Today, I'm fighting a common thought that's prevailed in society: avoiding animal foods will automatically make you a healthier person.

We may all know some vegans, vegetarians, and others (pescetarians?) that are on a plant-based diet.  To clarify, I'm not doubting all the political and environmental reasons that some people choose to eat a more plant based diet, because as Bobby Brown once famously said, "that's their prerogative."  Instead, what I'm after is proving that the idea of solely cutting out animal products from your diet is not necessarily going to make you healthier in the long run.  

To answer your question, yes, I'm aware of the arrogant nature of that title.  And yes, I am only talking about facts/issues/questions related to the fitness field.  But, to be totally clear, this blog post is really targeted at my former, office working self.

A few years ago, I thought personal trainers were little more than meatheads who threw weights at people and simply counted the reps.  Every profession has its stereotypes, and with no background in exercise science (besides reading men's health and getting coached a bit in college) I actually thought I knew just as much (if not more!) than many of the trainers in the commercial gym I belonged to.  In fact, I may have even used the dreaded term "muscle confusion," for which I will never forgive my previous self.

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My favorite author of all-time is legendary strength coach Dan John.  Now, for those that are not in the strength and conditioning world, it's important to point out that he's much more than two first names.  Besides being a Fullbright Scholar and a professor, Dan John is famous for being able simplify complex subjects to the point where a five year old could understand it. Suffice to say, anytime I read his work, I become a better coach, trainer, and person.​

Currently, I'm reading his newest book, Intervention, and he has a great quote about the value of building overall strength:​

"Absolute strength is the glass.  Everything else is the liquid inside the glass.  The bigger the glass, the more of everything else you can do."​

I've made mistakes as a trainer.  This, I know.

One such example is training individuals the way I want to train them, rather than focusing on THEIR goals.  While heavy squats and deadlifts are part of what get me out of bed in the morning, I realize that's probably not the case to any sane, logical person.  And hey, that's OK with me.

The more I've learned (and dare I say, matured?) the more I realize that everyone is different.  No single exercise makes or breaks a workout or program as long as it's balanced.  So, what IS balance?

I like to think I know a thing or two about overhead pressing.​  In fact, while many get their kicks out of benching, running, wearing skinny jeans, or doing the Harlem Shake, it probably comes as no surprise that the following quote governs the way I look at life:

"The day the barbell was invented, the guy who invented it figured out a way to pick it up and shove it over his head.  After all, it IS the logical thing to do with a weight."​

​As such, I usually get a few questions about techniques, programming, and all the subtleties of lifting heavy things over one's head.  However, before we even get there, it's important to ask: should you even be lifting things over your head?