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Kicking off with a funny chat about Normie, the boys then move into two very different rehab stories — Normie’s huge progress after bilateral hip replacements, and MT dealing with a frustrating lower back and nerve-related injury after a simple misstep in the garden. From there, the episode shifts into Scotty’s first athlete show recap for the season, with a detailed breakdown of peak week decisions, show day execution, pump-up intensity, and the kind of feedback you only get from being in the trenches with a competitor. We cover: ✅ Normie’s recovery after bilateral hip replacements and how much progress he’s made through consistent rehab ✅ MT’s recent back and nerve scare, including calf weakness, numbness, and the challenge of figuring out whether it’s muscular or disc-related ✅ Why extension feels better than flexion, and what that might mean in a rehab setting ✅ Scotty’s recap of his athlete’s first show of the season and the lessons taken from her peak week ✅ How he assessed scale weight, photos, fluid, sodium, fullness and stress across the final days ✅ Why reducing fatigue and watching inflammation markers mattered so much leading into the show ✅ The importance of accurate pump-up timing and intensity on show day ✅ How close they felt they were to nailing the look, and what they’d repeat or improve next time ✅ Why having multiple refeeds before a show can make peak week far more predictable ✅ Early thoughts on upcoming Season B athletes and what they’re excited to watch unfold 🎧 Rehab wins, injury frustrations, and a deep dive into peak week strategy from the first show of the season LISTEN 🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0ex8tkAzDHEBVZVK6Js5AN FOLLOW 👇 PREP COACH PODCAST - https://www.instagram.com/prepcoachpodcast/ Michael Trimboli - https://www.instagram.com/michaeltrimbolifit/ Scott Morrell - https://www.instagram.com/powerhouse_sc/ Michael Galante - https://www.instagram.com/coachmg_ont/ Disclaimer The information presented is for informational and entertainment purposesonly and is not intended as medical advice nor is it a substitute for professionaladvice, diagnosis, or treatment of any disease or condition. Consult yourphysician or health care practitioner before beginning any nutrition,supplementation or exercise program. Anyone on this podcast does not assume any liability for the information provided. Any application of the recommendations or use of the information contained herein is at your discretion and sole risk,and you specifically waive any right to make any claim against anyone on this podcast.

With Scotty back on the couch, this episode opens with reflections on time away, Easter, and the kind of support, presence and consistency that good people bring into your life. From there, the conversation shifts into coaching standards, the warning signs athletes shouldn’t ignore, and why so many people still stay too long in coaching setups that are giving them very little back. The boys unpack what basic coaching care should actually look like, why duty of care matters so much, and how good coaching goes far beyond just handing out a plan. We cover:✅ The biggest coaching red flags athletes should never ignore✅ What a minimum coaching standard should actually look like✅ Why poor communication, vague feedback and lack of care can do real long-term damage✅ The responsibility coaches have when it comes to athlete health, education and decision-making✅ Whether bad coaching comes from laziness, poor mentorship, lack of growth, or all three✅ How Scotty’s coaching has evolved over time through reflection, maturity and learning from mistakes✅ The value of mentorship, postgraduate study and being around great practitioners✅ Why MT’s early systems, structure and planning helped shape his coaching from the start✅ How coaching has changed over the last 10 years and why better access to information still means more noise to filter through✅ Why coaches and athletes both need to get better at deciphering good advice from bad advice 🎧 A deep dive into coaching standards, mentorship, and how to tell good guidance from bad. LISTEN 🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0ex8tkAzDHEBVZVK6Js5AN FOLLOW 👇 PREP COACH PODCAST - https://www.instagram.com/prepcoachpodcast/ Michael Trimboli - https://www.instagram.com/michaeltrimbolifit/ Scott Morrell - https://www.instagram.com/powerhouse_sc/ Michael Galante - https://www.instagram.com/coachmg_ont/ Disclaimer The information presented is for informational and entertainment purposesonly and is not intended as medical advice nor is it a substitute for professionaladvice, diagnosis, or treatment of any disease or condition. Consult yourphysician or health care practitioner before beginning any nutrition,supplementation or exercise program. Anyone on this podcast does not assume any liability for the information provided. Any application of the recommendations or use of the information contained herein is at your discretion and sole risk,and you specifically waive any right to make any claim against anyone on this podcast.

