Why I Do What I Do
The reasoning behind how I approach training
This page exists to explain why I approach training the way I do.
Not as a set of rules.
Not as a universal philosophy.
But as a collection of decisions that have been shaped by experience, outcomes, and long term thinking.
A lot of what I do in training looks simple on the surface.
Sometimes it looks conservative.
Sometimes it looks different to what people expect.
There are reasons for that.
This page is where I explain them.
What this content is actually about
Each “Why I Do What I Do” entry focuses on a specific choice, principle, or boundary in how I approach training.
Things like:
• Why I prioritise structure over intensity
• Why I don’t chase fatigue as a signal of effectiveness
• Why I adjust training based on life load
• Why consistency matters more than perfect weeks
• Why restraint often produces better long term results
These aren’t opinions pulled out of thin air.
They are decisions that came from seeing what works, what breaks people, and what actually holds up over time.
Why I explain this at all
Most people don’t struggle with training because they lack discipline.
They struggle because they don’t understand why certain approaches work better at different stages.
When you don’t understand the reasoning, sensible decisions can feel wrong.
Pulling back can feel like quitting.
Adjusting can feel like failure.
This content exists to remove that confusion.
How to use this section
You don’t need to read everything here.
These pieces are designed to be reference points you can come back to when something doesn’t quite make sense yet.
Read them when
• A decision feels counterintuitive
• Training feels easier than expected
• You’re unsure whether to push or hold back
• You want to understand the thinking behind the structure
They’re here to support judgement, not override it.
How this fits into the wider system
This section sits alongside the rest of the MHR ecosystem.
• Training systems show what to do
• Performance Literacy explains how adaptation works
• These pieces explain why certain choices are made
Together, they give you clarity without pressure.
A final note
You don’t need to agree with everything here.
You don’t need to train the same way I do.
If understanding the reasoning behind these decisions helps you make better choices for yourself, then this section has done its job.
Browse the “Why I Do What I Do” entries
Each entry below explores one idea in more depth.
They can be read in any order.
When Life Took Over And What I Learned
Why I’m Not Perfect With My Nutrition
Why I Don’t Solely Rely on Motivation
Training Hard Without Context Often Delays Progress
Why I Do Not Train Hard Just Because I Can
Not Wasting Effort With Limited Training Time
Why I Adjust on the Fly Instead of Starting Over
Why I Prioritise Long Term Performance Over Short Term Gains
Why I Don’t Chase Constant Variety