Atlas Podcast

In this episode of The Atlas Podcast, I’m joined by Team Atlas Lifestyle & Posing coach Victoria Schmidt for a wide ranging conversation on her upcoming Fit Model debut at the Toronto Pro, what makes this new division so exciting, and the details that will separate the best from the rest on stage. We break down why stage presence, confidence, and truly owning your space may matter more in Fit...

Atlas Podcast #30 | IFBB Pro Sabra Young & James Ayotte In this episode of The Atlas Podcast, I’m joined once again by IFBB Bikini Pro and Team Atlas coach Sabra Young for a wide ranging conversation covering everything from the 2026 Arnold Classic Bikini results to the mindset athletes need to handle both winning and losing at the highest level. We break down the Arnold placings in detail and...

In this episode of The Atlas Podcast, I’m joined by IFBB Bikini Pro and Team Atlas coach Sabra Young for a conversation covering Olympia experiences, judging momentum, and the realities of contest prep at the highest level. We break down topics like dietary fats in prep, evolving bikini standards, glute density trends, and the future of the Fit Model division, along with the mindset and lifestyle...

In this episode of The Atlas Podcast, I’m joined once again by IFBB Bikini Pro and Team Atlas coach Sabra for a wide ranging conversation covering everything from the new Olympia points system to the evolution of the Fit Model division. We dive deep into why the revamped qualification process will raise the standard of competition, the challenges of peaking athletes at massive shows like the Olymp...

In this episode of The Atlas Podcast, I’m joined by IFBB Bikini Pro and Team Atlas coach Sabra Young for a brutally honest—and funny—conversation on everything from glute development and judging trends to the harsh realities of contest prep. We start with a recap of the 2025 New York Pro, breaking down why glute density is becoming the dominant factor at the top level—and what that means for short...

In this episode of The Atlas Podcast, I sit down with licensed therapist, counselor, and Team Atlas posing coach, Lina Gharapetian, for an in-depth discussion on the mental and emotional challenges athletes face in bodybuilding. We dive into the psychological side of competition, breaking down how to build emotional resilience, manage anxiety during prep, and shift from a perfectionist mindset to...

In this episode of The Atlas Podcast, I sit down with IFBB Bikini Pro Sabra and talk about the realities of coaching, building a business, and balancing life as a mom. We cover the challenges of starting from the ground up, staying accountable post-show, and why reverse dieting is crucial for both performance and health. Sabra shares the importance of connecting with clients, building trust, and h...

In this episode of The Atlas Podcast, I sit down with my long-time friend and renowned coach, Chris Gurunlian, to discuss the exciting new Fit Model division recently announced by Tyler Manion. We dive deep into the evolution of bodybuilding categories, exploring how this new division aims to provide a more attainable and entry-level option for aspiring competitors while growing the sport as a who...

In this episode of The Atlas Podcast, I sit down with Bikini Olympia Champion Ariana Brothers to reflect on her post-Olympia thoughts and discuss what’s next in her competitive career. We dive into your questions, exploring topics like whether you should tell your coach if you’ve deviated from your plan, how to determine if you’re truly ready to compete, and when postponing a show might be the bet...

In this episode of The Atlas Podcast, I’m joined by Bikini Olympia Champion Isa Pecini for an in-depth look at her final preparations leading into the 2024 Olympia. As we gear up for the big event, we share our insights on maintaining peak conditioning while managing stress, the challenges of peaking at the perfect time, and how she’s balancing her training and diet just two weeks out from the sta...

In this episode of The Atlas Podcast, I sit down with top Olympian Ariana Brothers as she opens up about her journey in the bodybuilding world, the ups and downs, and what it truly takes to succeed at the highest level. Ariana shares her personal struggles, from feeling lost after tough competitions to making a pivotal decision to switch coaches in pursuit of winning the Bikini Olympia title. We d...

In this episode of The Atlas Podcast, I sit down with IFBB Pro Prescilla Deschenes, an athlete I’ve had the privilege of coaching for nearly three years. Prescilla opens up about her journey from amateur to pro, sharing the discipline, mindset shifts, and personal challenges she faced along the way. We discuss what it really takes to act like a pro before you even earn the title, including the imp...

