I started taking it seriously when I began comparing my physique from different angles instead of just looking at my favorite mirror pose. My shoulders looked solid from the front, but my back poses exposed areas that needed more attention. Now I use posing sessions to check my symmetry, transitions ...

I do four lifting days with a few moderate cardio sessions throughout the week. Nothing crazy, just enough to support my activity and conditioning. I also keep an eye on my steps because they give me a consistent baseline without making every cardio session feel like another hard workout. Staying ...

They’ve become part of my routine, but mostly because they help me stay consistent with hydration. I’ll have one around training and regular water the rest of the day. I’ve also realized that not every electrolyte product is the same—some are basically flavored drinks with a tiny electrolyte dose, so ...

Cold brew. That’s my pre.

I started taking warm-ups seriously, especially before lower-body days. A few minutes of mobility, some ramp-up sets, and gradually getting into my working weight made a bigger difference than I expected. My first heavy set feels way smoother now, and I’m not trying to go from zero to 100 as soon as ...

I used to rely heavily on pre-workout, especially for early morning sessions. These days I’ll usually have coffee instead because I don’t need a huge stimulant hit just to get through a workout.

Deep squat holds for me. I started adding them before leg day, and over time my bottom position became much more comfortable. It’s a simple drill, but being able to sit into that position with control has definitely carried over to my squats.

I track calories when I’m cutting. It keeps me accountable.

Getting stronger at the smaller movements has helped my compounds too. Bringing up my triceps and upper back made a noticeable difference in my bench.

For me it was cutting out fats. I was terrified of anything with too much fat, so I basically lived on chicken breast, rice, and vegetables. Now I regularly eat eggs, avocado, olive oil, salmon, and nuts. My diet feels way more satisfying now.