First Things THRST

Mike Thurston

‘First Things THRST’ is a weekly masterclass that explores the secrets and experiences of entrepreneurs and content creators from across the globe. Each episode is unfiltered and guided by the premise of leaving no stone unturned, which is accountable for the deep discussions into the backgrounds, hardships and confessions of my guests. My goal is simple, to share insights and fresh perspectives on topics like entrepreneurship, success and fitness. Join me on this exciting adventure, and I'm hoping you gain as much from these discussions as I do.

  • 1 hour 17 minutes
    E129 - The True Purpose Of Life That 99% Of People Miss (It’s Not What You Think) | Peter Crone

    » Produced by Hack You Media: pioneering a new category of content at the intersection of health performance, entrepreneurship & cognitive optimisation.
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/
    Website: https://hackyou.media/


    ⁨Peter Crone⁩ is a mind architect who works with elite athletes and CEOs to reprogram their subconscious limitations, and this conversation reveals why mental fitness is the absence of suffering, how childhood narratives control your entire adult life without you realising it, and why complete vulnerability is the only way to overcome fear.


    Peter breaks down the current operating system—predict and protect—where your brain constantly anticipates worst-case scenarios based on limitations you created as a child (I'm not enough, I'm not worthy).


    Learn why romantic relationships expose constraints that family and friends never touch because you become sufficiently vulnerable to access what needs healing, and why success has nothing to do with materialism—it's complete peace regardless of what's happening externally.


    00:00 Introduction
    04:48 What mental fitness really means and why most people suffer
    08:24 Suppressing emotions vs knowing when to seek help
    11:41 Losing both parents and how early trauma shapes adulthood
    18:04 The power of uncertainty and the lesson heartbreak taught
    25:28 Vulnerability in relationships and how much to share
    29:16 Why any lie can quietly destroy your connection
    36:56 Ambition from fear vs drive from inner peace
    42:47 Religion vs spirituality and the illusion of separation
    51:09 Why so many fail to stay consistent with fitness
    54:18 Muscles, dysmorphia, and the real reason behind self-image issues
    58:38 Can ambition exist without ego or is it one and the same
    01:03:44 Comparing traumas and why everyone deserves compassion
    01:06:56 Subconscious beliefs and how they silently sabotage potential
    01:10:09 Timing, chance meetings, and trusting the bigger plan


    » Escape the 9-5 & build your dream life - https://www.digitalplaybook.net/
    » Transform your physique - https://www.thrstapp.com/
    » My clothing brand, THRST - https://thrstofficial.com/
    » Custom Bioniq supplements - https://www.bioniq.com/mikethurston
    • 40% off your first month of Bioniq GO
    • 20% off your first month of Bioniq PRO


    » Join our newsletter for actionable insights from every episode: https://thrst-letter.beehiiv.com/

    » Join Whoop and get your first month for free - join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst


    » Follow Peter
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petercrone/?hl=en
    Website: https://www.petercrone.com/

    15 February 2026, 5:39 pm
  • 1 hour 12 minutes
    E128 - Powerful Life Hacks For Men To Become Dangerous, Free & Unforgettable (unfiltered)

    » Produced by Hack You Media: pioneering a new category of content at the intersection of health performance, entrepreneurship & cognitive optimisation.
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/
    Website: https://hackyou.media/


    Richard Cooper (Entrepreneur in Cars) is a men's coach who helps guys navigate relationships after getting destroyed by his own divorce, and this conversation breaks down why the nice guy strategy fails, how women punish you for giving them everything they ask for, and why successful men throughout history never committed to sexual exclusivity.


    Richard explains the fundamental disconnect—women demand full commitment, including sexual monogamy, but when you give them the complete package, they often lose interest and punish you. Learn why 43% of North American kids are raised in single-parent households producing boss girls and weak beta males, how daddy issues create women who don't value masculinity, and why tattoos are the most criticised red flag.


    The harsh reality: paying attention to behaviour versus what people say applies universally in relationships and business.


