{"id":10850,"date":"2024-10-01T04:12:50","date_gmt":"2024-09-30T21:12:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=10850"},"modified":"2024-10-01T04:12:50","modified_gmt":"2024-09-30T21:12:50","slug":"nick-hexum-no-rockstar-attitude-just-sweat-and-gratitude","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=10850","title":{"rendered":"Nick Hexum: No Rockstar Attitude, Just Sweat and Gratitude"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p class=\"p1\">It\u2019s a little after noon on a Monday in July, and the UFC Gym in North Brunswick, New Jersey, is uncharacteristically quiet. In walks 6-foot-3 Nick Hexum, the 54-year-old lead singer of 311, duffel bag in hand. He\u2019s got a smile on his face, but his eyes tell a different story: The dude is tired.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Classic rockstar, right? Partying all night, then rolling straight into a photoshoot. Nope, that\u2019s not Hexum\u2019s style. He\u2019s been sober for nearly two decades and counting, which reflects his dedication to prioritizing his health and \u201cfocusing on the show, making music, and family\u2014the top things in life,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\u201cFull sobriety is where it\u2019s at for me,\u201d he explained. \u201cTo each his own, but most of the guys in the band have kind of progressed out of that phase. You can\u2019t sow your wild oats forever.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-caption \">\n<div style=\"padding-bottom:55.36519386835%;\" class=\"ratio-based-placeholder\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.muscleandfitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/31.jpg?quality=86&amp;strip=all\" srcset=\"\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" alt=\"311 in concert\" width=\"1109\" height=\"614\" data-fallback-img=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.muscleandfitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/31.jpg?quality=86&amp;strip=all\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"credit\">Zach Timberlake<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"p1\">This particular bout of exhaustion? It was a combination of a late-night gig and travel complications. The previous night, 311 rocked a Maryland amphitheater. Then, a string of flight delays forced him to ditch the plane, rent a car, and hit the road for a three-hour-plus drive for his \u201cFLEX\u201d photoshoot and interview.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\u201cOh boy,\u201d I thought, a knot of anxiety forming in my stomach. I\u2019ve dealt with my share of artists, musicians, and actors who turn into high-maintenance divas after facing far fewer hiccups. Sure, Hexum sings about \u201cAmber\u201d and overcoming \u201cBeautiful Disasters,\u201d but he\u2019s still human. And I know firsthand how <a href=\"https:\/\/www.muscleandfitness.com\/features\/active-lifestyle\/sleep-deprivation-can-increase-car-accident-risk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sleep deprivation and battling Jersey Turnpike traffic<\/a> can turn anyone into a full-blown stress grenade.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">But as he surveyed the massive 28,000-square-foot facility, he didn\u2019t explode. Instead, he said, \u201cI\u2019m excited. A little out of my element, but ready to work.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">He might consider himself out of his element, but it doesn\u2019t show. The next few hours of interviews, portrait photos, exercises, and selfies, Hexum was engaging and cooperative, without a single complaint.<\/p>\n<h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-caption \">\n<div style=\"padding-bottom:55.36519386835%;\" class=\"ratio-based-placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.muscleandfitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/27.jpg?quality=86&amp;strip=all\" srcset=\"\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" alt=\"311's frontman Nick Hexum. Box Jump.\" width=\"1109\" height=\"614\" data-fallback-img=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.muscleandfitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/27.jpg?quality=86&amp;strip=all\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"credit\">Erica Schultz<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/h3>\n<h3 class=\"p2\">How Nick Hexum Functions At Full Throttle<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">A few more sled pushes? Sure. Another set of box jumps? Why not? Adjust the form to get better lighting even if it feels slightly awkward? Not a problem.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Nick Hexum understands that health and fitness extend far beyond aesthetics. \u201cExercise is a huge part of my life to stay centered and happy,\u201d he explained. \u201cI feel that working on your physical health, your mental health follows.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">It\u2019s a near-perfect way to sum up one of the numerous <a href=\"https:\/\/www.muscleandfitness.com\/workouts\/workout-tips\/5-lesser-known-mental-and-physical-benefits-strength-training\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">benefits of exercise<\/a>. In fact, if I had a shred of musical talent, I\u2019d try to capture it in a song. To save myself the embarrassment, I think I\u2019ll leave the lyrics to the pro.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Since their breakthrough in the mid-1990s, 311 has been a driving force in the music world, crafting a signature sound that seamlessly blends rock, reggae, funk, and hip-hop. With 13 studio albums under their belt \u2014 and a new one slated for release this fall \u2014 the band\u2019s discography boasts 34 singles. Multiple singles reached the top 10 on the alternative songs chart, including hits like the aforementioned \u201cAmber,\u201d as well as \u201cCome Original,\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t Tread on Me,\u201d and \u201cHey You.