Living Lean

Listener Q+A. Questions answered: How does someone find their next-level coach? If I take frequent diet breaks will that significantly affect preventing metabolic slowdown? How do you know when you could benefit from a coach? When do you know it’s time to do a clean up/fat-loss phase? As a coach being coached do you ever take direction you believe to be incorrect? how long after a fat loss phase s...

In part two of the body recomposition For women series we dig into APPLICATION - programming, nutrition, training strategies, and physiological considerations. (Living Lean Podcast Episode 594) CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Body Recomposition for Women 02:24 Coaching Strategies for Female Clients 06:50 Phased Approach to Recomposition 09:13 Understanding Recomposition Timing 14:53 Advanced Client...

Brandon DaCruz joins the show to explore the science behind why women seem to be much better at body recomposition (losing fat + building muscle) than men. We also discuss training, nutrition, & lifestyle strategies to optimize your ability to recomp + common mistakes to avoid. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Body Recomposition 01:11 Defining Body Recomposition 05:32 Myths and Misconceptions ab...

Our picks if we could only do one exercise per muscle group. CHAPTERS 00:00 Desert Island Workout Scenario 03:04 Choosing the Best Glute Exercise 06:03 Hamstring Training Essentials 09:01 Quad Exercises: Pendulum vs. Hack Squat 12:01 Calf and Adductor Training Insights 15:01 Upper Body: Chest and Back Movements 21:24 Upper Back Training Techniques 24:49 Front and Side Deltoid Exercises 26:32 Rear...

The team takes a deep dive into how to interpret what your logbook is telling you to avoid training plateaus.  CHAPTERS 00:00 The Importance of Log Books in Training 03:07 Understanding Progression and Expectations 05:55 The Role of Execution and Technique 08:48 Identifying Stalls in Training 12:09 Factors Affecting Progression 15:07 Common Reasons for Logbook Stalls 18:09 Realistic Expectations f...

The team digs into a realistic timeline + process breakdown of what it actually takes to do a bikini, fit model, or figure show for trained women. → EPISODE MENTIONED: [CASE STUDY] How Jaune Built a Stage-Ready Physique Without Constant Dieting CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Competition Prep 03:00 Understanding the Timeline for Show Prep 05:40 The Importance of Foundational Work 08:16 Mindset and...

Jeremiah dives into lesser known mistakes stalling your Fat Loss Phase progress. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Fat Loss Mistakes 05:14 Starting the Diet Too Conservatively 10:59 The Importance of Tracking Steps 15:47 Cardio for Petite Women 20:59 Prioritizing Peri-Workout Nutrition 27:15 Using Multiple Metrics for Progress 32:59 Pushing Through the Hard Middle Phase LINKS Apply for Coaching: http...

Andrea shares her journey and insights into bikini competition prep, comparing stage and photo shoot preparations, and discussing the mental and physical challenges involved.  CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Bikini Competition Prep 05:49 Differences Between Stage and Photo Shoot Prep 12:00 Understanding Bikini Judging Criteria 14:59 Timeline and Pressure in Competition Prep 17:12 Managing Internal...

Listener Q+A.  Questions answered: → Where to start if I want to get into coaching?→ Talk thru how you each approach check-ins - what are u looking at & does it change depending on what phase the client is in? → What traits/characteristics do your clients that achieve elite results have compared to average? → HRT for women over 40. Benefits vs.detriments..other options? → At what point do you...

Jeremiah shares a guest interview he did on Lisa Franz’s Nutrition & Life Podcast KEY TOPICS: How to structure a 12-18 month plan for clients aiming for both muscle gain and fat loss Common mistakes during building phases, including exercise selection and intensity issues How to periodize nutrition with fat loss, building, maintenance, and reverse diet phases Practical example: transitioning a...

PART 2: Jeremiah and Brandon DaCruz break down Diet structure, training and cardio approach, supplementation, duration, and more for rapid fat loss phases. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Rapid Fat Loss Series 00:28 Understanding Caloric Needs and Protein Requirements 02:58 The Importance of Protein in Diet 06:05 Determining Carbohydrate and Fat Intake 07:01 Constructing a Protein-Sparing Modified...

Jeremiah  and Brandon DaCruz delve into Brandon’s rapid fat loss approach. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Rapid Fat Loss 02:29 Defining Rapid Fat Loss Approach 07:32 Use Cases for Rapid Fat Loss 11:53 Industry Skepticism on Rapid Fat Loss 16:07 Inspiration from Lyle McDonald 24:12 Identifying Good Candidates for Rapid Fat Loss 28:19 Identifying Red Flags for Rapid Fat Loss 35:41 Understanding Body...

The team dives deep into the common pitfalls that hinder muscle growth during Building Phases, and how to optimize your training, nutrition, and mindset for consistent progress. CHAPTERS 00:00 - Introduction: Why building muscle is more nuanced than fat loss 02:18 - The impact of training quality and session preparedness 04:15 - Food's permissive role versus the training stimulus 08:02 - The...

