Month: November 2017

fitdadfitness15

A conversation with a fit dad, Ashley Kirk

I’m really excited to share this episode of the Fit Dad Fitness Podcast with you, as this week, I interview fit dad Ashley Kirk. I consider Ashley to be an example of what a lot of us guys are — a man who works full-time, has a family at home that he loves and supports, and who cares about his health and fitness. In that respect, Ashley is perhaps as relatable a guest as I’ve had in my 25 episodes of this podcast.

This week’s episode is quite simply a conversation with a fit dad. Ashley and I get into everything from sports, to how he schedules his workouts, to his goals, to a recent injury that sidelined him for several weeks.

Be sure to listen to the end, because as the interview begins to wrap up, Ashley and I discuss something very profound, and it strikes to the core of why I started Fit Dad Fitness and this podcast. Ashley brings a new perspective that I greatly appreciate.

Listen to this episode!

The Fit Dad Fitness Podcast is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, and SoundCloud. Please give it a listen and subscribe, and let me know what you think. I can always improve, so any feedback is greatly appreciated! Thanks everyone!

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fitdadfitness15

The hardest worker in the room?

A guy walked into the gym this morning in the middle of my workout with a shirt on that said “Hardest Worker in the Room.”

It’s interesting where you’re motivation comes from sometimes.

I wasn’t comparing myself to this guy and what he was doing — he and I were doing very different workouts — but that shirt got to me. It challenged me. It ignited something in me.

I was having what I felt was a really good workout up to that point. I was sweating like crazy, and I was feeling strong. However, when I saw this guy and his shirt, I said to myself that I was not going to let this guy be the hardest worker in the room. That was going to be me. So I made sure of it. The intensity of my workout ramped up. I found a new gear.

He didn’t know it, but all of a sudden, he and I — and everyone else in that gym — were in competition.

Being the hardest worker in the room is relative to where you’re at in your fitness journey. I’ve been at this “fitness thing” for more than five years now, so what is hard for me looks very different from someone just starting out, and vice versa. In this respect, it’s silly to compare yourself to anyone else.

But you can control the energy and effort you put into your workout. No matter your workout, you can be the one working the hardest to achieve your goals.

The key takeaway is this: Go into every workout with this mentality — that no one else can match you or outwork you. Do this, and you’ll get results. The results that YOU want.

Because comparing effort is one thing. Trying to compare results is another. You cannot compare your results to someone else’s results. It’s not fair to yourself or to the other person.

But know this: If you wear a shirt that says “Hardest Worker in the Room,” you better be prepared to work for that title … especially if I’m in the gym.

fitdadfitness15

If you have the ability, you have the responsibility

I recorded a podcast interview with an amazing guest yesterday (you’ll have to listen to the podcast in the coming weeks to find out who) and something he said really struck me.

This man was talking about his motivation for helping others get fit, healthy, and active, and he said his father always told him “if you have the ability, you have the responsibility.”

“If you have the ability, you have the responsibility.”

First off, if there’s any doubt the influence a father can have over his child’s life, know that the man I interviewed now lives his life by these words that his father spoke to him, even though his father has since passed away. His father’s words and legacy continue to live on through his son’s actions.

Secondly, I see this as a call to action for all men — not just fathers — to step up and put others before themselves. To be humble and grateful enough that you put others first and you use the means at your disposal to improve the lives of others.

If you are able to do good, you have a responsibility to act on that ability.

Likewise, with fitness, if you are able to move and you can rid yourself of B.S. excuses, you have a responsibility — to yourself and to your family — to take care of your body and your physical health. To rid yourself of your dad bod. To do whatever you can to positive affect your life, so that you may positively affect your childrens’ lives.

You have the ability. Live responsibly. Be involved.

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Realistic nutrition with Cam from Fight The Dad Bod

Nutrition can be one of the most misunderstood aspects of creating a healthy and active lifestyle. How you fuel your body directly affects how you perform in the gym, on the court, on the track, or wherever you choose to be active.

Unfortunately, nutrition is so misunderstood because there are so many “diets” and “nutrition plans” out there that champion extremes.

On this week’s episode of the Fit Dad Fitness Podcast, I welcome in Cam Hall from Fight The Dad Bod, where we talk about realistic, sustainable nutrition. Cam has a very straightforward and achievable approach to nutrition based on easy-to-follow concepts, which he explains in this interview. As dads, following some super strict and regimented diet isn’t always in our best interest … or our family’s bet interest. I think you’re going to appreciate Cam’s insight.

Listen to this episode!

The Fit Dad Fitness Podcast is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, and SoundCloud. Please give it a listen and subscribe, and let me know what you think. I can always improve, so any feedback is greatly appreciated! Thanks everyone!

fitdadfitness15

Ways to find the time to workout

How do you have time to get to the gym every day? It’s the most common question I and most other fitness professionals get when speaking to someone about how to make a change in their life regarding their health and fitness.

Time is our most valuable resource, and we all want to feel as though we are using our time wisely and efficiently. However, until working out becomes something you enjoy and look forward to — and you will get there if you remain dedicated — it can feel like a time suck or a waste of time.

On this week’s solo episode of the Fit Dad Fitness Podcast, I want to give you actionable ways you can make time in your life to begin working out, starting today. These are the tactics that have helped me on my journey to becoming a fit dad.

I hope this episode provides you some motivation to implement these measures into your own daily routine. I’d also love to hear what has worked for you when it comes to making time to workout while still paying attention to the other important areas of your life.

Listen to this episode!

The Fit Dad Fitness Podcast is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, and SoundCloud. Please give it a listen and subscribe, and let me know what you think. I can always improve, so any feedback is greatly appreciated! Thanks everyone!