1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:01,760 Well hello ladies and gents, Robert. 2 00:00:01,760 --> 00:00:03,600 Sykes Keto Savage dot com coming back. 3 00:00:03,600 --> 00:00:07,800 At you with the second-half of this two-part series on the wins 4 00:00:07,800 --> 00:00:10,800 and losses of my competition prep thus far. 5 00:00:11,480 --> 00:00:14,440 Before we dive into this, let's roll the intro. 6 00:00:24,810 --> 00:00:28,450 All right, So as you likely know, I've listened to the prior 7 00:00:28,570 --> 00:00:30,410 episode. Of this two-part series, I'm 8 00:00:30,410 --> 00:00:34,450 doing a wins and losses of my competition prep thus far with 9 00:00:34,450 --> 00:00:35,650 my amateur. Show. 10 00:00:35,650 --> 00:00:38,610 So I've competed three times. I've got five shows total. 11 00:00:38,890 --> 00:00:41,650 I won my pro car with the last show, so the next. 12 00:00:41,650 --> 00:00:45,450 Two shows will be pro shows. The last three were amateur 13 00:00:45,450 --> 00:00:48,770 shows, so I'm kind of going over the wins and losses and 14 00:00:48,770 --> 00:00:50,690 takeaways. Of those two shows. 15 00:00:51,110 --> 00:00:53,430 The first part of this series was the wins. 16 00:00:53,430 --> 00:00:55,710 The second part will be the losses. 17 00:00:56,110 --> 00:00:58,310 To be honest, there's not a whole lot of losses. 18 00:00:58,310 --> 00:01:00,110 I mean, I feel. Very good about this prep 19 00:01:00,390 --> 00:01:03,830 season, but I have learned a ton and just kind of want to 20 00:01:03,830 --> 00:01:05,630 showcase some of those learnings. 21 00:01:05,990 --> 00:01:09,430 Again, I'm not yet in my podcast studio, so the audio may be a 22 00:01:09,430 --> 00:01:11,350 little off. My apologies there. 23 00:01:11,670 --> 00:01:14,470 Hopefully it's totally easy. To hear and understand what I'm 24 00:01:14,470 --> 00:01:17,270 saying, that we'll be back in the podcast studio going. 25 00:01:17,270 --> 00:01:20,060 Forward with the episode, so let's roll up our sleeves and 26 00:01:20,060 --> 00:01:21,860 dive in. Let's talk first about the 27 00:01:21,860 --> 00:01:23,940 travel. There were some pros to the 28 00:01:23,940 --> 00:01:26,980 travel, but there are also some cons to the travel. 29 00:01:26,980 --> 00:01:29,100 Specifically with these last three. 30 00:01:29,100 --> 00:01:32,100 Shows, so we have driven to all of. 31 00:01:32,100 --> 00:01:37,020 These amateur shows thus far, we drove the converted ambulance 32 00:01:37,020 --> 00:01:41,980 camper to the first two shows which were in Logan, UT and 33 00:01:41,980 --> 00:01:44,700 White Plains, NY. This last competition that I 34 00:01:44,700 --> 00:01:49,410 went pro at, We drove my pickup truck with everything in the 35 00:01:49,410 --> 00:01:52,850 back and like I said, I'm I'm definitely classifying that as a 36 00:01:52,850 --> 00:01:53,650 win. Overall. 37 00:01:53,650 --> 00:01:57,250 We made some great memories. We took, you know, Rigel. 38 00:01:57,250 --> 00:02:01,690 To all these playgrounds and KO ways and cool little Airbnb's 39 00:02:01,690 --> 00:02:03,010 and all that stuff and it was great. 40 00:02:03,330 --> 00:02:07,250 However, there are some cons associated with driving that 41 00:02:07,250 --> 00:02:09,009 far. We are based in Arkansas, 42 00:02:09,009 --> 00:02:12,130 Northwest Arkansas. Specifically, we drove a 43 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:17,440 converted 1999 ambulance to the first two shows in Logan, UT and 44 00:02:17,440 --> 00:02:21,600 White Plains, NY, which is not a trivial Dr. that is not just a 45 00:02:22,280 --> 00:02:23,920 hop, skip and a jump down the road. 46 00:02:23,920 --> 00:02:25,880 That's quite an extensive journey. 47 00:02:26,280 --> 00:02:31,120 And with that we brought our young son Rigel, so he was 48 00:02:31,120 --> 00:02:34,720 sitting in the car seat. The converted ambulance is a. 49 00:02:34,720 --> 00:02:37,520 Cool rig, but it is not the most comfortable by any means. 50 00:02:37,520 --> 00:02:40,650 It's incredibly bouncy, the ACS kind of. 51 00:02:40,650 --> 00:02:44,090 Subpar. So it got very hot and it was 52 00:02:44,090 --> 00:02:44,970 just. Very stressful. 53 00:02:44,970 --> 00:02:48,290 Like the heat, the fact that, you know, I'm sitting up so high 54 00:02:48,290 --> 00:02:50,570 in that specific rig, my feet are dangling down. 55 00:02:50,570 --> 00:02:54,410 I had a lot more fluid retention during that travel. 56 00:02:54,410 --> 00:02:57,930 So I'd be very mindful of keeping compression socks on, 57 00:02:57,930 --> 00:03:00,930 and I was worried about that being showcased on the. 58 00:03:00,930 --> 00:03:04,450 Stage Luckily that was not the case, but it was just not a 59 00:03:04,450 --> 00:03:08,410 great comfort From a comfort standpoint, I mean, we. 60 00:03:08,610 --> 00:03:13,370 Would stop at these koas and sometimes we would camp in the 61 00:03:13,370 --> 00:03:18,370 rig and you know we had crystal and rides or crystal and myself 62 00:03:18,370 --> 00:03:22,250 on a little twin bed mattress thing and then rides on his 63 00:03:22,250 --> 00:03:24,890 little pack and play which is just very cramped. 64 00:03:25,450 --> 00:03:29,250 So that was kind of a con. We will be wisened up and 65 00:03:29,250 --> 00:03:32,530 started getting KOA campgrounds that had a little cabin on it. 66 00:03:32,530 --> 00:03:36,890 So then she and Rigel would be in the cabin and I would be in 67 00:03:36,890 --> 00:03:39,890 the camper or vice versa or something of that nature. 