Bobby Maximus is one of those guys that I wouldn’t have considered approaching in my younger days. I’d have been too intimidated, to be honest. MMA fighter. Jacked to the moon. Jiu Jitsu champion. Alpha. Obsessive about his training, workouts, discipline, and recovery.
Is he always right? No. And I don’t agree with everything he says. But that’s what makes it even cooler.
We’ve had numerous conversations—on the record, off the record, on my podcast—about supplementation, training intensity, recovery days, how to train effectively, what guys are missing in terms of consistency and accountability, and how to do all of this while being married with children and running a business.
And nobody performs like this guy. It’s unbelievable. If you want to know how somebody really walks their talk, Bobby’s one of those guys. Because he puts in the work. I will tell you he’s exactly what he appears to be. And because of that, he’s helped me become a better man.
Enjoy this week’s “How I See It” with Bobby Maximus.
HOW BOBBY MAXIMUS SEES IT
MLM: Bobby, you’re the “Keeper of Authenticity” according to your Instagram tagline. What does authenticity mean to you?
Bobby Maximus: It’s about being true to yourself, plain and simple. I see so many people flip-flopping—saying one thing today, something else tomorrow, and it doesn’t add up. Take politics: if you’re pro-choice because you believe in bodily autonomy, but then push mandatory vaccines, that’s inconsistent. Same goes for the other side—anti-abortion but anti-vaccine mandates? Pick a lane. I respect anyone’s opinion if it’s consistent. Authenticity is living your truth without the cognitive dissonance.
MLM: How do you stay authentic and hold others accountable to it?
Bobby Maximus: I call people out when their actions don’t match their words—not to troll, but to keep it real. If a friend posts something hypocritical, I’ll shoot them a private message like, “Hey, this doesn’t line up—maybe rethink it.” In coaching, it’s the same deal. You’re not losing weight while chugging soda every day—I’m not here to coddle you, I’m here to tell you the truth. That’s how I stay authentic and push others to look at themselves.
MLM: You’re great at calling out bullshit—like with the Simone Biles situation in the Olympics a few years back. What stood out to you there?
Bobby Maximus: Yeah, that pissed me off. People shredded her for “quitting” the Olympics, but a month earlier, those same folks were all over Mental Health Month, preaching self-care. You don’t get to cherry-pick when mental health matters. If you’re about it, be about it all the time. The internet’s full of that double-talk, and I’m just tired of the hypocrisy.
MLM: As a coach, what are the most common excuses you hear from guys—especially men juggling family, work, and fitness?
Bobby Maximus: It all boils down to one thing: you’re responsible for your success or failure. The excuses—time, kids, no equipment—are just people dodging that truth. They’re either too lazy, don’t want it bad enough, or don’t value it. I’ve got kids running around, a wife working long shifts, and I still get my workouts in because I value it. If it matters to you—like my Men’s Health gigs or Joe Rogan’s podcasts—you make it happen. Value drives action.
MLM: Speaking of value, how do you balance your values—like being a dad—with what you get out of your work?
Bobby Maximus: Values are your moral compass—being a good husband, dad, whatever. Value, though, is what you get out of something, whether it’s money, fun, or purpose. I pour energy into what I value, like training or family, because it pays off for me—literally and figuratively. If I didn’t value it, I wouldn’t bother. It’s that simple.
MLM: You’ve got this unapologetic charisma—where did that come from? Was it always there, or did it grow over time?
Bobby Maximus: I think I just got older and stopped giving a damn. In your 20s, you’re obsessed with what people think. Now? If you don’t like me, that’s your problem, not mine. I’m not here to impress anyone—I’m just me. That shift came with age and self-confidence. I’m a bit of a grumpy old man now, and I lean into it.
MLM: Where’d all that “care” go once you stopped worrying about others’ opinions?
Bobby Maximus: It went into what matters—my family, my close friends, my work. I don’t waste energy on noise anymore. Back in the day, a negative comment would wreck me. Now? I don’t even blink. It’s about focusing on what’s real and letting the rest slide.
MLM: Big circle or small circle—how do you roll socially?
