Iron Culture presented by MASS

In this episode of Iron Culture, Eric Helms interviews WNBF Pro champions Eddie Saldana and Max Melchard, discussing their journeys in natural bodybuilding, the competitive mindset, and the culture of bodybuilding in Europe. They share insights on training, conditioning, and the importance of enjoying the process of bodybuilding. The conversation highlights the growth of natural bodybuilding and the unique challenges and experiences faced by competitors. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Champions  02:55 Eddie Saldana's Journey to the Top 06:00 Max Melchard's Competitive Spirit 08:57 The Importance of Passion in Bodybuilding 12:06 The Competitive Landscape of Bodybuilding 15:06 Personal Stories and Training Histories 18:00 The Evolution of Eddie and Max's Careers 20:48 Reflections on Competition and Personal Growth 29:44 The Journey of Competition 36:51 Building Confidence and Experience 43:41 The Natural Bodybuilding Culture in Europe 50:58 Life Beyond Bodybuilding 59:35 The Journey of Self-Improvement 01:01:38 Navigating Relationships During Prep 01:04:38 Future Competitive Plans and Off-Season Strategies 01:11:36 Balancing Family Life and Bodybuilding 01:19:31 The Impact of Parenthood on Competitive Sports 01:24:49 Looking Ahead: Goals and Aspirations

In this episode of Iron Culture, hosts Eric Trexler and Eric Helms discuss various themes surrounding fitness, nutrition, and the importance of open discourse in the community. The conversation addresses criticism received from listeners, the role of cynicism versus skepticism in fitness discussions, and the necessity of engaging with differing perspectives for personal and professional growth. The episode concludes with a call for self-awareness and openness in navigating the complexities of fitness discourse. If you're looking for some high-quality lifting gear or apparel, be sure to visit elitefts.com and use our discount code "MRR10" for a 10% discount. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Holiday Greetings 02:18 Tiny Utensils and Eating Behavior 05:40 The Controversy Surrounding Brian Wansink 08:23 Updates and Future Directions for Iron Culture 11:20 Addressing Criticism and Community Discourse 17:20 Navigating Evidence-Based Practice and Guest Selection 30:27 Evaluating Content and Moral Standards 32:35 The Role of Evidence in Interviews 34:11 Career Paths in Fitness and Coaching 36:54 Critiques and Misunderstandings in Fitness 40:34 Navigating Disagreements in Evidence-Based Fitness 46:16 Cynicism vs. Skepticism in Fitness Discourse 55:45 The Shift from Ideas to Personal Attacks 59:03 The Drama of Evidence-Based Fitness 01:01:47 The Importance of Empirical Science 01:06:14 Navigating Cynicism and Skepticism 01:12:21 Engaging with Different Perspectives 01:17:59 Self-Awareness in Fitness Discourse 01:24:08 The Role of Change and Growth in Fitness

In this episode of Iron Culture, Eric Helms is joined by natural bodybuilders Christine Reinhart and Sarah Oase, who share their journeys in the sport, their experiences at recent competitions, and the challenges faced in women's bodybuilding. They discuss the importance of camaraderie among competitors, the evolution of their training and competition strategies, and the significance of earning pro cards. The conversation highlights the need for greater visibility and support for women's bodybuilding, as well as the personal growth and empowerment that comes from competing. They also share their future plans, emphasizing the need for advocacy and community support in women's bodybuilding, aiming to inspire more women to participate in the sport. If you're in the market for some new gym gear or apparel, be sure to support our friends over at elitefts.com and use our code ("MRR10") for a 10% discount. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:00 Christine Reinhart's Journey in Bodybuilding 05:43 Sarah Oase's Athletic Background and Transition to Bodybuilding 11:54 The Importance of Age in Bodybuilding 14:52 Competitive Experiences and Achievements 20:49 Camaraderie in Natural Bodybuilding 26:55 Challenges in Women's Bodybuilding 29:52 Future of Women's Bodybuilding and Closing Thoughts 36:59 The Evolution of Bodybuilding Careers 38:51 Challenging Gender Norms in Bodybuilding 42:40 Promoting Women's Bodybuilding 49:22 Personal Journeys in Competitive Bodybuilding 57:28 Validation Through Competition 01:06:08 Finding Potential and Growth in Bodybuilding 01:13:20 Navigating Challenges in Competition 01:16:15 Recognizing Potential and Achievements 01:18:27 Experiences at the World Championships 01:22:29 The Subjectivity of Competition 01:25:28 The Future of Women's Bodybuilding 01:30:21 Future Plans and Off-Season Goals

