
The Jason Wright Show
Jason Wright is on a mission to improve always in ALL ways. In his weekly show he interviews thought leaders, health and wellness experts, entrepreneurs or anyone else he thinks can add to his efforts to improve always in ALL ways. The philosophy is simple. Jason believes if he can reach as close to his full potential as possible it will not only benefit him but his family and community as well. Please tune it, tell your friends, your mom, your grandma, your enemies, your crushes and anyone else you can think of to listen to The Jason Wright show!
Latest episodes

Feb 16, 2024 • 1h 22min
The Jason Wright Show - Authentic Health Fridays: Decoding Your Blood Work with Dr. Gus
Join Jason Wright on another enlightening episode of Authentic Health Fridays, where he delves deep into the world of comprehensive health assessments with the expertise of the renowned Dr. Gus. In this insightful installment, Jason and Dr. Gus shed light on the crucial aspect of annual blood work – not just getting it done, but understanding the wealth of information it holds.
Navigating through the intricacies of blood panels can be overwhelming, but fear not! In this episode, Jason and Dr. Gus take you on a journey through the labyrinth of medical data. Together, they dissect and interpret each line of one of Jason’s own blood work panels, demystifying the numbers and uncovering the stories they tell about overall health.
Learn why it’s essential not only to schedule your yearly blood work but also to comprehend the significance of every result. Dr. Gus, a seasoned expert in the field, breaks down complex medical jargon into understandable terms, empowering you with the knowledge to actively participate in your own well-being.
Discover the key markers and indicators that provide insights into your heart health, metabolic function, and overall vitality. Jason and Dr. Gus discuss actionable steps to take based on the results, emphasizing the importance of personalized healthcare and proactive lifestyle choices.
Tune in to this episode of Authentic Health Fridays for an engaging and informative discussion that will empower you to take control of your health journey. Uncover the secrets hidden in your blood work, and embark on a path towards authentic health and well-being.
Don’t miss out on this eye-opening episode – your health deserves the spotlight! #AuthenticHealthFridays #BloodWorkDecoded #HealthAndWellness

Feb 13, 2024 • 1h 11min
Former MLB Player Turned Mental Performance Coach Derin "D-Mac" McMains
A former professional baseball player, McMains pairs his sports psychology education with extensive experience as a mental performance coach for Major League Baseball teams, including the Arizona Diamondbacks, San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners, as well as top-tier organizations. He leverages his past experience to train ReliaQuest on using the power of mindset to drive desired outcomes.
Using proven psychological theories and applied mental skills practices that helped the Giants win three World Series championships in five years, McMains focuses his mental conditioning work at ReliaQuest on three key areas:
Teaching the psychological components of high performance, centered around ReliaQuest’s core values of adaptability, accountability, focus and helpfulness;
Driving mindset messaging across the organization, including finding creative ways to communicate the mindset professionals should strive for each day, and being intentional about setting our minds to focus on the controllable;
Supporting ReliaQuest to clarify strategy, processes and communications to achieve goals, while developing long-term habits that drive consistency in execution.
“Whether in sports or business, a mindset-focused approach to performance simply works, and it’s an initiative that has fueled ReliaQuest’s rapid growth,” said Brian Murphy, CEO of ReliaQuest. “After consulting with us and driving impactful results, it’s a natural progression for Derin to join us full-time. This will allow us to take our performance to an even higher level.”
As a former professional baseball player and manager, McMains realized the importance of mindset in sports and further built on his learnings by establishing mental conditioning programs for the San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, and the University of Notre Dame. He is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant through the Association of Applied Sport Psychology and holds a Master of Science in Psychology as well as a Master of Arts in Sport and Exercise Psychology. As ReliaQuest’s Director of Mental Conditioning, McMains will be reporting directly to Murphy.
“I’ve spent the last 20 years in some of the most high-pressure environments and I’ve learned that it’s your mind that takes you from good to great. Training your mind is the separator at the highest levels,” said McMains. “Whether in professional sports or a technical business environment, my goal is simple — help individuals and teams stay focused on what’s most important to give them the best chance to dominate their space. Every day is game day at ReliaQuest. As the company continues to grow and solve one of the largest modern-day technical challenges, my contributions will continue to focus on sustaining elite performance across the entire organization.”
