The PricePlow Podcast

For quite a long time, we’ve covered The Genius Brand, a supplement company co-created and run by Rob Oliver that uses nearly all patented and trademarked ingredients, huge non-proprietary formulas, and no artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners. We’ve known the brand and their products, but not everyone knows the man behind the brand. So sit back and prepare for a nice introduction to Rob Oliver, @TheGeniusCEO, who’s one highly motivated, well-researched, and well-read individual! Mike’s Interview with Rob Oliver, the Genius Brand CEO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6MekjCkEFQ Hopefully, you’ll gain an appreciation for what The Genius Brand is all about and what Rob’s trying to accomplish with them. “Total Life Optimization” are the three words to sum it up! We bounce around a LOT from supplements to entrepreneurship to ingredients to meditation and Rob’s daily routine to mushrooms… and even new products coming out and Rob’s book recommendations if you hang in there long enough! We definitely think Rob has something magical going on there and hope they continue to push hard into the future! Follow Rob and Genius on Social Media Rob’s Instagram: @TheGeniusCEO The Genius Brand Instagram: @TheGeniusBrand The Genius Brand Facebook: Facebook.com/TheGeniusBrand Thanks for joining us, Rob!

Team PricePlow interviewed Kris Gethin of Kaged, who joined us for over 35 minutes to kick off a fantastic series of new supplement launches! We talked about Kris’ upbringing and history, the beginnings of Kaged Muscle (now known as Kaged), his testing of supplements on himself, and what’s coming soon from the brand. The video is below, but first, be sure to subscribe to our audio feeds: Kris Gethin Speaks on Kaged and Much More: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaiRvarTtPo New products discussed On top of Kris’ stack and the obvious discussion of Pre-Kaged and its epic flavor/formulation by Brian Rand, we discussed the new products for 2018, which include: Ferodrox (natural testosterone booster) Kaged MicroPure Whey Protein Isolate (there will also be a 100% naturally-sweetened version coming) Amino Synergy (full-spectrum EAA “Energy Aminos” that will come in both caffeinated and caffeine-free versions) …something else around the corner — sign up for alerts below! Sign up for Kaged News and Coupon Alerts There’s more on the way from the gang at Kaged, so sign up for our alerts below. As an update from 2023, Kris is no longer with Kaged.

Matt had the honor of doing an audio interview with the legendary Branch Warren, who takes us through his upbringing, his introduction into bodybuilding, and WICKED CUTZ Jerky! PricePlow’s Interview with Branch Warren See the video version: It’s audio only, but there are some images as well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy_filRpkoQ Introducing Wicked Cutz Jerky Towards the end of the video, Matt and Branch begin talking about Wicked Cutz Jerky, Branch’s new Texas-inspired jerky line in partnership with Scott James of BSN and Sinister Labs fame. If we don’t have any products on our Wicked Cutz page yet, you can take a look at WickedCutz.co and try a variety pack! What else is Branch Up to? Outside of his training (he’s still in beast mode!), Branch has three other things outside of Wicked Cutz: Updated: Branch Warren is now with Kaged Muscle! Black Skull Supplements, which will officially launch in the US at the 2018 Mr. Olympia Bodybuilding and Fitness Events and Expos – Learn about them at TheBranchWarren.com Ongoing sponsorship with GASP You can check out Branch on Instagram: TheBranchWarren (and don’t forget about WickedCutzJerky)! Thanks a ton to Branch for your valuable time!

Note: This page and audio feed was published on July 29, 2019, 1.5 years after the interview. The biggest change here is that Ben Kane is now with Team PricePlow! In March of 2018, everyone in the sports nutrition industry descended upon beautiful Columbus, OH, and we got together with Team NutraBio, who was launching their Natural Series of sports supplements, which included NutraBio Natural Pre Workout and NutraBio Natural Intra Blast! This was a super fun, relaxed conversation that was done in the hotel lobby, so there will be some background noise, but the discussion on beta alanine definitely gets wild and fun. Even better, Ben is now on Team PricePlow, so this is our audio podcast listener’s first chance to meet him! The video is below, but first, the audio feeds: Audio Feed on the PricePlow Podcast Our Podcast with Dan and [Ben] of NutraBio at the 2018 Arnold Sports Festival https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C78whS8NQ4I