Back in MG’s gym without Scotty again, this episode turns into a deeper chat around coaching standards, client service, and what athletes should actually expect when they hire a coach. The boys unpack everything from first inquiries and onboarding to weekly check-ins, form feedback, peak week communication, and where AI can help without replacing real coaching. We cover:✅ What the first conversation with a coach should look like before anyone signs up✅ Why a proper consult matters more than just sending pricing or a PDF of services✅ What onboarding should include, from training and nutrition setup to long-term planning✅ Why weekly check-ins should be proactive, structured and clearly explained✅ The importance of voice or video responses so feedback feels genuine and personal✅ Why form checks, posing feedback and exercise execution should still be part of the coaching process✅ What athletes should expect during peak week, show day planning and day-to-day communication✅ Where AI can be useful in coaching as a tool, but not as a replacement for real service 🎧 This one’s a big conversation on coaching standards, real client care, and the level of service athletes deserve. LISTEN 🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0ex8tkAzDHEBVZVK6Js5AN FOLLOW 👇 PREP COACH PODCAST - https://www.instagram.com/prepcoachpodcast/ Michael Trimboli - https://www.instagram.com/michaeltrimbolifit/ Scott Morrell - https://www.instagram.com/powerhouse_sc/ Michael Galante - https://www.instagram.com/coachmg_ont/ Disclaimer The information presented is for informational and entertainment purposesonly and is not intended as medical advice nor is it a substitute for professionaladvice, diagnosis, or treatment of any disease or condition. Consult yourphysician or health care practitioner before beginning any nutrition,supplementation or exercise program. Anyone on this podcast does not assume any liability for the information provided. Any application of the recommendations or use of the information contained herein is at your discretion and sole risk,and you specifically waive any right to make any claim against anyone on this podcast.

This week’s episode leans heavily into work stress, career direction, and what it actually takes to make a meaningful change when your current job no longer fits who you are. The boys unpack how people can manage work stress more effectively, how to stop feeding negativity around work, and why sometimes the answer is not quitting immediately, but changing your mindset, routines, and actions first. From there, they go deep on their own transitions out of corporate careers and into coaching, including the risks, the preparation, and the reality of starting from the ground up. We cover: ✅ Why work stress often gets worse when you only focus on what’s wrong and forget what still works ✅ Practical ways to manage work stress, including switching off properly, taking breaks, and creating distance from work outside work hours ✅ Why writing down what you still like about your job can change your perspective ✅ The value of taking actionable steps instead of sitting in frustration, whether that means a conversation, updating your resume, or exploring other options ✅ How giving 100% again for a short period can sometimes completely shift your experience at work ✅ MG and MT’s own career changes, from banking/corporate roles into coaching ✅ Why both of them made calculated transitions instead of impulsive leaps ✅ The importance of testing the market, building experience, and having systems in place before changing careers ✅ Why having a financial buffer matters before leaving a stable job ✅ The difference between loving bodybuilding and actually loving coaching ✅ Why coaching can be deeply fulfilling, but is also demanding, service-based, and not all about training plans and macros ✅ Advice for anyone thinking about becoming a coach, including learning from great people, getting hands-on experience, and building the right foundations first 🎧 Work stress, career pivots, coaching purpose and the smarter way to make a big life change. LISTEN 🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0ex8tkAzDHEBVZVK6Js5AN FOLLOW 👇 PREP COACH PODCAST - https://www.instagram.com/prepcoachpodcast/ Michael Trimboli - https://www.instagram.com/michaeltrimbolifit/ Scott Morrell - https://www.instagram.com/powerhouse_sc/ Michael Galante - https://www.instagram.com/coachmg_ont/ Disclaimer The information presented is for informational and entertainment purposesonly and is not intended as medical advice nor is it a substitute for professionaladvice, diagnosis, or treatment of any disease or condition. Consult yourphysician or health care practitioner before beginning any nutrition,supplementation or exercise program. Anyone on this podcast does not assume any liability for the information provided. Any application of the recommendations or use of the information contained herein is at your discretion and sole risk,and you specifically waive any right to make any claim against anyone on this podcast.

