I currently am a jack-of-all-trades. I am a wellness director, online trainer, speaker, writer and own my own line of peanut butter called, Fokken Nuts Peanut Butter. I am an IFBB PRO physique athlete and also an IFBB PRO judge.

I am married to my wife Amber for six years now and we have a three-year-old son named, Eastan. They are what get me up in the morning and motivated to take on every day and continue to grow in everything I do.

Certifications held:

AFAA personal trainer certified
Life Fitness Group certified
CPR & AED certified
R.I.P.P.E.D certified
First aid certified
PIYO certified
Group stretching certified
Cardio Kickboxing certified
Certified Nutrition Specialist
Fitness Nutrition Specialist

Major Sponsors:

Icon Meals

I’ve worked with many industry leaders over the years like Dymatize, Bodybuilding.com, Beast sports nutrition, Quest Nutrition and many, many more. Today though I have cut ties with all of them other than Icon Meals to focus on my own business management and growth.

I have worked with, donated to, raised funds for and have participated in many walks and charity events in the past years.

Some of these include:

JDRF
National Kidney Foundation
The Buddy Walk
SurviveIt
Breast Cancer Awareness/Tu Tus for ta tas event
American Heart Association
Make a Wish Foundation
Seeds of Change
Washington Pavilion arts program
Various animal shelters

Contest history and other accomplishments:

2010 Fargo Upper Midwest light heavy 3rd place
2010 Minneapolis Gopher State Classic 2010 light heavy 1st place
2011 Fargo Upper Midwest heavy weight 1st place
2011 Minneapolis Gopher State Classic Physique 1st place
2011 Muscle and Fitness Gaspari Super Pump Challenge Online Winner
2011 Muscle and Fitness model contest “Olympia expo ” 3rd
2011 Minnesota State North Star Physique 1st
2011 Photo Vision model
2011 World Physique magazine competitor of the month and “promoting greatness” winner
2012 Bodybuilding.com Body Space Spokes model finalist
2012 Bodybuilding.com Body Space spokes model contest LA expo- signed contract
2012 Muscle and Fitness Online Winner *First two time winner*
2012 Bodybuilding.com “Amateur of the Week July 2012”
2012 Bodybuilding.com 2012 “Top 20 Extreme Physiques”
2012 Bodybuilding.com 2012 “Top 20 Extreme Physiques Part Two”
2012 Muscle and Fitness model contest “Olympia expo” 2nd
2013 Muscle and Fitness Online Winner *First three-time winner*
2013 Muscle and Fitness model contest “Olympia expo” 2nd
2013 Minnesota State North Star 1st
2013 Oregon Seven Feathers 1st
2013 NIKE promo model/athlete
2015 Pittsburgh NPC North Americans 1st IFBB PRO CARD
2015 Bodies of Work Model

I have appeared in over 300 magazines. I write for many major publications and online sites including Bodybuilding.com, TRAIN, Natural Muscle, Cut and Jacked.com and many more. I have been on 31 National and International Fitness covers including IRONMAN, MuscleMag and TRAIN.

Instagram @brandanfokken

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⏱ Describe a typical day of training

Whatever you feel challenges you and you get results from is the most effective routine.

Regarding training philosophy, when I was younger, all I wanted to do was lift as heavy as I could and be strong. I didn’t care about balance or longevity, and due to that suffered many injuries.

Now that I am older, I try to balance my workouts and lift far lighter, but with the same intensity as I did when I was younger. I believe you have to listen to your body and push it when you can, and hold back when it’s giving you signs of wear and tear.

Sure I train tired, and sore just like anyone else, but when I’m injured and know that I am, I take some time off to recoup and take care of myself. In the past, I would have tried to push through and would make things worse.

On life, just try to take each day as it comes. Prepare yourself the best that you can, don’t be upset when you fail, failure means you’re still trying. Try to help others, be a good person, work hard, and good things will come your way.

I feel that the most effective routine for me is dividing my body into parts and hitting them hard once in the week and then touching them up later in the week. My reps, set, and weight always change and I incorporate different training methods into my workouts.

So my answer, whatever you feel challenges you and you get results from is the most effective routine. There is really no right or wrong answer to this in my opinion. I also train alone 90% of the time. I don’t have a gym bag, I don’t track things as I keep it all in my head.

I don’t need to take anything to the gym other than myself. I don’t use belts or wraps, etc. If I need a shaker Ill take that, but that’s it.

On-season: Morning fasted cardio- 30/ 45 mins five to six days a week. I’m usually lifting heavier at the beginning of show prep and taper the weight down and take the reps up as I get closer.

Off-season: I do less cardio, eat more, but basically lift the same.

