Chris Willaimson - Ryan Terry

1) Ryan Terry shares how he stumbled into bodybuilding after joining a local gym and earning the respect of the guys who trained there. He found inspiration in the way they lived their lives and how dedicated they were, and wanted to try competing just once. Despite feeling like he didn't have the confidence to take his top off on stage, he decided to face his fears and diet down for a national qualifier show. Ryan attributes his success in bodybuilding to the discipline and competitive drive that it requires, which could not be met by other sports that took too much time out of his working day.

2) Ryan talks about the negative impact that accountability and structure had on his love of bodybuilding. He explains how he was happiest and achieved his best results when he trained based on how he felt, rather than following strict guidelines. As his career progressed, the introduction of teams and the pressure to track progress became unenjoyable and overwhelming, leading to a two-year lull. He notes that the enjoyment of something can quickly diminish once it becomes labor, and the unseen costs of turning a passion into a profession can stack up, causing pressure and existential pain.

3) Ryan and Chris discuss the importance of finding a system that works for you when it comes to productivity and tracking progress in bodybuilding. While there are many tracking apps available, Terry believes there are too many variables in the bodybuilding process to track progress very specifically, such as sleep schedules, and points out that everyone's body is different and unique. The conversation then shifts to how to maintain motivation and continue to grow when you are already one of the best in your field, as Terry set his sights on becoming number one in the world and still has that drive, although he acknowledges that his other obligations have impacted his approach as a husband and father.

4) Ryan talks about his drive and work ethic, which he says has been instilled in him since the age of 14. He discusses his fear of not knowing what to do when his competitive career in bodybuilding ends, as it fulfills his competitive side. He recalls trying to fill the void with his five businesses but found that he loves competing and the regimented state it puts him in. Terry says that he has won every prestigious show he entered and has no desire to go back and win again, citing the Arnold Classics, which he won in three different continents, as a personal achievement no one else has done. Terry believes that the ten best exercises for maintaining or increasing muscle size are compound lifts, such as deadlifts, bench presses, and squats.

5) Ryan shares some of his favorite exercises for building a strong and defined physique. He recommends the hanging leg raise to target the transverse abdominus, upper and lower abdominals, and warns against using momentum or swinging. Terry emphasizes the importance of mind-to-muscle connection and suggests alternating between raising to the top and stopping at 90 degrees. For chest and shoulders, he suggests incline dumbbell chest presses and dumbbell shoulder presses, respectively, and recommends a lying hamstring curl for hamstring development as it allows for a better contraction.

6) discusses deadlifts and his morning routine. Despite not being greatly judged on his legs as a physique competitor, Terry includes deadlifts in his workout routine since they recruit almost every muscle in the body. Additionally, he shares his morning ISO hold routine which involves breathing in fully, exhaling every bit of air out, and then crunching your abs as hard as you can for three seconds. Terry believes that practicing posing is essential for bodybuilding success, and he prides himself on doing ISO holds with every pose he has to do and every muscle group.

7) Ryan talks about how he manages his diet while still being able to socialize with friends and family. He emphasizes the importance of adapting to situations and not making a big scene about his eating habits. Ryan also discusses his multiple businesses, including The Blood Lab, a healthcare clinic company that offers blood work and other services in the UK. Although he doesn't concern himself with numbers and analytics during prep, he mentions that his test levels get extremely low towards the end, but he is able to get back to normal within a few weeks of coming off the show.

8) Ryan talks about his transition from being a competitor to someone who wants to help others through the blood lab. He also discusses how his son has become a driving force in his life and how the absence of a father figure has inspired him to do better for his son. Ryan hopes to give his son the best things in life but is also conscious of not spoiling him and wants to instill in him the value of hard work. Ryan mentions wanting to balance love and challenges for his son, and he is considering taking him out of private school to prevent him from thinking that a silver spoon is the norm.

9) Ryan discusses how he would approach raising children if he had any. He suggests carefully vetting coaches, schools, friends, and their families to make sure that they align with the right values. He argues that wealth does not necessarily create advantages for children since they may outsource raising their kids to nannies and kindergartens who do not pay enough attention. Terry also advocates for creating a network of parents with similar values who can work together to raise their children based on guiding principles. Finally, Terry talks about getting agitated when he felt he had achieved everything he wanted to and how he is reentering the fitness modeling competition scene.