In Eat Train Prosper #196, we talk with Connor St. Jean, a WNBF Professional Bodybuilder and Online Physique Coach, about his experiences in Natural Bodybuilding, recent competitions, and the particulars of contest prep. We discuss the evolution of natural bodybuilding federations, common misconceptions specifically about natural bodybuilding, and the importance of truly being in contest shape. Connor shares about prep pacing, cardio strategies, nutrition, and the psychological aspects of mai...
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In Eat Train Prosper #196, we talk with Connor St. Jean, a WNBF Professional Bodybuilder and Online Physique Coach, about his experiences in Natural Bodybuilding, recent competitions, and the particulars of contest prep. We discuss the evolution of natural bodybuilding federations, common misconceptions specifically about natural bodybuilding, and the importance of truly being in contest shape. Connor shares about prep pacing, cardio strategies, nutrition, and the psychological aspects of mai...
In Eat Train Prosper #196, we talk with Connor St. Jean, a WNBF Professional Bodybuilder and Online Physique Coach, about his experiences in Natural Bodybuilding, recent competitions, and the particulars of contest prep. We discuss the evolution of natural bodybuilding federations, common misconceptions specifically about natural bodybuilding, and the importance of truly being in contest shape. Connor shares about prep pacing, cardio strategies, nutrition, and the psychological aspects of mai...
In ETP #195, we break down Aaron’s journey to earning his IFBB Pro Card. From the adrenaline of show day to the quiet low points that hit once you see your competition. We share exactly what went into Aaron's prep: the training, the posing grind, and the mental side of the equation that makes or breaks a successful stage outcome. We follow this up with a deep dive into our most recent sets of blood work. Bryan walks through his latest lab results and some health markers he’s watching closely,...
In episode #194, we discuss the challenges and adjustments that new and expecting parents may face regarding their nutrition, training, and recovery. We emphasize the importance of establishing routines, setting realistic goals, and maintaining positive communication between partners. The conversation covers practical strategies for meal prepping, finding time for exercise, and prioritizing mental health during the earliest periods of parenthood. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Updates 21:...
In ETP193 we dive into a variety of topics from our Instagram followers for our June 2025 Instagram Q&A episode. We’ve got a 90 minute episode jam packed with 20 questions ranging from nutritional approaches, training specifics, to starting your own coaching brand. Advice if you were a coach working under an existing coach brand, but will be starting your own coaching business?What are the things it actually takes to “stay lean” (approx 12% BF for a male) year round. How much activity per...
In episode #192 of Eat Train Prosper, Aaron takes us behind the scenes of his first bodybuilding competition. He breaks down the stages of his first peak week—from the depletion protocol and final carb-up, to the psychological grind of show prep and the critical role of structure and execution. We dive into the finer points of show-day logistics: registration, tanning, stage timing, and everything that doesn’t get talked about enough. Aaron shares his own takeaways about physique presentation...
In Part 2 of Pre Steroid-Era Training Protocols, we keep the pre-steroid era lens on but bring it forward—pulling lessons from the past into how you can fine-tune your “now.” Rep schemes, recovery, fatigue management, and why progression models likely still need a bit of human touch. Wrapping up with the introduction of Arthur Jones’ Nautilus machines, and romanticizing the minimalist, burly, barbell garage Dad. Episode Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Part 2 04:06 Bryan's Training Exp...
In part one of this two-part episode episode, we go deep on pre-steroid era training – how some of OGs like Sandow, Hackenschmidt, and Reeves built amazing physiques long before pharma entered the game. We cover the rise of full-body training, the birth of machines, old-school recovery, real food, and timeless work ethic. A look in the rearview mirror at where this all started and what still matters today. Part two releases next week. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Pre-Steroid Era Training...
In this episode, we dive into real-world meal prep strategies that make sticking to your diet easier. We talk about keeping things simple and flexible, finding the right balance between time and money, and how consistency drives results. We also share personal stories, tips on bulk cooking, handling family meals, and what to do when hunger hits during a cut. Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction to Effective Meal Prep Strategies 00:13:59 Understanding the Importance of Structure in Dieting 00:28...
In episode 188, we delve into the concept of Quality Training Volume, discussing the balance between sufficient volume for progress and avoiding unproductive fatigue. We explore the transition from low to high volume training, and touch on individual variability and frequency in optimizing training outcomes. We highlight the nuances of training adaptations, soreness, and the impact of training age on volume tolerance. We wrap up with a section on the need for a balanced approach to training, ...
