Beyond The Prep Podcast

“I completely fell in love with the sport and the people around. I would say everything good in my life has come because of bodybuilding.” —Ted Finkelman For those who pursue this sport at its highest levels, it is much more than just lifting weights in the gym - it is an all-consuming lifestyle. The psychological strength required is just as demanding as the physical toll of intense training. Onl...

“Bodybuilding is sexy.” —Ashley Sproat For too long, women have been constrained by narrow gender stereotypes that define femininity solely by appearances. However, through natural bodybuilding competitions, women find an empowering platform to proudly express their strength, dedication, and multidimensional selves. By challenging conventions and redefining beauty on their own terms, these athlete...

“Just because you're in the gym does not mean that you have to compete. It's not for everybody, and that's okay. It doesn't mean that just because you're not competing, all of a sudden you're not a bodybuilder.” —Cristina Rifo While bodybuilding requires intense physical training and discipline, the mental demands of the sport are often overlooked. Preparing for a com...

“The mindset is the hardest part. You can do anything with your mind so don't doubt yourself.” —Correna Barthel Having a positive relationship with food is vital for overall well-being and sustainable fitness goals. Learning to make balanced choices and listen to hunger/fullness cues helps cultivate a healthy mindset around nutrition that supports long-term health and wellness. Correna Barthe...

“There was more to getting healthy than going to the gym. It had to start with nutrition and working on mental health.” —Sara While the gym is where many see visible progress through strength gains and physical changes, true fitness begins from within. Our mental, emotional, and nutritional well-being lay the foundation for any physical activity to take root and blossom. Only by addressing underly...

“Always be yourself 100% because if you can't be yourself, you're not going to get into work.” —Erving Gutierrez To achieve great things, half measures simply won't cut it. We have to be willing to go all in and give our absolute maximum effort at every step of the journey. And this requires making sacrifices, pushing past discomfort, and persevering even during tough times. If we w...

“It's not just the physical part of it, but you have to be mentally focused on your journey. Keep going and never give up. It may take time, it will suck. But at the end, it’s all worth it.” —Sourav Chowdhary   It is the marriage of a strong mind with a strong body that sees competitors across the finish line in their best possible shape. Getting one's body into peak condition requires e...

“Do it for yourself, not for somebody else… especially if you want to stay committed to it.” — Julie Making a comeback after injury is a challenging but rewarding journey. Through grit and determination, the injured athlete can work step-by-step to recover strengths and skills, starting small with simple movements and building up endurance, flexibility, and power over time. And as the body is reco...

“Part of me is to set an example and tell them that there are people out there with PKU on stage.” —Aiden Young Every athlete faces challenges on their journey, but few overcome obstacles as formidable as their own genetics.  Aiden Young was born with phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare disorder preventing his body from breaking down protein— an essential macronutrient for building muscle mass. Yet thro...

“Becoming a mom is hard, especially when your little ones want you and only you. Don't be hard on yourself. Take your time.” —Margarita Vailas For many busy mothers, the challenge of balancing career, family responsibilities, and personal health goals can seem insurmountable. Between shuttling kids to activities, long workdays, and endless household tasks, finding even an hour for exercise of...

“Enjoy every second of it whether it's the offseason where you're building to get to your first prep to start your cut. Don't feel like it's a chore because it’s a huge commitment. It's time, it's body, it's everything. It's all of you.” —Renee Gareau Undergoing bodybuilding prep requires pushing our physical and mental limits. While the desire to improve an...

“The community of people that do this are all like-minded. And we all actually genuinely want the best for everyone.” —Hali Lawrence Pushing through plateaus is tough, but it's what truly separates the contenders from the pretenders. It's easy to keep training hard when you're seeing results, but when things slow down it takes real guts to stick with it. Only the bodybuilders willin...

  “I want to thank you all. Without you, this would not be a success. It's been a great experience. I'm loving it, and I'm hoping to continue it for many seasons to come.” —Sherrie Kapach   Season one of Beyond the Prep was a major success! We want to take a moment to say THANK YOU to our beloved guests and listeners from the bottom of our hearts for joining us on this wild podcast...

