You want bigger glutes, rounder shoulders, and a more muscular physique—but you don’t want the scale to increase, your waist to grow, or your abs to disappear.At some point, you have to decide which goal you’re actually pursuing.In this episode, I explain why body recomposition is real but isn’t always the most effective strategy, especially for experienced lifters. We’ll talk about what a productive growth phase looks like, why stage-lean is a temporary performance state rather than a sustainable lifestyle, and why gaining weight does not automatically mean gaining the same amount of body fat.I also break down training performance, progressive overload, deloads, mini-cuts, and the metrics you should use to determine whether your growth phase is working.But the hardest part of building muscle often isn’t the food or training—it’s tolerating the identity shift of no longer being at your leanest while you’re still building the physique you want.There is a season for revealing your physique and a season for building it. If you constantly interrupt the building phase because you miss seeing the finished product, you’ll keep revealing the same physique.

You want bigger glutes, rounder shoulders, and a more muscular physique—but you don’t want the scale to increase, your waist to grow, or your abs to disappear. At some point, you have to decide which goal you’re actually pursuing. In this episode, I explain why body recomposition is real but isn’t always the most effective strategy, especially for experienced lifters. We’ll talk about what a productive growth phase looks like, why stage-lean is a temporary performance state rather than a sustainable lifestyle, and why gaining weight does not automatically mean gaining the same amount of body fat. I also break down training performance, progressive overload, deloads, mini-cuts, and the metrics you should use to determine whether your growth phase is working. But the hardest part of building muscle often isn’t the food or training—it’s tolerating the identity shift of no longer being at your leanest while you’re still building the physique you want. There is a season for revealing your physique and a season for building it. If you constantly interrupt the building phase because you miss seeing the finished product, you’ll keep revealing the same physique.

You Want to Build Muscle- But You’re Afraid to Gain Weight

If you want to feel strong, lean, confident, and in control of your health without your life revolving around food, macros, the scale, or constantly “starting over,” this is exactly what I help women do inside my 1:1 coaching. Apply for 1:1 coaching here → https://calendly.com/elenoa-mccabe/30min

If you want to feel strong, lean, confident, and in control of your health without your life revolving around food, macros, the scale, or constantly “starting over,” this is exactly what I help women do inside my 1:1 coaching. Apply for 1:1 coaching here → https://calendly.com/elenoa-mccabe/30min

Q&A: weight loss, your cycle, and more

Skinny is “in” again. But give it another decade and the ideal female body will probably change all over again.In the early 2000s, women were chasing size zero and thigh gaps.Then came the BBL era: tiny waists, bigger glutes, curves.Now, with the rise of GLP-1s, “skinny” is becoming aspirational again.And I think we need to talk about what happens to women when our bodies are treated like trends we're supposed to keep up with.In this episode, I’m unpacking the constantly changing female beauty standard, why building your identity around your appearance can become such a dangerous game, and the difference between wanting to change your body and needing your body to validate you.Because I'm not here to tell women they shouldn't want to lose body fat, build muscle, or look a certain way.I’m a fitness coach. I care about building muscle. I care about health. And yes, I think you're allowed to have aesthetic goals.But I also believe your physique should serve your life — not become your life.We get into questions like:<ul><li>If social media disappeared tomorrow, what body would you actually want?</li><li>Would you still want to be smaller if nobody could see you?</li><li>Are you pursuing health, or approval?</li><li>What happens when your body becomes part of your identity?</li><li>And who benefits when women constantly feel like they aren't enough?</li></ul>Because maybe the goal was never to have the trendiest body.Maybe the goal is to have the healthiest relationship with the body you're building.If you want to feel strong, lean, confident, and in control of your health without your life revolving around food, macros, the scale, or constantly “starting over,” this is exactly what I help women do inside my 1:1 coaching. Apply for 1:1 coaching here → [LINK]Don't make the CTA just the final paragraph.Put this near the very top of the Spotify description:Ready to stop starting over with your fitness? Apply for 1:1 coaching → https://calendly.com/elenoa-mccabe/30min

Skinny is “in” again. But give it another decade and the ideal female body will probably change all over again. In the early 2000s, women were chasing size zero and thigh gaps. Then came the BBL era: tiny waists, bigger glutes, curves. Now, with the rise of GLP-1s, “skinny” is becoming aspirational again. And I think we need to talk about what happens to women when our bodies are treated like trends we're supposed to keep up with. In this episode, I’m unpacking the constantly changing female beauty standard, why building your identity around your appearance can become such a dangerous game, and the difference between wanting to change your body and needing your body to validate you. Because I'm not here to tell women they shouldn't want to lose body fat, build muscle, or look a certain way. I’m a fitness coach. I care about building muscle. I care about health. And yes, I think you're allowed to have aesthetic goals. But I also believe your physique should serve your life — not become your life. We get into questions like:If social media disappeared tomorrow, what body would you actually want?Would you still want to be smaller if nobody could see you?Are you pursuing health, or approval?What happens when your body becomes part of your identity?And who benefits when women constantly feel like they aren't enough?Because maybe the goal was never to have the trendiest body. Maybe the goal is to have the healthiest relationship with the body you're building. If you want to feel strong, lean, confident, and in control of your health without your life revolving around food, macros, the scale, or constantly “starting over,” this is exactly what I help women do inside my 1:1 coaching. Apply for 1:1 coaching here → [LINK] Don't make the CTA just the final paragraph. Put this near the very top of the Spotify description: Ready to stop starting over with your fitness? Apply for 1:1 coaching → https://calendly.com/elenoa-mccabe/30min

