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Please NOTE: This is an updated piece for 2008. As new things happen, I will add them as addendums later on. I don't like formal bios - they're yawnful events and I am a completely different doc all-in-all, for sure. In other words, I don't do conformity well [i.e. - I graduated from the University of Rochester (NY) in 2001, ...." YAWN!].
...and so, without further adieu...
Getting Inside the Mind of Dr. Houser (2008 update for Cure Your Body.com)
Intro
I post this… simply because I can - read on and you’ll figure it all out I hope. Well, that line was a bit more logical a few years ago when I put the very first GITM up, but now...many of you have simply grown accustomed to me...if not, you will.
I have been asked about myself and the Lord knows – we as living and breathing, walking, testosterone-producing males LOVE to talk about ourselves. Due to the current request in a different thread, I thought I would put this here – read it or disregard it – but really – it says it ALL. I hold nothing back…further questions - as always feel free to ask.
On my training: I have trained for what I would call CONSISTENT – 16 years using every program you can imagine to - everything touted as the be-all, end-all in that time frame (each was gonna turn my unattractive saggy frame into what would make all the girls swoon right? Ya know, the chunk-to-hunk transformation). The 3-4 years prior to that, I would live by what is likely considered the INCONSISTENT gym-goer route or the touted “weekend warrior” – not really taking training seriously at the time – and likewise reaping minimal, if any, reward. Together, I suppose, I have compiled what would be called 20 years of training.
On my Journey: I started out a 350-pound (349 was my max) uhhh, shall I say “pleasantly-plump” individual (to of course, appeal to all as politically correct) and shed an entire human, one could say I have actually had the opportunity to give birth as a male, I suppose and wound up 141 pounds by 2-years end. Now, of course, 141 didn’t look as attractive as I had anticipated it would – and I thought for a moment, what the hell – this isn’t what I signed up for, but allow me to tell you about how not-so-easy it was for me at first. I dropped my initial first 50 pounds via very unhealthy anorexic states that would likely have me certified a DSM “nutcase.” [DSM, by the way is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, of which American Psychiatry finds comfort in the ability it has of calling itself a branch of medicine. Hey they have released since numerous versions of this book – we are actually on what is known DSM-IV TR (obviously, you gotta question something that needs four roman numeralized editions of classification with text revisions and still has not got it right…we await the DSM-V coming soon to a book store near you).] So here I was…300 pounds and still fat and it took me dropping a loaded barbell on myself through a purely hypoxic (lack of oxygen) state to figure out – hell there has simply got to be a better way. The next one and a half years would be priceless. This is when I got ahold of the studies I hold so dear and put together my own set of principles (call them the Weider principles, of course only better) that would dictate how I would set up my dietary and workout regimes (oh yeah, there is real science there too) for the next years to come and still practice them today. Today, I have pounded my way back up to the 220’s (actually only 208 on June 3, 2008), yet at consistently <10% BF (currently 9.2% through hydrostatic weighing/ caliper/ bioelectrical impedance averaging, but had some off time due to eye laser surgery mishap). When I met up at a Conference a few weeks back, I would describe myself at about "6 weeks out" conditioning, which is where I tend to hover year round. Since the evolution of various "recomp" style diets, long-gone are the days of prototypical "cuts" and "bulks" though you will soon see in an interesting turn of events what a little modification of that theme can do.
On my Dieting and Nutritional “Knowledge:” Hehe, I had to put this one in quotes – I do NOT find this info solely with the use of studies, but much trial and error. I am my own best lab rat and have 6019 clients who could verify my uh “book smarts” in this domain but also how I practice what I preach. I PUT EVERY OUNCE OF WHAT I WRITE ABOUT TO PRACTICE AND SHIT YOU NOT IN ANY OF MY RESPONSES (for those that have actually seen my posts, you know what I am talking about!). The uniqueness of that in this industry today mind-boggles me – I mean, we are here to help each other, right? I cannot figure for the life of me why in the hell I would do all of this for not. Although going through medical school/residency training, I would love it if I could say that much of my nutritional info was obtained there, but alas I cannot (clinical training included). Case in point: We had a biochemistry class of course with a professor that preached about all fruits and veggies and all but omission of proteinacious food items if you were to live a long life – are you on drugs and does that long life you preach of include that big belly that drapes over your trousers on a daily basis? – was my emphatic response. My classmates would become very familiar with placing their heads in their hands every time I would call out to this guy about the blatant disregard for reality he was preaching.
Needless to say, I didn’t win over many fans while in medical school – I didn’t care – man, if you had time for some stories, I could sure tell you some. See, people don’t like the truth – they like to ask for it, but when you give it to them, they rally around the likelihood of how quickly you’ll rush to be a conformist and if you opt out of the club – there’ll be hell to pay, I tell ya. I don’t care much for this mentality – you ask me a question, I’ll give you an answer the best way I see fit, you don’t like it – DON’T ASK.
Funny part is – the average 10 posts on an internet forum when answered – the likelihood of someone taking the advice offered is 1 in 10! Yet I still come back day-in and day-out free-of-charge.
