Self-Selecting

What are bikini competitors actually using—and what are the risks that often get left out of the conversation?In this episode, I break down 10 categories of performance-enhancing drugs commonly seen in bikini bodybuilding, including anabolic androgenic steroids, GLP-1s, growth agonists, beta agonists, thyroid hormone, TRT, SERMs, SARMs, diuretics, and hormone replacement therapy.Rather than presenting these drugs as shortcuts, I explain why athletes use them, the potential side effects and contraindications, and why “female-friendly” or non-androgenic doesn’t mean risk-free. I also cover virilization, muscle loss, cardiovascular and liver concerns, hormone health, and why medical supervision and an individualized risk assessment matter when making decisions around PED use.If you’re a bikini competitor, physique athlete, or someone comparing your natural progress to enhanced physiques online, this episode will give you more context around what may be happening behind the scenes—and the trade-offs that come with it. Timestamps:- [00:00 – 05:23] – PED Use in Bikini Bodybuilding: Natural vs. Enhanced Expectations- [05:23 – 09:00] – #1 Anabolic Steroids- [09:00 – 10:12] – #2 GLP-1s- [10:12 – 13:21] – Androgenic vs. Non-Androgenic PEDs & GLP-1 Risks- [13:21 – 15:28] – GLP-1 Contraindications & Mental Health Considerations- [15:28 – 18:05] – #3 Growth Agonists- [18:05 – 19:19] – #4 Beta Agonists- [19:19 – 21:33] – #5 Thyroid Hormone- [21:33 – 24:02] – #6 TRT for Women- [24:02 – 28:39] – #7 SERMs: Estrogen, Contest Prep & Unnecessary Risk- [28:39 – 31:53] – #8 SARMs- [31:53 – 34:27] – #9 Diuretics- [34:27 – 37:37] – #10 HRT- [37:37 – 38:38] – PED Risk, Medical Supervision & Final TakeawaysLinks & Resources:Purchase The Complete Fat Loss Guide:https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-fat-loss-guide/Purchase The Glute Building Blueprint:https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-glute-building-program/https://coryfit.com/⁠Coaching: Let's Chat⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/15min⁠Consults: Book a Call⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/one-time-consultationFor more content, follow along:⁠Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/cory_fit/⁠Patreon⁠: https://patreon.com/CoryFit?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

Want bigger, rounder delts without accidentally overdeveloping your traps, arms, or back?In this episode, I break down how I would structure an upper-body training program specifically for shoulder growth. I explain why defining the exact physique you want comes first, how I measure delt progress, and why your bone structure and body-fat distribution influence how much shoulder development you actually need. I also walk through my three-day upper-body framework, including push, skills, and pull days, plus the rear delt flies, lateral raises, pressing variations, and back exercises I use. I cover scapular stability, avoiding unwanted trap recruitment, exercise execution, and why more weight isn't always the answer for building better delts. Whether you're a bikini competitor trying to improve your upper-body balance or simply want wider, more defined shoulders, this episode gives you a practical framework for building delts intentionally.Timestamps:- [00:00 – 04:07] – How to Build Bigger Delts & Your Upper-Body Training Strategy- [04:07 – 08:46] – Define the Shoulder & Upper-Body Look You Actually Want- [08:46 – 10:21] – How to Measure Delt Growth & Track Shoulder Progress- [10:21 – 14:38] – Body Fat, Bone Structure & How Much Delt Muscle You Need- [14:38 – 16:18] – Scapular Stability & Preventing Unwanted Trap Growth- [16:18 – 21:15] – The 3-Day Delt Training Split & Upper-Body Warm-Ups- [21:15 – 24:50] – Rear Delt Flies & Cable Lateral Raise Technique- [24:50 – 28:20] – Shoulder Presses, Lateral Raises & Exercise Selection- [28:20 – 31:46] – Skills Day & Training Delts Without Building More Back- [31:46 – 35:38] – How to Structure a Back Day for Better Shoulder Development- [35:38 – 37:58] – Why I Avoid Upright Rows for Delt Training- [37:58 – 39:29] – Chest Pressing, Pec Development & Breast Implants- [39:29 – 40:59] – Recovery, Training Metrics & Breaking Through PlateausLinks & Resources:Purchase The Complete Fat Loss Guide:https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-fat-loss-guide/Purchase The Glute Building Blueprint:https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-glute-building-program/https://coryfit.com/⁠Coaching: Let's Chat⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/15min⁠Consults: Book a Call⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/one-time-consultationFor more content, follow along:⁠Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/cory_fit/⁠Patreon⁠: https://patreon.com/CoryFit?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

