Don't Be A Dick Part 2: Relationships in Prep | Episode 13 Season 2

Don't Be A Dick Part 2: Relationships in Prep | Episode 13 Season 2Prep doesn't just change your body. It changes your mood, your patience, your availability and how easy you are to live with. This week Chris and Rachel dive into the side of contest prep nobody talks about enough: what it does to your relationships.From partners absorbing the emotional fallout to friendships shrinking, family not understanding why you're "doing this to yourself," and the legendary broccoli oil incident that almost ended a relationship... this one gets real.Whether you're prepping, supporting someone through prep, or just trying to understand what your bodybuilding friend disappeared into for 20 weeks, this episode is for you.Topics covered this week:🔹 Why prep changes your personality (and the biology behind it)🔹 The partner sacrifice: they didn't choose prep, they chose you🔹 How to handle "just one bite won't hurt"🔹 Scheduling connection time alongside cardio and training🔹 Red flags that prep is damaging your relationship🔹 When discipline crosses into selfishness🔹 Rachel's two unforgivable prep stories (oil in the broccoli and the burnt chicken saga)🔹 Building a prep survival checklist: before, during, and after🔹 Post-show blues and why recovery isn't instant🔹 Professional relationships and knowing when to talk to your coach about timingChapters:00:00 - Intro and setting the scene03:08 - The biology of prep brain: hormones, hunger and tolerance06:08 - Social battery drain and why bodybuilders befriend bodybuilders07:52 - Partners didn't choose prep, so communicate early11:09 - Navigating free meals and takeaways in the house12:38 - The partner sacrifice vs the athlete sacrifice16:14 - When does prep stop being the excuse?19:28 - Survival behaviours: communication, gratitude and scheduled time22:36 - When discipline becomes selfishness25:01 - "Just one bite won't hurt" and how to shut it down28:01 - Keeping friendships alive during prep30:46 - Prep is temporary, relationship damage can be permanent33:01 - Rachel's broccoli oil story (the one that almost ended it all)36:49 - The burnt chicken incident37:25 - During-prep survival checklist: gratitude, shared time and check-ins39:14 - Post-prep recovery: rebuilding bridges and post-show blues42:39 - It takes a village to build a champion44:07 - Professional relationships and work during prep46:48 - Don't microwave your fish (a public service announcement)50:33 - Your worst prep partner stories: send them in💬 Like and subscribe so other athletes can find us!📍 Find us here:🎧 Spotify: The Macro Lounge Podcast📸 Instagram: @macro_lounge_podcast📺 YouTube: @TheMacroLoungePodcast📩 Email: [email protected]💪 Work with us:✨ Posing: @accentuate_posing_academy🏋️ Coaching: @teamboldphysique👙 Bikinis: accentuatebikinis.co.nz | @accentuatebikinis