Why I Shifted from Bodybuilding to a Hybrid Athlete Approach
For years, my training was rooted in the classic bodybuilding model. I lived for the grind: high-volume sets, the pursuit of the perfect pump, meticulous split routines, and the endless cycles of bulking and cutting. I carried a lot of muscle—more than most people walking into any gym. That was the mission: to be big, symmetrical, and sculpted. I chased strength, aesthetics, and the intensity that comes with being locked into that world. And truthfully, I loved it. I loved walking into a room and having my presence felt. I loved the structure, the discipline, and the way bodybuilding taught me to push through discomfort and dial in every detail—nutrition, rest, reps, mindset.
But over time, I started to notice the wear. The pump didn’t feel as rewarding. My recovery time lengthened. My joints felt stiffer, my energy fluctuated, and I found myself fighting through more inflammation than ever. I was constantly bloated, inflamed, and heavy—not just physically, but mentally too.
As someone living with myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder, that inflammation wasn’t just background noise—it was a full-on threat to my daily function. Myasthenia gravis weakens the communication between nerves and muscles, causing fatigue, weakness, and impaired mobility. Managing it requires precision and care, but I was throwing gasoline on the fire with the way I was training. My immune system already struggled to distinguish what to attack, and I was making the fight harder with every overreached training cycle and every stress-induced cortisol spike.
My body was constantly stuck in recovery mode. Instead of bouncing back from workouts, I was dragging through them. Instead of feeling energized and dialed in, I was feeling sluggish, foggy, and disconnected. And perhaps worst of all, I wasn’t enjoying it anymore. I was checking boxes, not chasing purpose.
It wasn’t a sudden breakdown. It was a slow erosion of vitality, performance, and passion. But it was enough to make me stop and say: this isn’t sustainable.
That’s when I knew something had to change.
Bodybuilding Built My Foundation
There’s no doubt: bodybuilding built me. It gave me structure and grit. It taught me what it means to commit to something day in and day out. In my early years, bodybuilding helped me shape not just my body, but my mindset. The attention to detail, the nutritional focus, the goal setting—these were life lessons I still carry with me.
But that style of training was designed to create size and symmetry, not necessarily health or athletic function. I was training to sculpt, not to move. Over time, the inflammation crept in. My recovery slowed. My joints constantly ached. And worse, my energy dipped in ways that no pre-workout or diet tweak could fix.
As I dug into the research and paid closer attention to how I felt, the connection between chronic inflammation, autoimmune flare-ups, and high-volume hypertrophy-style training became painfully obvious.
The Inflammation-Autoimmune Connection
Chronic inflammation isn’t just a side effect of hard training—it’s a systemic, body-wide alarm bell. In the bodybuilding world, chronic inflammation can sneak in under the radar because it’s normalized: aching joints, bloated guts, disrupted sleep, mood swings. But when you stack inflammation on top of an autoimmune disorder like myasthenia gravis, it’s like stacking weights on a crumbling foundation.
Traditional bodybuilding programs, especially those involving heavy loads, high training volumes, bulking phases with excessive caloric intake, and minimal cardio, are notorious for creating the perfect storm for inflammation. Add poor sleep—often triggered by excessive central nervous system stimulation and elevated cortisol—and you’ve got a cocktail for systemic breakdown.
In my personal experience, this wasn’t just muscle soreness that would resolve in 48 hours:
C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were chronically elevated, a clear biomarker of internal inflammation.
I experienced more frequent flare-ups of profound fatigue and neuromuscular weakness—hallmarks of myasthenia gravis exacerbation.
Digestive issues worsened, likely due to inflammation impairing gut function, leading to less nutrient absorption and higher systemic stress.
Sleep quality plummeted, with disrupted deep sleep and higher resting heart rate, making true recovery impossible.
Scientific literature backs what I felt firsthand: when systemic inflammation rises, autoimmune symptoms intensify. Pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-alpha and interleukin-6 are elevated, oxidative stress increases, and the immune system’s regulation capacity deteriorates—all contributing to muscle weakness, brain fog, and metabolic dysfunction.
Every "gains" session I was chasing was silently stealing from my long-term vitality.
