Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews

This is one of the books that I have recommended most to people that want to be more successful in business and life.It’s short, has very little filler content (much appreciated), and delivers a powerful and practical message, which can be summarized in a question:What’s the ONE THING I can do such that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary?In other words, how can we go beyond merely “being busy” in any area of our lives and develop a sense of the essential?Napoleon once said that a military commander should be slow in deliberation and swift in execution, and the authors of this book think we should apply that advice to all areas of life. That we should, before acting, pause long enough to decide what really matters, and then allow that to drive our days.One of the reasons I find this concept so compelling is I think that modern living is, in many ways, an embarrassment of riches.We have more freedom and options in every aspect of our lives than ever before, and that’s why I think a major part of achieving success and fulfillment in any of them is identifying the things that will produce a disproportionate share of the results–you know, the 20% that produces the 80%.Therefore, success is more about doing the right things than doing everything right. It’s not about developing superhuman discipline and endurance, it’s about exerting just enough effort and self-control to establish the right habits–the ones that make everything else easier or unimportant.Want to be notified when my latest book recommendations go live?Hop on my email list and you’ll get each new installment delivered directly to your inbox.Click here:www.muscleforlife.com/signup/  

Those of you thatfollow me on Instagram know that I was in San Jose last week visiting with the Mind Pump Media team to appear on their hugely popular podcast. We had a great time chatting about all kinds of things ranging from the trials and tribulations of being a supplement seller on Amazon, my “origin story” and initial reluctance to work in the fitness space, why many supplement companies “pixie dust” their products, what kind of music I like to listen to for working out, and much, much more.Here are some of the main things we discussed:Shenanigans of product reviews on Amazon (0:00)Company acquisition vs. customer experience (15:27)How hard is it to have integrity in supplement industry? (17:02)What drives me? (18:12)How do I get inspired to write? (20:22)Guys talk the power of the human brainHow did I decide to get into fitness industry and why was I hesitant initially? (28:25)Did things go as planned with creating Legion Athletics? (52:57)How much sun exposure do you need? (1:02:55)How has my own perspective on health and self-image evolved over time? (1:04:37)What do I do for fun besides work? (1:14:20)Relationship talk (1:26:05)How do I tackle food with my kids? (1:29:52)What are some of my main philosophies regarding fitness? (1:35:47)What fascinates me right now in the industry? (1:47:56)Related Links & Products MentionedWalmart Agrees to Acquire Jet.com, One of the Fastest Growing e-Commerce Companies in the U.S. (article) - http://news.walmart.com/2016/08/08/walmart-agrees-to-acquire-jetcom-one-of-the-fastest-growing-e-commerce-companies-in-the-usAmazon patent hints at floating warehouses in the sky (article) - http://money.cnn.com/2016/12/29/technology/amazon-aerial-warehouse/index.htmlWhat Doesn't Kill Us: How Freezing Water, Extreme Altitude and Environmental Conditioning will Renew our Lost Evolutionary Strength – Scott Carney (book) –http://amzn.to/2vqq2QCThe Rise of Superman: Decoding the Science of Ultimate Human Performance – Steven Kotler (book) –http://amzn.to/2g75if2The use of visual feedback, in particular mirror visual feedback, in restoring brain function (article) - https://academic.oup.com/brain/article/132/7/1693/328686/The-use-of-visual-feedback-in-particular-mirrorReflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSD) - http://www.medicinenet.com/reflex_sympathetic_dystrophy_syndrome/article.htmHit Makers: The Science of Popularity in an Age of Distraction - Derek Thompson (book) –http://amzn.to/2wpiqCvEvery Shot Counts: Using the Revolutionary Strokes Gained Approach to Improve Your Golf Performance and Strategy - Mark Broadie (book) –http://amzn.to/2xe5qgLHustle: The Power to Charge Your Life with Money, Meaning, and Momentum - Neil Patel (book) –http://amzn.to/2vqlJFeBaby's Palate And Food Memories Shaped Before Birth (article) - http://www.npr.org/2011/08/08/139033757/babys-palate-and-food-memories-shaped-before-b

This episode is part of a weekly series that I have dubbed “Motivation Monday.”(Yes, I know, very creative of me. What can I say, I’m a genius…)Seriously though, the idea here is simple:Every Monday morning, I’m going to post a short and punchy episode that I hope gets you fired up to tackle the workouts, work, and everything else that you have planned for the week ahead.As we all know, it’s one thing to know what you want to do, but it’s something else altogether to actually make yourself do it, and I hope that this series gives you a jolt of inspiration, energy, and encouragement to get at it.Want to get my best advice on how to gain muscle and strength and lose fat faster? Sign up for my free newsletter!Click here: https://www.muscleforlife.com/signup/

If you’d like to know how to get more done every day with less worry, confusion, and stress, then you need to read this book.Unlike other productivity books that focus mostly on changing specific behaviors, adopting certain attitudes, or cultivating various habits, Getting Things Done is all about getting organized.Ironically, I think the book itself was rather poorly organized (and too dry and long-winded), but it’s worth the slog.Its premise is simple: the more organized your mind, work, and life is, the easier it’ll be for you to do the things that you need to do to get the results that you want.It doesn’t just talk about these things, either — it provides you with a system that you can immediately implement to see how the principles work for you.Want to be notified when my latest book recommendations go live?Hop on my email list and you’ll get each new installment delivered directly to your inbox.Click here:www.muscleforlife.com/signup/

