California-born Neal Maddox was into sports from a young age. In high school, he broke weightlifting records. And in college, he became an NFL player and training coach.
But, it wasn’t all blue skies for Neal. During his time as an NFL player, he suffered from numerous injuries. Although the NFL was his ultimate dream, the injuries forced him to abandon it, and start a new chapter in his life – CrossFit.
This is his story:
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Athlete Statistics
| Weight | 215 – 225lbs (93.0 – 102.1kg) |
| Height | 5’10” (177.5cm) |
| Age | 47 |
| Date of Birth | October 27, 1977 |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | CrossFit Athlete, Trainer, Entrepreneur |
| Era | 2010 |
Accomplishments
Benchmark Stats
- Back Squat – 510lbs
- Snatch – 295lbs
- Clean & Jerk – 353lbs
- Deadlift – 505lbs
- Fight Gone Bad – 505
- Max Pull-Ups – 60
- Grace – 1:35
- Helen – 7:45
- Fran – 2:04
- Sprint 400m – 1:01
- Filthy 50 – 14:34
CrossFit Games
| 2018 | 1st | Men (40-44) |
| 2017 | 2nd | Men (35-39) |
| 2015 | 39th | Individual Men |
| 2014 | 15th | Individual Men |
| 2013 | 9th | Individual Men |
| 2012 | 20th | Individual Men |
Biography
Sports and Records
Neal Maddox has always had that innate passion for sports in him. During school and all the way through college, he was one of the top athletes in his teams.
Neal held most of the lifting records, and naturally, this made him popular amongst his peers who asked him for training advice.
Before he knew it, Neal’s passion for coaching was born.
Training
CrossFit athletes like Neal mainly train in the gym, but also do other types of exercises. These include cardio, HIIT, and other drills typical to CrossFitters.
To build raw strength and size, Neal will focus on heavy and compound lifts. As these exercises are very time-efficient, Neal can easily finish an entire workout in less than 60 minutes. However, it’s not unusual for him to train over 3 hours per day when preparing for a CrossFit contest.
Recovery
As he became more experienced in the matters of physical training, Neal started to prioritize his recovery more and more. Getting 7-8 hours of sleep per night, taking more time off between sets, and stretching are just some of the ways he gives his body room to breathe.
“I get 6-8 hours of sleep a night. If I can’t sleep good at night, then I take a nap during the day. I know how to shut off my mind and let my body rest. It’s a very crucial part of the recovery process, especially now since I’m older.” – Neal Maddox
Nutrition
Not Shying Away From Carbs
Neal doesn’t follow any specific diet. Instead, in his words, “I eat to train.”
As someone who works out for up to several hours per day, Neal needs those carbs, fats, proteins, and as he says, “extra carbs.”
Due to the sheer volume and intensity of his training, he burns through just about anything he eats.
Neal says that he knows people who are strict with their diets, but he is the opposite. Being a part-Italian he loves pasta and loads on carbs every day. As long as he gets an abundance of energy from what he eats, that’s all that matters for Neal. And looking at his physique, this approach certainly works for him.
Idols and Influences
Neal is influenced by making an impact on others, and by witnessing his own transformation in the mirror.
Growing up, Neal says he had nothing. He had to work hard to earn the success he now enjoys. For Neal, the prize is fantastic, but it’s the process and hard work that keeps the fire ignited inside of him.
What we can learn from Neal Maddox
If there’s something to learn from Neal Maddox, it would be the good old fashioned “hard work.” According to Neal, that’s the only true secret to success. He says he had nothing going for him except his ability to “work my ass off” day in and day out.
The lesson we can take away from his story is to give your all in everything you do. Another lesson is to enjoy the ride, not just the end goal. This is how you too can reach true greatness.
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