Be Fit, Live Free: A Bad Ass Guide To Fitness Freedom

How goes it? Are you ready for another sweet review about the Red Delta Project, because today we’re diving headfirst into the raw, unfiltered wisdom of Be Fit, Live Free by the one and only Matt Schifferle, the mastermind behind this book. This isn’t just a book—it’s a manifesto, flipping the bird to the fitness industry’s snake oil peddlers, and a roadmap to reclaiming your strength, your health, and a life you can be proud of. If you’re tired of being shackled by dogmatic diets, soul-crushing gym routines that are so tedious & boring and influencers who care more about their bank accounts than your physique, then buckle up. This is the Excalibur of fitness independence, and I’m here to tell my stance and my truth.

The Man, The Legend, The Calisthenics Crusader

Let’s start with Matt Schifferle himself, because this dude is the real deal. A 5th-degree black belt in Taekwon-Do, a lifelong calisthenics fanatic, and a personal trainer who’s been in the trenches for decades, Matt’s not some Instagram bro flexing in a mirror with a protein shake or some narcissistic "Guru". He’s a Vermont-born, Colorado-dwelling, ice-cream-loving everyman who figured out that fitness doesn’t have to be a prison sentence. Through his Red Delta Project, Matt’s been dropping knowledge bombs on YouTube, in books, and in person, helping tons of people in stratospheric numbers, I shit you not—that cuts through the noise and gets them strong without losing their soul. As Paul Wade, the Convict Conditioning legend, calls him “the greatest living expert in bodyweight bodybuilding alive today.” That’s not hyperbole; that’s a fucking fact.

In Be Fit, Live Free, Matt distills his philosophy into a primal, no-BS guide that’s as refreshing as a cold plunge in a mountain stream. This book isn’t about chasing a six-pack or fitting into some cookie-cutter generic program. It’s about tapping into the principles of Mother Nature and human biology to build a body that’s strong, functional, and free—free from fads, free from dogma, and free from the grind that makes you dread working out.

Want To Know The Fitness World’s Dirty Little Secret?

Matt’s got the balls of vibranium to call out out the fitness industry for what it is: a circus of confusion designed to keep you guessing and spending (especially on courses that cost more than 200 dollars yet has less than $10 of the quality). Influencers with spray-tanned abs and million-dollar smiles push quick fixes, miracle diets, and $2,000+ workout machines, all while laughing their way to the bank (asshole galore I'd say). As one reviewer put it, “The influencers don’t have others’ best interests at heart, they have their bank accounts at heart… it’s disgusting.” Matt sees through the smoke and mirrors, and in Be Fit, Live Free, he rips the curtain down with a vengeance.

The problem? Modern fitness culture thrives on complexity and dogma. You’re told you need a 12-week shred plan, a keto diet, or a garage full of equipment to get fit. Wrong. Matt argues that fitness is simpler than that—way simpler. It’s about fundamentals, not fads. It’s about moving your body the way it was designed to move, eating in a way that doesn’t make you miserable, and building habits that last longer than a New Year’s resolution. This book is a rebellion against the idea that fitness has to be hard to be effective or one person's way or the highway. As Matt says, it’s about “be[ing] fit and liv[ing] free.” I love that shit man.

What’s Inside the Book? Pure Gold, That Pirates Of The Caribbean Would Kill For

Be Fit, Live Free is like a Swiss Army knife for fitness—compact, practical, and ready for anything. Matt doesn’t waste your time with fluff or “geschwafel” (that’s German for nonsense, and REAL reviewers love that he cuts it out). Here’s what you’re getting:

A Back-to-Basics Blueprint: Matt strips fitness down to its core principles, rooted in human nature and biology as mentioned earlier. Think calisthenics, functional movement, and nutrition that doesn’t require a PhD to understand. He’s not here to sell you on some trendy superfood; he’s here to remind you that your body is the ultimate gym.

