Tag: Mike O’Hearn
Powerlifting Legend Ed Coan On Why Fitness Motivation Is Bullsh*t | The Mike O’Hearn Show
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Powerlifter Ed Coan: Motivation Is In The Brain. Passion Is In The Heart.
Ed Coan is an American powerlifter who is widely regarded as one of the greatest powerlifters of all time. His lifts are legendary and have allowed him to set over 71 world records in powerlifting across his career. That kind of talent and success doesn’t come without a big heavy dose of passion – which is why he was brought onto the podcast this week to discuss how passion intersects with diet and training to elevate an athlete into an elite champion. In Generation Iron and Barbend’s latest episode of The Mike O’Hearn Show, Ed Coan warns athletes to worry less about motivation and find true passion behind the iron.
Motivation in bodybuilding, strength sports, and fitness has become its own industry these days. Just open up social media or YouTube to find dozens of channels and videos dedicated to getting you pumped up for a workout or competition. Motivational fitness playlists flood Spotify and guru words of wisdom go viral on a daily basis.
But Ed Coan and Mike O’Hearn have a possibly contrarian take on fitness motivation – it’s all bullshit.
While that might sound shocking at first, it comes from a much more thoughtful place than you might originally believe. Motivation can be helpful when you are having a hard day or when live brings you down. It can also be used as an excuse to avoid the hard work. If you don’t feel motivated – you have an excuse to avoid the gym or maybe skip out on that healthy meal for a cheat snack instead. It’s like an artist waiting for inspiration – what if it never comes? Will you never make art again?
This is why Mike O’Hearn talks in-depth with Ed Coan about the difference between motivation and passion. While motivation isn’t inherently bad – it will only get you a small way towards success. Motivation needs to lead to passion. Passion is the only thing that will carry you through the long haul. It’s what will allow you to dig deep down to new places. It also will give you the patience to not cut corners or rush towards success.
Let’s jump into a recap of Ed Coan’s explanation of motivation vs passion – and how it vitally plays into maintaining your training routine and diet.
“Motivation is absolutely zero. It means nothing. It’s passion that is everything.”
– Mike O’Hearn
Motivation vs Passion
Mike O’Hearn starts off his interview with Ed Coan by asking a simple question – how do you define motivation? How do you define passion? Coan doesn’t mince words when he answers. Motivation is in the brain. Passion is in the heart.
What Ed Coan is essentially pointing out – is that motivation is a psychological tool. It’s a way of tricking your brain into wanting to do something. Passion, on the other hand, is something vital to a person’s existence. If you are passionate – you never need outside motivation to drive you again. Why? Because there’s nothing else you’d rather be doing.
Of course, passion cannot be manufactured. It’s something that needs to be evaluated and determined deep down. Perhaps you’re not really passionate about being a bodybuilder. Perhaps you just think it’s a fun hobby and decided you wanted to compete to try and earn money. Mike O’Hearn argues (and has argued in past episodes) that this is a recipe to failure. You will never become a high-grossing champion without true passion – because there will always be someone else with that passion who snubs you out.
“When you go slow, you move faster.”
– Ed Coan
How Passion Plays Into The Law Of Diminishing Returns In Weightlifting
There’s the old commercial that jokes bodybuilders just “lift things up and put them down.” While on a basic level that is true – the repetition in weightlifting will eventually lead to diminishing returns. As your body adapts and grows – you need to find ways to adjust your goals and continue to push limits. This can become extremely challenging as you hit plateaus.
It’s at moments like these where motivation is paramount. But again, outside motivation is only temporary. It can fail you when you hit a plateau that you just don’t know exactly how to crack. But if you’re passionate – you’ll do whatever it takes however long it takes.
Ed Coan talks about how being patient is key towards true athletic success. Ironically, moving slow is the best way to succeed fastest. Coan points out that too many lifters change their routine mid-program. Why? Because they overestimate their strength and want to improve faster. This ultimately leads to burnout which can lead to hitting a plateau.
Ed Coan stresses the importance of adapting and evolving your program – but do it in chunks. When you set a goal over the course of, let’s say, a 10 week program. Don’t change the goal or the program until those 10 weeks are done. After it’s done, you can then re-evaluate, change your goals, and improve. However, if you get impatient and change mid-program, you might actually be denying yourself the real results. Sometimes these things take time.
Passion often allows us to have that patience. Instead of rushing towards the trophy, the accolades, or the money – you are only focused on your love of the sport. One could argue that this problem has led to many worrisome habits. This includes the rise in higher dose PEDs and bodybuilders turning to steroids at a much younger age. It can also lead to people overtraining, burning out, or giving up when they otherwise could have eventually succeeded.
“It’s like school. You can’t jump from first grade to 10th grade. Everything in between. All of the building blocks are there to get you to the end result.”
– Ed Coan
Wrap Up
The hardest part about passion is that it’s something you have to find. You can’t create it. It’s the inner journey all individuals must take as they determine what satisfies them in life. But hopefully Mike O’Hearn and Ed Coan’s words here provide the tools to better evaluate and determine what drives you.
You can watch Ed Coan’s full comments in our latest episode of The Mike O’Hearn Show above. Make sure to catch new episodes every Friday only on the Generation Iron Fitness Network or wherever podcasts are downloaded.
Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Answers: Will Red Meat Destroy Your Health? | The Mike O’Hearn Show
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Mike O’Hearn and Dr. Gabrielle Lyon believe red meat is important for long term health – and worry about the current generation being raised on less protein.
Compared to previous decades, non-meat diet culture is more popular than ever before. Whether it is due to moral, climate, or simply health reasons – many people are abandoning red meat from their diet (and even other meat-based proteins). Mike O’Hearn believes this is the wrong direction and has always considered red meat a super food. O’Hearn is obsessed with longevity in health in fitness – so his support of red meat is shocking in modern contexts considering that even Arnold Schwarzenegger has left red meat behind.
That’s why this week O’Hearn brought in an expert to help back up his support of a red meat diet. In Generation Iron and Barbend’s latest episode of The Mike O’Hearn Show, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon discusses the studies behind red meat and why it’s important for long term health – not a detriment.
