- 1 hour 12 minutes#316: Maintenance Phases in Bodybuilding
Brian, Alberto, and Brad discuss the benefits of maintenance phases, why they are sometimes superior to gaining phases, and what to consider when setting your rate-of-weight-gain goal. Why do the coaches program less intentional surpluses than they used to? What is the difference between weight maintenance and progress maintenance? Are DEXA scans helpful for programming? How do elite powerlifters put on muscle while minimizing fat gain? If you gain 30 lbs. and your dumbbell bench press goes up 15 lbs., is that progressive overload? Do the coaches ever have athletes do dreamer bulks anymore? In what situations do the coaches tend to program an intentional surplus instead of a maintenance phase? The answers to these questions and more are covered in this episode.
Timestamps
0:00- Introduction
1:32- Why the coaches program less intentional surpluses than they used to
13:43- Weight maintenance vs. Progress Maintenance
19:50- When setting up a gaining phase, consider the profit margin
30:21- If you gain 30 lbs. and your dumbbell bench press goes up 15 lbs., is that progressive overload?
34:34- Do the coaches ever have athletes do dreamer bulks anymore?
39:00- Situations where the coaches program an intentional surplus
48:53- Are DEXA scans (and other methods that estimate body composition) helpful for programming?
58:33- The behavioral aspects and usefulness of maintenance phases
Selected Links From This Episode
Coaching By Team 3DMJ- https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching
The Off-Season Mastery Course- https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/off-season
3DMJ Podcast Episode #238: Cutting Weight For Powerlifting- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ3B-rC5A1c&t=46s
Thanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪
GET COACHING AND COURSES - https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/
Watch our show on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj
3 September 2026, 11:00 am - 1 hour 10 minutes#315: The Identity Trap of Bodybuilding
Jeff, Brian, and Brad discuss how a person’s identity as a bodybuilder can change across their training career, why it’s important to see yourself as more than just a bodybuilder, and how having a limited identity can ultimately hold you back. What was Jeff’s relationship with bodybuilding like when he was in his 20s and why does he consider it “ugly”? What did Brad’s life look like when he was too obsessed with bodybuilding? What advice would Brian give his 16-year-old self? How can a person’s identity interfere with them being able to tone things down and have a more balanced approach? How can being hardcore actually be a symptom of being insecure? Why is it important to not tie your identity to a particular type of training? The answers to these questions and more are covered in this episode.
Timestamps
0:00- Introduction
1:39- Who is Jeff without bodybuilding?
13:02- The time in Brad’s life when he was too obsessed with bodybuilding
17:52- What Brian would tell his 16-year-old self
23:31- How a person’s identity can interfere with toning things down and taking a more balanced approach
35:53- Brad’s equalizer analogy
42:36- Sometimes you just need a break from bodybuilding
46:15- Don’t tie your identity to a particular type of training
49:02- How Jeff wears his different hats and how he views bodybuilding as a vessel
55:54- Do the coaches think bodybuilding attracts people with bigger egos, or do they think it attracts people who want to feel better about themself?
1:01:03- Strive for excellence not perfection
Selected Links From This Episode
Coaching By Team 3DMJ- https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching
Monthly Applications In Strength Sport (MASS)- https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/mass
Thanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪
GET COACHING AND COURSES - https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/
Watch our show on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj
20 August 2026, 11:00 am - 1 hour 15 minutes#314: Training Modifications During a Diet
Alberto, Eric, and Jeff discuss autoregulating your training while dieting and how learning to autoregulate your training is vital if you want to get the most out of yourself. How do the coaches help their athletes develop the skill of being able to autoregulate their training? How can a person’s personality influence the way they autoregulate their training? How necessary are deloads? How has Eric’s opinion on deload frequency changed? Can a person develop more grit? Why is it beneficial to expose yourself to lifters who have different perspectives than you? What is the best training split? What was Alberto’s biggest lesson from his last prep? Why are “autoregulation” and “intuitive training” *not* the same thing? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode.
