How fund manager Ed McCall raises two sons, makes million-dollar deals, and still competes at the top.
By Stephanie Pearson
For the first in our new series on how real guys juggle family, work, and an enviably active life, we tapped Ed McCall, a private-equity investor in California. Managing more than $2 billion in capital at work, McCall also trains and competes as a stand-up paddleboarder. One unusual key for the second-place finisher in the 27-mile Maui to Molokai paddleboard race (considered the world’s most difficult): “I no longer have a spouse and likely won’t. It tends to throw off my balance.” But being resigned to bachelordom isn’t his only secret for podium finishes.
Diet
“I eat four times a day, sometimes five. The first meal is a smoothie (apple juice, frozen blueberries, protein powder, vitamin C, and Catie’s Organic Greens) before my morning workout. It’s quick energy, easily absorbed, and it doesn’t take long to prepare. Ineed to eat within 30 to 60 minutes after Iwork out to maximize muscle-cell replenishment. In general, Itry to eat real foods like vegetables, fruits, fish, and meat and drink a lot of water. ”
Vice
“Lots of espresso. I have a quad macchiato in the morning, then a triple after my first workout. Espresso has less volume than regular coffee, so it’s easy to drink it a lot. It helps get my body ramped up in the morning, but the drinks later in the day are more for mental comfort and are probably dehydrating me.”
Weekly Regimen
Monday: Stand-up paddle from Hermosa Beach Pier to Manhattan Beach Pier and back (four miles, about 45 to 60 minutes). Lunchtime: I do some interval training (1 minute hard, 1 minute easy for 30 minutes) on the StairMaster or the Concept2 rowing machine.
Tuesday: Soft-sand run from pier to pier (four miles). Weight training at lunch. All of my weight training is done with dumbbells, kettlebells, or medicine balls and is functional training (incorporating full movements using entire body).
Wednesday: Stand-up paddle or surf for a few hours.
Thursday: Go to a sand dune near my house with about a 45-degree pitch and 200 vertical feet and do 20 to 30 laps (60 to 90 minutes). After every step forward, I take a half-step back. I can barely walk afterward.
Friday: Morning vinyasa flow–yoga class, then a two-mile swim in the ocean or in a pool. Friday-night beach volleyball (two-man) with a group of friends.
Saturday: Mountain-bike or road-bike ride (20 miles or 40 miles, respectively). Yard work.
Sunday: Another vinyasa class or more beach volleyball in the morning. Then I watch a game on TV in the afternoon and either do some functional weight training or some balance training on Bosu balls and balance boards.
Ritual
“I do cardio right away upon waking up. It gets the blood flowing, and I’m 10 times more productive after working out because my mind is clear.”
Essential Equipment: Seven Mountain Bike
“I wish I could use a stock bike, because they’re more affordable, but I’m 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds. Custom geometry is so key for performance and comfort; I have to go custom with a Seven. Ilike it for cross-training because it’s low impact. It requires a more natural circular motion versus the linear movement of so many other exercises” (from $5,500; sevencycles.com).
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November 25th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Just wanted to let everyone know that Kokatat Watersports Wear started a new blog which will offer readers unique content from Team Kokatat (sponsored whitewater and sea kayakers), Kokatat Ambassadors (supported athletes from within the disciplines of paddle sports), contests/giveaways, press announcements, product reviews, event reports and more. Check it out at: http://blog.kokatat.com
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December 7th, 2009 at 11:28 am
“For the first in our new series on how real guys juggle family, work, and an enviably active life…” would have been much more interesting, and infinitely more helpful, had Men’s Journal actually done just that. To say that a private equity investor, with over 2 billion under management, is a “real” guy is a bit of a stretch, when compared to your average reader. But, I’m a devoted capitalist, and would never begrudge a person’s success in business. More disturbing, however, is the tone of the article, which paints Mr. McCall in a superficial, at best, light.
How does he raise two sons? The reader nevers really learns this. And, please tell me that his idea of juggling family isn’t truly reflected in the statement, “I no longer have a spouse and likely won’t. It tends to throw off my balance.”
The new series is a wonderful idea, as many of us struggle with the very balance you speak of in the first sentence. I have to believe that there are men out there successfully striking that balance. Mr. McCall may be one of those men, but we wouldn’t know it from this article. In the future, please make sure that the idea delivers on the concept’s lofty promise.
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Brett Reply:
December 8th, 2009 at 8:12 am
Kudos Wade - you nailed it and took the words right out of my mouth. As I was perusing the ‘Best Of’ list and saw McCall’s name I recalled the article. Yeah, we’d all love to have that much free time with that much money to play with both personally and professionally … but ‘balance’ and I’m supposed to look up to this guy?!? Whatever … just goes to show how out of touch the editors of magazines like Men’s Journal, Men’s Health and Men’s Fitness can really be ..
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James Reply:
January 15th, 2010 at 3:39 am
So the key to juggling is to drop one of the balls??? For the next chapter in the series, show me someone who is truly balanced between work, family, and an active lifestyle.
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January 8th, 2010 at 10:21 am
Very interesting article, it is damn hard to bring up two kids and compete at a national level for Stand Up Paddle, I have been doing it for the last year, training six times per week, I have to train early in the mornings so I can fit a full time job in and also spend quality time with the children after school. However it does mean that by about 9pm I am exhausted and heading for bed.
Matt.
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February 25th, 2010 at 10:28 am
I concur with the comments above wrt Ed’s balance and schedule. I’ve got three kids, and it’s a real effort to fit in any workout if I want to spend any time with my kids. The article completely missed the boat. It didn’t hit on any key logistics: does he train with his kids? Does he lock his board to the top of his car while he’s at work so he can paddle at lunch? How much sleep is he getting, and when does he decide to back off training if real life amps up too much.
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