Self-Selecting

Cory Hageman

A podcast on everything under the umbrella of nutrition, training, PEDs, bodybuilding, and maybe the occasional non-fitness add-on with @cory_fit

  1. 17 hr ago

    E. 180 How to Build Bigger, Rounder Delts: My Complete Shoulder Training Framework

    Want bigger, rounder delts without accidentally overdeveloping your traps, arms, or back? In this episode, I break down how I would structure an upper-body training program specifically for shoulder growth. I explain why defining the exact physique you want comes first, how I measure delt progress, and why your bone structure and body-fat distribution influence how much shoulder development you actually need. I also walk through my three-day upper-body framework, including push, skills, and pull days, plus the rear delt flies, lateral raises, pressing variations, and back exercises I use. I cover scapular stability, avoiding unwanted trap recruitment, exercise execution, and why more weight isn't always the answer for building better delts. Whether you're a bikini competitor trying to improve your upper-body balance or simply want wider, more defined shoulders, this episode gives you a practical framework for building delts intentionally. Timestamps: - [00:00 – 04:07] – How to Build Bigger Delts & Your Upper-Body Training Strategy - [04:07 – 08:46] – Define the Shoulder & Upper-Body Look You Actually Want - [08:46 – 10:21] – How to Measure Delt Growth & Track Shoulder Progress - [10:21 – 14:38] – Body Fat, Bone Structure & How Much Delt Muscle You Need - [14:38 – 16:18] – Scapular Stability & Preventing Unwanted Trap Growth - [16:18 – 21:15] – The 3-Day Delt Training Split & Upper-Body Warm-Ups - [21:15 – 24:50] – Rear Delt Flies & Cable Lateral Raise Technique - [24:50 – 28:20] – Shoulder Presses, Lateral Raises & Exercise Selection - [28:20 – 31:46] – Skills Day & Training Delts Without Building More Back - [31:46 – 35:38] – How to Structure a Back Day for Better Shoulder Development - [35:38 – 37:58] – Why I Avoid Upright Rows for Delt Training - [37:58 – 39:29] – Chest Pressing, Pec Development & Breast Implants - [39:29 – 40:59] – Recovery, Training Metrics & Breaking Through Plateaus Links & Resources: Purchase The Complete Fat Loss Guide: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-fat-loss-guide/ Purchase The Glute Building Blueprint: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-glute-building-program/ https://coryfit.com/ ⁠Coaching: Let's Chat⁠ https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/15min ⁠Consults: Book a Call⁠ https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/one-time-consultation For more content, follow along:⁠Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/cory_fit/ ⁠Patreon⁠: https://patreon.com/CoryFit?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

  2. 3 days ago

    BONUS: 17 High-Calorie Foods That Make Building Muscle Easier

    Struggling to eat enough calories during a muscle-building phase without feeling uncomfortably full? In this episode, I share 17 high-calorie, lower-volume foods I use for myself and clients when food intake gets high. From dates, honey, kefir, and higher-fat dairy to seeds, dark chocolate, anchovies, and plantains, I break down practical ways to increase calories while still prioritizing whole foods, micronutrients, hydration, and training performance. If you're in a calorie surplus, struggling to hit your macros, or simply can't stomach another high-volume meal, these are simple foods and swaps that can make a muscle-building diet much easier. Timestamps: - [00:00 – 01:43] – High-Calorie, Low-Volume Foods for a Muscle-Building Diet - [01:43 – 02:50] – #1 Dates - [02:50 – 03:39] – #2 Honey - [03:39 – 04:41] – #3 Kefir - [04:41 – 06:31] – #4 Fairlife Milk - [06:31 – 07:50] – #5 Aussie Bites - [07:50 – 08:52] – #6 Coconut - [08:52 – 09:54] – #7 Chia, Flax & Hemp Seeds - [09:54 – 11:10] – #8 Walnuts - [11:10 – 12:48] – #9 Dried Fruit - [12:48 – 14:45] – #10–11 Hummus, Tahini & Higher-Fat Dairy - [14:45 – 16:25] – #12–13 Bone Broth & Dark Chocolate - [16:25 – 18:27] – #14 Anchovies & Sardines - [18:27 – 19:13] – #15 Plantains - [19:13 – 20:12] – #16–17 Pine Nuts & Cacao Nibs - [20:12 – 20:40] – Making a High-Calorie Diet Easier to Eat Links & Resources: Purchase The Complete Fat Loss Guide: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-fat-loss-guide/ Purchase The Glute Building Blueprint: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-glute-building-program/ https://coryfit.com/ ⁠Coaching: Let's Chat⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/15min ⁠Consults: Book a Call⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/one-time-consultation For more content, follow along:⁠Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/cory_fit/ ⁠Patreon⁠: https://patreon.com/CoryFit?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

