British Powerlifting Champion to Bodybuilding Burnout — Sam Hincks

Hello everybody. Welcome back PT Launch Lab. This is episode 22. I'm with Sam Hinks today. >> 22, not 32. >> Is it 22? >> I think it's 33. >> No, it's definitely 22. >> 22. >> Definitely haven't done that many. >> Yeah, man. I'm good.

Yeah, I'm good. I'm really good. I'm pleased to be on here. >> Well, we've uh >> mate, >> like we just said, mate, just a little briefing before we actually started. No, >> we're just going back to the start, mate. When was >> when did all the fitness journey start?

What it did you play sports at school? What it >> No, for me to be fair, I never really got involved in any sports as such. Um it was weightlifting from the off for me. >> What is that? >> I started training at 13 years old. Um, and I did that by um, liberating some weights from a house down the road. Um, so I got my first set of dumbbells through that and from then on I was obsessed. >> I think um, I think everyone did that didn't there's no start at home.

Those people use those plastic weights with the PL. Yeah. Molly really >> Yeah. Well, how I started my dad had a multi gym. So when my dad always used to be mit like Olympic lifting uh me dad >> right >> um I broke all like school boy records and stuff but he um he stopped training gyms then once um >> it's all good mate uh we stop training gyms once we were born so we kind of ruined his his training career really mate >> I know that about your dad you know didn't know that about him >> yeah honestly might have to uh might as well get me dad on podcast I talk about him every time he matches him as well so yeah shout out to me dad there have to get all certificates in one at times that for all school records and everything were a British champion.

Welcome >> second in Britain >> um for Olympic lifts. >> Yeah, >> because there were already someone in his >> um in his weight category, >> right? >> You know, from his gym. So my dad was the stronger lifter, so they put him in weight category above. >> Nice. He's only a short leg. >> Yeah. Otherwise, he would have been British champ. I think he did um 100 kilo above his head at like about eight stones something. >> The weightlifting does impress me to be fairing.

Throw throw it around like they do. I've uh I can remember having one brief little um period in my life where I would try to get 100 kg above my head. I must have been 20 21. >> Yeah. >> And I got to about 95 kilo and I just soon as it got soon as I put the 100 on I changed all my lifts and everything. >> Yeah. Yeah. You do you see that's awesome. >> So I still my dad's like you were about think about 14 15 when he did that.

Um and I still I still couldn't break it. >> You get entertained. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> He was still school school boy record. >> It's crazy. >> Let newspaper. used to let him off school to go and >> Yeah. >> to go and compete and stuff. >> That's wicked. That is >> Yeah. So he could have got through into I'm sure he said he could have gone if he gone fair Olympics or >> really. >> Yeah. So he ruled it for >> Yeah, he ruled it.

Yeah. No, no, I think he got bad injuries and stuff. Um there were a few bits for playing rugby. Um so yeah, I was 30. So he just played up until then, but I think it injuries and stuff again.

I'll have to get um a proper updated story on that. Yeah, I dragged my dad on the fellow again at it like whatever. >> So what? So you're starting your >> Yeah, for me when I was 13 and from that moment I was just obsessed soon as I got them weights. >> What age did you just start competing? >> Started competing. Christ that came a lot later. I I'd come home from school and I'd be training instead of going out with Miles.

I'd be telling Miles when I'm leaving school, listen, I'm off to train and then I'll be out with you. And that would every day. >> How old are you now, son? >> I'm 31 now. >> Yeah. Yeah. So yeah, very like very much around the same time. So in my school, nobody trained at all though, like nobody.

My dad always used to say to us, uh, we used to play football, but we were tiny. Like I mean, I'm only small now, but really really small in school. Late late um late growth spurt if I got one. >> Late growth spurt. All lads were were getting bigger. He said we needed an edge.

So >> we needed to be training June, get some strength, which uh give us wonders like to be fair. Um but that's how it all >> I remember the when I first sort of got to know you really uh was when we was at Wakefield Skills Exchange. You remember doing your course there? I was in engineering. >> You was doing the sport science you and stuff like that. >> Yeah. >> So that's when we we first started I mean that's what now 15 years ago. >> Yeah. >> Mad. >> Yeah. Crazy. >> Well I went to do um I end up going back and doing something like mechanics for a year.

I was still working in the gym at the time working at NAS in Pontia. >> Right. Um that's when again like I said I probably went on it once out of my school were training at the time. Um >> it were really rare back then. I mean it's everywhere now and it's life. >> It's weird to know that you were doing it so at the same time but we were on it once that had any like decent physique now like most kids now. They're all in good shape.

It's wicked. It's unbelievable these kids these days. No >> when I was at school it was me and one of the lad Liam Swindella was called. We used to call him chunks cuz he he was he was a >> um to be fair he's got a wicked shape now. He used to be always a big lad. fat lad as well but a strong man.

Um me and him got on really well because we were both like me. >> Yes. >> Listen, when we were in school, mate, we there were a gym in school like an actual gym. Yeah. Machines and >> excuse me. And I used to ask my PE teacher, "No, I don't want to play football. Can you rotate me into the different class?

I'm in P him and gym every every every term." And he did to be fair just a barker we were called. And he used to rotate me around. I spend my PE lessons in the gym. So it absolutely loved it. >> No way. So what age were you when you actually started competing?

So I um I started my first competition was 21. >> Yeah. >> Um in powerlifting just about 21 um that were under 93 kilos a lot. Uh and I did um Christ I did six out of nine lifts cuz I was shooting for the stars as your base >> co big lift. >> I uh I finished with a 200 kilo squat, 55 kilo bench and a 245 kilo deadlift. And they they took me off a test in to that. >> They matched me off the platform. Yeah. Fellow, old fellow who's been involved in powering for a lot of years.

Guy called Mick Hunum. >> He come on here with Jordy. Come with me. Suddenly says and he watched me have a piss in a cup. >> No. >> Just showing that. But at the time I wasn't like Did you win it then? >> Yeah. Yeah.

I won by a long way. It was it was rather embarrassing to be honest with you. There were no competition. There was lots but they just won actual um I come in not looking like a powerlifter if you know what I'm saying. >> Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. And I've just blitzed them all by 50 kilos each lift. It was just crazy. So he said, "Come with me, son." I'm like, "Okay." I expected it. I was told that probably going to get tested, but I tested clean and I I were clean then for another Oh, what am I now?

