Man, you won’t believe the journey I’ve been on. It all started with this idea to really understand what Alexander Volkanovski went through, going from a 214 lbs rugby player to a featherweight UFC fighter. I mean, that’s a massive change, right? So, I decided to dive deep into it, not just reading stuff but actually trying to live it, in a way.
First off, I had to get my head around the weight. 214 lbs! I stepped on my scale and saw I was nowhere near that. So, the bulking up began. I started eating, a lot. And not just anything, I was trying to pack on the pounds the way a rugby player would. Lots of protein, carbs, you name it. I was hitting the gym too, lifting heavy, focusing on that raw strength.
- Phase 1: Bulking Up
- Eating tons of food
- Heavy weightlifting
- Hitting that 214 lbs mark
Honestly, it felt weird. My body wasn’t used to this. I was heavier, sure, but also kinda sluggish. I could feel the power, but I was definitely not as agile as I used to be. It was like, I could see why Volkanovski would be a beast in rugby, but a UFC fighter? That seemed miles away.
Then came the hard part. Cutting down. Volkanovski didn’t just drop the weight; he transformed himself into a lean, mean, fighting machine. I started tweaking my diet again, focusing on shedding the pounds while keeping the muscle. Cardio became my best friend, and I was training like a madman. It was tough, I won’t lie. The discipline it takes is insane.
- Phase 2: Cutting Down
- Changing my diet to lose weight but maintain muscle
- Intense cardio and training
- Staying disciplined
And you know what? I started to get it. The lighter I got, the more I felt that agility coming back. I was moving faster, hitting harder, and my endurance was through the roof. It was like my body was finding this perfect balance between strength and speed. I wasn’t at Volkanovski’s level, not even close, but I could feel a glimpse of what he must have achieved.
I realized it’s not just about the weight. It’s about how you carry it, how you use it. Volkanovski didn’t just lose weight; he optimized his body for a completely different sport. He went from being a powerhouse in rugby to a featherweight champion in UFC, and that’s not just a physical transformation; it’s mental too.
The Takeaway
This whole experiment, it’s been eye-opening. It gave me a whole new level of respect for athletes like Volkanovski. The dedication, the grind, the sheer willpower it takes to transform your body and mind like that, it’s just incredible. I might not be ready to step into the Octagon anytime soon, but I’ve definitely learned a lot about discipline, about pushing your limits, and about the amazing things our bodies can do when we set our minds to it.
It’s been a wild ride, and I’m just sharing my story, hoping it might inspire someone else to push their boundaries. Whether it’s in sports, fitness, or just life in general, we’re all capable of so much more than we think. Trust me, if I can get a taste of what Volkanovski did, anyone can.