The Mind Muscle Connection

Dr. Eric Helms - How Your Current Body Composition and Stress Dictate Your Strategy | Ep 698

Jeff Hoehn

Welcome to the Mind Muscle Connection Podcast!

This episode with Dr. Eric Helms was one of the most downloaded of 2025 so I wanted to bring it back as a rebroadcast. Dr Eric shares what his contest prep looked like at the time, how he handled stress and biofeedback, and what changed for him as he got older as a natural bodybuilder.

We talked through everything from digestive issues during a diet phase, to offseason strategies, to how much muscle you can realistically build in a surplus without blowing past your productive range. Eric also explains how stress, food focus, and energy availability impact progress more than most people realize.

If you’ve ever struggled to manage hunger, wondered how to reverse diet without spiraling, or just want a grounded take on sustainable fat loss and muscle building, this episode is worth a revisit.


Let’s talk about:

  • Introduction about rebroadcast
  • Episode with Dr Eric Helms
  • Contest Prep & Offseason
  • Muscle maturity
  • Stress
  • Weight fluctuations
  • Offseason structure + proper surplus strategy
  • Sex differences in energy availability
  • Behavioral control vs body comp expectations
  • Fat loss phase
  • Where to find Dr Eric


Dr. Eric Helms’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helms3dmj/?hl=en

Follow me on Instagram for more information and education:  jeffhoehn_

FREE 30 Min Strategy Call: HERE

Body Recomp Masterclass: HERE

Nutrition Periodization Masterclass: HERE

How You Can Work With Me?: HERE

Coaching application: HERE

Body Recomp Checklist 2.0: https://chipper-producer-6244.kit.com/26b5c9f94a