7 Questions For… Jon Hinds
In 2000, Jon Hinds opened Monkey Bar Gym (MBG). This was after heading up the NASM, strength coaching in the NBA, competing in BJJ, and completely rehabbing a blown out knee with yoga.
Now you’ll find Hinds in Madison, WI running MBG and helping people get their fitness and nutrition on track.
This guy is fascinating and full of knowledge. I decided to catch up with him to ask 7 questions.
1. What are the top 3 things you see people do to mess up their exercise and nutrition?
#1: People don’t know how to restore their alignment
Most people bypass basic body alignment. This includes trainers, physical therapists, and strength coaches. Most of them are missing the body alignment thing.
One of the major problems I see with alignment is the reliance on static stretching. Static stretching doesn’t do a good job preparing the body for a workout. I’ll even say that it’s a complete waste of time for exercise prep. If an athlete has tightness, the trainer automatically goes right to static stretching. Big mistake.
#2: People neglect extension movements
Glute-ham developers like swings and deadlifts are extremely critical for alignment and strength. So much movement happens in the hips and feet.
If we continually bypass the glute, hip and hamstring area, we’ll suffer from overall weakness and back problems.
#3: People eat too many animal foods
When we focus on the diet as a whole, we realize that attaining nutrients from plant foods is extremely easy and health promoting.
2. How has your perspective on exercise and nutrition changed over the years?
My training has come full circle. I used to train MBG style when I first started. Then I got into more bodybuilding-style training with lots of isolation movements. Those workouts made me feel less athletic, so I moved back into progressive skill training.
My nutrition has changed quite a bit as well. I used to be into bodybuilding style eating with whey protein shakes, chicken 3 times a day, and 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight. Stuff like that.
But that changed back in 2001 when I was competing in BJJ, and developed severe hand pain. My doctors suspected arthritis. After catching up with an old strength coach buddy, he turned me onto plant-based eating and suggested I eliminate animal foods for one month to see if it helps the hand pain. Sure enough, it did.
I continued for 3 months with no animal foods and the pain almost completely subsided. But the further along I made it plant-based eating, the more weight I lost (which I didn’t want) and the more strength I lost.
I contacted Mike Mahler for some advice and he helped steer me in the direction of “strong plant eating.” You know, eating the nutrient-dense plant foods. This brought my strength back up, my muscle back on, and I felt great.
But what it really comes down to with my eating is that I’m not okay with killing animals for food.
3. What is your favorite quote?
“The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.”
4. What exercise or nutrition question annoys you the most? Why?
“Where do you get your protein?”
I hear this question ALL THE TIME.
It bothers me because getting protein from plant foods is simple.
I look at eating from a whole foods perspective. I eat whole, strong foods like kale, beans, yams, nuts, fruits, and spouts. These are very nutrient dense. I drink shakes after training with pea, hemp and rice protein.
Many people are concerned with protein when eating plant-based because they eat weak plant foods: iceberg lettuce, saggy carrots, stuff like that.
The strong plant foods will give you the energy to train hard and the protein necessary for muscle growth and recovery.
Now Jon, finish the following sentences.
5. Fast food is…
…toxic.
6. The key to my health and fitness success is…
…training whole body and eating whole plants.
7. This morning for breakfast I had…
…mixed fruit with nuts and seeds.
Bonus: Jon, do you have any favorite supplements?
Olympian Labs pea protein powder
All Pro Science 100% Vegan Protein Powder
Chlorella
For more on Jon Hinds, see here: