The Brad Jensen Show22 Aug 2025

NLP701 - Muscle Building, Maintenance Phases, and Optimizing Lifts with Valarie Lusvardi

Valerie Lusvardi is back on the show, and since her last appearance over a year ago, she's become not only a good friend but someone I've worked with in a professional capacity. We even teamed up to help a girl prep for a bodybuilding show.

Val is one of the sharpest minds in the game when it comes to training and programming, and she's just as dialed in with nutrition. Not to mention—she's an IFBB pro, a coach, a wife, and a mom to three boys.

In this episode, we covered a lot of ground:

Val's journey through 17 bodybuilding shows and the lessons she's taken away from competing.
The real power of maintenance calories for women—how to optimize maintenance to build muscle without forcing a huge surplus.
How long you can (and should) keep certain lifts in your program before switching things up.
The balancing act of being a coach, competitor, wife, and mom—and how Val shows up strong in every role.

Valerie's Links

Work with Valerie - Learn More

Follow on Instagram - @valerielusvardi

Next Level Links

Nutrition Coaching - www.becomenextlevel.com

Nutrition Coaching Free Consultations - Schedule Here

Next Level Experience Waitlist - Join Here

Craig's Links

Focus Journal - Order Here

www.greatestdaymindset.com

Free Guides:

Eating Out Guide - Get The Guide
High-Protein Fast Food Orders - Get the Guide
Macro Food Options Guide - Get The Guide

Join Us On Patreon - Join Here

Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes.

Order from Cured Supplement

Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition

Connect with us on Instagram

Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder

Guest Valerie Lusvardi - @valerielusvardi

Next Level Nutrition – @mynextlevelnutrition

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