See full Video Here: Why I Do Not Recommend Bodybuilding Supplements
Why I Do Not Recommend Bodybuilding Supplements
In this video, I’m talking about why it is that I do not recommend the use of supplements. Now supplement use is ubiquitous today in the fitness industry, and there is a growing perception that in order to achieve any decent results, you need to be using some form of supplementation. And that’s simply not true.
In this video I’m going to talk a little bit from the heart about some of my experiences and also why it is that not only do I not recommend supplements, but I think the idea of searching for an edge and looking for something outside of yourself is not necessarily the perspective that you need. If you really want to make a change in your body and you want to have both a physical and spiritual path to our self-improvement. Stay tuned and we’ll talk more about this.
So we’re talking about why it is that I do recommend supplements and before I go any further, I’d like to thank everyone for tuning in. Thank you for the kind comments. Thank you for the private messages I’ve been receiving as well. There has really been a tremendous outpouring of support that this channel and do be sure to like, subscribe, and hit the bell. So your first in line to get the new content as I put it out.
Bodybuilding Supplements Can Be Laced With Illegal Drugs- My Hot Stuff Story
So getting to the topic at hand, why I don’t recommend supplements. I’m going to start with a story. Once upon a time there was this skinny kid doing his best to build muscle. And he had this fantastic training partner whose name was Gully. Lester Gelineau was his real name, but Gully was the nickname we gave him because he had a chest like a gully.
And there was this brand new supplement that came out called hot stuff and hot stuff was called a metabolic optimizer. And we didn’t even know what that was. Like, what is a metabolic optimizer? I saved up all the money I had to buy a canister of hot stuff. And both Gully and I got a canister of it and we started taking it and we felt amazing. Our workouts were through the roof. We had like an almost unlimited sense of energy. And it really was like nothing that we could imagine. And it was just this regular supplement that we took, a powder that you buy it, you know, at a supplement store.
But then one day it was no longer available, because we had finished one canister. And we’re trying to figure out how to save up some more money to buy another one (or at least I was). And it was off the market. You couldn’t find them anywhere. Then rumors started spreading seeing that it had been laced with something, and that’s why they took it off the market. And one day hot stuff resurfaced again. And of course, since it was a fantastic product, we were first in line to buy it with our hard-earned money.
And when we took it, it didn’t live up to its expectations. I thought it was placebo effect. I saw for myself that people can convince themselves and make ridiculous transformations in their bodies, because they think they’re taking something that’s powerful when it really isn’t. And nothing happened this time, zero. So, we kind of forgot about it.
Most Bodybuilding Supplement Manufacturers Have Strong Ties With Steroid Users and Steroid Advocates
Fast forward to maybe two or three years ago when I was looking at some videos here on YouTube. And there was a former colleague of, one of, he could probably say the fathers of modern steroid protocols, who at the time was one of the people involved in making major supplements, some of the major companies, and if you think about it, almost all of them are run by people who tend to steroids. Or are involved in steroids. And I found out from this video, that hot stuff was taken off the market because they had laced it with a drug called Clenbuterol.
Now Clenbuterol is a drug that’s banned in the natural bodybuilding competitions that I competed in. It’s also an asthma medication that’s used traditionally these days for people getting ready for competitions who are trying to lose as much fat as possible. Now, the host and everybody else, were all kind of acting like little children who got away with a prank talking about, “Oh, you know, we put Clenbuterol in there and it’s no big deal,” but it is a big deal.
It is a big deal because if you look to put dangerous drugs in supplements that purport to be harmless and generally recognized as safe products, we have a problem. We have a real problem. I want to talk to you about the problem that bodybuilding supplements can be.
First off, consider this. If you’re a natural athlete and you’re taking a supplement and the person who is endorsing it is someone who, you know, for a fact is on steroids. Why are you taking it? Do you really think someone who is using anabolic steroids, growth hormone, insulin, Clenbuterol, diuretics is magically transforming because they’re taking some creatine with their shakes? I don’t think so.
The Importance of Believing In Yourself And Not Looking For Magic in A Pill or Powder
They look the way they looked because they use drugs. And it’s high time we start putting that perspective and just moving on and not trying to find some magic potion because that search for magic is dangerous. It’s dangerous because magic doesn’t exist. Magic is something we create, when we work hard. Magic is something we create when we eat right.
Magic is something that happens when we do everything possible to create the circumstances for self-improvement and walk a path that’s fulfilling and nourishing both physically and spiritually. That’s when magic happens. It doesn’t come from taking a pill. It doesn’t come from drinking a shake. It certainly doesn’t come from a pre-workout drink.