68 00:03:39,890 --> 00:03:43,010 We'd get a cabin that had that had multiple beds and I'd sleep 69 00:03:43,010 --> 00:03:45,650 in one. I'm trying to optimize my sleep 70 00:03:45,650 --> 00:03:49,770 because I'm not getting much of it, but traveling and staying at 71 00:03:49,770 --> 00:03:53,210 KOA campgrounds is probably not the most conducive thing to 72 00:03:53,210 --> 00:03:55,530 sleep. So I would say that would be a a 73 00:03:55,530 --> 00:03:59,850 con for sure. So that that was an issue, but 74 00:04:00,370 --> 00:04:03,650 again I think the the memories and just the experience far 75 00:04:03,650 --> 00:04:07,810 outweighed it and it was a net positive, but the traveling was 76 00:04:07,810 --> 00:04:11,690 a bit tricky in that regard. Plus we're just gone for so many 77 00:04:11,690 --> 00:04:15,730 days at a time and we're typically driving you know, 4-6 78 00:04:15,730 --> 00:04:18,290 hour days. But then with Rigel and the 79 00:04:18,290 --> 00:04:22,410 stops and everything, it winds up being an 8 or 10 hour day on 80 00:04:22,410 --> 00:04:27,100 the actual Rd. driving. So the day started early because 81 00:04:27,100 --> 00:04:29,860 I had to get a workout in as well and pose and all that stuff 82 00:04:29,860 --> 00:04:33,380 and then have my meal. And then they would end late. 83 00:04:33,380 --> 00:04:36,620 We would get often times to the KOA campgrounds at night. 84 00:04:36,620 --> 00:04:40,980 We have to unpack. Just get situated so took a long 85 00:04:40,980 --> 00:04:44,300 time on the days and then you know getting there and getting 86 00:04:44,300 --> 00:04:46,900 back home was pretty much like a two week endeavor. 87 00:04:46,900 --> 00:04:50,000 Like we'd have a week to get there and then a week to get 88 00:04:50,000 --> 00:04:52,480 back. At least four days on the front 89 00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:54,800 and back end of each of these competitions, plus the 90 00:04:54,800 --> 00:04:58,440 competition weekend itself. So we've just been out of our 91 00:04:59,000 --> 00:05:03,240 normal environment and setting for an extended period of time 92 00:05:03,320 --> 00:05:06,560 each time we've driven to. These shows, which is hard in 93 00:05:06,560 --> 00:05:09,680 and of itself. So that aspect I would say as a 94 00:05:09,680 --> 00:05:12,880 con we are definitely excited to get home and we pull into the 95 00:05:12,880 --> 00:05:16,160 driveway and again we're grateful for the memories, but 96 00:05:16,440 --> 00:05:20,020 being gone that long while running multiple businesses, 97 00:05:20,340 --> 00:05:24,860 having a year and a half year. Old and just trying to keep life 98 00:05:24,860 --> 00:05:28,260 organized is. A bit tricky to say the least. 99 00:05:28,260 --> 00:05:30,660 However, these next two competitions, we are actually 100 00:05:30,660 --> 00:05:34,980 flying to them, so there will be much less of a burden from a 101 00:05:34,980 --> 00:05:38,020 travel standpoint in getting there and returning home. 102 00:05:38,220 --> 00:05:40,180 So I'm excited to see how that compares. 103 00:05:40,760 --> 00:05:43,680 And again, the draft, the driving wasn't that positive I 104 00:05:43,680 --> 00:05:46,080 would say overall because. We had all of our gear with us. 105 00:05:46,280 --> 00:05:48,520 We have our camera gear. With us, all of our audio 106 00:05:48,520 --> 00:05:51,160 equipment with us. All of our food with us. 107 00:05:51,160 --> 00:05:56,440 It's just tricky to drive that far, be gone, be gone that long, 108 00:05:56,720 --> 00:05:58,800 and be pretty much living out of a. 109 00:05:58,800 --> 00:06:01,240 Vehicle for two weeks at a time anytime there's a show. 110 00:06:01,240 --> 00:06:05,000 So there is a con there, all right. 111 00:06:05,000 --> 00:06:09,040 The next list on the Con spectrum is the polygraph 112 00:06:09,040 --> 00:06:11,900 anxiety. So I've passed all three 113 00:06:11,900 --> 00:06:15,260 polygraph tests, and the way the polygraphs now work within the 114 00:06:15,260 --> 00:06:18,260 debut NBA federation is that you take a polygraph test and it is 115 00:06:18,260 --> 00:06:20,500 good for the next. Six weeks. 116 00:06:20,500 --> 00:06:24,140 So, because my last competition in Washington. 117 00:06:25,220 --> 00:06:29,460 Will basically be five weeks. Prior to Worlds, and even less 118 00:06:29,460 --> 00:06:32,500 time for this show in Massachusetts, I do not need to 119 00:06:32,500 --> 00:06:35,660 take any more polygraph tests, and I've passed all of them. 120 00:06:35,660 --> 00:06:39,860 I've never taken anything that I should concern myself with, but 121 00:06:40,330 --> 00:06:42,170 you talk to any competitor that does polygraph test, they're 122 00:06:42,170 --> 00:06:44,170 pretty much going to tell you that's still nerve wracking. 123 00:06:44,170 --> 00:06:47,730 And I've kind of been thinking about why it causes me so much 124 00:06:47,730 --> 00:06:50,370 anxiety and I I believe I've nailed it down. 125 00:06:50,890 --> 00:06:52,130 I know I've never taken anything. 