This week the boys kick things off with MG’s surprise update — he’s through to filming for a game show after making it through the final audition round. From there, the episode rolls into practical bodybuilding talk on high and low days, how long an off-season cut should last, switching coaches too often, and whether StairMaster is really worth the fatigue cost. We cover:✅ MG’s game show audition, filming day, briefcase numbers and his lucky-number strategy✅ Why he’s been breaking old superstitions and leaning away from fear-based rituals✅ Rest day vs training day macros — when high/low days make sense and when they’re unnecessary✅ Why refeeds are different from simply lowering food because output is lower✅ Using higher food on harder training days vs digging a bit more on quieter rest days✅ How long an off-season cut should ideally last, and why shorter is usually better✅ Why staying in better body composition year-round makes prep easier and more productive✅ The trade-off between pushing bodyweight up for growth and getting too fluffy in the off-season✅ Whether changing coaches every prep helps or usually holds athletes back long term✅ Why the improvement season is often the most valuable time to actually have a coach✅ The benefit of long-term data, pre-preps and structured planning instead of prep-only coaching✅ Thoughts on StairMaster for cardio and why it can create more leg fatigue than bike or elliptical options✅ When StairMaster can still work if the athlete enjoys it and recovery isn’t affected 🎧 Game show auditions, smarter macro setups, better off-season decisions and cardio fatigue trade-offs. LISTEN 🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0ex8tkAzDHEBVZVK6Js5AN FOLLOW 👇 PREP COACH PODCAST - https://www.instagram.com/prepcoachpodcast/ Michael Trimboli - https://www.instagram.com/michaeltrimbolifit/ Scott Morrell - https://www.instagram.com/powerhouse_sc/ Michael Galante - https://www.instagram.com/coachmg_ont/ Disclaimer The information presented is for informational and entertainment purposesonly and is not intended as medical advice nor is it a substitute for professionaladvice, diagnosis, or treatment of any disease or condition. Consult yourphysician or health care practitioner before beginning any nutrition,supplementation or exercise program. Anyone on this podcast does not assume any liability for the information provided. Any application of the recommendations or use of the information contained herein is at your discretion and sole risk,and you specifically waive any right to make any claim against anyone on this podcast.

Back at home base after Bali, the boys recap the trip, recovery sessions, getting sick on the way home, and why the retreat seems to have reignited the fire for training. From post-Bali momentum and better routines to comparison in the improvement season, supplement basics, sleep structure and the biggest nutrition mistakes athletes still make in prep, this one covers a lot of ground. We cover:✅ Post-Bali reflections — the new gym setup, recovery session, cold plunge, sauna and why the retreat worked so well✅ MG’s update: baby nearly here, health in a great place, and why training motivation is back at an all-time high✅ MT’s Bali bug aftermath, antibiotics, appetite crash and how quickly things can go downhill after travel✅ How to handle comparison in the improvement season by filtering feedback through qualification, actionability and long-term relevance✅ Basic daily supplements the boys would prioritise: vitamin D3, magnesium, fish oil, probiotics, plus why creatine is still king✅ Iron deficiency, infusions vs supplementation, and how lifestyle, sleep and food quality affect blood markers more than people realise✅ Favourite upper and lower compound lifts right now — from shoulder pressing and rows to SLDLs, V-squats and good mornings✅ What athletes think matters in prep but actually doesn’t — and why sleep gets ignored while “sleep hacks” get overhyped✅ Why your day really starts the night before: brain dumps, no-phone blocks, journaling, gratitude and protecting down-regulation✅ Biggest nutrition mistakes in prep — inaccurate tracking, eyeballing “little things,” overusing sugar-free extras, and ignoring nutrient quality 🎧 Back from Bali talking recovery, routines, supplements, sleep and the prep mistakes that still hold athletes back. LISTEN 🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0ex8tkAzDHEBVZVK6Js5AN FOLLOW 👇 PREP COACH PODCAST - https://www.instagram.com/prepcoachpodcast/ Michael Trimboli - https://www.instagram.com/michaeltrimbolifit/ Scott Morrell - https://www.instagram.com/powerhouse_sc/ Michael Galante - https://www.instagram.com/coachmg_ont/ Disclaimer The information presented is for informational and entertainment purposesonly and is not intended as medical advice nor is it a substitute for professionaladvice, diagnosis, or treatment of any disease or condition. Consult yourphysician or health care practitioner before beginning any nutrition,supplementation or exercise program. Anyone on this podcast does not assume any liability for the information provided. Any application of the recommendations or use of the information contained herein is at your discretion and sole risk,and you specifically waive any right to make any claim against anyone on this podcast.