It is time for the April 2025 Q&A episode. A few notable questions from this month’s episode include the changing perspectives on lengthened bias training, and the implications of GLP-1 medications for health. Timestamps: 00:10:08 - Have you ever had to refer a client for ECAL metabolic testing due to normal labs + you believe they were telling the truth. But they just weren’t losing the weight? 00:12:34 - What’s up with the new “trend” of upping creating dose from 5g per day to 10 gra...
In Episode 186 we cover a question submitted from a woman asking the very complicated question of, “when is enough, enough?”When is the time to stop setting new goals in fitness/physique related pursuits. When you become advanced how do you continue to set new goals? How to know when it’s time to simply maintain what you’ve put the hard work in to earn, and ride off into the sunset. We explore this question from various angles, from both the physical and mental side of things. Timestamps: 00...
In episode 185, we follow up our previous Chest Specialization episode with another body part specialization. This time for the glutes. We detail a few very effective and practical approaches to training the glutes 3x weekly or per rotation taking in all the numerous considerations that go into designing a proper specialization. We walk through our key levers of exercise order, optimizing frequency, the importance of exercise selection, where to increase and decrease volume increases, and int...
In ETP184, Bryan presents a Masterclass on how to design a chest specialization phase, exploring the various considerations to take into account, and the current lack of depth in using AI for training programming. This episode emphasizes the importance of exercise order, volume, and frequency in optimizing for hypertrophy, intricacies of exercise selection, volume increases, and intensity techniques. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Chest Specialization Phase 03:54 Updates and Personal Prog...
00:00:23 Who was the better CrossFitter? Bryan or Aaron? 00:01:47 What are the prime muscle-building years, and how precipitous is the drop off as you age? 00:05:12 What’s your average maintenance diet look like? Can you walk through a typical grocery haul for a week. 00:11:32 What do you think about RFK? 00:16:23 Do you think whey protein powders have merit? Do you think you can build muscle in a low-carb state if you’re eating a ton of protein? 00:18:26 Aaron mention...
In ETP 182, we explore the deep connection between mental health and fitness, sharing our own experiences with movement and how it’s shaped our well-being. We talk about why exercise is more than just self-care—it’s essential for a strong mind. We break down the science behind movement, and its role in the dopamine reward system, and how some research has shown that exercise can be just as effective as antidepressants. Timestamps: 00:00 Episode Introduction and Updates 12:26 Personal Experie...
In episode 181, we talk about the differences between cheat meals and free meals, emphasizing the importance of intent and context. We then explore how these concepts fit into different nutritional periodization phases, covering the significance of meal planning and the psychological aspects of your choices in each phase. Then we wrap up with the importance of meal timing, the psychological aspects of dieting, and the impact of exercise on our aforementioned nutritional strategies. Timestamp...
In episode 180 we cover our January 2025 Instagram Q&A. Per usual we kick off with some personal updates from ourselves. Then we dive into our Q&A. Topics this month range from training weaknesses, frequency, chest development, to defining a lean physique. Some lesser frequently discussed topics include fat loss strategies with insulin resistance, cardio training and its impact on hypertrophy, arm training, and lastly practical durations of bulking phases. As always, thanks for listen...
In ETP179 we dive into The Big Five strength movements and how they stack up when it comes to hypertrophy. This is a follow up to a question we were asked in episode #153 that stirred up a small controversy. So we’ve made an entire episode around it.The majority of the episode covers why exercise selection should always be based on individual goals and context. From bench press and deadlifts to overhead press, squats, and rows, we explore their effectiveness for muscle growth and whether trad...
In this episode, we’re kicking off the New Year with some reflections, personal updates, and a deep dive into the 75 Hard challenge. We talk about how identity plays a huge role in making real, lasting changes and how peripheral elements like your environment shape your behavior.We shift into the challenges of sticking to your word—especially when family, friends, and social events come into play. Ultra-processed foods, managing your surroundings, and even the less thought about psychological...
The final Eat Train Prosper of 2024. Our December Instagram Q&A. Packed with 27 questions to help propel you into a motivated January putting your best foot forward. A BIG THANK YOU to our listeners who’ve supported our ETP project for 4 YEARS NOW. Crazy. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Year-End Reflections 00:04:53 How much do you have to force progress and how much of it comes naturally? 00:09:42 How do you assess different weights on cable machines when traveling to differen...
In Eat Train Prosper #196, we talk with Connor St. Jean, a WNBF Professional Bodybuilder and Online Physique Coach, about his experiences in Natural Bodybuilding, recent competitions, and the particulars of contest prep. We discuss the evolution of natural bodybuilding federations, common misconceptions specifically about natural bodybuilding, and the importance of truly being in contest shape. Connor shares about prep pacing, cardio strategies, nutrition, and the psychological aspects of mai...
