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20th December 2016
12:10am GMT
When I first started training I found having different role models extremely helpful. Not just professional athletes or movie stars but also, real people who work hard, achieve their goals and inspire others to live a healthier lifestyle. Fitspiration is a healthier alternative to thinspiration; it focuses on using good examples of fitness as inspiration to attain your goals. Some people may see this as shallow or vain, but at the end of the day - we all love a good creep! Whether it's their Facebook or Instagram, we usually flick through it it in awe of the shape they keep themselves in or the transformation they have undertaken. Now, remember this is not to be confused for a 'man crush' - fitspiration is a whole kettle of fish entirely. The following lads are some of my fitspirations, who keep me motivated during those early morning training sessions.
For anyone who hasn't seen this documentary and is undergoing a 'healthover', I'd recommend watching it. It follows the life of Aussie, Joe Cross for sixty days as he embarks on a juice fast in a last ditch effort to save his health and wellbeing. Even though I don't agree with the idea of juice diets , I found this story so inspiring because it showed me where I didn't want my life to go and what I didn't want to become. Your health is your wealth and this story really drives that message home.
The 29 year old All Black has played both rugby league and union at the highest level as well as dabbling in professional boxing during the off season. With a long list of honours such as a Rugby World Cup, Super Rugby Title, WBA International Heavyweight championship & NRL Premier winner to his name, he has to be up there with one of the top athletes of the 21st century. Not only is he extremely skillful but also has the speed and power to back it up.
Conor's story recently appeared on social media and really hit home for me. Check out the video here. Conor was the victim of cyberbullying after a photograph of him at a teenage disco in The Wright Venue was cropped, captioned and posted on the internet. The courage and bravery shown by this young man to stand up to the bullies and change his lifestyle is outstanding. To date, Conor has lost 3.5stone and we wish him all the best on the rest of his journey.
Christened 'the most electrifying man in sports entertainment' it's hard for 'The Rock' not to earn a place on the list. I've watched him for years from when he started out in the WWF laying the smack down on people right through out his movie career. Not only does he work hard in the gym and keep himself in phenomenal shape but also does a lot to help people struggling to find direction in life as seen on his reality TV show 'The Wake Up Call'. If you want to see how hard he pushes himself check out his training regime for Hercules the movie. If I'm still able to train this hard at 42 years of age I will be a happy man.
While Conor may not be the biggest bloke in the world, his exceptional range of movement, overall mobility and sheer athletisicm earn him a place on this list. He considers himself a 'master of movement' and if you've followed his career as of recent it would be hard to disagree. The arsenal of kicks and techniques he's able to throw is incredible and something that sets him out from a lot of other fighter in his division. With the ability to preform either 23 full extension pulls ups or burpees in 30seconds he's a true inspiration in my eyes. Check out this video of him preforming a fitness test for EA Sports UFC.
It's important to remember that everyone trains to achieve different goals, and so everyone's personal inspiration will be different. One of the biggest things to bear in mind is that you have to inspire yourself, because if you're not going to do it for yourself, nobody else will. Get your head in the right place, draw up a list of reasons detailing why you want to get fit and go for them. Then go out and find your inspiration this weekend and strive to achieve your dream.
