Post-40 PRs

Post-40 PRs
Written by C.J. Martin

I am not sure that he will be OK with this, but I would like ask you all to join me in congratulating my good friend and stud athlete, Brad “POS” Posnanski. In the video above he smoothly nails a lifetime back squat PR of 370 lbs. There are a couple of things notable about this:

1. It looked really freaking easy and he had a ton of speed on the barbell as he ascended out of the bottom of the squat – which means he definitely has more in the tank; and
2. POS is still progressing as an athlete after his 40th birthday.

I am not sure this SHOULD be remarkable, but what percentage of Americans do you think are in the best shape of their lives after they turn 40 years old? I am guessing it’s not a high number. The question is, “Why?”

Most individuals’ progress is limited by their mind long before their body. POS and fellow honorary Invicti Cheryl Brost are great examples that we are capable of achieving our peak athletic potential well beyond our mid-20s. But we have to believe it!

Here are four things I have noticed about them that provide clues into how we all can continue to progress as athletes beyond our 40th birthday:

• Consistency, consistency, consistency. They prioritize their health and fitness. They set aside time to train and stick to their schedule – it’s not dictated by whether or not friends want to get together for lunch, or if they wake up on time . . . they make it happen.
• Keep it fun. Both have a great demeanor toward training. They see it as fun and embrace challenges – there’s never any whining.
• Train smart to stay healthy. All athletes should have a constant dialogue with their physical state. Your body will tell you, through pain or discomfort, that it might be wise to work around a sore joint or muscle. They listen to their bodies and make adjustments instead of blindly training themselves into injuries.
• Eat well, but not obsessively. Both eat way better than most, but they also allow for indulgences and “normalcy” around their food choices. (Well, actually POS allows for a LOT of hot chocolate indulgences . . . he promises that they power his PRs.) Obsessive eating patterns are not fun nor sustainable over the long haul.  Understand the most important principles of good nutrition and put them to work, but don’t allow food to be a source of stress.

Congratulations POS, and thank you for inspiring all of us still looking up at 40!  🙂