3D Muscle Journey

Brian and Alberto share their thoughts on and benefits of the newer divisions that have come into the sport of bodybuilding in recent years. The coaches give tips on how to choose which division to compete in and how to customize your training to best support your success in that division. How much can a natural athlete customize their physique to align with the division they compete in? If you’re new to lifting, should you train for the division you plan on competing in? Do most top natural men’s physique competitors train their legs? Generally speaking, when it comes to fat loss, how does the process differ between males and females? When it comes to highly-processed foods, what is something to consider when prepping? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode. Timestamps 0:00- The coaches’ thoughts on the newer divisions that have come into the sport of bodybuilding in recent years 9:37- How to choose which division to compete in 17:54- Customizing your training to best support your success in the division you compete in 35:42- The men’s divisions 39:21- Dieting strategies for different divisions 42:37- Differences between males and females (generally speaking) 52:13- Something to consider when it comes to highly-processed foods 58:17- Prepping isn’t always a good environment to learn in Selected Links From This Episode Macros Into Meals (Vault Course)- ⁠https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/macros-into-meals⁠ The 3DMJ 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/vip⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Watch our show on YouTube - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

Brad, Eric, and Jeff discuss different strategies you can use to help you find the sweet spot between time efficiency and stimulus efficiency for your situation. How long should you rest between sets? Is resting longer between reps to extend the length of a set a good strategy? What are antagonist paired sets and why would someone use them? How to drop sets compare to myo-reps in regard to effectiveness? What evidence is there on double days? Why is it important to be able to differentiate which type of fatigue you are experiencing? Do drops in performance really matter for hypertrophy? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode. Timestamps 0:00- Introduction 1:27- The information Jeff, Brad, and Eric use to build an athlete’s training split 5:53- How much does frequency matter when volume is equated? 8:26- Rest between sets 19:48- Antagonist paired sets 26:12- Be strategic with the exercises you pair together 32:50- Evidence on double days 42:18- Drop sets 46:20- Drop sets vs. Myo-reps in regard to effectiveness 53:10- Do drops in performance really matter for hypertrophy? 58:27- Different types of fatigue 1:01:41- Rest between reps 1:17:12- Lengthened super sets 1:23:53- Consider the context Selected Links From This Episode Macros Into Meals (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/macros-into-meals The 3DMJ 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/vip⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Watch our show on YouTube - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

Brad, Jeff, and Brian discuss when, how, and why they program cardio for themselves and their athletes. How do the coaches view and prescribe cardio during a fat-loss phase? What are the coaches’ thoughts on doing additional cardiovascular exercise for overall health? What is the benefit of having a step goal over a calories-burned goal? What is the highest the coaches typically program someone’s step goal? Do the coaches ever use cardio as a way to stimulate an athlete’s appetite during a gaining phase? What are the coaches’ thoughts on HIIT cardio? Why do the coaches like to have their athletes taper their cardio/step count at the end of prep? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode. Timestamps 0:00- Introduction 1:57- How Brian views and prescribes cardio during a fat-loss phase 8:27- The coaches’ thoughts on doing additional cardiovascular exercise for overall health 15:56- Strategies when prepping lighter individuals 31:05- Recovery is an ongoing process 35:18- Using cardio to stimulate appetite during a gaining phase 38:12- You can’t expect the prior day’s expenditure to be reflected on the scale in a predictable way 43:35- Varying modalities 47:31- HIIT vs. LISS cardio 1:02:41- Why the coaches like to have their athletes taper their cardio/step count at the end of prep 1:06:53- Using movement to stay loose 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

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

Brian, Steve, and Alberto discuss when and what criteria need to be met to make a dietary adjustment. When do the coaches adjust an athlete/client’s plan and when do they have them hold steady? What types of adjustments to the coaches typically make? What can you focus on and how can you stay motivated when your weight/the scale is not a good indicator of progress? How big of an adjustment do the coaches typically make when they decrease someone’s calorie intake? When the coaches decrease someone’s calorie intake, do they decrease their fat intake, carbohydrate intake, and/or protein intake? How do the coaches go about making adjustments in a lean-gaining phase? What do they have an athlete do when they gain weight a little too quickly? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode. Timestamps 0:00- Introduction 0:53- Minimal adjustments, assessing adherence, and assessing progress 12:57- What you can focus on and how to stay motivated when your weight/the scale is not a good indicator of progress 25:59- Pacing the athlete/client and watching for blind spots 31:07- How big of an adjustment do the coaches typically make when they decrease someone’s calorie intake? 37:08- Adjustments during a lean-gaining phase 46:04- Transition periods 56:04- Are rapid strength gains when someone is in a huge surplus actually a good indicator they are putting on muscle tissue? 59:47- When the coaches decrease someone’s calorie intake, do they decrease their fat intake, carbohydrate intake, and/or protein intake? Selected Links From This Episode Coaching By Team 3DMJ- https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching The Physique PhotoGuide (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/physique-photo-guide 3DMJ Podcast Episode #238: Cutting Weight For Powerlifting- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ3B-rC5A1c 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 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

