Jordan Winkler Interview: Combining Fitness and Firearms

What happens when you take two passions and combine them? You get someone like Jordan Winkler. Not only is Jordan an extremely talented musician, but he has the ability to take normal people off the street and teach them how to defend themselves as well as become more situationally prepared to avoid conflict. He is well-versed in trauma and medical situations, and just happens to be one of the most fit instructors I know. Jordan Winkler lives a healthy lifestyle and is always looking to educate himself further on the subject. He combines exercise and nutrition to better himself in all aspects of life. Below is an interview with Jordan Winkler. He explains the importance of exercise and nutrition, and how it plays into the firearm and tactics industry he is a part of.

Matt Weik: Can you tell us the kind of profession that you are in, where you work, and what you do in your line of work?

Jordan Winkler: I am currently an Adjunct Instructor at Tactical Response in Camden, TN. Our students come to class to become better equipped at facing the reality of uncertainty in our world. In addition to teaching our students self-defense with firearms, we also instruct them in conflict resolution, crisis management, and severe trauma medical training.

Matt Weik: Would you say your overall health and fitness has been an improvement to your life? If so, how, and what does your fitness and nutrition plan look like?

Jordan Winkler: My diet and exercise regimen has made me a better husband, father, and employee. Being physically fit allows me to work harder on the job, be more useful in an emergency, and harder to kill. A focus on healthy nutrition has helped me think more clearly and has given me the energy to focus on my work and family. I do both cardio and weight training every day. The mindset of never giving up during a hard set is one that can carry over to winning a fight for your life no matter what. I follow an Intermittent Fasting protocol where I break my fast after my weight training workout around 4 in the afternoon and eat several times until 8 at night. Not stopping to eat throughout the day allows me to be very productive and reduces brain fog. Fasting has numerous benefits and it’s free!

Matt Weik: What is one misconception you feel holds people back from exercising regularly?

Jordan Winkler: Many people feel that a training program has to be complicated. Most people have yet to grasp that the most important aspect of exercising is simply to pick hard exercises and progress in them. They think they need to do a huge variety of exercises when most of your results will come from basic movements like squats, deadlifts, as well as upper body pushes and pulls.

Matt Weik: What is one misconception you feel holds people back from changing their nutrition habits?

Jordan Winkler: Most people know the difference between junk food and healthy food, but a functional understanding of the roles of the three macronutrients is often lacking. Fortunately, we have all the information available to us we need at our fingertips, and anyone with an Internet connection has everything they need to get started.

Matt Weik: Would you say the people in the tactical and firearms community would benefit from improving their health and fitness? Why or why not?

Jordan Winkler: For some, their gear is a crutch. Perhaps they feel they don’t need to be fast or strong because they carry a gun. One of my colleagues, Jay Gibson, says we should imagine what we would like the first responder to our emergency to look like. What skills should they have? If you want your first responder to be strong, fast, smart, and have a certain skill set, and wake up each day striving to become that person.

Matt Weik: You have a gym set up at your home. What do you feel are the essentials that someone should look to purchase if they wanted to change their lifestyle and make their health and fitness a priority?

Jordan Winkler: Since I love bodyweight exercises, the first thing would be a pull-up bar. That’s all you need to be able to do pull-ups, push-ups, bodyweight squats, lunges, abdominal exercises, and all the variations of those exercises. If you own shoes, get outside and run or walk for cardio. The next thing is a squat rack and barbell set. I really like suspension training, and there are several quality offerings like TRX or the jungle gym systems that are great additions. Dumbbells are pricey, but adjustable sets are available. Keep your eye on Craigslist and you can find some killer deals!

Matt Weik: What is one take-home message you want everyone to think about or understand before we sign off?

Jordan Winkler: We only get one body and one life; be a good steward of both.

Matt Weik: Is there anyone you would like to thank or any shout-outs you’d like to give to close out the interview?

Jordan Winkler: Matt, you have been a great friend over the years, and a trusted source of quality health and fitness related information. My wife puts up with all my craziness and never stops believing in me. The Instructor cadre I’ve been lucky enough to work with at Tactical Response would do anything for me. I am truly a lucky guy.

Jordan Winkler

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