I'm clean for another five or six years. Yeah. >> I was still competing. >> Yeah. I can remember all like I I seen it all from right. >> Do you know what I mean? Yeah. >> So um so then so what what next step after that then? What more >> So I did that I did that that comping up in Newcastle.

And then I did the British Champs, my first British Champs down in Bournemouth in uh where we 10 10 years ago, 2015. >> Yeah. >> Um I [\h__\h] that up completely. Really? >> I was completely I missed my first two squats. Managed to get my third squat in. Um and then I was in third place. >> No. Yeah, I was in third place at the end.

And this guy come in, nobody knew who he was, a guy called Greg Lewis who. And he come in, bear in mind under 93 and 123 years old. He pumped three 322 kilos of coming in and deadlifted >> and he knocked me off a podium or fuming. >> No way. >> Absolutely. Got it. >> Have you competed against him since? >> No, mate. To be honest with you, he's actually passed away that lad.

He was killed. He was killed. Murdered. >> No way. >> Mad. He was a he was part of the story. I don't know how true it is.

Um the story has he was part of a bit bit of a dodgy group in um Birmingham. Yeah. And uh Yeah. [\h__\h] had him off, mate. >> No way. >> Really nice kid as well. Weirdest thing. Really nice kid. hate to say a kid.

He would say me, but >> die too young, man. Die too young. It was an animal as well. >> So, so strong. >> These were a bit like a gorilla. He lo one's arguing with that fell. >> No, I certainly won. >> I was gutted. He took me off a platform.

Hey, man. The craziest. >> Yeah, it is. Yeah. Um, from there, my next big club was South Africa, world championship bench in in South Africa. So, that were a big one.

They came second there on body weight. all that way. Course it cost me several thousand pounds to go all that way and come second guted. >> I can remember it again. I can remember that. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

So they were they were the days. Um yeah, I did a few British championships after that like three lift and in bench and then eventually went untested. Um and then I did a couple of British championships, won a couple of British championships, then went out to the world championships in 2022. Won that in Florida. >> That's cool. >> And that was that was the beat last big one I did really. So is there is there like is there a possible chance for sponsors to cover any of this?

You >> Yeah. So I I had I had a few sponsors along the way that kind of just helped me out with a little bit of cost, but collectively it was it was a big help. But it's a it's a selfunded sport. >> Yeah. >> It really is. Like the trouble with it is powerlifting is so niche. >> Yeah. >> And it's really small. >> Yeah. It's not really like well spoken about much, is it? >> Not really.

So somebody can't come in and say, "Oh, I spend you a lot of money." They're not going to get anything. >> It needs It needs like like a Conor McGregor style like athlete, doesn't it? You know, someone would come in and just po something that's going to break internet. But there's thing with these sports though >> and social media, it just takes something, don't it? >> Yeah, for sure. >> All of a sudden, you'll be a celebrity. You think way is now. I mean, I've been out powerlifting generally in terms of competitive.

I've been out now for a few years. Yeah. Yeah. But in the tested world, the IPF as they call it, um there's some like proper influencer guys now, they're genuinely like living off it. >> But when I was competing, that was unheard of. >> Yeah. >> Completely unheard of. >> That's the thing though, is it like it's like pros and cons with social media and it like >> most of the time I I genuinely hate social media just way worldish sometimes. I mean, I do all this for it, but I genuinely enjoy this.

Obviously, I'm just talking to one of my >> part of work. There's no expectation of where it's going to go. I just literally enjoy it. I've always been about just doing whatever whatever you love and you'll say you'll never work a day in your life% mate >> and all that. Love that. you I know you've been in the same BT situation and that >> um >> but yeah man I just feel like sometimes >> I don't know it's you know mainly probably like all his only fans women on that m like don't need to do oh show some flesh and they're like >> they're getting millions and he thought just yeah in your day graft so seven days a week you can say I'm working seven days a week and I'm I'm looking at my misses I'm thinking you're proper f you why are you just why do you be easy, you know, just >> Well, that's not like all all power to him.

Like, you know what I mean? Jealous jealousy with it. But yeah, just I feel like for the generation coming up now, like you don't you just got to be an idiot, do you know? Like I've put I've put years into uh into content like I've never been like proper 100% at it. But whether it's in sport or whatever, trying to achieve stuff, same as yourself. >> And then I did one video my daughter hit me on Ed with plastic. >> I remember this like 10 million views. >> No, it's wild.

The most unexpected videos just gone viral. >> Crazy. >> I've tried to get everything viral ever. Always check videos are like a it's mint. I've had proper videographers in never video. Boom. Edit. >> A hammer. >> It's crazy, man.

Honestly, it's the it's the least expecting. I talk a lot of people in the especially in the social media world now because I'm really trying to push mine at the moment. And they say just just post. >> Yeah. >> Just do it. Yeah. >> Because something will something will get that traction and it'll be the least expected. >> Yeah. But again, you'll be doing them and everything will be like got some knowledge behind.

It's got everything got experience behind everything you need. Yeah. What should put you in a better place? >> You think so? >> But you'll just safet and everyone will go, "Oh, he is funny." >> That's all they That's all they care about. It's entertaining, isn't it? >> They don't even Yeah. Yeah. 100%. >> That's all I try to do.

I'm constantly thinking about what I'm delivering and what, you know, like value I'm going to need and all that sort of stuff. And sometimes you think, am I? >> I think I I feel like that stuff's great for them once it does drop. You've already got this big backlog. You've got a big library of all the stuff that you do. So, I feel like then people going, "God, he's actually like he knows what he's talking about." But, um, >> you do get that notice if you just been noticed, don't you?

And you get that reach and it's viral things. >> I'm like dead on it. Like dead boom boom boom boom. I'm posting all the time. Posting a couple of times a day sometimes. I've got loads of loads of views and that loads of likes.

Especially when around me fights and stuff like that get like I mean it's note to some people but I might get like three 400 likes and um or getting like 30 30,000 views on each post and it's great but then I just won't boast for a bit with it. These people fed up with it sometime. >> Yeah, that's what I'm like. But these >> all the numbers all the time >> these guys don't sleep, do they? And they're doing it and they're doing it all day every day. Half the time I can't be bothered to be in front of the camera. >> Do you know what I mean?

