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 Presents...  By: Vince Andrich
I'm a big fan of people who pursue what they truly love to earn an honest living. Recently, a good friend of mine Gianni D'Ottavio did just that. He took his passion for nutrition and athletics and created his own line of supplements, called Muscle Fortress. Gianni and I have been friends for about six years, beginning when we both worked at EAS. The fact that I've had the opportunity to work and train with Gianni makes it even "cooler" that we can sit down and discuss his new venture. Keep in mind when you read this interview that Gianni is one of the hardest training and strongest bodybuilders (pound for pound) I've ever met. So sit back; I believe you'll find our conversation quite interesting.
[ Gianni D'Ottavio ] - After several months of direct market research, Muscle Fortress was opened in December of 2003 (Initially as Five Star NT).
  Click Image To Enlarge. Gianni D'Ottavio.
[ GD ] - After over 9 years in the industry for such companies as EAS, Biotest and Pinnacle, I realized as companies grow they often lose touch with the customer as their concerns shift from customers to profits. I was passionate about creating products that I would use and that would produce efficacious results!
 Click Image To Enlarge. Damon Armani, Our Contact At Progressive Labs.
[ GD ] - Originally, I began Five Star Nutritional Technologies with four partners, whom I later bought out. Together, we had over 40+ years in the supplement industry, all ranging from sales, to R &D, to supplement manufacturing.
[ GD ] - I am a lifelong athlete. Having grown up in Iowa, I started lifting weights freshman year in high school in order to remain competitive in both wrestling and football. Before high school my weight training resembled that of Rocky-I would do push ups and pull ups and curl gallon milk jugs filled with water!
As I grew stronger, I began competing in power lifting and bench press competitions in and around Iowa. My big "break" into the industry came when I entered and was one of the top ten qualifiers (out of over 1,400) for the "King of Reps" competition put on by Muscle Media 2000 in Las Vegas. After competing against Bill Phillips and the other qualifiers, I won the competition. At that point, I was hooked! I wanted in the industry and it was a perfect fit, as I have always loved training and passing my knowledge on to others in order to help them with their training.
 Click Image To Enlarge. "King Of Reps." After six years with EAS the industry began to change... it seemed to be less of innovative products and cutting edge ingredients but rather profits, profits, profits. So, I bounced around the industry seeking to find what it had been when I first started... After not finding it, I decided that I could really make a positive impact, started Muscle Fortress, and began to do things the right way. Now the only bosses I answer to are my customers and so far my bosses have been happy!
[ GD ] - Muscle Fortress differentiates itself from the competition by bringing safe and innovative products that will truly benefit the customer. I have designed these products, with the help of experts, for my own athletic and bodybuilding goals. If I won't personally take a supplement, you won't see it in my line!
[ GD ] - In trying to maintain our innovative edge, we are working on a couple of new products that I am pretty excited about.
 Click Image To Enlarge. The Muscle Fortress Booth.
[ GD ] - At the end of 2006, we brought on one of the largest distributors in Europe to meet the growing demand. In 2007, we are looking to partner with in distributor for Asia Pacific Rim.
[ GD ] - Yes, we have, mostly local bodybuilders, football players, hockey players and a couple of MMA fighters.
[ GD ] - Impact has been small-scale. We have sponsored athletes more for what we could bring them than for what they could bring to us. We have bodybuilders going for pro cards, arena football players and MMA fighters who need supplements that will take them to the next level. That is where we have come in and provided that opportunity for them to take that next step.
[ GD ] - Let me spilt this into two parts. For males: Vaso CrEE and Muscle Stack Pack For females: Vaso Pump and Muscle Stack Pack I don't like to bury anyone in products as it gets complicated and leads to burn out. By starting out with one or two products, you learn how to take supplements and when, in addition to realizing if a product is working for you or not. Once you are comfortable with this, you can add or subtract products in order to create the prefect stack for you.
[ GD ] - Best: The "True Believers," those who got into the industry because we only have one life and want to help others achieve their fitness goals and live healthier, happier, longer lives. Worst: The "Snake Oil Salesman," who destroys the industry with under-dosed, over-hyped products that don't work, and whose main objective is to make money, not to improve the well-being of others.
 Click Image To Enlarge. Branch Warren & Lee Priest With Gianni.
[ GD ] - I would like to say that training and exercise is truly a life's journey. You start when you are young and end when you die. With Muscle Fortress, I am creating products that will make your journey as successful as possible.
[ GD ] - I would like to thank Tom and Mike Banish at Power Shack and Jeremy, Ryan and Russ at BodyBuilding.com for caring my products since day one. I would also like to thank Paul, Sander and John at Nutriworld in the Netherlands the best distributors in Europe and lastly I would like to thank all the US troops in harms way especially my brother Aldo who is heading back to the Persian Gulf for his second tour.
 Click Image To Enlarge. My Dad, My Brother And I At My Dad's Pizzaria Just Before The Last Time Aldo Shipped Over To The Gulf.
Vince Andrich Recommend this article to a friend by e-mail here!
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