Live from Bali with the retreat crew in the room, this one is part chaos, part community, part coaching deep-dive. Between giraffes, jelly beans and Waterbom stories, the boys reflect on how far the podcast has come, answer questions from the live audience, and dig into comparison, sickness, women’s health, gym accessories and whether competing again is actually on the cards. We cover:✅ How the Prep Coach Podcast grew into something far bigger than expected — and why this community means so much✅ The story of how MG, MT and Scotty met, and how TMG Physiques came to life✅ Off-season comparison traps — genetics, density, social media, AI edits and why you can’t compare your behind-the-scenes to someone else’s highlight reel✅ Returning to training after Bali belly or a stomach bug — what to eat first, when to train again, and how to avoid resetting the whole process✅ Why white rice, low fibre and easy-to-digest foods matter more than “perfect macros” when your gut is wrecked✅ Why face-to-face coaching experience still matters for online coaches — movement quality, communication, psychology and practical programming✅ Lying vs seated leg extensions and whether hip angle changes quad hypertrophy enough to matter in the real world✅ Must-have gym accessories vs nice-to-have extras — straps, belts, sleeves, shoes, cuffs and more✅ Whether the boys will compete again, what divisions/federations tempt them, and if they’d support their kids stepping on stage✅ Coaching women through peri-menopause and menopause, and why you still need to nail basics before chasing quick-fix solutions✅ The retreat so far — favourite moments, best sessions, and why the recovery work has been such a standout 🎧 A fun, live Bali episode covering community, coaching, comparison and everything in between. LISTEN 🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0ex8tkAzDHEBVZVK6Js5AN FOLLOW 👇 PREP COACH PODCAST - https://www.instagram.com/prepcoachpodcast/ Michael Trimboli - https://www.instagram.com/michaeltrimbolifit/ Scott Morrell - https://www.instagram.com/powerhouse_sc/ Michael Galante - https://www.instagram.com/coachmg_ont/ Disclaimer The information presented is for informational and entertainment purposesonly and is not intended as medical advice nor is it a substitute for professionaladvice, diagnosis, or treatment of any disease or condition. Consult yourphysician or health care practitioner before beginning any nutrition,supplementation or exercise program. Anyone on this podcast does not assume any liability for the information provided. Any application of the recommendations or use of the information contained herein is at your discretion and sole risk,and you specifically waive any right to make any claim against anyone on this podcast.

Kicking off our last episode before the Bali retreat, the boys go way deeper than macros and step counts. MG shares a big health win after years of battling haemochromatosis and scary blood markers, then opens up about panic attacks, anxiety, medication, and how all of this ties into bodybuilding, prep decisions, relationships and “being selfish” as an athlete. We cover:✅ MG’s haemochromatosis update: iron, liver health, sleep & stress finally improving✅ Why sleep and life load can wreck your bloodwork more than training or creatine ever will✅ MG’s history of severe daily panic attacks, hiding them at work & finally getting help✅ Therapy, medication & breathing tools: what actually helped vs what didn’t✅ How prep can become an escape from life problems – and red flags you’re “revenge prepping”✅ Breakups, job stress & using the stage to fill a void vs competing for the right reasons✅ Where the line is between committed and straight-up selfish in prep✅ Partners who don’t “get” bodybuilding, insecurity, jealousy & setting expectations early✅ Handling guilt as a parent in prep while still being present at home✅ Season B vs Season C 2027: how we think about timing, recovery and international shows✅ Being honest when you’re not coping with the structure & how a good coach should respond 🎧 A heavier, more personal episode of the Prep Coach Podcast that might be the nudge someone needs to get support. LISTEN 🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0ex8tkAzDHEBVZVK6Js5AN FOLLOW 👇 PREP COACH PODCAST - https://www.instagram.com/prepcoachpodcast/ Michael Trimboli - https://www.instagram.com/michaeltrimbolifit/ Scott Morrell - https://www.instagram.com/powerhouse_sc/ Michael Galante - https://www.instagram.com/coachmg_ont/ Disclaimer The information presented is for informational and entertainment purposesonly and is not intended as medical advice nor is it a substitute for professionaladvice, diagnosis, or treatment of any disease or condition. Consult yourphysician or health care practitioner before beginning any nutrition,supplementation or exercise program. Anyone on this podcast does not assume any liability for the information provided. Any application of the recommendations or use of the information contained herein is at your discretion and sole risk,and you specifically waive any right to make any claim against anyone on this podcast.

