The Story Behind Renaissance Periodization (RP Strength)
Renaissance Periodization (usually called RP) is a fitness and nutrition company that helps people build muscle, lose fat, give a better body shape and use scientific principles in structure training to get stronger. The word “periodization” means dividing a training or diet plan into different stages, where each stage focuses on something specific, like getting stronger, improving stamina, or losing fat.
Let’s talk more about the RP history, team members, RP books, and 8 Tips for you.
Table of Contents
RP Strength History: From 2012 to Today
The founders of Renaissance Periodization are Dr. Mike Israetel and Nick Shaw. Dr. Mike is a Ph.D. sports physiologist, and Nick Shaw is an IFBB Pro. They met at the University of Michigan in 2007 and later worked together in New York. At that time, they were helping people with in-person training, but later they realized that helping people online was more fruitful than one-on-one sessions.
In 2012, they decided to start a company so they could work together. They founded the company that year and began helping people online by providing personalized diet plans, scientific training programs, ebooks, YouTube videos, and email support.
Over time, they created an app called “RP Strength.” It helps people 1-to-1 using proven scientific methods. The app gives a custom diet plan and lets users track workouts, exercises, reps, time, and more. It also checks your goals and creates a custom plan based on expert research, then automatically updates it as you make progress.
Furthermore, they expanded their reach and connected with more people by sharing free content on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and now even on TikTok. They offer free resources like templates, PDFs, videos, articles, and some of Mike Israetel podcasts which help people in their fitness
RP Strength also offers paid tools and services:
- Hypertrophy App – helps you build muscle, starting at $24.99/month
- Diet Coach App – helps you eat better, starting at $8.33/month
- Personal Coaching – where a real coach guides you, starting at $599.99/month. Some coaches charge more, like Jared Feather, who charges around $2,000/month.
They also sell products like:
(Note: These prices are as of May 2025 and may change in the future. See link for updates.)
Today, RP has a big name not only in the USA but all over the world. As shown in the Google Trends graph below, you can see the search trends from different countries over the past 5 years.
RP Team Overview (5 Members & 19 Coaches)
5 RP Experts
Renaissance Periodization (RP) has 5 expert team members[1] who know a lot about fitness, nutrition, and sports science. Here are the names;
- Dr. Mike Israetel: Co-founder of RP Strength.
- Nick Shaw: Founder of RP Strength.
- Jared Feather: Head Physique and Bodybuilding Specialist.
- Dr. Christle Guevarra: Director of RP University.
- Scott Hoon “The Video Guy”: Video Producer.
19 RP Coaches
There are total of 19 coaches at RP Strength. Here’s an overview of the expert coaches:
| # | Coach | Qualifications | Specializations | Experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jen Case | PhD, RD, CSCS, CSSD | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), powerlifting, evidence-based nutrition | Over 10 years coaching thousands to optimize performance and health |
| 2 | Derek Wilcox | PhD | Sport performance, strength training, sustainable progress | Over 10 years helping athletes and clients reach their full potential |
| 3 | James Hoffmann | PhD | Sport-specific training, hypertrophy, balancing fitness and lifestyle | Coaching since 2013, former Division 1 strength coach |
| 4 | Christy Alexon | PhD, RD | Postpartum fitness, clients with PCOS or hypothyroidism, performance and aesthetics | Over 7 years helping hundreds achieve their best health and fitness |
| 5 | Ashley Kavanaugh | PhD | Sustainable progress, habit building, confidence enhancement | Coached over 1,000 clients since 2016 |
| 6 | Nathan Jenkins | PhD, CF-L2 | CrossFit performance, strength, stamina, conditioning | Coached over 1,000 clients since 2018 |
| 7 | Trevor Pfaendtner | DO | Strength training, powerlifting, safe and effective programming | Over 10 years coaching clients aged 30-50 |
| 8 | Mel Davis | PhD | Flexible plans, habit change, long-term progress | Over 10 years coaching clients from BJJ athletes to busy professionals |
| 9 | Jennifer Price | MS, RD, LD | General population, postpartum women, clients with PCOS, positive mindset around food and exercise | Coached thousands of clients to succeed in fitness and nutrition |
| 10 | Robert Santana | PhD, RD | Hypertrophy, strength, body composition, training clients of all ages | Over 22 years coaching thousands to strength and fat loss success |
