In this episode of Drugs N Stuff, Dave Crosland and Scott McNally break down how to manage tren side effects in the real world using practical, experience-based strategies.

From dosing approaches and tolerance management to understanding where issues actually come from, this is a no-BS conversation focused on what actually works—not theory or bro science.

We also cover testosterone supply issues, lab testing options, injection strategies, and answer listener questions you won’t usually hear discussed publicly.

If you’re running stronger compounds—or considering it—this episode can help you avoid common mistakes and reduce trial and error.

Chapters:

0:00 Tren Side Effects Explained & Estrogen Misconceptions

1:45 Testosterone Raw Shortage Update (Test E Issues)

2:25 Will Steroid Production Move to India?

7:50 How to Manage Tren Side Effects (Real Strategies)

13:00 Tapering Tren Dose Up Safely for Better Tolerance

17:00 Minimum Effective Tren Ace Cycle Length

19:45 How to Stop Tren Night Sweats

21:00 Estrogen Management for Tren Users

24:20 US vs UK “Aluminum” Debate (Quick Break)

27:50 Low Libido on Cycle (Even with Estrogen Dialed In)

31:00 Why Some Prefer Test Prop Over Test E or Cyp

37:30 At-Home Lab Testing (Mail-In Bloodwork Explained)

40:40 Mast Prop vs Mast E (Which is Better?)

43:30 What Happens After Massive Fat Loss (Hormones & Health)

51:00 Best Injection Sites for Gear (Reduce Pain & Issues)

52:00 Starting a First Cycle at 65 Years Old

53:45 Mirabegron Feedback for Side Effect Management

57:00 Are Testosterone Raw Powders the Only Supply Issue?

59:00 Life Advice After a Breakup (Uncle Dave Segment)

1:11:45 Expo Bus Plans & Event Talk

1:18:10 BPC-157 & TB-500 After Kidney Transplant

1:20:00 Behind The Scenes Wrap Up

Support the Podcast

Patreon — Help keep the show growing. Even $5/month makes a difference.

https://www.patreon.com/thinkbigbodybuilding

Sponsors

TRUE NUTRITION — Custom supplements for serious lifters

Use code THINK to save

https://www.truenutrition.com/THINK

STROM SPORTS — Performance supplements trusted by athletes

UK: https://tinyurl.com/ydmbfa54

US: https://stromsportsus.com

Supplement Source Canada — Top brand supplements with fast shipping

http://www.supplementsource.ca

Merch

Official THINK BIG Merch — Train, represent, support the brand

https://think-big.printify.me/products

Trenbolone, raw powder shortages, and real-world bodybuilding strategies—Skip Hill, Andrew Berry, and Scott McNally break down what’s changed in the industry, what still works today, and where people are getting it wrong.

From old-school Finaplix conversions to modern Tren use, this episode dives into the real risks, evolving trends, and practical training insights you can actually apply.

If you’ve ever wondered how dangerous Tren really is—or how today’s bodybuilding landscape compares to the past—this episode covers it all.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 Tren from Finaplix Carts vs Modern Tren – What Was Worse?

0:45 Project Bodybuilding Era Stories – Old School Cycle Talk

1:50 Raw Powder Supply Issues – Are Steroids Getting Harder to Find?

5:00 Supersets vs Drop Sets – When They Actually Build More Muscle

11:00 When NOT to Use Supersets or Drop Sets (Common Mistakes)

22:30 Is Trenbolone More Toxic Than Other Steroids?

23:50 Homemade Tren from Pellets – The Real Risks Explained

26:00 Why Bodybuilders Are Using Less Tren Today

29:00 Injecting Mistakes – Can Steroids Enter the Lungs?