  “Make your goal a reality. It's amazing what's out there for you when you step outside your comfort zone.” —Sherrie Kapach   Beyond the glitz and glamour lies the grit of competitive bodybuilding. From meticulous meal prep to grueling workouts, contenders must push their bodies to the limit to achieve peak physiques. Hear firsthand what it truly takes to succeed from those who have sto...

  “When you see your body change and your progress is made, you get excited to see it.” — Laila Lanteigne “Ask yourself why you're doing it. And if you're not doing it for the right reasons, it's not for you.” —Jordan Long   Whether you're a seasoned bodybuilder or a fresh-faced newbie, the principles, mindsets, and values that fuel success remain the same. Consistent effort, u...

“Enjoy the process. Enjoy yourself improving.” —Caroline Johnson Unlocking the secrets to bodybuilding success isn't just about what happens on the stage; it's about what goes on behind the scenes. The post-show routine is where gains turn into victories, where muscles meet their moment, and where the true bodybuilding champions emerge.  From replenishing nutrients to relishing well-earn...

“Take it day by day. Even little changes do add up.” —Savannah Silver Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting your fitness journey, the dedication required to get competition-ready is no small feat.  In this episode, Sherrie and bikini competitor, Savannah Silver, dig into some of the real nitty-gritty aspects of prep that competitors face, from navigating social situations to managing...

“You can still have a social life, just be disciplined about it and stick to your goal.” —Cleo Wayway Maintaining balance and discipline is a cornerstone of a successful bodybuilding journey, whether during competition season or the offseason. During competition season, discipline is vital for achieving the desired physique, while in the offseason, it's about managing recovery and controlling...

“It's good to let your body know that it can have those foods too. It's important. And it's good to treat yourself.” —Avril Stead Bodybuilding is a rigorous sport that requires discipline, dedication, and strict adherence to a well-balanced diet. Many bodybuilders face challenges when it comes to satisfying cravings while staying on track with their nutrition plan.  The diet struggl...

“To really take yourself to the next level, you need to think about somehow you're inspiring other people.” —John Mark Nicolet While bodybuilding and powerlifting share some similarities such as building strength and muscle mass, they differ in their training methods and ultimate goals. By striking the right balance between these two disciplines and incorporating strategies that support both...

“Make sure that you have a positive body image with yourself. Get that in order first before you start your journey.” —Rhonda Tennant Competitive bodybuilding is not without its challenges. From grueling training routines to strict dietary restrictions, athletes constantly face physical and mental obstacles. In such situations, an unwavering self-belief can be a powerful anchor.  Having a positive...

“Think going in with a mindset of being an athlete, showing up like an athlete, and treating the sport seriously and just not double down.” —Melissa Corsiatto One common hesitation among athletes is the fear of failure. This can hinder their ability to take risks and explore their full potential. By reframing beliefs and instilling a positive mindset, athletes become more willing to step out of th...

“Just focus on yourself, that's all you can really do. You can't control anybody else… Don't overextend yourself because it's meant to be about personal growth and development.” — Dèvre Gibson Hard work is non-negotiable in bodybuilding. Whether it’s grueling gym sessions, unyielding cardio routines, or the disciplined exertion of self-control, the hard work required is relentl...

It's a journey. You need to be willing to make sure that you have the ability to be dedicated. It's a huge sacrifice.” —Robert Craig   Bodybuilding’s addictive nature could make you a permanent resident on the stage. But, each step you take towards the spotlight is a measure of your dedication. It might mean missing outings for training sessions, foregoing late-night activities for a ful...

“Think of reverse diet as your prep.” —Sharly Graham Reverse dieting is a post-diet process where one gradually increases his/her calorie intake to avoid sudden weight gain while also optimizing metabolic health. But how does this fit into the bodybuilding journey?  Consistent control of calorie intake and expenditure facilitates muscle growth and efficient fat loss— two key objectives in bodybuil...