Fit For Purpose: Dr. Mike Israetel's Take On Fitness and Nutrition Science
In fitness and nutrition circles, Dr. Mike Israetel — and his business Renaissance Periodization — has become more and more celebrated over the past decade or so. His bald head and super-jacked physique make him easy to spot on social media, and his studious, academic approach to building the body has seen him gain a ton of dedicated followers. Where did Dr. Israetel come from, though? How did he build his business, and what are the core concepts of his philosophies?
The intersection of science and real-world application
Dr. Israetel holds a Ph.D. in sport physiology from East Tennessee State University and is a former professor of Exercise Science at Temple University. His academic background, combined with his practical experience as a competitive bodybuilder and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athlete, give him a unique perspective in the industry.
To Dr. Israetel, fitness and nutrition is all about the intersection of science and real-world application. In 2015 he used his expertise to co-found Renaissance Periodization, a business which offers meticulous fitness training and diet programs to its clients.
Escaping the Soviet Union
Dr. Israetel was born in Moscow, Russia, in 1984 but when he was seven years old his parents moved the family to the U.S. in search of a better life. He wound up growing up in Detroit, where the family was matched with a local Jewish family who showed them the ropes of American life.
In 2017 Dr. Israetel told The Detroit Jewish News, “My family and I will be forever indebted to the Metro Detroit Jewish community for welcoming us from the former prison that was the Soviet Union.”
Meeting his kindred spirit
Dr. Israetel told JTS Strength that the path to Renaissance Periodization began way back in college in Michigan, which is where he first met fellow fitness freak Nick Shaw. He revealed, “We met in the weight room and began to train together, along with a group of other guys I’m still honored to call some of my closest friends.”
He continued, “Nick and I were both kinesiology majors and had a passion for powerlifting and bodybuilding. We also both had a passion and profound respect for the scientific approach to training and nutrition.”
He has no time for self-styled fitness “gurus”
Dr. Israetel and Shaw bonded over their shared belief that science was the only true path to building their bodies — and that bond stayed strong even in the face of people pushing contradictory ideas.
He said, “As personal trainers in NYC several years later, we ran into all sorts of people doubting our methods and willing to give us free advice on diet and training — advice backed only by the name of some guru or another. All of these gurus without a single relevant academic qualification to their name!”