My workouts change daily and weekly, but this is an example:

Day 1: Chest 8-20 reps

Barbell Incline: 5 sets 20,12,10,10,8
Machine Flies: 4 sets 15,12,10,8
Decline Hammer machine press: 4 set 15,12,10,8
Flat barbell: 5 sets 15,12,10,8,6
Standing Cable flies: 4 sets 15,12,10,10
Abs- pick 3 exercises- 3 to 4 sets per movement/ 25-50 reps per set
10-15 mins on bike or treadmill

Day 2: Arms

Standing dumbbell curls: 4 sets 12,10,8,8
Standing cable rope pull downs: 5 sets 15,12,10,10,8
Standing hammer curls: 4 sets 12,10,8,8
Standing Triceps push down: 5 sets 15,12,10,10,8
Standing straight bar arm curls: 4 sets 10,10,8,8
Dips on bench: 4 sets of at least 20 reps 20,20,20,20
Seated concentration curls or seated machine curls: 3 sets- failure
Single arm reverse cable pull downs: 3 sets of at least 20 20,20,20
10- 15 mins on bike or treadmill

Day 3: Legs

Leg Extensions: 4 sets of 25 – 50 reps 50,40,35,25

Smith Machine or regular Squats: 5 sets 25,20,15,10,10

Leg press “will sometimes incorporate into a workout, depends on energy”
5 sets 50,40,35,25,20

Lunges: 4 sets 20 “10 per leg” reps

Seated Leg Curls: 4 sets 25,20,15,15

Seated Calf Raises: 4 sets of 25

Standing Calf Raises: 4 sets of 25

Abs- pick 3 exercises- 3 to 4 sets per movement/ 25-50 reps per set

10-15 mins on bike or treadmill

Day 4: Shoulders/Traps

Dumbbell Lateral Raises: 4 sets 15,12,10,10

Smith Machine or seated db Shoulder Presses: 5 sets 15,12,10,10

Dumbbell front Raises: 3 sets 15,12,10

Dumbbell Shrugs: 5 sets 20,20,15,12,10

Upright rows: 4 sets 15,12,12,10

Seated rear delt machine, cables, or dumbbells: 4 sets 15,12,12,10

10-15 mins on bike or treadmill

Day 5: Back

Wide-Grip Pull ups: 4 sets 15,15,12,10

Seated hammer reverse grip pull downs: 4 sets 12,12,10,10

Seated Cable pull backs: 4 sets 12,12,10,8

Machine Lat pull downs: 5 sets 15,12,10,10,8

Standing front pull downs: 4 sets 20,20,15,12

Hyper extensions: 4 sets 20,20,15,15

Abs – pick 3 exercises- 3 to 4 sets per movement/ 25-50 reps per set

10-15 mins on bike or treadmill

Day 6: Touch ups

On my 6th day, I will pick two to three body parts I think that are lagging and do a touch up. I may do a circuit, or I may pick two to three exercises for each group.

I really focus on the muscle and take time to make sure I’ve worked it effectively. These days I normally lift very light, strict form, high reps.

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👊 How do you keep going and push harder?

If I have something I need to get ready for, I start out slow.

I got to the gym no matter what. It’s like clock work for me so even when motivation is “low” it’s still beyond the average person. So the gym session happens no matter what. Sometimes it’s a better workout than other days, but it always comes together.

I started working out at age 14, I am now 40. That’s a LONG time to do anything let alone put your body through physical stress. I’ve had injuries over the years, but always learned from them.

Now I train smart, I mostly try to maintain than anything. Of course, I will push here and there, but I just take joy in being there. I use chiropractic care, massage, eat right, rest and that all helps keep me going.

If I have something I need to get ready for, I start out slow. I add in more work week to week and over time it doesn’t feel like I added some large burden, instead you see results and it doesn’t feel like you are killing yourself to get there.

As far as time, after my son it was a lot harder. However, as I work in a gym most days it’s not hard to get a workout in and or be active.

I plan things around my son’s schedule and get my workouts in early in the morning to accommodate him. When I travel, I already have a gym picked and out and make sure I make time for it. It has to be a priority or you’nll make excuses.

The biggest challenge I’ve faced was a health issue (heart-related) I had to overcome. It wasn’t something I expected, but because I’ve always taken care of myself, my time away from the gym wasn’t long and before I knew it I was back on track to where I was at previously.

I didn’t let it beat me and I sure wasn’t going to let it take away one of the greatest joys of my life, which is fitness. People will make excuses for most anything, that’s not an option for me. I research and put a plan in place and go after what I want.

I have a cholesterol disorder. My lipoprotein A is really high. My grandfather died at 43 from it and his brother even younger. My mom had heart failure young and it’s something I didn’t expect, but always watched out for and kept up on my check ups, etc., and was always good to go.

Instagram @fokkennuts

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🏆 How are you doing today and what does the future look like?

I am doing great today. I turned 40 in October and haven’t missed a beat. I want to do some photoshoots in the new year and go after another major cover.

I also have a big thing in the works that if it happens will be a big deal to me and it’s something I will have to be in my best shape for. It revolves around TV so until it’s certain and announced I cant say anything more about it. So stay tuned!

The next five years are to continue to build my businesses, continue training others and myself and keep building the life I always wanted.

I want to be home more and am creating income streams to allow that to happen more and more. I want to coach my son in sports when he’s older, travel with my family and be present. The things I am doing now should get me to a place where I will fully live life on my terms.