In this episode of Iron Culture, Eric Helms is joined by world champions Heitor Sousa and Adão Martins to discuss their journeys in natural bodybuilding. They reflect on their experiences at the WNBF Worlds, the importance of community and support, and the lessons learned from both victories and setbacks. The conversation highlights their friendship, resilience, and the significance of never giving up in the pursuit of excellence in bodybuilding. They reflect on their successful competition year, the art of bodybuilding, strategies for competing annually, the importance of health and longevity, and the supportive community within the sport. The discussion emphasizes the balance between on-season and off-season training, the significance of mental health, and the shared passion for bodybuilding that unites athletes across the globe. If you're in the market for some lifting gear or apparel, be sure to check out EliteFTS.com (and use our code "MRR10" for a 10% discount) Chapters 0:00 Introduction to Iron Culture and Competitors 02:52 The Journey of Heitor and Adao in Bodybuilding 05:58 First Competitive Experiences and Challenges 08:53 The Importance of Community and Support in Bodybuilding 12:06 Reflections on Early Competitions and Learning Experiences 15:04 The Growth and Evolution of Heitor and Adao 17:56 The Role of Feedback and Improvement in Competitions 21:00 The Significance of Perseverance in Bodybuilding 23:46 Looking Ahead: Future Goals and Aspirations 33:45 Celebrating Wins Together 36:42 Experiences from Major Competitions 39:42 Learning and Growth in Bodybuilding 42:07 The Journey to World Championships 46:12 Reflecting on 2024's Achievements 49:32 Competing Frequently and Its Impact 51:59 The Art of Bodybuilding and Continuous Improvement 57:04 Balancing Competition and Health 1:06:10 Body Composition and Individual Differences 1:08:04 Training and Nutrition Strategies for Competitors 1:10:56 The Importance of Off-Season Planning 1:13:57 Mental Approach to Training and Competition 1:17:59 Community and Relationships in Bodybuilding 1:26:57 Future Plans and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Iron Culture, Eric Trexler interviews Dr. John Rusin, a personal trainer and strength coach with a doctorate in physical therapy. They discuss Dr. Rusin's journey from working with professional athletes to focusing on general population training, emphasizing the importance of injury prevention and pain management. Dr. Rusin shares insights from his new book, 'Pain-Free Performance,' which outlines foundational movement patterns and the significance of individualization in training. The conversation highlights the need for a well-rounded approach to fitness that prioritizes health and longevity alongside performance. If you're in the market for some lifting gear or apparel, be sure to check out EliteFTS.com (as use our code "MRR10" for a 10% discount) If you want to check out Dr. Rusin's new book, app, or coaching services, check out these links: https://www.amazon.com/Pain-Free-Performance-Better-Smarter-Unbreakable/dp/162860509X/ref=zg_bs_g_4645_d_sccl_95/134-5360092-2910026?psc=1   becomeunbreakable.com   https://www.drjohnrusincoaching.com   If you want to stay up-to-date with Dr. Rusin, you can check out his website and social media profiles:   https://drjohnrusin.com   https://www.instagram.com/drjohnrusin https://www.facebook.com/drjohnrusin https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.JohnRusin   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dr. John Rusin 02:44 Journey from Athlete to Coach 05:52 High Performance Athletics and Injury Prevention 08:46 Transitioning from Physical Therapy to Performance Coaching 11:38 The Shift to General Population and Longevity 14:43 Understanding Pain and Movement 17:34 Foundational Movement Patterns in Training 31:44 Rebuilding the Foundation: Movement Patterns and Training 40:31 The Six Physical Characteristics of Health and Longevity 52:49 Individualization and Optimization in Movement 01:00:41 Empowering Pain-Free Performance