Why does hair loss happen—and how do you figure out what’s actually causing it?In this episode, I break down the biggest contributors to hair thinning and shedding, including androgens and DHT, thyroid medication, nutrient deficiencies, inflammation, stress, low protein intake, dieting, and everyday hair-care habits. I also explain why identifying the root cause matters before jumping into treatments like minoxidil, finasteride, spironolactone, or other hair-loss medications. If you’re experiencing hair loss during fat loss, bodybuilding, thyroid treatment, or PED use, this episode will help you understand what may be driving it and what to consider before choosing a treatment.Timestamps:- [00:00 – 02:01] – Hair Growth Phases & Why Hair Starts Shedding- [02:01 – 04:00] – Androgens, DHT & Why Hair Loss Usually Has Multiple Causes- [04:00 – 05:41] – Thyroid Medication & Hair Loss- [05:41 – 06:25] – Iron, Ferritin & Nutrient Deficiencies- [06:25 – 07:54] – Inflammation, Low Energy Availability & Hair Growth- [07:54 – 08:52] – Stress-Induced Hair Loss & Delayed Shedding- [08:52 – 11:31] – Hairstyles, Heat, Chemicals & Habits That Accelerate Hair Loss- [11:31 – 12:26] – Low Protein Intake & Hair Shedding- [12:26 – 16:27] – Bloodwork & Finding the Root Cause Before Treatment- [16:27 – 17:29] – Hair Loss Patterns & When to See a Dermatologist- [17:29 – 23:17] – Finasteride & Dutasteride: Benefits, Risks & Side Effects- [23:17 – 30:02] – Minoxidil, Microneedling & Ketoconazole- [30:02 – 32:39] – Spironolactone, Androgens & Performance Trade-Offs- [32:39 – 36:28] – Protein, Dietary Fat, Carbs & Nutrients for Hair Health- [36:28 – 41:17] – What to Do If You're Experiencing Hair LossLinks & Resources:Purchase The Complete Fat Loss Guide: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-fat-loss-guide/Purchase The Glute Building Blueprint: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-glute-building-program/https://coryfit.com/Coaching: Let's Chat⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/15minConsults: Book a Call⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/one-time-consultationFor more content, follow along:⁠Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/cory_fit/Patreon⁠: https://patreon.com/CoryFit?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

How do you actually perform the B-Stance Romanian Deadlift correctly?In this episode, I break down one of the most misunderstood glute-building exercises in strength training: the contralaterally loaded B-Stance RDL. I explain why this movement is designed to challenge hip and pelvic stability, how proper loading improves glute development, and the common compensations that reduce its effectiveness.I also cover why center of mass, core bracing, hip positioning, and foot pressure matter more than simply lifting heavier weights. Whether you're a physique athlete, bodybuilder, or someone looking to build stronger, more symmetrical glutes, this episode will help you improve your technique, eliminate common mistakes, and get more from every rep.Timestamps:- [00:00 – 05:18] – Why the B-Stance RDL Is So Often Done Incorrectly- [05:18 – 08:47] – Contralateral Loading, Hip Stability & Glute Growth- [08:47 – 14:15] – Unilateral Mechanics, Asymmetries & How the Movement Should Work- [14:15 – 18:00] – B-Stance RDL Setup & Technique Checklist- [18:00 – 22:07] – Why You Feel Your Lower Back During RDLs- [22:07 – 25:58] – Understanding Center of Mass & Balance- [25:58 – 29:11] – Contralateral vs. Ipsilateral Loading & Adductor Recruitment- [29:11 – 31:50] – The Most Common Hip Compensation Mistakes- [31:50 – 34:44] – Building Better Glutes Through Better TechniqueLinks & Resources:Purchase The Complete Fat Loss Guide: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-fat-loss-guide/Purchase The Glute Building Blueprint: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-glute-building-program/https://coryfit.com/⁠Coaching: Let's Chat⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/15min⁠Consults: Book a Call⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/one-time-consultationFor more content, follow along:⁠Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/cory_fit/⁠Patreon⁠: https://patreon.com/CoryFit?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