\u201d On Spotify alone, the band has amassed over <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/artist\/41Q0HrwWBtuUkJc7C1Rp6K\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">3.6 million monthly listeners<\/a> and racked up billions of plays across platforms.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">And those successes were hard-earned. From Nebraska, the band officially formed in 1990. The band\u2019s initial attempts in Los Angeles were unsuccessful, leading them back to Omaha to build a loyal fanbase. After securing a deal with Capricorn Records, their first album received little attention, and their touring RV caught fire, destroying their equipment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Despite these setbacks, 311 persevered. Their mainstream breakthrough arrived with the songs \u2018Down\u2019 and \u2018All Mixed Up\u2019 from their self-titled third album, propelling the record to triple-platinum status. Successes continued, with four albums released between 2005 and 2014, reaching the Top 10 on the Billboard 200.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">311\u2019s longevity and creative evolution are a testament to their relentless work ethic, mirroring Hexum\u2019s approach to fitness and life. Just like in the gym, there are no shortcuts to success. You have to put in the work.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\u201cWe\u2019re 34 years into being a band,\u201d Hexum said. \u201cIt hasn\u2019t always been easy. We\u2019ve had our share of setbacks, but we\u2019ve always persevered. I just maintain an attitude of gratitude. I\u2019m doing exactly what I always wanted to do with my life. So why not be in a good mood?\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-caption \">\n<div style=\"padding-bottom:55.36519386835%;\" class=\"ratio-based-placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.muscleandfitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/26.jpg?quality=86&amp;strip=all\" srcset=\"\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" alt=\"311's frontman Nick Hexum. Bicep Curl.\" width=\"1109\" height=\"614\" data-fallback-img=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.muscleandfitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/26.jpg?quality=86&amp;strip=all\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"credit\">Erica Schultz<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/h3>\n<h3 class=\"p2\">Nick Hexum\u2019s Fitness Philosophy: Consistency<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">In the fitness media world, not every celebrity is genuinely into it. Some are just playing a role. Hexum\u2019s physique is streamlined and vascular, a result of years of dedication, not crash diets.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\u201cWhen I first started, I did it because I noticed I would feel less crazy,\u201d he said about his initial motivations.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">When asked about his fitness philosophy, Hexum emphasized the importance of regularity. \u201cI believe in consistency,\u201d he said. \u201cI don\u2019t go to the gym for two hours. Typically, I start the day with 15 or 20 minutes of cardio just to clear my head.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Off the road, he\u2019s a regular at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.muscleandfitness.com\/workouts\/athletecelebrity-workouts\/mark-wahlbergs-f45-fullbody-workout\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">F45, a high-intensity group fitness routine<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\u201cThat works for me; you show up, you don\u2019t have to set anything up, and it\u2019s different every time.\u201d When touring, he sticks to a separate routine, starting with cardio and a guided core workout. Then, he mixes it up with classic beach muscle routines one day and full-body workouts the next, always learning new exercises.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Being a musician, Hexum\u2019s workouts have a unique rhythm, syncing his reps with the beat of his music. He\u2019s also experimented with different diets, but no single approach worked long-term. \u201cI went vegan for a while, did keto for 10 months, but I felt like I needed a lot of naps,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd now I\u2019m back to more of a full spectrum diet.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Compare shirtless stage photos or magazine profiles from 2019 to now, and you\u2019ll notice that ditching keto resulted in a fuller physique. However, he still maintains vascularity and visible abs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Above all, Hexum\u2019s approach serves as a reminder that there is no one-size fits-all. For him, it\u2019s about longevity, strength, and wellbeing.<\/p>\n<h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-caption \">\n<div style=\"padding-bottom:55.36519386835%;\" class=\"ratio-based-placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.muscleandfitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/28.jpg?quality=86&amp;strip=all\" srcset=\"\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" alt=\"311's frontman Nick Hexum. Med Ball Twist.