PREP & SHOW UPDATES, THE IMPACT OF STRESS IN BODYBUILDING & GETTING HEALTH CHECK UPS || TCC EP.23

This week we kick things off with Darragh’s prep update at 4 weeks out, covering stress, sleep, fatigue, condition changes and how much of an impact mental stress can have on your physique, training and overall performance. We also dive into Mike’s bloodwork live on the podcast, Mark’s recent echocardiogram results, why bodybuilders need to take health monitoring seriously, and why ignorance is never the right approach when it comes to blood pressure, bloodwork and heart health. From there, we cover upcoming shows, travel plans, competing abroad, the cost of bodybuilding, natural vs enhanced federation rules, nostalgia from growing up, lads holidays, content creation, prep food, compounds, Reta, negativity in prep, and why seeing clients or other athletes win can be just as motivating as winning yourself. A proper mix of bodybuilding, health, prep, mindset and life stories in this one. If you enjoy the episode, make sure to like, comment and subscribe. Chapters 00:00 Welcome back & Darragh’s 4-week-out prep update 01:41 Stress, sleep and how they impact your physique 03:38 Reviewing Mike’s bloodwork live 06:44 Blood pressure, cholesterol and health markers on cycle 10:40 Kidney markers, liver markers and false bloodwork readings 13:08 Echocardiograms, heart health and deeper testing 15:08 Why proper private bloodwork matters 18:02 Natural shows, enhanced history and federation rules 20:40 Mark back in Ireland and training at new gyms 22:35 Darragh’s upcoming shows, travel and Spain plans 24:45 Amateur Olympia, big venues and stacked lineups 28:09 The cost of competing in bodybuilding 29:49 Upcoming shows and standout competitors 31:15 Blessing, criticism and taking feedback well 33:13 Ice cream vans, childhood and growing up outside 36:15 Freedom, independence and old-school parenting 38:10 Lads holidays, chaos and learning from experience 41:37 Outgrowing the party lifestyle 44:24 Content creation, consistency and just posting 47:17 Darragh’s prep meal and current food setup 48:29 Rice pudding, cream of rice and digestion 50:41 Anavar, orals and using compounds when lean 53:42 Reta, digestion and experimenting carefully 57:08 Training plans and Mark’s mindset shift 58:35 Negative self-talk and catching yourself early 59:41 Clapping for others and celebrating wins 01:02:28 Coaching fulfilment and clients achieving goals 01:04:20 Future masters bodybuilding comeback? 01:05:08 Seth Feroce, old-school motivation and final thoughts 01:06:38 Wrap-up - Use code DMAC10 for 10% off: ENGINEERED: https://engineeredmuscle.co.uk/ EXPLOSIVE FIBRES: https://explosivefibresxxxl.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoq360r_gxN4wHjAZNKIUa5OGPftfqsgzTv6zH9z2Qd5cHT-37nU HARDBODY: https://hardbody.store/?aff=114 NOSE STRIPS: https://www.histrips.com/DMAC10 WANT ME TO COACH YOU? APPLY BELOW: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc5WNh2pR1pwkZLc9ImVHjX_k3Hak-cjcBxYbCnIoALR46GCA/viewform?usp=sf_link Follow me on Instagram: @darraghmac_coach https://www.instagram.com/darraghmac_coach/