1) Who is Ben Mudge? (where are you from, what do you do, a bit about yourself (hobbies, etc)
I am a 27 year old aspiring superhero from Belfast, Northern Ireland. I was born with Cystic Fibrosis and I am a fitness path finder. I help people discover their goals and then help guide them to those goals
2) How many years have you been training?
I have been training for 10 years. Only properly for the last 5 though.
3) Whats been the hardest part of your journey so far? and how have you overcome them (set backs, rejections, injuries, basically anything difficult that you have had to overcome)
I have been admitted into hospital for long periods of time due to my Cystic Fibrosis, I was told that the damage done to my lungs would be permanent and that I wouldn't be able to get back to my previous levels of fitness and health. I knew they were wrong and I spend the next 8 years proving them wrong. I also found that competing in bodybuilding shows wrecked my love for training as I felt very directionless after these shows. It took me about 7 months to get back into enjoying my training.
4) What does your typical workout/diet routine look like?
I change things up a lot. I try to enjoy my session primarily. If something is enjoyable you are more likely to do it. I will focus the start of my session on compound movements (Pull ups, deadlifts, squats etc.) then move onto accessory/assistance movements like lat pull downs, Good mornings, leg press. I then just throw in some rehab/prehab movements such as TRX scapula movements or reverse shrugs to help keep my posture strong. My nutrition is again much like my training, I have to enjoy the foods I am eating. I am not going to force down foods I dislike as I know I won't keep it up. Long term is always in my mind. If you can't stick to it for the rest of your life or long term don't even start it. I try to ensure that I eat enough kcals to keep my weight and will always ensure that I get some from of protein in each meal. I track if I need to and don't if I don't.
5) What have you learned over the past year regarding training, lifestyle and nutrition?
The most important thing I have learned is not to compare yourself to others. You see all these people on social media who appear to be in perfect shape and this can destroy your confidence. I have felt this exact same way. Makes you question yourself and if its worth all the time you are putting in. This ties into the other important lesson I have learnt, The best path is the one that you can travel. I mean this in the sense that I could have the most optimal training, nutrition, and supplementation for my personal goals, but if I can't even follow the plan its useless. The best plan is the one you can do!
6) Whats your favourite Cheat/Treat meal?
I don't have cheat or treat meals, but my favourite meal has to be pizza and cereal.
7) One supplement that you could not live without?
I could live with none to be honest. But gun to my head gun to my balls I would say whey as it just keeps me hitting my protein targets without breaking the bank on meat and eggs
8) If you had to start out from scratch with your physique what would you do differently and why?
Pretty much everything! I would train more than just my chest and arms. I would spend more time on my nutrition.
9) Who do you look upto in the fitness industry and why?
Phil Learny, Mark Coles, Ben Pak and Jon Goodman.
10) If you had to give one bit of advice to people starting out what would that be?
Keep things fun! Make sure that you enjoying what you are doing crossfit, strongman whatever!
11) What new goals are on the horizon? (new goals, aims, etc)
To create a business that I love and my clients love.
12) Where can people find you? (website, social media accounts)
Website: Benmudge.com
IG: @benmudgefitness
Facebook: Ben Mudge
Youtube: Ben Mudge