If you’ve seen past episodes of The Mike O’Hearn Show, you’re likely already aware of O’Hearn’s stance on red meat. Counter to the rising popularity of non-red meat diets and even the growing popularity of full vegetarian and vegan diets – O’Hearn still values red meat. He has called it a super food on many occasions. And this isn’t just some past generation stubbornness. O’Hearn cares more about longevity while staying fit and muscular more than being unhealthy and a champion in the short term.
In fact, Mike O’Hearn believes that science doesn’t fully back up the concept that red meat is healthy. Modern social media (and even regular main stream media) held onto now-old studies villainizing red meat. Science has since changed and data shows that, when in combination with a healthy lifestyle, red meat is perfectly fine.
Helping him prove his point this week is Dr. Gabrielle Lyon. With 17 years of education in health science, Dr. Lyon received her doctorate in osteopathic medicine from the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine and is board-certified in family medicine.She earned her undergraduate degree in Human Nutrition from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where she studied vitamin and mineral metabolism, chronic disease prevention and management and the physiological effects of diet composition. Let’s jump into it.
“Nutrition has become a religion”
– Mike O’Hearn
Is Red Meat Unhealthy?
Dr. Gabrielle Lyon states that red meat is not scientifically bad for your health. Contrary to modern belief, she has researched many studies that are not able to absolutely prove the dangers of red meat. Looking even wider out to all meat – protein is a very essential nutrient in your diet. Not just for bodybuilders and athletes – but for all individuals.
Protein is vital for longevity in fitness and health. As is weight training well into middle age. The more on point you are with your diet throughout younger age (including protein) – the less likely you’ll see rehabilitating decline as you get over the hill. The same is true for consistent resistance training.
Why Do So Many Experts Warn Against Red Meat?
So why is there so much messaging against red meat today? Dr. Gabrielle Lyon talks about how modern fitness and health conversation has become distorted. With the new era of social media and constant information – group think can twist scientific data into a narrative.
The biggest factor behind the fear of red meat is the rest of your fitness lifestyle. Many nutrition studies are done to to represent the average person. So in that sense, many studies will mention that the average participant is sedentary. So while there may herhaps be risks behind red meat with a sedentary lifestyle – the same may not be true if you are consistently fit.
With that in mind, perhaps fearing red meat should be less of a concern. Instead, feat or a sedentary lifestyle should be a priority.
“There is no upper limit [for eating red meat].”
– Dr. Gabrielle Lyon
So Should You Eat Red Meat?
Ultimately, on an individual basis, perhaps red meat still isn’t best for you. It’s important to evaluate your lifestyle overall honestly. Mike O’Hearn can proudly claim to eat red meat and use it a super food. But that’s also because he is one of the most consistent bodybuilders to ever live. He lives his life as fit as possible. He also doesn’t over indulge. Too much of any substance is bad – no matter what it is.
You should also consider other factors outside of health. Perhaps you want to avoid red meat (or all meat) because of moral factors behind factory farming. Or perhaps the climate impact factory farming has on the environment. That’s totally fine. If that’s the past you choose – you should be extra focused on how you get your protein properly for longevity in your health.
Unfortunately, these worries can’t be pushed off until you are older. The most important time to be focus on being healthy is in your teens and twenties. What you do in your youth will have a direct impact on your health in older age. Rather than try and course correct after problems start occurring – start getting focused now so you can feel energetic and capable well past middle age.
Wrap Up
Towards the end of the interview, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon discusses the difference between absolute risk vs relative risk determined by research studies. She states that most research on red meat and health only report on relative risk. This means that there is not a direct one to one connection between red meat and health decline.
There are many factors that go into your health and how your diet affects it. Mike O’Hearn and Dr. Lyon believe that red meat is not pure evil. It’s not an absolute risk to have in your diet. But too much red meat, like anything, can be healthy. Also, depending on your current lifestyle and past health issues, the decision to keep or drop red meat may change.
You can watch Dr. Gabrielle Lyon’s full comments alongside Mike O’Hearn in the latest episode of The Mike O’Hearn Show above. Stay tuned every Friday for new episodes only on the Generation Iron Fitness Network or wherever podcasts are downloaded.
Mike O’Hearn And Joseph Baena Team Up For ‘Old-School’ Back Workout
Mike O’Hearn shares the secret to longevity with Joseph Baena and viewers.
Healthy muscles lead to longevity in the gym. If there is one man who knows about this, it is Mike O’Hearn. At 53 years old, O’Hearn has maintained an insane physique and continues to be a force in the gym. Recently, he joined Joseph Baena to go through a bay workout that will help keep muscles in good shape long term.
O’Hearn has a long history as a bodybuilder, actor, and model thanks to his shredded build. He is a four-time Mr. Universe champion and has been on the cover of many fitness magazines. Baena is the son of Arnold Schwarzenegger and clearly has a passion for fitness like his father. He has spoken on how he has made his way into the gym on many occasions and is building an impressive physique that is helping on the big screen as well.
LISTEN: The Mike O’Hearn Show | Generation Iron Network Podcast
This is not the first time that Mike O’Hearn and Joseph Baena have worked out together. Just a couple weeks ago, the duo met for an arm workout featuring some supersets that will add size. Now, they decided to hit back.
Image via Instagram @projoe2
Mike O’Hearn Wants Joseph Baena To Be Lifting In His 70’s
There comes a point where Mike O’Hearn believes that it is about building healthy muscles and keeping your body in shape. That can start early and is what he is preaching to Joseph Baena here.
“You’re in your 20s, I want you lifting at 75. At some point, you’re going to go, ‘the muscle is cool and everything, but I want healthy arms and shoulders.”
O’Hearn shared the video to his YouTube account. During the session, the two shared different insights on the best way to perform the exercise. It began with wide-grip pull-ups and bent over barbell rows.
“A little bit more, just that squeeze at the top. Instead of it being flat, I’d like to pop it all the way back. Almost like you’re posting from the back,” Mike O’Hearn said.
