The back-to-back CrossFit Games champion shares his secrets for dieting, training, sleeping, and staying positive throughout all of it
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.
Esta historia es de la edición October 2018 de GQ South Africa.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición October 2018 de GQ South Africa.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
I am Legend
For 40 years, Toyota has produced an iconic 4x4. In 2024 it's received a subtle, rejuvenating facelift - and more. The Land Cruiser 76 is made for Africa.
Alternative Investments
We take a look at how alternative investments offer a diverse range of opportunities beyond the traditional, with a particular focus on venture capital
THE HEART OF A CHAMPION
AYABONGA KHAKA IS A RIGHT-ARM medium bowler for South Africa's national cricket team, and earned a national contract with Cricket South Africa in 2018.
THE DEFENDER OF HOUSE
From his debut album Golden Power to the recent hit \"Yes God\", Oscar Mbo is still the king of deep house music. Apart from consistently energising groovists with his beats, he also stands out as the country's most stylish DJ - and a savvy businessman
GOLDEN BOY
With top-charting hits such as \"Adiwele\", \"Sete\" and \"Imithandazo\", Young Stunna is the face of amapiano, and a rising icon. In a remarkably short time, he's carved out his path in the music industry and stands poised to conquer the world
Fierce, Fearless and Flourishing
THESE FIVE REMARKABLE WOMEN LEADING WITH COURAGE, DETERMINATION, AND LIMITLESS AMBITION ARE REDEFINING SUCCESS IN THEIR OWN TERMS
DAMIAN WILLEMSE HUMBLE STAR OF SA RUGBY
He's renowned for his skill and versatility - but the legacy of Damian Willemse is built on inspiring others, both on and off the field
The Visionary Curator: Jana Terblanche's Journey in the Art World
Poetic and political this ambitious yet principled art curator challenges the traditional and champions African voices
Non-invasive Cosmetic Treatments Guide
From advanced laser therapies to cutting-edge injectables, these innovative procedures offer effective solutions for smoothing wrinkles, enhancing skin tone, and contouring the body
Lelowhatsgood The Maverick DJ Disrupting Africa's Cultural Landscape
“Demon’s Kiss” put him on the map but there’s more to this Renaissance man than just hit singles.