#56 - How Quitting Alcohol Changed My Identity, Confidence & Relationships (Q&A)

What if the very challenge you face is what’s showing you the way to your best self? True resilience is the art of using the adversity you face as your guiding light, even in the face of a life-altering injury like losing a limb, how you rise to the challenge of turning hardship into opportunity will ultimately define you. My guest today is Ricky Banner. He's a British army veteran turned Hyrox athlete who lost his leg while serving in Afghanistan. He also works with young people in behaviour and safeguarding and is the founder of Discomfort Zone. Ricky and I delve into a wide array of topics, including: How he lost his leg in Afghanistan Ricky's first season in Hyrox Ricky’s First Impression Of Me At Hyrox Manchester The Decision To Amputate Balancing Masculinity & Vulnerability As A Father/Grandfather What Ricky's training looks like Advice for new amputees What exactly is the Discomfort Zone? Ricky's work with men and mental health How he used his amputation as an opportunity What Are The 'Five Ways To Wellbeing' AND The importance of Emotional Resilience and physical challenge I hope you enjoy my conversation with Ricky Banner. Chapters 00:00:00 Ricky’s Off-Season Training and Preparation 00:06:51 Highlights from Last Hyrox Season 00:15:15 Ricky’s First Impression Of Me At Hyrox Manchester (Wim Hof Breathing) 00:24:00 Goal Setting & Mental Health Journey 00:34:20 Wounded In Afghanistan 00:40:00 The Decision To Amputate + Internal Experience 00:44:00 Why Ricky Wouldn’t Change A Thing 00:49:21 Discomfort Zone Retreats and Men’s Mental Health 01:05:00 The Five Ways To Wellbeing 01:10:00 The Importance Of Being Present 01:11:30 Running Topless 01:17:00 Balancing Masculinity & Vulnerability As A Father/Grandfather 01:30:15 Using His Disability As A Platform 01:31:48 Advice For New Amputees 01:35:50 Final Thoughts & Where To Find Ricky ***LINKS*** Ricky’s Instagram https://bit.ly/3zupv7y Discomfort Zone https://bit.ly/4de0A5R MY STUFF: Awaken Out Of Context Podcast (YouTube & Podcast Links): https://bit.ly/3tk8FVv Follow Me On Instagram (@awakenoutofjason): https://bit.ly/3RAkKQj Keywords resilience, mental health, amputee, Hyrox, adversity, training, masculinity, discomfort zone, personal growth, veterans Hashtags #hyrox #amputee #veteran #podcast #awakenoutofcontext

23 Syys 20241h 38min

Most men will admit they don't fully understand women, and for those struggling to find a partner, this lack of understanding often leads to behaviours like seeking validation, second-guessing, and people-pleasing. Today's guest would attribute these symptoms to 'Nice Guy Syndrome'. If this sounds like you, or somebody you care about I'd recommend sticking around for today's episode. My guest today is Dr Robert Glover, he's the author of the bestselling book 'No More Mr Nice Guy', which has sold over one-million copies worldwide. He's also a licensed therapist, coach, speaker & educator. Robert and I dig into a range of topics including: How to diagnose a nice guy How being a nice guy affects relationships How to recover from "Nice Guy Syndrome" and establish healthy boundaries. Why trying to please women often backfires for men. The differences between stated and revealed sexual turn-ons How masculinity and femininity influence relationship dynamics. Why women are often drawn to "bad boys" over "nice guys." How to understand women better Why modern dating can be challenging due to evolving gender roles. Why having children isn’t necessarily the be-all and end-all Please note that Dr Robert’s audience is primarily straight men such as myself and you may not agree with everything he has to say, but I encourage you to keep an open mind and take from it what you can. I hope you enjoy the conversation. Keywords Nice Guy Syndrome, relationships, masculinity, femininity, modern dating, emotional intelligence, self-improvement, parenting, dating advice, personal growth Hashtags #nomoremrniceguy #drrobertglover #datingadviceformen #podcast #awakenoutofcontext ***LINKS*** Dr Glover’s Website https://bit.ly/4grGOGM Integration Nation - Dr Glover’s Men’s Coaching https://bit.ly/4eqEWwl MY STUFF: Awaken Out Of Context Podcast (YouTube & Podcast Links): https://bit.ly/3tk8FVv Follow Me On Instagram (@awakenoutofjason): https://bit.ly/3RAkKQj

