Bodybuilding.com - Author L. Rea Interview - Biochemistry Expert

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Author discovered that human performance enhancement is unacceptable to most medical organizations.

Author demonstrates an understanding of the human body and the effects of bodybuilding chemistry that are hard for many to accept.

Author L. Rea Interview - Biochemistry Expert

By: Author Rea

Every once in a great while the Good Lord blesses humanity with a mind that is truly innovative, someone that is able to look beyond what is readily accepted and advance new ideas that collectively allow us to take great strides forward. Unfortunately, such innovators are often met with derision by those that are so entrenched in their own way of thinking that they cannot possibly fathom that someone could propose ideas outside of that realm that might actually have merit. History has shown us this time and time again, Columbus was laughed at when he said the world wasn't flat, Darwin was ridiculed for his theory of Natural Selection, and Einstein was actually asked to leave school as a teenager since his very presence destroyed the other students' respect for the other teachers.

Such is the case with Author L. Rea. He has burst onto the bodybuilding scene, questioning long-held beliefs and displaying knowledge that many seem to find intimidating. Author of the book Chemical Muscle Enhancement, he demonstrates an understanding of the human body and the effects of bodybuilding chemistry that are hard for many to accept. However, he's rapidly making believers out of even the most skeptical bodybuilders, those that have read his book, his many articles appearing in a myriad of bodybuilding resources, and his posts on are finding him to be a goldmine of valuable information. And he seems remarkably nonplussed by all of this, he simply wants to do what he does best and build beasts.

Hopefully this interview will serve to shine some light on the enigma that is Author L. Rea.

The Interview

Jason Meuller: Let's get straight to the point, who is Author L. Rea and where the hell have you been all these years? It's amazing to me how someone as knowledgeable as yourself has been able to keep such a low profile.

Author L Rea: From what I have been told as of late I am that guy who keeps arm-chair steroid gurus up late at night scurrying for inept physiological research sites to dispute what I, and more athletes than you realize, have proven over and over again. (LOL) Seems anytime someone disputes the established dogma of a society or subculture those who seek to control that community feel threatened and retaliate. I simply wish to teach people to think for themselves by arming them with the tools to do so... if they are interested. Growth begins from the mind. I am just a guy that has dedicated his life to the athletic world based upon what is as of yet undeclared in some instances, but well known by example. In short the world is not flat after all no matter how many times someone disagrees. Maybe we can have a new bodybuilding competition division called "You and Someone Else's Test Tube" for these types of gurus? By the way, who came up with the name "guru"?

I have never personally wanted the fame thing I guess. I kept life simple and chose instead to not live under someone else's microscope. I seem to lack the kind of ego that fuels the need for notoriety for some. Writing has always been a pleasure for me, but I have never really liked talking about myself. Some years back I had written a book as a "work for hire" that still appears to enjoy sales. The fact that my work fueled thought for those who have read it was more than enough.

I have been fortunate enough to of had the opportunity to work with literally thousands of athletes over the past couple of decades. (I thank each one for their gift of information applicable in the real world outside of the lab.) In Europe I have worked with Olympic athletes as well as muscle-heads. In the US I have enjoyed both and added the challenges of wasting disease victims. This has provided me with insights that I think would be obvious to any qualified researcher and quite verifiable as a result of thousands of hands-on test results. Odd I suppose but I began my quest for knowledge with the goal of becoming a sports doctor. 16 years of academia failed to give me even a quarter of the information that hands-on experience has. But it did provide me with the tools to acquire knowledge personally.

JM: This begs the question, what has changed now? You've gone from total obscurity to relative notoriety within a very short period of time. If you enjoy avoiding the spotlight so much, why do you seem to be stepping into it now?

ALR: I could not stand the BS any more. I receive about 300 pieces of correspondence daily. Much of it asks critique of a protocol or cycle designed from the info in various books or from multiple web-sites. Though I have to say some of the work I have received is quite effectual and well thought out, far too much of it is hazardous and counter-productive. I simply do not have the time or finances to answer that many communications on a daily basis.