Just that's why I like this form of content because I can do it. We all get some clips out of it. We all get the but >> it don't feel like work. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Like I completely said I genuinely enjoy it. >> I'm proper grafting at the social media stuff at the moment. Like it's it's one of my main focuses outside of actual work. >> Yeah.

Yeah. >> Um just to gather that reach just to get you know build build slowly. But it is tedious. >> Yeah. It genuinely is like >> it's it's the other bit vid bits in between like I used to just do videos from me car all the time between sessions. >> Um and then we've had times like I'm I'm really good just straight off off the bat me like if I think I want to do a video and I'll put it on and go yes everybody >> such and such this is what I'm wanting to get out or whatever but you tell me some details that I need to read mate. Oh, you stumbling somewhere. Yeah, same.

Same. I've done it before where I've tried to like write a bit of a script or a loose script and then I suddenly stumbling over a word. But if I just talk to the camera about the thing that I I wrote that I know what I'm talking about. I [\h__\h] wrote it. >> I start thinking about what it sounds like to other people and all this like >> Yeah. And I just it goes into a weird place. >> Yeah.

It's it's the strangest thing. >> I've had the same video like 30 30 takes. I get out of [\h__\h] >> I'm not doing that. >> So, back to uh back to your journey then, mate. So, how long did you have out before did you have some time out before you come back to it or did you just go straight from obviously? >> Yeah, so after the World Championship 2022, I had about a year out just just sort of no particular reason really didn't fall out with it or anything like that, but I had a bit a fair bit of time out. Um, and in 2023, I decided I was going to have an attempt at bodybuilding >> cuz since I were 13 years old, mate, I literally told everybody and my misses, me and my MS, just to take off on a tangent a little bit. Me and my MS were together when I were 13. >> Yeah. >> So, we were together for about a year.

But her mom and dad found out we were doing the things we shouldn't be doing at that age. So, her dad being a big kickboxer ball [\h__\h] unity is like six foot whatever. And I'm this little says, "Stay away from her." Okay. Sing a bit. You know, I'm done.

So, we split up by no fault of our own. Really, we didn't want to. >> Um, and she said when we got back together, she said, "You've always said you were going to do this." >> Yeah. >> But I never stopped. He just He never never even crossed my mind to stop. >> So, um, well, bodybuilding the first thing that you wanted to and then >> Yeah. >> You just realized you're dead strong. You had to >> ability. Exactly.

Yeah. So, I were pursuing bodybuilding. I realized I was training at Escape Gym at the time. Exercise. Yeah.

The OG. Yeah. Yeah, we're turning there and I basically I got obsessed with chasing numbers. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Not not exactly purposefully, but I like to just I want to get stronger. Oh, yeah.

If I get stronger, I get bigger. That was my mindset. >> Um but I couldn't diet, mate. >> I was terrible. I was a proper little fat [\h__\h] thinking I'm big, but I'm not I'm just fat. I was that was the truth of it. So, I was chasing in numbers and somebody said to me, "Oh, do you know what?

You're quite strong. You know, yeah, yeah, I do a bit." No, no, but seriously, like competing piloting as a guy even in the gym. He said, "You do really well." Okay. Oh, I'll give it a go. So, I I met up with a fell, a lad.

I'll see you tomorrow actually, a club called Five Towns Powerlifting, and he said, "Come over, have a session with us, like a group, like a class, a club." It was. So, I went over and then that was it then. I just caught the bug. And then >> they they know straight away. >> Yeah. They they said straight away, you you're going to be sound. >> When you come to uh my first gym over at A1 and were you like Max >> Max Bar?

That becomes a comical thing to do. Yeah. >> I didn't have any of the thin >> plates. You don't? Yeah. >> Yeah. Funny that. >> Yeah.

That became a problem. So that's why I left exercise for less >> because they had the thick plates. >> Yeah. >> But I was frequently lifting over 250 up to 300 kilos. >> Um and you just can't fit it on, you know, and that's a wonderful problem to have and it's a it's funny to watch everyone in the gym when you're maxing someone out and you're doing it easily, too. So it's funny. It's the direction of the sport and it's the direction of training. >> So how did bodybuilding? >> So the the bodybuilding in 2023 went badly. >> Did it? Yeah, really badly.

Yeah, cuz I I'd never been able to diet before, but I'd learned to diet through making weight in my weight classes through powerlifting. So, I'd learned like dropping fat, weight cuts, water cuts, all that good stuff to get into my weight class. >> I got too big for the 93s >> and then I ended up too big for the 110s, but I'm too short to go to the 120s. >> Yeah. >> So, like, well, I need to stay here, so I'm going have to get leaner. >> Yeah. >> And I did. So, that's what I did. And I learned a lot about dieting and sort of how to do it. >> Um, and I thought, [\h__\h] it, now's the time. I always said I'd be a bodybuilder.

I wouldn't have my time. I'm gonna be a bodybuilder. >> Yep. >> Mate, it was so bad. >> Right. >> I started prepping in early January and I was going to be competing in July. >> Yeah. Don't you think it's just the the length of time doing it? >> I was too flat to start with. >> I should have done a little cut, got into a bit of reposition, relaxed a little bit, and then took a took another run out, >> but I was in a bad way. Like I I died for um 24 weeks straight. >> What were like on your What were it like on the family and me mentally? >> Horrendous. mentally the were the biggest challenge and then that >> eventually caused problems with the family. >> Yeah. >> Like not as in like problems as in friction or anything animosity or nothing like that but just I weren't there and if I was there I weren't there. You know what I mean?

I was just completely vacant. I was >> [\h__\h] Selfish spot. >> Yeah. Big time mate. Big time. But I was I was um prepping for about 20 I think it was about 23 weeks.

I was six weeks out um and I just broke down. Completely completely lost it. I went to my mate's wedding. I was a I was a um a groomsman for my wife's wedding and I prepped through it. I ate my own food.

I didn't drink but I was diced to be I was diced but I was gone. I went out for the breakfast in the morning. It was all paid for and was having pancakes. I'd already eaten my brand flakes in my hotel room. Sat there mate.