34:15 Genetics vs Gear – Why Some Guys Need Less to Grow

41:30 First Time Using Tren – Safest Approach & Beginner Advice

43:40 How to Stay on Diet While Traveling (No Excuses Guide)

51:20 Using Insulin at the Gym – Avoiding Attention & Mistakes

57:15 Skip’s Word of the Day

59:45 Behind the Scenes – After the Podcast

1:05:00 Behind the Scenes – Before the Show

Support the podcast and get exclusive content:

https://www.patreon.com/thinkbigbodybuilding

Shop Think BIG apparel:

https://think-big.printify.me/products

Presented by TRUE NUTRITION – Use code THINK

https://www.truenutrition.com/THINK

Third-party tested ingredients trusted by bodybuilders.

For our Canadian listeners – deals on top brand supplements:

http://www.supplementsource.ca

Ron Partlow, Dusty Hanshaw and Scott McNally break down the Detroit Pro and the biggest early season standouts in bodybuilding. We dive into Moh Fooda’s win, Wesley Vissers’ conditioning, and take a look at the physiques making noise right now. Plus discussion on Andrew Jacked, Nick Walker, Brandon Curry and more as the season starts to heat up. 0:00 Wesley Vissers : The New Andres Munzer? 2:10 Detroit Pro 2026 Results & Review – Moo Fooda Wins 4:00 Elias McCall Conditioning vs Blessing Awodibu Size 5:30 Moh Fooda Physique Breakdown – Why He Won 7:00 Patrick Moore Improvements – What He Still Needs 9:30 Ron Partlow Rant – Judging, Trends & More 11:30 Wesley Vissers Conditioning – Best in Classic Physique? 14:15 No Shots 10 Days Out – Contest Prep Strategy 18:30 Is Wesley Vissers the New Face of Classic Physique? 20:50 Mike Sommerfeld Update – Olympia Outlook 27:00 Mr. Olympia 2026 Predictions – Is Derek the Favorite? 40:25 Andrew Jacked Arnold Strategy – Risk of Burnout? 46:10 Brandon Curry Olympia Chances – Top 5 or Decline? 58:30 Nick Walker Arnold Diet – Only 3 Foods? 1:08:00 Arnold Classic Experience – Highlights & Low Points 🔴 OFFICIAL SPONSOR MUTANT® — Born Different. Born Hardcore! Save with code: BIGRON or DUSTY https://www.iammutant.com ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 📲 FOLLOW THE HOSTS Ron Partlow https://www.instagram.com/rep300 Dusty Hanshaw https://www.instagram.com/dustyhanshaw08 Scott McNally https://www.instagram.com/scottmcnally1 ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 📱 TRAIN LIKE HELL APP Ron’s official training app https://www.trainlikehell.com ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🙏 SUPPORT THINK BIG BODYBUILDING Patreon (Every $5 helps keep the shows going) https://www.patreon.com/thinkbigbodybuilding 👕 THINK BIG MERCH https://think-big.printify.me/products ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ ✅ ADDITIONAL SPONSOR TRUE NUTRITION Code: THINK https://www.truenutrition.com/THINK 3rd-party tested — trusted by bodybuilders ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🇨🇦 CANADIAN VIEWERS Blowout deals on top supplement brands https://www.supplementsource.ca ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THINK BIG BODYBUILDING https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrZIZSnyfieo3cX2swc36iw?sub_confirmation=1 ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🎧 AUDIO PODCAST Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0RZgpBPeXPcRLmhG5rDr2X Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-big-bodybuilding/id1561623662 ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🤝 Help Us Grow 📢 Share this episode with a training partner or friend who loves bodybuilding : https://youtu.be/i-EKEdbxYKw

Dave Crosland and Scott McNally discuss the shutdown of one of the largest peptide retailers in the U.S. and what it could mean for the peptide market.

We also recap the latest information surrounding raw powder supply issues before jumping into a full round of listener PED and bodybuilding Q&A.

Chapters

0:00 China Raw Steroid Powder Supply Update

4:00 Major Peptide Company Forced to Shut Down

7:00 The Rise and Fall of “Research Chemical” Companies

21:00 Can Mirabegron Actually Burn Fat?

