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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

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  • 25 episodes
  • fortnightly
  • Avg 1 hr 12 min
  • English

Episodes 25

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  • Yesterday · 1 hr 11 min

    #319: What Supplements Do You Take?

    Jeff, Eric, and Brian share their perspectives on supplements, what they are currently taking, and advice for those who want to optimize all the variables in order to maximize progress. What were the coaches’ first experiences with supplements? What creates the placebo effect? What actually causes a pump? What is the “supplement treadmill”? Which supplements actually work? Why is it important to have realistic expectations for the supplements you choose to take? If you’re supplementing with creatine but you don’t feel it working, does that mean it’s not working? What are the risks that come with taking a lot of supplements? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode. Timestamps 0:00- Introduction 4:26- The changing perspective on supplements in the natural-bodybuilding community 9:55- Jeff’s first experience with supplements 23:34- Brian’s first experience with supplements and how his perspective on supplements has evolved over time 32:21- How powerful the placebo effect and groupthink can be 43:16- The supplements Jeff currently takes 46:19- Having realistic expectations for the supplements you choose to take 52:29- The supplements Eric is currently taking 56:24- The risks of taking a lot of supplements 1:06:56- Remember to keep supplements in perspective Selected Links From This Episode Coaching By Team 3DMJ- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Nutrition For Hypertrophy & Strength (Online Course)- https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/nutrition Monthly Applications In Strength Sport (MASS)- https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/mass Thanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪 GET COACHING AND COURSES - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Watch our show on YouTube - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

  • October 1 · 1 hr 5 min

    #318: Post-Season Blues

    Alberto and Brian discuss how athletes commonly feel after their bodybuilding season is over and what you can do to get back to feeling like yourself as soon as possible. What are some strategies to help minimize post-season blues? How normal is it to not feel like yourself physiologically after prep is over? What is the thing that most lets Brian know how recovered he is? Why do the coaches want their athletes to have other things going on while they’re prepping? What frequently stops people from gaining the weight they know they probably need to gain? Why don’t the coaches recommend reverse dieting at a slow pace after your season is over? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode. Timestamps 0:00- Introduction 2:44- The coaches’ first preps 11:39- How normal is it to not feel like yourself physiologically after prep is over? 21:32- The redistribution of body fat when you first start gaining weight after prep 22:44- Expect to overshoot 31:56- Post-season blues 40:32- Why gaining weight after your season is over is so important and framing to help make gaining weight easier 53:24- There is an element of experience to getting shredded 1:01:26- Additional tips Selected Links From This Episode Coaching By Team 3DMJ- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Off-Season Mastery Course- https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/off-season Thanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪 GET COACHING AND COURSES - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Watch our show on YouTube - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

  • September 17 · 1 hr 11 min

    #317: Is The Mind-Muscle Connection Overrated?

    Alberto, Jeff, and Brad discuss what the mind-muscle connection is, how important it is for muscle growth, who can benefit the most from focusing on it, and what you can focus on instead. Does the speed of your reps matter? Why is Jeff intentional about maintaining control of the weight when he’s lifting? What are the coaches’ thoughts on stricter reps versus less-strict reps? What do the coaches think about when they’re training and the intensity of the burning sensation is building? What can you think about so that your sessions don’t feel like you’re just checking things off a list? What are some signs that an exercise is a good fit for you? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode. Timestamps 0:00- Proprioception vs. Mind-muscle connection 9:48- Why Jeff is intentional about maintaining control of the weight when he’s lifting 19:15- Stricter reps vs. Less-strict reps 30:24- More examples of how focusing too much on the mind-muscle connection can be misleading 36:47- What the coaches think about when they’re training and the intensity of the burning sensation is building 50:09- Visualization, intraset focus, and background noise 53:40- The adjustments Brad made to his back training which have led to a more muscular back 59:24- Signs that an exercise is a good fit for you Selected Links From This Episode Coaching By Team 3DMJ- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Monthly Applications In Strength Sport (MASS)- https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/mass Strength Training Anatomy (Third Edition)- https://www.amazon.com/dp/0736092269?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback Thanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪 GET COACHING AND COURSES - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Watch our show on YouTube - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

