Reckless Training

In today's episode, we dive deep into the mindsets, training strategies, and nutrition habits that separate a mediocre offseason from a truly transformational one.Whether you're navigating time off due to injury, burnout, or the need for serious physique upgrades — this episode is your guide to staying intentional when you're not in prep.We break it down with real-life athlete examples and cover:✅ The mentality traps: Too lax vs. too intense ✅ Hypertrophy and strength training goals — and how they shift based on age, natural status, or past progress ✅ Why whole foods matter year-round — and what your body's actually doing with those extra carbs ✅ Stress mitigation: caffeine, deloads, and protecting your “stress bucket” ✅ Getting labs: sex hormones, thyroid, gut health, and why data matters ✅ Self-auditing: Are your daily actions matching your long-term goals?This episode is all about building the habits that lead to your best next season — on stage, on the platform, or in life.

Are barbells the holy grail of gains, or do machines deserve more credit than they get?In this episode, your hosts TC and Chris Nicole break down the pros and cons of both training methods to help you hit your goals faster — whether it's strength, hypertrophy, or just getting started in the gym. We cover how machines can support your journey, why barbells build full-body control, and how to structure both into your program for serious progress. Plus, we share our favorite machines (and the ones we'd avoid). Tune in and lift smarter!For personalized coaching visit www.recklesstraining.comFollow us on instagram @reckless_trainingChris Nicole @chrisnicole_ifbbproTC @longshotgamble

In this special episode, coaches TC and Chris Nicole interview a first time competitor, Becky Baldyga. The group discusses serval topics including:Apprehension in getting started in a prepChoosing the Figure category over BikiniExpectations surrounding show time lines and physique progressHow mobility became part of strength trainingStrategies to maintain a positive mentality in the hardest parts of prepHandling support or lack there throughout the processThis is a great episode for anyone considering doing a contest prep or for those interesting in improving their experience/perspective of the sport and its various challenges. Visit us at https://www.recklesstraining.com/Instagram @reckless_training@longshotgamble @chrisnicole_ifbbproSpecial Guest: @beckyreygaDonations to the podcast: https://www.recklesstraining.com/reckless-media

In this episode, your host TC and Chris Nicole discuss all of the available Short Cuts to Success as a competitive athlete. Topics include: - False information/people on social media - Knowing when to push or when to take time off to improve as an athlete - Using appropriate intensity in the gym - How nutrition and hormones stall or support positive changes - Assisted and natural athletes competing in drug tested or non- drug tested events For donations, or more information, visit us at recklesstraining.com

It has been a WILD year, but we are BACK!! In this episode your hosts discuss some strategies when choosing warm up shows before hitting the national stage. We share some tips on interpreting judge feedback and how to plan for next steps after receiving judge critique. We also cover benefits of having an objective opinion in the sport of bodybuilding and why going up against good competition is beneficial to an athlete's advancement.Visit Recklesstraining.com for coaching or follow us @reckless_trainingTC @longshotgamble Chris Nicole @chrisnicole_ifbbproDonate to the podcast https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/a3702e3e-f60c-47ea-afce-ff64c086e4f6

On today's podcast, your hosts TC and Chris Nicole sit down with the inventor of the weighted hip thrust and well-known expert in glute training, Bret Contreras. Author of the book- Glute Lab, founder of BC Strength, and founder of Booty by Bret, our guest is also a certified Strength and Conditioning Coach with a PhD in Sports Science.Since Bret is responsible for the inception of StrongLifting, we will be diving deep into the sport's roots - what it is, where it came from, and what you can expect on meet day at the upcoming Miami International Fitness Expo on June 1st. Topics included:Death of the Practitioner: how being active in your field is no longer a requirement for expertise in the fitness industry.What is StrongLifting? How was it conceptualized? Is StrongLifting designed for performance or physique goals?How should someone train for all 6 lifts? What are some accessory lifts?What was the biggest lesson learned after your girls participated in 6 competitions over the course of 3 years?What commands should athletes be practicing for the upcoming competition?How will the Reckless Miami Mayhem event be structured? How will this be different than StrongLifting events that have taken place in the past?What categories will be awarded?For more information on the StrongLifting Event in Miami, or to submit your registration, you can visit recklesstraining.com/events.Any questions can be sent to TC; he can be contacted via email at recklesstraining@gmail.com, or via IG at @longshotgamble.StrongLifting Cert / BC Academy https://bretcontrerasacademy.com/products/stronglifting-certification-level-1You can find more of Bret's content on his YouTube channel or through Instagram at @bootybybret and @bretcontreras1You can find information on our coaching at recklesstraining.com or you can follow us on Instagram @reckless_training TC is @longshotgamble and Chris Nicole @chrisnicole_ifbbpro

