04.30Chapter Excerpt from Of Permanent Value: The Story of Warren Buffett / 2008 Cosmic Edition by Andy Kilpatrick - An Interview with Warren Buffett’s Fitness Trainer
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Business Wire EON/PRWEB ) April 30, 2008 — The following is an excerpt from Andy Kilpatrick’s biography on Warren Buffett, Of Permanent Value: The Story of Warren Buffett / 2008 Cosmic Edition. This particular chapter profiles Warren Buffett’s fitness trainer, Michelle Streif, and explains the Oracle of Omaha’s workout in detail. Additional excerpts from the book are available at the following links: Buffett on Generics, the Opening Chapter, highlights from the Berkshire Hathaway annual meetings, and the initial press release outlining the book. The book can be purchased from Amazon by following this link.
At 7 a.m. sharp each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, Buffett’s fitness trainer arrives at his house, enters the large family room downstairs and coaches Buffett through a series of exercises lasting 45 minutes.
“He’s always on time,” says Michelle Streif, Buffett’s trainer. “He has his weight gloves on, ready to go.”
About three years ago, Buffett’s doctor told him that although he was in good health, he needed either to change his diet or get more exercise. Buffett has joked that he’ll never give up hamburgers and Cokes so he opted instead for an exercise regime.
As for a fitness trainer, the doctor recommended the six-footer Michelle Streif, a married 41-year-old who has a lengthy background in sports and dance and degrees in physical fitness. With an undergraduate degree from Iowa State University and a master’s degree in health education/gerontology from the University of Nebraska-Omaha, Michelle has been in the fitness industry for 22 years. She runs Well Bound Health & Fitness in Omaha.
When they started the workouts, Buffett told her to order whatever equipment would be needed but he ended up spending only about $200 “on the basics,” Michelle says. A body wedge, a stability ball, foam rollers, various resistance bands, a medicine ball, and a training table were purchased.
Buffett walks on a treadmill, even the weekdays between training sessions, and lifts weights, but Michelle also works with him on strength, balance, flexibility, and stamina. “Sometimes I can even sneak in some Pilates or Yoga moves. He always seems motivated by a challenge,” she says.
Although Buffett exercises with great energy, he doesn’t have a natural love for doing it. “He doesn’t really enjoy it, but he’s very focused and competitive and never complains when we do more,” says Michelle. “He gives it 100%.”
Have these workouts improved his strength, stamina, and shape? “With dumbbells, he’s gone from 7 to 10 pounds up to 25 pounds in each hand,” says Michelle. “He does many pushups and some sit-ups and has increased amazingly in those [sit-ups].” He can do 50 or more sit-ups. (Maybe Arnold did get to Buffett when he threatened that he’d have to do 500 sit-ups if he mentioned taxes in California again.) “He’s amazing,” Michelle says. “He’s in better shape than most 30-year-olds.” Buffett has even had some suits taken in.
What else goes on during the exercise sessions? TV watching and limited talking are the diversion activities. While working out, Buffett watches TV—usually CNBC’s “Squawk Box” or a “Charlie Rose Show.” On the other hand, Michelle admits to being a talker, but she says, “I try to hold my talking to the commercials.” She talks with him about sports and Husker football. But otherwise, she said, he’s very focused with what’s on TV.
“When something has his attention on TV, I’ve told him I could be topless and he wouldn’t notice. He’s incredibly focused.”
Are you seeing the obvious? Buffett is a very focused person in all he does. “He’s thinking, ‘I have things to do, and I’m not giving in.’”
Michelle thinks Buffett has many healthy years ahead of him. “Most people his age are on six or seven medications.” Buffett is on no medications, and abhors the thought of any medication, says Michelle.
Everyone knows what Buffett eats for lunch and dinner, and his doctor does not speak highly of that intake. So what does Buffett eat in the morning? “After the workout, he’ll have a Coke or a Cherry Coke and, occasionally, a banana,” according to Michelle.
Go figure!
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