Singer and songwriter Kane Brown is a man that is constantly in demand. Balancing his time between touring and promoting his music, the country music star began to feel that his fitness levels were suffering as a result of always being on the go. So, when a small gap in his gargantuan schedule finally surfaced, Brown utilized some rare downtime to start getting shredded over the summer, ahead of the next leg of his “The High Road Tour.” To discuss his journey so far, Brown sat down with M&F and acknowledged his biggest challenge to come — staying consistent on his upcoming international tour.

For more than a decade, Kane Brown has been a significant part of the soundtrack to our lives. His single, ‘Heaven’ sold more than 10 million units in the U.S. and ‘What Ifs’ has been streamed more than half-a-billion times on Spotify alone. But while Brown was riding high in the charts, a nagging feeling was telling him to get back into better shape. Then, in April, the singer found himself in Canada, scrolling though his phone, when he came across a clip of UFC President Dana White discussing the benefits of fasting.With three days off from his day job ahead of him, Brown decided to try it for himself. “And, I got six other people on tour with me to do it,” the singer tells M&F. “Once I saw what happened, I really didn’t want to put anything bad back into my body,” explains the star. “I started working out and training, and then I started looking into bodybuilding.”

Kane Brown Adapted His Lifestyle to Meet His Fitness Goals

Brown completed his fast by only drinking water, electrolytes, and bone broth, and was encouraged by the results (those on medication or with medical conditions should consult a health professional before starting prolonged fasts). Still, working on his physique during busier times would require adaptations. “The hardest part of staying fit with my lifestyle is the traveling,” explains Brown. However, the “Backseat Driver” singer’s confidence was boosted by that initial fast, because he proved to himself that he could spend time alone in hotel rooms without the desire to graze on junk foods to pass the time. He’s been in the driving seat with his health regime ever since.

The star now takes pre-prepared meals on the road where possible, so that he doesn’t give in to temptation. “I would say, for me, it’s 80% kitchen, 20% gym, but I will say that it’s all mentality, too,” he explains. Formerly a self-professed Pop-Tart fiend, the singer’s refrigerator is now clear of processed foods and high sugar options. These days, whether he’s at home or performing far away, the star also says that he’s intent on getting his steps in. Brown loves to run or walk as his preferred forms of cardio. “Get a mile, minimum,” says the ‘Miles On It’ singer. “And then when you’ve got the mile, your day is set.”

Brown has even become a positive force among his peers. “My manager likes to run, my videographer likes to run,” explains the singer, noting that he loves an incline for its heart pounding, fat burning effects. The star also says that dropping weight and working on his cardio has made him better at pastimes like basketball. “I feel young again,” says the 31-year-old. “I feel like I’m 21.” Brown shares that he generally aims for around 1,900 calories per day to stay in a small deficit, allowing himself one “refeed” day where he eats around 2,200 clean calories. “It’s been four months now, straight,” he shares of his journey to becoming buff.

Kane Brown Levels Up with High Volume Resistance Training

Brown tells M&F that he works out seven days per week, split into two days for legs, two days for chest, one day for arms, and two for back and shoulders. He still runs at least a mile and works his core every day too. “I like to concentrate on the muscle that you are working,” explains the singer, noting that he likes to feel the contraction and full stretch with every rep. “Lighter weights, higher reps,” shares Brown when discussing how he’s become so ripped. “I have a lot of stamina.”

As for making smart swaps, Brown substitutes old habits like snacking on Pop-Tarts with protein shakes instead. His “cheats” include scoops of almond butter — rich in fiber, vitamins, and healthy fats that can reduce bad cholesterol and support his cardiovascular health. With three young children including a one-year-old son, the popular Country music star explains that recovery from sleep is at a premium, but he likes to relax when he finds a moment by sitting in the sunshine and soaking up some rays.

