Get to know Mike Demeter – Personal Trainer & nutrition/wellness expert

Get to know the ATP Lab supplement brand and the athletes who represent our lifestyle through our exclusive interviews.

ABOUT THE ATHLETE

Mike Demeter has been a personal trainer and nutrition/wellness expert for well over 30 years. After completing a 6-year major in Kinesiology at the University of Toronto with additional emphasis in social psychology and clinical nutrition, Mike had the pleasure of mentoring or working directly with many notable experts in our field, including Vince Gironda, Bob Kennedy, Charles Poliquin, John Berardi and Dr. Ken Kinakin to name a few. Mike is the senior trainer of Canada's biggest health club chain, Goodlife Fitness/Vita Vie and has been for 30 years now. Clients have spanned from successful figure/physique competitors to stressed executives and to medically challenged. His favourite expression remains: "If I'm not earning, I'm learning". Enjoying a passion as coach and "forever" student alike.

Question 1

WHAT IS THE ONE WORD THAT DESCRIBES YOU BEST?

Mike: Caring or Empathetic

Question 2

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP-3 FAVORITE ATP LAB SUPPLEMENT PRODUCTS?

Mike: 

Growth Factor: This is the first thing in my mouth upon arising. Mental clarity through a clear dopamine rush. I get up before 4 AM every day. This makes it feel like 7 AM. Not in a stimulant way, but in a clear headed, vitality way.

Total Defense: The fact that it takes 6 capsules to get the desired dose speaks to how much it contains. As a busy working professional, it is often difficult to eat optimally, and I truly feel a difference when I ensure this supplement is consistently in my plan.

Synermag: Truly the Cadillac of magnesium’s. Not only for its chelates, but also for the support amino acid/vitamin to ensure maximal absorption. I'm notorious for having a busy brain at night and falling asleep can be a hurdle. I take 4 caps after dinner and I can categorically confirm that this calms my mind, gets rid of my anxiety (poor COMT gene) and helps me fall into a deep sleep.

Question 3

What is the most rewarding part of being a coach?

Mike: I make people happy! I help them in the gym and to enjoy the quality of their life outside the gym. To be at the service of others alongside other trainers who share my passion and commitment is a hand of providence and a career I treasure.
Question 4

If you could choose another career or sport what would it be?

Mike: I am the proverbial extroverted introvert. I love providing energy and lift, but empathetically I drain sharing my clients' pains or hurdles. I heal with serenity not socially. So, I probably would be a motorcycle mechanic in a quiet garage or working on bonsai trees in a little shop. I enjoy the mindfullness it brings.
Question 5

What or who made you want to pursue an active and healthy lifestyle?

Mike: My father was very active and young for his age. He was 40 when he had me and when I turned 18, he could still challenge me downhill skiing at 58. Dad was a fencing champion and a very good swimmer. He raised me watching the old Tarzan movies together.
Question 6

WHEN IT COMES TO OUR PROTEIN SUPPLEMENT FLAVOURS, WHICH ONE DO YOU PREFER?

Vanilla, Chocolate, Raspberry or Salted Caramel?

Mike: This one is easy: chocolate! It is good chocolate and it tastes like I am cheating on my diet. I mix it with iced coffee and a little bit of organic 35% cream. Starbucks doesn't compare to this Mocha Frappe.

Question 7

Can you give us three essential exercises you would suggest for all clients, and why?

Mike: I train the whole gamut from physique to functional to medically challenged. So, honestly, I work backward from their goal. Primal movement patterns are fine, but Arnold never did VMO activation drills, few athletes benefit much from side lateral raises and an injured senior must tell me what makes his life hard then we work to make it easier. There will always be a "personal" factor in training.

Question 8

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Mike: I worry too much, about life, my loved ones, my clients. Working in an industry based on a deficit mentality (What are you lacking? What do you need to achieve?), it follows you home. It can make you look to your glass as half full or worse.

Question 9

Who is your favorite sports hero?

