In this episode, I'm pleasured to chat with 2023 Lightweight Pro World Champion Dirk Emmerich. The majority of our conversation revolves around how Dirk evolved as a bodybuilder and how you could too, and, to focus on the more important variables. It is very easy to find yourself lost in the nuances of bodybuilder even though it is extremely simple.

Dirk shares is origins and the journey that will lead him up to his 2026 competitive bodybuilding season.

Where to find Dirk Emmerich or Jacob - https://instagram.com/dirk_emmerich
https://www.instagram.com/jacobherrmann_

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dirk Emmerich

01:00 Upcoming Competitions and Preparation Plans

02:49 The Importance of Competition Readiness

05:03 Coaching Dynamics and Personal Growth

08:53 Nutrition Strategies and Learning from Experience

11:53 Transitioning to a Balanced Approach to Nutrition

14:06 Managing Post-Prep Challenges

15:59 Current Weight and Contest Prep Strategy

17:57 Peak Week Strategies and Their Impact

19:59 Natural vs. Enhanced Competitions

22:01 Reflections on Competitive Landscape and Future Goals

26:15 Behind the Scenes of Bodybuilding Competitions

30:02 Training Philosophy and Techniques

34:55 Nutrition Strategies During Contest Prep

50:00 Goals and Mindset in Bodybuilding

01:00:03 Personal Growth and Life Beyond Bodybuilding

resources

Steve is a highly accomplished WBNF Pro Bodybuilder and holds extensive knowledge gained through experience and education. Well known for the Revive Stronger Podcast and some of his classic round tables. Steve checks out on all fronts: great bloke, loves a chat, knowledgeable and accomplished bodybuilder.

Where to find Steve or Jacob:

Steve's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/revivestronger/

Jacob's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jacobherrmann_/

Josh is a natural bodybuilder and has an impressive set of accolades with titles across British, European and World shows. He had an extremely successful teen season to say the least. He is also a coach with Natural Physique Coaching. We discuss coaching, future plans and what it was like to prepare and compete as a teen. Overall a good chat.

Josh - https://www.instagram.com/josh_naturalphysique/

Jacob - https://www.instagram.com/jacobherrmann_

Join us on episode 1 of The Jacky and Chan Show, where we discuss whether the extreme of a bodybuilding show and contest preparation is something you should be looking for.

Jacob - https://www.instagram.com/jacobherrmann_
Henry - https://www.instagram.com/nutritionbyhenry/

Ux is someone I met in Thailand on a training camp. I soon came to realise he holds very similar principles around bodybuilding and is a great person! We discuss the importance of execution once training intensity is in check. Future plans for Ux since moving to the enhanced realm and why the fundamentals of bodybuilding haven't changed.

Uxshan Daruwalla
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coach_ux/

Pete aka. Rippon Fitness holds a wealth of knowledge and experience. From natural bodybuilding to his late career change into the fitness industry. We talk about what it takes to be a successful competitor, current attitudes towards bodybuilding, and discover that Pete's a filthy Pepsi lover. We all love Pete, so I can forgive him for that.

Peter Mapagu

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rippon.fitness/

Dr. Martin Refalo is someone I truly admire. He's an academic, coach, and athlete. In my eyes, this creates an all-encompassing perspective to understand what the research says and how we can or cannot apply information.

So sit back and listen in to all things training intensity, the new WNBF President role, and even a chat on protein intakes.

Dr. Martin Refalo
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mrfitness__/

Ben Broughton is an IFBB PRO, gym owner, coach, and equipment enthusiast. He's competed numerous times and holds an immense amount of knowledge. He's renowned for being a critical thinker and creating thought processes that would commonly be termed as 'outside the box thinking'.

Ben Broughton - https://www.instagram.com/ben851/?hl=en

Josh is an up-and-coming IFBB competitor and someone who has been in my bodybuilding journey from pretty early on. We talk about effective coach-athlete relationships, Josh's progress and plans, and more!

Josh Calleja | CBJ Bodybuilding Radio | EP.2

Josh Calleja - https://www.instagram.com/joshua.ca/?hl=en

Henry Lin is an infamous Natural Bodybuilder and a Professional across multiple federations. With a chest thick enough to sleep on, what's not to like?

Henry Lin | CBJ Bodybuilding Radio | EP.1

Henry Lin - https://www.instagram.com/nutritionbyhenry/

Jack Radford-Smith, a Pro bodybuilder, dietitian and funnily enough runs The Bodybuilding Dietitian's. We catch up and explore nutrition, training, gut health, and the journey of bodybuilding.

Where to find Jack or Jacob:

Jack's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/revivestronger/

Jacob's Instagram - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jacobherrmann_

On this episode, I sat down with Nathan Wallace. Multiple time Australia champion and 2nd place at the Natural Olympia. Nathan displayed a very high level of critical thinking early in his career, acting against the grain and leading the charge in more evidence informed bodybuilding.

