“I get fat when I bulk” (and an honest gut check)

Here’s a dandy for the 160-pound "I get fat when I bulk" types: UFC star Jon Bones Jones has spent the past year eating and training to reach Heavyweight, under the watchful eye of one of the best in bodybuilding, Stan Efferding. He's currently 250 pounds (holy shit!) and learning to own the new weight, getting comfortable moving, training, striking, and recovering at that size. Now, the pic...

Committing to the “best” way to train

Since 1965, MILLIONS of people have lifted weights seriously enough to call themselves bodybuilders. And yet only 16 guys have EVER earned the sports ultimate prize: being crowned Mr. Olympia. 16 winners since 1965. And they say winning the Stanley Cup is a tall order. However, while all these Mr. Os are incredibly well-built (duh), dedicated, consistent, focused, and exceptionally gifted...

How to Bring Yourself Back Up: Fill a Gap

This is my favorite tweet so far this year: My dad died when I was 8. Every week a few of the dads on my hockey team would offer to tie my skates. Not in a big showy way, in a quiet kind way. They filled the gap. Find a way to fill the gap for someone. It’ll make you both better. — Jonathan Torrens (@TorrensJonathan) March 16, 2021 I’ll explain, but first: How are you doing? Feeling good? Or has...

“I know I shouldn’t feel this bad…”

Recently, three clients lost their beloved family pets. Each client kindly informed me of this on their weekly check in form, in part to explain days of blank diet logs and missed workouts, but also because they know I understand exactly how they’re feeling. But what troubled me was that each variation included some variation of, “Now, I know it's just a pet and I shouldn’t feel so bad,” or “I...

The Evidence vs. Experience debate is mostly moot.

Fitness people love to argue. Seemingly more than they like fitness. "The best training program is X." "Okay. Show me your evidence." "Well, it worked great for my clients." "That's just anecdote. Here's a study indicating that, logically, the best training program would be Y." "That study was four weeks long, there were only three participants, and the average age was 104." "Yeah, well, it...

Cardio and the bigger picture

CARDIO! It sucks. I mean—no, cardio is wonderful! It’s good for your heart, improves lung capacity, enhances recovery, improves immune function, and even feels good. Do your cardio and you WILL live longer. See? I'm a fan. But in terms of burning bodyfat, cardiovascular exercise is pretty "meh" compared to other tools in your toolbox. Okay, even that missive was lacking context. Here's the...

False Start, Offense

The myth that it's bad to start and stop You've been there. I know I have. You look at your schedule and spot a stretch of relative normalcy, a stretch where you could commit to getting leaner or bigger or even just clean up some bad habits. To really nail it, you hire a coach or invest in a meal service. You even demand your family also gets on board. No more half-measures. Day 1 arrives and...