Mike: All the greats from the Golden Era of bodybuilding: Arnold, Frank Zane, Robby Robinson... and of course my first mentor Vince "The Iron Guru" Gironda.

Question 10

UP AND AT IT – WHAT IS YOUR MORNING ROUTINE?

Mike: Up at 3:45 AM, make my shake, plug in the SAD light, quick groom, answer emails, play with the cat, kiss my wife good morning and goodbye, and off to the gym for 5 AM. Right to the workout and get ready for the first client at 6 AM.

Question 11

What is your favorite song to listen to while training?

Mike: Classic Rock (AC/DC to Whitesnake or anything with tribal drums).

Question 12

IF YOU HAD SUPER POWERS, WHAT WOULD THEY BE AND WHAT WOULD YOUR SUPERHERO NAME BE?

Mike: One power? To be able to heal any kind of pain. Any powers? Aww heck… Thor meets Superman meets Aquaman and save the whole world of a whole lot… My name? Is Magic Mike taken?

Question 13

WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE OR FAVORITE CHEAT MEAL?

Mike: TACO BELL! Honestly, any of their ground beef dishes as long as there's sour cream and much shredded cheese with a diet root beer on the side. Heaven!

Question 14

As a fitness coach, how do you develop trust with your clients and keep them motivated?

Mike: Motivation comes from showing manageable, sustainable steps that will take them to their goal with relative ease. By the inch it's a cinch, by the yard it's hard. I tip my hat to Christian Thibaudeau and his “Neurotyping”. When the routine matches the personality and preferred training style of the client, the trainee stays motivated, has fun, comes early and is fully compliant. Trust comes from explaining the "why" behind every choice and showing people that you are listening. Echo their words, empathize and show you care.

Question 15

What was the most successful or rewarding project in which you participated?

Mike: So many choices. I would have to say, years ago, Charles Poliquin and I did a serie of podcasts on sleep, energy, stressed executives, women's issues, and more. We had a blast and the outtakes were gold, but it was most importantly the passion for information and helping others that we shared, coupled with all the old group of coaches at that time. Charles had built a formidable generation of competent coaches/healers and I was proud to have a valued contribution.

If you were to ask me outside this field, I must say that it was marrying my wife and becoming a Dad to the best stepson a man could ever wish for. I feel privileged to have become part of their lives and it's been nothing but rewarding to my heart and soul.

Question 16

People who know our brand and read our blog know that you write weekly articles for ATP Lab. What motivates you to find these interesting topics and how does your experience as a trainer helps you write?

Mike: Once you're old enough, you've pretty much walked in everyone's shoes at some point. So, when someone asks me: "Do you know what it feels like to…" or, "Isn't it hard when…”, I usually can answer "Yup"! Through my articles, I can share their pain or hurdles and hopefully provide viable solutions from what have worked for me or for those I care for.

A little touch of humour helps too. When I laugh at my self, people feel comfortable following.

Question 17

What is the best advice you have ever received?

Mike: "Stop worrying. You're going to be just fine. Do you know how I know you'll be just fine? You've got no choice!" LOL

– My dad

I miss him everyday, for almost 19 years now.

Question 18

WHY ATP LAB?

Mike: Trust, quality, caring, talent, ethic with a pioneering spirit to pursue things that take the industry by surprise. And it doesn't hurt that you feel it. Everything works.

Question 19

IN A FEW WORDS, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO FANS WHO SEEK A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE?

Mike: Charles Poliquin used to always say: "Success leaves clues." So, find others who have achieved the endgame you are pursuing and sow the same seeds. Hopefully, you'll reap the same harvest.

That said, try to find people similar to you (age, sex, lifestyle, etc. The more you relate to this person, the easier it is to emulate). For me, at 50+, rife with obligations and training war wounds, it would be ludicrous to follow the protocol of an 18-year-old MMA fighter! LOL

Let us know in the comment section if you have a special question for one of our athletes?