Q&A with Mike Romano, Pro Jui jitsu fighter, teacher, and genuine person.
So, What do you do?
I am a coach and athlete, competing internationally in Jiu Jitsu competitions.
How often do you train?
My training schedule consists of Jiu Jitsu 5 days a week, sometimes training twice a day. I supplement my Jiu Jitsu with strength and mobility training as often as I can.
Do you think food has anything to do with your performance/results as an athlete?
What I eat massively affects how I perform on both a day to day basis and in the long term. Eating right improves all of my bodily functions including mental, which is extremely important for an athlete.
What’s a favorite pre-workout snack?
I enjoy doing morning training’s on an empty stomach. If I am only training later in the day my favorite snack is a banana and protein smoothie with peanut butter and coconut water.
Do you follow any kind of strict diet, or have dietary preference ie..vegan, paleo, atkins?
It may sound strange but I mix vegan and paleo styles of eating. I eat strictly organic fruits and vegetables, and wild meat. Minimal grains and products with added sugar. Its a blend of good things from both with a focus on homemade from scratch meals.
What’s your favorite sports supplement?
Being an ambassador for Vega should make me bias, however I have found myself particularly enjoying Sunwarrior Protein Blend lately. Besides protein, Vega’s Pre-workout energizer is an incredible product that really makes me feel super human.
What’s your secret?
My secret to maintaining a high activity level, avoiding injury and not letting things distract or knock me off balance, has everything to do with my attitude towards life. I look at everything as a privilege, I often think to myself how lucky I am to be experiencing this world in all its capacities. Even when I’m struggling physically or emotionally, I just think how lucky I am to be able to suffer. That’s what keeps me from quitting, you only lose when you quit.
Regarding training do you think one is more important: resistance, cardio or interval training?
For someone not pursuing athletics professionally, I would 100% emphasize body weight strength training. Plyometrics, calisthenics, mobility and physical movement patterns are all things we can maintain as we age. Creating a daily routine of running, jumping, body weight exercises, locomotion, mobility and stretching will give you a strong and healthy body.
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