126 00:06:52,130 --> 00:06:55,290 I can look at any polygraph, proctored straight in the eyes 127 00:06:55,290 --> 00:06:58,010 and be very honest, and I am very brutally honest with that. 128 00:06:58,370 --> 00:07:01,250 But what? What causes me the anxiety is 129 00:07:01,250 --> 00:07:08,170 the knowledge that somebody that doesn't know me can be the the 130 00:07:08,170 --> 00:07:10,210 make or break factor. They can say Oh no. 131 00:07:10,210 --> 00:07:15,250 Look, you failed this test and prevent me from competing and I 132 00:07:15,250 --> 00:07:20,370 put so much into this prep. I literally have sacrificed so 133 00:07:20,370 --> 00:07:22,250 much. I've not left one stone left 134 00:07:22,250 --> 00:07:24,770 unturned. I've not missed a meal, I've not 135 00:07:24,770 --> 00:07:27,570 missed a macro. I've not missed a training or 136 00:07:27,570 --> 00:07:30,970 posing session or a cardio session and the idea that 137 00:07:30,970 --> 00:07:33,610 somebody. Could say, hey, look, you know, 138 00:07:33,610 --> 00:07:35,810 you you seemed a little bit nervous here. 139 00:07:36,380 --> 00:07:39,900 You failed and just acknowledge that somebody could take that 140 00:07:39,900 --> 00:07:43,140 away from me, not. The the work that I've put in, 141 00:07:43,420 --> 00:07:48,020 but the opportunity to present that work causes me a lot of 142 00:07:48,020 --> 00:07:53,340 anxiety and starts festering with my OCD and just frustrates 143 00:07:53,340 --> 00:07:56,940 me a little bit, you know? So thank goodness I had never 144 00:07:56,940 --> 00:07:58,740 taken anything I can feel good about that. 145 00:07:58,740 --> 00:08:01,260 I can be at peace with them and I've passed all the polygraph 146 00:08:01,260 --> 00:08:02,980 tests, so it's water on the bridge now. 147 00:08:03,390 --> 00:08:08,510 But just the sheer anxiety that those kind of tests bring me is 148 00:08:09,070 --> 00:08:11,830 a con in and of itself. And I'm the same thing with with 149 00:08:11,830 --> 00:08:14,390 just tests in general. When I was in, you know, 150 00:08:14,390 --> 00:08:16,910 elementary school, middle school and high school and college, 151 00:08:17,230 --> 00:08:20,510 anytime I have to take a standardized test or an exam of 152 00:08:20,510 --> 00:08:24,230 any type really, where I've got to, like, put myself, you know, 153 00:08:24,230 --> 00:08:28,900 through the testing, you know, modality environment just causes 154 00:08:28,900 --> 00:08:31,580 me a lot of anxiety. No matter how much I studied, no 155 00:08:31,580 --> 00:08:34,860 matter how much I prepped, and no matter how confident I felt 156 00:08:34,860 --> 00:08:37,179 about the knowledge of the material, I would just get 157 00:08:37,179 --> 00:08:40,659 anxiety on the actual testing. I know a lot of people are like 158 00:08:40,659 --> 00:08:43,340 that, so this is probably similar for many. 159 00:08:43,659 --> 00:08:46,860 But just testing in general, especially when it's with 160 00:08:46,860 --> 00:08:50,780 someone that could potentially remove my opportunity to compete 161 00:08:51,100 --> 00:08:54,260 and step on stage and showcase. What I've worked so hard for 162 00:08:54,700 --> 00:08:58,060 does cause me anxiety and that anxiety around the polygraph 163 00:08:58,060 --> 00:09:00,100 testing. I would certainly classify as a 164 00:09:00,100 --> 00:09:05,180 con, but certainly something I need to just work at and you 165 00:09:05,180 --> 00:09:08,140 know be it more peace with. And you know, like I said, I've 166 00:09:08,140 --> 00:09:10,860 done three this year. I've passed all three and it's 167 00:09:10,860 --> 00:09:13,980 getting easier each time I pass And because it's like, you know, 168 00:09:13,980 --> 00:09:17,020 OK, this just. Is what it is, so there's that 169 00:09:17,500 --> 00:09:20,340 with regards to the training, the training, like I said in the 170 00:09:20,340 --> 00:09:22,780 prior. Episode of this series has 171 00:09:22,780 --> 00:09:25,740 mostly been positive. I haven't really experienced 172 00:09:25,740 --> 00:09:29,100 much of a decline in strength, but that much of A decline 173 00:09:29,100 --> 00:09:33,060 caveat is where the con comes in, because these past few weeks 174 00:09:33,060 --> 00:09:38,060 I have experienced some decrease in overall training output and 175 00:09:38,060 --> 00:09:41,340 that's, you know, going to be caused by a myriad of factors. 176 00:09:41,700 --> 00:09:46,660 I'm at, you know, nearly £30 down from my offseason weight, 177 00:09:46,660 --> 00:09:49,380 which is going to change my leverage points, which is going 178 00:09:49,380 --> 00:09:52,220 to have an impact on what I can lift for the number of reps I 179 00:09:52,220 --> 00:09:55,530 can lift it. So there's that I am losing a 180 00:09:55,530 --> 00:09:58,770 little bit of lean tissue, not much, certainly not as much as I 181 00:09:58,770 --> 00:10:00,450 was, you know when I was following a. 182 00:10:00,450 --> 00:10:04,130 Carbohydrate based protocol, but it's always, you know, 183 00:10:04,130 --> 00:10:07,210 disheartening and unsettling to see any drop in strength. 184 00:10:07,530 --> 00:10:10,770 And again, I haven't seen a decline in top level strength, 185 00:10:10,770 --> 00:10:14,770 so I'm still able to pull the same deadlift numbers for a 186 00:10:14,770 --> 00:10:18,850 single rapper. To that I was prior, but I'm not 187 00:10:18,850 --> 00:10:22,130 getting it with as many repetitions as I was in the 188 00:10:22,130 --> 00:10:25,240 building phase because I am so depleted right now. 189 00:10:25,240 --> 00:10:29,760 So there has been a slight decrease in strength and overall 190 00:10:29,760 --> 00:10:33,800 training volume these past few weeks, so that again would be a 191 00:10:33,800 --> 00:10:37,320 con. Judges feedback, judges feedback 192 00:10:37,320 --> 00:10:41,600 has all been very positive. After that second show, I got 193 00:10:41,600 --> 00:10:46,080 feedback on my symmetry round posing, specifically my front 194 00:10:46,080 --> 00:10:48,440 relaxed and my rear relaxed poses. 