    00:00 Introduction
    02:00 First impressions of Dubai and why he’s exploring relocation
    04:26 Why modern dating is a minefield for young men
    08:52 The concept of ‘beta-tization’ through small daily concessions
    11:39 Should couples live together or live separately long-term?
    18:06 The idea that commitment and exclusivity aren’t always linked
    21:49 How the legal system punishes men after breakups
    27:39 Why modern marriage is a raw deal for most men
    31:44 Navigating love and ambition when building a business
    37:14 Social media as a threat to relationship stability
    40:59 How young men should focus on building long-term value
    45:08 Tattoos, trauma, and the markers of red flags
    50:48 Green flags and the women who nurture, not demand
    52:19 Where to find high-quality women—and why the West struggles
    58:53 Expectations, disappointment, and better understanding women
    01:05:46 The risks of fatherhood and how to vet properly


    » Escape the 9-5 & build your dream life - https://www.digitalplaybook.net/
    » Transform your physique - https://www.thrstapp.com/
    » My clothing brand, THRST - https://thrstofficial.com
    » Custom Bioniq supplements: https://www.bioniq.com/mikethurston
     • 40% off your first month of Bioniq GO
     • 20% off your first month of Bioniq PRO


    » Join our newsletter for actionable insights from every episode: https://thrst-letter.beehiiv.com/

    » Join Whoop and get your first month for free - join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst


    » Follow Richard
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_unplugged_alpha/?hl=en
    Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00D4NYPAG?ccs_id=cae3e395-4020-4c99-ac68-456648f0baeb

    8 February 2026, 5:36 pm
  • 1 hour 17 minutes
    127 - The Psychology Behind Why We Fall In Love With Luxury Brands | Rory Sutherland

    » Produced by Hack You Media: pioneering a new category of content at the intersection of health performance, entrepreneurship & cognitive optimisation.
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/
    Website: https://hackyou.media/


    Rory Sutherland is Vice Chairman of Ogilvy, and this conversation reveals why personal branding works, how luxury brands are destroying themselves by chasing scale over exclusivity, and why companies optimise completely wrong metrics that customers don't actually care about.


    Learn why we substitute easy questions for hard ones when making decisions, how status currencies constantly shift from cars to experiences to education, and why expensive signalling through costly marketing actually works better than cheap digital messages.


    Timestamps
    00:00 Introduction
    02:14 Why personal branding matters more in an AI-driven world
    04:38 Family-owned businesses outperform PLCs in brand building
    08:43 Why likeability often beats performance in service brands
    13:45 The hidden value of charm and human interaction
    16:36 Making travel better through experience, not speed
    19:30 Obsessively specialising to build premium perception
    26:21 Why status travel beats local cultural appreciation
    34:06 Should we admire bold bling or quiet confidence?
    36:53 Why digital culture shifts how we signal status
    39:33 How luxury brands are losing cachet through ubiquity
    49:03 Big screens, little phones and backwards tech habits
    52:22 Influencer marketing revives old-school trust in digital
    57:13 The danger of one-size-fits-all outrage in advertising
    01:10:11 Expensive media still signals credibility and confidence


    Links
    » Escape the 9-5 & build your dream life – https://www.digitalplaybook.net/
    » Transform your physique – https://www.thrstapp.com/
    » My clothing brand, THRST – https://thrstofficial.com
    » Custom Bioniq supplements – https://www.bioniq.com/mikethurston
    • 40% off your first month of Bioniq GO
    • 20% off your first month of Bioniq PRO


    » Join our newsletter for actionable insights from every episode: https://thrst-letter.beehiiv.com/

    » Join Whoop and get your first month for free – join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst


    Follow Rory
    Substack: https://rorysutherland.substack.com/
    X: https://x.com/rorysutherland?lang=en

    1 February 2026, 5:38 pm
  • 58 minutes 20 seconds
    E126 - The Fitness Industry In 2026: Body Image, Burnout & Broken Standards | Kayla Itsines

    Kayla Itsines got her first PT job by holding a door open for someone, and she's here to explain why transformations sell everything and quick fixes teach you nothing.


