NFL...Lockerooms

NFL...Lockerooms

It’s been pretty amazing seeing guys all across the NFL using MusclePharm products. Whether it’s shoutouts on Twitter or just seeing products in their lockers during interviews, it’s really cool to see. Just in the last 1-2 weeks I’ve seen it pop up in more than a handful of tweets or locker room photos and it seems like it’s always showing up somewhere new.

But the other great thing about seeing that kind of unsolicited support in the NFL is that all these elite athletes trust MusclePharm and its product line. They know it’s safe, they know it’s effective and they know they don’t have to worry about popping a positive test or having some awful reaction that happens too many times with other products from other companies in this industry. Rest assured, that doesn’t happen with MusclePharm and that’s always been and always will be the case.

Multiple players - from linemen on the Chiefs to special teams players on the Panthers and Giants to Laron Landry,Matt Overton & Boom Herron on the Colts, Eric Decker on the Broncos and many, many more - have it displayed in their lockers when ESPN shows an interview, and several guys (Steve Weatherford from the Giants and Graham Gano of the Panthers) showed their love for MP on social media.

It shows the vision of CEO Brad Pyatt, my partner and former NFL kick returner, coming true and it’s another sign of growth for MusclePharm. He wanted to have a brand he could trust while he played. It didn’t exist then, but it does now and that brand is MusclePharm.

The Mecca...

The Mecca

After all these years I finally made it to the Mecca of Bodybuilding, Gold’s Gym in Venice. 

To sum it up, it was cool as hell.

I know it’s not the same place where icons like Arnold, Franco and Frank Zane trained, but it was still incredible and some of the original equipment is still there. Going to this gym has been a destination on my list for a long time, but I never had a chance to make it until last week. I was in Los Angeles for meetings and when they were finished I was able to make some time to get there and train. It was a pretty surreal experience to be honest. 

This is a place where every bodybuilder past and present has on their destination list and I made sure to enjoy every second of it. When you think about it, this place is where dreams have been made for so many cover models and bodybuilders alike.

I’m a throwback, old-school kind of guy, so I really enjoyed seeing all of the old pics and especially the original equipment that still exists to this day. There was definitely an old-school nostalgic feel to the place and that simply made the experience that much more memorable.

After training there, I have to say it pretty much completed my travel from a destination gym standpoint, except for Bev Francis’ Powerhouse Gym in New York.

I plan to visit that at some point in 2014 and it really has been a tremendous thrill to be able to visit all these historic training facilities. I’ve been to Metroflex in Dallas, Westside Barbell, Dorian Yates’ Temple Gym in England and now Venice Gold’s Gym.

If you understand its value and what it has meant to this industry, I highly recommend making time to pay Venice Gold’s Gym a visit.

Thanksgiving Eats...What to do?

Thanksgiving Eats

Should I eat that pie or not? With the holiday season and Thanksgiving approaching, that’s the question I’ve been getting a lot lately.

Well, here’s my answer. I say, yes, you have to enjoy the holidays and family time, and enjoying all the good food that goes along with it is part of that.

I remember a long time ago I got called to do a shoot for a magazine right around this time of year. That meant I couldn’t partake in the holiday treats, which meant my Thanksgiving consisted of turkey and salad.

It was absolutely miserable and I vowed to never let that happen again and to focus on enjoying myself during the holidays. 

Having this approach is also a good break from not only your body but most importantly your mind. Now, here’s another good piece of advice that goes along with this. Don’t get too wild with the eating, but make sure you enjoy yourself. Find that balance because you only have so many Thanksgivings in your lifetime, but there are plenty of normal days to eat strict.

So grab that slice of pie, enjoy the holidays and make the most of this season.

This picture represents something different to me...

This picture represents something different to me...

When I was in high school the supplement company EAS was the powerhouse and this company had a profound affect on what I wanted to do with my life, which ended up with me being one of the co-founders of MusclePharm.

Athlete-wise, there were a few guys out in front as the face of the brand and one of the major ones was legendary tight end Shannon Sharpe. Shannon was obviously a beast on the field and in the gym and he was out in front of the EAS brand and certainly one of the guys you thought of when it came to any of their products.

I remember watching how Bill Phillips marketed and promoted the brand, turning it into a giant, and it was very cool to see.

