Learning From the Best: Why I Study the Pros

When it comes to fat loss, building lean muscle, and maintaining peak performance—who really knows more than the people who’ve made it their life’s work? I’m talking about bodybuilders, pro athletes, and competitors who live and breathe discipline, strategy, and longevity.

I’ve always believed that if you want to learn something, you go straight to the top. Recently, I had the chance to be around some of the best in the fitness industry—professional bodybuilders, basketball players, and even Highland Games athletes. And you know what? What struck me most wasn’t just their physiques or records—it was how approachable, down-to-earth, and genuinely friendly they were.

That gave me the perfect chance to ask them a million questions. And believe me, I did.

1. What’s the secret to losing fat without losing muscle?

I asked this exact question to a bodybuilder who’s known for being stage-ready year-round. His answer?

👉 “You don’t starve yourself—you feed the muscle and cut the fluff. Most people try to lose fat by eating less and less. Big mistake. I eat six times a day. High protein, moderate carbs, healthy fats. Keep the weights heavy, keep intensity high. Cardio is just a tool, not the magic solution.”

This lined up perfectly with what I teach: your metabolism doesn’t speed up when you deprive your body—it speeds up when you fuel it correctly.

2. How do you keep pushing when you feel like giving up?

A former NBA player I met gave me the simplest truth:

👉 “Discipline beats motivation. Motivation is like the weather—it changes daily. But when you live by your discipline, you never stop. I don’t wait until I ‘feel like it.’ I show up anyway.”

We talked for a while, and what made the conversation even more special was what came at the end—we realized we both hold NASM certifications and are both ex-pro basketball players. That sparked a whole new layer of respect between us. He started opening up and sharing more details about his own journey.

When I told him that my mission is to motivate moms over 50—to keep moving, stay fit, and stay healthy—he lit up.

👉 “That’s powerful,” he said. “We inspire on the court, but what you’re doing? You’re inspiring people where it matters most—in life. That’s legacy.”

That conversation was such a reminder to me that no matter your background, what truly inspires people isn’t a trophy or a title—it’s leading by example. Showing people through your own actions that it’s never too late to push, grow, and make a change.

3. What’s the biggest myth about getting strong or lean?

This was a question I asked a Highland Games competitor, a man built like a tank but with the heart of a monk. His answer?

👉 “That more is better. More workouts, more hours in the gym, more supplements. Nah. It’s about smarter, not more. Quality of training, quality of recovery, quality of nutrition. That’s the real difference.”

This is something I try to drill into my clients. It’s not about how many hours you grind—it’s about how smartly you apply yourself. You don’t need to live in the gym. You just need to train with precision and purpose.

4. Is losing weight the same as losing fat?

This is a question I had to ask, because so many people get it wrong. A pro bodybuilder put it simply:

👉 “No, not at all. Losing weight can mean you’re losing water, muscle, or fat. Anyone can drop 10 pounds fast by starving, but that’s not real progress. Losing fat while keeping muscle—that’s the real win. That’s why macros matter. Protein keeps muscle, carbs fuel your workouts, fats balance your hormones. The scale doesn’t tell you the whole story—your body composition does.”

This couldn’t be more true. Most people celebrate when the scale goes down, but if you’re losing muscle with it, you’re slowing your metabolism and making it harder to keep the weight off. That’s why I teach macro-based nutrition—it keeps your body strong, lean, and sustainable for life.

5. How much attention do pros give to macros and tracking food?

I had to ask—because everyone talks about “eating clean,” but how precise are the pros really? A pro bodybuilder shared his approach:

👉 “Every gram counts. We measure our protein, carbs, and fats almost like a science experiment. You can’t out-train a bad diet. I know exactly what I’m eating, when I’m eating it, and how it fuels my workouts. It’s not obsessive—it’s just the rules of the game if you want results.”

Another athlete chimed in about flexibility:

👉 “It’s not about perfection—it’s about consistency. You don’t have to be rigid every meal, but you need to understand how each macro affects your body. That knowledge is power—it’s what separates amateurs from pros.”

This really reinforced what I teach: tracking macros is the ultimate tool for transforming your body. When you understand your protein, carbs, and fats—and time them correctly—you’re not just losing weight, you’re losing fat, preserving muscle, and feeling energized.

The Big Takeaway

Being around these athletes taught me something powerful: their principles are simple, but they execute them flawlessly. They don’t chase fads, magic bullets, or “skinny shortcuts.” They trust the basics, repeat them daily, and let time do the work.

What sets real leaders apart—whether on the court, in the gym, or in life—is that they lead by example. They show up, stay disciplined, fuel their bodies properly, and inspire others without even trying. That’s exactly what I strive to do with my clients, especially moms 50 and over: to show that your best years aren’t behind you—they’re happening right now.

You don’t need to be a pro athlete to transform your body or your life. By following the proven principles of nutrition, training, and consistency, and by leading by example, you can create change that sticks—not just for yourself, but for everyone who looks up to you.

🔥 Inspiration for you:
If the best in the world are still asking questions, still learning, and still focusing on the basics… then so can you. Fitness is not about perfection—it’s about progress, consistency, and choosing to live like your best self, day after day.