Brains and Gains with Dr. David Maconi Eric Helms - WNBF PRO, On Stage vs Instagram, Extreme Calf Study Update
Nov 25, 2023
Eric Helms, PhD researcher, coach, and competitive natural bodybuilder, reflects on a packed competition season and the art of conditioning. He talks about measuring tiny muscle changes, stage lighting versus Instagram, off-season strategies, peaking and carb loading, and surprising results from a calf hypertrophy study.
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Relentless Multi-Show Season
- Eric Helms competed five shows across eight weeks and spent 41 weeks dieting this season.
- He won his pro card mid-season and still chose to compete at Worlds one week later as a pro debut.
Competition As An External Test
- Eric values competing as an external test of internal progress, not only for winning.
- He treats bodybuilding as both sport and art that reveals how well you've developed habits under pressure.
Small Muscle Changes, Big Stage Impact
- Marginal muscle changes (grams to a few hundred grams) can shift stage appearance dramatically.
- Competitors should focus on region-specific improvements (delts, lats, calves) rather than total scale weight.