Episode 185: Are more top bodybuilders dying early? Extreme bodybuilding methods - risks and rewards: a conversation w/ Dr Guillermo Escalante

Listen to hear:

• [6:10] Ways bros are ahead of physique science and ways they are behind
• [12:46] What people don't know about pharmacology
• [15:46] Diuretics and risk
• [26:20] Has diuretic use increased?
• [34:43] The push toward extremism and the subjectivity of judging
• [42:49] Having the foundation matters
• [51:26] Bodybuilders who died young and risk factors
• [1:06:49] Cardiovascular training
• [1:11:23] Dr. Escalante's advice

Connect with Dr. Escalante:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website

Referenced Links:

• Dead Bodybuilders Speaking from the Heart: An Analysis of Autopsy Reports of Bodybuilders That Died Prematurely - PubMed
• Analysis of the efficacy, safety, and cost of alternative forms of creatine available for purchase on Amazon.com: are label claims supported by science? - PubMed
• Can Bodybuilding Peak Week Manipulations Favorably Affect Muscle Size, Subcutaneous Thickness, and Related Body Composition Variables? A Case Study - PubMed
• Flex Diet Podcast Episode 107: Peak Week: How to Look Leaner by Manipulating Water, Carbs, Salt, and More with Dr Guillermo Escalante - Dr. Mike T Nelson

About Dr. Escalante

From Dr. Escalante's website:

Dr. Escalante is currently a Professor of Kinesiology and Dean Fellow for the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, San Bernardino. He is a scholar in the areas of exercise science, sports nutrition, and sports medicine. His research interests include sports nutrition/supplementation, body composition assessment, physique enhancement, and sports injury prevention/rehabilitation. Dr. Escalante has over 52 peer-reviewed publications and abstracts in the fields of exercise science, sports nutrition, sports medicine, and kinesiology. He regularly presents at regional, national, and international conferences on his research and serves as a sports nutrition/exercise science consultant to various companies in the health/fitness/sports supplement space. Additionally, he has served as an expert witness in the areas of sports nutrition and sports medicine. Dr. Escalante has secured over $150,000 of internal funding to support his teaching and research as well as over $5 million in external funding as principal investigator or co-investigator through various businesses and agencies, inclusive of the US Department of Education and the US Department of Veteran Affairs. 

Dr. Escalante holds a BS in Athletic Training with a Biology minor and an MBA with concentrations in Marketing and Healthcare Management from the University of La Verne. He also received a Doctor of Science in Athletic Training from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions and is certified as an athletic trainer through the National Athletic Trainer’s Association (NATA), a strength and conditioning specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and as a Sports Nutritionist through the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN). In 2021, Dr. Escalante became one of only 36 fellows (out 36,000+ members) of the ISSN for his contributions in the field of sport nutrition. Dr. Escalante is an active member of the NATA, NSCA, and the ISSN. He serves as a reviewer and associate editor for the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (JISSN), is the chair of the NSCA Bodybuilding and Fitness Special Interest Group, and is on the executive board for the NSCA Nutrition and Metabolism Special Interest Group. He also serves as a reviewer for 8 major journals including the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research and the British Journal of Nutrition. 

Dr. Escalante also has over 50 publications in mainstream fitness magazines and websites including Muscle & Fitness, Muscle & Fitness Hers, Bodybuilding.com, Muscular Development, and MuscleMag International Magazine. He has appeared on television, radio shows, and podcasts discussing fitness, health, bodybuilding, and performance enhancement drugs. He has been a competitive bodybuilder since 2000, a bodybuilding/physique coach since 2004, and was a bodybuilding judge and/or sports medicine provider for MuscleContest International from 2010-2019.

Dr. Escalante is an instructor with the Kaiser Permanente Post-Doctoral Physical Therapy Orthopedic and Sports Fellowship programs where he teaches post-doctoral physical therapy fellows sports nutrition and practical applications of exercise science for sports performance enhancement. He was also an instructor to third year Doctor of Physical Therapy students at Western University of Health Professions between 2004-2018. 

Prior to going into higher level education, Dr. Escalante owned and operated an outpatient orthopedic physical therapy and personal training business for 18 years and was an owner/operator of 2 World Gym franchises.  He also served as interim head athletic trainer for East Los Angeles Community College, was a fitness/health consultant for the US Department of Defense, and was the Chief Operating Officer and Sports Medicine Coordinator for a large physical therapy/sports medicine practice in Southern California. Over the course of his 20+ year career, Dr. Escalante has had the opportunity to train, treat, coach, and/or consult with thousands of athletes and non-athletes alike inclusive of professional athletes in the NFL, MLB, NBA, LPGA, Olympians, and IFBB bodybuilders/physique competitors.

Dr. Escalante prides himself in his commitment to life-long learning and professional development. When he is not reading, researching, writing, or teaching, you can find him in the gym working out, walking his dogs, in the kitchen making delicious nutritious food, riding his Harley, and enjoying time with his wife and family traveling or watching TV at home. Dr. Escalante also enjoys singing under his alter-ego “Gil” and is working on his skills in stand-up comedy.