  • September 3 · 1 hr 12 min

    #316: Maintenance Phases in Bodybuilding

    Brian, Alberto, and Brad discuss the benefits of maintenance phases, why they are sometimes superior to gaining phases, and what to consider when setting your rate-of-weight-gain goal. Why do the coaches program less intentional surpluses than they used to? What is the difference between weight maintenance and progress maintenance? Are DEXA scans helpful for programming? How do elite powerlifters put on muscle while minimizing fat gain? If you gain 30 lbs. and your dumbbell bench press goes up 15 lbs., is that progressive overload? Do the coaches ever have athletes do dreamer bulks anymore? In what situations do the coaches tend to program an intentional surplus instead of a maintenance phase? The answers to these questions and more are covered in this episode. Timestamps 0:00- Introduction 1:32- Why the coaches program less intentional surpluses than they used to 13:43- Weight maintenance vs. Progress Maintenance 19:50- When setting up a gaining phase, consider the profit margin 30:21- If you gain 30 lbs. and your dumbbell bench press goes up 15 lbs., is that progressive overload? 34:34- Do the coaches ever have athletes do dreamer bulks anymore? 39:00- Situations where the coaches program an intentional surplus 48:53- Are DEXA scans (and other methods that estimate body composition) helpful for programming? 58:33- The behavioral aspects and usefulness of maintenance phases Selected Links From This Episode Coaching By Team 3DMJ- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Off-Season Mastery Course- https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/off-season 3DMJ Podcast Episode #238: Cutting Weight For Powerlifting- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ3B-rC5A1c&t=46s Thanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪 GET COACHING AND COURSES - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Watch our show on YouTube - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

  • August 20 · 1 hr 10 min

    #315: The Identity Trap of Bodybuilding

    Jeff, Brian, and Brad discuss how a person’s identity as a bodybuilder can change across their training career, why it’s important to see yourself as more than just a bodybuilder, and how having a limited identity can ultimately hold you back. What was Jeff’s relationship with bodybuilding like when he was in his 20s and why does he consider it “ugly”? What did Brad’s life look like when he was too obsessed with bodybuilding? What advice would Brian give his 16-year-old self? How can a person’s identity interfere with them being able to tone things down and have a more balanced approach? How can being hardcore actually be a symptom of being insecure? Why is it important to not tie your identity to a particular type of training? The answers to these questions and more are covered in this episode. Timestamps 0:00- Introduction 1:39- Who is Jeff without bodybuilding? 13:02- The time in Brad’s life when he was too obsessed with bodybuilding 17:52- What Brian would tell his 16-year-old self 23:31- How a person’s identity can interfere with toning things down and taking a more balanced approach 35:53- Brad’s equalizer analogy 42:36- Sometimes you just need a break from bodybuilding 46:15- Don’t tie your identity to a particular type of training 49:02- How Jeff wears his different hats and how he views bodybuilding as a vessel 55:54- Do the coaches think bodybuilding attracts people with bigger egos, or do they think it attracts people who want to feel better about themself? 1:01:03- Strive for excellence not perfection Selected Links From This Episode 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 💪 GET COACHING AND COURSES - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Watch our show on YouTube - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

  • August 6 · 1 hr 15 min

    #314: Training Modifications During a Diet

    Alberto, Eric, and Jeff discuss autoregulating your training while dieting and how learning to autoregulate your training is vital if you want to get the most out of yourself. How do the coaches help their athletes develop the skill of being able to autoregulate their training? How can a person’s personality influence the way they autoregulate their training? How necessary are deloads? How has Eric’s opinion on deload frequency changed? Can a person develop more grit? Why is it beneficial to expose yourself to lifters who have different perspectives than you? What is the best training split? What was Alberto’s biggest lesson from his last prep? Why are “autoregulation” and “intuitive training” *not* the same thing? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode. Timestamps 0:00- Introduction 1:55- How the way Alberto autoregulates his training changes when he’s prepping 7:44- Jeff’s advice for beginner, intermediate, and advanced lifters 16:47- Longer-term patterns Eric has identified in his training 23:38- How Alberto helps his athletes develop the skill of being able to autoregulate their training 30:36- How Jeff helps his athletes develop the skill of being able to autoregulate their training 38:40- How Eric’s opinion on deload frequency has changed 46:31- How Eric helps his athletes develop the skill of being able to autoregulate their training 51:46- Purposely expose yourself to different perspectives 56:18- The value of good coaching 1:02:34- It’s scary to stop doing what you’ve seen success with 1:08:45- Work with your body versus trying to make it submit to you 1:11:07- “Autoregulation” and “intuitive training” are *not* the same thing Selected Links From This Episode Coaching By Team 3DMJ- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪 GET COACHING AND COURSES - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Watch our show on YouTube - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

