Ep 325 - Plant-Based Bodybuilding With a World Champ (ft. Maddie McConnell)

In this episode of Iron Culture, hosts Eric Helms and Michael Zourdos reconnect and reflect on their experiences at the 2025 Sports Nutrition Association annual conference. Joined by guests Dr. Nick Washmuth and Kaylee Chism, they delve into the concept of daily 1RM training, discussing its origins, methodology, and findings from a recent study involving participants who maxed out daily. Insights from the participants reveal varied results and experiences, highlighting the mental and physical challenges of such a training protocol. The conversation also explores the importance of dosage, frequency, intensity, and the need for more empirical data to better understand the effectiveness of daily 1RM training. The episode covers various training protocols, particularly focusing on volume training and its effects on strength gains. The hosts and guests discuss personal experiences with different lifting protocols, the importance of balancing other lifts during intense training, and the recommendations for those interested in 1RM training. Additionally, they explore the intriguing concept of swearing as a performance enhancer, examining its psychological effects and potential benefits in athletic performance.
Reminder:Don't forget to check out our sister podcast, Front Page Fitness, hosted by Drs. Lauren Colenso-Semple and Eric Trexler! youtube.com/@fpfpodcast
Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 04:00 Daily 1RM Training: Origins and Insights 12:00 Introducing the New Study on Daily One RM Training 33:30 Auto-Regulation in Training 39:30 "Dosage": Frequency, Intensity, and Proximity to Failure 44:26 Specificity vs. Generalization in Training 54:00 Volume Considerations 01:11:00 Recommendations for 1RM Training Protocols 01:16:30 Squat Mechanics and Individual Variability 01:22:30 Effects of Swearing in Performance 01:39:40 Wrapping up