ABOUT THIS EPISODE
At seven weeks out from a bodybuilding show, the margin for error is getting smaller. You're leaner, more fatigued, more emotionally invested, and probably starting to wonder: Am I actually going to be ready?
But there's another question every competitor should be asking:
Does your coach actually have a plan?
In Part 2 of their show prep series, Stronger By Design™ host Michelle MacDonald sits down again with top natural physique coach and FMG Mexico promoter Jean Jacques Barrett to break down what a strategically coached contest prep should look like as an athlete moves closer to the stage.
This isn't just about macros and cardio. Michelle and Jean Jacques explain why your coach needs to understand your training performance, recovery, sleep, digestion, stress, menstrual cycle, travel, posing and other biofeedback, and why seemingly insignificant information can completely change a coaching decision. Jean Jacques makes the point that while the athlete may not be “driving the car,” she should understand the destination
They also turn the conversation around: what does your coach need from you?
From athletes quietly adding extra cardio or steps, to leaving out missed workouts, food struggles, poor sleep or upcoming travel, Michelle and Jean Jacques explain how incomplete information can lead even a good coach toward the wrong decision.
They also tackle one of the hardest questions in contest prep: when is feeling terrible simply part of getting stage lean, and when is it a warning sign that something needs to change? Jean Jacques shares his own experience with severe fatigue, swelling and other symptoms during prep, while Michelle explains why “push harder” isn't always the right answer when an athlete is already executing the plan.
You'll learn what a coach should be able to tell you about your current conditioning, division criteria and rate of progress, why posing videos provide valuable coaching data, how individualized a contest-prep diet really is, and why peak week should never be treated like a last-minute magic trick.
Michelle and Jean Jacques also identify red flags that may indicate your prep isn't being managed strategically and explain the questions athletes should be asking their coaches as the show gets closer.
Because at seven weeks out, you shouldn't just know what you're doing.
You should understand where you're going, what your coach is watching, and why.
Favorite Moments
- 1:00 Seven Weeks Out: Does Your Coach Actually Have a Plan?
- 2:29 Your Coach Isn't Driving Blind, But You Need to Know the Destination
- 5:29 Think You're Bugging Your Coach? Please Bug Them
- 11:40 Can Mental Toughness Actually Hurt Your Prep?
- 17:06 "Where Am I Right Now?" What Your Coach Should Be Able to Tell You
- 21:37 Are You Actually on Track for Your Division?
- 26:49 Stop Comparing Your Prep to Someone Else's
- 27:56 Peak Week Isn't the Time for Magic Tricks
- 33:24 When Should You Start Questioning Your Coach?
- 37:23 Sometimes the Right Answer Is a Total Rest Day
- 40:36 The Photoshoot Mistake That Made JJ a "Water Buffalo" on Stage
- 42:33 Normal Prep Discomfort vs. Signs You Actually Need to Intervene
- 45:02 When the Athlete Is the Problem: Stop Changing the Plan
- 47:14 The Scale Went Up. Don't Automatically Cut More
- 50:38 Five Questions You Should Be Asking Your Coach
GUEST: JEAN JACQUES BARRETT
Jean Jacques Barrett is the head of Tulum Strength Club, promoter of the FMG Mexico show, a two-time world champion and an experienced contest prep coach. He has coached world champions and professional titleholders across multiple federations, as well as amateur athletes pursuing their pro status and first-time competitors preparing to step on stage.
His approach combines the perspective of an elite competitor, coach and show promoter, with an emphasis on individualized preparation, athlete development, communication and the details required to compete at the highest levels.
CONNECT WITH JJ:
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanjacquesbarrett/
🔗 Website: https://tulumstrengthclub.com/
Info on FMG Mexico 2026
Join Jean Jacques Barrett and the FMG community for the FMG Mexico PRO/AM, November 7, 2026 at Teatro De La Ciudad in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. The show features amateur and professional categories and is a 2027 FMG World Championship Qualifier.
Show details, athlete registration & tickets:
FMG Mexico PRO/AM 2026 Official Event Page
Competitor registration:
Register for FMG Mexico 2026
HOST: MICHELLE MACDONALD
Michelle MacDonald is the creator of the FITNESS MODEL BLUEPRINT™ and host of the Stronger By Design™ podcast. Known internationally for her evidence-based approach to women's fitness, Michelle has coached thousands of women since 2012 through strength training, nutrition and mindset. She is a Physique Champion, ISSA Strength and Conditioning Specialist, co-founder of Tulum Strength Club, and founder of The Wonder Women™ (TWW).
Michelle is also recognized for helping inspire the remarkable transformation of her mother, Joan MacDonald (Train With Joan™), and continues to empower women to redefine aging through science-backed fitness education and coaching.
Connect with Michelle:
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellemacdonaldofficial/
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.macdonald.yhhedonista
▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michellemacdonaldofficial
🔗 Website: https://www.michellemacdonaldofficial.com/
