What Makes Building Muscle SO Hard | Mike Israetel

[@joethebar1]

At 53, I do it because I can- I lost the plot a while ago. It’s a lifestyle. It feels good to be conditioned to a point, where on a given day, you can train yourself to the ground, and walk away feeling great. Not to mention, the fountain of youth that bodybuilding gives you.

[@Maliksamuels33]

Too many commas Joe

[@lonestarpatriot876]

I hate bulking because of the eating. Just 15% over maintenance drives me crazy and I eat very clean. Even maintenance for me is too much. I do it because I have to, but I feel my best when I am cutting. As far as the JOURNEY goes, at 50, I have learned to appreciate the JOURNEY more than anything else. I live by a motto that goes- "The valleys are as good as the mountain tops because I have to go through them to reach the next peak." I live by that.

[@Moose92411]

4:35 I identify VERY strongly with this moment. I’ve been lifting for about 15 years, and now I’m about to be 40 with two kids. I’ll never be a pro in any way shape or form, but gee whiz, I LOVE the journey. I love the routine, the striving, the discomfort and overcoming it, the learning and experimenting, the optimizing, and the gradual results. I LOVE the moments where all the pieces that I put into place on my own come together in a moment of victory. Lifting is awesome, and I couldn’t explain this to anyone who doesn’t do it seriously.

[@jammRJ]

It's like golf or tennis or pickleball but instead of a ball you move plates 😂

[@jonrwert]

4:10 yes the experience. You can relate this to all forms of training/physical endeavors. At the end of the day it's not about some numeric goal, it's about being in tune with what your body is capable of. And there are endless ways to explore this besides looking for some PR on a lift.

[@lynnwilliam]

Lifting is the only thing i have the most control over. Im also a programmer so i can control my code too. So its about controlling the body and the mind.

[@chrisweidner4768]

Sigh. All true. When I ran a lot I felt far healthier and energized than I do now, finally putting on muscle and strength. Indeed; “why the hell am I doing this to myself?” “I do it, because I like it.” Exactly. Enjoy the process. Keep heart health in mind.

[@Protileman]

You're that tall when you got your high heels on. Lol

[@LatimusChadimus]

I love Dr Mike

[@nicholasmartinez6043]

I know I got too lean once sitting down on a regular chair was painful

[@ForLegalReasonsThisIsAJoke1]

Mike should get that nose operation(not plastic surgery) so he can breath properly. Mouthbreathing is horrible for you

[@aynrandfan7454]

You don’t need to bulk to gain muscle …main-gaining and mini cuts are the way to go

[@Jimminityjabooboo]

The food. The food is fucking brutal. Trying to eat 6000 calories per day with clean food is death. You are short of breath because your entire stomach is so full from the moment you wake up until you go to sleep. Your heart beat is high, you’re sweating sitting down all day from just burning the food. It’s terrible. But overall the strength and size you have in the gym is worth it.

[@catedoge3206]

nobody has patience anymore

[@markpozsar5785]

Yes they do

[@johnchurchill6938]

Dave's piano comment. 😂

[@johndicamillo9104]

The answer is the same for piano. Or poetry, or chess, or math. Strength training is just the physical expression of that same transcendent experience.

[@mooganstooker2419]

It's called physiology.

[@mithilaum]

People aren’t dumb. We can comprehend

[@Xplora213]

There is a lot to be said for taking it slow. The hardest part is that we want old man strength at 22 years old. I think if you are having existential crises on that journey, perhaps you are ready to ease off.

[@GDoggy-em2xc]

There’s no such thing as old man strength.

[@Xplora213]

@@GDoggy-em2xc oh child… one day you will learn to Stay quiet while the men are talking. 😉

[@chuyalvarado1631]

Is nit hard we are just lazy

[@GDoggy-em2xc]

Bodybuilding is a mental illness. It’s the opposite of anorexia. To be 5’6 and 255 pounds and wanting MORE mass, that’s extreme mental illness.

[@jimbriscoe1]

dam thats crazy , who asked?

[@Cwillz303]

To quote the Dark Knight Rises: “They know. They just don’t care.”

[@quentonnankivell956]

Stay little

[@EVO6-]

​@@jimbriscoe1nobody needs to

[@Mikaeel84]

Like Tate said, you couldn't understand if you wanted to.