How Robert Sikes Was Eating 70g of Fat Backstage to Win a Bodybuilding Competition – TFP #031
How Robert Sikes Was Eating 70g of Fat Backstage to Win a Bodybuilding Competition – TFP #031  
Podcast: The Feldman Protocol
Published On: Fri May 22 2026
Description: In this episode of The Feldman Protocol, can a ketogenic diet actually build a championship physique — or does elite bodybuilding demand carbs? Robert Sikes (natural pro bodybuilder and founder of Keto Brick) makes the case that fat adaptation outperforms conventional prep, sharing his journey through eating disorders, the origins of Keto Brick, his seven-phase protocol, reverse dieting, and the debate around calories vs. carbohydrate-insulin models.🔥 This episode is sponsored by us --Own Your Labs 👉 `https://ownyourlabs.com/sp/31` Private blood testing services🩸Over 300 blood tests💰Extremely affordable❤️ We love our customers(Yes, we are literally funding the entire podcast from our own company -- so if you want to show your support, keep getting your private blood testing through our service. Thank you! 🙏)🔗 CONNECT WITH DAVE FELDMAN:Main Channel: `https://youtube.com/@realDaveFeldman`X/Twitter: `https://x.com/realDaveFeldman`Instagram: `https://instagram.com/realDaveFeldman`Website: `https://thefeldmanprotocol.com`⏱ Chapters4:20 – Dave asks Robert to introduce himself5:23 – Early life & farm-strong beginnings6:19 – Starting bodybuilding as a skinny kid8:44 – Eating 6,000 calories to bulk up10:16 – First bodybuilding competition in college12:32 – The bulk/cut cycle explained16:17 – Losing 80 lbs in 12 weeks16:52 – Eating disorders after the first show19:47 – Searching for a better dietary approach22:13 – Discovery of carb backloading & early keto25:16 – Keto and explosive vs. hypertrophy training26:33 – LDL, lipids & muscle recovery hypothesis29:40 – Being the odd one out going keto at the gym30:06 – First ketogenic competition prep (2017)37:02 – Winning on keto — competitors' reaction39:12 – Origin story of the Keto Brick42:50 – 142 bricks sell out in two minutes44:14 – Launching Keto Savage brand & content creation54:00 – Business growth & knocking out debt55:47 – Surviving COVID & buying a grocery store59:04 – Speaking at KetoCon & coaching beginnings1:01:11 – Is keto's popularity rising or falling?1:05:45 – High protein debate for muscle building1:14:27 – Robert's seven-phase ketogenic protocol1:20:56 – What reverse dieting is & why it matters1:22:38 – Getting to 3.9% body fat — risks & rewards1:28:37 – Cholesterol numbers during extreme leanness1:32:07 – Inside bodybuilding competitions1:40:27 – Calories & energy balance debate in keto1:47:27 – The value of coaching & accountability1:54:07 – What's next: retreats, apparel & fatherhood1:56:27 – How having kids shifted Robert's spirituality2:04:05 – Dave discusses the CLEARLY retraction saga2:10:18 – Integrity, doing the right thing quietly2:17:44 – Heartflow partnership & silver linings2:19:10 – The Cholesterol Code movie launch plans2:20:43 – Where to find Robert & closing thoughts#FeldmanProtocol #DaveFeldman #RobertSikes #KetoBrick #KetoSavage #KetogenicDiet #NaturalBodybuilding #LowCarbAthletics #MuscleBuilding #ReverseDialing #BodyFat #LDLCholesterol #FatAdaptation #LeanMassHyperresponder #CholesterolCode #KetoPerformance #MetabolicHealth #BodybuildingNutrition