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- Master Muscle (and Melt Fat) with Anabolic Fasting
Master Muscle (and Melt Fat) with Anabolic Fasting
The Rock is rocking a downsized physique, Urs Kalecinski is swapping chia seeds for stage glory, and Hafthor Bjornsson is fueling a record bid with 8,000 calories—meanwhile, bodybuilding’s next wave is eyeing the Open stage.
Anabolic Fasting fuses Dr. DiPasquale’s high-fat, high-protein, low-carb anabolic diet with intermittent fasting to spark fat-burning while fueling muscle growth. During the week, you stay carb-light, flipping the body into fat-burning mode, then refuel on the weekend to recharge metabolism. Claims of anabolic diet benefits rivaling steroid results may sound bold—but science shows fat-loss enzymes kick in during low-carb phases, and carb-cycling supports both energy and gains. Ready to hack both sides of the physique equation? [Try Anabolic Fasting Now!]
At age 53, Dwayne Johnson stunned fans at the Venice Film Festival by stripping off his signature bulk to embody MMA icon Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine. With prosthetics disguising much of his new frame, his downsized physique raised eyebrows—and fueled chatter. IFBB coach Greg Doucette didn’t hold back, estimating Johnson’s odds of—or access to—performance enhancement at 1000-to-1. Whether game-changer or movie-man, the transformation proves you can pivot from action hero to role-ready chiseled. [Check Out The Rock’s New Physique!]
Just days before his Men’s Open debut at the ProMuscle Italy Pro, “The Miracle Bear” Urs Kalecinski unveiled his diet: he kicks off mornings with a digestive powerhouse—a psyllium-flax-chia blend plus inulin, acacia fiber, aloe vera juice, brottrunk, and black seed oil. Kalecinski, a three-time Classic Physique Olympia top-three finisher turned Open contender, must win a pro contest by September 14 to qualify for Olympia in the new division. His gut-friendly ritual and deadline pressure define a calculated shift upward. [Explore Urs’s Full Diet Day!]
Ahead of his September 6, 2025, Deadlift World Record attempt in Birmingham, Hafthor Bjornsson let Dr. Mike Israetel dissect his massive 8,000-calorie intake. Israetel, a leading voice in sports physiology, weighed in on whether such caloric volume supports peak strength—or overshoots the mark. With world-record deadlift prep on the line, every bite counts, and the analysis may reveal whether you can—or should—match mega food for mega power. [Unpack the 8,000-Calorie Breakdown!]
Wesley Vissers and Ramon Queiroz are plotting their next moves. Vissers—coming off a 5th-place at the Arnold Classic and 2nd at Detroit Pro—is taking this year to fine-tune his Classic Physique build. Meanwhile, both athletes share ambition to step into Men’s Open before calling it quits. Inspired by Chris Bumstead’s Open debut last year, they’re embracing change beyond weight caps. Classic fans, take note: growth goals are steering these bodies to bigger stages. [See Their Open Ambitions!]
ATHLEAN-X founder Jeff Cavaliere delivers a no-nonsense blueprint for getting—and staying—lean. His four-point formula: set realistic goals, embrace resistance training, prioritize protein, and dial in quality nutrition. He warns that chasing unrealistic physique standards only invites failure. Instead, steady daily tweaks across training and diet foster progress no matter where you’re starting. Practical, grounded, and empowering. [Apply Jeff’s Lean Formula!]
Calorie restriction gets you lean—but Arnold Schwarzenegger warns there’s a threshold where “less becomes a liability.” He cautioned that extreme deficits can compromise injury resistance, immune function, and recovery. The physique legend knows firsthand that dieting smart beats dieting savage. Ready to burn fat without burning yourself out? [Discover Arnold’s Tipping Point!]
At the August 31, 2025, Alina Popa Classic Pro in Bucharest, Brazil’s Alcione Santos Barreto claimed a flawless victory and secured her place at the 2025 Ms. Olympia. Out of eight competitors, Barreto’s flawless presentation topped Italy’s Nadia Capotosto and Spain’s Virginia Sanchez Macias. Her repeat title—and already qualified status—cement her as a force in women’s bodybuilding heading into the Olympia season. [Celebrate Barreto’s Win!]
The bodybuilding world mourns the unexpected death of IFBB Pro Erik Markov. Just after earning his pro card in Classic Physique at the NPC Worldwide Amateur Olympia Spain and the NPC Worldwide Top Tan Classic Regional earlier in 2025, Markov passed away. Known for his discipline, conditioning, and classic lines, the Latvian-born athlete left a budding legacy and stunned peers and fans behind. [Honor Erik Markov’s Memory]
Every lifter wants to know their true limit, but maxing out on the bench every Monday is a shortcut to injury, not progress. Enter the One Rep Max Calculator: a simple tool that predicts your single-lift maximum using submaximal sets and reps. Whether you’re chasing PRs in the squat rack or planning percentages for a structured strength cycle, this calculator helps you train smarter without burning out. Safer testing, smarter programming, bigger gains. [Find Your True Max Today!]
Olympia contender Nick Walker just dropped a fresh physique update, showing off his six-weeks-out look ahead of the 2025 showdown📹💪
Breakfast Recipe of the Day: Chicken Stroganoff
Warm olive oil in a pan, sear chunky chicken breasts until golden, then set aside. In the same pan, soften onions for six to eight minutes, stir in crushed garlic and sweet paprika until fragrant, then pour in chicken stock, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Return the chicken with any juices and simmer until cooked through. Lower the heat and stir in soured cream—or crème fraiche for silkiness—just until the sauce begins to bubble. Finish with chopped parsley and serve over rice, mash, or pasta for a cozy, protein-packed morning boost.
The Strength Bulletin
A new study finds that eating more animal protein does not increase the risk of mortality. [Read the study here]
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