Lapis Trubetskaya: From an alcoholic and drug addict to a boxer and champion.3 photos

Sports are for everyone. Music is for everyone. Poetry is for everyone. Sergey Mikhailok, the leader of the band “Lapis Trubetskoy,” demonstrates with his own example that it is possible to maintain excellent physical and musical form even at the age of 40. In 1999, Sergey Mikhailok presented himself in a rather humorous role, wearing colorful shirts, with a funny face and a slightly portly figure. The music of Lapis Trubetskoy was often influenced by the effects of alcohol, and their style could be safely classified as popular entertainment music. Songs like “Yabloni,” “Au,” and “Metelitsa” were played on tape players throughout the country, and the band was at the height of its fame. By that time, Sergey had already weighed 107 kilograms and realized it was time to make some changes, both in terms of his creative work and personal development. Sergey Mikhailok’s diet plan: He lost his first 15 kilograms at home. In addition to exercising, he changed his diet and eating habits. The key principle was to find pleasure in simple foods—such as a salad of tomatoes or fish. Forcing oneself to avoid what one loves will not lead to success. At the same time, it’s more important to focus on the quality of food rather than its quantity. Starting in 2000, Sergey gave up drinking strong alcoholic beverages, with only a few exceptions. He believed that what one eats directly affects one’s health; for example, eating too many chips can have negative effects on both the brain and other organs. Sergey Mikhailok’s training routine: After losing 25 kilograms, his muscle mass was almost non-existent, so he began to train intensively with weights, engage in bodybuilding, and practice martial arts. In 2005, he led a somewhat reclusive lifestyle, focusing entirely on himself and his thoughts. During this period, he increased his exercise routine even further: two hours of cycling around the city every day, followed by training in Thai boxing. After that, he switched to classical boxing, which he found to be more challenging. A musician-athlete usually has five training sessions per week; even during tours, training is considered a sacred obligation. In difficult situations, he would still spend at least an hour warming up before training—doing stretching exercises, sit-ups, and jumping over a rope, with each set lasting 3 minutes and followed by a 1-minute break. The main part of his training was sparring against a shadow. Today, Sergey Mikhailok’s lifestyle includes intense morning workouts, individual training sessions, running, and a strict diet. “I have achieved excellent physical fitness and mental balance. I have also gotten rid of bad habits such as drugs, alcohol, and smoking. I have lost weight and can now do 23 pull-ups—which is quite impressive for a 40-year-old former alcoholic and drug addict.” The transformation didn’t only affect Sergey personally; it also affected the band Lapis Trubetskoy. Many members of the group were not ready to embrace new ways of thinking and new musical styles. Nowadays, Lapis Trubetskoy plays fast-paced music that requires great mental focus and technical skill. In the past, it was possible to sing “Yabloni” while drunk, not always hitting the notes accurately; but with their new repertoire, this is no longer acceptable. Some members of the band followed Sergey’s new beliefs and became seriously interested in martial arts. As a result, they jokingly refer to themselves as an “entertainment-boxing collective.” I hope today’s post serves as both a source of inspiration and a guide for you in choosing the right life values and priorities. Exercise regularly, listen to good music, and stay in good shape!