Bodybuilding Down Under

160: STAYING TRUE TO NATURAL BODYBUILDING FT. ANB AUSTRALIA

Welcome to episode 160 of the Bodybuilding Down Under podcast!
This week, we’re joined by Kenny and Jen from ANB, one of Australia’s longest-standing natural bodybuilding federations. Whether you're a competitor, coach, or fan of the sport, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look into the philosophy, structure, and future of ANB, and what sets it apart in the world of natural bodybuilding.
Here’s what we cover:
🔹 Kenny & Jen’s backgrounds – How they got involved in the sport and with ANB.🔹 History of ANB – From its roots to its evolution into a leading natty federation.🔹 Divisions offered – A breakdown of men’s and women’s categories.🔹 International competition – Can ANB athletes compete overseas?🔹 Pathway to DFAC Worlds – What it takes to qualify and represent Australia.🔹 What makes ANB different – From show day experience to athlete support.🔹 Drug testing protocols – A transparent look at ANB’s anti-doping policy.🔹 Upcoming shows for 2025 – Key dates and events to mark in your calendar.
If you're considering stepping on stage or just want to learn more about Australia's competitive natural bodybuilding scene, this is a must-listen episode.
Thanks again for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a five-star review, and share it to your IG story so we can repost.
Stay serious about it, and we’ll catch you in the next one!
Instagram Handles:
Bodybuilding Down Under: https://www.instagram.com/bodybuildingdownunder/
Jack: https://www.instagram.com/jack.radfordsmith/
Daniel C: https://www.instagram.com/daniel.chapelle/
Lawrence: https://www.instagram.com/general.muscle/
Daniel Y: https://www.instagram.com/dy.fit/

159: COACHING RED FLAGS, COMP PREP FOOD MISTAKES & BODYBUILDING MYTHS

Welcome to episode 159 of the Bodybuilding Down Under podcast!
In this week’s episode, we tackle some of the big-picture questions and personal lessons from our time in the sport, from social media’s impact on natural bodybuilding to red flags in coaching, and the one myth we think needs to be buried for good.
Here’s what we cover:
🔹 Instagram’s influence on natural bodybuilding – Has it helped the sport grow, or distorted it?🔹 Choosing the right federation & division – Why this decision can make or break your competitive experience.🔹 Red flags in online coaching – What to look out for when choosing a coach.🔹 Bodybuilding myths that need to die – The one we’d eliminate first.🔹 Advice we wish we followed earlier – Hard-earned wisdom we’d pass on to our younger selves.🔹 Meal variety during comp prep – How often is too often to change things up?
If you’re navigating your own bodybuilding journey or just enjoy hearing real perspectives from inside the sport, this one is full of practical insight and honest reflection.
As always, thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a five-star review, and share the episode to your IG story so we can repost it.
Stay serious about it, and we’ll catch you in the next one!
Instagram Handles:
Bodybuilding Down Under: https://www.instagram.com/bodybuildingdownunder/
Jack: https://www.instagram.com/jack.radfordsmith/
Daniel C: https://www.instagram.com/daniel.chapelle/
Lawrence: https://www.instagram.com/general.muscle/
Daniel Y: https://www.instagram.com/dy.fit/

158: ICN QLD RECAP, RIR DEBATE & ENHANCED ATHLETE TRENDS

Welcome to episode 158 of the Bodybuilding Down Under podcast!
This week, the crew catches up to talk all things mini-cuts, prep updates, and the current state of natural bodybuilding, plus a recap of the recent ICN Queensland show and a fresh take on one of the most debated training topics in the industry.
Here’s what we cover:
🔹 Mini-cuts and prep updates – Where each of us is currently at.🔹 ICN Queensland show recap – Standout athletes, judging takeaways, and overall impressions.🔹 Natural to enhanced: a growing shift? – Are more athletes moving away from natural bodybuilding, and what’s driving the trend?🔹 Updated consensus on training to failure – Our latest thoughts on RPE, RIR, and how to program intensity effectively.
If you’re deep in prep, planning your off-season, or just love following the current state of the sport, this episode delivers a grounded mix of insight, experience, and real talk.
Thanks again for listening! If you’re enjoying the show, be sure to subscribe, leave a five-star review, and share the episode to your IG story so we can repost.
Stay serious about it, and we’ll catch you in the next one!
Instagram Handles:
Bodybuilding Down Under: https://www.instagram.com/bodybuildingdownunder/
Jack: https://www.instagram.com/jack.radfordsmith/
Daniel C: https://www.instagram.com/daniel.chapelle/
Lawrence: https://www.instagram.com/general.muscle/
Daniel Y: https://www.instagram.com/dy.fit/

