Self-Selecting

E. 162 Why Your Traps Keep Growing (The Real Problem Isn’t Genetics)

In this episode, I break down why so many people struggle to actually target the muscles they’re trying to grow—and why poor scapular stability is often the real issue behind trap dominance, neck tension, and upper body imbalances. I explain how instability at the scapula changes muscle recruitment patterns, why many rear delt and shoulder exercises unintentionally become trap exercises, and how improving scapular control can completely change your upper body development. We also cover common misconceptions around trap growth, overhead pressing mechanics, warm-up strategies, and why most people are searching for quick fixes instead of addressing the real problem. Timestamps: - [00:00 – 04:49] – Why trap dominance happens and how scapular stability affects upper body training. - [04:50 – 07:10] – Scapular movement explained and why instability changes muscle recruitment. - [07:11 – 09:44] – Trap growth misinformation, PED myths, and why genetics aren’t the full story. - [09:45 – 14:59] – The real issue: scapular instability, elevation vs depression, and compensation patterns. - [15:00 – 17:44] – The biggest mistakes during lateral raises and rear delt flies that overgrow traps. - [17:45 – 23:55] – Overhead pressing, neurotoxins/Botox for traps, injury risks, and muscle recruitment. - [23:56 – 26:44] – Why people want quick fixes instead of improving scapular control and movement quality. - [26:45 – 33:26] – Warm-ups, mobility drills, scapular holds, and stability exercises that actually help. - [33:27 – 38:19] – Windmills, shoulder stability progressions, and exposing upper body weaknesses safely. - [38:20 – 41:20] – Exercise order, movement prep before compounds, and how to improve upper body targeting long term. Links & Resources: Purchase The Complete Fat Loss Guide: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-fat-loss-guide/ Purchase The Glute Building Blueprint: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-glute-building-program/ https://coryfit.com/ Coaching: Let's Chat⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/15min ⁠Consults: Book a Call⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/one-time-consultation For more content, follow along:⁠Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/cory_fit/ ⁠Patreon⁠: https://patreon.com/CoryFit?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

E. 161 What Bodybuilding Really Costs Women (Hormones, PEDs & Motherhood) With Daraja Weidemoyer

In this episode, Daraja Weidemoyer and I dive into the evolving standards of bikini bodybuilding, the increasing density required to stay competitive, and the difficult conversations surrounding PED use, fertility, and long-term health. Daraja shares her perspective on building a pro-level physique naturally, navigating PCOS and endometriosis, and the impact birth control had on her mood, recovery, and overall well-being. We also talk about the identity shift that comes with motherhood, learning to adapt your routine instead of chasing perfection, and why balance and sustainability are critical for longevity in bodybuilding. This episode is a real conversation about competing at a high level while staying aligned with your values, protecting your health, and creating a life outside of the sport. Timestamps: - [00:00 – 03:20] – Daraja Weidemoyer intro, bodybuilding journey, and becoming a mom. - [03:21 – 11:29] – Bikini bodybuilding becoming denser and evolving judging standards. - [11:30 – 17:26] – PED use, genetic potential, patience, and risk tolerance in bodybuilding. - [17:27 – 22:07] – Fertility, virilization concerns, and family planning in bodybuilding. - [22:08 – 30:29] – Birth control, PCOS, PMDD, and hormonal health struggles. - [30:30 – 35:22] – Managing PMS, mindset shifts, and improving self-awareness. - [35:23 – 43:59] – Competing after motherhood and adapting to the new bikini standard. - [44:00 – 48:14] – Finding a new rhythm as a mom while pursuing bodybuilding goals. - [48:15 – 52:59] – Letting go of rigidity and adapting training to real life. - [53:00 – 59:59] – Why balance and flexibility create longevity in bodybuilding. - [01:00:00 – 01:05:59] – Social media comparison, mindset, and staying aligned with your values. - [01:06:00 – 01:17:33] – Building more size, lifting heavier, and Daraja’s future competitive goals. Links & Resources: Follow Daraja on Instagram: @darajaweid Work With Daraja: https://refinedstrengthcoaching.com/services/ Purchase The Complete Fat Loss Guide: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-fat-loss-guide/ Purchase The Glute Building Blueprint: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-glute-building-program/ https://coryfit.com/ ⁠Coaching: Let's Chat⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/15min ⁠Consults: Book a Call⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/one-time-consultation For more content, follow along:⁠Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/cory_fit/ ⁠Patreon⁠: https://patreon.com/CoryFit?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