Most Bodybuilding Supplements Are Endorsed and Promoted By Steroid Using Athletes Who Falsely Credit The Supplements For Their Success While Not Ever Using Them
I want to talk a little bit more about that. I met the athletes and I’d asked them, do you use this? Do you use that? And they’d say, no, I just, you know, they send me complimentary cases of it. And I talk about it and I promote it. But I don’t actually use it. And that kept on being the theme over and over and over. And then as I grew into sport and those around me grew into sport, people who I personally knew. I saw them all of a sudden hawking these supplements and promoting them even if they’ve never used any supplements in their entire lives. Never.
All of a sudden, these things were the greatest, pharmaceutical-grade, made with the best products. And they’re responsible for their success as well.
Sometimes it was implied and sometimes they just come straight out and say, hey, this is the reason why I look the way I look because I used this and look how much of a change it made in my body. And it was all a lie. And, I get it. People need to make money. People need to make. But isn’t there a problem trying to make money. People need to make a living.
But isn’t there a problem trying to make money if you’re not being honest with the very people who are looking up to you? Now, I don’t have a huge fan base. I’m not a big deal at all. As a natural bodybuilder, hardly anybody really knows who I am, but I did have some people who followed me and who looked up to me and I had my personal training clients as well.
And that comes to me with a responsibility sense. So, the idea that you have these people who are looking to you as an example and when someone looks to you as an example and to be an inspiration, that’s not something that should be taken lightly. It’s also not something that necessarily has to lead to profit. And if it does lead to profit, it doesn’t have to be done in a way that’s inherently dishonest.
The problem is the dishonesty. I have so many young men and young women who are talking about how important it is to take this protein shake. How much they going to change if they take this creatine. How much they’re going to transform if they take this pre-workout.
If Bodybuilding Supplements Worked The Natural Bodybuilders Of Today Should Be Far Superior to Athletes of Years Passed, and That Hasn’t Happened
And the reality is, and what I want everyone to really listen to here is that natural bodybuilding, the bodybuilding competitions that are drug tested, over the years with all the new things that we have on the market, in this multi-billion dollar industry, where I would probably expect almost every single natural bodybuilder today is taking every single thing they can, that’s legal and allowed in order to compete. They look no different, no different whatsoever than the bodybuilders that competed back in the eighties hen most of these things didn’t exist. No difference whatsoever.
In fact, I would probably venture to say that at the end of the day, it was the development of drug technology that made non drug tested body building advance. Back in the 1950s, 60s, the drugs that people used were nowhere near as much drugs and the different variety of drugs that people use today. And so the physiques changed, some say progressed. I don’t say progressed, I say changed.
That being said, you can look at a top bodybuilder in 2022. And look at a top bodybuilder in 1962 and you’ll see a very big difference. And the big difference you see in non-tested bodybuilding is the drugs that they were using. Nothing else.
Now let’s compare that to natural bodybuilding. If we look at the top natural bodybuilders from the time that I started really seeing and being aware of natural bodybuilding in the nineties, where a lot of supplements weren’t used by a lot of the top competitors. And I know that for a fact, because I knew the top competitors. And fast forward to today, when we have pretty much everyone taking everything that’s legal, that is.
There’s no difference in the quality of competitors. In fact, I would probably say that the average natural bodybuilder today with all the supplements and everything else that they take doesn’t look anywhere near as good, the average one, as the ones back in the nineties, because back in the nineties, there were more of them.
There were more people doing natural bodybuilding. So, you had people who had better genes. You had a higher genetic pool to pull from. And so, you had better athletes, but if we take into consideration how fantastic these supplements were supposed to be and how this was supposed to change everything and help you transform and get leaner and get bigger and get stronger and perform better in the gym, there should be some sort of correlative change.
We should be seeing ridiculous physiques up on the natural bodybuilding stage, probably even to a degree to rival the guys who use drugs. And we don’t see that because it’s not possible. It doesn’t make that much of a difference. It doesn’t matter how many studies there are or how much they purport that creatine or glutamine or any protein powder is going to make a big change in your physique. And it’ll transform you from where you are now to where you want to be.
The Bodybuilding Supplement Industry is Made Of Corporations That Care More About Making Profits Than Your Dreams And Your Health
It’s not going to happen. Because it’s about making money. It’s not about helping you realize your dreams. It’s not about helping you get to a place where you can be the person that you want to be. That’s something that has to come from you.
Not from someone you’re paying. The wise and older ones always said it was so important not to rely on anything, but yourself, as you cannot be created or destroyed, we have a limited pool of energy within ourselves. We have to dedicate all that energy into believing in ourselves. Not placing our belief and our faith in the false gods that supplements tend to be.
It’s not going to transform you. It’s not going to make a difference. The difference is in your food. The difference is in your discipline. It’s a big difference.