22:20 How to Reduce or Tighten Chest Fat & Gyno

27:00 Vitamin B5 for Acne — Does It Work?

30:00 Accutane Pros and Cons for Bodybuilders

34:00 Waking Up at Night to Pee — Causes

35:00 Slow Treatment for Low Testosterone (NHS Issues)

41:10 Are Any SARMs Actually Worth Using?

43:00 Arnold Classic Talk — Why Dave Wasn’t There

46:15 Hair Loss and Estrogen Levels Explained

47:45 Why First Cycles Usually Use One Compound

52:00 Equipoise Crushing Estrogen in a Client Case

53:40 Listener Feedback on Kurt Havens Episode

55:40 Edible Cannabis — Does It Affect Bloodwork?

1:03:00 Uncle Dave's Advice to Martin Fitzwater

1:19:00 Behind the Scenes

Support the Podcast

Patreon — Help keep the show growing. Even $5/month makes a difference.

https://www.patreon.com/thinkbigbodybuilding

Sponsors

TRUE NUTRITION — Custom supplements for serious lifters

Use code THINK to save

https://www.truenutrition.com/THINK

STROM SPORTS — Performance supplements trusted by athletes

UK: https://tinyurl.com/ydmbfa54

US: https://stromsportsus.com

Supplement Source Canada — Top brand supplements with fast shipping

http://www.supplementsource.ca

Merch

Official THINK BIG Merch — Train, represent, support the brand

https://think-big.printify.me/products

On this episode of Muscle Minds, Scott McNally and Dr. Scott Stevenson discuss one of the most common training questions in bodybuilding: pyramiding vs straight sets for muscle growth.

Dr. Stevenson breaks down the science behind hypertrophy training, including neurological adaptations, fatigue management, exercise selection, and how to properly distribute training volume.

They also dive into back training biomechanics, progressive overload under fatigue, and practical ways to improve muscle activation and long-term progress in the gym.

If you want to better understand how to train smarter for hypertrophy, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply to your own training.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to effective hypertrophy strategies

02:27 Pyramiding vs straight sets for muscle growth

04:34 Neurological adaptations and building strength

06:33 Heavy loads, nervous system effects, and post-activation potentiation

08:39 Managing fatigue and rest intervals for optimal progress

10:41 Mount Saint Hypertrophy and volume distribution

13:08 Training weak muscles vs strong muscles

14:55 Exercise selection and biomechanics for back training

17:43 Joint health and injury risk with heavy training

19:42 Progressive overload when training under fatigue

22:47 Back training for width vs thickness

25:53 Mobility issues and activation patterns for back development

33:37 Single-arm pulldowns and improving muscle activation

40:56 Pump sets and hypertrophy-focused training

44:22 Lightheadedness and blood flow issues during squats

46:19 Neck and vascular considerations in heavy lifting

54:48 Bracing, core stability, and breathing techniques

60:03 Evolution of bodybuilding standards and physique aesthetics

Support THINK BIG Bodybuilding

Support the podcast on Patreon and help us keep the episodes coming. Even $5 per month makes a difference.

https://www.patreon.com/thinkbigbodybuilding

Get Dr. Scott Stevenson's Book

https://drscottstevenson.com/byobbcoach.html

Hardcover linked through Scott's Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/fortitude_training/

THINK BIG Bodybuilding Apparel

Official THINK BIG T-Shirts and merch

https://think-big.printify.me/products

Official Sponsor: TRUE NUTRITION

Custom supplements trusted by bodybuilders

Save with code THINK

https://www.truenutrition.com/THINK

Canadian listeners — Supplements Made Easy

Huge deals on top brand supplements in Canada

http://www.supplementsource.ca

Dave Crosland and Scott McNally have new information about the suspected testosterone raw powder situation.