  • July 23 · 1 hr 15 min

    #313: Diets For Crazy Schedules

    Brad, Brian, and Alberto discuss the details that actually matter for fat loss, so you can create an eating routine that works well for you and your schedule. How many times per day do the coaches recommend eating? Does the number of times you eat per day influence your metabolic rate? Do you have to distribute your protein evenly throughout the day? What are the coaches’ thoughts on and what is the effectiveness of intermittent fasting? What are 48-hour feeding windows and how can you use them? What advice do the coaches have around pre workout nutrition? What nutritional details matter more when you’re super lean? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode. Timestamps 0:00- How Brad ate during prep when he used to work graveyard shifts and how he could have done it better 14:27- Meal-timing recommendations for drug-free athletes 19:08- Protein-distribution recommendations during prep 30:17- Adherence really is the base of the pyramid 34:22- The downsides of always micromanaging your nutrition 49:43- 48-hour feeding windows 55:49- Pre-workout nutrition 1:03:01- The nutritional details that matter more when you’re super lean Selected Links From This Episode 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 💪 GET COACHING AND COURSES - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Watch our show on YouTube - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

  • July 9 · 1 hr 15 min

    #312: The Mentality Required to Finish a Bodybuilding Prep

    Brad, Jeff, and Brian discuss the mindset an athlete needs to have to successfully complete a bodybuilding prep and to feel good about the end results, whatever they are. What motivates the coaches to continue to execute when things get hard? How does Jeff utilize comparison to make prep feel easier? Why does getting weaker not necessarily mean you’re losing muscle? Why is training in higher rep ranges when you’re depleted maybe not the best idea? Should you proactively change your training when you start prep? What is Brad’s advice on what to do to help you feel better during those times you don’t feel good about the way you look? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode. Timestamps 0:00- How Jeff is feeling 4 days out from his show 2:43- The mindset you have to have to finish a bodybuilding prep 15:04- Trust that the reward is coming and surrender to the process 25:13- The feeling of knowing you did everything you could 29:03- How to handle the parts of prep when you don’t feel like you look good 36:51- Don’t make winning the most important thing 45:32- Why Jeff views bodybuilding as more of an art than a sport 47:16- Tips on training during prep 57:13- How Brad’s focus on effort has lowered his stress around the numbers when it comes to his training 1:00:52- A loss of performance is *normal* during prep and what to do if that’s making your training not enjoyable 1:06:50- Brad’s advice on what you can do to help you feel better during those times you don’t feel good about the way you look Selected Links From This Episode Coaching By Team 3DMJ- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪 GET COACHING AND COURSES - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Watch our show on YouTube - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

  • June 25 · 1 hr 14 min

    #311: Machines vs. Free Weights

    The coaches discuss the pros and cons of training with machines versus free weights, what they prefer, and how the value of specific machines differs depending on what stage of your lifting career you are in. How did the coaches view and utilize machines when they first started lifting? What are the downsides of starting with free weights? Which squat pattern does Brian think puts on the most muscle? Why does training to failure on a machine-based squat pattern often feel less demanding than training to failure on a barbell-based squat pattern? What are commonly underdeveloped muscles on those who only train with machines and how to prevent those muscles from becoming underdeveloped? Why aren’t all machines created equal? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode. Timestamps 0:00- How the coaches viewed and utilized machines when they first started lifting 11:33- The argument against free weights & The argument against machines 35:27- The cost of biasing a muscle when performing a compound exercise 40:24- Learning how to use machines to work around injuries 46:09- The value of specific machines for intermediate versus advanced lifters 51:11- The coaches’ top free-weight highlights from their lifting careers 1:02:39- Some of the coaches’ favorite machines Selected Links From This Episode 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 💪 GET COACHING AND COURSES - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Watch our show on YouTube - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