My books originated as a sort of exorcism of misinformation for my own athletes with the intent of saving them a great deal of financial investment and time wasted in a counter-productive manner. Someone had to shake things up a bit and bring the chemically enhanced into the new millennium. So I published the first of the three text guides under the name Chemical Muscle Enhancement. Seems that it worked out rather well considering the number of favorable responses we have had from multiple countries. Of course I have pissed a few lads off pretty well by disagreeing with their views that made them someone.

JM: So there's 3 books in the series? What do you think sets these apart from the myriad of publications that have covered the same subject matter?

ALR: The goal was to create a series similar to what one would expect from any texts intended to teach. Book one I personally see as a sort of exorcism that re-teaches actual realities over accepted dogma. Without that foundation most would overlook the true knowledge in Building The Perfect Beast (featuring Frank N. Steroid) and be lost in book three Domination. What sets them apart from the rest? The rest merely rewrote was has been said before. The CME series is a practical guide that discusses what has actually been applied in the real world with the best results. Not ego, just a fact.

JM: The advent of the Internet has created a situation where everyone is an expert and loves nothing more than to bash anyone who dares to challenge conventional wisdom. Do you find this frustrating at times?

ALR: "Those that are greatest are commonly attacked by those who are not... so that they too may be somebody or anybody." Frustrating? No, not really. I find it sad and rather flattering in a twisted sense. A good friend of mine pointed out that if Dan Duchaine were alive today he would probably be in a tower with a high-powered rifle taking shots at the generation he fostered. Personally I disagree. Dan was not always right but he was always pushing the envelope and making the rest of us think. I seem to have a similar effect and can think of no greater flattery.

The Internet has a certain sense of being safely anonymous. This allows some to make unwarranted statements without responsibility. Someone in my position is not allowed this luxury of irresponsibility, as I cannot error on a client's health or career. Ever. I certainly am not always correct either. But on an issue of health I always error to the side of caution.

It seems an irony, or perhaps an oxymoron, that those who attack me personally do so by employing often flawed research sites from the very same medical and scientific community that attacks them for their ineptitude. Sadder still is the reality that most of these individuals could not perform even the most basic test procedure to validate any of these sites they use like mantras.

JM: That is ironic. Does that insult you?

ALR: Not at all! They are thinking in part due to my work and that is an honor to me. Thinking can often lead to progress if one is not careful. (Gee, you think so?)

JM: You're privy to many of the protocols that are followed by athletes competing in the upper ranks of bodybuilding today. Is bodybuilding now simply an issue of chemical warfare?

ALR: It always has been, Lad. I think that we often take for granted that everything we introduce to our bodies is chemical. From the air that we breathe to the Growth Factors many dream of, we are merely speaking of chemicals. It is the governing bodies and media that introduce the evils of thought upon a given substance.

But as a whole athletics of any type and longevity alike will always be chemical warfare. Unfortunately the current thinking is only "more" of what has been done in the past. I have a group of clients who send me their coach's protocols for re-evaluation. As you know politics can sometimes dictate who your coach is in the bodybuilding world. It seems that this year's protocol is simply higher dosages of last years often with a one-size-fits-all approach. There is seldom any degree of preparation for Action/Reaction Factors or specific-intent that would allow for synergy over dosages. But I have to admit that they seem to do well nonetheless.

JM: What do you feel is going to be the next big leap forward in bodybuilding chemistry?

ALR: Growth Factors and improved protocol synergy. We often speak of goodies like IGF-1 and GH like they are the end all for who wants to be Mr. O. In truth we often forget that life is not a test tube where growth is single facet. It is like a symphony all interacting to create a given out come. If one can get all of those instruments acting to play the same tune the focused direction becomes singular though several different actions actually occurred.

There are several thousand Actions/Reactions occurring that either induce or hinder growth within our muscle tissue. The greater the number of actions we can direct or focus upon acting together for growth, the more amazing the results. Many of these Action/Reaction Factors are either controlled or mediated by growth factors 1-8. By introducing an environment through correct ratios of these Growth Factors an athlete will be better able to realize the potential of any other anabolic protocol. As an example I have had some experience with GDF-8 antibody and have to say that things are about to really get weird. We have all read about the myostatin gene and various inhibitors with pictures of massive mice and cattle that look like a dream BBQ volunteer. These are examples of what is potentially to come. For the record, my book Building The Perfect Beast begins the information on such Growth Factors and Domination will complete it.