After speaking with several labs and contacts in China, we're seeing lab reports showing underdosed products and hearing that raw production may currently be restricted.

This is a short breaking update episode with the latest information.

Chapters below.

0:00 Important Update — Don’t Panic, But Know What’s Happening

1:00 Contaminated or Underdosed Testosterone Raw Powders

1:40 Bloodwork Showing Unexpectedly Low Testosterone

4:30 “No Steroid Raw Production in China Right Now” ?

7:50 Why 92% Purity Can Be a Big Problem

9:45 Source Board Supermod Reports Returning Market Instability

15:00 Have You Experienced This? Let Us Know

17:30 What Happens If the Raw Powder Supply Is Disrupted?

22:50 Why You Should Be More Careful Right Now

Support the Podcast

Patreon — Help keep the show growing. Even $5/month makes a difference.

https://www.patreon.com/thinkbigbodybuilding

Sponsors

TRUE NUTRITION — Custom supplements for serious lifters

Use code THINK to save

https://www.truenutrition.com/THINK

STROM SPORTS — Performance supplements trusted by athletes

UK: https://tinyurl.com/ydmbfa54

US: https://stromsportsus.com

Supplement Source Canada — Top brand supplements with fast shipping

http://www.supplementsource.ca

Merch

Official THINK BIG Merch — Train, represent, support the brand

https://think-big.printify.me/products

If you’re not getting bigger, something is wrong.

3 experienced bodybuilding coaches break down the biggest reasons lifters stop making progress. Find your mistake in the chapters below.

00:00 Why Bodybuilders Stop Growing

01:15 Diminishing Returns in Bodybuilding

03:00 You Think Your Diet and Training Are Dialed In

06:00 Everyone Thinks Their Training Is Optimal

09:30 Recovery Is the Missing Piece for Muscle Growth

16:45 Should You Raise Testosterone on Vacation?

19:00 Doing Great on TRT — Should You Go Higher?

22:10 Traveling Internationally With Testosterone

28:00 Standing Out as a Bodybuilder in Public

29:00 Skip Hill Gets Called Out for Steroid Use

35:45 Is More Than 8 IU of GH Worth It?

37:15 Great Natural Genetics vs Using Gear

40:15 Struggling to Eat More After Being Fat

42:45 Alcohol and Bodybuilding Don’t Mix

49:15 Skip Hill and Scott McNally: 10 Years of Podcasting

From the MUTANT® booth, Sergio Oliva Jr., Ron Partlow and Dusty Hanshaw share stories and memories from the Arnold Classic and talk about what the Arnold Expo experience is really like. From meeting Arnold Schwarzenegger to unforgettable expo moments, the guys explain why every bodybuilding fan should attend at least once.

0:00 Inside the Mutant Booth at the Arnold Classic Expo

2:30 Sergio Oliva Jr’s First Arnold Classic Expo Experience

5:25 Ron Partlow Predicts the Future of Bodybuilding

6:45 How Andrew Jacked Would Look in Other Bodybuilding Eras

8:00 Is Bodybuilding Better Today Than the Golden Era?

11:00 Favorite Arnold Classic Memories and Stories

25:50 Bodybuilders Still Struggle With Insecurity

29:00 Advice for First-Time Arnold Classic Expo Visitors

🔴 OFFICIAL SPONSOR

MUTANT® — Born Different. Born Hardcore!

Save with code: BIGRON or DUSTY

https://www.iammutant.com

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

📲 FOLLOW THE HOSTS

Ron Partlow

https://www.instagram.com/rep300

Dusty Hanshaw

https://www.instagram.com/dustyhanshaw08

Scott McNally

https://www.instagram.com/scottmcnally1

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

📱 TRAIN LIKE HELL APP

Ron’s official training app

https://www.trainlikehell.com

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

🙏 SUPPORT THINK BIG BODYBUILDING

Patreon (Every $5 helps keep the shows going)

https://www.patreon.com/thinkbigbodybuilding

👕 THINK BIG MERCH

https://think-big.printify.me/products

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Dave Crosland has been seeing more bloodwork that doesn’t add up. Athletes running high doses of testosterone are coming back with surprisingly low test levels.

