Muscle Ventures Podcasts

In this podcast (Quicktime ipod compatible, 20MB; Google streaming flash video), I (Nancy) provide an exclusive interview to Bud Gibson on my decision not to do a bodybuilding show in April.

As Bud and I discuss the fall of 2006 proved to be quite challenging for me on many levels.  The unexpected passing of my mother-in-law, Virginia, in late October was the beginning of a series of events that have me re-evaluating many aspects of my own life.

  The very same week that Virginia passed on my husband and I had to make the difficult decision to put our dog, Indi, down.  We had been monitoring Indi's renal failure and it had become apparent that she was suffering too much.  I never wanted her to suffer.

As mentioned in the podcast these two events took their toll and I ended up getting pretty sick and missed time from work.  In addition to the missed work days I also missed two weeks of working out.  Although I am back to working out my strength is not where I believe it should (or could) be.

As I state in the podcast I don't feel mentally, physically or emotionally ready to enter into contest prep.   The mental portion of the prep requires 24-7 dedication and I don't believe I can commit to that right now.  The physical prep obviously requires the workouts and cardio coupled with ever decreasing energy intake which puts quite a strain on the body.  I can feel that my system is not ready for that  challenge.  It is for these reasons that I haved decided not to compete in April.  I need to allow myself more time. 

In the podcast, Bud talks about our continuing with Muscle Ventures despite my decision.  Although Muscle Ventures was born out of the contest prep it has evolved into much more over time and we will continue with that aspect of the site.

Additional Links

• For a complete list of the specific requirements of contest prep look at these articles at Bodybuilding.com
• [Added by Bud]  You can also see all of our posts on Nancy's preparation for her last contest in our Bodybuilding 2006 series.  We go through all of Nancy's experiences in the last month of her preparation and provide footage of her show performance.
  
• [Added by Bud]  Nancy also provides a whole series on how to perform bodybuilding poses, a surprisingly difficult aspect of contest prep.

In this podcast (Quicktime ipod compatible, 31MB; Google streaming flash video), Bud Gibson speaks to Julie Kouyate about her massage practice.

Julie begins the conversation by defining massage therapy.  She explains that at it's most basic level it is simply touch and touch provides a healing effect.  She also explains that if the therapist focuses the intention of their touch that the vibration of pain within the body can be changed.

How does a therapist know when a specific muscle needs attention?  Julie states that there is a definitie difference in how the muscles feel.   She compares it to running your fingers over a pleat in a pair of pants.  When the muscle is bound she says she can feel a little "extra" or "pleat"  within the tissue.  As the muscle relaxes the "pleat" disappates.

Bud next asks about deep tissue massage.  Julie explains that superficial massage mostly affects the skin, lymph, blood and superficial musculature and that this type of massage can be very healing in and of itself.   Deep tissue massage affects the attachments of the musclulature close to the bones, joints and also the nervous system as well as the skin, lymph and blood.   Julie uses deep tissue massage on all her clients.  She describes that there are different levels of deep tissue and that she chooses the technique based on the situation and the client.

Julie has been a nationally certified masssage therapst for eight years.  To contact her for an appointment please call 734-330-7903 or (if in the Ann Arbor area) look up Massage Works in the yellow pages.   

ADDITIONAL LINKS

• The American Massage Therapy Association may answer questions you have about massage therapy.
  

• Further information on deep tissue massage can be found here.
  
• View the Massage Therapy Foundation website for more information about massage.
  

In this podcast (Quicktime ipod compatible 16MB; Google streaming flash video), Bud and I (Nancy Arnold) talk about returning to working out together after a short break. 

The past few weeks have been rather difficult.  As Bud mentions in the video we had to take a break from working out due to the unexpected death of my mother in law.  That same week Jim and I had to put our dog down as well.  Needless to say these were two very difficult events that occurred almost simultaneously and we were both overwhelmed.

Bud and I then move the conversation to lighter topics and begin to discuss competition and diet.  Given the events of the past few weeks he double checks to make sure that I am still on track for a show in April.  Although I have missed some training I feel that I have made good progress through late summer and this fall so I am confident about preparing for another show.  We touch on my current caloric intake and where I would begin for show prep.  I mention that I would probably begin dropping calories by watching carbs first as that is what has worked for me in the past.

We also discuss the importance of someone that can provide critical insight as to how the show prep is going.  Kevin Kelsey was that "outside perspective" for me in my first two shows. He provided guidance on  diet, cardio and weight workouts.   We discuss his potential role in this upcoming show and if I have thought about including anyone else.

ADDITIONAL LINKS

Check out bodybuilding .com for all kinds of show prep info.