Jesse Daniel turns 34 in August. At that time, he’ll be returning from his European tour and set to begin a few shows in the United States before hopping on a plane for about a dozen performances in Australia.
The Son of the San Lorenzo singer’s schedule is pretty full at the moment, but Daniel is already thinking about the bigger picture—both for his career and his health. The traditional country artist is preparing his body and songwriting for life decades from now.
He has embraced sobriety after quitting cold turkey more than eight years ago, with the help of his fiancée and bandmate, Jodi Lyford. He shared with Country Muscle Podcast host Jeff Tomko how fitness and the support of his fiancée helped get his life and health back on track.
“I want to be able to, you know, go into my 60s, 70s, hopefully 80s, making music, being able to be out there. And I’ve kind of seen what happens to, you know, people in my family and others I’ve known who live more of a sedentary lifestyle. I’ve lived that lifestyle before—I’ve been in the van just sitting there for eight hours a day, rotting away, and it really makes me feel terrible, physically.”
If he’s not at the YMCA, he’s banging out reps of dips and shoulder presses to keep his 6’1’’, 175-pound frame in shape.
“I would do four sets of 16 dips. I did that for so long that I got to the point where it was so easy. My brother was like, ‘Man, you should throw some weight on that. If you’re doing those that easily, you’re not going to be gaining anything.’ So I’ve been doing that — throwing like a 25 on and just doing as many dips as I can.”
6 Jesse Daniel Takeaways from the Country Muscle Podcast
- A Rock-solid Commitment to Fitness: Jesse Daniel emphasizes the importance fitness has had on his life and personal well being. His consistent routine in the weightroom and recovery tools like infrared saunas have significantly increased his physical stamina and overall health, which he says comes out each night onstage. Daniel shares that his fitness regimen has positively impacted his performance energy levels on stage, contradicting his initial fears that exercising might leave him too tired to perform.
- From Punk Rock Drummer to Traditional Country Storyteller: Daniel says if you listen close enough, especially in some of his older material, you can hear punk rock elements to his music. The blend of genres can be traced back to his music origins in which he started out as a drummer in a NoCal punk rock band.
- Adapting Workouts on the Road: Due to his lifestyle as a musician, Jesse often has to improvise his workouts, relying mainly on bodyweight exercises like dips and push-ups, as well as using kettlebells when he travels. This flexibility helps him stay active despite varying conditions.
- Overcoming Addiction: Jesse candidly discusses his past struggles with addiction, detailing his journey to sobriety and how it has transformed his life. He attributes much of his success and recovery to the support of his fiancée as well as a recommitment to fitness.
- Connection to Nature and Creativity: Nature plays a significant role in Jesse’s creativity. He often finds inspiration for songwriting during his walks and outdoor activities, emphasizing the connection between physical activity, mental clarity, and artistic expression.
- Business and Career Growth: Jesse reflects on his humble beginnings in the music industry, like sleeping in vans and performing in small venues, while expressing how those experiences contributed to the bonds forged within his band, and how the journey has led to greater opportunities in his music career today.