
3D Muscle Journey
The 5 natural bodybuilding and powerlifting coaches from 3D Muscle Journey come together for conversations dissecting the art and science of muscle and strength. Be a fly on the wall as this collective of coaches discuss the ins and outs of helping athletes reach their potential on the stage, platform and in their personal lives. Dedication. Discipline. Desire. #Team3DMJ
Latest episodes

Apr 3, 2025 • 1h 31min
#279: Post Competition Assessments
Eric, Alberto, and Jeff discuss how they review an athlete’s season with the athlete to help them process their emotions, see their achievements, develop a perspective that is going to help them, and determine what they need to work on in the offseason to have a better physique and prep next time they compete. What can you do to help you process a show or season where you didn’t place as well as you wanted, so that you have a more positive outlook on the experience? Why is it critical to know your limits and have realistic expectations going into a show or season? How can you channel your competitive drive to support your goals as well as to help prevent a big emotional fallout? How do the coaches help an athlete decide on what body parts to focus on in the offseason? How much weight should you give the judges’ feedback? When you’re critiquing your physique, should you compare it to the physiques of the other athletes that were in your lineup, or should you critique it on its own? The answers to these, plus many other questions are covered in this episode. Timestamps0:00- Introduction0:58- Jeff’s process for reviewing an athlete’s contest prep with the athlete after their season is over 13:55- Not letting your emotional state be based on things that are out of your control 16:23- Know your limits and acknowledge your wins 26:00- Channeling your competitive drive to support your goals as well as to help prevent a big emotional fallout 28:25- Having multiple “whys”42:01- Shifting your perspective to one that helps you 44:51- How the coaches work with high-level competitors that don’t need help processing their emotions 1:05:02- Critiquing your physique in relation to the physiques of the other athletes that were in your lineup vs. Critiquing your physique on its own 1:07:40- How much weight should you give the judges’ feedback? 1:26:15- Final thoughts Selected Links From This EpisodePro Bodybuilder Case Study (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/pro-bodybuilder-case-studyThe 3DMJ Vault- https://www.3dmjvault.com/bundles/vipCoaching By Team 3DMJ- https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching Monthly Applications In Strength Sport (MASS)- https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/massThanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪 SIGN UP FOR ONE-ON-ONE COACHING SERVICES- https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching/TAKE OUR VIDEO COURSES FOR SERIOUS LIFTERS- https://www.3dmjvault.com/bundles/vipWatch our show on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

8 snips
Mar 20, 2025 • 1h 31min
#278: The Art Of Fatigue Management
Discover the complexities of managing fatigue and its crucial role in athletic performance. The hosts debate the misconceptions surrounding training volume and calorie intake during rest days. Strategies for exercise selection are explored, emphasizing personalization and enjoyment in workouts. Tips on structuring training around refeeds to enhance results are shared. Learn how injuries influence training decisions and how a longer preparation timeline can lead to better outcomes. Uncover the essential balance between pushing limits and effective recovery.

Mar 6, 2025 • 1h 33min
#277: Stretching For Hypertrophy & Performance
The big question…Is long-duration static stretching redundant if someone is already resistance training or does it provide complementary effects? Nick, Eric, and Brad discuss this and many other stretching-related questions. Does static stretching before exercise help prevent injury? Can stretching cause muscular hypertrophy? How could someone use static stretching to potentially help prevent or reduce detraining when traveling? How does Brad commonly program stretching for his athletes? When are good times to static stretch? How intense should your stretching be? What are signs you should stop a stretch? Can resistance training itself improve range of motion? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode. Timestamps0:00- Introduction2:51- Stretching for injury prevention 13:09- How Brad incorporates stretching into his day and how he commonly programs stretching for his athletes 19:54- How stretching could be beneficial for strength and physique athletes 30:10- What Brad has his athletes do to increase their range of motion at the bottom of a squat when needed 33:25- How Nick incorporates different interventions to help his patients improve their range of motion 39:49- Signs you should stop a stretch52:36- Eric’s experience pre and post hip surgery 58:47- Functional changes caused by long-duration static stretching 1:04:39- Can stretching cause muscular hypertrophy?1:21:01- Practical takeaways Selected Links From This EpisodeCardio For Fat Loss (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/cardioMonthly Applications In Strength Sport (MASS)- https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/massThe Effect Of A Combined Long-Duration Static Stretching And Resistance Training Regimen On A Competitive Bodybuilder: A Case Study- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/388122175_The_effect_of_a_combined_long-duration_static_stretching_and_resistance_training_regimen_on_a_competitive_bodybuilder_A_case_studyNick’s Website- https://www.strengthtogetheronline.com Nick’s Instagram- @nicklicameli Nick’s YouTube Channel- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAWFe5BmaJ_WFAh2aqsOg8g/featuredThanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪 SIGN UP FOR ONE-ON-ONE COACHING SERVICES- https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching/TAKE OUR VIDEO COURSES FOR SERIOUS LIFTERS- https://www.3dmjvault.com/bundles/vipWatch our show on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