  3. 17 Aug

    E. 179 Why You're Losing Hair: The Causes Most People Overlook

    Why does hair loss happen—and how do you figure out what’s actually causing it? In this episode, I break down the biggest contributors to hair thinning and shedding, including androgens and DHT, thyroid medication, nutrient deficiencies, inflammation, stress, low protein intake, dieting, and everyday hair-care habits. I also explain why identifying the root cause matters before jumping into treatments like minoxidil, finasteride, spironolactone, or other hair-loss medications. If you’re experiencing hair loss during fat loss, bodybuilding, thyroid treatment, or PED use, this episode will help you understand what may be driving it and what to consider before choosing a treatment. Timestamps: - [00:00 – 02:01] – Hair Growth Phases & Why Hair Starts Shedding - [02:01 – 04:00] – Androgens, DHT & Why Hair Loss Usually Has Multiple Causes - [04:00 – 05:41] – Thyroid Medication & Hair Loss - [05:41 – 06:25] – Iron, Ferritin & Nutrient Deficiencies - [06:25 – 07:54] – Inflammation, Low Energy Availability & Hair Growth - [07:54 – 08:52] – Stress-Induced Hair Loss & Delayed Shedding - [08:52 – 11:31] – Hairstyles, Heat, Chemicals & Habits That Accelerate Hair Loss - [11:31 – 12:26] – Low Protein Intake & Hair Shedding - [12:26 – 16:27] – Bloodwork & Finding the Root Cause Before Treatment - [16:27 – 17:29] – Hair Loss Patterns & When to See a Dermatologist - [17:29 – 23:17] – Finasteride & Dutasteride: Benefits, Risks & Side Effects - [23:17 – 30:02] – Minoxidil, Microneedling & Ketoconazole - [30:02 – 32:39] – Spironolactone, Androgens & Performance Trade-Offs - [32:39 – 36:28] – Protein, Dietary Fat, Carbs & Nutrients for Hair Health - [36:28 – 41:17] – What to Do If You're Experiencing Hair Loss Links & Resources: Purchase The Complete Fat Loss Guide: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-fat-loss-guide/ Purchase The Glute Building Blueprint: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-glute-building-program/ https://coryfit.com/ Coaching: Let's Chat⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/15min Consults: Book a Call⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/one-time-consultation For more content, follow along:⁠Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/cory_fit/ Patreon⁠: https://patreon.com/CoryFit?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

  4. 14 Aug

    BONUS: 6 Things to Do Before Starting a Muscle-Building Phase

    How do you make a muscle-building phase productive without simply gaining unnecessary body fat? In this episode, I break down the six things I want in place before starting a calorie surplus. I cover adherence, training execution, health, starting body fat, flexibility with food, and the metrics you need to determine whether you're actually building muscle or just gaining weight. I also explain why a successful build requires enough physical and psychological runway to intentionally gain weight, how to set boundaries around untracked meals, and why consistent data should drive adjustments to calories—not emotion. If you're preparing for a lean bulk or muscle-building phase, this is the checklist I'd use before increasing food. Timestamps :- [00:00 – 02:02] – Productive Muscle Gain vs. Just Gaining Body Fat - [02:02 – 05:06] – #1: Build Consistent Nutrition Adherence First - 05:06 – 06:41] – #2: Get Your Training Program Dialed In - [06:41 – 08:59] – #3: Prioritize Health & Injury Recovery Before Building - [08:59 – 12:03] – #4: Are You Lean Enough to Start a Building Phase? - [12:03 – 14:50] – #5: Set Boundaries Around Flexible & Untracked Eating - [14:50 – 17:00] – #6: Track the Metrics That Determine Calorie Adjustments - [17:00 – 18:27] – How to Make a Muscle-Building Phase Actually Work Links & Resources: Purchase The Complete Fat Loss Guide: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-fat-loss-guide/ Purchase The Glute Building Blueprint: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-glute-building-program/ https://coryfit.com/ ⁠Coaching: Let's Chat⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/15min ⁠Consults: Book a Call⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/one-time-consultation For more content, follow along:⁠Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/cory_fit/ ⁠Patreon⁠: https://patreon.com/CoryFit?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