Timestamps
0:00- Introduction
1:55- How the way Alberto autoregulates his training changes when he’s prepping
7:44- Jeff’s advice for beginner, intermediate, and advanced lifters
16:47- Longer-term patterns Eric has identified in his training
23:38- How Alberto helps his athletes develop the skill of being able to autoregulate their training
30:36- How Jeff helps his athletes develop the skill of being able to autoregulate their training
38:40- How Eric’s opinion on deload frequency has changed
46:31- How Eric helps his athletes develop the skill of being able to autoregulate their training
51:46- Purposely expose yourself to different perspectives
56:18- The value of good coaching
1:02:34- It’s scary to stop doing what you’ve seen success with
1:08:45- Work with your body versus trying to make it submit to you
1:11:07- “Autoregulation” and “intuitive training” are *not* the same thing
Selected Links From This Episode
Coaching By Team 3DMJ- https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching
Thanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪
GET COACHING AND COURSES - https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/
Watch our show on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj
6 August 2026, 11:00 am - 1 hour 15 minutes#313: Diets For Crazy Schedules
Brad, Brian, and Alberto discuss the details that actually matter for fat loss, so you can create an eating routine that works well for you and your schedule. How many times per day do the coaches recommend eating? Does the number of times you eat per day influence your metabolic rate? Do you have to distribute your protein evenly throughout the day? What are the coaches’ thoughts on and what is the effectiveness of intermittent fasting? What are 48-hour feeding windows and how can you use them? What advice do the coaches have around pre workout nutrition? What nutritional details matter more when you’re super lean? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode.
Timestamps
0:00- How Brad ate during prep when he used to work graveyard shifts and how he could have done it better
14:27- Meal-timing recommendations for drug-free athletes
19:08- Protein-distribution recommendations during prep
30:17- Adherence really is the base of the pyramid
34:22- The downsides of always micromanaging your nutrition
49:43- 48-hour feeding windows
55:49- Pre-workout nutrition
1:03:01- The nutritional details that matter more when you’re super lean
Selected Links From This Episode
Coaching By Team 3DMJ- https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching
Monthly Applications In Strength Sport (MASS)- https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/mass
Thanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪
GET COACHING AND COURSES - https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/
Watch our show on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj
23 July 2026, 11:00 am - 1 hour 15 minutes#312: The Mentality Required to Finish a Bodybuilding Prep
Brad, Jeff, and Brian discuss the mindset an athlete needs to have to successfully complete a bodybuilding prep and to feel good about the end results, whatever they are. What motivates the coaches to continue to execute when things get hard? How does Jeff utilize comparison to make prep feel easier? Why does getting weaker not necessarily mean you’re losing muscle? Why is training in higher rep ranges when you’re depleted maybe not the best idea? Should you proactively change your training when you start prep? What is Brad’s advice on what to do to help you feel better during those times you don’t feel good about the way you look? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode.
Timestamps
0:00- How Jeff is feeling 4 days out from his show
2:43- The mindset you have to have to finish a bodybuilding prep
15:04- Trust that the reward is coming and surrender to the process
25:13- The feeling of knowing you did everything you could
29:03- How to handle the parts of prep when you don’t feel like you look good
36:51- Don’t make winning the most important thing
45:32- Why Jeff views bodybuilding as more of an art than a sport
47:16- Tips on training during prep
57:13- How Brad’s focus on effort has lowered his stress around the numbers when it comes to his training
1:00:52- A loss of performance is *normal* during prep and what to do if that’s making your training not enjoyable
1:06:50- Brad’s advice on what you can do to help you feel better during those times you don’t feel good about the way you look
Selected Links From This Episode
Coaching By Team 3DMJ- https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching
Thanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪
GET COACHING AND COURSES - https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/
Watch our show on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj
9 July 2026, 11:00 am - 1 hour 14 minutes#311: Machines vs. Free Weights
The coaches discuss the pros and cons of training with machines versus free weights, what they prefer, and how the value of specific machines differs depending on what stage of your lifting career you are in. How did the coaches view and utilize machines when they first started lifting? What are the downsides of starting with free weights? Which squat pattern does Brian think puts on the most muscle? Why does training to failure on a machine-based squat pattern often feel less demanding than training to failure on a barbell-based squat pattern? What are commonly underdeveloped muscles on those who only train with machines and how to prevent those muscles from becoming underdeveloped? Why aren’t all machines created equal? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode.