Feb 20, 2025 • 1h 2min
#276: How To Travel & Keep Your Gains
Jeff, Alberto, and Brian share how they eat and train when traveling, both during prep and in the offseason. The coaches also go over the importance of becoming a resilient bodybuilder. How has Jeff gotten more comfortable traveling during prep? How do the coaches decide on what to eat when they’re at a restaurant? What is the one food Alberto always travels with? What suggestions do the coaches have when it comes to foods you can eat while you’re traveling to your destination? How did Alberto win his first pro show by peaking on foods he bought at gas stations? What advice do the coaches have when it comes to training when you’re on vacation? What are the coaches’ go-to bodyweight exercises? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode. Timestamps0:00- Introduction2:54- How Jeff has gotten more comfortable traveling during prep8:28- Brian and Jeff’s mindset around training when traveling16:20- Alberto’s mindset around traveling and eating out21:15- The importance of exposing yourself to different environments 24:40- How the coaches decide on what to eat at a restaurant when they’re traveling 35:57- Informing those around you of your bodybuilding goals39:29- Suggestions on what to eat while you’re traveling to your destination 47:30- Advice around training when you’re on vacation 55:10- The coaches’ go-to bodyweight exercises Selected Links From This EpisodeCardio For Fat Loss (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/cardioThe 3DMJ Vault- https://www.3dmjvault.com/bundles/vipThanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪 SIGN UP FOR ONE-ON-ONE COACHING SERVICES- https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching/TAKE OUR VIDEO COURSES FOR SERIOUS LIFTERS- https://www.3dmjvault.com/bundles/vipWatch our show on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

Feb 6, 2025 • 1h 5min
#275: Why You Should Gamify Your Gains
Brian, Alberto, and Brad discuss the benefits of making your training fun and a bunch of different things they do to keep themselves and their athletes excited about their training. What do many people overlook on their quest for “optimal”? What can you do during a set to help keep you engaged and help you push yourself? How can getting your emotions involved in your training help with progress? How does having fun affect your perceived level of effort? How can you autoregulate your exercise selection to help keep your training fun while also getting a good stimulus? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode.
Timestamps
0:00- Why and how the coaches gamify their training
30:05- The benefits of being excited about your training
39:46- Get a training partner
43:31- Fatigue mongering
53:01- Do things you’re good at
59:59- Final thoughts
Selected Links From This Episode
Cardio For Fat Loss (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/cardio
The 3DMJ Vault- https://www.3dmjvault.com/bundles/vip
Monthly Applications In Strength Sport (MASS)- https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/mass
Thanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪
SIGN UP FOR ONE-ON-ONE COACHING SERVICES
- https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching/
TAKE OUR VIDEO COURSES FOR SERIOUS LIFTERS
- https://www.3dmjvault.com/bundles/vip
Watch our show on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

Jan 23, 2025 • 1h 11min
#274: Gut Health & Fat Loss
Eric and Steve discuss how our food choices affect our weight, digestive system, and how we feel. They also go through dietary changes you can make to help optimize the functioning of your digestive system. Why is it important to give your body time to adapt to the dietary changes you make? What are some dietary adjustments you can try if you’re struggling with constipation or bloating? What is fiber and what are the potential benefits of consuming a high-fiber diet? Does it matter which foods you get your fiber from? How can fiber provide calories? How should you track fiber? How can you know if you are consuming enough fluids? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode.
Timestamps
0:00- How changes in food choices, sodium intake, and bowel movement frequency can affect your weight
7:47- What is fiber?
14:41- How can fiber provide calories? How much can it provide?
20:07- Fiber is more than just soluble and insoluble
32:59- Some of the things Steve reviews when someone comes to him who is struggling with constipation or bloating
38:49- The potential benefit of getting your body used to smaller-sized meals, if you are used to very large meals
46:11- Fiber intake recommendations
48:44- How to know if you are consuming enough fluids
52:13- Other things to look at besides your total fiber intake if you are struggling with constipation
55:21- Sugar alcohols and giving your body time to adapt to the dietary changes you make
1:06:33- Is fiber essential, a high-fiber cereal that can help with constipation, and how all of this affects performance in the gym
Selected Links From This Episode
Monthly Applications In Strength Sport (MASS)- https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/mass
Steve’s Website- http://stevetaylorrd.com
Steve’s Instagram- @stevetaylorRD
Steve’s YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChfVYx4ck3pY275XlkiumGQ
Steve’s Facebook Page- https://www.facebook.com/stevetaylorRD
Steve’s Mailing List & Newsletter- http://eepurl.com/diZ6Gz
Strategies For Relieving Constipation- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp7pbtPrfJ8&t=2s
Thanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪
SIGN UP FOR ONE-ON-ONE COACHING SERVICES
- https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching/
TAKE OUR VIDEO COURSES FOR SERIOUS LIFTERS
- https://www.3dmjvault.com/bundles/vip
Watch our show on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

