The Improvement Season Podcast

About The Improvement Season Podcast

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!

Publisher

Revive Stronger

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

2 Jan 2018

Latest episode

21 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

476 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   21 Sept 2026

   The Most Underrated Factor in Muscle Growth - Steve & Mike

   In this episode, Steve and Mike discuss the importance of sleep, training volume, and progress tracking for muscle growth and performance. They share personal insights, recent competition updates, and answer listener questions about supplements, training, and nutrition. Discussing a wide range of topics including coaching stories, social media management, training strategies, and personal experiences with fitness and nutrition. They share valuable insights for both aspiring and experienced fitness enthusiasts. Join the hypertrophic time chamber to ask questions: https://www.instagram.com/channel/AbazLhBRouBrMkCq/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and episode overview 02:36 Coaching stories: Aaron’s transformation and client progress 03:04 Steve's new apparel and gym wear insights 04:50 The underrated value of sleep for recovery 09:41 Rob's competition prep and recent results 10:23 Social media habits: managing overwhelm and doomscrolling 14:15 Reflections on bodybuilding judging and pro cards 18:02 Rob and Chris's progress and future plans 19:57 Training strategies: unilateral vs bilateral movements 21:31 Personal updates and training reflections 23:18 The importance of patience and consistency in bodybuilding 27:40 Upcoming competitions and athlete updates 29:18 Listener questions on training volume and supplements 30:45 Nutrition tips: increasing carbs and liquid calories 45:03 Skincare and hair removal for stage prep 55:36 Favorite anime shows and recent watches 01:10:07 Reflections on influence of podcast guests 01:20:07 Final thoughts and episode wrap-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

2. 

   15 Sept 2026

   You Don't Need More Sets | Training Hard, Failure & Earning Volume - Steve & Mike

   Steve Hall and Magic Mike open with a candid catch-up on training, recovery, and the realities of bodybuilding prep. They also break down a weekend of show support for Rob and Anthony, including posing tweaks, show-day nerves, judging differences, and how to stay grounded when placings do not match expectations. Plus a long Q&A covers recreational clients, elbow-friendly arm training, adductor work, stiff-leg deadlift mechanics, photos in the off season, prep fatigue red flags, cutting calories, refeed use, peak week foods, biceps tendinitis, and show-day nerves Join the hypertrophic time chamber to ask questions: https://www.instagram.com/channel/AbazLhBRouBrMkCq/ Chapters 00:00 Opening Catch-Up & Training Week Check-In 14:23 Mike's Weekend With His Dad & Nutrition Reflections 23:22 Rob's Show Weekend & Supporting Athletes in Person 38:35 Anthony's Show in Cyprus & the Value of Live Support 47:13 Q&A Begins + Coaching & Lead Generation 48:08 How Much of the Client Roster Is Recreational Lifters? 51:48 Pec "Dancing" – Can Either Host Do It? 53:01 Are Direct Adductor Exercises Necessary? 54:21 0 RIR vs 2 RIR: Why the Full Program Matters More 57:15 What Determines Maintenance Calories Over Time? 57:46 What the Hosts Think the Other Could Improve On 1:01:04 How a Book on Self-Esteem Is Helping Mike 1:01:51 Stiff-Leg Deadlifts: Knee Bend, Pauses & Digestion 1:03:53 Progress Photo Frequency for Off-Season Clients 1:06:35 Elbow-Friendly Ways to Train Biceps & Triceps 1:08:36 How to Know When Prep Is Going Too Far 1:11:25 Where to Cut Calories First When Starting a Diet 1:13:36 Managing Lower-Back Flare-Ups on Leg Movements 1:14:45 Losing Definition While Gaining: The Psychological Challenge 1:17:38 When Is a Refeed Actually Needed? 1:19:15 What Science Doesn't Clearly State — But May Still Help Bodybuilding 1:21:23 Do Pump Workouts & Carb Loads Work During Peak Week? 1:23:11 How to Manage Biceps Tendinitis 1:26:00 Steve's Coaching Process & Client Check-Ins 1:29:49 Feeling Suboptimal in Prep & What Recovery Scores Mean 1:30:42 Skills Each Host Would Love to Learn From Another Coach 1:34:17 Food Tracking, Bodybuilding Eating & MyFitnessPal Confusion 1:35:25 How Rest-Pause & Drop Sets Fit Into Training 1:36:39 Best Peak Week Foods: Easy Digestion & Low Volume 1:38:14 Backstage Nerves & Show-Day Comparisons 1:41:00 Closing Thoughts + Coaching Applications & Questions 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

3. 

   7 Sept 2026

   The Part of Bodybuilding Nobody Talks About - Jake Hellman

   In this episode, Jake Hellman shares his journey from a bodybuilding novice to competing on stage, highlighting the importance of self-belief, strategic planning, and balancing bodybuilding with life. Discover insights on mental shifts, show experiences, and how to make bodybuilding a sustainable part of your life. Jake shares his journey through bodybuilding, recovery from injuries, and insights on balancing intense training with life. We explore the importance of patience, mental resilience, and the long-term perspective in bodybuilding and health. Join the hypertrophic time chamber to ask questions: https://www.instagram.com/channel/AbazLhBRouBrMkCq/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and guest background 06:29 Deciding to compete and overcoming doubts 15:56 The moment Jake realized he is a bodybuilder 33:44 Balancing bodybuilding with work and life 40:15 Approach to training, nutrition, and perfectionism 45:08 Challenges after competition and injury insights 01:02:54 Mental resilience and problem-solving approach 01:11:28 Future goals and competition plans 01:16:40 Reflections on the Natural Bodybuilding Summit 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

81 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

Pitching The Improvement Season Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

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