  • June 11 · 1 hr 9 min

    #310: Q&A Session 31

    Brad, Eric, and Alberto answer seven audience-supplied nutrition and training questions. What are good strategies for hitting your protein goal if you’re in a gaining phase and your appetite is making it difficult for you to eat enough? Is it possible to grow your glutes without significantly growing your quads or hamstrings? At what point should you end a bulk? Is it possible to gain muscle eating at maintenance? Is it possible to gain muscle eating in a deficit? How do the coaches track their training when doing lengthened partials and drop sets? What is the best way to eat and track when you’re in situations where precise tracking isn’t possible? The answers to these questions and more are covered in this episode. Timestamps 0:00- Introduction 1:12- Strategies for hitting your protein goal in a gaining phase if your appetite is making it difficult for you to eat enough 11:11- Is it possible to grow your glutes without significantly growing your quads or hamstrings? 18:51- At what point do you pull the plug on a bulk? Is it based on a specific body fat percentage or do you wait until gym performance stalls out? 36:33- How do the coaches track their training when doing lengthened partials and drop sets? 46:25- Strategies for breaking through a plateau on an exercise & What to do if you get very strong on an exercise and start to become intimidated by the weight 56:50- What is the best way to eat and track when you’re in situations where precise tracking isn’t possible? Selected Links From This Episode Coaching By Team 3DMJ- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Nutrition For Hypertrophy And Strength (Online Course)- https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/nutrition Thanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪 GET COACHING AND COURSES - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Watch our show on YouTube - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

  • May 28 · 1 hr 6 min

    #309: Recreational Drugs & Bodybuilding

    Brad, Alberto, and Brian discuss how common drugs and alcohol can negatively interfere with your bodybuilding goals and what you can do to minimize their negative effects. What are Brad’s experiences with smoking weed and nicotine? What does Brian’s and Alberto’s relationship with and use of nicotine look like? Would Alberto say quitting drinking has been worth it? Can someone drink alcohol and still get shredded? Does a small amount of alcohol provide any health benefits? How can you consume alcohol and still stay on track with your goals? What are the pros of recreational drugs and alcohol? How does marijuana use affect progress? When are good times to get off caffeine/preworkouts? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode. Timestamps 0:00- Introduction 1:23- Brad’s experiences with smoking weed and nicotine 5:10- Brian’s and Alberto’s relationship with and use of nicotine 11:34- Alcohol 17:28- How to consume alcohol while still staying on track with your goals 28:40- Myths about alcohol 35:10- How marijuana use affects progress 40:58- Caffeine & Preworkouts 55:07- Be careful what you take! 1:02:26- Final thoughts Selected Links From This Episode Coaching By Team 3DMJ- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 3DMJ Podcast Episode #249: The Hidden Risks of Supplements- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dxRo582uhM Monthly Applications In Strength Sport (MASS)- https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/mass Thanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪 GET COACHING AND COURSES - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Watch our show on YouTube - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

  • May 14 · 1 hr 19 min

    #308: Building Your Own Bodybuilding Team

    Brian, Jeff, and Brad discuss how to build a good support system so you can maximize your rate of progress and have fun doing it. What is the origin story of 3D Muscle Journey? How do you communicate what you’re doing and what your goals are so that your support system knows how to support you? What are the benefits of sharing your bodybuilding journey versus bodybuilding in isolation? When prepping an athlete, what else do the coaches focus on besides getting them lean? How far in advance do the coaches recommend telling others that you’re prepping? Where are good places to meet like-minded bodybuilders? Why is a person’s support system such an influential factor in their success? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode. Timestamps 0:00- Introduction 1:37- How to communicate what you’re doing and what your goals are 6:30- Social media can be a good place to find community 10:48- The origin of 3D Muscle Journey 21:08- You also have to support the people in your support system 30:42- How far in advance the coaches recommend telling others that you’re prepping 37:11- Being able to do what you love doing for a long time 45:14- What Brian needs for support as an athlete 54:07- The benefits of living what you coach 1:06:23- The benefits of sharing your bodybuilding journey versus bodybuilding in isolation 1:09:54- Having a motivating gym atmosphere to help you get the most out of yourself Selected Links From This Episode Coaching By Team 3DMJ- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪 GET COACHING AND COURSES - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Watch our show on YouTube - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