Note: This page and audio feed was published on July 26, 2019, 1.5 years after the interview. Much has happened since then, but Bruce’s new nootropic ingredient is still not on the market as of right now, as he still awaits the US Patent and Trademark Office. In February of 2018, the legendary Bruce Kneller came to Texas to visit and share some major news. After several years with Giant Sports, he announced that he was no longer with them. We got to hear Bruce’s stories from not only Giant Sports, but also some crazy times at Gaspari Nutrition. But on top of that, Bruce introduced us to his new nootropic, which was a fantastic experience. We then got into the hot topics of Kratom, CBD, Tianeptine, and Research Chemicals. Even better, industry consultant Josh Schall joined us to discuss marketing to millennials and the future of GNC. The videos are all below, but first, the audio feeds: Audio Feed on the PricePlow Podcast Our Day with Bruce Kneller in February 2018 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioDrI4RdbDc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKbkOY5cYOE You can read more about this in the Bruce Kneller nootropic write-up, which was updated in 2023 and set to launch in 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdSbd_vNWpo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv7TG32Oe5s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AltZkaajIlc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNUgC9NmS4g Two additional videos with Josh Schall https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtbmFv_AaCc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ki8X430FWE Yeah, we definitely need to get Bruce back on the channel… subscribe to the PricePlow Podcast on your favorite app or platform and stay tuned!

Early 2018 was quite a wild time for parts of the supplement industry. A major reason for that is because Nutrition Distribution LLC was neck-deep in several lawsuits, all run through Robert Tauler of the Tauler Smith LLP in Los Angeles, CA. After our coverage of SARMS and the Nutrition Distribution vs. IronMagLabs lawsuit, Robert asked if he could come on to our YouTube channel and explain his side of the story. The interview was quite a learning experience, and the comments, feedback, and thumbs-down ratio definitely went as expected! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOzPnVx2ti8 Audio Feed on the PricePlow Podcast See also: Robert Tauler’s video on how to avoid False Advertising Lawsuits Robert came on once again in 2019, turning a new leaf and trying to help companies doing things right, not just attacking those doing it wrong. It’s a very informative discussion on labeling laws and digs more into the firms expertise: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TH7RA5vrj38

Note: This page and audio feed was published on July 10, 2019, nearly three years after the interviews. They are still relevant to this day, although the plant tour videos will be out of date as NutraBio is constantly expanding their operations. In November 2016, I flew out to New Jersey to see NutraBio‘s world headquarters to spend the day with Mark Glazier and learn about The NutraBio Story. We discuss several topics shown in the videos below. They mostly revolve around the FDA’s supplement industry regulations, Mark’s creation of the NutraBio company and brand, and how he complies with the letter of the law. I also get a plant tour, which is omitted from the audio feeds, but note that those videos are now out of date since NutraBio has scaled operations up. Some videos from this trip were never published, but it was time to move this to the audio feed anyway. It’s also time to get another trip up to New Jersey, as the brand has grown leaps and bounds since then! Audio Feed on the PricePlow Podcast Watch Mark discuss the truth about supplement regulations, then join him and Mike on a plant tour of NutraBio’s facilities in Middlesex, NJ: The laws that all supplement companies must follow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSceKrNCma0 The NutraBio Plant Tour Step 1 – Incoming Ingredient Verification: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Acm7LUXJ0M Step 2 – Precision Supplement Blending: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3AVPY_chcI Will Donald Trump’s FDA Regulate Supplements? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVcGL6YheWI Whey Protein Scams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQva9KoU-Q8 Mike and Mark Glazier’s Fixes for the Supplement Industry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N6TWDVFTW4

We interviews bodybuilder Dallas McCarver, RedCon1‘s top tier athlete, who’s just 15 days out from the 2017 Arnold! Our interview with the late, great Dallas McCarver https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQhxw2p80Cc Audio Feed on the PricePlow Podcast Rest in peace, Dallas.