In this episode of The Atlas Podcast, I’m joined by Claire for an insightful discussion on a variety of topics. We explore the logistics and challenges of in-person consultations during the busy competition season. We also dive into the intricacies of online check-ins, sharing how our team continues to produce top athletes year after year, even when managing multiple shows across different time zo...

In this episode of the Atlas Podcast, Victoria Schmidt and I discuss the Toronto Pro, highlighting our athlete Maxine Somov, who won the Pro Bikini class and qualified for the 2024 Olympia. We dive into why she will be a top bikini athlete, focusing on both her physical and mental attributes. Additionally, we cover various topics, including my plan to clone myself, lol. We hope you enjoy the discu...

In this episode of the Atlas Podcast, we welcome back Victoria Schmidt for an in-depth conversation about self-respect—what it means, its importance, and how it profoundly influences everything and everyone around you. We hope you enjoy the discussion! The Atlas Podcast is available on: YouTube: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastYoutube Spotify: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastSpotify Apple Podcast: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastApple...

In this podcast, recorded in January 2024, we discuss various subjects with Isa Pecini. We delve into Isa's future competing plans and goals, as well as her past struggles with anorexia. From my coaching perspective, we also analyze Isa as an athlete and we compare her previous preparations to the methods we currently use for her offseason, preps, and peak weeks. Isa shares her emotional journ...

In this episode of The Atlas Podcast, we dive into the world of weight management and body optimization with Kelley Wright, MD, and IFBB Bikini Pro. With her 25 years of medical experience, Dr. Wright illuminates the science and myths about Semaglutide, Liraglutide, Ozempic, and Wegovy. We share personal stories, discuss the effects of hormones like leptin and ghrelin, highlight the true benefits,...

In this episode of the Atlas Podcast, we are joined by Olympia and IFBB Pro Judge Rudy Jambrosic. We discuss various topics, including Rudy's extensive experience in the sport, his history as a competitor, his preferred category to judge, strategies for interpreting judges' feedback, the key criteria judges consider in the bikini division, the significance of posing, the importance of the...

In this episode of the Atlas Podcast, we cover the following topics: Do we select athletes with the best potential and understanding what 'potential' means, becoming a coachable athlete, the requirements for joining Team Atlas, the reasons behind my price increase, ADHD/Adderall, and Lina’s therapy sessions. We hope you enjoy it! The Atlas Podcast is available on: YouTube: bit.ly/AtlasPodc...

In this episode of the Atlas Podcast, we discuss key topics: Should you consider working with a new coach if your current one hasn't changed your diet for a long period? We explore the reasons behind body weight plateauing, the signs that indicate a need for increased food intake, how to properly plan and when to end a competition season, the average measurements and body fat percentages for b...

In this episode of the Atlas Podcast, we discuss transitioning from being an amateur to an IFBB pro, the importance of beauty for a bikini athlete, the necessity of choosing a reputable suit company, selecting suit colors for different skin tones, and maintaining bodybuilding as a constant during hard times. We hope you enjoy it! The Atlas Podcast is available on: YouTube: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastYoutu...

In our latest episode of the Atlas podcast, we had the privilege of speaking with Dr. LeBlanc, a former chemical engineer turned renowned plastic surgeon. We dive into a range of fascinating topics, including: 1. Dr. LeBlanc's unique journey from chemical engineering to medicine. 2. Dr. LeBlanc's extensive experience as a surgeon, including the number of breast augmentations performed. 3....

In this episode of the Atlas Podcast, we discuss maximizing your offseason, reverse dieting, binge eating after shows, athletes cheating the system when signing up for shows, and dealing with loose skin in competitions. We hope you enjoy it! The Atlas Podcast is available on: YouTube: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastYoutube Spotify: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastSpotify Apple Podcast: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastApple Google Podc...

In this episode of the Atlas Podcast, we discuss relationships and bodybuilding, supporting partners, the differences between alpha females and males, and leading in relationships. We hope you enjoy it!   The Atlas Podcast is available on:   YouTube: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastYoutube Spotify: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastSpotify Apple Podcast: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastApple Google Podcast: bit.ly/AtlasPodcastGoogle   St...

In this episode of the Atlas podcast, we explain why it's crucial to assess an athlete's training intensity and form, and how we do it at Team Atlas. We also explore the distinctions between bikini and wellness coaching, coaching both men and women, and the characteristics of our easiest and most challenging clients. Additionally, we discuss the topic of breast implants and competing in th...