Battle Cancer Q&A | The Lean Machines, Sonny Webster & Zack George

I recently sat down with Sonny Webster, Zack George and Leon & John from The Lean Machines for a special edition super podcast before the Battle Cancer Fitness Competition in London. Lots of listeners had submitted questions in advance via Instagram and I posed as many as I could to the boys before Sonny have to rush off to some swanky event with the Queen. Expect to learn why the boys believe Competitive Bodybuilding to be an unhealthy lifestyle, what sport they would all be focussed on if they were not lifting weights, how to make your moustache join in the middle and why Sonny sucks so bad at Double Unders. Other Things: Check out Battle Cancer: https://www.battle-cancer.co.uk Follow Zack: https://www.instagram.com/zackgeorge Follow Sonny: https://www.instagram.com/sonnywebstergb Follow The Lean Machines: https://www.instagram.com/theleanmachinesofficial - Listen to all episodes online. Search "Modern Wisdom" on any Podcast App or click here: iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/modern-wisdom/id1347973549 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0XrOqvxlqQI6bmdYHuIVnr?si=iUpczE97SJqe1kNdYBipnw Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/modern-wisdom - I want to hear from you!! Get in touch in the comments below or head to... Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Email: modernwisdompodcast@gmail.com

Chris WilliamsonhostLeon (The Lean Machines)guestZack GeorgeguestSonny WebsterguestJohn (The Lean Machines)guestGuest (unclear which of the four, very short interjection)guest

Nov 5, 201828mWatch on YouTube ↗

WHAT IT’S REALLY ABOUT

Athletes Discuss Training, Diet, Relationships And CrossFit Culture Before Battle Cancer

Chris Williamson hosts Sonny Webster, Zack George, and The Lean Machines (Leon and John) for a loose, humorous Q&A on training, nutrition, relationships, and CrossFit culture ahead of the Battle Cancer competition.
They answer audience questions ranging from technical weightlifting advice and PR strategies to diet flexibility, relationship dynamics for serious athletes, and whether 18 is too late to start weightlifting.
The conversation contrasts bodybuilding and powerlifting with CrossFit and Olympic lifting, emphasizing sustainability, mental health, and the benefits of training in a supportive community.
Throughout, the group mixes serious, practical insights with self-deprecating jokes and stories, making performance training feel more approachable and less dogmatic.

IDEAS WORTH REMEMBERING

5 ideas

To improve the overhead squat, prioritize the movement itself plus targeted mobility.

Sonny recommends practicing overhead squats within a manageable range, supplementing with snatch-grip behind-the-neck presses, Sotts presses, and ankle/calf mobility work to maintain position and depth.

A strong PR attempt is mostly decided by mindset and environment.

The athletes agree that heavy lifts are often won or lost in the head before you touch the bar; training with stronger people, creating a hyped atmosphere, and going in already committed to PB can make increases more likely.

Starting weightlifting at 18 is not too late, but expectations matter.

While 18 is relatively late if you want to reach absolute elite levels, examples like Sonny’s training partner and Zack’s progress show that with a solid sporting background and focused coaching, high performance is still possible.

For serious athletes, having a supportive partner is essential.

They note that high-level training often means the sport comes first, which can strain relationships; partners who either share the athletic lifestyle or respect it without resentment make long-term commitment more sustainable.

Rigid “cheat meal” thinking harms the relationship with food.

The group discourages labeling foods as forbidden; instead they promote an 80/20 approach—mostly whole foods within a calorie target, with room for treats—because it reduces guilt, binges, and all-or-nothing dieting.

WORDS WORTH SAVING

5 quotes

If you wanna be better at anything, you always train with people that are better than you.

— Zack George

You hit it or you miss it before you’ve even lifted it.

— Leon (The Lean Machines)

It’s always better to be consistently good than to be awesome at times and shit the rest of the time.

— John (The Lean Machines)

Life’s too short… it’s not all done in one day either.

— John (The Lean Machines)

We can’t just judge a book by its cover, and that’s what everything social media is now.

— John (The Lean Machines)

Preparation and mindset for competition and personal records (PRs)Supplementary exercises and mobility work for Olympic lifts (especially overhead squat)Sport choices, athletic backgrounds, and training identity beyond CrossFit/weightliftingRelationships and how partners handle demanding training lifestylesNutrition philosophy, “cheat meals,” and sustainable dieting habitsPowerlifting vs. weightlifting crossover and the limitations of eachCrossFit culture, accessibility, community, and comparisons with bodybuilding aesthetics

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