Issue No. 41: Mental Fitness - The Overlooked Muscle That Needs Training Too

May 22, 2025

In partnership with

Good Morning! Welcome to this week’s edition of Morning Cowbell. Let’s take a look at the top stories and coolest trends shaping fitness and health.

💪  Mental Fitness: The Overlooked Muscle That Needs Training Too. Mental fitness is your ability to handle discomfort, stay focused, and keep going when you want to quit. It's not about being born tough. It's about building resilience through repeated exposure to challenging experiences.

IN THIS ISSUE:
1. Grip Strength Might Just Predict If You’ll Hit 100
2. Ab Myths: What’s Really Blocking Your Six-Pack
3. Trail Titans: Ultimate GORE-TEX® Boots
4. Injury-Proofing the Future of Sports
5. Why Runners Should Deadlift

🐄 🐄 🐄 — John, Nolan and Josh

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now

Grip Strength Might Just Predict if You’ll Hit 100

Your path to a longer life might just be in the palm of your hand. Literally. How a simple squeeze test could be your new favorite health hack.

  • The big picture: Grip strength is emerging as a star predictor of overall health and how long you’ll live. Scientists have linked weaker grip strength to a higher risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even dementia. It's also a marker of “biological age,” meaning it reflects how well your body is holding up compared to your calendar age. In fact, it's considered so reliable that researchers are increasingly using it as a proxy for full-body strength and health in large-scale studies. Testing your grip strength can be done with simple tools - or even DIY methods. While the gold standard is a dynamometer (used in clinical settings), you can still get a decent sense of your grip health at home using a stress ball or tennis ball. The best news? You can train and improve your grip strength, no matter your age. Improve grip by carrying heavy grocery bags, doing pull-ups or kettlebell swings, or even just regularly using hand grippers.

  • The verdict: A strong grip isn't just handy for opening jars - it's a key indicator of your overall health and longevity, making that tennis ball your new best friend in the quest for a longer, healthier life.

Ab Myths: What’s Really Blocking Your Six-Pack

Your six-pack may be hiding not behind fat, but behind fake fitness facts - let's debunk some ab nonsense.

  • The big picture: Myth 1: More Is Better. Training your abs every day isn't the golden ticket to a six-pack. Like all muscles, your abs need rest to grow. Overtraining can lead to muscle deterioration rather than development. Myth 2: Working Your Abs Burns Belly Fat. Spot reduction is a myth. Doing endless ab exercises won't specifically burn belly fat. A combination of proper nutrition, strength training, and cardio is the effective approach to fat loss. Myth 3: Aesthetic & Functional Training Are Mutually Exclusive. You don't have to choose between looking good and being functionally strong. A well-designed program can help you achieve both aesthetic appeal and functional fitness. Myth 4: Everyone Has a Six-Pack Under Their Belly Fat. Genetics play a significant role in the appearance of your abs. Not everyone has the same muscle structure, so the number and symmetry of visible abs can vary from person to person.

  • The verdict: Chasing abs shouldn't mean chasing myths. If you're working smart, fueling right, and embracing your body's unique blueprint, you're already way ahead of the crunch-counting crowd.

Offtrail Hike LT Mid GORE-TEX Boots

Trail Titans: Ultimate GORE-TEX Boots

Ready to conquer the wild without sacrificing comfort or style? The Offtrail Hike LT Mid GORE-TEX® Boots have got your back (and your feet).

  • The big picture: Built for the Unpredictable: Designed to handle technical and unpredictable terrains, these boots are perfect for both on-trail and off-trail adventures. Comfort Meets Durability: With features like a reinforced heel cup, comfort-padded collar, and tongue, they ensure long-distance comfort on multi-day hikes. Eco-Conscious Design: The SURFACE CTRL™ rubber outsole is made with 20% rubber from smallholder farmers committed to agroforestry principles, reflecting a step towards sustainable practices.

  • The verdict: The Offtrail Hike LT Mid GORE-TEX® Boots are a great choice for hikers seeking a blend of durability, comfort, and eco-conscious design, making them a worthy companion for your next adventure.

You’re doing breakfast wrong

Let’s face it—most breakfast options just don’t cut it.

Toast? Too light. Cereal? Mostly sugar. Skipping it altogether? Not ideal.

If you want real fuel to power your day, it’s time to upgrade to Huel Black Edition. This ready-in-seconds shake is packed with 40g of plant-based protein, 27 essential vitamins & minerals, and 0 artificial sweeteners—just science-backed nutrition to support your muscles, digestion, and more.

Oh, and did we mention? It’s delicious.

Right now, first-time customers get 15% off, plus a free t-shirt and shaker with code HUELSPRING, for orders over $75.

Injury-Proofing the Future of Sports

By analyzing movement patterns, Dr. Elliott aims to prevent injuries before they occur, much like how we now prevent heart attacks with early interventions.

  • The big picture: Traditional sports medicine often swoops in after something breaks. But Dr. Elliott flips that model on its head. He treats movement like a diagnostic tool, believing that the way you walk, jump, or pivot reveals future injury risks - kind of like a body-language whisperer for your joints. Instead of responding to a torn hamstring, he asks: What if we could see it coming and stop it cold? At P3 (Peak Performance Project), Elliott uses high-tech wizardry—motion-capture systems, force plates, and biomechanical analysis - to track an athlete’s every move. It's like a lie detector test for your limbs. By comparing an athlete’s data against thousands of others, P3 identifies patterns and asymmetries that most coaches and trainers would miss. This lets them customize training plans to shore up weaknesses before they become full-blown injuries.

  • The verdict: Abbott’s deep dive into Dr. Marcus Elliott’s pioneering work at P3 makes one thing clear: the future of sports medicine isn’t about fixing broken athletes - it’s about never breaking them in the first place. Prevention is the new MVP.

Why Runners Should Deadlift

Who says runners and barbells don't mix? Matthew Pearce from TrainingPeaks makes a compelling case for why runners should embrace deadlifts.

  • The big picture: Alignment Advantage: Deadlifts train runners to hinge at the hips and align the trunk with knees and feet, mirroring proper running form and enhancing propulsion. Knee Pain Prevention: By strengthening the posterior chain, glutes and hamstrings, deadlifts help correct quad dominance, reducing the risk of knee pain and patellar tracking issues. Endurance Enhancement: Deadlifting promotes scapular rotation and upper body strength, aiding in maintaining upright posture and efficient breathing during long runs.

  • The verdict: Incorporating deadlifts into your training can be a game-changer for runners, offering improved form, injury prevention, and enhanced endurance - all in a fun and time-efficient package.

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now