We’re back with a jam-packed episode diving into everything from competition prep strategies to crazy gym stories and an exclusive look at the Drug Free Bodybuilding Alliance (DFBA) that’s about to change the game! 🌍💪

👇 Topics Covered in This Episode:

✅ First Workshop of the Season – Huge turnout, first-time competitors & what went down

✅ Upcoming Bali Retreat – The latest updates & why this year’s crew is next-level

✅ Drug Free Bodybuilding Alliance – How it's revolutionizing the sport & opening new doors for athletes

✅ How to Qualify for Nationals & International Shows – Everything you need to know

✅ Competing Internationally – How NBA athletes can now qualify for a Super Bowl of Natural Bodybuilding

✅ Judging Standards & Athlete Selection – What it takes to compete against the best in the world

✅ Training in Extreme Heat – Managing hydration, sodium loss & recovery

✅ How Many KGs Should You Lose in Prep? – Breaking down sustainable fat loss strategies

✅ The Right Approach to Reverse Dieting – How to transition out of a cut or prep without blowing up

✅ Do You Need Sleeping Pills in Prep? – Optimizing sleep, recovery & performance

✅ Superstitions & Competition Rituals – Do lucky jeans, meal containers & special routines actually help? 😂

✅ Rapid Fire Fun – Can you lick your elbow? Ever sent a text to the wrong person? 😆

✅ Crazy Muscle Cramp Story – What happens when you get your hydration totally wrong

We really appreciate all the questions!

Last week, we tackled the NPC/IFBB 3-year rule, but we got some new clarity—so we’re kicking off this episode by breaking it all down properly. We also dive into industry updates, competition prep insights, and some surprising listener questions that took us in unexpected directions. (Let’s just say, this one got interesting! 😂)

🔥 Here’s what we cover in this episode:

🔹NPC/IFBB Pro Rule Explained – No more confusion, we clarify exactly what it means.

🔹NBA Workshops & Season Kickoff – 30+ workshops coming up, why they’re a must-attend.

🔹Posing vs. Physique in Judging – How much does posing really matter?

🔹Prep Energy Levels – Why some people feel more energized in prep than off-season.

🔹Digestive Hacks – Why chewing your food properly can change everything.

🔹Silly & Serious Listener Q&A – From intra-workout carbs to some unexpected supplement discussions. 😆

💬 This episode is packed with insights, laughs, and a few tangents that might just surprise you.

We really appreciate all the questions!

Our first podcast of the year is here, and it’s a special one! For the first time ever, we’re all in the same room, bringing a new energy to kick off 2025. After 120+ episodes online, this feels like a whole new chapter!

Here’s what we dive into this week:

🔥 Life Updates 🔥
From holiday downtime with family to exciting travel plans for the year (including weddings and graduations!), we reflect on how we recharged for what’s shaping up to be a massive 2025.

🔥 The Bodybuilding Industry🔥
We unpack all the major announcements and changes across federations—new divisions, expanded events, and what it means for athletes and coaches.

🔥 TMG Coahing Merger🔥
Learn how we’re building one of the largest, most innovative coaching teams in the world, mentoring new coaches, and setting new standards for quality and collaboration.

🔥 Genetics vs. Hard Work 🔥
Are you genetically gifted for the sport? What role does grit and consistency play in competing at the highest level? We break it all down.

🔥 Supplements and Tracking🔥
From creatine to coffee, we discuss why tracking everything matters during prep—and how small choices can have a big impact.

🔥 Game-Changing Innovations🔥
We’re teasing some exciting developments that will shake up the industry and set a new benchmark for natural bodybuilding. (Trust us, this is HUGE!)

🔥 2025 Preview🔥
We spotlight upcoming athletes, incredible physiques, and why this year could be one of the most competitive seasons in natural bodybuilding history.
We really appreciate all the questions!

In this episode, we begin with an update on MG’s knee surgery and how recovery is progressing. We also share our thoughts on the IFBB Fit Model division and explore the realities of competing for multiple back-to-back weeks or seasons. Next, we dive into giving your coach constructive feedback, the impact of too much cardio and overtraining on muscle loss, and why balance is key. And for a fun twist, Scotty reveals the secret behind his hair gel! We finish with exciting details about our upcoming podcast gym meet-up. Tune in for a mix of insights, advice, and good vibes!

Q&As:
✳️Update on MGs Knee Surgury
✳️IFBB Fit Model Division Thoughts
✳️Competing for Multiple Back to Back Weeks
✳️Competing Back to Back Seasons
✳️Giving a Coach Constructive Feedback
✳️Too Much Cardio and Muscle Loss
✳️Over-Training and Muscle Loss
✳️Scotty's Hair Gel
✳️Podcast Gym Meetup

We really appreciate all the questions!

In this episode, we start with updates on coaching, life, our Christmas plans, and some NBA chatter. Then, we dive into the science: Is L-Glutamine or L-Carnitine worth it? Should you really worry about sugar? We also discuss the optimal timing for your pre-workout shake and what to expect from your coach during the offseason versus competition prep. Later, we tackle female HRT for low testosterone and how to restore healthy levels post-show. Finally, we share plans for an exciting podcast gym meet-up.

