The Drop Set with Darin Starr: Bodybuilding for the Masses

199 – Progressive Overload Revisited, Resurgence in Bodybuilding? We’re back in business! In addition to discussing the surge (or RE-surgence) in bodybuilding and tackling some progressive overload examples, I bring everyone up to speed on what I’ve been up to. Be sure to email in your questions and topics or hit me up on social media to let me know what we should be talking abou...

198 – Gear 101, Women & PED’s It’s third rail time! Today we dig in on a basic primer for gear/PED’s/anabolics – including the obvious questions of “is this right for me?” (which I absolutely cannot answer, but I can help you ask better questions of yourself), “what should I be worried about?”, “what are some dumb things I can avoid?&...

197 – Recapping NPC Nationals, Grab Bag Q&A With NPC Nationals in the rear view I recap the weekend with a focus on how my clients did and also – as you might expect from me – have some suggestions on how the whole weekend can be improved. Having classes of 40+ competitors just is not a good way to create a fun experience for anyone competing. After that I start blowing throu...

195 – Spotting Techniques, Blow Up the NPC? First up, CALLING ALL COUPLES – if you are a couple and you train together regularly or – better yet – prep together, I want to hear your experience. Call in at 865-518-2974 and leave a message, or email me @ darin@fivestarrfitness.com ( or use the contact form ) or hit me up on IG or Facebook – if you’ve got a good st...

195 – Post-Show Rebound and Breaking Down Thanksgiving I was sick and pretty voiceless last week so there’s a bit of catching up to do as it relates to my post-show activities. Did I balloon up in weight uncontrollably? Was I a good, well-behaved boy? All of the above? Somewhere in between? Listen and find out! Also check the new poll online at TheDropSet.com – and through Decemb...

194 – Breaking Down the Lee Haney Games This past Saturday I competed in Atlanta at the 2021 Lee Haney Games – in today’s episode I recap the whole experience from peak week up through the events of show day and beyond. The results weren’t what I might have hoped for but I had a good time and there’s a LOT of good stuff to dwell on, and some interesting moments to rec...

193 – Volumizing Meals, Caloric Floor, Prep Partners In today’s episode there’s a warning of changes coming! The Drop Set will be undergoing a little renovation soon and it’s all very exciting stuff – stay tuned and you’ll hear things as we get them rolled out. There’s a poll online at TheDropSet.com – click on over and cast your vote regarding BCAA...

The Drop Set – Episode 192 Back for a solo episode today after a longer break than I expected due to some surprise travel – all details inside!

The Drop Set – Episode 191: IFBB Pro Janeen Lankowski Janeen brings 20 plus years of experience as a competitor and coach to our conversation as she’s about 2 weeks out from the Olympia – we talk about her background, posing philosophy, and the “no excuses” mindset it takes to compete at a high level.

The Drop Set, Episode 190 Brian joins us today to talk about a bunch of the ‘standard’ bodybuilding topics but also his unique work situation and how that impacts bodybuilding and his home life, as well as dealing with shoulder reconstruction and spinal fusion and how he’s had to adjust his training around those.

The Drop Set – Episode 189 Today on The Drop Set…it’s just me! Sorry to disappoint – I’ve got another interview going online soon but I wanted to get this up first since I had some time set aside to record it and give everyone an update on how my prep is coming along. Also a couple questions tackling “things to know for a first show” and how to incorporate...

The Drop Set – Episode 188: Alexis Urso Alexis Urso is the President & CEO of Made2Macro, a custom meal prep service provider based out of Florida. In our wide-ranging interview we talk about her business and how it works, some general meal strategies and ideas, what she’s up to and what’s in store for her business in the future.

The Drop Set – Episode 187: Kelly Lynn Nauyokas On The Drop Set today our VERY FIRST repeat guest, IFBB Figure Pro, prep coach and posing coach Kelly Lynn Nauyokas returns for a very casual chat about just about everything – you know how we roll here.

The Drop Set – Episode 186: IFBB Figure Pro Paige Sabedra Today on The Drop Set I welcome Paige Sabedra, a long-time listener and contributor the podcast and brand new IFBB Pro, having won her card at the USA’s at the end of July. We discuss her plans for the future and her somewhat convoluted path to turning pro this year, with all the up’s and down’s that went with it. Pa...

The Drop Set – Episode 185 Today I welcome IFBB Pro Theresa Ivancik on to the podcast to talk about a little of everything. Theresa has been competing since 2007 and has loads of experience not only competing at a high level but also as a coach, trainer, and gym owner as well. Listen in and get a fresh perspective on bodybuilding from someone who lives it.

The Drop Set – Episode 184 In today’s episode I’m joined by Stephanie Marie, and IFBB Pro WPD competitor turned bodybuilder who has become an active voice in speaking out against extreme diuretic and AAS protocols that are causing prolonged health issues in competitors and sometimes even death at a show or shortly after. In summary, because this is extremely important: whoever yo...

The Drop Set – Episode 183 In this WELCOME BACK episode following an unplanned summer hiatus, I cover a lot of ground: bringing you up to speed on my studio time and my prep so far, and also touching base on some industry losses and peak week protocols gone wrong.

The Drop Set Episode 182 In today’s episode I interview my client Jacob Koch, offering a first-timers perspective on the world of competing in the NPC.

The Drop Set – Episode 181 0:00 – personal update from me on why I was MIA last week in spite of my plans to the contrary. Also, TV and lawn updates (because you asked for it)! 16:10 – let’s have a chat about vacations in the post-pandemic (too early to say that?) world and how it can impact your physique-related goals 27:35 – I’ve said before and now I’m...

Episode 180: IFBB Pro Kelly Lynn Nauyokas

The Drop Set – Episode 179 Cutting right to the chase in this one! 3:58 What’s an appropriate rate to build muscle at? Or maybe more accurately phrased: how can I ensure I’m building muscle at an appropriate rate? 19:57 Time for a slightly more in depth chat on body dysmorphia. What is it, how real is it, how common is it, and is there anything you can do about it? 29:25 I wanted...

Episode 178: Q&A Grab Bag Whoa – we’re back with a vengeance! Lots of topics covered today, details and timestamps below: 5:40 Bernard with a conversation starter on the BEST times for lifting, cardio, etc. 13:45 Anthony is asking about meal timing and the possible downfalls of combining multiple meals into one. 18:36 Marc from IG asking about the possible benefit of dietary breaks...

Episode 177 – Macros From the Ground Up In today’s “like a phoenix rising from the ashes” episode, we go over an absolute “assuming nothing” approach to macros, from what a macro is all the way through to constructing and revising a macro-based meal plan to hit a specific set of targets. If this has mystified you in the past, you CANNOT miss this.

The Drop Set – Episode 176 FINALLY back in business after an extended hiatus! Today I briefly catch you up on my home gym situation and a big announcement, and then dig in on 2 topics: How to step up your game and change expectations, using top level competitors as a measuring stick I go about trying to fix competitive bodybuilding, with a big emphasis on the scoring system. And along the wa...

The Drop Set – Episode 175 2:02 – The ever-critical LAWN UPDATE! 6:17 – Let’s talk about some pandemic-related changes to show format and how this can be a GOOD thing in the long-term 24:16 – Bethany (GA) asking about protein intake – what’s ideal, what are the concerns about going high and what other considerations should we have? 29:56 – FINALLY cl...