192. Fitness Meets Farming in the Ottawa Valley with Adam Phomin

In this episode, Cal talks with Adam Phomin from Hoof and Beak Farm in eastern Ontario, Canada. Adam shares his journey from fitness coach and gym owner to regenerative farmer, raising sheep, cattle, chickens, and llamas on his 100-acre farm. A first-generation farmer, Adam connects his passion for health and nutrition to raising his own protein and improving the land. He discusses starting from scratch, lessons learned fencing and grazing, using polywire for sheep, the role of llamas as guardians, and the importance of daily progress—both in farming and fitness. Adam also introduces his 5 AM Squat Club, a mindset and movement program he leads live each morning on YouTube.

Topics Covered

• Transitioning from fitness and nutrition to regenerative farming
• Building a 100-acre farm from hayed and degraded land
• Starting with chickens and moving into Katahdin sheep
• Breeding strategies and learning from experience
• Grazing management with polywire and limited time
• Lessons learned from predator pressure and livestock guardians
• Sourcing and raising cattle for seasonal grazing
• Marketing protein through his gym community
• The 5 AM Squat Club: combining mindset, movement, and purpose
• The importance of identity, consistency, and small daily steps

If you’re just getting started or balancing farming with another career, this episode is packed with relatable insights. Adam’s story proves you can build a regenerative operation from scratch—even without an ag background—by focusing on health, mindset, and progress over perfection. His fitness perspective offers a refreshing reminder that farmers are athletes too, and taking care of your body is key to taking care of your land.

Resources Mentioned

• Hoof and Beak Farm: Instagram / Website – @hoofandbeak
• 5 AM Squat Club: YouTube Channel
• Podcasts: Working Cows, Ranching Returns, Beyond Labels (Joel Salatin & Sina McCullough), Ranching Reboot

Looking for Livestock that thrive on grass?  Check out Grass Based Genetics

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Original Music by Louis Palfrey