Kane Brown Is Readying for His Biggest Fitness Challenge Yet

While Kane Brown has been crushing his workouts, avoiding nutritional pitfalls, and getting to grips with his new fitness regime, the star understands that his biggest challenge to consistency waits in the form of the European and UK legs of his highly success successful “The High Road Tour.” While taking in Germany, Netherlands, Ireland, Scotland, and England, the singer hopes to use what he’s learned and keep himself in shape despite the unpredictability of being on the road. Aside from regular workouts and taking in each city by running the streets, Brown is shunning the negative habits associated with stage performers and hopes to be in bed by midnight where possible. Of course, international tours are a great way to sample the cuisine of other cultures, so Brown is looking forward to visiting each stop, but plans to exercise portion control as a means of keeping his newly chiseled physique in check. “It’s about consistency,” acknowledges the global music phenomenon. “But then it’s about being flexible with that consistency.”

To catch the Kane Brown, live, click here for ticket info.

To follow him on Instagram, click here.

Nick Mayhugh has faced his fair share of personal and physical challenges as a young man who went on to defy the odds as a three-time Paralympic gold medalist, but thankfully, this athlete won’t slow down for anyone. With the 2025 New Delhi World Championships in his crosshairs, Mayhugh talks M&F though his training and ultimate goal of collecting more gold at the LA 2028 Summer Paralympics.

“I had my first seizure when I was 14,” explains Mayhugh, reflecting on how this event would finally lead to his questions being answered. Prior to that day, he’d been an active and skilled soccer player, but had always suffered with a sense that the left side of his body wasn’t as strong as the right and didn’t react in the same way. As a growing boy, there were hopes that these feeling would rectify, but MRIs conducted after his seizure clarified his condition. At first, doctors thought that the black spot that showed up during an X-ray on this brain could be a tumor, but ultimately it was determined that Mayhugh was suffering with cerebral palsy, potentially brought on by a traumatic birth.

Having only just got started with D.C. United’s Youth Academy, doctors told Mayhugh that he should never play soccer, or any type of sports again. His family understandably felt a strong duty to protect him from the risk of physical exertion. “That next six months was the hardest of my entire life,” he shares with M&F. “It was very dark; it was very sad and depressing. I wasn’t able to go to school, I wasn’t able to play sports, so I really just locked myself in my room.”

Not only did Mayhugh have to deal with the diagnosis, but he also had to get to grips with side-effects from his medication, like fatigue, dizziness, and mood swings. As his health stabilized however, the young upstart set about convincing his coaches that he could play soccer one again. “For months on end, I just walked back and forth in a straight line in my room,” he explains, in an effort to hide the limp in his left leg. “I had to change the way I played,” he adds. “I had to be more cautious and not put my head in situations that I usually would.” Mercifully, becoming active again would boost Mayhugh’s confidence, and with his family supporting him and his renewed sense of purpose, the young athlete began to blaze a trail.

Firmly back behind a soccer ball and making the U.S. Para 7-a-side National Team, Mayhugh decided to take his running skills and apply them to track and field. His Paralympic debut came at the delayed Tokyo games in 2021, and he smashed it, sprinting to a 100m and 200m world record, and earning an additional gold in the mixed 4x100m relay, plus a silver in the 400m run.

Mayhugh’s success would be a double-edged sword however, as officials later reclassified him to a less impaired category, moving him from T37 to T38. That move put the athlete in a more difficult class as he headed into the Paris World Championships in 2023. Still, despite the added pressure, Mayhugh was still able to take the podium with a bronze for the 100m sprint. It wasn’t gold though, and Mayhugh reveals that he found himself depressed at his perceived drop in the standings in Paris, feeling further disappointed that his classification was changed because of his earlier results. “That had kind of a negative effect on me,” he reflects, but Mayhugh also

notes that this has been a time where he’s learned to put his life into perspective, appreciating the things that he has accomplished, while striving for more medals but not letting sports become the be-all and end-all of everything. “I’m in a way better place now than I was,” he shares, adding that he’s incredibly motivated for the upcoming 2025 Para Athletics Would Championships in New Delhi, India. As a keen long jumper, Mayhugh jumped his personal best with 6.19 meters during the 2024 U.S. Paralympic Trials,  and so he will compete in both the T38 long jump and the T38 100m spring this September at those championships in India. It’s part of his plan to become the best possible athlete at the 2028 LA Paralympic Games.

