Travis Miguel is the guitarist of Atreyu.
He’s been shredding for over 20 years and flexing on stage with guns that turn heads.
He’s also 10 years sober, a macro-counting convert who never thought he’d be that guy, and someone who aggressively lifts heavy things as meditation.
Behind the physique, Travis discovered that working out is like brushing his teeth, he has to do it or he doesn’t feel whole.
In this Gym Rock Crew Interview, Travis breaks down how Planet Fitness saved his touring routine, why he can’t function high in social situations, the addictive personality that drove him to the bottle and then to the gym, and why donuts became a touring tradition.
The bottle came down 10 years ago
Travis spent 15-20 years drinking dangerous amounts of alcohol.
Drinking to get out of bed. Drinking to go to bed. Drinking between those two moments as well.
It started like most people… drinks with friends on weekends in your late teens and 20s. Then touring brought booze every day and it became normal to drink himself into oblivion.
He shares the moment he realized if he didn’t stop he’d have severe health problems or be dead and why quitting wasn’t easy like others make it sound.
Plus his honest take on the whole sex, drugs, and rock and roll thing now.
Donuts became the touring tradition
Travis has zero willpower when it comes to junk food.
He eats sensibly Monday through Saturday, then Sunday it’s whatever the hell he wants or he’d go absolutely nuts.
On tour, discipline flies out the window.
He reveals the donut story that became a stage bit, why he asked for them on the rider, and what he does with the boxes he can’t eat himself.
Plus his confession about what he does in European dressing rooms while waiting for soundcheck.
Working out is aggressive meditation
Travis tried regular guided meditation numerous times.
As soon as he sits down and closes his eyes, the wheels start turning and he can’t empty his brain.
So he went the opposite route.
He shares why aggressively lifting heavy things and putting them back down is the only time he truly turns his brain off, and the surprising pre-show routine that’s the complete opposite of his bandmates.
Plus why he doesn’t rest when he gets home from tour.
Planet Fitness and prison workouts
Touring in the states? Find the nearest Planet Fitness within 3-4 miles, get an Uber, done.
It helps with the hurry up and wait nature of touring, gives him a reason to leave the venue, and keeps him sane.
Overseas? Resistance bands and prison-style workouts with just bodyweight.
He talks about the diet disaster that happens as soon as he leaves for tour and how his body changes 90-95% of the time coming back.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu and guitarist fingers
Travis and some bandmates trained Brazilian jiu-jitsu years ago.
It was fun, challenging, and then he’d leave for tour and forget everything by the time he got back.
The real problem? All the grappling, pulling, cranking, and grabbing strained his fingers and wrists.
As a guitar player, that’s not good.
He reveals why he had to put it on the back burner, what sport he’d try again if he had a guarantee he wouldn’t get hurt, and how he balances lifting with not destroying his wrists before guitar practice.
This was a deep and interesting conversation with Travis
We talk about why he’s terrible in the kitchen and would never expect anyone to eat his cooking, the shift happening in music toward musicians taking better care of themselves, obsessing over step counts, and why both physical and mental health reinforce each other.
Travis talks about relearning how to be human after getting sober and listening to his body at 45.
Click here to watch the full interview
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