I finally saw it clearly: maintaining a body built purely for mass and aesthetics was costing me the one thing you can never get back—true health and quality of life.
Becoming a Hybrid Athlete: The Shift
I didn’t want to stop training. That thought alone was unimaginable. Training is in my DNA. But I needed to evolve—to train smarter, not just harder.
I embraced the hybrid athlete mentality: an approach that combines strength, endurance, mobility, and resilience. It’s not about maxing out any one attribute. It’s about raising the floor across every domain of fitness and building a body that’s capable, not just aesthetic.
Instead of asking, "How much can I lift?" I started asking, "How well can I move, recover, and perform across the board?"
My New Pillars Became:
Strength Training for Function and Longevity I shifted my weightlifting philosophy toward functional compound movements—deadlifts, squats, pulls, and presses—with an emphasis on clean form and quality over sheer volume. Instead of chasing the heaviest set, I started chasing how efficiently and powerfully I could move weight with the least amount of systemic cost.
Aerobic Development through Zone 2 Cardio Zone 2 training became a non-negotiable. Long, low-intensity sessions—running, biking, hiking—designed to build mitochondrial density, support fat metabolism, and dramatically improve cardiovascular efficiency. Building an "engine" isn’t glamorous, but it is essential for health and longevity.
Anaerobic Conditioning High-intensity intervals (HIIT) helped me maintain fast-twitch muscle fiber recruitment and improve VO2 max. Short, sharp bursts of sprinting, sled pushes, or assault bike sprints challenged my anaerobic threshold without overwhelming my nervous system.
Mobility and Joint Health Prioritization I started treating mobility work with the same seriousness as strength work. Daily dynamic warm-ups, dedicated mobility circuits, and corrective exercises now anchor my training. Healthy joints are the foundation of long-term athleticism.
Recovery as a Priority, Not an Afterthought Sleep hygiene, active recovery days, strategic breathwork, cold plunges, and anti-inflammatory nutrition became as crucial as any squat or sprint session. Recovery isn’t passive anymore; it’s an active part of my protocol.
Here’s What I Changed in Practice:
Reduced Training Volume and Increased Intensity More compound lifts, lower reps, cleaner movement patterns, and less overall wear-and-tear.
Shorter Lifting Sessions No more marathon sessions. Now I’m in and out of the gym in 30–45 minutes, focused and efficient.
Integrated Zone 2 Cardio Three to four days a week of aerobic base-building: steady runs, cycling, rucking.
Added Interval Training (HIIT) Two days a week of sprint work or intervals to maintain metabolic flexibility and athletic explosiveness.
Leaned Down Body Mass Intentionally Dropping unnecessary mass reduced the inflammatory burden on my body and made movement more fluid and sustainable.
Dialed in Recovery Sleep, breathwork, mindfulness practices, and cold exposure became pillars of my weekly routine.
I went from being a guy who never ran more than a mile to someone logging 20+ miles a week without pain, inflammation, or dread.
And the crazy part? I feel better now in my 40s than I ever did in my 20s.
What I Gained by Letting Go
This wasn’t about giving up muscle. It was about gaining everything else: energy, resilience, longevity, freedom.
Strong isn’t just about how much weight you can lift. It’s about how you live your life every single day.
And that’s the real victory.
The Tangible Benefits
Making this transition didn’t just change how I trained—it transformed every major marker of my health and performance. The tangible, measurable improvements have been undeniable.
Lower Systemic Inflammation Blood work doesn’t lie. My C-reactive protein (CRP) levels dropped significantly, inflammatory symptoms eased, and flare-ups of myasthenia gravis became less frequent and less severe. I wake up feeling energized instead of feeling like I’m fighting through quicksand.
Better Neuromuscular Control With inflammation down, my body communicates better. Muscle contractions are smoother. Strength outputs are more consistent. I experience far less "neurological fatigue" during training, allowing me to push harder without burning out.
Improved Cardiovascular Function My resting heart rate decreased. My heart rate variability (HRV)—a key indicator of nervous system health—improved dramatically. I can now run, bike, or hike for long periods without hitting a wall. My endurance isn’t just better; it’s a whole new level of sustainable performance.
