

3D Muscle Journey
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
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 21, 2025 • 1h 26min
#289: How to Beat Cravings, Hunger, and Lethargy
Brad, Jeff, Alberto, and Brian discuss how to successfully manage your appetite during prep, strategies to lower hunger, how to prevent binges, and what to do if you binge. In Alberto’s opinion, what is the most-important meal when prepping? Is it sometimes a good idea to actually lower your protein intake so that you can increase your carbohydrate intake? What can help you decide how to spread your calories out throughout the day? What are some of the coaches’ best hunger hacks? What should you do about your trigger foods? What is the difference between physical hunger, emotional hunger, and social hunger? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode. Timestamps0:00- Introduction2:15- Reframing strategies for managing hunger 18:04- How Brad manages his appetite during prep21:24- 3 types of hunger25:08- Trigger foods 37:17- Limiting accessibility, setting up a good routine, and limiting your choices 48:25- Eliminating wasted motion55:11- The panic of starvation59:43- Keep yourself busy 1:03:26- Preventing binges and what to do after Selected Links From This EpisodeHunger Hacks That Helped Me Finish 15 Contest Preps- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDglTTtv8WMThe 3DMJ Vault- https://www.3dmjvault.com/bundles/vipMacros Into Meals (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/macros-into-mealsThe Muscle & Strength Pyramids- https://3dmusclejourney.com/pyramidsThanks 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

Aug 7, 2025 • 1h 14min
#288: Bodybuilding With a Social Life
The happier you are, the better off your bodybuilding is going to be. Brian, Brad, Jeff, and Alberto discuss how to balance bodybuilding with the rest of your life, times they got the balance wrong, and how to avoid common pitfalls that can come from living a bodybuilding lifestyle. What can you do to get more comfortable eating in social settings? What are some cringe moments the coaches had when they put bodybuilding ahead of more important things in life? What is the law of diminishing returns when it comes to eating? How can you celebrate a special day or special event during prep while still staying on track with your goals? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode. Timestamps0:00- Introduction2:11- Times when the coaches *weren’t* doing a good job of balancing bodybuilding with the rest of their life 26:15- How to avoid pitfalls that are common with a bodybuilding lifestyle 30:04- Exposing yourself to the discomfort 36:58- Being pliable with your training 45:39- What is the most common friction you have? 52:17- Strategies for getting better at eating in social settings 1:11:36- The gym is a great place to make friends Selected Links From This EpisodeCoaching By Team 3DMJ- https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching 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/vipWatch our show on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

Jul 24, 2025 • 1h 23min
#287: Intuitively Tracking Your Training
Alberto, Brian, Brad, and Jeff discuss why it’s important to track your training, who should track their training, and what details to track based on your experience level. What issues can happen when someone is too focused on beating the logbook? Do the coaches ever have an athlete track volume load or is that a thing of the past? What are the coaches’ thoughts on decreasing load to work on technique? How can increasing load too quickly result in a reduced stimulus? How can reducing loads during prep potentially lead to more muscle retention? What recommendation do the coaches have for those who don’t like tracking their training? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode. Timestamps0:00- Introduction1:25- Did the coaches track their training when they first started lifting?19:51- Who should track? When should they track? Why should they track?33:50- Things *not* worth tracking42:10- Film yourself lifting and study your technique 57:24- How long to stay with a certain load before increasing 1:02:30- Misunderstanding what progressive overload really is 1:09:43- Increasing load too quickly can result in a reduced stimulus Selected Links From This EpisodeThe 3DMJ Vault- https://www.3dmjvault.com/bundles/vipBodybuilding Program Design (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/bodybuilding-program-designHow I Rest Between Sets For Maximum Performance | Pragmatic Bodybuilding w/ Jeff Alberts- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9hYzI_c6RkThanks 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

Jul 10, 2025 • 1h 23min
#286: The Ideal Pace for Fat Loss
Brian, Alberto, Jeff, and Brad discuss how fast someone should be losing weight based on their goals. Why is it important to pay attention to how you feel and not get too hung up on the numbers? What often happens to people when they get leaner than they are ready for? What factors influence how quickly someone should lose weight? What are the benefits of taking a phasic approach to fat loss? How necessary are mini-cuts? How long should a mini-cut last and how lean should someone be by the end of one? In what ways are a contest prep and general fat-loss phase similar? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode.Timestamps0:00- Introduction1:09- How Alberto’s diet is different now that he’s started prepping 5:26- Factors that influence pacing 18:33- Where the concept of contest prep positioning came from 23:24- You have to look at your own history 31:08- The benefits of taking a phasic approach to fat loss38:35- How necessary are mini-cuts? 58:43- Mini-cut methods and length 1:02:56- Desired rate of loss during a mini-cut 1:13:28- Appropriately pacing your prep 1:18:09- Make sure to think about your health and the long term Selected Links From This EpisodePrep Positioning (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/prep-positioningCoaching 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

