re joined by two academics who helped answer these questions: Dr. Alyssa Joy Spence, an international grade powerlifter, powerlifting coach with TSA and lecturer at AUT who did her PhD thesis on the effects of stretching on powerlifting performance, as well as Milo Wolf, a strength and physique athlete and coach with stronger by science and PhD candidate at Solent University studying the effects of different ranges of motion on hypertrophy.  00:00 The banter podcast and introducing Milo and Alyssa 9:45 Discussing “Range of Motion” in the context of hypertrophy  Milo’s new Meta will be linked here when it’s out! 21:00 What we know about stretching for hypertrophy and strength Warneke 2022 Influence of Long-Lasting Static Stretching on Maximal Strength, Muscle Thickness and Flexibility https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35694390/ 30:32 When and how to implement stretching to improve performance 45:45 Strength-specific ROM: partials for sticking points, injuries, and psychology? 1:00:14 Resistance and strength curves 1:07:51 Is there such a thing as being too stretched? 1:15:48 Training at long muscle lengths: biarticular and monoarticular muscles  Maeo 2021 Greater Hamstrings Muscle Hypertrophy but Similar Damage Protection after Training at Long versus Short Muscle Lengths https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33009197/ Maeo 2022 Triceps brachii hypertrophy is substantially greater after elbow extension training performed in the overhead versus neutral arm position https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35819335/ Stasinaki 2018 Triceps Brachii Muscle Strength and Architectural Adaptations with Resistance Training Exercises at Short or Long Fascicle Length https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/3/2/28      Pedrosa 2022 Partial range of motion training elicits favorable improvements in muscular adaptations when carried out at long muscle lengths https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33977835/ McMahon 2014 Muscular adaptations and insulin-like growth factor-1 responses to resistance training are stretch-mediated https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23625461/ Sato 2021 Elbow Joint Angles in Elbow Flexor Unilateral Resistance Exercise Training Determine Its Effects on Muscle Strength and Thickness of Trained and Non-trained Arms https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34616309/ 1:27:30 Touching on regional hypertrophy 1:31:39: How does stretching work and do we actually know? 1:33:51 Closing out and where to find Milo and Alyssa Milo : Instagram @wolfcoach_ https://www.instagram.com/wolfcoach_/?hl=en Muscle & Feels Podcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfLkHRHcMxbdcZDWXfrLkBQ Coaching https://wolfcoaching.net/ Research Output https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milo-Wolf-2\ Alyssa: Instagram @alyssajoyable https://www.instagram.com/alyssajoyable/?hl=en  

What does it mean to be “aesthetic”, and is it possible to have an objective or universal definition of it? Obviously, there are attempts to do so in physique sport, but in society, as they say, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. In fact, even in physique sports aesthetic standards change constantly and new competitive divisions regularly pop up, judging standards change, and people frequently disagree. Moving beyond the possibility of an agreed-upon definition or standard, would having them even be a good thing? How do external beauty standards and pressure impact us as humans who crave social acceptance in the social media age? How can you pursue aesthetic goals and get positive outcomes? There are no easy answers, but we welcome you to join us as we discuss!   00:00 Intro: reviewing reviews 11:10 In the pursuit of aesthetics Can you Stay Shredded? https://www.strongerbyscience.com/stay-shredded/ MASS Research Review https://www.strongerbyscience.com/mass/ 17:55 Defining the concept of aesthetics 24:27 Discussing anabolic steroids in the fitness industry 40:35 Societal influences on aesthetic standards and the impact of your personal experiences 51:40 TRT and the pressures of obtaining and maintaining a certain aesthetic Zhou 2020 Trends and Patterns of Testosterone Therapy among U.S. Male Medicare Beneficiaries, 1999 to 2014 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31928462/ 57:29 Social media algorithms and other influences on decision making Bhasin 2018 Testosterone Therapy in Men With Hypogonadism: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/103/5/1715/4939465 1:03:05 The importance of your definition of success and underlying motivations in the pursuit of your aesthetic goals Helms 2019 Towards a Sustainable Nutrition Paradigm in Physique Sport: A Narrative Review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31315180/ 1:17:07 The impacts of improving health and performance on aesthetics Iron Culture Episode 95: Old School Bodybuilding https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2m11U_7JmU 1:21:44 Different physique sport divisions and desired aesthetics 1:33:20 Beyond surface-level motivations for lifting  1:46:20 Closing out

