Yeah, Bill Goldberg is real deal. Just call him the master of reinvention.
His pro football career halted by injury, Bill Goldberg became a wrestling superstar and parlayed his popularity into roles in film and TV once he left the ring.
Now the superbuff car buff, who owns 23 autos and drag-races for fun, has found another perfect role: hosting Spike TV’s new road-race reality show Bullrun, which premieres March 12.
In an interview with M&F, he answered questions about his training routine, diet, and gave training advice for guys in their 30s and 40s.
What was your first experience with lifting?
My father bought me a weight set when I was 16. My two older brothers did the same thing years before me, so I had guys to look up to and learn from. They helped me so I didn’t make the same mistakes they did.
How important is fitness to you now?
It’s the most important thing in my life. I make my living with my body, and I have a wife and young son and I want to be on this planet as long as humanly possible. I’m addicted to training.
I’ve got a 2,500-square-foot gym above my garage. I’m in there at 5:30 a.m. five days a week. I trained every day for 15 years, but now it’s more of a maintenance thing.
What’s your usual routine?
I train whatever my body tells me to train. I don’t do a preset regimen. I pick two bodyparts I feel I need to train and don’t do those more than twice a week. I train as it pertains to my job.
I don’t train as a bodybuilder, nor have I ever. I train more like a powerlifter because I generate explosion. I do Olympic moves, snatches, major core moves, all in an hour. The longer you train, the more monotonous it gets, so you’ve got to shock your muscles and change it up.
You recently turned 40. How does getting older affect your workouts?
I couldn’t care less how old I am as long as I can get up and train early in the morning before 90% of the planet is even awake. That way I feel like I’m ahead of the game. I feel much better when I train. A lot of people relax when they have an injury.
I’ve been hurt so many times that when I abstain, it’s not only bad for me but the blood flow decreases. I also stretch a lot, because a longer muscle is a stronger muscle. And I kickbox. I co-own a kickboxing gym in Oceanside, California – Extreme Power and Fitness.
What do you do when you travel? How did you work out during Bullrun?
That was the hardest part about doing the show. I trained at three different gyms during the 31/2-week period. It was very, very tough. The special-effects department brought along a couple of sets of dumbbells, and I had bands that I carry with me.
You do what you can. You don’t necessarily need a gym to work out, but I missed it.
What’s your diet like?
High protein, low-fat. A typical breakfast is 12 egg whites with one yolk, half a pound of turkey bacon and half a pot of coffee. For lunch, I try to eat as much protein as possible. I drink a hell of a lot of water, something like 15 bottles a day.
Another major factor in my training is sleep. Sleep is just as important, if not more, than training. But with a little baby, I try to take naps during the day. It’s really crucial.
Any other training advice for guys in their 30s and 40s?
Realize that you’re not gonna be able to throw up the heavy weight or recuperate as fast. So be smart about it and find ways to overcome.
How did you meet your wife?
I met her on a movie I did called Santa’s Slay up in Edmonton. She’s actually a stuntwoman. I had to have her. It’s hard to put into words what a wonderful woman she is.
She loves the things I love. I’m a wuss compared to her. She’s the one who jumps off go-foot waterfalls. She stands on an exercise ball and does 135 straight-bar squats. [source]