Bobby Maximus: Small circle, hands down. I’d rather invest in two or three legit friends than have 30 fake ones. “Friend” gets thrown around too loosely these days. Have we shared a meal? Helped each other through tough shit? That’s a friend. Instagram buddies or acquaintances? Fine, but my real circle’s tight. I don’t have time for surface-level nonsense.
MLM: Your day’s packed—podcasts, Instagram, training, kids. What does a typical Bobby Maximus day look like?
Bobby Maximus: I thrive on routine. Up between 5:45 and 6:30—no alarm unless I have to. Start with supplements—collagen, carnitine—then program for my mentorship group while it’s quiet. At 7:00, I make a shake—protein, coffee, some fats—and pack for the gym. Drive from 7:30 to 8:00 is call time—maximizes dead space. From 8:00 to 10:00, I lift with my gym crew—25-30 members who get workouts from me weekly. Then 10:00 to 11:00 is jiu-jitsu. Pick up my four-year-old at noon, home by 12:30, put the baby down, and afternoons are flex—podcasts, sauna, emails. After 2:30, it’s dad mode till 7:00—play, chores, whatever. Second workout at 7:15, sauna by 8:15, eat, bed. That’s the blueprint—structured but with room to shift if needed.
MLM: How do you make that schedule work with family and flexibility?
Bobby Maximus: It’s about buckets—focus on one thing at a time. Morning’s programming, gym’s training, afternoon’s open. I stack tasks smart—like calls while driving or workouts while watching my kid’s football practice. Scheduling open space is key; it’s not about filling every second but knowing where I can bend. Multitasking’s fine if it’s intentional—podcasting in recovery boots works, but juggling kids, emails, and Instagram at once? You’ll suck at all of it.
MLM: You seem like a fun dad—what was your upbringing like, and how does it shape your parenting?
Bobby Maximus: My dad was my best friend growing up—he died when I was 20. He took me everywhere: softball, movies, grocery runs. It was always fun. I try to do that with my kids—bring them along, make it a game. Cleaning’s a race, the gym’s a playground. My four-year-old’s got his own foam boxes to build forts while I train. It keeps them engaged and builds good habits—like loving fitness instead of dreading it.
MLM: Fun gets a bad rap sometimes—how do you see it fitting into success?
Bobby Maximus: Fun’s not lazy—it’s doing what you love. The best athletes, the most successful people, they enjoy the grind. Same with kids: make laundry a game, and they’ll outwork most adults. Fun fuels productivity. Using fitness as punishment? That’s backwards—it should be a reward, something you want to chase.
MLM: Your nutrition game’s unreal—steaks, burgers, all top-notch. How do you approach eating, and what’s your philosophy there?
Bobby Maximus: It’s simpler than people think. Two rules: First, I eat a gram of protein per pound of body weight daily—236 pounds means 236 grams. Six eggs, a 10-ounce ribeye, some chicken thighs—that’s a full day, and it crowds out junk naturally. Second, 90-95% of the time, it’s top-shelf ingredients—real food, minimally processed. Haagen-Dazs over cheap ice cream, homemade bread over packaged stuff. Eat like you’re at a Michelin-star spot, and you’ll feel better without suffering. People overcomplicate it, but that’s the core.
MLM: You’ve got this “earn your booze” concept—do you drink? How’s recovery now in your 40s, and what’s that philosophy about?
Bobby Maximus: Yeah, I drink, but not to get smashed—I love my life, don’t need an escape. It’s about enjoyment: a Don Julio over a Jose Cuervo because it tastes better, pairs with food, feels right. Recovery’s trickier in my 40s—I feel three drinks the next day, but one with a meal? I sleep great. “Earn your booze”means I’ve done the work—trained, recovered, kept the garbage out—so I can savor it guilt-free. It’s not about pounding Doritos and whiskey after a lazy day and wondering why I feel like crap.
MLM: Your career’s evolved—police officer, fighter, now fitness. How’d that trajectory unfold?
Bobby Maximus: It’s all been about helping people, just different vehicles. Out of university, I tried teaching—wanted to give back like my parents did—but the system tied my hands. Policing was next; it helped some, but not on the scale I craved. Fitness clicked because it changed my life, and I saw it could do the same for others—better dads, better husbands, better everything. It wasn’t a job growing up—lawyers, doctors, that was “real”—but I turned a passion into a career. It’s been a progression, not a pivot.