Subscribe to the YouTube Channel! HERE

Feb 9, 2024 • 1h 24min
Josh Tomlin: Rejection, Being a 'Cheer Dad', Free Speech, 'Kids Today', Mindsets
Every time I get together with my buddy, Josh Tomlin, we riff on no fewer than 1000 topics—business ideas, philosophies, you name it.
It’s always such a blast hanging out with Josh. From a fellow small-town East Texas boy to a World Series Champion, Josh has already, in his short 39 years, led an extraordinary life. He’s just one of the ‘good guys.’
Sit back and enjoy being a fly on the wall as Josh and I cover an array of topics—from mindsets to freedom of speech, to being dads, and whatever else jumps into our monkey brains.
Thanks for listening!
Oh, and please consider subscribing to my YouTube Channel HERE

Feb 5, 2024 • 23min
Give This Teacher a Medal! A MasterClass In Critical Thinking and Anti-Group Think
Original Video https://youtu.be/zIPPpsJY39c?si=3aFmSS3T9Igz6PjC
Give This Teacher a Medal!!!! In this eye-opening YouTube video, we unpack the hidden dangers of groupthink and explore its far-reaching consequences on individuals, organizations, and even societies. What is groupthink, and why should you care? Join us as we dissect the psychological phenomenon that occurs when a group prioritizes consensus over critical thinking. Discover how the desire for harmony can lead to flawed decision-making, stifling creativity, and blinding individuals to alternative perspectives. But fear not, as we won’t just illuminate the problem – we’ll also provide insights on how to recognize and combat groupthink in your own life. Learn valuable strategies to foster a culture of independent thought, encouraging diversity of ideas and safeguarding against the pitfalls of conformity. Whether you’re a leader navigating team dynamics or an individual seeking to break free from the shackles of groupthink, this video is a must-watch. Arm yourself with knowledge and empower your decision-making process by understanding the subtle yet profound impact of groupthink. Don’t be a victim of conformity – join us on this journey to unmask the dangers of groupthink and cultivate a mindset that values critical thinking, innovation, and independent thought. #Groupthink#CriticalThinking#DecisionMaking#MindsetShift#Leadership#TeamDynamics#YouTubeEducation#EmpowerYourMind

Feb 3, 2024 • 36min
I Suck! I Admit It! Thanks Alex Hormozi
Embracing Success: Alex Hormozi’s Principle and The Jason Wright Show’s Motto
Uncover the key to true success with our latest video! Join us as we delve into the powerful principle advocated by entrepreneur and business expert Alex Hormozi: To be successful, we must first admit when we suck and avoid the imposter syndrome trap. In this insightful exploration, we break down the significance of acknowledging our weaknesses, learning from failures, and embracing authenticity on the path to success.
Who is Alex Hormozi? Get to know the man behind the principle. Alex Hormozi is a highly respected entrepreneur, fitness industry expert, and author known for his no-nonsense approach to business success. With a track record of transforming struggling businesses into thriving enterprises, Alex’s insights have inspired countless individuals to redefine their paths and achieve greatness.
Plus, discover the motto that drives The Jason Wright Show: “Improve always in all ways.” Join host Jason Wright as he embodies this mantra, sharing powerful stories, expert interviews, and practical tips to help you continuously enhance every aspect of your life.
Don’t miss out on this empowering discussion that will challenge your mindset and propel you towards genuine success. Hit that subscribe button, turn on notifications, and let’s grow together on The Jason Wright Show!
SuccessPrinciples #AlexHormozi #TheJasonWrightShow #ImprovementMindset #Authenticity #SuccessJourney

Feb 2, 2024 • 11min
Massively Transformative Habit: Renewing of The Mind
“He who conquers his mind conquers the world.” – Zeno
I’ve quoted that sentence out loud and in my head more times than I can possibly remember. It’s something I strive to be able to do. Of all the things I can manage, my mind is the one I want the most power over.
The fact is, the mind is under constant attack. The Matrix is always vying for a position in the space between our ears—telling us what to want, how to live, who to like, how to act.
The Bible reads in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
The process of renewing our mind must be a daily ritual. A practice like taking a shower or putting on clothes. Our mind is constantly gathering bits of information, trying to store them and use them. This data becomes filters by which we see and act upon the world outside our mind.
The only way we can keep our thoughts clear and controlled is to go through a renewal process each and every day. The Stoics were constantly reminding us how little we can actually control in this world. However, they were also quick to remind us we can, in fact, control our mind. This, in turn, determines how we react to those things we cannot control.
The habit of transforming one’s mind daily can become a superpower. The best time to begin the practice is before the needed reaction is present. Let’s discuss.
**Meditation**
Meditation is something that took me years to adopt. First, it was because I just didn’t get it. I didn’t scoff at it, but I thought it was for people who were a little more woo-woo than me. Then one day I was influenced by this Austrian bodybuilder who convinced me to give it a try.
It was around 2005 or so, and I was listening to the Tim Ferriss Show—a place where I’ve gotten some of my best life hacks over the years. Tim was interviewing Arnold Schwarzenegger. First, I was amazed that the relatively new podcaster who was actually known for writing the 4 Hour Workweek had scored such a huge guest—both physically and figuratively.
Arnold started talking about how he had found success in his life as a businessman—first as a real estate investor and then as a bodybuilder and finally a movie star. He discussed how in his first years in LA he began practicing meditation.
He and Tim then went on to riff on the benefits of sitting silently and focusing on your breath. I have to admit, I was completely influenced by a movie star. If Arnold did it, maybe I should, too. So began my meditation practice.
I downloaded an app—I think it was Headspace, and started meditating based on their beginner’s tract.
The thing that struck me at first was how difficult it was. I kept asking myself, “Am I doing this right? Aren’t I supposed to conjure up some out-of-body experience? This can’t be right? Do I really like these underwear? I wonder what year Mr. Griffin, my third-grade science teacher died? This can’t be right.”
My monkey brain is a maniac. Trying to get it to shut up and let me be seemed an impossibility. Then I got permission. Permission for what, you ask? Permission to stop trying. That’s right. The best advice I ever got for meditating was to stop trying to meditate.
I don’t remember who gave me permission, but I’m grateful nonetheless. Here’s what I learned. There is no meditating the right or wrong way. Here’s another thing. There is no magical length of time to meditate. I used to think if I only went for 5 minutes, I hadn’t meditated at all. That’s not true. The fact is there are no rules to meditation. You just do it.
Granted there are some tactics to get the most out of the session, but there is no right or wrong. What I’ve learned to do when all the weird thoughts like my third-grade teacher’s death or why I’m still angry at my brother for something that happened years ago pop up, I just see the thought, let it run its course and continue. I just kind of watch it pass by as though I’m looking out a window of a car.
I’ll count my breaths for a while or try some box breathing. The important thing is to stay. That’s it. Just stay. When thoughts come to mind like literally every other thing your brain thinks you should be doing other than sitting and doing nothing, tell yourself, “No. It can wait. I’m going to stay right here.”
Take a deep breath and continue.
The difficulty of meditation is, in my opinion, an indication of just how bad we need it. I look at it like this. It’s like our laptop. We’re going along surfing the web checking out the latest Jordan Peterson vs. the world debate when all of the sudden the mysterious blowing sound appears. It’s like the noiseless smoke that starts to rise in a movie that ends up blowing up.
The fan on the laptop has been initiated. For the record, I hate the fan. I can’t stand it. I don’t like to hear it, but more importantly, I know what it means. It means my laptop is stressed. I’m asking too much of it. It’s overheating. It needs to chill or meditate. So I shut down all the unused applications and sometimes even close it up and give it a rest altogether.
Our minds are like this. There is a constant barrage of thoughts and concerns going on in the background we don’t see. Sometimes they overload in the form of a migraine or just pure exhaustion. When we take time to pause and breathe, we allow these thoughts to settle. What’s more, we learn to better control the thoughts.
There was once this episode of I Love Lucy. Lucy and Ethel went to work at a chocolate factory. They were supposed to be sorting and packaging the chocolates as they made their way down the line. Eventually, the chocolates started coming at such a fast rate the two of them couldn’t keep up. It was chaos, as was often the case with Lucy.
This is a metaphor for our brain and our thoughts. If Lucy had taken the time to stop the belt, take a breath, and devise a strategy for handling all the chocolates, she would have been much better off. It wouldn’t be nearly as funny, but it would have been more effective.