  5. 10 Aug

    E. 178 How to Do the B-Stance RDL for Maximum Glute Growth

    How do you actually perform the B-Stance Romanian Deadlift correctly? In this episode, I break down one of the most misunderstood glute-building exercises in strength training: the contralaterally loaded B-Stance RDL. I explain why this movement is designed to challenge hip and pelvic stability, how proper loading improves glute development, and the common compensations that reduce its effectiveness. I also cover why center of mass, core bracing, hip positioning, and foot pressure matter more than simply lifting heavier weights. Whether you're a physique athlete, bodybuilder, or someone looking to build stronger, more symmetrical glutes, this episode will help you improve your technique, eliminate common mistakes, and get more from every rep. Timestamps: - [00:00 – 05:18] – Why the B-Stance RDL Is So Often Done Incorrectly - [05:18 – 08:47] – Contralateral Loading, Hip Stability & Glute Growth - [08:47 – 14:15] – Unilateral Mechanics, Asymmetries & How the Movement Should Work - [14:15 – 18:00] – B-Stance RDL Setup & Technique Checklist - [18:00 – 22:07] – Why You Feel Your Lower Back During RDLs - [22:07 – 25:58] – Understanding Center of Mass & Balance - [25:58 – 29:11] – Contralateral vs. Ipsilateral Loading & Adductor Recruitment - [29:11 – 31:50] – The Most Common Hip Compensation Mistakes - [31:50 – 34:44] – Building Better Glutes Through Better Technique Links & Resources: Purchase The Complete Fat Loss Guide: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-fat-loss-guide/ Purchase The Glute Building Blueprint: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-glute-building-program/ https://coryfit.com/ ⁠Coaching: Let's Chat⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/15min ⁠Consults: Book a Call⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/one-time-consultation For more content, follow along:⁠Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/cory_fit/ ⁠Patreon⁠: https://patreon.com/CoryFit?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

  6. 7 Aug

    BONUS: Which Squat Builds the Biggest Glutes? Here's My Framework

    What's the best squat for glute growth? In this episode, I explain why that's actually the wrong question to ask. Instead of ranking squat variations from best to worst, I walk through the framework I use to choose the right squat pattern based on loadability, stability, and injury risk. I break down the trade-offs of front squats, back squats, Smith machine squats, goblet squats, hack squats, reverse hack squats, Rogers pendulum squats, and leg press so you can choose the best option for your goals. I also discuss why core stability and center of mass matter more than the exercise itself, when machine squats outperform free weights, and how selecting the right squat variation can improve glute growth, strength, and long-term progress. Timestamps: - [00:00 – 01:30] – Why There Isn't One "Best" Squat for Glute Growth - [01:30 – 03:19] – The 3 Questions I Use to Choose a Squat Pattern - [03:19 – 05:28] – Front Squats: My Top Choice for Stability & Progressive Overload - [05:28 – 06:54] – Back Squats: Benefits, Limitations & Core Demands - [06:54 – 09:19] – Smith Machine Squats: Fixed Bar Path Pros & Cons - [09:19 – 13:43] – Goblet Squats: The Best Progression for Learning Squat Mechanics - [13:43 – 15:02] – Hack Squats: When They Work (And When They Don't) - [15:02 – 17:51] – Reverse Hack Squats: My Favorite Machine Squat Option - [17:51 – 20:29] – Rogers Pendulum Squats & Choosing the Right Machine - [20:29 – 22:19] – Why Leg Press Isn't a Squat Replacement Links & Resources: Purchase The Complete Fat Loss Guide: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-fat-loss-guide/ Purchase The Glute Building Blueprint: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-glute-building-program/ https://coryfit.com/ Coaching: Let's Chat⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/15min Consults: Book a Call⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/one-time-consultation For more content, follow along:⁠Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/cory_fit/ ⁠Patreon⁠: https://patreon.com/CoryFit?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

