Henry Cavill is no stranger to pushing limits, both physically and mentally. The British actor, best known for his role as Superman in Man of Steel, is widely recognized for his dedication to fitness. However, his approach to wellness extends far beyond the gym. At 41, Cavill has embraced a philosophy that fuels not just his body, but his mind: focus only on what you can control.
A Late Love for the Gym
Though Cavill is famous for his chiseled physique, his fitness journey didn’t begin in his youth. “When I was in school, I played sports, but I wasn’t the most spectacular physical specimen back then,” Cavill told PEOPLE. “But I definitely had drive.”
That drive led him to his first major role in Immortals, where he trained intensely in martial arts and bodyweight exercises. His real introduction to weightlifting came with Man of Steel. From there, his fitness evolved, shaped by the characters he portrayed and the resources at his disposal. Today, he maintains a baseline level of fitness that allows him to adjust depending on his work.
“For roles, I’ll focus on different body parts on different days,” he says, tailoring his training to each character’s unique physical demands.
Cavill’s discipline doesn’t end in the gym. His nutrition, too, plays a critical role in his regimen. “Fuel is extremely important,” he emphasizes, noting that he sticks to a consistent diet even when he’s not preparing for a shirtless scene.
His current maintenance diet includes a protein-packed breakfast of whey protein, oats, berries, a two-egg omelet, turkey rashers, and beef filet. His meals follow a strict schedule, with chicken, rice, beef filet, and sweet potatoes making regular appearances.
And while he follows this routine rigorously, Cavill allows himself one cheat meal a week, often making an event out of it by cooking a Sunday roast or indulging in pizza or Indian food.
A Stoic Approach to Mental Health
Cavill’s mental health philosophy is simple but powerful: don’t let things you can’t control affect your state of mind. “I’ve been dabbling in stoicism. I like some of the core tenets: Don’t let that which you can’t control affect you, don’t let it affect your mental state,” he shares.
This mindset fits seamlessly with MuscleTech’s “Strength Redefined” campaign, where Cavill serves as the Chief Creative Director and Global Brand Ambassador. The campaign redefines strength through the accomplishments of everyday heroes, including first responders.
“We have all the necessary ingredients within us to become whatever we wish to become,” Cavill says. “We have that strength, we have that resilience. And it’s just about keying into those necessary ingredients and then utilizing them to intentionally create a physical self as well.”
By focusing on what he can control—his training, nutrition, and mindset—Cavill has not only built a career based on physical prowess but also cultivated a mental resilience that keeps him grounded. His message is clear: strength starts within, and the key to unlocking it is in our hands.
