Supplements And Habits For Elite Performance For Fishing Guides Or Outdoor Enthusiasts

When I first arrived in Key West, FL with the intention of becoming a guide, I was not able to spend more than 4-5 days in a row on the boat without being physically exhausted.  I saw other guides be able to go 2 weeks or so straight but then have to take a couple of days off.  At he time, I didn’t know how they were doing it but I was determined to be able to do it as well.

The first thing that I changed was how I protected myself from the sun.  It started with a big hat and then sunscreen.  I immediately felt better at the end of each day.  I then went to long pants and a long sleeve shirt as well, but the biggest change in the way I felt was when I found the Buff for the first time.  The big hat was floppy and was a problem in windy conditions.  The Buff covered my entire face and neck and when worn with a baseball cap I could protect in any condition.  Covering up is crucial.

The next step was to look at my hydration.  I wasn’t drinking enough water.  Once I addressed that I felt a lot better.  I drank 1 gallon of water in the hot sun and that made me feel like a different person at the end of the day.  I had to watch my electrolytes as well when drinking so much water and sweating in the hot sun every day.  I now address electrolyte imbalances easily by simply putting some in my water.  Problem solved! This is the one I like:

While I was feeling much better and could definitely go many more days in a row without a break, I knew I could still get better.  I started exercising every day which included running and bodyweight movements like pullups, pushups, squats and the deck of cards workout.  This is when things really changed.  I could now go a full month without a break, no problem.  Later I moved to CrossFit as my training plan.

Next was my diet.  I cleaned it up significantly and followed a Zone plan.   (https://www.amazon.com/Enter-Zone-Dietary-Road-map/dp/0060391502) I lost a ton of weight and was able to fish long days, day after day for months at a time.  Everything I was doing was working and it was obvious.  I had more patience, more energy and more stamina.  It wasn’t long until I started winning fishing tournaments and that earned me more business.  I didn’t turn days down.  I just kept going and getting over 300 days a year.  I attribute most of this success to taking care of myself physically.

Stretching

Being a fishing guide in South Florida is a very physical job.  As a skiff guide, you are pushing a boat around all day with a long stick.  I’ve heard some guides refer to poling as a controlled drift.  That could not be further from the truth as it applies to the best guides I know.  We pole into the wind, across current, in deep water and also directly down wind and current having to continually slow the boat down.  I think of poling as much more similar to climbing a rope or a slow workout for 10 hours. 

Offshore guides are carrying heavy buckets of ice, chum, tackle, big fish and cast nets.  Throwing the net, getting the boat on the trailer, lifting heavy coolers, all results in one of the most physical jobs around.  Then, to be successful you have to go day after day regardless of the weather. 

Whether inshore or offshore, your body gets beat up and you have to take care of it if you want any shot at real longevity or you want to reduce injury and even prevent surgeries down the road.  A stretching program has been crucial to my continued performance as I age.  Stretching regularly is probably better than trying to determine what the best program is.  The best one is the one you do consistently that has you injury free and feeling good.  Yoga classes can be good and lots of those are found free on Amazon prime and other services.  I tried lots of them but I wasn’t making that much progress. 

I found Joe Hippensteel after reading David Goggins book, Cant Hurt Me. Joe owns, Ultimate Human Performance. https://www.ultimatehumanperformance.com and has worked with Navy Seals including David Goggins. I gave his program a try.  I liked his approach and the fact that he understood the rigors of my job.  He was an undersized decathlete and suffered many injuries due to the amount of training he had to endure.  His program is easy to follow, has standards that you strive for and since starting it, I have had zero back injuries, and my joints are feeling fantastic.  It is literally like winding the clock backwards. 

Whether it is Joe’s program or a yoga class, figure out a way to stretch regularly.  And if you are not a guide but a client or angler, it may even be MORE important.  Sitting at a desk or in a car for 8 hours a day may be the worst thing that you can do for your body.  However, it is required for many professions.  Stretching can reverse the damage done by sitting in a position for long periods of time and have you injury free and feeling your best.

A second resource I have found that has helped with my knees specifically is @kneesovertoesguy on Instagram.  Ben Patrick has a program designed specifically for knee pain and IT WORKS!  Check this out if your knees bother you.

I have done 2 podcasts with Joe Hippensteel which are some of the most downloaded episodes in the entire library

Joe Hippensteel 1

Joe Hippensteel 2

Sleep

Vitamins

Greens & Reds

These have become essential for me, ESPECIALLY for travel.  Much improved digestion and regularity even if you get off your regularly scheduled diet program.  100% one of the most important additions to my diet and highly recommended.   The Reds are also fantastic antioxidants.  I use them too. If I could only take only one supplement it would be the Opti Greens.

Essentials Stack

Protein

Nut Butter

I usually have some of this with me when I travel just in case I run out of nuts.  Fat is crucial for your diet and the best source is monounsaturated exactly like this nut butter.

Each little thing I did resulted in being able to do my job better and without having to take a break due to fatigue.  My personal record was 175 days in a row with zero days off which included tournaments.  I credit each of these things to being able to sustain a pace that few others could match.  Today, at 53 I am able to train 6 days a week at about 2 hours a day, run 4 businesses, podcast and film the shows all while doing the most important part of my job which is being a Dad to my 3 kids and Husband to my wife.  I don’t fish 300 days a year any more, but I feel like I could.  Each of these nutritional supplements have helped greatly.  My sleep habits made a big difference and the stretching allows me to train hard, continue to make advances even at age 53.  I am able to train, compete and be my very best every single day.  That is what worked for me.  Check back here occasionally because I am still experimenting with new things as well as this program.  If any of these things help you, please let me know.  You can always text 305-930-7346