freaks of nature could do those things, real athletes, and genetically gifted people who didn’t happen to have long arms and an innate awkwardness.
But although I know now that my training in those days was less than effective, I still liked the changes I saw when I worked out consistently. I felt stronger, my clothes fit better, and my confidence soared. I was starting to appreciate exercise and how it could change people’s lives for the better. Since I wasn’t allowed to work in the Netherlands (I never was able to get a work visa), I took a leap of faith and decided to study for my personal training certification.
Fast-forward a couple of years later: I was working as a personal trainer in New York City, right near the East Village, one of my favorite spots in the entire city. I was working crazy hours as a trainer. I would get up at 5 a.m. to train clients, then be in the gym until 8 or 9 p.m. training the “after work” crowd.
On top of that, I was working out at least two hours a day on my own. I’d hop on the treadmill, then load up the barbells, do some isolation exercises like hamstring curls, triceps kickbacks, and calf raises, do even more cardio, and then keep lifting weights until my next client. Or until I was so tired I thought I might collapse.
During that time, I suffered constant, nagging, and usually weird injuries (a popped-out rib, a fractured foot, an immobile neck, among others). I was so exhausted and overtrained I had no energy left to do the things I really wanted to do, such as explore the city on foot with my dog, Rocket, go on a weekend bike ride with Brian, try new activities, or go hiking with friends.
There was just simply nothing left after all the working out I was doing. On top of that, I was so hungry I was eating upwards of four thousand calories a day (keep in mind I weighed about 140 pounds at the time). I wasn’t fat by any means, but had trouble keeping lean. This was simply because I was exercising so much I just couldn’t stop eating. I was always so hungry. It was a vicious cycle.
It was after one of those injuries that I started experimenting with HIIT and bodyweight training. I was sick of spending so much of my day stuck in a gym, and knew there had to be a more sustainable way to get—and stay—fit.
My workouts went from two-plus hours a day to less than fifteen minutes most days. And as a natural result of the type of training I was doing, my equipment went from complicated machines at the gym to a few bars, a jump rope, and my own bodyweight.
The results shocked even me.
Not only did I have more energy, have fewer injuries, and more time in my day—I also started getting leaner, stronger, and fitter than I had ever been (yes, even as a teenager)—and in an amazingly short amount of time. Before long, I was busting out pull-ups, triceps dips, and other exercises I’d thought were previously impossible.
Since the workouts required so little space or equipment, I could do them in my tiny apartment using no equipment at all. Or head out to an outdoor fitness park with my jump rope and use the bars there, all while getting some fresh air.
Best of all, I had a lot more time on my hands—time to do the things that I really wanted to be doing with my day, including, yes, reading a good book.
Soon after, I created 12 Minute Athlete to share the incredible benefits of HIIT and bodyweight training with the world. At 12 Minute Athlete, we believe that everybody is an athlete, and that no matter what your current level you can start incorporating fitness and movement into your healthy lifestyle.