Nick Mayhugh Battles Cerebral Palsy With Strength and Conditioning

While cerebral palsy is a permanent neurological condition, “there’s a lot you can do,” explains Mayhugh, offering hope to those who also suffer. Indeed, a scientific review conducted in 2020 concluded that, “High-quality evidence indicates that resistance training can improve muscular strength in individuals with CP, with some preliminary evidence of structural and neurological adaptations.” While strength and conditioning is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and must be tailored to the individual, most experts agree that exercise provides mental and physical benefits.

“Everyone’s diagnosis is different. There’s no two alike. Will I ever run as fast as Noah Lyles? Absolutely not, and that’s alright,” says Mayhugh. “But as long as I’m pushing myself and my left side to that physical capability on and off the track, and in the gym and strength training, it’s about trying to do a little more than I think I can.”

The inspirational athlete says that while he cannot fix his brain damage, he can try to improve his abilities through repetition, encouraging his mind-muscle connection to fire as quickly as possible. “It’s very frustrating for someone who just wants to be perfect,” he admits, noting that he’s forced to contend with the annoyance of dropping a dumbbell from time to time, but Mayhugh has also found that resistance training is a great tool for the track. The sport’s star says that isometric exercises, where one set of muscles is used in opposition with another, like bicep curls or planks are of huge benefit. Mayhugh also undertakes a lot of unilateral work, using one arm or one leg to help with his symmetry.

“I love Bulgarian split squats, that’s one thing that I do almost every day,” he shares. “Not even with weight, I’ll just try to see how long I can hold a single leg RDL, or anything that I can try — just to load my left side a little more to help with my balance.”

Mayhugh has also found that receiving small physical taps on his unresponsive areas helps to activate his muscles. “One of the things that really frustrates me is I can’t feel my left glute,” he reveals. “So, when I’m in the starting blocks, and I try to push out, or when I’m striding, driving, running, those frontside mechanics, I’m trying to activate my glutes, but I can’t feel my left glute, so it’s hard for me to really use it.”

To assist with activation, his coaches take a finger and tap the area in need of a response. When on his own in the gym, Mayhugh explains that he takes a finger and taps his glute, or his hamstring, or his arms during those bicep curls, and this helps with making his contractions. To further work on his balance, Mayhugh strengthens his Achillies and lower legs with calf raises.

Looking straight ahead to India, Nick Mayhugh is not only proud of the progress that he’s made during his own experience with cerebral palsy but he’s also helped to raise money and awareness so that others may get the support that they need to follow in his fast footsteps. This athlete has always worn his disability as a badge of honor. Whether he’s wearing the pattern of a brain scan in his hair or posting motivational messages on social media, Mayhugh understands the power of making positive choices.

“I always encourage people to just be gentle with themselves, you know?” he tells M&F. “To know that it is okay to not be okay, and that’s my biggest message. Nobody’s perfect by any means but as long as you’re doing something every day to better the situation that you’re in, then life will get better.”

To follow Nick Mayhugh on Instagram, click here. 

John Cena is winding down one of the greatest WWE careers of all-time, and is set to star in the second series of his highly successful series, Peacemaker, but despite his superstar status, the gifted grappler has explained why comments around his hair caused him to get a hair transplant.

WWE fans are loving the few remaining months of John Cena in a wrestling ring, but the “You Can’t See Me Star” has vowed that 2025 will definitely be his last hurrah. “Age plays a factor,” he recently told People magazine.  “I’m not as strong or as fast as I used to be. I made a promise when I started gaining some notoriety that when I’m a step slower, I will go, because there will be kids just as hungry as I was who have earned a shot to see if they can make it.” Despite those insecurities around his age, Cena has taken fans on wild ride during an epic retirement tour, including his first turn as a bad guy, a record-breaking seventeenth world title, and an exceptional match with Cody Rhodes as SummerSlam. Still, there’s been one aspect of his last run with WWE that forced him to look himself in the mirror.

