Now On Stage: Shelby Starnes
Diet Guru of The Week!
Name: Shelby Starnes
Date of birth: 7.21.1977
Hometown: Royal Oak, MI
Career: Nutritionist / Prep Coach
Sports background: Powerlifting, Bodybuilding
What do you like best about being a diet coach? What I enjoy most is just helping people achieve their goals, whether it be in terms of physique, sport, or health, and also reaching a higher level of muscularity and conditioning than they previously expected possible. It's also great to hear about the changes in confidence clients have after they've accomplished a big goal, like leaning out or winning a contest.
Competition history:
2011 NPC Jr Nationals Light Heavyweight - 1st place
2010 NPC Junior Nationals Light Heavyweight - 5th place
2009 North Americans Welterweight - 3rd place
2009 NPC Central States Championships - 1st place Middleweight and Overall
2007 NPC Junior Nationals Middleweight - 6th place
2006 NPC Junior Nationals Middleweight - 5th place
2005 Motor City Bodybuilding Championships Overall Novice Champion
2005 Motor City Bodybuilding Championships, 2nd place open middleweight- (nationally qualified)
2004 APF Michigan State Powerlifting Championships 2nd place 198-lb class
What Cardio Type Would You Recommend for Fat Loss and or Pre Contest, High Intensity Interval Training (H.I.I.T) or Low Intensity Steady State (L.I.S.S.)?
I use a variety of methods - it really just depends on the type of diet I have a client on, their metabolism, how much fat they have to lose, how fast they have to lose it in, etc. I definitely don't have a "one size fits all" approach with diet or cardio - everyone has a very unique metabolism and hormonal profile so their prep needs to accommodate that.
How do you diet your clients? Using the carb cycling approach, keto?
Like with cardio, it all depends on the individual situation. Sometimes I use carbs, sometimes I don't. Sometimes I use a cycling approach, sometimes I don't. Oftentimes I'll start off with one approach, then gradually transition to another based on progress. It's all based on the individual client and how the respond to everything each week.
What is your protocol for filing out days prior to stepping onstage?
Again, it depends. Generally speaking, females don't usually need to "fill out" too much so I usually just do a mild load on Friday, if anything. I don't like to try to change too much the final week - you should be ready to rock by then, and be able to coast into the show.
What is the most challenging aspect of dieting clients?
Nothing really stands out as a big challenge - I enjoy all of it. Some people might get annoyed when clients get all "mental" the final weeks before a show, but I understand where they are coming from and just do my best to keep them calm and focused.
What supplements do you reccommend the most to your clients? I definitely don't get too extravagant with supplement use - I try to keep things basic and not too expensive. A quality whey isolate, a multivitamin, fish oils and green tea extract covers the basics. I've had people get ripped with no supplements at all - the results come from diet, cardio, and training.
What is the oddest question you have ever been asked by a client? A client asked if they could brush their teeth the final week before a show. Apparently they were concerned that the toothpaste would somehow mess up their prep? 
Do you also provide training programs to clients? If so, how do you determine the best program for each individual? Yes, I offer training consultations as well. I customize them based on an individual's training age (how long they have been training - what their strength levels are) and also what their strong and weak points are. We also work around any injuries they may have, and also equipment limitations.
What formula do you use to determine how many macro nutrients to give each client? I don't use formulas or cookie cutter approaches.
Do you have clients manipulate water prior to getting onstage? If so how?
This will vary greatly from client to client as well, and also what they are competing in (bodybuilding vs. figure vs. bikini). I don't do anything crazy drastic, just enough to give a good "finishing touch" on what their diet, cardio and training has done for the whole prep.
What is the best way for potential clients to reach you?'
Email is best: [email protected]
I also have a website with articles, videos, client pics, testimonials, a Store page etc. - it's www.ShelbyStarnes.com
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