The FitCast Guest: Chris Shugart

[Kevin Larrabee]

You may know Chris from his articles at www.t-nation.com. Or maybe for his Velocity diet.

So Ask away.

[Kevin Larrabee]

Or as always you can e-mail questions to: kevin.larrabee@gmail.com

[Lou Schuler]

I'll be curious to hear his views on steroid use by average meatheads who just use them for cosmetic purposes. Chris is one of the few guys out there writing about training who's actually tried steroids, so I think his opinion is valuable. And T-nation is traditionally honest about the pros and cons of steroid use.

(By the way, I should note here that I've met Chris, and he's a very normal-looking guy, by fit-guy standards. He'd fit right in with our crowd at a JP Fitness Summit.)

[Michael Roussell]

Shugs..this should be interesting.

You gotta ask him about his undercover wiener series.

[Lost Dog]

Originally Posted by Lou Schuler

He'd fit right in with our crowd at a JP Fitness Summit.)

BURN!

[Mahler]

(By the way, I should note here that I've met Chris, and he's a very normal-looking guy, by fit-guy standards. He'd fit right in with our crowd at a JP Fitness Summit.)

You make that sound like it's a bad thing. LOL

[Jean-Paul]

I love Chris's writing style. I'd actually like to know more about his background in journalism, and what led him to T-nation.

I haven't read over there as much lately so I'm not up to date, but if he is doing a particular workout I would like to know which one he is currently using, and what kind of results he is getting?

Does he actually get to work out with any of the great strength coaches they have on their writing staff?

I'm not much of a supplement user. I tend to wait for a year when a new one comes out to see what kind of results people are reporting outside advertisments. What supplements has he seen great long term results with, and what supps does he think were probably not as great as he would have hoped they'd be?

How have recent government regulations changed his industry (more a biotest question, but he probably has an insight into that)? For example, ephedra, when combined with caffeine, was a pretty potent fat burner. Now you can't technically sell ephedra (although a couple of manufactureres have somehow found a way around that).

Do you see future changes on the horizon? Does the nutritional supplement industry even have a lobbying group or any kind of advocate to at least attempt to educate congress about the things that they are trying to regulate?

That's all for now. I may come back with more.

[RacerBill]

I'd like to hear more about his transformation from FFB to today. Were there setbacks along the way, lags in motivation, tough times with friends and family, and what did he do to overcome those?

[Frank.S]

I wonder if he could tell us what he really thinks of all biotest supps..

[flying scotsman]

Hi Kevin,

A question I would like to ask Chris is this...

At a time when there are so many supplement companies competing for our business, how can Biotest convince the public that their brand of supplements are of good quality and nutrionally soun?


This next bit isn't necessarily to quote to Chris but for other forum subscribers to comment on if they wish.

The backgound to my question is that I with the best will in the world I struggle to validate all the ingredients that go to make up supplement products. I have bought Biotest products for the following reasons; a) public recommendation as found in the forums at T-nation; b) T-nation seem to genuinely provide an honest review of their products on the website when products are released, d) there are a lot of T-nation contributors who, although remunerated for their services, stand to tarnish their reputation when promoting Biotest products, and c) I figure buying their products is my way of saying thanks for the free articles.

Thanks.

Ian

[Jean-Paul]

Originally Posted by Lou Schuler

(By the way, I should note here that I've met Chris, and he's a very normal-looking guy, by fit-guy standards. He'd fit right in with our crowd at a JP Fitness Summit.)

Sounds like a great idea. My next question is, will you be attending my next fitness summit? Oh, and if you do, bring lots of free shit!

Okay, just kidding on the last part, but I would like to extend the invitation to Chris. I'm working on a really cool concept for next year's summit.

[Frank.S]

Originally Posted by flying scotsman

Hi Kevin,

A question I would like to ask Chris is this...

At a time when there are so many supplement companies competing for our business, how can Biotest convince the public that their brand of supplements are of good quality and nutrionally soun?


This next bit isn't necessarily to quote to Chris but for other forum subscribers to comment on if they wish.

The backgound to my question is that I with the best will in the world I struggle to validate all the ingredients that go to make up supplement products. I have bought Biotest products for the following reasons; a) public recommendation as found in the forums at T-nation; b) T-nation seem to genuinely provide an honest review of their products on the website when products are released, d) there are a lot of T-nation contributors who, although remunerated for their services, stand to tarnish their reputation when promoting Biotest products, and c) I figure buying their products is my way of saying thanks for the free articles.

Thanks.

Ian

You bought biotest products because they were recomended at T-nation? Why dont you just try to post something slightly negitive about these products on their forums. It wont get though.

[Jean-Paul]

Frank, I can tell you that running forums is a very challenging thing from my experience, and sometimes you have to make unpopular decisions, but in a tough business like the one that they're in, letting someone with an agenda have free reign can poison the well.

Although I don't have any sponsors in this site, I have had to delete posts in the past, most especially when someone slams one of our expert contributors who come here and help out without making a dime. Many of us noticed the absence of Dos in here. He had better things to do than argue with trolls. Had I caught that exchange early enough, I would have nipped it in the bud. Losing those people is bad for this forum, so I have been a lot more aggressive about preventing those blow-ups lately. One of the drawbacks to having a live forum I guess.

[flying scotsman]

Originally Posted by Frank.S

You bought biotest products because they were recomended at T-nation? Why dont you just try to post something slightly negitive about these products on their forums. It wont get though.

I have bought Low Carb Grow and Surge in the past and have no reason to be negative about them.

I do understand your point though and I knew how it would come across when I wrote that. But having read many posts on the products above there seemed to be a genuinely good response to them; but I still would not have bought them were it not for the other factors I mentioned.

Ian

[Johnka]

Originally Posted by flying scotsman

Hi Kevin,
d) there are a lot of T-nation contributors who, although remunerated for their services, stand to tarnish their reputation when promoting Biotest products

That's a good point. I don't really understand the amount of outrage expressed by many people when someone publishes an article at T-Nation with some recommendations for Biotest supplements.

There seems to be no regard for the efficacy of the supplements. Instead people seem to be saying: Author A recommends Biotest supplements in his article at T-Nation. T-Nation is funded by supplement sales. Therefore, Author A is a shill.

I think that most of the authors at T-Nation are smart enough to know that if they recommend crappy supplements, then they won't have a career.

[Deserve]

In that same vein most readers should know that should they choose the can use supplement B as a replacement.

[Eric Cressey]

I can speak from somewhat of an informed perspective in this regard, so here's something to consider...

One of the perks of having your name out there is that you get quite a bit of free stuff sent to you - everything from books, to t-shirts, to lifting equipment, to - you guessed it - supplements. Most notably, I'm fortunate to get a Biotest goodies package sent to me on the first Friday of every month.

Now, if you were to raid my closet right now, you'd find a heavy stash of supplements that have amassed over the years. Interestingly, the Biotest ones are never the ones "amassing." That is, I pretty much roll through them every month - and my training partners inevitably wind up begging for me to hook them up with whatever I don't go through. Hell, I've got dozens of powerlifters hooked on Spike and Power Drive already.

Now, I'm far from a supplement guru, but when something seems to be working, I stick with it - especially if it tastes good, as Biotest does. The fact that they've supported me in my career - and in every seminar at which I've ever spoken and requested that they donate some freebies - is a cherry on top.