Robb Wolf Kvetches with xFitter Newbie
As you may know, I do stand up comedy and often do not find people funny (including myself ).
When Robb Wolf and I began corresponding, I wrote to him: You are a celebrity and me a blogger with big dreams.” Wolf retorted: ” If I’m a celebrity we need to get you a better publicist.”
I asked Robb Wolf to finish this sentence. “I am Robb Wolf and I believe in…” Robb stated, “I am Robb Wolf and I believe in boobs.”
This was quickly followed by the sound of a smack as Wolf’s wife excoriated him for his thoughtful response. With this breaking of the ice, Robb and I spent an hour and a half on the phone this past Thursday and discussed everything from boobs, Paleo diet, strength training and recent dealings with CrossFit Headquarters.
Take two. “I am Robb Wolf and I believe in trying to help people, create community, working on stuff that will lead to a legacy… do something benefits other people.”
After the imbroglio two weeks ago at CrossFit Headquarters, I was compelled to write Wolf. The Paleo diet and its marriage to CrossFit has been an inordinate hurdle for me. So I figured what the hell, let me shoot off a note to Wolf. And, to be perfectly frank, I was shocked he wrote back. Quickly.
AB: As a novice, who writes for women who want to engage in the Paleo lifestyle, the Paleo diet as has been presented to me seems like a recipe for failure. As a beginner, with 30 years of life behind me, how does one approach Paleo eating when you have a lifetime’s worth of sugar, fat and processed food in your system. I have started and stopped the Paleo a few times during the past three months and detoxing has been very difficult.”
Robb Wolf: Very simple. We don’t over educate them on the Zone or Paleo Diet. I stress food quality; lean proteins, far more fruits good fruits. Again, never over educate a person who is just beginning with CrossFit and beginning Paleo. I often ask new clients, Have you ever had a meal with just one salad with grilled salmon and maybe some fruit? Well, you then have had a successful day with the Paleo diet. I do not want anyone to engage in an audacious shift in lifestyle. Yet, I do refer to myself as the gluten Nazi. No bread and pasta. Paleo Challenges occurring in affiliates across the country offer stunning transformations.
For CrossFit/Paleo newbies, and the majority of clients I work with are between the ages of 35 and 45 years old, we on ramp them gently. A client will first go to an elements course and pass minimum skill capacity. And,hey folks, this is how we get to buy in lean proteins, good fats, fruits. I call it a speed bump approach: proteins, vegetables, fat and some time contemplate.
There are no stratified skill levels, nor over educating the novice. We believe in a generalist supportive approach that is both encouraging and appeasing. I like the way the Calgary CrossFit approaches a Paleo Challenge.
AB: What are you thoughts on Paleo eating and depression?
ROBB WOLF: I had a pretty raging dose of that in Seattle. A low carb paleo diet. You see insulin levels impact neurotransmitters.Someone experiencing depression will absolutely benefit from more protein. More fish oil. Smart exercise. Taking vitamin D3 is also helpful. A person under 2oo lbs could take 2000 IEUS and someone over that weight could try 5000 IEUS.
TOMMOROW: ROBB WOLF DISCUSSES CF HEADQUARTERS AND WHAT’S NEXT
Nice post, looking forward to tomorrow.
Thanks James! Just working on a few more details on the second half of the post. It should be a page turner.