Eric Bostrom on the #1 Thing Holding You Back

This is a summary of Episode 20 of the Edge Grip Podcast, which features an in-depth interview with Imad Samhat and Eric Bostrom about their new venture, Fast Track Fit. The program is a comprehensive fitness, nutrition, and mental conditioning system designed specifically for the unique demands of motorcycle riding.

The Genesis of Fast Track Fit: Identifying a Critical Need

The idea for Fast Track Fit was born from a recurring observation at track day events hosted by Fast Track Riders. Co-founder Imad Samhat explains that he and Eric Bostrom consistently noticed a significant drop-off in rider participation and performance as the day wore on. At physically demanding circuits like Fontana, a large portion of riders would start packing up their gear by 1:00 or 2:00 PM, completely spent from fatigue.

Imad points out a critical distinction: these riders weren't necessarily lacking in technical skill, but in physical endurance. He notes, "You know all the techniques, you know everything that needs to be done. However, if you're not fit enough and when you do get tired, that's when you start making mistakes. You're not able to execute". This fatigue leads directly to a loss of focus, an increase in errors, and a higher risk of injury, with most on-track incidents occurring in the afternoon as a result of physical and mental exhaustion.

Eric Bostrom, a professional racer with extensive experience, elaborates on this point, highlighting the alarming trend of riders going out on track without a plan, believing that the only way to get faster is to "try harder". He clarifies that this approach is counterproductive for the vast majority of riders. "If you're really good, you can try harder and go faster, but that's for the top one percent," he states. For everyone else, speed comes from efficiency, proper technique, and letting the bike do the work—all of which are compromised by fatigue. This realization that a foundational layer of fitness was missing for many in the community was the primary catalyst for creating a structured program to address it.

The Core Philosophy: Extending the Fun and Enhancing Performance

Fast Track Fit is built on a multi-faceted philosophy that extends far beyond just improving lap times. The central themes are longevity in the sport, safety, maximizing the value of track time, and enhancing the overall quality of life.

Longevity and Quality of Life

A recurring sentiment among the hosts and guests is the acknowledgment that they are not "spring chickens anymore". The program is framed as a way to "put more tokens in the machine" and maintain a healthier, more active lifestyle for longer. Eric Bostrom passionately speaks about wanting to keep his health trajectory "flatter for longer," avoiding the steep decline that can come with age. He shares the inspiring example of his 84-year-old father, who still rides motorcycles every weekend and is disappointed if he misses a ride, often complaining that his friends aren't fast enough. This embodies the program's ultimate goal: to extend the "fun zone" and allow people to enjoy their passions, whether it's motorcycling, hiking, or playing with their kids, for many more years. Imad humorously adds that the program provides a great excuse for riders to justify their passion to skeptical partners: "I'm riding because I want to get fit".

Safety, Resilience, and Recovery

A cornerstone of the program is safety. The hosts argue that a fit rider is a safer rider. Reduced fatigue means better focus and fewer mental errors that can lead to crashes. Furthermore, physical fitness builds resilience. In the unfortunate event of a crash, a stronger body is less susceptible to serious injury and can recover much faster. This dual benefit—reducing the likelihood of a crash and improving the outcome if one occurs—is a major focus.

Maximizing the Investment

The podcast emphasizes the significant financial and time investment required for track days. It's an expensive hobby, and when fatigue forces a rider to quit early, they are not getting the full value for their money. By improving their fitness, riders can stay on track longer, enjoy more sessions, and truly maximize their experience. This also ties into the quality of that experience. One of the hosts, Nabil, shares his personal struggle with fatigue before improving his fitness. He describes how his hands would cramp up while braking late in the day, making it impossible to focus or ride effectively. A fit rider can perform at their peak for more of the day, turning a frustratingly short experience into a full, rewarding one.

Quality Over Quantity in Practice

The discussion also delves into how fatigue sabotages the learning process. A tired rider not only performs poorly but also ingrains bad habits while trying to compensate for their physical limitations. This means that the "junk laps" done while exhausted are not just unproductive; they can be detrimental to a rider's progress. Eric Bostrom stresses the importance of "quality over quantity," stating that a rider can learn more in one single, focused lap than in a whole day of just "burning fuel and burning tires". By being fit, a rider ensures that their practice time is constructive, allowing them to properly apply new techniques and build correct muscle memory.

A Holistic Program: Fitness, Nutrition, and Mental Fortitude

Fast Track Fit takes a comprehensive approach, recognizing that on-track performance is the result of a combination of physical strength, proper nutrition, and mental sharpness.