I just burst out crying. I don't know. I can tell you to this day why you certainly weren't cuz I couldn't have the food but I was just so overwhelmed like I've missed everything. >> Yeah, you put a lot in though as well. And there is like I mean everyone's got to start at the certain level but like I do it sometimes obviously I've just my last chase at dream um but I've been there many of times at places where like mine might mine been too long but you know especially over that time like you miss out on a lot of things don't you and you start thinking then how >> how far do I really want to take it and is it worth >> is this all coming towards >> there is some like I mean there's more to life than the knife breakfast and having a couple of drinks at weddings, but they're also very good times as well. And um >> like even just the big buffets and stuff like that and been able to enjoy quality time rather than thinking, "Oh, I've got to eat this and eat that." You do miss out on a lot.

It's a massive sacrifice, especially like >> if you're not right at top of the game. I mean, to get to the top of the game, you need to make the sacrifices, but it's how far you want to go. >> I never wanted to be pro. >> Exactly. >> But I was I was I was like training and prepping like I was a pro, and that was where I went wrong. Yeah. >> Um, so I I mean I went to this and I I was bursting into tears at this breakfast and I was sort of hiding it. My misses were going like we're leaving like everything's fine. We got home and just I quit.

I couldn't do it. Yeah. >> I could sleep. >> Will you miss yourself? >> Mate, what I've been doing bit of a funny story. I don't know if you remember seen a picture. Um, I posted a picture on social media of the of the sweets that I'd been gathering. Gazer, I spent probably thousands on American sweets and chocolate. >> Right.

But what I've been doing is I've been buying it. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> And I knew he was wrong. So I'd been hiding it. But when I' I'd hid it in one place in the house and it got full. So I had to start hiding some more in another place.

G. I was up in the night. I couldn't sleep. Just ordering off sweets of chocolate. >> Crazy. >> Three places ended up hiding in. And when I give when I took the towel in the prep, I said to K, "I have something to tell you." And I said like, "Look at this." And she her face dropped.

It's only the first one, mate. I'm thinking, "Oh god, this ain't good." Her face first drop said, "What the [\h__\h] have you done?" She says, I'm like, "Yeah, I've got something else to show you." >> Yeah, they were amazing, >> mate. So bad. We got them all together. We all listen.

We got over it. Is what it is. But the the v like the men it genuinely an eating disorder without any doubt. It was a pull on. >> I um like when I when I were younger and I were dieting, it used to have a massive effect like on me moods, people around me. I can remember even me mom at this time when I were living at home, my mom would be like, "You 9% shot, would you?" And I honestly I'd think she'd do it on purpose cuz she knew I tired.

That's what I got him. Yeah. >> That was the mentality. Yeah. >> Weird. >> Yeah. You be so selfish. >> I would do monthly time in your head and you're like snappy every train at the time and I'd train them and if they were quitting >> I had no I had no time for it, no patience. this whole like you can't quit in ring like like as if >> that's our mentality as if they're >> it's a different type of person. >> They're trying to get fit. They're not trying to fight, you know. >> Exactly.

It's a different game. >> Like I lost so many clients earlier on. I mean we met the mistakes we were talking like again 15 years ago or whoever. >> But um like now I'll have odd time if I even ever say anything now cuz Maddie my always repeats back to me. >> Sub no one's holding a gun to your head to do it. Like it's on me. Like I chose to do it. So I literally don't moan.

And then sometimes same way she were um she were cutting like one at time and she did it to help me as well and cut one of times and I had a I just fought and I could eat some after >> and she were like no you're right all right I'm going to stick on it mate cuz I I still got another couple of weeks before on holiday and I says I don't want to eat in front of I say I'm same as me opposite way if she ever wants something and she go I don't eat in front of you I say look >> what you want to do yeah it's on it's on me to do it >> I'm the one who has to be disciplined through it. Meals and chose to do it. >> Big believer in that >> and that's uh that's how I've chose it through everything from from for whatever I've done now. I never come in I never >> say I'm low energy for on my boxing sort of diets and I feel awesome anyway like >> lowest I've ever cut to fight. Well, not lowest ever. I used to cut uh to like 61 kilo >> to fight but that were day before weighing so I could walk with this I fighting like 65 kilo on the day and I felt felt awesome cuz me and uh Neil Wayne would were like joking at time cuz every all fighters were coming in I could hear them all the time and it would do my heading cuz every time they come in they were like how you feeling all right well just this has been up this has been up this >> and I giving them I would give them all a bit of [\h__\h] like but I just said um I said Neil ask me how I'm feeling how you feeling right said top up And you feel laying it all down.

I just I wanted to be energy and like >> to be fair I have to give that to you. You always you're always the one that's bouncing off the wall. >> Yeah. And it's contagious actually. That's one one of the reason I like it. >> And that's what I feel like I don't want it to feel, do you know? I think it's a good um a good representation to show everyone as well.

You know, like I've had most fights in gym this year. I've had most fights in gym this year. So sort of feel like I'm leading front. I haven't moaned about training. I moaned about injuries. >> There's power in that though. people respect you as a cow. >> I've had lads taking like fights on short notice cuz I'd done it >> and other lads I want to fight this and all lads in gym are trying to like see how many they can get in and literally everyone's messaging me saying and just following my footsteps >> like what better thing to to do than >> that's one of the things I think about um coaches for me at least I think the coach has to have been there and done it. >> Yeah, >> I I I fully believe in that.

Yeah, I've had the I've had this conversation about boxing coaches and some boxing coaches that >> have never even fought or they might fought once or like how much of a coach here really cuz you can't understand it especially when if you're going to corner people like >> unless you've done the walk a few times as well and you've had different >> boxing an even bigger example >> if you've had different different things happen though mate so say you did one competition right I bet your next one were completely different somebody That's a plan. This has happened. What happens if this is or there's been a delay and then your warm up's ruined >> or there's any every single every single competition you go in is a little bit more experienced. It's a different it's a different way. Everything comes off differently, don't you?

I've had times where >> I don't diet today like I did 5 years ago or 10 years ago or anything. >> It's just it's different. >> Adapt to that. And that's what I just think there there's there's a lot of power in that like you said. I think agree. >> I think coaches have got to got to have been there to show that experience. >> Yeah. But what did how old were we started ptinging then? >> Oh mate, I've not done a lot of PT onetoone. It was more online coaching I'd done.