16 Syys 20241h 24min

If you’ve ever noticed mould or dampness in your home, particularly in areas where you or your family members sleep then I’d highly recommend that you listen to today’s episode. My guest today is Martin Mattson, he’s a biohacker with an extraordinary story on how exposure to mould affected - not just his health - but that of his family members and even his dog. Alongside this we also dig intro a wide range of topics, including: What happens if you’re exposed to mould If high LDL and APOEb cholesterol is bad for you Martin's view on Statins biohacking tools for better health How to reduce toxins in daily life How to test & remove mould in your home How to recover from mould exposure The best way to track health metrics How to fix fatigue and brain fog Supplementation and liver values How to heal your gut What are detox fats and why they are important the benefits of activated charcoal Saturated fat and detoxification AND Whether or not you should you stop taking creatine – Disclaimer: Many of the views discussed in this podcast do not align with the mainstream healthcare narrative, this is an alternative viewpoint and therefore implementing any of the approaches outlined in the conversation, you do so at your own risk. Please always consult your medical health provider. Unfortunately due to a technical error, this episode cuts off the last 20 minutes of our conversation, but there is still plenty in here for you to dig into. Please also check out Martin’s Instagram and Website via the show notes. – Chapters 00:01:48 What is biohacking? 00:02:51 Tools of Biohacking: Red Lights, Blue Lights, and Gadgets 00:03:55 Battling Toxins in Modern Society: How Biohacking Can Help 00:05:37 How biohacking helped Martin with allergies 00:06:44 Discovering mould and Its Impact on Health 00:08:38 The Hidden Dangers of mould in Your Home 00:09:28 What happens if you’re exposed to mould 00:12:03 Martin's experience with long-term effects of mould exposure 00:14:33 Recovering from mould exposure 00:15:58 Understanding mould and Brain Fog 00:17:46 How do you test for mould in your home? 00:20:33 Activated charcoal for detoxing 00:21:51 How do mould toxins affect gut health? 00:23:58 Testing for mould Toxins 00:27:33 How do you detox from mould toxins? 00:31:13 What’s the best way to track health metrics? 00:33:03 How to fix fatigue and brain fog 00:37:06 Magnesium and Vitamin C for Detoxification 00:40:58 What are the best wearables for tracking health? 00:44:00 Liver health 00:46:08 What supplements affect liver values? 00:49:03 How to heal your gut after mould exposure 00:51:38 Longevity and gut health 00:54:28 How to remove mould from your home 00:57:18 How to improve air quality 00:59:58 How to prevent mould in your home 01:03:08 Replacing Fats for Detox 01:06:58 What are the benefits of activated charcoal? 01:09:18 Saturated Fat and Toxins 01:13:53 Is high LDL cholesterol bad? Keywords mold exposure, toxins, biohacking, testing, binders, activated charcoal, self-awareness, tracking, health issues, toxins, detoxification, mold exposure, low energy, liver function, gut microbiome, mitochondrial function, LDL cholesterol, saturated fat Hashtags #mould #biohacking #apoeb #podcast #awakenoutofcontext ***LINKS*** Martin's Website https://bit.ly/4ehHahA Martin's Instagram https://bit.ly/4d3wzFD MY STUFF: Awaken Out Of Context Podcast (YouTube & Podcast Links): https://bit.ly/3tk8FVv Follow Me On Instagram (@awakenoutofjason): https://bit.ly/3RAkKQj

