The Storey StrengthCast

Join us on the Storey StrengthCast as Ronan Michael shares his inspiring journey from Ireland to Australia, navigating the highs and lows of professional rugby league. Discover insights into mindset, training, facing adversity, and building a life beyond playing.

Main Topics:
Transition from rugby union to rugby league and moving from Ireland to Australia
The mental and physical demands of professional rugby
The importance of mindset, resilience, and controlling what you can
Training routines: off-season, in-season, and game preparation
The influence of genetics, hard work, and self-awareness in athletic development
Documenting the journey: authenticity, growth, and overcoming self-doubt

Chapters

00:00 Life in Australia: A New Beginning
02:56 Career Crossroads: Transitioning from Bradford to Australia
05:56 From Union to League: A Journey of Discovery
12:01 Understanding the Differences: Rugby Union vs. Rugby League
19:48 Training Regimens: Balancing Strength and Performance
24:46 Off-Season Training: Control and Structure
29:49 The Importance of Hard Work in Training Culture
35:29 The Pursuit of Effortless Gains
37:54 The Hard Work Dilemma in Sports
42:34 The Genetic Lottery in Rugby
46:28 Mindset: The Key to Professionalism
57:19 Embracing the Process of Growth
01:09:24 Future Aspirations and New Ventures

Where to find Ronan:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ronanmichael/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ronanmichael
Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/49zf6kIygYfOKEB7MVrkRN?si=bf8eaf2ba38c4f06

To keep up with my progress, subscribe & follow me at the links below:
1-1 Coaching: www.storeystrength.com 
Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/sstorey94⁠⁠
Youtube: www.youtube.com/@sstorey94
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4vuEGUqjwxZxiEkGMuUAIt

Download 12 FREE Strength & Hypertrophy Programmes: https://mailchi.mp/storeystrength/eu1a1m8m0h

FREE Fat Loss guide:
https://v0-fatlossguide.vercel.app/

Download “The Pragmatic Guide To Building Muscle” FREE:
https://www.storeystrength.com/pragmatic-muscle-building-guide

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https://musclegain-fldjsx4m.manus.space

MyCoreSupplements Discount Code:
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J3U Discount Code: SHANE5
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Shane Storey sits down with Darragh Mac Namara, fresh off a huge bodybuilding weekend that included redemption, a pro card win, and a major mindset shift. Darragh opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of competition, the pressure of living up to expectations, and what it really takes to stay in the game long enough to succeed. From bodybuilding prep and nutrition to alcohol abstinence, content creation, and building a business as an online coach, this conversation goes far beyond the stage. It’s a brutally honest look at discipline, identity, burnout, and what happens after you hit a goal you’ve spent years chasing.

Episode Highlights
How Darragh bounced back after losing the regional overall and went on to win the pro qualifier
What it felt like to finally earn IFBB pro status
Why stress, not effort, was the biggest challenge in prep
How bodybuilding became autopilot after years of repetition
Why he believes flexibility and balance are now essential for long-term progress
His perspective on food, diet adherence, and why “disordered” doesn’t always mean unhealthy
Why he quit alcohol and how that decision changed his life
The reality of growing a coaching business while competing at a high level
Why authenticity is the key to successful content creation
How long-term consistency beats short-term hype in bodybuilding and business
Chapters

00:00 The Comeback Story
03:06 Mental Resilience in Bodybuilding
05:53 The Cost of Competing
08:59 Pressure and Expectations
12:07 The Evolution of Bodybuilding in Ireland
14:44 Promoting Irish Bodybuilding
23:24 The Evolution of Bodybuilding Competitions
24:58 Shifting Perspectives on Bodybuilding
29:10 Finding Balance in Bodybuilding
32:41 Enjoying the Journey of Bodybuilding
40:34 The Future of a Pro Bodybuilder
48:59 The Importance of Consistency in Nutrition
50:17 Understanding Disordered Eating in Bodybuilding
55:25 The Impact of Alcohol on Personal Control
01:00:23 The Journey of Sobriety and Self-Discovery
01:04:22 The Relentless Pursuit of Goals
01:10:57 Authenticity in Content Creation
01:16:01 The Journey to Confidence and Experience
01:18:33 The Reality of Building a Coaching Business
01:24:16 Scaling and Team Expansion
01:29:35 Keeping Content Interesting and Engaging

