The Prep Mistakes Every Bodybuilder Needs To Avoid

In this episode of Unwracked, Andrew Berry and Kyle Wilkes sit down with IFBB Pro and veteran coach Chris Tuttle to break down the most common prep-destroying mistakes that competitors make every single year.

From overthinking, stress, and self-sabotage, to PED errors, coach issues, bad peak-week decisions, cardio mistakes, and ego lifting — the guys go deep on the real problems that derail athletes on the road to the stage.

The guys share insane real-world stories (clients holding 10+ lbs of water from stress, guys doubling their drugs without telling the coach, athletes melting down at weigh-ins, etc.) while diving into the psychology of such errors.

If you’re prepping now or planning a prep in 2026 — this is a must-watch.

00:00 – Intro: Chris Tuttle joins the show
00:45 – Kyle’s wedding & opening banter
01:20 – “Prep Killers” — theme of the episode
01:35 – Overthinking: the #1 prep destroyer
02:00 – Stress stories: holding 10+ lbs overnight
04:30 – Weigh-ins, cortisol, and physique changes
06:00 – Backstage anxiety & comparing yourself
08:30 – Why athletes melt down during peak week
10:10 – Starting prep too fat / too late
11:00 – Taking athletes late into prep (4–5 weeks out)
14:00 – The “nuke everything” coaching mistake
15:00 – PED mistakes: doubling doses, adding orals, bad advice from friends
17:50 – Why younger athletes struggle more with adherence
20:00 – Over-focusing on weak points
22:00 – Unrealistic comparisons & genetic expectations
24:00 – Client communication by age group
28:00 – SEO misuse (synthol)
30:00 – Understanding your best look (full vs dry)
33:00 – Coaches who don’t check in / red flags
36:00 – Cardio mistakes: “my dog walks faster than this”
38:30 – Training execution: mind–muscle connection vs ego lifting
42:00 – Injury talk: pec tears, hamstrings, longevity
47:00 – Peak week disasters (tanning, travel, sunburns)
50:00 – The importance of planning & controlling stress
54:00 – Posing expectations in modern bodybuilding
1:09:00 – Final thoughts + viewer stories
1:10:00 – Closing (running out of gear mid-prep)