Blame It on the Genes? Not So Fast.
Genetics matter, but lifestyle matters more.
Ever notice how some guys talk about their bodies like they’re trapped in a genetic prison?
“I’ve just got bad genes.”
“I’m not built for that.”
“I could never look like that guy.”
I heard it again the other night while playing basketball.
A guy came up to me and said, “You’re built for this—tall and lean. Me? I’m short and fat. You’re so lucky.”
Lucky?
Sure, I’m almost 6’2” and look taller thanks to long limbs and a short torso—so yeah, thanks, Mom and Dad. But to think I just woke up one day with muscle definition and a decent jump shot, like the fitness gods just handed it to me? Not so much.
There’s very little luck in years of showing up, training, and taking care of my body.
And the way this guy was talking, it was like he had no chance to succeed. I see this mindset all the time and it’s exactly why so many people stay stuck. They blame genetics instead of their choices. And that’s the real problem.
The Poker Game of Life
Think of genetics like a poker hand.
Some people get dealt pocket aces—naturally athletic, fast metabolism, and the ability to put on muscle and drop fat with ease. Others? Maybe a couple of low-numbered cards that don’t seem to add up to much.
But here’s the thing: poker isn’t just about the hand you’re dealt—it’s about how you play it.
A skilled player can take a mediocre hand and still win big. Meanwhile, someone with a great hand who plays recklessly can lose it all. Your body works the same way. The habits you build—how you eat, train, recover, and take care of yourself—are far more important than whatever “genetic hand” you were given at birth.
You Can’t Outrun a Bad Lifestyle (But You Can Change It)
Look, I wasn’t born looking the way I do now. I didn’t wake up one day with muscle definition and the ability to dunk (still working on that, by the way).
The truth is, I’ve put in the work—years of training, dialing in my nutrition, and making sure my recovery isn’t an afterthought.
Meanwhile, I’ve seen plenty of guys with so-called “bad genetics” completely transform themselves. They weren’t born with six-pack abs or an effortless ability to crush push-ups, but they played their hand right. They focused on small, repeatable habits—eating real food, lifting weights, moving more, and getting decent sleep.
And guess what? They got results.
On the flip side, I’ve known plenty of guys with “great genetics” who have completely let themselves go. Just because you’re dealt a good hand doesn’t mean you’ll play it well.
Stop Folding Too Early
The biggest mistake people make? They fold before the game even starts. They assume their genetics have already decided the outcome, so they don’t even try. That’s like looking at your poker hand and saying, “Welp, these cards suck. I’m out.” without even seeing how the game plays out.
But here’s the reality: your body is incredibly adaptable. You can lose fat, build muscle, and feel stronger no matter where you’re starting from. Is it harder for some people? Sure. But hard doesn’t mean impossible. It just means you have to be a little more intentional.
Play Your Hand—And Play It Well
So, stop blaming genetics. Play your hand. Bet on yourself.
Because the truth is, the game isn’t rigged against you—you just have to stop playing like it is.
And if you’re ready to stop making excuses and start making real progress, let’s make it happen. I help guys like you build strong, capable bodies every day.
I’m looking for a few more guys who want to drop 20 lbs. of body fat by the Summer.