Hernandez joined the Muscle Milk roster before the start of the 2012 season, prior to his third year in the NFL. The Pro Bowl tight end was drafted by the New England Patriots during the 2010 NFL Draft, directly following a stellar collegiate career at the University of Florida highlighted by a 2009 BCS National Championship. He was awarded the John Mackey Award that same season which recognizes the nation’s top collegiate tight end.
Hernandez was the youngest player on any active NFL roster during his rookie season in 2010, and a two-touchdown performance in Week 15 of that season earned him NFL Rookie of the Week honors. Climbing the ranks as one of the best tight ends in the league, Hernandez spent the offseason leading up to the 2012 season dedicated to an intense training routine to help him improve on and off the field.
Career Highlights:
- 2011 Pro Bowl
- 2011 AFC Champion with the New England Patriots
- 2009 John Mackey Award
- 2009 BCS National Champion
- 2009 First-team All-American
There are no upsets for Chrissie Wellington. After winning the 2007 Ironman World Championship, less than a year after turning pro, experts called her win one of the biggest surprises in sports history. The only person not shocked was Wellington. For years she has conditioned her body, preparing it for one of the most daunting athletic events in the world. The amazing Brit continued her world dominance in 2008 by winning her second straight Ironman with an impressive time of 9:06:23. In 2009, she cemented her legacy as one of the best Ironman triathletes of all time by capturing her third consecutive World Championship with a course record of 8:54:02. Her awe-inspiring performances are a testament to her commitment to push her body’s limits and captured her fourth Ironman World Championship with a comeback victory in Kona in 2011. She plans to take some time off from racing in 2012 to pursue other opportunities including the release of her autobiography.
Recent Career Highlights:
• 2011, 2009, 2008, 2007 Ironman World Champion
• 2010 Quelle Roth Iron-Distance Champion (set world record with time of 8:19:13)
• Holds Ironman World Championship course record of 8:54:02
• 2009 Timberman Ironman 70.3 Champion
• Set Ironman-Distance World Record at 2009 Quelle Roth Challenge (8:31:59)
• 2009 Ironman 70.3 Kansas Champion
• 2009 Ironman Australia Champion (course record time of 8:57:10)
• 2008 ITU Long Distance World Champion
• 2008 Timberman Ironman Champion
• 2008 Ironman European Champion
• 2008 Ironman Australia Triathlon Champion
• 2008 Ironman Korea Champion
Clay Matthews has emerged as one the NFL’s best defensive players since being drafted in the first round of the 2009 draft out of USC. Matthews evolved into an All-American during his senior season at USC after initially entering program as unheralded freshman walk-on.
Matthews set a Packers rookie record with 10 sacks in 2009 on his way to earning Pro Bowl honors and has been named to the Pro Bowl squad all three seasons he has played in the league. Matthews has become a true difference maker in NFL and capped the 2010-2011 season by leading Green Bay to a Super Bowl championship.
Recent Career Highlights:
• 2011, 2010, 2009 Pro Bowl Selection
• 2010-2011 Super Bowl Champion
• 2010 All-Pro Selection
• 2010 NFC Defensive Player of the Week (Weeks 2 and 9)
• 2010 NFC Defensive Player of the Month (September)
• 2010 Butkus Award
• 2010 Sporting News Defensive Player of the Year
• 2009 NFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 13)
Eli Tomac broke into the professional Motocross world for the first time in 2010 and sparked an impressive rookie season with a win at his first pro race, the first rider to ever achieve that feat. He finished sixth overall in the 250 MX class as a rookie and is currently dominating the 2011 Supercross season.
Recent Career Highlights:
· 2011—Three consecutive Supercross victories and leading the Lites West standings
· 2010—First rider in history to win his professional debut
· 2010—Earned top-10 finishes in 12 starts in 250 MX
Gretchen Bleiler is one of the most accomplished female snowboarders in the world and found her passion for the sport at the age of 11. Recognized as a pioneer for the sport, she achieved her childhood dream of competing in the Olympics and took home a silver medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy. She has an extensive resume of championships and podium finishes over the course of her amazing career and is considered a role model to athletes across all sports genres.
Bleiler’s career takes her off the mountain as well as she incorporates her love for fashion in the first-ever athlete-dedicated signature line of snowboarding gear. She is an active spokesperson in the fight against global warming and founded an all-girls annual snowboard Halfpipe competition in her hometown of Aspen, Colo. In addition to her love for shredding, she also enjoys surfing, mountain biking and interior design.