| 11 | Danny Wirt | MS | Balancing fitness with busy lives, realistic plans | Over 10 years helping clients achieve goals without sacrificing family priorities |
| 12 | Alex Harrison | PhD, CSCS | Endurance performance, nutrition, fuel and hydration strategies | Over 17 years coaching athletes, from recreational to elite |
| 13 | Christian Carter | PhD | Olympic weightlifting, strength & conditioning for team sports, mental and physical health balance | Coaching since 2006, helping hundreds of collegiate athletes reach peak performance |
| 14 | Nick Harden | PhD | Strength building, physique transformation, personalized plans | Over 7 years coaching, helping hundreds build strength and transform their physiques |
| 15 | Jason Miller | PhD | Personalized plans, sustainable fitness, balancing family life and fitness | Over 25 years coaching over 1,000 clients, from elite athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts |
| 16 | Hunter Pauley | RD, CSCS | Building strong foundations, balancing fitness and life, realistic plans | Coached over 500 clients aged 20-50 to reach their fitness goals |
| 17 | Sam Okunola | IPE Pro, WNBF Pro | Physique transformation, balancing family, work, and fitness, ultramarathons and bodybuilding | Over 15 years of coaching, transforming over 800 clients’ physiques |
| 18 | Jared Feather | MS, IFBB Pro | High-level physique coaching, science-based methods | Over 10 years coaching elite bodybuilders, including Olympia-level athletes |
| 19 | Gerald Ernat | RD | Bodybuilding, powerlifting, sports performance, weight loss, strength sports | Over 8 years as a Dietitian and 5+ years coaching over 1,000 clients |
Renaissance Periodization Books
Renaissance Periodization offers 20 Plus books, covering topics like dieting, strength training, hypertrophy, bodybuilding, and nutrition. Some notable books include:
- Understanding Healthy Eating. (Get PDF)
- The Renaissance Diet 2.0.
- Renaissance Kitchen eCookbook.
- Scientific Principles of Hypertrophy Training. (Get PDF) (Check Summary)
- Scientific Principles of Strength Training.
- Time to Eat! eCookbook.
- Minicut Manual.
- RP Vegan eCookbook.
- Renaissance Feast eCookbook.
- How Much Should I Train? eBook.
- Evidence-Based Habit Building.
- Renaissance Woman eBook.
- Recovering From Training eBook.
For the full list and more details, visit the RP Store.
8 Tips for Beginners to Start Renaissance Periodization
If you are new to training and diet programs, then here are 8 valuable tips that can help you conveniently follow the Renaissance Periodization program.
1. It is important to set your goal from the very start. You must determine what your target is, whether it’s fat loss, muscle gain, or performance improvements. Your goal will determine the structure of your RP plan.
2. Visit the Renaissance Periodization website and learn about key RP concepts like macronutrients, calorie tracking, and meal timing. These guidelines will help you know more about the program and whether it fits your requirements.
3. Start with small, achievable steps like tracking meals or following a basic workout plan. Gradual changes are more sustainable, which is why you must avoid trying to implement everything at once.
4. Set aside time for meal prepping, grocery shopping, and scheduling workouts. Being organized will make it easier to stick to the plan.
5. You can rely on the RP Diet App as your virtual coach. The app is beginner-friendly and adapts to your goals. It will simplify your RP journey with features like personalized meal plans and progress tracking.
6. You can join RP’s online communities, such as forums and social media pages. Talking with others on similar journeys motivates you on this journey.
7. Results take time, so focus on consistency rather than expecting quick changes.
8. While RP is a structured plan, it allows room for adjustments. Don’t stress over occasional deviations, and focus on sustaining the plan.
Summary:
Renaissance Periodization (RP) is a fitness and nutrition company that helps people build muscle, lose fat, and improve their body shape using science-based methods. It was started in 2012 by Dr. Mike Israetel and Nick Shaw. RP creates personalized training and diet plans that help people get stronger and healthier.
They offer an app called RP Strength to track workouts and meals, and provide free and paid resources like books, videos, and coaching. RP has become popular worldwide by sharing helpful tips and fitness advice online.
We hope you enjoyed our article! If you have any questions or if something isn’t clear, feel free to leave a comment below. We’re here to help!
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