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Ido Portal – Paleo Fitness

With MovNat coming to Australia in March – and founder Erwan Le Corre teaching at PrimalCon in April – it really is the year of natural movement. Get ready for Ido Portal!

I’ve recently found out about Ido Portal. His YouTube videos show the most incredible movement, strength and balance. You can’t watch these videos and not be completely in awe – he makes the movements look so effortless. My handstand push-up ambition just doesn’t quite cut the mustard anymore!

As all the Paleo & related experts do eventually, Ido Portal is coming to Australia! He’s taking a two day workshop on the 25^th & 26^th February, at Elements of Movement, CrossFit Sydney.

Better get practicing…

Who Is Ido Portal?

Ido Portal is a name that comes up time and time again when talking about movement, mobility, and bodyweight strength. A former Capoeira practitioner from Israel, Ido has developed a completely unique movement philosophy that brings together strength training, gymnastics, martial arts, dance, and play. His methods are unconventional, yet captivating. Watching him move is like watching a wild animal – fluid, controlled, powerful. It’s no wonder so many in the Paleo and natural movement worlds are drawn to his teachings.

Unlike traditional gym-based workouts focused solely on isolated muscle groups, Ido Portal encourages movement for the sake of movement. He talks about being a “mover”, rather than a lifter, runner, or yogi. His core message is simple but profound: humans were born to move – in many different ways, through all planes of motion, across a variety of environments.

The Link Between Paleo and Movement

Many people associate Paleo with food – and rightly so. But what we eat is just one part of a much bigger ancestral picture. The Paleo lifestyle also includes sleep, sunlight, connection, and of course – natural movement. Our hunter-gatherer ancestors didn’t train in gyms or sit at desks all day. They squatted, climbed, crawled, jumped, hung, and moved across rugged terrain. Their movement was purposeful, varied, and frequent.

This is why movements like MovNat, Parkour, and now Ido Portal’s Movement Culture resonate so deeply with the Paleo community. They represent a return to the way our bodies were designed to move. Whether you’re navigating a rocky trail barefoot or attempting a one-arm hang, you’re reconnecting with primal movement patterns that modern life has all but erased.

Why Ido Portal's Approach Is Different

Ido Portal’s workshops are nothing like a CrossFit WOD or a typical yoga class. He breaks down movement into its most fundamental elements. You'll practice spinal waves, wrist mobility drills, animal walks, hand balancing, acrobatics, and partner games that challenge your awareness and control.

What makes Ido Portal’s philosophy so compelling – especially for those of us in the Paleo community – is that it embraces both strength and softness. It’s not about hitting PBs in the gym or achieving a ‘perfect’ handstand. It’s about exploring your body’s capacity for movement, developing resilience, and rediscovering physicality in a holistic way.

Ido Portal and the Paleo Fitness Movement in Australia

Australia has long been at the forefront of the Paleo movement, with a vibrant community of primal eaters, barefoot runners, and natural movement advocates. With Ido Portal's workshops now making their way to Australia, it’s clear we’re part of a global shift in how we understand fitness and wellbeing.

In fact, the timing couldn’t be better. With MovNat expanding their Australian offerings and events like PrimalCon showcasing more natural movement each year, Ido Portal’s arrival adds serious weight to the growing Paleo fitness scene down under. Whether you live in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, or somewhere in between, there’s never been a better time to explore this way of moving.

Training for Movement – Not Just Muscles

One of the biggest takeaways from Ido Portal’s teachings is that movement is a skill. Like learning a language or playing a musical instrument, it takes consistent practice, curiosity, and humility. You’ll be challenged mentally and physically – and that’s the point.

Rather than repetitive sets and reps, Ido's students learn patterns. They explore locomotion flows, hand balancing drills, and coordination exercises. These develop not just strength, but control, agility, rhythm, and spatial awareness. It's like play – but with purpose.

For those already eating Paleo and interested in improving health beyond diet, this approach adds depth to your lifestyle. Your body starts to feel more capable, more aligned, and more adaptable to the demands of everyday life – whether that’s chasing after your kids, hiking in the bush, or simply getting up off the floor with ease.

How to Get Started With Ido Portal Inspired Movement

If attending a full workshop feels intimidating (or is out of your reach geographically), there are plenty of ways to incorporate Ido-inspired movement into your daily life.

Start with basic mobility drills: wrist rolls, spinal waves, hip circles – movements you probably haven’t done since childhood.
Practice hanging: from a bar, a tree branch, or even doorways. Build grip strength and decompress your shoulders.
Try animal movements: bear crawls, lizard walks, frog jumps – these build coordination, strength, and endurance.
Make use of floor time: sit on the ground more, experiment with rolling, squatting, and low gait movements.
Watch Ido’s YouTube channel for inspiration – but don’t compare. Use it to spark your curiosity, not self-judgement.