MAJOR UPDATE: This lawsuit was settled at the end of May 2017, and Jim Stoppani is coming back to Bodybuilding.com to produce content — although it seems like JYM products will remain available at Amazon and GNC. We’ll update with more details when available. If you thought the ongoing Jim Stoppani Scandal couldn’t get any crazier, then think again. On June 22, 2016, Bodybuilding.com filed a lawsuit against Jim Stoppani and PhD Fitness LLC! While this has nothing to do with the aforementioned scandal involving PRO Jym, NutraBio, and other companies affected by Stoppani’s recent claims on YouTube, the timing is rather interesting. Click here to download the original complaint filed by Bodybuilding.com Click here to see the amended complaint that also includes the $100,000,000 claims against GNC Three updated videos to watch: Don’t feel like reading legal documents? We’re covering this case here and on YouTube! Watch Mike’s discussion with what we know as of September 21, 2016: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fq6F3IAe6MQ Mike brings IP Attorney Nick Gingo in to discuss his take on the case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWPx-_b3NbQ Audio Version: Major update in March 2017 – Stoppani gets a big win in that the judge DENIES Bodybuilding.com’s motion to dismiss – he’s at least willing to hear out Stoppani’s side of the story! Mike brings Nick back to talk about these updates: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzbGdZyEDUc Click Here to read the judge’s response on Bodybuilding.com’s motion to dismiss — this case is going to continue! You can read thge original motion here. Also interesting around this time: Bodybuilding.com’s CEO for the past year left in February 2017. As of April, no permanent CEO had been named. UPDATED September 19, 2016: JYM is now being sold in GNC, so many are asking what’s going on. Click here to skip to the 2016-Q3 update — in short, it looks like this is heading to court and business is moving forward for all parties until then. UPDATED September 20, 2016: Bodybuilding.com has released a statement regarding the matter, and Jim posted a video as well. UPDATED September 22, 2016: The case has been amended and Bodybuilding.com is now suing GNC as well as Stoppani! What happened? According to the complaint filed by Bodybuilding.com, which are allegations and have not been proven in a court of law, the scenario has played out like this: Around March 2013, Bodybuildi… Read more on the PricePlow Blog

In the fall of 2017, I had the honor of being one of KetoConnect’s first podcast interviewees! Matt and Megha, the champions of all things keto food and keto recipes, asked me to come on and discuss supplements on the keto diet. Matt found me due to my video testing creatine on the keto diet and wanted me to share my other experiences on their “Keto for Normies” podcast. Below is the YouTube video from my Skype feed, which was using my second camera: Mike joins KetoConnect for a Podcast on Keto Supplements https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmeAT3dGO6s Citations from the episode Below are notes and links to nearly everything discussed in the episode: Selenium – Low risk for adults, but high impact if missing Two cardiomyopathy case studies, two deaths due to selenium deficiency: Food sources of selenium: Brazil nuts – 1 oz (6-8 nuts): 544 mcg (over 100% DV) Yellowfin tuna (over 100%) Halibut (67% DV) Sardines (64% DV) Grass-fed beef (47% DV) Turkey (44% DV) Beef liver (40% DV) Chicken (31% DV) Egg (21% DV) Spinach (16% DV) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12681013 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22367552 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19027591 (QT Prolongation) Electrolytes First, some disclaimers: Regarding the FDA – Do we believe them or not? After all, their recommendations aren’t even feasible without massive supplementation using the diets, they recommend! (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3878634/) However, their ratios of potassium to sodium should be a good starting point… meaning potassium is going to be difficult without some ‘help’. Yet, there are no truly agreed upon ratios All in all, it’s going to come down to getting your own blood tests and gut-checking with how you’re feeling and if you’re cramping. On to the important electrolytes: Magnesium Nearly everyone needs to supplement this! Western Diet is simply deficient. (See best forms of magnesium) Better sleep, less anxiety Regular Poops!! Food sources: Dark leafy greens, fish, nuts Sodium Less insulin → more sodium and water excreted Lyle McDonald says 5g? But only 1g potassium? Not sure we agree, but again… blood tests. Recommended reading: The Salt Fix Potassium Western dieters are low in general. USDA = 4.7g/day! (https://ods.od.nih.gov/Health_Information/Dietary_Reference_Intakes.aspx links to https://www.nap.edu/read/10925/chapter/7#187: On the basis of available data, an Adequate Intake (AI) for potassium is set at 4.7 g (120 mmol)/day for all adults. That’s a high amount! Need healthy kidneys to excrete excess if intake i… Read more on the PricePlow Blog