Martyn Ford didn’t count calories or macros to bulk for his Goliath role.
Martyn Ford is a renowned English bodybuilder, actor, fitness trainer, and internet personality. He’s widely recognized for his towering height of 6’8″ and impressive muscular physique. However, Ford’s path hasn’t always been easy. At one point in his life, he struggled with anorexia and later had to undergo an intense transformation to bulk up for his role as a giant, “Goliath.”
This post delves into how Martyn Ford achieved this remarkable transformation, focusing on his training regimen and diet. Read on to discover the secrets behind his success.
| Full Name: Martyn Ford | ||
| Weight | Height | Date of Birth |
| (145 kg) 320 lbs | (203 cm) 6’8” | 05/26/1982 |
| Profession | Era | Nationality |
| Actor, Bodybuilder, Internet Personality and Fitness Trainer | 2010s, 2020s | British |
Ford Talks About His Diet for the Role of Goliath
In a recent interview, Martyn Ford gave insights on how he’s been able to work hard, stay dedicated, and build an impressive, intimidating, muscular physique. Even as a teenager, he was in the opening bowling Warwickshire youth team and a cricket player. He hoped to be professional back then; unfortunately, his dreams ended because of injuries and ailments.
After these challenges, Ford suffered a phase of anorexia and depression before he moved to bodybuilding. His interest in bodybuilding led to an impressive turnaround for his body, and he edged up the ranks in the fitness industry. The fitness industry knew him for his massive size and height. His intimidating frame earned him the nickname “The Nightmare.”
Martyn Ford became more famous as he competed in various bodybuilding shows, shared his fitness journey, diet, and training, and motivated his followers on social media.
He started acting in 2016 and was featured in a movie called Boyka: Undisputed. This has led him to an impressive acting career, featuring in other movies like The Undisputed IV, Kingsman: The Golden Circle, Redcon-1, Final Score, and his latest work as Goliath in the House of David series.
With the description of Goliath, you know that there are not many other fit for the role than Martyn Ford. Over the years, he has built such an imposing physique through his training and exclusive diet. Ford states that it’s something he never underestimates and a key part of his monstrous frame. “I’ll be explaining to you what my diet looks like. How I eat, what I eat, and when I eat,” Martyn Ford said.
“Food and nutrition to me is something that weighs heavy. It’s something that I don’t ever underestimate the importance of and also how it can work, good and how it can work bad.”
— Martyn Ford
Ford also believes that if you don’t understand food, it can lead you to a terrible place. “From someone who has had experiences with food on both sides, I can tell you from my heart that if you do not understand food properly, if you don’t respect food, it can lead you to a terrible place,” Ford stated.
“The big thing when trying to add on size is to be consistent with food. Don’t skip meals, don’t miss meals, don’t try and catch up on meals, don’t eat empty calories. Empty calories will not only leave you with bad weight; it will also leave you with horrendous energy levels.”
Martyn Ford explains that the director didn’t want him to be lean when training for the House of David. He wanted him big. Martyn Ford wasn’t challenged with that because worrying about calories was not stressful. “Which for someone who enjoys food, well, it’s better than the paycheck,” he said.
Martyn Ford’s Diet
Martyn Ford’s philosophy behind his diet is very simple. Eat when he’s hungry, stay healthy, pick wisely, and, most of all, enjoy. The food that tends to be in his diet includes:
There is nothing new to the way Martyn Ford eats. He says it’s not rocket science and very basic. Most of all, it’s very sensible. So, what does a typical daily breakfast look like for Martyn Ford? Below are his meals for the day:
Breakfast
Martyn Ford says that if you vary your foods too much, it’s very difficult to see what’s working and what’s not. Although he strongly advocates eating according to one’s natural appetite, Ford also advises considering what foods one consumes. Ford’s breakfast is very simple:
- Oats
- Egg Whites (maybe a couple of full eggs, depending on how much fat he needs during the day)
- Fruits
- Lots of Water
Lunch
“Lunchtime, this is where you get to open up the doors of opportunity as long as there is a balance with carbohydrates, fats, and protein, you’re on to a win.”
— Martyn Ford
He consumes lots of carbohydrates and protein but tries to avoid pasta. His protein sources include chicken, turkey, salmon, and cod.
- Sweet Potato
- Rice
- Fish
- Chicken
- Steak
- Turkey
Dinner
Ford’s dinner is a replication of lunch. Ford says that if you want to lean up in the evening, you must reduce the carbohydrates slightly and maybe increase the fats to stop the cravings. In general, Ford:
- Avoids processed foods
- Doesn’t count his macros
- Always takes his supplements
Ford’s Training
Martyn Ford’s training depends on his schedule, which also depends on its outcome. There is always a purpose to his training. When training for House of David, he stuck to a high-carb, high-fat diet with moderate protein and ate consistently. His approach to his training included:
- Strongman Training Regime (He figured that was a look that would be more natural to his character, Goliath.)
- Big Lifts
- Long Rest
- Foods & Supplements Between the Lifts (terrible for conditioning & incredible for strength)
Pre-Workouts
According to Ford, his pre- and post-workouts are essential. When taking his pre-workout in the morning, he has all the stems because they make a massive difference in his training. This study shows that pre-workouts can delay fatigue and improve exercise performance (1). However, he’s cautious about taking his pre-workout in the afternoon because it can cause him to sleep terribly.
Follow Generation Iron on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for more insight into celebrity diets!
Reference
- Kaczka, P., Batra, A., Kubicka, K., Maciejczyk, M., Rzeszutko-Bełzowska, A., Pezdan-Śliż, I., Michałowska-Sawczyn, M., Przydział, M., Płonka, A., Cięszczyk, P., Humińska-Lisowska, K., & Zając, T. (2020). Effects of Pre-Workout Multi-Ingredient Supplement on Anaerobic Performance: Randomized Double-Blind Crossover Study. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(21), 8262. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17218262
