Eating Well and Living Purposefully for Fitness and Longevity

Eduard Checo, the founder of Barstarzz, is the leader of a freestyle calisthenics movement that teaches people how to move and train outside of a traditional gym and is inspiring people around the world. His videos have received over 120 million views on YouTube. He spoke with us about fitness for real life and fueling your body properly both for fitness and longevity.

1. How do you fuel your workouts?

I usually eat oatmeal, half a cup of blueberries or mixed berries, a 1/4 cup of mixed nuts or 2 tablespoons of almond butter, some raw cocoa nibs, about 1/3 teaspoon of cinnamon, and a spoonful of flax seeds with a cup of green tea before my workouts.

2. Who would you consider to be part of your fitness “moai?”

Every Saturday we host a free group class in our local park. We invite people from family to friends, and broadcast to people we’ve never met before via social media. We all meet up and talk about our lives, play music, share fruits, water, and have a great workout. All smiles.

3. What is your morning routine that helps you wake up with purpose?

I have a nice formulated morning routine I try to follow every day loosely based on Tim Ferris’ routine: Jump out of bed in two minutes. Make the bed. Meditate for 20-30 minutes. Make tea. Weigh myself. Journal three things I’m grateful for, three affirmations, three to-dos for the day. Fasted 20-30 minute walk. Cold shower. Workout.

4. You live in New York. Is it hard to stay connected to friends and family in such a big, bustling city?

It actually makes it easier since the area is so dense. When I lived in Miami it was harder because everyone was so far from each other.

5. You share so many amazing workout videos and strength exercises, but what are ways you incorporate natural movement into your life?

I go on fasted walks in the morning. Also, when it’s not a workout day, I just go for a long walk in the park and either listen to a podcast or text friends I haven’t spoken to in a while. I also go shopping at a supermarket that is about a 15 minute walk from my house, and I carry the heavy bags back home the same way.

6. What or who is the greatest love of your life?

Ooooo, this question is probably going to get me in trouble. I love life in general with all its possibilities. It’s amazing — as of tomorrow, you can pack up and just go somewhere else and do something else. We are the designers of our lives.

7. What is your purpose or ikigai?

To teach people how to be healthier and enjoy exercise.

8. What are you most proud of?

Creating Barstarzz and seeing all the lives around the world it has impacted.

9. What advice can you give our readers to help them live longer, better?

I have so much [to say], but to keep it short: eat berries, flax seeds, and beans every day, and workout very intensely a couple times a week.

 

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Interview with Eduard Checo (@edbarstarzz) founder of @barstarzz. Eduard is the leader of a freestyle calisthenics movement, teaching people how to move and train and inspiring people around the world. 1. How do you fuel your workouts? I usually eat oatmeal, half a cup of blueberries or mixed berries, a 1/4 cup of mixed nuts or 2 tablespoons of almond butter, some raw cocoa nibs, about 1/3 teaspoon of cinnamon, and a spoonful of flax seeds with a cup of green tea before my workouts. 2. Who would you consider to be part of your fitness “moai”? Every Saturday we host a free group class in our local park. We invite people from family, friends, and broadcast to people we’ve never met before via social media. We all meet up and talk about our lives, play music, share fruits, water, and have a great workout. All smiles. 3. What is your morning routine that helps you wake up with purpose? I have a nice formulated morning routine I try to follow every day loosely based on Tim Ferris’ routine: Jump out of bed in 2 minutes. Make the bed. Meditate 20-30 minutes. Make tea. Weigh myself. Journal 3 things I’m grateful for, 3 affirmations, 3 to-dos for the day. Fasted 20-30 minute walk. Cold shower. Workout. 4. You live in New York. Is it hard to stay connected to friends and family in such a big, bustling city? It actually makes it easier since the area is so dense. 5. You share so many amazing workout videos and strength exercises, but what are ways you incorporate natural movement into your life? I go on fasted walks in the morning. Also when it’s not a workout day, i just go for a long walk in the park and either listen to a podcast or text friends I haven’t spoken to in a while. I also go shopping at a supermarket that is about a 15 minute walk from my house, and I carry the heavy bags back home the same way. 6. What or who is the greatest love of your life? I love life in general with the all its possibilities. It’s amazing—as of tomorrow, you can pack up and just go somewhere else and do something else. We are the designers of our lives.

A post shared by Blue Zones (@bluezones) on Oct 18, 2018 at 2:39pm PDT