Episode 223: Ep 223 - The Psychology Behind Cheat Meals

In this week's episode of Muscles by Brussels Radio, we’re talking about something most people don’t expect: what happens when you hit your weight loss goal... and it still doesn’t feel like “enough.”We also dive into: • Why weight loss can sometimes trigger new insecurities • The mental and emotional work most people don’t expect • What comes after the goal weight, and how to prepare • Body image, maintenance, and managing social pressure • Why sustainable tools matter more than the number on the scale✨ Helpful Links and Resources:🌱 Coaching ApplicationTake your fitness and nutrition goals to the next level with one-on-one coaching:http://www.veganproteins.com/personal-training 📖 Free 7-Day High-Protein Meal Plan:https://bit.ly/4kab1Ll 💪 Muscles by Brussels Membership:Try it free for one month:https://www.veganproteins.com/muscles-by-brussels-membership-free-trial/ ✅ Membership Includes: Bi-weekly live coaching calls Monthly home or gym workouts 200+ high-protein vegan recipes Exclusive app features Habit challenges with cash prizes A supportive vegan athlete community 🔗 Follow Us Online: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veganproteins/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VeganProteins Website: https://www.veganproteins.com/ Apparel: Muscles by Brussels Tank Tops SCIENCE:MASS (Monthly Application In Strength Sport): MASS is one of our secret weapons and it continues to be an invaluable resource for us to keep up to date with the latest research. Don’t get swept up in fads or bogus info. Sign up and stay up to date with easy-to-consume journals and support the evidence-based fitness community.=================================

This week’s episode of Muscles by Brussels Radio is a good one—and a real peek behind the curtain of what actually happens when we’re coaching clients through body comp goals.We’re digging into: Why some clients need free meals—and others need to be told to chill with them What to do if tracking everything you eat is starting to make you miserable How we use meal plans strategically (even though we usually don’t love them) And why the “perfect program” is overrated if you’re not mentally in the game Whether you’re a coach or someone chasing your own goals, this one’s a reminder that success is never just about the numbers.✨ Helpful Links and Resources:🌱 Coaching ApplicationTake your fitness and nutrition goals to the next level with one-on-one coaching:http://www.veganproteins.com/personal-training 📖 Free High-Protein Vegan Cookbook:https://mailchi.mp/veganproteins/xytg8h94zp 💪 Muscles by Brussels Membership:Try it free for one month:https://www.veganproteins.com/muscles-by-brussels-membership-free-trial/ ✅ Membership Includes: Bi-weekly live coaching calls Monthly home or gym workouts 200+ high-protein vegan recipes Exclusive app features Habit challenges with cash prizes A supportive vegan athlete community 🔗 Follow Us Online: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veganproteins/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VeganProteins Website: https://www.veganproteins.com/ Apparel: Muscles by Brussels Tank Tops SCIENCE:MASS (Monthly Application In Strength Sport): MASS is one of our secret weapons and it continues to be an invaluable resource for us to keep up to date with the latest research. Don’t get swept up in fads or bogus info. Sign up and stay up to date with easy-to-consume journals and support the evidence-based fitness community.=================================

What does a cross-country vegan strong-person party bus have to do with burnout? Absolutely nothing. But it did come up in this week’s episode, and honestly, we kind of love the idea. Once we got back on track, Sawyer and Giacomo dug into the messy, exhausting, and all-too-familiar topic of burnout—what it looks like, how to recognize it, and what to do when you realize you're running on fumes.Sawyer shares his own experience from his lawyer days (spoiler: it wasn’t pretty), and Giacomo offers insight on how burnout shows up in coaching clients—especially the ones who think admitting they're overwhelmed is a weakness. This one’s part personal story, part strategy session, and totally relatable.If you’re caught in the loop of "just get through this week" on repeat... you need this one.✨ Helpful Links and Resources:🌱 Coaching ApplicationTake your fitness and nutrition goals to the next level with one-on-one coaching:http://www.veganproteins.com/personal-training 📖 Free High-Protein Vegan Cookbook:https://mailchi.mp/veganproteins/xytg8h94zp 💪 Muscles by Brussels Membership:Try it free for one month:https://www.veganproteins.com/muscles-by-brussels-membership-free-trial/ ✅ Membership Includes: Bi-weekly live coaching calls Monthly home or gym workouts 200+ high-protein vegan recipes Exclusive app features Habit challenges with cash prizes A supportive vegan athlete community 🔗 Follow Us Online: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veganproteins/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VeganProteins Website: https://www.veganproteins.com/ Apparel: Muscles by Brussels Tank Tops SCIENCE:MASS (Monthly Application In Strength Sport): MASS is one of our secret weapons and it continues to be an invaluable resource for us to keep up to date with the latest research. Don’t get swept up in fads or bogus info. Sign up and stay up to date with easy-to-consume journals and support the evidence-based fitness community.================================= 