This is one of the exercises that O’Hearn believes is connected to longevity. Young lifters are training to build bigger muscles that are tailored to bodybuilding but he believes that healthy muscles and joints are more important long term.
As the two continue to perform the bent over rows while standing on a bench, they discuss different techniques. O’Hearn speaks on how keeping the back stiff will make the exercise safer.
“You create stiffness prior to the exercise, prior to lifting it. He created stiffness in the back and then he pulled here. It’s creating the stiffness that keeps you safe. It’s not the actual position. It’s the stiffness within the position,” Mike O’Hearn said.
“It’s really the stretch that’s the game changer. I feel like it’s the whole back stretching not just the upper lats.” Joseph Baena said.
Mike O’Hearn has created many workouts using his old-school mentality and it has worked like a charm. He continues to share wisdom with the next generation.
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Lee Haney: “America Now Has A Sick Society Of Young People” | The Mike O’Hearn Show
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Mike O’Hearn speaks with Lee Haney about the health crisis in bodybuilding (and beyond) for younger individuals who desperately try to catch up in older age.
Lee Haney needs no introduction. He is a 8x Mr. Olympia champion, a world record only tied by Ronnie Coleman. Haney represents the absolute elite in pre-mass monster bodybuilding history. He has also gone on to dedicate his life towards fitness and health for new generations – becoming appointed as chairman of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports by Bill Clinton. So what does Haney feel about bodybuilding today with the many young deaths plaguing the sport? In Generation Iron and Barbend‘s latest episode of The Mike O’Hearn Show, special guest Lee Haney expresses the urgency of being healthy as young as possible – instead of waiting until mid-life.
Mike O’Hearn considers Lee Haney more than a role model for him in bodybuilding. He calls him a leader of the pack showcasing what was possible. To say that O’Hearn was inspired into bodybuilding by Haney is an understatement. But more than just the massive muscle and elite trophies – Haney’s focus on health in bodybuilding are what stuck with O’Hearn the most.
Lee Haney has always said, “Stimulate, not annihilate” when it comes to bodybuilding and fitness. Those words carry much more weight today – as the conversation about health in bodybuilding has reached a pinnacle point. There has been much discussion about the dangerous level of drugs and PEDs modern athletes use. As well as the dangerous levels of weight and size champion bodybuilders achieve these days (leaning closer to 300 pounds in weight). It is the exact opposite direction that Haney took bodybuilding.
With a vast background in fitness education, and personal experience as a champion bodybuilder to boot, Lee Haney sits down with Mike O’Hearn to talk about the importance of educating young people in today’s society. Not only for aspiring bodybuilders – but for the entire culture at large.
Lee Haney believes that young people are more unhealthy today believing that they can make up for it in middle age. Both Haney and Mike O’Hearn want to express the urgency that this is not the proper course. Let’s jump into it.
“America now has a sick society of young people because we are not taking care of teaching them the basic fundamentals of good nutrition and exercise.”
Lee Haney dispels the common thinking of being invulnerable during youth
Lee Haney stands out from other bodybuilding champions in one major way. He knew his hard limits while pushing the boundaries of what his body can do. So instead of going the eventual path of mass monsters like Dorian Yates or Ronnie Coleman after him – he focused on lighter weight and more volume. In a previous interview, Haney admitted that his frame couldn’t handle a training and diet regimen like Ronnie Coleman. Despite this, he was still able to rise up and become a world record holding Olympia champion.
Perhaps it was simply a different era, but Lee Haney exemplifies having your cake and eating it too. He was able to focus on longevity and health during his prime bodybuilding years. He was also able to become a 8x Mr. Olympia champion. Many athletes today believe that the only way to succeed in the sport is through heavy PED cycles and massive weight. Lee Haney avoided that while also succeeding.
As Lee Haney sees it, not only has bodybuilding today become more unhealthy – but the entire culture of America has become unhealthier. Part of this is due to systems outside of young people’s control. Processed foods became far more popular. Fast food is now around every corner. And if you happen to have little money – this are the cheapest options to keep yourself fed.
However, Lee Haney also believes that mentality has shifted. The basic fundamentals of fitness and health education are not being stressed enough. Due to this – many young folk believe they can live fast while they are young and worry about health when they get older. This is problematic thinking. That’s like building a house first and then handling the foundation later.
“We looked at statistics showing that, you know, this new generation, and I’m saying it now, they’re not living past 50 years old. Because of fast foods. Because of not taking ownership of their health. They’re dying prematurely.”
The growing problem with heart disease at younger ages.
While Lee Haney doesn’t reference drugs specifically, he does point out that heart disease is one of the leading causes of pre-mature death. This holds true not just in bodybuilding but in the American culture at large.
“And as a lot of guys are finding out… is that a lot of us our sick from heart disease. Well my ticker is perfect. My arteries are nice and clean by way of my bloodwork because I never used steak in my preparation off season or on.”
Lee Haney focuses here on nutrition as a whole. What we put in our bodies will have a long term effect on our health. Mostly in ways we can never really notice until it is too late. This is true for PEDs and steroids as well. But Haney here focuses on items such as red meat and processed foods often consumed during the offseason.
Young bodybuilders often want to try and do whatever it takes to be the best and worry about long term health later. The problem is – no amount of money can make up for years of unhealthy habits while you are young. The tragic irony is that young people often feel very health even as they eat junk. It’s not until they are older when the real issues occure.
“So bringing kids up in the way that they should go and managing age should begin with good nutrition. And managing age doesn’t mean just as you grow older, it means even when you are in the bodybuilding level of just getting started, to intermediate, to advanced bodybuilding.”
RELATED: Bodybuilders Are Dying: An Investigation Into Modern Bodybuilding, Health, & PED Use
Wrap Up
Lee Haney is more than just an old bodybuilder complaining about a new generation he doesn’t understand. He is a well educated man who, to this day, still teaches health and fitness education to individuals. Through both personal experience and his education – he has valuable insights into how the new generation should alter course for longevity in bodybuilding and beyond.
You can watch Lee Haney’s full comments in his conversation with Mike on the latest episode of The Mike O’Hearn Show. Check out new episodes every Friday only on Generation Iron or wherever podcasts are downloaded.
