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One of the most well-known figures in the fitness world started like all of us-walked into the gym, not knowing what he was doing. In this exclusive SQUAD show, Obi tells you how a shy kid who hates sports can find a love for fitness in real life.

Obi Vincent is one of the greatest people in the fitness world. Yes, in terms of his 970,000 followers on Instagram and 650,000 YouTube subscribers, all these subscribers are inspired by his exercise, training philosophy, and honesty of his thoughts, feelings and struggles . But also considering his physical mass.

However, he is not always a walking muscle freezer. In this exclusive chat, Obi tells you how an overweight young man who hates sports and exercise can go too far before discovering that diversity will make him happy and healthy throughout his life.

Men's Health: What were the reasons for your initial interest in fitness and exercise?

Obi Vincent: I was a little overweight when I was growing up, so I was not that active. I just noticed that I became overweight, and I always managed to get rid of school sports and exercise. When I was 19 and 18 years old, someone made fun of my weight. I don't look obese, but in terms of my size, I am really too big. But that was the opportunity for me to start my fitness journey.

I used to just go out for a run. I mean, I know the "gym", but ironically, I didn't really get into it. So, I just became a runner and had a great year, losing a lot of weight. I started running with about 100 kg and then dropped to 85 kg. I will always remember this because it is the lightest one for me. I used to wear XL or XXL, and then I wore medium. My waist is 38, and I wear 34. I am really happy.

Obviously, I no longer fit 34 yards, which is interesting. I am back to XL and XXL tops! I also have a hoodie that I wore when I was 16/17. It was XXL. It now fits perfectly again. I kept it as a reminder of the weight I lost, but now it fits again.

MH: Most people start with A-B, but you lose weight and then regain muscles. Out of interest, how much is it now?

OV: I just weighed a few days ago. My weight is 113 kg, which is heavier than when I was overweight. But obviously a very different body shape.

MH: After running successfully, what made you finally walk into the gym?

OV: I became more confident and I found a new job. After get off work we went to a bar where there was a big guy. I really like WWE wrestling and I have been thinking "How can there be so many muscles in the body?". I thought it was impossible. But there was someone standing there, and I asked him how he got so big. He gave me all the answers we are used to now: go to the gym and make sure your diet is correct...

This is the first time I have considered going to the gym. I am an introvert. Even though I have started to get out of my shell, it is a huge challenge to enter the gym, to walk into a place where you don't know what you are doing. At that time I was too shy to ask questions. So when I walked in, I was completely at a loss. I don't know what to do, I don't know what these machines are.

MH: How long did you spend in the gym feeling more comfortable?

OV: After a while, I will observe what people are doing, and then I will copy them. The people there are obviously healthier and I don't want to get in the way, so I'm always in the corner. I finally started to see the results; I could see my biceps and chest getting bigger and bigger. I was like'Okay! This is effective. But it took more than a few months. It's more like half a year. The first two or three months were speculations, and my thoughts were zero.

MH: But you keep going. What makes you persevere when so many people are willing to give up?

OV: Actually, I like training. I am scared and shy, but that is the psychological aspect of the matter. I really like the physical aspect. So, even though I don’t know what I’m doing, I like everything I do. My motivation is to want to look in a certain way, you know? I want to look like The Rock. I think I have to do this because I want to look like a WWE wrestler. I didn't realize this at the time, but I was setting a goal for myself.

A few years later, I decided to become a second-level fitness trainer. I realized that you can actually work in fitness. I want to be a personal trainer, but think I should work in the gym first. My training level has improved because I am in the gym every day. Another PT looked at me and my genes and said, "You did it all by yourself. If you have someone to help you and guide you, you can take it to a new level."

That's it. This is his idea, I never want to participate in bodybuilding shows or similar activities. But he pushed me and wrote my diet plan. I am one of those people, and if it is written down, I will follow it. If you give me a training plan and diet, I will stick to it 100%.