Let’s talk about what happens after the glitter and tan fade. You know—that time between shows when the real work begins. Whether you call it an improvement season, build phase, or just “eating more and lifting heavy,” it’s where champions are made.In this week’s episode, Alice opens up about her shift from bikini to a more muscular division, the psychological rollercoaster of gaining weight intentionally (yes, it’s a thing), and how judging has changed her perspective on posing and physique goals.Ben shares why the off-season is where strategy matters most—and why you might need to get uncomfortable to level up.If you’ve ever questioned your path in bodybuilding or wondered what the next chapter might look like, this one’s for you.✨ Helpful Links and Resources:🌱 Coaching ApplicationTake your fitness and nutrition goals to the next level with one-on-one coaching:http://www.veganproteins.com/personal-training 📖 Free High-Protein Vegan Cookbook:https://mailchi.mp/veganproteins/xytg8h94zp 💪 Muscles by Brussels Membership:Try it free for one month:https://www.veganproteins.com/muscles-by-brussels-membership-free-trial/ ✅ Membership Includes: Bi-weekly live coaching calls Monthly home or gym workouts 200+ high-protein vegan recipes Exclusive app features Habit challenges with cash prizes A supportive vegan athlete community 🔗 Follow Us Online: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veganproteins/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VeganProteins Website: https://www.veganproteins.com/ Apparel: Muscles by Brussels Tank Tops SCIENCE:MASS (Monthly Application In Strength Sport): MASS is one of our secret weapons and it continues to be an invaluable resource for us to keep up to date with the latest research. Don’t get swept up in fads or bogus info. Sign up and stay up to date with easy-to-consume journals and support the evidence-based fitness community.================================= 

Most of us didn't go vegan and instantly become nutrition wizards. Whether you went full “lentils and brown rice” or lived off potato chips and Oreos (no judgment), there are some common pitfalls that almost every new vegan stumbles into. In this episode, Sawyer and Giacomo break down the top 10 mistakes we’ve made ourselves—and that we see all the time in our clients. You’ll learn what to look out for, how to correct course, and how to stay fueled and thriving on a plant-based diet—without falling into the “I guess I just need meat” trap.✨ Helpful Links and Resources:🌱 Coaching ApplicationTake your fitness and nutrition goals to the next level with one-on-one coaching:http://www.veganproteins.com/personal-training 📖 Free High-Protein Vegan Cookbook:https://mailchi.mp/veganproteins/xytg8h94zp 💪 Muscles by Brussels Membership:Try it free for one month:https://www.veganproteins.com/muscles-by-brussels-membership-free-trial/ ✅ Membership Includes: Bi-weekly live coaching calls Monthly home or gym workouts 200+ high-protein vegan recipes Exclusive app features Habit challenges with cash prizes A supportive vegan athlete community 🔗 Follow Us Online: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veganproteins/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VeganProteins Website: https://www.veganproteins.com/ Apparel: Muscles by Brussels Tank Tops SCIENCE:MASS (Monthly Application In Strength Sport): MASS is one of our secret weapons and it continues to be an invaluable resource for us to keep up to date with the latest research. Don’t get swept up in fads or bogus info. Sign up and stay up to date with easy-to-consume journals and support the evidence-based fitness community.================================= 

After a bit of a break, Ben and Alice are back on the mic to catch up and get real about a topic that doesn’t get talked about enough: privilege in vegan bodybuilding.From post-competition recovery and rediscovering the joy of training, to promoting bodybuilding shows and launching businesses, there's a lot going on behind the scenes—and it's not lost on either of them that even having the option to bodybuild is a form of privilege.In this episode, they unpack: Why feeling “normal” again after prep takes longer than we think What it’s like starting a new bodybuilding show from scratch (shoutout to OCB Hammer Forged!) The real cost of being a vegan athlete—and how that cost isn’t just financial Myths vs. truths about vegan diets being “too expensive” or “too complicated” How access, time, resources, and even gym culture shape who gets to participate in this sport This isn’t a guilt trip—it’s a gratitude trip. A reality check. And a nudge to appreciate the fact that if you can train, fuel, and compete... that’s a gift.✨ Helpful Links and Resources:🌱 Coaching ApplicationTake your fitness and nutrition goals to the next level with one-on-one coaching:http://www.veganproteins.com/personal-training 📖 Free High-Protein Vegan Cookbook:https://mailchi.mp/veganproteins/xytg8h94zp 💪 Muscles by Brussels Membership:Try it free for one month:https://www.veganproteins.com/muscles-by-brussels-membership-free-trial/ ✅ Membership Includes: Bi-weekly live coaching calls Monthly home or gym workouts 200+ high-protein vegan recipes Exclusive app features Habit challenges with cash prizes A supportive vegan athlete community 🔗 Follow Us Online: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veganproteins/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VeganProteins Website: https://www.veganproteins.com/ Apparel: Muscles by Brussels Tank Tops SCIENCE:MASS (Monthly Application In Strength Sport): MASS is one of our secret weapons and it continues to be an invaluable resource for us to keep up to date with the latest research. Don’t get swept up in fads or bogus info. Sign up and stay up to date with easy-to-consume journals and support the evidence-based fitness community.================================= 

Are you all in or all out when it comes to your fitness and nutrition? In this episode, Giacomo and Coach Ben unpack the sneaky ways black-and-white thinking shows up in routines, training plans, and even your meal prep. We’re talking perfectionism, fear of change, identity attachment, and why you might be too loyal to your oatmeal and tofu scramble.We explore how being a creature of habit can be a superpower—but also a trap when it stops you from evolving. Giacomo shares how sticking to “his foods” became more about mental bandwidth than macros, and Ben explains why flexibility inside structure is the real key to progress.If you’ve ever felt like missing one workout or going off-plan means you've "ruined everything," this one’s for you.✨ Helpful Links and Resources:🌱 Coaching ApplicationTake your fitness and nutrition goals to the next level with one-on-one coaching:http://www.veganproteins.com/personal-training 📖 Free High-Protein Vegan Cookbook:https://mailchi.mp/veganproteins/xytg8h94zp 💪 Muscles by Brussels Membership:Try it free for one month:https://www.veganproteins.com/muscles-by-brussels-membership-free-trial/ ✅ Membership Includes: Bi-weekly live coaching calls Monthly home or gym workouts 200+ high-protein vegan recipes Exclusive app features Habit challenges with cash prizes A supportive vegan athlete community 🔗 Follow Us Online: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veganproteins/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VeganProteins Website: https://www.veganproteins.com/ Apparel: Muscles by Brussels Tank Tops SCIENCE:MASS (Monthly Application In Strength Sport): MASS is one of our secret weapons and it continues to be an invaluable resource for us to keep up to date with the latest research. Don’t get swept up in fads or bogus info. Sign up and stay up to date with easy-to-consume journals and support the evidence-based fitness community.================================= 

In this episode, Dani and Giacomo sit down to unpack the striking similarities among some of the most well-known vegan doctors out there—think Greger, Esselstyn, Barnard, McDougall, and the like. While their personalities and branding might differ, there’s a surprising amount of overlap in their core messages. We’re talking about what they all agree on, where they diverge, and how this impacts everyday vegans trying to figure out what the hell to eat. Expect a mix of nerdy nutrition talk, respectful critique, and a few laughs as we break down the science, the hype, and the human side of plant-based health.✨ Helpful Links and Resources:🌱 Coaching ApplicationTake your fitness and nutrition goals to the next level with one-on-one coaching:http://www.veganproteins.com/personal-training 📖 Free High-Protein Vegan Cookbook:https://mailchi.mp/veganproteins/xytg8h94zp 💪 Muscles by Brussels Membership:Try it free for one month:https://www.veganproteins.com/muscles-by-brussels-membership-free-trial/ ✅ Membership Includes: Bi-weekly live coaching calls Monthly home or gym workouts 200+ high-protein vegan recipes Exclusive app features Habit challenges with cash prizes A supportive vegan athlete community 🔗 Follow Us Online: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veganproteins/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VeganProteins Website: https://www.veganproteins.com/ Apparel: Muscles by Brussels Tank Tops SCIENCE:MASS (Monthly Application In Strength Sport): MASS is one of our secret weapons and it continues to be an invaluable resource for us to keep up to date with the latest research. Don’t get swept up in fads or bogus info. Sign up and stay up to date with easy-to-consume journals and support the evidence-based fitness community.=================================

