Ever wonder how your supplements REALLY get made? I cover the actual process, and give some tips on how to get best quality for your $$$. How the supplements you take are actually made in most cases, no longer a mystery! 
1:1 Consults With Will Brink
After an extensive hiatus from doing 1:1 consulting/training work, I’m going to be offering 1:1 Skype -or phone consults – on a limited schedule. I get a lot of requests for it, and do them sporadically for a few people ‘ (mostly medical professionals and those in the law enforcement and military community), but it’s been limited.
Due to regular requests for the service, I’m opening a few days per week to 1:1 consults where topics such as supplements, nutrition, training, and other topics related to athletes and health conscious people alike, can be covered.
I think those who have read my various articles, watched my vids, and specifically those who have read/followed one of my programs such as BBR or FLR would benefit most from some direct 1:1 counseling, but some may have a specific topic to cover not found in those programs/books.
Sessions would be in one hour blocks, and discounts for multi block purchase, LE/mil, etc exist. If interested in 1:1 consulting, inquire by using “contact me” option on the upper right hand corner of this page or email Will (AT) BrinkZone.com with subject heading “1:1 consults inquiry” and I’ll send a current costs sheet and then a time for a consult can be set up.
No, I’m not inexpensive (think what you would pay a good doctor or lawyer for his expertise per hour…) but if people want a “cheap” consult with a trainer, etc, they may want to approach one at their gym or ask around for a referral. Also, getting either Body Building Revealed or Fat Loss Revealed, or The Sports Supplement Bible, is a highly cost effective way to get started on those topics and will save you years of wasted time and money!
Not that I want to talk people out of getting a 1:1 consult, I just want it to be worth their money and my effort so they receive the most value for their money. Here’s what IFBB pro Milos Sarcev – nicknamed “The Mind” for his high level of knowledge on all things training & nutrition – was nice enough to write regarding yours truly:
“I first met Will many years ago in Niagara Falls. We started talking about exercise physiology and performance nutrition. After about an hour of his monolog I knew that instead of purchasing every bodybuilding piece of research in the world all I needed to remember was his phone number, Will is the most honest and down to earth guru’s in the industry, I trust him implicitly, the changes I was able to make to my physique with his advice are simply amazing.” – Milos Sarcev
More quotes from pro athletes, medical professionals, and others HERE if interested.
To inquire about 1:1 consults: Contact Will
Bob Kennedy 1938-2012
For those of you who grew up reading MuscleMag International, I’m sad to report that Bob Kennedy has passed away. MuscleMag International (MMI) was where I got my start, and I have known Bob since early 90s where he encouraged me to keep sending articles to MMI. Bob was very influential in the bodybuilding/fitness industry, and an excellent write up on his life and career can be found HERE.
Bob Kennedy and yours truly at 2011 Arnold Classic
Bob was a unique individual to say the least. MMI, via Bob, has been the launching point for many careers in the bbing world/fitness world for writers, athletes, photographers, etc, and although less well known then say Joe Weider or Arnold, Bob was a household name for anyone who grew up with MMI, his various books (first bbing book I ever read was “Beef It” by Bob as a goofy kid in the early 80s…), and his well known support for the athletes and sport in general. He also published my first book “Priming The Anabolic Environment” for which I’m eternally grateful. He also published the magazines Oxygen, Reps!, Clean Eating and American Curves.
An article I just posted recently called “Reflections: people I have known in the industry“ just a few days ago, has some additional comments on Mr Kennedy if interested.
RIP Bob… 
First Ever winner of BrinkZone T Shirt Contest!