Bodybuilding Supplements That Were Banned Were Drugs, The Ones That Remain Are Simply Foods
Now, all the drugs, all the supplements that worked back in the day that are now banned were drugs. All the supplements that exist today that are not banned, are foods. It’s just food. Call it what you want.
A protein shake is a milkshake. Creatine is something you get from beef. They’re all just food derivatives.
Why I Use Creatine But Would Not Recommend It For Bodybuilding Purposes
Now in the spirit of full disclosure, I want to talk about creatine and the fact that I do take creatine, but not for the reasons that you may think. You see, I have always suffered from devastating and debilitating leg cramps, something that my father seems to have as well.
And there’s never really been an explanation for it. But back in the day, back in the nineties, actually, when I was much younger and using creatine, I found that when I use creatine, those cramps went away. So it’s something that I add to my daily regime. Not for any type of performance enhancement or physique enhancement, because to be quite honest with you over the years, I haven’t seen any differences whether I take it or don’t take it, but I do see a significant difference in terms of muscle cramps.
And there are actually, which I found out later, some studies that back up, the fact that creatine does play a role in preventing muscle cramps. But as far as being able to recommend it as a performance enhancer or something that’s really going to make a difference in your physique? I can’t say so because I personally simply haven’t seen it.
And I really truly hope this short video kind of gives you some perspective. Let’s try and move away from this reliance on things that don’t necessarily work. And the ones that do work, that did work back in the day, they killed people. People who make supplements aren’t necessarily the best human beings on the planet who are looking out for your best interests. They’re like any other corporation that you probably have a problem with because it’s based on profit.
Let’s think a little more about this. Believe in yourself and Excelsior. Thanks for tuning in!
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Why I Chose To Not Use Steroids- Natural Bodybuilding Motivation
Not Bad For Training Only Three Days A Week!
Because it's three days a week with soul crunching intensity non stop for the past 33 years.
There's no gimmick to it and it means being uncompromisingly all in for your workouts and with your nutrition.
I don't think there's that much that special about me.
There's nothing enhanced, nothing boosted by testosterone and there weren't any special "supplements" along the way.
Just three days of blistering hard work each week and meticulous attention to what I eat.
Being 90% on point each week means you are 100% off after 10 weeks and I can't emphasize enough how much of a difference unshakeable consistency makes to your overall results.
Most of the natural athletes didn't get where they are by any genetic advantage, they just did what is so very rare- which is stick to their process 100%.
It's not easy as it's not always easy and certainly not always popular, but you owe it to yourself to see just how far you can go if you go all in!
Looking forward to seeing your results and as always, Excelsior!!! #naturallyintense
#naturalbodybuilding #naturalbodybuilder #fitover40 #homegym #drugfreebodybuilding #gymselfie #hometraining #naturalbodybuildingmotivation
What I Eat To Stay Lean and Keep Building Muscle All Year Round.
If there every was a "secret" to how I consistently stay in shape (and almost 20 years since my last competition) the answer would be my diet.
Diet is the deciding factor in what your body looks like and your overall performance and I want to stress that while this is a layout of the foods I eat on a daily basis, it's not a blueprint for your YOU should be eating.
What it can be is an example of what it takes to maintain a certain degree of size and muscularity at all times as a natural athlete, and also the underlying principle to how I select my foods.
Which is that I don't eat junk foods or highly processed foods and I only drink water.
(No protein shakes, ever!)
If you can start with that, there's no doubt that you will be on the right track in terms of your nutrition.
So stay away from processed foods, know that I believe in you and as always, Excelsior!!! #naturallyintense
#naturalbodybuilder #naturalbodybuilding #naturalbodybuildingtips #naturalbodybuildingdiet #diet #whatieatinaday #mydiet #naturalbodybuildingvideos #naturalbodybuildingmotivation #drugfreebodybuilding #healthyeating #noproteinshakes #excelsior #bodybuilding #bodybuildingdiet
Post workout physique check in.
The contest gets closer and closer as the sun meanders across the sky, as my contest is and always will be, did I do everything I possibly could that day to improve?
Did I train hard enough?
Did I push it enough?
The dietary part isn't an issue.
It hasn't been for many years as I always make sure that my nutrition is on point, and there's no leeway on that front.
I don't feel good when I'm not eating optimally, and I respect myself enough to not settle into a place where not feeling my best is the norm.
And to be honest, it feels really good to put my head down at the end of the day knowing that I gave it my all.
Not that I was the best or was even necessarily successful at everything that I set out to accomplish, but knowing that I gave everything nonetheless.
It's a feeling I want everyone to have.
To sleep soundly knowing that you gave it your all.
That you didn't miss an opportunity to improve on what you are passionate about, because in so doing, you experience an eagerness to do the same the next day.