Jun 26, 2025 • 1h 8min
#285: The True Cost of Contest Prep
Alberto, Jeff, Brad, and Brian discuss all the costs (financial, time, health, etc.) to consider when planning a contest prep. What are the financial costs associated with prepping for and competing in a bodybuilding show? What is the coaches’ order of operations in terms of when to purchase what over the course of a contest prep? Why do the coaches recommend waiting to sign up for the show you’re planning on competing in? When is a good time to schedule your polygraph test and tan? What costs other than money come with dedicating yourself to the sport of bodybuilding? How do the coaches pick what shows they are going to compete in and how do they help their athletes choose shows? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode. Timestamps0:00- The financial cost of prepping and competing 11:51- The cost of coaching 17:05- The coaches’ order of operations in terms of when to purchase what over the course of a contest prep 24:46- When to pay the entry fee, schedule your polygraph test, and schedule your tan 28:48- Make sure to research the show you are thinking about competing in 31:15- Various costs and fees associated with competing 38:03- How the coaches pick what shows they’re going to compete in and how they help their athletes choose shows 50:25- Bodybuilding doesn’t always make sense financially and that’s okay 53:05- Costs other than money that come with dedicating yourself to the sport of bodybuilding59:30- Prepping gets easier the more you do it Selected Links From This EpisodeThe 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

Jun 12, 2025 • 1h 19min
#284: How To Build Your Back
Eric, Brad, and Alberto discuss programming and exercise technique strategies to make your back training more effective. Why does training your back require a bit more strategy than other muscle groups? What are the coaches’ recommended movement patterns for complete back development? Do muscles only grow uniformly or is it possible to get regional hypertrophy? How much range of motion should you aim to get when performing lengthened partials? What are some different ways you can track your back training when performing partial reps? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode.Timestamps0:00- How Alberto made such big improvements in his back last offseason6:50- Why training your back requires a bit more strategy than other muscle groups13:10- Volume & Frequency 32:02- Quality over quantity 35:53- Alberto’s aha moment 41:12- Mistaking an absence of evidence for evidence of absence/Clinging too tightly to research50:20- Why some people can get more lengthened partial reps than others57:51- Strategies to make your back training more effective1:01:07- Experiment! 1:07:47- Different ways to track your back training when doing partial reps Selected Links From This EpisodeBodybuilding Program Design (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/bodybuilding-program-designCoaching By Team 3DMJ- https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching 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/vipWatch our show on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

May 29, 2025 • 1h 9min
#283: Is Your Obsession With Clean Eating Holding You Back?
Alberto, Steve, and Brian discuss what orthorexic behaviors can look like in bodybuilders and how these behaviors can lead to suboptimal progress and a reduced quality of life. What is the coaches’ experience with orthorexia personally and with their athletes? What are some common behaviors the coaches see that are unnecessary and suboptimal? Why do people sometimes still do things they know they don’t need to do? What are some strategies to combat orthorexic behaviors? What are the benefits of having a calorie and protein target instead of a protein, carbohydrate, and fat target? When is a specific behavior or fear a problem? Why is being more precise not always better? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode. Timestamps0:00- Introduction2:37- What is orthorexia? 8:03- What the coaches do when they notice an athlete/client is starting to develop orthorexic behaviors 23:21- Why people sometimes still do things they know they don’t need to do 29:02- There is nothing inherently wrong with having rituals30:47- Anxiety around going out to eat34:16- Having very precise macronutrient targets for a long period of time 44:54- Gluten, dairy, and processed foods 47:17- Compensating for the previous day(s)50:00- Feeling like you have to track for the rest of your life 58:17- Protein timing 1:02:03- Supplementation 1:05:44- Final thoughts Selected Links From This EpisodePro Bodybuilder Case Study (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/pro-bodybuilder-case-studyCoaching By Team 3DMJ- https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching Transitioning Away From Tracking (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/transitioning-away-from-trackingMonthly Applications In Strength Sport (MASS)- https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/mass3DMJ Podcast Episode #216: How To Eat Out- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpmokMsVTJY“Consume a Variety of Fruits and Vegetables.” But Why & What Does That Look Like- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3IQz4bei0QSteve’s Website- http://stevetaylorrd.comSteve’s Instagram- @stevetaylorRDSteve’s YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChfVYx4ck3pY275XlkiumGQSteve’s Facebook Page- https://www.facebook.com/stevetaylorRDSteve’s Mailing List & Newsletter- http://eepurl.com/diZ6GzThanks 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