Where to find Darragh:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darraghmac_coach
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@darragh_mac
Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5XLberww3jFrxjp0kfDOMg

To keep up with my progress, subscribe & follow me at the links below:
1-1 Coaching: www.storeystrength.com 
Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/sstorey94⁠⁠
Youtube: www.youtube.com/@sstorey94
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4vuEGUqjwxZxiEkGMuUAIt

Download 12 FREE Strength & Hypertrophy Programmes: https://mailchi.mp/storeystrength/eu1a1m8m0h

FREE Fat Loss guide:
https://v0-fatlossguide.vercel.app/

Download “The Pragmatic Guide To Building Muscle” FREE:

https://www.storeystrength.com/pragmatic-muscle-building-guide

Free Bulking Calculator:
https://musclegain-fldjsx4m.manus.space

MyCoreSupplements Discount Code:
Storey10
https://www.mycoresupplements.ie/
J3U Discount Code: SHANE5
https://j3university.com/

In this episode of the Storey StrengthCast, Shane Storey breaks down one of the hottest topics in the fitness and health world right now: peptides.
From GLP-1 medications like semaglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) to newer compounds such as retatrutide, Shane explores what these substances are, how they work, and why they’ve become so popular in both the media and the fitness industry.But this isn’t just a hype-driven breakdown. Shane digs into the evidence, dosing, safety, and ethics behind these compounds, explaining where they may genuinely help and where the conversation gets murky. He also looks at how peptides may affect natural bodybuilding, coaching practices, and the long-term sustainability of fat loss when habits and structure aren’t in place.

Key Topics Covered
What peptides are and how they differ from proteins
The role of GLP-1 receptor agonists in appetite regulation and weight loss
The differences between semaglutide, tirzepatide, and retatrutide
Why research-backed dosing matters
The risks of using BPC-157, TB-500, SLU-PP-332, and other grey-market compounds
How peptide marketing is shaped by social media hype
The impact of weight-loss drugs on natural bodybuilding
Why coaching still matters even when drugs reduce appetite
The danger of relying on “quick fixes” without building habits
Concerns about product quality, contamination, and misleading labels in unregulated markets

Q&A form:
https://forms.gle/gYGmfuU91kDdWfFF7

00:00 Peptides Hype And Concerns
00:50 What Peptides Actually Are
02:29 GLP Drugs Explained
04:26 Trials Dosing And Safety
06:34 Using GLPs The Right Way
07:34 Bodybuilding Prep Applications
11:51 Lifestyle Risks And Crutch
14:01 Habits To Pair With GLPs
15:56 Coaching Trust And Disclosure
20:44 Training Still Matters Most
25:17 Natural Bodybuilding And Testing
28:52 WADA Bans And Gray Areas
30:46 Rodent Data And SLU-PP332
35:05 BPC-157 Evidence And Placebo
41:05 Gray Market Quality Risks
46:19 Wrap Up And Next Steps

To keep up with my progress, subscribe & follow me at the links below:
1-1 Coaching: www.storeystrength.com 
Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/sstorey94⁠⁠
Youtube: www.youtube.com/@sstorey94
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4vuEGUqjwxZxiEkGMuUAIt

Download 12 FREE Strength & Hypertrophy Programmes: ⁠⁠https://mailchi.mp/storeystrength/eu1a1m8m0h⁠⁠

FREE Fat Loss guide:
⁠⁠https://v0-fatlossguide.vercel.app/⁠⁠

Download “The Pragmatic Guide To Building Muscle” FREE:
⁠⁠https://www.storeystrength.com/pragmatic-muscle-building-guide⁠⁠

Free Bulking Calculator:https://musclegain-fldjsx4m.manus.space

MyCoreSupplements Discount Code:
Storey10
https://www.mycoresupplements.ie/

J3U Discount Code: SHANE5
https://j3university.com/

In this episode of The Storey StrengthCast, hear Shane's candid take on balancing life's celebrations with fitness goals, overcoming setbacks, and optimizing training routines. Whether you're dealing with post-party recovery or seeking effective ab development strategies, this episode offers practical insights with a relaxed, honest tone.

