The Macro Lounge Podcast

Dr Susan Baxter, PhD in movement science, award winning educator, former bikini competitor, global presenter and founder of the AHA Method, joins Chris and Rachel for a deep dive into the worlds of bodybuilding, coaching, business systems and longevity. In this episode we cover: 👉 Susan’s wild origin story from Highlanders TV host to national stage winner 👉 How competing shaped her discipline, r...

This week, Chris and Rachel sit down with Cam - founder of UglyFace - the brutally honest supplement brand shaking up the industry with zero sugarcoating (and maybe a few paper bags). From dodgy fat burners and “detox teas” to collagen hype and influencer fakery, nothing’s off-limits in this caffeine-fuelled deep dive into the realities of the supplement world. 💥 What you’ll hear: The origins of...

You’ve nailed show day - now what? The hard part isn’t the prep, it’s the after . This week, Chris and Rachel dive deep into reverse dieting – or as they call it, the recovery phase . They unpack what actually happens when the tan fades and hunger hits, and why this stage can make or break your next season. 💬 What you’ll hear: 👉 Why “reverse dieting” isn’t magic – and what the science really say...

Drum roll please - our very first guest episode and who better than Allie Waddell to make her debut on The Macro Lounge stage? 👑 Allie is the founder of Spotlight Society , creator of the Stage Fairies , and one of the industry’s most sought-after posing coaches and stage glam experts. Based between Arizona and Vancouver , she helps athletes around the world master posing, mindset, and the sparkl...

The final wrap-up of 2025 is here - and what a finish it was! This week, Chris and Rachel dive into the ICN Oceania Championships in Christchurch and the NZIFBB Tournament of Champions in Palmerston North , wrapping up an epic season of sparkles, tiaras, and some seriously stacked lineups. Inside this episode: ✨ Rachel’s Pro debut (and win!) at ICN Oceania🥇 Who earned new Pro Cards - Brooke, Tay...

From Naturals to Nationals — we’re breaking down everything . Chris was ringside, notebook in hand (and spelling names phonetically as always 🤭), while Rachel was in full sparkle analysis mode. We cover: ✨ The new IFBB Pro Card winners — including Corrie, Chantal, Louise, Sian, Carolyn and Tayla. 👙 Trends in judging and conditioning — bigger delts, fuller looks, red bikinis everywhere. 🏆 What’...

Taupō delivered! Rachel walked away from ICN 2025 Nationals with three overalls and two pro cards (hello, double pro ). We break down bikini, wellness, figure, runway, and swimsuit , what judges rewarded, and how stage presentation & posing tipped decisions - including Chris literally shouting posing instructions from the audience . What’s inside: ICN Nationals 2025 recap : division-by-divisio...

The 2025 Olympia results are in - and we’ve got thoughts . Chris and Rachel break down the big shifts in judging trends, why bikini went softer this year, and what it means for athletes heading into 2026. Expect honest takes, sparkly suit talk, and the usual dose of chaos. Oh - and yes, Producer Bubsickle aka Chris's wife Valerie really did save Chris’s life this week (literally). Ice cream wa...

So you’ve smashed (or survived) your regional bodybuilding show… now what? In this episode of The Macro Lounge Podcast , Chris and Rachel dive into the critical weeks between regionals and nationals where small tweaks can make or break your stage look. We cover: 👉 How to assess whether you’re ready for nationals 👉 The “1% fixes” that add up fast (posing, tan, presentation, mindset) 👉 Why you sh...

Blue skies, closed tunnels, and a whole lot of sparkles. Chris flew solo on the ground while prep-brained Rachel brought the glitter. We break down the Wellington double-headliner: the NZIFBB Joe Ulberg Classic Natural and the Open Regional in Wellington 2025. In this episode: Figure highlights: smart class choices and where conditioning edged size Wellness watch and who challenges at Nationals Fi...

Double the shows, double the sparkles. ✨ In this week’s episode, Chris and Rachel break down the first IFBB shows of the season: the NZIFBB Auckland Open Regional Championships and the NZIFBB Auckland Natural Championships . From front-row judging insights to standout physiques, here’s what you’ll hear: Key differences between the Natural and Open lineups Conditioning trends the judges rewarded (...

From flight delays and midnight tanning in Christchurch, to runway gowns, posing critiques, and the stars of the show - this episode covers it all. Chris and Rachel share their unfiltered recap of the ICN South Island Classic , including: 👉 Backstage drama (and why camping stretchers might be the new prep essential) 👉 Rachel’s perspective competing in swimsuit, runway, and bikini 👉 Which athlet...