Why does fat loss feel so much harder than it should?In this episode, I break down why your experience of dieting isn't determined by calories alone. I explain how your beliefs, expectations, and perception of your food can directly influence hunger, dietary adherence, and long-term fat loss success. Using the famous Yale milkshake study, I explore how mindset can change physiological hunger signals—and what that means for your own diet.I also discuss why dietary fatigue builds long before most people realize it, how negative beliefs about food create unnecessary friction, why cheat meals often backfire, and practical ways to make dieting feel easier without sacrificing results. If you've ever felt like you're doing everything right but fat loss always feels impossible, this episode will help you change how you approach the process.Timestamps:- [00:00 – 05:16] – Why Dieting Feels Harder Than It Should- [05:16 – 09:00] – Hunger, Self-Belief & Expecting Diets to Be Difficult- [09:00 – 15:10] – Flexible Dieting, Restriction & Your Perception of Food- [15:10 – 21:03] – Friction Costs, Food Judgement & Hunger Signaling- [21:03 – 24:29] – The Yale Milkshake Study Explained- [24:29 – 29:33] – Dietary Fatigue, Cheat Meals & Food Psychology- [29:33 – 36:00] – Calories In vs. Calories Out (And Why Mindset Still Matters)- [36:00 – 40:17] – Meal Prep Hacks That Make Dieting Easier- [40:17 – 42:00] – The One Mindset Shift That Changes Everything- [42:00 – 47:27] – Why Fat Loss Plateaus Aren't What You Think- [47:27 – 48:20] – Final Thoughts & Coaching TakeawaysLinks & Resources:Purchase The Complete Fat Loss Guide: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-fat-loss-guide/Purchase The Glute Building Blueprint: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-glute-building-program/https://coryfit.com/⁠Coaching: Let's Chat⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/15min⁠Consults: Book a Call⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/one-time-consultationFor more content, follow along:⁠Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/cory_fit/⁠Patreon⁠: https://patreon.com/CoryFit?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

Should you train every set to failure if your goal is building muscle?In this episode, I break down what training to failure actually means, the difference between technical failure and muscular failure, and why knowing the distinction can dramatically improve your results while reducing your risk of injury. I explain how movement quality, stability, exercise selection, and skill level should determine how close you train to failure—not simply pushing until you can't complete another rep.I also discuss why feeling a muscle working doesn't always mean you're training it effectively, how compensations limit muscle growth, when it's appropriate to take an exercise to true failure, why filming your lifts is one of the best coaching tools available, and the biggest indicators I use to assess whether a set is productive.If you're trying to build muscle, improve exercise execution, master reps in reserve (RIR), understand RPE, or make better training decisions for long-term progress, this episode will help you train harder—and smarter.Timestamps:- [00:00 – 02:42] - Introduction & Why Training to Failure Is Often Misunderstood- [02:42 – 05:59] - What Training to Failure Actually Means (RIR vs. RPE)- [05:59 – 10:28] - Technical Failure vs. Muscular Failure Explained- [10:28 – 12:09] - Why Muscle Burn Doesn't Mean You're Training the Target Muscle- [12:09 – 14:53] - Breaking Through Rear Delt Plateaus by Improving Stability- [14:53 – 19:16] - Safety Considerations When Training Close to Failure- [19:16 – 23:07] - When to Push Hard Based on Exercise Selection & Workout Order- [23:07 – 30:44] - The Rep Speed Cue I Use to Gauge True Training Intensity- [30:44 – 34:13] - Why Recording Your Warm-Up Sets Improves Technique- [34:13 – 37:00] - High-Skill Exercises: Don't Push Past Technical Failure- [37:00 – 40:52] - Building Better Technique, Confidence & Long-Term ProgressLinks & Resources:Purchase The Complete Fat Loss Guide: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-fat-loss-guide/Purchase The Glute Building Blueprint: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-glute-building-program/https://coryfit.com/⁠Coaching: Let's Chat⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/15min⁠Consults: Book a Call⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/one-time-consultationFor more content, follow along:⁠Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/cory_fit/Patreon⁠: https://patreon.com/CoryFit?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink