Savage Perspective Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Overcoming Hard Times and Finding Purpose with Dilan Abeya Dec 01, 2023

Show notes

How do you find strength and fortitude when you're struggling? Dilan Abeya is a well known and up and coming fitness model from the UK who has created a brand around inspiring others. Using himself as an example, he gives free advice on how other people could also transform their lives just by changing habits. (www.dilanabeya.com) We've recorded many episodes on getting your life together, but it was a pleasure to get Dilan's perspective and learn about his experience.

What you'll hear:

What got Dilan into the fitness space to begin with (1:40)
The dark time he experienced in a past relationship and the trauma of the breakup (3:54)
The importance of controlling one's own thoughts and actions rather than placing blame or allowing others to fix your problems (5:42)
Overcoming heartbreak through exercise and nutrition (8:37)
Mental health, habits, and energy management (16:23)
Consistency in nutrition and training (20:09)
Daily mindfulness practices and the importance of routines (25:25)
Breaking down large goals into smaller, more manageable steps (40:26)
Finding your purpose and avoiding societal pressures (43:15)
Take social media breaks and being discerning with the types of media we consume (51:42)
Leveraging social media to provide a platform for helping others (57:41)
Managing distractions (1:00:01)

Where to learn more about Dilan:

If you loved this episode and our podcast, please take some time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, or drop us a comment below!

Surviving a Competition Prep as a Spouse with Crystal Sikes Nov 27, 2023

Show notes

To wrap up the competition season, I invited my lovely wife Crystal to the podcast to share her experience living with me during the last 33 weeks. Those who have followed me for a while know that Crystal is a source of strength and support in my life, and I couldn't have made it through this prep season without her.

What we discussed:

Prepping all of my meals and the little annoyances that come along with that (4:50)
The importance of meal prepping during a competition prep season and Crystal's experience with that over the years (6:48)
Relationship dynamics during the prep and the challenges we faced (12:11)
Becoming intimate in different ways when my libido took a dive (18:39)
Handling the total chaos of running a business and traveling with Rigel (20:29)
Childcare challenges on the road and the differences between managing Rigel in a controlled environment vs. a public setting (23:22)
Traveling in the rig vs. flying and which was more convenient (28:39)
What it was like for Crystal to live with me during the entire competition prep phase and her opinions on the outcome (34:40)
Focusing on what I'm grateful for and wrapping up this competition season (40:18)

If you loved this episode and our podcast, please take some time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, or drop us a comment below!

World’s Competition Recap Nov 24, 2023

Show notes

I recently competed in the last of five competitions this season, the World's Competition for the natural bodybuilding world. It has been a long journey and for this episode, I'm giving you a recap of the competition season, my experience at world's, and everything that went along with it.

What you'll hear:

My nutrition and and other prep during peak week (2:21)
Vascularity, muscle definition, and body fat percentage (5:07)
Pre-show routine and backstage chaos (7:55)
Disadvantageous grouping during competition (11:06)
Judges' feedback (12:08)
Feeling pride in what I've accomplished these past few months despite competition results (18:01)
Post-competition choices for optimal physiological and psychological response (21:38)
Disconnecting with the family after the competition and maintaining a workout routine (26:57)
Upcoming plans and podcast episodes (29:24)

If you loved this episode and our podcast, please take some time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, or drop us a comment below!

Keeping Holiday Eating Under Control with Greg Mahler Nov 20, 2023

Show notes

With the holidays around the corner, the temptation to over-indulge can be intense. For this episode, I welcomed back good friend and client, Greg Mahler, to help coach us on how to enjoy ourselves over the holidays without overdoing it.

What you'll hear:

Navigating holiday nutritional challenges (2:31)
Planning for holiday gatherings and not sacrificing relationships for food (7:47)
Incorporating more lenient macronutrient goals, allowing for occasional deviations for flavor and enjoyment (13:59)
Avoiding disordered eating during the holidays (18:00)
Why it's not wise to make extreme New Year's resolutions (26:27)
Our experiences with family during a ketogenic Thanksgiving meal (29:07)

If you loved this episode and our podcast, please take some time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, or drop us a comment below!

Maintaining a Positive Mindset During Competition Season Nov 17, 2023

Show notes

Due to my busy travel and competition schedule, I haven't been able to schedule podcast interviews like usual. As a result, I've been documenting my experiences during this competition season, and for this episode, I'll discuss how I maintain a positive pre-show mindset.

What you'll hear:

The psychology of preparing for a big endeavor and how it affects dopamine (1:34)
How I'm feeling as I'm about to step onto the largest stage I've ever been on (2:44)
The importance of mental preparation in bodybuilding (3:52)
Winning a major competition in 2012 and the period of depression and disordered eating that followed (4:46)
How I've made this prep season more sustainable to avoid the downfall postseason (7:39)
Post-competition meal-planning and mental well-being (10:11)
My nutrition plan post-competition and macronutrient targets (14:12)
The importance of having a plan and support to cope with the stress after the competition season is over (18:03)
My plan to relax, enjoy the moment, and be present with my supporters (22:24)

If you loved this episode and our podcast, please take some time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, or drop us a comment below!

