Self-Selecting

Cory Hageman
Self-Selecting
Latest episode

147 episodes

  • Self-Selecting

    E. 147 How to Navigate Cheat Meals Without Sabotaging Your Fat Loss

    2026/03/09 | 42 mins.
    In this episode, I break down how to approach cheat meals, untracked meals, and “off-plan” eating without blowing your progress — or your mindset.

    If you’ve ever felt anxious going into a free meal, guilty afterward, or stuck in the cycle of overdoing it and then trying to “undo” it… this episode is for you.

    I walk through how to evaluate the true cost of a cheat meal — not just calories, but digestion, sleep, scale weight, training performance, and mental bandwidth — and how to use these meals as tools instead of setbacks.

    Timestamps:

    - [00:00 – 04:14] – Why cheat meals trigger anxiety + the real problem isn’t the calories
    - [04:15 – 06:59] – The opportunity cost: scale weight, digestion, sleep & training performance
    - [07:00 – 11:36] – The real purpose of untracked meals (and when to use them)
    - [11:37 – 16:32] – The “fixed calorie cost” of a cheat meal
    - [16:33 – 19:57] – Eating to satisfaction vs. eating to completion
    - [19:58 – 23:38] – What to consider if you still have fat to lose
    - [23:39 – 29:39] – Travel, date nights & ordering strategically at restaurants
    - [29:40 – 33:08] – Multiple untracked meals: how to manage macro spillover
    - [33:09 – 36:28] – When to practice the skill in maintenance or a build
    - [36:29 – 42:42] – Cheat meals aren’t for the weak (and they don’t magically burn fat)

    Links & Resources:

    Purchase The Glute Building Blueprint: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-glute-building-program/

    https://coryfit.com/

    ⁠Coaching: Let's Chat⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/15min

    ⁠Consults: Book a Call⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/one-time-consultation

    For more content, follow along:⁠Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/cory_fit/

    Patreon⁠: https://patreon.com/CoryFit?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink
  • Self-Selecting

    E. 146 Building a Pro Bikini Physique | Heavy Training, PEDs & Mindset with Hope Castelli

    2026/03/06 | 49 mins.
    In this episode, I sat down with IFBB Bikini Pro Hope Castelli to unpack what it really takes to grow in this sport — physically, mentally, and strategically. We talked about her journey from gymnast to powerlifter to IFBB Pro, the hard lessons around stress and sleep, outgrowing coaches, building real muscle as a female athlete, and navigating PED conversations in an untested federation.

    We also dive into the evolving landscape of bikini, the new Olympia qualification system, heavy training, mindset shifts, and why some pros are transitioning to Fit Model. Whether you’re a competitor, coach, or serious lifter trying to build a pro-level physique, this episode pulls back the curtain on what actually matters.

    Timestamps:

    - [00:00 – 04:29] – From gymnast to IFBB Pro: Hope’s first competing experience
    - [04:30 – 10:12] – Stress, sleep & outgrowing your coach
    - [10:13 – 13:59] – What to look for in a coach as you level up
    - 14:00 – 19:58] – Fixing sleep, managing stress & unlocking growth
    - [19:59 – 24:39] – Heavy training, muscle density & female physiology
    - [24:40 – 29:42] – Are you actually training hard enough?
    - [29:43 – 32:02] – PED reality in bikini: honest conversations with athletes
    - [32:03 – 36:28] – Natural vs enhanced competitors: managing expectations
    - [36:29 – 39:59] – Progressive overload & elite-level training strategy
    - [40:00 – 43:42] – Olympia qualification changes & pro strategy
    - [43:43 – 46:04] – Bikini vs Fit Model: is the sport shifting?
    - [46:05 – 49:42] – Long-term sustainability, femininity & competing with intention

    Links & Resources:

    Purchase The Glute Building Blueprint: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-glute-building-program/

    Follow Hope on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopes_fit_ifbbpro/?hl=en

    https://coryfit.com/

    ⁠Coaching: Let's Chat⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/15min

    ⁠Consults: Book a Call⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/one-time-consultation

    For more content, follow along:⁠Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/cory_fit/

    ⁠Patreon⁠: https://patreon.com/CoryFit?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink
  • Self-Selecting

    E. 145 10 Reasons Your Diet Failed (Even If You “Did Everything Right”)

    2026/03/02 | 44 mins.
    In this episode, I break down the real reasons your last diet didn’t work — and it’s probably not what you think.

    If you’ve ever felt like you were “doing everything right” but the scale wouldn’t move… or you lost weight only to gain it all back… this is for you.

    I walk through the most common fat loss mistakes I see as a coach — from not actually being in a calorie deficit, to weekend overeating, to inconsistent activity, to poor post-diet transitions. We also dive into recomposition, diet timelines, and the harsh truth about unrealistic expectations.

    Most diets don’t fail because your metabolism is broken. They fail because of execution gaps, emotional decision-making, or poor exit strategies.

    If fat loss has felt confusing, frustrating, or inconsistent — this episode will give you clarity and a practical framework to fix it.