I put up the BrinkZone T Shirt contest a few months ago as a great way to help others get attention (e.g., drive traffic to a site, get seen etc) and help get the BrinkZone brand out. A “win win” in my view…
First winner is the beautiful, smart (she has an Bachelor’s in biology from Tufts and a Masters Degree from Duke BTW…), and very fit Sumi Singh with her submission of this great pic of her killer abs and BrinkZone “Will Pill” logo. Cool pic no? Additional pic and Q&A with Sumi below
Sumi in BZ T and killer abs
Reflections: people I have known in the industry
Recently, I was reflecting on the number of well known figures in the industry I’ve known or met over the years, and it struck me that it might make a fun article. I’ve been in the “biz” a long time now, and it occurred to me that I’ve probably met just about every major figure in the industry at one time or another. Some of them are gone now, while others are still alive; some have names readers will recognize right away, and some don’t.
Although I can’t possibly cover all the figures I’ve encountered over the years, some stand out in my mind, and I thought a few anecdotes about them would be entertaining.
Now, these stories aren’t going to expose some sordid secrets about these people that will have readers saying “wow, I didn’t know he was a cross dresser!” or something like that. Even if I could (and yes, I know where the skeletons are…), I would not. Nor are they in any particular order—I just wrote them down as they came to mind.
Arnold
I met Arnold Schwarzenegger when I was fairly new to the bodybuilding industry, and Arnold was “just” a movie star. We were both in Columbus, Ohio for the “Arnold Classic” – the show he promotes. I always stayed at the same hotel he did: the Hyatt on Capitol Square. Back then, he was pretty much a regular guy. Sure, he had some security around, but it was fairly minimal while he was in the hotel, and not very invasive. One morning, I was having breakfast in the main dining room, when someone behind me tapped me on my shoulder and in a strong Austrian accent said, “excuse me, can you pass the salt?” I looked around, and it’s Arnold! He was looking at me with a “you gonna pass that salt or just think about it?” look on his face. I passed the salt!
Your Brain and Body on Stress
As your brain is your most important weapon, the effects of physical stress is often underappreciated for its effects on cognition for those who go into harms way, such military personnel, law enforcement, and other groups.
It’s been a generally held belief that cerebral blood flow (CBF) remains relatively steady during exercise, but recent studies (1,2) suggest that’s not the case. CBF appears to depend on a multitude of factors, including exercise intensity. With lower intensity steady state forms of exercise – all things being equal, such as hydration, etc, – CBF may increase, but during high intensity intermittent forms of exercise (like wrestling with another human being in a life or death struggle for example), appears to decrease. This may partially explain the cognitive decline people experience during high intensity exercise.
In this vid, we do some thick bar/thick handle training, which should be part of any program where maximal functional strength is the goal. For more info, also see my write on the topic HERE.
What are the facts on BCAA’s?
Greatest thing since the term “anabolic” was invented, or waste of money? I cover that topic in this latest vid.
One Possible Solution to Chronic Shoulder Pain: The Rotater
Aches and pains are very common to athletes and people who exercise regularly. The shoulders are a common area for chronic aches and pains. Some times the pain is due to a specific injury which needs to be diagnosed and treated by a medical professional. However, much of the time the aches and pain in the shoulders are due to muscle imbalances in the rotator cuff muscles, which can be stretched and or strengthened to both improve function and reduce pain.
Dr. Chiang covers some useful info on shoulder pain via his write up on shoulder Impingement Syndromes HERE, and there are a number of good articles on this site regarding injury prevention. One simple gizmo I have found very helpful is called The Rotater. It’s a simple yet effective method of both stretching and strengthening the rotator cuff muscles. Watch my short vid below, followed by the examples of using The Rotater for internal and external stretching. If interested in additional information on how The Rotater can be used to strengthen the shoulders, improve function, reduce pain, and so forth, hit the picture below the vids.
Product Review!
This week I review the Lock-Jaw collars. This product will go into the “BrinkZone Approved” section of the site as worthy training gear you’ll want to add! These collars bridge the gap between being super easy to get on and off, and being very secure. Watch this new vid and decide for yourself. If interested in picking up a pair of the Lock-Jaw collars, or for more info, click HERE
