Mark Bell's Hybrid Athlete Journey: Conquering Powerlifting and Running | 031

TL;DR

Running made Mark Bell stronger by developing a stronger mind, a more durable body, and a more efficient ability to move, not by directly increasing his deadlift or bench press. The competitive powerlifter says running also helped him become more well-rounded and recommends working toward 15 to 20 minutes of continuous running. Read on for his perspective on patience, recovery, identity, and strength beyond the weight room.

Transcript

coming from a very competitive powerlifting background how is running made you stronger when I say running Made Me Stronger it's not literal like it made me stronger in a deadlift It Made Me Stronger in a bench press what about a stronger heart What About a stronger mind an ability to move your own body through space more efficiently I like to carr... Read More

Key Insights

• Mark Bell emphasizes that running has strengthened his heart and mind, not just his physical prowess in lifting.
• He believes in carrying strength throughout all aspects of life, including family and business, to empower others.
• Building a multi-million dollar fitness business, Mark shares how his journey into running has been transformative.
• Mark discusses the importance of being open-minded and trying new things, moving beyond past identities.
• He highlights the significance of patience and adaptation in developing a new skill like running.
• Mark shares experiences from his powerlifting career and the lessons learned from injuries and setbacks.
• He discusses the balance between pushing oneself and recognizing when to rest and recover.
• The conversation touches on the importance of curiosity and vulnerability in personal growth and learning.

Questions & Answers

Q: How has running made Mark Bell stronger?

Bell says running did not literally improve his deadlift or bench press. It gave him a stronger mind, a more durable body, and a more efficient ability to move his body through space.

Q: How long does Mark Bell think everyone should be able to run?

Bell believes it is in everyone’s best interest to be able to run continuously for 15 to 20 minutes. He describes that target as low-hanging fruit rather than too much to ask.

Q: How long can it take a beginner to understand running?

Bell says someone with zero or almost zero running experience may need about eight months, or perhaps even a year, before beginning to understand why people value it. He bases this observation on his own experience as a new runner.

Q: How does Mark Bell distinguish gym strength from running ability?

Bell says lifting 600 or 700 pounds shows proficiency in a specific lift but does not guarantee proficiency elsewhere. Running repeatedly places the body on one foot at a time and can build the capacity to move faster or continue for longer periods.

Q: What benefits does Mark Bell attribute to lifting weights?

Bell says lifting may help add muscle mass and size and could support bone density. He also notes that lifting can assist longevity in some ways, even though strength in a particular lift does not automatically transfer to every activity.

Q: How can running or lifting strengthen the mind?

Bell believes mental growth happens when someone continues through a demanding effort after feeling the urge to stop. That experience can occur during hard drop sets or supersets, but he says the nature of running exposes beginners to it almost automatically.

Q: How does Mark Bell define strength beyond powerlifting?

Bell views strength as something to carry into his relationships with his son, daughter, and wife, as well as into his business. For him, becoming more well-rounded can create confidence, power, and the ability to empower other people.

Q: How does Mark Bell approach setbacks, rest, and adaptation?

Bell’s journey emphasizes patience and adaptation when developing a new skill such as running. Drawing on injuries and setbacks from powerlifting, he also stresses balancing the drive to push with recognizing when rest and recovery are needed.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• In this episode, Mark Bell discusses how incorporating running into his regimen has improved his overall strength, both physically and mentally. He reflects on the importance of carrying strength into all areas of life, including family and business.

• Mark shares his journey from a competitive powerlifting background to embracing running, highlighting the transformative power of moving beyond past identities and trying new things.

• The conversation delves into the balance between pushing oneself and knowing when to rest, the role of curiosity in personal growth, and how vulnerability can bring new perspectives.