The Macro Lounge Podcast
Episodes
The Arnold Classic Breakdown + Prep Brain Chaos | Ep. 8 - Season 2
22 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Chris and Rachel go deep on the Arnold Classic bikini, wellness, and fit model divisions - who deserved the win, who missed their peak, and what the l...
Sean "Sully" Sullivan: Military, Muscle and the OCB | Episode 7 Season 2
15 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
He bumped into Arnold at 13. Walked into a seminar he had no business being at. Got given two free tickets to the Mr. Olympia. And the rest? Well, 160...
Maria Reym: Life After Competing - Episode 6 Season 2
08 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week Chris and Rachel are joined by Maria Reym, who shares her journey through competitive bodybuilding and the transition that comes after stepp...
Episode 5 - Season 2 β Genetics vs Hard Work!
01 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Do genetics actually matter in bodybuilding?In this episode, we have an honest conversation about genetic potential, structure, muscle insertions, fat...
Episode 4, Season 2 - Feedback: The Skill That Separates Good Athletes From Great Ones
22 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone wants to improve. Not everyone wants to hear the truth.In this episode, we talk about feedback in bodybuilding and competition prep - how to ...
Episode 3 - Season 2 - The Off Season: Where Prep Is Actually Won
15 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The off season is not a break. Itβs where your next prep is decided.In this episode, Chris and Rachel unpack what the growth season really means for...
Episode 2 - Season 2 - Posing is not optional
08 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Posing is not the fun extra you worry about at the end of prep.It is the skill that decides placings.In this episode of The Macro Lounge, Chris and Ra...
Episode 1 - Season 2 is here! Fit Model Chaos, Olympia Changes, and What 2026 Has in Store
01 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Season 2 of The Macro Lounge Podcast is officially live! In this first episode of Season 2, Chris and Rachel are back behind the mics after a busy off...
Episode 26: The Macro Lounge Season One Finale - Sparkles & Lessons!
19 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Season One of the Macro Lounge is officially wrapped, and what a ride it has been. Twenty six episodes, countless sparkles, a few near cancellations, ...
Episode 25: Becc Gwilliam on Posing, Judging and Building the Australian Posing School Empire
12 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From PNBA World Champion to IFBB Pro League judge to founder of the Australian Posing School, Becc Gwilliam has shaped the posing game across Australi...
Episode 24: Dr Susan Baxter, PHD on Bodybuilding, Burnout and Building Systems
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Susan Baxter, PhD in movement science, award winning educator, former bikini competitor, global presenter and founder of the AHA Method, joins Chri...
Episode 23: Calling Out the Bullsh*t in Supplements | ft. UglyFace New Zealand
28 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Chris and Rachel sit down with Cam - founder of UglyFace - the brutally honest supplement brand shaking up the industry with zero sugarcoat...
Episode 22: Reverse Dieting & Recovery: What Really Matters After Your Show
21 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Youβve nailed show day - now what? The hard part isnβt the prep, itβs the after.This week, Chris and Rachel dive deep into reverse dieting β o...
Episode 21 β Posing, Mindset & Stage Confidence with Allie Waddell (Spotlight Society)
14 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Drum roll please - our very first guest episode and who better than Allie Waddell to make her debut on The Macro Lounge stage? πAllie is the founde...
Episode 20 β ICN Oceania & Tournament of Champions Recap | Season Wrap-Up + Pro Wins π
07 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The final wrap-up of 2025 is here - and what a finish it was!This week, Chris and Rachel dive into the ICN Oceania Championships in Christchurch and t...
Episode 19: NZIFBB 2025 Naturals & Nationals Recap | Who Earned Their Pro Cards?
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From Naturals to Nationals β weβre breaking down everything.Chris was ringside, notebook in hand (and spelling names phonetically as always π€),...
