We kick this one off AMA-style and with a tasty update: Buttered Maple Bacon Keto Brick is back as a seasonal drop this Sunday, the 14th, at noon Central. We talk fall vibes, pecan butter and chunks, and why the cacao-butter version hits just right. 

We also run through how we’re leveling up the Natural State Savages show: bigger medals and trophies (plus a fun surprise), premium venue with dedicated dressing rooms and a backstage livestream, on-site shirt printing, top-tier vendors and a DEXA Fit tie-in, a smoother running order, and even family-friendly touches like getting the kids involved. My dad’s smoking barbecue butts all night and Stan’s grilling chicken, and judges’ feedback will happen upstairs in a single session. Competitor registration closes Sunday the 21st so we can finalize bios and peak-week logistics; spectator tickets are on the same site.

In the AMA, we cover a lot: sucralose isn’t doomsday but we still lean to stevia/monk fruit; you don’t need carbs to run if you’re deeply fat-adapted (we reference our VO2 testing and staying mostly in Zone 3). For building, accept a reasonable body-fat window—about 12–15 percent for most guys—while pushing progressive overload. We reframe “cheat days” into on-plan free meals during non-prep phases. On a budget? Eggs, ground beef, and buying from local farmers still win, and bricks are cost-effective per calorie. Protein shakes are overrated versus real food, especially when isolates crank up GI issues. We close with a reverse-diet playbook (bump protein first, then fats, progress weekly, phase out refeeds as daily intake rises) and advice for perimenopause/menopause: eat enough, lift with intent, and prioritize muscle and bone.

If this one sparks more questions, send them our way for the next AMA.

Greg Mahler is also a lifetime natural bodybuilder, and can be followed on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/ketogreg80/

Register For My FREE Masterclass: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/registration-2

Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/

Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQