The Reach Out: Jim Trotter
The NFL Network reporter was not a fan of the stationary bike, but "I connected with the Peloton....it was my escape from reality," he says.
Jim Trotter is a reporter with NFL Media where he serves in various capacities with the NFL Network and NFL.com.
His previous roles include covering the NFL for ESPN, where he reported on several important stories of social justice and player activism. Trotter also worked as a senior writer for Sports Illustrated, and spent 18 years with The San Diego Union-Tribune as both a national NFL columnist and the San Diego Chargers beat writer.
A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee, Trotter is the author of two books, Junior Seau: Overcoming The Odds, and Junior Seau: The Life and Death of a Football Icon, and is currently co-writing a book with Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.
I reached out to Jim Trotter to ask how he keeps active and in shape.
Is exercise and fitness an important part of your life?
I never really thought of myself as being out of shape until a few years ago, when I tried on a pair of pants and couldn’t button them. I was also suddenly having trouble buttoning my blazers.
I knew the clothes had not shrunk, which meant I must have grown. It’s funny how life sneaks up on you. I compare it to cutting your lawn. You don’t notice the grass growing back; you just notice that one day it needs mowing again.
I never noticed my waistline growing; I just noticed that I couldn’t fit my clothes anymore. That left me with two choices: purchase new clothes or get myself to a gym.
My friend, Shawn Walchef, had been nudging me to join him at the Muay Thai gym he attended. I wanted to go, but felt a bit self conscious because I knew I could not keep up. But I took the plunge into the deep end, and each time I thought I was going under, someone pulled me up.
I began taking strength and conditioning classes several times a week and, and after my conditioning improved, I took up jiu jitsu classes at the same gym. I loved it. I knew I felt better, but didn’t think I looked all that different from when I first joined. Then came the revelation: the before-and-after picture.
My instructors would take photos at the end of each class and post them on social media. When I looked at them one day, the difference was striking. I actually posted them side by side and couldn’t believe the difference. Then I stepped onto a scale. Never one to measure my health by my weight, I had gone from 205 pounds to 175 pounds. Crazy!
Wow! That’s impressive. So have your exercise habits changed since COVID began?
Just when I was into a routine and feeling good, the pandemic hit and the gym was forced to close. Talk about a kidney punch. We tried to do some of the classes virtually, but it was not the same, clearly.
Luckily, I had just purchased a Peloton bike for my wife — and suddenly I was riding it more than she was. Working from home, I would hop on four, five, six times a week.
No one was more shocked than I was because I previously loathed stationary bikes. I found them boring — but I connected with Peloton. It’s not a stretch to say that Peloton helped me get through the pandemic mentally and physically. It was my escape from reality, if you will.
I was accustomed to traveling every week, being in front of people, and performing interviews. That all changed because of COVID-19, and it was a struggle for me. I found myself experiencing some dark moments.
Getting on the bike, losing myself in the moment, helped me deal with it. The next thing I knew, my pants size had decreased by three and then four inches. I actually had to purchase all new clothes because nothing fit — this time because they were too big. It looked like I was an adolescent wearing my father’s suits.
Now, I try to ride at least three or four times a week. When traveling, I use the app to do strength and conditioning classes to hold me over until I get home. I’ll also do some jogging on the treadmill or outdoors when I’m on the road.
I don’t always feel like working out, but I force myself because, if there’s one thing I’ve learned over time, it’s that missing one day makes it easier to miss the next day, which makes it easier to miss the next day. Before you know it, a day becomes a week, a week becomes a month, and fitness becomes a thing of the past.
Do you work out at a specific time each day?
I’m more of an afternoon, early evening exerciser when home. My mornings are spent walking and feeding my dog. I also don’t like to exercise on an empty stomach, so the schedule allows me to have breakfast.
Do you wear an Apple watch or FitBit to keep aware of your steps and sitting?
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned the importance of movement and not sitting all day. To that end, I purchased an electric desk that can be raised and lowered. It allows me to work standing or seated.
While you’re exercising, do you watch the news, or listen to podcasts or music?
I have the television on in the background, but I really don’t watch it closely. I try to be in the moment with the Peloton instructors.
How do you think we can encourage young people to be more active?
One way is to make exercise more fun. They shouldn’t view it as drudgery or punishment. Play games that require movement.
Is there something or someone that motivates you to exercise regularly?
I feel you have to exercise for yourself. I believe that’s the only way you can be consistent with it.
One more thing: You have to listen to your body. When I first got on Peloton, I found myself competing with the leader board, pushing to finish higher, working to get personal bests — but that’s not sustainable. I now listen to my body. If I put in a hard day on Monday, I’m unlikely to push as hard on Tuesday. I might take a recovery ride or an endurance ride. I’ll remove the leader board to keep from slipping into competitor mode.
Is there a sport or fitness program that you think you’d like to try one day?
I’m open to most anything. Paddle boarding is on my list. I’ve found that I can’t do jiu jitsu as much as I’d like because my body simply doesn’t recover as quickly at my age (58). I love golf, and I’ve tried to incorporate more walks around the course rather than using a motorized cart.
Maintaining a consistent exercise routine is clearly very important to Jim Trotter, no matter how busy he gets. I admire how motivated he is to be active, stay active, and even try something new.
Thank you, @JimTrotter_NFL
To read about how other familiar faces keep fit active and fit, please subscribe (it’s free!).😀
Please share The Reach Out on social media.😀
Please follow me on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/The_Reach_Out
👍👍😎