Jeremiah and Michelle dig into the misconceptions around overtraining and how it impacts your progress. CHAPTERS 00:00 Understanding Overtraining and Misdiagnosis 02:54 The Role of Fatigue Management in Training 05:46 Muscle Growth: The SRA Curve Explained 09:10 Quality vs. Quantity in Training 11:51 Mindset and Training Performance 15:08 Recovery Variables: Sleep and Hydration 17:49 Nutrition: Pr...

Listener Q+A with Andrea, Natalie, & Jeremiah. CHAPTERS 00:00 Post-Competition Perceptions 04:33 Shoulder Pain and Lateral Raises 10:52 Client Challenges and Lab Results 17:21 Patterns of Successful Clients 25:02 Program Duration and Adaptation 31:01 Trends in Protein Products 31:22 The Protein Debate: Quality vs. Marketing 32:51 Tanning Tips for Photo Shoots 38:30 Transitioning Between Buildi...

Jeremiah & Michelle lay out a comprehensive roadmap to “look like you lift” by 2027. They outlining how to effectively transition through different phases to optimize body composition and share real-life client case studies to help application. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to the 2026 Physique Roadmap 00:57 Understanding the Primer Phase 04:46 The Phasic Approach Explained 09:43 Identifying Com...

The team discusses their physique game plans for 2026, focusing on training and nutrition strategies, competition goals, and personal reflections on their journeys.  The conversation delves into the challenges and wins experienced over the past few months, as well as the adjustments made in their training and nutrition approaches. CHAPTERS 00:00 2026 Physique Game Plan Introduction 01:07 Andrea&ap...

The team talks triceps training - anatomy, exercise selection, setup, and execution mistakes stopping you from growing your triceps. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Triceps Training Mistakes 02:43 Anatomy and Function of the Triceps 05:22 Favorite Tricep Movements and Common Mistakes 08:13 Overhead Extensions: Execution and Troubleshooting 10:53 Cable Push Downs: Techniques and Common Errors 13:38...

The team talks biceps training - anatomy, exercise selection, setup, and execution mistakes stopping you from growing your biceps. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Bicep Training Mistakes 02:59 The Importance of Bicep Training 06:03 Anatomy of the Biceps and Their Function 08:56 Favorite Bicep Movements 11:57 Common Mistakes in Bicep Training 21:10 Preacher Curl Insights and Mistakes 24:23 Understan...

PART TWO: Discussing exercise selection, giving real-world specialization phase examples, important nutrition considerations, duration of specialization phases, and more  Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Welcome Back 00:24 - Listener Feedback and Evolving Coaching Philosophy 02:39 - Programming Architecture for Specialization 03:49 - Exercise Selection and Stimulus to Fatigue Ratio 07:07 - Glute...

Jeremiah and Brandon DaCruz discuss how to build a body part specialization training phase. Chapters 00:00 Reconnecting and Reflecting on Growth 04:17 Understanding Weak Points in Training 19:13 The Role of Specialization in Muscle Development 27:01 Visual Analysis and Specialization in Training 28:44 Demographic Considerations in Specialization 30:31 Balancing Client Goals and Preferences 32:40 R...

Listener Q+A with Andrea and Natalie. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro & Catching Up 03:00 Life During Contest Prep 06:00 Reverse Dieting & Post-Show Reflections 14:00 Mindset & Relationship With Food 18:00 Zooming Out: Long-Term Perspective 22:00 Upcoming Prep Plans 28:00 Division Differences: Figure vs. Bikini 34:00 Choosing & Transitioning Coaches 41:00 Shoulder Function & Rib Flare Q&...

The team talks delt training - anatomy, exercise selection, setup, and execution mistakes stopping you from growing your delts. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Delt Training Mistakes 02:11 Understanding Delt Anatomy 06:37 Common Front Delt Mistakes 20:12 Exploring Side Delt Training 24:56 Lateral Raise Mistakes and Techniques 26:36 Coaching Lateral Raises: Common Mistakes and Cues 28:50 Adjusting T...

The team talks quad training - anatomy, exercise selection, setup, and execution mistakes stopping you from growing your quads. CHAPTERS 00:00 The Rise of Quad Training 04:55 Understanding Quad Anatomy 09:55 Top Quad Movements and Techniques 15:00 Common Mistakes in Quad Training 18:43 Understanding Quad Training Challenges 21:42 Overcoming Limitations in Hack Squats 24:39 The Importance of Tensio...

The team talks chesticular training - anatomy, exercise selection, setup, and execution mistakes stopping you from growing your pecs. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Pec Training 02:34 Understanding Pec Anatomy 05:57 Common Mistakes in Pec Training 08:34 Improving Pec Training Techniques 11:43 Programming for Pec Development 14:46 Effective Pec Exercises 17:39 The Importance of Rib Cage Positioning...