WEIK'S WORLD

I'm in FLEX magazine!

2010-06-08T21:42:00.002-04:00

Check out page 294 in the July 2010 issue of FLEX magazine! I'm honored to have my picture in their great publication!

Celebrating another year!

2010-06-07T16:35:00.002-04:00

Today is my birthday and I'm celebrating yet another great year of life. So many things go through my head when I think back over the years. So much has gone on and I'm very blessed to have such a great life. I appreciate and thank every one of my friends and family members. It has been a great ride so far and I hope to see many more birthdays!

Team True Alpha website

2010-05-25T21:38:00.003-04:00

For those who didn't know already, I'm now part of Team True Alpha. The team is composed of some of the brightest writers in the fitness industry. Check out the website often to learn tons of good information on health/fitness and finding your true alpha inside each of you. The website is based off of the book Alpha Male Challenge by Rick Collins and James Villepigue. Click the link below to go to the website and read my newest blog post on the site on how to create an ALPHA FAMILY.

www.truealphatraining.com

New addition to the Weik household!

2010-05-14T20:00:00.002-04:00

Please welcome Baxter to our family! Baxter is an 8 week old puppy that we brought home this week. So far so good and he is a great dog! Tons of fun and he loves to play and be held. At times he can be a MANIAC, but all-in-all he is amazing. It's hard to be upset with him when you have a face like his...

Looking for nominations!!!

2010-04-18T23:27:00.003-04:00

If anyone works out at a gym which they feel is worthy of being called Bodybuilding.com's featured "Gym of the Month" then please send me an email (mcwtrainer@aol.com) so we can showcase them on the website.

If anyone is working with a personal trainer and thinks they are worthy of a nomination to be called Bodybuilding.com's featured "Trainer of the Month" then please send me an email (mcwtrainer@aol.com) so we can showcase them on the website.

Working on a new fitness program!

2010-04-14T20:45:00.002-04:00

Just the other day I finished up a phone interview with a gentleman who is starting up a new fitness program and wanted me to be a part of it. It will be geared towards young athletes who are trying to train smarter to help them get to the next level. The program will include fitness experts from across the US and I am honored to be included in this project. Look for more information on this program in the next couple of months to find out more juicy details of when it will be available!

MET-Rx AMPED

2010-04-03T16:20:00.002-04:00

Looking for a great preworkout supplement? Look no further! This is my personal favorite and my workouts are never the same if I don't use it. No need to look for multiple products to take, instead use AMPED! This all in one preworkout drink has everything you need to help you recover quicker, give you energy, give you an insane pump, and help you focus during your workouts. Don't take my word for it. Check out this awesome review!

http://videos.bodybuilding.com/watch/6812/the-fit-show-season-one-episode-8-supplements-met-rx-amped

I'm jumping out of a plane to fight global cancer!!!

2010-03-22T21:44:00.002-04:00

Hi everyone,
We all know effects of cancer. Some of us might have had it ourselves--others might have watched someone they know or love fight for their life to survive this disease. On August 21 or 22 (depending on weather conditions) I will be jumping out of a plane at 13,500 feet above Pennsylvania soil. I'm not doing this because I'm crazy (even though that's debatable), but I'm doing it for a cause and for people who are braver than I am--those fighting with cancer. I will be jumping on behalf of the LIVESTRONG Foundation and their fight to beat cancer. This foundation hits home with me and now it's my turn to do something and stand up to help those who are fighting for their lives. I hope I get the support I need to help me reach my goal of $5,000 for the foundation by the time I jump. This is very humbling experience and I hope you can all be a part of this with me. Anything you can donate for this cause will go directly to helping fight this disease. Your donation is tax-deductible for cancer research. No matter the amount, large or small, YOU can help save a life. Please help me in my journey to help others who need us and click on the link below which will take you to my webpage where you can make a donation. Thank you all for your continued support and in believing in me to help make a difference in this world! Please feel free to pass this email along to friends and family as well. The more people that know, the more help we have in fighting cancer.

www.livestrong.org/grassroots2010/mattweik

MET-Rx/ESPN Sweepstakes!!!

2010-03-16T19:44:00.002-04:00

The MET-Rx/ESPN Sweepstakes Give-away is now LIVE on www.espn.com/metrx and www.metrx.com! Over $250,000 in fitness equipment and prizes will be awarded daily!! Consumers have a chance at winning exciting prizes such as a Torque Fitness home gym system (valued at $3,800), Powerblock Dumbbell systems (valued up to $1,000) and Hyperstrike.com's online fitness, nutrition and training programs (annual membership is $129.00). The GRAND PRIZE is a trip for two to the 2010 ESPY awards in Los Angeles which includes roundtrip airfare, hotel stay and tickets into the awards ceremony. Total package is valued at over $5,000!!

Consumer Entries will be taken daily from now until June 13, 2010 so everyone gets a chance at winning with MET-Rx!!

NEW PRODUCT!!! Rapid Refuel

2010-03-15T20:06:00.002-04:00

This product is all about the formula… the formula… the formula. Whey Protein Isolate is a staple in recovery products and Rapid Refuel includes 30g of WPI. And to support Muscle Fuel, the blend contains the cutting edge Beta Alanine.

Glutamine is essential for recovery but Electrolytes are just as essential to refueling your body by helping maintain fluid balance in the bloodstream and support hydration. Additionally, we included Antioxidants to help reduce free radical damage after intense exercise.

Rapid Refuel helps you RECOVER… REFUEL… and assists your ENDURANCE goals. The Glycerol contributes to the “Pump” and Alpha Lipoic Acid is a fatty acid used by some athletes to help prevent and recovery from certain injuries.