Why Did John Cena Get Hair Transplant Surgery

“As I was trying to hide my hair loss, the audience was bringing it to light,” he told People. “I saw their signs, that said, ‘The bald John Cena,’” he adds. “They pushed me into going to see what my options were. I now have a routine: red-light therapy, minoxidil, vitamins, shampoo, conditioner — and I also got a hair transplant last November. I hate the fact that if there wasn’t so much shame around it, I’d have gotten it done 10 years ago. I thought I was alone, but seven or eight out of 10 (men) suffer from thinning or baldness.”

Cena is certainly not alone, and hair loss can affect people in their youth, too. Jimmy Presenell, who shot to fame on Netflix’s Love is Blind, opened up about having a hair transplant at just 29, while bodybuilding icon Hadi Choopan has also revealed he underwent a hair transplant procedure last year.  With more men bravely opening up about their experiences, the stigma surrounding hair loss is being fought head-on.

So, how does super Cena feel with his revitalized head of hair? “It completely changed the course of my life,” he told People, explaining that he has regained his confidence both in the ring and in front of the movie cameras, which is just as well, because he still has a few big wrestling matches to win before he hangs up his jorts, and Peacemaker season 2 premiers August 21 on HBO Max.

Dr. Ayoosh Pareek is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), specializing in sports medicine and complex joint reconstruction. His vast experience of football has won awards and involved taking care of both recreational and elite athletes, having been a team doctor for the New York Mets and New York Knicks.

Now focusing on sports injuries of the hip, knee, and shoulder, Pareek collaborates closely with strength coaches, trainers, and physical therapists to help athletes return to, and maintain peak performance safely and efficiently. M&F put the pertinent questions to him so that you can stay on the field for longer, and train off the field smarter.

Thanks for taking the time, Dr Pareek. In your experience, how do football players typically train differently during the off-season, pre-season, and in-season?

Training Evolves Significantly Across These Phases:

In the off-season, players focus on recovery and rebuilding—addressing imbalances, regaining strength, and improving mobility along with building a base for the season either focusing on strength, endurance, explosiveness, or any other goal they may have (and sometimes a combination).

Pre-season training ramps up intensity and introduces more sport-specific or football-specific drills and conditioning.

In-season training emphasizes maintenance and injury prevention more than anything—maintaining strength and conditioning without overloading the body. Recovery, injury prevention, and managing the wear-and-tear of weekly games take priority during this time.

What are some of the most common injuries sustained on the football field that require recovery in the off-season?

Football is high-impact and physically demanding, so we frequently see ACL and meniscal (knee) injuries, shoulder labral tears or dislocations, but other injuries like hamstring strains, groin injuries, and high ankle sprains aren’t uncommon. These often require either surgical intervention or dedicated rehab to allow for full recovery before the next year’s demands.

Why do these injuries tend to occur?

Even healthy athletes are at risk if their training isn’t appropriately structured but overuse injuries—such as Achilles or patellar tendinopathy—are common if there’s too much load without recovery. Stress fractures can occur with excessive volume or inadequate nutrition. Soft tissue strains and joint overload are also concerns, especially if mobility and core stability are neglected.

So, how can players strategize the right mix of training and recovery?

An effective off-season should be broken into multiple phases based on the needs of the sports and individual athlete. The recovery phase immediately post-season focuses on rest, mobility, and rehabilitation. The rebuild phase follows, targeting strength, hypertrophy, and correcting biomechanical deficits. Finally, the pre-season phase ramps up explosiveness, position-specific drills, and simulates game conditions to ensure readiness for training camp. This is of course just a general recommendation as needs can often be more granular and individualized.

What mistakes do players often make with their training?

The most common mistake is ramping up intensity, too quickly. Players may neglect foundational work in favor of heavy lifting or high-impact drills, leading to preventable injuries. Tendons and ligaments often require much more time to strengthen than muscular hypertrophy, so injuries to those soft tissue structures are still possible even if athletes feel their muscles can handle the load or fatigue. Others overtrain without enough recovery or skip mobility and stabilization exercises, creating imbalances that become problematic under the demands of the season.

Where do you stand on stretching?

Static stretching before workouts can actually reduce performance and is no longer widely recommended. Instead, a structured dynamic warm-up is key. This prepares the body by increasing blood flow, activating muscle groups, and priming the nervous system. Static stretching is more appropriate post-workout or on rest days to improve long-term flexibility.

What are some of the best recovery methods for players?

Sleep is arguably the most effective recovery tool for most athletes and still underrated, although its value is becoming more recognized. Other than that, adequate rest and nutrition/hydration remain the most important staples. Active recovery through low-impact movements, like swimming or cycling, cold therapy, and soft tissue work (massage or foam rolling) can also help.

Are there any supplements that football players should consider taking?

Some evidence-based supplements include creatine, which supports strength and power, along with why protein. Other supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammation, vitamin D for bone and immune health, and addressing personal nutritional deficiencies may be important. That said, players should always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any supplements and abide by sport-specific guidelines.

How should players train in the run-up to returning to training camps?

Training should become more football-specific in the final weeks before camp, to allow the ramp up to be more gradual. That includes high-speed running, deceleration, and directional changes. Conditioning should mimic the stop-start nature of football and likely focus more on interval training. Importantly, load should be increased progressively, and players should be exposed to contact or high-intensity scenarios gradually as impact activities are particularly high risk for injury.

Once the next season begins, what further challenges do players face?

At the start of a season, we often see hamstring and groin strains, along with soft tissue injuries. These typically occur from inadequate ramp-up, fatigue, or poor movement mechanics. Proper progression, dynamic warm-ups, and individualized workload management can help reduce early-season injuries significantly.

So, what’s your take home message for longevity in football?

Longevity in football depends on training intelligently, valuing rest as much as effort, and addressing minor injuries before they escalate. It’s consistency that keeps athletes and other high achievers performing at the highest level for years!

Brett Young is back to painting the corners, even if he hasn’t thrown a meaningful pitch in more than two decades. Although his velocity may have dipped since his fastball days, the former college baseball star turned platinum-selling country artist is throwing nothing but strikes—both musically and physically.

In June, the “In Case You Didn’t Know” singer once again bared his soul with his latest album, the introspective 2.0. At age 44, the 11-track collection reflects his growth as both a father and husband. Young also got the unintended opportunity to bare his chest for the 2.0 cover. The image was the result of eliminating alcohol for more than a year. That, and going all-in on his recommitment to health and fitness.

Young is proving that at post-40, it’s never too late to regain control of your wellness.

“I really don’t know how that one won out for the album cover, but it is definitely the first shirtless album cover we’ve done,” Young says, laughing. “We were kind of thinking a little more editorial when we shot that picture. But when we decided 2.0 was the name of the album, that’s kind of the place that I’m at in my life. That picture started to make a little bit more sense.”

For the four-time platinum singer, “2.0” represents a full-circle transformation. It dates back to the athletic mindset that had MLB scouts offering the former Ole Miss pitcher lucrative contracts before he turned 20. Hitting the gym with purpose was Step 1. Achieving this required ditching the beer and shots that had become a burdensome prerequisite for a musician on the road. That all came to an end in January 2024.

“I just decided that [alcohol] was not serving me at all,” he says. “In fact, it’s doing nothing but make life more difficult.”

Now, approaching two years of sobriety, Young has elevated his energy, focus, and strength. Now fans get hear and witness these improved qualities at each of his shows.

Living the clean life has resulted in dirty-rich gains for the 6’4” “Caliville-style” singer. He’s developed—and, most importantly, maintained—a workout routine that now has him in the gym at least two hours a day, six days a week. He’s invested the extra time gained from eliminating hangovers into his body. The payout’s already exponentially improved the quality time he now spends with his family.

“I went from getting really kind of worthless workouts where I would spend 30 or 45 minutes in the gym, to workouts that are about two hours a day,” he says. “I don’t feel like it’s freed up a lot of time in my day. In fact, it’s probably costing me an extra hour a day because I’m feeling so good. I’m spending more time in the gym. That being said, I think it’s added quality to the time that I do have.”

How Sobriety Sparked a Healthier, Happier, and More Powerful Performer

The date—Jan. 8—will be forever etched into Brett Young’s road to 2.0. However, his journey toward sobriety wasn’t marked by rock ‘n’ roll-style moments of hitting rock bottom or any tabloid-ready health scares. Instead, Young’s decision to say no to the traditional round of pre-show shots was a form of preventive medicine. Along with his career taking off, fatherhood and marriage served as wellness wake-up calls that prompted the singer to give up alcohol completely.

“There’s been a lot of changes in my life in terms of health and wellness and fitness over the last 18, 19 months that kind of have turned into this new 2.0 version of myself,” Young admits. “Having young children at home, and starting to get older, you start to realize—with so much more knowledge about what is good and bad for you these days. I did a deep dive into how to become the best version of myself possible. That meant longevity and being around for my kids as long as possible.”

However, before going cold turkey, he promised himself one last celebration on the cold and snowy slopes. “January 8 was a very specific decision, because we were going on a ski trip before that. I went, ‘You know what? Let’s blow it out one more time and have a good time. But when we come home from the ski trip, I’m going to be all done. I’m gonna put my head down and focus on getting as healthy as I can and setting a good example for this family.’”

Waking up fresh was a quick reminder of how much he had been leaving on the training table after years of subpar workouts due to unnecessary consumption. “For me, it wasn’t about missing workouts. It was about getting really bad workouts… I knew that I wasn’t moving the needle.”

The results were immediate and profound. “That just made me hungry and excited to kind of research what other things I could be doing to extend my life here,” he says. Brett’s workouts, once “maintenance at best,” became purposeful and powerful.

What he noticed most in the early stages was the improvement in rest. Better sleep resulted in more energy—and thus, more productive workouts. “I wear an Oura ring when I sleep,” he says. “And the only way I knew how trash my sleep was while I was still drinking versus now… I’m getting quality sleep. It’s a game changer.”

Brett Young’s Workout Routine and Fitness Transformation

Brett Young’s transformation into his “2.0” physique actually began before his decision to quit drinking. Like many, he fell victim to COVID’s “quarantine 15” and was looking for a way to shed the excess pounds he’d gained.

A pivotal first step was connecting with trainer Don Saladino. Before meeting Don through a mutual friend, Young admits he was just phoning in his workouts. He needed new motivation. And this was an opportunity to get some of his fans involved in a conditioning challenge as well. “I remember telling Don, ‘Can you help me get myself and a bunch of fans healthy?’” he says. “‘We’ll do a 10-week program, call it a challenge, and give away prizes.’”

He was already familiar with the lifting basics from his baseball days. Now working with the “superhero trainer”  Young was introduced to a whole new training approach. His new program included plenty of functional training exercises. “There are a ton of movements and exercises that I learned with Don that I’ve hung on to, that have been great for me,” he says.

Best of all, Young worked his way back into game shape. He also began noticing improvements in his physique and energy levels during each performance. And very now and then, Young is reminded of the experience. It’s especially true when he spots a fan or two who participated in the challenge.

“Man, I still have fans show up at shows wearing a T-shirt or a pair of shoes that they won in the challenge,” he says. “So that was really fun.”

Today, Young is down to about 240 pounds. His workouts are now repurposed versions of those once prescribed by his Ole Miss coaches. Two decades later, he’s made some minor changes. One was shifting to a lower-rep, higher-weight program. Another was kickstarting his workout week with leg day in order to prevent skipping it.