MH: What was the first diet plan like?

OV: Actually, this is terrible. Very basic: rice, broccoli, chicken. Everything is calculated and weighed, and snacks are rarely eaten. Always in a deficit state, aerobic exercise. Not pleasant at all. I eat six small meals a day. This is an ordeal. I did my first performance and didn't find it interesting to pose in front of and beside other people. I am not a stage person. Then I did it three more times and realized that I really, really don't like it.

MH: Your training does look very different now, with more functionality and training inspired by CrossFit? How did you find the way?

OV: This is actually a challenge. A videographer I knew lived near where I lived in Clapham, and asked me if I wanted to make a "CrossFit vs Bodybuilding" video. I will fight against other people, we will do some CrossFit things, and then some bodybuilding exercises. I think this is very interesting, so I thought I would try it. About three years ago, I was a little bored with my training method. This is all about aesthetics, and I desperately need to change.

Apart from all the bad rumors, I know nothing about CrossFit. But I entered it and thought it would be an interesting video. This is really interesting. But it also opened my eyes because of my poor health. So, this makes me re-evaluate what I classify as "appropriate". Yes, I look great, but I don’t have an engine or aerobic capacity, you know? The exercise, which originally took about 6 minutes, took me more than 10 minutes. At that moment, I realized that I should do more conditioning and proper fitness.

MH: Who are you against?

OV: It's Craig Rich!

MH: The programs you provide to your clients now seem to work in that "functional bodybuilding" field. To what extent is this affected by your own training?

OV: This is 100% something I am doing myself. But I also started to research other training methods. I started to use kettlebells to do more things, and more sports style strength and physical training. Many athletes train in a similar way to me—strength training but explosive power, but also physical training. I just started to incorporate all these things into my training, and now I do a mix of everything. Many people seem to like the way I train, so I think I will write a program. They started to really get involved. The way I write programs-even if I do it in a CrossFit box-they are designed to be done in a traditional gym.

MH: We often talk about the benefits of exercise for mental health. To what extent have training and fitness become part of your psychology?

OV: For me, fitness has changed my life in many ways. This is part of me. I can't imagine not doing any kind of fitness. If I am in a bad mood today, I will go to the gym to train. If I have a good day, I will go to the gym to exercise. Some exercises are not always what you want. But I always feel good because I went.

For me, this has always been an escape. In the more than ten years of my training, there are some places that have started to affect my psychology. Especially when I am working out. I became more concerned about my appearance than about my health. It's not so much about going to the gym to enjoy training, it's about my "aesthetic". I always compare my body with others.

I think this is what changed the way I train. I fell into the routine and had a negative attitude towards myself. Everyone will tell me that I look great, but at the back of my head, I feel that certain parts of my body are not big enough or too big.

At that time I realized that it was affecting me in a negative way, which is not the point of fitness.

MH: What advice would you give to people who want to increase their training but find a happy medium?

OV: I think as long as the goals you set are realistic. It is easy to set unrealistic goals, especially in terms of your body and health. I always tell people to ask themselves "Do I like this?" If your answer is not a direct "yes", you may need to change something. We are told that we must "endure hardship" and endure boring eating because it is worth it. But I don't believe it anymore. I don't take Tupperware to restaurants.

Also make your goals specific. How do you make sure that you are moving towards it. We have only one body and one life, so the best investment you can make is in you and your health. If you can afford it, hire a personal trainer for several courses.

Make sure you have fun too. Some days will not be so good, that's good. However, if you have been awake, have to drag yourself to the gym, and eat in a mess-this is not a good sign. If it feels too torturous all the time, then it might be like this.

If I had not tried CrossFit, I would not change, I would still be stuck in that rut. Be open to new things and you will find that you will not give up. Train for life, not train for life. I will do these things when I am in my sixties. When I ride a bicycle, I will see people in their 50s and 60s on the road. Put that variety in. It will make your fitness more enjoyable.