So I started online coaching with powerlifting >> probably seven or eight years ago. So quite early in my power group, but I did it for free. >> Yeah, >> because I knew I'm not experienced yet. Yeah. >> But I love it. I love this sport. I love helping people.

Like I know people say that all too often, don't they? I genuinely loved the sport and I loved because somebody helped me when I first joined with like programming just just like here do this and this will let you out. So that's all I started doing and then I started taking people a couple people under my wing but completely free. I was just helping them out and people did well. So I okay people do it. you don't love it, you you do something else and life's too short. >> And I think that's I see quite often now and I love the take on it as well as like such as yourself like >> you did it for free even when it it want a thing and then when you do the online stuff you've got you've got that experience as well and you genuinely care about the person like most people what they're selling now online is >> they're trying to tell you how to buy into a plan to make more money.

I'm like well why aren't they just doing that? >> Exactly. I've thought as many a time and you know what? I had a meeting with a guy recently and he wanted two grand off me to help me with the social media like >> yeah it's crazy >> and I'm like >> you look at their social media and they've got no following. >> Yeah. I mean this this guy is is is really good at what he does in his page as an individual who's really good at what he does. So I arranged a meeting with him thinking I'm curious.

I don't know how much it is but I'm curious because your your [\h__\h] looks good. >> And then on comes another guy who I've never seen before. I think who's this? >> And he's talking to me. is going, "Oh yeah, it's going to be two grand and you'll come to this this plan of us and we'll show you how to get this and that, get that." And I'm thinking, if it were this easy to get to 10 grand a month, 20 grand a month, and they're talking about 50 grand a month, like why aren't you doing it? >> Yeah. >> Why are you literally making half a million pound a year? Why are you telling me to give you two grand? Why would you care? >> That's my That's That's exactly my point, mate. I just um >> Yeah.

I don't know. I feel like there's a lot less quality. I mean, there's a lot of good quality like, don't get me wrong, but there's a lot less quality in it. like I did years and years on on gym floor. So if I were to be online, I've got that experience to take into it. I don't know how I could really do the boxing online.

I don't know if there's a place for that. >> No, although it is a physical physical coaching game. >> I mean the nutritional aspect apparently. Yeah. But I'm not >> not massive on that either. Um so I don't that a time for me. Plus >> it's not like me that like >> I mean it's the way to expand because there's not there's not enough hours in the day.

I'd love a better way to get out of doing the hours, >> but in person is sort of my thing. >> How old has been though? You've been you've been good at that. It's who you are. >> So, I think people need to embrace that more rather than trying to put a square peg in a square circle. >> No, it don't make sense. >> I feel like you know, like you say, you beat you were on gym floor. You've done your training yourself. You've been in your competitions as all experienced it.

Like it's just a t tough uh tough area to jump in from with no experience and just think that you can jump and start getting these clients from somewhere. >> I know it's crazy that I don't know how people are audacious enough to be honest. >> It's an odd career anyway. >> Yeah, it is. Yeah. Yeah. >> It's not it's not easy. >> I couldn't imagine. It's bizarre to me that they they get clients, but they do. >> Yeah. >> People people are doing it with no experience whatsoever. >> Yeah. But don't they start selling the same thing? >> Yeah.

Yeah. >> This is what I've done. I only joined last month. I'm making 10k a month. Yeah. give me this much and I'll show you how to do it. And you're like, >> "Hang on to it." Well, you put a load all the money.

Why are you >> If you're already getting 10k a month, why are you trying to show me how to do it? Surely you become a rival. >> That's it. It don't make sense to me. And I think that has the flaw in it really. >> Again, evil is a social media that >> Yeah, it is. It is.

It's so toxic. I mean, if I didn't do it as part of my job, as part of the what I do, as in like the conscious, I wouldn't be on it. >> Hey, I'm in the same same boat. Same boat. But I just wish sometimes you could make me do me thing. But obviously I want a chance.

I don't know. I'm possibly this probably sounds silly like a possibility of a misfits or something like that and fighting cuz where I want to go in professional. >> I know I might be able to get >> if I'm very lucky getting for an area title or something like that's it. Never even thought I'd even get to any professional title. I've not even been confirmed for professionals yet. But >> right >> whereas to fight in a big stadium only way for me especially at my age now is to have a big following try and drop on >> Yeah.

Yeah. >> something that's like that's for me that's the only thing pipeline that's um >> that's actually doable where that's the thing these influencers and that are not even boxers mate and they're getting these unbelievable opportunities again >> making millions. >> They put they put the timing in a completely different way like you got to respect the hustle. Yeah, we put we put the the time into the sport to get good at it. They put time into selling themselves. So, so um >> that's where I'm at now. Like I say, I'm pushing the social media as much as possible.

Like I am working my ball for it. >> You've got to But you I hate the idea. Did you see my story the other day where I said if you think about it, social media content creation is really weird because I was creating a real and I'm like recording myself getting in my car to create like a montage of like dad hours. It is. I've not posted it yet, but and then I get out of my car and go pick my camera up and it's like, what am I doing? >> This is so stupid. >> It's bad. Like you see guys are running past their camera.

How far you going to run before you come back for that? Like what? >> Why are we doing this? >> Yeah. So I I wrote about this the other day cuz one of one of my pals that said it, I had him on and I forgot to ask him, Luke McCarthy. Uh and he's an absolute machine, mate. Like proper base like some workouts he doesn't and he puts his workout on.

Um, but the videos of the workout, I'm like, "Did you just did you do it before workout was like warm up and doing the videos?" Because he could have kept moving camera halfway through work. I mean, >> the video is so weird. I'm doing high rocks at the moment. I've got this idea in my head that I'm going to have a new challenge and I'm doing high. I'm running up and down the gym with all this different equipment and I'm running my camera.

I better do that. Then then get on with my circuit. I'm like, "Look, time off. What's the >> This is what we we used to do. We used to be training for the um when I used to do it for the ultimate shred stuff though and we were doing it for programs or a bit of content back then.

