Peak Week Isn’t Magic — It’s Mental.

In this episode, TC and Chris Nicole share what most competitors miss about Peak Week — and it’s not about the carbs or the water. The real battle is mental. From athlete overcorrections to stress sabotage, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone prepping for the stage OR the platform..

You’ll learn:

💥 How to manage stress so your physique can shine

💥 Why trusting your coach is more important than tweaking your plan

💥 The mindset shifts every athlete needs the final 7 days

💥 Tips to stay sharp, calm, and confident heading into show day

🎯 Peak Week is about polish, not panic. Listen now and show up ready — mentally and physically.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

📩 Want our free Peak Week checklist? DM “PEAK” to @Reckless_Training on Instagram or grab it at RecklessTraining.com

How to receive and digest Judge Feedback in Bodybuilding and Powerlifting -

Getting feedback from judges can be one of the most emotionally charged moments in a competitor’s journey — especially when you feel like you brought your best to the stage. In this episode, TC and Chris Nicole break down how to interpret, process, and apply judge feedback without letting ego, emotion, or confusion get in the way.

They explore:

• What judges are actually looking for (and how it can shift between shows or federations)
• Why many athletes get defensive — and how to move past it
• The difference between feedback and critique
• What to do when your coach filters feedback (for better or worse)
• How to tell when it’s time to evolve your look — or change your strategy entirely

Whether you're a first-time competitor or a seasoned pro, this episode is your mindset reset after a tough scorecard. Learn how to turn subjective criticism into objective progress — and keep your head in the game.

Table of Contents - -

1. Intro – Why Feedback Matters Setting the stage for why this conversation is needed and what athletes are missing.
2. What Judges Actually Look For Pulling back the curtain on what goes into a scorecard and how subjective judging works.
3. The Disconnect: Expectations vs. Reality When what you bring doesn't match what the judges want — and why that's hard to swallow.
4. Getting Defensive: The Athlete’s First Reaction “But I looked my best ever!” — breaking down that emotional backlash we all feel.
5. When Coaches Filter Feedback Why coaches soften the blow or add context — and when that hurts more than it helps.
6. Sifting Through the Noise Separating ego from truth, and finding the “useful 10%” inside even bad feedback.
7. Confidence vs. Confirmation Bias Walking the line between self-belief and delusion.
8. The Best Athletes Ask Better Questions How to mine judge feedback for gold and frame it as data, not a dig.
9. Callback: You’re Not Owed Anything A return to the idea that showing up doesn’t entitle you to praise.
10. Closing – How to Actually Grow from Criticism Practical mindset shifts and questions every athlete should ask post-show.

In today’s episode, we dive deep into the mindsets, training strategies, and nutrition habits that separate a mediocre offseason from a truly transformational one.

Whether you’re navigating time off due to injury, burnout, or the need for serious physique upgrades — this episode is your guide to staying intentional when you're not in prep.

We break it down with real-life athlete examples and cover:

✅ The mentality traps: Too lax vs. too intense

✅ Hypertrophy and strength training goals — and how they shift based on age, natural status, or past progress

✅ Why whole foods matter year-round — and what your body’s actually doing with those extra carbs

✅ Stress mitigation: caffeine, deloads, and protecting your “stress bucket”

✅ Getting labs: sex hormones, thyroid, gut health, and why data matters

✅ Self-auditing: Are your daily actions matching your long-term goals?

This episode is all about building the habits that lead to your best next season — on stage, on the platform, or in life.

🎧 If this episode helped you, drop us a rating/review and share it with a friend.

🎯 Ready to level up your training and nutrition with expert coaching? 👉 Visit: www.recklesstraining.com

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @reckless_training | @longshotgamble | @chrisnicole_ifbbpro

💥 Want to support the podcast? Every donation helps us keep the show going and pour back into the strength community. Give here: Zeffy Donation Link

Are barbells the holy grail of gains, or do machines deserve more credit than they get?

In this episode, your hosts TC and Chris Nicole break down the pros and cons of both training methods to help you hit your goals faster — whether it’s strength, hypertrophy, or just getting started in the gym. We cover how machines can support your journey, why barbells build full-body control, and how to structure both into your program for serious progress. Plus, we share our favorite machines (and the ones we’d avoid). Tune in and lift smarter!

For personalized coaching visit www.recklesstraining.com

Follow us on instagram @reckless_training

Chris Nicole @chrisnicole_ifbbpro

TC @longshotgamble

In this special episode, coaches TC and Chris Nicole interview a first time competitor, Becky Baldyga. The group discusses serval topics including:

• Apprehension in getting started in a prep
• Choosing the Figure category over Bikini
• Expectations surrounding show time lines and physique progress
• How mobility became part of strength training
• Strategies to maintain a positive mentality in the hardest parts of prep
• Handling support or lack there throughout the process

This is a great episode for anyone considering doing a contest prep or for those interesting in improving their experience/perspective of the sport and its various challenges.

