Chris Barakat is an IFBB Pro Natural Bodybuilder, Coach, Researcher, Professor, and founder of Beyond Body Building.

The word we kept coming back to was "Resilience." Chris and his family went through the most insane trials and obstacles from 2021-2025 and their story of resilience and support is truly inspiring.

(00:00) Intro

(00:25) Coffee Talk

(3:30) Natural Body Building

(9:45) Earning the IFBB Pro Card

(15:30) Generics Are a Factor

(18:15) Trials and Obstacles in 2021

(21:15) Exercise Science Research

(23:00) River

(24:00) Becoming a Father and Return to Prep

(38:30) Broken Foot and Mold Toxicity in Prep

(44:45) Baby on Board and a Scare During Overseas Show

(50:15) Posing is an Art

(53:00) Was 2025 the Final Season?

(56:00) Rapid Fire

(1:03:00) Final Words of Advice

Find Chris Barakat:

⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

YouTube

Website:

⁠⁠Beyond Body Building⁠

Produced by:

⁠⁠⁠Palm Tree Content⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Jonathan Mitchell⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Elevation Coffee Roasters