Ep.07 Eric Helms: A sustainable paradigm in physique sports
Dr Eric Helms PhD, CSCS is the Chief Science Officer of 3DMJ, helping lifters find sustainable pathways to high performance. Eric is a research fellow at the Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand at Auckland University of Technology, pursuing research in training, nutrition and psychology for strength and physique sport. Eric has a PhD in Strength and Conditioning with a research focus on autoregulating powerlifting, a masters with a research focus on protein and macronutrient manipulation for dieting bodybuilders, a second masters in exercise science and health promotion, and a bachelors in sports management, fitness and wellness. Also an athlete, Eric earned pro status as a natural bodybuilder with the PNBA in 2011, is a raw powerlifter in the IPF, and dabbles in weightlifting.
In this episode we cover:
- The reason Eric felt the need for his recent paper
- The prevalence of disordered eating in physique sports
- Are people whom are more susceptible to disordered eating drawn to physique sports?
- The physiological and psychological stresses endured during physique prep
- Eric's own experience from his most recent bodybuilding competition prep
- The importance of appreciating a naked wife over a pizza slice
- How to structure a nutrition post-show to limit the risk of disordered eating
- Eric's thoughts on how the fitness industry can change to reduce some of the issues commonly seen in physique sports