ERIC HELMS: FROM LIFESTYLE LEAN TO STAGE SHREDDED: COSTS, CONSEQUENCES & WHY YOU SHOULD NOT TRY TO WALK AROUND IN STAGE CONDITION YEAR-ROUND| EP. 188

Most people see stage shredded physiques on social media and assume they can or should walk around looking like that year round. What they do not see are the physiological costs, the metabolic adaptations, the low energy availability and the trade offs that come with pushing down to essential levels of body fat.In this episode of the CHASING CLARITY HEALTH & FITNESS PODCAST, I sit down with Dr Eric Helms to break down what it really takes to get into stage condition, what happens to your body along the way and how to approach contest prep in a smarter, more sustainable way if you decide to go down that road.We cover the science, the case studies and our own experiences from multiple seasons on stage so that you have informed consent before chasing extreme levels of leanness.HERE IS WHAT WE COVER:WHAT “STAGE SHREDDED” ACTUALLY MEANS FOR MALES & FEMALESTYPICAL BODY FAT RANGES COMPETITIVE PHYSIQUE ATHLETES REACH FOR STAGEWHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET DOWN TO VERY LOW LEVELS OF BODY FATMETABOLIC ADAPTATION: HOW ENERGY EXPENDITURE, NEAT & HORMONES CHANGELOW ENERGY AVAILABILITY & REDS: HEALTH, PERFORMANCE & HORMONAL CONSEQUENCESTHE CALORIC COST OF GETTING SHREDDED: WHY CALORIES OFTEN HAVE TO GET VERY LOWHOW MUCH METABOLIC ADAPTATION IS EXPECTED VS EXAGGERATED ONLINETHE ROLE OF RATE OF LOSSWHY A HIGH PROTEIN INTAKE IS CRITICAL DURING PREPSMARTER PREP STRATEGIES LONGER TIMELINES, INTERMITTENT DIETING & PROPER CARDIO MODALITYIf you have ever thought about getting stage lean or wondered why you cannot stay “contest ready” year round, this episode will give you clarity on the trade offs, the physiology behind them and the strategies that make the process safer and more effective.WHERE TO CONNECT WITH ME:Follow Brandon on IG: https://www.instagram.com/brandondacruz_/Email: [email protected] Info on Brandon’s Coaching Services: https://form.jotform.com/bdacruzfitness/coachinginquiry