Five and a half months of prep and three shows later — I feel like a new human being. In episode 306 of The Drop Set I’m giving you a quick recap of the Alabama Open, where I won my Classic Physique Masters 40+ class and finished in the top half across all five classes. The full competitive season breakdown is coming next week. This episode turned into an entirely Q&A format, which I didn’t see coming, and honestly it’s some of the best content I’ve recorded in a while. I’m answering a question about PED safety — specifically what actually kills bodybuilders, what labs and cardiac testing you should be doing, and why diuretics and insulin are the acute risks most people underestimate. Then a deep dive on PED misconceptions that natural lifters have — what gear actually does and doesn’t do for muscle building, fat loss, recovery, and training intensity. A question on longer versus shorter off-season phases with mini cuts versus uninterrupted growth, and how to decide which approach fits your goals and personality. Nicholas from Jersey asks two great ones — when is the right time to compete versus waiting to accumulate more size, and at what point do I tell a client their prep isn’t going to be ready for the show date. Finally, a terminology breakdown on what spilling over, going flat, and being full actually mean physiologically and how to identify where you are. Macro Boot Camp and Bikini Blueprint are both fully live at pre-launch pricing until October 1. Two coaching slots currently open if you’ve been thinking about jumping in!
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