Juiced Jamaicans, Tainted Trainers and Anti-Aging Clinics

What is happening to one of my favourite sports?   
This story has a familiar ring to it! Some world class track and field sprinters sprinters and throwers from Jamaica recently tested positive for a banned stimulant. The accused proclaimed that they never 'knowingly' took anything. The Jamaicans all suggested that they may have swallowed tainted supplements provided by a hang-around 'trainer". In this case the 'trainer' was one of my fellow Canadians. Give us a break - our country is still trying to live down our own track and field doping scandal from the 1988 Olympics.
   News articles were vague on what type of trainer my alleged dope pushing countryman professed to be. Was he a Fitness Trainer or some type of Athletic Trainer?
   It turns out that he really had no credentials to be a trainer of any sort. He did have a link to a Canadian anti-aging doctor who also treated injured athletes and in the recent past got nailed for having an employee smuggle Human Growth Hormone across the Canada / USA border. The anti-aging doctor had once employed our 'Trainer to the Jamaicans' as a 'physio-aide'. The so-called trainer was later fired from this position. This is reality television material at its best!
   I am not saying this person is guilty of providing banned substances to the Jamaicans.
Athletes that fail drug tests have been known to try and deflect the blame!  However when FitnessTrainers are accused of leading clients astray it gives our profession another negative rap.
Such occurrences always leave me with nagging questions:

• How does someone with questionable credentials or no credentials successfully pass themselves off as a 'trainer', be it a Fitness Trainer or an Athletic trainer? Where is the due diligence of those doing the hiring?
• Why would world class athletes entrust their careers to such an unproven entity?
• What were the coaches, athlete's agents, and national sporting administrations doing about vetting the people that have such powerful access to their athletes?  
• Why would athletes with so much at stake by staying clean take offered supplements without knowing exactly what is in it. Most sponsors have an 'out' clause in case of a failed doping test. 

   A world champion American sprinter also tested positive for a banned substance. He was taking supplements supposedly supplied by an 'anti-aging' doctor. 

Once again, a world class athlete is alleging that they were steered wrong by a so-called Fitness or Health Professional! Is the professional an evil influence or a scapegoat?

   There is also more drug scandal in the world of Major League Baseball. At the center of it all was a Florida 'anti-aging' clinic. The highest paid player in the league is now appealing a 200 plus game suspension from baseball.
    It would appear that some of these anti-aging practitioners prescribe substances more potent than mere wrinkle reducing skin creams. Human Growth Hormone and other questionable enhancers have been long suspected to be part of their regime.
   Anti-aging clinics may be a growing phenomenon in the future. As more and more  Baby Boomers hit their golden years there will undoubtedly be a surge in business. Many such clinics are likely reputable with actual medical doctors on staff. Others have
holistic practitioners as in the case of the recently disgraced American sprint champion.
 Baby boomers seeking to ward off the ravages of advancing mortality are not held to the same scrutiny as competitive athletes.
They don't have to worry about failing a urine test and being condemned as a cheat!
High profile athletes do!

    It's no secret that a career spent trying to motivate unfit clients, or reluctant weight loss hopefuls   can be draining and even exasperating at times.
Working with serious athletes can be exciting and glamorous! You can prescribe dynamic, cutting edge exercise programs. However, Fitness Trainers thinking of attaching their star to a high performance athlete should do their homework?

Those sessions at the 'Anti-Aging Clinic"
make me feel like a teenager again!
Notice the visual change.
Little Bobby Strong

1. Use due diligence when taking on a high profile client. In rare cases they may be looking for a target to deflect blame. 
2. Be careful about pushing supplements on any client. If you suspect a nutritional deficiency, refer them to a registered dietitian or a physician.
3. Also refer a client to a doctor if you suspect that they may be using performance enhancing drugs. (It may be best do the research before advising them to go to an anti-aging doctor)
4. If you decide to be the go-to guy for such substances you are playing a dangerous game

   Remember,.....you are a Fitness Trainer. You prescribe exercise programs. 

You are not required to suggest supplements or other substances! 

Stay within your scope of practise!
Until next time,.......keep fit  
                                                                                                                                                                      schwabe27.uwmfatloss.hop.clickbank.net
Little Bobby Strong

P.S. And they want to drop amateur wrestling from the Olympics!
When was the last amateur wrestling doping scandal,...........like NEVER!