The Improvement Season Podcast

Mike and Steve catch up on physique updates, prep timing, judging, and a weekend of competition watchalongs. They also answer listener questions about knee pain, training progression, supplement safety, autoregulation, and bodybuilding at different ages. Mike shares his dieting progress, recent experience judging the NPA British Championships, and why he’s choosing to hold body weight rather than start a mini cut. Steve talks about Ada turning eight, a hike outside London, and why he’s likely to stay at maintenance before his next prep. Together, they discuss nutrition flexibility, coaching, and building a physique over the long term. Join the hypertrophic time chamber to ask questions: https://www.instagram.com/channel/AbazLhBRouBrMkCq/ Chapters 00:00 Physique updates, dieting progress & peri-workout nutrition 07:31 Ninja Creami, Ada turns eight & London hike 13:47 WNBF Dubai & Dirk’s class win 15:14 Why Steve is holding body weight instead of mini-cutting 18:12 RDL progress, knee health & longer training phases 20:59 Judging the NPA British Championships & athlete progression 31:25 Listener questions begin 33:08 Knee pain: tendonitis, tendinopathy & bursitis 41:24 Low appetite during a gaining phase 42:13 Should beginners add sets if they’re still progressing? 43:38 Protein powder quality & third-party testing 51:17 Why Steve doesn’t have an offseason coach 55:37 The podcast, MBW & continuing education 57:18 Would we restart bodybuilding with what we know now? 58:45 Multivitamins & greens powders: are they useful? 1:00:08 Favourite protein bars & Barebells advent calendars 1:03:25 Can you still build muscle in your 30s & 40s? 1:06:51 What hire could strengthen Revive Stronger? 1:11:54 Anime recommendations 1:14:11 Sport documentaries, Mark Cavendish & support teams 1:16:52 What happens after the final show of the season? 1:19:06 How to develop an eye for physique assessment 1:22:32 Autoregulation during prep 1:26:11 Training & eating around a 9-to-5 job 1:29:43 What can we learn from a 10,000-calorie binge? 1:32:25 What would we trade for more muscle? 1:34:49 Outro Thanks, please comment, like and subscribe! COACHING: https://revivestronger.com/online-coaching/ INSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/revivestronger NEWSLETTER: https://bit.ly/2rRONG5 __________________________________________________________________ Epic Workout Clothing (use code STRONGER): • US: https://www.raskolapparel.com?snowball=STRONGER • Europe: https://raskolapparel.eu/ • Canada: https://raskolapparel.ca/ __________________________________________________________________ Our Ebooks! Ultimate Guide To Contest Prep Ebook: • https://revivestronger.com/product/the-ultimate-guide-to-contest-prep/ __________________________________________________________________ Stay up to date with the latest research and educate yourself! MASS (Research Review): • https://www.massmember.com/a/2147994108/MxeV4T3M Muscle & Strength Pyramids • https://getdpd.com/cart/hoplink/25469?referrer=1uk0lvv6e1rqv __________________________________________________________________ When you're interested in online coaching, please go visit our website and follow the application form: https://www.revivestronger.com/online-coaching/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Steve and Mike discuss the importance of sleep, training volume, and progress tracking for muscle growth and performance. They share personal insights, recent competition updates, and answer listener questions about supplements, training, and nutrition. Discussing a wide range of topics including coaching stories, social media management, training strategies, and personal experiences with fitness and nutrition. They share valuable insights for both aspiring and experienced fitness enthusiasts. Join the hypertrophic time chamber to ask questions: https://www.instagram.com/channel/AbazLhBRouBrMkCq/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and episode overview 02:36 Coaching stories: Aaron’s transformation and client progress 03:04 Steve's new apparel and gym wear insights 04:50 The underrated value of sleep for recovery 09:41 Rob's competition prep and recent results 10:23 Social media habits: managing overwhelm and doomscrolling 14:15 Reflections on bodybuilding judging and pro cards 18:02 Rob and Chris's progress and future plans 19:57 Training strategies: unilateral vs bilateral movements 21:31 Personal updates and training reflections 23:18 The importance of patience and consistency in bodybuilding 27:40 Upcoming competitions and athlete updates 29:18 Listener questions on training volume and supplements 30:45 Nutrition tips: increasing carbs and liquid calories 45:03 Skincare and hair removal for stage prep 55:36 Favorite anime shows and recent watches 01:10:07 Reflections on influence of podcast guests 01:20:07 Final thoughts and episode wrap-up Thanks, please comment, like and subscribe! COACHING: https://revivestronger.com/online-coaching/ INSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/revivestronger NEWSLETTER: https://bit.ly/2rRONG5 __________________________________________________________________ Epic Workout Clothing (use code STRONGER): • US: https://www.raskolapparel.com?snowball=STRONGER • Europe: https://raskolapparel.eu/ • Canada: https://raskolapparel.ca/ __________________________________________________________________ Our Ebooks! Ultimate Guide To Contest Prep Ebook: • https://revivestronger.com/product/the-ultimate-guide-to-contest-prep/ __________________________________________________________________ Stay up to date with the latest research and educate yourself! MASS (Research Review): • https://www.massmember.com/a/2147994108/MxeV4T3M Muscle & Strength Pyramids • https://getdpd.com/cart/hoplink/25469?referrer=1uk0lvv6e1rqv __________________________________________________________________ When you're interested in online coaching, please go visit our website and follow the application form: https://www.revivestronger.com/online-coaching/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Hall and Magic Mike open with a candid catch-up on training, recovery, and the realities of bodybuilding prep. They also break down a weekend of show support for Rob and Anthony, including posing tweaks, show-day nerves, judging differences, and how to stay grounded when placings do not match expectations. Plus a long Q&A covers recreational clients, elbow-friendly arm training, adductor work, stiff-leg deadlift mechanics, photos in the off season, prep fatigue red flags, cutting calories, refeed use, peak week foods, biceps tendinitis, and show-day nerves Join the hypertrophic time chamber to ask questions: https://www.instagram.com/channel/AbazLhBRouBrMkCq/ Chapters 00:00 Opening Catch-Up & Training Week Check-In 14:23 Mike's Weekend With His Dad & Nutrition Reflections 23:22 Rob's Show Weekend & Supporting Athletes in Person 38:35 Anthony's Show in Cyprus & the Value of Live Support 47:13 Q&A Begins + Coaching & Lead Generation 48:08 How Much of the Client Roster Is Recreational Lifters? 51:48 Pec "Dancing" – Can Either Host Do It? 53:01 Are Direct Adductor Exercises Necessary? 54:21 0 RIR vs 2 RIR: Why the Full Program Matters More 57:15 What Determines Maintenance Calories Over Time? 57:46 What the Hosts Think the Other Could Improve On 1:01:04 How a Book on Self-Esteem Is Helping Mike 1:01:51 Stiff-Leg Deadlifts: Knee Bend, Pauses & Digestion 1:03:53 Progress Photo Frequency for Off-Season Clients 1:06:35 Elbow-Friendly Ways to Train Biceps & Triceps 1:08:36 How to Know When Prep Is Going Too Far 1:11:25 Where to Cut Calories First When Starting a Diet 1:13:36 Managing Lower-Back Flare-Ups on Leg Movements 1:14:45 Losing Definition While Gaining: The Psychological Challenge 1:17:38 When Is a Refeed Actually Needed? 1:19:15 What Science Doesn't Clearly State — But May Still Help Bodybuilding 1:21:23 Do Pump Workouts & Carb Loads Work During Peak Week? 1:23:11 How to Manage Biceps Tendinitis 1:26:00 Steve's Coaching Process & Client Check-Ins 1:29:49 Feeling Suboptimal in Prep & What Recovery Scores Mean 1:30:42 Skills Each Host Would Love to Learn From Another Coach 1:34:17 Food Tracking, Bodybuilding Eating & MyFitnessPal Confusion 1:35:25 How Rest-Pause & Drop Sets Fit Into Training 1:36:39 Best Peak Week Foods: Easy Digestion & Low Volume 1:38:14 Backstage Nerves & Show-Day Comparisons 1:41:00 Closing Thoughts + Coaching Applications & Questions Thanks, please comment, like and subscribe! COACHING: https://revivestronger.com/online-coaching/ INSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/revivestronger NEWSLETTER: https://bit.ly/2rRONG5 __________________________________________________________________ Epic Workout Clothing (use code STRONGER): • US: https://www.raskolapparel.com?snowball=STRONGER • Europe: https://raskolapparel.eu/ • Canada: https://raskolapparel.ca/ __________________________________________________________________ Our Ebooks! Ultimate Guide To Contest Prep Ebook: • https://revivestronger.com/product/the-ultimate-guide-to-contest-prep/ __________________________________________________________________ Stay up to date with the latest research and educate yourself! MASS (Research Review): • https://www.massmember.com/a/2147994108/MxeV4T3M Muscle & Strength Pyramids • https://getdpd.com/cart/hoplink/25469?referrer=1uk0lvv6e1rqv __________________________________________________________________ When you're interested in online coaching, please go visit our website and follow the application form: https://www.revivestronger.com/online-coaching/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jake Hellman shares his journey from a bodybuilding novice to competing on stage, highlighting the importance of self-belief, strategic planning, and balancing bodybuilding with life. Discover insights on mental shifts, show experiences, and how to make bodybuilding a sustainable part of your life. Jake shares his journey through bodybuilding, recovery