It's the ultimate contest and I invite everyone to submit their application forms, as it's one of the few competitions where everyone who does the work and shows up, is in the winner's circle.
Keep striving, keep pushing and as always, Excelsior! #naturallyintense
(Thanks @indi.anna.r or taking the shot, as I know your arm was probably shaking after that workout!)
#naturalbodybuilding #naturalbodybuilder #fitover40 #homegym #drugfreebodybuilding #gymselfie #hometraining #naturalbodybuildingmotivation
Motivation vs Discipline. What You Really Need To Be Successful!
I am often asked what was my motivation to keep going starting off as a skinny 125lb kid who no one believed could ever be a successful bodybuilder.
The answer is that motivation didn't have that much to do with it.
Motivation may have played a part in getting me started, but it was discipline that got me to where I wanted to be.
Motivation is fleeting and ephemeral, it's not always going to be there and on the days when you don't feel like eating right or training hard, you need a disciplined practice to see you through.
A disciplined practiced based on doing what you need to do to be successful regardless of the circumstances.
That's how I made it through all those tough times when I felt I wasn't getting anywhere, and it's what will help you as well.
So forget motivation, focus on building a disciplined practice, know that I believe in you and as always, Excelsior!!! #naturallyintense
#naturalbodybuilding #nosteroids #fitnessgoals #naturalbodybuildingtips #naturalbodybuilder #naturalbodybuildingvideos #excelsior #fitover40 #naturalbodybuildingtips #naturalbodybuildingmotivation #disciplineovermotivation #disciplineequalsfreedom #discipline #motivation#fitness #mindset #selfdiscipline #fitnessmotivation #disciplinequotes #workout #disciplineiskey
Kevin's Ultimate Secret Six Pack Abs Tip!
If you ever wondered how I maintain a six pack all year round and have kept that six pack for decades on end, here's the secret.
This is one tip that will honestly get you on the path to a six pack.
There's no magic to it.
But if you follow this simple piece of advice, you will be able to do a lot more than get yourself a six pack, as it's a proven formula for success.
Give it a try and as always, Excelsior!!! #naturallyintense
#sixpack #sixpackabs #6pack #6packabs #naturalbodybuilder #naturalbodybuilding #naturalbodybuildingtips #naturalbodybuildingvideo #naturalbodybuildingmotivation #sixpacktips #drugfreebodybuilding #abs
Happy Archery Day, everyone!!!
Yeah, it's a thing and can't say how much it's my thing!
To be honest, I am a barebow shooter and almost never shoot my compound bow (the monster in my hands) but it's all really good fun!
If you haven't tried archery or are thinking about doing it again, go give it a shot (no pun intended!!!)
And as always, Excelsior!!! #naturallyintense
#archery #archeryday #bowtech #naturalbodybuilder #naturalbodybuilding #fitover40 #blackandwhite #bowtech
Do You Have Good Genetics for Natural Bodybuilding?
I don't believe it's the question that needs to be asked.
Far too many, myself included, who went on to be successful natural bodybuilders would never have been the men and women you would expect to have the genetics for bodybuilding.
But we put in the work, the years, the dedication and the consistency, and so what matters isn't the question of genetics, but rather do you have the passion, the drive and the discipline to train hard and focus on your diet nonstop for years on end to realize your potential?
That's the real question, and yes, there are men and women who have great genetics for natural bodybuilding, but there are even more who would be amazing onstage but don't know it because they didn't believe enough in themselves to put in the time to see how far they could go.
So I am here to say that I believe you have it in you to do amazing things, so if it's your goal, or even if you just want to improve the way you look, stick with it and don't quit!
Know that I believe in you and as always, Excelsior!!! #naturallyintense
#naturalbodybuilding #nosteroids #fitnessgoals #bodytransformation #nodrugs #naturalbodybuildingtips #naturalbodybuilder #naturalbodybuildingvideos #excelsior #fitover40 #personaltrainer #naturalbodybuildingtips #naturalbodybuildingmotivation #beleiveinyourself
Nope it's not a contest cut- it's just another day on the Path.
There are two ways to get cut, the fast way that requires going to extremes and which is inevitably temporary.
Or the Path-based way. Whereby your lifestyle and sustainable healthy practices get you there and keeps you there.
It takes time. It takes patience but it's an extremely honest endeavor.
If you put in the work and stay consistent with your training and following a processed food free and healthy diet, excellence is just a matter of time.
It takes time but as long as you draw breath, you have the time and you can do this.
So take the Path-based way and as always, Excelsior!!!
#naturallyintense
And my thanks to my son @reid_443 for snapping the shot, and the approval rating! 😂
#naturalbodybuilding #naturalbodybuilder #fitover40 #homegym #drugfreebodybuilding #gymselfie #hometraining