Fitness for the Unique Demands of Motorcycling

Eric Bostrom explains that riding a motorcycle is a unique physical activity that is more of a "full-body fitness" endeavor than traditional exercises like cycling or running. It involves high-force, intermittent exertions that quickly fatigue the muscles and the mind. The program is specifically tailored to these demands, focusing on building whole-body strength.

He provides a concrete example from the Fontana circuit, which has a series of rapid left-right transitions. To navigate this section efficiently, a rider must shift their body across the seat smoothly, "as if you were the weight of a mouse," to avoid upsetting the bike's chassis. An unfit rider physically lacks the leg and core strength to do this, forcing them to use the seat and handlebars for leverage, which in turn destabilizes the motorcycle. The program's workouts are designed to build this specific kind of applicable strength, from the neck muscles needed to handle wind and G-forces down to the leg muscles required for body positioning and control.

Nutrition as Fuel for Body and Mind

The program integrates nutrition as a critical component. Nabil attests to the "night and day" difference that proper eating habits have on his mental clarity and focus. The system aims to simplify nutrition, which can often be confusing and overwhelming for many people. Rather than prescribing a rigid, difficult-to-follow diet, the program acts as a guide. It helps users establish a baseline by tracking their current intake and then provides suggestions to align their diet with their performance goals. The app makes it easy to see the actual composition of meals, helping users understand their macronutrient intake (proteins, carbs, fats). Imad notes that during the testing phase, most people were surprised to find how far off their perception of their diet was from reality, particularly regarding protein intake. The program also adapts to the changing needs of an aging body, such as the increased need for protein to maintain muscle mass.

Mental Conditioning through Physical Effort

Eric Bostrom identifies mental sharpness as arguably the most important element for a rider. He explains that while there are no specific "brain exercises" in the program, physical exertion is the single most effective way to strengthen the mind. He draws from his racing career, describing how in a long race, as the bike's tires and suspension begin to fade, a rider's mind can also "melt," leading to critical errors. The physical training regimen in Fast Track Fit is designed to build the mental fortitude needed to push through these moments of adversity. It's about developing the resilience to stay sharp and make good decisions even when the body is under immense stress, a skill that translates directly to safety and performance on the racetrack.

The Technology and Structure: An Accessible and Customized System

Fast Track Fit is delivered through a user-friendly app that serves as the central hub for the entire program, making it both accessible and highly personalized.

The App: A Personal Coach and Guide

The app is the primary interface for users, providing them with everything they need to follow the program. It delivers daily workouts, tracks progress through photos and measurements, helps manage nutrition, and facilitates communication with the coach. One of its most important functions is to act as a guide during workouts, telling the user exactly what exercise to do next. This removes the mental load of planning a session, allowing the user to focus all their energy on the physical effort itself. The app also includes a social and competitive element, with challenges and community features designed to keep users motivated.

Customization and Tiers

A key differentiator of Fast Track Fit is its level of customization. Unlike generic fitness programs, it is not a "one-size-fits-all" solution. The journey begins with a detailed questionnaire about the user's goals, current fitness level, and lifestyle. Based on this, Eric Bostrom personally assigns a suitable program. This is not a one-and-done assignment; the program evolves with the user.

The system is offered in three tiers:

1. Ignition: The entry-level program designed to get riders started on their fitness journey.

2. Performance: A mid-level tier that offers more engagement and customization.

3. Racecraft: The top-tier, VIP-level program that includes the highest level of one-on-one coaching, advanced performance analysis (including reviews of blood work and VO2 max tests), and invitations to exclusive activities like bike rides and hikes with Eric and Imad.

The primary difference between the tiers is the amount of direct interaction with the coach, allowing users to choose the level of guidance that best suits their needs and budget.

Accessibility and Practicality

The program is designed to be highly accessible, without requiring a membership to an expensive gym. The primary recommended equipment consists of a set of adjustable dumbbells, a yoga mat, and some resistance bands, with a total estimated startup cost of under $400. The program is also built for people with busy lives. The app's flexible scheduling allows users to easily drag and drop workouts to different days to accommodate work, travel, or other commitments. This practicality is crucial for ensuring consistency, which the hosts agree is the key to long-term success.

The Fast Track Fit program officially launches on October 1st and is available through the FastTrackRiders.com website. It comes with a two-week trial period, offering a full refund if a user is not completely satisfied, making it a risk-free opportunity for riders to invest in their most important piece of equipment: themselves.

For more info head over to https://www.fastrackriders.com/