E. 160 Why You’re Gaining Fat Instead of Muscle (Building Phase Mistakes)

In this episode, I break down why most muscle-building phases fail—and it usually has nothing to do with the plan itself. I explain why building muscle requires a completely different level of discomfort than fat loss, why you need to commit to the process even when you don’t like how you look, and how inconsistent adherence on both training and nutrition is the biggest reason people spin their wheels. We also cover the truth about “lean bulking,” why comparison (especially with enhanced athletes) will mislead you, and how to actually make a build productive by focusing on execution, training intensity, and being coachable. Timestamps: - [00:00 – 03:49] – Why most builds feel unproductive and the gap between expectations vs reality. - [03:50 – 06:49] – Building muscle requires a different kind of “suck” than fat loss. - [06:50 – 10:59] – Tunnel vision, consistency, and why you don’t have to love the building phase to succeed. - [11:00 – 14:59] – Having a clear reason to build (you can always lose fat later). - [15:00 – 18:29] – PED misconceptions, “lean bulk” myths, and committing fully to the process. - [18:30 – 23:56] – The fastest ways to gain fat in a build. - [23:57 – 29:28] – Why most builds fail. - [29:29 – 32:13] – Overcomplicating training (glute bias myths). - [32:14 – 37:13] – Being coachable, accepting feedback, and removing ego from progress. - [37:14 – 40:16] – Stop ignoring weaknesses. - [40:17 – 42:48] – You know if you’re truly adherent. Links & Resources: Purchase The Complete Fat Loss Guide: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-fat-loss-guide/ Purchase The Glute Building Blueprint: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-glute-building-program/ https://coryfit.com/ ⁠Coaching: Let's Chat⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/15min ⁠Consults: Book a Call⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/one-time-consultation For more content, follow along:⁠Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/cory_fit/ ⁠Patreon⁠: https://patreon.com/CoryFit?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

E. 159 Why Your Fat Loss Isn’t Working (It’s Not the Diet)

In this episode, I break down why fat loss often feels inconsistent—and why the real issue usually isn’t the plan, but your level of adherence to it. I explain the different levels of dietary adherence, how to identify intentional vs unintentional deviations, and why not everyone needs to be “perfect” to make progress. We also cover how to match your expectations to your execution, avoid burnout from unnecessary rigidity, and build a sustainable fat loss approach that actually works long term. Timestamps: - [00:00 – 03:36] – Why fat loss feels inconsistent. - [03:37 – 04:44] – Defining adherence. - [04:45 – 05:56] – Level A adherence. - [05:57 – 07:33] – Level B adherence. - [07:34 – 09:38] – Level C adherence. - [09:39 – 12:34] – Level D adherence. - [12:35 – 16:44] – Why most people don’t need perfect adherence to lose fat successfully. - [16:45 – 20:25] – Tight deadlines, aggressive fat loss, and intentional vs accidental non-adherence. - [20:26 – 25:21] – Why your body keeps score even when your tracking doesn’t. - [25:22 – 32:52] – Ranking dietary deviations. - [32:53 – 39:38] – Why loosening adherence can sometimes improve fat loss results. - [39:39 – 43:29] – Find your real bottleneck and build a sustainable dieting system. Links & Resources: Purchase The Complete Fat Loss Guide: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-fat-loss-guide/ Purchase The Glute Building Blueprint: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-glute-building-program/ https://coryfit.com/ ⁠Coaching: Let's Chat⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/15min ⁠Consults: Book a Call⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/one-time-consultation For more content, follow along:⁠Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/cory_fit/ ⁠Patreon⁠: https://patreon.com/CoryFit?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

E. 158 The Truth About Women’s Bodybuilding, PEDs & Switching Divisions With Courtney Starr

In this episode, Courtney Starr and I have an honest conversation about switching divisions, building a competitive physique, PED realities in women’s bodybuilding, and making decisions that align with your long-term health. We break down bikini vs wellness demands, the sacrifice required to stay competitive, the importance of genetics, and why success in bodybuilding has to be defined on your own terms—not just placings or titles. If you’re navigating division changes, enhancement decisions, or chasing progress without losing yourself, this episode is for you. Timestamps: - [00:00 – 03:49] – Courtney Starr intro, coaching background, and bodybuilding journey. - [03:50 – 06:55] – Courtney in bikini in 2020. - [06:56 – 11:59] – First PED exposure, early misconceptions, and the bikini landscape in 2020. - [12:00 – 15:59] – Transitioning from bikini to wellness and why the switch made sense. - [16:00 – 20:29] – Sacrifice, intimidation, and realizing bodybuilding is more than just size. - [20:30 – 27:39] – Building muscle, offseason weight gain, and why staying shredded year-round is overrated. - [27:40 – 33:59] – PED requirements, genetics, and whether success is worth the trade-offs. - [34:00 – 35:59] – Sleep, training, nutrition, and the basics that matter before PED use. - [36:00 – 41:24] – Understanding real PED risks, fake compounds, and informed consent. - [41:25 – 49:59] – TRT, Anavar, hormones, bloodwork, and why health should come first. - [50:00 – 55:35] – Growth hormone, lab-based decisions, and smarter enhancement choices. - [55:36 – 01:01:21] – Defining your “why,” sponsorships, and what success really means. - [01:01:22 – 01:05:01] – Moving back to bikini and Courtney’s current direction. Links & Resources: Follow Courtney on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatnutritionchic/ Work With Courtney: https://www.allstarphysiques.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnGrbzKbi22fg7y76opEXD8_nh57m_B9d5yx_EISL268oVF4HzghfO0-im7BA_aem_OJZg_ZsipCYn0zBtNnYASg Purchase The Glute Building Blueprint: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-glute-building-program/ https://coryfit.com/ ⁠Coaching: Let's Chat⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/15min ⁠Consults: Book a Call⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/one-time-consultation For more content, follow along:⁠Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/cory_fit/ ⁠Patreon⁠: https://patreon.com/CoryFit?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink