Scott Lutrus

Everyone is a constant project. Living a life as an “athlete”, you get labels placed on you. We are more than just “athletes” and it shouldn’t define who we are.

If you could describe yourself in 3 words, what would they be?

Loyal, caring, hard-working.

What is the biggest obstacle you have overcome in your career/life?  What were the tools that were pivotal in overcoming this? How have you learned from it, how have you changed?

Something I struggled with the longest was accepting that my football career had ended.  After 3 consecutive surgeries in my right knee, I wanted one last opportunity for a workout, camp invite, or anything.  It never came. I rehabbed and trained for over a year hoping that I would get one last shot while I felt healthy. It was the first time in my life that no matter how hard I worked, it seemed that it was out of my control and I had to accept that.  I now take the approach in work/life to do your best and only worry about the things that you can control. What’s meant to be, will be.

If you could go back and tell your 12 year old self something, what would it be?

Live in the present.  Enjoy these moments of youth. Care for others.  Help those in need. One day, you’ll look back and wish you could revisit these times.

If a young football player asked you for advice on “how to make it” what would your best piece of advice be?

Be committed. Have confidence. Work hard to improve your skills, especially when no one is watching.  Don’t worry about everyone else and their opinions. Aim to be the hardest worker in the room or on the field every day.

What is something the majority of people don’t know about you?

Although my part was small, I was casted of one of the football players in the HBO film, Paterno.

What does “Project Athlete” mean to you?  How do you relate to it?

Everyone is a constant project.  Living a life as an “athlete”, you get labels placed on you.  We are more than just “athletes” and it shouldn’t define who we are.  

I relate to this by trying to improve my personal self, relationships, and career.  Life is a constant project that is never complete - how well you can continue to improve this project of life?

If there was a book written about you, what would it be about?

My life?

What do you want your legacy to be?

To inspire people to work hard for what they want and believe in.  Be the underdog who wins and show compassion for others.

What is the single, best realization you have ever had?

Other people’s opinions mean nothing.  You control you.

What is something beautiful that you see everyday?

My fiancé

If you could clear the air on the realities of being a professional and NFL Football player, what would you say? What is the biggest myth?

Many people think that professional athletes just show up for practice and play in games.  They don’t see the commitment behind the scenes and the hours put in off the field when it comes to weight training, film study, game planning, and the sacrifices on weekends, holidays, and to their families.  NFL players often get a bad reputation for the small percentage of guys who are seen in headlines for getting arrested for various crimes.

In reality, 99% of all NFL players are genuine, hard-working, regular people who happen to be great athletes.

You played collegiate ball at the University of Connecticut, then professionally in the NFL, how did this set you up for success in your “post-athlete” career?

I’ve learned so many valuable life lessons while playing football: time management, dedication, teamwork, perseverance, and hard work. In my biased opinion, football is the ultimate team sport. In college, we had a very close-knit team that trained, sweat, bled, and cried together over the years.  Building that comradery and concept of “TEAM” transitioned well to my post-football career and implementing the same mindset with Blue Ribbon Nutrition.

Did you always dream of starting your own supplement company? What was your inspiration for Blue Ribbon Nutrition?

I was never sure what I wanted to do after my football career, but I knew that I always wanted to do something on my own if I was able.  All throughout high school, I was taking supplements to maximize my performance on the athletic field. I did so without much knowledge of specific products or ingredients.  Years later, we would regularly get drug tested as part of the NCAA and NFL. At this time, I really started to research and learn everything about supplements and specific ingredients and why companies would do things they do.  I couldn’t risk failing a drug test and ruining my career for taking a supplement that may have contained a banned ingredient by drug testing standards. Majority of companies use proprietary blends and do not disclose the amounts of every ingredients – SHADY.  Shouldn’t you know what you are putting into your body?

This is the basis for starting BRN - create transparent and effective formulas that actually taste delicious without using any banned ingredients. We want people to know why we are using ingredients and what they do.  

Our website has a “breakdown of ingredients” so people can learn how they are beneficial.

Tell us a bit about your product, and who it is targeted for.

We currently have preworkout, BCAAs, and whey protein. Our ingredients are scientifically dosed based on research for maximum effectiveness.  You’ll never see a proprietary blend on our labels, because we believe everyone should know what they are consuming! Our products are fit for the elite athlete as well as someone just starting their fitness journey.

What is your best piece of advice for someone thinking about starting their own company?

Do your research, make a thorough plan, budget well, and don’t be afraid to ask someone for help.  When starting out, try to do everything on your own (website, social media, design, marketing, etc.).  If you don’t how, try to learn – watch YouTube, read blogs, ask someone. It is very fulfilling and you’ll learn a lot along the way.  If there is something that you can’t learn, then hire someone to help.