  7. 3 Aug

    E. 177 Why Dieting Feels So Hard (The Psychology Behind Hunger & Fat Loss)

    Why does fat loss feel so much harder than it should? In this episode, I break down why your experience of dieting isn't determined by calories alone. I explain how your beliefs, expectations, and perception of your food can directly influence hunger, dietary adherence, and long-term fat loss success. Using the famous Yale milkshake study, I explore how mindset can change physiological hunger signals—and what that means for your own diet. I also discuss why dietary fatigue builds long before most people realize it, how negative beliefs about food create unnecessary friction, why cheat meals often backfire, and practical ways to make dieting feel easier without sacrificing results. If you've ever felt like you're doing everything right but fat loss always feels impossible, this episode will help you change how you approach the process. Timestamps: - [00:00 – 05:16] – Why Dieting Feels Harder Than It Should - [05:16 – 09:00] – Hunger, Self-Belief & Expecting Diets to Be Difficult - [09:00 – 15:10] – Flexible Dieting, Restriction & Your Perception of Food - [15:10 – 21:03] – Friction Costs, Food Judgement & Hunger Signaling - [21:03 – 24:29] – The Yale Milkshake Study Explained - [24:29 – 29:33] – Dietary Fatigue, Cheat Meals & Food Psychology - [29:33 – 36:00] – Calories In vs. Calories Out (And Why Mindset Still Matters) - [36:00 – 40:17] – Meal Prep Hacks That Make Dieting Easier - [40:17 – 42:00] – The One Mindset Shift That Changes Everything - [42:00 – 47:27] – Why Fat Loss Plateaus Aren't What You Think - [47:27 – 48:20] – Final Thoughts & Coaching Takeaways Links & Resources: Purchase The Complete Fat Loss Guide: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-fat-loss-guide/ Purchase The Glute Building Blueprint: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-glute-building-program/ https://coryfit.com/ ⁠Coaching: Let's Chat⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/15min ⁠Consults: Book a Call⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/one-time-consultation For more content, follow along:⁠Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/cory_fit/ ⁠Patreon⁠: https://patreon.com/CoryFit?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

  8. 30 Jul

    BONUS: When Should You Lower Calories for Fat Loss?

    Should you lower your calories when fat loss stalls? In this episode, I break down the decision-making framework I use with clients before ever reducing food. I explain why most people lower calories too quickly, the three data points you need before making any adjustment, and how inaccurate food tracking, poor adherence, and dietary fatigue often create the illusion of a plateau. I also cover how to evaluate your weekly weight trends, when a slower rate of fat loss is actually a good sign, why sustainability matters more than creating the largest possible deficit, and how to know whether lowering food will actually move you closer to your goal. If you're wondering whether it's time to eat less—or if you're simply guessing—this episode will help you make smarter fat loss decisions based on data instead of emotions. Timestamps: - [00:00 – 02:40] – The 3 Data Points Before Lowering Calories - [02:40 – 05:12] – Why Weekly Weight Averages Matter - [05:12 – 06:56] – Can You Sustain a Bigger Calorie Deficit? - [06:56 – 08:36] – Fat Loss Is Slow: Tighten Tracking Before Lowering Food - [08:36 – 10:41] – Dietary Fatigue & Knowing When to End a Diet - [10:41 – 12:37] – How Many Calories Do Most Women Lose Weight On? - [12:37 – 14:58] – When You Should (And Shouldn't) Lower Food Links & Resources: Purchase The Complete Fat Loss Guide: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-fat-loss-guide/ Purchase The Glute Building Blueprint: https://coryfit.com/product/the-complete-glute-building-program/ https://coryfit.com/ Coaching: Let's Chat⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/15min Consults: Book a Call⁠https://calendly.com/coryfit-coaching/one-time-consultation For more content, follow along:⁠Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/cory_fit/ Patreon⁠: https://patreon.com/CoryFit?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

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About

A podcast on everything under the umbrella of nutrition, training, PEDs, bodybuilding, and maybe the occasional non-fitness add-on with @cory_fit

Information

  • Creator
    Cory Hageman
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    184
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Cory Hageman
  • Show Website
    Self-Selecting

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