Timestamps
0:00- How the coaches viewed and utilized machines when they first started lifting
11:33- The argument against free weights & The argument against machines
35:27- The cost of biasing a muscle when performing a compound exercise
40:24- Learning how to use machines to work around injuries
46:09- The value of specific machines for intermediate versus advanced lifters
51:11- The coaches’ top free-weight highlights from their lifting careers
1:02:39- Some of the coaches’ favorite machines
Selected Links From This Episode
Coaching By Team 3DMJ- https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching
Monthly Applications In Strength Sport (MASS)- https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/mass
Thanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪
GET COACHING AND COURSES - https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/
Watch our show on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj
25 June 2026, 11:00 am - 1 hour 9 minutes#310: Q&A Session 31
Brad, Eric, and Alberto answer seven audience-supplied nutrition and training questions. What are good strategies for hitting your protein goal if you’re in a gaining phase and your appetite is making it difficult for you to eat enough? Is it possible to grow your glutes without significantly growing your quads or hamstrings? At what point should you end a bulk? Is it possible to gain muscle eating at maintenance? Is it possible to gain muscle eating in a deficit? How do the coaches track their training when doing lengthened partials and drop sets? What is the best way to eat and track when you’re in situations where precise tracking isn’t possible? The answers to these questions and more are covered in this episode.
Timestamps
0:00- Introduction
1:12- Strategies for hitting your protein goal in a gaining phase if your appetite is making it difficult for you to eat enough
11:11- Is it possible to grow your glutes without significantly growing your quads or hamstrings?
18:51- At what point do you pull the plug on a bulk? Is it based on a specific body fat percentage or do you wait until gym performance stalls out?
36:33- How do the coaches track their training when doing lengthened partials and drop sets?
46:25- Strategies for breaking through a plateau on an exercise & What to do if you get very strong on an exercise and start to become intimidated by the weight
56:50- What is the best way to eat and track when you’re in situations where precise tracking isn’t possible?
Selected Links From This Episode
Coaching By Team 3DMJ- https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching
Nutrition For Hypertrophy And Strength (Online Course)- https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/nutrition
Thanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪
GET COACHING AND COURSES - https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/
Watch our show on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj
11 June 2026, 11:00 am - 1 hour 6 minutes#309: Recreational Drugs & Bodybuilding
Brad, Alberto, and Brian discuss how common drugs and alcohol can negatively interfere with your bodybuilding goals and what you can do to minimize their negative effects. What are Brad’s experiences with smoking weed and nicotine? What does Brian’s and Alberto’s relationship with and use of nicotine look like? Would Alberto say quitting drinking has been worth it? Can someone drink alcohol and still get shredded? Does a small amount of alcohol provide any health benefits? How can you consume alcohol and still stay on track with your goals? What are the pros of recreational drugs and alcohol? How does marijuana use affect progress? When are good times to get off caffeine/preworkouts? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode.
Timestamps
0:00- Introduction
1:23- Brad’s experiences with smoking weed and nicotine
5:10- Brian’s and Alberto’s relationship with and use of nicotine
11:34- Alcohol
17:28- How to consume alcohol while still staying on track with your goals
28:40- Myths about alcohol
35:10- How marijuana use affects progress
40:58- Caffeine & Preworkouts
55:07- Be careful what you take!
1:02:26- Final thoughts
Selected Links From This Episode
Coaching By Team 3DMJ- https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching
3DMJ Podcast Episode #249: The Hidden Risks of Supplements- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dxRo582uhM
Monthly Applications In Strength Sport (MASS)- https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/mass
Thanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪
GET COACHING AND COURSES - https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/
Watch our show on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj
28 May 2026, 11:00 am - 1 hour 19 minutes#308: Building Your Own Bodybuilding Team
Brian, Jeff, and Brad discuss how to build a good support system so you can maximize your rate of progress and have fun doing it. What is the origin story of 3D Muscle Journey? How do you communicate what you’re doing and what your goals are so that your support system knows how to support you? What are the benefits of sharing your bodybuilding journey versus bodybuilding in isolation? When prepping an athlete, what else do the coaches focus on besides getting them lean? How far in advance do the coaches recommend telling others that you’re prepping? Where are good places to meet like-minded bodybuilders? Why is a person’s support system such an influential factor in their success? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode.
