Health Secrets from Tom Brady, Mark Wahlberg, Muhammed Ali And More

We love to watch celebrities. We observe their lives from afar on TV, in movies and on social media, often aspiring to their successes. They become role models, especially when it comes to health and fitness. For many celebrities and, of course, professional athletes, their body is their business. They pour their heart and soul into creating their peak physical form. It only makes sense that along the way many of them have become health and fitness experts in their own right.

We’ve gathered some of the best advice celebrities have to offer on health, fitness and being your best self. Take their words and actions and apply them to your own fitness journey.  

Mark Wahlberg

“I love the relief of being done. I love the protein shake five minutes after the workout is over. It helps you feel good throughout the rest of the day. When I don’t exercise and when I’m not eating good and clean, I feel sluggish. So it’s good to get it done, especially if you’re tired or sore.” – Mark Wahlberg

You don’t have to be Mark Wahlberg to get a body like Mark Wahlberg. You just need hard work, dedication and a little bit of Wahlberg wisdom. For Mark, the best part of a workout is when it’s over. Many of us dread going to the gym, lifting weights, sweating, working hard. But if you focus on how you feel afterward, like Wahlberg does, you can persist through your grueling workout and reap all of the benefits of having completed it. You’ll feel more energized and ready to take on the rest of your day.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

“For me, life is continuously being hungry. The meaning of life is not to simply exist, to survive, but to move ahead, to achieve, to conquer.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s hunger has served him well. A man so accomplished in bodybuilding as well as his career must be doing something right. Take that constant hunger and use it to fuel your own desire to be better. The meaning of your life is not to simply exist either. Strive for progress, not perfection, every day and slowly but surely you could see incredible results inside and outside of the gym.

Usher

“If you take care of your body, it’ll take care of you. The benefit obviously is that I’m protecting my body from being harmed. I did my best to prepare and condition my body over time. If I didn’t do this, I’d look a mess because of the lifestyle I live. I mean, the moment you go off [your fitness and eating plan], you notice the difference. You move slower.” – Usher

Usher is a man of words. Sure, a lot of his lyrics don’t really apply to life outside the club, but what he has to say about taking care of his body is applicable to just about everyone. He knows the value of caring for himself and the benefits it can bring to your health and happiness. You might not be living the lifestyle of a man who has won eight Grammy awards, but your body needs to be cared for too.

Muhammed Ali

“I hated every minute of the training, but I said: ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.’” – Muhammed Ali

Muhammed Ali is the GOAT and it’s his hard work and dedicated training that got him there. What do you think would have happened if he had skipped his training sessions? Stayed in bed or deviated from his diet? I’m sure he wouldn’t be idolized as the Greatest of All Time. That doesn’t mean he liked training, though. Like Wahlberg, his focus was on what happened after he got out of the ring. Sometimes we need to power through the hard parts to enjoy the results. Do your time, put in the effort and you too can float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.

Cameron Diaz

“Personally, I love the gym. I love being around people who are sweaty and pushing themselves, who are all focused on the same goals. I love being in a group like that.” – Cameron Diaz

So not everybody hates the gym. Cameron Diaz loves it and she’s got the body and energy level to prove it. The woman looks great and it seems like her career never stops. She makes a great point about being around like-minded, ambitious people, too. It’s good to find your tribe – a group of people who can help you focus on your ambitions and crush your goals without distracting you. It’s the difference between a buddy who wants to take you out for pizza and beer even though you’re on a cut and one who will join you in the gym and spot you while you’re breaking your personal records. Find supportive friends and you’ll never have to worry about someone dragging you down.

Tom Brady

“You push your body to the limits, but you have to train your body to deal within the limits.” – Tom Brady

When it comes to fitness, athleticism and being a straight up winner, nobody seems to do it better than Tom Brady. Just when we thought he and the Patriots were handing the Falcons the Vince Lombardi Trophy, he completely changes the game, winning Super Bowl LI in overtime. It seems like the man has no limits, but that’s just because he knows his limits. He pushes himself right to the edge, and he can get away with it because he’s trained his body to toe the line of its own limitations.

Travis Kelce

“Your core is like your engine. It triggers everything and gets everything going. Guys can be as big as they want, but if they’re weak in the core, they’re not going to be a good football player.” – Travis Kelce

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is another NFL player who totally gets it. He knows the power of a powerful core. It’s important for a football player to have a solid, athletic midsection, but it’s just as advantageous for anyone else. A strong core gives you better posture, a stronger base and a better center to all of your movements.

Mia Hamm

“I am building a fire, and every day I train, I add more fuel. At just the right moment, I light the match.” – Mia Hamm

Mia Hamm believes in the slow burn. Every day you train is more fuel for your fire, and when you’re ready? Boom! You’ve got a bonfire going. You might not notice the little improvements every day, but they add up to make something powerful and mighty.

Rob Gronkowski

“I have tuna and chicken. Those are two great sources of protein, which you need to rebuild your muscles after you break them all down on the practice field and in the weight room. The tuna also has omega-3 fatty acids to help you recover.” Rob Gronkowski

Gronk comes off as a silly, jovial guy, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have health and wellness wisdom to dispense. Good stuff, too. He’s right that tuna and chicken should be staples of a high-protein diet. They have the protein you need to fuel muscle growth and the omega-3 fatty acids to help you recover. Just don’t overdo it on the tuna, throw in a protein shake or two when time is tight and you’ll be in good shape.