Golden Era Bodybuilding Legend Steve Davis: “Even the Mr. Olympias pose like sh*t” | The Mike O’Hearn Show
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Mike O’Hearn talks with iconic golden era bodybuilder Steve Davis about training lessons learned from over 50 years of experience and hindsight.
Steve Davis is a bodybuilding legend – best known for his legendary physique transformation. Davis went from a powerfully strong 285 pound weightlifter into a 200 pound champion bodybuilder. Training alongside the Golden Era greats such as Vince Gironda, Frank Zane, and Arnold Schwarzenegger – Davis is a wealth of history and knowledge for bodybuilding superfans. That’s why on this week’s episode of Generation Iron and Barbend’s The Mike O’Hearn Show, special guest Steve Davis reflects on 50 years of bodybuilding and the biggest lessons he’s learned.
To say Mike O’Hearn was excited for this week’s special guest is an understatement. Steve Davis is a bodybuilding legend from an era that inspired O’Hearn himself to become a bodybuilder. So being able to sit down with a living legend and pick his brain about all things weightlifting, nutrition, and fitness was a truly special opportunity.
The Golden Era of bodybuilding as a very different beast than the well worn systems and media in the sport we have today. Information on how to build up muscle was far less prevalent – and many of the Golden Era icons learned through trial and error – and of course pushing each other to new levels.
Steve Davis was one such bodybuilder. A man who started with a love of weightlifting and really didn’t know the “rules” of how to properly lift for bodybuilding. For example, he claims to have never done a deadlift during his prime bodybuilding years. He had no clue it was considered a “core requirement” of bodybuilding basics. Despite this, he became an aesthetic marvel and eventually became the Mr. World champion.
That’s why the most important aspect of this week’s episode was breaking down the bodybuilding tactics from Steve Davis’ era, what he learned to do different with decades of hindsight, and what things changed for the worse as information (and misinformation) became more prevalent int he sport. Let’s jump into it.
“Never did a deadlift in my life.”
– Steve Davis
Steve Davis wishes he trained less during his prime years of bodybuilding
During the conversation with Steve Davis, Mike O’Hearn asked a key question – if you could go back, what would you change about your bodybuilding strategy? Davis was quick to answer with a key lesson he’s learned throughout decades of weightlifting. Steve Davis wishes he trained less.
That might sound like a shocking statement. But as he breaks it down he reveals a vital strategy that should be listed to by all aspiring bodybuilders today.
Steve Davis explains how many Golden Era bodybuilders believed “more is better” when it came to bodybuilder. The more time you spend in the gym, the more results. The more steak you eat during the offseason, the more bulk and eventual muscle you could build. Davis himself would do 30 sets three times per week.
“It’s the idea to crush the muscle, feed the muscle, let it rest,” Steve Davis states in the conversation. But the problem was – the rest part was not being properly focused on. When you are trying to do too many sets and too many reps per day – there’s no way a night’s rest was enough time to recover. Davis believes that if he trained less, focused on heavier weight, and rested more – he would have been able to put on even more size and become more dangerous as a competitor.
Steve Davis describes bodybuilding like lighting a match. The most important thing is maintaining intensity – not how many sets you do. When you light a match – the most powerful moment is that first spark. You want to harness that spark instead of letting it burn slowly and have it fizzle out.
Reflecting on ways bodybuilding has changed for the worse
Steve Davis is truly appreciative at how much bodybuilding and fitness science has improved over the years. How much more mainstream it has become. And how much more information athletes can get today. It’s through those changes and his own personal experience that he learned how to train less to gain more.
However, he is also aware that some of these changes have led to negative shifts in the sport as well. Steve Davis and Mike O’Hearn touch on the fact that years of history, rules, and systems embedded into the sport might have led to close-minded thinking. Bodybuilders are too busy trying to lift “the right way” that they don’t listen to their body, push limits, or think outside the box.
For example, Mike O’Hearn points out how many online experts warn against lifting too heavy – due to risk of injuring joints that will hurt in later age. But O’Hearn believes that lifting heavy weight (with smart strategy) is key towards strengthening joints and ensuring you battle decay as you age. Medical professionals have even pointed out that weightlifting, not just cardio, is vital for over-the-hill individuals to prevent joint issues that might end you up in a walker at older age.
Steve Davis agrees, and is shocked to hear that certain heavy movements are seen as “dangerous” in modern society. He thinks that this way of thinking has led to less originality in bodybuilders and their physiques. You used to be able to look at a sillhouette and know exactly which bodybuilder you were staring at. Today, you wouldn’t be able to tell them apart.
Steve Davis also thinks this is true about posing. With less importance put on posing and no scoring round – most bodybuilders are encouraged to simply hit the mandatories and move on. Davis is shocked that even the best in the world – Mr. Olympia champions – have lackluster posing routines.
“Even the Mr. Olympias pose like shit.”
– Steve Davis
Wrap Up
Steve Davis wraps up the conversation by bringing up the myth of Milo. In the myth, Milo would cary a calf up a mountain every day. Each day, the calf would grow older and eventually larger in size. But he kept carrying the cow up every day. As the cow grew larger, so did Milo.
That, in essence, is true bodybuilding. It’s progressive training – and the key element that all bodybuilders should fall in love with if they want to truly live the lifestyle. Davis even spent his masters degree thesis on how progressive training can be used to improve the image of mentally abused children. While he never completed his masters program – it’s a core attitude he still believes in today.
You can watch Mike O’Hearn’s full conversation with Golden Era legend Steve Davis in our latest episode of The Mike O’Hearn Show above. Make sure to check out brand new episodes every Friday only on the Generation Iron Fitness Network or wherever podcasts are downloaded.
Joseph Baena Leads Mike O’Hearn Through Workout To Pump Up Arms
Joseph Baena and Mike O’Hearn took viewers through an effective arm workout.
Joseph Baena has made headlines recently for his comments and deception involving the gym. Baena, who is the son of Arnold Schwarzenegger, recently joined Mike O’Hearn for an arm workout to pump biceps and triceps.