In this episode, TC and Chris Nicole cover the 2024 Arnold Expo as well as their experience at the Arnold Amateur witnessing their good friend Sam become an IFBB Bikini Pro.TC talks about his meet up with Julian Smith, Chris Nicole talks with Lauralie Chapados- 3x Bikini Arnold Champion, and the two discuss Arnold's big announcement for Men's Open Bodybuilding.Tag @smith.julian in your story if you want him to come out to Strict Curl in Miami June 01st!To find information on athletic or contest prep coaching, posing, or technique sessions visit Recklesstraining.com or visit us on instagram @reckless_training TC @longshotgamble and Chris Nicole @Chrisnicole_ifbbpro For Bikini or Wellness Posing contact Chris NicoleFor Technique Sessions contact TCTo register for the Miami Strict Curl event June 01st or the Reckless Miami Mayhem StrongLifting Event, you can visit the Events tab at recklesstraining.comFor more on 100% RAW follow @raw_powerlifting_federation#ifbbbikini #powerbuilder #powerbuilding #strictcurl #bikinicoach #prepcoach #arnoldclassic2024 #arnoldclassic #powerlifting

In this episode Chris Nicole and TC discuss strategies for achieving better glute tie-ins, benefits of pec development for bikini athletes, and getting the most out of your training through intentional body positioning. If you are struggling with lower glute development, there are some considerations related to core, hip, and scapula position. If you are wondering why pec muscle can help the overall look for bikini- there is content here for you. If you are looking to increase your lifts or add on muscle tissue, how you utilize your entire body in your exercises, can expedite results. The phrase “pack mentality” is also expanded upon and Chris and TC talk about their mission to help athletes in different sports and without exclusivity of just their Reckless Training athletes. To find information on athletic or contest prep coaching, posing, or technique sessions visit Recklesstraining.com or visit us on instagram @reckless_training TC @longshotgamble and Chris Nicole @Chrisnicole_ifbbpro For Bikini or Wellness Posing contact Chris Nicole For Technique Sessions contact TCTo register for the Miami Strict Curl event June 01st or the Reckless Miami Mayhem StrongLifting Event, you can visit the Events tab at recklesstraining.com For more on 100% RAW follow @raw_powerlifting_federation

In this episode Chris Nicole and TC tackle a third round of questions inspired by the listeners!Here are some of the questions addressed in part 3 of this Q&AWhat are some training consideration that need to be taken into account when starting your lifting journey as a young/old athlete?What are strategies to help consume higher volumes of carbs in the improvement season?Is it detrimental to eat carbs in the evening or before bed?What foods should you never eat?Are food intolerance tests valid?Should I be getting Dexa scans to measure my progress?Is a posing suit necessary?What are some tools a powerlifter should utilize to advance as an athlete?

