Interview With MuscleTalk Founder James Collier

I was recently able to interview James Collier, the founder of one of the UK’s most popular bodybuilding & fitness forums, MuscleTalk.

I’ve been a reader of MusceTalk for a few years, and an active member for around 2 years. I was able to briefly meet James at the 2014 Body Power Expo on the MuscleTalk stand.

MyProtein sponsored athlete Terry Hollands, strongman competitor (and rival of Andy Bolton & Benedikt Magnusson) was also at the booth. Also on the MuscleTalk stand was fellow interviewee and Protein Lifestyle ambassador, Aaron Hudson.

Let’s see what James had to say about MuscleTalk, bodybuilding, the UKBFF, nutrition and supplementation.

When did you start MuscleTalk, and why did you create it?

We started MuscleTalk in November 2000, over 14 years ago. It was my colleague, Jason Barnham’s idea. He felt there was need for a good UK bodybuilding forum. We didn’t know where it would go back then; it was just a bit of fun. Four years ago, I wrote an article about the first 10 years of MuscleTalk: http://www.muscletalk.co.uk/articles/muscletalk-10years.aspx

Outside of MuscleTalk, are you an active member of any other bodybuilding or fitness sites or forums?

I occasionally post on TMuscle and UKMuscle, but don’t really get time much to visit these.

What do you feel makes your community special?

We strive for a friendly, welcoming community. We don’t like people speaking to one another badly. We also like to make sure everyone gets helped by every question getting answered within, at least, a couple of days.

If you could magically give all of your community members one thing in this world, what would it be, and why?

Good knowledge. Then they can share this with others.

If you could ask your group members one thing and get an answer from all of them, what would that question be?

It wouldn’t be necessarily a fitness related question: What do you want most out of life?

Well allow me to answer that. “To not be mediocre, to be successful at something i am passionate about, to travel, and provide a good quality of life for my future wife & future family, along with existing family. Any thing else is a bonus”. Feel free to give a shout-out to some of your power-users or most active members. Does anyone come to mind, and what do you like most about them?

We’ve had loads of good members in the past 14 years! At the time, some of them have even become minor icons of the net in their day; not always for good reasons. I wouldn’t want to single any single member out. Our moderators have been with us for a while and these are just regular members who have brought something to the board. These guys deserve a lot of thanks.

What are some of the hot topics that seem to always be discussed within the group?

There are loads of topics on all aspects of bodybuilding, strength and fitness and a lot of off-topic questions in our General forum. The Progress Journals is a great section as training logs are great to follow and learn from. They help motivate the member keeping the journal, whether its for fat loss or muscle gain.

I’ve followed a few journals on MuscleTalk, and even have my own here. For someone new to this community, how do they get the most out of it?

Good question. They can ask questions in the relevant section and get answers fairly quickly from a wide range of people with different ideas. Members can also help others out and share their views. Some topics provoke discussion which is great both for those in the debate and fro people just reading.

Has anything surprised you about owning a forum about bodybuilding, supplements, diet & nutrition?

Back in the day 14 years ago, the term internet troll was hardly used. I was experiencing nasty attitude long before the days of social media and I used to be shocked as to how rude and cowardly people can be behind the keyboard. Nowadays, we hear of trolling a lot more so it’s less surprising.

You’ve got a rich history in bodybuilding, tell us how you got started.

I first started lifting weights when I was 15 years old. I was super skinny and had been bullied at school. Bodybuilding soon became a big focus in my life and I wanted to get bigger and better, so I did!

As you’ve grown older, have your goals changed?

Like any youngster newly into training, I wanted to get big. I competed three times in my early 20s. As I got older, especially into my 30s, I realised that I would never be a great bodybuilder as, although I train hard, regularly, I don’t go ‘beyond’ like those who will achieve success do.

So now I purely train recreationally and have no desires on competing. My goals now are about helping others do well and I enjoy helping anyone from a newbie to the gym right up to pro bodybuilders and strongmen.

Being successful in business is far more important to me than bodybuilding. I still train hard and regularly, but I also frequently miss workouts and that doesn’t bother me (although more than a week off from the gym does get to me!)

You offer coaching services. How do you get started with a new client? Do you have a base approach, or does it differ person to person?

All my advice is completely tailored. I approach every single client differently. I do offer different packages, but even on my cheapest package, it’s still completely tailored advice. The start by completing a questionnaire, or by me interviewing them and I go from there

How do you structure workouts for clients?

I see what they’ve been doing, what their goals are and what their weekly schedule is like and adapt something. I do like to change routines for clients every 3-4 months.

How do you structure diets for your clients?

It depends on their lifestyle and there’s no point in recommending something to a client if they will be unable to stick to it. Whether this is diet or workout related. Sure, a client has to commit if they want results, but you have to be realistic with the advice for them to get the most out of the advice their given. I need their feedback in order for me to be most effective.

Let’s shift gears from clients to your own fitness. What workout regime do you feel has worked best for you over the years?

I do enjoy volume training. I like to train hard and intense, get the workout done and go home feeling fully trained. Volume training involves lighter weighs so it’s also easier on the joints. Plus it gets the heart pumping, which is ideal as I don’t like cardio!