So we used to do the training first. >> Yeah. >> And then go back through exercises and just >> do a few reps of each one. Do it like that rather than doing it in real time. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. I'm with you. >> It's the weirdest thing. I mean when you actually sort of boil it down and take the norm normality of social media out of it that the normality has been created. When you actually think about it like me walking back to my camera to pick it up, it's insane. He genuinely is absolute madness. >> Yeah.

I see him all the time with when it says influencers and they're getting out of bed and you know then >> you've been out of bed. What are you doing? >> I Yeah. I'd love to just start seeing everyone's out takes on that. That's what they I mean people do do it, don't they? Like >> the thing is like I think it's somewhat weird.

I think it's it's brain rot. >> Yeah. at the end of the day like you're sat there scrolling and I'm guilty of it now and then I'm [\h__\h] riddled in ADHD so I procrastinate all the time like and I'm like why I'm watching this here I am watching it and everyone else is so you got to create the content cuz that's what gets you the reach out that's what you need is it is getting the one that goes bum >> yeah yeah yeah >> so so where so I didn't know you were doing hierox mate >> yeah that's the new thing >> to do so I've had this like after my last bodybuilding prep so I I meed that one up in 2023 quit and I did another powerlifting compet where I uh I at the time I was the third best powerlift Britain's ever seen >> ever. So I was proud of that and I thought you know what fine I'm happy there cuz I I bust my knee quite badly. I had a pretty big tear in my quad tendon. >> Yeah. >> Um 18 months later it was 11 by 12 mm this tear still. >> So at the time I'm pretty sure it was just hanging on by a thread. >> Yeah. >> I couldn't walk for a few weeks and I haven't been able to swap since. >> So after that I said to myself, I'm done. >> Yeah. Yeah. I don't if I blow that off, I'm going to have surgery.

It's going to be an issue for the rest of my life. But pounding ain't worth it. >> I've been there and done it enough. I'm third best ever's ever seen. I' I'm happy, you know, I've done what I need to do. >> Um so I pulled away from that and then I did the bodybuilding last year this year. >> Yeah. >> Um in August and I basically said as long as I turn up in respectable condition and big >> I don't want to be one of these bodybuilders that's just skinny. >> Yeah. Yeah.

I'm I've diced, but I'm actually 50 kilos. Make them Why? Not a bodybuilder, brother. You haven't got any muscle. What are you doing?

So, I was on stage 95 kilos. Absolutely ripped to bits. Yeah. >> So, tick done. Yeah. >> I'm out of this game, mate. Jesus. >> I bet that would a good one to come back to though, was it?

How long did you diet for that one then? >> That was 16 weeks. >> Yeah. >> So, it's solid prep. I had a really good coach. I had a coach who's mate, he's a [\h__\h] monster and really, really nice guy. You look at him, you think I won't like to speak to you >> because he looks like an animal, but he's a a really really nice. >> He is the ar. >> I can't imagine he'll watch or listen to this because he's not the type. But I hope he does because he's a really close guy and I've got a lot of time for him. >> What's his name then? >> Kai Fletcher.

He's called. >> Kai Fletcher. Shout out to Kai. Yeah, he's a he's a real good lad. And he he was the coach I needed because when my head were going and it did like body dysmorphia was fully set in, mate. You were saying to me like you just told me to shut the [\h__\h] up.

Y with it. Do what you need to do. Nobody's nobody's making you do this. You're choosing to do this crack. And in that what I needed.

I need that tough love. >> Yeah. 100%. >> That's my it's me all over. I needed that couple of days out from the show. >> I I text I'm not lean enough. I were diced. I like 4% more. In fact, was stupid.

I mean, I'm not even kidding. I was absolutely ripped to bits. And he said he replied his his simple answer was where the [\h__\h] do you want to lose fat from? Yeah. And I'm looking like I don't know actually.

I'm looking at my picture. I don't know but I'm not lean enough. >> Yeah, it's gone mate. Your head's gone. I went on I went on stage 95 kilos. I mean I'm 5'7.

I was 95 kilos and diced. So I was big enough. >> Yeah. >> I was 210bs. It's heavy. You know what I mean? Like to be on stage.

So I was like done cuz the the life limiting when I tell you I was that prep. Let me tell you about it. Might as well. I was getting up like 3:00 4 in the morning at latest. to do my steps because I work eight hours a day. I work a desk job or if I'm not at a desk, I'm in my car as a sales job. >> So, I had to do 16,000 steps a day. >> So, I had to get up at 3:00 in the morning to start our steps. >> And then I'd go training, then I'd go to work, prep, everything else.

And I was coaching as well. So, I was coaching 40 clients. >> Yeah. >> I was going to work 40 hours a week >> and doing this prep. I didn't see my family. >> Yeah. But >> I spoke to my wife and I said, "Look, this is we're doing this 16 week. got the best wife in the world. I tell you, I'd tell anybody.

She's so supportive. Whatever I want to do and I'm a nightmare. Proper nightmare. If I get something, I want to do it. I say I'm all in.

I like you. >> Oh, 100%. But nothing's changing that. Know what I mean? So I couldn't I don't want And there's not many women that support that. >> No. Is it? >> You've got one as well.

Clearly >> 100%. >> Um and uh yeah, we went through went through all that and I said, "I'm never doing that again." >> Yeah. >> Never. >> They're like They're happy to hear that, aren't they? I said that. I said that this time of this year we fight you know like right I'm just I'm going to have two fights and then I'm like I'm going to have a couple more and then I'm like she she says what you doing now says uh I'm just going to have a probably a week's rest and then I got a call said you want to fight someone else tomorrow night yeah that's she like >> and then I can remember on this last one so I got back off holiday I've been like bang at it all year 100% dedicated to it like staying in shape all year no drinking no nothing >> as it should be Um then I went on holiday with family. Had had a few drinks and that like more or less every day. Just a few steady ones and that.

But you know what? I felt amazing. Loved it. Like thoroughly enjoyed it. You could have not put me in a bad mood if you whatever.

