In 2023, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg ramped up his training for a rumored MMA fight against Elon Musk, fueling his intense workouts with a 4,000-calorie-a-day diet.
While high-calorie intake is common among athletes with rigorous training schedules, Zuckerberg surprised many by revealing his meal choices—which included McDonald’s fast food staples.
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A 4,000-Calorie Diet for MMA Training
Zuckerberg, who has been vocal about his fitness journey, took to Threads, Meta’s social media platform, to share insights into his eating habits. Responding to a post by McDonald’s asking followers about their go-to orders, the tech billionaire listed an eye-opening selection:
- 20 Chicken McNuggets – 869 calories
- Quarter Pounder with Cheese – 507 calories
- Large Fries – 444 calories
- Oreo McFlurry – 258 calories
- Apple Pie – 243 calories
- Extra Cheeseburgers for later – 298 calories each
Altogether, his order totaled 2,619 calories, surpassing the NHS-recommended 2,500 daily calorie intake for an adult male. However, Zuckerberg justified his high-energy diet, stating:
“Not cutting weight so I need ~4000 calories a day to offset all the activity. And it’s so delicious…”
This level of caloric intake suggests that he was engaged in extensive physical training, burning enough energy to require a diet typically seen in high-performance athletes.
From Ethical Meat-Eater to Fast Food Fan
Zuckerberg’s dietary choices have evolved significantly over the years. In 2011, he committed to a unique challenge, stating that he would only eat meat from animals he personally slaughtered. Speaking to Fortune at the time, he explained:
“This year, I’ve basically become a vegetarian since the only meat I’m eating is from animals I’ve killed myself.”
Over time, he transitioned away from this approach, at one point adopting a vegetarian lifestyle. However, in 2023, his public embrace of fast food and high-protein meals signaled a shift toward performance-based nutrition, likely driven by his demanding training regimen.
Intense Training: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the Murph Challenge
Zuckerberg’s commitment to fitness was evident throughout 2023. He trained Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) regularly, earning his blue belt and competing in BJJ tournaments. His dedication to martial arts fueled speculation about a potential MMA showdown with Musk, following an online exchange where the two agreed to a fight.
Beyond BJJ, Zuckerberg also tackled high-intensity workouts. In early 2023, he completed the Murph Challenge, a grueling CrossFit workout consisting of:
- 1-mile run
- 100 pull-ups
- 200 push-ups
- 300 squats
- 1-mile run (while wearing a weighted vest)
Zuckerberg finished in 39 minutes and 58 seconds, a time that impressed many fitness enthusiasts. He described the workout as an annual tradition, saying:
“I try to do the Murph challenge with the girls every Memorial Day as a tradition to honor those who defended us.”
Will the Zuckerberg vs. Musk Fight Happen?
By the end of 2023, excitement around a potential Zuckerberg vs. Musk fight had largely faded. While the two initially teased the idea on Twitter/X in June, no concrete plans ever materialized.
Despite Zuckerberg’s consistent training and public fitness updates, Musk appeared less committed, with reports suggesting negotiations stalled.