I also like to play around with different movements and exercises. Weight training can be boring so you have to keep it fun.

What is your current work out split?

I don’t have one per se. I train with clients most often, so I fall in with what they have due usually and I then call the shots on what exercises we do. I like training with my clients as I have to be the dominant one and I can’t slack!

How do you change your diet from when looking to ‘bulk’ compared to looking to ‘cut’. Do you eliminate or add certain foods into your diet? Or do you just change the quantities you have?

Myself, I don’t cut or bulk. Although, I am getting married in August so I may need to shape up a bit for my honeymoon. I’ll probably just change quantities and up cardio.

People on Youtube seem to love full day of eating videos. They’re some of my more popular videos over my Shreddybrek channel. Talk us through a typical day of eating for yourself

It’s not great; I’m a ‘do as I say, not as I do’ guy! I start with a protein drink and a couple of slices of granary toast and natural peanut butter. Mid-morning I have a protein flapjack, my preference is Avenches Biotech Protein Flapjacks.

Lunch is a couple of wholemeal rolls with ham or cheese and salad, plus an item of fruit.

Mid-afternoon is 6 oatcakes and another protein drink with maybe a handful of sunflower seeds. I’ll have a banana half an hour before training.

Post workout is a meal replacement drink or a protein and carb recovery drink (usually bought at the gym).

Evening meal is what my partner cooks – she’s a good cook and it involves meat such as beef, chicken etc, veg and potatoes/rice/pasta – I have quite a big serving. I may have a yoghurt afterwards.

During the evening I usually like a few Weetabix of similar cereal and skimmed milk and more fruit. Then a protein drink pre-bed.

It’s an ok diet, but not rigid. Like I’ve said, bodybuilding is no longer a priority for me.

MuscleTalk offers a wide range of supplements for sale, but you also have your own brand. How did you get started with your own range of supplements?

We teamed up with another company and basically white-labelled our own products. All products are high spec with Certificate of Analyses. Our pre-workout UXB is a unique product and my own recipe. We plan to promote this a lot more and sell through a trade network.

What would be the 3 supplements you’d recommend to anyone, regardless of their lifting experience?

Whey protein, definitely. Then others are not necessary, but useful. Pre-workout drinks are great if you struggle with energy to train. Meal replacement formulas are brilliant for extra meals. I also feel that good quality protein bars have their place for convenience.

Those are some good suggestions. Whey protein can be picked up so cheap now as well. I always recommend Impact Whey Protein to anyone who is looking for a cheap protein powder. Although any of the bulk supplement suppliers offer great, cheap supplements. I agree with what you say aswell, supplements aren’t necessary, but useful.

You’ve recently ceased your relation with the UKBFF due to some politics. Give us more of an insight into why you made this call.

I really love the federation and it’s a long story as to why I parted ways with them. However, I didn’t agree with a couple of points, mainly due to the fact that Simon Fan who runs Ultimate Fitness, Birmingham, was told that he couldn’t work with the UKBFF/IFBB again after holding a seminar with banned IFBB competitor Lee Priest at his gym.

Simon and I have worked on big IFBB international events and he’s done so much for the IFBB in the UK, I felt I need to stand by him. There are also a number of other issues which I feel are unnecessary politics, working with the UKBFF was becoming a negative thing for me.

Bodybuilding is supposed to be positive!

Please read the announcement here: http://www.muscletalk.co.uk/FindPost/5242875

You’ve sponsored quite a few UKBFF shows in the past. How do you think this decision will impact Muscle Talk?

It won’t. We’re still running the MuscleTalk Championships in June, but the show will be independent now. I have also been talking to Simon and collaborating on another event.

This will all benefit UK bodybuilding and MuscleTalk

Will you be looking to get involved with any other federations?

No; I’ll stay independent. However, I hope to get on with everyone in every federation.

What do you think of the modern era of bodybuilding? There seems to be a shift in popularity from bodybuilding to men’s physique. Why do you think this is?

The Men’s Physique and fitness model look is more achievable for guys. As long as you’re reasonably good looking and get in good shape, you can compete. The thing is there are so many guys in great shape nowadays, what makes them stand out from each other?

Social media has definitely played a part. People can post their pic up on Facebook, and their friends comment positively, so the guy thinks he can compete and win shows.

Sure, he looks good, but is he good enough to compete and do well?

What are your personal opinions on this new trend?

I like the Men’s Physique class – I think anyone training and looking after themselves is a positive thing and should be encouraged.

I still prefer bodybuilding, though!

Do you think bodybuilding will slowly be phased out over time, or do you think the classic Mr Olympia bodybuilding contest will always be considered the cream of the crop?

Bodybuilding will stay. Mr O will remain the pinnacle of muscle sport.

What projects have you got coming up for 2015?

The MuscleTalk Championships in June. I’m also chatting with Simon Fan about a show later in the year (early days). I also have a wedding to plan for in August!

Where can our readers follow you?

Readers can follow me on www.MuscleTalk.co.uk as well as on Facebook on my page: https://www.facebook.com/JamesCollierMuscletalk

Readers can also follow MuscleTalk directly on https://twitter.com/MuscleTalkUK, https://www.facebook.com/MuscleTalk