“As a pitcher, we would lift heavy legs, but our upper body workouts were a little bit lower weight to keep flexibility, mobility, and other stuff. I’ve just taken the same routine, but gone higher weight, lower reps,” he explains.

He follows a four-days-on, one-day-off split routine. After starting the week with legs, Day 2 is devoted to chest and triceps. Back and biceps take over Day 3. Shoulders dominate Day 4, followed by a Day 5 rest. However, if he feels he’s been slacking, then he adds it to the training schedule. “Unless I’m feeling like my diet wasn’t as good as it could be, then I’ll just run in for cardio on Day 5. I also put 30 to 40 minutes of cardio at the end of each lift on days one through four.”

From Fastballs to Fan Favorites: Brett Young’s Unlikely Journey from the Mound to the Mic

For Brett Young, the journey from the mound to the microphone has been anything but ordinary. The best moments, to his own amazement, were waiting long after he handed the baseball to the manager for the final time.

Young was a standout pitcher at Ole Miss after going 15-0 his senior season at California’s Calvary Chapel High School. His athletic prowess was undeniable—and for years, he believed his greatest life moments would come from his pitching talents. However, after transferring to Fresno State, Young’s Bulldog career lasted just one inning. After two strikeouts, he suffered a career-ending injury.

He then turned his attention to music, which at the time was limited to singing at church. He then began learning guitar in junior high, and leading worship at school. What began as a hobby quickly turned into a passion and, eventually, a platinum-selling global performer. His song “In Case You Didn’t Know,” off his self-titled 2017 debut EP, was certified diamond (more than 10 million units sold). It was the first of a string of seven No. 1 hits. His signature “Caliville” sound—a blend of West Coast and Nashville influences—has captured fans’ hearts with lyrics about love and heartbreak. Despite his success, Young still finds it hard to believe how much music has become a part of his life.

“If you asked me when I was 20 years old, I would have bet you money whether I got to do any of this, it would have been because of baseball, including my connection to the sport,” he says. “Now I get to do so many things related to Major League Baseball because baseball players and organizations are fans of country music. Not in a million years would I have thought that becoming a singer would open the doors that it has. It’s been wild.”

At 44, he can still hit the strike zone with his fastball—just not as fast as when several Major League clubs were offering six-figure salaries to the kid with the 90-plus mph fastball—offers that he turned down to attend Ole Miss.

“There are some things that at 44 years old, my body just doesn’t have in it anymore,” Brett admits with a laugh. “But the baseball player in me feels very capable. I got my arm in shape last year to go through an inning for the Savannah Bananas. I don’t have the juice that I used to have, but I was throwing strikes and had movement. At my age, I was pretty impressed with that.”

Besides his one-inning stint with the Bananas, the closest he gets to the pitching mound these days is his backyard grill. It’s where he’s most at home, cooking up chicken or steak with rice as part of his 4,000-calorie daily diet.

“I could eat red meat and chicken for every meal,” he says. “I put a TV out on the patio, then I throw the game on. A get a little time to myself. At the same time, Dad’s a hero for cooking dinner, and I get a meal that I’m excited about eating and I can feel good about,  I’d do it seven days a week if it didn’t get boring for the rest of my family.”

Now, Young is wrapping up the remaining U.S. dates of his current tour before heading to Europe in October and November. One of the added perks of being a country performer, he says, has been picking up his new passion—golf. With the exception of Augusta, he’s played all the major U.S. courses. Now, with his headlining act heading overseas, Young has the opportunity to fulfill another goal: teeing up in Scotland.

“I think this year will be the year that I finally take clubs to our European leg of the tour, because I really want to play courses in Scotland,” he says. “Up until now, we’ve just been kind of religiously building our fan base over there, but we’re to the point now where we’ve got a really good following, and it feels justifiable, now that the venues have gotten bigger, to take a day off and play some golf.”