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Welcome back to The Beyond Condition Podcast! I'm your host, Sarah Parker, and today I'm joined by Master's Mr Olympia, Dorian Haywood.

What does it take to stay in bodybuilding for nearly three decades when the wins don't come?

In this episode, we sit down with IFBB Pro and coach Dorian Haywood, whose extraordinary bodybuilding journey spans 29 years, more than 80 competitions, countless setbacks and ultimately a Masters Olympia victory in Japan in 2024.

Dorian's story began in 1997 as an 86-pound high school wrestler looking to gain weight. At just 17 years old, he entered his first bodybuilding competition weighing 136 lbs — and finished last.

Fast forward through 16 years of amateur competition, around 40 shows and 11 Nationals, and Dorian finally earned his IFBB Pro card at the 2016 Nationals in Miami as Super Heavyweight Champion.

But becoming a professional wasn't the end of the journey.

After turning pro, Dorian experienced a nine-year winless streak before achieving back-to-back victories at the Daytona Beach Masters Pro and, ultimately, the 2024 Masters Olympia - a moment he describes as an almost spiritual, out-of-body experience.

This episode goes far beyond competition results. Dorian discusses the mental resilience required to keep showing up after repeated losses, why the real competition is with yourself, and how learning to focus on the process rather than the placing transformed his career.

We also explore the evolution of bodybuilding, the impact of social media, the growing and often unregulated coaching industry, and what it really takes to build a successful coach-athlete relationship.

Dorian shares the powerful story of his nine-year relationship with his late coach Dave Callick, who coached him through 24 of 26 competitions before passing his knowledge and trust on to Ariel Cutts. Just eight months after beginning that new relationship, Dorian and Ariel won the Masters Olympia together.

For Dorian, coaching isn't simply about building physiques. It's about creating a legacy - carrying forward the lessons, knowledge and influence of the coaches who helped shape him.

In this episode, we explore:

• Dorian Haywood's 29-year bodybuilding journey
• Going from 86 lbs as a high school wrestler to Masters Olympia Champion
• Competing in his first bodybuilding show at just 17
• Losing for years and developing mental resilience
• Earning his IFBB Pro card after 16 years as an amateur
• Dorian's nine-year winless streak as a professional
• Winning the 2024 Masters Olympia in Japan
• Why the true competition is with yourself
• Process vs. placement and redefining success
• The evolution of competitive bodybuilding
• The impact of social media on bodybuilding and coaching
• The challenges of an unregulated coaching industry
• Dorian's relationship with his late coach Dave Callick
• Working with Ariel Cutts and winning the Masters Olympia
• What makes a successful coach-athlete relationship
• Dorian's coaching philosophy and client selection
• Building a legacy through coaching
• Knowing when to say no to a client
• Why results matter more than the size of a coaching roster

Nearly 30 years in the sport. More than 80 competitions. Countless losses. Two incredible wins. One Masters Olympia title.

Dorian's story is a reminder that your journey isn't defined by how many times you win - it's defined by whether you keep becoming better.

The true competition is with yourself.

Find Dorian on Instagram @dorianhaywood.masters.mr.o

Watch the episode here: https://youtu.be/aLYxGaOufko

Find Sarah on Instagram: @sarahparker_bb

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In this episode of The Beyond Condition Podcast, Sarah Parker shares her first experience attending a Pure Elite competition as a coach, alongside long-term client Dee, who competed in the Transformation category.

What does it really take to step onto a bodybuilding stage when you've already overcome some of the biggest challenges of your life?

Dee's journey is about far more than physique transformation. Having overcome drug and alcohol dependency, she took her fitness journey to the next level, through finding The Beyond Condition Podcast and began a journey that eventually led her to bodybuilding. After a previous prep was postponed following a health scare, Sarah made the decision to prioritise Dee's wellbeing and wait until 2026 - proving that sometimes the best coaching decision is knowing when not to compete.

At Pure Elite, Dee entered the Transformation category, where competitors not only showcase their physical transformation but also share their personal story through a projected image and narration. For Sarah, this created a powerful reminder of what bodybuilding and fitness can represent beyond placings and trophies.

The episode also takes listeners behind the scenes of three very different bodybuilding competitions - an IFBB Pro Qualifier in Denmark, an NPA Natural show and Pure Elite - comparing backstage environments, coach involvement, athlete support and the very different experiences competitors can have depending on their federation and circumstances.

