# The Gym Is Non-Negotiable for My Mental Health - Here's How I Train

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/men-s-health-built-for-life-6780722/the-gym-is-non-negotiable-for-my-mental-health-here-s-how-i-train
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/men-s-health-built-for-life-6780722/the-gym-is-non-negotiable-for-my-mental-health-here-s-how-i-train.md
Podcast: [Men’s Health: Built For Life](https://stenobird.com/podcast/men-s-health-built-for-life-6780722)
Published: 2026-02-12T05:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/THENATIONALMAGAZINECOMPANYLIMITED7616804309.mp3
Audio file: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/THENATIONALMAGAZINECOMPANYLIMITED7616804309.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/men-s-health-built-for-life-6780722/episodes/the-gym-is-non-negotiable-for-my-mental-health-here-s-how-i-train
Duration seconds: 1553

## Resource

Former England football turned Men's Health cover superstar, Rio Ferdinand, joins Andrew Tracey to talk through how his approach to training, health and performance has changed since retiring from football. We break down what stopped working once the weekly match mileage disappeared, why longevity now matters more than ego, and how his training has shifted towards staying strong, mobile and pain-free. Rio opens up about balancing heavy lifting with functional movement, adapting nutrition for real life, and why consistency beats intensity when you’re juggling travel, work and family. Along the way, we get into fatherhood, mental sharpness, and what it really means to train for life – not just sport. Want more from Men’s Health? Join the Men’s Health SQUAD for exclusive training plans, expert advice and tools to help you get stronger, faster – we’re with you every rep of the way. Visit www.menshealth.com/uk/mh-podcast Host: https://www.instagram.com/theandrew.tracey/ Wellness video producer: https://www.instagram.com/chelia.batkin/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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## Transcript

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