And by the way, I keep referring to this as meditation. You can call it mindfulness, breathwork, or whatever you want. Yes, there are technical differences between these things, but if you’re just beginning I don’t want you to get caught up in semantics. Call it what you want, just start to do it.
There’s a funny scene in the movie “The Great Outdoors.” Roman Craig played by Dan Akroyd had crashed his brother-in-law Chet Rippley’s (played by John Candy) family vacation to the north woods. Roman is a money-grubbing sleazy Wall Street guy while Chet is a laid-back everyman. In this particular scene, the two of them are sitting on the deck of this lake house overlooking the lake. Behind the lake is a wall of trees.
Roman looks across the lake at the trees and tells Chet what he sees. He lays
out exactly what he would do with all that valuable waterfront property detail by money-making detail. He then concludes with a question for Chet, “Now I ask you. What do you see?”
Chet replied, “I see trees.”
This is what meditation has done for me. Where I once constantly looked at everything with a racing and scheming mind full of worry, ambition, angles, ambition, now I actually see trees, and they are beautiful.
I know that sounds a little silly, but it’s the honest truth. I even described it to a friend this way. I had recently been on a walk and I kid you not for the first time I noticed trees in a way I never had before. I can’t really explain it. It was like looking at the Mona Lisa for the first time. I just looked and noticed how cool a tree is. It was beautiful; it had seen years of storms. It provided shade, food, and shelter for squirrels. It just looked cool. I know it sounds like I was on some kind of trip, but I wasn’t. My brain had just started to slow the world down to a place where the chocolates were less likely to pile up on me.
As part of transforming your mind, take the time to breathe. Stop, and just be. Meditate. There are so many great experts on the topic of meditation. My favorite is Dawson Church. His book “Bliss Brain” is probably my ‘go-to’ book for understanding both the benefits and best practices of meditation. But again, don’t overthink it. Just get started.
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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCisBT_XhOrtP_0_Z0O_x_6A

Jan 26, 2024 • 17min
Three Books That Will Make You Want To Be A Better and Tougher Human!
“Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage” by Alfred Lansing:This book recounts the harrowing expedition of Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew aboard the ship Endurance during the Antarctic exploration of 1914-1917. The expedition faced numerous challenges, including getting trapped in ice, enduring extreme weather conditions, and ultimately, a remarkable tale of survival against all odds. Shackleton’s leadership and the resilience of his crew make this a gripping account of human endurance and determination in the face of adversity.
“The Boys in the Boat” by Daniel James Brown:This book tells the inspiring story of the University of Washington’s rowing team that competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression and rising tensions in Europe, the narrative follows the journey of nine working-class boys who overcame various obstacles to achieve success on the world stage. The book captures the essence of teamwork, dedication, and the indomitable spirit of the human pursuit of excellence.
“The Hero with a Thousand Faces” by Joseph Campbell:Joseph Campbell explores the concept of the hero’s journey and the universal monomyth that underlies many myths, legends, and religious stories from various cultures. Campbell outlines a hero’s common stages and challenges, suggesting that these elements reflect fundamental aspects of the human experience. The book has had a significant impact on storytelling, influencing writers, filmmakers, and scholars alike, and it provides insights into the timeless patterns found in mythology and literature.
These books offer captivating narratives and insights into the human spirit, whether it be in the face of adversity, the pursuit of athletic excellence, or the exploration of universal themes in mythology.

Jan 24, 2024 • 43min
Goal Attainment: Set Goals That Reflect Your Deepest Values, Desires and Ambitions
Unveiling Your Authentic Self: A Journey through the Carl Jung Shadow, Tony Robbins’ Blueprint, and Jim Rohn’s Wisdom
In the quest for personal development and goal-setting, it’s essential to embark on a journey of self-discovery. This involves peeling away the layers of societal expectations, external influences, and false self-perceptions to reveal the authentic core within. In this blog post, we’ll explore the transformative power of the Carl Jung Shadow, integrate Tony Robbins’ insights on aligning life with goals, and draw inspiration from Jim Rohn’s teachings on authentic self-improvement.
Exploring the Carl Jung Shadow:
Carl Jung, a renowned Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, introduced the concept of the “Shadow” as the unconscious part of the personality containing repressed weaknesses, desires, and instincts. Embracing the Shadow involves confronting and integrating these hidden aspects, leading to a more holistic self-awareness. By acknowledging and understanding our Shadow, we pave the way for setting goals that align with our genuine aspirations.
