Bodybuilding Down Under

Welcome to episode 187 of the Bodybuilding Down Under podcast! The boys are joined by Dr. Eric Helms for a wide-ranging and honest conversation following WNBF Worlds 2025. We start with a full Worlds wrap-up from an athlete perspective, unpacking what actually matters on the day, judging quality, stage lighting, athlete experience, communication, and how this year stacked up against previous Worlds. The conversation then shifts into drug-tested sport, integrity, and the future of natural bodybuilding, including nuanced discussion around drug testing, access, fairness, and how emerging pharmaceuticals may challenge current definitions of natural competition. We wrap up with a deep dive into autoregulation in training and nutrition, breaking down common misconceptions, who it’s appropriate for, how elite athletes actually apply it in practice, and why autonomy and athlete literacy become increasingly important at higher levels of competition. A long-form episode covering so many important topics, enjoy! 

Welcome to episode 186 of the Bodybuilding Down Under podcast! The boys are (almost) all back this week, diving into a full discussion on mental fortitude, the athlete mindset, and navigating wins and losses in bodybuilding. We start with DY’s return from overseas, training across time zones and managing routine while traveling. We also chat about new gym environments, atmosphere, and how the right space can genuinely elevate your progress. Then we move into the heart of the episode: what actually makes a successful athlete. We break down delayed gratification, love for the process, composure, and the difference between wanting to win vs fearing losing. There’s plenty on staying grounded when things go well, and reflecting productively when they don’t. We also talk confidence vs arrogance, why humility matters, and how tying your identity to an outcome can hold you back. We touch on taking judge’s feedback, separating emotion from strategy, and how coaches can help athletes stay level-headed heading into future seasons. A mindset-heavy episode, honest, practical, and packed with the nuance athletes need. Enjoy!   Instagram Handles: Bodybuilding Down Under: https://www.instagram.com/bodybuildingdownunder/?hl=en   Jack: https://www.instagram.com/jack.radfordsmith/    Daniel C: https://www.instagram.com/daniel.chapelle/   Lawrence: https://www.instagram.com/general.muscle/   Daniel Y: https://www.instagram.com/dy.fit/ 

Welcome to episode 185 of the Bodybuilding Down Under podcast! It’s another two-man episode this week with Jack and DC holding things down while the boys are overseas and we dive into a full Q&A centred around training, injuries, nutrition, and the realities of bodybuilding across seasons. DC gives an update on getting back into training post-hernia surgery, how he’s managing load, and why smart progression can matter more than obsessing over injury fears. We also chat through common hernia misconceptions, the psychology of pain, and why catastrophizing your lifts is the quickest way to make them feel worse. From there, we get into prep nutrition: foods we limit, foods we keep in, why sugar-free products can be a slippery slope, and how micronutrient diversity matters even deep into a diet. We also cover the other side of the spectrum. Off-season eating, digestion, fibre targets, appetite, and why sometimes pushing calories means being strategic (not perfect) with food choices. Finally, we wrap up with our current supplement stacks, what’s actually useful, and some nuanced discussion around things like berberine, creatine, electrolytes, and sleep supplements. A more nutrition-heavy episode this week, practical and packed with helpful nuance for all lifters. Enjoy!   Instagram Handles: Bodybuilding Down Under: https://www.instagram.com/bodybuildingdownunder/?hl=en   Jack: https://www.instagram.com/jack.radfordsmith/    Daniel C: https://www.instagram.com/daniel.chapelle/   Lawrence: https://www.instagram.com/general.muscle/   Daniel Y: https://www.instagram.com/dy.fit/ 

Welcome to episode 184 of the Bodybuilding Down Under podcast! This week, it’s just DC and Jack holding down the fort while DY and Lawrence are off travelling which means a rare two-man episode and a chance to dive deep into training, recovery, and navigating adversity as a natural bodybuilder. We chat through how our own off-seasons are unfolding, the mental and physical shifts that come from years of consistent training, and the strategies we use to stay progressing even when life gets busy. Jack breaks down how he’s adjusting his training structure during a demanding period of work, while DC shares an honest look at his recent hernia surgery, what led to it, how he’s approaching recovery, and how to stay positive.  This episode is packed with practical insights, real experiences, and of course, the usual BDU banter. Instagram Handles: Bodybuilding Down Under: https://www.instagram.com/bodybuildingdownunder/?hl=en   Jack: https://www.instagram.com/jack.radfordsmith/    Daniel C: https://www.instagram.com/daniel.chapelle/   Lawrence: https://www.instagram.com/general.muscle/   Daniel Y: https://www.instagram.com/dy.fit/  

Welcome to episode 183 of the Bodybuilding Down Under podcast! This week, we’re joined by a very special guest, Benjamin Norris, founder of Citadel Strength Equipment to take you inside the world of elite gym equipment design. From Citadel’s early days and the first hand-built prototypes, to how machines are tested under real working loads, Benjamin breaks down what it actually takes to create equipment that feels as good as it looks. We chat through the realities of scaling manufacturing, why some markets obsess over biomechanics while others care more about aesthetics, and how culture shapes the way lifters around the world use and judge equipment. Benjamin also shares the stories behind Citadel’s most-loved pieces, what makes them stand out, and what’s next for the brand. Plenty of industry insight, this one’s a must-listen for anyone who loves great kit and even better conversations!   Instagram Handles: Bodybuilding Down Under: https://www.instagram.com/bodybuildingdownunder/?hl=en   Jack: https://www.instagram.com/jack.radfordsmith/    Daniel C: https://www.instagram.com/daniel.chapelle/   Lawrence: https://www.instagram.com/general.muscle/   Daniel Y: https://www.instagram.com/dy.fit/     Citadel Strength Equipment: https://www.instagram.com/citadelstrengthequipment/?hl=en