Bullet-Proof Athlete: Q & A with Mike Robertson

Mike Robertson just released his new workout program, BulletProof Athlete today, and I wanted to get some information from him on what this program is, what it’s main purposes were when he developed it, and why it’s something you should mix into your training program.

Some quick-hit takeaways from the program that make it exceptional:

it balances mobility, soft tissue work, strength, energy system training, and speed work seamlessly in a 16 week program in three different tracks, with over 160 different video tutorials on how to do all the exercises properly.
The nutritional program discusses good nutrition in a realistic manner, where you’re not bound to specific numbers but more given a chance to eat like a champion and see the benefits
weekly nutritional and recovery challenges give you something to focus on aside from the workouts themselves, and showcase how important each can be, especially when you see the results from them the following week.
9 bonus videos and articles from some of the top coaches in the world in their respective fields are worth the cost of the product alone

Without further adieu, I’ll let Mike take the mic (HA!! Plays on words are fun) and talk a little about himself.

1. You’re kind of a big deal, so thanks a lot for agreeing to say some pithy words of wisdom on my site today. I’m really grateful.Enough of the small talk. How much ya bench?? Seriously though, you just came out with a monster of a workout program, the Bullet-Proof Athlete. What was the impetus for creating this program, and what need does this fill in the industry?

MR: To answer the first question, not enough 🙂

I created the program, originally, for myself. I was bored with focusing solely on maximal strength, and I was dealing with a bunch of assorted little injuries as well. I remembered how much fun it was to look and feel like an athlete, so I created a program for myself that would help re-develop some lost athleticism.

It also allowed me to break my body down and re-build all of my basic movement patterns. I think if you focus too much on one quality for an extended period of time (max strength, endurance, etc.) you end up falling back into the old, predictable patterns and postures. By doing this it allowed me to re-build a stronger, more resilient foundation that I could build from for years to come.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LK0NVK0w1Y’]

2. I’ve had the good fortune to work with one of your distance coaching clients in person, and he has made amazing progress in a very short timeframe (although he would deny it, right Rich??). How would you get an athlete or even a “regular Joe” to buy in to some of the concepts you put into your programming that might seem somewhat outlandish or even downright whacky?Part B of this, how important is it to get your clients and athletes to buy into these advanced concepts that aren’t done in the mainstream training world?

MR: Well I’m lucky in that respect – a lot of the people who work with me have actively sought me out for one reason or another, so typically buy-in isn’t an issue.

However, there are times when you need to explain or educate your clients on why things are important. Especially if something is brand new, or looks sort of silly, they will be apt to blow it off. However, if you explain in layman’s terms as to why this is important, or how it will help them achieve their goals faster/safer/more effectively, then it’s not as hard as you might think.

3. No trainer is immune to their own issues. For instance, I have a long-standing back injury that gets in my way of deadlift mastery. What kinds of things have you had to deal with, and what ways have you found to overcome them to continue training as hard and direct a you do, while also being on top of your training game for your clients?

MR: The only semi-major issue I had was a torn meniscus back in 2005. It was the impetus for the original Bulletproof Knees article, and the ensuing Bulletproof Knees manual. Dealing with an issue is arguably the best way to learn more about a specific joint or body part, that’s for sure!

Over the years, though, I’ve dealt with all kinds of little stuff. Back when I was powerlifting more competitively, I had a nagging right SI joint issue that just wouldn’t go away. In 2006 or so I had a pec strain that was super annoying, and scary all at the same time.

In 2008/2009 before I started getting into more athletic style programming again, I dealt with a right hip impingement every time I tried to squat.

And along the way I’ve had little stuff, too – adductor/hamstring strains, a peroneal nerve entrapment when I did some Krav Maga, etc. Nothing was ever too major or affected my training, but I think all of those injuries give you some perspective on just how sacred your body is.

I’ve also been really diligent in taking care of myself as well. I stretch/foam roll regularly, get massage/ART on a weekly/bi-weekly basis, and do whatever I can to stay in good shape. I feel as though if I don’t practice what I preach, why would any of my clients and athletes?

4. Can you give an example of a major “lightbulb” moment you’ve experienced in the last year or so that’s had a massive impact on how you train yourself and your clients?

MR: I think the biggest thing that’s changed in our programming over the last year or two is breathing. I know it’s such a hot topic these days, but I think as a profession we’re starting to realize just how important breathing is (duh!).

Looking back at our old programs, we were always on the right track. Getting people out of anterior tilt, strengthening glutes/hams/abs, etc, but we missed the big thing that was driving them into that poor posture in the first place!

Now at our gym (and in our programming), there’s always a concerted focus on proper breathing. I feel like this has been the biggest game changer for us, as it’s helped to tie together everything we wanted, and it helps the progress that we make stick.

5. How important is sleep to you when you’re balancing training, running two businesses (iFAST and Robertson Training), a blog, writing assignments, a wife, a daughter and another one on the way? What I’m really asking is, are you a robot, Robertson?

MR: You might be surprised – I was really good about sleeping until he last month or so leading up to this launch!

Between the BPA product launch, training my summer clients (my busiest time of year), random IFAST stuff that needs to get done, keeping RTS up to speed and training those clients, it does get busy.

The key for me, though, is remembering that family always comes first. I don’t care what I have going on, I’m leaving the gym at a certain time and spending time with Jess and Kendall. And there are certain times when I may have to get up early or stay up late to get things done.

Those sacrifices are easy because I know where my priorities are. I even have a trusty 3’x5′ card in my car and on my vanity that puts them #1, so I never forget that.

Unfortunately, I’m not a robot – I leave cyborg status to Cresesy. But I do my best to “suck the marrow” out of life, as I realize you only get one go around.

Thanks for all of this today Mike. I really appreciate it.

If you’re interested in picking up a copy of Mike’s new product BulletProof Athlete, he has it on an initial launch price for only $97.

I can honestly say this is one of the most comprehensive and effective programs for the broadest possible audience available on the market today. I would have no problem recommending this program to any of my clients to do on their own (barring severe injuries or medical conditions that would preclude them from it), and would even feel comfortable putting my brothers and sisters in law on it when I can’t train them directly. It’s a really solid program.

===> CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO AND TO GET YOUR COPY <===

Bullet-Proof Athlete: Q & A with Mike Robertson

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