Carbs are vital for maintaining performance during exercise and proper glycogen replenishment. We took this one step further and used Waxy Maize Starch – known as a quick acting and absorbing carbohydrate.

What's happenin???

2010-03-13T09:59:00.002-05:00

Man, what an amazing past couple days it has been (even with the lack of sleep that I have been getting). I got back in town on Sunday after I finished things up out at the Arnold Classic in Columbus, OH. I finished off my Arnold review for Physique Magazine and sent that off for the April issue which was pretty cool to work on. I just found out I'm now officially a writer for Muscle and Strength and my first feature is up on their website. Then on top of that my boy, Kris Gethin from Bodybuilding.com, shot me an email and it looks like in my spare time I'm now controlling all of the content for the personal trainer of the month as well as the gym of the month. How cool is that? I am so blessed to have an amazing full-time job with MET-Rx, the supplement company that I've always wanted to work for and who I love. They are my everyday 9-5 and I wouldn't trade that for the world. I work with some amazing and talented individuals with the company. Then after my day is done on the road, I end up at my house or a hotel room (if I'm on the road) to work on some side stuff which keeps me busy (and out of trouble) at night. I am grateful for all the opportunities that have come into my life and appreciate everyone who is in my life. You guys are what keeps me going and I love you all.

2010 Arnold Classic is over!!!!!

2010-03-11T18:06:00.003-05:00

I gotta say it was definitely a long week/weekend but in the end I had a lot of fun! It was great meeting some friends, fans, and admirers. Putting a face to some of the interviews I have done was also pretty cool. I got to present 2 days while there and met up with some good people who I presented with last year as well. My time off the stage was spent at the MET-Rx booth. Time seemed to fly since the last Arnold Classic so before I know it I'll be back in Columbus on stage and at the booth again. If you missed out on this years show and expo, definitely make plans now to be there--you will not be disappointed. The whole festival that weekend was incredible with tons of different events going on all day long. You can check out seminars, speakers, presentations, and much much more. I highly recommend booking travel now or you will not find a hotel. I have tons of pictures up on my Facebook page for you to check out and also on my website (www.mattweik.com) so check them out!!! See you at the Arnold next year!!!

2010 Arnold Classic

2010-02-23T19:33:00.002-05:00

What's up, everyone? Definitely don't miss out on one of the best bodybuilding shows and expos of the year. There will be so much going on and tons of free giveaways. Make sure you stop by the MET-Rx booth and say hello to me--it would be awesome to meet all of you. I will be splitting my time up between the MET-Rx booth and presenting trophies on stage at the Arnold Amateur. So if you don't see me at the booth, I'm probably up at the stage area or in meetings. Looks like I won't be much fun at night during the Arnold weekend as I'll be back in the hotel room typing up coverage of the event for Physique Magazine. They have asked me to be their correspondent (http://www.physique-mag.com/exclusives.asp) for the event and my coverage will be in the April issue of the magazine, so keep your eyes peeled for that. With so much going on there will never be a dull moment all weekend. I'm sure when it is all said and done I will need a good two days straight of sleep. BUT IT'S ALL WORTH IT!!! Hope to see you all there!!!!

MET-Rx White Box MRP in a bottle!

2010-02-21T10:17:00.001-05:00

OMR RTD has 40g of Protein and is replacing the Colossal RTD line in that category. The new ready-to-drink utilizes MET-Rx’s unique METAMYOSYN blend of fast and slow acting proteins. And similar to the powder formula, it has been infused with L-Glutamine for recovery. It is a true Meal Replacement with 23 vitamins & minerals and 3g of Fiber. Furthermore, for those looking for a “clean” product, the new line can compete with any other product out there because it has only 0.5g of Saturated Fat and only 2g of Sugar! What about the taste? Just try one and there won’t be any questions!

Reading Hospital

2010-02-21T09:53:00.002-05:00

Ok, I'm sounding offer here... BECAUSE THIS IS MY BLOG! If I ever have to go to the Reading Hospital for any type of surgery please just let me die. I would rather die on my own terms than in the hands of a bunch of idiots. I guess some doctors and surgeons have to graduate last in their class, guess that is the story at the Reading Hospital. There is no way that I can trust these idiots with my life. I'd rather lay on a table, cut myself open, and then nurse myself back to health on my own than have them TRY and help me. If you have someone who is diabetic, you don't give them an Ensure loaded with sugar 3x a day along with their normal meals. They come in to check their blood sugar and it's through the roof and they don't understand why so they start injecting insulin into them. The doctors nor the nurses knew she was diabetic WHEN IT IS CLEARLY MARKED IN HER FILES! Which brings me to another point... How can you expect someone to inject insulin into themselves when they have never done it and you don't make sure they understand how to do it before you release them? Seriously? Where do they find these idiots? Why does it take someone like me to walk in there and have to tell them why things are happening and how to fix them when I'm not a doctor? Now I'm not putting the whole Reading Hospital staff on blast here, just some of the doctors and nurses that I have had encounters with. I mean come on, not everyone there can be a bobblehead like the people I have had encounters with. Don't get me wrong, I have had several people contact me from a Facebook post I put up about the hospital saying they have had the same issues with family members there and they are still having issues as they continue to go there. So this isn't an isolated case. All I gotta say is, if you need to go to a hospital, you are putting your life in your own hands if you go to the Reading Hospital. I'd make the trip and find somewhere else. *end rant*

NEW Thermo Rush Stack RTD!