You know what I mean? >> I just loved it. Play played with kids non-stop time that I don't get to normally spend with them. >> Yeah. >> And then I come back and it were like straight into B me training for this fight. >> Yeah. >> Oh, that's the hardest turnaround I've had to do. And I only had like four weeks which when I'm a bit older now it takes me a lot going and I actually just there were no time that were it this were the date that was set I'd already set it in stone that I'm going to do it about two weeks in said said to Mrs. said, "I don't think I'm going to fight. You know, I don't know if I'm going to do it." She went, "Dad, is your head exit right place?" And I says, "Yeah, I [\h__\h] um I went around to my me dad next day and I had a bit of an in." And um she goes, "Have you told your dad that you're not fighting?" And I thought, "I didn't really want to tell him like I were like not sure I want to say." And I thought, "I don't know." Me, Edward just not not in it. And it's most it's ever not been in.

If I'm fighting me, I'm all in. And I seen a video of um You >> Oh, yeah. >> And he says, um I've said it on the other podcast. He said um that what did he say now? No motivation, only discipline. Yeah. >> And then I just thought and then within space of like 48 hours I like yeah I'm going to fight it. >> And then about >> exactly and then I'd not like I'd not even said out to Maddie um and I and I started I eating something.

She never going to make weight if you um if you keep eating it won't even know massive or out but and I said you know decided I'm she says no you >> don't know you idiot. No, I just started seeing new seeing no fighting, mate. Yeah. So, um but I've just I managed to fart and I won again. So, uh finished.

Yeah. Put him for me pro license nose. >> Good lad. >> I try to get every fight. Yeah. Look, >> I saw your post. You said I'm not losing in front of my granddad. >> First first uh first fight.

My granddad's >> not really. >> Is it? Yeah. >> Yeah. And I said I turned up I said I've not really spoke about it on I think I'm doing podcast tomorrow. Um and I'll tell sort of my story on what I've been doing this year. It's part of you today, my mate.

But uh yeah, like I go into detail for that. Like it's been a bit of a mad a mad year. But yeah, first one my granddad's ever come see. >> I like our poorly coming into it and stuff as well. And I gave every there were every reason to not do this fight. Like whether it was fruit fight camp or like there were times we waited and we were like it just panic weight loss.

I like I need to do this, do that. On the day things were going wrong, there was just everything seemed to not go right right until day. Yeah. And then fight day all stars are lined up. Like even though I went well like how it dropped with me opponent style of fight and how it dropped with um I'd not brought one at one meal like I forgot one at meals.

I left it in fridge just crazy >> know too focused on that. Someone brought a cheesecake around for me in morning and it just threw me and I sort of forgot they got to a good meal. Um and then six fighters pulled out on day and I ended up I was still my main event but I were fighting six less fights. So the meal that I brought and stuff were all that I needed. >> Yeah. >> Everything just happened perfect. Like crazy.

How everything had gone to pot all the way through. Like nothing could have gone right. I had tweaks here. This were hurting. Supposed to be doing this.

Couldn't do that on this day. There was stuff happened with sparring partners where they couldn't do it. Our nursing injuries and all. And then on day everything just come right. Me granddad were there and I were like, "Yeah, everything bro." >> You still get nervous. >> I do.

But do you know what? It don't m honestly like the sessions that Neil Wayne puts me through like I'm nervous for them. I'm like I'm genuinely I know no matter what I'm going to be dying like and I'll be oh come I'll run out of here and I'll go on my hyperventilating get like my stomach's vibrating on the can't breathe get nervous for that if I spar in the gym it don't matter even if it's one of my mates get nervous if I get do an outside out gym spa nervous if I fight but >> I'm always I'm always the same amount of nervous I'm never back on fight Hey, I'm never more nervous than I would be if I was sparring. >> I went to see a mate of mine fighting. He is his return to boxing. Yeah. >> Amateur, not look.

He's 41. You don't [\h__\h] look it, by the way. >> But he it was his return to fighting and I went to watch him. >> Yeah. >> And I got that like I used to fight when I was a kid. Not streets like an idiot. >> Get nervous for him. >> You get that bit. I was watching digging hot off tear getting that cuz it must be like that feeling. You better like this is it. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.

Know. So I always do one final breath. Like they said this one I knew I weren't feeling very good. So I trained on on Wednesday the Wednesday before it just a couple of bits like final bit of touchup stuff, smart stuff like minute rounds >> and I felt dead tired. I had like that poly energy. >> Yeah. >> And I throw and I thought it's going to be hard fighting me over this.

Do you know what I mean? Like people don't think like they think three two minute rounds man. They feel like they're like oh I do them sessions with you. Two or three sessions with you. I tell you now, we underestimate how hard throwing punches is for a couple of minutes. >> And like the fight pace is unbelievable.

Like it's not even like I mean it's tired up pads, it's tiring spiring, but when everything's online and everyone's watching you and you get it with a shot and all crowd goes or you wait with a shot and all crowd goes or it's someone's face and they're staring at you got adrenal. so many variables that go into it like on the fight and there's no time where when you're when you're sparring you'll you'll hit somewhere and then it can be quite intense but then when you come inside you can be relaxed and you're breathing fight everything's >> I mean I'm I'm quite chill now like >> you have to be don't you that's what that's what separates the potential pros from the >> whole likeve I've had like 22 fights now and I'm like like said and I've never >> I've never not performed at nightmare I'm always one of them like I might not be amazing at sparring or or or whatever or I might not look the best on certain things or whatever. Like I look pretty good everywhere, but like I'll always turn up on fight day. >> Like I've never not turned up and that sort of puts me at ease because I know put me back against the wall any Yeah. I think I think I can give anybody a good run. Like I've >> There's a lot of power in being competing yourself like that. It's not ego. >> It's just knowing what you're capable of. >> I've never really sparred really and been that majorly outclassed.

Yeah. I've sparked some very good pros as well. I had one one lad he were probably got most best me Jus he's retired now I think he about 10 and0 pro and he he were he were good he were really good but like I'd already done some rounds before as well I mean they still got better than me 100% it very very good boxer like that's probably most I just getting jabbed to death I couldn't see where it were coming from >> that biggest time really where I'd say if anyone was to say school year >> that probably most like cuz in between everything you must have hit me with a shot >> and even when I throw back like I better to later rounds But short time rounds that were just Yeah. >> I think he's fascinated me. >> Yeah. >> He's fascinating class this life. >> The way you dance around people how big his ear is. I've seen you I've seen you listen to go sc it but there's just levels to it. I spoke again.