O’Hearn has made waves as an all-natural bodybuilder that parlayed his career in modeling and acting. He has also appeared on the cover of many fitness magazines. Baena is another individual who has developed an impressive physique and is working to make a name for himself on the big screen.
Mike O’Hearn shared a video to his YouTube channel hitting arms with Baena at Gold’s Gym. Upon his arrival, Joseph Baena led the workout while the two gave different insights on how to build bigger arms.
Mike O’Hearn and Joseph Baena Hit Arms
In the video, there were just two exercises hit — dumbbell skull crushers and standing straight bar bicep curls. The workout might have went on longer but the video was kept to a minimum.
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Baena began by explaining how he likes to get a full pump to begin arm day.
“So what I usually like to do with the triceps is superset with a little biceps to get the full pump. So you get the stretch, the squeeze on both ends,” Baena said.
The duo began performing skull crushers. Mike O’Hearn completed them first before looking at Baena’s form.
Joseph Baena attacked the workout with curled wrists as the dumbbells are being brought up. This is used instead of using a hammer grip. O’Hearn explained the intensity of this movement and shared his thoughts.
“I don’t know if you guys see this but to me it looks like he is on stage and he is posing through the exercise. Youngsters go – “Oh, he flexed through the whole exercise? You don’t just lift it?
You’re posing and moving the waist. If he knows it at that age before I knew it at that age, how much better is he gonna be than I ever was.”
Mike O’Hearn closed out the workout with some words of wisdom on how to approach each rep. It is important to focus on the technique of each rep in order to get the bet results.
“You don’t do 12 reps. You do one rep until you get to 12,” O’Hearn said.
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Mike O’Hearn Responds To Bloggers Calling Out Hollywood’s Biggest Fake Natty | The Mike O’Hearn Show
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Mike O’Hearn and Vlad Yudin debate “tabloid content creators” in bodybuilding and whether it is worth trying to educate audiences to look past clickbait headlines.
In July 2022, Kenny KO released a video featuring Mike O’Hearn in which he tried to get O’Hearn to admit that he took, at minimum, TRT due to being middle age. While the video wasn’t quit “gotcha journalism” – it did attempt to disprove O’Hearns long held general assertion. That he has been completely natural with an amazing physique and powerful strength for nearly four decades. In Generation Iron and Barbend’s latest episode of The Mike O’Hearn Show, Vlad Yudin and Mike debate about “tabloid content creators” and whether it is a waste of time to engage with them.
When Mike O’Hearn was approached by Kenny KO in the aforementioned video. O’Hearn took quite a bit of time to try and explain his position. Instead of just blowing off Kenny KO’s questions. He instead challenged him, and his audience, to understand O’Hearn’s perspective. Mike O’Hearn has long been criticized for his all-natural bodybuilding and powerlifting claims. Some in the fitness industry believe it to be impossible to accomplish what O’Hearn has done without the aid of PEDs or steroids.
But Mike O’Hearn thinks that this belief is simply due to cultural programming. Why does the mass audience in bodybuilding and fitness think that there cannot be outliers from the norm? Why is it impossible for O’Hearn to be all-natural with a physique similar to an enhanced athlete? Just like there are timeless legends in other sports – such as Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and Muhammad Ali. Why can’t there be exceptions like that for all-natural athletes?
Generation Iron’s Vlad Yudin, after watching the video, believes that Mike O’Hearn is barking up the wrong tree. Why waste his time trying to explain it to an audience that just wants shock value? Let’s break down how Mike and Vlad debate on the topic below.
Is it worth engaging with clickbait content creators?
Initially during this episode’s debate, Mike O’Hearn defends his actions. He thinks that it is worth trying to educate Kenny KO and his audience on a different perspective of bodybuilding and fitness. One that is, perhaps, less popular than the mainstream norm.
Mike O’Hearn understands that most people cannot accomplish what he’s done all-natural. Genetics play a big part. But even beyond genetics – intense unreal work ethic is needed. In a world of convenience and constant entertainment, it’s hard to dig deep and build the drive to push limits. But that doesn’t mean it’s not impossible. O’Hearn wants to help open people’s minds to believe that the impossible is possible. In the hope of inspiring more people to reach new levels of accomplishment.
O’Hearn uses cancer as an example. We know cancer is a very dangerous disease. It kills many people every year on this planet. But we also know that many people survive it thanks to advances in science. But even beyond that – we have all seen or heard stories of miracle survival stories beyond even science’s expectations.
If we can believe and understand those kinds of miracles. Why can’t the bodybuilding community believe in rare individuals like Mike O’Hearn? Why can’t we believe that, despite it being common, a rare exception can exist. An all-natural mass monster at age 50.
“I want people to experience health and fitness like I did or Robby or Lee Haney. You can really make a great life for yourself healthy wise.”
– Mike O’Hearn
This is what Mike O’Hearn was trying to explain to Kenny KO and his audience in the viral video. However, Vlad Yudin believes this is a waste of time. It’s the wrong audience to try and convince. They watch for a specific purpose. So O’Hearn’s words will likely fall on deaf ears.
O’Hearn ultimately concedes and agrees with Vlad. Perhaps his time is better spent educating his own audience – people who tune in with different expectations. However, O’Hearn does not see tabloid content creators as an enemy. He understands that we all like to be entertained. Kenny KO is simply entertainment – not educational. Perhaps even many of the comments online criticizing O’Hearn are people just entertaining themselves – and are not real hard felt beliefs.
Is tabloid viral content influencing audiences? Or are audiences influencing the content?
Mike O’Hearn and Vlad Yudin then jump into the wider topic of clickbait, tabloid journalism, and viral content. Does clickbait only exist because audiences have a natural demand for it? The same way roman citizens wanted to see gladiator matches despite it leading to the deaths of real people? Are we just inherently looking for entertainment despite how it affects the subjects?
Or are content creators subconciously training audiences to want certain content. That tabloids and clickbait have slowly rewired humanity’s brains to desire a different kind of entertainment that we didn’t expect a century ago?
