How different is it outdoors vs. at home?
Its simple, and feels natural. If Im on an adventure, I used to eat nuts and oat bars, but I dont do that anymore. I just throw good quality jerky in there. Running Wilds are 36 hours, then I go back to normal circumstances.
Do you fast when youre adventuring?
Not so much. I feel I need the energy from food I find. Ill have a big breakfast before I go: Scrambled eggs, sausage and bacon, and fruit. Then Ive got enough energy for two days if I dont find anything to eat.
You have a cast-iron stomach, and have eaten a lot of out there food. Has that leaked over to when youre not adventuring?
It canIve done so much over the years: Drinking blood from a buffalo artery, munching on raw liver and heart. Its not difficult, but its not very pleasant. If Im at home, Im not going to be tucking into raw steak and liver. Food is a great pleasure, and it can be cooked so beautifully. I tend to have it rare, but I like it cooked, unless Im in survivor mode.
Do you have a specific workout program?
I do. I work out in the community with my military veterans fitness company, where vets run the training sessionshalf of my training is that. The other half is weights. I dont run much now. I play touch tennis, for cardio, and three good weight sessions a week, 30 or 40 minutes. Ill do a yoga session once a week, and stretch 15 minutes to start the day. I swim 500 meters on non weight days. And I started a thing a year ago where before weights I do 25 pull-ups, 50 press-ups, 75 squats and 100 sit-ups. Its 10 minutes, and Ive gotten really good at it. When I was in the military, I could do max 15, now I do 25 pull-ups with a weighted vest routinely. And Im 48.
Does the diet help these workouts? Does it help keep you less tired when youre adventuring?
Im always tired at the end of Running Wild. Theres a lot of concentration involved in guiding people. Youre in a difficult place, carrying weight on your back. But I find my training isnt crazy. It keeps my bones and muscles strong, and the swimming and stretching keeps me flexible. I dont need the endurance. Thats not the job. Its more about strength, flexibility for the long term.
But you built up your base. Are the weights heavy? You squatting double body weight?
I go pretty heavy. I keep it low reps, around 10. And Ill do it with a clock, Tabata style, and with functional kettlebell work, too.
Are you counting calories and macros or is it kept in line by the fasting and diet limits?
If Im eating a lot of meat, I get much fuller, so I can eat as much as I need. Im pretty greedy by nature, so I dont totally eat that way. But Im much more satisfied on this diet. Its also more pleasant and delicious.
See more here:
Bear Grylls Gave Up Veganism for Butter and Liver - GQ
