Chasing Health and Longevity Through Balance with Sal, Adam and Justin of Mind Pump- EP043
“The irony of all of this is, I look better now … at 38-years-old than I did when I was 22-years-old, acting like a jerk in the gym. What a crazy lesson to learn: If I chase health and longevity and balance, I’ll actually get a great deal of the aesthetics that I always wanted.”
Sal Di Stefano, Adam Schafer and Justin Andrews have 40-plus years of combined experience in the fitness industry as personal trainers, club managers, IFBB competitors and fitness thought leaders. Together, they host the Mind Pump platform, a media site and podcast that sheds light on the truth about health, fitness and a host of other topics. Sal, Adam and Justin are passionate about cutting through the BS to help people reach their health and fitness goals.
Today the Mind Pump team discusses how far they have come in terms of health and fitness, explaining their common journey from insecurity to balance and wellness. Adam speaks to the pros and cons of becoming a physique Pro, sharing the factors you should consider before pursuing competitive bodybuilding. Sal, Adam and Justin cover the benefits of strength training for endurance athletes, including the prevention of muscle imbalance and overuse injury. Listen in for the Mind Pump take on the future of the fitness industry and their best advice around setting boundaries when it comes to technology and social media.
Topics Covered
[7:49] How the Mind Pump hosts have evolved in terms of fitness and health- Driven to start working out based on insecurities
- Pursued fitness for aesthetic, performance
- Now feel secure in own skin, train to take care of self
- Chase health, longevity
- Connected success with money in personal training
- Now driven to learn more about whole picture
- Look at immeasurables (i.e.: stress, sleep, recovery and mobility)
- Fitness industry built around marketing, sales
- Want to serve as voice of reason through Mind Pump platform
[15:58] The pros and cons of becoming a physique Pro
- Can compete in healthy way with knowledge, discipline
- Too many don’t have understanding of diet, training
- Exacerbates poor relationship with food, exercise
- Provided Adam with notoriety, platform
- Shouldn’t consider competing until track food for 9-12 weeks
- Don’t use show as motivation to get in shape
- Will make health sacrifices to compete
- Watch out for unqualified coaches
- Must develop healthy, solid foundation first (homeostasis)
- Obvious benefit as foundation of all physical pursuits
- Resistance training prevents muscle imbalances, overuse injuries
- Use to develop optimal form, movement patterns
- Mind Pump MAPS Prime program assesses movements
- One to two days/week offers huge return (e.g.: speed, recovery, longevity)
- Use in conjunction with Prime if want to build muscle
- Requires three days/week in gym
- Don’t recommend if goal is building muscle
- Focus on intensity is taxing on joints, CNS
- Creates imbalances due to pushing
- Body doesn’t respond long-term
- Should manipulate intensity, volume and frequency
- Better to train two to four times/week at lower volume
- Fully adopted technology vs. dependent on tools (behavioral addiction)
- Growth of community-based fitness classes
- Melding of fitness with wellness and health
- Developing focus on nutrition
- Attention to where food comes from
- Mute phone when with family, friends
- Shut off all electronics an hour before bed
- Consider scheduling a day without tech
Learn More About Mind Pump
Resources
Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked by Adam Alter
The Inevitable: Understanding the 12 Technological Forces That Will Shape Our Future by Kevin Kelly