Key Topics:
Shane recounts his wedding celebrations and how they impacted his training and body composition.
The importance of long-term perspective in bodybuilding and lifestyle choices.
Practical tips for getting back into routine after indulgence or break periods.
How alcohol and social events influence body composition and recovery.
The value of prioritizing experiences over perfect adherence.
Detailed analysis of protein sources, especially protein bars vs. whole foods.
Differences in training frequency: 4 vs. 6 days per week and individual recovery considerations.
The approach to cycle length and body weight targets during cut and bulk phases.
Addressing common misconceptions about metabolic adaptation and starvation mode.
Effective strategies for developing abdominal muscles and making them pop.

Q&A form:
https://forms.gle/gYGmfuU91kDdWfFF7

Chapters

00:00 Welcome Back and Wedding Reflections
09:27 Balancing Life and Bodybuilding
22:12 Protein Sources: Bars vs. Whole Foods
23:46 Training Frequency: 4 vs. 6 Days a Week
27:10 Training Frequency and Recovery
30:06 Cutting and Bulking Strategies
32:58 Understanding Metabolic Adaptation
42:16 Developing Abs Effectively

To keep up with my progress, subscribe & follow me at the links below:
1-1 Coaching: www.storeystrength.com 
Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/sstorey94⁠⁠
Youtube: www.youtube.com/@sstorey94
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4vuEGUqjwxZxiEkGMuUAIt

Download 12 FREE Strength & Hypertrophy Programmes: ⁠https://mailchi.mp/storeystrength/eu1a1m8m0h⁠

FREE Fat Loss guide:
⁠https://v0-fatlossguide.vercel.app/⁠

Download “The Pragmatic Guide To Building Muscle” FREE:
⁠https://www.storeystrength.com/pragmatic-muscle-building-guide⁠

Free Bulking Calculator:https://musclegain-fldjsx4m.manus.space

MyCoreSupplements Discount Code:
Storey10
https://www.mycoresupplements.ie/

J3U Discount Code: SHANE5
https://j3university.com/

In this episode of the Story Strengthcast, Shane Storey shares a wide-ranging Q&A focused on practical coaching advice for physique athletes and lifters.

He opens with a personal reflection on paying off wedding vendors and connects that experience to training, business, and long-term goal setting: small, consistent actions compound over time, whether you’re saving for a wedding, building muscle, or growing a coaching business.

The episode then moves into listener and client questions covering training motivation, lower back pain during squats, rest-pause style reps, pre-workout nutrition, and dealing with unsolicited advice from non-lifters. Shane’s answers reinforce a common theme throughout the episode: progress is driven by consistency, realistic expectations, and intelligent adjustments based on readiness, recovery, and your actual goals.

Key Topics Covered

1. Why long-term consistency beats quick fixes

2. What to do when training feels like you’re “going through the motions”

3. How to improve training enjoyment without losing progress

4. Lower back pain during squats: weakness, form, or load management?

5. How to think about pain, stiffness, and training around minor setback?

6. Rest-pause-style reps vs standardized reps

7. Pre-workout nutrition: when it matters most

8. How to respond to unsolicited advice about training and eating

00:00 Welcome and Wedding Countdown
00:54 Long Term Mindset Lessons
03:29 Q and A Format Explained
05:09 Motivation vs Discipline
07:32 Fixing Training Boredom
11:39 Lower Back Pain in Squats
13:16 Readiness and Load Management
15:36 Form Breakdown and Injury Risk
21:08 Breathing Pauses Between Reps
24:56 Pre Workout Nutrition Basics
29:05 Morning Training Fuel and Hydration
34:13 Handling Unsolicited Advice

To keep up with my progress, subscribe & follow me at the links below:
1-1 Coaching: www.storeystrength.com 
Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/sstorey94⁠⁠
Youtube: www.youtube.com/@sstorey94
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4vuEGUqjwxZxiEkGMuUAIt

Download 12 FREE Strength & Hypertrophy Programmes: https://mailchi.mp/storeystrength/eu1a1m8m0h

FREE Fat Loss guide:
https://v0-fatlossguide.vercel.app/

Download “The Pragmatic Guide To Building Muscle” FREE:
https://www.storeystrength.com/pragmatic-muscle-building-guide

Free Bulking Calculator:
https://musclegain-fldjsx4m.manus.space

MyCoreSupplements Discount Code:
Storey10
https://www.mycoresupplements.ie/
J3U Discount Code: SHANE5
https://j3university.com/