MLM: Turning a hobby into a profession can go both ways—love it more or burn out. What advice do you have for guys stuck in a job they hate, eyeing that leap?
Bobby Maximus: Quit today—life’s too short to grind for someone else’s dream. But here’s the catch: it’s way harder than you think. Not everyone gets paid for their passion—you’ve got to hustle, build it from scratch. And you’ll sacrifice: maybe a shittier car, a smaller place, less cash flow. Your paycheck becomes love, not dollars. If you’re ready for that, go all in. I did, and it worked, but it’s not a fairy tale.
MLM: What’s your relationship with money?
Bobby Maximus: I want more, but not to be some asshole flaunting it. Take Andy Frisella—he’s got dope cars because he loves them, not to flex. That’s cool. But the guy buying a Ferrari just to feel superior? I can’t stand that. I’ve got a chip on my shoulder about those types. Money’s a tool—I’d rather use it for what matters than wave it around like a status symbol.
MLM: How do you pick brands or people to partner with—what’s your vetting process?
Bobby Maximus: Authenticity first—do they live what they preach? Take 1st Phorm: Andy, Sal, Jason—they’re real people, and their supplements are top-tier. Same with Ten Thousand—best menswear, stand-up team. Lalo Tactical, VRB Labs, Earn Your Booze—all run by solid humans with killer products. Money matters, but only if those first two boxes are checked. I’d put all those owners in a room together—they’d vibe because they’re cut from the same cloth.
MLM: What gets you out of your comfort zone? I saw something about climbing—true?
Bobby Maximus: Heights, snakes, and water—if I can’t see my toes, I’m out. Climbing freaks me out; every brush against my leg in the ocean’s a shark. I’ve got my limits—every hero’s got a kryptonite.
MLM: You’re always on—two lifts a day, dad life, husband life, Instagram. Do you ever shut it down or take a break?
Bobby Maximus: Nah, I don’t need to—I’m living my authentic self. Why take a day off from a life I love? If I wasn’t doing this for work, I’d still train twice a day—it’s me. Instagram? I’d be on it anyway—memes, sports clips, funny shit like a baby sleeping on a dog—that’s my jam. Kids, sauna, training—it’s not a grind, it’s fun. I don’t need to “turn off” what fuels me.
MLM: Have you tweaked your approach—training, recovery, anything—as you’ve aged, thinking longevity?
Bobby Maximus: Two big shifts: One, I’m unapologetic about my life. My kids might crash a podcast or seminar—deal with it or I’m out. I won’t dress up or play nice to fit your mold either. Saves me mental energy. Two, I prioritize myself—eight to nine hours of sleep, sauna, recovery boots, meditation. No late nights or eating crap to please someone else. If I keep that foundation, I don’t need to tweak much—I’m built for the long haul.
MLM: What’s the husband-wife dynamic like for you and your wife?
Bobby Maximus: It’s like anyone’s marriage—ups, downs, evolution. Not every day’s roses and romance; it’s a partnership. Kids change it—sleepless nights when they’re young, empty nest later. You’re not the same people you were at the start, and that’s fine. Mutual respect keeps it solid. No big secret—just real life.
MLM: What’s something no one ever asks you that you wish they would?
Bobby Maximus: Sports and fun shit—like, “What do you think of the Lakers this year?” or “How’s the new Power season?” I’m a basketball nut, love music, dig shows like Raising Kanan—ask me that! People hit me with “What’s the one food to eat?” or “How do I bench more?” when they haven’t trained in months. I’m good at fitness, sure, but I’d love to geek out on reggae, Jada Kiss, or a trade rumor instead.
MLM: Your stories—soundtracks, family glimpses—bring a human side. Why share that stuff?
Bobby Maximus: It’s who I am—lets people in. I’m not faking it; you can’t sustain a facade 24/7. I’ll post a killer chicken sandwich or my kid with a Captain America shield because it’s real—fun, messy, me. People connect to that over some polished act. Plus, I’d rather train next to someone I’d share a meal with—makes the grind better.
