
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

9 snips
Apr 4, 2024 • 1h 25min
#253: Is Bodybuilding An Eating Disorder?
Amanda, Alberto, and Eric discuss disordered eating, body-image concerns, and how they relate to physique athletes and noncompetitors. Topics include framing behaviors, influence of biology, research on tracking, and coping mechanisms. They address clinical definitions, orthorexia, dealing with nonclassified disordered eating, and bodybuilding for those in eating disorder recovery.

Mar 21, 2024 • 1h 4min
#252: The Big Volume Debate
Coaches discuss optimal training goals for muscular hypertrophy, progression based on adaptation rate, slower vs. faster reps, volume impact on longevity, caution against prioritizing numbers. Insights on training quality over continuous volume escalation, importance of stimulus, navigating plateaus, progressive overload introduction, variable training methods for long-term gains, minimum effective dose concept, optimizing training volume and quality, analyzing progress without overreacting.

Mar 7, 2024 • 1h 21min
#251: Modern Powerlifting Nutrition
Eric, Alberto, and Brad discuss the things they feel every powerlifter who wants to be successful needs to understand. The coaches talk about how beneficial being intentional with your nutrition can be and a few simple nutritional strategies they recommend. Other topics discussed include, the best way to make weight for a meet, the coaches’ thoughts on cutting to make a weight class early in your powerlifting career, and the ideal situation to be in from a nutritional perspective as you’re getting close to meet day.
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Timestamps
0:00- Introduction
8:20- There is a cost to cutting down to make a weight class early in your powerlifting career
20:44- What the coaches have observed with their performance in the gym and recovery as they’ve gotten older
29:28- Some of the first nutritional changes Alberto has his powerlifters make
44:54- Develop structure for how you eat throughout the day
48:51- Making weight
1:00:50- The benefits of having good nutritional habits year-round versus only when you’re cutting for a meet
1:11:27- Key performance indicators
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Selected Links From This Episode
Pro Bodybuilder Case Study (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/pro-bodybuilder-case-study
The Default Diet (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/default-diet
Monthly Applications In Strength Sport (MASS)- https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/mass
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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

Feb 22, 2024 • 1h 9min
#250: Q&A Session 25
Fitness experts Andrea, Brian, and Jeff answer audience questions on muscle growth, volume tracking, balancing lifting with other activities, determining stage readiness, and overcoming post-competition body fat fears. They emphasize the importance of assessing progress, adjusting training variables for optimal performance, and prioritizing mental health and sustainable goals in the fitness journey.

Feb 8, 2024 • 1h 7min
#249: The Hidden Risks of Supplements
In this eye-opening episode, the risks of testing new supplements and the importance of high-quality supplements are discussed. The coaches also explore the effectiveness of various supplements and the prevalence of supplement contamination. They delve into the regulation and third-party testing of supplements, as well as share their recommended supplements. The episode covers topics such as the research on beta-alanine, citrulline malate, creatine, caffeine, and BCAAs, and emphasizes the need for evidence-based decision making. The allure and risks of supplements in the fitness industry and considerations for micronutrients and blood work are also addressed.

Jan 25, 2024 • 1h 2min
#248: The Extreme Side Effects of Contest Prep
Brad, Alberto, and Jeff discuss the weird and sometimes scary things that happen when we push our bodies to the extreme. The coaches share crazy things they have seen and had happen to them during prep.
Timestamps
0:00- Introduction2:30- What happened when Jeff was vitamin K deficient during one of his preps19:55- A time when Jeff’s dedication and discipline were too extreme28:43- You can do everything right and still have issues36:26- Brad’s fears around prepping this year after not having prepped for 10 years46:02- Why Brad and Alberto want to prep this year57:51- Final thoughts
Selected Links From This Episode
The Physique Photo Guide (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/physique-photo-guide
The 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/vipWatch our show on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

Jan 11, 2024 • 1h 17min
#247: Why Do I Keep Cheating On My Plan?
The hosts discuss the challenges of sticking to a diet and navigating food prepared by family, the struggles of perfection and compliance in achieving goals, reflecting on a plateau and the importance of communication, the negative impact of following a strict meal plan for bodybuilding competition prep, avoiding excessive training and balancing stimulus and recovery, and the importance of not waiting for perfect conditions to pursue goals.

Dec 28, 2023 • 47min
#246: What You Actually Need From Bodybuilding
Jeff and Alberto discuss how they’ve helped and pushed each other, how they go about their bodybuilding differently, and how to get the most out of your bodybuilding journey.
Timestamps
0:00- Introduction8:55- The more intrinsically rewarding you keep your bodybuilding the more likely you are to stick around26:21- The things bodybuilding helped the coaches figure out about themselves and correct38:31- Why Alberto wants to continue competing
Selected Links From This Episode
Injury Reduction & Management Q&A Collection (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/injury
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/vipWatch our show on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

Dec 14, 2023 • 1h 3min
#245: 3 Pro Bodybuilders: 1 Year Out
Brian, Brad, and Alberto discuss why getting yourself in a good position to prep is so important, what a good starting position looks like, and what they are currently doing to prepare for their 2024 season.
Timestamps
0:00- Introduction3:28- What Brad is doing to prepare for his 2024 season8:42- Brian’s plan for his 2024 season12:08- Alberto’s plan for his 2024 season14:56- The importance of getting yourself in a good position to start prep35:00- The goal is not to empty the tank37:23- Do the coaches plan on competing more often now that they’re more experienced?41:50- New strategies the coaches are thinking about incorporating in their upcoming prep58:53- Advice for those prepping in 2024
Selected Links From This Episode
Prep Positioning (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/prep-positioning
The Default Diet (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/default-diet
The Vault- https://www.3dmjvault.com/bundles/vip
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

Nov 30, 2023 • 1h 6min
#244: Your Default Diet
Bodybuilders discuss the evolution of their contest preps and offseasons, emphasizing the importance of structure. Topics include establishing a default diet, meal planning, understanding macros, and the significance of consistency in bodybuilding. Practical tips for structuring diets, navigating family meals, and developing a positive mindset are highlighted.