In round two of this Q&A, TC and Chris Nicole answer the following questions... How would you approach activation imbalances from right to left sides? How does abdominal training look different for powerlifters vs bodybuilders? What are strategies used to reduce knee pain? Is back pain normal after performing the hip thrust? How should I be modifying my training when on my menstrual cycle? To find information on athletic or contest prep coaching visit Recklesstraining.com or visit us on instagram @reckless_training TC @longshotgamble and Chris Nicole @Chrisnicole_ifbbpro To register for the Miami Strict Curl event June 01st or the Reckless Miami Mayhem StrongLifting Event, you can visit the Events tab at recklesstraining.com For more on 100% RAW follow @raw_powerlifting_federation

In the first episode of 2024, Chris Nicole and TC tackle the first round of questions inspired by the listeners!.Here are some of the questions addressed in part 1 of this Q&A What are they looking for in bikini this year? Why and how do you incorporate heavy (3-6 rep max) training for bikini athletes? What benefits do compound lifts produce other than strength improvements? What are the differences between functional training, bodybuilding training, and athletic training? Can you effectively do all 3? They first recap their 4 day expo experience at the Miami Fit Street Festival, their visits to the Glute Lab, their collaboration with Bret Contreras for a 100% RAW StrongLlifting event coming up in June, and Chris's impromptu flight to Los Angelos to support her friend Sam at an NPC Muscle Contest Bodybuilding Show. .To find information on athletic or contest prep coaching: visit Recklesstraining.com or visit us on instagram @reckless_training TC @longshotgamble Chris Nicole @Chrisnicole_ifbbpro.To register for the Miami Strict Curl event June 01st or the Reckless Miami Mayhem StrongLifting Event, you can visit the Events tab at recklesstraining.com .For more on 100% RAW follow @raw_powerlifting_federation .For more content with Bret Contreras (the glute guy, the godfather of StrongLifting) follow him at @bretcontreras1 @bootybybretofficial

In today's podcast, your hosts TC and Chris Nicole recap the last few events of this year, and share some things they have learned as coaches and athletes during Reckless Training's inaugural year.To find out more about Reckless Training visit https://www.recklesstraining.comTo find out more about 100% Raw visit https://rawpowerlifting.comFollow us on Instagram@longshotgamble @chrisnicole_ifbbpro@reckless_training @raw_powerlifting_federationDiscount Code for OCD Cookies: Reckless13Discount Code for Core Nutritionals: RAW20Discount Code for Toxic Angelz Bikinis: Chris

In this episode your hosts TC and Chris Nicole discuss not only the results of the 2023 Olympia but also share event highlights surrounding the top athletes including: Isa Pecini implementing specific judge feedback from previous shows, Chris Bumstead's 2023 prep motivation and his Olympia speech, and friendly rivalries between competitors of several divisions. This year had some upsets as well, such as an injury for Men's Open Bodybuilding Champion Nick Walker's before prejudging, Missy Truscott's injury during her finals fitness routine, and 7 divisions crowning a new Olympia champion, Listen for details on all of this and more!

In this episode, your hosts TC and Chris Nicole discuss their ideology concerning a coach's role in athlete education.

In this episode, your hosts TC and Chris Nicole discuss utilizing different training intensities and the purpose of Technique Weeks.

In this episode, your hosts TC and Chris Nicole go into detail about what they learned this year in prepping their first Men's Classic Physique Client.

In this episode, your hosts TC and Chris Nicole discuss how to set expectations going into an athletic event, best ways to interact with judges during/after an event, and techniques for managing and Elite Competition Mindset.

In this episode, your hosts TC and Chris Nicole talk about how eating practices are altered to fit different chapters of an athlete's competition season. They give you tips on remaining consistent, discuss mentality and perspective surrounding each season, and discuss how they have each dealt with various seasons as athletes themselves.

In this episode, your hosts Chris Nicole and TC go over their definition of 'Powerbuilding,' in addition to detailing the type of athlete that they believe could benefit from this style of training. Some topics covered are different training styles, how they can compliment each other through various chapters in an athletes journey, as well as how they utilize this training style with all of their clients.

Welcome to the Reckless Training podcast - and thank you for tuning in! In their pilot episode, Reckless Training Coaches TC and Chris Nicole introduce themselves as athletes and professionals, in addition to detailing their ideology surrounding training and competition prep. Let us know what you think - comments and questions welcome! Please like the episode if you found it at all helpful, and then be sure to subscribe as well!