#34 Life After Bodybuilding, Being Enhanced & Why Bigger Isn’t Always Better

Chewjitsu Open: Sub-Only Brackets, Big Energy, and a Tournament Built for Competitors

In this episode of Bedson & Coffey Unfiltered, the guys sit down with Jeff Alexander, one of Chewy’s black belts and a key part of the team behind the Chewjitsu Open, a fast-growing jiu-jitsu tournament series built around a competitor-first experience. Jeff explains how Chewjitsu Open has expanded from a packed first event into a multi-state circuit, and why their unique format stands out: sub-only for adults, Madison bracketing (weight classes created after weigh-ins), and a scoring system that rewards athletes who hunt for the finish. They also cover how the event supports competitors with an athlete-friendly setup, how sponsorship money helps increase payouts, and what new competitors should focus on mentally when stepping onto the mats for the first time. The conversation also gets into training culture, being a great partner, and nutrition strategies that support recovery and long-term performance. Then wraps with how to find upcoming events and get registered. * * Who Jeff is: Chewy’s black belt, 21 years in jiu-jitsu, and his path from MMA into falling in love with grappling. * * How Chewjitsu Open started: Built to fix competitor pain points—especially “one match and you’re done.” * * Rapid growth: From the first packed event to multiple tournaments per year and continuing expansion. * * New location announced: Chewjitsu Open heading to Huntsville, Alabama (May 16). * * Sub-only adults: No points gaming—matches are built around hunting submissions. * * Madison bracketing: Weight classes created after weigh-ins to avoid empty divisions and weird last-minute bumps. * * Submission-focused scoring: Subs earn more than decisions, pushing faster, more exciting matches. * * High finish rate: Chewjitsu Open sees a large majority of matches ending in submission. * * Competitor-first experience: Setup, organization, and event flow designed to make the day better for athletes and families. * * Advice for first-timers: You chose to be there—relax, enjoy it, learn, and get mat time.

#34 Life After Bodybuilding, Being Enhanced & Why Bigger Isn’t Always Better

In Episode 34 of Bedson & Coffey Unfiltered, Tyler and Eli cover everything from flying monkeys and Liver King’s downfall to the real cost of chasing size in bodybuilding.The conversation takes a serious turn as they break down life after competitive bodybuilding, the reality of steroid use in today’s social media era, fertility struggles after coming off gear, weight class strategy in grappling, and why bigger isn’t always better.They also dive into sponsorship myths, the financial realities of turning pro, and why having a backup plan matters more than ever.As always — unfiltered, honest, and a little chaotic.- Would you own a monkey? The wild documentary stories and internet conspiracies- Liver King’s steroid admission and the problem with clout-chasing fitness influencersOrgan meats, mountain oysters, and the weird foods bodybuilders try- Appendix surgery, stem cells, colonoscopies & modern medicine vs. primitive surgery- Competing again after 13 years: cutting weight vs. walking around ready for IBJJF weigh-ins- Why both hosts downsized after bodybuilding — and how lighter feels better- The identity crisis athletes face when they’re no longer at their peak- Genetic ceilings, diminishing returns, and why some bodies tolerate size better than others- The dangerous trend of teenagers running heavy cycles too early- Fertility struggles after coming off testosterone — the reality no one talks about- Health trade-offs in competitive bodybuilding and paying for it later in life- Why most pro bodybuilders don’t actually make money competing- Sponsorship myths: what you really bring to the table- Why every athlete needs a backup plan and multiple income streams- Bodybuilding as a healthy lifestyle vs. bodybuilding as an extreme sport