On my educational journey: I am not sure how far I want to go down this path as it could be obvious from my signature. You know of my medical background though I still tend to rage against the machine (the AMA, pharmaceutics, FDA, etc…). Long gone are the stars in my eyes when I think of how many people I could help via the ways of allopathic means – it has become far too corrupt for my blood. I have attained an additional Master’s Degree. I have an absolute love for the science of the human body and how hormones, metabolism, AND GENETICS - CAN BE REGULATED THROUGH ENDOGENOUS AND EXOGENOUS MEANS. Oh yeah, GENETICS TRULY BE DAMNED. Genetics without environmental influence may be unchangeable, but since when do we disregard the nurture side of contribution to the ole nature vs. nurture ideology? Our nurturing role of meticulous dietary and workout philosophy is what WILL win in the end. I have started a business that specializes in dietary consultations, workout program design, etc… and will embark on an interesting role I hope in the supplement industry in the upcoming year (didn’t anticipate the MAN inclusion – but I think it can only end up positive). Currently, I have employed only 16 people and yet have had a pretty successful almost 7-year run (August 20, 2007) but still search for more with over 7200 clients (enrollment has been steady as I moved to on-line system). In fact, I crave it.
On my dietary habits in general: Well, they certainly have come a long way since my anorexic beginning down this path. I have done everything from the spectrum of Atkins style ketogenics to BODYOPUS CKDs to AMA low-fat plans. My current diet is an induction-system for lack of better wording that incorporates pieces of ALL of the studies, et al I have read in one neat system that allows me to divvy down a goal directed path at any moment. Not many, if any people would really be able to fit the diet or stick to it for that matter. People around me observe my militant behavior as insane – hehe, I merely call it a life’s work.
On the romantic realm: This is scary. At the age of 30, I have seen a 4 year and 7 year relationship go up in smoke – which accounts for most of my “dating” history. Why share this? Hell, why not – ya know, its our wearing masks that doesn’t give a view of the complete person. If I opted out of this, one could easily ask, why the hell is it that you spend so much freaking time on a message board? Well, get rid of current relationship status and hey, all of a sudden more time opens up. So here goes: I never was into the whole date a bunch of girls and get to know em a little bit (hmmm, signs of initial low testosterone) – it was more like date a few and get inside their head…it is kind of really what defines me. In 2005, I was dating a lawyer (it certainly could have had its up-sides) from California – made it really vested interest to move the business out there from my other two locations (Rochester, NY and Baltimore, MD) – however, she turned out to be rather interesting and to say the least this ENDED the 6 and half month relationship with the lawyer.
On my ideas of the human condition: I have little tolerance for ignorance or LAZINESS (see below) and when I see it in all its might, I’ll call you on it – you have my word. As much as I have been humbled in the past, I wouldn’t hesitate to offer you up the same kind of hospitality. You either love me or hate me and there are no in-betweens – I don’t care. It is like a frontal lobe syndrome (i.e. – lack of inhibition seen with this dysfunction)…fortunately, I can function in society and can inhibit the “voices” when I have to, but it is truly unfortunate as they are too much for this world, but you would at least be entertained perhaps for a while.
To summarize what happened with the rest of that thread…it was asked how the heck I was doing medicine and still running a business…I’ll pick up from there for those curious:
What I will say is this. I own a business in Rochester, NY (which will be moving to Grove City, OH in about a week of this posting) and I have just recently returned from Baltimore, MD promoting while concurrently embarking in residency. An exercise physiologist (my right hand man, if you will) has governed much of the activity from afar while I am away - but I made frequent trips between the two sites. In fact, we just celebrated our 7-year anniversary (August 20, 2007) and working on our 8th. Our clients are prominently situated in Western NY and Upper Pennsylvania so it isn’t a terrible “commute.” Since medical school began and beyond (i.e. – while I was away from the business front) - I have subsequently picked up clients in Maryland, Illinois, Missouri, and Southern California. This year with the establishment of an LLC, we have expanded globally to include over 14 different countries with interaction.
For the first 8 months of the “business” it was actually JUST ME before I made my first 3 hires. I got the name out and raked in about 550 clients in that time frame, all by me doing essential “house-visits” to aid in people’s body composition goals. It certainly was expanding too quickly for me not to consider expansion.
The initial consideration was to envelope a business that would see patients with rare metabolic conditions (i.e. – I am currently working with 9 clients that harbor the rare metabolic subset of conditions known as aminoacidurias still in pursuit of the bodybuilding lifestyle while being very limited in their protein intake allowance; I have well of 60 clients who are post-cholecystectomy (gall-bladder removal); over 300 that are post-bariatric surgeries (i.e. – stomach stapling, gastric bypass/gastric banding). Still despite this initial intention, the “I want to look good naked crowd” persevered and now comprises over 65% of my clientele – well, perhaps then we can act as preventative for the other said conditions before they become issue – and I can honestly say, “I am ok with that.” 35% still remain those with medical background conditions settling into complementary and alternative medicine pathways.
