General

I’m not going to cite the latest studies about the benefits of music on your workouts. Why? Because you have already experienced it. You know how it feels to get pumped up or “in the zone” with your favorite workout music. It brings out emotions and experiences. You also know how certain music helps you to relax after you exercise. Your respiration slows down and you feel a sense of calm. For some people, light classical music or jazz does the trick.

Back in college, my third-year roommate made me an awesome workout tape. Notice, I didn’t say CD. Mostly hard rock and heavy metal. Metallica anyone? Hey, I was a 20 year old college student. It would help reduce distractions in the gym and I could focus inward. The fact that the volume was on high helped drown out any noise. The tape was 60 minutes long so I knew exactly where I was in my workout when a certain song came on. For those days when I was going to have a more moderate workout or go for a jog, I’d choose lighter rock music or something with a consistent beat. As I ran, I’d try to land my footfalls with the beat. I’d get lost in the music and sometimes find myself running farther than I had anticipated. When I got back to my car or home afterwards, I’d listen to something light. I wasn’t comfortable with pure silence. I needed something to help slow me down. Otherwise, it felt like hitting a wall. Wham! Workout done and music off.

The video below features O Fortuna from Carmina Burana. The first time I heard it was at a bodybuilding competition twenty years ago. The defending champion, Dorian Yates, used it for his posing routine. The music is powerful and will give you chills.

I was twelve years old when my father turned 40. Twenty-eight years later here I am. There’s some gray in my beard and on my head. At least Heather says it looks distinguished. And honestly, I feel great. I’m quicker and more agile than I was twenty years ago. Knock wood, I’m injury-free too. Between two major car accidents and some sports related injuries, something usually comes up. But I try to practice what I preach about body intuition and having fun.

Some people say that my energy is naturally high. I think it’s a combination of diet, exercise, sleep and attitude. A cup of coffee doesn’t hurt either :-) Recently, I was playing doubles tennis and ran down a few drop shots. One of the guys on the other team said “Eric, what are you, 25?” I smiled and thanked him for the compliment. 40 seems like big number, but as the sayings go “Age is just a number.”, “Age is a state of mind.” and “You’re only as old as you feel.” My three boys (ages 8, 5 and 2 weeks old) help keep me young too. This may sound cliche, but I’m passionate about living life and helping people achieve their health and fitness goals. . . and having fun along the way. It’s all about the journey, or as Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Life is a journey, not a destination.” So what does the next decade bring for the Healthiest Man in America? That’s easy to answer. Live life to the fullest . . . and schedule my colonoscopy for my 50th.

It’s great to be validated by a famous Japanese samurai. Recently I read The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi. Written 370 years ago, Musashi discusses battle and warfare, but most importantly using your intuition, being instinctive, observing what’s going on around you and varying your tactics. What does this have to do with health and fitness? Everything. Achieving your goals is not about following a set pattern of exercises or a specific diet plan. It’s about learning, adapting, improving, prevention and, ultimately, formlessness. If you decide the battle (to lose weight or run a marathon) is already won, then you’ve won. All you need to do is put in the work to make it happen.

What amazed me was how modern and applicable the book felt. Written more as a guide or how-to book, I suggest reading it in small bits. Don’t just read it and say you’re done. Absorb and implement his words. I can truly see how this book can be used with athletic teams, businesses and individuals. I highly recommend it if you’re looking to take your health and fitness to the next level.