David Anthony Higgins, born December 9, 1961, is an American actor known for his memorable television roles. From Craig Feldspar on "Malcolm in the Middle" to Reginald Bitters on "Big Time Rush," Higgins has graced our screens with his comedic talent for years. This article explores his career and delves into the importance of health and wellness, drawing parallels with the dedication required for both acting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Higgins was one of five children. His father, Harold Higgins, worked as a janitor and a broadcaster, instilling in young David a passion for performance. Encouraged by a fourth-grade teacher, Higgins earned a scholarship to the Des Moines Playhouse, where he honed his acting skills in summer operettas.
Higgins, alongside his brother Steve and Dave Gruber Allen, formed the comedy troupe "Don't Quit Your Day Job." They performed at venues like Des Moines' Hotel Kirkwood and toured in other states, eventually landing their own show, "The Higgins Boys and Gruber," on HBO's The Comedy Channel in 1989.
Television Success
Higgins gained widespread recognition for his roles as Craig Feldspar in "Malcolm in the Middle" and Mr. Bitters in "Big Time Rush." He also appeared on Nickelodeon's "True Jackson, VP" and in three episodes of "American Horror Story: Murder House."
The Importance of Movement and Health
The dedication and discipline required to succeed in acting are mirrored in the commitment needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle. David Higgins is the definition of an A-list PT.
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The modern lifestyle often leads to a sedentary existence. As David Higgins notes, "We’ve become a nation of office athletes." Many people spend eight hours sitting at work, followed by more time relaxing on the sofa. This "sitting down all day causes you to have tight hips, a weak core, tight pecs, a tight neck and rounded shoulders."
David Higgins' Approach to Fitness
Higgins emphasizes the importance of incorporating movement and mindfulness into daily routines. The way we use our bodies has drifted a long way from how they were designed to be used. We sit far too much and stand far too little.
Pilates and Rehabilitation
Higgins discovered Pilates after an injury at 19 when an illegal tackle dislocated his shoulder and tore his ribs from his sternum. Doctors told me I was no longer allowed to play contact sport. I couldn’t get out of bed for six months and it was the first time I learned how debilitating pain can be. Fortunately, my studies gave me the drive to rehabilitate myself. He learned Pilates on the reformer. "Even now, if I don’t do certain exercises, my neck and back start to seize up."
Foam Rolling
To this day, Higgins follows a strict foam-rolling routine. "Think of foam rolling as a treasure hunt - search for the pain, isolate and contract the muscle where you find a trigger point, hold that contraction for three deep breaths and then release. Do this a few times on the same spot and then move on."
Varied Workouts
Higgins keeps things varied. "I lift weights two to three days a week, do Pilates a couple of times and maybe do a kettlebell workout." If you’re strength training, always count your reps, note them down, and try to beat your score on the next round. He also enjoys using his Peloton for location rides as a form of active meditation. "Running isn’t everything. Don’t get me wrong, I love an outdoor run, but as an Aussie, the winter months here in the UK can be unforgiving and so as a compromise, I use the Peloton when I need to clear my head. And, as a great way to build fitness, don’t underestimate the impact of lifting weights."
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Prioritizing Exercise
"My workout is the first thing that goes in the diary. Everything else fits around it." Higgins realized that regular exercise improved his mental state, allowing him to be more productive and think more clearly.
Tech Gadgets
Higgins is a tech junkie. He utilizes various tools to aid in recovery and wellness, including his Sunlighten UK InfraRed Sauna, Normatec Compression Boots, Hyperice Vibrating Foam Roller and Triggerpoint Ball, Ōura Ring, Theragun, and Pso-Rite. The psoas is an under-recognised muscle - as part of the hip flexor it’s integral to how your body moves.
Mindfulness and Breathwork
Staying mindful helps. He performs conscious breathwork every day for ten minutes, which keeps anxieties at bay. This mindful approach to exercise is also integral to the approach at Movementum, the studio he recently launched. Movementum is the first brand to focus entirely on movement health - and the mind plays into this, too.
Nutrition
Don’t discount the importance of nutrition. Higgins keeps to an intermittent fasting schedule of 16:8, which means I fast from 8pm to 12pm the following day and eat between 12pm and 8pm. I find that if I eat all day, I suffer from a serious afternoon energy crash, so breakfast is just a black americano. He also takes Kalla probiotics daily. I also take Wild Nutrition’s B Complex Plus and Vegan Protein powder, which are great for promoting strength and energy during exercise. Amino Man also does great supplements - I take creatine and plant-based protein for a ten-week cycle when I want to bulk up.
Moderation
Higgins follows a self-imposed rule of two drinks, no more. I can get away with two drinks, but not three.
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The David Harbour Transformation
While David Anthony Higgins focuses on consistent wellness practices, another David, David Harbour, has made headlines for his dramatic weight loss and gain for acting roles. The transformation of Jim Hopper for the latest season of "Stranger Things" was nothing less than shocking and jaw-dropping. Within the context of the story, Hopper has spent the time between Seasons 3 and 4 in a Russian prison suffering plenty of hard work, cruelty and a definite lack of well-balanced meals. "Recently ballooned up again to play jolly ole st.
In a recent interview with British GQ, Harbour insisted he wouldn't do this kind of weight loss or gain again, laughing that prosthetics have come too far and are too good.