Motivation gets you started. Discipline keeps you going. In this week’s episode, Chris and Rachel pull back the curtain on one of the hardest parts of bodybuilding: staying consistent when the spark fades. From prep brain to comparison traps, kitten cuddles to cardio, they get real about: Why motivation is fleeting (even for pros) The systems and habits that keep athletes on track Warning signs yo...

Prep isn’t just “dieting harder.” It’s the months-long process of getting ready for stage — physically, mentally, and emotionally. In this episode, Rachel and Chris break down everything first-timers (and even seasoned athletes) need to know about prep: timelines, readiness, common mistakes, and why sparkles won’t save you if you’re not conditioned. They also cover: How long prep really takes (hin...

From world champions to first-timers, imposter syndrome doesn’t discriminate. In this episode, Chris (coach & former judge) and Rachel (world champ & sparkle queen) unpack the mental side of bodybuilding — the self-doubt, comparison, and those “I don’t belong here” thoughts every athlete knows too well. We cover: Why bodybuilding is the perfect breeding ground for imposter feelings How soc...

Stepping on stage for the first time? Or maybe you’ve competed before but still feel like backstage is total chaos? This episode is your ultimate show day walkthrough. Rachel and Chris cover everything from tanning disasters (yes, seatbelt streaks and green armpits are a thing) to what to wear, how athlete briefings actually work, what to pack backstage, and why pumping up too early will ruin your...

Think competing is just about the sparkles and stage lights? Think again. In Episode 8 of The Macro Lounge , Rach and Chris break down the real cost of bodybuilding - from coaching and bikinis to flights, food, and the tan that can make or break your look. Warning: contains rhinestones, sass, and maybe a little post-show bakery shame. Chris even put together a free Competing Cost Budget Tool so yo...

We couldn’t wait until Saturday for this one! Join us for a full recap of the ICN Hawkes Bay Show on 2 August where we talk about everything from perfectly executed posing to show-stopping physiques that lit up the stage. We cover: Our standout athletes across figure, classic figure, swimsuit, sports model, wellness, fitness model, and bikini Which placings we agreed with… and the ones we didn’t S...

EPISODE 6: So You Want to Compete? Here's What You Need to Know First Thinking about stepping on stage for the first time? This week we dive into the signs you're actually ready to compete - physically, financially, mentally and emotionally. From prep timelines to posing chaos, choosing the right federation, avoiding coach clashes, and embracing the suck (hello, Bulgarian split squats) - R...

What actually makes a good coach? In this episode, we get stuck into the red flags, the green flags, and all the things athletes often don’t think to ask when choosing a coach. Chris shares insight from decades of experience in the industry, while Rachel breaks down how to actually be coachable – and why that matters. We talk about expectations, communication styles, hand-holding vs high performan...

From colours and crystals to cuts and chaos – this episode is all things bikinis. Rachel shares everything you need to know when choosing a competition bikini: how to pick a colour that works for your skin tone and personality, what judges notice (and don’t), what cut flatters your glutes, and how to care for your suit once the show’s done - and we also learn that Chris is red/green colourblind. H...

Which bodybuilding federation is right for you? In this episode, Chris and Rachel break down the differences between federations in New Zealand, from IFBB and NPC to ICN, and what you need to know before stepping on stage. They chat about category differences, posing, progression pathways, and how to pick the federation that aligns with your goals and values – with plenty of laughs along the way....

Thinking about stepping on stage? In this episode, we chat about why you should (or shouldn’t) compete, the realities of bodybuilding, and how to decide if the sport is right for you. Chris and Rachel share honest insights on categories, expectations, and why at the end of the day, all you can control is what eat and what you lift up and what you put down! ⚠️ TW: This episode touches on eating dis...

In this first full episode of The Macro Lounge Podcast , Rachel and Chris introduce themselves, their journeys into bodybuilding and bikini competing, and how they ended up starting a podcast that will probably never stick to the plan (sorry, Producer Bubsickle). They chat about Rachel’s journey from competitive swimmer to world champion bikini competitor and bikini designer, and Chris’s decades-l...

In this short intro, your hosts Rachel ( Accentuate Bikinis ) and Chris ( Team Bold Physique ) give you a taste of what The Macro Lounge is all about - unfiltered chats about bodybuilding and bikini competition life in New Zealand, Australia, and beyond. Expect expert advice, questionable jokes, interesting guests and industry leaders, a few sparkles, and zero adherence to the plan. Whether you&#3...