Tony Robbins’ Blueprint for Life:
Tony Robbins, a prominent life coach and motivational speaker, emphasizes the importance of aligning our life’s blueprint with our goals. Robbins encourages individuals to identify their core values, passions, and strengths. By crafting goals that resonate with our authentic selves, we increase motivation and foster a sense of purpose. The integration of personal values into goal-setting ensures a more meaningful and fulfilling journey towards success.
Jim Rohn’s Wisdom on Authentic Self-Improvement:
Jim Rohn, a celebrated entrepreneur and motivational speaker, believed that true self-improvement must be in harmony with one’s values and authentic identity. Rohn advocated for continuous personal development but stressed the significance of aligning it with our core beliefs. According to Rohn, achieving success and fulfillment requires not only setting goals but also ensuring they align with our true selves.
In the pursuit of personal development and goal-setting, it’s imperative to delve into the depths of our authentic selves. The teachings of Carl Jung, Tony Robbins, and Jim Rohn offer valuable insights into this transformative journey. By embracing our Shadow, aligning our life’s blueprint with our goals, and integrating self-improvement with our values, we unlock the potential for genuine success and fulfillment. As you embark on your path of self-discovery and goal-setting, remember the wisdom of these influential thinkers and let your authentic self guide the way.

Jan 23, 2024 • 33min
Vo2 Max Revelation: The Life and Death Impact of Turbocharging Your Fitness Beyond Limits!
Quick, tell me the greatest predictor of how active you will be in old age. While you’re thinking about that, consider this: What’s the one measurement of your health that can tell you the chances of dying from any form of mortality?
Give up? Okay. Here’s the answer. It’s this measurement referred to as Vo2 Max, and scores of people have no idea what it is, why it’s important, or how to manage it. Fortunately, you are a subscriber to the Vitruvian Letter, so you are about to answer all these questions.
Get this—when looking at VO2 max in relation to all-cause mortality, we observe a clear trend. Simply elevating your VO2 max from ‘low’ (bottom 25th percentile) to ‘below average’ (25th to 50th percentile) is associated with a 50% reduction in all-cause mortality. When transitioning from ‘low’ to ‘above average’ (50th to 75th percentile), the risk reduction is closer to 70%!
First, I’m gonna give a down-and-dirty yet highly accurate definition of what Vo2 Max is. Here goes:
VO2 max, or maximal oxygen uptake, is a measure of the maximum amount of oxygen a person can use during intense exercise. It reflects how efficiently your body can deliver and use oxygen when you’re working out at your highest capacity. Essentially, it gauges your cardiovascular fitness and endurance.
Quick sidebar-people with low Vo2 Max did NOT do well with COVID. I don’t want to state the obvious, but of all the things you can do to protect yourself against COVID having a strong Vo2 Max ranks right at the top.
If, like me, you are keenly interested in making your golden years truly golden and not just fools gold, you want to be able to be active, vibrant, and less likely to die in your senior years. Of all the things I write about, discuss on the podcast, and advise on, nothing is of greater importance for future human performance than one’s Vo2 Max.
You’ve most likely seen people getting their Vo2 Max measured. This is when you see someone on a stationary bike or treadmill running or cycling with a face mask attached to a huge tube. It’s about an 8-minute session, highly uncomfortable, designed to measure your body’s ability to absorb oxygen when pushed.
Why am I writing about this now? Well, it’s simple. I’m following the herd. That’s right, I’m following the big-time experts like Andrew Humberman, Peter Attia, and Rhonda Patrick. Every one of these big brains has recently had podcasts discussing the importance of Vo2 Max. Ben Greenfield is another who has spoken at length about its importance.
Therefore, I thought it was time for me to jump on the train. That said, I’ve actually been measuring and managing my Vo2 Max for some time. This all started when I got my Peloton. Matt Wilpers told me during a Power Zone Max class we were going to be working on our Vo2 Max.
“What’s this Vo2 Max of which you speak, Matt Wilpers?”
