I’m asked often about the health benefits and effectiveness of energy drinks. I can gracefully answer the first part of the question. The nutrition label on a Rockstar or Monster can tells me all I need to know – stay far, far away. The effectiveness part is a little trickier because once I read how unhealthy these beverages are, I chose not to drink them. Because I have not tried the energy drinks on the market, I can’t speak to whether or not they “work”. I do have one energy enhancer – black coffee. I’ll refrain from enumerating every… I remember the time in my life I was most obsessed with exercise. At 20 years old, home in Los Angeles for the baseball off season, I was at the peak of my training. It was January and I always started to feel like I wasn’t prepared for the upcoming season at precisely this time. I lifted weights in the morning, then headed to the field to throw, take swings and run in the afternoon. I pushed myself to the point of exhaustion, usually crashing in the early evening. My brain hadn’t developed as much as my body; I… Every January, folks around the world commit to better health. Unfortunately, many gravitate towards fad diets and cleanses as their jumping off point.  These diets make trendy claims about quick weight loss and detoxification. Those enticing promises are just enough bait to entice people to swallow the hook. For this new year, I suggest a different, fresh tactic. Start simply by choosing real, whole foods and drink tons of clean water. “Whole” means food that has been processed or refined as little as possible (if at all) and is free from additives and other artificial substances. Taking this affirmative… The post-workout meal is an essential part of improving fitness and building strength. The body needs to repair and replenish itself after breaking down muscles during a workout.  Thirty minutes to an hour after training, your body needs proteins and carbohydrates to grow. Healthy fats encourage vitamin absorption and restore energy levels. In doing my research for the best post-workout food, I stumbled across a heavy hitters’ take. What was this enormous media conglomerate’s #1 post workout food? Chocolate milk. Chocolate milk is not food. The article was featured with a photo of two little girls sitting across a… In 1999, I was a rookie with the Detroit Tigers. After a game, I strode confidently into the Kansas City Royals’ weight room, rested the weight bar on my shoulders and settled in for some heavy squats.  I rocked my hips back and dropped into my form, feeling totally in control. On the way back up, I got stuck. I leaned forward and the bar spilled over my neck. More than 500 pounds went violently crashing to the floor and members of both teams turned to look. Luckily, nothing was injured that day other than my pride.  It could… Making smart choices in the grocery store isn’t always easy.  Everyone is busy; grabbing the prepared and processed food seems like the most convenient option.  Manufacturers are adept at satisfying any savory or sweet craving in one easy package. Increasing and maintaining strength requires a steady stream of protein; you can’t build muscle without it.  Unfortunately, the best protein sources don’t come in a package; some preparation is required. Luckily, this preparation doesn’t have to be difficult. Wild Alaskan salmon is currently my favorite protein source. When I discovered the easy recipe below, I fell in love with the… Spending each day pushing awkwardly with one leg, squatting, swiveling the hips – it sounds less like fun and more like work.   I realized, however, my recent snowboarding trip could have very well posed as a health spa vacation. I don’t believe that calories are a good place to focus attention, but they can paint a useful picture.  Snowboarding on a mountain, at a moderate pace, burns about 558 calories per hour for a 205 lb. man.  We spent all morning and afternoon on our boards, but even a conservative 4 hours would burn 2,232 calories.  In addition to…