Is "Gaintaining" KILLING Your Gains? (Possibly, And Here's Why)

Book a free consultation call with Robert Sikes to break your keto or low-carb plateau: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/call

Gaintaining can come at the cost of muscle growth. In Episode 920 of Savage Perspective Podcast, Robert Sikes and Brandon Kempter explore why staying shredded year-round may hold you back. Brandon shares how he plans long off seasons and finds a body weight that supports hard training. They explain why sleep, strength, energy, and recovery can tell you more than the scale. The talk also covers recovery diets, reverse dieting, pro cards, and the pressure to keep your abs for social media. Robert and Brandon compare their keto and higher-carb approaches without turning food into a rule book. Learn how to judge progress beyond the mirror and give your next growth phase a fair shot.

Follow Brandon on IG: https://www.instagram.com/brandonkempter/

Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/

Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQ

Chapters:

0:00 - Is Staying Shredded Holding Back Your Gains?

2:09 - How Lean Should You Stay in the Offseason?

5:48 - Recovery Diet vs. Reverse Diet After a Show

8:40 - Chase Performance, Not the Scale

10:26 - Brandon’s Approach to Training and Nutrition

14:29 - What Makes a Training Split Work?

16:13 - Recovery: Get the Big Things Right First

19:35 - Why Stay Natural When You Could Get Bigger?

23:48 - Can Your Physique Keep Improving With Age?

25:36 - TRT, Peptides and the Future of Natural Bodybuilding

29:52 - HRT for Women: Where Should Federations Draw the Line?

31:52 - What’s a Keto Brick?

32:48 - Brandon’s Pro Card Journey

34:45 - Is a Bodybuilding Pro Card Overrated?

39:58 - Brandon’s Concerns About IFBB Natural Drug Testing

44:27 - Navigating the Banned Substance List

45:23 - Inside the Bali Natural Bodybuilding Retreat

51:40 - What Training With Different Coaches Can Teach You

55:28 - Inside Bali’s Undefeated Gym

58:50 - Brandon’s Next Competition and Where to Follow Him