In this episode, we’re going to have a meandering discussion about willpower and self-discipline, and specifically, some of the reasons why so many people have so much trouble doing the things they know they should and not doing the things they know they shouldn’t, and a handful of simple, science-based strategies to make it easier for you to do the things you want to do and, ultimately, become the person you want to be.Here’s a little sneak peek of what you’re going to learn in this episode:Why failures of willpower and self-control can feel so good in the moment, even when they’re blatantly against your best interests or at odds with your plans and intentions.How you can use the “precommitment strategy” to easily increase your stick-to-itiveness and reduce the likelihood of falling off the wagon.How to prevent “decision fatigue” from sapping your mental energy and willpower.Why creating a structured personal routine is one of the most powerful ways to enhance not only your willpower, but your ability to do the big, meaningful things that are going to ultimately define your life.And more… 5:44 - What is willpower? 10:13 - What is the physiology behind willpower? 17:28 - What can we do to increase our willpower?Want to get my best advice on how to gain muscle and strength and lose fat faster? Sign up for my free newsletter! Click here: https://www.muscleforlife.com/signup/

This episode is part of a weekly series that I have dubbed “Motivation Monday.”(Yes, I know, very creative of me. What can I say, I’m a genius…)Seriously though, the idea here is simple:Every Monday morning, I’m going to post a short and punchy episode that I hope gets you fired up to tackle the workouts, work, and everything else that you have planned for the week ahead.As we all know, it’s one thing to know what you want to do, but it’s something else altogether to actually make yourself do it, and I hope that this series gives you a jolt of inspiration, energy, and encouragement to get at it.So, if you like what you hear, then make sure to check back every Monday morning for the latest and greatest installment.Want to get my best advice on how to gain muscle and strength and lose fat faster? Sign up for my free newsletter!Click here:www.muscleforlife.com/signup/

If you like war memoirs — and WWII memoirs in particular — then you have to read Band of Brothers.Hell, even if you don’t like war memoirs (or don’t know if you like them) but do like to read about how ordinary people find the courage and capability to do extraordinary things, then you should read it, because Band of Brothers is so much more than a clinical recounting of battles or analysis of soldiering.It’s an inspiring story of how a motley crew of freewheeling young bucks became one of the most elite and effective light infantry units to fight in the European theater, and it follows them from beginning to end, from their grueling basic training to jumping into Normandy on D-Day, holding the line in the Battle of the Bulge, and, in the end, drinking Hitler’s champagne in the Bavarian Alps.Band of Brothers also made me #thankful365 that Hitler had to fight the GI Generation and not our current crop of spineless, self-absorbed, “safe space” Peter Pans and Pams that can’t even stomach the basic realities and responsibilities of adulthood, let alone fighting the Nazi war machine.Methinks the latter would have rather stayed home, smoked a bowl, and spluttered a few “sieg heils”…Want to be notified when my latest book recommendations go live?Hop on my email list and you’ll get each new installment delivered directly to your inbox.Click here:www.muscleforlife.com/signup/ 

If you want to know what testosterone is, how it affects your body, what will and won’t increase your body’s natural testosterone production, and what you can expect in terms of bottom-line results, then you want to listen to this podcast.Here’s a little sneak peek of what you’re going to learn in this episode:What normal testosterone levels look like in men and women, and how to know if you’re low.How much testosterone levels actually affect muscle and strength gain and fat loss (this might surprise you!).Why high-fat dieting is overrated for boosting natural testosterone production, and what you should do instead.The best and worst types of exercise to do if you want to maximize your testosterone levels.And more… Want to get my best advice on how to gain muscle and strength and lose fat faster? Sign up for my free newsletter!Click here:www.muscleforlife.com/signup/ 

This episode is part of a weekly series that I have dubbed “Motivation Monday.” (Yes, I know, very creative of me. What can I say, I’m a genius…) Seriously though, the idea here is simple: Every Monday morning, I’m going to post a short and punchy episode that I hope gets you fired up to tackle the workouts, work, and everything else that you have planned for the week ahead. As we all know, it’s one thing to know what you want to do, but it’s something else altogether to actually make yourself do it, and I hope that this series gives you a jolt of inspiration, energy, and encouragement to get at it. So, if you like what you hear, then make sure to check back every Monday morning for the latest and greatest installment. Want to get my best advice on how to gain muscle and strength and lose fat faster? Sign up for my free newsletter! Click here: https://www.muscleforlife.com/signup

If you like biographies and outstanding research and writing, and if you want to read one of the greatest rags-to-riches stories of all time, then you want to read this book. It is, hands down, one of the best biographies I’ve ever read. What struck me first about Rockefeller was his relentless work ethic, indomitable spirit, and unwavering self-assurance. Much like history’s great military conquerors, he was ferociously competitive, hated losing, and not only thought big but did big. I love reading about these types of people because it makes you reflect on what you’re truly capable of and willing to do and endure to realize those ambitions. I wholeheartedly believe that every one of us can be, do, and have so much more than we presently believe, and that half of the battle is just learning to get out of our own ways. If you’d like to walk in the shoes of one of history’s most brilliant, powerful, and ruthless businesspeople and see what you can learn, then you want to read this book. Want to be notified when my latest book recommendations go live?  Hop on my email list and you’ll get each new installment delivered directly to your inbox. Click here: https://www.muscleforlife.com/signup/