9 Syys 20241h 31min

The world of Fitness and Longevity is one of the most polarised areas on the internet. Figuring out whether you should be running, cycling, lifting, rowing feels like a Minefield for the vast majority. Luckily for us, my guest today is widely respected in the athletic Community, for his straight up - and at times hilarious - approach. My guest today is Paddy Maher, he's a UKSCA-qualified strength & conditioning coach, gym owner and former university lecturer with previous roles in both Rugby League - at Barrow raiders and Castleford Tigers - and in Football - at Carlisle Utd. Paddy and I dig into a wide range of topics including: The challenge of fuelling to perform vs looking good Our jointly held prediction on the Future of Exogenous testosterone use How to lose body fat while maintaining performance The importance of. Periodization. The benefits of resistance training for older athletes. Breathing techniques during performance The pros and cons of training in an extended fast. The role of carbohydrates in strength training. If CrossFit is functional. The definition of Functional training Which station Paddy would change in Hyrox. If you need to do ab exercises to gain abs, And If ANY sport in which the men take their tops off can really be taken seriously. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Paddy Maher. Keywords strength and conditioning, CrossFit, periodization, training, older athletes, anabolic steroids, balance, fueling for performance, testosterone, testosterone levels, body composition, fueling, competition, natural ways, increase testosterone, sunlight, nutrition, sleep, cutting weight, muscle mass, nasal breathing, individualized approach, heart rate zones, accuracy, carbohydrates, glycogen, strength training, functional training, CrossFit, desert island exercises, core training, shirtless training, vanity Hashtags #carbloading #fuellingforperformance #trainingfasted #podcast #awakenoutofcontext ***LINKS*** Paddy's Website ⁠https://bit.ly/4g55IvP⁠ Paddy's Instagram ⁠https://bit.ly/4g9AXGc⁠ MY STUFF: Awaken Out Of Context Podcast (YouTube & Podcast Links): ⁠https://bit.ly/3tk8FVv⁠ Follow Me On Instagram (@awakenoutofjason): ⁠https://bit.ly/3RAkKQj⁠

2 Syys 20241h 55min

The human mind is one of the most untapped resources for athletes and everyday people. Training it can enhance your athletic performance, mental well-being, and effectiveness at work and in relationships. Directing your attention from one task to another is a skill anyone can learn and is the bedrock of self-awareness. Whether you're an elite athlete, an amateur musician, or simply interested in the power of the mind, this episode will benefit you. My guest today is Kunashni Parikh, she’s a Clinical Psychologist, Sports Psychologist, and Behavioural Neuroscience Research Scholar from the University of British Columbia (UBC), she’s also a former Vice-Captain and Goalkeeper for India U-17 and Vancouver United Football Club in Canada. Today we discuss: How meditation can improve sports performance Why you should train your mind How to hold a plank for 30 minutes How to develop an effective pre-performance routine How to incorporate visualisation into your plan How to clear psychological blocks which affect your game How mirror neurons can help you perform better The misconceptions of sports psychology How to minimise the post-Hyrox dopamine drop How to use meditation for motivation And Kunashni’s Four Key Protocols for Improved Performance Please enjoy my conversation with Kunashni Parikh. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:32 The Role of a Sports Psychologist 13:44 Becoming Acutely Aware of the Need for Sports Psychology 18:36 Day-to-Day Work as a Psychologist 26:25 Visualization 29:23 Visualization in the Sauna 29:52 Vulnerability and Masculinity in Sports 32:40 Benefits of Meditation 42:40 The Power of Journaling 53:00 Pre-Performance Routine 01:01:14 Managing Post-Event Dopamine Crashes Keywords sports psychology, athletic performance, mental well-being, visualization, performance pressure, motivation, injuries, mental strength training, misconceptions, visualization, meditation, journaling, mirror neurons, empathy, concentration, sustained attention, cognitive behavioral therapy, pre-performance routine, dopamine drop, mental fatigue Hashtags #sportspsychology #adviceforathletes #mentaltraining #podcast #awakenoutofcontext ***LINKS*** Kunashni's Website https://bit.ly/3T45aMP Kunashni’s Instagram https://bit.ly/4dzSkxX MY STUFF: Awaken Out Of Context Podcast (YouTube & Podcast Links): https://bit.ly/3tk8FVv Follow Me On Instagram (@awakenoutofjason): https://bit.ly/3RAkKQj

26 Elo 20241h 6min

Ask me anything! Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Change of Topic 04:36 Navigating Social Sobriety 06:56 Training Tips for Hyrox 10:23 Sober Role Models 12:50 The Decision to Quit Drinking 15:48 Seeking Meaning in Life 17:45 Embracing the Dualities of Life 19:46 Dealing with Death and Gratitude 23:43 Overcoming Personal Challenges 27:14 Biggest Inspiration 30:09 Biggest Achievement 36:19 Morning Routine 50:02 Hopes for the Podcast 52:21 Why I Stopped Drinking 56:30 Dealing with a Loved One's Alcoholism #ama #hyrox #sobriety #podcast #awakenoutofcontext ***LINKS*** MY STUFF: Awaken Out Of Context Podcast (YouTube & Podcast Links): https://bit.ly/3tk8FVv Follow Me On Instagram (@awakenoutofjason): https://bit.ly/3RAkKQj