Timestamps
0:00- Introduction
1:37- How to communicate what you’re doing and what your goals are
6:30- Social media can be a good place to find community
10:48- The origin of 3D Muscle Journey
21:08- You also have to support the people in your support system
30:42- How far in advance the coaches recommend telling others that you’re prepping
37:11- Being able to do what you love doing for a long time
45:14- What Brian needs for support as an athlete
54:07- The benefits of living what you coach
1:06:23- The benefits of sharing your bodybuilding journey versus bodybuilding in isolation
1:09:54- Having a motivating gym atmosphere to help you get the most out of yourself
Selected Links From This Episode
Coaching By Team 3DMJ- https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching
Thanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪
GET COACHING AND COURSES - https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/
Watch our show on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj
14 May 2026, 11:00 am - 1 hour 7 minutes#307: Do I Have to Learn Programming to Get Jacked?
Brian, Alberto, and Jeff discuss how much you need to know about programming in order to make continued progress. What did the coaches focus on when they first started lifting? How important is effort for making progress? What is more important, working hard or a more optimal program? What advice to the coaches have for novice lifters when it comes to how to go about their training? What movement patterns do the coaches want their athletes to become proficient at? When is an appropriate time for someone to start dialing in their reps in reserve? What are some common flaws the coaches see in people’s programs? What do the coaches recommend doing before making an adjustment to your program? The answers to these questions and many more are covered in this episode.
Timestamps
0:00- Introduction
2:21- What did the coaches focus on when they first started lifting?
12:09- A C- program with A+ effort will take you further than an A+ program with C- effort
14:51- The beauty of a simple plan
22:59- Start with a balanced program
28:18- Audit your exercises that are the most fatiguing before determining volume
31:25- Movement patterns the coaches want their athletes to become proficient at
39:30- When the coaches think it’s an appropriate time for someone to start dialing in their reps in reserve
47:40- Build a positive relationship with training hard
54:10- Get rid of the noise so you can identify what works for you
59:11- Observe and be patient
1:03:54- Learn the fundamentals first and then build
Selected Links From This Episode
Coaching By Team 3DMJ- https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching
Monthly Applications In Strength Sport (MASS)- https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/mass
Thanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪
GET COACHING AND COURSES - https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/
Watch our show on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj
30 April 2026, 11:00 am - 57 minutes 39 seconds#306: How Much Does Food Quality Matter?
Brad and Alberto discuss why it’s important to look beyond the calorie and macronutrient content of foods if you want to get the most out of your bodybuilding lifestyle. Have the coaches noticed a correlation between food quality and how the body performs and recovers? How does focusing on food quality make prep easier, more enjoyable, and lead to a faster recovery after prep? What nutrition recommendations around food quality do the coaches have for those who are bulking? Is it okay to just eat for taste sometimes? How does the law of diminishing returns apply to eating? As long as he is still hitting his macronutrient targets, can Alberto get just as lean even if he’s not focusing on food quality? The answers to these questions plus many more are covered in this episode.
Timestamps
0:00- The fitness community is finally finding balance
4:15- Have the coaches noticed a correlation between food quality and how the body performs and recovers?
12:03- Your health is important
15:47- Just focusing on hitting your macronutrient goals during prep versus also focusing on food quality
31:03- A starting spot for those who want to improve the quality of their diet
33:52- Nutrition recommendations for bulking
45:06- The law of diminishing returns
49:15- The satisfaction of overcoming something hard
Selected Links From This Episode
Coaching By Team 3DMJ- https://3dmusclejourney.com/coaching
Hunger-Fullness Scale- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCEHvGVxrlI
Thanks for listening to The 3D Muscle Journey Podcast 💪
GET COACHING AND COURSES - https://www.3dmusclejourney.com/
Watch our show on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/team3dmj
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