\" width=\"1109\" height=\"614\" data-fallback-img=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.muscleandfitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/28.jpg?quality=86&amp;strip=all\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"credit\">Erica Schultz<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/h3>\n<h3 class=\"p2\">Nick Hexum is Leaving a Legacy of Empowerment<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">While Hexum\u2019s primary focus remains on music and fitness, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to explore new ventures in the industry. Together with his bandmates, wife, and others, they launched SKP \u2014 which stands for \u201cescape\u201d \u2014 aiming to liberate independent artists and musicians from the often unfair and exploitative traditional music label system.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\u201cWe want to leave a legacy of empowerment,\u201d he explained. \u201cWe\u2019re creating a platform to help younger artists navigate the industry, so they can retain their own equity and control over their work.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Hexum envisions <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skp.io\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SKP (skp.io)<\/a> as \u201ca system where artists can keep their own equity and still get the promotion that a label would.\u201d This vision extends beyond music, tapping into \u201cthe great democratization of culture\u201d where creators build careers through homemade content.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">On SKP\u2019s website, they outline their mission: to create an ecosystem \u201cthat empowers and supports our network of musicians, artists and artisans, actors, managers, and technicians.\u201d \u201cWe\u2019re also expanding into film so that more people on the cast and crew can be involved and participate in the equity of a project,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">He contrasts this with the traditional model: \u201cBefore, it\u2019s just been basically like one person owns it and everybody just works for a check. And then, even if they make it a huge success, they don\u2019t get anything for it. Same with labels, like I never got any interest in the record labels that we were supporting.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-caption \">\n<div style=\"padding-bottom:55.36519386835%;\" class=\"ratio-based-placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.muscleandfitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/25.jpg?quality=86&amp;strip=all\" srcset=\"\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" alt=\"311's frontman Nick Hexum. Studio Portrait.\" width=\"1109\" height=\"614\" data-fallback-img=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.muscleandfitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/25.jpg?quality=86&amp;strip=all\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"credit\">Erica Schultz<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"p2\"><b>Nick Hexum\u2019s \u201cYes To Life\u201d Approach<\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">As we wrap up the session, something from our discussion sticks with me. During the last few seconds of our interview, I asked the production crew, \u201cSo, what\u2019s next?\u201d Nick chimed in, \u201cWhatever it is, yes! Yes to life.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">I\u2019m pretty sure it was an off-the-cuff line to say he\u2019s down for anything else we might need, but, whether he meant it to land or not, it didn\u2019t end up being a throwaway line; the phrase stuck with me as a message to embrace opportunities and approach life with an open and positive mindset \u2014 many of the themes found woven into 311\u2019s music.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">This \u201cYes to Life\u201d outlook organically connects to various parts of Hexum\u2019s existence and is evident in 311\u2019s diverse, genre-blending music. It\u2019s in his approach to fitness, where he seeks new routines and adapts his diet. And it shines through in his entrepreneurial ventures with SKP, where he\u2019s looking to reshape how creatives are valued. This attitude is about being consistent, showing up, exhausted or not, putting in the work, and staying positive when it\u2019s the last thing you feel like doing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">After the shoot, Hexum is facing another five-hour, traffic-filled trek to Boston; a mere pitstop before 311\u2019s next show in New Hampshire. Yet, the 311 frontman\u2019s optimistic outlook remained unwavering.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">As we said our goodbyes and I packed up with the crew, I reflected on how to bring more of that \u201cYes to Life\u201d energy into my own world. This affirmative attitude has fueled a 34-year career in the tumultuous music industry and, at 54, it continues to sustain his vitality and strength, which might just be the secret ingredient we\u2019re all looking for.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.muscleandfitness.com\/athletes-celebrities\/interviews\/nick-hexum-no-rockstar-attitude-just-sweat-and-gratitude\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s a little after noon on a Monday in July, and the UFC Gym in North Brunswick, New Jersey, is uncharacteristically quiet. In walks 6-foot-3 Nick Hexum, the 54-year-old lead singer of 311, duffel bag in hand. He\u2019s got a smile on his face, but his eyes tell a different story: The dude is tired. &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10850","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fitness"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10850","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10850"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10850\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10850"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=10850"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=10850"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}