A Smackdown of Fitness Myths: Matt takes an epic sledgehammer to the lies you’ve been fed. Diets that promise instant results? Doomed from the start. Workouts that demand wasted hours of your life? Unnecessary. He explains why “almost all diets are based on the same flawed premise” and why “almost everything you’ve learned about using exercise to change the shape of your body is wrong.”

Real Talk on Motivation and Mindset: This isn’t just about push-ups and pull-ups (though Matt’s got you covered there and is one of the very best in the world at them). It’s about rewiring your brain to see fitness as a lifelong adventure, not a punishment. He tackles the toxic influence of social media, the pressure to look like a fitness model, and the unrealistic expectations that make people quit. One reader said it best: “The book helps [YOU] set realistic and healthy expectations.” For real, there are numbnuts out there preaching DANGEROUS advice such as drinking 30 or more cups of espresso a day for caffeine intake and smoking cigarettes saying "That's the way to go". That's not health, that's straight up murder to the human body.

Practical Tools for Every Level: Whether you’re a beginner who can barely do a push-up or a seasoned athlete banging out archer pull-ups like it's going out of style, Matt’s got strategies for you. His focus on progressions—simple, skill-light movements that build strength over time—means you’re never stuck. Plus, he’s a huge fan of suspension trainers and bodyweight exercises, so you don’t need a fancy gym filled to the rafters of equipment.

A Dose of Humor and Humanity: Matt’s not some drill sergeant barking orders. He’s a regular guy who loves skiing, biking, and Ben & Jerry’s. His writing is direct, relatable, and occasionally funny, like a buddy who’s got your back and hangs with you. Reviewers rave about his "positivity" and how he “makes training interesting and fun to do.” That's what training should be about.

The only gripe? Some typos. There are a few Grammar Nazis that wished Matt had hired a sharper editor, but let’s be real—when the content’s this good, a misplaced comma ain’t gonna ruin the party. 

Why This Book Hits Like a Mike Tyson Knockout Punch

What makes Be Fit, Live Free stand out in a sea of fitness books? It’s the philosophy. Matt’s not just teaching you how to do a squat; he’s teaching you how to think about fitness. He’s not promising you a beach body in 30 days; he’s promising you a lifetime of strength and freedom. As one reader said, “Discovering the work of Matt Schifferle has been the game-changing advice I have always been searching for in the world of fitness.” Awesome.

Matt’s approach is holistic. He covers the physical (exercises like push-ups, pull-ups, and squats), the mental (how to stay motivated without burning out), and the cultural (why social media’s comparison game is a trap). He’s not afraid to get deep, either. He draws parallels to masters like Jiro, the sushi chef from Jiro Dreams of Sushi, who spent a lifetime perfecting the basics. That’s what Matt’s about: mastering the fundamentals, not chasing the shiny new thing.

And let’s get down to brass-tacks about results. The Real Reviewers are raving about this book. One guy went from struggling to banging out advanced moves like commando pull-ups and weighted split squats, all thanks to Matt’s guidance. Another called it “chalk-full of highly potent information” that’s “easily digestible” for anyone. Even skeptics who’ve read every fitness book under the sun say this one’s different: “It’s stuff you know you know but need telling.”

My Verdict: A Must-Read for Fitness Fanatics (Along with Collectors)

Here’s the bottom line: Be Fit, Live Free is a battle cry for anyone who’s sick of the fitness industry’s lies and  is ready to take control of their health. Matt Schifferle doesn’t just hand you a workout plan; he hands you a mindset, a toolkit, and a vision for a life where fitness is fun, sustainable, and yours for the taking. This book is for the busy mom who wants to stay strong, the desk jockey who needs to move, and the athlete who’s tired of beating their joints into submission. It’s for anyone who believes that fitness should enhance your life, not dominate it.

Read this book. Live and soak up its principles. Be fit, live free. And while you’re at it, check out Matt’s Red Delta Project on YouTube for a masterclass in calisthenics and common sense. His Grind Style Calisthenics paperback is another gem, and at under 30 bucks, it’s a steal compared to the overpriced bullshit that looks promising but leaves you at the alter in the rain.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab Be Fit, Live Free, strap on your suspension trainer, and start building a body that’s as strong as your spirit. As Matt would say, “Live fit, be free.” Now go be amazingly awesome.