Mike O’Hearn believes that perhaps it’s a bit of both. At an early age of success, O’Hearn quickly learned he needed to expect criticism and tabloid journalism. He couldn’t defeat it. So he also learned to have fun with it. He understands how this kind of content is entertaining.
However, he does lament the overall cultural shift that has taken place alongside internet culture. O’Hearn admits that he thinks the world of bodybuilding and strength sports shifted from hope to cynicism. And perhaps the larger culture has done the same. That’s why O’Hearn uses his content – such as The Mike O’Hearn Show – to discuss stories of motivation, hard work, and hope. He wants to believe the next generation can return to a more optimistic state.
“I wish we can go back. The 80s was hope. That’s what the lifting was. It was friendship. Its was hope. We are all going to get better. We’re going to do it together. We’re going to compete with each other. I’m not going to give you an easy competition – but we’re going to make each other better. And now it seems like everybody is slighting everybody. And it’s like – wow this is ugly.”
– Mike O’Hearn
Wrap Up
Mike O’Hearn is a rare public figure that is able to have fun with the criticism that is thrown his way by comments and content creators alike. The Kenny KO video is one example of this. Last week, during our show promos, O’Hearn joked about taking tren. He doesn’t get offended by it. He doesn’t mind trolling back at the trolls.
However, he does also spend significant time trying to preach about motivation, hard work, and optimism. He wants to see a future generation outperform his accomplishments. He wants to see new Lee Haneys, Tom Platz’, and Phil Heaths.
You can watch Mike O’Hearn’s full comments in our latest episode of The Mike O’Hearn Show above. Make sure to catch new episodes every Friday only on Generation Iron – or wherever podcasts are downloaded.
Stan Efferding: How To Lift Heavier At 50 Than You Ever Could At 20 | The Mike O’Hearn Show
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Episode 10: Stan Efferding debunks the common held belief that you become weaker as you get older.
Stan Efferding is best known for being one of the strongest bodybuilders that ever lived. While he does not compete today, he is still well regarded for his functional training knowledge and expertise in weightlifting. That’s why Mike O’Hearn invited Efferding onto the podcast to dive deep into advanced training techniques – specifically on how to continue to excel as you age. In Generation Iron and Barbend’s latest episode of The Mike O’Hearn Show, Stan Efferding details how it is 100% possible to lift your strongest at 50 years old compared to your max weight in your 20s.
Throughout the entirety of this podcast, Mike O’Hearn has been consistent on the importance of longevity in strength and health. O’Hearn would rather be successfully lifting without limits well into his 50s today, rather than be a champion in his 20s only to burn out in later years.
Stan Efferding is a bodybuilder and powerlifter who not only holds those same beliefs but also lives them. Efferding, aka The Rhino, is often regarded as one of the strongest bodybuilders that has ever lived. While he no longer competes on the bodybuilding stage – he still showcases a level of strength often unseen at his age (he’s 54 at the time of this writing).
In fact, Stan Efferding believes that one of the biggest misconceptions in fitness is that we become naturally weaker as we age. Yes, taking an overview at the general populous seems to show that people degenerate as they age. But that’s not how it has to be. It’s simply because of the way we culturally live our lives through fitness.
Efferding is proof that you can actually be strong in your 20s – and then grow to become even more capable and stronger in your 50s. It requires a different outlook on training, consistency, and knowledge of the right techniques. Let’s jump into it.
Debunking The Myth: Degenerating Vs Regenerating As We Age
In the big picture, yes we degenerate naturally as we age. This is obvious for anyone who looks at a grandparent and sees grey hair and wrinkled skin. But the amount we degenerate – and at one point this occurs can be controlled more than we often believe.
The average person probably believes we are at our most physically fit during our late teens and early 20s. This does not have to be the case. In fact, Stan Efferding believes that you can be stronger and lift more at 50 than ever possible at 20. The key to obtaining this is through forward thinking in your training techniques.
“We have to eliminate the mindset that your body wears out. People think that the body is degenerative over time. And it’s actually regenerative with the correct stimulus.”
– Stan Efferding
Too many people believe that heavy lifting actually wears us down in the long run. Many think that weightlifting leads to worn down joints and injuries. The reality is that the opposite is true – if your training routine and technique is done correctly. Modern science has shown that inactivity leads to faster degeneration as we age. Whereas consistent weight training will help us become more capable and stronger as we age.
Generation Iron’s own Jerry Brainum has discussed this at length in our other podcast series – Straight Facts. Efferding further confirms this and mentions how doctors will now prescribe “barbell medicine” – weightlifting as a solution towards recovery for older folks.
This can be seen in other respects as well. In past decades, medicine believed that after a person suffers a heart attack that they must rest to recover. Today, a doctor would recommend a person who suffered a heart attack stay active to help make the heart stronger.
Stan Efferding’s Techinques For Lifting Heavier At 50 Than At 20 Years Old
So now that you know it’s possible to be at your strongest in older age – how do you actually achieve it? Stan Efferding explains that it requires deconstructing what you culturally understand about weightlifting – and applying fact-based and proven techniques. The biggest mistake young lifters make is to push too hard to the point of degrading the body. Yes – this might help in the short term become the heaviest lifter with the most massive physique. But it won’t last in the long term.
Stan Efferding explains that intensity needs to stay consistent. What Efferding means by that is you always need to be 2-3 reps away from complete exhaustion. If you’re not pushing to that point – you are not going to see real improvement. Lower weight with higher reps can be extremely effective – but only if the intensity is there.
Stan goes on to say that, ironically, if you max out at the gym – that leads to more inactivity overall. You are tired faster, it makes you want to indulge in cheat meals more to replenish yourself after being exhausted. What Stan promotes is to use exercise and weightlifting to “feel refreshed” rather than “feel depleted.”
Too many people think that not sleeping, training more, never recovering, always working – is the way to improve. That’s not true. It’s important to make time to recover. To make time for sleep. To sometimes stop training to allow for your body to replenish and actually improve. This is regenerating rather than degenerating.
“If it’s not measurable and progressable – I don’t think it’s terribly effective. It’s just exercise, it’s not training.”