Fast forward 10 years later and Shannon Sharpe is still a beast, Bill Phillips is out of the game and MusclePharm is the new show in town. Shannon also had a recent cover shoot with FitnessRX magazine and in the picture he was holding the issue with me on the front. Obviously he was just holding the cover issue prior to his, but to me it represented a huge part of my journey - and MusclePharm’s - to this point.

From looking at the industry in high school to becoming a leader in it felt great and a little surreal at the same time. This picture represented something different for me, but it also signifies that you can achieve your dreams no matter how big they are.

Thanks
Cory Gregory @Musclepharmpres
Musclepharm.com

NEX Naval Exchange Appearance was really cool!

NEX Naval Exchange Appearance was really cool!

       

    

I was recently asked by Eurpac, the company that stocks all of the military exchanges for MusclePharm, to go meet some of the troops at the Navy Exchange at NEX Oceana in Virginia Beach, sign some autographs and talk with them about MusclePharm and my story. 

It all took place on Saturday and it was an incredible experience.

If you’re not familiar with the Navy Exchange or any of the exchanges, it’s basically an all-purpose store that is for active duty or retired duty people in the armed forces only.

I really enjoy speaking to people and I had an absolute blast meeting with each person on Saturday. It’s so enjoyable to get out and see MP Nation, and hear their stories.

I was able to meet a lot of nice people who love the brand, and it really reinforces my motivation to push MusclePharm over the top. 

I definitely appreciated the hospitality of the Navy Exchange and it was super cool to see the interaction all day.

Here’s some pictures from the event and some of the people I was privileged to meet during a memorable day!

Happy 20th, UFC!

Happy 20th, UFC!

The story of the UFC is nothing but amazing, when you think about its inception to the near death of the league in the early years.When Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta along with Dana White taking it over, and then pushing it over the top to a multi-billion dollar company. It truly is remarkable when you think about it.

It’s been unbelievable for MusclePharm, too, since we’ve been involved with this UFC monster for the past five years. MusclePharm is now the “Official Nutritional Supplement Provider of the UFC” and this relationship has been nothing but great.

We started our relationship with the UFC and then WEC fighters in 2008 and since day one of our sponsorships inside the Octagon our business has grown. And we’re talking serious growth, as MusclePharm has averaged triple-digit growth each year since we started. It’s incredible and it has been such a thrilling ride.

A common question we get is if we get a ROI on our involvement and sponsorship with the UFC. Well, all I can do is laugh and say we went from zero - absolutely nothing - to a projected $100 million in 2013 which is just five years. That’s unbelievable and part of that comes from our relationship with the UFC.

It is a great organization to be part of and it is also on the cutting edge in so many areas, including international expansion, social media and its outside the box thinking. It has separated itself with that mindset and we would like to think we’ve done some of the same things with MusclePharm in our industry.

I can’t thank everyone at the UFC enough for helping MusclePharm become what it has today and what it will be in the future.

Happy 20th Birthday, UFC! We can’t wait to celebrate many more with you!

Lunging in the snow... It's all about #Mindset

Lunging in the snow... It's all about #Mindset

(Notice the Knee spot in between the footprints too!! lol)

Here’s a glimpse into my mindset - I’m going to be one of the most influential and impactful people in this industry.

I don’t want to just sell you a supplement. I want to help you create a lifestyle and a solid structure for whatever your goals may be in and outside of the gym. 

I get up everyday and want to be this and as I believe it more and more I see my role evolving.

This is my definitive purpose and what I am striving to be. I write this out daily along with all of the other goals I want to achieve. I will put in the work and do whatever it takes to push myself to that next level.

With that in mind, when I got up, I looked out the window and saw we had our first snow in Ohio and I had to drive to Pittsburgh later that day for meetings.

Prior to going to bed, I told myself I needed to set my alarm for 3:15 a.m., get up and hit the track for lunges from 3:45-4:15 and then head to the gym for some max effort chest work from 5-6 before heading out of town for my meetings.

So, there I was in the snow at 3:45 a.m., doing my lunges. I know it sounds and seems a little crazy, but like I’ve said before, the next time I get on stage I want to make sure my legs are just crazy. Plus, it’s really helping all my lifts go back up as I dive into the powerlifting world again. 

I strive to make a difference, but the only way to make a difference is to lead by examples.

Keep setting goals #MPNation. Find your why, find your definitive purpose and do everything you can to drive it home.

Thanks Cory Gregory

Musclepharm.com @Musclepharmpres