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Pushing, Pulling, Squatting, Sandbags, Bands And More

 Keeping things basic is the way to go but don't always look to them as a generic boring thing. Make the basics interesting, make games out of them and have fun while kicking your ass. Daily training and being smart about what you do will make all the difference. If you're more keen on doing things 3-4 times a week, that's great too, just don't fall for bullshit that'll get you hurt or worse. 

Building muscle at 40 these days isn't surprising or as shocking as it was back in the day but it's still incredible that people can still accomplish it and continue their journey. For me, it's becoming more and more of a realization that the more you can make it happen and without TRT, HGH, HRT and other things that many even as young as their 20's are doing, is something to celebrate and be proud of. 

Old school methods are what keeps the world going around when it comes to Fitness in the long run. Been doing it for ages but there's always been fluctuations in terms of what my physique has gone through over the years and I blame no one but myself on what some of those fluctuations entailed. The best thing to do is to keep improving, making better decisions on the type of training you do and getting the most out of it. Some may say Daily Hard Workouts will get you better results but some of those same guys look like Bean Poles and have less muscle than Karen Carpenter (bad joke I know). I say, do what you can and go hard when needed, go hard for too long, too frequently, it can bite you in the ass.

There was a reason I fell in love with training and it went beyond my accident and all that, you already know the story by now so you don't need me to repeat it like a broken fucking record. It's the love of doing things that mean something, that are valued and making adjustments. Doing 500 Push-ups and Squats are great for some but there are plenty of things that don't require hundreds or thousands of reps in one shot. Play it over time and spread them out. If anything I do 500 these days is Step Ups or a total of 500 doing 5 exercises for 10 reps each for 10 rounds doing Circuits with my Dopamineo Band. The rest of the time, I'll do lifts with the sandbags, work on isometrics, consistent deep breathing training with the O2 Trainer and play with the hammers, chest expander and other kick ass equipment I got laying around. 

Working on bodyweight training is always fun to do especially when you learn from people like Matt Schifferle of the Red Delta Project. Guy's knowledge and applications of movements are so freaking awesome, it's shameful he's not ranked up there with being one of the very best in Physical Culture today. His method of Grind Style Calisthenics and Isometrics brings that old school mentality with a humble notion of encouragement in the modern age is refreshing. 

Keeping the grind going and putting up content of Push-ups, Pull-Ups (Suspension), Sandbag Work, Bands just keep getting better and better man. My physique is changing for the better as well and losing weight has been a great blessing. When I turned 40 back in late July, I was already down 17-18 lbs within the last several months since my recovery from that fucked up Sciatica injury which I will aways take responsibility for. This time around, I'm down to roughly 230 lbs and the muscle just keeps packing on little by little. Often these days I take a longer time to eat during the day, only eating when I'm hungry and consistently eating Meats, Eggs, Rice, using the Air Fryer and other things. Still have my vices like pizza, fries, burgers (not always fast food), Burritos, Pasta and sandwiches from Subway or this little place here called Local Deli where even half a sandwich looks huge yet still losing weight and dropping bodyfat. Haven't had Burger King in months and been more than a year that I can remember having McDonalds.

 

When you put in the work but keeping the stress to a minimum, things will pop up for you and being consistent with your eating habits and training smart and not like a maniac frequently. It's good to go crazy a couple to a few times a week but don't push to where you're so sore, your muscles are screaming at you "You are a fucking asshole for doing this to me." Have gas in the tank, make little progressions and keep your mind sharp when you train, even on those days when things around you suck. Don't go overboard with the junk stuff but don't have to 100% cut them out of your life either unless it's dire and need to clean things up. 