– Stan Efferding
Stan Efferding talks about setting up a goal to reach new PRs and make progress is very different than showing up and doing the same thing at the gym every day. One is “exercise” vs “training.” It’s good to get your heart pumping and get you sweating. But if you want to see long term improvement – you need to reach new goals every session or every training cycle.
To dive deeper into this concept, Stan Efferding discusses speed of lifting vs the weight. If you can deadlift 600 pounds and think you are stronger and can increase the weight – but now the movement speed decreases. You didn’t get stronger – you exerted more energy to achieve a higher weight. Due to this – sometimes it is okay to realize that lowering your weight – but slowly increasing your speed is a more effective (and safer) way to improve rather than just maxing out the most weight as possible.
The Importance Of Deloading
Impatience is the biggest enemy of long term success. This is often what leads to overtraining, burning out your body, and setting up habits that lead to long term degradation of your body.
If progress stalls – instead of training harder perhaps you should practice deloading. Sometimes it’s okay to take a week break and then return back to training. It’s often the very thing you needed in order for your body to reset and start making gains and strength improvements again.
“You will deload whether it’s voluntary or involuntary. If you don’t voluntarily deload – you will eventually get sick or injured forcing it upon you.”
– Stan Efferding
Rest and recovery is vital towards consistently improving your ability as you age. This goes not only for rests between workouts – but rest in general. It’s been scientifically proven that culturally we often get too little sleep. This can cut years off of our lives. This takes the form of our body degrading as we age instead of improving.
Ultimately, you must master the art of keeping your intensity consistent – while also allowing yourself to rest when you need to, deload if you need to. If you don’t, your body will do it for you whether you like it or not. But if you don’t provide yourself that time – it will instead force itself upon you in the form of getting sick or injured. This leads to degrading rather than regenerating.
Wrap Up
Stan Efferding and Mike O’Hearn talk shop and technique in great detail throughout this entire episode. That’s why it’s vital for anyone who wants to continue to improve with strength and fitness to watch our latest episode.
You can watch Stan Efferding’s full comments in our latest episode of The Mike O’Hearn Show above. Watch new episodes every Friday only on the Generation Iron Fitness Network. Or listen wherever podcasts are downloaded.
CT Fletcher: Today’s Generation Is “Screaming To The World” That They Are “A F**king Pussy” | The Mike O’Hearn Show
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Episode 9: Mike O’Hearn Talks with CT Fletcher about the difference between passion and motivation.
CT Fletcher is known as one of the most motivational people on the planet. His massive personality and epic lifts have turned him into an icon within the weightlifting and bodybuilding world. So much so that an entire documentary film dedicated to his life story was released in 2016 titled – CT Fletcher: My Magnificent Obsession. It was so motivating that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson tweeted about the film urging all of his followers to watch it. In this week’s episode of Generation Iron and Barbend’s The Mike O’Hearn Show, Mike connects with CT Fletcher to talk about passion, motivation, and a key trait that is lacking in the modern generation of aspiring lifters.
Mike O’Hearn and CT Fletcher have one key thing in common – they are both relatively older lifters who pride themselves on their immense strength and ability despite being “over the hill.” They are living proof that with dedication and consistency, you can lift more than a young person even well into your 50s and beyond.
That core value is split into different approaches between the two of them. Mike O’Hearn is more clean cut and lets the work speak for him. CT Fletcher is a foul-mouthed aggressive personality who enhances his actions with truly poetic and motivating speeches. That’s why O’Hearn was excited to have Fletcher onto the podcast this week so they can wax philosophically about the nature of intensity at the core of their personalities. Let’s jump into it.
Passion vs Motivation
It’s often been said that CT Fletcher is one of the most motivational men on the planet. His epic lifts combined with his powerful monologues have led to viral videos. This popularity later led to Fletcher becoming a public speaker to motivate the youth. But motivation has its limits. And Mike O’Hearn pointed out to Fletcher that there is a big difference between motivation and passion.
CT Fletcher understands that too. He describes motivation as being an external source that encourages you to complete a task. Whether that’s lifting weights, sticking to your diet, or something completely unrelated to fitness. Passion is something that comes from within. It’s an inherent desire to complete a task and surpass your own goals.
Motivation, as CT Fletcher describes it, is only temporary. It can only take you so far. Passion burns uncontrollably within you. It’s an evergreen personality trait that will drive you towards greatness.
Mike O’Hearn asks if motivation can be used to teach someone to become passionate. CT Fletcher believes so. The reason he dedicates himself to motivating others is the hope that he can “unlock” a passion within someone. Motivation is a sort of gateway into a deeper dedication.
Ultimately, passion is doing something for yourself. If you’re competing for a reward or money – that’s not passion. That’s motivation. And just as described earlier, it’s limiting and will prevent you from becoming the next elite superstar.
CT Fletcher explains that he grew up poor – but he was happy. He never wanted to be rich or needed a reward. The lifting was something he could do in his means and he was happy. When the money came later – it was a fantastic reward – but he would still do it free to this day if he had to.
“Not giving a fuck is one of the most powerful tools a person can have”
– CT Fletcher
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CT Fletcher believes too many “experts” have coddled the modern generation
CT Fletcher and Mike O’Hearn touch upon a topic that might sound a bit cocky at first. They acknowledge that both of them can lift more than kids can today – and they are over 50 years old. Not only that, it’s likely that they will lift more than today’s generation ever will. Why? Fletcher believes it’s because today’s online culture has coddled young folks to play it safe and not push limits.
CT Fletcher thinks there are too many self proclaimed experts warning the youth about injury and how to play things by the book. This prevents an “off the leash” mentality that you see in athletes like Fletcher, Mike O’Hearn, Branch Warren, Ronnie Coleman, and many others.
Because of this – CT Fletcher beleives, and O’Hearn agrees, that majority of the modern generation will achieve less (at least in terms of weightlifting and bodybuilding) because they are conditioned to not risk getting hurt.
CT Fletcher even jokes about young folk who state that watching CT Fletcher or Mike O’Hearn lift makes their bodies hurt. That’s a signal that they will never push themselves hard enough. If it hurts just to watch others lift – how can they drive themselves to lift to new levels?