    Learn how Kayla went from charging a dollar per minute in her parents' backyard to selling millions of e-books before Instagram even had video capabilities. She breaks down why transformational content sells anything—body, business, or mindset—and how she transitioned from personal brand to scalable platform by admitting she wasn't an expert at everything.


    This conversation exposes why coaches pushing aggressive calorie cuts for quick results don't care about destroying their clients' relationship with food.


    00:00 Introduction
    02:00 Starting out in fitness and falling in love with strength
    08:48 Building a personal brand vs building a sellable business
    11:21 How an accidental e-book launch turned global fitness empire
    15:40 Turning the Sweat app into a platform beyond herself
    21:46 Selling the company and feeling like she lost a child
    25:53 Keeping Sweat ahead in a saturated women’s fitness market
    32:22 Why long-term success is about consistency, not extremes
    38:31 What women struggle with most in fitness today
    40:25 Debunking myths about women lifting weights and eating carbs
    44:39 Fitness shifting toward total wellness and biohacking
    48:39 Stress, control, and the quiet chaos of daily life
    53:15 Navigating motherhood while running a global brand


    » Escape the 9-5 & build your dream life – https://www.digitalplaybook.net/
    » Transform your physique – https://www.thrstapp.com/
    » My clothing brand, THRST – https://thrstofficial.com
    » Custom Bioniq supplements – https://www.bioniq.com/mikethurston
    • 40% off your first month of Bioniq GO
    • 20% off your first month of Bioniq PRO

    » Join our newsletter for actionable insights from every episode – https://thrst-letter.beehiiv.com/
    » Join Whoop and get your first month for free – join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst


    » Follow Kayla:
    Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/kayla_itsines/?hl=en
    Sweat – https://sweat.com/join

    25 January 2026, 5:13 pm
  • 1 hour 22 minutes
    E125 - How to Un*fck Your Mind So That Hard Things Become Easy | Louis Armstrong

    » Produced by Hack You Media: pioneering a new category of content at the intersection of health performance, entrepreneurship and cognitive optimisation
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/
    Website: https://hackyou.media/


    Louis Armstrong is back for the annual catch-up — and this time we’re talking celibacy experiments, nicotine addiction, and why he thinks I need to go celibate for a month...


    Louis ditched alcohol, nicotine pouches, and his right hand because he realised easy dopamine was making him deflated and unmotivated.


    Tune in for a laid-back catch-up with plenty of insight — plus some valuable lessons on discipline, dating, and designing a better 2026.


    00:00 Introduction
    02:10 Catching up, lost Airbnb deposit and lessons for creators
    06:00 Celibacy, dopamine addictions and cutting out vices
    09:21 Women as a distraction and learning self-control
    12:25 Relationships vs single life and patterns of avoidance
    17:07 Trust issues, jealousy and choosing a secure partner
    20:26 How men can build true security and self-worth
    22:34 Balancing being a good partner without becoming a simp
    27:01 Dubai dating culture and the rise of entitlement
    31:00 Finding quality women and warning signs to watch for
    38:44 Advice for young men on meeting women offline
    41:56 Building confidence through small daily interactions
    43:50 Mentorship, prioritising freedom and business balance
    48:28 Scaling without burnout and staying focused
    52:29 Writing, distractions, and designing optimal mornings
    57:39 The “Let Them” mindset and emotional resilience
    01:09:52 Reflecting on alcohol, fun vs optimisation
    01:13:19 Goals for 2024 and building systems around creativity
    01:19:40 Hosting transformational in-person masterminds and events


    » Escape the 9-5 and build your dream life: https://www.digitalplaybook.net/
    » Transform your physique: https://www.thrstapp.com/
    » My clothing brand, THRST: https://thrstofficial.com
    » Custom Bioniq supplements: https://www.bioniq.com/mikethurston
    • 40% off your first month of Bioniq GO
    • 20% off your first month of Bioniq PRO


    » Join our newsletter for actionable insights from every episode:
    https://thrst-letter.beehiiv.com/

    » Join Whoop and get your first month for free:
    https://join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst


    » Follow Louis
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louisarmstrong7/?hl=en
    Creator Club: https://www.thecreatorclub.co.uk/


    18 January 2026, 5:29 pm
  • 1 hour 42 minutes
    E124 - After Making $40M Online, This Is My Best Advice To Get Rich | Charlie Morgan

    » Produced by Hack You Media: pioneering a new category of content at the intersection of health performance, entrepreneurship and cognitive optimisation
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/
    Website: https://hackyou.media/


    Charlie Morgan dropped out of a business degree when he realised none of his lecturers had ever run companies, worked four jobs burning himself out to prove he wasn’t a failure, then discovered sales through an apprenticeship that changed everything.