Training at this age and beyond is crucial and valuable but don't make it so that you're going to act like a dick and tell people how much of a loser they are if they don't train. Be more encouraging, share your progress and utilize what gives you the greatest benefit in your journey. Calling people derogatory names because they don't do pull-ups or some shit like that makes you more of the loser than anything else. Do many these days need a tune up in their health, absolutely, but preying on their insecurities and mocking them with such vengeance is such a copout and just downright mean bro. Being a goody too shoes isn't ideal either so it's important to find a balance of being encouraging and giving people a reason to train and giving tough love when needed. It's hard enough when the biggest critics is ourselves. 

Stick to the basics as much as possible. There will be days where things aren't always there and the chaos of life just throws you curve ball after curve ball, don't give up and do a little something even a few push-ups or holding a few postures during commercials while watching your favorite show and if you got a streaming service, pause the movie for a little bit and do a quick mini workout that can be as short as a few minutes like this Core Workout, it's not easy but it'll do some good in a span of 4 minutes. You got this and keep your journey alive. Be amazingly awesome.

Keeping Up With The Basics With Dopa Band

Workouts are short but they get the job done. Whether it be circuits are HIIT style training, the Dopa Band is a hell of a piece of equipment that any athlete would love to have in his arsenal. Although there are advanced movements especially if you're an aspiring wrestler or fighter, sticking to the basics always works best. Some of these guys mimic drills in wrestling practice to embed the skill sets into their brains for fights or matches on the mat whether it be for Division 1 Tournaments, World Level or Olympic Level. 

The basics however seem to create more of a stride and keep your conditioning in tact while also keeping the joints healthy. Some of the exercises are as follows....

Chest Press

Rows

Alternating Side Pulls

Squats

Lunges

Curls

Overhead Triceps Extensions

Ski Jumps

Jumping Jacks

Waves (Two-Handed or Alternating)

Sprints

That's more than enough for most people and you can switch them up and use them however you see fit. There are youtube videos that demonstrate all of these and more which give you an idea on how simple yet challenging you can make them. You can do certain combinations of them like a 2 in 1 type movement for example the Chest Press & Squat combo that works both the upper and lower body so you don't have to sets and reps of one or the other. 

I prefer to keep the reps at a minimum of 10-20 reps in a circuit of 5-6 exercises and time myself to see how fast I can get 10 rounds in, depending on the adjustment and focusing on the right order and not skip one or the other accidently because at times you get so into it that your mind goes to a different place. I also focus on keeping form at best as possible because if you're sloppy, the band will let you know about it and it won't be pleasant so keep at a pace where you can keep going but you're in control the whole time, never let the band control you.

The basics are always ideal and they're the backbone for your conditioning, coordination, speed and durability. You can do HIIT type training, I've done it a time or two keeping at a clip of a few rounds of an exercise for 30 on, 15 off. Just a few exercises with that protocol and you can get in a great workout that can be really intense for 15-20 minutes and then be spent.

The mere fact that top wrestlers use these bands at a very high level AFTER their practice, not before or during and those wrestling workouts are some of the craziest in the world. Imagine how insane you'd have to be to go that hard and then work with a band for an extra 15-20 minutes. You're looking at superhuman athletes with a hint of cookoo for coco puffs in order to become the very best. To the average person looking in on that, you would hurt just by looking but if you took that mentality and just put it towards the bands not the wrestling practices, you may understand the idea to get in awesome shape in the shortest amount of time. 

Just working the bands alone can be tough, so learn how to wisely utilize your fitness level to how you work the bands. Some days for me they're fairly easy to get through depending on how I'm feeling that day but other days, it's so intense that I don't even know how I pulled it off. That doesn't mean they're a chore and you HAVE to go so hard, just playing with them and getting into a rhythm can feel easy yet look like you're killing yourself to an outsider. 

Grab a band or a set of bands for you and friends/family who love to work out and have fun with them. There are special deals you can find at Dopamineo that have family bundles, bands for kids, team bundles, bands for female athletes, groups in mma schools or personal training and more. As a bonus, no matter what deal you find, you can get an extra 10% OFF of that when you use my discount code POWERANDMIGHT. Even right now, even with my discount, you can get a deal on getting 2 extra bands and a carry bag for FREE. Be amazingly awesome and keep up with your journey and hit your goals with a vengeance.