When Bobby Lashley defeated Apollo Crews at Payback to lift the United States title for the second time, it was a major milestone bookending a fourteen-year gap between each of his US championship reigns. Now 44 years of age, Lashley has proven that he’s back in WWE to dominate, and after sitting down for an exclusive interview with the 6’3″, 275lb man-mountain, it soon became crystal clear that he’s more than ready to put the hurt on anyone and anything that dares to get in his way.
Now a member of WWE’s “Hurt Business,” Lashley told us that he’s still a maniac in the gym, but with age comes experience. Fortunately for us, the WWE superstar gave M&F seven rules for staying on top. And the best news? You don’t need to be a ring warrior to follow his motivational philosophies.
As Lashley has matured, he’s learned to appreciate the need for rest and recuperation. For the dominator to bring his A-Game to every match, and each epic gym session, he makes sure to take good care of himself.
“One thing that has changed is my focus on recovery. I make sure that my body is optimum. I actually had a massage today; I saw my chiropractor. For somebody like myself, who is maybe a little bit of an older athlete, it is important to pay attention to recovery. I maybe work out harder than ever, but I increase the recovery… but I’m still a maniac in the gym,” says Lashley.
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Start the day, the right way
Lashley thrives on routine and believes in the power of positive thinking and visualizing his future successes. The WWE Superstar has managed to combine this approach with daily fasted cardio to dominate each day.
“I start every day by making my bed, I listen to some of my motivational audio books, and I go to the park every morning, before my kids get up, five o’clock in the morning. It sets my day up. I’m on top of the world. I feel like I could pick up a building. I run ten miles, and I think that fasted cardio in the morning has helped me throughout my career,” says Lashley.
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Always be ready
While Lashley has lived a hectic life, including serving in the US Army, amateur wrestling with Team USA and tapping out opponents in the world of MMA, he’s never viewed periods of inactivity as an excuse to let himself go. The WWE legend strongly believes in being ready to meet every opportunity that comes his way.
“There was a particular time in my career [between WWE runs] where I wasn’t doing anything, but I was still waking up every morning at 5am, training like crazy and people would say ‘wow, what are you training for?’ and I’d say, ‘I don’t know, but I’m going to be ready when I get there!’” laughs Lashley, who says that this has always been his philosophy.
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The gym is no catwalk
You don’t get to look like Lashley by taking selfies or staring for long periods of time into the mirror. Lashley has often referred to the gym as his ‘church’ and he loves nothing better than an intense session that leaves his body exhausted and drenched in sweat. This wrestling icon is not interested in what the guy next to him is doing, because he’s too busy competing with himself.
“When I get into the gym, I’m not one of those guys that has to have a nice new outfit on. I’m there to work my body and I train,” says Lashley. “You know when I’m in the gym, I love it, I love kicking my own ass. Just get after it!”
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Surround yourself with likeminded people
To stay positive, it’s a good idea to spend your time with people that won’t bring you down. Whether in the gym or at home, healthy personal relationships will boost your motivation and wellbeing. As part of the ‘Hurt Business,’ along with MVP, Shelton Benjamin and their newest member Cedric Alexander, Lashley is able to draw from the strengths of his peers to form a formidable team.
“To demand respect, you have to earn respect. That’s what the Hurt Business is all about. We’ve been in the wrestling business a long time and we all share the same frame of mind, so while we have common interests, we are also out there bringing something new to the wrestling business,” says Lashley.
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Choose a lifestyle rather than a ‘diet’
Lashley told M&F that he’s tried a wealth of different diets over the years, but when it comes to maintaining a sustainable approach, he believes that a rigid plan can be counterintuitive. So, instead of following a set list of what to eat and when, the champ has found that an understanding of nutrition is more valuable as this provides balance and freedom, allowing him to make substitutions and be flexible depending on what each day brings.
“I keep it very simple. I never get tied to a diet, because I have to live me life. I think a lot of people get stuck on diet plans and I don’t want to get stuck with that for the rest of my life,’” says Lashley.
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Set your goals high
He may be the United States champion, but Lashley is always raising the bar when it comes to setting new goals. Back to dominate, Lashley is already holding one belt, but that hasn’t stopped him from eyeing up the WWE Championship.
“I think that Drew McIntyre is one of the greatest WWE World Heavyweight Champions that we’ve had, and that is why it would be an honor to wrestle him, and to take the title from him,” says Lashley. “I’m in the greatest place in my life right now. I have a lot left for the wrestling business and I’m excited.”
Watch Lashley and The Hurt Business every week on WWE Monday Night RAW. For more information visit WWE.com.