    You’ll hear why he made his Academy completely free to create a moat no one can compete with, how Hormozi owns the truth about offers the same way Charlie now owns agency fundamentals, and what happens when you realise “passive income” means working 16 hours a day so you can make money while you sleep.


    Tune in for his take on systemising relationships with spreadsheets, why he told his girlfriend on the first date that work always comes first, and how building B2B software makes the info business look like a walk in the park.


    00:00 Introduction
    04:38 Making a free course as a moat against competitors
    07:00 The arms race of flex marketing and selling the dream
    10:39 How Tai Lopez and Lord Sugar nudged Charlie off the uni path
    16:42 Burning out after juggling four jobs and chasing redemption
    21:33 Becoming a PT and growing fast as a fitness OG on Instagram
    24:33 The viral Dubai video and its polarising reactions
    29:52 Why sudden wealth and no guardrails can derail your growth
    33:21 Realising nice things don’t equal happiness or fulfilment
    36:33 When you’re financially set in your 20s, then what?
    42:26 Turning obsession into output and how love for work evolves
    46:45 Gym as therapy, consistency, and reclaiming power through strength
    50:59 Content, gaming addiction, and transferring energy into building
    54:43 Saturation, short-form fatigue, and the trap of constant content
    59:32 Cancel culture fading and leaning more into your true self
    01:04:01 Collaborating with controversial guests and audience backlash
    01:08:08 Why negativity often hides insecurity
    01:18:40 Balancing work obsession with a relationship
    01:25:12 Kids, priorities, and choosing the right partner for legacy
    01:30:33 Making real friendships after success and the Dubai filter
    01:33:44 Is London really that bad? Life post-Dubai and recalibrating safety
    01:36:38 Building software to solve your own business pain points


    » Escape the 9-5 and build your dream life: https://www.digitalplaybook.net/
    » Transform your physique: https://www.thrstapp.com/
    » My clothing brand, THRST: https://thrstofficial.com
    » Custom Bioniq supplements: https://www.bioniq.com/mikethurston
    • 40% off your first month of Bioniq GO
    • 20% off your first month of Bioniq PRO


    » Join our newsletter for actionable insights from every episode:
    https://thrst-letter.beehiiv.com/

    » Join Whoop and get your first month for free:
    https://join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst


    » Follow Charlie
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charliemorganbiz/?hl=en
    Academy: https://www.skool.com/academy/about

    11 January 2026, 3:18 pm
  • 1 hour 18 minutes
    E123 - Maxims to Live a Rich(er) & More Productive Life In Your 20s & 30s | Mark Manson

    » Produced by Hack You Media: pioneering a new category of content at the intersection of health performance, entrepreneurship and cognitive optimisation
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/
    Website: https://hackyou.media/


    After going from low six figures to number one bestseller in 18 months — and dealing with the whiplash of overnight success — Mark Manson proves that learning to say no is a skill you have to relearn at every level.


    You’ll hear why he quit drinking and immediately got stronger, why being a single podcaster giving relationship advice creates a dangerous vacuum for young men, and what happens when you realise your music dreams have to die so your actual talent can thrive.


    Tune in for his take on why marriage is the most contrarian position for male influencers today, how his wife accelerated his career more than any business deal, and why hoping your future self cringes at you means you're actually growing.


