From Naturals to Nationals — we’re breaking down everything.
Chris was ringside, notebook in hand (and spelling names phonetically as always 🤭), while Rachel was in full sparkle analysis mode.
We cover:
✨ The new IFBB Pro Card winners — including Corrie, Chantal, Louise, Sian, Carolyn and Tayla.
👙 Trends in judging and conditioning — bigger delts, fuller looks, red bikinis everywhere.
🏆 What’s next heading into the TOC and Moe’s Muscle Pro Shows.
🎧 Listen now
📸 Instagram: @macro_lounge_podcast
📩 Email: hello@boldphysique.com
Taupō delivered! Rachel walked away from ICN 2025 Nationals with three overalls and two pro cards (hello, double pro). We break down bikini, wellness, figure, runway, and swimsuit, what judges rewarded, and how stage presentation & posing tipped decisions - including Chris literally shouting posing instructions from the audience .
What’s inside:
ICN Nationals 2025 recap: division-by-division highlights & honest judging takeaways
Bikini criteria now: balance, glute projection, soft but athletic conditioning
Runway & Swimsuit: why dress choice, cut, and walk mechanics matter
Wellness vs Bikini: conditioning, glute tie-ins, and stage flow
Prep reality: peaking for Nationals, maintaining condition, and backstage strategy
Rachel’s wins: strategy, posing cues, and that iconic purple bikini
Perfect for NZ natural bodybuilding athletes and coaches looking to understand ICN judging trends and how to present between callouts.
🔔 New episodes every Saturday. Follow & rate to help other athletes find the show.
📸 Instagram: @macro_lounge_podcast
📩 Email: hello@boldphysique.com
The 2025 Olympia results are in - and we’ve got thoughts.
Chris and Rachel break down the big shifts in judging trends, why bikini went softer this year, and what it means for athletes heading into 2026. Expect honest takes, sparkly suit talk, and the usual dose of chaos.
Oh - and yes, Producer Bubsickle aka Chris's wife Valerie really did save Chris’s life this week (literally). Ice cream was involved. 🍦
Listen now and don’t forget to hit Follow or leave a comment so you never miss an episode.
Email us here: hello@boldphysique.com
Follow us on Insta here: https://www.instagram.com/macro_lounge_podcast/
So you’ve smashed (or survived) your regional bodybuilding show… now what?
In this episode of The Macro Lounge Podcast, Chris and Rachel dive into the critical weeks between regionals and nationals where small tweaks can make or break your stage look.
We cover:
👉 How to assess whether you’re ready for nationals
👉 The “1% fixes” that add up fast (posing, tan, presentation, mindset)
👉 Why you shouldn’t reinvent the wheel after regionals
👉 How to handle nerves, comparison, and post-show blues
👉 Travel tips, backstage hacks, and avoiding peak-week chaos
Whether you’re chasing a national title, a pro card, or just want to bring your best package yet — this episode gives you the reality check and game plan you need.
📩 Got questions or episode ideas? Email us: hello@boldphysique.com
📱 Follow us on Instagram: @macro_lounge_podcast
Blue skies, closed tunnels, and a whole lot of sparkles. Chris flew solo on the ground while prep-brained Rachel brought the glitter. We break down the Wellington double-headliner: the NZIFBB Joe Ulberg Classic Natural and the Open Regional in Wellington 2025.
In this episode:
🎧 New episodes every Saturday
📸 Instagram: @macro_lounge_podcast
📩 Email: hello@boldphysique.com
Disclaimer: We don’t receive promotional consideration, endorsement, or compensation from NZIFBB (or any federation). Opinions are our own.
Double the shows, double the sparkles. ✨
In this week’s episode, Chris and Rachel break down the first IFBB shows of the season: the NZIFBB Auckland Open Regional Championships and the NZIFBB Auckland Natural Championships.
From front-row judging insights to standout physiques, here’s what you’ll hear:
Key differences between the Natural and Open lineups
Conditioning trends the judges rewarded (and what they didn’t)
Standout athletes across figure, wellness, bikini, and fit model
The return of familiar faces (and mums making a strong comeback)
Which athletes are already front-runners heading into Nationals
It’s the ultimate wrap-up to kick off the NZIFBB season.
🎧 Subscribe for new episodes every Saturday!
📸 Instagram: @macro_lounge_podcast
📩 Email: hello@boldphysique.com
Disclaimer note: We don’t receive any endorsement, promotional consideration, or compensation from the NZIFBB (or any federation, for that matter). Everything we share here is purely our own opinions and observations from inside the sport.
