The NPC/IFBB just announced this week a new “Fit Model” category which will be slotted ‘under’ bikini in terms of both muscularity and conditioning requirements, making this the new ‘entry level’ division for women.  This is the SEVENTH category for women, and with the stated goal of the organizations being to draw more casual eyes to the sport, they are losing sight of the fact that the existing categories aren’t the issue – it’s that you HAVE to be an insider to understand what happens on show day.

I go into much more detail in this episode while also disobeying the golden rule of social media:  DON’T READ THE COMMENTS.  I read them, and now we’re commenting on them.

Deals:  25% of ALL COURSES for the rest of December with the code BLACKFRIDAYCANSUCKIT – https://fivestarrphysique.com/courses/

All workout programs have had their prices PERMANENTLY SLASHED to $25 – https://fivestarrphysique.com/bodybuilding-workout-programs/

Online coaching with Darin and a whole lot more (site updated recently!):

Five Starr Physique – Contest Prep and Lifestyle Coaching

Check out my online course collection, available now! https://www.darinstarr.com/

Check me out on YouTube and subscribe to see what’s coming up next: https://www.youtube.com/@darin_starr

Check me out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedropsetpodcast

The post 278 – Why Fit Model Is The Wrong Move appeared first on Five Starr Physique.

In episode 277, I make a TRIUMPHANT RETURN to solo episodes…for now (my interview schedule is clear – insert sad face here).  I’ve also been wanting to talk for a bit about genetic potential as it relates to bodybuilding so it seemed like a good time while there’s a lull between interview guests!

LIMITED coaching spots remain available and I will stop taking new clients soon.  Interested in joining the team?  Check the site below.

All courses are on sale, 25% off through December – use the code BLACKFRIDAYCANSUCKIT at checkout from FiveStarrPhysique.com

Online coaching with Darin and a whole lot more (site updated recently!):

Check out my online course collection, available now! https://fivestarrphysique.com/courses/

Check me out on YouTube and subscribe to see what’s coming up next: https://www.youtube.com/@darin_starr

Check me out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedropsetpodcast

The post 277 – Understanding Genetic Potential appeared first on Five Starr Physique.

Lori Conley had been on my “get” list for awhile but due to scheduling and other things it wasn’t until now we were able to finally sit down and chat – and, well..it was worth the wait in my opinion.

I asked Lori about her competitive history, journey to becoming an IFBB Pro, her experience at the Master’s Olympia, future plans, and also her training and dieting details in working with her coach and how that’s going.

Follow Lori on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/lori_conley_ifbbpro

Lori also has an OnlyFans page you can check out as well:  https://onlyfans.com/loriaconley

Online coaching with Darin and a whole lot more (site updated recently!):

Five Starr Physique – Contest Prep and Lifestyle Coaching

Check out my online course collection, available now! https://www.darinstarr.com/

Check me out on YouTube and subscribe to see what’s coming up next: https://www.youtube.com/@darin_starr

Check me out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedropsetpodcast

The post 276 – IFBB Pro Lori Conley appeared first on Five Starr Physique.

I won’t lie – interviewing Julia Whitesel was on my list after watching her in the Rising Phoenix earlier this year, and after the Olympia I knew we had to chat – just from watching her on social media I knew she had interesting stuff to say, and she’s super transparent and self-depricating so I knew we’d hit it off.

In this chat we talk a LOT about her 2023 and 2024 seasons, dig into a little technical stuff, and then have a spirited discussion about the wave of ‘gotcha journalism’ in the industry which frankly pisses us both off.  Ranting happened, feeling were shared, a catharsis was reached.  Maybe?

Follow Julia on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/ifbbpro_mules

Online coaching with Darin and a whole lot more (site updated recently!):

Five Starr Physique – Contest Prep and Lifestyle Coaching

Check out my online course collection, available now! https://www.darinstarr.com/

Check me out on YouTube and subscribe to see what’s coming up next: https://www.youtube.com/@darin_starr

Check me out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedropsetpodcast

The post 275 – IFBB Pro Bodybuilder Julia Whitesel appeared first on Five Starr Physique.

Before becoming an IFBB Bikini Pro, Monique Chilcutt had a previous career as a pro dancer for an NBA team – I get her entire story in this in depth interview

Online coaching with Darin and a whole lot more (site updated recently!):

Five Starr Physique – Contest Prep and Lifestyle Coaching

Check out my online course collection, available now! https://www.darinstarr.com/

Check me out on YouTube and subscribe to see what’s coming up next: https://www.youtube.com/@darin_starr

Check me out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedropsetpodcast

The post 274 – IFBB Bikini Pro Monique Chilcutt appeared first on Five Starr Physique.