Then I noticed on my Apple Watch there was a measurement for my Vo2 Max. Check yours. It’s there if you wear an Apple Watch. Word of warning, it’s not all that accurate. As with most wearables, it’s just an estimate based on your age, gender, weight, and activities along with your HRV and heart rate.
I started paying attention, and this became my #1 measurement for determining whether or not I was in “good” or “great” shape. Look, we’re all adults here. We don’t fool with silly metrics like how much we bench or squat. That’s silly. We need to be measuring the things that truly indicate our body’s performance ability. There’s no greater one than Vo2 Max.
So how do we improve our Vo2 Max? First, a funny story.
My stepmother goes to physical therapy every week as part of her rehabilitation from a stroke. When she goes, my Dad walks on the treadmill. One day recently, my Dad had a neighbor on the adjacent tread. This said neighbor pissed Mr. Wright off.
While he kept a nice steady walking pace, his neighbor would up their speed to an intensity that could only be described as a full sprint. Mr. Wright was certain this young lady was trying to show him up. When one of the nurses explained this lady was doing interval training, Mr. Wright wasn’t hearing it. He was certain she was trying to show how much harder she was working than him.
Now, I’m not saying this young lady doesn’t make a habit of crushing the spirits of over 70-year-old men in the gym just for grins and giggles, but in this case, I’m going to give her the benefit of the doubt. Most likely, Mr. Wright’s treadmill nemesis was working on her Vo2 Max with one of the best training methods at our disposal—High-Intensity Interval Training or HIIT.
A HIIT workout is anything that calls for short bursts of all-out work followed by a short recovery period—rinse and repeat. It’s highly effective as well as efficient. It’s what has made CrossFit so appealing. It’s a lot of work in a short amount of time.
You’ve most likely heard of one of the most common forms of HIIT—the Tabata workout.
The Tabata workout originated from a study conducted by Japanese scientist Dr. Izumi Tabata and his team in 1996. The study, conducted at the National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Tokyo, focused on comparing the effects of moderate-intensity exercise with high-intensity interval training.
The specific Tabata protocol involves alternating between 20 seconds of intense exercise and 10 seconds of rest, repeated for a total of four minutes. The original research used this format and found that it produced significant improvements in both aerobic and anaerobic fitness. The Tabata workout has since gained popularity as an efficient and effective form of high-intensity interval training.
For a long time, most people seemed to think this was the only way to truly work Vo2 Max. Then something changed. Well, nothing changed so much as data got noticed.
If I were to ask which athletes have the highest Vo2 Max, what would you say?
Boxer? Water Polo Player? Soccer Player? Curling Pro?
None of these are correct (I’m shocked about Curlers). It turns out the athletes with the highest Vo2 Max are cross-country skiers. Strange, huh? After all, one thing I can all but guarantee is that the young lady taunting Mr. Wright was not a cross-country skier.
This seemed crazy to me and many others upon first learning. In fact, I was just listening to Dr. Rhonda Patrick discuss Vo2 Max with Peter Attia on her podcast. When Peter started explaining to her the benefits of Zone 2 training on Vo2 Max, you could sense her skepticism. Rhonda is a fellow Peloton(er) and likes to use HIIT training as her Vo2 Max training poison.
I first heard Peter do a deep dive on this in an episode of his podcast “The Drive” with guest Dr. Inigo San Millan. Dr. Millan gave what seems to be the perfect prescription for training for Vo2 Max. Much of his research on Zone 2 training was done looking at cross-country skiers.
Okay, so before I go any further, let’s answer the question of what Zone 2 training is. While there are all sorts of ways to truly measure whether or not you are in Zone 2, the easiest is this. When you are in steady-state training (think treadmill, stationary bike) and you are working at a pace that allows you to carry on a conversation but you really don’t want to. You’re just a little breathy. This is Zone 2.
What Dr. Inigo has found is that if we adhere to an 80/20 rule of Z2 to HIIT ratio, we will drastically increase our Vo2 Max health.
So what does this look like from a practical standpoint? Here’s the formula I follow that I took from Dr. Inigo, which has also been adopted by Peter Attia.
Do 3-4 hours of Z2 work per week. Then do one day of intense Zone 5 training.
Zone 5 training—This sucks. This is awful. It’s not fun. I’m not going to sugar coat it. It’s very hard. Here’s how to execute it.
