no one ever taught you how to track this part of progress.

in this episode, i unpack the realities of progress — from strength gains to body recomposition — and why most women throw away the phase their body needs most.

→ what progress actually looks + feels like when the numbers stall
→ how strength can increase without building muscle (and why that matters)
→ the tiny cues your body’s changing — before you see it

this episode is the one you play when you're on the edge of switchingprograms, slashing calories again, or questioning why you even bother.

because here’s the thing:
your progress might be working perfectly—you're just not being taught how tosee it.

inside this episode: i unpack what real progressactually looks like
• how to spot the real markers of progress (and why they’re never loud)
• the science behind why you gain strength without gaining muscle
• what to track so you don’t fall for “it’s not working” lies again

🔥 mini win 1: you’ll learn how to film and track your lifts like acoach—so you actually see progress
🔥 mini win 2: you’ll reframe your entire view on progress so youstop burning out when things get quiet

drop a comment or dm if you’re navigating this phase—or want to come onthe podcast and unpack your story.

👇 find me @transformxruby on instagram
ask podcast questions: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSczwoVPaIPvsLDkqjnkvFy2MjCG2vwYj7u9Uq3bJLMTiS-q8w/viewform?usp=sf_link
apply for a free consult: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqaxMDfbPYPYVui3BgSClnDXTj4BWjRvPkbBHuK5CP7SQsIw/viewform?usp=sf_link
dm me directly: https://ig.me/m/transformxruby

you’re lifting. you’re tracking. you’re trying.
but your body’s like… “nah.”

this episode is for the women chasing fat loss and musclegrowth—but not getting either.
tom and i talk through the sneaky reasons your training isn’t translating toresults. not because you’re not working hard—but because you’re stuck in thein-between: not quite cutting, not quite building, and definitely notprogressing.

we dig into:
• the difference between fat loss goals vs. physique goals
• how intensity gets confused with effort
• why your glutes aren’t growing (and it’s not your program)
• how to fix your training if you’ve hit a plateau
• how most women never build the muscle they think they’re building
• the mental shift that makes your body finally change

💥 2 takeaways to apply right now:\
→ stop training to feel tired—start training to get stronger
→ your dream body probably weighs more than you think

this one’s raw, real, and hits hard—because most women are doing“everything right”... but stuck in the wrong plan. its time to stop “training to feel it” and start trainingto change

📣 want to come on the podcast to chat about your journey or what’skeeping you stuck? i’d love to hear from you.

find me @transformxruby on instagram

ask podcast questions: question form
apply for a free consult: coaching form
dm me directly: https://ig.me/m/transformxruby

Summary

In this episode, Ruby and Nikias discuss the often overlooked aspects of muscle building compared to fat loss. They explore the psychological challenges faced during bulking phases, the importance of tracking progress through training metrics rather than physical measurements, and share personal experiences that highlight the need for patience and a solid routine in the muscle-building journey. The conversation emphasizes the significance of mindset and the need to shift focus from body image to training quality. In this conversation, Ruby Cherie and Nikias Tomasiello delve into the intricacies of muscle hypertrophy, the significance of training volume, and the psychological aspects of bulking. They discuss the importance of maintenance phases, the need for a mindset shift regarding body image, and the realistic expectations one should have when building muscle. The conversation emphasizes the necessity of a structured training program, proper nutrition, and the importance of recovery in achieving fitness goals.

Takeaways

• Many fitness discussions focus solely on fat loss journeys.

• Building muscle requires different metrics than fat loss.
• Patience is key in the muscle-building process.
• Bulking is often misunderstood and viewed negatively.
• Tracking training performance is more important than body measurements.
• Mindset plays a crucial role in muscle building.
• Confidence can grow through the process of bulking.
• It's essential to have a structured routine for muscle building.
• Physical changes in muscle growth are slow and require time.
• Focus on improving training quality rather than just body metrics. Everything you do in your program has a spill on effect.
• Focus on the elements that lead to muscle building.
• You're not an after photo; focus on the process.
• Expectations need to align with reality in fitness.
• Trust yourself to commit to a long-term building phase.
• Mindset plays a crucial role in muscle growth.
• Meal timing and nutrition are essential for recovery.
• You can't sculpt muscle from eating alone; training is key.
• Building muscle takes time and patience.
• Avoid the cycle of mini cuts and focus on long-term goals.