And remember, movement is not something to tick off your to-do list – it’s something to explore, enjoy, and refine every day. Start with 5–10 minutes and grow from there.

The Power of Play

Something else that sets Ido Portal apart is his emphasis on play. Many adults have forgotten how to play. But play is how we learn, how we connect, and how we heal. It doesn’t matter if you’re doing handstands in the park or crawling on the floor with your kids – playful movement helps rewire your brain, improve joint health, and reduce stress.

That playful spirit fits beautifully with the Paleo ethos. This lifestyle is about thriving, not just surviving. Movement should feel like joy, not a chore. It should reconnect you with your body and your environment, not isolate you to a treadmill or gym mat.

Ido Portal in Sydney – What to Expect From a Workshop

If you’re lucky enough to attend one of Ido Portal’s workshops in Australia, here’s what you might expect:

Two full days of movement training that will push you outside your comfort zone.
No fluff: Ido is known for being direct, no-nonsense, and laser-focused on teaching.
Community: a chance to connect with others who are curious about movement, Paleo, and personal growth.
Surprises: expect to be challenged physically and mentally – but in the best way.

Bring an open mind, lots of water, and a sense of humour. You'll be sore, inspired, and possibly a bit overwhelmed – but you'll also leave with a renewed appreciation for what your body can do.

Where to Learn More

If you're just getting started and want to dive deeper into Ido Portal’s world and how it intersects with Paleo fitness, check out the following:

Ido Portal on YouTube – for movement videos, lectures, and examples of his students’ transformations.
Ido Portal on Facebook – for event announcements and philosophy posts.
MovNat Australia – if you're interested in complementary natural movement training.
The Paleo Network – for events, resources, and more Paleo-friendly movement ideas in Australia and New Zealand.

Is Ido Portal Paleo?

While Ido doesn’t explicitly label himself Paleo, his philosophy overlaps with many of the movement principles our ancestors lived by. He advocates for nutrient-dense food, rest, sunlight, barefoot movement, and spending time in nature. He also recognises the dangers of modern sedentary life and offers a powerful antidote through his movement culture.

In that sense, he fits right in with the broader Paleo lifestyle. He may not push bone broth recipes or intermittent fasting, but he embodies the idea of human optimisation through reconnection – with our bodies, our environment, and each other.

Final Word: Get Moving

Whether you’re deep into your Paleo journey or just starting out, Ido Portal’s approach can offer new energy and insight. If you’ve ever felt limited by the typical gym routine, or if you’ve lost touch with how your body likes to move, his work could be a game-changer.

So next time you're barefoot in your backyard, try a squat, a hang, a crawl. See how it feels. Make it part of your day. And if you’re feeling brave – maybe even sign up for that workshop.

Because Paleo isn’t just about what’s on your plate – it’s also about what you do with your body. And the world is your gym.

Mental Toughness

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I got to the gym a few times a week, where I do lots of strength work. This is a great complement to my Paleo diet and is making so many positive changes. I've been giving lots of thought lately to what goes through my mind in the middle of a really hard set. When I first started, I used to think

“This is so hard, I can’t do it, I want to stop”

And guess what, as soon as I allowed those thoughts to enter my head I did stop! This is clearly not a helpful thought to allow. I've noticed on the Biggest Loser that a few of the contestants have that defeatist “can’t do” attitude in training. When they think they can’t do it, it always seems to become a self fulfilling prophecy.

Once I realise how damaging this attitude was, I tried to distract myself from what I was actually doing, to not allow myself to think how heavy the kettlebell was and how much I wanted to stop the reps. Thinking about my plans for the weekend or planning my next holiday was a far better strategy than focusing on how hard the set was, but I still felt I could do better, especially in terms of technique. I don’t want to “just do” a set after all, I want to do it with good form.

I've been trying lots of different mind strategies myself, but the most enlightening thing has been speaking to the fit and strong people in my life and asking them exactly what they think about when the going gets tough. I’ve been really interested in the answers they've given me, and have been trying out a different mental attitude in each of my gym sessions lately. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the strong, fit people have devised such good mental strategies.

Kevin suggested I repeat the mantra “this is easy” with every rep – which is the exact opposite to what I used to say! This immediately made a big difference.

My PT Karl tells me he focuses on how much he enjoys a difficult set. I'm not quite at this stage yet, but I will get there!