In this special (and slightly jet-lagged) episode, Dani and Giacomo record straight from Brussels, Belgium—and no, the podcast name Muscles by Brussels wasn’t inspired by Jean-Claude Van Damme.  They reflect on their European travels through Amsterdam, Heidelberg, and now Brussels, sharing real talk on what it’s like to stay plant-based while abroad. They discuss the difference between travel for work vs. actual vacation, why they’re not tracking macros on this trip, how they try to weave in fitness habits without stressing, and the subtle-but-important label differences between vegan and vegetarian foods across countries. Have you traveled as a vegan? Let us know your tips and stories—we’d love to hear them!✨ Helpful Links and Resources:🌱 Coaching ApplicationTake your fitness and nutrition goals to the next level with one-on-one coaching:http://www.veganproteins.com/personal-training 📖 Free High-Protein Vegan Cookbook:https://mailchi.mp/veganproteins/xytg8h94zp 💪 Muscles by Brussels Membership:Try it free for one month:https://www.veganproteins.com/muscles-by-brussels-membership-free-trial/ ✅ Membership Includes: Bi-weekly live coaching calls Monthly home or gym workouts 200+ high-protein vegan recipes Exclusive app features Habit challenges with cash prizes A supportive vegan athlete community 🔗 Follow Us Online: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veganproteins/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VeganProteins Website: https://www.veganproteins.com/ Apparel: Muscles by Brussels Tank Tops SCIENCE:MASS (Monthly Application In Strength Sport): MASS is one of our secret weapons and it continues to be an invaluable resource for us to keep up to date with the latest research. Don’t get swept up in fads or bogus info. Sign up and stay up to date with easy-to-consume journals and support the evidence-based fitness community.================================= 

In this episode, Dani and Ben explore what it really takes to build discipline — and why borrowing lessons from military training isn't as simple as it sounds. They break down the difference between external and internal motivation, the role of routines and rituals, and how everyday civilians can cultivate true mental toughness without needing a drill sergeant. Whether you're trying to build healthier habits or simply hold yourself to a higher standard, this conversation offers practical (and realistic) strategies to help you level up.📢 Highlights from this episode: Why true discipline must come from within — and why external pressure only gets you so far. How routines, rituals, and personal standards can set you up for automatic success. Creative ways to build mental toughness without going “full Goggins.” The power of reflection, accountability, and setting consequences that actually move you forward. 👉 Tune in for an honest, relatable chat that goes beyond the highlight reels and into the heart of what it means to connect authentically. ✨ Helpful Links and Resources:🌱 Coaching Application Take your fitness and nutrition goals to the next level with one-on-one coaching: http://www.veganproteins.com/personal-training 📖 Free High-Protein Vegan Cookbook: https://mailchi.mp/veganproteins/xytg8h94zp 💪 Muscles by Brussels Membership: Try it free for one month: https://www.veganproteins.com/muscles-by-brussels-membership-free-trial/ ✅ Membership Includes: Bi-weekly live coaching calls Monthly home or gym workouts 200+ high-protein vegan recipes Exclusive app features Habit challenges with cash prizes A supportive vegan athlete community 🔗 Follow Us Online: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veganproteins/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VeganProteins Website: https://www.veganproteins.com/ Apparel: Muscles by Brussels Tank Tops SCIENCE:MASS (Monthly Application In Strength Sport): MASS is one of our secret weapons and it continues to be an invaluable resource for us to keep up to date with the latest research. Don’t get swept up in fads or bogus info. Sign up and stay up to date with easy-to-consume journals and support the evidence-based fitness community.=================================