Interview with Biofit coach Dejuan Peart (Calgary, Canada)
Biofit certified coach Dejuan Peart works out of Calgary and is an experienced trainer, ex-basketball player and all-round movement machine who took to our method like a duck to water in no time at all. Here we dig into his weekly training and dietary regime, amongst other things.
Q: What sports or movement practices have been of most influence on you up to now?
I dedicated a majority of my life to Basketball... in doing so, I developed an understanding of using my bodyweight to jump-run-land and rotate. Since then, I've gained a broader perspective in the way I connect with my body. Today my foundation is bodyweight movement, also known as calisthenics, using my body as resistance...so Parkour, gymnastics, dance and many more have been a strong influence on me.
Q: What coaching qualifications do you currently have?
NASM (National Academy of Sport Medicine)--Certified Personal Trainer
NASM (National Academy of Sport Medicine)--Corrective Exercise Specialist
Can-Fit-Pro Certified Personal Trainer
Neurokinetic Therapy Level 1
FMS (Functional Movement System) 1
MovNat Level 1 & 2
FRCs - Functional Range Conditioning Mobility Specialist
Progressive Calisthenics Certification
Animal Flow Level 1 & 2
Q: Describe a typical week of your own training look like? How do you structure your own regime?
There are certain movements I practice on a daily basis......including hanging, crawling, deep squat holds, Animal Flow form specific stretches, full body CARS (controlled articular rotations). I am also increasingly trying to challenge my body in as many ways as possible; recently I've begun to explore element of Ido Portal's method at a local gym (Move to Move). So this currently includes a daily practice of handstands and balancing out my body with different mobility protocols. Each day has a different emphasis, be it bent arm or straight arm or legs. All this, plus a lot of play consumes most of my week.
Q: What does your diet look like?
I've recently finished a 21 day Sugar Detox. I was surprised as to how unbalanced I was in this area. I struggled for the first week but quickly began to develop healthy taste buds again and craved nutrient dense foods. I don't follow a specific meal plan although I currently engage in a not so strict intermittent fasting lifestyle which has an 8-hour eating window. I experiment with what works well for my body, roughly in line with the Paleo diet.
Q: What is your go to podcast, website or YouTube channel for movement inspiration?
There are literally too many inspirations for me to list but I'm constantly inspired by GMB (Gold Medal Bodies) with Ryan Hurst, Mike Fitch and my fellow Animal Flow Community (who are basically family to me) as well as Ido Portal's Movement Culture. Then there are the countless movement explorers out there, from Parkour athletes to dancers, in the end it's all about increasing your movement vocabulary.
Q: What is your favourite biofit movement?
All the movements have their unique challenges and fun elements but seeing as I love to crawl and move like an ape I will say the Gorilla, it's a movement that was familiar to me visually yet the subtle connection and engagement of the trunk to hips made it a new and rewarding learning experience.