Episode 18 β ICN 2025 Nationals Recap | Rachelβs DOUBLE PRO Win, Bikini Judging Trends + Backstage Chaos ππ
24 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
TaupΕ delivered! Rachel walked away from ICN 2025 Nationals with three overalls and two pro cards (hello, double pro). We break down bikini, wellness...
Episode 17: Olympia Controversy, Judging Trends & A Near-Death Experience π
17 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The 2025 Olympia results are in - and weβve got thoughts. Chris and Rachel break down the big shifts in judging trends, why bikini went softer this ...
Episode 16: The Journey from Regional to Nationals
10 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
So youβve smashed (or survived) your regional bodybuilding showβ¦ now what?In this episode of The Macro Lounge Podcast, Chris and Rachel dive into ...
Episode 15: NZIFBB Joe Ulberg Classic (Wellington) β Natural & Regional Wrap Up
03 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Blue skies, closed tunnels, and a whole lot of sparkles. Chris flew solo on the ground while prep-brained Rachel brought the glitter. We break down th...
Episode 14: NZIFBB Auckland Champs Recap
26 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Double the shows, double the sparkles. β¨In this weekβs episode, Chris and Rachel break down the first IFBB shows of the season: the NZIFBB Aucklan...
Episode 13: ICN South Island Classic Wrap Up
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From flight delays and midnight tanning in Christchurch, to runway gowns, posing critiques, and the stars of the show - this episode covers it all.Chr...
Episode 12: Motivation vs Discipline
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Motivation gets you started. Discipline keeps you going.In this weekβs episode, Chris and Rachel pull back the curtain on one of the hardest parts o...
Episode 11: What is Prep - REALLY?
05 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Prep isnβt just βdieting harder.β Itβs the months-long process of getting ready for stage β physically, mentally, and emotionally. In this e...
Episode 10: Imposter Syndrome in Bodybuilding
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From world champions to first-timers, imposter syndrome doesnβt discriminate. In this episode, Chris (coach & former judge) and Rachel (world ch...
Episode 9: First Timers, Tanning & Show Day Survival
22 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Stepping on stage for the first time? Or maybe youβve competed before but still feel like backstage is total chaos? This episode is your ultimate sh...
Episode 8: The REAL Price of Competing
15 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Think competing is just about the sparkles and stage lights? Think again.In Episode 8 of The Macro Lounge, Rach and Chris break down the real cost of ...
Episode 7: BONUS ICN Hawkes Bay Show Wrap up 2 August
12 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We couldnβt wait until Saturday for this one! Join us for a full recap of the ICN Hawkes Bay Show on 2 August where we talk about everything from pe...
Episode 6: So You Want to Compete? Here's What You Need to Know First
08 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
EPISODE 6: So You Want to Compete? Here's What You Need to Know FirstThinking about stepping on stage for the first time? This week we dive into t...
Episode 5: Picking the Right Coach (And Being Coachable)
01 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What actually makes a good coach? In this episode, we get stuck into the red flags, the green flags, and all the things athletes often donβt think t...
Episode 4: Choosing the Right Bikini β Cuts, Colours & Chaos
25 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From colours and crystals to cuts and chaos β this episode is all things bikinis.Rachel shares everything you need to know when choosing a competiti...
Episode 3: Choosing Your Federation β IFBB, ICN & More
18 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Which bodybuilding federation is right for you? In this episode, Chris and Rachel break down the differences between federations in New Zealand, from ...
Episode 2: Should You Compete?
11 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Thinking about stepping on stage? In this episode, we chat about why you should (or shouldnβt) compete, the realities of bodybuilding, and how to de...
Episode 1: Who Are We & Why Are We Here?
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this first full episode of The Macro Lounge Podcast, Rachel and Chris introduce themselves, their journeys into bodybuilding and bikini competing, ...
Welcome to The Macro Lounge
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this short intro, your hosts Rachel (Accentuate Bikinis) and Chris (Team Bold Physique) give you a taste of what The Macro Lounge is all about β ...