  • April 30 · 1 hr 7 min

    #307: Do I Have to Learn Programming to Get Jacked?

    Brian, Alberto, and Jeff discuss how much you need to know about programming in order to make continued progress. What did the coaches focus on when they first started lifting? How important is effort for making progress? What is more important, working hard or a more optimal program? What advice to the coaches have for novice lifters when it comes to how to go about their training? What movement patterns do the coaches want their athletes to become proficient at? When is an appropriate time for someone to start dialing in their reps in reserve? What are some common flaws the coaches see in people’s programs? What do the coaches recommend doing before making an adjustment to your program? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode. Timestamps 0:00- Introduction 2:21- What did the coaches focus on when they first started lifting? 12:09- A C- program with A+ effort will take you further than an A+ program with C- effort 14:51- The beauty of a simple plan 22:59- Start with a balanced program 28:18- Audit your exercises that are the most fatiguing before determining volume 31:25- Movement patterns the coaches want their athletes to become proficient at 39:30- When the coaches think it’s an appropriate time for someone to start dialing in their reps in reserve 47:40- Build a positive relationship with training hard 54:10- Get rid of the noise so you can identify what works for you 59:11- Observe and be patient 1:03:54- Learn the fundamentals first and then build Selected Links From This Episode 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 💪 GET COACHING AND COURSES - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Watch our show on YouTube - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

  • April 16 · 57 min

    #306: How Much Does Food Quality Matter?

    Brad and Alberto discuss why it’s important to look beyond the calorie and macronutrient content of foods if you want to get the most out of your bodybuilding lifestyle. Have the coaches noticed a correlation between food quality and how the body performs and recovers? How does focusing on food quality make prep easier, more enjoyable, and lead to a faster recovery after prep? What nutrition recommendations around food quality do the coaches have for those who are bulking? Is it okay to just eat for taste sometimes? How does the law of diminishing returns apply to eating? As long as he is still hitting his macronutrient targets, can Alberto get just as lean even if he’s not focusing on food quality? The answers to these questions plus many more are covered in this episode. Timestamps 0:00- The fitness community is finally finding balance 4:15- Have the coaches noticed a correlation between food quality and how the body performs and recovers? 12:03- Your health is important 15:47- Just focusing on hitting your macronutrient goals during prep versus also focusing on food quality 31:03- A starting spot for those who want to improve the quality of their diet 33:52- Nutrition recommendations for bulking 45:06- The law of diminishing returns 49:15- The satisfaction of overcoming something hard Selected Links From This Episode Coaching By Team 3DMJ- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hunger-Fullness Scale- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCEHvGVxrlI Thanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪 GET COACHING AND COURSES - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Watch our show on YouTube - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

  • April 2 · 1 hr 21 min

    #305: Periodization for Bodybuilders

    Brian, Eric, and Brad discuss the misconceptions and utility behind using periodization to help maximize muscular hypertrophy. How important is periodization for muscular hypertrophy? How is periodization different from programming adjustments? Is there a way to sequence your training that maximizes hypertrophy? How do the coaches typically adjust an athlete’s training program from mesocycle to mesocycle? What are the most-common constraints to hypertrophy in the real world? Does research suggest that variation may help increase muscular hypertrophy? What are good reasons for replacing an exercise in your program? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode. Timestamps 0:00- The definition of periodization and how it’s different from programming adjustments 8:20- Is there a way to sequence your training that maximizes hypertrophy? 18:36- Ways the coaches adjust programming from mesocycle to mesocycle and why they make those adjustments 34:27- The value and roles of education and coaching 40:53- Flexible, enjoyable, and realistic 57:00- The most-common constraints to muscular hypertrophy in the real world 1:02:12- Variation is probably a good thing 1:05:50- Example starting structures 1:09:23- Hiding behind variation 1:18:44- Make sure to audit your approach Selected Links From This Episode Coaching By Team 3DMJ- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hypertrophy Programming For Bodybuilders (Online Course)- ⁠https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/hypertrophy⁠ Monthly Applications In Strength Sport (MASS)- https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/mass Thanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪 GET COACHING AND COURSES - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Watch our show on YouTube - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

  • March 19 · 1 hr 16 min

    #304: How to Build a Training Day

    Jeff, Brian, and Brad go through how to build a training session (exercise selection, exercise order, number of sets, rep ranges, tempo, etc.) and clarify how much flexibility there is when it comes to how you structure your sessions. In what situations can it be beneficial to do isolation exercises before compound exercises? What are the coaches’ thoughts on active recovery days? What are Jeff’s thoughts on the strategy of having newer lifters do extra volume to make up for a lack of skill? How can you manage your total volume if you like doing a lot of different exercises? What have the coaches observed is the sweet spot when it comes to number of sets per exercise? If the coaches were to build a *perfect* training day for a robot, what would it look like? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode. Timestamps 0:00- Introduction 1:03- Situations where it can be beneficial to do isolation exercises before compound exercises 19:45- Structuring your split based on how many days you can train per week 23:53- How the coaches build a microcycle of training for themselves and their athletes 40:07- How to manage your total volume if you like doing a lot of different exercises 47:33- Recommendations for preserving rep quality 52:33- Jeff’s thoughts on the strategy of having newer lifters do extra volume to make up for a lack of skill 54:31- If the coaches were to build a *perfect* training day for a robot, what would it look like? 1:11:02- Programming tips for older individuals 1:13:26- Programming tips for those who have a lagging body part they would really like to improve Selected Links From This Episode Coaching By Team 3DMJ- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hypertrophy Programming For Bodybuilders (Online Course)- https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/hypertrophy Thanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪 GET COACHING AND COURSES - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Watch our show on YouTube - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

  • March 5 · 1 hr 5 min

    #303: Who Still Counts Macros?

    Brian, Alberto, and Jeff discuss the pros and cons of, “If It Fits Your Macros” (IIFYM), why it’s not the cure-all the fitness community wanted it to be, and how the coaches manage their nutrition instead. Why was IIFYM such a big deal? What did the coaches’ eating look like before IIFYM? What were their early experiences with IIFYM? What are the downsides of having very precise macronutrient targets? How do the coaches start the process of educating their athletes about nutrition? Why does Jeff sometimes assign a fat limit? What advice do the coaches have on setting your macronutrient and/or calorie ranges? What are some of the coaches top IIFYM foods? The answers to all of these questions and more are covered in this episode. Timestamps 0:00- What the coaches’ eating looked like before, and their early experiences with, “If It Fits Your Macros” (IIFYM) 15:21- Having precise macronutrient targets is actually quite restrictive 24:35- Why IIFYM was such a big deal 27:46- How the coaches start the process of educating their athletes about nutrition 39:50- What is the lowest-hanging fruit you’ve missed? 45:14- Focus on your calorie and protein intake 52:04- Advice on setting your macronutrient and/or calorie ranges 55:52- There is life after bodybuilding 1:00:01- The coaches’ top IIFYM foods Selected Links From This Episode Coaching By Team 3DMJ- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Nutrition For Hypertrophy And Strength (Online Course)- https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/nutrition Monthly Applications In Strength Sport (MASS)- https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/mass Thanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪 GET COACHING AND COURSES - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Watch our show on YouTube - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