2010-01-31T16:39:00.003-05:00

Worldwide has enhanced their thermogenic formula in Thermo Rush RTD with a STACK blend consisting of Beta Alanine in addition to Synephrine. Beta Alanine is a natural component of muscle cells and is one of thehottest ingredients used by athletes and bodybuilders. Orange Mango is the latest flavor on this energy line. Each sip will have you coming back for more of the thirst-quenching flavor, while each ounce of formula will help you push through your grueling workouts.

ATTENTION!!! All fitness magazines and websites!!!

2010-01-27T18:15:00.003-05:00

Hey, what's up everyone? I just wanted to let everyone know that I am looking for and up for suggestions for new articles to write for websites and magazines. If you have any ideas please feel free to email me at mcwtrainer@aol.com. Also, if you are a website or magazine and would like me to be a writer for you please shoot me an email.

Jillian Michaels Protein Shakes

2010-01-19T20:28:00.002-05:00

Are you a fan of The Biggest Loser? Do you follow everything Jillian Michaels says and does? Do you wish you could look like her? Now you can take the next step in living and looking like Jillian by using the protein powder she loves... Jillian Michaels Natural Whey Protein by Pure Protein. You're looking at 100 calories, 2g of fat, 3g of sugar, 7g of carbs, and 15g of protein. And best of all, it is a clean protein powder without artificial sweeteners and preservatives. Give it a shot today!!!

http://www.pureprotein.net/pages/productDetail_29540.aspx

Pre-workout Jolly Rancher!!!

2010-01-17T13:48:00.003-05:00

OK, maybe this really isn't a Jolly Rancher but holy smokes is this drink good! It is a pre-workout rtd that I would highly recommend you try. I've been drinking these things like water. The taste is amazing! The closest thing I can compare it to is one of those watermelon Jolly Ranchers in terms of taste.

Each bottle contains 200mg of caffeine to give you a good boost of energy and also contains citrulline malate and l-arginine/a-akg (to give you an amazing pump).

This drink will definitely help you make it through your workout. You will have tons of energy and a pump that will make your muscles feel tight as if they are going to pop. But don't take my word for it, try it for yourself to see!!!

Bands

2010-01-05T21:48:00.003-05:00

I get asked a lot what "bands" I'm wearing. Some people wear them to look cool, others wear them because they have meaning behind them. I gotta say, the LIVESTRONG band almost has a label as being an "accessory" these days since everyone is wearing them. Some of those wearing them are truly only wearing them because of Lance Armstrong. I wear these bands for personal reasons, not for looks.

LIVESTRONG band

I first started wearing this band probably close to 15 years ago. My grandfather (on my father's side) passed away from cancer. It was a horrible and painful process watching him get worse and worse. His final day on this earth I can remember as if it were yesterday. He was a good man. Gone way too soon. So in his honor and remembrance, I wear the LIVESTRONG band for him. It's my own way of keeping him with me and also support all those other people fighting cancer.

PRAY FOR SAM

I was given this band by a very special little boy. His name is Sam Bish. I met him last year. I have spoken about him a lot and he is also mentioned earlier in my blog. Sam had cancer in his leg (which was amputated) and has cancer on his lungs and also on his spine. He is fighting it with all he's got. This band it to support him in this battle and let him know that he doesn't have to do it alone. He has an incredible support team of friends and family. I was honored to spend time with him as he is one of the coolest kids I have ever met. Every day I put on that band I think of him and how strong he is. Keep fighting, Sam! I'm 100% behind you!

2 features in a Philippines Magazine!!!

2009-12-29T16:13:00.003-05:00

In one of the early months of 2010 (February I believe), I will have 2 features in IronPinoy Magazine. This magazine is based out of the Philippines and has a ton of great information in it. I was honored when asked to have 2 features in the issue that will be the cover stories. I want to thank the people of IronPinoy for asking me to do the 2 cover stories for them and allowing me to be a part of their great magazines. I also want to thank Obi Obadike for all this support and using me for many of his projects. Keep your eyes peeled for the issue and I'll also update you all as soon as I get more information on the release date. The magazine's website is below if anyone wanted to check them out.

http://www.ironpinoy.com/

Merry Christmas!!!!

2009-12-24T14:50:00.002-05:00

It's that time of the year where we all gather around the fireplace with family and friends to enjoy eachothers presence. Everyone congregates to share stories and remember the true meaning behind Christmas. Sure, there are presents being passed around and some adult beverages in peoples hands. We all enjoy the holidays. We are all very blessed and have much to be greatful for. I hope all of you give when you can--for there are many families and children out there who cannot bring in the joy of the holidays due to financial strains. I hope you all did what you could to help them also enjoy the holiday. After all, it's the giving part that is so much more rewarding than getting a gift. Seeing someones eyes light up at the sight of presents, especially the little ones who still believe in the big white bearded guy in the red suit. Bringing cheer to someones face who never expected it, now that's special. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, from my family to yours. Please travel safe to all of your destinations over the next several days. May you smile and be thankful, and never lose sight of the true meaning behind Christmas. Merry Christmas everyone!

QUIT SMOKING!!!!!

2009-12-20T14:40:00.002-05:00

For those of you who smoke... Do you really want to smoke or do you simply find yourself addicted and have no idea how to stop? The health risks alone should be enough to make you put that butt out and walk away. But let's take a look at things from another angle... How much money are you WASTING on cigarettes? Click the link below and find out!

http://www.webcalcsolutions.com/Health-Calculators/Smoking-Costs.asp?AcctNum=3

Snow smashes the northeast!

2009-12-20T13:58:00.003-05:00

Well, I guess if it were going to happen now is the time while I'm home. We had a huge snowfall that spanned the northeast dropping anywhere from 1-2 feet of snow. I spent a good part of last night shoveling and then again this morning since the wonderful snow plow decided to get super close to the curb and throw snow back on everyone's sidewalk that I just shoveled. We got hit all of Saturday and today it seems like the streets are at least melting which won't make travel bad for those who venture out. I'm assuming the snow will probably stick around on the grassy areas up through Christmas which will make the holidays fun. Hopefully those of you who live up this way are doing fine with the storm that came through and are playing it safe and staying inside. Stay warm everyone!

Tiger + STEROIDS????

2009-12-15T22:37:00.002-05:00

I've been questioning this for some time now, but have kept it between myself and some of my closest friends. Victor Conte on the other hand decided he would voice his "opinion" as well. Just so happens he and I are on the same page.

Jim Rome had this to say on his radio show today...

Disgraced steroid peddler Victor Conte decided to share some thoughts, through his Twitter, this weekend about Tiger Woods. “Wonder why Tiger has had such a strong libido?” he asked. “Could it be the same reason he gained 30 lbs of muscle? Is there possibly a connection?” I wonder what he’s getting at?

Again, nothing has been proven. But in the grand scheme of the events over the past few weeks, I wouldn't put it past him. Athletes these days are looking to take their games to the next level by whatever means necessary. They also are looking to recover faster from injuries (hmmm... Tiger had knee surgery). Innocent until proven guilty as they say. However, Elin, I wish you the best of luck. You are going to be an insanely rich woman when this is all said and done. Good for you.

Many thanks!

2009-12-13T19:29:00.002-05:00

The end of the year is coming up and I must say I am very blessed. I am surrounded by an incredible group of friends who support me and push me to be a better person every day. Reaching out and changing lives has always been something I felt I needed to do with my life. With fitness being my passion I feel like what I have accomplished this year alone has been very special. The emails that flood my inbox are appreciated and I answer every single email/question I get. I appreciate all the opportunities that I have had this year to write for all the many different magazines and websites. The friends in the industry that I have made over the past year and their support has been huge. I thank each and every person I came in contact with this year who I continue to stay in touch with. Much thanks to Kris Gethin, Sebastian Siegel, Whitney Reid, Rick Collins, Frances Burton, Darrell Terrell, and Obi Obadike for pushing me and believing in me. There are so many more people that I could thank here as well and could easily fill up this whole post with names. There have been ups and downs and many times I felt burnt out this year juggling my full-time job at MET-Rx and then in my spare time helping to change the face of the fitness industry and help people reach their health/fitness goals, but all my friends have gathered around me and kept me focused. I love and appreciate you all. 2010 is going to be a huge year for me, I'm sure of this. I will not let any of you down nor will I let myself down. I will continue on my path to change lives and will not rest until I have made a huge impact.

December Issue of Physique Magazine

2009-12-10T21:46:00.003-05:00

The December issue showed up on my doorstep today and I was delightfully surprised that I had not 1, but 2 features in the issue! The features are on mass gaining and motivation. Make sure you pick up a copy and check them out! The January issue is being put together now and we are looking to bring in the new year with a bang! 2010 is going to be a big year for myself and my features in Physique Magazine. Stay tuned...

Schools don't meet fast-food standards???

2009-12-09T19:15:00.002-05:00

For those of you who do not get or read the USA TODAY, I really need to share this with you. I went to the superintendent's office of a school district that I was working for at the time (years ago) as a strength & conditioning coach and asked them if they would allow me to rework all their school lunches since they were junk. The school district told me that the lunches are what's best for the children and that they provide them with everything they need nutritionally. I basically laughed in the superintendent's face. Was she serious? But then again looking at her I'm sure she thought ice cream was healthy since it fit in a few food pyramid categories. Now, getting back on topic... The USA TODAY (on the front page) ran an article written by Peter Eisler, Blake Morrison, and Anthony DeBarros on how schools don't even meet fast-food standards (which are horrible as is). Why do we send out kids to school? To learn how to make good healthy choices with food? How can we send our kids to school knowing they are eating some of the worst foods out there which don't even meet fast-food standards (and you know how low those standards must be). This whole issue is unbelieveable that it hasn't been taken more seriously. Below you will find the full article I pulled from their website so I didn't have to type out the whole thing.

In the past three years, the government has provided the nation's schools with millions of pounds of beef and chicken that wouldn't meet the quality or safety standards of many fast-food restaurants, from Jack in the Box and other burger places to chicken chains such as KFC, a USA TODAY investigation found.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the meat it buys for the National School Lunch Program "meets or exceeds standards in commercial products."
That isn't always the case. McDonald's, Burger King and Costco, for instance, are far more rigorous in checking for bacteria and dangerous pathogens. They test the ground beef they buy five to 10 times more often than the USDA tests beef made for schools during a typical production day.

And the limits Jack in the Box and other big retailers set for certain bacteria in their burgers are up to 10 times more stringent than what the USDA sets for school beef.
For chicken, the USDA has supplied schools with thousands of tons of meat from old birds that might otherwise go to compost or pet food. Called "spent hens" because they're past their egg-laying prime, the chickens don't pass muster with Colonel Sanders— KFC won't buy them — and they don't pass the soup test, either. The Campbell Soup Company says it stopped using them a decade ago based on "quality considerations."

"We simply are not giving our kids in schools the same level of quality and safety as you get when you go to many fast-food restaurants," says J. Glenn Morris, professor of medicine and director of the Emerging Pathogens Institute at the University of Florida. "We are not using those same standards."

It wasn't supposed to be this way. In 2000, then-Agriculture secretary Dan Glickman directed the USDA to adopt "the highest standards" for school meat. He cited concerns that fast-food chains had tougher safety and quality requirements than those set by the USDA for schools, and he vowed that "the disparity would exist no more."

Today, USDA rules for meat sent to schools remain more stringent than the department's minimum safety requirements for meat sold at supermarkets. But those government rules have fallen behind the increasingly tough standards that have evolved among fast-food chains and more selective retailers.

Morris, who used to run the USDA office that investigates food-borne illnesses, says the department's purchases of meat that doesn't satisfy higher-end commercial standards are especially worrisome because the meat goes to schools. It's not just that children are more vulnerable to food-borne illnesses because of their fledgling immune systems; it's also because there's less assurance that school cafeteria workers will cook the meat well enough to kill any pathogens that might slip through the USDA's less stringent safety checks.

USDA-purchased meat is donated to almost every school district in the country and served to 31 million students a day, 62% of whom qualify for free or reduced-price meals. President Obama noted earlier this year that, for many children, school lunches are "their most nutritious meal — sometimes their only meal — of the day."

Next year, Congress will revisit the Child Nutrition Act, which governs the lunch program.
"If there are higher quality and safety standards, the government should set them," says Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor. "Ensuring the safety of food in schools is something we'll look at closely."

Officials with the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), the USDA agency that buys meat for the school lunch program, insist that schools get top-notch products.

AMS standards for meat sent to schools have been "extremely successful in protecting against food-borne pathogens," AMS Administrator Rayne Pegg says in a written statement. She notes that AMS oversight, inspections and tests of that meat exceed those required for meat sold to the general public.

The AMS also has a "zero-tolerance" policy that requires rejection of meat that tests positive for salmonella or E. coli O157:H7, pathogens that can cause serious illness or death.
Still, after USA TODAY presented USDA officials with its findings, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack promised an independent review of testing requirements for ground beef that the AMS sends to schools. The review, set for next year, is meant "to ensure the food served to our school children is as safe as possible," Vilsack says in a statement.

Tougher standards for school meat would better protect students, experts say. Today's AMS program "is a sort of snapshot of the way things were in (2000), whereas the industry has continued to clamp down," says James Marsden, a Kansas State University professor who advises the meat industry on safety. "It needs to be modernized."

The difference

USA TODAY examined about 150,000 tests on beef purchased by the AMS for the school lunch program. The agency buys more than 100 million pounds of beef a year for schools, and the vast majority of it would satisfy the standards of most commercial buyers. But USA TODAY also found cases in which the agency bought meat that retailers and fast-food chains would have rejected.

Like the AMS, many big commercial buyers reject meat that tests positive for salmonella or E. coli O157:H7. But many fast-food chains and premium retailers set tougher limits than the AMS on so-called indicator bacteria. Although not necessarily dangerous themselves, high levels of the bacteria can suggest an increased likelihood that meat may have pathogens that tests might miss.

From 2005 to this year, the AMS purchased six orders of ground beef that exceeded the limits some commercial buyers set for indicator bacteria. The meat came from five companies: Beef Packers of Fresno, which filled two of the orders; Skylark Meats of Omaha; Duerson Foods of Pleasant Prairie, Wis.; N'Genuity Enterprises of Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Palo Duro Meat Processing of Amarillo, Texas.

Palo Duro is the largest provider of ground beef to schools. Beef Packers is one of the most troubled; it has been suspended as an AMS supplier three times, and Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., called this week for the plant to be closed temporarily in the wake of two recalls.
From late November 2008 through January this year, the AMS bought nearly 500,000 pounds of ground beef from Beef Packers and Skylark with unusually high levels of an indicator bacteria known as "generic E. coli." The organism is considered an indicator of whether potential contaminants from the intestines of cattle have gotten into slaughtered meat — a source of the far more dangerous E. coli O157:H7.

The indicator bacteria are measured in CFUs, or colony-forming units. Jack in the Box, which pioneered many of the safety standards now used across the fast-food industry, won't accept beef with generic E. coli levels of more than 100 CFUs per gram. The AMS, on the other hand, will buy beef for the school lunch program with generic E. coli counts of up to 1,000 CFUs per gram — 10 times the Jack in the Box limit.

"That's a significant difference," says Marsden, the professor and beef industry adviser.
The shipments of beef that the AMS bought a year ago had generic E. coli levels up to four times higher than what Jack in the Box would accept. "Most higher-end companies certainly would reject that," Marsden says. Those bacteria levels "would be a yellow light (that) something's not right."

E. coli isn't the only indicator bacteria that the AMS allows at higher levels. The government also accepts beef with more than double the limit set by many fast-food chains for total coliform, which is used to assess whether a beef producer is minimizing fecal contamination in its meat.
"We look at those (measures) to gauge how a supplier is doing," says David Theno, who developed the safety program at Jack in the Box before retiring last year. If shipments regularly exceed the company's limits on indicator bacteria, "we'd stop doing business with them," he says.
AMS officials say the differences between the agency's bacteria limits and those of private industry are inconsequential. They note that there isn't even a requirement that beef sold in a typical grocery store has to be tested for the organisms.

"We remain confident, based upon past benchmarking activities, that our testing and standards are similar to or exceed those of most major large volume buyers," AMS chief Pegg says.

Suspect samples

The biggest disparity between the AMS and other big buyers of ground beef may not be in the levels of bacteria they allow but in the effort they make to detect such contamination.
On a given manufacturing day, AMS workers testing ground beef bound for schools sample the meat eight times, regardless of how long the production lines are running. Those samples are combined into a single composite sample for testing.