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

Alberto, Jeff, and Nick discuss the struggles with gaining weight in the offseason, finding your ideal rate of gain, identifying what your current rate of adaptation is, and advice to help you stay patient when you’re doing all you can do. Who should bulk? What can happen when you get too fixated on gaining weight at a certain rate or weighing a certain amount? What were the coaches’ motivations for and experiences while intentionally gaining weight for the first time? How beneficial is a “dreamer’s bulk”? Can you force-feed muscle growth? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode. Timestamps 0:00- Introduction 3:43- The coaches’ motivations for and experiences while intentionally gaining weight for the first time 21:37- How beneficial is a “dreamer’s bulk”? 33:09- Finding the ideal rate of gain and offseason weight for you 38:29- Markers the coaches look at to help them determine if an athlete is gaining at a good rate 46:58- Knowing what your/your athlete’s current rate of adaptation is 50:13- Advice for staying patient and on track in the offseason 55:42- Feeling like you have unfinished business at the end of a prep 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

Eric, Brad, and Brian discuss methods dual athletes can use to maximize their competitiveness in both bodybuilding and powerlifting. These same methods can also be used by noncompetitors who want to get big *and* strong. Why do the coaches program more bodybuilding work for their powerlifting athletes than they used to? Do the benefits of specificity max out at a certain point? How does specificity change over time? How does the minimum effective dose for novice lifters and advanced lifters differ? For most people, does training for bodybuilding and powerlifting at the same time actually result in suboptimal progress in one or both? Is there a potential benefit to training across a wider variety of rep ranges? How can the stimulus-to-fatigue ratio of an exercise differ between people? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode. Timestamps 0:00- Introduction 7:06- The biggest changes the coaches have made to the way they work with dual athletes 31:45- The proposed benefits of powerbuilding 50:56- Why Eric eventually had to decrease his powerlifting training so that he could make better progress on his bodybuilding goals 55:46- For most people, does training for bodybuilding and powerlifting at the same time actually result in suboptimal progress in one or both? 1:07:02- Do your training the way it was intended to be done 1:10:27- Why did 3DMJ originally start promoting a blended approach and create a lot of dual-sport athletes? Selected Links From This Episode Programs For The Platform (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/programs-platform The 3DMJ Vault- https://www.3dmjvault.com/bundles/vip 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

Brad and Alberto go into detail about what to expect when prepping for a bodybuilding competition, the importance of having people you trust to give you honest feedback on how you're acting, and some of their top tips for a successful prep. How does prep help you learn more about yourself and become a better version of yourself? Should you chase feelings of hunger? How do the coaches recommend dealing with the common side effects of prep such as being overly preoccupied with food, sleep deprivation, and decreased sex drive? How can the recovery process differ between those who never plan to compete again and those who plan to return to the stage? The answers to these questions and many more are discussed in this episode. Timestamps 0:00- Your filters come off when you go through the deep dark periods of contest prep 6:15- Things Brad and Alberto have done during past preps that they are embarrassed of 28:36- The recovery process is just as important as the prep 32:34- Why every prep and every recovery phase should get easier 35:04- What to expect when prepping   Selected Links From This Episode Programs For The Platform (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/programs-platform The 3DMJ Vault- https://www.3dmjvault.com/bundles/vip The Recovery Diet (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/the-recovery-diet Coaching By Team 3DMJ- https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching 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

