In the fitness industry, there is a lot of noise. New gadgets, “secret” diets, and complex supplements pop up every week. But after years of coaching and building a community here at Anthem, I’ve realized that the things that actually move the needle are usually the simplest.
To be honest, I’m a bit opinionated about these things. So, in the spirit of being authentic, here are five hills I will die on. You might agree, or you might want to fight me on them—either way, these are my truths.
1. Coffee is the best pre-workout. (Period.)
Forget the neon-colored powders that make your skin itch and your heart race in a scary way. A high-quality cup of coffee is the ultimate performance enhancer. It’s natural, it’s effective, and it’s a ritual. If you see me in the morning, I’ll likely have a cup in hand. ☕️
2. Community beats “Motivation” every single time.
People ask me how to “stay motivated.” The truth? Motivation is a fair-weather friend. It’s great when it’s there, but it disappears the second you’re tired or the weather gets bad.
You know what doesn’t disappear? A community. When you know your friends are waiting for you at the gym, and a coach is expecting you to walk through the door, you show up. We don’t rely on motivation at Anthem; we rely on each other.
3. The best meal is a cheeseburger and French fries.
Fitness shouldn’t be a prison of steamed broccoli and plain chicken. If you can’t enjoy a juicy cheeseburger with a side of crispy fries—and a top-tier dipping sauce—then what are we even doing? Life is about longevity, and longevity requires a soul-satisfying meal every now and then. 🍔🍟
4. Sleep is your most powerful recovery tool.
You can spend thousands on massage guns, compression boots, and ice baths. But if you are only sleeping five hours a night, you are leaving your progress on the table. Sleep is when your body actually repairs the work we do in the gym. If you want to get stronger, go to bed.
5. Everyone—and I mean everyone—needs to strength train.
This is the big one. I don’t care about your age, your gender, or your sport.
Want to run a marathon? You need strength training to keep your joints resilient.
Want to be better at hockey, basketball, or volleyball? You need strength for power and injury prevention.
Want to be a capable human at 80? You need to build a foundation now.
Strength training is the “floor” for a high-quality life. It’s why we dedicate three days a week specifically to strength at Anthem, and why we’ve built a specialized Strength-Based Youth Athlete program to help the next generation get it right from the start.
Want to join the conversation?
I’m not just talking about these things—we live them every day at Anthem. Whether you’re looking for a community that keeps you accountable or a program that finally prioritizes your strength, we’ve got a spot for you.
Ready to get started? [Click here to book a No-Sweat Intro] and let’s talk about your goals (and maybe our favorite burger spots).
