Back to the Dirt: Why Strength Starts in the Kitchen

Stop overcomplicating it

The supplement industry spends millions to make you believe nutrition is a puzzle only they can solve. They want you to think strength comes from a plastic tub of powder. It does not. It comes from the earth, the fire, and the discipline of your own kitchen.

If you want to lift heavy and recover well, you have to stop looking for shortcuts and start looking at your plate.

If it did not grow or breathe, do not prioritize it

We have lost our way with “convenience” foods. If it comes in a crinkly plastic bag with a shelf life of three years, your body does not know what to do with it.

I have found that my training changed the moment I stopped viewing food as “macros” and started viewing it as fuel from the source.

Eat from the earth: Potatoes, rice, greens, and fruit.

Eat for the muscle: Quality meat, eggs, and fish.

These things have a “soul” to them that a protein bar simply does not. When you eat foods that come directly from the ground or the field, your digestion improves, your inflammation drops, and you wake up feeling ready to move mountains.

The power of the home-cooked meal

There is a specific kind of discipline in cooking for yourself. When you stand over a stove and prepare your own steak or roast your own vegetables, you know exactly what is going into your body. No hidden seed oils, no weird preservatives, no excessive sodium.

Always cook yourself. It is the ultimate act of self-care for an athlete. If you are not willing to spend 20 minutes in the kitchen, you do not get to complain about why your deadlift has plateaued.

Fuel the work — stop starving yourself

The biggest mistake I see? Athletes trying to “lean out” by eating like birds.

You cannot build a cathedral with a handful of pebbles. If you want to be strong, you have to eat enough. This is not an excuse to eat junk — it is a mandate to eat more of the good stuff.

Carbs are not the enemy: They are the lightning in your veins during a heavy set. Get them from oats, sourdough, and sweet potatoes.

Protein is the brick: It repairs the damage. Get it from the source.

The simple hierarchy

If you want to follow my lead, forget the “anabolic windows” and the fancy stacks. Follow this instead:

1. Did you cook it? If yes, you are winning.
2. Did it come from the earth? Prioritize whole, unprocessed foods.
3. Are you full? Eat enough to fuel the intensity of your training.
4. Are you hydrated? Drink water like it is your job.

My philosophy

I do not care about the latest “superfood” trend. I care about the fact that humans have been getting strong for thousands of years on meat, potatos, and water.

Strip away the noise. Get back to the basics. Eat real food, cook it with your own hands, and watch your recovery transform.