Ever since his parents purchased him his first weight set at the tender age of fifteen, Michael has had a love-hate relationship with pumping iron. From his very first workout, he loved lifting and knew that it would be something he’d do for the rest of his life; he just hated the lack of any visible results despite his best efforts. For years he toiled away as a walking anomaly; an accomplished personal trainer who got great results for his clients, but who could never seem to figure out how to attain the type of physique he desired. Yet despite his frustration, Michael’s lack of results only fueled his desire to pack some muscle on his scrawny frame.
As he continued experimenting with various training and nutritional strategies, Michael completed both his undergraduate (Adelphi University 1992) and graduate (Queens College 1996) degrees in physical education/ exercise science. Shortly after graduation, he also became certified a certified strength and conditioning specialist with the National Strength and Conditioning Association and began branching out beyond his corporate clientele to working with more athletic populations. During this time he served as a strength and conditioning consultant to the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League and later opened his own sports conditioning facility in Long Island, New York.
Throughout his training career, Michael also aspired to write for a nationally recognized fitness publication, a dream he finally realized in 1997 when his first article appeared in Muscle & Fitness. Since then he has gone on to write over 100 articles for such publications as Men’s Fitness, Oxygen, Physical, Pure Power and Men’s Health, the latter of which he also currently serves as a contributing editor and exercise advisor. In addition to his magazine work, Michael has also co-authored, or designed programs for several books including The Testosterone Advantage Plan (Rodale Press 200), The Home Workout Bible (Rodale Press 2002) and The Special Ops Workout (Hatherleigh Press 2003).
Most recently, Michael has been named to the advisory board of The Center for Sports Parenting, a non-profit organization that helps parents and children cope with the physical and psychological pressures of competitive sports participation. These days, in addition to his writing projects, Michael works as a private conditioning specialist to various young athletes throughout the Long Island area.
If you were going to build the ultimate human performance and nutrition coach, what ingredients would you need? Extensive athletic experience? Rigorous academic training? Years of coaching experience?
A combination of the three?
Dr. John Berardi is that rare combination, and so it should come as no surprise that he has risen to the top of the human performance and nutrition field.
Dr. Berardi earned his PhD in Kinesiology, with a specialization in Exercise Biology and Nutritional Biochemistry from the University of Western Ontario. He has also studied and lectured on the topics of exercise physiology, pharmacology, endocrinology, psychology and health science.
But Dr. Berardi has the practical experience necessary to put all that book learning to use. In addition to his academic expertise, John has spent the last 12 years in the field, coaching clients from all walks of life. His clients have won Olympic gold medals, ran marathons, and dropped their 40-yard times. Others walk runways in Milan or compete in fitness and figure competitions. Some are treating cardiovascular disease, diabetes or digestive disorders. And many just want to look good naked.
And last but not least, John is no stranger to high-level athletics himself. He has had success as a regional level power lifter, a track and field athlete, a rugby player, and a national level bodybuilder - winning the prestigious 1995 Mr. Jr. USA contest.
Professionally, Dr. Berardi has devoted himself to one purpose: to take the latest research findings from human performance and nutrition labs and universities around the world and translate those findings into real-world results for his clients and readers. A sought after speaker and prolific author, John has lectured all over the world, authored over 200 training and nutrition articles and recently co-authored a book with Dr. John Williams, entitled “Gourmet Nutrition: Recipes, Cooking Tips and Nutrition Strategies for a Winning Body.”
For more about Dr. Berardi, visit his site at www.johnberardi.com.