    Timestamps:

    - [00:00 – 01:42] – Why most diets fail (it’s not your metabolism)
    - [01:43 – 06:43] – Reason 1: You weren’t actually in a calorie deficit
    - [06:44 – 11:12] – Reason 2: Extra bites, licks & untracked calories add up
    - [11:13 – 17:46] – Reason 3: Weekly cheat meals sabotaging fat loss
    - [17:47 – 22:02] – Reason 4: Not weighing yourself often enough
    - [22:03 – 24:59] – Reason 5: Recomposition (losing fat while building muscle)
    - [25:00 – 28:34] – Reason 6: Inconsistent steps, cardio & daily activity
    - [28:35 – 32:34] – Reason 7: Too many food swaps & eating out inaccuracies
    - [32:35 – 35:24] – Reason 8: You didn’t diet long enough
    - [35:25 – 39:16] – Reason 9: The diet worked — you just expected more
    - [39:17 – 44:04] – Reason 10: The post-diet rebound (poor exit strategy)

    Links & Resources:

    Purchase The Glute Building Blueprint: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-glute-building-program/

    https://coryfit.com/

    Coaching: Let's Chat⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/15min

    Consults: Book a Call⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/one-time-consultation

    For more content, follow along:⁠Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/cory_fit/

    ⁠Patreon⁠: https://patreon.com/CoryFit?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink
  • Self-Selecting

    E. 144 How to Make The Most Progress in a Maintenance Phase

    2026/02/23 | 33 mins.
    In this episode, I break down one of the most misunderstood phases in physique development: maintenance.

    I walk through when maintenance actually makes sense — whether you’re coming out of a fat loss phase trying to drop dietary fatigue, or stepping down from a build because life stress is too high to support a surplus. We also talk about the biggest mistakes I see: treating every day as 1:1 energy balance, over-adjusting food based on activity, fearing scale weight increases, confusing reverse dieting with maintenance, and assuming you can’t train hard without a surplus.

    If you’re trying to improve recovery, regulate body composition, or strategically place a maintenance phase into your annual plan, this episode gives you the framework to do it correctly.

    Timestamps:

    - [00:00 – 01:13] – Why maintenance is not a “vacation phase”
    - [01:14 – 04:17] – When to use maintenance (post-fat loss vs. post-build scenarios)
    - [04:18 – 07:09] – What maintenance actually is (energy balance explained)
    - [07:10 – 10:08] – Auto-regulating calories based on activity (without overcorrecting)
    - [10:09 – 14:10] – Common mistake: fearing strength loss when leaving a surplus
    - [14:11 – 15:40] – Daily scale weight & normalizing fluctuations
    - [15:41 – 18:57] – How to approach training & recovery at maintenance
    - [18:58 – 23:24] – Taking inventory of habits: sleep, stress, food adherence
    - [23:25 – 26:12] – Fear of weight gain & using cardio to “cancel out” food
    - [26:13 – 27:34] – Reducing cardio strategically during maintenance
    - [27:35 – 29:22] – Reverse dieting vs. maintenance (they are not the same)
    - [29:23 – 33:27] – Can you build muscle at maintenance? Final considerations

    Links & Resources:

    Purchase The Glute Building Blueprint: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-glute-building-program/

    https://coryfit.com/

    ⁠Coaching: Let's Chat⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/15min

    ⁠Consults: Book a Call⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/one-time-consultation

    For more content, follow along:⁠Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/cory_fit/

    ⁠Patreon⁠: https://patreon.com/CoryFit?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink
  • Self-Selecting

    E. 143 The Truth About GLP-1s, Fat Loss, and Coaching Ethics with Dr. Kyle Gillett

    2026/02/20 | 59 mins.
    In this episode, I sat down with Dr. Kyle Gillett to tackle the growing obsession around peptides, GLP-1 agonists, and coaching ethics in the fitness industry. We broke down how private sector incentives may be skewing decisions, what to consider before trying peptides, and why stacking compounds without proper oversight can be dangerous — especially in physique sports.

    We also got into the nuanced risks of GLP-1s (like semaglutide), their link to depression, misuse based on BMI, and how the system often pushes women into protocols that may not serve their long-term health. If you're navigating fat loss, coaching, or peptide protocols — this is a must-listen.

    Timestamps:

    - [00:00 – 00:56] – Intro to Dr. Kyle Gillett + What today’s episode covers
    - [00:56 – 04:29] – The peptide craze: risks, trends, and context
    - [04:30 – 10:49] – “Should I use peptides?” What you need to ask first
    - [10:50 – 16:19] – Are you stacking blindly? Athletes and false beliefs about peptides
    - [16:20 – 20:32] – Finding legitimate medical guidance vs. internet hype
    - [20:33 – 28:23] – Corruption in the private sector: incentive-driven prescriptions
    - [28:24 – 31:07] – Is your coach or provider truly looking out for you?
    - [31:08 – 36:02] – GLP-1s, women’s health, and trend exploitation in bodybuilding
    - [36:03 – 39:53] – “Longevity” peptides — are they worth the investment?
    - [39:54 – 43:53] – When *not* to use GLP-1s (mental health and other contraindications)
    - [43:54 – 46:54] – GLP-1s and depression: overlooked concerns
    - [46:55 – 50:24] – People using GLP-1s without meeting criteria: red flags and risks
    - [50:25 – 59:32] – The truth about nicotine + closing insights

    Links & Resources:

    Follow Dr. Kyle Gillett on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylegillettmd/?hl=en

    Purchase The Glute Building Blueprint: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-glute-building-program/

    https://coryfit.com/

    ⁠Coaching: Let's Chat⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/15min

    ⁠Consults: Book a Call⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/one-time-consultation

    For more content, follow along:⁠Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/cory_fit/

    ⁠Patreon⁠: https://patreon.com/CoryFit?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

More Health & Wellness podcasts

About Self-Selecting

A podcast on everything under the umbrella of nutrition, training, PEDs, bodybuilding, and maybe the occasional non-fitness add-on with @cory_fit
Podcast website

Listen to Self-Selecting, The Psychology of your 20s and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app

Get the free radio.net app

  • Stations and podcasts to bookmark
  • Stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
  • Supports Carplay & Android Auto
  • Many other app features
Social
v8.7.2 | © 2007-2026 radio.de GmbH
Generated: 3/9/2026 - 3:37:21 PM