Self-Selecting

Liv Roth, a retired figure professional bodybuilder, shares her journey in bodybuilding and her shift towards glute development. She discusses the role of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) and emphasizes a cautious, informed approach. Liv highlights the distinct challenges women face in muscle building and the importance of realistic expectations in the growth process. Her insights on training intensity, nutrition, and recovery offer valuable guidance for aspiring athletes aiming for sustainable results.

Explore the sunk cost fallacy and its impact on dieting decisions. Discover when to pivot from fat loss to a building phase without competition pressures. Uncover the emotional traps that keep you stuck in ineffective diets. Learn to recognize signs of burnout and progress inconsistency. Gain insights on the psychological and financial reasons behind unproductive cycles. Get practical advice on performing a diet review and assessing the sustainability of your current fitness approach.

Discover how to troubleshoot common workout woes, from mental hang-ups to physical limitations. Learn why hunger and dehydration can derail your performance, and find practical solutions to keep you on track. Explore the impact of stress and mood on your training, as well as how external factors like gym etiquette can affect your routine. The conversation includes managing expectations based on recovery and workout intensity, and strategies to prevent burnout. Get ready to break through barriers and elevate your fitness journey!

In this engaging discussion, Sam Miller, a renowned fitness expert with 17 years of experience, shares his inspiring journey from a head injury to a leader in metabolic health. He explains the significance of individual health markers like insulin sensitivity and thyroid function. Sam tackles misconceptions around fat loss plateaus and dietary fatigue, offering strategies to keep clients motivated. He emphasizes the importance of personalized coaching and communication while advocating for dietary flexibility to enhance adherence and enjoyment in health journeys.

Discover the four essential levers for effective fat loss: diet, training, cardio, and recovery. Learn how to pinpoint which area may be stalling your progress. Dive into dietary tracking and common mistakes that could hinder results. Explore the balance between cardio and strength training, and why intensity often trumps duration. Uncover the importance of recovery and how stress and sleep can impact your fitness goals. This insightful guide offers practical strategies to break through plateaus and optimize your efforts.

In this discussion, Dr. Victoria Felkar, a doctoral researcher specializing in female steroid hormones, sheds light on the intricate world of female endocrinology and performance-enhancing drugs. She emphasizes the importance of individualized care and the vital role of understanding hormonal health for female athletes. The conversation delves into the risks of using androgens, the significance of honest client communication, and the need for comprehensive assessments. Dr. Felkar also critiques current practices in hormone therapy, advocating for informed decisions to protect long-term health.

Discover the psychological challenges of weight fluctuations during muscle building. Learn how to mentally prepare for the journey and understand the concept of 'runway' for effective growth. Explore key metrics for tracking progress, including scale weight and body measurements. Delve into the significance of maintaining realistic weight gain expectations and use skinfold measurements to assess body composition changes. The podcast also highlights the importance of training performance in monitoring your gains.

Hana Devore, an IFBB Pro bikini competitor and coach at Team Fit Body Fusion, shares her journey from food marketing to the competitive bodybuilding scene. She discusses the evolution of the bikini division and the essential balance between using performance-enhancing drugs and maintaining overall health. Hana emphasizes the importance of consistent training, the artistry of posing, and tailoring coaching to individual clients' needs. She also highlights the role of nutrition, recovery, and holistic health practices in achieving sustainable success in bodybuilding.

This episode dives into the complexities of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), especially for female athletes in physique sports. It highlights the challenges of diagnosing PCOS and the overlap with performance-enhancing drug use. Listeners will learn about common symptoms like androgen excess and insulin resistance. The discussion also covers the impact of hormonal birth control on managing symptoms. Overall, it's an eye-opening exploration of individual experiences and treatment options.

Chanel Collette, a competitive athlete and bodybuilder, shares her inspiring journey through natural and enhanced bodybuilding. She delves into her transition to enhanced competitions, revealing the mental and physical challenges she faced. Chanel emphasizes the importance of functional health and the need for balance between athletic ambition and well-being. She also discusses how her evolving views on femininity influenced her choices regarding performance-enhancing drugs, sparking a candid conversation about body image in competitive sports.