I won't spend too long on this section, but thought I would add this in as this absolutely counts as an 'interest', but is also very much a lifestyle as it is something I've been enjoying since 2001, where I used to collect all the magazines and most likely over-trained from trying out all the different routines in an effort to put on some muscle. Over the years, I've tried many different styles of training, including calisthenics. For years, I trained with my old friend, Sid Abbey, who was a world powerlifting champion in 1993, national bench press record holder for 8 years and a bodybuilding champion in 2003, where a lot of our training was with lighter weight, high reps and little rest in between sets, with emphasis on technique with slow and controlled eccentrics and holding at the stretched portion of the lift. 

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These days, I continue to train 5 days a week. My training is usually 35-45 minutes, maximum. Weight training is something that I deem to be essential, due to the many physical but also mental benefits, especially as it also teaches delayed gratification and discipline. Keep in mind, building and strengthening your body is an amazing goal, so long as it doesn't get in the way of mental development and transcending those barriers and plateaus. I enjoy training and pushing myself to near failure, but never absolute failure; for instance, I could do 12 reps of dumbbell press and may have 3 RIR (reps in reserve), although those reps would most likely be my joints taking the stress off the target muscles. As I don't do nearly as many sets as I used to per workout, I try to hit everything twice a week.

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As for my nutrition, since 2020, I generally eat once a day, which was a gradual change that I have been able to sustain with ease. Whenever I feel hungry, I always question whether it's hunger that I'm feeling or withdrawal, so I can make conscious and good choices with my nutrition. I also drink between 3-4 litres of water. I am often asked about how strict one needs to be for intermittent fasting; whilst I found that IF worked for me and can certainly help with cutting weight, there isn't a significant difference in weight loss or health benefits compared with overall caloric restriction. Being in a caloric deficit is the key as opposed to overall meal timings / eating patterns.

 

Although as of August 2023, I decided to cut my weight down as I have been 105-110kg for many years. With the expert advice, guidance and regular check-ins with my good friend, Roger Snipes / UHP Fitness, I managed to drop down to 88kg, which is the lightest I've been in over 20 years; my relationship with food has also changed. It's very much a case of choosing what you want most over what you want in the moment. These days, I definitely prefer to be slimmer and more athletic, especially as I feel healthier, which is by far, the most important thing. As this is a very frequently asked question, I will state now that despite the pressures of social media and working in the film industry, I have never used any exogenous substances; my opinion on this is that I am unwilling to jeopardise the course events in the future of my health over aesthetics. The photos are as a result of losing bodyfat over time; I am absolutely not bigger despite what it may look like in the above (Additionally, it's important to state that I am pumped and under good lighting in those photos; I only look that way for the duration of my workout)! Having more definition will make you look bigger. The only supplements I used are Creatine and Essential Amino Acids (EAAs over BCAAs!). 

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Mobility and flexibility are also things that are essential, where I hired Taya from THEA Fitness to specifically help me achieve my goals. I've always been flexible since childhood from my martial arts training, but have sustained injuries over the years, which Taya helped me through and beyond, whilst teaching me new methods to build strength and endurance within my flexibility, which have ultimately improved my overall performance and mobility; I would therefore highly recommend incorporating flexibility into a regular routine. Coming from a dance background, Taya's approach was quite different to what I was used to, but exceptionally beneficial. These days, I continue to do a full body routine 2-3 times a week, which have not only helped with my flexibility, but also my performance and endurance.

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I used to be a firm advocate of cold therapy (especially as my boiler stopped working so I had no choice!), although whilst it could seemingly mask muscle soreness, I didn't find that it helped with my recovery as I didn't see improvement in performance. What I did find however, was more mental benefits, which helped with alertness and resilience. I also found that Hydrogen water did help me with my recovery ever so slightly (keeping all variables the same and only changing the water that I drank), but the most important thing for recovery is and always will be sleep! 

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Sports massages have also helped me with my injuries and general wear and tear, which is something else I would also recommend once in a while. Alan from Meridien Bodyworks is phenomenal, especially having fixed my sciatica!

 

I'll probably add more to this section at some point...!