Break from Medicine: I have actually been back in Rochester (what I consider my true home) for about a year or longer to begin the “launch” of the supplement “division” (which offers more consultation services to others in the industry) of a different company with a partner who is a registererd dietician from North Carolina - its general base). I have concluded a stint with the sports supplement company MAN Sports, Inc through a consulting role into product development and with aiding the start up of a Pharmacovigilance program for the company. Other plans will come forward as well as time moves forward, and even with which companies.
I will be giving lectures across the country (something I have done concurrently for the last 6-7 years) trying to attract new business, but unfortunately will only be there for a short time while promoting a couple of upcoming industry-related books. Until things settle down with me, this won’t come full circle, however - which appears to be slated for one of the first three quarters of next year (hard to approximate as release of the supplement branch has been pushed back four times prior to this due to medical responsibilities amongst monetary constraints – read: $200,000 medical school debt).
I have also been part of five supplement companies from the start-up point and approached by six recently for a product development role in the last six years. I love the industry and am very happy to be able to return in the fashion I have.
I have authored over 200 industry-related articles to date and pen them on almost a literal daily basis. Additional options to write in various magazine columns have also been offered me and with continued negotiation on some, I accepted others more readily - in all honesty for exposure and even to broaden the areas I would gear my talks (whether it be supplements or anabolics or training or diet all caters to particular mindsets, though I find interest in all of them collectively).
I have been using a new training protocol with clients for over a year in improving lifts and it is rather exciting. Hehe – its rather entertaining that many people look at me as more of a “nutrition guru” although I HATE THE DUBBING and feel I was a student of anatomy/physiology long-before I got into writing about nutrition – so I find myself more all-encompassing this sport/lifestyle of bodybuilding.
Later it was asked about what the heck I would be writing about in my books, my response follows:
Current happenings with publications in this industry:
5 penned books, 1st accepted for publication/in editing. It’s a training system (hell, we all have to push our own in this industry)...but you will find a little later this year, this is actually based more on translation than anything else – oh yeah and it will quench the “I want to look good naked crowd.” It is to say the least unique – will announce soon the title – release and such will follow shortly thereafter. I AM ADDING THREE CHAPTERS AS WE SPEAK TO THIS FOR COMPLETION’S SAKE (and to make the publishers happy based on my target demographic)!!!
The next and likely what would raise the most interest in the bb setting is what I would potentially call a dietary supplement “textbook.” I have sort of hinted at it for a while now, but am more comfortable due to its completed status. It is not the first of its kind, but of course, I would give my bid at it being the best - I am willing to bet I wouldn’t have written it had I not felt others were significantly deficient. This will drop late this year at best. I am pushing on publication; the question is what label I would do it under.
Third, I have penned a book that is based on a VERY novel concept - unfortuantely this I have to be a bit more discrete on…I will say this, bodybuilding is not the only application addressed - it is geared as more of a must-have for everyone who cares to wake up each morning…or maybe that’s my early marketing!?!
The fourth and fifth respectively will not likely drop until 2009 as they are still in the infancy of their respective editing processes on my end (and boy am I a perfectionist) but both pertain directly to bodybuilding and one may be pushed up in the process and released later this year, but I am already at the end of my rope with so many alternative projects on tap.
A website will be up in t-minus about 3 months or so (although it has been pushed back like 7 times to date as new projects continue to crop up), but it will be under construction for a bit. I am actually planning a minor break and you would likely see them pushed a bit more rapidly - unfortunately, they can only be worked out so quick doing both concurrently.
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Current Happenings in Medicine:
[MY background is HEAVILY INFLUENCED by ENDOCRINOLOGY]
I have had some ongoing research into the world of Pheochromocytomas (adrenal medulla tumors) for the last 10 years - this will start dropping publications next year or so.
I have co-authored a piece on the Syndrome of Inappropriate AntiDiuretic Hormone (SIADH) that was started in my Internal Medicine rotation of the clinical years of medical school. I will only be likely have a hand at second author on this piece - but you will notice my heavy hand in much of the biomolecular writing inolving significant discussion of various enantiomers on sodium balance and hyponatremia.
I have written another book/manual already out in manual form as a Student Guide is a Radiology manual - this is by no means what I would consider a specialty but written for clinicians that are not in that specialty or students planning other routes and what is kind of a must have knowledge for anyone in the field of medicine in general. I have taken position at a hospital in Ohio for July and will be working on using this manual to actually develop a new setup for resident physicians.
UPDATE: Many of you are also aware of my certification on an exam put out by the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) - earning the coveted CISSN tag, or alternatively dubbed a "certified sports nutritionist." Less than 40% of the examinees passed this exam, so it was certainly a credit to the difficulty and standard set by the organization. Jeff Sout suggests this to be harder than the CSCS exam for those familiar with all these certifications but it may come down to simply picking your poison.
I currently am in extension herbal studies programs and will be sitting for another clinical nutrition exam very soon.
If there are any more questions for those that may care…this is the background. I post it so you can see who exactly wrote the pieces of work you may or may not have read.
Thanks for taking the time...Looking forward to future interactions with everyone.
Wow, bare it all:)
Nice to see your so open, it makes it easier to relate, and when you can relate, it makes you appear more human, which at times can be hard to achieve online
