Mike Answers Your Questions
How do you stay so ripped, dude?
I follow a routine that includes one or two workouts a day 5 to 6 days a week for about 45 minutes to an hour each. I alternate between resistance training with free weights and bodyweight. I also enjoying using the rower and practice Yoga or Pilates two times a week. I’m also an avid cyclist and join Spinning classes on a regular basis. Other than that, I enjoy playing soccer and tennis and swim most days of the week.
Mike, tell me about your family.
My parents live in South Africa and my sister lives in Singapore. The rest of my family lives in England. I rarely see them though. I live with my dog 'Gunner' - a hyperactive little beagle. I'm hoping to add a British Bulldog to my small family.
What do you do on a daily basis?
Every day is a mix of business, study and activity. I try to get enough sleep and maintain a healthy, stress-free balance (no one is perfect). For work I do a little bit of everything: I coach, teach and write on a frequent basis. Of course, I run MikeWellness and the other new business I'm involved in is called Samsons - a healthy food catering business. I also read voraciously. I'm also very busy promoting both my 'Alistair the Armadillo' books.
What is your health philosophy?
My health philosophy is surprisingly simple. I follow a diet based on an understanding of evolutionary science. I think it’s more important to eat, move, and live according to how humans are designed and not according to society’s artificial developments of the last 100 years. Fortunately, this regimen is not only incredibly healthy, it’s quite simple:
How old are you?
37
Why should I listen to you?
You shouldn’t. I’m partly kidding but I do believe in critically assessing everything we come across, particularly if it has an impact on our health – including anything I say. I learn something new every day.
What kind of music do you like?
I love all kinds. If I'm on my bike then I prefer to listen to something heavier but in the gym hip hop or rap is good music to workout too. At home I listen to a lot more relaxing music. In the car I always listen to Chinese Pod - makes sitting in the traffic productive.
What is your favorite food?
My favorite food is a big salad with a little balsamic vinegar and olive oil. For 4 years now, I have enjoyed a daily salad. I throw in salmon, chicken or turkey, sometimes some nuts like walnuts, along with tons of veggies like, broccoli, cucumbers and bell peppers.
What is your favorite beer? Can I ask that?
I recently found out I'm allergic to beer which makes drinking alcohol a lot more expensive but helps on my stomach. Nowadays I prefer a glass of wine or a home made Margarita or Gin and Tonic.
What do you think about carbs?
Not very much. In particular, refined carbohydrates are a primary factor in contributing to obesity, type 2 diabetes, anxiety and depression, lack of energy, inflammation, metabolic syndrome and heart disease. I follow a diet which essentially follows the evolutionary model of meats, fish, greens, nuts, vegetables and limitted fruits. I believe the evidence is compelling that carbohydrates in grain form, especially the highly-processed varieties found in most restaurant and prepared items, are simply not a good energy source for human health.
What are your top 5 values?
1) Respect
2) Balance
3) Excellence
4) Integrity
5) Creativity
What are your top 5 pet peeves?
In Indonesia - where to start? I could make a list of 10. :)
What's your favorite way to exercise?
Yoga, Pilates, lifting weights and cycling, but I'll try my hand at just about anything. I would love to learn how to surf one day.
How much to you sleep?
Usually, 7 hours a night. I wish more.
I follow a routine that includes one or two workouts a day 5 to 6 days a week for about 45 minutes to an hour each. I alternate between resistance training with free weights and bodyweight. I also enjoying using the rower and practice Yoga or Pilates two times a week. I’m also an avid cyclist and join Spinning classes on a regular basis. Other than that, I enjoy playing soccer and tennis and swim most days of the week.
Mike, tell me about your family.
My parents live in South Africa and my sister lives in Singapore. The rest of my family lives in England. I rarely see them though. I live with my dog 'Gunner' - a hyperactive little beagle. I'm hoping to add a British Bulldog to my small family.
What do you do on a daily basis?
Every day is a mix of business, study and activity. I try to get enough sleep and maintain a healthy, stress-free balance (no one is perfect). For work I do a little bit of everything: I coach, teach and write on a frequent basis. Of course, I run MikeWellness and the other new business I'm involved in is called Samsons - a healthy food catering business. I also read voraciously. I'm also very busy promoting both my 'Alistair the Armadillo' books.
What is your health philosophy?
My health philosophy is surprisingly simple. I follow a diet based on an understanding of evolutionary science. I think it’s more important to eat, move, and live according to how humans are designed and not according to society’s artificial developments of the last 100 years. Fortunately, this regimen is not only incredibly healthy, it’s quite simple:
- daily activity – whether it’s the gym or a walk with the dog, it all counts
- plenty of quality sleep - at least 7 hours
- eat fresh, organic, unprocessed food – no junk!
- plenty of water, no sweetened drinks
- antioxidants galore – the key to limiting stress
- a good fish-oil supplement
- lots of essential fats, huge amounts of vegetables, and lean clean proteins
- time for fun – don’t take anything too seriously
- taking responsibility for yourself and your life
- openness to new things and ideas
How old are you?
37
Why should I listen to you?
You shouldn’t. I’m partly kidding but I do believe in critically assessing everything we come across, particularly if it has an impact on our health – including anything I say. I learn something new every day.
What kind of music do you like?
I love all kinds. If I'm on my bike then I prefer to listen to something heavier but in the gym hip hop or rap is good music to workout too. At home I listen to a lot more relaxing music. In the car I always listen to Chinese Pod - makes sitting in the traffic productive.
What is your favorite food?
My favorite food is a big salad with a little balsamic vinegar and olive oil. For 4 years now, I have enjoyed a daily salad. I throw in salmon, chicken or turkey, sometimes some nuts like walnuts, along with tons of veggies like, broccoli, cucumbers and bell peppers.
What is your favorite beer? Can I ask that?
I recently found out I'm allergic to beer which makes drinking alcohol a lot more expensive but helps on my stomach. Nowadays I prefer a glass of wine or a home made Margarita or Gin and Tonic.
What do you think about carbs?
Not very much. In particular, refined carbohydrates are a primary factor in contributing to obesity, type 2 diabetes, anxiety and depression, lack of energy, inflammation, metabolic syndrome and heart disease. I follow a diet which essentially follows the evolutionary model of meats, fish, greens, nuts, vegetables and limitted fruits. I believe the evidence is compelling that carbohydrates in grain form, especially the highly-processed varieties found in most restaurant and prepared items, are simply not a good energy source for human health.
What are your top 5 values?
1) Respect
2) Balance
3) Excellence
4) Integrity
5) Creativity
What are your top 5 pet peeves?
In Indonesia - where to start? I could make a list of 10. :)
- Too much plastic packaging
- Cigarette smokers
- People playing on their phone whilst eating with friends or family
- People who are mean to animals.
- Litterers - especially those who throw their trash out from inside the car
What's your favorite way to exercise?
Yoga, Pilates, lifting weights and cycling, but I'll try my hand at just about anything. I would love to learn how to surf one day.
How much to you sleep?
Usually, 7 hours a night. I wish more.