I've spoke about it before. We've we've got lads in our our gym all in the same weight category and like two against each other is compare and then some one other lads is too good for them and then another lad's too and I think there's like five different levels where like one of them can is just miles better than others like no against any go on different but it just shows that's just in your gym so imagine across >> Yeah exactly whatever like just the levels of it is crazy in it you know what I mean >> Joe did that fight a couple of weeks ago and the fellow who ended up against the one that I pulled out and I thought he ended up against it thought of over 100 times. >> Yeah. >> And Joe said he's either very very good. >> Yeah. >> Or or is Journeyman >> terrible because he's not pro yet. Why is he not pro? He's over. Turned out it was it was the former.

It was the latter. He was terrible. >> He was like just he was so infuriating in this land. So cocky really >> but talentless. >> Well, but what are you doing? >> He just put his face in front of him and basically said it me. Do we need them journeyman me? So yeah, >> sort of like getting towards back end now, mate.

So where where's what's what's the future, mate? What's >> So for me, I've come away from competitive training in regards to being big and strong. >> Yeah, >> that injury took me out and then the idea of bodybuilding and doing that. It's just not ticked off. >> It's not worth the There's no balance there whatsoever. There's no room for balance in bodybuilding. Not in my not in my opinion anyway.

If you want to come in genuinely diced and big, there's no room for balance. >> We're in there to win, aren't we? I'm doing I'm doing it properly. were your best 100% on that. >> Yeah, I won two classes at that bodybuilding show. Uh missed out on the overall, but that were reasonably debatable. It was close. Um for my first show against very seasoned athletes, I was I was pleased with that, you know, and content enough to say I've done I've done enough.

Um so I've come away from competitive training really. I'm doing the high rocks potentially doing I will probably definitely >> Yeah, because of the way I am. >> You got to do like that's the good thing about iRocks is like anyone can do it though. I mean, obviously you're going to want to do well. >> Yeah. Which which I appreciate. You really want to probably won't go into it unless you're going to put a good number on.

But >> yeah, absolutely. >> Um, >> but I think it's basically the change of direction for me is to be generally fit, generally strong, >> keep a good physique. I'd like to stay in shape >> and just be like agile and able enough around my daughter. >> I think it's a good I think it's a good um good feeling to just be fit and healthy. >> Yeah, exactly. Exactly. That's what I'm after now. I'm done with the the biggest and strong been able to >> There were times where I be I picked up 350 kilos deadlifted 350 kilos but I grown and grunt getting off the floor.

Yeah. >> It just don't make any sense like it's uncomfortable. >> Yeah. For longevity definitely. That's why I feel like I is a better version of the CrossFit. >> Yeah. >> Not as many silly injuries and stuff. And I think like I said everyone can do it. Obviously people would push it a bit further and people are pros it now on that which is again it's um I've got most of my mates who I do.

I think I know about 10 people that do that pro >> really is it? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. All all like super athletes and they're all >> all not come from best backgrounds or either. So I love that as well.

Like people get stuck into right things this age as well. Like they're all we're all around about the same age and like the partying stage is done and people are looking at now keeping like bettering themselves in their life. Um >> so I think that's great. So and >> I know we've touched on it like outside of podcasting the nutrition side. you wanted to go into like boxing >> side of um I've coached a bunch of athletes in a bunch of different sports with performance nutrition. Um, I've done a lot of work, especially powerlifting obviously was where I came from. >> But I've had powerlifters come to me big and fat, >> performing, sluggish, generally sluggish, not sleeping, you know, hour shape, >> come on to nutrition.

And I realize the power in nutrition for performance, not just to look good, >> but to feel good and perform well. >> Um, and I've learned a lot over the years through my own stuff and then working with coaches, nutrition coaches. >> Um, and I've worked with rugby players, um, >> bodybuilderesque people. I've never coached anyone from bodybuilders. I'm not sure I want to either. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Um but a lot of powerlters. Um and just I know that there's there's power in performance nutrition. >> Yeah. >> Fully confident in that and I want to start venturing out into >> there's quite quite a small audience the bodybuilding side as well.

And again >> if you've been Mr. Universe sort of or whatever then you I feel like then then you appear to be the coach to go look I've won this I've done that. Whereas >> I'm not really interested in proofing for you. been champions the year uh powerlifting >> you can quite easily >> give anyone any advice is any a feel for for that area to be like look I've done it >> yeah whereas >> part of the reason for doing the bodybuilding >> was to say that I've dieted to the extreme I know what you're going through if we're if I'm coaching somebody for a photo shoot prep and yeah you want to get diced >> I know what you're going through because I've been there and beyond >> absolutely >> I I refuse to coach somebody in something that I don't understand what they're going through because how can I say no do more if I've ever done what to do >> and and and contradicting that mate contradicting us both on that I reckon um on the side of you for competitive athletes good for like you're doing your own training boxer side I reckon the proof's going to be in your fighters >> yeah yeah absolutely good way exactly that way no experience in the fight game but performance is >> quite vast in it >> yeah yeah absolutely >> um obviously there's a bit more with weight cuts and water cuts and where we need to be uh strong around and But like I know you know your stuff, mate. And I'll probably be I'll probably be the the first guinea pig. >> Try try trial and test it cuz I do fraud dog. >> I get a few meal preps and just go. Yeah, I'm doing some more.

So I do I do it in more structure, mate. So I'll be >> there's power in it, mate. I can tell you that right now. I'm absolutely certain of it. There's power in in the it's not just cing hard facts >> and that that'll take you take you and it's obviously taken you as far as you got and that's fine >> but you can make progress faster easier >> like for me now I will be taking that next step so obviously >> you're probably my closest friend on that side to do that and I know the other gym and we're going to hopefully we'll have another podcast >> um in the near future when you're actually looking after all my lads for boxing that may but I think um I think that's a good place to wrap it up.

Yeah, I'm happy with that, mate. Yeah, >> thank you for coming on. Thank you everybody. Um, last Vince Sam, where can everybody find you on your social medias? >> Um, I'm mainly mainly Instagram. My Instagram is Sam. 94. >> Thank you everybody.

Like and subscribe. Make sure you give Sam a follow. Thank you everybody. Cheers guys.