Sleep Optimization and a Giveaway! Nov 13, 2023

Show notes

If you've listened to me for a while, you know how much I value good, quality sleep, but the fact remains that I lack in the slumber department. For this episode, I'm solo again and I discuss the importance of quality sleep and announce the details for our next giveaway.

What you'll hear:

Sleep quality vs. sleep quantity (2:33)
Sleep optimization techniques for better rest and performance (4;00)
Devices I use to track sleep (6:59)
Reasons for sleeping in a separate bed during the prep season (7:35)
Details about the Eight Sleep Pod Cover (10:03)
How to win you own Eight Sleep Pod Cover (15:16)

How to win:

Every $10 you spend throughout the month of November at www.ketobrick.com will get you entered to win the cover!

If you loved this episode and our podcast, please take some time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, or drop us a comment below!

Post-show Banter with Greg Mahler Nov 10, 2023

Show notes

I'm short on time, short on sleep, and short on podcast episodes, so I welcomed my good friend and client, Greg Mahler, on the show to recap my competition at the Monster Mash.

What you'll hear:

My performance at the show and improved vascularity and symmetry (2:32)
Lessons I learned during this last show, including being more personable on stage during posing (7:57)
Training and nutrition strategies for my upcoming competition (10:23)
Greg's experience working with me and the importance of reverse dieting after a prep (18:06)
Not comparing oneself to others on social media (20:14)
The growth plan for Keto Brick (23:49)
Working with a coach during a competition prep (26:48)
Post-competition celebration meals and meal prep (28:00)
The importance of keeping your recovery meal on-plan and not being too lenient (32:56)

If you loved this episode and our podcast, please take some time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, or drop us a comment below!

Shining the Light on Disordered Eating with Dr. David Wiss Nov 07, 2023

Show notes

If you've followed me for a while, you know that disordered eating is an issue that I have struggled with and an issue that I have also helped multiple clients work through. For this episode, I welcome Dr. David Wiss, an expert on nutrition and healthy food relationships. It was a pleasure speaking with him and I'm thrilled to share our conversation with you.

What you'll hear:

What got Dr. Wiss into the nutrition field (1:50)
The link between gut health, nutrition, and addiction (2:49)
Food addiction, nutrition, and mental health (5:30)
Food addiction as a neurobiological disorder (9:25)
Body positivity, stigma, and recovery (14:29)
Behavior change and sustainability in mental health counseling (20:10)
The spectrum of clients he's seeing in regards to disordered eating (25:22)
Treatment for eating disorders and rebuilding nutrition and the relationship with food (27:34)
Complexity of food choices (34:34)
Gender differences and eating disorders (38:52)
The need for more individualized care when it comes to eating disorders (45:51)
The importance of reflection and personal growth when healing from disordered eating (54:06)

Where to find out more about Dr. David Wiss and his work:

If you loved this episode and our podcast, please take some time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, or drop us a comment below!

From NFL Fullback to CEO with Chris Manderino Nov 03, 2023

Show notes

Being a professional athlete may be a dream come true for a lot of people, and it certainly was for Chris Manderino. He was a fullback in the NFL for a few years before transitioning to the position of CEO of his own company. He shares his story and experiences with us for this episode, and it was a pleasure chatting with him–I'm excited to share our conversation with you.

What you'll hear:

Chris's experience in the NFL and transitioning to being a business owner (1:01)
Performance-enhancing drugs and painkillers (6:57)
Entrepreneurship, nutrition, and health (12:29)
The motivation behind starting Lyfe Fuel (14:40)
Product options and ingredients (18:00)
Why he chose the plant-based route (21:12)
The importance of food source (26:36)
Phytochemicals and controversy (29:07)
What sets Lyfe Fuel apart (35:09)
Nutrient absorption (42:25)
Business and marketing wins (47:48)
Direct-to-consumer sales (54:00)
What he's excited about (58:21)
Progress over perfection (1:00:38)

Where to find out more about Chris and Lyfe Fuel:

LYFE Fuel

If you loved this episode and our podcast, please take some time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, or drop us a comment below!

Keeping Your Hormones Happy with Christian Unger Oct 30, 2023

Show notes

Do you have questions about hormone health or hormone replacement therapy? For this episode, I welcome back Christian Unger, who is well-versed in hormone health, specifically sex hormones and muscle tissue. He is a PhD candidate and has a wealth of information on his subject. This was a very informative episode and I know you'll take something from it.

What we discussed:

His excitement over becoming a father (2:04)
Preparing for fatherhood and his wife's pregnancy (5:10)
Powerlifting (6:54)
His dissertation topic (9:33)
Exercise and nutrition with a focus on metabolism (10:09)
Explosive training for fitness and aging (13:30)
Muscle strength, hormone levels, and diet (19:35)
How leanness affects testosterone levels (23:07)
Hormone levels and the importance of reverse dieting after a competition prep (25:42)
Exogenous hormone therapy vs. lifestyle changes (29:03)
The downfalls of hormone replacement therapy and how to combat them (32:16)
The importance of prioritizing sleep (40:38)
Sleep hacks (42:31)
Data that he's seen with sex hormones in muscle tissue (44:54)
Supplementation (52:47)
Importance of expanding the knowledge on hormone replacement therapy (53:57)
The dangers of "majoring in the minors" (57:08)
What he's excited about going forward (1:00:52)