I trained legs on Monday, he’d
work on my legs on Tuesday
morning. I had regular therapy
four or five times a week, plus
additional sessions to treat any
niggles. On average I was having
six physical therapy sessions a
week, which easily cost over
$250. Add up the cost over
52 weeks, and it’s quite pricey.
But physical therapy is crucial.
I even took Richard with me to
the World’s Strongest Man.
I DIDN’T HAVE
ALCOHOL,
HOLIDAYS, OR
NIGHTS OUT
WITH MY WIFE
OR DAYS OUT
WITH THE
KIDS. THEY
WOULD TIRE
ME OUT TOO
MUCH.
I also have lots of recovery
equipment at home, so after
every training session I’d do
hot-cold treatments for at least
an hour and then eat. If I had
time afterward, I’d go into my
hyperbaric chamber for 1½
hours.
That’s how I lived for a year. I
didn’t have any alcohol, holidays,
or nights out with my wife or
days out with the kids because
they would tire me out too
much. My family understood it
was what I needed to do to be
the best and left me to it. It was
100% dedication. Looking back,
I don’t know how I did it. It was
a massive obsession to become
the World’s Strongest Man.
118
FLEX | JANUARY 2018
WEDNESDAY
//// FULL-RECOVERY
My idea of a recovery
day is different from most
others’. I had something
small to eat first thing,
then did an hour of cardio,
which could be tire flipping,
sled pushing, or boxing.
Straight after that, I’d have
a regular exercise session,
then I’d go home and eat.
I’d have a full English
breakfast, plus cereal, beef
jerky, yogurt, and I’d keep
eating until my personal
trainer arrived at 10:30 a.m.
for 1½ hours of intense
exercise. Then I’d eat
dinner, which would be
something like a huge steak
or chicken and pasta. Then
DAY
I’d visit another therapist
for shock wave therapy,
which helps the muscles
recover by breaking them
down. Then I’d eat again,
something like chicken and
rice, and have another
1½-hour exercise session in
the afternoon, doing full hip
mobility and breaking down
the glutes. I then stretched
in the pool for 1½ hours
and did a good 1½ hours
of hot-cold treatments,
which consisted of a sauna
followed by an ice bath
several times. Then I’d go
home, eat, and go to bed.
That was my day off! It
was non-stop.