We look at a possible issue with China’s raw testosterone powder supply, underground labs receiving bad batches, and what this could mean for the PED market.

Timestamps below.

0:00 Why Bloodwork Is Showing Unexpectedly Low Testosterone

0:30 DnS Podcast Intro + Sponsor Support

4:10 Is There a Testosterone Shortage on the Underground Market?

7:45 Decline in Underground Lab Gear Quality

8:50 Raw Testosterone Powder Testing Results

10:45 Reports From a Source Board Super Moderator

14:20 Labs Substituting One Testosterone Ester for Another

19:20 Paul Barnett Seeing Suspicious Bloodwork From Clients

25:20 Test, EQ, NPP Cycle… Then Switching NPP to Tren

29:00 Masteron vs Primobolan for Building Muscle

36:15 Minimum Effective Dose of Trenbolone

40:30 Fat Loss Stalled — Should You Add Growth Hormone?

45:30 Titrating Steroid Doses Up During a Cycle

56:00 How Carrier Oil Can Affect Steroid Half-Life

58:00 Warm-Up Sets vs Working Sets for Maximum Intensity

1:11:40 Running a Steroid Cycle Without Looking Suspiciously Huge

1:13:00 Uncle Dave’s Advice

It's Just Bodybuilding Arnold Classic Wrap Up 2026 by Think BIG Bodybuilding Media

Level Up Your Posing, 1 Set Intensifier to End All Sets, Planning Your Olympia Trip for 2025 in Vegas + Lets Get Cheerleads in Open Bodybuilding - It's Just Bodybuilding Podcast 352 Big Ron Partlow, Dusty Hanshaw, Scott McNally

7:00 Good Posing - Put on 10 lbs of muscle in 5 minutes

14:30 How long should you pose? And when to start in prep?

17:00 Be ready for a night show top 2 conformation round

20:30 Cheerleaders at Bodybuilding Shows?

26:00 pick 1 set intensifier for all body parts

29:20 Dusty is getting into great shape

33:00 Garage Gym Workouts

38:45 Shortest Off Season with Good Progress

45:40 First Vegas Trip for Olympia - What To Do

53:00 Gyms in Vegas

59:00 1 Thing you had to figure out how to improve in Bodybuilding

1:04:45 Rate My Physique

1:12:30 Shout out to Scott’s clients

1:17:20 Dusty’s gym pet peeve

1:20:30 TV shows we are watching

🔴 Presented By MUTANT® — Born Different. Born Hardcore!

https://www.iammutant.com Codes BIGRON or DUSTY for savings

Follow the guys on Instagram :

💪 http://www.instagram.com/rep300

💪 http://www.instagram.com/dustyhanshaw08

💪 http://www.instagram.com/scottmcnally1

🙏 Support us on Patreon. Every $5 helps!

https://www.patreon.com/thinkbigbodybuilding

👕 Think BIG T Shirts! https://think-big.printify.me/products

✅ ✅ Modern Aminos

New Peptide and Research Chem Affiliate :

https://tinyurl.com/y4nts94n

✅ ✅Code THINKBIG

✅ Parabolic Peptides Great Research Tabs and Peps

https://tinyurl.com/ycpnbjzd

✅ ✅Code THINK

✅ ✅SomaChems

https://somachems.com

✅ ✅Code THINK

✅ Presented by TRUE NUTRITION. Code : THINK

https://www.truenutrition.com/THINK

3rd Party Tested, Discover the source that bodybuilders trust !

🇨🇦 For our Canadians, get blow out deals on top brand name supplements!

http://www.supplementsource.ca

🔴 Youtube : https://youtu.be/Q2ipLgBDL9E