In this episode, we break down what this year truly taught us as athletes and coaches — the lessons that actually moved the needle in bodybuilding, powerlifting, and long-term physique development.

We dive into the real truth about creatine HCL vs. creatine monohydrate, why some athletes benefit from switching, and how to use creatine effectively for strength, recovery, and muscle growth.

We also get into posing breakthroughs, including the importance of practicing on your “bad side”, building symmetry, and fixing common mistakes we see in bikini and bodybuilding presentations.

From there, we talk about the athlete lifestyle — managing real-life schedules, setting boundaries, learning to say no, and protecting your energy so you can actually train, recover, and perform at a high level.

And finally, we share the biggest coaching lessons we learned this year, especially around communication. What helps athletes progress? What holds them back? What do we expect as coaches, and what can athletes do to get more out of the coach–athlete relationship?

If you’re an athlete in bodybuilding, powerlifting, StrongLifting, or simply someone trying to balance training with real life, this episode is packed with practical, experience-based insights to take into next season.

On this episode of the Reckless Training podcast, Chris Nicole and TC dive into some of the most popular supplementation strategies employed by the general population and elite athletes alike! Energy Drinks, protein powders, creatine, glutamine, beta-alanine, citrulline, plus vitamins and minerals - all discussed here! Tune in to put the finishing touches on your dietary routine.

In Part Two of our Navigating Nutrition miniseries, Chris and TC explore cooking oils, cookware, and various food additives. They go into depth about how seed oils became so prevalent in today's American diet; they explore the variety of cookware options consumers have available to them; and they discuss some of the popular preservatives, colorings, and artificial sweeteners that are becoming more and more mainstream - along with the negative effects that may come with ingesting them. Listen to the full episode to find out more - don't forget to like the video and subscribe to our channel if you like our content!

In the first installment of the Navigating Nutrition mini series, Chris Nicole and TC discuss the differences in whole foods vs processed foods, as well as various marketing terms that the average consumer is exposed to while trying to build a healthy diet and lifestyle. Tune in to find out how you can make your grocery trips more effective at fueling your goals!

Peak Week Isn’t Magic — It’s Mental.

In this episode, TC and Chris Nicole share what most competitors miss about Peak Week — and it’s not about the carbs or the water. The real battle is mental. From athlete overcorrections to stress sabotage, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone prepping for the stage OR the platform..

You’ll learn:

💥 How to manage stress so your physique can shine

💥 Why trusting your coach is more important than tweaking your plan

💥 The mindset shifts every athlete needs the final 7 days

💥 Tips to stay sharp, calm, and confident heading into show day

🎯 Peak Week is about polish, not panic. Listen now and show up ready — mentally and physically.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

📩 Want our free Peak Week checklist? DM “PEAK” to @Reckless_Training on Instagram or grab it at RecklessTraining.com

How to receive and digest Judge Feedback in Bodybuilding and Powerlifting -

Getting feedback from judges can be one of the most emotionally charged moments in a competitor’s journey — especially when you feel like you brought your best to the stage. In this episode, TC and Chris Nicole break down how to interpret, process, and apply judge feedback without letting ego, emotion, or confusion get in the way.

They explore:

• What judges are actually looking for (and how it can shift between shows or federations)
• Why many athletes get defensive — and how to move past it
• The difference between feedback and critique
• What to do when your coach filters feedback (for better or worse)
• How to tell when it’s time to evolve your look — or change your strategy entirely

Whether you're a first-time competitor or a seasoned pro, this episode is your mindset reset after a tough scorecard. Learn how to turn subjective criticism into objective progress — and keep your head in the game.

Table of Contents - -

1. Intro – Why Feedback Matters Setting the stage for why this conversation is needed and what athletes are missing.
2. What Judges Actually Look For Pulling back the curtain on what goes into a scorecard and how subjective judging works.
3. The Disconnect: Expectations vs. Reality When what you bring doesn't match what the judges want — and why that's hard to swallow.
4. Getting Defensive: The Athlete’s First Reaction “But I looked my best ever!” — breaking down that emotional backlash we all feel.
5. When Coaches Filter Feedback Why coaches soften the blow or add context — and when that hurts more than it helps.
6. Sifting Through the Noise Separating ego from truth, and finding the “useful 10%” inside even bad feedback.
7. Confidence vs. Confirmation Bias Walking the line between self-belief and delusion.
8. The Best Athletes Ask Better Questions How to mine judge feedback for gold and frame it as data, not a dig.
9. Callback: You’re Not Owed Anything A return to the idea that showing up doesn’t entitle you to praise.
10. Closing – How to Actually Grow from Criticism Practical mindset shifts and questions every athlete should ask post-show.

In today’s episode, we dive deep into the mindsets, training strategies, and nutrition habits that separate a mediocre offseason from a truly transformational one.

Whether you’re navigating time off due to injury, burnout, or the need for serious physique upgrades — this episode is your guide to staying intentional when you're not in prep.

We break it down with real-life athlete examples and cover:

✅ The mentality traps: Too lax vs. too intense

✅ Hypertrophy and strength training goals — and how they shift based on age, natural status, or past progress

✅ Why whole foods matter year-round — and what your body’s actually doing with those extra carbs

✅ Stress mitigation: caffeine, deloads, and protecting your “stress bucket”

✅ Getting labs: sex hormones, thyroid, gut health, and why data matters

✅ Self-auditing: Are your daily actions matching your long-term goals?

This episode is all about building the habits that lead to your best next season — on stage, on the platform, or in life.

🎧 If this episode helped you, drop us a rating/review and share it with a friend.

🎯 Ready to level up your training and nutrition with expert coaching? 👉 Visit: www.recklesstraining.com

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @reckless_training | @longshotgamble | @chrisnicole_ifbbpro

💥 Want to support the podcast? Every donation helps us keep the show going and pour back into the strength community. Give here: Zeffy Donation Link

Are barbells the holy grail of gains, or do machines deserve more credit than they get?

In this episode, your hosts TC and Chris Nicole break down the pros and cons of both training methods to help you hit your goals faster — whether it’s strength, hypertrophy, or just getting started in the gym. We cover how machines can support your journey, why barbells build full-body control, and how to structure both into your program for serious progress. Plus, we share our favorite machines (and the ones we’d avoid). Tune in and lift smarter!

For personalized coaching visit www.recklesstraining.com

Follow us on instagram @reckless_training

Chris Nicole @chrisnicole_ifbbpro

TC @longshotgamble