Why Protein Is the Foundation of Every Athlete's Diet
- Mark Offerdahl
- Jun 24
- 2 min read
Most people think about protein as something you have after a workout. A shake. A bar. Something to tick a box.
But if you train at CrossFit Uncommon, you already know that what you do outside the gym matters just as much as what you do inside it. And protein is not a supplement. It is the foundation.
What protein actually does
Every time you train, you create small tears in your muscle tissue. Protein is what repairs those tears and builds them back stronger. Without enough of it, you recover slower, perform worse and plateau faster.
It also keeps you fuller for longer, supports hormone production and helps maintain muscle mass as you age. For anyone training CrossFit consistently, the need for adequate protein is not optional.
How much do you actually need?
The old recommendations of 0.8g per kilogram of bodyweight were built for sedentary people. If you are training hard several times a week, you need significantly more. Most coaches and practitioners in the animal-based and performance nutrition space, including
Paul Saladino points to somewhere between 1.6g and 2.2g per kilogram of bodyweight as a more realistic target for active people.
The simplest way to hit that number is to build every meal around an animal protein source first. Eggs, red meat, chicken, fish. Get that right and everything else falls into place.
What we see at CrossFit Uncommon
The members who recover fastest, progress most consistently and feel best in class are almost always the ones who are eating enough protein. It is not complicated. It just requires making it a priority.
Train hard. Eat enough. Recover well. Repeat.
That is the programme.
Want to learn more about how nutrition supports your training? Come in for a free intro and let's talk.