195 00:10:48,720 --> 00:10:51,680 They said that's likely what cost me the overall title in 196 00:10:51,680 --> 00:10:55,640 that second show I've talked. With all the judges across all 197 00:10:55,640 --> 00:10:58,840 the different competitions and they've all unanimously said 198 00:10:58,840 --> 00:11:01,000 that I was the most conditioned on stage. 199 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:05,360 So that's certainly a positive. But the fact that my posing on 200 00:11:05,360 --> 00:11:10,600 that front relaxed and rear relaxed cost of the overall is, 201 00:11:11,400 --> 00:11:14,320 you know, good criticism, like it's constructive criticism. 202 00:11:14,320 --> 00:11:16,120 It gave me something to work on, which I did. 203 00:11:16,440 --> 00:11:18,920 After that was over, I called one of the promoters. 204 00:11:19,080 --> 00:11:23,410 Who was a judge at that second show and I scheduled a call with 205 00:11:23,410 --> 00:11:27,930 him and he viewed my posing and gave me some more pointers and 206 00:11:27,930 --> 00:11:31,410 feedback That in tandem with the feedback I got from the judges 207 00:11:31,410 --> 00:11:34,850 immediately post show, I put into practice and tweaked my 208 00:11:34,850 --> 00:11:38,930 opposing practice accordingly and was able to improve upon 209 00:11:38,930 --> 00:11:41,250 those. Two poses for this third show, 210 00:11:41,530 --> 00:11:44,610 so definitely take the time to get the feedback from the 211 00:11:44,610 --> 00:11:47,850 judges. Don't you know shirk your 212 00:11:47,850 --> 00:11:49,650 responsibilities with the posing? 213 00:11:49,650 --> 00:11:53,350 Because that does often times become the make or break factor. 214 00:11:53,350 --> 00:11:55,950 And it should be the make or break factor when all those 215 00:11:55,950 --> 00:11:58,230 things, when all else is equal, certainly. 216 00:11:58,510 --> 00:12:02,670 But even if not, if not, I mean posing is a massive component of 217 00:12:02,670 --> 00:12:05,270 bodybuilding so you definitely want to make sure you're dialing 218 00:12:05,270 --> 00:12:07,470 that in. You know, it's it's sad to see. 219 00:12:07,470 --> 00:12:11,510 Competitors that work so hard with the nutrition, with their 220 00:12:11,510 --> 00:12:13,710 macros, with their training, with their cardio, and they 221 00:12:13,710 --> 00:12:17,520 bring an outstanding level of conditioning, but then they miss 222 00:12:17,520 --> 00:12:20,320 the bar with the posing, like you got to give that the 223 00:12:20,320 --> 00:12:23,480 attention it deserves. And I was, but I was posing 224 00:12:23,800 --> 00:12:27,520 incorrectly, apparently, for these federations and those what 225 00:12:27,520 --> 00:12:29,680 the judges wanted to see with. Those two poses. 226 00:12:30,200 --> 00:12:34,200 So I took that constructive criticism, made the tweaks and 227 00:12:34,200 --> 00:12:37,680 improved upon the package. For this third show, for those 228 00:12:37,680 --> 00:12:42,240 interested, the the feedback was on those two specific poses. 229 00:12:42,640 --> 00:12:46,680 I was holding my arms up too high with too much of A bend in 230 00:12:46,680 --> 00:12:48,440 my. Elbows, which was basically 231 00:12:48,800 --> 00:12:57,480 minimizing my ability to fully extend my lats out. 232 00:12:57,480 --> 00:13:01,240 Basically it was basically showcasing that I didn't have 233 00:13:01,240 --> 00:13:04,770 the lat development that I did. They were able to see that lat 234 00:13:04,770 --> 00:13:08,890 development in the muscular round poses like the the rear 235 00:13:08,890 --> 00:13:11,650 double bicep, the rear lat spread, the front double bicep, 236 00:13:11,650 --> 00:13:13,810 front lat spread. But they couldn't see it as 237 00:13:13,810 --> 00:13:16,850 well. In those symmetry round poses 238 00:13:16,850 --> 00:13:20,570 the front and rear relax. So by simply dropping my arms 239 00:13:20,570 --> 00:13:24,370 down a little bit, changing how I was breathing, slightly 240 00:13:24,930 --> 00:13:29,130 improved upon that look, touching on breathing, actually 241 00:13:29,410 --> 00:13:32,980 that's something that I also need to work on going forward. 242 00:13:32,980 --> 00:13:33,740 That's. That's another. 243 00:13:33,740 --> 00:13:36,940 Tweak that they've given me that that I can use to improve upon. 244 00:13:37,620 --> 00:13:42,220 When I'm transitioning through the poses, I tend to breathe a 245 00:13:42,660 --> 00:13:45,300 little bit more, you know, through my diaphragm. 246 00:13:45,620 --> 00:13:49,740 And I let my midsection relax slightly as I'm transitioning 247 00:13:49,740 --> 00:13:53,500 from 1 pose to the next and I need to work on that for these 248 00:13:53,500 --> 00:13:55,740 next two shows you want to make. Sure. 249 00:13:55,740 --> 00:13:58,900 Your core is tight throughout the entirety of the time you're 250 00:13:58,900 --> 00:14:02,220 on stage and you know I I need to improve upon that. 251 00:14:02,220 --> 00:14:03,380 It's something that I need to work on. 252 00:14:03,380 --> 00:14:06,260 So when I'm transitioning to these poses, keeping my core 253 00:14:06,260 --> 00:14:11,660 tide, having shorter breaths that's more, you know, upper 254 00:14:11,740 --> 00:14:15,020 breathing like more my chest and less in my abdomen section is 255 00:14:15,020 --> 00:14:17,300 going to be key. So I'm going to take that 256 00:14:17,300 --> 00:14:21,020 feedback going forward and try to improve that for these two 257 00:14:21,020 --> 00:14:23,020 pro shows that I've got in the pipeline. 