Craig Macindoe: An Old Bull with 3 Rules.

Work: THE CRACKLES (That is Craig's official title, I double-checked)

Where: Darling Crackles (Hospitality marketing agency; Craig is one of the founders).

Lives: Sydney (Northern Beaches)

Age range:  55-59

Old Bull products: Protein powder, Testosterone & Immunity Formula, Stress & Cognition Formula. (He refers to this as the Trifecta.)

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I had a great chat with Craig, who has been using our products for some time now, on how he stays fit and strong while managing a busy home and business life, and what he enjoys about Old Bull Health.

Exercise. What works for you?

Five things:

1. I attend a local training group on Tuesdays and Fridays
2. Saturday, I do Ultimate Frisbee. One hour of non-stop running around.
3. I surf for about two hours a week.
4. I do an ice bath/ sauna recovery once a week.
5. I do Wimhof breathing exercises four times a week. I use an app.

I have been going to the same training group for 16 years. The training includes cross-training (60%) and banter (40%). 

Surfing is usually with my daughter when she's in town. This includes a walk down the stairs to Freshwater Beach and back up to the headland, which, if you know how steep that is, is a session in itself. 

I started surfing during COVID to connect with my daughter and to have a reason to go on surf trips with mates. The conversations with my daughter at the back of the waves are priceless and better than any I would have around the dining table or in the car.

Generally, ice baths are on Sunday morning with a mate. Not at the same time.

Have you always exercised? 

Yes. Exercise is a firm part of my routine. Even if I get to bed late, which happens often when working in the hospitality industry, I get up and go train. Once you let the excuses in, they take over. So, rule #1: No excuses, just routine.

Routine sets you free.

(This was a quote originally from Verne Harnish originally, but I think I heard it on a Tim Ferris podcast, and it stuck with me.)

So, I make sure I get my mental and physical health medication every day, baked into the way I do things (routine), and I believe that helps me to survive and thrive.

Finally, rule 2: I don’t look at my phone until after 9 am unless I’m doing Wordle. Technology is powerful; I use it on my own terms to help create my routine.

Why a training group?

The training group is 40% social and 60% exercise. The payoff is the coffee and banter after.

I still go for coffee, even if I can’t do training due to injury, to maintain a connection with a good group of men. It allows me to be my authentic self, with no judgment, and to get a good laugh a couple of times a week.

I cannot emphasize the importance of social connectivity to stay sane. That is rule #3: Keep it social, or most of it at least.

What is the biggest health challenge we face as men over 50? (In your view)

We stop doing regular exercise, which means we deteriorate, quickly.

I believe there are two types of people in the world.

1. Those who exercise regularly,
2. and those who don’t.

You need to decide where you do or want to belong in those groups. I believe the first group ultimately has a better outlook on life, looks fitter and younger, and is generally more positive about their future. Once you hit the mid-fifties, this is non-negotiable.

So how can we fix that?

Build exercise around "payoff".

See rule #3: Exercise should include social, we are after all, social animals.

Whether you find a cycling group, run club, walking group, or training group like me, it builds commitment, bonds, and support. Social contact once or twice a week outside of work and home should not be underestimated.

The Why?

This is what keeps you going. Keeps you young. Keeps you feeling good, strong, and alive. The question for me is always what quality of life I want in ten- or twenty-years' time, and what I do now will ultimately determine that.

Nutrition

I have the Trifecta in the morning with water, and a cup of coffee.

The Trifecta, as I call it is, Testosterone & Immunity formula, Stress & Cognition Formula mixed into an Old Bull protein shake. They work for me; the Stress formula I feel gives me clarity throughout the day, and the Testosterone formula energy, and “feel better” value.

I typically drink tea during the day. However, my Job is mainly food-based, so it includes many lunches at fancy restaurants with the best food. It's a tough life, I know, so when I can, I Fast.

Dinner now means eating less than I used to and earlier. My portion sizes are smaller and include protein, such as chicken thigh or steak, and vegetables. I also try to add a salad. As an example of portion sizes, when I owned a steakhouse, I would eat a 300 g to 400 g steak, nowadays that’s a 150 g steak.

I also have a piece of dark chocolate every night.

And as a chef, I do find making food both relaxing and therapeutic.

Last words.

As we mentioned, 3 rules to think about where your life will take you.

The following three rules:

#1 - No excuses, just routine.

#2 - Use technology on your terms. 

#3 - Keep it social, exercise with a "payoff".

Finally, I don't rise to goals; I rise to habits.

Thanks Crackles, that was great, and I loved the "Routine sets you free" bit, in fact so much we decided to put it on our new promo protein shakers. Will get you one as soon as they arrive. Cheers.