Skinny Is “In” Again. Here’s the Problem

Noa McCabe 
Instagram: @noamccabe_ifbbpro
Email: elenoa@ateamathletes.com
Megan Long
Instagram: @megsfit_ifbbpro
Email: megan@ateamathletes.com

Noa McCabe Instagram: @noamccabe_ifbbpro Email: elenoa@ateamathletes.com Megan Long Instagram: @megsfit_ifbbpro Email: megan@ateamathletes.com

EP 83: How To Improve Your Mindset Around Body Image - Megan Long

Elenoa McCabe
Email: elenoa@ateamathletes.com
Instagram: @noamccabe_ifbbpro
Megan Long:
Email: megan@ateamathletes.com
Instagram: @megsfit_ifbbpro

Elenoa McCabe Email: elenoa@ateamathletes.com Instagram: @noamccabe_ifbbpro Megan Long: Email: megan@ateamathletes.com Instagram: @megsfit_ifbbpro

EP 82: What NOT To Do During a Reverse Diet - Megan Long

Elenoa McCabe
Email: elenoa@ateamathletes.com
Instagram: @noamccabe_ifbbpro
Jorge Perez:
Email: jorge@togethermorefit.com
Instagram: @jorge_luis_pt

Elenoa McCabe Email: elenoa@ateamathletes.com Instagram: @noamccabe_ifbbpro Jorge Perez: Email: jorge@togethermorefit.com Instagram: @jorge_luis_pt

EP 81: Natural vs. Enhanced Bodybuilding: Is One Really Healthier Than The Other? - Jorge Perez

Elenoa McCabe
Email: elenoa@ateamathletes.com
Instagram: @noamccabe_ifbbpro

Elenoa McCabe Email: elenoa@ateamathletes.com Instagram: @noamccabe_ifbbpro

EP 80: What I Wish I Knew Before Competing

Elenoa McCabe
Email: elenoa@ateamathletes.com
Instagram: @noamccabe_ifbbpro
Megan Long
Email: megan@ateamathletes.com
Instagram: @megsfit_ifbbpro

Elenoa McCabe Email: elenoa@ateamathletes.com Instagram: @noamccabe_ifbbpro Megan Long Email: megan@ateamathletes.com Instagram: @megsfit_ifbbpro

EP 79: 5 Hard Truths Competitors Don't Want To Hear - Megan Long

EP 78: The Mindset Hack of The Most Successful Bodybuilders

EP 77: Red Flags In The Coaching Industry That You Should Never Ignore

EP 76: 5 Things To Consider Before Starting a Contest Prep

Danielle Kusenberger
Email: danielle@teammihaly.com
Instagram: @daniellekusenberger
Elenoa McCabe
Email: elenoa@ateamathletes.com
Instagram: @noamccabe_ifbbpro

Danielle Kusenberger Email: danielle@teammihaly.com Instagram: @daniellekusenberger Elenoa McCabe Email: elenoa@ateamathletes.com Instagram: @noamccabe_ifbbpro

EP 75: You Asked, We Answered - Listener Q&A

Danielle Kusenberger
Email: danielle@teammihaly.com
Instagram: @daniellekusenberger
Elenoa McCabe
Email: elenoa@teammihaly.com
Instagram: @noamccabe_ifbbpro

Danielle Kusenberger Email: danielle@teammihaly.com Instagram: @daniellekusenberger Elenoa McCabe Email: elenoa@teammihaly.com Instagram: @noamccabe_ifbbpro

EP 74: Is Birth Control Ruining Your Health?

Becoming Relentless is a fitness &amp; bodybuilding podcast designed for individuals looking to enhance both their physique, well-being, mindset, and more. I cover key topics such as training, nutrition, and lifestyle habits. I offer practical tips and deep insights into achieving fitness goals both inside and outside the gym. My podcast is here to empower listeners to not only achieve their desired results, but also understand the physiological and mental changes that come with personal transformation! Welcome fam! #BEcomingRelentless

Health & Fitness

Fitness

Becoming Relentless is a fitness & bodybuilding podcast designed for individuals looking to enhance both their physique, well-being, mindset, and more. I cover key topics such as training, nutrition, and lifestyle habits. I offer practical tips and deep insights into achieving fitness goals both inside and outside the gym. My podcast is here to empower listeners to not only achieve their desired results, but also understand the physiological and mental changes that come with personal transformation! Welcome fam! #BEcomingRelentless

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