from injuries, and insights on balancing intense training with life. We explore the importance of patience, mental resilience, and the long-term perspective in bodybuilding and health. Join the hypertrophic time chamber to ask questions: https://www.instagram.com/channel/AbazLhBRouBrMkCq/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and guest background 06:29 Deciding to compete and overcoming doubts 15:56 The moment Jake realized he is a bodybuilder 33:44 Balancing bodybuilding with work and life 40:15 Approach to training, nutrition, and perfectionism 45:08 Challenges after competition and injury insights 01:02:54 Mental resilience and problem-solving approach 01:11:28 Future goals and competition plans 01:16:40 Reflections on the Natural Bodybuilding Summit Thanks, please comment, like and subscribe! COACHING: https://revivestronger.com/online-coaching/ INSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/revivestronger NEWSLETTER: https://bit.ly/2rRONG5 __________________________________________________________________ Epic Workout Clothing (use code STRONGER): • US: https://www.raskolapparel.com?snowball=STRONGER • Europe: https://raskolapparel.eu/ • Canada: https://raskolapparel.ca/ __________________________________________________________________ Our Ebooks! Ultimate Guide To Contest Prep Ebook: • https://revivestronger.com/product/the-ultimate-guide-to-contest-prep/ __________________________________________________________________ Stay up to date with the latest research and educate yourself! MASS (Research Review): • https://www.massmember.com/a/2147994108/MxeV4T3M Muscle & Strength Pyramids • https://getdpd.com/cart/hoplink/25469?referrer=1uk0lvv6e1rqv __________________________________________________________________ When you're interested in online coaching, please go visit our website and follow the application form: https://www.revivestronger.com/online-coaching/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Steve and Magic Mike discuss the nuances of bodybuilding competition prep, the impact of venue and staging on performance, and strategies for injury prevention and nutrition during cuts and bulks. In this episode, Steve Hall and Magic Mike discuss training strategies, bulking and cutting, the importance of quality gear, and the future of natural bodybuilding. They share insights on optimizing performance, managing body composition, and the evolving landscape of bodybuilding competitions. Join the hypertrophic time chamber to ask questions: https://www.instagram.com/channel/AbazLhBRouBrMkCq/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and episode overview 00:48 Recent busy week and client updates 02:07 Upcoming podcasts and planning 04:05 Rob's competition weekend and experience 06:51 Impressions of the OCB show and venue 10:07 Stage lighting, backstage, and venue critique 12:05 Judging feedback and federation insights 14:35 Rob's performance and areas for improvement 18:06 Physique assessment and future plans 20:03 Stage presence, posing, and confidence 23:48 Upcoming competitions and strategic planning 26:26 Reflections on the wedding and social eating 38:23 Lessons from social events and moderation 48:36 Training performance as a key indicator for bulking 50:12 The long-term view on bulking and cutting phases 51:58 The importance of quality gear and clothing 54:29 Managing body composition after a contest 56:43 The impact of body size on fat loss difficulty 58:35 The future of natural bodybuilding and technological advances 01:02:28 The value of routines and habits in discipline 01:09:12 Psychosocial aspects of contest prep and mental health 01:14:52 Lessons from mistakes and staying in the game 01:18:49 The evolving standards and inclusivity in bodybuilding 01:44:31 The role of posing coaches and their value Thanks, please comment, like and subscribe! COACHING: https://revivestronger.com/online-coaching/ INSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/revivestronger NEWSLETTER: https://bit.ly/2rRONG5 __________________________________________________________________ Epic Workout Clothing (use code STRONGER): • US: https://www.raskolapparel.com?snowball=STRONGER • Europe: https://raskolapparel.eu/ • Canada: https://raskolapparel.ca/ __________________________________________________________________ Our Ebooks! Ultimate Guide To Contest Prep Ebook: • https://revivestronger.com/product/the-ultimate-guide-to-contest-prep/ __________________________________________________________________ Stay up to date with the latest research and educate yourself! MASS (Research Review): • https://www.massmember.com/a/2147994108/MxeV4T3M Muscle & Strength Pyramids • https://getdpd.com/cart/hoplink/25469?referrer=1uk0lvv6e1rqv __________________________________________________________________ When you're interested in online coaching, please go visit our website and follow the application form: https://www.revivestronger.com/online-coaching/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices