Maxx Crosby, the Las Vegas Raiders' star defensive end, has become a force to be reckoned with in the NFL. His journey is one of overcoming adversity, battling addiction, and relentlessly pursuing greatness. Crosby's transformation is a testament to his unwavering dedication to his physical and mental well-being, showcasing the power of a comprehensive diet and workout regimen.
From Rock Bottom to Rehabilitation
In February 2020, Maxx Crosby found himself at a crossroads. After a promising rookie season, he had spiraled into a cycle of partying and alcohol dependency. Recognizing the detrimental impact on his life and career, Crosby made a life-altering decision. "When I decide to get my s--- together, I don't think anything can stop me," Crosby said. "If I truly believe in something, I am going to go to the end of the world to make it happen." He sought help from his agent and former girlfriend, Rachel, leading him to an in-patient rehabilitation facility in Los Angeles. This marked the beginning of his journey to sobriety and a renewed commitment to his football career.
The Pillars of Crosby's Transformation
Crosby's success stems from a holistic approach that encompasses rigorous training, meticulous nutrition, and unwavering mental fortitude.
Relentless Training Regimen
Maxx Crosby's commitment to training is unparalleled. He approaches every day with the mindset of being the hardest-working player in the league. His off-season routine is legendary, often starting at 5 AM and involving intense workouts at the Raiders facility. Crosby credits Rick Slate, the Raiders' assistant strength and conditioning coach, for helping him maximize his potential in the weight room.
A typical week of training for Crosby includes:
Read also: Keto Maxx: Truth Revealed
- Mondays and Thursdays: Upper body workouts, focusing on strength and power.
- Tuesdays and Fridays: Lower body workouts, emphasizing explosion and functional strength.
- Wednesdays: Boxing, incorporating cardio and hand speed drills.
Crosby's workouts are not just about lifting weights; they are designed to translate directly to his performance on the field. He incorporates exercises like high pulls and Viking presses, which enhance his explosion and functional strength. He added boxing to his training routine on Wednesdays. "In the past, on Wednesdays, I would get in the pool, do a couple little things and then go home," Crosby said. "This offseason, I added my ab routine, my core workouts and an hour of boxing. My off days are still five hours of work. I did that all the way from February still up to this day."
Meticulous Nutrition Plan
Crosby understands the importance of nutrition in fueling his body for peak performance. He works closely with the Raiders' nutrition team to develop a strict diet plan that supports his training goals. He cut weight and worked out relentlessly. He and Rachel had gotten back together as he entered rehab; she moved to Las Vegas to live with him and helped him stay focused, planning meals and joining him for nights out, where he drank only water.
Mental Fortitude
Beyond the physical aspects, Crosby's mental strength is a crucial component of his success. He sets "theme goals" for each season, using them as motivation to push himself to the limit. He also draws inspiration from legendary athletes like Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan, studying their work ethic and mindset. He has set his phone's wallpaper and lock screen as constant reminders of his goals. Last year, his lock screen was the 100 emoji with a plus symbol, because he wanted more than 100 QB pressures and a $100 million-plus contract. This season, his lock screen is the Defensive Player of the Year trophy. Crosby's phone background is the gold Hall of Fame jacket. "That will be there until I get in," he said, smiling.
Key Elements of Maxx Crosby's Diet and Workout
Strength Training
Crosby's strength training program is designed to build both power and functional strength. He focuses on exercises that mimic the movements he makes on the field, such as:
- High Pulls: Improve explosion and full-body coordination.
- Viking Press: Enhances upper body strength and stability.
- TRX Rows: Develops upper body strength and core stability.
Conditioning and Cardio
Crosby's conditioning program is geared towards building endurance and maintaining peak performance throughout the game. He incorporates a variety of cardio exercises, including:
Read also: The Hoxsey Diet
- Sprints: Improve speed and explosiveness.
- Boxing: Enhances cardio, hand speed, and mental toughness.
- Biking: Adds extra cardio and endurance.
Flexibility and Recovery
Crosby places a high priority on flexibility and recovery, understanding their importance in preventing injuries and maximizing performance. His routine includes:
- 12-Minute Stretch Routine: Performed daily to improve flexibility and range of motion.
- Body Work: Daily massages and active recovery sessions to release tension and promote healing.
- Steam Room and Tubs: Used to reduce inflammation and promote muscle recovery.
Diet and Nutrition
Crosby's diet is carefully planned to provide his body with the nutrients it needs to fuel his workouts and recover effectively. He focuses on whole, unprocessed foods and avoids cheat meals during the season. He eats as much as he wants because he knows the rest of the week, he is 100 percent meal-prepped to the minute.
Boxing
Crosby's incorporation of boxing into his training regimen is a testament to his willingness to push himself beyond his comfort zone. He believes that boxing enhances his hand speed, cardio, and mental toughness, all of which are essential for success on the football field. It's all body shots, we're not beating the hell out of each other. They're all one-minute rounds, so you just go rapid fire-to the next guy, the next guy, and I really get to challenge my teammates. I love doing that as a leader, I like pushing guys, because dudes are looking at me like I'm crazy.
Hyperbaric Chamber
Crosby added the hyperbaric chamber to his recovery routine this year. I feel like it's played a big part in helping my career, and how I've been able to play at a high level-but also the amount of snaps I can do at a high level. I play more snaps than anybody in my position. I'm able to do that because of how I train and take care of my body.
Basketball
Crosby got a full court basketball gym in his house. I play basketball and shoot hoops every day, and I feel like it applies directly to how I am as a football player-movement-wise, I'm not going 100 miles an hour, but the hand-eye coordination, and the focus of being consistent and shooting the ball and doing certain movements and certain shot angles. I feel like it directly applies to my sport, and I feel like it makes me even better just as an overall athlete.
Read also: Walnut Keto Guide
Crosby's Impact Beyond the Field
Maxx Crosby's influence extends beyond his on-field performance. He is a role model for those battling addiction, demonstrating that recovery is possible with dedication and hard work. He openly shares his story, inspiring others to seek help and overcome their challenges.
The Road Ahead
Maxx Crosby's journey is far from over. He continues to strive for greatness, setting new goals and pushing himself to reach his full potential. With his unwavering commitment to training, nutrition, and mental fortitude, Crosby is poised to leave a lasting legacy on the NFL. He wants to be in that parade, I want to be standing there with a trophy in Las Vegas. I want to be a part of changing the whole narrative around the Las Vegas Raiders, and the Raiders in general. That’s why I work the way I work and lead the way I lead. I hold myself to the highest standard. And I want these guys to do it with me. I want to do it with the Raiders-they’re the team that took a chance on me.”