Dr. Mike Israetel Biography

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Mike Israetel
BornMay 30, 1984 (age 41)
Moscow, Russia
EducationUniversity of Michigan (B.S.)
Appalachian State University (M.S.)
East Tennessee State University (Ph.D.)
OccupationsSports scientist, fitness coach, author
Known forBodybuilder and Weight Training Expert
SpouseDr. Christle Guevarra (m. 2018)

Michael Alexandrovich “Mike” Israetel (born May 30, 1984) is a Russian-American sport scientist, competitive bodybuilder, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt,[1] weightlifter, YouTuber and co-founder of the evidence-based fitness and nutrition company Renaissance Periodization. He holds a PhD in Sport Physiology from East Tennessee State University and has lectured in exercise science and sports nutrition at several U.S. universities.[2]

Early Life and Education

Mike Israetel was born in Moscow, Russia, in 1984. In 5 June 1991, at the age of 7, he moved with his family to the Michigan, United States. He studied Exercise Science at Appalachian State University, where he completed both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He earned a B.S. in Movement Science from the University of Michigan, where he also competed in collegiate powerlifting.[3] He completed an M.S. in Exercise Science at Appalachian State University,[4] then a PhD in Sport Physiology at East Tennessee State University in 2013; his dissertation examined the interrelationships of fitness characteristics in Division I athletes.[5]

Michael Alexandrovich “Mike” Israetel (born May 30, 1984) is a Russian-American sport scientist, competitive bodybuilder, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt,[1] weightlifter, YouTuber and co-founder of the evidence-based fitness and nutrition company Renaissance Periodization. He holds a PhD in Sport Physiology from East Tennessee State University and has lectured in exercise science and sports nutrition at several U.S. universities.[2]

Early Life and Education

Mike Israetel was born in 1984 in Moscow, Russia (USSR). In 5 June 1991, at the age of 7, he moved with his family to the Michigan, United States. He studied Exercise Science at Appalachian State University, where he completed both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He earned a B.S. in Movement Science from the University of Michigan, where he also competed in collegiate powerlifting.[3] He completed an M.S. in Exercise Science at Appalachian State University,[4] then a PhD in Sport Physiology at East Tennessee State University in 2013; his dissertation examined the interrelationships of fitness characteristics in Division I athletes.[5]

Mike Israetel
BornMay 30, 1984 (age 41)
Moscow, Russia
EducationUniversity of Michigan (B.S.)
Appalachian State University (M.S.)
East Tennessee State University (Ph.D.)
OccupationsSports scientist, fitness coach, author
Known forBodybuilder and Weight Training Expert
SpouseDr. Christle Guevarra (m. 2018)

Academic Career

After finishing his studies from 2013 to 2015, Israetel served as an assistant professor of Exercise Science at the University of Central Missouri,[6] followed by appointments at Temple University in Philadelphia and Lehman College. He taught classes like public health nutrition, sports nutrition, strength training, hypertrophy and Behavior Change in Exercise and Nutrition. He has also consulted as a sport‑nutrition specialist for the U.S. Olympic Training Site in Johnson City, Tennessee.[7]

Athletic Career

A former high-school wrestler, Israetel has competed in powerlifting and heavyweight bodybuilding. Israetel qualified for the 2020 NPC Nationals after placing first in the heavyweight and masters over-35 divisions at the NPC Diamond Classic.[8] This has earned him the nickname Dr. Mike Bodybuilder. He is also a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Josh Vogel and competes in the Ultra Heavy division.[9][10]

Business Career

Israetel co-founded Renaissance Periodization, currently know as RP Strength, with training partner Nick Shaw in 2012.[11] Operating out of Charlotte, North Carolina, RP provides online coaching, automated diet and training templates, and a suite of mobile apps. As of 2025 the company reports more than 250,000 clients worldwide and a YouTube channel exceeding 3.5 million subscribers.[12] From 2024–2026, Dr. Mike israetel also started learning and talking about how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be used in fitness and nutrition.

Publications

  • Bodybuilding Anatomy Mike Israetel, Jared Feather, Christle Guevarra — 2025, Human Kinetics ISBN 9781718225985[13]
  • Scientific Principles of Hypertrophy Training Mike Israetel, James Hoffmann, Melissa Davis, Jared Feather — 2021, RP Strength ISBN 9798708998286[14]
  • The Renaissance Diet 2.0: Your Scientific Guide to Fat Loss, Muscle Gain and Performance Mike Israetel — 2020, RP Strength ISBN 9781782551904[15]
  • Scientific Principles of Strength Training: With Applications to Powerlifting Mike Israetel, James Hoffmann, Chad Wesley Smith — 2020, RP Strength ISBN 9781483595481[16]
  • How Much Should I Train?: An Introduction to the Volume Landmarks Mike Israetel, James Hoffmann — 2019, Independently Published ISBN 9798594713314[17]
  • Renaissance Woman: Fat Loss, Muscle Growth & Performance Through Scientific Eating Mike Israetel, Melissa Davis, Jen Case — 2019, RP Strength[18]
  • The Minicut Manual Mike Israetel, Jared Feather — 2019, RP Strength[19]
  • Recovering From Training: How to Manage Fatigue to Maximize Performance Mike Israetel, James Hoffmann, Melissa Davis — 2018–2019, RP Strength ISBN 9798598103548[20]
  • Israetel has written more than a dozen peer-reviewed papers on strength, conditioning, and hypertrophy as well.[21]

Media

Israetel discusses fitness and health topics on the RP Strength YouTube Channel, as well as regularly presenting on philosophy on his YouTube channel “Mike Israetel”.[22][23]

