The Real-life Diet Of Mat Fraser, The Fittest Man On Earth
GQ South Africa|October 2018

The back-to-back CrossFit Games champion shares his secrets for dieting, training, sleeping, and staying positive throughout all of it

Emily Abbate
The Real-life Diet Of Mat Fraser, The Fittest Man On Earth

SOMETIMES, BESTOWING A MAJESTIC-SOUNDING TITLE ON THE WRONG PERSON CAN BE DANGEROUS. (For example: ‘president’.) And it’s easy to see how christening someone the ‘Fittest Man on Earth’ might quickly give rise to an ego as large as the presumptive titleholder’s biceps. This, however, is not the case for Mat Fraser, the 28-year-old American who has won the CrossFit Games for the past three years in a row.

At 1.7m and 86kg, Fraser can nail a 220-kilogram back squat and breeze through 50 pull-ups in one fell swoop, and his successes have earned him endorsement deals with high-profile brands like Nike, Rogue, TheraGun, and Compex. We recently caught up with him during a brief break in training to learn how a champion CrossFitter eats, sleeps, and trains and how he looks out for his mental health in between everything else.

GQ: What did the stakes feel like when you went for your third title in a row? Was the ante at another level?

Mat Fraser: It was kind of the same, actually. I look at it this way: I’ve already dealt with the absolute worst-case scenario. [Ed note: Fraser came in second in both 2014 and 2015.] I’ve gone there and lost, and then gone there and lost again. After that, there’s not too much more that can go wrong. I’ve figured out a lot of the kinks on my end. Now, it’s about showing up on game day.

GQ: When it isn’t game day, what does a day look like for you?

MF: I’m usually up between 7:30 and 8:30 in the morning. My fiancée has breakfast ready for me, so I’m having coffee and food within two minutes of being awake – your classic three-part breakfast of bacon, eggs, and oatmeal. I’m at the gym by 9:30, and that session goes until about 13:00.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 2018 من GQ South Africa.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 2018 من GQ South Africa.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من GQ SOUTH AFRICA مشاهدة الكل
CREATIVE MINDS BEHIND THE CAMERA
GQ South Africa

CREATIVE MINDS BEHIND THE CAMERA

A creative director, a filmmaker and a video director - three Ghanaian visionaries share their unique approach to fashion and visual storytelling

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 2024
Body Odours You Shouldn't Ignore
GQ South Africa

Body Odours You Shouldn't Ignore

A little whiff of sweat or muskiness may not be cause for concern, but some smells can signal a health concern that are worth taking a bit more seriously

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
THE MOST CONSISTENT IN THE GAME
GQ South Africa

THE MOST CONSISTENT IN THE GAME

K.O's greatest strength is his adaptability in the evolving music industry while staying true to his roots. From his days as a member of Teargas to solo hits like \"Caracara\" and \"Sete,\" he proves that he is always one step ahead

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 2024
POWER & PASSION
GQ South Africa

POWER & PASSION

Off the field and comfortable with SA rugby's MVPs, Eben Etzebeth and Cheslin Kolbe

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 2024
GUNNING FOR GLORY!
GQ South Africa

GUNNING FOR GLORY!

BURNING UP THE GLOBAL STAGE, BLXCKIE HAS A THING OR TWO TO SHOW US ABOUT SUCCESS

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 2024
Final Edition
GQ South Africa

Final Edition

From 2025, Jaguar will go fully electric. To say farewell to their internal combustion felines, our motoring editor Dieter Losskarn joined the megabrand in taking their latest F-Type sportscar on one last lap

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
WRITING THEIR NEXT CHAPTERS OF SUCCESS TOGETHER
GQ South Africa

WRITING THEIR NEXT CHAPTERS OF SUCCESS TOGETHER

The collaboration between Bisquit and Dubouché and Kwesta is kicking into gear with an initiative to drive a new wave of pioneering spirits

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
Exceeding all the Hype
GQ South Africa

Exceeding all the Hype

Group managing director at Fairlawns Boutique Hotel and Spa, Michael Kewley injected charm and artistry into the space, elevating its status of luxury

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2024
Grand Cruiser
GQ South Africa

Grand Cruiser

Our motoring editor Dieter Losskarn was pleasantly surprised by how much he liked the new Prado. In fact, it is one of the best SUV/4x4 vehicles he's driven in a long time. Here's why...

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
Why Does Everyone Have Big, Fake White Teeth Now?
GQ South Africa

Why Does Everyone Have Big, Fake White Teeth Now?

Veneers were once a dirty secret. Now, they're a luxury status symbol and the famous and wealthy are flocking to Hollywood's favorite dentist in search of even more perfect smiles

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 2024