MG’s limping into this one with a monster quad corky, but the boys still dive deep into the realities behind long-term bodybuilding life. From parents grinding through prep on broken sleep, to athletes mentally cooked from years of tracking, to figuring out whether you genuinely don’t suit an exercise or just haven’t built the skill (or mobility) yet, this episode zooms out into reflection, habits and what you’d actually change about the last six months if you could hit reset. We cover:✅ How the boys really feel about more bodybuilding podcasts popping up in the natural space✅ Why more mixed-gender voices & athlete-led shows are good for the sport✅ Navigating friends/partners who want to prep but can’t nail basic habits✅ Regret vs reflection – what would you actually change about the last 6 months?✅ How to tell if you truly don’t suit an exercise… or you just suck at it (for now)✅ Coaching and parenting through prep with broken, unpredictable sleep✅ Loosening the reins when you’re mentally cooked from years of tracking🎧 First poddy back talking other podcasts, broken sleep realities and when to back off tracking without losing progress. LISTEN 🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0ex8tkAzDHEBVZVK6Js5AN FOLLOW 👇 PREP COACH PODCAST - https://www.instagram.com/prepcoachpodcast/ Michael Trimboli - https://www.instagram.com/michaeltrimbolifit/ Scott Morrell - https://www.instagram.com/powerhouse_sc/ Michael Galante - https://www.instagram.com/coachmg_ont/ Disclaimer The information presented is for informational and entertainment purposesonly and is not intended as medical advice nor is it a substitute for professionaladvice, diagnosis, or treatment of any disease or condition. Consult yourphysician or health care practitioner before beginning any nutrition,supplementation or exercise program. Anyone on this podcast does not assume any liability for the information provided. Any application of the recommendations or use of the information contained herein is at your discretion and sole risk,and you specifically waive any right to make any claim against anyone on this podcast.

MG is back and finally breaks down his 20g creatine experiment, how he fixed his gut tolerance, and why his focus and calm have levelled up. Scotty unpacks the science, we pull apart what actually matters in a pre-workout, and finish with practical cues to make your belt squats and RDLs hit the tissue you think they’re hitting. We cover:✅ MG’s 20g creatine + L-theanine stack, and why his training and work blocks feel completely different now✅ How creatine really works in the brain, why high doses are used in cognition studies, and what to watch with caffeine timing✅ Using L-theanine and caffeine together for focus without the crash, plus why resensitising to caffeine can feel “limitless”✅ Pre-workout ingredients 101: what actually deserves a spot (caffeine anhydrous, citrulline, creatine, electrolytes) vs label fluff✅ Beta-alanine beyond the tingles: daily dosing, endurance vs physique benefits, and smarter use across the week✅ Belt squat setup to bias quads: foot position, knee travel, torso angle and why hanging off the handles kills stimulus✅ RDL depth, hamstrings vs adductors, and the simple no-bar ROM test to keep your back (and ego) safe✅ V-squats, wedges, ankle mobility and common squat-technique traps that bleed quad stimulus 🎧 Creatine, focus, pre-workout design and quad-biased squats that actually do what you think they do. LISTEN 🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0ex8tkAzDHEBVZVK6Js5AN FOLLOW 👇 PREP COACH PODCAST - https://www.instagram.com/prepcoachpodcast/ Michael Trimboli - https://www.instagram.com/michaeltrimbolifit/ Scott Morrell - https://www.instagram.com/powerhouse_sc/ Michael Galante - https://www.instagram.com/coachmg_ont/ Disclaimer The information presented is for informational and entertainment purposesonly and is not intended as medical advice nor is it a substitute for professionaladvice, diagnosis, or treatment of any disease or condition. Consult yourphysician or health care practitioner before beginning any nutrition,supplementation or exercise program. Anyone on this podcast does not assume any liability for the information provided. Any application of the recommendations or use of the information contained herein is at your discretion and sole risk,and you specifically waive any right to make any claim against anyone on this podcast.

Kicking off Episode 2 of 2026 with MG out this week, the boys dive straight into your questions on what really drives progress when training and nutrition are already on point. This one’s all about the “in between” — sleep, psychology, balance work, exercise selection, and how to decide if you should actually step on stage this year. We cover:✅ The biggest non-training, non-nutrition factors influencing progress (sleep, arousal, mindset)✅ When meal flexibility helps vs hurts long-term adherence in the improvement season✅ “Training with intent” vs just following a program on paper✅ Why always choosing exercises you’re good at can hold back symmetry and balance✅ How stability, single-leg work and isometrics actually carry over to muscle growth✅ Where athletes quietly waste the most effort over a training year✅ Rebuilding trust in the process after a “disappointing” season✅ Questions to ask yourself before deciding to compete in 2026 🎧 First poddy of 2026 without MG: getting brutally honest about what really moves the needle. LISTEN 🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0ex8tkAzDHEBVZVK6Js5AN FOLLOW 👇 PREP COACH PODCAST - https://www.instagram.com/prepcoachpodcast/ Michael Trimboli - https://www.instagram.com/michaeltrimbolifit/ Scott Morrell - https://www.instagram.com/powerhouse_sc/ Michael Galante - https://www.instagram.com/coachmg_ont/ Disclaimer The information presented is for informational and entertainment purposesonly and is not intended as medical advice nor is it a substitute for professionaladvice, diagnosis, or treatment of any disease or condition. Consult yourphysician or health care practitioner before beginning any nutrition,supplementation or exercise program. Anyone on this podcast does not assume any liability for the information provided. Any application of the recommendations or use of the information contained herein is at your discretion and sole risk,and you specifically waive any right to make any claim against anyone on this podcast.

We’re back for the first poddy of 2026 — a little rusty on the mics, fully caffeinated, and straight into injuries updates, holidays, house projects and what last year actually taught us about building elite physiques. This one sets the tone for the year ahead: clearer planning, smarter habits, and less noise. We cover: ✅ 2026 life updates — MG’s tendon tear and Inverloch trip, Scotty’s Gold Coast chaos, Michael’s Apollo Bay reset and house/car projects. ✅ What 2025 proved about progress — why clear long-term periodised planning still beats random phases and “winging it”. ✅ Pre-prep phases 101 — how to run a short “pre-lean” block, restore afterwards and set up a smoother, less chaotic contest prep. ✅ Estimating stage weight — using pre-prep photos, rate of loss and real data to sharpen your predicted stage weight each season. ✅ Fat Loss Phases — how aggressive to be, when to place them, and why you probably don’t need to diet every time you feel a bit fluffy. ✅ Not overcomplicating food — moving away from constant volume-hacking and making sure basics like veg, fruit and micronutrients are nailed. ✅ Off-season nutrition targets — simple rules of thumb for daily veggies, fruit and meal structure so you stay healthy enough to actually progress. ✅ Habits outside the gym — sleep, routine and recovery as the true “low-hanging fruit” instead of chasing fancy intra-workout stacks. ✅ Creatine experiment teaser — MG’s 20 g/day protocol plus one other supplement he’ll break down in detail next episode. 🎧 First poddy of 2026: long-term planning, smarter nutrition and habits that actually move the needle. LISTEN 🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0ex8tkAzDHEBVZVK6Js5AN FOLLOW 👇 PREP COACH PODCAST - https://www.instagram.com/prepcoachpodcast/ Michael Trimboli - https://www.instagram.com/michaeltrimbolifit/ Scott Morrell - https://www.instagram.com/powerhouse_sc/ Michael Galante - https://www.instagram.com/coachmg_ont/ Disclaimer The information presented is for informational and entertainment purposesonly and is not intended as medical advice nor is it a substitute for professionaladvice, diagnosis, or treatment of any disease or condition. Consult yourphysician or health care practitioner before beginning any nutrition,supplementation or exercise program. Anyone on this podcast does not assume any liability for the information provided. Any application of the recommendations or use of the information contained herein is at your discretion and sole risk,and you specifically waive any right to make any claim against anyone on this podcast.

