Welcome to the improvement Season Podcast!
This is a sub-podcast from the Revive Stronger Podcast itself, where both Steve & Mike talk about their entire bodybuilding journey. Bodybuilding, nutrition, training, coaching, all of our experiences and knowledge around this is something we discuss on a weekly basis on the Improvement Season Podcast.
Enjoy!
Why You're Not Making the Progress You Should Be - Steve & Mike
Hosts Magic Mike and Steve Hall answer listener questions about bodybuilding progress, coaching, and training decisions. They explain how better fueling and deliberate training can unlock progress, why body-fat percentages and short-term scale changes need context, and how to make practical choices around dieting, bulking, and career-building as a trainer.
Co-hosts Steve Hall and Magic Mike answer listener questions on bodybuilding, training, nutrition, and recovery. They explain how to test a sustainable body-fat level, when reverse dieting may prolong post-contest symptoms, how to judge training volume, and why cardio remains a useful tool despite adaptation.
Join the hypertrophic time chamber to ask questions: https://www.instagram.com/channel/AbazLhBRouBrMkCq/
Chapters
0:00 Intro
3:37 Delayed newbie gains and deliberate training
8:11 Why clients often find starting volume is plenty
10:46 Rally co-driver coaching analogy
13:03 Chances of competing natural at 41+
16:42 Maintenance between cut and bulk phases
18:51 Lean bulking with variable work expenditure
23:35 Is 20% body fat reasonable for a Masters Figure Pro
28:48 Steve's growth spurt and PRs
30:02 Compete in powerlifting again
34:04 Advice for a first-time personal trainer
40:35 Steve's consult and what he wants in a prep coach
42:24 Best relative strength: diet, supplements, training
46:06 Is food focus a sign to end the cut
49:35 Always self-coached or always coached
52:52 Adapting to a lower body fat set point
55:46 Reverse band on a hack squat
59:47 How to know you're done with competing
1:01:17 Reverse dieting after a prep
1:06:06 Changing machines and gyms
1:07:14 Dragon Ball Super and anime tangent
1:12:22 Gut health
1:15:32 Strategies for large weight loss
1:18:01 Maximum recoverable volume vs adapting
1:24:57 Christmas lifting traditions
1:26:26 Does cardio make your body "useless"
1:29:11 Wrap-up and feedback request
Thanks, please comment, like and subscribe!
COACHING: https://revivestronger.com/online-coaching/
INSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/revivestronger
NEWSLETTER: https://bit.ly/2rRONG5
__________________________________________________________________
Epic Workout Clothing (use code STRONGER):
• US: https://www.raskolapparel.com?snowball=STRONGER
• Europe: https://raskolapparel.eu/
• Canada: https://raskolapparel.ca/
__________________________________________________________________
Our Ebooks!
Ultimate Guide To Contest Prep Ebook:
• https://revivestronger.com/product/the-ultimate-guide-to-contest-prep/
__________________________________________________________________
Stay up to date with the latest research and educate yourself!
MASS (Research Review):
• https://www.massmember.com/a/2147994108/MxeV4T3M
Muscle & Strength Pyramids
• https://getdpd.com/cart/hoplink/25469?referrer=1uk0lvv6e1rqv
__________________________________________________________________
When you're interested in online coaching, please go visit our website and follow the application form:
https://www.revivestronger.com/online-coaching/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2 Nov 2026
Survivorship Bias in Bodybuilding (And Why You Should Care) - Steve & Mike
Hosts Steve Hall and Magic Mike blend personal updates with practical bodybuilding and coaching discussion. They explain survivorship bias in high-volume training, share how experience and presence can ease anxiety, and offer guidance on adjusting steps and calories when moving out of a cut.
They answer listener questions on bodybuilding training, nutrition, injury management, and coaching. They also compare potential bodybuilding-friendly places to live and share podcast recommendations, offering practical guidance while emphasizing individual differences and consistency.
