Stoked doesn’t even begin to cover it as the wind has been nice here in South Padre. The forecast says “hold on to your shorts,” and I say: bring it.

...But before we start flying through the air like caffeinated squirrels strapped to giant kites, let’s talk gainZ. Because even in the land of sun, surf, and kite crashes followed by a flying nerd, the iron pilgrimage never stops.

Step 1: Find a Gym

I rolled into the local meathead haven to secure a gym pass for the duration of the stay—because this train doesn’t stop for margaritas and tacos.

Travel Tip from the Trenches: Before you even start packing your six pairs of board shorts, lock down the big rocks—training and nutrition.

Training first.

Find a gym. Or get yourself a bodyweight plan that doesn’t suck.

Me? I have my assistant call ahead and make the poor staff send me gym photos so I can preview what they’ve got.
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Most of these places are lighter on dumbbells than a budget hotel salad bar, so I front-load my heavy work early in the week before I’m left curling pink kettlebells and wondering what went wrong.

Same thing I do for all my M3 online clients—structure around the chaos.

Pro tip: Bring Fat Gripz (blue ones to start). Instantly turns limp dumbbells into grip-melting nightmares. We dive deep into this madness in the Gonzo Grip Course I did with the hand-crushing wizard Adam Glass. If you know, you know.

Step 2: Bro-tein.

I’ve said it a thousand times, and I’ll scream it from the rooftop bar here in Padre again:

Protein is the rate limiter for most.

You can skip fish oil and creatine for a few days and your biceps won’t implode.
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But protein?
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That stuff matters daily—because that’s what your meat suit is made of. Literally. You’re walking around in a protein warehouse.

Bring a shaker bottle and a truckload of protein powder.
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Me? I go with Driven Nutrition—been using it for years because it tastes great and doesn’t turn my stomach into a blender full of drywall and regret.

Grab it at www.miketnelsonprotein.com
​Use code DRMIKE to save 15%

(Yes, it’s an affiliate link. No, I won’t use the money on pre-workout nasal spray or shungite pyramids.)

My fav as of late is the Driven Whey Carmel Latte flavor.

Bonus tip: if you're buried in chaos and skipping meals?

Front-load protein!

75–100 grams of protein first thing in the morning.

Let it ride. Digestive system willing of course.

I did this almost every day when we were in Vegas recently.

Isolate protein without lactose = smooth sailing if lactose is a bug-a-boo for you.

More steak, less sad trombone noises from your GI tract.

There you go.

Protein and lifting for the gainZ, even on the road.

Even when the ocean is calling and the wind wants to kill you.

Stay strong. Stay weird.

Much love,

Dr. Mike

_____________________

Mike T Nelson CISSN, CSCS, MSME, PhD
Associate Professor, Carrick Institute
Owner, Extreme Human Performance, LLC
Editorial Board Member, STRONG Fitness Mag

Mike T Nelson is a PhD and not a physician or registered dietitian. The contents of this email should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any health problem - nor is it intended to replace the advice of a physician. Always consult your physician or qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health.

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