19 Elo 202458min

Sex is a vital part of human life. But how best do we approach it? Western society sends mixed messages about sexuality. We’re not taught how to understand our relationship to our bodies. This often leads to feelings of shame, avoidance and in extreme cases, toxic and dangerous behaviour. We should all strive to be authentic and ignoring or masking our sexuality can only lead to negative outcomes. But where should we start? Right here, My guest today is Nadja Lasbeck, she's an intimacy coach, relationship therapist, lecturer & a mother. Nadja and I discuss: How to raise children in a sex positive environment If Butterflies are a prerequisite for chemistry Why we SHOULDN’T compromise in relationships The Role of shame in blocking intimacy The Difference between fantasy and desire? What the definition of a friendship crush is. If BJJ is a bit gay Whether we should keep our socks on or off in bedroom How to communicate discomfort in the bedroom The role of culture in shaping sexuality Masculinity The difference between sensuality and sexuality and… Euro Trash Please enjoy this beautiful exploration of sexuality, with Nadja Lasbeck. Keywords: sexuality, relationships, intimacy, shame, communication, culture, sex-positive, desire, fantasy, therapy, sexuality, relationships, personal growth, modern relationships, media, self-work, body image, desires, friendship crushes, compromise, non-monogamy #intimacy #shameandsex #sexpositivehome #podcast #awakenoutofcontext ***LINKS*** NADJA’S STUFF: Nadja’s Website: https://bit.ly/46L7hLi Nadja’s Instagram: https://bit.ly/3M1vrHO OTHER STUFF: Eurotrash: https://bit.ly/4fIXARi MY STUFF: Awaken Out Of Context Podcast (YouTube & Podcast Links): https://bit.ly/3tk8FVv Follow Me On Instagram (@awakenoutofjason): https://bit.ly/3RAkKQj Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Personal Challenges 01:31 Nadja's Journey to Becoming a Sex and Couples Therapist 11:02 Cultural Differences in Attitudes Towards Sex 17:48 Exploring Kinks as a Tool for Healing Trauma 27:21 Navigating Discomfort and Setting Boundaries in Intimate Relationships 35:26 Becoming More Secure: Practising and Drilling Behaviours 40:30 Navigating Cultural Expectations and Societal Messages Around Sexuality 44:09 Authenticity and the Complexities of Masculinity 50:26 Exploring Sensuality and Sexiness 56:54 Parenting and Instilling a Healthy Approach to Sexuality 01:11:05 Exploring Masculinity and Jiu-Jitsu 01:14:10 The Role of Physical Touch and Intimacy 01:15:24 Childhood Experiences and Relationship Dynamics 01:22:00 The Influence of Media on Sexuality 01:32:49 Navigating Friendship Crushes 01:39:21 Comfort and Boundaries in the Bedroom 01:40:52 The Pitfalls of Compromise in Relationships 01:45:29 Understanding Non-Monogamy and Communication

12 Elo 20241h 50min

Bit of a change-up this week—it's just me! I'm running through 15 lessons, insights, and tools that I've been implementing over the past year. Some are from podcast guests, some from other podcasts, and some I've developed myself. Have a listen to find out what the following means: “What if it were the last time?” ‘Cyclic Working’ Self WhatsApping Calling on Ancestral Wisdom Reframing Loneliness Secure Attachment Strategies Being Authentic in WhatsApp Groups Communicating Your Needs NEEDN'T Be Hard Difficult Conversations Aren't Even Difficult How Can ‘Future You’ Show Up Now? It’s Not You, It’s Them Harnessing Negative and Positive Visualisation Being the Ancestor of Your Future Happiness The Power of 10 Minutes Offering Solutions VS Listening Let me know if you listen and which of these you liked the most! #lifestrategies #ancestralwisdom #secureattachmentstrategies #podcast #awakenoutofcontext ***LINKS*** MY STUFF: Awaken Out Of Context Podcast (YouTube & Podcast Links): https://bit.ly/3tk8FVv Follow Me On Instagram (@awakenoutofjason): https://bit.ly/3RAkKQj

5 Elo 202433min