Meet Richie Mishal, Bodybuilder and Nutritionist

Richie Mishal has 22 years of experience in bodybuilding, fitness, and nutrition. He invites readers to check out his blog as a source of reliable fitness information provided by one of the world's best nutritionists, as well as the website for his company, which offers supplements for bodybuilding regimens.

1. When did you personally start training as a bodybuilder, and what inspired you to start?

I started training as a bodybuilder at the age of 20 after I changed my sport from soccer to bodybuilding. But at age 13, I had already developed an interest in bodybuilding and had begun researching it. What inspired me to start training is what inspires a lot of people: I was reading fitness magazines and saw how these guys looked good and decided I wanted to look even better than them, so I started to work out.

2. How do you stay motivated to maintain your fitness, nutrition, and bodybuilding goals?

I love to be fit and healthy. Also, I have a passion for bodybuilding and that keeps me motivated at all times.

3. What do you consider to be the role of supplements in a bodybuilding regimen?

Sport supplements are critical to a bodybuilder, and without them you will never achieve your ultimate goals. It's like if you want to build a house: if you don't have the materials to build it, that house will never exist. In bodybuilding, it's the same. For example, if you don't have protein to feed your body, you'll never build big muscles. Supplements help provide the raw materials to build toward your fitness ideal.

4. What is the key difference between whey protein and other proteins, such as soy?

Probably the most important factor that puts whey protein miles ahead of other forms of protein is digestion rate. It breaks down very rapidly. In fewer than 30 minutes, it can fast-track a good portion of its aminos to your muscles, and that quick delivery to muscles and muscle cells has been shown to be vital when it comes to pushing growth.

5. How can a consumer tell when a supplement is a quality product?

To continue with whey protein as an example: on its own, whey protein powder is far more effective than any other protein on the market. But the effeciency of individual products containing whey protein varies widely, mostly due to the other ingredients mixed into the final blend.

When you buy a protein powder, your intention is to buy protein and not carbs or fat, because they're easy to get in your diet. So when you're laying your hard-earned money for a jug of protein, I suggest you skip the blends with high amounts of carbs and fat. A quick glance at the supplement facts panel will show you how much of each are in the product, and that's the case with all other supplements as well. Doing your research and reading labels will help you recognize quality--and help you know what to avoid.

Thanks, Richie!