#50 Lawrence Grieve: Identity & Bodybuilding, from the stage to ultra running

The latest episode of Beyond The Muscle is now live on YouTube, Spotify & Apple podcasts.This was my 50th episode and I had the pleasure of chatting with Lawrence Grieve.Lawrence put out a post recently stating that he’s taking a step away from competing in bodybuilding, and the mature and transparent way he approached this really resonated with me.In the chat we discuss Lawrence’s bodybuilding journey, how large a part of one’s identity bodybuilding should take up, his decision to take a step away from competing and why it was the right decision, his transition to ultra running and more.This was a thoroughly enjoyable chat and one I’m sure you’ll get some real value from.Make sure you’re following Beyond the Muscle on YouTube and Spotify and give Lawrence a follow too.Timestamps…00:00 Introduction & Lawrence’s Bodybuilding Background01:57 Star Wars, Andor & Storytelling04:50 Why Lawrence Stepped Away from Competitive Bodybuilding10:31 Losing Passion for Training & Contest Prep14:13 Identity Beyond Bodybuilding18:36 Obsession, Balance & Other Interests21:23 Is Bodybuilding Inherently Monotonous?23:36 From Bodybuilding to Ultramarathon Training26:58 Running Injuries, Adaptation & Patience30:41 Does Being a Bodybuilder Help or Hurt Running?35:15 Running vs Weight Training for Mental Clarity38:18 Meditation, Faith & Managing Modern Distractions42:23 Mental Health, Complexity & the Human Mind44:34 Transferable Skills from Bodybuilding47:18 Advice for Bodybuilders Considering a New Path51:42 Quickfire Questions52:50 Arsenal FC, Football & the World Cup55:39 Advice to a Younger Self58:00 Final Thoughts & Outro