157: WNBF & IFBB RECAPS | STAYING LOCKED IN BETWEEN SHOWS FT. JOEY CANTLIN

Welcome to episode 157 of the Bodybuilding Down Under podcast!
In this week’s episode, we’re joined by friend of the show Joey Cantlin as we unpack a big week in bodybuilding, from the latest WNBF Australia show to the always-stacked IFBB Pittsburgh Pro. We also touch on the importance of staying focused between shows and announce something exciting for the BDU community!
Here’s what we cover:
🔹 New BDU shirt drop! – Fresh apparel for serious lifters and listeners (IYKYK)🔹 WNBF Australia recap – Standout physiques, show highlights, and judging insights.🔹 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro recap – Big names, big conditioning, and our thoughts on the top line-ups.🔹 Staying locked in between shows – How to maintain momentum and mindset during the in-between weeks of a comp season.
Whether you’re a fan of natural or enhanced bodybuilding, or both, this episode brings together insights from all corners of the sport, with Joey bringing his trademark energy and perspective throughout.
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a five-star review, and share it to your IG story so we can repost it. Your support keeps this community strong.
Stay serious about it, and we’ll catch you in the next one!
Instagram Handles:
Bodybuilding Down Under: https://www.instagram.com/bodybuildingdownunder/
Jack: https://www.instagram.com/jack.radfordsmith/
Daniel C: https://www.instagram.com/daniel.chapelle/
Lawrence: https://www.instagram.com/general.muscle/
Daniel Y: https://www.instagram.com/dy.fit/

156: OPTIMISING YOUR PUSH WORKOUT FOR CHEST & DELT HYPERTROPHY

Welcome to episode 156 of the Bodybuilding Down Under podcast!
In this episode, we dive deep into optimising your push day training, breaking down the best approaches for chest and delt hypertrophy, and tackling some of the most debated questions around pressing and isolation work.
Here’s what we cover:
🔹 Chest training fundamentals – Building a balanced and effective push session.🔹 Pressing mechanics – Free weights vs machines: pros, cons, and what we prefer.🔹 Barbell vs dumbbell pressing – Key differences and programming considerations.🔹 Fly variations – When and how to use dumbbells, cables, and the pec deck.🔹 Dips: chest or triceps? – How to bias the movement for your goals.🔹 Anterior delts – Are raises necessary, or is pressing enough?🔹 Side delt training – Maximising medial delt growth for a capped look.🔹 Lengthened partials – When and why to implement them in push workouts.
Whether you’re refining your technique or looking to squeeze more progress out of your push sessions, this episode is packed with actionable tips to level up your chest and delt training.
As always, thanks for tuning in! Be sure to subscribe, leave a five-star review, and share the episode to your IG story so we can repost it. Your support keeps the podcast growing.
Stay serious about it, and we’ll catch you in the next one!
Instagram Handles:
Bodybuilding Down Under: https://www.instagram.com/bodybuildingdownunder/
Jack: https://www.instagram.com/jack.radfordsmith/
Daniel C: https://www.instagram.com/daniel.chapelle/
Lawrence: https://www.instagram.com/general.muscle/
Daniel Y: https://www.instagram.com/dy.fit/

155: HYPERTROPHY TACTICS, NUTRITIONAL PERIODISATION & CONTEST PREP CHALLENGES

Welcome to episode 155 of the Bodybuilding Down Under podcast!
In this week’s episode, we cover a wide range of topics that blend science, strategy, and experience across both the prep and off-season phases of bodybuilding.
Here’s what we dive into:
🔹 Skill point allocation for muscle growth, muscle architecture & leanness potential. If you had to “spend” points to maximise these traits, where would they go?🔹 Most underrated movement for back development. The forgotten lift that might be your missing link.🔹 Our go-to ways to increase calories without killing your appetite. Practical strategies that actually work in a long off-season.🔹 The hardest part of prep? Final 4 weeks vs. post-show recovery: which really tests you more?🔹 Best muscle group to prioritise in the off-season for stage impact. What judges really notice and what often gets overlooked.
Whether you're deep in prep, rebounding post-show, or just planning your next off-season push, this episode is packed with takeaways to sharpen your focus and elevate your physique.
Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed this one, make sure to subscribe, leave us a five-star review, and tag us on your IG story so we can repost. Your support means the world.
Stay serious about it, and we’ll catch you in the next one!
Instagram Handles:
Bodybuilding Down Under: https://www.instagram.com/bodybuildingdownunder/
Jack: https://www.instagram.com/jack.radfordsmith/
Daniel C: https://www.instagram.com/daniel.chapelle/
Lawrence: https://www.instagram.com/general.muscle/
Daniel Y: https://www.instagram.com/dy.fit/

154: PRO CARD PREDICTIONS | PREP UPDATES | UNDERRATED VS OVERRATED RAPID-FIRE

Welcome to episode 154 of the Bodybuilding Down Under podcast!
In this week’s episode, the boys catch up for another roundtable chat, diving into all things comp prep and off-season updates. DC and DY share how their preps are progressing, Jack reveals his upcoming prep plans, and Lawrence gives insight into his current off-season approach.
The team also wraps up the recent IFBB QLD show and shares their pro card predictions across categories like Figure, Bikini, Bodybuilding, Classic, and Men’s Physique.
To round things out, they jump into a rapid-fire Overrated or Underrated segment, giving their takes on intra workout carbs, tracking electrolytes, caffeine, and the age-old debate of internal cues vs just moving weight.
Thanks again for tuning in, we hope you enjoy the episode!
If you’re enjoying the podcast, we’d really appreciate it if you subscribed and left a five-star review to help the show grow. Take a screenshot and share it on your IG story — don’t forget to tag us using the handles below.
Stay tuned for more weekly episodes!
Instagram Handles:
Bodybuilding Down Under: https://www.instagram.com/bodybuildingdownunder/
Jack: https://www.instagram.com/jack.radfordsmith/
Daniel C: https://www.instagram.com/daniel.chapelle/
Lawrence: https://www.instagram.com/general.muscle/
Daniel Y: https://www.instagram.com/dy.fit/