Jack in the Box, McDonald's, Burger King and other more selective buyers sample the ground beef on their production lines every 15 minutes. Some, such as Jack in the Box, combine those samples to create a composite sample for testing every hour during the production run. Others, such as McDonald's and Burger King, combine those samples to create a composite sample for testing every two hours.

That means Jack in the Box would test at least 10 composite samples during a typical 10-hour production run, which could yield 100,000 pounds or more of ground beef. The AMS would test just one sample for the entire 100,000-pound run.

The AMS approach to sampling "is not robust enough to find anything," says Mansour Samadpour, a Seattle-based food safety consultant and microbiologist.

Fast-food chains aren't the only ones with better sampling. Other beef buyers, such as Costco and afa Foods, a Pennsylvania firm that supplies beef to restaurants, use similar programs.
AMS officials say the agency accounts for less frequent sampling by being more aggressive in rejecting meat that fails to meet its standards. When a test shows salmonella, for instance, the AMS rejects all the meat produced by that supplier during that production run — tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds.

But the AMS approach doesn't resonate with some scientists.

"AMS is saying once they detect, they take drastic action," says Ewen Todd, a professor at Michigan State University, "but if they are less likely to detect, the risk is still higher."
Adds Theno: "If you do more sampling and you do it on smaller lots, you have a better chance of finding problems."

Theno helped pioneer the sampling and testing standards now used widely in the fast-food world after he arrived at Jack in the Box in the wake of the industry's most notorious safety lapse.
In 1993, an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 at Jack in the Box restaurants left hundreds sick and four children dead. Victims, most from the West, won more than $50 million from the company and its suppliers. Reverberations from the event rippled across the fast-food industry.
In the aftermath, Theno says, Jack in the Box asked him to build a food safety program that would "set a new (industry) standard."

Today, most fast-food companies and premium grocery chains have safety programs built on the same pillars Theno set up at Jack in the Box: frequent sampling requirements, tight limits on indicator bacteria, and zero tolerance for dangerous pathogens.
Food safety officials from fast-food chains and other big beef buyers share ideas and information about their programs, says Dane Bernard, vice president for food safety at Keystone Foods, a ground beef supplier to McDonald's. "Our testing programs are constantly evolving. We watch the science closely."

Raising the bar

The AMS could "very easily" raise the standards for federally purchased school lunch meat, says Barry Carpenter, a former AMS official who helped set up the current sampling and testing requirements in 2000. "If I was still at AMS, I'd say, 'Where are we (with today's rules) and where do we need to tighten them?' "

Carpenter, now head of the National Meat Association, notes that raising AMS standards "wouldn't cost much," and it would help combat perceptions that the school lunch program is "a market of last resort" for meat that can't pass muster with commercial buyers.

That perception could be reinforced by the reality of how AMS makes its purchasing decision: Contracts go to the lowest qualified bidders. Orders are placed on a computer system that can be accessed by all of the agency's suppliers — those certified as able to meet the special sampling and testing requirements set for school lunch food. When an order is placed, suppliers enter bids into the system, and the computer automatically awards contracts to low bidders.

Industry experts say tougher standards would not significantly add to the agency's costs for school meat. Theno says the safety requirements set by Jack in the Box added less than a penny a pound to its beef costs. Other big buyers outside the school program say it's a worthwhile investment in safety.

"It's not about transactional cost; it's about value," says Justin Malvick, a vice president at Keystone, the McDonald's supplier.

Carpenter says the meat industry that he now represents would have no problem with a decision to modernize — and toughen — AMS standards for school lunch meat.
Most major beef suppliers and processors already have procedures in place to ensure that their products can satisfy the tougher sampling and testing requirements set by many commercial buyers, he adds. If the AMS followed, he says, "I don't think the industry would have any hiccup at all."

Some lawmakers say a change is overdue. "Why are we even looking at giving (schools) … food that wouldn't be accepted by a restaurant?," asks Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y. "That's absolutely crazy."

SNOW!!!

2009-12-05T20:35:00.004-05:00

I was excited to see that it has been snowing all day. This is the first snow of the season. I'm even more excited that it will be warm enough tomorrow to melt everything so I don't have to go out and shovel. We are suppose to have a bad winter this year, however, I'll believe it when I see it. We probably got about 2-3 inches already here and it is still snowing but it looks like it is slowing down. Watching the snow was fun but I'm sure after it snows a couple more times this season I'll be changing my tune. I'll get a nice fire going one snowy day when I'm home from being out of town on business and enjoy the day with the whole family over. It can snow every day I'm home for all I care, just don't snow when I'm out on the road during the week and have to fight the elements for work.

Ohio State Newspaper Interview!

2009-11-30T19:33:00.002-05:00

Today I was interviewed by the Ohio State newspaper to help out fitness model and soon to be author, Kari Hoyda. They are running an article on her (she lives local to the paper and went to Ohio State University) and wanted to interview me about her and also run a side interview on myself as well. I had a blast talking to Chris (the writer) over the phone and telling him about myself and Kari and how we both started in the industry, where we are now, and our goals for the future. I tip my hat to Kari as she is going to truly make a difference in the industry and help a lot of people. This is just the beginning for her and 2010 is going to be a huge year for both of us individually. So watch out!!!

Post Holiday recovery......