258 00:14:23,760 --> 00:14:25,400 Blood work, let's talk about blood work. 259 00:14:25,400 --> 00:14:27,640 So I'm going to do a full blown YouTube video. 260 00:14:27,960 --> 00:14:31,720 That shows the blood work panels, so I'm just going to 261 00:14:31,720 --> 00:14:34,920 kind of briefly touch on it here, specifically my hormone 262 00:14:34,920 --> 00:14:38,600 panels because those have dropped quite a bit. 263 00:14:39,480 --> 00:14:44,120 My total testosterone is normally around 5 to 700. 264 00:14:44,360 --> 00:14:46,440 Which is pretty good for someone of my age. 265 00:14:46,440 --> 00:14:49,720 I'll be 32 at the end of this month, month of October. 266 00:14:50,320 --> 00:14:53,940 So you know 700 is pretty solid number there when it's around 267 00:14:53,940 --> 00:14:58,180 500 that's typically at times when I am sleep deprived or 268 00:14:58,180 --> 00:15:00,500 super stressed with the business endeavors. 269 00:15:00,740 --> 00:15:05,260 Sleep and stress are catastrophic towards hormone 270 00:15:05,260 --> 00:15:08,460 levels. Doing a prep being depleted is 271 00:15:08,460 --> 00:15:11,380 also catastrophic. So again, my baseline is 272 00:15:11,380 --> 00:15:17,020 typically around 500 to 700. When I got my blood work drawn 273 00:15:17,380 --> 00:15:22,450 on 7/17 of this year, my testosterone dropped 274 00:15:22,450 --> 00:15:28,570 significantly down to 169.4. And then here at my latest blood 275 00:15:28,570 --> 00:15:32,730 panel on 10/3 of this year it dropped even. 276 00:15:32,730 --> 00:15:37,650 Further to 86 nanograms per deciliter on total testosterone, 277 00:15:37,650 --> 00:15:40,610 which is abysmally low. It doesn't take an expert to 278 00:15:40,610 --> 00:15:46,050 know that that is not good. So interestingly enough, I have 279 00:15:47,350 --> 00:15:50,430 not really like most people. Most guys, when they're talking 280 00:15:50,430 --> 00:15:53,990 about low testosterone levels, they're experiencing symptoms 281 00:15:53,990 --> 00:15:57,670 such as. A decreased zeal for life. 282 00:15:57,670 --> 00:16:02,710 Lower energy, less strength and power output, and definitely 283 00:16:02,710 --> 00:16:05,150 less libido. I can't really say that I've 284 00:16:05,150 --> 00:16:10,270 experienced any decrease in just zeal for life, excitement, 285 00:16:10,270 --> 00:16:11,710 fulfilment, or anything like that. 286 00:16:11,710 --> 00:16:15,310 Certainly there has been a drop in libido with my testosterone 287 00:16:15,310 --> 00:16:18,780 being so low. Hormone hormones in general, sex 288 00:16:18,780 --> 00:16:23,460 hormones, specifically estrogen and testosterone, are very much 289 00:16:23,460 --> 00:16:26,140 so directly linked to body fat levels. 290 00:16:26,140 --> 00:16:29,740 So with me being incredibly lean right now. 291 00:16:29,780 --> 00:16:32,900 Probably sub four percent body fat via DEXA. 292 00:16:33,300 --> 00:16:35,900 And my last DEXA was 4.1 and that was several weeks ago. 293 00:16:37,580 --> 00:16:39,580 I'm going to have lower testosterone levels. 294 00:16:39,580 --> 00:16:42,500 That's just simply the nature. Of the beast with regards to 295 00:16:43,020 --> 00:16:47,150 doing these competition preps and that's been the case in 296 00:16:47,150 --> 00:16:51,110 years prior and as in years prior when I put on more body 297 00:16:51,110 --> 00:16:53,510 fat in the reverse statin building phase, those numbers 298 00:16:53,510 --> 00:16:57,630 return to a healthy baseline, but hopefully by me sharing 299 00:16:57,630 --> 00:17:00,190 this. With you, you recognize the 300 00:17:00,190 --> 00:17:04,430 significance and importance of having a proper reverse diet in 301 00:17:04,430 --> 00:17:07,430 building phase. Post prep, so you do return to a 302 00:17:07,430 --> 00:17:11,230 healthy body fat level and those normal those numbers can return 303 00:17:11,230 --> 00:17:16,339 to normal because being that low until testosterone is not the 304 00:17:16,460 --> 00:17:17,780 the best. It's not, it's not the 305 00:17:17,780 --> 00:17:19,579 healthiest. It's certainly not sustainable, 306 00:17:19,579 --> 00:17:21,700 certainly not something that I would advocate for. 307 00:17:22,380 --> 00:17:26,700 It's not worth the cost to be that lean for too long. 308 00:17:26,700 --> 00:17:29,260 So I am excited to get those numbers back up to a healthy 309 00:17:29,260 --> 00:17:32,660 range, which they most certainly will once I start eating more 310 00:17:32,660 --> 00:17:34,060 food and putting on more body fat. 311 00:17:34,540 --> 00:17:38,700 But again, total testosterone made that low is most certainly 312 00:17:38,780 --> 00:17:41,100 a con. So that is the con with the 313 00:17:41,100 --> 00:17:44,630 blood work there. And on that note, Libido has 314 00:17:44,630 --> 00:17:49,310 certainly taken a hit sex life win this deep into a 315 00:17:49,310 --> 00:17:52,430 competition. Prep wanes quite a bit for most 316 00:17:52,430 --> 00:17:56,390 natural athletes and I am certainly in the boat there. 317 00:17:57,110 --> 00:17:59,470 Crystal and I have a great relationship. 318 00:17:59,710 --> 00:18:03,150 Honestly, we've been more connected now with just 319 00:18:03,150 --> 00:18:04,870 everything we've been doing together and everything we've 320 00:18:04,870 --> 00:18:06,670 had to sacrifice and push through. 