Join the hypertrophic time chamber to ask questions: https://www.instagram.com/channel/AbazLhBRouBrMkCq/
Chapters
00:00 A Celine Dion-inspired Improvement Season intro
02:43 Halloween, social anxiety, and avoiding the phone
11:18 How experience makes consultations feel less stressful
17:22 Post-prep energy and training updates
26:45 Revive Stronger’s heavyweight embroidered hoodies
30:25 Survivorship bias and the risks of copying high-volume training
40:07 How to lower steps and adjust calories after a cut
46:41 Diet transition: use ballpark estimates, not scale stress
47:10 Bodybuilding-friendly cities: Sydney, Bali, Dubai and beyond
52:50 Warm-ups, high protein and weight changes after poor sleep
57:00 Barefoot gym shoes and keeping productive exercises
59:40 Drop sets, rest-pause and other intensity methods
01:03:49 Consultations: listen first, clarify coaching expectations
01:07:00 Assessing glute-ham discomfort and adjusting training
01:12:01 Their podcast picks and a discussion of willpower
01:18:48 Potassium consistency and peak-week food choices
01:21:49 Time-saving training, squat variations and intra-workout drinks
01:25:14 The McGill Big Three, tattoos and training around discomfort
01:30:04 Why knee discomfort may ease as you warm up
Thanks, please comment, like and subscribe!
COACHING: https://revivestronger.com/online-coaching/
INSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/revivestronger
NEWSLETTER: https://bit.ly/2rRONG5
__________________________________________________________________
Epic Workout Clothing (use code STRONGER):
• US: https://www.raskolapparel.com?snowball=STRONGER
• Europe: https://raskolapparel.eu/
• Canada: https://raskolapparel.ca/
__________________________________________________________________
Our Ebooks!
Ultimate Guide To Contest Prep Ebook:
• https://revivestronger.com/product/the-ultimate-guide-to-contest-prep/
__________________________________________________________________
Stay up to date with the latest research and educate yourself!
MASS (Research Review):
• https://www.massmember.com/a/2147994108/MxeV4T3M
Muscle & Strength Pyramids
• https://getdpd.com/cart/hoplink/25469?referrer=1uk0lvv6e1rqv
__________________________________________________________________
When you're interested in online coaching, please go visit our website and follow the application form:
https://www.revivestronger.com/online-coaching/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
26 Oct 2026
Should You Carb Cycle When Bulking or Cutting? - Steve & Mike
In this episode, we explore fitness routines, clothing choices, mental health, and recent competitions, offering practical insights and personal stories.
Steve Hall and Magic Mike discuss a wide range of topics from injury recovery and Marvel movies to exercise selection and motivation strategies. They share practical insights and personal experiences to help listeners optimize their training and mindset.
Join the hypertrophic time chamber to ask questions: https://www.instagram.com/channel/AbazLhBRouBrMkCq/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and episode overview
09:59 Upcoming fitness events and competitions
14:05 Merchandise updates and new product launches
18:13 Training updates and recent progress
27:59 Questions from listeners and expert advice
32:58 Mental health, motivation, and coping strategies
38:10 Training volume and muscle focus for advanced lifters
42:59 Research insights on muscle growth and training
44:14 Injury recovery tips for adductor strain
48:03 Favorite Marvel movies discussion
50:25 The underrated role of anatomy in exercise selection
52:28 Community and meetup plans
54:57 Upcoming bodybuilding events and travel destinations
55:57 Motivating clients and building confidence
01:01:45 Favorite gym items and equipment
01:02:26 Carb cycling for bulking and cutting
01:12:44 Traveling and tracking progress in gyms
01:19:11 Favorite anime and life lessons from anime
01:22:31 Traits of successful clients and competitors
01:26:44 Liposuction and natural bodybuilding ethics
01:30:23 Closing remarks and community engagement
Thanks, please comment, like and subscribe!
COACHING: https://revivestronger.com/online-coaching/
INSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/revivestronger
NEWSLETTER: https://bit.ly/2rRONG5
__________________________________________________________________
Epic Workout Clothing (use code STRONGER):
• US: https://www.raskolapparel.com?snowball=STRONGER
• Europe: https://raskolapparel.eu/
• Canada: https://raskolapparel.ca/
__________________________________________________________________
Our Ebooks!
Ultimate Guide To Contest Prep Ebook:
• https://revivestronger.com/product/the-ultimate-guide-to-contest-prep/
__________________________________________________________________
Stay up to date with the latest research and educate yourself!
MASS (Research Review):
• https://www.massmember.com/a/2147994108/MxeV4T3M
Muscle & Strength Pyramids
• https://getdpd.com/cart/hoplink/25469?referrer=1uk0lvv6e1rqv
__________________________________________________________________
When you're interested in online coaching, please go visit our website and follow the application form:
https://www.revivestronger.com/online-coaching/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
7,832,702
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.8 / 5
13 ratings
Spotify
4.8 / 5
82 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 95 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
98
Social presence
97
YouTube
93
Engagement
90
Contact The Improvement Season Podcast
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