#33 Appendix Scares, Holiday Survival, and Unfiltered Christmas Debates

Tyler & Eli kick things off with a real-life curveball, an unexpected ER visit, a suspected appendix issue, and the weird “limbo” of trying to train while waiting on answers. From there, the conversation rolls straight into the holiday season: why people fall off in December, how to navigate parties without sabotaging progress, and the simple rules that actually work (including the legendary “plate pushes” method). They also get into coaching philosophy, why giving clients tools matters more than rigid rules and finish with classic unfiltered holiday randomness: GameStop’s “trade anything” day, romance novel cover shoots, Die Hard debates, and the Christmas traditions that probably need to retire. Highlights * A scary, unexpected illness leads to an ER trip, severe stomach pain, and an appendix/abscess situation * Training while waiting on medical answers: staying active without doing something stupid (like sparring with a bad abdomen) * Why December makes or breaks people’s fitness progress—and why signing up for coaching now can be a good sign * Holiday strategy that works: plan around the big meal instead of pretending it won’t happen * “Plate pushes”: the simplest fat-loss exercise for holiday dinners (push the second plate away) * The sneaky calorie trap of grazing all day—Chex mix, nuts, crackers, candy—without realizing it * Coaching mindset: teach people a tool set they can use for life, not just a temporary meal plan * Business coaching vs. becoming a better coach first: results and referrals beat sales tactics every time * Holiday chaos and comedy: romance novels, AI edits, and the wild stuff people will buy online * Christmas debates & traditions: best/overrated movies, favorite holiday foods, and questionable family rituals (reindeer carrots included)

#32 Jiu-jitsu and Wrestling Champ Brandon Reed: Smarter Training, Less Wear & Tear

Tyler & Eli sit down with Brandon Reed—3x national champion wrestler, multiple-time jiu-jitsu world champion, and fresh ADCC East Coast Trials winner—to break down how he’s rising through the grappling world with a smarter, more sustainable approach.Brandon shares how he qualified for ADCC Worlds in Poland, why he lifts only twice per week during camp, and how tempo work, mobility, and structured warm-ups keep his joints healthy through heavy training. He opens up about major knee injuries, rebuilding his game, dialing in nutrition, training in Canada, and his long-term plan to open a gym while staying active in elite competitions.Follow Brandon: @brandonreed3x • brandonreed3x.com (instructionals & seminars) * How Brandon Reed went from college wrestling standout to ADCC Trials champion * Qualifying for ADCC Worlds in Poland and what makes the event so prestigious * In-season training structure: full-body lifting 2x/week designed around mat performance * Using tempo training to build strength while protecting joints and improving isometric control * Why structured warm-ups and cool-downs dramatically reduce injuries * Recovering from an ACL and LCL tear and evolving into a more pressure-oriented, hand-fighting style * Cleaning up his nutrition after years of “eating like a wrestler” and how it improved his performance * Learning to manage the nervous system and pull back when the body signals burnout * Why he’s choosing Ontario as his training base and building in Canada’s growing jiu-jitsu scene * Long-term vision: seminars, super fights, GrappleFest, and opening his own gym while continuing to compete

#31 Biohacking, Bloodwork, and Smarter Bodybuilding with Jensen & Kara Morris (TCY Coaching)

yler and Eli sit down with Jensen and Kara Morris of TCY Coaching to talk biohacking, functional health, and how to build longevity into training. They break down what “biohacking” really means, the bloodwork every athlete should be running, and how to fix fatigue, gut issues, and hormonal imbalances before they wreck progress. The group dives deep into smarter supplementation, women’s hormone health, overtraining, tempo work, and why recovery days might be the most anabolic tool you’re ignoring. Show Highlights * What “biohacking” really means and why Jensen sometimes avoids the word * The most effective mitochondrial enhancers and recovery tools right now * Why testing before guessing saves time, money, and health * Key bloodwork panels everyone should run (hormones, thyroid, inflammation, insulin resistance) * Gut testing 101 — what stool samples reveal about digestion and absorption * How poor gut health wrecks physique progress and hormone balance * The evolution of bodybuilding protocols and smarter modern approaches * Women’s health: progesterone, cortisol steal, and overtraining * Understanding “normal vs optimal” hormone ranges on bloodwork * How training tempo protects joints and builds more muscle with less risk * Rest days, parasympathetic recovery, and longevity in training * Balancing stress, hormones, and lifestyle for better performance and energy * How autoimmune clients and inflammation can still be managed naturally * Fixing the “always tired” problem and realizing you’re not supposed to feel bad