Joe Gaiter: What is the misconception of being healthy?
Erik Petty: Being healthy is only based on the physical appearance. Right now, if you look up the definition of the word healthy, you will get “not diseased.” This is why the public health system came up with wellness. Health is based on an individual’s state of being while wellness is the state of living a healthy lifestyle. The focus has shifted from the absence of disease to creating a quality lifestyle that encourages individuals to workout, meditate, eat better, etc.
Joe Gaiter: What are your thoughts about taking diet pills?
Erik Petty: To be honest, the majority of diet pills on the market are trash; and even if they did work, the people who take them would not benefit from them. Primarily because they do not workout nor eat right. Most diet pills claim to speed up the person’s metabolism or increase the metabolic rate. This is impossible to do if you are barely eating which slows down your metabolism, or, on the other hand, eating a ridiculous amount of processed foods which already take longer to breakdown than whole foods. A person will benefit more if they used that money on vitamins and essential oils. Of course, get blood work done first to see which vitamins you need.
Joe Gaiter: Do diets really work?
Erik Petty: First, let us understand a diet is just the way a person eats. If you eat out every day, then what you’re eating at those restaurants comprises your diet. So, do diets work? Yes and no. If you are eating an 800-calorie diet, yes you will lose weight, but no it is not healthy. If you are doing Keto, Atkins, Veganism, or any other dietary program, it will work as long as you stick to that diet’s guidelines. Diets fail because people either are not disciplined enough to stick with it or they assume they are doing it correctly and not. For example, the Ketogenic (Keto) diet. I lost 80lbs in six months following the Ketogenic diet. Is Keto an answer for weight loss? Yes, but so is having a balanced diet. So is Veganism, so is the Whole30, so is Dukan or even the Raw foodism diet. The key is actually reading about the diet (not just a blog, but a book), learning the guidelines, and understanding what supplements will be needed because a lot of diets cause some sort of deficiency in the body.
Joe Gaiter: What does health and fitness mean to you?
Erik Petty: It means everything to me. When I first got out the military, I was prescribed 12 different pills to take daily and could barely run down the street without my knees feeling like Mike Tyson was punching them. All this, at the age of 25. After I ate, I couldn’t lay down because I would throw up from acid reflux. Blood pressure was crazy high, I was prediabetic, and I couldn’t walk up the stairs without having an asthma attack. I remember the day I made a promise to myself that I wasn’t going to go out like that. So, I decided to do my own research. Later on, I went and got my Personal Training License and the rest was history.
Joe Gaiter: Can a person workout too much?
Erik Petty: Yes, but few people actually reach that point. Now training without fueling the body right before or after is a bigger issue. I’ve got onto a lot of my clients because they are afraid to eat. They will work out for an hour or longer then go home without eating. It is a fear of losing the results they just gained, but that’s not how it works. Food and water help the body recover and if you take away either one, it will take longer for your body to get back to its optimal state.
Joe Gaiter: What are 3 things people can do today that will change their life for the better?
Erik Petty: Taking out 5 minutes or more a day to meditate, eating 80% or more of whole foods while drinking a gallon or more of water a day, and doing some sort of physical activity at least 3-4 times a week. It could be yoga, resistance training, or some sort of cardio.
Joe Gaiter: What tips and advice do you have for athletes during their off-season?
Erik Petty: REST, rehab/prehab and learn how to train WITHOUT the ball. If you want to compete during the off-season, then find another sport to play. Understand there are reasons for off-seasons and one of the main reasons is to reduce sport-specific injuries.
Joe Gaiter: What would you recommend people do when they are looking for a personal trainer?
Erik Petty: When you walk into a doctor’s office or any office, you see their degree on the wall. If that trainer is charging you over $30 a session, I suggest you check their credentials. Ask them questions to understand their philosophy and see if it will fit you. I have a lot of trainer friends that I recommend to others because I know their needs as a client and my style as a trainer may not be the most compatible. I flat-out know they will not like me as a trainer. Like with any other profession, one size (trainer) doesn’t fit all. It doesn’t make that trainer a “bad” trainer, it just means you need someone your speed. If you hate counting your calories, weekly check-ins, and food restrictions, then I would not be a good trainer for you.
Joe Gaiter: What is a cheat day for you?
Erik Petty: When you are working towards a goal, there are no cheat days, but, instead, a cheat meal once a week. My cheat meal consists 10 wings and fries with a water at Shababy’s Rib Shack. Or I’ll hit up my bro Johnny aka Da Food Plugg when I want an overwhelming amount of dopamine release in my system lol. I love his food, but I have to take it in moderations lol.
Joe Gaiter: What is next for you and your fitness business?
Erik Petty: I’m working toward a very specific goal: Managing my Personal Training services without having a gym micromanaging me. I finally found the perfect gym so currently, my main focus is to continue building clientele and helping individuals meet their goals whether it is health-related or sports- related.
Joe Gaiter: What is your goal in life?
Erik Petty: To be honest, my goal in life is to just continue to help as many people as I can until I die. Health is my passion but giving back is my purpose. No matter where I go or what I do, that will not change.
Joe Gaiter: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
Erik Petty: A graduate, working on my master’s; probably stressed out. But thinking would it be worth it trying to get my doctorate lol.
Joe Gaiter: Final Words?
Erik Petty: Eat clean, vaccinate your children, meditate, workout, and continue the pursuit to your happiness — whatever that looks like.
Joe Gaiter: Shoutouts?
Erik Petty: Shout out to the strangers in my DMs telling me how I helped them in some way shape and form. There have been many times where I just want to say forget it and move on but those DMs helped me out a lot. Also, my brothers who motivate me and continue challenging me to do better. They help me from becoming that trainer I hate online lol.
Joe Gaiter: Social Media?
Erik Petty: I am mainly on Instagram, @Ephealthandwealth, but I also have a Facebook page which is also Ephealthandwealth. I try to stay consistent on posting and if you have any questions or comments just DM me.
Joe Gaiter: YouTube link
Erik Petty: I know I said this last time, but seriously this time I am going to work on it lol.