I asked an Iron Woman what she does in the middle of a 180km cycle, when it starts to feel really difficult. She looked at me in surprise and said she can’t let herself think it's getting difficult. She has no option but to continue cycling – or she won’t get home! She focuses on the cycling, her technique and on cycling home.

A PT friend said he feels the set doesn't get going until it starts to get difficult, perhaps not until rep seven. At this stage he tells himself this is where he’s making the difference in his muscles, so he focuses on making these reps as perfect form as possible. The harder it gets, the more he focuses on his form.

Trying to copy these strategies is helping significantly with my training. But I still want to understand the mind set of more fit, strong people. I’d love to hear your mind strategy – how do you get through a hard training session? What goes through your mind?

HIIT

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As I've mentioned before, I've been a regular at the gym for a couple of years now. My workouts are primarily HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training), which seemed to be unanimously agreed to be the best training method at both the AHS and Nora Gedgaudas’s recent seminar.

HIIT is designed to incorporate bursts of high intensity sprints with recovery intervals. The sprint sections are typically 60 seconds or so, enough to use every last bit of stored energy in the muscles. This is very different to “chronic cardio”, where hours can be spent in the gym mindlessly pounding the treadmill. HIIT improves endurance, fitness, lean muscle mass and oxygen consumption (including after the workout, resulting in fat burning for hours after the workout). Injury from over training is also a lot less likely with HIIT.

During the last two months of so, I've upped the number of HIIT sessions to three and am amazed at the difference in my fitness and strength. I can’t wait to see how much fitter I’ll be in a few months time. Before Paleo I went through phases of chronic cardio and never achieved anything like the results I am enjoying today.

I've been reading lots of differing viewpoints about eating post work-out, and am currently trying the not eating post workout approach. The idea here is that after using up all of your stored energy your body has to use body fat – and as soon as you eat it will stop that process and start using the food as fuel.

I've read how our bodies are capable of so much more than our minds believe. I've therefore been asking a lot of fit people how they deal with the mental aspect to training. There seem to be a few approaches, such as only focusing on the next five reps (instead of the whole set), complete distraction by focusing on music for instance, or focusing on the end goal. I'm going to try a few different approaches myself to see if changing my thinking can enhance my performance.

Training Smarter: Why Recovery Is Just as Important as the Workout

When it comes to high intensity training, the workout itself often gets all the attention — but what you do between sessions is just as important. Recovery allows your muscles to repair and grow stronger, while helping to regulate cortisol levels and reduce the risk of overtraining injuries. For those of us following a Paleo lifestyle, recovery should be about more than just rest — it should include proper sleep, real food, mobility work, and active recovery strategies.

Since HIIT places a high demand on your nervous system and muscle fibres, the temptation to train hard without pausing can backfire. By listening to your body and integrating restorative practices like walking, foam rolling, breath work and stretching into your week, you'll bounce back stronger and avoid burnout.

Fuel or Fast? Reassessing the Post-Workout Meal

One of the most debated topics in fitness is whether or not to eat immediately after a workout. In the Paleo world, the answer depends largely on your goals. If fat loss is your main focus, delaying your meal might extend the fat-burning window. This works especially well if your training is fasted and your body is already tapping into stored fat for energy.

However, if your goal is to build muscle or improve athletic performance, providing your body with high quality protein and carbohydrates post-workout can enhance muscle protein synthesis and speed up recovery. The key is to avoid processed shakes and instead focus on real food: think grilled chicken, sweet potato, or a boiled egg with a piece of fruit.

The timing and composition of your post-training nutrition should align with your body composition goals, energy levels, and how you respond to different eating windows. As always, experiment and observe how your body feels and performs under each approach.

The Mental Game: Strength Starts in the Mind

When it comes to HIIT and other demanding workouts, the psychological component often makes the difference between giving up and pushing through. Mental toughness is a skill, not a trait — and just like physical strength, it can be developed.

One technique many athletes use is called “chunking,” which involves mentally breaking the workout down into smaller, more manageable parts. Instead of focusing on the full 30 minutes of intervals ahead, concentrate only on the next round, the next rep, or even just the next 10 seconds. This reframing trick makes even the most daunting workouts seem more doable.

Another powerful mindset shift is to replace negative self-talk with encouraging mantras. Repeating affirmations like “I’m stronger than I think” or “just one more set” can quiet the inner critic that often sabotages progress.

HIIT at Home: No Equipment, No Excuses

One of the best aspects of HIIT is that you don’t need a gym membership or fancy equipment to reap the benefits. Bodyweight exercises like burpees, jump squats, high knees and mountain climbers can be combined into effective circuits that torch fat and build endurance in under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy days or when travelling.

If you want to step it up a notch, using a skipping rope, resistance bands or kettlebell adds resistance and variety without cluttering your living room. You can tailor each session to suit your space, time and current fitness level — and scale it as you grow stronger.

The Hormonal Impact of Intense Training

It’s easy to think of exercise purely in terms of calories burned, but training has a significant impact on your endocrine system too. Short, intense bursts of exercise help regulate insulin sensitivity and promote human growth hormone (HGH), a natural anabolic hormone that supports muscle repair and fat metabolism.

But intensity needs to be balanced. Overtraining, especially without sufficient sleep or nourishment, can lead to chronically elevated cortisol levels — a stress hormone that promotes fat storage (especially around the belly) and suppresses immune function. Rest days and active recovery are critical to keep your hormonal profile in check, particularly for women or those over 35.

Tracking Progress Without Obsessing Over Numbers

Progress in HIIT isn’t always about lifting heavier or running faster. Improvements in form, increased stamina, better recovery times and a stronger mindset are all indicators of success. Consider using tools like a fitness journal, heart rate monitor or performance-based fitness app to track your evolution — but don’t become a slave to numbers.

Your body is the best feedback tool. Are your clothes fitting better? Do you have more energy during the day? Are you sleeping more soundly? These are the metrics that matter most. Over time, they’ll tell you more than a scale ever could.

Supporting Your Fitness Journey with Paleo Nutrition

Your training and nutrition should work together, not against each other. A Paleo approach gives your body the building blocks it needs to recover, build muscle, and support hormonal health. Focus on anti-inflammatory foods like grass-fed meats, wild-caught fish, colourful vegetables, root starches like sweet potato, and healthy fats such as avocado, olive oil and coconut.

Stay away from post-workout “recovery” snacks that come in shiny packaging and are full of processed carbs and additives. Instead, plan ahead so you have something ready to refuel with if you choose to eat post-session. Even something as simple as a banana with almond butter can work wonders.

Keep Pushing Forward

Whether you're in your first week of HIIT or years into your journey, remember that consistency trumps perfection. You don’t have to smash every session or PR every lift. What matters is showing up, doing the work, and gradually raising the bar — physically and mentally.

Experiment with different techniques for motivation, recovery and fuelling your sessions, and stay curious about how your body responds. As you fine-tune your approach, your training will evolve into something sustainable, effective and enjoyable — not just another thing to tick off your to-do list.

And if you're still stuck in a chronic cardio rut or plateau, try trading one of those long jogs for a short HIIT session. You might be surprised by how quickly your body adapts — and how much stronger, fitter and more energised you feel.

What kind of workouts do you do? I’d be really interested to hear how you approach the mind aspect of your workouts too.

Pink Boxing Gloves

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My first ever pair of boxing gloves arrived at the gym last night (er, a Birthday present to myself?)! They’re pink and quite possibly the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. I’ve even got matching pink gloves to wear inside (though on reflection, perhaps that’s a bit silly as I won’t be able to see them?) I can’t wait to wear them with my pink VFF’s!

In the five weeks since I moved from a big commercial gym to a small, independent gym (my PT moved – and I followed), my fitness and strength have increased significantly. I notice it every day, whether I feel the need to run up a flight of stairs two at a time (which I’d previously have walked up) – or even just lifting previously heavy things at home.

Since the move, my gym sessions have got harder and much more challenging. My two weekly sessions are based on High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and typically involve a lot of strength work and short bursts of cardio. Every session is completely different; the only constant is that it’s never easy! I used to hate exercise, but now I love it and am always looking forward to my next session. I think it takes a while for people new to exercising (as I was two years ago) to go from hating it – to loving it; but trust me, if I love exercise – anyone can grow to love it!

Last night’s session involved the bike and the rower, kettlebell swings, kettlebell cleans, medicine ball, sprints, squats, core work, and stretching. I moved up to a 16kg kettlebell last night for the first time, which I’m very excited about. Hopefully that will start feeling less heavy soon! I recently started doing a circuits class once a week – and adding more sprints into my commute. I’m sure these factors alongside my fairly strict Paleo nutrition plan have all had a part to play in this sudden increase in fitness!

Future sessions will feature my new boxing gloves – and some heavy ropes which will be arriving at the gym very soon – I’m intrigued to see exactly what we’ll be doing with those?!

Building Functional Strength Through Variety

What makes training so effective in smaller, independent gyms is the tailored, varied programming that keeps the body guessing and progressing. Functional fitness approaches — including HIIT, circuits, and strength training — build not only physical capacity but confidence. These workouts mimic real-life movement patterns and push your body to move better, not just look better.