May 15, 2025 • 1h 41min
#282: The Importance Of Mind Muscle Connection
Eric, Jeff, and Brian discuss the intersection between effort, mind muscle connection, and biomechanics to give you more flexibility in your technique, exercise selection, and programming. How important is having a good mind muscle connection when performing an exercise? Does rep speed matter as long as you’re hitting the appropriate proximity to failure? How much of a difference does training at longer muscle lengths really make? What are Eric’s current principles for exercise selection? Can you still make good progress (in regard to hypertrophy) if you vary your exercises frequently? How can you develop a better mind muscle connection? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode. Timestamps0:00- Introduction0:56- What Jeff likes his athletes to focus on during the execution of an exercise9:12- There is flexibility in both exercise selection and technique 20:53- The importance of exercise selection when trying to optimize hypertrophy29:58- Eric’s principles for exercise selection 37:30- How much of a difference does training at longer muscle lengths make? 50:00- How important is having a good mind muscle connection when performing an exercise? 1:02:14- Does rep speed matter as long as you’re hitting the appropriate proximity to failure? 1:14:58- Can you still make good progress (in regard to hypertrophy) if you vary your exercises frequently? 1:29:35- Biasing specific muscle groups when performing compound exercises 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 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/vipWatch our show on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

10 snips
May 1, 2025 • 1h 3min
#281: You Need Better Progress Pics
The discussion highlights the necessity of taking effective progress pictures in fitness journeys. The coaches share their preferred lighting, attire, and techniques for capturing these images. Insights into the frequency of taking progress pics during prep and off-season are explored. The dialogue also touches on the benefits of video over photos for tracking physique changes. Emphasis is placed on how visuals can reveal changes that numbers alone can't, making progress pictures a crucial tool for any athlete.

Apr 17, 2025 • 1h 21min
#280: Q&A Session 28
Brian and Jeff answer audience-supplied questions about recovery, refeeds, periodization, food focus, exercise selection, posing, and more. Is it okay to train through some soreness or should you wait until the soreness is gone to train? What are the coaches’ thoughts on cheat meals and cheat days? When is the best time to have a refeed? If someone is training for hypertrophy, how often do they need to change their training? If someone’s goal is maximum strength, do they need to run strength blocks, hypertrophy blocks, etc.? What does a good relationship with food look like? Is unilateral or bilateral training better for muscle growth? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode. Timestamps0:00- Introduction2:20- How do you know if you are recovered? Is it okay to train through some soreness or should you wait until the soreness is gone before you train? 15:06- What are the coaches’ thoughts on cheat meals and cheat days? When is the best time to have a refeed?32:15- If someone is training for hypertrophy, how often do they need to change their training? Do they need to run hypertrophy blocks, strength blocks, etc.?43:42- If someone’s goal is maximum strength, how often do they need to change their training? Do they need to run hypertrophy blocks, strength blocks, etc.? 52:06- What does a good relationship with food look like? How food focused should you be in the offseason? 1:10:58- How to look the best you can when you only have 3-4 weeks notice before a photo shoot 1:12:04- Is unilateral or bilateral training better for muscle growth?1:14:25- Posing tips to make your quads look better on stage1:16:25- Advice for when working with clients who aren’t very dedicated to achieving their strength and physique goals1:19:20- How the coaches recommend getting tanned for the stage Selected Links From This EpisodeTeam Instagram Account- @team3dmjTeam YouTube Account- https://www.youtube.com/@Team3DMJ3DMJ Podcast Episode #278: The Art Of Fatigue Management- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0Km9zs8sgE&t=1762sPro Bodybuilder Case Study (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/pro-bodybuilder-case-studyMacros Into Meals (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/macros-into-mealsTransitioning Away From Tracking (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/transitioning-away-from-trackingThe 3DMJ Vault- https://www.3dmjvault.com/bundles/vipCoaching By Team 3DMJ- https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching A Tool To Help Transition Away From Tracking Macros/Calories- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCEHvGVxrlI&t=1sThanks 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