  • February 19 · 1 hr 15 min

    #302: Stress Management for Bodybuilders

    Brad, Alberto, and Jeff discuss strategies they use to manage stress, and how they program for themselves and their athletes based on life stress at the time. What do the coaches do to help ensure they get good sleep? What can you do to improve your sleep quality and quantity? Why is it important to prioritize resting from your work and bodybuilding? How can you undulate your volume based on your schedule? What does advanced bodybuilding look like? What can you do if you’re plateaued on an exercise where you are using double progression? Why is Jeff currently lifting two times per day? What does his setup look like? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode. Timestamps 0:00- The negative effects of poor sleep 3:07- Why Alberto decided to improve his sleep and the benefits he’s experienced from doing so 8:13- Strategies for improving your sleep quality and quantity 21:21- Prioritize resting from your work and bodybuilding 31:48- Undulate your workload 37:30- What advanced bodybuilding looks like 40:40- What you can do if you’re plateaued on an exercise where you are using double progression 46:41- Why Jeff is currently lifting two times per day 51:34- Deep thinking vs. Long thinking Selected Links From This Episode Coaching By Team 3DMJ- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪 GET COACHING AND COURSES - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/⁠⁠⁠ Watch our show on YouTube - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

  • February 5 · 1 hr 20 min

    #301: Our Biggest Bodybuilding Lessons of 2025

    Brian, Alberto, Jeff, and Brad discuss what they learned in 2025, how so many different approaches work for hypertrophy, and the things people commonly miss in their quest to be optimal that are making them suboptimal. Can cheat meals sometimes be an effective strategy to use during a fat-loss phase? How has Alberto been getting himself to eat more vegetables? How has the way Brian chooses exercises for his athletes changed over time? Are exercises that are more stable better for hypertrophy? What problems can happen when someone is doing too much volume when there is a high degree of tension in a lengthened position? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode. Timestamps 0:00- Introduction 2:15- You don’t have to be optimal to make progress 16:16- Cheat meals & How Alberto has been getting himself to eat more vegetables 22:05- The importance of community 37:17- Meet people at your gym 45:20- How the way Brian chooses exercises for his athletes has changed over time 52:41- How do we even know what optimal is? 1:02:18- How much do the small details actually matter? 1:07:47- What Brad learned in 2025 Selected Links From This Episode Coaching By Team 3DMJ- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hypertrophy Programming For Bodybuilders Course- https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/hypertrophy 3DMJ Podcast Episode #275: Why You Should Gamify Your Gains-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY0aceDpeVE WNBF Worlds Contest Prep Survey Results- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzomyA72U2U Thanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪 GET COACHING AND COURSES - ⁠⁠https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/⁠⁠ Watch our show on YouTube - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

  • January 22 · 1 hr 18 min

    #300: Q&A Session 30

    Brad, Alberto, and Brian answer audience-supplied questions about pre-workout nutrition, rest periods, belt squats vs. barbell squats, muscle maturity, sleep hygiene, volume, weekly calorie targets, and more. What do the coaches consume before and during workouts when they train in the morning? What is the coaches’ advice for those who keep having unsuccessful fat loss phases? If you are struggling with cravings, hunger, and/or feeling deprived during a fat-loss phase, what can help? Are belt squats better than barbell squats and leg press for a bodybuilder? If the coaches could only do overhead pressing or lateral raises, which would they choose? What advice do the coaches have for those whose sleep is very negatively affected when they are in a calorie deficit? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode. Timestamps 0:00- Tips for pre-workout meals during prep for athletes who train first thing in the morning 8:22- How long is too long to rest between sets? 14:02- If you are struggling with cravings, hunger, and/or feeling deprived during a fat-loss phase, what can help? 26:52- Are belt squats better than barbell squats and leg press for bodybuilders? 36:35- What is muscle maturity? Is it something only older lifters get? 43:47- Do the coaches include overhead pressing and lateral raises in all of their athletes’ training programs? If the coaches could only do overhead pressing or lateral raises, which would they choose? 53:03- What advice do the coaches have for those whose sleep is very negatively affected when they are in a calorie deficit? 1:03:05- How do the coaches get their clients to buy into doing less? 1:12:00- Do the coaches ever give clients a weekly calorie target instead of a daily calorie target? Selected Links From This Episode Coaching By Team 3DMJ- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪 GET COACHING AND COURSES - ⁠https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/⁠ Watch our show on YouTube - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj

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