Andrea, Brad, and Brian host an audience-supplied Q and A session covering a wide range of interesting topics. Deep in prep, do the coaches ever have athletes experience serious medical issues? When training for hypertrophy, how many reps should you leave in reserve when doing compound exercises? What about isolation exercises? What is the difference between a movement’s RIR and a target muscle’s RIR? Is it more important to have carbs before your workout or after? Is it necessary to feel the mind-muscle connection when doing RDLs? Which food tracking apps do the coaches recommend? What are the coaches’ thoughts on calorie cycling for noncompetitors? The answers to these questions and many more are discussed in this episode.  Timestamps 0:00- Introduction 2:18- Deep in prep, do the coaches ever have athletes experience serious medical issues? How often do they request someone get blood work done and in what situations do they request it? 10:07- When training for hypertrophy, how many reps should you leave in reserve when doing compound exercises? What about isolation exercises?  19:44- What is the difference between a movement’s RIR and a target muscle’s RIR? 24:16- Is it more important to have carbs before your workout or after? 35:06- Is it necessary to feel the mind-muscle connection when doing RDLs? Should you feel it more in your glutes or hamstrings? 49:15- Which food tracking apps do the coaches recommend?  1:00:11- Things coaches can do that algorithms cannot do 1:03:55- For those who only train 1-3 times per week, are axially-loaded exercises that involve a lot of different muscle groups (such as deadlifts, squats, and standing overhead presses) good exercise selections? 1:10:33- The coaches’ thoughts on calorie cycling for noncompetitors  Selected Links From This Episode 3DMJ’s Instagram Account- @team3dmj 3DMJ’s Twitter/X Account- @team3dmj 3DMJ Podcast Episode #256: Is Using RPE Worth It?- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb0X87odRlQ Programs For The Platform (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/programs-platform Why The Calories In Your Nutrition Tracking App And Your Spreadsheet Do Not Match (Article by Brad Loomis)- https://3dmusclejourney.com/macro-discrepancies/ 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

Eric, Jeff, and Alberto discuss how they program their own and their athletes’ training differently than they used to. The coaches talk about how to apply new training techniques and understandings, the benefits of being open-minded, exercise selection, managing fatigue, range of motion, and a lot more. If you’ve been wanting to learn more about training at longer muscle lengths and lengthened partials, this is a great episode to listen to. The coaches go through how to train at longer muscle lengths, potential reasons behind why doing so is beneficial for hypertrophy, and which muscles might benefit the most from lengthened partials. Timestamps 0:00- Introduction 3:15- How Alberto’s programming is different today than it was in 2010 5:54- The shift from tracking volume as total tonnage to tracking volume as hard sets 10:46- How Jeff’s programming is different today than it was in 2010 16:47- How Eric’s programming is different today than it was in 2010 46:50- Range of motion 54:58- Being open-minded and observing things in a dispassionate way 1:05:28- Overthinking vs. Thinking and actually learning 1:12:06- How to apply new techniques and understandings 1:14:00- How to train at longer muscle lengths and potential reasons behind why doing so is beneficial for hypertrophy 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

Nick, Jeff, Brian, and Alberto discuss how to manage your athletic and lifting goals while still being present for your children and partner. The guys talk about how they stay highly-competitive bodybuilders with kids, how they’ve learned to be flexible, how they’ve gotten good at getting the most out of the limited amount of time they sometimes have to train, being a “good selfish”, and a lot more. The dads also share how they talk about or plan on talking about bodybuilding when the time comes with their kids, to help ensure they have a healthy body image and a healthy relationship with food. This episode is full of takeaways for all current and future parents. Timestamps 0:00- Introduction 4:01- Both fatherhood and bodybuilding are about the journey 27:52- More context about the guy’s situations 37:39- Staying poised in stressful situations 48:53- Balancing bodybuilding and parenthood 1:00:04- Optimizing within your constraints 1:10:20- How the dads talk about bodybuilding with their kids to help ensure they have a healthy body image and a healthy relationship with food Selected Links From This Episode Coaching By Team 3DMJ- https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching Nick’s Website- https://www.strengthtogetheronline.com Nick’s Instagram- @nicklicameli Nick’s YouTube Channel- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAWFe5BmaJ_WFAh2aqsOg8g/featured 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

Eric, Steve, and Brad have a unique conversation about tracking and bringing mindfulness to a behavior. The coaches discuss the distinction between tracking to learn more about what you’re currently doing versus tracking to change a behavior. Sometimes just tracking a behavior is enough to get the desired outcome and sometimes *not* tracking something can lead to better outcomes. Along with discussing the different types of tracking, the coaches also go through how to choose what you should track, behaviors and nutrients they have tracked or had their athletes/clients track, moving towards/approach goals versus moving away from/avoidance goals, facilitative versus nonfacilitative perfectionism, what you can do if you want to lose body fat but tracking your calorie intake causes a lot of stress, and a lot more. Timestamps 0:00- Introduction 2:30- Tracking to learn more about what you’re currently doing vs. Tracking to change behavior 8:56- Learning to track before trying to hit specific nutritional goals 15:08- Sometimes just tracking a behavior is enough to get the desired outcome 26:46- Sometimes *not* tracking something can lead to better outcomes 37:43- Behaviors, nutrients, and other data the coaches have tracked or had their athletes/clients track 55:18- Moving towards/approach goals vs. Moving away from/avoidance goals 1:00:43- Leveraging the client’s knowledge, creativity, and getting them involved in the goal-setting process 1:04:10- Sometimes tracking something can lead to undesirable outcomes 1:11:00- Tracking body weight and the palatability of foods 1:18:23- Regular breaks from tracking calories and what you can do if tracking your calorie intake causes a lot of stress Selected Links From This Episode Monthly Applications In Strength Sport (MASS)- https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/mass Transitioning Away From Tracking (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/transitioning-away-from-tracking Should You Weigh Meat Cooked Or Uncooked?- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH-5oSP0O5E&t=1s 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 The Energy Balance Model Of Obesity: Beyond Calories In, Calories Out- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35134825/ The Complex Pattern Of The Effects Of Prolonged Frequent Exercise On Appetite Control, And Implications For Obesity- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36754171/#:~:text=There%20are%20multiple%20effects%20of,improvements%20in%20eating%20behaviour%20traits 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

Jeff, Brian, and Brad discuss training to failure, RPE-based programming, and percentage-based programming. What is RPE and RIR? Should you use RPE-based programming? If so, when and how should you use it? How do the coaches help their athletes get better at rating a set’s RPE? What approaches do the coaches use for prescribing proximity to failure with bodybuilders? Can training to failure and leaving reps in reserve both work? Why isn’t all training to failure the same? The coaches answer these questions, plus many more in this episode. Timestamps 0:00- What is RPE and RIR? 2:11- Why rate a set? Why not just train to failure? 12:22- Percentage-based programming vs. RPE-based programming 16:00- Approaches the coaches use for prescribing proximity to failure with bodybuilders 37:07- Managing recovery based on the structure of your program 46:20- Not all training to failure is the same 1:01:55- What the coaches think about when they are near the end of a set and it starts getting hard 1:10:03- Rest-pause techniques 1:12:49- Red-light, yellow-light, and green-light sets Selected Links From This Episode Free Newsletter (3DMJ Thursdays)- https://3dmusclejourney.com/ 3D Muscle Journey’s Instagram Account- @team3dmj 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

Nick, Alberto, and Brad discuss the necessity (or lack of) of specific exercises for maximizing the development of your lower body. Are there fundamental movements everyone should do? Does squatting and deadlifting make your muscles more dense? What are the group’s thoughts on hip thrusts, glute bridges, and RDLs? What are some fun exercise modifications you can try to get a similar or better muscular stimulus using less weight? Along with answering all of these questions, this episode has the potential to provide a ton of relief for those who are dealing with pain, injuries, have limited equipment, or just don’t like barbell squatting or deadlifting off the floor. Timestamps 0:00- Thinking objectively about your lower-body training 18:54- Recent revelations Alberto has had about lower-body training 30:52- Are there fundamental movements everyone should do? 38:57- Fun exercise modifications 54:06- Do the coaches think the concepts discussed in this episode will someday be mainstream advice? 1:01:03- The group’s thoughts on hip thrusts, glute bridges, and RDLs Selected Links From This Episode Nutrition Fundamentals For Lifters (Vault Course)- ⁠https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/nutrition-fundamentals-for-lifters⁠ 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

Brian and Eric address many common questions and misunderstandings around body fat set points. Is it possible to change your set point? Are your genetics really the thing holding you back? Along with answering these two questions, Brian and Eric discuss leptin, modifying your environment, metabolic adaptation, low energy availability, some really interesting research on the Amish, and a lot more. This episode is full of takeaways for both competitors and noncompetitors. Timestamps 0:00- Introduction 2:24- The lipostatic model, leptin, and the duel intervention point model 12:35- Is it possible to change your set point? 23:56- Modifying your environment 34:30- Capitalize on the time period you are motivated 38:45- Overshooting and metabolic adaptation 46:48- What is low energy availability? 48:50- At what body fat percentage should experienced competitors be at in the offseason? 1:01:32- Living life slightly below your lower intervention point 1:08:00- What is a healthy body fat percentage? 1:13:44- Where you make the best progress in regard to the rate you put on muscle might not be where you want to be Selected Links From This Episode Nutrition Fundamentals For Lifters (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/nutrition-fundamentals-for-lifters Monthly Applications In Strength Sport (MASS)- https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/mass 2023 International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Consensus Statement On Relative Energy Deficiency In Sport (REDs)- https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/17/1073 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

Amanda, Alberto, and Eric discuss disordered eating, eating disorders, body-image concerns, and how they relate to both competitive physique athletes and noncompetitors. They talk about common issues they see and how they deal with them, the importance of framing, the influence of biology, research on tracking and physique checking, and a lot more. The same behaviors can be facilitative or debilitative depending upon how they are framed and what they result in in someone’s life. Timestamps 0:00- Introduction 3:06- Scope of practice 7:13- Some of the most common issues Alberto sees and how he deals with them 27:30- The way we frame things is extremely important 29:46- Is the coping mechanism facilitative or debilitative 36:10- Clinical definitions 40:15- Research on tracking and physique checking on disordered eating and eating disorders 49:25- The influence of biology 57:43- Orthorexia 1:02:27- How Amanda deals with nonclassified disordered eating 1:09:59- Bodybuilding and competing for those who have been diagnosed with an eating disorder in the past or are in the process of recovering Selected Links From This Episode Nutrition Fundamentals For Lifters (Vault Course)- https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/nutrition-fundamentals-for-lifters Minnesota Starvation Experiment- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Starvation_Experiment Amanda’s Email- amirizo027@gmail.com Amanda’s Instagram- @rizo_amanda_ 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

Brad, Jeff, and Brian discuss what the ultimate goal of a person’s training should be if their primary goal is muscular hypertrophy. The coaches talk about when to add volume and when to wait, slower reps versus faster reps, training volume across a training career, longevity, and caution against putting the numbers ahead of the stimulus. Progression should be dictated by the rate you’re adapting and not something that should be forced. ------------------------------ Timestamps 0:00- Introduction 1:30- What Jeff has observed about his volume and absolute strength over his training career 8:01- The ultimate goal of training when primarily training for hypertrophy 19:45- Progression should be dictated by the rate you’re adapting and not something that should be forced 32:08- Slower rep tempo vs. Faster rep tempo 47:44- Will performing high amounts of volume come at the expense of longevity? 50:12- Practical takeaways 59:08- Assessing plateaus ------------------------------ Selected Links From This Episode Pro Bodybuilder Case Study (Vault Course)- ⁠https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/pro-bodybuilder-case-study⁠ ------------------------------ 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

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. ------------------------------ 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 ------------------------------ 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 ------------------------------ 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

Andrea, Brian, and Jeff conduct an audience-supplied Q and A session. Topics include maximizing muscle growth, how to track volume, what you can do if you’re afraid of gaining body fat after your competitive season, and a lot more. Timestamps 0:00- Introduction 2:24- How to grow maximally versus slowly and how to tell the difference 13:07- How to balance lifting with other forms of physical activity like running, cycling, basketball, etc. 21:48- If you aren’t working with a coach, how can you know if you’re lean enough to stop dieting and ready to step onstage 35:35- How should you count volume from compound exercises? How should you count volume from myo-rep sets? Does one set of myo-reps equal one traditional set? 42:55- Why your weekly volume, in terms of sets per week, might actually go *down* over your career 51:26- Andrea and the coaches’ advice on what you can do if you’re afraid of gaining body fat after you finish your competitive season Selected Links From This Episode Team 3DMJ’s Instagram Account- @team3dmj Team 3DMJ’s YouTube Channel- ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Team3DMJ⁠ Team 3DMJ’s Twitter/X Account- @team3dmj Personalizing Your Program (Vault Course)- ⁠https://www.3dmjvault.com/courses/personalizing-your-program⁠ The Vault- ⁠https://www.3dmjvault.com/bundles/vip⁠ 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 3DMJ’s Website- ⁠https://3dmusclejourney.com/⁠ 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