Joe Marler hits out at life-maxxing – says simple habits are key to healthy life

Rugby star, Joe Marler, has gatecrashed an unsuspecting office to call time on Britain’s obsession with ‘life-maxxing’. The Celebrity Traitors star surprised workers with an unannounced lunchtime team talk to stress that you don’t need to overhaul your life or spend hours in the gym to make healthier choices.

It comes after research revealed 56% are committed to ‘life-maxxing’, feeling pressure to work towards big goals by optimising every aspect of their lives.

The poll of 2,000 adults found the average person has just one hour and 25 minutes of free time during an average day to fit everything in – from work and fitness to nutrition, finances, and personal goals.

To show healthier habits can fit into even the busiest schedules, Joe has teamed up with Babybel Protein, the small snack with natural protein, to encourage people to focus on simple, achievable changes.

Armed with nothing more than everyday office items, including chairs, backpacks and stairwells, Joe challenged workers to rethink the way they use their lunch break, and show how small changes can have a big impact.

From desk-side squats and walking meetings to improvised “kettlebell” exercises and stairwell lunges, he demonstrated how simple ways of moving can be woven naturally into the working day – with plenty of time left to enjoy lunch.

Joe Marler said: “Apparently we’re all supposed to be life-maxxing – smashing work, smashing the gym, eating perfectly, learning Spanish, having a side hustle… it’s exhausting just thinking about it.

“I wanted to show people that looking after yourself doesn’t have to mean completely changing your life.

“Most of the time it’s the little things that make the biggest difference. Walk while you’re on a call, take the stairs, move a bit more, and make smarter snack choices. It’s about making healthier habits fit around your life, not the other way round.”

Joe’s message is supported by 56%, who agreed it’s the small, everyday changes that make the biggest difference to their overall wellbeing, rather than major lifestyle overhauls or intense routines.

Health and wellness top the nation’s list of priorities. But many admit they struggle to make progress – with 41% saying they haven’t improved their fitness yet and 35% falling short of their nutrition goals.

Trying to fit everything in appears to be the nation’s answer, as more than half (54%) said they tackle life admin or work towards personal goals while watching TV. Whereas 33% do so while cooking and 28% use their lunch break to tackle their to-do list, according to the OnePoll.com data.

For some, multitasking goes even further, with 11% admitting they even use bathroom breaks to get things done. Others look for ways to make everyday choices work harder, with almost a quarter (23%) seeking snacks that offer added benefits.

Protein tops the list, with 52% saying it’s the number one thing they look for in something to keep them going between meals.

Abhilasha Shaw from Babybel said: “We’re a nation of ‘fit-it-in-ers’, constantly trying to squeeze more into every day. But when time is limited, trying to overhaul every part of your lifestyle can feel overwhelming.

“Rather than chasing perfection, it’s the small, consistent changes that are more achievable – and often make the biggest difference.

“Whether it’s finding more opportunities to move, making smarter food choices, or ticking off life admin where you can, those little wins all add up.

“Something as simple as choosing a natural protein snack can help support your goals while fitting effortlessly into a busy day.”

TOP 10 WAYS BRITS FIT IN EXERCISE:

1. Taking the stairs instead of using escalators or lifts
2. Taking quick, regular walking breaks during the working day
3. Turning household chores, such as cleaning, into exercise
4. Parking further away from their destination to fit in a walk or run
5. Making social plans that include exercise or sport
6. Stretching at their desk
7. Dancing around the house whenever the mood strikes
8. Doing upper-body exercises while sitting and watching TV
9. Exercising during advert breaks
10. Doing mini workouts while cooking