If I could start it all over, I’d change nothing. I am the culmination of all the good and the bad in my life. There’s no me if it wasn’t all as is and I am happy with who I am.

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🤕 How do you recover, rest and handle injuries?

As far as handling injuries, I have a great team of people I work with between chiropractic, doctors, massage therapists, etc. They keep my at as close to 100% as I can be.

When I do have an issue, I address it immediately. I don’t try and push through it anymore, I will keep training, but I will train around the issue until it’s resolved.

I sleep about six to seven hours a night, which is enough for me. I am highly functioning on little sleep.

I travel often and so often that it’s a non issue for me and my lifestyle. I’ve done this so long I don’t need to have a plan in place when I go anywhere. I can find the food I need, gym, etc., and I am good to go.

Supplements I take currently are a pro biotic, multi vitamin, turmeric, collagen, reservetrol, Vitamin D, Vitamin V, B12, and protein. If I used protein powder, it’s usually Dymatize IsO 100.

🍎 How is your diet and what supplements do you use?

Currently, I do intermittent fasting. I eat from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. It works for me with my lifestyle now. Sometimes I will eat at lunch then finish about 9 p.m. But that’s usually related to a business lunch, etc.

When I am on vacation, I will eat breakfast with the family and lunch and dinner.

If I were to prep for something, I may fast or go back to old plans that worked for me, which could be four to six meals a day depending. It all depends how I respond really.

I don’t drink alcohol.

I drink a coffee maybe once every two weeks or so. No tea.

I shoot for a gallon of fluid a day.

I don’t eat fast food or candy.

I usually stay leaner year round. When I was first into bodybuilding, I would bulk and cut, but at this point that’s not necessary for me.

👍 What has inspired and motivated you?

When I was young it was Hulk Hogan and Superman. I was a kid, they were strong and did the right things.

As an adult, I’ve been lucky to have so many friends I admire and look up to who are also there for advice like Mike ohearn, Jay cutler, Todd Abrams, Phil Heath, Steve Cook and many more.

I more so appreciate people for who they are, I respect what they’ve done, but there are many who have done a lot and are complete dicks. I’ve been lucky to get to know many who are truly good individuals.

I also read a lot of positive writing, quotes, motivational stories, etc. I don’t really have one source but look to everything and everyone for that. You can be motivated and inspired by anyone you just have to give them a chance. Everyone has something to teach you.

The best advice I’ve received was from Jamie Eason. She told me to go after what I wanted in fitness. I was never told that before. When I did, I accomplished things I never thought possible.

Life wise from my grandmother. She told me to be a gentleman. To treat people how I wanted to be treated and to be as good to my son as she was to me.

Instagram @brandanfokken

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✏️ Advice for other people who want to improve themselves?

Surround yourself with positive people and people that help you along the way.

You need to first of all be ok with yourself at whatever you are involved in or what level you are at in anything you are doing “workout routine, diet, etc.”.

When you are ok with yourself and love yourself, you will make more of a commitment to the betterment of you.

You also won’t get discouraged when things don’t go exactly how you want them to. You will have the strength to carry on and continue to try to achieve the results you are striving for.

Everything takes time; it took time to put on the weight so it will take time to take it off. Set some realistic goals and then set a big goal at the end. Enjoy each incremental goal that you have achieved on the way to your big goal and celebrate those victories on the way to a better you.

If you are having a hard time with the plan you are on, take a step back and reevaluate what you are doing and make sure the plan is right for you. Make sure your diet and workout routine fits in accordance with your goals, diet being the most important. If you’re not eating for results you will never have the success you want.

Use the resources you have and educate yourself. Make sure you are doing a routine that is right for you and you have a good diet plan in place too, nutrition is 80% of the equation. If that doesn’t work, consider hiring a trainer.

Surround yourself with positive people and people that help you along the way. Negative people will just bring you down and make it that much harder for you to achieve your goals.

The people that bring you down are afraid of change, and feel that you’re positive attitude and hard work somehow makes them have to make those changes too, which scares people, so they will become your worst critics. Rise above that and work on you, you are the best investment you can make.

Don’t try to be just like someone else – that’s a recipe for failure. It’s ok to look up to, learn from, and be inspired by others, but don’t put yourself below them and assume they are better than you, be you. Blaze your own trail!

You can accomplish anything you want with a strong mind, strong goals, and hard work. So if you want something, go get it.

🤝 Are you taking on clients right now?

I am taking on clients now. I only work with people online. I work with half athletes/competitors and the other are lifestyle clients.

I look for the person, not the name or the clout behind someone. I want someone who’s ready to work and be committed to a plan.

Results take time so I always suggest someone to keep an open mind and give themselves eight to 12 weeks to see “real” results.

📝 Where can we learn more about you?

My website:
brandanfokken.com

Facebook:
@BrandanFokkenFitness
@FokkenStrongTraining

Instagram:
@brandanfokken
@fokkennuts

Twitter:
@brandanfokken

Pinterest:
BrandanFokken

Brandan Fokken
How I Have Appeared on 31 Fitness Magazine Covers and in over 300 Magazines

Contents

Brandan Fokkens Stats When We Talked with Him 💪