July 2001
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Bobby Rock
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Photo from bobbyrock.com
You look like you are in pretty good shape (understatement of the year!). What's your secret?
My "secret" is threefold: train the body consistently with weights and aerobic activity, eat plenty of pure, clean, plant-based foods while avoiding all animal products, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, refined sugars, etc., and keep a handle on stress by paying attention to the mind/body aspects of life, like meditation and other stress-relief techniques. There's a very profound synergistic effect that happens when you adhere to all of these things. Of course, none of this is so much of a "secret," considering I have a new book coming out about this stuff!
How long have you been a vegetarian? How did you arrive at the decision to stop eating meat? Are you also a vegan?
I've been a vegetarian for over 10 years and vegan for about eight. I started experimenting with vegetarianism because I had heard about the undeniable health benefits associated with it, which I immediately noticed. The vegan thing - where you follow a strict vegetarian diet, which means NO animal products, and also avoid any animal-based clothing or consumer goods - came about after much research, contemplation and a few personal experiences. Suddenly, I felt very "out of harmony" contributing to the suffering and death of these innocent animals. I no longer felt right about imposing my own makeshift hierarchy on animals as to which ones I deemed as worthy to live (because they're supposedly "pet" animals) or worthy to die (because they're supposedly "food" animals). So, for me, veganism is at least as much about the ethics as it is about its superior health advantages.
Med students are often really strapped for time. Thus, we sometimes neglect our own bodies and don't work out like we should. From your experience, what are the most essential things to include in a workout that take the least amount of time?
I see you're asking a lot of these easy, short-answer questions! :-) Seriously, I would say some combination of resistance and aerobic training, along with some light stretching is the quickest, most effective way to get and stay in shape. At best, try to catch a gym a few times a week, where you can have easy access to weights and aerobic equipment like the stationary bike or treadmill. Work up to 20 to 30 minutes of aerobics, then 20 to 30 minutes of weights (with a few stretching exercises between sets) and you'll be dialed in. It really doesn't have to be about these long-ass two-hour workouts to get in shape.

If going to the gym is out of the question, you can do what I call the "jail cell" workout. This is a calisthenics program that can be done anywhere (and without any equipment) where you do a few minutes of jumping jacks, followed by a set of push-ups, then a set of sit-ups, then a set of deep knee bends, all combining to create one "giant set" cycle. Then, with little to no rest in between, repeat this cycle two, three, four or more times, finishing up with a few minutes of stretching as a cool down. Gradually work up to a 20 to 30 minute workout, three times a week and you're all set. It's obviously going to have more limited results than a gym, but it will work.
Tell the readers about your "Hypothetical Erotica."
This is a conversation-evoking "party book" I've written that presents a number of erotic-tinged dilemmas. When you read them among friends or acquaintances (or play them on the accompanying spoken word CD), you get into the most interesting discussions as everyone sets out to explain what they would do and why they would do it if they were in such a situation. In fact, if a medical student is really looking for a diversion, they can check out a (free) "Hypo of the Week" at www.hypos.com and burn a little time discussing the dilemma with some friends. It's an absolute blast and a fun way to get to know someone better...
What CDs are in your stereo right now?
Let's see here...some demos for (guitarist) Brett Garsed's new record that I'll be playing on this month; P-Funk All-Stars - Live in LA; Ives 4th Symphony (Boston Symphony Orchestra - Seiji Ozawa conducting); Downset (debut release)
What projects are you currently working on?
Various book and CD projects. I've got several different recordings I'm working on this summer and I've also been doing more soundtrack work lately. Plus, I'm trying to finish up a couple of books that have been hanging over my head for a while, including the before-mentioned health book, "Muscles, Mangos and Meditation." So...it's a very busy time right now.
Do you have a favorite food you like to cook, and will you share the recipe?
It's not really cooking, but here goes: Mix 12 ounces of spring water with a chopped up apple, a banana and a scoop-and-a-half of "The Ultimate Meal" brand smoothie mix in a blender for about 20 seconds. It's basically just a "high-octane" apple/banana smoothie, but it's also, in my opinion, the most nutritious thing you can put in your body. I've been doing one to two of these a day for over eight years now.
What words of wisdom or inspiration do you have for us jaded medical students?
Words of wisdom: In the words of Thomas Edison - "The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will instead interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease." Food for thought...

Inspiration: Realize that you are our modern day healers! This is a tremendous responsibility and an incredibly noble undertaking. You will be improving the quality of life for many and even saving the lives of others. Remind yourself of this from time to time...like at 4:00 AM after studying all night during your seventh year of school!
Well, that's Bobby. What a champ. We love him!
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