I'm An Ex-Bodybuilder: Here's Why I Think Food Is More Important Than Exercise

One question I’m frequently asked when I first meet someone is why I traded in my weightlifting belt for a kitchen apron. Many people seem to think that food, in any form, is the arch enemy of a professionally tailored body. Whether you’re a pencil-thin model strutting down the runway of a Parisian fashion show or a muscular Adonis competing on the stage of the Mr. Olympia championship, one too many calories could spell the end of a promising career.

That may be society’s predominant way of thinking, but I’ve found that food, and specifically good nutrition, is actually the key driver behind achieving any desired body type—no matter how much physical training you do. In fact, what I learned during my years of strenuous workouts and various muscle-supplementing meal regimens can be summed up with the following simple adage:

"You cannot exercise your way out of a bad diet, but you can always eat your way to a fitter and healthier body."

This is the main reason I became a professional chef after a successful career in bodybuilding. I knew I could prepare tasty meals that could match the dietary needs of my friends and colleagues who were still participating in the physical fitness world, meals purposely designed to complement their workout routines.

Almost immediately, you’ll experience a sense of well-being, more restful sleep, a healthy or healthier number on the scale, and stronger muscles and bones. While it’s true that your family genetics does play a role in some health outcomes, a healthy diet and physical activity can help to decrease your symptoms, reduce your risks, and set you on the path to a longer, more positive life.