Recent Career Highlights:
· 2011 and 2010 Winter X Games Halfpipe Finalist
· 2011 Winter Dew Tour, Halfpipe: 2nd Place
· 2011 Cover of ESPN the Magazine’s Body Issue
· 2010 Guinness World Recorder holder for the Most Winter X Games Gold Medals in Women’s Superpipe Finals (2010, 2008, 2005, 2003)
· 2010 inductee into the Sportswoman Hall of Fame for Snowboarding
· 2008 ESPY for “Best Action Sports Female”
· 2006 Olympics Silver Medalist, Halfpipe
Ian Kinsler’s record-breaking pro career has made him one of the most dominant forces in MLB baseball and has catapulted the Texas Rangers into unprecedented recent success including the franchise’s first World Series appearance in 2010 and second consecutive trip in 2011.
Kinsler made his debut in the major leagues in 2006, taking over as starting second baseman for the Rangers. He wasted no time in making a name for himself in the big leagues and tallied his first major league hit in his first at bat. Since then, Kinsler has appeared in two All-Star games, recorded two 30-30 seasons and has set numerous Rangers’ clubhouse records.
Recent Career Highlights:
· 2011, 2009 30-30 Club (30 home runs and 30 stolen bases)
· 2010, 2008 American League All-Star
· 2009 (April), 2007 (April) American League Player of the Week
· 2009 Ranked No. 24 on Sporting News’ list of the 50 greatest current players in baseball
· 2009 Hit for cycle (the only right-handed Ranger to ever do so)
Justin "Bam Bam" Barcia had a very successful amateur career before turning pro in 2009 and made an impressive debut in the AMA 250 MX Championship by finishing fifth in the overall series with eight podium finishes. Bam Bam had a stellar 2010 season riding with GEICO Powersports Honda and finished as runner-up in the AMA Supercross Lites East division. The standout rider had a breakout season in 2011 where he landed on the podium at every round in the Supercross Lites East division to clinch the championship. He dominated the 2012 season and repeated as SX Lites East champion by notching five wins, one second place finish, one third place finish and securing fourth place at the series' stop in New Orleans.
2012: 1st (ESX)
2011: 1st (ESX), 12th (250 MX)
2010: 2nd (ESX), 5th (250 MX)
2009: 5th (250 MX)
While new to the pro snowboarding scene and the youngest rider in the Superpipe field, Matt Ladley has already garnered plenty of attention for his shredding skills. Recognized in snow sports for his cutting edge tricks and throwback skill, he carries a lot of momentum with him into this breakout season. He finished second overall on the 2011 Grand Prix series and took home the win at Mammoth Mountain in March 2011. With 12 years of riding under his belt, look for big things ahead for this Colorado Springs product.
Recent Career Highlights:
· 2011 Winter X Games, Superpipe; 5th Place
· 2011 Mammoth Grand Prix; 1st Place
· 2011 Breckenridge Dew Tour; 2nd Place
· 2009 U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix; 2nd Place
At 6’5”, Matt “Boom Boom” Reed is not only the world’s tallest triathlete, but also one of the most dedicated. Reed has dominated in all three of the sport’s disciplines throughout his career. His key to training as a three-sport athlete is simple: consistency. Regular solid performances with proper rest have helped him capture the 2008 Olympic Trials, US Nationals and the 2009 Toyota Cup Series in addition to numerous podium finishes at races throughout the 2010, 2011 and 2012 seasons.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
• 2011—Amica 19.7 Finale Champion
• 2011—5150 Galveston Champion
• 2011—Rev3 Knoxville Champion
• 2011—Minneapolis Lifetime Fitness Champion
• 2010 Rev3 Knoxville Triathlon Champion
• 2010 LifeTime Minneapolis Triathlon Champion
• 2010 Malibu Triathlon Champion
• 2009 LifeTime Fitness Series Toyota Cup Champion
• 2009 U.S. Open Dallas Triathlon Champion
• 2009 Chicago Triathlon Champion
• 2009 Lifetime Fitness Triathlon Champion
• 2009 Ironman 70.3 California Triathlon Champion (course record time of 3:51:50)
• 2009 Miami International Triathlon Champion
• USAT's Male Athlete of the Year for 2008 Elite ITU
• ITU 2008 World Championships – 5th place
• 2008 US Olympic Team
• 2008 USA National Champion
• USA Olympic Trials Champion
• 2008 USA Haul to the Great Wall Champion
• 2008 Escape to Bermuda Champion
• 2008 St Anthony’s Triathlon Champion
• 2008 Boulder Peak Triathlon Champion
• 2008 Miami International Champion
• 2008 ITU World Cup- Richards Bay South Africa - 2nd place
• 2008 ITU World Cup- Madrid, Spain
• 2008 Toyota Cup Dallas- Flat Tyre
• 2007 Top Ranked American Male Triathlete
• 2007 St Anthony's Triathlon - 1st place, course record
• 2007 Cronulla Triathlon - 1st place
• 2007 Boulder Peak Triathlon- 1st place
• 2006 Escape from Alcatraz Champion
• 2004 USA Professional National Champion
When it comes to long distances, Ryan Hall runs away from the field. The champion distance runner established himself at Stanford University as a three-time All-American leading the Cardinal to the 2003 Cross Country Team Championship and winning the NCAA Championship in 5000 meters. After his stellar collegiate career, Hall remained a force to be reckoned with by winning the 2008 US Olympic Team Trial with a time of 2:09:02, shattering the 1980 record in the process. Hall was the second American across the finish line in the 2008 Olympics and recently finished fourth at the 2011 Boston Marathon. If you’re looking for the next great American distance runner, he’s already ahead of the pack.
