Whenever someone inquires about Finn Bálor’s physique, he almost always uses the same phrase. “I don’t get ready, I stay ready.” It sounds easy to ignore, like something you’d see on a gym poster. However, it begins to feel less like a catchphrase and more like an accurate description of a true philosophy when you consider how the man actually eats—how regularly, how purposefully.
In professional wrestling, Bálor’s body is among the most recognizable. Among fans, the abs in particular have become somewhat legendary. The fact that he has been open—almost casually so—about doing no cardio and going into the gym without a set plan is what makes the entire situation somewhat perplexing to outsiders. What, then, is really keeping him in that condition?
It seems that the kitchen has always been the solution. Bálor maintained what he refers to as a low-to-no-carb lifestyle for the majority of his career. This was not a crash diet, but rather a consistent eating pattern that he followed from roughly 2010 to 2022. Very little carbohydrate, high fat, and high protein. Avocados, walnuts, almonds, and the tub of almond butter he always carried in his bag were his main sources of fat. Even tho it’s a tiny, particular detail, it conveys how seriously he took everything. A person who treats their diet as an afterthought would not carry almond butter in their carry-on.
He has made it apparent that this strategy was not solely motivated by vanity. “If the diet slips, that is where I start to lose control,” he stated in an interview. According to him, training can occasionally be overlooked. The diet is unable to. For someone who works in a physically demanding environment hundreds of days a year, this distinction is crucial.
A discussion with fellow wrestler Chad Gable, who advised Bálor to try reintroducing some carbohydrates during WrestleMania preparation, changed everything. Gable’s advice was straightforward: have a carb-rich beverage while working out. Although it may seem like a small change, it was significant for someone who had avoided nearly all carbohydrates for twelve years. After taking it, Bálor’s eating habits have progressively shifted over the last few years toward what most people would consider a regular, balanced daily schedule.
In an interview with Chris Van Vliet, he explained that the typical breakfast consists of three whole eggs, half an avocado, and either cottage cheese or Greek yogurt with berries. He consumes pomegranate or beet juice combined with honey before working out. A protein shake and a banana after the workout. After a few hours, repeat the process with rice and either fish or chicken. More Greek yogurt with berries before bed. It’s not difficult. If it weren’t coming from someone with Bálor’s appearance, the structure would seem almost dull.
Its simplicity is noteworthy in some way. No complex supplements, no unusual ingredients, no meal prep company delivering containers labeled with colors to his door. Just real protein, whole foods, and regular meals throughout the day. Perhaps the simplicity is the key: sustainability over the course of a long career depends more on habit and discipline than on any particular protocol.
Over the years, Bálor has subtly shown that maintaining an elite physique in a demanding sport like professional wrestling doesn’t always require long gym sessions or intricate systems. It necessitates eating consistently. It necessitates being aware of what you’re putting into your body and repeating the process the following day. Eventually, the carbohydrates returned. The discipline didn’t go away.