Last poddy of the year. We wrap 2025 by talking shop: when machines beat free weights, how much variation you actually need, why exercise order matters less than people think, and the most misperformed lifts we keep fixing on check-ins. We cover: ✅ Machines vs free weights — glute drive, hacks, pendulums, belt squats and Smith pressing vs barbells, and why the barbell RDL is still non-negotiable. ✅ Stimulus-to-fatigue reality — why machines and cables often let you load more, go closer to failure and use intensifiers safely compared to dumbbells. ✅ When a dumbbell still wins — skull crushers, certain rows and the barbell RDL as staple free-weight choices even in a machine-heavy program. ✅ Training mistakes experienced lifters make — ego about load, chasing numbers over execution and being more stubborn than beginners who are easier to “build from scratch.” ✅ Exercise variation done wrong — why constantly changing movements stalls progress, and a realistic number of variations per pattern (e.g. 1–2 vertical pulls, 1–2 hinge variations). ✅ How long to run a program — why 8–12 weeks beats changing every 4–5, and using variation inside the block (rep ranges, order) instead of rewriting everything. ✅ Exercise order in the real world — what to do when key machines are taken, how to reshuffle without wrecking the session, and when to auto-regulate your loads. ✅ Most misperformed lifts — lat pulldowns, lateral raises, deadlifts and rows, plus simple cues (elbow path, adduction, shrug/“unshrug”, elbow high–wrist low) that instantly improve them. ✅ Strong but can’t feel the muscle — using slower eccentrics, pauses, isotonics (e.g. 3–3–3 sets), and better tempo to shift tension from joints to the target muscle. ✅ End-of-year wrap — why this has been the strongest year yet for the pod, fewer horror-story protocols in the industry, Powerhouse Bayswater meetup, and one last Bali retreat spot for 1 March. 🎧 Training talk, form fixes and a big thank you for an epic 2025 with the Prep Coach Podcast. LISTEN 🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0ex8tkAzDHEBVZVK6Js5AN FOLLOW 👇 PREP COACH PODCAST - https://www.instagram.com/prepcoachpodcast/ Michael Trimboli - https://www.instagram.com/michaeltrimbolifit/ Scott Morrell - https://www.instagram.com/powerhouse_sc/ Michael Galante - https://www.instagram.com/coachmg_ont/ Disclaimer The information presented is for informational and entertainment purposesonly and is not intended as medical advice nor is it a substitute for professionaladvice, diagnosis, or treatment of any disease or condition. Consult yourphysician or health care practitioner before beginning any nutrition,supplementation or exercise program. Anyone on this podcast does not assume any liability for the information provided. Any application of the recommendations or use of the information contained herein is at your discretion and sole risk,and you specifically waive any right to make any claim against anyone on this podcast.

MG is back on deck and the boys dive straight into a big training Q&A: when to actually change exercises, how to get more out of your lats, where cluster sets belong, what “normal” strength loss in prep looks like, and the simplest way to know if you’re ready for a mini cut in the off-season. We cover:✅ Quick life catch-up — Talia stories, toddler chaos and why it really does “go so fast” as the kids head towards school.✅ When to swap exercises — exhausting progression tools first by changing sequence, volume and rep ranges before ditching a movement that’s been working.✅ Life variables before program changes — sleep, stress, rest times and execution as the real culprits when progress stalls for a couple of weeks.✅ Rest periods that actually work — using heart rate and breathing as guides, longer breaks on big compounds, and not forcing strict clock-based rest if performance suffers.✅ Lengthened vs shortened partials — where each shines, why context and exercise choice matter, and how over-stretching can reduce true fibre recruitment.✅ Lat training for weak lats — more horizontal pulling, focusing on elbow flight path, scap retraction, “bend the bar” and “squeeze the lemon in your armpit” style cues.✅ Smart cluster sets — using them as an intensifier on machines/cables and isolation work, not on deadlifts/squats, and slotting them later in the session.✅ Chest with long arms — mobility first, dead hangs, cable fly “potentiation”, and keeping shoulder blades pinned to bias pecs over front delts.✅ Strength loss in prep — when it’s expected (later, at larger % bodyweight drops) vs early red flags, and how to tweak deadlifts, squats and hip thrusts to manage fatigue.✅ Long femurs & lever issues — why some hack squats are garbage, how pendulums and belt squats improve stimulus-to-fatigue, and common hip thrust machine setup errors.✅ Mini cuts/fluff cuts — visual and scale markers to pull back, why 3–5 week aggressive cuts beat drawn-out phases, and why needing more than two per year means you’re probably just getting too fluffy.✅ Instagram vs stage — filters, lighting, pumps and why the only look that matters is how you appear under the lights on show day.✅ Community updates — last episode before the Christmas break, 21 Dec meetup at Powerhouse Bayswater, and one Bali retreat spot opening up for 1 March. 🎧 Deep dive on exercise selection, intensity tools, off-season fat gain and staying honest with your progress. LISTEN 🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0ex8tkAzDHEBVZVK6Js5AN FOLLOW 👇 PREP COACH PODCAST - https://www.instagram.com/prepcoachpodcast/ Michael Trimboli - https://www.instagram.com/michaeltrimbolifit/ Scott Morrell - https://www.instagram.com/powerhouse_sc/ Michael Galante - https://www.instagram.com/coachmg_ont/ Disclaimer The information presented is for informational and entertainment purposesonly and is not intended as medical advice nor is it a substitute for professionaladvice, diagnosis, or treatment of any disease or condition. Consult yourphysician or health care practitioner before beginning any nutrition,supplementation or exercise program. Anyone on this podcast does not assume any liability for the information provided. Any application of the recommendations or use of the information contained herein is at your discretion and sole risk,and you specifically waive any right to make any claim against anyone on this podcast.

This week we celebrate the Prep Coach Podcast being voted in the top three bodybuilding podcasts internationally, catch up with MG on his first proper family holiday since Talia was born, and share the news of baby girl number two. Then we get straight into back training, cluster sets, partial reps, and how to tell if you’re genuinely under-recovered or just sore and soft. We cover:✅ Our top-3 international podcast ranking — massive gratitude to everyone who listens, shares and supports the show.✅ The intention behind the pod — honest education, real conversations and giving natural bodybuilding athletes and coaches a place to learn and level up together.✅ MG’s baby news — he and Maeve are expecting their second daughter on 4 May.✅ Lengthened vs shortened partial reps — lat pulldown and leg extension in the lengthened position vs hip thrust pulses and one-and-a-quarter reps at the top.✅ DOMS vs under-recovered — using your very first working set as the honest audit on whether you’re good to go or truly cooked.✅ Why DOMS ≠ damaged muscle fibres — understanding that soreness is largely fluid and inflammation, driven by disrupted homeostasis, muscle spindles and nociceptors.✅ Training with soreness safely — matching your warm-up range of motion to previous sessions and using movement to free up tight, “swollen” tissue.✅ When to change the plan — examples like skipping big hip hinges (RDLs/stiff-legs) when hamstrings are too tight, and opting for ham curls, hypers or reduced-ROM work instead.✅ Building better judgement over time — learning when to push through discomfort and when you’re just digging a deeper recovery hole. 🎧 Real talk on our top-3 podcast ranking, MG’s growing family and training smart around DOMS and intensity techniques. LISTEN 🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0ex8tkAzDHEBVZVK6Js5AN FOLLOW 👇 PREP COACH PODCAST - https://www.instagram.com/prepcoachpodcast/ Michael Trimboli - https://www.instagram.com/michaeltrimbolifit/ Scott Morrell - https://www.instagram.com/powerhouse_sc/ Michael Galante - https://www.instagram.com/coachmg_ont/ Disclaimer The information presented is for informational and entertainment purposesonly and is not intended as medical advice nor is it a substitute for professionaladvice, diagnosis, or treatment of any disease or condition. Consult yourphysician or health care practitioner before beginning any nutrition,supplementation or exercise program. Anyone on this podcast does not assume any liability for the information provided. Any application of the recommendations or use of the information contained herein is at your discretion and sole risk,and you specifically waive any right to make any claim against anyone on this podcast.