Sarah also discusses one of her core coaching principles: stay in your lane. Knowing your experience, being honest with your athletes and understanding when you need to learn or refer someone elsewhere are essential parts of being a good coach.

And once the competition is over, what should you actually eat?

Sarah shares her approach to post-show nutrition and recovery, including why rehydration should come first, why planning your post-show meal matters and why athletes often regret feeling pressured to immediately eat everything in sight.

In this episode, we explore:

• Dee's incredible transformation journey
• Overcoming addiction and discovering bodybuilding
• Why Sarah postponed Dee's previous competition prep
• The Pure Elite Transformation category
• Why transformation is about more than a placing
• Sarah's first Pure Elite experience as a coach
• Comparing three very different competition environments
• IFBB Pro Qualifier experiences
• Natural bodybuilding competition backstage dynamics
• Coach presence and athlete support backstage
• Why coaches need to "stay in their lane"
• Being honest about your experience as a coach
• Why coaches should support rather than compete against each other
• Managing realistic expectations around competition placings
• Why coaches can't guarantee results
• Supporting anxious athletes on show day
• Post-show hydration and nutrition
• Why you shouldn't feel pressured to binge immediately after competing
• Planning your post-show meal in advance
• The difference between finishing a season and preparing for another show

A competition isn't just about the trophy.

Sometimes it's about proving to yourself that you're capable of doing something you once believed was impossible.

And sometimes the biggest win happens long before you ever step on stage.

This is bodybuilding beyond the condition.

Watch the episode here: https://youtu.be/DNlQ4pN4T6Y

Find Sarah on Instagram: @sarahparker_bb

THE ULTIMATE SHOW DAY GUIDE E-BOOK: Purchase here

Beyond Condition Coaching Application: Click here

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Welcome back to The Beyond Condition Podcast! I'm your host, Sarah Parker, and today I'm joined by my good friend, Matt Holdcroft.

What happens when the battle with food becomes stronger than the desire to change?

In this powerful and deeply honest episode, Matt shares his extraordinary journey from weighing nearly 400lbs to stepping onto a bodybuilding stage - a transformation sparked by a near-fatal illness, an induced coma and a surgeon's blunt warning that he had just 10 years to live.

Matt opens up about his history with food addiction, emotional eating, secret bingeing and the psychological cycle of depression and overeating, explaining why food addiction can be so difficult to overcome when food is an unavoidable part of everyday life.

His journey wasn't without major obstacles. During his first bodybuilding prep, Matt required emergency bowel surgery just seven weeks before his competition. The physical and psychological challenges of losing a huge amount of weight - and then navigating life after the show - reveal why transformation doesn't end when you step on stage.

The conversation also explores one of the most important and often neglected parts of competitive bodybuilding: the post-show and rebound phase. For someone with a history of food addiction, the period after competition can be particularly dangerous. We discuss why post-show coaching should continue, why communication with your coach is essential when things go off-plan, and why the day of the competition is actually only the halfway point.

In this episode, we explore:

• Matt's transformation from nearly 400lbs to competitive bodybuilder
• Surviving a near-fatal illness and being placed on ECMO
• The surgeon's warning that changed everything
• Food addiction and emotional eating
• Binge eating, secret eating and decision fatigue
• The psychological cycle of depression and overeating
• Can fitness addiction replace food addiction?
• The physical and psychological reality of bodybuilding prep
• Emergency surgery during competition preparation
• Loose skin removal and rebuilding after major weight loss
• Post-show rebound and the risks of food addiction returning
• Why post-show coaching is just as important as competition prep
• Why coaches need to be honest about whether a client is ready to compete
• Why first-time competitors shouldn't rush into high-level shows
• The importance of communication between athlete and coach
• When therapy may be needed alongside bodybuilding coaching

Your transformation doesn't end when you reach the stage.

For many athletes, the real test begins when the structure of prep disappears.

This is an honest conversation about weight loss, food addiction, bodybuilding, mental resilience, coaching and what it really takes to create lasting change.

Find Matt on Instagram @matt_holdcroft @quarterturnnutrition

Watch the episode here: https://youtu.be/ARohf9jQ3RI

Find Sarah on Instagram: @sarahparker_bb

THE ULTIMATE SHOW DAY GUIDE E-BOOK: Purchase here

Beyond Condition Coaching Application: Click here