Discover Recipes for the 8-Week Challenge here.
If there’s one thing we could all benefit from, it’s a little more balance in our lives. And if there's one thing Shannon Bennett loves, it’s a challenge. That’s why this February and March, Shannon is taking us along his journey as he competes with two-hundred others - including top athletes - in fitness-trainer John Gannon’s 8-week challenge.
A pro-surfer, a former world No.1 tennis player and a celebrity chef walk into a restaurant. No, this isn’t the opening line to a joke. It is the starting line, however, for what has quickly become one of Australia’s most competitive health and fitness challenges.
“This whole thing started around five years ago when I was training a group of blokes in a little garage-gym in North Bondi,” says John Gannon. “We found ourselves in a bit of a stalemate, so decided to set a challenge that would lift our training and keep us motivated.”
Today, the challenge attracts everyone from tennis ace Pat Rafter (who took out first place in the challenge last year) to celebrity chef Shannon Bennett. “For me, this is about hitting the reset button after the excess of the holiday season,” says Bennett. “But don’t get me wrong: I’m also in it to win.” Adding a healthy dose of competition, Bennett will be joined by chef George Calombaris who, when asked which chef will take the lead, says, “Let’s be honest. I’m here to give Bennett a run for his money. Bring it on.”
Set across eight gruelling weeks, the challenge is as much about mental health (and will raise money for The Healthy Minds Club and The Mark Hughes Foundation) as it is physical strength. “This isn’t a weight loss challenge,” says Gannon. “A lot of people who enter these types of challenges come out on the other side unhealthier because they lose lean muscle mass. Lean muscle mass is so important because it stabilises your hormonal system, which your entire wellbeing, and even your mood, depends on.”
The goal of the challenge is to drop body fat and increase lean muscle mass, which sounds simple enough, but which Gannon explains is more difficult than people expect. “It’s easy to lose or gain both body fat and lean muscle mass, but to lose body fat and at the same time increase your lean muscle mass, that’s when it gets difficult,” says Gannon.
“It’s about doing all of the small things right,” Gannon adds. “Nutrition is the big one. If you can tackle nutrition, then you’re 80% there.” A macro calculator is used to determine the amount of calories, fats, carbohydrates and proteins each participant needs to reach their goal, and while Gannon recommends meal-prepping to avoid slips and temptation, chef Shannon Bennett has other plans.
“Don’t tell Gannon I said this, but I’m not a big fan of meal-prepping,” says Bennett. “I’ll be whipping up fast and easy recipes using fresh ingredients; dishes like a minute steak caesar salad or scrambled eggs with tuna and hummus.”
While participants are encouraged to limit gluten, sugar and alcohol, Gannon wisely advises that it’s unrealistic to try and curb all cravings. “If you have a sweet tooth, a date topped with a big dollop of unpasteurised cream, like Cleopatra’s raw Jersey milk cream, is an amazing dessert. Or a handful of blueberries usually helps take the edge off sweet cravings,” says Gannon.
For those following along at home, Bennett will share recipes for dishes he cooks throughout the challenge in this Culinary Wonderland Recipe Collection. Want to know how he tracks in the challenge? Keep an eye on his Instagram account for progress updates.
If you’re interested in participating in next year’s 8-week challenge, reach out to John Gannon via email at johngannontraining@gmail.com