Chapters

00:00

The Journey Beyond Fat Loss

03:08

Understanding Muscle Building Phases

05:55

Personal Experiences with Bulking

09:10

Tracking Progress in Muscle Building

12:00

The Importance of Mindset in Building Muscle

14:48

Navigating Body Image and Expectations

18:00

The Role of Measurements and Metrics

21:06

Focusing on Training Quality Over Quantity

24:07

Building Confidence Through the Process

30:19

Understanding Muscle Hypertrophy and Training Volume

35:54

The Importance of Maintenance Phases

39:10

Mindset Shifts in Bulking and Body Image

44:23

Expectations vs. Reality in Muscle Building

51:15

Practical Steps for Effective Muscle Building

things we discuss:

muscle building, fat loss, bulking, fitness journey, body image, nutrition, training, mindset, progress tracking, personal experiences, muscle hypertrophy, training volume, maintenance phase, body image, bulking, expectations, nutrition, muscle building, fitness mindset, recovery

the effort trap no one talks about

you’re showing up. tracking. trying harder than ever.
but your body? not responding.
and that kills your motivation faster than anything.

what happens when you’re doing all the things… and your body still isn’tchanging?
you don’t just lose motivation.
you lose trust. in your process. in your body. in yourself.

this episode is for the woman who’s stuck in the effort trap—whereyou’re doing “everything right” but not seeing the payoff.
you’ll hear why it’s not about working harder… it’s about setting your body upto actually respond.

💡 mini win 1: learn the signs you’re in a false deficit (and why you’renot lazy, just exhausted).
💡 mini win 2: walk away knowing how to rebuild belief by shifting frommicromanaging to training with intention.

because real results don’t come from being stricter—they come from theright setup.

if you’ve ever thought:
“i’ve got nothing left to cut”
“maybe i’m just not meant to have that body”
“why do i always burn out or backslide...”

this is for you.

i also share how control masquerades as commitment, why maintenanceisn’t a luxury, and how to finally stop second guessing every bite, scaleshift, or training session.

if you're ready to stop grinding and actually get traction—listen in.

→ if this hit home, share it with a friend who’s stuck in the samecycle.
→ want to come on the pod and talk through your story or struggles? dm me orfill out the question box below. i’d love to have you on.

find me @transformxruby on instagram
ask podcast questions:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSczwoVPaIPvsLDkqjnkvFy2MjCG2vwYj7u9Uq3bJLMTiS-q8w/viewform?usp=sf_link
apply for a free consult:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqaxMDfbPYPYVui3BgSClnDXTj4BWjRvPkbBHuK5CP7SQsIw/viewform?usp=sf_link
direct link to dm me on ig:
https://ig.me/m/transformxruby

most women think they need to eat less and do more to get lean.

but what if the thing you're chasing — that lean, strong, defined look — actually requires more food, heavier lifting, and a different version of progress tracking than what you've been taught?

in this episode, i sit down with brandon smith to unpack the difference between what women think they need to do vs. what actually gets them results they can see and feel.

we break down:

• why the scale going up can be a sign you’re on the right track

• what “toning” actually looks like with food and training + what it really takes to build shape beyond the initial couple months

• how your training might be keeping you in maintenance (not transformation)

• why building muscle often feels like fat gain — and how to handle it (+ what to focus on so you make sure its muscle)

• the emotional wins you’re overlooking that signal real change

6 HUGE tracks for you to get started on:

1. how to rewire the way you define progress (so you stop sabotaging it)

2. what to track instead of obsessing over your weight

3. how to know if you’re actually progressing (or just maintaining)

4. what emotional growth looks like, and why it’s just as important as physical

5. why progress isn’t always scale-based—but it is always effort-based

6. the real difference between looking strong… and being strong

this is for every woman who’s done the deficit, followed the plan, and still felt like her body didn’t match her effort.