Increased Longevity Markers Metrics like blood glucose regulation, insulin sensitivity, joint mobility, and mitochondrial efficiency are all trending in the right direction. I’ve built a body that isn’t just surviving—it’s thriving with a dramatically lower risk of disease.
Improved Mental Clarity Aerobic training isn’t just for the body—it’s for the brain. Regular cardio has boosted my brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, sharpening memory, focus, and cognitive flexibility. I’m clearer, faster-thinking, and mentally more resilient.
Sustainable Body Composition I’m leaner, lighter, and more functional year-round without the brutal fluctuations of bulking and cutting cycles. My joints feel better, my digestion is smoother, and maintaining an athletic, capable frame feels almost effortless now.
The Intangible Wins
Beyond the lab markers and physical stats, there’s a deeper payoff—one that can’t be measured on a chart but is felt in every aspect of daily life.
I can play with my kid without needing to "recover." Sprinting, climbing, running around the yard—it’s not a chore anymore. It’s a joy.
I have more freedom in how I train and how I live. Training is no longer a rigid, exhausting obligation. It’s something that enhances my life, not dominates it.
My body feels like an asset again, not a liability. I move with confidence, strength, and ease. I don’t worry about "breaking down" every time I push myself.
I no longer feel like I’m at war with inflammation every day. Instead of constantly fighting my body, I work with it. There’s a deep sense of peace in that.
Myasthenia Gravis and the Bigger Picture
Living with a chronic condition like myasthenia gravis rewrites how you see health, fitness, and even ambition. Every training session, every meal, every recovery protocol becomes part of a bigger equation: "How do I keep moving forward without setting myself back?"
I’ve learned to appreciate what my body can do rather than resenting what it can’t. I don’t just look in the mirror for validation anymore; I measure success by how well I move, how clearly I think, how deeply I recover, and how consistently I can show up for the people and passions that matter to me.
This hybrid shift has allowed me to better manage my symptoms and stay ahead of the curve. I embraced foods rich in anti-inflammatory properties—wild salmon, avocado, berries, leafy greens. I structured my training to manage cortisol instead of spiking it chronically. I prioritized movement variety, breathwork, and parasympathetic recovery over rigid protocols that left me burnt out.
At the end of the day, it’s not about perfection. It’s about intention. Every choice now supports longevity, vitality, and quality of life—not just numbers on a barbell.
It’s not about chasing ego anymore. It’s about chasing life.
Final Thoughts
Bodybuilding gave me a powerful beginning. It taught me the grind, the discipline, and the value of delayed gratification. It gave me the blueprint for how to show up for myself every single day. But hybrid training gave me something even greater: a future. A sustainable future where strength, performance, and longevity can coexist.
I still train hard. I still chase progress. But now, every rep, every mile, every drop of sweat is invested with a purpose beyond aesthetics. It’s about building a system—a body, a mind, a lifestyle—that endures. It’s about sustainability, not sacrifice. Performance, not punishment. Freedom, not rigidity.
If you’re navigating autoimmune challenges, dealing with constant burnout, or simply waking up feeling like your training no longer fits the life you want to live, I encourage you: rethink it.
Ask yourself:
What if you stopped chasing size and started chasing capacity?
What if you trained to perform, to feel good, to thrive—instead of just to "look the part?"
What if fitness wasn’t a drain but a gateway to better living?
You don’t have to abandon lifting. You don’t have to give up your roots. But you might need to evolve your priorities. You don’t have to stop lifting. You just have to start listening.
Your body is speaking to you. Longevity, vitality, real health—they require adaptation, not stagnation.
If you’re ready to take the next step toward inflammation-friendly training—without giving up intensity, drive, or results—check out my 7-Day Inflammation Reset, curated specifically for people like us who want to optimize performance without wrecking their system. Inside, you’ll find the resources, meal plans, supplement support, and strategies you need to build a strong, resilient body for the long haul.
Visit crpurz.com to start your reset today.
Because it’s not just about being strong now. It’s about being strong for life.
Let’s build bodies that last—strong, lean, fast, capable, and most importantly, healthy.