Q&As:

✳️General Updates on Coaching, Life, NBA
✳️L-Glutamine YAY or NAY
✳️L-Carnitine YAY or NAY
✳️Should we worry about Sugar
✳️Expectation of our Coach in Offseason
✳️Low Testosterone Female HRT
✳️Podcast Gym Meet Up

We really appreciate all the questions!

MT back from China and tells us the incredible experience he had running the show, judging, the quality of athletes, amazing production, and how every athlete was blood tested. Next we get into questions covering favourtie training styles, when to have creatine, and if L-Carnitine is worth it. Then move to discussing how to bridge between competing in two seasons, the fact there's PRO cards in Winter Season B, and what our favourite season is to compete in. We finish by discussing if training volume and intensity should change during comp prep.

Q&As:

✳️NBA China Show
✳️China Athlete Village
✳️Blood Testing Athletes
✳️Lessons from Judging
✳️Favourite Training Style
✳️Creatine Pre or Post Workoout
✳️L-Carnitine Yay or Nay
✳️Competing in 2 Seasons
✳️PRO Cards in Winter Season B
✳️Favourite Season to Compete
✳️Adjust Training Volume in Prep

We really appreciate all the questions!

We are back from Bali and we discuss our experience at the NBA show and TMG Retreat, and that MT is going to China for an NBA collaboration with SCNB federation. We talk through organising the season calendar and date clashes with other federations. Then discuss the IFBB Natural Rules and what they consider as a natural athlete, and the testing the are required to administer. Scott then gives everyone his Cream of Rice recipe, we talk the difference between Recovery or Reverse phase, changes in appetite post comp, and the rules around giving an NBA Master's PRO Card. Then we move into the topic of being burnt out from following the bodybuilding lifestyle, should you prep if you're dreading it, and has a client ever lied about their weight gain. We end of how to setup having a coach work under you.

Q&As:

✳️BALI experience
✳️NBA in China
✳️Date Clashes with Feds
✳️IFBB Natty Rules
✳️COR recipe
✳️Recovery vs Reverse Phase
✳️Appetite Post Comp
✳️NBA Masters PRO Cards
✳️Bodybuilding Lifestyle Burn Out
✳️Not Excited for Comp Prep
✳️Clients Lied about Weight Gain
✳️Coaching Contracts

We really appreciate all the questions!

This episode was recorded live at the TMG Retreat in Bali. We kick off by reflecting on the first every NBA Bali show, the athlete village experience, and how grateful we are for all the support. We then discuss the incredible time we’ve had on the TMG Retreat in Bali, and how we are already looking forward to the get one! Discuss how it can look if Presidents are sitting on the judges table talking to judges, and how the ICN Pro Card rules have swapped and change at World titles with more cards being awarded than Nationals. We move onto discussing the guilt that some feel eating off plan meals in the Recovery Phase, and if food focus will eventually reduce post comp. We finish off by discussing high vs low reps, tracking water intake, hands down back pose in fitness, and what is the optimal surplus for growth.

Q&As:

✳️NBA BALI Show
✳️TMG Retreat
✳️Presidents on Judges Table
✳️ICN PRO Cards Rules at Worlds
✳️Food Guilt in Recovery Phase
✳️Reducing Food Focus
✳️High or Low Reps
✳️Tracking Water in Food
✳️NBA Fitness Hands Down Back Pose
✳️Optimal Surplus for Growth

We really appreciate all the questions!

We debrief on what was an epic two day NBA Nationals event with the best PRO and Amateur athletes in the country battling it out on stage! PRO Cards were earnt, Undisputed PRO Champions were crowned, and a lot of great friendships and memories were made. Incredibly grateful and humbled by everyones support and we can't wait to bring home our season finale in BALI on Sunday 27th October.

We kick off by reflecting on a big NBA NSW, great success at ICN VICs and the level of respect we have for Tony and Patricia on running an amazing show under very difficult circumstances. We discuss the difference in the judging across the states and how it will all come together at Nationals. This weekend there's going to be epic lineups at the biggest NBA Nationals ever and how hard it will be to judge. We change to talking about drug cheats and how we do everything we can to catch them, discuss deloads and devolumes, picking categories, and how much we are looking forward to running our second physique retreat in Bali on 28th Oct!

Q&As:

✳️NBA NSW
✳️ICN VICS
✳️Judging for Nationals
✳️NBA Nationals
✳️Epic Line Ups
✳️Judging Scorecards
✳️Relationships with the Sport
✳️Catching Drug Cheats
✳️Take The Time To Grow
✳️Calorie During Deload in Fat Loss
✳️Deload or Devolume
✳️Picking a Category
✳️Each State is Different
✳️Aus Head Judge to Control the Look
✳️TMG Bali Retreat 28th Oct

We really appreciate all the questions!