It’s going almost all out but not quite( 80-90%) . Unless you’re using all sorts of cool biometric gadgetry, the best way to figure out if you’re in Zone 5 or not is whether you can go 4-5 minutes at the pace and no longer. By minute 3 you’re seriously considering quitting, but you don’t. If you finish 4-5 minutes and feel you still have some gas in the tank, then push a little harder.
Eventually, you will find the sweet spot or rather bittersweet spot.
The format should be done on a one-for-one basis i.e. 4 minutes on 4 minutes off. Do this cycle 4 times.
WARNING: If you’ve never done this sort of training, do NOT start with 4×4. Work your way up to it. Studies have shown the needle really starts moving at about 3 minutes of steady Zone 5 work. So start slow.
Try to go for 3 minutes as hard as you can hold then 3 minutes easy. Assess how you feel. Try again. Set a goal to cycle through maybe two or three times.
Work your way up to 4 intervals of your Zone 5 on a one to one basis-4 minutes hard, 4 minutes easy, 4 minutes hard, 4 minutes easy. Do 4 of each.
As your Vo2 Max increases so will the Watts and length of your Zone 5 output.
Here’s something to remember. There is no silver bullet. There is no one size fits all, but there is one size fits a whole hell of a lot.
By doing the 4 hours of Z2 and 1 session of Z5 weekly, you’re almost guaranteed to improve your Vo2 Max.
Here comes the punchline for this entire article. Pay attention to your Vo2 Max. Start asking your physician and or trainer how to measure yours and improve it. Even if you never plan to hike a mountain, ride a bike again, or play tennis, you are going to need a robust Vo2 Max to live an active healthy life.
If I could give you some homework, it would be to either go get your Vo2 Max measured by an expert or at least start looking at a wearable to get you some idea of where you are. It’s that important.
I’ll leave you with one of Peter Attia’s best quotes on Vo2 Max. “You can’t cheat on the test.” There is NO WAY to fudge the numbers on your Vo2 Max. It is what it is and it tells a LOT about your overall health.
The next thing at the top of the list is lean body mass and strength. I’ll cover that in the next issue. Keep improving your Vo2 Max always in ALL ways!
The Cooper Vo2Max Test

Jan 22, 2024 • 22min
The Book Tim Ferriss Recommends to Everyone and Why: "The Magic of Thinking Big"
The Magic of Thinking Big – A Paradigm Shift Towards the Extraordinary
Author: David J. Schwartz
“The Magic of Thinking Big” by David J. Schwartz is a timeless masterpiece that unveils the transformative power of cultivating a positive and expansive mindset. At the heart of Schwartz’s teachings is the notion of eliminating the word ‘impossible’ from our vocabulary, ushering readers into a realm where the only limits that exist are the ones we place on ourselves.
One of the pivotal points in the book centers around the profound impact of banishing the notion of ‘impossible.’ Schwartz argues that limiting beliefs are often the primary obstacles standing between individuals and their dreams. By eradicating the mental barriers imposed by the concept of impossibility, one can unlock unprecedented potential and pave the way for extraordinary achievements.
Schwartz encourages readers to shift their focus from the end result to the immediate steps that can be taken to overcome challenges. Rather than being overwhelmed by the enormity of a goal, he advocates breaking it down into manageable, actionable steps. This shift in perspective allows individuals to concentrate on what can be done today, fostering a sense of accomplishment and momentum.
The author emphasizes that thinking big doesn’t necessarily mean fixating on monumental leaps; instead, it involves taking consistent, small steps towards progress. By concentrating on the one possible step that can be taken in the present moment, individuals can dismantle the illusion of impossibility and make tangible strides toward their objectives.
Schwartz’s insights are not only motivational but also practical, providing readers with actionable strategies to reframe their thinking and adopt a more expansive mindset. The emphasis on the importance of attitude, belief, and proactive steps resonates throughout the book, offering a roadmap for those seeking to break free from self-imposed limitations.
In essence, “The Magic of Thinking Big” serves as a compelling call to embrace a mindset of boundless possibilities. By removing the shackles of ‘impossible’ thinking and concentrating on the manageable steps that lead to progress, Schwartz empowers readers to embark on a journey of personal and professional growth. This book is a beacon of inspiration for anyone looking to overcome challenges, dream bigger, and turn their aspirations into reality.
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