IFBB Wellness Pro Teresa Myers has been at this bodybuilding thing for a bit – starting in 2013 in women’s physique, eventually turning pro in 2018 and competing as a WPD pro for 3 years before taking a short break and coming back in 2023 in wellness.  She was gracious enough to sit down with me for a chat about her competitive experience, bodybuilding in general, and where she sees herself going.

Follow Teresa on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/tlmstrongifbbpro

Onlinr coaching with Darin and a whole lot more (site updated recently!):

Five Starr Physique – Contest Prep and Lifestyle Coaching

Check out my online course collection, available now! https://www.darinstarr.com/

Check me out on YouTube and subscribe to see what’s coming up next: https://www.youtube.com/@darin_starr

Check me out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedropsetpodcast

The post 273 – IFBB Wellness Pro Teresa Myers appeared first on Five Starr Physique.

I’ve been watching a ton of IFBB Pro bodybuilding shows lately and recording my commentary to post as videos on my YouTube and Patreon channels (links below if you’re interested), and in doing so have noticed some pretty stark contrasts in how pro shows are run and operated vs. the amateur shows that I’m much more familiar with. Some of the differences are pretty obvious and some are much more behind the scenes, but I thought it would be fun to sit down and spell out the differences here.

Onlinr coaching with Darin and a whole lot more (site updated recently!):

Five Starr Physique – Contest Prep and Lifestyle Coaching

Check out my online course collection, available now! https://www.darinstarr.com/

Check me out on YouTube and subscribe to see what’s coming up next: https://www.youtube.com/@darin_starr

My Patreon is up and running now where you can watch all of my IFBB Pro commentary videos, updated regularly:

Check me out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedropsetpodcast

The post 272 – Amateur vs. Professional Bodybuilding appeared first on Five Starr Physique.

Check out my newly relaunched website featuring my online courses:  Bikini Blueprint, Hypertrophy University, and Macro Boot Camp:

https://darinstarr.com/

Ok kids, it’s time for a manifesto.  I strongly believe that bodybuilding can achieve a reasonable level of mainstream success, but EVERYTHING about how shows are produced and put on seem to actively discourage that.  This episode outlines my blueprint for how we can change this.  Agree?  Disagree?  Let me know – share this episode on social media with your thoughts and tag me in it!

Check me out on YouTube and subscribe to see what’s coming up next: https://www.youtube.com/@fivestarrphysique

Check me out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedropsetpodcast

The post 271 – How To Make Bodybuilding Mainstream appeared first on Five Starr Physique.

Bodybuilding is a funny thing. Following a craptastic showing at Tampa and then a glorious return the top 5 in Tupelo, IFBB Women’s Physique Pro Alyssa Coppolino was nice enough to sit down with me for a chat about her most recent season, previous experience, plans for the future, and more.

We cover all the important stuff including, of course, what her last meal on earth would be if she had to choose. I always go for the hard-hitting questions, folks.

Catch up with Alyssa here:

WEBSITE : www.alyssapro.com

INSTAGRAM : @alyssacoppolinoifbbpro and @coachalyssacoppolino

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@UCsgKVmnb_LvcEI_Pjh6iZzQ

Call in and leave a question! Drop me a voicemail at 865-518-6569

Check out my online course collection, available now! https://www.fivestarrdigital.com/

Check me out on YouTube and subscribe to see what’s coming up next: https://www.youtube.com/@fivestarrphysique

Check me out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedropsetpodcast

The post 270 – IFBB WPD Pro Alyssa Coppolino appeared first on Five Starr Physique.

A good home gym can be a great asset. A lousy home gym will set your potential progress back years.

In episode 269 I tell you how to build the best possible home gym for bodybuilding purposes – in order of importance with examples of exactly what you want and what you should avoid.

https://youtu.be/K2W4jB1E0J8

Call in and leave a question! Drop me a voicemail at 865-518-6569

Check out my online course collection, available now! https://www.fivestarrdigital.com/

Check me out on YouTube and subscribe to see what’s coming up next: https://www.youtube.com/@fivestarrphysique

Check me out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedropsetpodcast

The post 269 – Building The Perfect Home Gym appeared first on Five Starr Physique.