Photo courtesy of Paper Airplanes Photography
All photos courtesy of Justin Martindale
Not necessarily towards me but yes, in general. I was working on a game show and the creator said to my face that there were no such thing as gay comedians. I was blown away. Considering I was one, right in front of his dumb, rich face. I’ve experienced it on a comedy lineup getting bumped for straight male comics because “THEY CRUSH!!!” only to watch them crash and burn, and then I’m left to clean up for sure.
When Justin started establishing his personality behind and in front of the camera, his gay contemporaries like Ross Mathews and Guy Branum were being put on TV with monikers like “token gay guy,” the “ambassador of gay,” and even the “gay intern.” Though Justin’s sexuality wasn’t a secret, he escaped being pigeonholed as just the “gay guy.”
Escaped. Great word [laughs], I mean, there’s room for everyone. I just got sucked into primarily straight comedy clubs. I was performing with the big boys and girls nightly and wasn’t used as a prop for straight comics to exploit as a caricature. I always wanted to be myself and not what Hollywood wanted me to be. I like being a little rougher around the edges.
Although not the token gay guy, his comedy has evolved to encompass more of his life.
Honestly, it has gotten gayer. Not in a “Who’s on Grindr? Bottoms am I right?” sort of way but rather me just embracing my voice. I’m more confident on stage now and I use my time to maybe educate people’s percep -
to their rightful place. Hey, just think you are getting even more of a workout. Finally, use the machine or piece of equipment it is supposed to be used for. No, you are not cool doing bicep curls in the squat rack and using the smith machine for a leg press, that is just asking to be hurt when the bar comes crashing down.
Now, social etiquette of the gym. No, and I mean no yelling. There is no need. People are going to watch you not for the fact that you are lifting so much weight that you have to scream like a banshee, they are going to watch you cause you are that Costco size tool that is making a scene and making them uncomfortable. Next, wear appropriate clothing. What’s with the shirts cut in the arm pit all the way down to the waist? What a waste! You do not see your muscles more than if the shirt was a regular cut. All you did was take away the extra material that was soaking up your sweat and preventing it from dripping everywhere.
Fitness Tip: Want to be left alone during your workout and not get hit on or interrupted for small talk? Put headphones on/in, put your head lower to avoid eye contact and lift away with a mission.
Supplements
Another massive new year’s sale is supplements. Weight loss pills and protein powder is the number one sold item in every supplemental nutrition shop. Supplements are marked up from 30-70 percent. To bring this into more of a reality, something that takes one dollar to make and not even regulated by the Food and Drug Administration is sold to the consumer for at least thirty dollars. Number one, you do not need supplements; food will always be your best option for nutrients. Supplements are made to supplement, meaning that it is a last resort because you do not have the option. Now if you choose to purchase supplements there are many sources to purchase them at a lesser marked up cost, Costco, the internet, or you can always ask the supplement nutrition shop for a discount. Ask them, they will give you a discount.
Food preparation
You want to win a war? Strategy is key. Let me clue you in on something you should already know… eating clean and
healthy is hard. The population of America fights a constant war with unhealthy food choices. Why is it harder to find healthier sources of eating than healthy sources? The battle is real, the unhealthy food war is continuous, and it can be won. Prepare and you will win.
Unless you are dead and not on Instagram, you will see that “food prep” is a very popular post. Food preparation is multiple meals prepared in proper portion containers for convenience and quick access. It gives you the time to fit in your meals when time is of the essence. You’re less likely to skip a meal or eat out when your food is already waiting for you. Take it out and heat it up! POW!
Now there many ways to accomplish your goal of a successful food preparation week to week, either you cook it yourself or you purchase meals prepared from many of the companies out there in the market. Carrying your food may become an issue, so bags that the companies provide can be used or a specific food case can be bought, such as the 6 Pack Bag.
What’s in your food prep is very important. All macronutrients and micronutrients should be catered to for your specific needs and goals. It is great to love potatoes, but love must be shown to the meat and veggies as well. Keep changing your meals up with a lot of variety. The point of meal prepping is to keep it fresh. Eating the same meal over and over again will lead to cheating, defeating the whole purpose of preparation.
The success of all diets is the plan and the execution. Food preparation is not a diet, it is an eating lifestyle. You are making your food adapt to you, not you adapting to your food like a diet will do or worse eating out at a restaurant. Live your life on your rules, on your terms, with your eating schedule to fit your life. Now prep and fight back!
Fitness Tip: Prepare your food on Sundays so your food is fresh and ready for the week!
Fitness is already a challenge. The key to fitness success is taking some of the nonsensical challenges out of the equation. Take away the excuse. No excuses, it is 2023!
By Ethan Laird