Personal life

Israetel married sports-medicine physician Dr. Christle Guevarra on 18 May 2018.[24][25][26] The couple live in Detriot, Michigan, and frequently collaborate on educational content for RP Strength.[27][28]

Mike Israetel FAQs

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Dr. Mike Israetel’s Connections

Christle Guevarra (Wife)
Jared Feather (Right Hand)
Nick Shaw RP (Partner)
Greg Doucette (Opponent)

Mike Brands

Renaissance Periodization (RP)
Genius Shot

References

  1. [^1] “Mike Israetel is a BJJ black belt athlete. On November 17 2024, his coach, Josh Vogel, promoted him to black belt at The Jiu-Jitsu Company“. Published December 26, 2024. Updated June 11, 2025.
  2. [^2] “Dr. Michael Israetel – Team RP Strength”. Renaissance Periodization. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  3. [^3] “Bootstrapped by Iron”. Movement Science Magazine. University of Michigan School of Kinesiology. Fall 2017.
  4. [^4] John Meadows (September 23, 2013). “Interview with Mike Israetel MS, PhD”. Mountain Dog Diet. Retrieved February 3, 2026. I got my master’s in exercise science from Appalachian State
  5. [^5] The Interrelationships of Fitness Characteristics in Division 1 Athletes (Thesis). East Tennessee State University. 2013.
  6. [^6] “Mike Israetel, PhD – All You Need To Know About Nutrient Timing”. Sigma Nutrition. January 20, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2026. I’m now an assistant professor of exercise science at UCMO.
  7. [^7] “The Art of Bodybuilding and Training for Hypertrophy, with Dr. Mike Israetel”. Human Kinetics. April 18, 2025. Retrieved June 12, 2025. Israetel worked as a sports nutrition consultant for the U.S. Olympic training site in Johnson City, Tennessee
  8. [^8] 2013 to 2020 Mike Israetel NPC Bodybuilding Competition
  9. [^9] John Meadows (September 23, 2013). “Interview with Mike Israetel MS, PhD”. Mountain Dog Diet. Retrieved June 13, 2025. Mike Israetel, MS, PhD, is a professor of exercise science and a competitive powerlifter and bodybuilder.
  10. [^10] Matthew Roberson (February 19, 2025). “The Real‑Life Diet of Mike Israetel, Who Doesn’t Understand the Fascination With Breakfast”. GQ. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  11. [^11] “Mike Israetel Weighs In on the Hollywood Hype Around Isometric Exercises Aren’t Worth the Hollywood Hype”. Men’s Fitness. February 2025. Retrieved June 13, 2025. Israetel, Ph.D., is an exercise scientist and co‑founder of Renaissance Periodization, a company that provides training and nutrition plans.
  12. [^12] “RP Strength – YouTube About Page”
  13.  [^13] Israetel, Mike; Feather, Jared; Guevarra, Christle (2025). Bodybuilding Anatomy. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. ISBN 9781718225985.
  14.  [^14] Israetel, Mike; Hoffmann, James; Davis, Melissa; Feather, Jared (2021). Scientific Principles of Hypertrophy Training. RP Strength. ISBN 9798708998286.
  15.  [^15] Israetel, Mike (2020). The Renaissance Diet 2.0: Your Scientific Guide to Fat Loss, Muscle Gain and Performance. RP Strength. ISBN 9781782551904.
  16.  [^16] Israetel, Mike; Hoffmann, James; Smith, Chad Wesley (2020). Scientific Principles of Strength Training: With Applications to Powerlifting. RP Strength. ISBN 9781483595481.
  17.  [^17] Israetel, Mike; Hoffmann, James (2019). How Much Should I Train?: An Introduction to the Volume Landmarks. Independently published. ISBN 9798594713314.
  18.  [^18] Israetel, Mike; Davis, Melissa; Case, Jen (2019). Renaissance Woman: Fat Loss, Muscle Growth & Performance Through Scientific Eating. RP Strength.
  19.  [^19] Israetel, Mike; Feather, Jared (2019). The Minicut Manual. RP Strength.
  20.  [^20] Israetel, Mike; Hoffmann, James; Davis, Melissa (2018). Recovering From Training: How to Manage Fatigue to Maximize Performance. RP Strength. ISBN 9798598103548.
  21. [^21] “Michael A. Israetel – Semantic Scholar profile” – ”20 Mike Israetel Books With RP Team”
  22. [^22] “About – Mike Israetel”. YouTube. Google LLC. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  23.  [^23] Mike Israetel (June 2023). My Political Philosophy. YouTube. Google LLC. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  24.  [^24] M. Sohail (November 27, 2024). “Dr. Christle Guevarra Biography, Wife of Dr. Mike Israetel”. DrMikeIsraetel.com. Retrieved June 13, 2025. Mike Israetel was married to Dr. Christle Guevarra.
  25.  [^25] “A Visit with Mike Israetel”. Starting Strength. Starting Strength, LLC. September 4, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  26.  [^26] “Instagram photo by drmikeisraetel – ‘This is wild. I was born in Moscow. May 30th was my birthday. Instagram. Instagram, Inc. June 3, 2023. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  27. [^27] “Building a strength empire: University of Michigan grads create Renaissance Periodization”. The Detroit Jewish News. March 2, 2017. Retrieved June 13, 2025. Mike Israetel and Nick Shaw co-founded Renaissance Periodization, a global fitness business based in Charlotte, North Carolina.
  28. [^28] “Dr. Christle Guevarra Biography” .

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