JM: So while you find the most athletes are simply using more of what's worked in the past, your approach is different. Can you expand on the concept of Action/Reaction Factors? I know this plays a very large role in the programs you create, so I'd like you to explain it in a little more depth.

ALR: Action/Reaction Factors are the very basis of productive protocols. Whether we are speaking of training or supplementation and diet we are speaking of chemistry. Each chemical introduced into the body will induce both an action and a reaction. If we assume that the action is by intent and good and that the reaction is a physiological response and bad then we can view it as a one step forward and one step back probability. As example let's agree that 600mg/weekly of testosterone cypionate will result in a shut-down of the natural testosterone production pathway called the HPTA after a few weeks. The loss of natural testosterone production results in a subtraction from the "total" (naturally produced and the dosage administered) amount of actual circulating testosterone. So the loss also results in a reduction in potential growth unless the reaction is anticipated and correctly responded to. This offers several options such as intermittent HPTA regeneration or an increase in administered testosterone dosages... or we can create a new action that inhibits or precludes the HPTA shut-down itself. This may seem simple to some but there are countless Action/Reaction Factors to account for. In doing so an athlete is able to achieve greater results at reduced dosages and with less polypharmacology regardless of the base protocol structure.

JM: You believe it is possible to truly alter an individual's genetics through the proper application of bodybuilding chemistry. Can you expand on how this is possible?

ALR: Absolutely! Genetics are nothing more than genes expressing themselves as secreted chemical messengers from/by various organs, glands and cells to communicate with other organs, glands and cells. By creating specific-intent protocols the series of chemically induced events can be altered in a favorable manner far more so than most realize. We see examples everyday but fail to realize what it is that we are seeing. Look at Toney Freeman's lower lats as example. If you look at the pictures prior to the Nationals in comparison to the most recent, one can readily note the appearance of obvious greater length. Of course one cannot alter a point of insertion for a muscle without surgical intervention, but this too can be altered in appearance to some degree. Split biceps, diamond calves and filling in pec injuries can be surprisingly effectual as well.

JM: People are fascinated by the chemistry involved in bodybuilding, much less so by the training and nutrition required to be successful. How would you quantify the importance of each in regard to a bodybuilders overall success?

ALR: There are some very good bodybuilders who employ correct chemistry to their efforts. And there are some good ones that train and employ proper dietary protocols with poorly structured chemistry. Of course errors are less evident upon those who are highly genetically gifted. But the truly great ones, genetically gifted or not, dial it all in through training, diet, supplementation and having a life beyond the gym.

JM: I know you're currently working with Toney Freeman, and I have witnessed first hand the amazing progress he's made since you've started coaching him. In a previous interview I did with Toney, he mentioned some of the things you had him doing to facilitate the amazing changes I've witnessed in his physique but I'm sure you can expand on what he had to say. Without giving away the whole enchilada, what the hell are you doing with Toney that has resulted in his amazing transformation?

ALR: Sure. Toney has a specific enzymic profile that fosters very high rates of protein synthesis. His body just loves to make amino acids and use them if it is provided with the correct stimulus to do so. Years ago I had noted that the idea of endo, meso and ectomorph (Which are you?) was more based upon appearance than upon a specific hormone profile per se. Since it is enzymic responses that often allows for hormone and hormone-like substance interplay due to ratioing, it became evident that there was an untold story in the blood work of athletes that would allow protocols to be of a more specific-intent nature for a given athlete. In Toney's case the alterations created the "X" man look which we plan to continue upon. I think that the aesthetics of our sport are being lost to the belly bloat in under the disguise of mass as a result of incorrect anticipation of Action/Reaction Factors. I would have to pull his file but I believe Toney was 246 at the Nationals. I believe we can bring Toney in at the NOC at about 20 lbs heavier with a slightly smaller waist. Toney's potential is greatly dependent upon Toney. He is a good-hearted lad with a great work ethic so I believe he will surprise one or two people.

JM: Toney stated that what impressed him most about you was that you created a program for him only after examining his previous protocols and reviewing his blood work. You're the only coach in the business that I know of that does this. What specifically are you looking for when you review a client's history and blood work and how much of a role does this play in the creation of any particular program?

