[4] He began weightlifting at 15 in Macks Gym in Toronto. There he was trained by
Tom Hall, who taught him the correct biomechanical way to do each exercise and helped him secure his first Muscletech contract at 18 years old. Pakulski also credits the deceased Peter Chiasson, a health professional with a kinesiology background, for teaching him early in his career.
[5][6] Pakulski began watching professional events at 17, when his father took him to a Night of Champions competition between Jay Cutler and Ronnie Coleman. He received coaching from
Charles Poliquin and Charles Glass, two highly-influential figures in the bodybuilding world.
[7] His favorite bodybuilders growing up were
Lee Priest and
Dorian Yates. Pakulski is engaged to Amanda Vassalo and has two children.
[8] He stated in an interview with Team MD Poland that he is
Polish, and his father is from
Lublin, Poland.
[9] Pakulski routinely eats 120 lbs of meat every month, costing roughly $1,100.
[10]
Ben Pakulski graduated with honors from the University of Western Ontario with a
B.S. in Kinesiology. On his website, he attributes this background for making his name "synonymous with an intelligent and healthy approach to bodybuilding." He teaches seminars and coaches aspiring bodybuilders with his education in nutrition and exercise science.
[4][11] As per his website, since November 2012, he has been actively writing a book on bodybuilding.