Ep.07 Eric Helms: A sustainable paradigm in physique sports

The Health Scientist Podcast

Dr Eric Helms PhD, CSCS is the Chief Science Officer of 3DMJ, helping lifters find sustainable pathways to high performance. Eric is a research fellow at the Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand at Auckland University of Technology, pursuing research in training, nutrition and psychology for strength and physique sport. Eric has a PhD in Strength and Conditioning with a research focus on autoregulating powerlifting, a masters with a research focus on protein and macronutrient manipulation for dieting bodybuilders, a second masters in exercise science and health promotion, and a bachelors in sports management, fitness and wellness. Also an athlete, Eric earned pro status as a natural bodybuilder with the PNBA in 2011, is a raw powerlifter in the IPF, and dabbles in weightlifting.

3D Muscle Journey

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Iron Culture Podcast

In this episode we cover:

• The reason Eric felt the need for his recent paper
• The prevalence of disordered eating in physique sports
• Are people whom are more susceptible to disordered eating drawn to physique sports?
• The physiological and psychological stresses endured during physique prep
• Eric's own experience from his most recent bodybuilding competition prep
• The importance of appreciating a naked wife over a pizza slice
• How to structure a nutrition post-show to limit the risk of disordered eating
• Eric's thoughts on how the fitness industry can change to reduce some of the issues commonly seen in physique sports