321 00:18:06,670 --> 00:18:10,580 So like our relationship. Is solid and she was just 322 00:18:10,580 --> 00:18:12,260 commenting down on that the other day. 323 00:18:12,580 --> 00:18:15,780 But our sex? Life is pretty, pretty, pretty 324 00:18:15,780 --> 00:18:18,380 abysmal right now, and part of that is simply because I am 325 00:18:18,380 --> 00:18:21,020 focused. I've got the eye of the tiger. 326 00:18:21,020 --> 00:18:25,060 I am 100% zeroed in on these competitions, so that's where my 327 00:18:25,060 --> 00:18:27,140 mind is AT. And from a psychological 328 00:18:27,140 --> 00:18:30,580 standpoint, I'm just not focused on sex life right now. 329 00:18:30,900 --> 00:18:34,220 But from a physiological standpoint, having such low 330 00:18:34,220 --> 00:18:37,140 testosterone as a result of the low body fat is certainly not 331 00:18:37,140 --> 00:18:40,360 conducive to. A great sex life either. 332 00:18:40,360 --> 00:18:44,160 So I would, I would classify that as a con, without a doubt. 333 00:18:45,360 --> 00:18:47,920 Relationship with food, Let's talk about that. 334 00:18:48,080 --> 00:18:51,760 So I said in the prior episode that my relationship with food 335 00:18:51,760 --> 00:18:54,680 has been positive and that is most certainly the case. 336 00:18:55,000 --> 00:18:58,320 That said, I am still hungry right now. 337 00:18:58,320 --> 00:19:01,120 Like I am depleted. I'm down to one meal a day, 338 00:19:01,120 --> 00:19:04,440 which I think works really well for me via the Ketogenic Prep 339 00:19:04,440 --> 00:19:08,590 protocol. This low on my calories, but I 340 00:19:08,590 --> 00:19:11,110 am still most certainly hungry. It's not like I'm walking. 341 00:19:11,110 --> 00:19:14,790 Through the day satiated. Right now my daily intake at the 342 00:19:14,790 --> 00:19:18,910 time of this recording is about 1700 calories on. 343 00:19:18,910 --> 00:19:22,390 Refeed day, like today is a refeed day actually. 344 00:19:22,390 --> 00:19:26,830 So my intake will be 3400. But on the day today my intake 345 00:19:26,830 --> 00:19:29,910 is quite low. So I do think about food. 346 00:19:29,910 --> 00:19:33,310 I am hungry. I am very cognizant when people 347 00:19:33,310 --> 00:19:37,820 around me are eating. So those are all cons. 348 00:19:38,300 --> 00:19:41,700 But again, to kind of cap that with a positive, it's not 349 00:19:43,060 --> 00:19:44,780 debilitating like it has been in the past. 350 00:19:44,780 --> 00:19:46,740 It's not like I'm obsessing about food. 351 00:19:46,740 --> 00:19:49,220 That's not like my only thought throughout the day. 352 00:19:49,260 --> 00:19:52,260 So there's my two cents on my current relationship. 353 00:19:52,260 --> 00:19:56,780 With food again overall positive but definitely, definitely 354 00:19:56,860 --> 00:19:59,300 hungry. Now let's talk about just the 355 00:19:59,300 --> 00:20:03,340 fact that I am depleted. I mean, that is certainly a con 356 00:20:03,340 --> 00:20:04,940 this far into. The prep. 357 00:20:05,490 --> 00:20:09,210 We've had, I mean, life goes on, even when you were in a prep. 358 00:20:09,210 --> 00:20:11,690 So like these past several weekends when I'm we haven't 359 00:20:11,690 --> 00:20:14,450 been traveling. We've been working on our 360 00:20:14,450 --> 00:20:17,570 homestead. We've had my folks come in, my 361 00:20:17,570 --> 00:20:21,330 dad's been helping me put up a fence and that is very 362 00:20:21,530 --> 00:20:24,010 physically. Demanding I'm driving T posts. 363 00:20:24,010 --> 00:20:28,330 I'm digging post holes. I'm carrying concrete. 80 pound 364 00:20:28,330 --> 00:20:30,410 bags of concrete. I'm mixing that concrete. 365 00:20:30,850 --> 00:20:33,970 And I am most certainly feeling it. 366 00:20:34,010 --> 00:20:35,850 I love physical labor. I love. 367 00:20:35,930 --> 00:20:38,890 Working outside, I love putting the work gloves on and getting 368 00:20:38,890 --> 00:20:43,090 after it, but I have been very depleted lately. 369 00:20:43,090 --> 00:20:47,010 So that work has been strenuous much more so than it is when I'm 370 00:20:47,010 --> 00:20:51,130 at my normal baseline. I mean, my dad is 30 years older 371 00:20:51,130 --> 00:20:56,170 than me and he is a hustler and he's working circles around me 372 00:20:56,170 --> 00:20:59,530 right now because. He's just not depleted and I am 373 00:20:59,530 --> 00:21:01,530 depleted. So being depleted in and of 374 00:21:01,530 --> 00:21:05,130 itself is a. Con Now it's something that I 375 00:21:05,130 --> 00:21:07,530 knew was going to happen, something that I embraced, and 376 00:21:07,530 --> 00:21:10,410 it's just part of the. Process of this journey. 377 00:21:10,930 --> 00:21:15,770 So you know, I take it as it comes, but I don't love feeling 378 00:21:15,770 --> 00:21:17,650 depleted. I don't love feeling like I 379 00:21:17,650 --> 00:21:23,770 can't outwork anybody around me and, you know, being depleted 380 00:21:23,770 --> 00:21:26,010 is. Is a con, so I wanted to throw 381 00:21:26,010 --> 00:21:29,300 that on the list. But honestly, it hasn't been 382 00:21:29,300 --> 00:21:32,100 debilitating in most aspects of my life. 383 00:21:32,100 --> 00:21:35,380 Like, I'm still working. I'm still podcasting. 384 00:21:35,380 --> 00:21:38,420 My mental acuity is still there. Which is? 385 00:21:38,660 --> 00:21:40,180 Awesome. I think, you know, I tribute 386 00:21:40,180 --> 00:21:43,780 that to the fact that my ketones, you know, are rock 387 00:21:43,780 --> 00:21:46,940 solid as a result of the prep protocol that I'm following. 