Strength Ritual Pod (SRP)

In this episode, I sit down with four-time Natural Mr. Olympia Philip Ricardo Jr. We talk about his career, rivalry with Kyoshi Moody, posing, genetics, contest prep, coaching, faith, family, and longevity in natural bodybuilding. The biggest question was where the sport goes next. Could natural bodybuilding become an Olympic sport? Philip argues that it starts with the major federations working t...

Natural bodybuilding has a new standard. In this episode of the Strength Ritual Podcast , I sit down with Daimain Dawson , the two-time defending Yorton Cup Classic Physique World Champion , to talk about what it actually takes to build a world-class natural physique. We cover classic physique, genetics, judging standards, posing, patience, legacy, and why natural bodybuilding requires a different...

Discipline can get you through a hard workout or a low-calorie day. But discipline alone is not enough to make bodybuilding sustainable. In this episode of Strength Ritual Podcast, I sit down with Coach Robin Marion, founder of Velvet and Steel Fitness, to discuss the deeper psychology of bodybuilding: discipline, empathy, contest prep, social comparison, family support, coaching, judging, promoti...

Kim Hillier did not begin competitive bodybuilding in her 20s. She began in her 50s, after raising children, navigating major life changes, and deciding it was time to make herself a priority again. In this episode of the Strength Ritual Pod, I sit down with Kim Hillier, OCB promoter, head judge, posing coach, trainer, and women’s physique competitor, to talk about what bodybuilding can become lat...

Bodybuilding judging is not just “subjective.” In this video, I sit down with The Head Judge Maker, Sean “Sully” Sullivan, to break down the official criteria for natural bodybuilding and OCB bodybuilding, including what judges look for in bodybuilding, bikini, wellness, and figure. We cover how division standards affect training, muscle growth, fat loss, symmetry, and conditioning, and why misund...

In this episode of SRP, I sit down with Joe Franco to talk about what contest prep should and should not cost you. We get into relationships during prep, social media comparison, unrealistic timelines, intuitive eating, peak week mistakes, and why the truly hardcore part of bodybuilding is consistency, not needless extremes. If you want a more balanced, sustainable way to think about natural bodyb...

What really happens to your body and mind during contest prep? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Peter Fitschen, Pro Natural Bodybuilder, PhD in Nutritional Sciences, contest prep coach, and one of the leading researchers studying physique athletes. We go beyond macros and training plans to talk about the real experience of contest preparation, including the physiological stress, psychological...

In this SRP episode, I sit down with Alec Armstrong to discuss his pro-card win, contest preparation, placing second at his pro-debut to a legend, and some of the psychological strategies he utilized.

Coach Whittney shares her experiences working with athletes and competing herself, offering valuable perspectives on navigating the challenges of the sport. She discusses how to identify individuals who will thrive under pressure and those who might struggle, emphasizing the importance of mental strength. Here's some practical advice for self improvement and fostering personal growth within the co...

Craig Yarnell is a seasoned coach in bodybuilding and natural powerlifting. We explore the intricacies of leg training, injury recovery, and the art of peak performance. We jump into the debate on whether you can build pro-level legs without squats and the role of powerlifting principles in physique training. Craig shares his personal journey through knee surgery recovery and how it shaped his app...

In this episode, we discuss common posing mistakes made by first time competitors. Josh Mata is THE Pro Posing Coach and breaks down essential tips for how to pose effectively, ensuring you how to look good in photos and on stage. Learn some key posing hacks to elevate your presentation in any bodybuilding competition.