“When you watch Mike O’Hearn do 50-60 reps of something and you say it makes your back, your shoulders hurt watching him do it. You are screaming to the world that I am a fucking pussy.”
– CT Fletcher
ABOVE: An example of CT Fletcher’s aggressive and poetic motivational speeches.
Wrap Up
Mike O’Hearn has often talked about the importance of internal desire trumping external rewards and motivation. He believes that today’s generation are too conditioned to avoid being uncomfortable and desire rewards – that they will not push to deeper levels like past legends have. CT Fletcher seems to agree – and he’s not afraid to state it in more aggressive and possibly insulting terms. That’s just his style – straight from the hip.
You can watch Mike O’Hearn and CT Fletcher’s full conversation in our latest episode of The Mike O’Hearn Show above. Make sure to catch new episodes every Friday only on the Generation Iron Fitness Network or wherever podcasts are downloaded!
Mike O’Hearn Show: Mike Reveals All On His Public Beef With Mark Bell
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Episode 8: Mike O’Hearn opens up about his past beef with Mark Bell and debates whether or not Jay Cutler would be a bodybuilding legend if he never won Mr. Olympia.
For bodybuilders and strength athletes – the gym is a sacred place. It’s, essentially, their work office. The job is taken seriously. So what happens when others disrespect the space and your training? Is it okay to confront someone? Is it okay to get aggressive? In Generation Iron and Barbend’s latest episode of The Mike O’Hearn Show, Mike reflects on his public past beef with Mark Bell and debates with Vlad Yudin about confrontations in the gym. O’Hearn also discusses the goal of winning a trophy vs the personal goal of bettering yourself.
In 2016, Mike O’Hearn and Mark Bell trades shots against each other online via their YouTube channels. Mark and Mike had trained together multiple times – when suddenly it had seemed something went south. Mark Bell felt disrespected and posted a video calling out O’Hearn. The video reached hundreds of thousands of views. You can watch the original video below:
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Since then we have seen multiple training videos of these two together. Clearly, whatever problem they had with each other was buried and they moved on. But what was the true nature of the beef? We took the opportunity to ask O’Hearn directly in our latest episode of The Mike O’Hearn Show.
The conversation opened up to a topic about aggression and confrontation in the gym. What do you do when you are disrespected in the gym? When your time is disrespected? When your space is disrespected? Do you snap and flip out to prove a point like Guy Cisternino recently did? Or do you let it go and focus on yourself? We touched upon both of these during our conversation. Let’s jump into it.
The Truth About Mike O’Hearn and Mark Bell’s Beef
When confronted about the beef between Mike O’Hearn and Mark Bell – Mike simply laughed it off. He admits that the two have been and are still very good friends. In fact, the beef itself was staged. They wanted to have a little fun and take their fan bases for a ride.
From the modern context of 2022, O’Hearn also took this as an opportunity to highlight how much today’s online culture over-reacts to things in a mob mentality. O’Hearn believes that people are simply waiting to take a public figure down – no matter how small the infraction.
Mike O’Hearn reveals even more of his “trickster” side by talking about another staged video he more recently published. He has a friend and training partner that uses a can to walk for support. In the video, O’Hearn staged kicking out the cane from under his friend while they were in the gym. It was short. He recalls it being about seven seconds. Instantly the online community turned on him. They wanted him cancelled. But in reality, they were good friends.
This ties back to our previous episode where Mike O’Hearn talks about actions vs words. A single word or even a one-off action means nothing. It’s about the consistency of actions over time. Modern culture seems to be rejecting this – at least in online communities.
Is It Okay To Confront Someone That Annoys You In The Gym?
Mike O’Hearn expands the “beef’ topic to discuss arguments and confrontations in the gym. When is it okay to call someone out who is being disrespectful? Maybe they are hogging up a machine just staring at their phone. Or perhaps they are filming a stupid viral video that is taking up space and disrupting others who are trying to train. Or maybe the gym-goer is a creep bothering a woman like the man viral TikTok videos that have grown popular.
O’Hearn thinks that this entire conversation is very layered and complicated. He has no problem with the general notion of confronting someone in the gym. But the reason for the confrontation has to be legitimate. There is a gap between generations. Some older bodybuilders and strength athletes may get annoyed by young guys who are doing nothing wrong – other than being more in tune with modern society and technology. In that case, perhaps they don’t deserve confrontation and the older gym patron is simply out of touch.
On the other hand, Mike O’Hearn wants to promote how the gym is a sacred space for strength athletes. It’s more than a hobby. It’s their job and passion. And just like how there are rules of conduct at work. There need to be rules of conduct in the gym. When those rules are broken – it’s okay to confront the person breaking them.
Does Winning Mr. Olympia Matter?
Another topic of discussion was the mentality behind winning. Mike O’Hearn makes the case that winning does not matter. At all. He thinks that the trophy is nothing but a material possession. And that others calling you “the best” means nothing to your own ability.
Vlad Yudin gives pushback on this. He believes there is more to life than winning – but winning something like the Mr. Olympia has great impact and does mean something. It’s proof that your efforts bested everyone else in the world.
Mike O’Hearn simply can’t get behind that. He believes that the person who did their best and truly went above and beyond – but only placed 10th – is more successful than the guy who only wanted to win and got 2nd. Why? Because the person who only wanted to win will still be disappointed and, at worst, he will eventually lose drive to continue to be his best without the carrot on a stick of a trophy in front of him.
“I don’t think it mattered if he [Jay Cutler] won. We would still be talking about him.”
– Mike O’Hearn
Mike O’Hearn goes as far to say that someone like Jay Cutler would still be a legend and a superstar even if he never won a single Mr. Olympia. If he stayed second to Ronnie his entire career – he would still be talked about with the same passion as he is today. Because whether or not Cutler wins – his physique, mentality, and personality remain the same.
Wrap Up
Mike O’Hearn and Vlad Yudin get into quite the debate on these topics. So you can watch their full comments and the details by watching our latest episode of The Mike O’Hearn Show above. Make sure to catch new episodes every Friday only on Generation Iron. Or where ever podcasts are downloaded.