Recent Career Highlights:
• 2012—2nd place 2012 Olympic Marathon Trials in Houston (2:09:30)
• Featured in the 2011 ESPN the Magazine Body Issue
• 2011—4th place Boston Marathon
• 2009—4th Place New York City Marathon (2nd place among Americans)
• 2009—3rd place Boston Marathon (best American finish since 1985)
• 2008—10th place 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing (2nd place among Americans)
• 2008—5th place Flora London Marathon (2:06:17—US record)
• 2007—1st place US Olympic Team Trials Marathon (2:09:02 in New York City)
• 2007—US Half Marathon Record Holder (59:43)—Aramco Houston Half Marathon
Sara Hall is one of the nation’s elite female distance runners and runs every race with purpose. Hall won the 2012 American title at the USA Cross Country Championships and took home a gold medal at the 2011 Pan American games in the 3000-meter steeplechase. She is a stellar road race athlete and has won several prestigious races including the Drake Relays Grand Blue Mile and the US National Road Mile Championships. She finished first in the 1500-meters at the Millrose Games and is a two-time world team member for the United States at the world indoor track and field championships. The seven-time Stanford University All-American had an impressive collegiate career, finishing third in the 2003 NCAA Women’s Cross Country Championship where she led her Stanford Cardinal to a team title.
Hall is married to Ryan Hall, an Olympic long distance runner and fellow Muscle Milk athlete. The Halls founded The Hall Steps Foundation in 2009 to raise money through their passion for running to fight poverty through better health, and continue to use their desire to help others guide them as they hit the pavement with purpose.
Recent Career Highlights:
· 2012—8th place at IAFF World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey
· 2012—American title at USA Cross Country Championships
· 2011—Gold medalist 3000m steeplechase at Pan American Games
The Diesel. The Big Daddy. Superman. Shaq Fu. The Big Aristotle. The Big Shamrock. Or simply, Shaq. Whatever you call him, there’s no denying O’Neal’s bigger than life personality on and off the court. The four-time NBA Champ and three-time NBA Finals MVP is one of the most prolific scorers in league history. The Diesel’s presence in the post terrorized defenses throughout his 19-year career and analysts coined the phrase “Hack-a-Shaq” to refer to the constant barrage of fouls O’Neal received. After a stellar career on the hardwood, Shaq officially retired after the 2011 season and is now pursuing a broadcasting career.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
- 4-time NBA Champion (2000, 20001, 2002, 2006)
- 1999-2000 NBA MVP
- 1992-93 NBA Rookie of the Year
- 3-time NBA Finals MVP (2000, 2001, 2002)
- 3-time All-Star Game MVP
- 15-time All-Star
- 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist
- 1994 FIBA World Championship MVP
“Turbo Trey” has reached the elite level of racing motocross and Supercross for Team Honda Muscle Milk, and has been touted as one of the best young racers in the world. The Elk City, Okla. native stepped out as a pro in 2008 after winning eight amateur titles throughout the 2007 racing season. In the 2010 Supercross season, Canard stepped up and climbed the podium at five races in a row, finishing with a third place spot overall in the Lites West division. He transitioned into riding a CRF450R for the 2011 season where he has had tremendous success.
Canard has battled injuries in his pro career including a wreck in the opening lap of the AMA Supercross in Los Angeles that will leave him sidelined during the 2011-12 season but is already planning big things for his return.
Recent Career Highlights:
· 2011 AMA Supercross—5th Place
· 2010 AMA Supercross Lites West—3rd Place
· 2010 AMA Motocross Lites Champion
· 2010 AMA Supercross Rising Star Award
· 2010 Motocross of Nations—Team Champion, 3rd Place MX2 Class
· 2008 AMA Supercross East Lites Champion (rookie season)
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