Tony Horton’s creation, P90X, became a massive hit in the fitness industry, selling over 3.5 million copies by 2005. As a personal trainer, Horton had a star-studded clientele, including well-known names like Tom Petty, Billy Idol, and Usher. However, everything changed for Horton in 2017, when he was diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that can cause facial paralysis, ringing in the ears, and hearing loss.
The Shift in Focus
After his diagnosis, Horton had to overhaul his routine, shifting his focus from hardcore workouts to recovery and stress reduction. He stated that he needed to add mindfulness components to his regular routine, prioritizing rest, relaxation, and spending time with his family. This change in approach paid off, as Horton reported being in better shape than ever. “I needed to add mindfulness components to my regular routine,” Horton said. “I looked more to resting, listening to music, taking a nap without feeling guilty about it, focusing on my family.”
A New Way to Stay Strong
Since then, Horton has adopted a more holistic approach to fitness, focusing on habits such as a flexible plant-based diet, mobility exercise, and finding new challenges to keep things interesting. He relies on habits such as a flexible plant-based diet, lots of mobility exercise, and finding new challenges to stay strong and healthy into his 60s and beyond. To maintain and sustain his athleticism, Horton emphasizes the importance of quality of life and longevity rather than just pounding the weights and running hills. He follows a flexible, mostly plant-based diet that allows for whole, nutrient-dense foods like beans, nuts, and seeds.
A Typical Day in the Life of Tony Horton
A typical day in the life of Tony Horton begins with a balanced breakfast, such as seed bread with almond butter. After a workout, he enjoys a protein smoothie with berries, banana, and cashew milk. His meals are a mix of whole, plant-based foods, including lentil tacos for lunch and dinner. Taking a more flexible diet approach and allowing for exceptions to the plant-based plan keeps him from feeling deprived, so he can stay healthier overall in the long term. Horton emphasizes the importance of sticking to his plan 80% to 90% of the time and indulging in treats occasionally.
Mobility Training and Balance Training
As Horton has gotten older, his training has shifted from building muscle to focusing on longevity. He still incorporates weightlifting, but his workouts now include more yoga, “animal flow,” and agility exercises. Horton also practices with a slackline, a creative way of building balance and stability. The key to staying healthy is consistency, as Horton emphasizes finding time every day for exercise. “It doesn’t have to be a lot,” he said. “You can go for an eight-minute walk. But it has to be consistent. You don’t pay your bills every fourth month.”
New Challenges Keep Him Energized
Horton’s latest venture is Ninja Warrior-style obstacle course training, navigating ropes, high bars, and the notorious “salmon ladder” at his tricked-out home gym. This new challenge keeps him motivated and energized, as he pushes himself to new heights. “The reason why I fell in love with it was because it was another level of challenge,” Horton said. “Who cares if I fall or if I fail? Turn your ego off.”
Staying Young and Healthy
Horton’s latest venture is Ninja Warrior and obstacle course training, which he believes is essential for staying young and healthy. By incorporating new challenges and focusing on longevity, Horton is able to maintain his physical fitness and mental well-being. To stay strong and healthy into his 60s and beyond, Horton relies on habits such as a flexible plant-based diet, lots of mobility exercise, and finding new challenges to keep things interesting. His approach to fitness is not just about building muscle, but about maintaining a healthy quality of life. As Horton said, “To maintain and sustain my athleticism, it’s not just pounding the weights and running hills.
