How I got in shape (and stayed like that)
Photos Legendary Pictures
Words Horace
Share the article on
Mathias, in his forties, shares his story.
Mathias is in his forties and is a dedicated, serious athlete. He runs, commutes exclusively by bike year-round, and goes to the gym several times a week. However, his passion for sports came late; he didn't do much for a long time and only got back into it at 30 as a way to feel better in his body. He tells us what motivated him, what continues to motivate him, his fitness journey, and his current routine.
“I didn’t do much in terms of sports when I was younger. My parents played a lot of tennis, but I didn’t like it—probably just to annoy them more than anything else. I swam a bit, which was pretty intense, and did horse riding for 10 or 15 years. I reached a decent level, but to be honest, I think horse riding is a sport where the horse does most of the work. I’m probably going to get some backlash from equestrian fans for saying that!” (laughs)
Between the ages of 20 and 30, I didn’t exercise at all. I got back into it when I was 30. Someone pointed out that I was getting close to 80 kilos, and I didn’t like how that looked in my clothes. My motivation was to achieve a body that I felt better in. I went from chubby to slim fairly easily, although I sometimes did things the wrong way, especially when it came to diet!
I started running and doing Powerplate for a month or two. It was trendy at the time, but it wasn’t great! I would wake up and go running right away, with just a coffee in my stomach. That’s how I got into it.
Around the age of 32, I joined the Battling Club, a gym near my place, because a lot of my friends went there. I grew to like working out at the gym. After that, I went to Club Med Gym for 4 or 5 years. I didn’t join group classes; I went alone. But I didn’t see any results. Honestly, it was a disaster!
Now, I have a coach. My coach, Alexis Dura, has a great approach. He knows everything there is to know about joints and understands my lifestyle. So, he helps me build a balanced body. My body used to be unbalanced, and I had ankle problems. The older you get and the more you work out with an unbalanced body, the harder it gets. Alexis advises me on diet and coaches me twice a week. I go to the gym 3 to 4 times a week, in the morning. I work out for an hour before heading to the office, and I have the gym to myself. But I need it to be close to home to minimize any hassle. This setup is ideal; it only takes 1 to 1.5 hours of my time.
Coaching is a luxury, but for me, it’s a luxury that’s really worth it. I’m supported, my program is easy to follow, and it’s fantastic.
I still run. If I can’t run, I get depressed! Nothing feels like a chore; everything is a pleasure. If I were to throw myself into a marathon, I think I’d end up hating it. Instead, I prefer to stay consistent. Nowadays, I run about twice a week, 10 to 15 kilometers each time. Music helps a lot, and I closely track my performance. I enjoy running and challenging myself, like running up stairs.
What does sport bring me today? Mental and physical balance. It helps me sleep. Everything is clearer in my head, and I’m more productive as a result. It’s a break; it allows me to take a step back. It’s essential.”
