
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

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.

Nov 14, 2024 • 1h
#269: Train & Diet For Your Competitive Division
Discover the evolution of bodybuilding divisions and how to choose the right one for you. Coaches share tips on customizing training for success in your selected category. Learn about the differences in fat loss strategies for men and women. Explore the impact of nutrition, particularly regarding processed foods, on competition prep. Plus, find out if new lifters should target a specific division and whether top physique competitors train their legs. Get ready for some insightful advice tailored to competitive athletes!

14 snips
Oct 31, 2024 • 1h 29min
#268: Rest Periods, Rest Days, and Double Days
The discussion delves into optimal rest intervals between sets and their impact on muscle growth. Listeners learn about antagonist paired sets and how they can enhance efficiency. Strategies like drop sets versus myo-reps are dissected for effectiveness. The advantages of double days in strength training are explored, emphasizing the need to understand different types of fatigue. Practical insights on rest between reps and exercising strategically offer valuable takeaways for maximizing workout results.

11 snips
Oct 17, 2024 • 1h 12min
#267: Cardio Programming For Physique Sport
Discover the ins and outs of cardio programming as coaches discuss when and how to implement it during fat-loss phases. Learn why a step goal might be more beneficial than a calories-burned target. Explore the role of additional cardio for overall health, appetite stimulation during gaining phases, and the impact of different training modalities. Plus, insights on tapering cardio before competitions and the ongoing importance of recovery and movement in physical training.

Oct 3, 2024 • 1h 11min
#266: How Much Does Genetics Matter?
Brad and Jeff discuss the physical and mental characteristics of a successful bodybuilder, how to maximize *your* potential, and the amazing things that happen when you let yourself be free of worrying about your genetics. How can you know if you’re going to be good at bodybuilding? How do you know if a certain recommendation applies to you? What is the *art* of bodybuilding? What was Brad’s mindset during his 2024 prep, which he felt led to his best physique ever? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode.
Timestamps
0:00- Introduction
1:44- Bone structure
9:09- How to know if you’re going to be good at bodybuilding
20:30- Commit and be patient
28:49- The skill component of lifting
40:06- How to know if a certain recommendation applies to you
51:40- Acceptance of the phase that you’re in
57:54- The *art* of bodybuilding
1:00:40- Brad’s mindset during his 2024 prep
Selected Links From This Episode
Coaching 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/vip
Watch our show on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

9 snips
Sep 19, 2024 • 1h 6min
#265: How & When To Adjust Your Diet
Brian, a seasoned diet coach for athletes, Steve, a fitness expert focused on motivation, and Alberto, who specializes in nutritional strategy adjustments, dive into how and when to adjust diet plans. They discuss the importance of minimal changes based on adherence and progress. The trio emphasizes the psychological effects of diet changes and the need to look beyond the scale. They share insights on managing weight gain during training, the nuances of calorie adjustments, and maintaining a healthy balance between dietary habits and athletic performance.

Sep 5, 2024 • 1h 32min
#264: The Best Male Bodybuilder Of All Time?
Alberto, Brian, and Eric have a spirited debate about who they each think are the top 5 natural male bodybuilders of all time. The coaches talk about the early years of Kai Greene’s career when he was natural, the criteria they think is required for someone to be the GOAT (greatest of all time), who they think is the GOAT and why, honorable mentions, and a lot more. Bodybuilding is where art meets science meets sport, and if you are a fan of natural bodybuilding you will love this episode.
Timestamps
0:00- Introduction
2:19- Brian’s history as a bodybuilder, coach, and fan of natural bodybuilding
3:51- Why Alberto is qualified to talk about the topic of today’s episode
13:38- The criteria for eligibility in the coaches’ top 5 lists
21:50- Three of Alberto’s top 5 natural male bodybuilders of all time
32:00- Three of Brian’s top 5 natural male bodybuilders of all time
40:40- Three of Eric’s top 5 natural male bodybuilders of all time
50:16- The rest of the coaches’ lists
1:03:47- Honorable mentions
1:17:11- The coaches’ top 5 natural male bodybuilders of all time in order
Selected Links From This Episode
The 3DMJ Vault- https://www.3dmjvault.com/bundles/vip
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
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