Who Are You? Forget “to be” -- this is the question. Recently at the annual Fitness Summit, I spoke about the importance of branding from a fitness pro’s perspective. Branding isn’t just about marketing or “cutting through the noise.” A strong brand will define your career. It will define you. The Big Paradox First the paradox. You need a strong, consistent brand to survive. Yet the fitness...

Let me tell you about the time I almost killed a thousand bodybuilding fans. Okay, that’s an exaggeration. But it was still reckless and stupid. Around 10 years ago I was asked/told at the last second to work a sponsorship table at a bodybuilding show taking place that weekend. No I wasn’t guest posing (smart-ass) -- the gig was to hand out samples of whatever product the sponsor of the show...

When the lighting is right some of the veins poking through on my legs look like a pale blue spider web. If this is the most useless thing you’ve read all week then welcome to the headspace of the dieting physique athlete. I’m not alone. Anyone who does this, or tries to, eventually goes a little crazy. Cause dieting and training to lose fat is difficult. Simple, yes, but not easy. It's the food...

Ever since I wrote this blog about fitness model photo shoots, I’ve received a number of questions from guys who either want to be Physique competitors, or at least look like one. A few years ago I would’ve scoffed at them. Physique competitions? That’s for pretty boys who are scared to squat and can’t place in real bodybuilding. Then I would’ve kicked sand on them and said something mean about...

Back in the 90’s I worked for a Canadian distributor of EAS sports supplements. Now this wasn’t the EAS we know today, that of low quality generic products designed for the less than discerning Walmart bargain shopper. This was the EAS from Back In The Day, when the Phillips brothers were at the helm, Muscle Media was the number one muscle rag on the newsstands, and a plain white powder called...

One of my side ventures? Writing bios for fitness guys, either for their websites or whatever product or book they happen to be launching. It’s fun work and I enjoy doing it. When I eventually see the finished bio in print, 90% of the time it’s different from what I’d sent them. They either emphasize a service they offer or perhaps play down an accomplishment that I thought was cool. Most also...

Scott, an old friend from way back, sent me a message through my blog. “Hey man, long time no talk. Great to see you’re still following your passion.” I got a laugh out of that. My passion? I guess he’s right. I started down this road in ’93 or ’94, checking memberships and mopping floors at a gym in my hometown. I started training myself years before that, somewhere in the late ‘80’s. That’s a...