2009-11-28T13:37:00.002-05:00

Well, the holiday is over (along with all the good food)... Time to get back on track (at least till the next holiday, hehe). I had some much needed rest and recovery time starting on Wednesday. Total of 5 days off from work feels real good right now and is allowing my brain to relax and go into sleep mode for at least a little bit before Monday rolls around again. Next time off will be Christmas which will be a HUGE vacation for me (11 days off). Spent a lot of time with family and friends which was nice considering my work travel schedule and training takes up majority of my days/weeks. Still have today and tomorrow off before I get back on the road and get back into my normal routine. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and ate a bunch of great food! Time to hit cardio hard again to make up for all those good meals! See you on the treadmill!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2009-11-26T10:32:00.004-05:00

There is much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving--good health, good friends, and amazing family. Seems throughout the year we lose sight of some of these things. It really is a shame that only today, on Thanksgiving, that we really sit down and think about everything good in our lives. For everyone reading this, and everyone who has followed me through this journey, I wish you a safe and Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours. I thank you all for your support and your friendship. You all mean a lot to me and I appreciate every one of you. Have an amazing day and tell everyone who means anything to you, just how thankful you are to have them in your life. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie protein shake!

2009-11-23T19:25:00.004-05:00

Here is an awesome tasting protein shake for you to enjoy!!

16 ounces of water

2 scoops of MET-Rx Protein Revolution Chocolate

2 tablespoons of natural peanut butter

1/2 cup of oats

12 ice cubes

Mix in a blender and enjoy!!

Club Industry Chicago

2009-11-19T08:50:00.003-05:00

Club Industry Chicago was a huge success this year at the MET-Rx booth. Tons of samples were given away and we got a lot of good contacts in the industry. We had a lot of cool people stop by the booth such as Whitney Reid (picture above, guy on the left), Larry Scott, and many more. Not to mention, Phil Heath was at the booth all week with us. Thank you for all who stopped by and said hello. If you have any further questions about the product lines please feel free to send me an email. Look forward to seeing you all again next year!!!

NEW Pure Protein Shake Flavor!!!!!! Peanut Butter Cup!!

2009-11-17T20:36:00.002-05:00

I'm a huge Pure Protein shake fan. To me, when dieting there's nothing better. 35g of protein and only 4g of carbs in a creamy, delicious shake. It goes down nice and smooth and has the consistency of milk (not thick). The taste is amazing and the calories are under 200 which makes the shake great for not only those dieting, but for women looking for a protein shake without all the calories, fats, carbs, and sugars. If you haven't already seen this shake in coolers keep your eyes peeled for it and definitely give it a try. You WON'T be disappointed!!

Physique Magazine

2009-11-17T19:06:00.003-05:00

I just wanted to let everyone know that starting December 2009, I will have my own column in Physique Magazine. The column will be named "Weik's World" and each month will cover a different topic. The November issue was kicked off with my interview with Obi Obadike and each issue will be slam-packed with great information to help you reach your health and fitness goals. Stay tuned each month!!!

NEW MET-Rx Big 100 Colossal Bar!!!

2009-11-01T13:50:00.004-05:00

For those looking for a great bar to use to replace a meal, this bar will definitely fit in nicely. It has a great combination of a "sweet & salty" taste (hence the name). I highly recommend this bar to any retailer or consumer who is looking for a new, great tasting bar that you won't be able to put down until it's gone. Now excuse me while I go help myself to one... ;-)

November's Physique Magazine

2009-11-01T13:32:00.005-05:00

Check out the November issue of Physique Magazine to see my interview with fitness model sensation, Obi Obadike. Known as the most ripped fitness model in the world, Obi is breaking ground in the fitness industry and has his face all over magazines. He is an extremely down to earth guy and talks about his journey in the industry. You definitely don't want to miss out on this interview!!!

The Strongest 8 Year Old I’ve Ever Met... “Super” Sam Bish

2009-10-30T18:48:00.004-04:00

Let me just start off with a visual for you all. Imagine yourself as a parent (some of you already are). Now imagine having a perfect life, with a perfect spouse, and 3 beautiful children. One day your child comes to you and mentioned that his knee hurts. What do many parents do? They look at it, brush it off and say “you’ll be ok kiddo”. But what if they aren’t? What if the reality of the situation was that something was actually wrong with your child? He keeps coming back to you, expressing that his knee just keeps hurting. Yet you don’t see anything wrong with it. There are no apparent cuts or bruises that you can see. Again you tell him everything will be ok. But what if it’s not? Days, weeks, maybe even months go by and still no change in your son. You finally take him to see the doctor. The doctor doesn’t see anything but refers them to go get the knee scanned to make sure there’s nothing wrong with the knee itself. You leave the office with hope that it could just be nothing, but still curious why he keeps saying it is bothering him. The knee gets scanned and you’re waiting for the results. The doctor calls you in and asks for you to please sit down. You begin to get nervous and you can feel the hairs on the back of your neck start standing up and tingling. “Your son has cancer” comes out of the doctors mouth. Your heart stops and you feel empty, like someone has just ripped your heart straight out of your chest. What do you do? You start to question what you did wrong. Why this could be happening to your child. What will happen? What’s the next step? How is this going to change everyone’s life? Emotions run wild. You calm yourself down and pay attention to what the doctor says next, and the necessary steps that follow to give your child the best chance of beating this.

