Team Member Spotlight

In the heart of San Angelo, Texas, you’ll find Joshua Hockett—fitness specialist, strength coach, wine educator, and proud Texas Beef Team member. Whether he’s coaching athletes, speed walking 5Ks, or deadlifting 500 pounds, Joshua lives and breathes the active lifestyle, fueled in no small part by beef.

Joshua wears many hats: Fitness Specialist at Shannon Health Club, Strength & Conditioning Coach for youth at Peak Performance San Angelo, Adjunct Kinesiology Instructor at Angelo State University, and freelance health and fitness writer for the Concho Observer. His passion for health and performance doesn’t stop at work—it’s integrated into every part of his life, from racing with his wife to training solo before the sun rises.

A Wisconsin native who’s lived in five states and two countries, Joshua brings a diverse perspective to everything he does. He’s been with the Texas Beef Team for three years, and his first time racing in the team jersey left a lasting impression: “I felt the pride of racing for something beyond myself.”

Joshua’s passion is competitive powerlifting. He started in 2011 on a whim but quickly found both the support of the community and the challenge itself to be what resonated with him most. He has participated in 15 powerlifting meets to date and his heaviest lifts on record include a 400 lb. squat, 250 lb. bench press, and a 500 lb. deadlift—all in the 182 lb./ men’s open division.

One might assume with this type of heavy strength training; Joshua doesn’t have the time or interest for his cardio health. Not the case! Joshua considers himself a “recreational 5k runner and avid lifestyle walker.” He’s completed seven 5ks, typically speed walking them, but his running PR for that distance (with minimal training) is 22:20. His favorite event has been the “Hustle with Your Honey 5K” because he got to share the experience with his wife. And for variety, he enjoys the mud, grit and camaraderie of obstacle course races.

To fuel his six-day-a-week training schedule, Joshua purposefully eats around 4,000 calories a day to maintain peak performance. Beef is at the top of this menu for recovery, strength, and overall wellness. “I consume four or more standard servings of lean or extra-lean beef a week to get the 10 essential nutrients beef delivers in high concentrations—especially protein, zinc, and iron. I just feel better at this intake level,” he explains.

His go-to cuts are Top Round and Top Sirloin, though in colder months, a hearty beef and vegetable stew often hits the spot. Growing up in Wisconsin, beef was a staple of family cookouts—and he has fond memories of enjoying burgers from the grill during summer.

Joshua’s education through the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s “MBA” program (Masters of Beef Advocacy) solidified his confidence in beef as part of a healthy, performance-based lifestyle. “I learned that grass-finished and corn-finished beef are more alike than different. What matters more are things like grade, cut, and leanness.”

A passionate advocate for beef as part of a sports nutrition diet and fitness at any age, Joshua sees himself as a role model for men in their 40s who want to stay strong, lean, and active. “Even tall skinny guys like me can be very strong with the right training and diet. I’m most inspired by older athletes who keep showing up—who prove that age doesn’t have to slow you down.”

Whether he’s taking on a 5k or prepping for his next powerlifting meet in October, Joshua brings his all. And while he often trains alone—thanks to his flexible schedule and access to three gyms as a coach and trainer —he’s always looking for ways to connect more with the Beef Team outside of races.

“I’m proud to represent the Texas Beef Team and grateful to be part of a community that supports healthy lifestyles, strong communities, and great food. I may walk more than I run—but I walk with purpose, fueled by beef, and driven by goals.”

Read on for more about this member we are proud to have on the team.

Family: Married since 2022, step dad to a 10-year-old, and shares his home with two dogs.

Hobbies: Traveling, food exploring, mastering the art of backyard smoking, and wine education (he holds a Certified Specialist of Wine certification).

Volunteering Outside of Beef Team: Concho Cadre member (city tourism ambassador) and Active Texas 2030 executive board member.

Race Mantra: “Courage is the resistance to fear, the mastery of fear, not the absence of fear.” – Thomas Jefferson.

Dream Celebrity Workout Partner: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson— He’s everything I admire in a person, professional, and athlete.

Best running advice:  Have fun with it! Enjoy the race and hang out afterward.

Favorite Song to Listen to While Exercising: Anything Imagine Dragons or AC/DC or Metallica.