Exercises like kettlebell cleans, battle ropes, and rowing aren’t just calorie-burners. They enhance grip strength, improve posture, and develop explosive power. When paired with good nutrition and consistency, you start noticing subtle changes: carrying your groceries feels easier, stairs no longer leave you winded, and daily movement becomes more fluid and effortless.

The Unexpected Joy of Strength Training

One of the most empowering transformations that comes from embracing a fitness lifestyle — especially one rooted in primal or Paleo values — is the mindset shift around strength. Lifting heavy things is no longer about aesthetics or calorie expenditure. It becomes a demonstration of what your body can do. Every extra kilo on the kettlebell or barbell becomes a personal milestone.

Getting stronger doesn't require a bodybuilding plan or hours in the gym. Just two or three intelligently structured strength sessions per week — when combined with mobility and proper fuelling — are enough to radically shift your energy, resilience, and shape. And it’s not just about muscles. Strength training supports bone density, hormone balance and even mental clarity.

Boxing and Combat-Inspired Fitness

Adding boxing into your workout mix is a fantastic way to build cardiovascular endurance, coordination and upper body strength — all while releasing stress and boosting mental focus. Wearing those pink gloves isn’t just about the aesthetic; it symbolises a fresh challenge, a new skill set and the courage to push into unfamiliar territory.

Boxing drills incorporate speed, reaction time, core engagement and footwork. You’re not just moving — you’re moving with intent. Over time, you may find your posture improving, your reflexes sharpening, and your stamina increasing. Plus, there’s something incredibly satisfying about punching pads or bags — especially after a stressful day!

Heavy Ropes: More Than Just a Trend

If your gym is about to introduce heavy ropes (also called battle ropes), get ready for a full-body workout like no other. These thick ropes challenge grip, shoulders, core, and even your legs depending on the variation. What seems simple — swinging two ropes in waves — quickly becomes a high-intensity strength and cardio session.

Just 30 seconds of alternating waves, slams or rope circles can elevate your heart rate and test your endurance. It’s a brilliant low-impact conditioning tool and a great addition to a HIIT-style programme. Best of all, you can scale rope exercises easily, increasing the duration or intensity as your fitness grows.

The Paleo Lifestyle and Peak Performance

One of the biggest advantages of combining Paleo nutrition with regular training is how much faster you notice results — not just on the outside, but internally. Clean, whole foods free from refined sugars, seed oils and grains support stable energy, reduced inflammation, and faster recovery. That means fewer sore days, better sleep and a greater capacity to train hard again and again.

When you fuel your body properly with nutrient-dense meals, every workout becomes more effective. You’re not relying on energy drinks or processed protein bars. Instead, you’re recovering with real food: grass-fed meats, vibrant veg, natural fats and mineral-rich broths. And when your food and training are aligned, the results speak for themselves.

Making Fitness a Sustainable Habit

What makes your story even more inspiring is that it reflects something many people struggle with — going from loathing exercise to genuinely looking forward to it. That shift happens when movement becomes meaningful and rewarding. It’s not about punishment or chasing a number on the scales; it’s about feeling good, seeing progress, and being proud of what your body can do.

The key to sustaining any fitness routine is variety, enjoyment and a strong “why.” Whether that’s the energy to chase your kids, the strength to carry your own luggage, or the mental clarity to tackle stressful days, movement becomes a tool for living better. And that motivation is far more powerful than any short-term goal.

Celebrating Small Wins and Setting New Goals

From moving up to a 16kg kettlebell to sprinting in your commute, every small victory matters. Celebrating these milestones fuels momentum. As your strength and endurance continue to grow, you’ll naturally start setting new goals — maybe it’s mastering a full push-up, beating your rowing time, or feeling strong enough to attempt a pull-up.

Don’t be afraid to document your progress, either. Keeping a training journal, snapping a post-workout selfie, or simply ticking off sessions in your calendar can help reinforce just how far you’ve come. These little rituals keep motivation high, especially on days when the workout feels harder than expected.

Let Your Fitness Journey Inspire Others

If there’s one thing the Paleo community thrives on, it’s shared stories and inspiration. Your transformation — from someone who once disliked exercise to someone lifting, sprinting and boxing with joy — is a reminder that change is possible. Sharing that story could inspire someone else to give functional fitness a go, or help a friend feel less intimidated about joining a gym.

You don’t have to be the strongest or the fastest — just consistent, open-minded and willing to challenge yourself. Whether you’re lifting kettlebells, swinging ropes or throwing punches in pink gloves, your journey is proof that fitness and fun don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

I'm excited to see how much fitter and stronger I'm capable of becoming!

Is your style of exercise completely different to mine? Are you the fittest you’ve ever been?

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