From flight delays and midnight tanning in Christchurch, to runway gowns, posing critiques, and the stars of the show - this episode covers it all.
Chris and Rachel share their unfiltered recap of the ICN South Island Classic, including:
👉 Backstage drama (and why camping stretchers might be the new prep essential)
👉 Rachel’s perspective competing in swimsuit, runway, and bikini
👉 Which athletes stood out across figure, wellness, sports model, fitness, and bikini
👉 The posing trends that worked and the ones that didn’t
👉 Honest takes on judging, class sizes, and what Nationals could look like
It’s equal parts competitor insight, coach perspective, and a little bit of chaos, just how we like it.
🎧 Subscribe for new episodes every Saturday!
📸 Instagram: @macro_lounge_podcast
📩 Email: hello@boldphysique.com
Motivation gets you started. Discipline keeps you going.
In this week’s episode, Chris and Rachel pull back the curtain on one of the hardest parts of bodybuilding: staying consistent when the spark fades. From prep brain to comparison traps, kitten cuddles to cardio, they get real about:
Why motivation is fleeting (even for pros)
The systems and habits that keep athletes on track
Warning signs you’re burning out (and what to do about it)
How to reconnect with your why when prep feels impossible
If you’ve ever thought “just one missed session won’t matter” or felt guilty for snapping at your partner mid-prep… this one’s for you.
🎧 Subscribe for new episodes every Saturday!
📸 Instagram: @macro_lounge_podcast
📩 Email: hello@boldphysique.com
Prep isn’t just “dieting harder.” It’s the months-long process of getting ready for stage — physically, mentally, and emotionally. In this episode, Rachel and Chris break down everything first-timers (and even seasoned athletes) need to know about prep: timelines, readiness, common mistakes, and why sparkles won’t save you if you’re not conditioned.
They also cover:
How long prep really takes (hint: it’s not 12 weeks for most)
Signs you’re ready — and not ready — to start
The mental grind of brain fog, cardio, and hanger
How to balance honesty with your coach and discipline with flexibility
Whether you’re about to start your first prep or just curious about what it involves, this is a no-BS walkthrough of what to expect when you sign up for the journey.
🎧 Subscribe for new episodes every Saturday!
📸 Instagram: @macro_lounge_podcast
📩 Email: hello@boldphysique.com
From world champions to first-timers, imposter syndrome doesn’t discriminate. In this episode, Chris (coach & former judge) and Rachel (world champ & sparkle queen) unpack the mental side of bodybuilding — the self-doubt, comparison, and those “I don’t belong here” thoughts every athlete knows too well.
We cover:
Why bodybuilding is the perfect breeding ground for imposter feelings
How social media fuels the comparison trap
The three types of comparison (upward, lateral, downward) and which one actually helps
The common signs of imposter syndrome (and how to spot them in yourself)
Tools to reframe, refocus, and stop moving the goalposts
Chris also gives a shoutout to Jess Stuart, whose books and courses on imposter syndrome are brilliant resources. You can check her work here: jessstuart.co.nz/imposter-syndrome
📩 Got questions or a topic you want us to cover?
Email us: hello@boldphysique.com
📱 Follow us on Instagram:
Macro Lounge Podcast
🎙️ New episodes every Saturday.
Subscribe for your weekly hit of real talk, rhinestones, and raising the bar.
Stepping on stage for the first time? Or maybe you’ve competed before but still feel like backstage is total chaos?
This episode is your ultimate show day walkthrough.
Rachel and Chris cover everything from tanning disasters (yes, seatbelt streaks and green armpits are a thing) to what to wear, how athlete briefings actually work, what to pack backstage, and why pumping up too early will ruin your look.
They also share tips on hair, makeup, toilet logistics (you’ll never look at a funnel the same way), and the little things that can make or break your stage presence.
Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned athlete looking for fewer stress lines in your tan, this episode will get you show-day ready.
Dont forget to share, like and subscribe so other people can find us!
📩 Email us: hello@boldphysique.com
📱 Follow us on Instagram: @macro_lounge_podcast
Think competing is just about the sparkles and stage lights? Think again.
In Episode 8 of The Macro Lounge, Rach and Chris break down the real cost of bodybuilding - from coaching and bikinis to flights, food, and the tan that can make or break your look.
Warning: contains rhinestones, sass, and maybe a little post-show bakery shame.
Chris even put together a free Competing Cost Budget Tool so you can work out exactly what you’ll be spending before you start prep. Download it here: www.boldphysique.com (Free Downloads section).
Whether you’re planning your first show or eyeing up a full season, this is the episode that’ll save you from nasty surprises on your credit card bill.