388 00:21:47,100 --> 00:21:50,460 So from a mental acuity standpoint, I don't really feel 389 00:21:50,700 --> 00:21:53,260 depleted, but from a physical standpoint, when it comes to 390 00:21:53,260 --> 00:21:56,420 doing everything else outside of the prep. 391 00:21:57,220 --> 00:21:59,060 It's been challenging for sure, especially when you're doing a 392 00:21:59,060 --> 00:22:01,420 whole bunch of physical labor outside or something of that 393 00:22:01,420 --> 00:22:05,220 nature. So that would be a con on this 394 00:22:05,220 --> 00:22:08,140 list without a doubt. Let's talk about expenses. 395 00:22:08,140 --> 00:22:12,460 So expenses are a con, doing a competition prep, traveling to a 396 00:22:12,460 --> 00:22:16,300 venue, we've been, we've been spending a lot of money. 397 00:22:16,300 --> 00:22:19,260 I mean just simply the traveling component is very expensive, 398 00:22:19,260 --> 00:22:22,580 like when you when you add up all the fuel costs. 399 00:22:23,020 --> 00:22:26,580 When you add up the Airbnb cost, When you add up, the hotel 400 00:22:26,580 --> 00:22:27,980 stays. When you add up the KOA 401 00:22:27,980 --> 00:22:33,460 expenses, that's expensive. Plus I have a flown chip our 402 00:22:33,460 --> 00:22:36,540 media guy out to all of these events, put him in the Airbnb 403 00:22:36,540 --> 00:22:38,980 with us. So there's been a, you know, 404 00:22:38,980 --> 00:22:41,260 quite a bit of cost associated with those flights. 405 00:22:41,260 --> 00:22:44,260 We're going to be flying to the next shows, like I said, so 406 00:22:44,260 --> 00:22:46,300 there's. The cost of those flights? 407 00:22:46,540 --> 00:22:49,620 It's my flight. Rigel's flight crystals, Flight 408 00:22:49,620 --> 00:22:51,760 chips, flight. I mean, it's just expensive. 409 00:22:51,760 --> 00:22:54,360 Like traveling is expensive. Plus you've got the added 410 00:22:54,360 --> 00:22:58,920 expenses of registering for the shows, having your membership 411 00:22:58,920 --> 00:23:02,960 card for the amateur division and now the the Pro division. 412 00:23:02,960 --> 00:23:07,480 For me, the cost of the posing trunks, the cost of the tanning, 413 00:23:07,720 --> 00:23:10,320 the cost of the photography packages in which I've been 414 00:23:10,560 --> 00:23:12,480 getting all the photographer packages. 415 00:23:12,480 --> 00:23:15,480 So I have that to document this journey as well so. 416 00:23:15,840 --> 00:23:19,660 Quite a bit of expense there. And then just the expense of you 417 00:23:19,660 --> 00:23:23,220 know going to different gyms along the way, paying the day 418 00:23:23,220 --> 00:23:28,580 passes the cost of the food. For the meal prep like this is 419 00:23:29,340 --> 00:23:31,260 a. Fairly expensive sport when you 420 00:23:31,260 --> 00:23:33,900 start itemizing and breaking everything down bit by bit. 421 00:23:33,900 --> 00:23:39,060 We have spent several, several, several. $1000 thus far. 422 00:23:39,740 --> 00:23:42,940 And I'm OK with that because I knew that going in and I want to 423 00:23:43,060 --> 00:23:44,860 not, you know, take any shortcuts. 424 00:23:44,860 --> 00:23:47,140 I want to eat quality. Food I want to. 425 00:23:47,620 --> 00:23:50,020 Make sure that I'm bringing my media guy with me so I can 426 00:23:50,020 --> 00:23:52,820 document all this for y'all. I want to make sure that we're, 427 00:23:53,700 --> 00:23:57,260 you know, traveling and you know, making making it as 428 00:23:57,300 --> 00:24:00,740 sustainable as possible. So I embrace those expenses, but 429 00:24:01,420 --> 00:24:04,580 it is still very expensive, so that would be a con on the list 430 00:24:04,700 --> 00:24:07,580 as well. And then finally, I kind of want 431 00:24:07,580 --> 00:24:11,300 to just cap this list of cons out with just the fact that 432 00:24:11,420 --> 00:24:14,100 doing all of this has spread me pretty thin. 433 00:24:14,100 --> 00:24:16,660 So when you do a competition prep. 434 00:24:17,420 --> 00:24:19,340 You know, like I said, life goes on. 435 00:24:19,420 --> 00:24:22,420 But it's also a pretty big focus. 436 00:24:22,420 --> 00:24:26,260 Of your life during that time. So I've got a lot of things 437 00:24:26,260 --> 00:24:28,060 going on and I've got a lot of irons in the fire. 438 00:24:28,060 --> 00:24:30,260 I've got multiple businesses that I'm running. 439 00:24:30,260 --> 00:24:32,660 I've got multiple employees that I'm managing. 440 00:24:33,340 --> 00:24:35,820 I've got, you know, my son that I'm raising. 441 00:24:35,820 --> 00:24:38,260 I've got my wife that I'm married to. 442 00:24:38,260 --> 00:24:40,660 I've got my friends, I've got my family. 443 00:24:40,900 --> 00:24:43,380 I have all these things pulling at me from all different 444 00:24:43,380 --> 00:24:44,900 directions, all different angles. 445 00:24:45,270 --> 00:24:48,750 While I'm also prepping for five competitions and trying to be 446 00:24:48,750 --> 00:24:52,590 the leanest man in the world and be the absolute best I can be, 447 00:24:52,790 --> 00:24:56,910 which means, you know, not shirking my responsibilities in 448 00:24:56,910 --> 00:25:00,510 the gym, Training hard, putting in the time with the posing, 449 00:25:00,830 --> 00:25:03,990 putting in the time with the cardio with the tanning with 450 00:25:03,990 --> 00:25:09,110 everything and doing all of that in tandem is quite the challenge 451 00:25:09,110 --> 00:25:11,190 indeed. And I think I've managed it. 452 00:25:11,670 --> 00:25:14,390 I know I've managed it better this prep. 453 00:25:14,700 --> 00:25:17,860 By far than I ever have in the prep prior. 