3D Muscle Journey

In this episode, Andrea, Eric, and Brad discuss how they have learned to eat in a healthy balanced way after years of restricted, and at points absurd, dietary behaviors. The coaches start the episode by describing their relationship with food pre-bodybuilding. They discuss how they viewed food during this time and how they made decisions [...]

In this episode, Eric Helms interviews Omar Isuf, Jacob Schepis, and Dr. Mike Israetel. One by one, Eric asks each of the guests to share some of their most valuable anecdotes and observations since beginning their careers in the fitness industry. To kick off the episode, Omar and Eric discuss the importance of helping your [...]

Welcome to season twelve of the 3DMJ Podcast! In this episode, Jeff, Alberto, and Andrea discuss the influence of gender differences in online physique sport coaching. This is an important topic that up until now has received very little public discussion. During their conversation, the coaches look at coach-athlete gender differences from multiple perspectives: males' [...]

The 3DMJ coaches are back with another Q&A session! In this episode, Eric, Alberto, and Andrea answer seven questions sourced from the 3DMJ community. The questions addressed during this episode span a wide range of topics, including: the coaches' thoughts on using anger to fuel your training, advice for how to coordinate one's training with [...]

In this episode, Eric Helms talks with special guest Brian Minor (natural pro bodybuilder, USAPL powerlifter, and coach) about the theoretical and hypothetical differences between various repetition ranges and their effects on different fiber types. The coaches begin their discussion by unpacking one of Brian's blog posts on progressive overload, then dive into a stimulating [...]

Coaching strength and physique athletes is much more than prescribing macronutrient targets and writing training blocks, it's an emotional journey. There are highs, lows, fears, sleepless nights, and lingering memories of past mistakes. In this episode, Jeff, Andrea, and Brad offer a deep look into the challenges they face behind the scenes as coaches. They [...]

In this episode, Brad, Andrea, and Alberto discuss nutrition recommendations for powerlifters. In a sport with such high-focus on proper periodization, technique, and equipment to maximize performance, how much does nutrition matter? The coaches begin the episode by going over what they look for when evaluating a powerlifter's application and the most common reasons powerlifters [...]

In this episode, Eric Helms interviews Dr. Joe Klemczewski on the past and present peaking practices of competitive natural bodybuilding. Dr. Joe Klemczewski was the first online bodybuilding coach to use, popularize, and succeed with a science-based approach to the sport. He was also the first coach to popularize modern peak week strategies and focus [...]

In today's episode, Andrea, Jeff, and Eric sit down to discuss the importance of, and how to set up, systems. The coaches begin their discussion by describing principle-based programming and the advantages of less rigid programming. The central theme of this episode is learning how to prioritize your life in the gym with your life [...]

In today's episode, Alberto, Jeff, and Brad examine the common characteristics of successful competitive bodybuilders. These characteristics include: consistency, punctuality, precision, flexibility, and experience. Along with discussing these characteristics, the coaches address a few very important questions related to contest prep. What should someone do if they binge? How important is good com...

In this episode, Andrea, Eric, and Brad sit down for an in-depth discussion on overtraining and overreaching. The coaches' conversation is packed with valuable insights and information relevant to all strength and physique athletes, competitors and noncompetitors alike. What is the clinical definition of overtraining syndrome? What is the likelihood that a strength or physique [...]

In today's episode, Eric Helms takes the stage to discuss a variety of training concepts relevant to strength and physique athletes. Eric begins the episode by discussing progressive overload and how contrary to popular belief, simply adding weight to the bar doesn't necessarily mean one is inducing progressive overload. Eric then goes on to differentiate [...]

Welcome back to the 3DMJ Podcast! Today's episode marks the beginning of season 11 and what better way to kick off a new season than with a Q&A session. In this episode, Andrea, Jeff, and Alberto answer five questions sourced directly from the 3DMJ community. Topics include: the required number of training sessions per week [...]

The 3DMJ coaches are back with another Q&A session! In today's episode, Brad, Andrea, and Eric answer 10 questions in the areas of nutrition and training. Topics include: the effect of cryotherapy on recovery and long-term hypertrophy adaptations, the hedonic staircase and how this concept can be useful when cutting/bulking, scenarios when it can be [...]

Are you someone who likes to lift weights, enjoys training in a way that's designed to maximize muscular hypertrophy, but don't have any desire to step on stage? Would you like to know how you can take all of the information that's out there and apply it in a way that will help you reach [...]

In the past, the coaches have talked a lot about the importance of having a structured training program and adhering to it. This is for a good cause as program hopping is one of the most common explanations for wheel spinning in the bodybuilding community. However, just like nutritional flexibility is important, so is having [...]

In today's episode, Andrea sits down with Alberto one-on-one to ask him a variety of questions related to life, bodybuilding, YouTube, music, his hair, and many other topics. What does Alberto think powerlifters are doing right that a lot of bodybuilders have missed? What is the biggest lesson he has learned from each of the [...]

Contest prep is both fun and challenging, it pushes you mentally, physically, and emotionally. When done right, the process can teach you a lot about yourself and have a positive impact on your life. When done wrong, it can send someone into a downward spiral causing them to lose friends, their significant other, their job, [...]

Bodybuilding is hard. Building muscle, losing body fat, and hitting new PRs are all hard. Sure, things may start off easy, but as you continue to push the envelope and work towards fulfilling your genetic potential eventually it's going to get hard, and when it does how will you respond? In today's episode, Andrea, Alberto, [...]

What does the future look like for 3DMJ? Where do the coaches see themselves in the year 2020? In today's episode, Jeff, Andrea, and Eric sit down to discuss the past, present, and future of 3DMJ. The coaches start the episode by discussing the early days of 3DMJ nearly 8½ years ago. What did their [...]

In today's episode, Andrea, Eric, and Brad discuss one of the three variables which form the foundation of every training program, volume. The coaches have touched on volume before, but never have they gone into this level of detail about this critical component for muscular hypertrophy until now. Throughout the episode the coaches cover a [...]

How would you define a "hardgainer"? What are the distinguishable characteristics of someone in this category? In today's episode, Andrea, Alberto, and Jeff take the classification of "hardgainer" and break it down into three different subtypes: those who don't eat enough, those who are low responders to resistance training, and those who are near their [...]

The 3DMJ coaches are back with another Q&A session! In this episode, Andrea, Eric, and Alberto answer seven questions sourced directly from the 3DMJ community. Topics covered include: the mind-muscle connection and its relevance to muscular hypertrophy, getting ready for a photo shoot vs. getting ready for a bodybuilding competition, how to classify someone's lifting [...]

In this episode, Brad, Andrea, and Eric sit down to discuss the pros and cons of remote and in-person coaching. They start by describing their past in-person coaching experiences, then move to examining each type of coaching from both an athlete and coach's perspective. The coaches cover: which scenarios benefit more from remote coaching, which [...]

In today's episode, Eric, Andrea, and Alberto discuss who and what has influenced their athletic development. The coaches cover everything from their early days and who got them started, to where they are now and what their current sources of continuing education are. Along with providing tons of additional resources for the listeners, the coaches [...]