    00:00 Introduction
    02:00 Reflecting on the lasting success of The Subtle Art
    04:13 Misinterpretations of the book's meaning and message
    08:52 Learning to say no as success scales up
    12:22 Turning 30s into legacy-building vs the experimentation of your 20s
    15:52 Shifting mindset around dating, time and future family
    23:48 The brutal reality of the music industry and staying relevant
    26:10 Creating from passion vs chasing algorithmic performance
    30:33 Applying the Hollywood idea of “one for them, one for you”
    35:23 Why Gen Z men and middle-aged women dominate the space
    39:25 Encouraging younger guys not to skip being stupid sometimes
    42:07 Could he have written the book without partying and mistakes?
    45:27 How cutting alcohol levelled up his health, work and mindset
    54:31 Friendship takes real effort now, and culture has shifted
    56:09 Navigating friendship and relationship balance as you get older
    01:00:18 Knowing he found the one and rewiring his views on commitment
    01:08:39 Championing marriage as a contrarian but essential life upgrade
    01:12:23 Why legacy now means being honest, useful, and long-term impactful


    » Escape the 9-5 and build your dream life: https://www.digitalplaybook.net/
    » Transform your physique: https://www.thrstapp.com/
    » My clothing brand, THRST: https://thrstofficial.com
    » Custom Bioniq supplements: https://www.bioniq.com/mikethurston
    • 40% off your first month of Bioniq GO
    • 20% off your first month of Bioniq PRO


    » Join our newsletter for actionable insights from every episode:
    https://thrst-letter.beehiiv.com/

    » Join Whoop and get your first month for free:
    https://join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst


    » Follow Mark
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markmanson/?hl=en
    Purpose: https://purpose.app/
    Website: https://markmanson.net/

    4 January 2026, 5:35 pm
  • 1 hour 44 minutes
    E122 - How To Reinvent Yourself In 90 Days (no matter your situation) | Michael Smoak

    » Produced by Hack You Media: pioneering a new category of content at the intersection of health performance, entrepreneurship and cognitive optimisation
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/
    Website: https://hackyou.media/


    After building public speaking skills through brutal on-camera training and quitting a job after 15 days to go full-time on TikTok, Michael (higherupwellness) proves that authenticity matters more than polish.


    You’ll hear why his parents being in their 70s gave him wisdom most 28-year-olds don’t have, how two and a half years of mandatory public speaking eliminated his number one fear, and what happens when you realise worldly success never fills the God-shaped hole.


    Tune in for his framework on maxing out your stat lines in your 20s, why asking God to reveal himself changed everything after his dad died, and how silencing ego long enough to suck at something a hundred times is the barrier most people never cross.


    00:00 Introduction
    01:40 Growing up with much older parents and shaping his worldview
    04:14 Supportive parenting made taking career risks feel safe
    07:57 Comparing US optimism to UK mindset and ambition
    12:35 Striking a balance between monk mode and reckless fun
    17:27 Early career struggles and earning respect as the youngest
    20:22 Vulnerability online builds real connection and community
    23:40 Steroid accusations and the reality of 18 years training
    27:21 Fitting training and nutrition into a hybrid athlete lifestyle
    33:10 Flexible training splits and sustainable consistency
    38:37 How calorie awareness gives you long-term freedom
    44:43 Learning public speaking through immersive sales training
    50:48 Communicating well, even in a non-native language
    57:46 What Whoop taught him about sleep, alcohol and basics
    01:04:32 Why coaching can be draining if boundaries aren’t set
    01:12:55 Men need spaces where they can be both strong and soft
    01:22:30 Even elite performers have major blind spots
    01:26:10 Losing his dad showed him God’s presence through pain
    01:35:57 Exactly how to start exploring faith without feeling lost


    » Escape the 9-5 and build your dream life: https://www.digitalplaybook.net/
    » Transform your physique: https://www.thrstapp.com/
    » My clothing brand, THRST: https://thrstofficial.com
    » Custom Bioniq supplements: https://www.bioniq.com/mikethurston
    • 40% off your first month of Bioniq GO
    • 20% off your first month of Bioniq PRO


    » Join our newsletter for actionable insights from every episode:
    https://thrst-letter.beehiiv.com/

    » Join WHOOP and get your first month for free:
    https://join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst


    » Follow Michael
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/higherupwellness/?hl=en
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@higherupwellness?lang=en

    29 December 2025, 8:09 am
  • 1 hour 34 minutes
    E121 - Inside The Life Of A Multi-Million $ Dubai Luxury Entrepreneur | Lord Aleem

    » Produced by Hack You Media: pioneering a new category of content at the intersection of health performance, entrepreneurship and cognitive optimisation
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/
    Website: https://hackyou.media/


    After years of building genuine connections through unique experiences — from letting people sit in his Bugatti to creating affordable yacht slots — Lord Aleem proves that Dubai makes everyone look successful while hiding who's actually operating.