153: INSIDE THE OCB: GLOBAL GROWTH, DRUG TESTING & THE YORTON CUP FT. LISA BLACKBURN & SEAN SULLIVAN

Welcome to episode 153 of the Bodybuilding Down Under podcast! In this special international edition, we’re joined by Lisa Blackburn, the Australian promoter for the OCB, and Sean “Sully” Sullivan, the long-time OCB promoter from the USA.
Together, we dive deep into the origins, values, and global growth of the Organisation of Competitive Bodybuilders (OCB), an incredibly respected federation in the natural bodybuilding scene. Sully shares how the OCB began and what sets it apart in terms of athlete experience, judging integrity, and drug testing protocols. Lisa takes us through the exciting journey of bringing the OCB to Australia and what local athletes can expect when stepping on an OCB stage.
We also explore:
The prestige of the Yorton Cup and what it takes for Aussie athletes to qualify
Key differences between OCB and other federations
What’s ahead for OCB Australia in 2025 and beyond
Their shared vision for raising the global standard of natural bodybuilding
Enjoy the episode, and don't forget to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and tag us on Instagram when you share!
Instagram Handles:
Bodybuilding Down Under: https://www.instagram.com/bodybuildingdownunder/
Jack: https://www.instagram.com/jack.radfordsmith/
Daniel C: https://www.instagram.com/daniel.chapelle/
Lawrence: https://www.instagram.com/general.muscle/
Daniel Y: https://www.instagram.com/dy.fit/

152: OPTIMISING YOUR BACK TRAINING FOR HYPERTROPHY

Welcome to episode 152 of the Bodybuilding Down Under podcast!
This week, we turn our attention to back hypertrophy, breaking down what it really takes to build width, thickness, and detail across every region of the back. Whether you're trying to unlock the secret to wider lats, build a denser middle back, or figure out if shrugs are worth your time, this episode is packed with practical insights.
Here’s what we cover in today’s episode:
🔹 Best backs of all time – The physiques that inspire us and what we can learn from them.🔹 Favourite back machines – From plate-loaded pulldowns to chest-supported rows.🔹 High frequency training – Could doing pull-ups every day work?🔹 Lengthened partials & full ROM – Where should your range of motion focus be?🔹 Deadlifts for back growth – Do they build your back or just fatigue you?🔹 Upper traps – Are rows enough, or do shrugs have a place?🔹 Middle back & lat growth – Divisions of the lats, target areas, and smarter programming.🔹 Rear delts – Our favourite movements and where to place them in your training week.
If you’re serious about building an elite-level back, this episode is a must-listen!
As always, thanks for tuning in. If you enjoy the episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a five-star rating, and share it to your IG story, tag us so we can repost! Your support helps us keep delivering quality content each week.
Stay serious about it, and we’ll catch you in the next one!
Instagram Handles:
Bodybuilding Down Under: https://www.instagram.com/bodybuildingdownunder/
Jack: https://www.instagram.com/jack.radfordsmith/
Daniel C: https://www.instagram.com/daniel.chapelle/
Lawrence: https://www.instagram.com/general.muscle/
Daniel Y: https://www.instagram.com/dy.fit/

151: NAILING YOUR OFF-SEASON NUTRITION, PREP CARDIO RANKED & SIGNS YOU'RE PEAKING TOO SOON

Welcome to episode 151 of the Bodybuilding Down Under podcast!In this week’s episode, your hosts dive into another listener Q&A, covering a wide range of topics such as following a meal plan in the off-season, favourite (and least favourite) forms of cardio during prep, and what makes someone a coachable athlete.
They also touch on whether bodybuilding comp nutrition needs to be repetitive, how to tell if you're ahead of schedule in a prep and when to pull back on your deficit, and the potential differences in progress between a first-time hypertrophy trainee at age 20 versus 35.
Thanks again for tuning in, we hope you enjoy the episode!We’d really appreciate it if you subscribed to the show and left a five-star review, as it helps the podcast grow. Take a screenshot and share it on your IG story, don’t forget to tag us using the handles below.Stay tuned for more weekly episodes!
Instagram Handles:
Bodybuilding Down Under: https://www.instagram.com/bodybuildingdownunder/
Jack: https://www.instagram.com/jack.radfordsmith/
Daniel C: https://www.instagram.com/daniel.chapelle/
Lawrence: https://www.instagram.com/general.muscle/
Daniel Y: https://www.instagram.com/dy.fit/