454 00:25:18,060 --> 00:25:20,900 I have more responsibilities now than I ever have. 455 00:25:21,180 --> 00:25:24,300 I've got more commitments, more obligations, and I've been able 456 00:25:24,300 --> 00:25:26,700 to juggle it all quite effectively. 457 00:25:26,700 --> 00:25:31,060 But that doesn't change the fact that I am still spread very, 458 00:25:31,060 --> 00:25:33,620 very thin. I am excited for these next two 459 00:25:33,620 --> 00:25:35,860 shows. I'm excited to soak in every 460 00:25:35,860 --> 00:25:39,700 moment of this competition prep journey, but I am also excited 461 00:25:39,700 --> 00:25:43,100 for them to be over. So that I can allocate the time 462 00:25:43,100 --> 00:25:46,980 and resources and attention and energy and just hustle that I'm 463 00:25:46,980 --> 00:25:50,900 putting towards these shows to every other aspect of my life. 464 00:25:50,900 --> 00:25:54,860 Like my parenting, like my relationship with Crystal, like 465 00:25:54,860 --> 00:25:58,180 the relationship with my friends and family, like the business 466 00:25:58,180 --> 00:26:01,460 and my my crew and everything. And they've all done a great job 467 00:26:01,460 --> 00:26:03,860 keeping everything on track while I've been focusing on 468 00:26:03,860 --> 00:26:05,940 this. But I'm excited to take. 469 00:26:06,300 --> 00:26:08,780 The time and resources that I'm now spending on the prep. 470 00:26:09,210 --> 00:26:11,490 And being able to apply that to every other component of my 471 00:26:11,490 --> 00:26:13,090 life. And that's something that I 472 00:26:13,090 --> 00:26:16,810 always come out of a prep season with just this, you know, 473 00:26:16,810 --> 00:26:19,010 resounding sense of zeal and excitement for. 474 00:26:19,010 --> 00:26:22,290 Like when I pour myself into the prep and I see the fruits of my 475 00:26:22,290 --> 00:26:26,930 labor take place there and then that's over. 476 00:26:27,570 --> 00:26:30,570 So many people, they cross that finish line and they don't 477 00:26:30,570 --> 00:26:32,050 really know. They feel lost. 478 00:26:32,050 --> 00:26:35,650 They don't know what to do with. All of that energy, drive and 479 00:26:35,650 --> 00:26:38,050 focus and attention they were putting towards the prep. 480 00:26:38,660 --> 00:26:41,780 I'm grateful because I've got. So many other things going on in 481 00:26:41,780 --> 00:26:46,140 my life outside the prep, the businesses are going to go on a 482 00:26:46,140 --> 00:26:50,020 whole nother level of OverDrive once the prep is over. 483 00:26:50,020 --> 00:26:52,820 Like there's so many things that I'm working on, on the business 484 00:26:52,820 --> 00:26:55,580 right now that have had to take a little bit of a back seat due 485 00:26:55,580 --> 00:26:58,300 to this prep. So when the prep is over, y'all 486 00:26:58,300 --> 00:27:01,380 just get ready because. All the aspects of Keto Brick 487 00:27:01,380 --> 00:27:03,300 live savage. Apparel, this contest, prep 488 00:27:03,300 --> 00:27:06,420 course that I'm working on, the coaching, everything. 489 00:27:06,420 --> 00:27:10,260 It's just about to get. A very extensive overhaul for 490 00:27:10,260 --> 00:27:12,140 the better. And everything is just going to 491 00:27:12,140 --> 00:27:14,500 improve. So I'm excited to pour into 492 00:27:14,500 --> 00:27:17,220 those things. But that is not where my focus 493 00:27:17,220 --> 00:27:19,620 is right now. The focus is on the prep. 494 00:27:20,300 --> 00:27:24,020 So that is kind of a a pro. And a con. 495 00:27:24,020 --> 00:27:25,780 I mean, there's there's good things that I said there for 496 00:27:25,780 --> 00:27:29,100 sure, but the fact that I am spread as thin as I am in its 497 00:27:29,100 --> 00:27:32,460 totality would be a con because there's just so many things 498 00:27:32,460 --> 00:27:35,140 going on right now. So that, ladies and gentlemen, 499 00:27:35,340 --> 00:27:39,620 is my list of pros and cons, wins and losses. 500 00:27:39,780 --> 00:27:41,340 Hopefully you got something out of this. 501 00:27:41,660 --> 00:27:44,500 Definitely let me know if you like this kind of shorter form, 502 00:27:45,100 --> 00:27:47,860 you know podcasting, which I'm not bringing a guest on, I'm 503 00:27:47,860 --> 00:27:49,820 just kind of talking about something with more of a deep 504 00:27:49,820 --> 00:27:53,140 dive focus from my perspective. Definitely keen to get y'all's 505 00:27:53,180 --> 00:27:55,580 feedback on this, but I appreciate. 506 00:27:55,580 --> 00:27:57,940 Y'all tuning and I appreciate y'all being part of the journey 507 00:27:58,260 --> 00:28:01,700 and I'm excited to keep. Delivering content around this 508 00:28:01,900 --> 00:28:04,660 nutritional protocol, the ketogenic lifestyle and this 509 00:28:05,100 --> 00:28:08,820 contest prep specific protocol. So again, I can't thank you all 510 00:28:08,820 --> 00:28:11,620 enough for being a part of it. Thank you all so very much and I 511 00:28:11,620 --> 00:28:14,300 will likely do a similar two-part. 512 00:28:14,300 --> 00:28:17,780 Series of wins and losses after these next two pro shows. 513 00:28:18,020 --> 00:28:20,940 Coming up. So stay tuned for that for sure. 514 00:28:21,260 --> 00:28:23,260 Until then, talk to you next time.