    In this episode, you'll hear why his dad's “no money, no honey” rule filters out time-wasters, how car rental became a nightmare when everyone tried to copy his model, and what happens when you realise 80% of your day is solving problems nobody sees.


    Tune in for his framework on protecting £5 million worth of assets from drunk renters, why being driven beats driving in Dubai, and how staying connected to reality matters more than chasing the ultra-rich pulling up in Bugattis.


    00:00 Introduction
    02:10 Launching a yacht business and selling experiences, not just luxury
    06:31 Learning business lessons from his dad's no-nonsense approach
    10:10 Dubai’s flashy image vs actual wealth and real operators
    18:06 Choosing who’s worth your energy and protecting peace
    25:18 Building a personal brand with his dad’s guidance and rules
    30:23 Owning the first Bugatti Chiron for rent in the world
    35:54 Why the car hire business was more about brand than profit
    39:46 Why the UK rental game lost its spark and profitability
    43:39 Starting a chauffeur business in Dubai and why Escalades win
    46:25 Dubai’s oversupply problem and setting a higher service standard
    49:26 Expansion plans and pivoting toward yacht brokerage
    53:10 The massive costs and logistics of moving a superyacht
    56:49 YouTube gaps, self-doubt, and needing the right team around him
    59:14 Stepping up as a businessman and leader in Dubai
    01:03:53 When to say no, avoid time-wasters, and play the long game
    01:07:26 Lessons in building legit businesses in Dubai with red tape
    01:17:18 Why real happiness isn't found through money alone
    01:20:06 Navigating Dubai’s social distraction and staying focused
    01:24:45 Women in Dubai as masterful operators and tacticians
    01:27:21 Taking breaks, evolving creatively, and avoiding content burnout


    » Escape the 9-5 and build your dream life: https://www.digitalplaybook.net/
    » Transform your physique: https://www.thrstapp.com/
    » My clothing brand, THRST: https://thrstofficial.com
    » Custom Bioniq supplements: https://www.bioniq.com/mikethurston
    • 40% off your first month of Bioniq GO
    • 20% off your first month of Bioniq PRO


    » Join our newsletter for actionable insights from every episode:
    https://thrst-letter.beehiiv.com/

    » Join Whoop and get your first month for free:
    https://join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst


    » Follow Aleem
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/LordAleem
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lordaleem_official/?hl=en

    19 December 2025, 12:05 pm
  • 2 hours 3 minutes
    E120 - 4 Signs You’re Going To Stay Unhappy (No Matter What) | Dr K

    » Produced by Hack You Media: pioneering a new category of content at the intersection of health performance, entrepreneurship and cognitive optimisation
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/
    Website: https://hackyou.media/


    After building a massive mental health platform and hitting a midlife crisis at the peak of success, Dr K proves that doing hard things and feeling accomplished isn’t the same as knowing what you want from life.


    You'll hear why content creation is an endless hamster wheel you can't escape, how he left millions on the table to keep things affordable, and what happens when you wake up one day, realising you've built someone else's version of success. We discuss knowing when enough is enough and how internal conflict about money and purpose affects even the people helping others figure out their lives.