With great insight and a love for the game, we have an awesome discussion.

Where to find Nathan or Jacob:

Nathan's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nathanwallace_/

Jacob's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jacobherrmann_

If you're looking for elite physique coaching reach out to:

Coaching Enquiries - https://bkconditioning.com/reaister/

Coaching Enquiries - jacob@bkconditioning.com

BK Conditioning round table catch-up. Post Ultimate Physique Conference, some recent shows in Europe, Australia and the UK, and some comments on the bodybuilding process.

Where to find Brandon, Rachel or Jacob:

Brandon's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/brandonkempter/

Dr Rachel's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dr.rachelkempter/

Jacob's 5105Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jacobherrmann_

Chapters

00:00 Overview of the Ultimate Physique Conference

19:45 Rachel's Return to Competition

29:58 Mindset and Resilience in Bodybuilding

33:23 Mastery and Routine in Bodybuilding

37:28 Recent Bodybuilding Events and Competitions

41:12 The Importance of Posing in Bodybuilding

59:15 Closing Thoughts and Key Takeaways

Join us on episode 2 of The Jacky and Chan Show, where we have a pure bro chat. We will have some applicable topics for our next discussion, or at least try.

Jacob - https://www.instagram.com/jacobherrmann_
Henry - https://www.instagram.com/nutritionbyhenry/

Peak week strategies, training adjustments, and the importance of sustainable coaching practices in bodybuilding. Insights into contest preparation, peaking techniques, the psychological aspects of bodybuilding and Season A wrap up for the BK Conditioning athletes.

Peak week strategies and peaking techniques

Training adjustments and recovery management

Psychological aspects of bodybuilding and athlete confidence

Where to find Brandon or Jacob:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/brandonkempter/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jacobherrmann_

If you’re looking for elite physique coaching reach out to:
Coaching Enquiries - https://bkconditioning.com/register/
Coaching Enquiries - jacob@bkconditioning.com

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Weather Update

01:08 Training Updates and Microcycle Design

04:01 Challenges in Training and Recovery

07:01 Coaching During Contest Season

09:55 The Evolution of Bodybuilding Competitions

12:55 The Importance of Quality Coaching

15:54 Passion in Bodybuilding and Coaching

21:02 Season Overview and Competition Results

23:07 The Evolution of Bodybuilding Categories

25:18 The Journey of Jonathan: A Bodybuilder's Tale

31:09 Peaking Strategies: Fine-Tuning for Success

37:56 Balancing the Contest Preparation Profile

47:51 Psychology in Bodybuilding: The Mental Game

52:17 The Importance of Pumping Up Before a Show

Shorter episode this week. A catch up and a comment on sleep as an athlete.

Where to find me:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jacobherrmann_

If you’re looking for elite physique coaching reach out to:
Coaching Enquiries - https://bkconditioning.com/register/
Coaching Enquiries - jacob@bkconditioning.com

On this episode, I sat down with Julian aka. Jacked Chan.
He's made tremendous progress as an athlete and a representative of the sport.
With great insight and a love for the game, we have an awesome discussion.

Where to find    or Jacob:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jacked_chan/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jacobherrmann_

If you’re looking for elite physique coaching reach out to:
Coaching Enquiries - https://bkconditioning.com/register/
Coaching Enquiries - jacob@bkconditioning.com

Solo episode today. Tackling a dense topic today, 'So you want to bodybuild' or 'you want to turn pro'. This topic requires honesty and self-awareness to determine how far along you are to being 'pro-worthy'. In my eyes, this should be the goal. Some people turn pro before they're pro-worthy, and others never turn pro but are pro-worthy athletes.
The most important thing in my eyes is that you love the process/the game, and that is what drives you, rather than winning.

Where to find me:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jacobherrmann_

If you’re looking for elite physique coaching reach out to:
Coaching Enquiries - https://bkconditioning.com/register/
Coaching Enquiries - jacob@bkconditioning.com

Pete aka. Rippon Fitness holds a wealth of knowledge and experience. From natural bodybuilding to his late career change into the fitness industry. We talk about natural bodybuilding in Australia, and touch on some posing elements and how you might practice ahead of competitions.

Where to find Pete or Jacob:

Pete Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rippon.fitness/

Jacob Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jacobherrmann_

Brandon Kempter is head physique coach at BK Conditioning, lifetime natural and a Pro natural bodybuilder. We also work together.
We dig into Brandon's origins, the development of his career as a bodybuilder and hopefully unpack some key components that helped him reach the top of natural bodybuilding.

Where to find Brandon or Jacob:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/brandonkempter/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jacobherrmann_

If you’re looking for elite physique coaching reach out to:
Coaching Enquiries - https://bkconditioning.com/register/
Coaching Enquiries - jacob@bkconditioning.com