Dr. Michael “Mike” Israetel (born May 30, 1984) is a sports physiologist, competitive bodybuilder, and co-founder of Renaissance Periodization (RP Strength). Born in Moscow, Russia, he moved to the United States at age seven and grew up in the Detroit area. He earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology (movement science) from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and a master’s in exercise science at Appalachian State University. Israetel completed a Ph.D. in Sport Physiology and Performance at East Tennessee State University in 2013. His doctoral work (advised by Dr. Michael Stone) focused on athletic performance and strength, and he published related research (for example on barbell squat mechanics) in sports science journals.
Early Life and Background
Mike Israetel was born in 1984 in Moscow and spent his early childhood in Russia. In 1991 his family immigrated to the U.S., settling in suburban Detroit where he was raised. He began lifting weights to improve his high-school wrestling performance and soon developed a passion for strength sports. By early college he was a competitive powerlifter (and briefly founded the Michigan Powerlifting Club). This athletic experience ran parallel to his academic pursuits: he combined practical training with rigorous study of exercise science.
Academic and Teaching Career
After earning his Ph.D., Israetel served as a professor of exercise science at several universities. He taught courses in nutrition, strength training, and hypertrophy at the University of Central Missouri and Temple University in Philadelphia. He later joined Lehman College (City University of New York) in Dr. Brad Schoenfeld’s master’s program for a time. During his doctoral studies at ETSU, Israetel was also head sports nutrition consultant to the U.S. Olympic Training Site in Johnson City, TN, leading nutrition seminars at national Olympic centers. In total, he spent years training athletes in fitness, and eventually chose to focus full-time on his own fitness business.
Renaissance Periodization and Media Career
Mike Israetel is best known as co-founder (with Nick Shaw) and Chief Content Officer of Renaissance Periodization (RP Strength). RP is a fitness company and YouTube channel that applies scientific principles to diet and training. Founded around 2012, RP has amassed millions of followers online. Israetel has produced hundreds of science-based training and nutrition videos under the RP brand, explaining topics like hypertrophy (muscle growth) and strength programming. In January 2025 he guest-starred on The Peter Attia Drive podcast, where he was introduced as a “sports physiologist, competitive bodybuilder, and co-founder of Renaissance Periodization”.
Books and Research
Dr. Mike Israetel has authored or co-authored several fitness books and guides. His publications include The Renaissance Diet 2.0, Scientific Principles of Hypertrophy Training, Scientific Principles of Strength Training, Recovering from Training, The Mini-Cut Manual, and How Much Should I Train?. As an exercise scientist, he has also published research articles. For example, a 2010 journal article on squat biomechanics lists “Michael A. Israetel” as first author, reflecting his scholarly contributions to strength training research.
Personal Details
Dr. Israetel stands about 5 feet 6 inches tall (168 cm). He is an avid competitor and trains in both bodybuilding and Brazilian jiu-jitsu; he holds a black belt in jiu-jitsu and often competes in Masters-age events. In interviews he has shared that he followed a competitive bodybuilding program for years (even competing onstage at about 5′6″ and 234 lbs). He keeps much of his personal life private. (Online sources note he is married to Dr. Christle Guevarra, but he rarely discusses family details publicly.) No reliable public figure nets or financial disclosures have been published, so his net worth and personal finances are not publicly known.
Social Media and Public Presence
Israetel maintains a strong online presence. He co-hosts the RP Strength Podcast and frequently appears on other fitness podcasts and YouTube shows. On social media he is active as “Dr. Mike” – for example, his Instagram account has over a million followers. The Renaissance Periodization YouTube channel (where he hosts many videos) has roughly 3.8 million subscribers and billions of total views. He also posts on other platforms like TikTok and X (Twitter), discussing training tips, diet science, and philosophical topics. Through these channels, he shares evidence-based fitness advice and frequently discusses trending questions about muscle gain, nutrition, and training strategies.
Public Interest and FAQs
People often search Dr. Mike Israetel’s name looking for his background and advice. Common queries include:
Who is Dr. Mike Israetel? He is an exercise scientist and fitness educator who co-founded Renaissance Periodization. He holds a Ph.D. in sport physiology and was a college professor before moving into fitness entrepreneurship.
How old is Mike Israetel? Born in 1984, he is 41 years old in 2026.
How tall is he? He has stated he is about 5′6″ (168 cm) tall.
What is his training program? Israetel is known for science-based programs. He outlines training volume and intensity guidelines in his books and on RP’s website. (He wrote Your Scientific Guide to Muscle Gain and other guides on optimal training and diet.)
What is Renaissance Periodization? It is the nutrition and training company he co-founded, known for applying research to real-world diet and workout planning.
What is his net worth? He has not disclosed any net worth publicly. Estimates online are unverified, and no credible sources report his earnings from RP Strength, coaching, or books.
Is he a public figure? Yes, in the fitness community. However, he does not often discuss private matters; most public info comes from interviews, podcasts, and his own content.
Conclusion
Dr. Mike Israetel is a well-known fitness expert combining academic research with practical coaching. As a former college professor and author, he emphasizes evidence-based training and diet. He remains active in the fitness community, producing books, videos, and podcasts that help people understand how to build muscle and stay healthy. For the latest, readers can follow his YouTube channel, podcast, or official website at Renaissance Periodization for updates and more detailed guidance.