    00:00 Introduction
    03:34 The emotional toll of constant content creation
    06:14 Why progress feels good but rarely leads to contentment
    11:24 How living in Dubai affects self-image and motivation
    13:28 Body image, self-esteem and why Mike doesn’t spiral
    18:38 Why self-love feels off-limits for certain men
    22:46 Regret, efficiency, and the pressure of lost time
    27:13 How subtle justifications mask deeper dissatisfaction
    34:35 The fear of wasting potential and staying stuck
    36:08 Why peak hedonism didn’t bring happiness
    40:00 What peace really feels like for high achievers
    44:05 Exploring joy in the unknown vs controlled luxury
    49:54 The quality of company vs the cost of experience
    50:57 The signs of burnout and recognising overwork early
    57:04 Why men struggle to understand their own feelings
    01:01:29 Learning how to name emotions to stop being ruled by them
    01:07:42 The fear of being seen and how it shapes identity
    01:13:42 Relationships, emotional safety, and being misunderstood
    01:24:57 Why men fear losing their edge and becoming “the loser” again
    01:35:38 Building self-awareness and making space to feel things
    01:48:46 How meditation helps process thoughts and reduce noise
    01:53:33 Dr. K’s own midlife crisis and redefining success


    » Escape the 9-5 and build your dream life: https://www.digitalplaybook.net/
    » Transform your physique: https://www.thrstapp.com/
    » My clothing brand, THRST: https://thrstofficial.com
    » Custom Bioniq supplements: https://www.bioniq.com/mikethurston
    • 40% off your first month of Bioniq GO
    • 20% off your first month of Bioniq PRO


    » Join our newsletter for actionable insights from every episode:
    https://thrst-letter.beehiiv.com/

    » Join Whoop and get your first month for free:
    https://join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst


    » Follow Dr K
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthygamer_gg/
    Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6VaJwyS2KXxiXqR77jqzmP
    X: https://twitter.com/HealthyGamerG
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@healthygamer.gg

    10 December 2025, 5:35 pm
  • 1 hour 19 minutes
    E119 - Bodybuilding, Discipline & Legacy From the Uncrowned King of Mr Olympia | Kevin Levrone

    » Produced by Hack You Media: pioneering a new category of content at the intersection of health performance, entrepreneurship and cognitive optimisation
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/
    Website: https://hackyou.media/


    Kevin Levrone spent 30 years chasing the Olympia title — and he's here to show you why the platform you build matters more than the trophies you didn’t win.


    Most people think success is only measured by first place.
    Kevin proves your legacy is defined by how you treat people on the way up, and what you do with your influence once you have it.


    You’ll hear the mental shift required to go from training for aesthetics to training for sustained performance and what happens when you stop chasing perfection and start embracing simplicity.


    00:00 Introduction
    02:13 Training together and pushing past mental limits
    04:11 Shifting from physique to full-body conditioning
    08:57 Balancing intense travel schedules with fan dedication
    12:43 Being overlooked and using it as lifelong fuel
    16:00 Childhood trauma and the real roots of ambition
    20:33 Discovering martial arts and visualisation after losing his dad
    24:27 Competing from a place of pain and survival
    27:46 When your life feels broken, it’s actually building
    30:00 Why not winning Mr Olympia was a gift
    34:46 The crushing stage that creates long-term purpose
    38:24 Struggles with emotional expression and acceptance
    42:03 Hitting your peak later and not fearing age
    45:38 Life as a contracted pro bodybuilder in the '90s
    49:17 Travel stories, rivalries and beating Ronnie Coleman
    55:07 Ronnie’s willpower after all the muscle is gone
    58:59 Natural lifters and ageing with strength intact
    01:03:26 Why kids today need more real guidance
    01:04:42 Fatherhood as the completion of your journey
    01:09:02 Being a role model for the next generation
    01:12:07 Perfectionism and missing life’s real moments


    » Escape the 9-5 and build your dream life: https://www.digitalplaybook.net/
    » Transform your physique: https://www.thrstapp.com/
    » My clothing brand, THRST: https://thrstofficial.com
    » Custom Bioniq supplements: https://www.bioniq.com/mikethurston
    • 40% off your first month of Bioniq GO
    • 20% off your first month of Bioniq PRO


    » Join our newsletter for actionable insights from every episode:
    https://thrst-letter.beehiiv.com/

    » Join Whoop and get your first month for free:
    https://join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst


    » Follow Kevin
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevinlevrone/?hl=en
    Website: https://levrosupplements.com/

    4 December 2025, 5:22 pm
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