Sigma nutrition radio has been a staple for evidence-based nutrition podcasting for the better part of a decade. But truly, even among other similar podcasts, it’s in a league of its own. The guest list is essentially the who’s who of nutrition academia, with interviews digging into the nuance of research coming directly from the sources, covering an incredibly broad span of nutrition topics. Danny Lennon started this endeavor on his own, but in more recent years, it’s expanded to include Dr. Alan Flanagan and Dr. Niamh Aspell. As Alan, Danny and Eric were recently at a conference together, Iron Culture took the opportunity to sit down with them and learn about what they’ve learned as one of the longest-running science-based nutrition podcasts.  00:00 Intro Danny’s Peachboi Shorts https://raskolapparel.com/collections/shorts Sigma Nutrition Radio Ep. 442: Are Vegetables Detrimental to Health? https://open.spotify.com/episode/59oVF6ffJpQlNnPuJ0Ha3N?si=9abf0e4d4ede4a2e 10:22 The inception of Sigma Nutrition Radio and hosting podcasts 26:10: Staying up to date with the latest evidence in your guest’s area of expertise (both academics and practitioners) Iron Culture Ep. 182: How to call out B.S. and Pseudoscience https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckzuycwnRH8 31:50 Appraising and presenting evidence 44:10 Maintaining listenership while covering a broad range of topics and reaching a large audience 51:32 Areas of misinformation that require further inspection and scrutiny 59:12 Expanding and advancing Sigma Nutrition: holding epistemic humility and speaking within your area of expertise 1:21:35 Limits of domain-specific expertise 1:40:55 Challenging ill-informed perceptions and beliefs 1:50:29 The future of Sigma Nutrition and where to find them Sigma Nutrition: https://sigmanutrition.com/ Alinea Nutrition: https://www.alineanutrition.com/ Instagram: @dannylennon_sigma & @thenutritional_advocate

What happens when your passion becomes your career? From the outside, lifting as an occupation would be an enviable position for any lifting enthusiast. There are hidden drawbacks however as things such as financial incentives shroud over a once pure pursuit.  How do you keep the fire lit after over a decade of lifting when seemingly all stones have been overturned? If you're a member of the Cult, perhaps one of the two Hunks atop the Pyramid, you turn on your penlight and you begin navigating the encroaching darkness.

“Evidence-based” bodybuilding peaking is somewhat of a misnomer, at least for all aspects of peaking at this stage of the game. Being able to construct a hypothesis based on physiology, is not the same as testing it. While we have empirical support that carb loading likely does enhance muscle size and appearance, the so-called “drying out” process that many bodybuilders partake in hasn’t been studied, until recently. Join us in this episode as we discuss recent studies that assess the relationship between body water and bodybuilding success, and actually draw into question some traditional narratives.” 00:00 Intro MASS Research Review https://www.strongerbyscience.com/mass/ Iron Culture Episode 184: Breaking A World Record After A Catastrophic Injury with Joe Sullivan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnScTvfgdEw 9:31 Bodybuilding Peak Week in Science Barakat 2022 Can Bodybuilding Peak Week Manipulations Favorably Affect Muscle Size, Subcutaneous Thickness, and Related Body Composition Variables? A Case Study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35878117/ 16:26 Opposing “Evidence-based” Peak Week Hypotheses Iron Culture Episode 109: Empiricism vs Rationalism: What Do We Really Know When It Comes To Fitness? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qT3KPnTgO7M 22:21 Carbohydrate-loading Research Iron Culture Episode 36: How To Look Your Absolute Best: Peaking with Cliff Wilson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YShi00QoSTY de Moraes 2019 Carbohydrate Loading Practice in Bodybuilders: Effects on Muscle Thickness, Photo Silhouette Scores, Mood States and Gastrointestinal Symptoms https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31827362/ Nunes 2022 Changes in Intra-to-Extra-Cellular Water Ratio and Bioelectrical Parameters from Day-Before to Day-Of Competition in Bodybuilders: A Pilot Study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35202062/ Bamman 1993 Changes in body composition, diet, and strength of bodybuilders during the 12 weeks prior to competition https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8035587/ Chappell 2018 Nutritional Peak Week and Competition Day Strategies of Competitive Natural Bodybuilders https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30352979/ 27:01 Natural vs Enhanced Peaking Johansson 2005 Independent and combined effects of testosterone and growth hormone on extracellular water in hypopituitary men https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15827107/ McVeigh 2016 2,4-Dinitrophenol, the inferno drug: a netnographic study of user experiences in the quest for leanness https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/14659891.2016.1149238 37:35: Reviewing the Nunes and Barakat Studies 46:51 Intracellular & Extracellular ≠ Intramuscular & Subcutaneous 53:10 Breaking down Chris’ Peaking Strategy and the 3DMJ Strategy Barakat 2022 Kendall’s Tau Figure https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35878117/#&gid=article-figures&pid=figure-1-uid-0 58:25 The Relationship Between Muscle Glycogen and Water