Jan 9, 2025 • 1h 19min
#273: Are You Progressing?
Alberto, Eric, and Jeff discuss how to know if you are progressing at a good rate for your genetics and where you are at in your lifting career, what to do if you aren’t, and the importance of having realistic expectations about how quickly you can progress. What is the difference between progressive overload and progression? Do you want to be more proactive or reactive when it comes to increasing and decreasing load? What is “autoregulated double progression” and how can you use it to help you get the most out of every session? What percentage of hypertrophy is related to volume? What undesirable things can happen when someone puts too much emphasis on beating the logbook? The answers to these questions and many, many, many, more are covered in this episode.
Timestamps
0:00- The difference between progressive overload and progression
4:57- Being reactive vs. Proactive when it comes to increasing and decreasing load
13:26- Where the coaches think the expectation that we need to progress every gym session came from
20:55- A good model for knowing when to increase or decrease load
32:54- Not letting other people cause you to get in your own way
38:24- The importance of having realistic expectations about how quickly you can progress
59:09- Autoregulating your programming more as you become more advanced
1:06:59- How an athlete’s personality can influence how they autoregulate their training
1:14:42- Final thoughts
Selected Links From This Episode
Monthly Applications In Strength Sport (MASS)- https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/mass
3DMJ Podcast Episode #264: The Best Male Bodybuilder Of All Time?- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXdLeWotpGE
Thanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪
SIGN UP FOR ONE-ON-ONE COACHING SERVICES
- https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching/
TAKE OUR VIDEO COURSES FOR SERIOUS LIFTERS
- https://www.3dmjvault.com/bundles/vip
Watch our show on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

Dec 26, 2024 • 1h 19min
#272: Tackling The Mental Isolation of Bodybuilding
Brad, Jeff, and Brian talk about times they felt and still feel isolated and misunderstood during their bodybuilding journeys. Along with sharing stories from their past, the coaches give advice to those who feel isolated and misunderstood. What is the coaches’ advice to those who have friends and family who don’t understand why they compete in bodybuilding? How do the coaches balance bodybuilding with their marriages? How important is having support from others? Do the coaches ever feel isolated as coaches? What are the pros and cons of being an online coach? Do the coaches think artificial intelligence will someday take the place of human coaches? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode.
Timestamps
0:00- Where the coaches got their information from when they first got into bodybuilding
7:54- During the beginning of their bodybuilding journeys the coaches often felt misunderstood
20:25- Who are you surrounding yourself with?
30:43- How the coaches balance bodybuilding with their marriages
40:16- What the coaches do as coaches, besides assigning nutritional goals and building training programs
49:21- Be cautious when it comes to the content and recommendations you see on social media
58:48- Do the coaches ever feel isolated as coaches?
1:06:13- In-person interactions & artificial intelligence in bodybuilding
Selected Links From This Episode
The Vault Quick Start Guide (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/quick-start-guide
Pro Bodybuilder Case Study (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/pro-bodybuilder-case-study
The Recovery Diet (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/the-recovery-diet
Sustainable Fat Loss (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/sustainable-fat-loss
Blood Flow Restriction Training (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/BFR
Macros Into Meals (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/macros-into-meals
Monthly Applications In Strength Sport (MASS)- https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/mass
Thanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪
SIGN UP FOR ONE-ON-ONE COACHING SERVICES
- https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching/
TAKE OUR VIDEO COURSES FOR SERIOUS LIFTERS
- https://www.3dmjvault.com/bundles/vip
Watch our show on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

Dec 12, 2024 • 1h 8min
#271: How We Train Arms & Delts
Dive into the secrets of growing your arms and delts while keeping those joints healthy. The hosts reveal their evolving perspectives on training volume and effective techniques. Discover strategies for shoulder pain relief and whether training in lengthened positions is worth it. Learn about the importance of individualized programming and the role of isolation exercises. Plus, get insights on progression techniques and favored exercises to achieve optimal arm and shoulder development!

Nov 28, 2024 • 1h 19min
#270: Q&A Session 27
Hosts answer audience questions on diverse topics like training methods, mindset shifts after competitions, and body recomposition. They discuss the pros and cons of high vs. low rep training and how to effectively use RPE in workouts. Insights on how lifting shoes with elevated heels can enhance performance are shared. Additionally, tips for transitioning nutrition post-competition for optimal recovery are covered. This engaging Q&A provides practical advice for anyone serious about strength training and muscle growth.
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