Visit us at https://www.recklesstraining.com/

Instagram @reckless_training

@longshotgamble @chrisnicole_ifbbpro

Special Guest: @beckyreyga

Donations to the podcast: https://www.recklesstraining.com/reckless-media

In this episode, your host TC and Chris Nicole discuss all of the available Short Cuts to Success as a competitive athlete.

Topics include:

- False information/people on social media

- Knowing when to push or when to take time off to improve as an athlete

- Using appropriate intensity in the gym

- How nutrition and hormones stall or support positive changes

- Assisted and natural athletes competing in drug tested or non- drug tested events

For donations, or more information, visit us at recklesstraining.com

It has been a WILD year, but we are BACK!!

In this episode your hosts discuss some strategies when choosing warm up shows before hitting the national stage. We share some tips on interpreting judge feedback and how to plan for next steps after receiving judge critique. We also cover benefits of having an objective opinion in the sport of bodybuilding and why going up against good competition is beneficial to an athlete's advancement.

Visit Recklesstraining.com for coaching or follow us @reckless_training

TC @longshotgamble

Chris Nicole @chrisnicole_ifbbpro

Donate to the podcast https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/a3702e3e-f60c-47ea-afce-ff64c086e4f6

On today’s podcast, your hosts TC and Chris Nicole sit down with the inventor of the weighted hip thrust and well-known expert in glute training, Bret Contreras. Author of the book- Glute Lab, founder of BC Strength, and founder of Booty by Bret, our guest is also a certified Strength and Conditioning Coach with a PhD in Sports Science.

Since Bret is responsible for the inception of StrongLifting, we will be diving deep into the sport’s roots - what it is, where it came from, and what you can expect on meet day at the upcoming Miami International Fitness Expo on June 1st.

Topics included:

Death of the Practitioner: how being active in your field is no longer a requirement for expertise in the fitness industry.

What is StrongLifting? How was it conceptualized? Is StrongLifting designed for performance or physique goals?

How should someone train for all 6 lifts? What are some accessory lifts?

What was the biggest lesson learned after your girls participated in 6 competitions over the course of 3 years?

What commands should athletes be practicing for the upcoming competition?

How will the Reckless Miami Mayhem event be structured? How will this be different than StrongLifting events that have taken place in the past?

What categories will be awarded?

For more information on the StrongLifting Event in Miami, or to submit your registration, you can visit recklesstraining.com/events.

Any questions can be sent to TC; he can be contacted via email at [email protected], or via IG at @longshotgamble.

StrongLifting Cert / BC Academy

https://bretcontrerasacademy.com/products/stronglifting-certification-level-1

You can find more of Bret’s content on his YouTube channel or through Instagram at @bootybybret and @bretcontreras1

You can find information on our coaching at recklesstraining.com or you can follow us on Instagram @reckless_training

TC is @longshotgamble and Chris Nicole @chrisnicole_ifbbpro

In this episode, TC and Chris Nicole cover the 2024 Arnold Expo as well as their experience at the Arnold Amateur witnessing their good friend Sam become an IFBB Bikini Pro.

TC talks about his meet up with Julian Smith, Chris Nicole talks with Lauralie Chapados- 3x Bikini Arnold Champion, and the two discuss Arnold's big announcement for Men's Open Bodybuilding.

Tag @smith.julian in your story if you want him to come out to Strict Curl in Miami June 01st!

To find information on athletic or contest prep coaching, posing, or technique sessions visit Recklesstraining.com or visit us on instagram @reckless_training

TC @longshotgamble and Chris Nicole @Chrisnicole_ifbbpro

For Bikini or Wellness Posing contact Chris Nicole

For Technique Sessions contact TC

To register for the Miami Strict Curl event June 01st or the Reckless Miami Mayhem StrongLifting Event, you can visit the Events tab at recklesstraining.com

For more on 100% RAW follow @raw_powerlifting_federation

#ifbbbikini #powerbuilder #powerbuilding #strictcurl #bikinicoach #prepcoach #arnoldclassic2024 #arnoldclassic #powerlifting

In this episode Chris Nicole and TC discuss strategies for achieving better glute tie-ins, benefits of pec development for bikini athletes, and getting the most out of your training through intentional body positioning.

If you are struggling with lower glute development, there are some considerations related to core, hip, and scapula position.

If you are wondering why pec muscle can help the overall look for bikini- there is content here for you.

If you are looking to increase your lifts or add on muscle tissue, how you utilize your entire body in your exercises, can expedite results.

The phrase “pack mentality” is also expanded upon and Chris and TC talk about their mission to help athletes in different sports and without exclusivity of just their Reckless Training athletes.

To find information on athletic or contest prep coaching, posing, or technique sessions visit Recklesstraining.com or visit us on instagram @reckless_training TC @longshotgamble and Chris Nicole @Chrisnicole_ifbbpro

For Bikini or Wellness Posing contact Chris Nicole

For Technique Sessions contact TC

To register for the Miami Strict Curl event June 01st or the Reckless Miami Mayhem StrongLifting Event, you can visit the Events tab at recklesstraining.com

For more on 100% RAW follow @raw_powerlifting_federation