ALR: A client's health is paramount first and foremost. Second we look at the blood work history in comparison to an athlete's chemical history. What we are looking for is tendencies toward negative responses to specific or combinations of substances. Next we evaluate enzymic functions in relationship to nutrient metabolism and the obvious excretitory by-products that dictate factors of efficiency. This sound simplistic to a point I suppose, but it is a tedious task that allows for a profound outline of possibilities and how to best deal with them for maximum response. The goal is specific intent protocols.

JM: You say a client's health is your paramount concern. Does it become a difficult balancing act to maintain a client's health while maximizing gains, especially with athletes that may necessarily have to take risks in order to stay competitive?

ALR: Absolutely not.

JM: You've mentioned specific intent protocols several times throughout this interview. Can you expand on what you mean by this term?

ALR: Specific intent protocols are just what they sound like: Protocols that are designed for and that induce a specific response. Site injection (Not Synthol), Max Androgen Phases, Absolute Anabolic Phases, High Thermalgenics and several other structured protocols allow an athlete to decide what needs to be accomplished and to do so. This is really not a new idea as we have discussed bulking and cutting cycles for decades. Unfortunately they lacked specific intend and many concerns of what was intended to happen where... and a lot of hope.

JM: I know that at various points in your career, you've been contacted by most of the bigger names in the sport in an attempt to secure your services as a coach. Why aren't you training professional bodybuilders on the level of a Chad Nicholls?

ALR: Oddly enough I do have a few interesting pros I work with off and on. I have simply enjoyed my privacy up to now. And in truth, creating something is what most appeals to me. Working on another individuals project is non-progressive as many are entrenched within the ideas of mediocrity. I make a reasonable living and enjoy what I do.

Chad is a very remarkable individual. In my personal opinion he has done a great deal to open the minds of the elite, and he has a very impressive following. His athletes are some of the best on the planet as a result of their combined efforts and his rare talent. To say I respect him is minimizing the fact.

I prefer to work with athletes that are still hungry like Toney Freeman. They are the passion of our sport and have a sense of humbleness that I can identify with personally. I hope this does not sound egotistical, but I enjoy the challenges and discovery that each of his rare ilk provide because they are not on top yet. This allows me to fuel my own passion for the building of the perfect beast. I love this shit!

JM: One of the most common complaints I have seen about your theories is that you don't provide enough research to back up your position. How do you respond to this?

ALR: Research is a relative issue I suppose. I possibly have more experience with actual athletes than anyone else in my field. Not bragging, just a fact. Test tube studies and quoting other peoples work lacks the personal knowledge required at this level. Sure it would be easy to trade sites and barbs with others, but how is that going to build any beasts? Being a gentleman and effectual has value. Attempting to argue based upon other peoples knowledge has very little. Have you ever noticed that the number of members on most discussion boards is several times greater than the number that actually posts? Think about that. In a few cases the intimidation factor is a sad example of knowledge. Science and fact do not have emotional problems. They simply exist.

I work with a number of medical researchers and doctors who honor me with their own expertise and questions. It seems unlikely that even they would condone the criteria necessary to create testing procedures for the in lab validation and peer review of my work. But there are all of the interesting bits and pieces that have been researched that add to the ideas for possibilities to consider of course.

JM: Do you feel that you require people to take a leap in faith by asking that they believe what you've experienced in 20+ years of coaching but cannot prove scientifically?

ALR: No, not really. Faith is such an ethereal aspect to consider. You cannot deny what stands before your eyes as a rule even though some try. As to not proven scientifically I have to say that is far from true. Personally I have employed the available research (several pages are sited at the end of Chemical Muscle Enhancement) to fuel the requirement of adequate testing to verify the reasons as to way a thing happened or not. I have thousands of test results from real world athletes that are rather extensive to guide me in what is true and not. When I see identical results several hundred times I begin to have faith that it may be true. A few thousand identical results only an idiot could deny. So many people have thanked me for the results they finally achieve after reading my work that I can only assume that the proof is in the action.

JM: What kind of advice would you have for someone just beginning to bodybuild?

ALR: The human body is the only living work of art there is. Each of us has the opportunity to sculpt our very own unique masterpiece in our quest for perfection. Knowledge is power as much as it is guidance. Learn all that you can so that you can think for yourself as an individual.

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