and if that’s you? you’re not broken. you’ve just been trained to look in the wrong places.

want to come on and share your own story or struggles?i’d love to hear it.

find me @transformxruby on instagram
ask podcast questions: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSczwoVPaIPvsLDkqjnkvFy2MjCG2vwYj7u9Uq3bJLMTiS-q8w/viewform?usp=sf_link
apply for a free consult: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqaxMDfbPYPYVui3BgSClnDXTj4BWjRvPkbBHuK5CP7SQsIw/viewform?usp=sf_link
direct link to DM me on IG: https://ig.me/m/transformxruby

BRANDON: https://tfgu.net/

feel like you’ve tried every macro calculator, but still don’t know what you should actually be eating?

what if you’ve been asking the wrong question this whole time?

because if you think the solution is just finding the right macro ratio or calorie target,

i’m going to show you why that’s actually what’s keeping you stuck.

in this episode, we’re not just talking about macros — we’re dismantling the entire way you’ve been taught to think about them. if you’ve ever googled “how many calories should i eat?” or felt stuck between obsessively tracking and totally winging it, this episode is your permission slip to stop blaming your body and start asking better questions.

we’re going deep into:

• why 1400–1600 cals isn’t “maintenance” — it’s survival

• the reason macro calculators keep failing you

• how to build habits in maintenance (not deficits)

• the missing piece between numbers and results: trust

takeaway #1: if your digestion is wrecked, your energy’s tanked, or your sleep sucks — your macros won’t work.

takeaway #2: stop optimizing before you’re even consistent. standardize first. then build.

this isn’t just about macros. this is about reclaiming your progress. so if you’re stuck in food fear, low energy, or chronic second-guessing — this one’s for you.

if you’ve tracked for years, still feel lost, and are ready to do it differently – this episode is here to explain it all to you. ground up. and why it matters to put the time in to getting it right.

want to come on the podcast to share your story or struggles? message me on instagram or fill out the link below.

find me @transformxruby on instagramask podcast questions: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSczwoVPaIPvsLDkqjnkvFy2MjCG2vwYj7u9Uq3bJLMTiS-q8w/viewform?usp=sf_linkapply for a free consult: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqaxMDfbPYPYVui3BgSClnDXTj4BWjRvPkbBHuK5CP7SQsIw/viewform?usp=sf_linkdirect link to dm me on ig: https://ig.me/m/transformxruby

ever feel like you’re doing everything right—training consistently, eating clean, tracking your food… but still not seeing the body you want?

this one’s for the woman who feels like she’s spinning her wheels. Like your body was changing… but now its just staying the same…

burn, bloat, and confusion: the real cost of false progress

what i wish i knew before training 6x a week for 2 years is packed into this episode

this episode dives into the real reasons women get stuck in false progress—even when they’re consistent. i’ll walk you through why “just lift and eat enough protein” isn’t enough if your effort, fueling, and recovery don’t match your goals.

you’ll learn:

• why grazing and “clean eating” aren’t helping your body change

• what to shift when your training isn’t building anything

• how to finally get results without doing more or cutting harder

→ we’ll talk about what effort actually looks like

→ why muscle is the missing piece in your fat loss puzzle

→ and how to rewire your progress markers for good

2 mini takeaways:

• eating more isn’t the problem—it’s the solution if you know how to use it

• progress isn’t always visible right away, but it’s happening when you train with purpose

2 mini wins:

• figure out if your training is actually stimulating growth or just burning energy

• understand how to fuel for real physique change—not just fat loss

if this sounds like your story, let’s talk. i’d love to have you on the pod.

Find mack @mackfitness305

& our first episode https://open.spotify.com/episode/4YzJADIP9UkttRg5heog7U

find me @transformxruby on instagram

ask podcast questions: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSczwoVPaIPvsLDkqjnkvFy2MjCG2vwYj7u9Uq3bJLMTiS-q8w/viewform?usp=sf_link

apply for a free consult: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqaxMDfbPYPYVui3BgSClnDXTj4BWjRvPkbBHuK5CP7SQsIw/viewform?usp=sf_link

direct link to DM me on IG: https://ig.me/m/transformxruby