Adam Jablin joins Mike O’Hearn to discuss how to make fitness a passion rather than an dangerous addiction
In Generation Iron and Barbend’s recent episode of The Mike O’Hearn Show, fitness icon Mike O’Hearn sits down with addiction recovery expert Adam Jablin to discuss the topic of addiction in relation to fitness and other aspects of life. The conversation delves into the potential dangers of fitness addiction, the impact of social media on young individuals, and the importance of finding balance in one’s passion. Additionally, Adam shares his personal journey of overcoming addiction and offers insights on identifying addictive behaviors.
Now more than ever, social media can turn healthy fitness goals and turn them into dangerous addictions. As a society, there have always been individuals who suffer from body disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and bigorexia. Now with social media showcasing images of perfect bodies every second of the day – are aspiring fitness inclined folks going to push too far into unhealthy habits?
Mike O’Hearn worries that he younger generation of bodybuilders, weightlifters, and athletes are getting the wrong message from the success of social media fitness influencers. They are cutting corners, trying to achieve perfection too fast, and believing in an “Instagram ready” mentality. This means being conditioned and shredded 24/7 to the potential determent of their health.
That’s why Mike O’Hearn has invited addiction recovery expert Adam Jablin to share his personal story of addiction, recovery, and how his program can apply to the world of fitness. Let’s jump into it.
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Fitness and Addiction
As a lifelong athlete, Mike O’Hearn opens the conversation by reflecting on how eating, sleeping, and training have become second nature to him. He wonders whether all forms of obsession is addiction, or if some people can have a healthy relationship with their fitness routine. Adam Jablin acknowledges that it’s possible for individuals to become addicted to exercise, but he emphasizes that addiction occurs when the behavior controls a person, rather than the other way around.
Adam doesn’t consider Mike O’Hearn to be an addict to fitness since Mike is in control of his exercise routine and views it as a lifestyle rather than a compulsion. However, Mike expresses concern about how social media is driving young people towards unrealistic fitness expectations, promoting the need to be “instagram ready” at all times, which he believes can be dangerous.
RELATED: Explore the psychology of athletes with muscle dysmorphia in the feature documentary Bigorexia
Addressing Fitness Addiction
Regarding the rise of fitness influencers on social media, Adam acknowledges that while some individuals may make good money from this, it’s essential to share accurate information. He believes that society should educate young people about what successful athletes and bodybuilders do, dispelling the illusion often presented on social media.
Recognizing Addiction and Taking Steps Towards Change
The conversation takes a more personal turn as Mike asks Adam how one realizes they are addicted to bad habits, such as drugs or bad fitness habits, and how they can find the willpower to change. Adam shares his own story, explaining that his realization came through what he describes as a spiritual revelation. It was akin to the moment when Bruce Willis’s character realizes he is dead in the movie The Sixth Sense.
Adam admits that his addiction required an intervention from friends and family to confront him about the pain he was causing himself and others. Initially resistant to the idea of rehab, Adam eventually found the willpower to start the journey toward healing, and he has been 17 years sober.
Understanding Bad Habits, Unhealthy Dependency, and Addiction
Adam distinguishes between bad habits, unhealthy dependencies, and full-fledged addictions. He likens using a phone while driving to a bad habit and describes unhealthy dependency as relying on a particular supplement to the point where it becomes a compulsion. True addiction, according to Adam, involves an obsession, craving, and willingness to go to extreme lengths to satisfy that addiction, even if it harms others.
Helping Those Addicted to Fitness
When discussing individuals addicted to being muscular or shredded, Adam suggests that these addictions may stem from deeper issues that need to be addressed. Understanding and addressing the underlying emotional and psychological drivers can help guide people toward a healthier relationship with their passion for fitness.
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Balancing Passion and Life
Addressing Adam’s 13-year-old son’s love for weightlifting, Adam emphasizes the importance of integrating a passion into one’s life without making it the sole focus. He advises his son to learn from inspiring athletes who have fulfilling lives beyond their passion, balancing their athletic pursuits with family, relationships, and personal growth.
Mike O’Hearn shares his personal experience with finding balance in his fitness journey. He knew from an early stage that being shredded all the time was unhealthy and unsustainable. Focusing on long-term success and the advice of renowned bodybuilding figure Joe Weider, Mike learned to embrace both the on-season and off-season, ensuring he maintained a healthy and sustainable approach to his fitness goals.
Wrap Up
In this insightful episode of The Mike O’Hearn Show, Mike and Adam shed light on the concept of addiction, specifically in the context of fitness. They explore the dangers of unrealistic fitness expectations propagated by social media and the importance of finding balance between passion and other aspects of life. Adam’s personal journey of overcoming addiction provides valuable lessons on recognizing and addressing addictive behaviors, serving as an inspiration to those seeking positive change. Overall, the episode advocates for a more informed and mindful approach to fitness and life in general.
You can watch the full conversation above. And don’t forget to check back every Friday for new episodes only on the Generation Iron Fitness Network or wherever podcasts are downloaded.