The scary thing is this can happen. And it does. Unfortunately for the most part it is something we cannot control. I had the privilege to meet a young boy named “Super” Sam Bish. No “Super” isn’t really part of his real name but this little boy in himself is an incredible human being. Sam is an eight year old little boy with two younger sisters. He will be turning 9 on January 25. He attends French Run Elementary School in Reynoldsburg, OH. His cancer was diagnosed on August 10, 2009. This mass began in his knee in a form called Osteosarcoma (stage 4)—a type of bone cancer. The cancer is in his right knee and has spread to both of his lungs. Most of the time when it moves to the lungs there will be tumors found in the single digits—not the case for Sam. Doctors have counted tumors “in the teens” on his lungs. A few days after being diagnosed Sam went to the hospital where an aggressive form of chemotherapy was started to fight the rapidly growing cancer. A Chemo-port was placed in Sam’s chest where all his treatments are administered.

I sat down with Sam along with my good friend Courtney Hodges. She was the first one who told me about Sam and that he would love for me to come visit him. I asked if Courtney would take us to see him. We pulled up to the Bish’s home. It looked like any other normal home, only difference was inside lay a boy who could no longer enjoy being free and running around outside. Most of his day is spent on the sofa or taking a nap in his mothers bed—which to Sam was the most comfortable bed on the planet. I sat down with Sam, we took him some presents to open and also took some goodies for his little sisters as well. He is a good big brother to them and genuinely cares for them. We walked into the family room where Sam was sitting, awaiting our arrival. He greeted us with the biggest smile. Next thing we knew we had him, his two sisters, mom, dad, and dog all in the same room sharing stories and just enjoying everyone’s company. Sam told us that when he grows up he wants to either be a police officer or a cook. From what I was told, he makes the best eggs. Sam was full of energy and said that he was having a good day and that he wasn’t in pain. Like most people who are treated with chemotherapy, he lost his hair. To him this was devastating. It wasn’t until he realized that his idol, Daughtry had a shaved head, which he thought it was pretty cool to look like his idol. Sam’s smile could light up the room and his energy could be bottled up and used as a weight loss pill and sold to millions. He loves chocolate chip cookies, anything Star Wars, video games on his Wii, Batman, Hulk, Ironman, movies, and reading books. He wanted me to stay forever and play video games with him, which next time I’m in town I’ll have to let him show me how it’s done and kick my butt at Wii. But since his chemo began, he started noticing some changes. His taste was changing and foods he once loved he couldn’t even swallow anymore. Smells—he could pick up on smells that no one else could pick up on (some of which bothered him). He now walks with crutches and isn’t allowed to do anything weight barring on it. When he uses his crutches he is to have his leg in a brace. He and his family have a tough decision to make now. Do they have a surgery done that allows him to keep his leg but have it unusable after the surgery, or do they have it amputated and have a prosthetic replace his leg? This is a decision that is going to take some hard thought. Even then he isn’t out of the woods as the cancer in his lungs is the next task at hand. The bills are high and very overwhelming. Already at the age of eight, Sam has already maxed out his insurance and the family is scrambling to pay off his medical bills. There have been donations given and every little bit helps. Meals have been prepared for the family and people across the US have stepped up to help if they were able. I hope everyone continues to pray for Sam Bish as he is one of the strongest and coolest little boys I have ever met. If you could meet him without a doubt you would leave there with a new friend. I hope you also pray for the family, to help them stay strong during this difficult time. I want Sam to grow up and reach all his goals in life and live life to the fullest. We all deserve a chance, and that’s all we want when helping Sam. Give him a chance to beat this cancer and live.

I want you to all think for a minute. What is campaigned all across the US in the month of October? Breast Cancer Awareness. But did anyone every stop to realize that September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month? Most people never even heard of it. This is another case where unless it happens to you or someone you know, it simply doesn’t apply and you don’t think about it. I for one am one of those people. I never knew about Childhood Cancer Awareness in the month of September. My question to everyone is (and maybe someone has a legitimate answer for me) why don’t more people know about this? We all know when breast cancer awareness month is, why isn’t there a huge campaign for the children in the month of September? THIS IS OUR FUTURE! These kids are what will make up this world when we are gone. Who is protecting them and giving them a chance and bringing up awareness to all of us Americans? It is truly sad that this campaign does not get more attention. I’m not downplaying any other campaign, just looking to shed some light on something that is not apparent to most.

Here are some extremely scary facts for you to think about:
• 1 in 300 kids have a chance of being diagnosed with cancer before the age of 20
• Cancer is the #1 killer of kids under the age of 20
• Cancer kills more kids every year than cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, asthma, and AIDS combined
• The 75% survival rate has not improved significantly in nearly two decades
• You can count the number of newly approved treatments on one hand
• Each day 40,000 children undergo treatment as they struggle to beat this disease
• Pediatric cancers are different than adult cancers and require specialized treatments
• More focus is needed on childhood cancer survivors as they transition from pediatric to young adult care and are faced with a 60% chance of developing secondary cancers, major organ damage, developmental problems and/or infertility from “the cure”
• Childhood cancer research is vastly and consistently underfunded
• The National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) federal budget was $4.6 billion—of that money breast cancer received 12%, prostate cancer received 7%, and all 12 major groups of pediatric cancers combined received less than 3%

I wanted to share this story and facts with all of you. Put yourself in this family’s shoes. If you can help out and touch just one person in your life, please do it. Not only does it feel amazing and rewarding, but it helps give hope to those who need it most. We all take life for granted. At any point our life story can change, and you might not have the pen to write the final chapter. Please supply the ink for all these children, Sam included. Help them write their own story. Don’t let the chain of love end with you… To follow Sam please visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/sambish

*Update* Today Sam Bish at 8 years old had his leg amputated. It was the decision he and his family came to. Last I heard he was out of surgery and in the recovery room. He is awake and is talking to some of the nurses. Little Sam is still not out of the wood. Please continue to pray for this strong little boy.