New episodes every Saturday - subscribe to us on Spotify so you never miss one.
📩 Email us: hello@boldphysique.com
📱 Follow us on Instagram: The Macro Lounge Podcast
We couldn’t wait until Saturday for this one! Join us for a full recap of the ICN Hawkes Bay Show on 2 August where we talk about everything from perfectly executed posing to show-stopping physiques that lit up the stage.
We cover:
As always, it’s honest, a bit cheeky, and full of insight from two people who live and breathe this sport.
Not affiliated or associated with ICN New Zealand. Just our take.
📩 Email us: hello@boldphysique.com
📱 Follow us on Instagram: The Macro Lounge Podcast
EPISODE 6: So You Want to Compete?
Here's What You Need to Know First
Thinking about stepping on stage for the first time? This week we dive into the signs you're actually ready to compete - physically, financially, mentally and emotionally.
From prep timelines to posing chaos, choosing the right federation, avoiding coach clashes, and embracing the suck (hello, Bulgarian split squats) - Rachel and Chris cover it all.
This is your roadmap for what should happen before you commit to a comp. If you're asking, "Am I ready?", start here.
New episodes every Saturday - follow us on Spotify so you never miss one.
📩 Email us: hello@boldphysique.com
📱 Follow us on Instagram: The Macro Lounge Podcast
What actually makes a good coach? In this episode, we get stuck into the red flags, the green flags, and all the things athletes often don’t think to ask when choosing a coach.
Chris shares insight from decades of experience in the industry, while Rachel breaks down how to actually be coachable – and why that matters.
We talk about expectations, communication styles, hand-holding vs high performance, and why not every coach suits every athlete. Whether you're looking for a coach or are one, this episode’s worth a listen.
📩 Email us: hello@boldphysique.com
📱 Follow us on Instagram: @macro_lounge_podcast
From colours and crystals to cuts and chaos – this episode is all things bikinis.
Rachel shares everything you need to know when choosing a competition bikini: how to pick a colour that works for your skin tone and personality, what judges notice (and don’t), what cut flatters your glutes, and how to care for your suit once the show’s done - and we also learn that Chris is red/green colourblind. Helpful!
Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned competitor, there’s plenty in here to help you avoid costly mistakes and show off your hard work the right way.
Connect with us on Instagram: @macro_lounge_podcast
Email: hello@boldphysique.com
Which bodybuilding federation is right for you? In this episode, Chris and Rachel break down the differences between federations in New Zealand, from IFBB and NPC to ICN, and what you need to know before stepping on stage.
They chat about category differences, posing, progression pathways, and how to pick the federation that aligns with your goals and values – with plenty of laughs along the way.
Plug in, get your cardio done and lets get started.
Connect with us on Instagram: @macro_lounge_podcast
Email us at: hello@boldphysique.com
Thinking about stepping on stage?
In this episode, we chat about why you should (or shouldn’t) compete, the realities of bodybuilding, and how to decide if the sport is right for you.
Chris and Rachel share honest insights on categories, expectations, and why at the end of the day, all you can control is what eat and what you lift up and what you put down!
⚠️ TW: This episode touches on eating disorders.
Connect with us on Instagram: The Macro Lounge Podcast
Email us at: hello@boldphysique.com
In this first full episode of The Macro Lounge Podcast, Rachel and Chris introduce themselves, their journeys into bodybuilding and bikini competing, and how they ended up starting a podcast that will probably never stick to the plan (sorry, Producer Bubsickle).
They chat about Rachel’s journey from competitive swimmer to world champion bikini competitor and bikini designer, and Chris’s decades-long involvement in bodybuilding as a competitor, judge, and coach.
Expect honest takes, a few side tangents, and plenty of laughs as they set the stage for what’s to come on The Macro Lounge.
Next episode, they’ll dive into why you should (or shouldn’t) compete and what the reality of bodybuilding really looks like.
Plug in, get your cardio done, and let’s get started.
Connect with us on Instagram: The Macro Lounge Podcast
Email us at: Hello@boldphysique.com
In this short intro, your hosts Rachel (Accentuate Bikinis) and Chris (Team Bold Physique) give you a taste of what The Macro Lounge is all about – unfiltered chats about bodybuilding and bikini competition life in New Zealand, Australia, and beyond.
Expect expert advice, questionable jokes, a few sparkles, and zero adherence to the plan. Whether you're deep in prep or just curious about the sport, this is your new favourite cardio companion.
Plug in and let’s get into it.
Connect with us on Instagram: The Macro Lounge Podcast
Email us at: Hello@boldphysique.com