How Quitting Alcohol Helped Today's Guest Lose 30 Pounds, Make More Money, Attract Better Friends And Lovers, And Got A Job Hosting SportsCenter on ESPN (And Your Formula For Reducing or Quitting Alcohol).
Boundless Life4 Okt 2014

How Quitting Alcohol Helped Today's Guest Lose 30 Pounds, Make More Money, Attract Better Friends And Lovers, And Got A Job Hosting SportsCenter on ESPN (And Your Formula For Reducing or Quitting Alcohol).

In recent podcasts, I've talked a lot lately about alcohol, and what it does to the body, both good and bad.

My friend James Swanwick, who wrote the article below and is the host of the Alpha Male Club podcast, has a very interesting take on alcohol.

So in today's podcast, you're going to learn how quitting alcohol helped James lose 30 pounds of fat, make more money, attract better friends and lovers, and got him a job hosting SportsCenter on ESPN - and get a formula for reducing or quitting alcohol. You'll learn:

-Why James quit alcohol...

-What happens to your body when you stop drinking, physically and mentally...

-The biggest challenges that happen when you stop or reduce drinking...

-What to do when you’re at a party or bar if you're not going to order a drink...

-If James turned to any other vices as a replacement...

-Why James doesn't just use a “one glass of wine a day” approach...

-And much more!

-----------------------------------

"I am four years alcohol-free today. What started as a 30-day challenge, turned into a four-year lifestyle change. Friends often ask me about this so I figure I’ll quickly share my story, assuming others may be interested. I was never a big drinker. I’d enjoy a few quiet beers during the week. Most weekends I’d go a little harder and get a good “buzz”. On a handful of occasions over many years, I would say I got “drunk”. It was all good fun. There was no drinking to excess. I never had a drinking problem. But I awoke with a shocking hangover one morning four years ago at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas after a particularly fun night. I walked into an International House of Pancakes for a hangover breakfast. The IHOP menus have photos of the food you can choose – big, bright, bold colors. The sight of those scrambled eggs, bacon and pancakes on the menu and big, fat, overweight people sitting at tables next to me made me ill. I decided then and there to see if I could go 30 days alcohol-free. It was simply a personal bet with myself to test my self-discipline. I didn’t plan to go more than 30 days. But I eventually would. The first two weeks were hard. I went out with friends and ordered water or diet coke and they’d give me a hard time. “You’re un-Australian!” they’d say to me. But I got through those two weeks and I was off to the races. I felt better, slept better and had much more mental clarity. After 30 days, I’d lost an incredible 13lbs (5.9kg) of fat around my stomach. Just from stopping drinking. I had more money in the bank balance, my skin looked considerably better and I actually enjoyed getting out of bed early morning to exercise.

James (left) a few years before he quit drinking at 218lbs (98kg) and James (right), today, alcohol free, at 180lbs (82kg)

So I said to myself, “Bugger it. I feel great. I’ll just keep going and see how far I can go.” Little did I know just how far I would go. After 60 days, I craved a cold beer. Or a red wine. Or a Bombay Sapphire gin and tonic with a dash of lime. When it was hot outside, I started dreaming, “I would smash an ice cold beer right now!” But I breathed deeply, downed a diet coke or water and the feeling passed. After three months, I felt terrific. I’d dropped a few more pounds of fat and was starting to put on some lean muscle in the gym. People were complimenting me on how good I looked. I also realized that despite not drinking, I was still managing to have wildly entertaining nights out – even with my drunken friends slurring their words around me. Conversations with women became much more interesting. When I told women I wasn’t drinking, far from them thinking I was an alcoholic in recovery, they actually told me they were impressed with my self-discipline.

You don’t need alcohol to have a good time

“Beautiful,” I thought. “I can stop drinking and still be fun, entertaining and attractive to women.” Guys were always suspicious of my story, though. They always thought I was a recovering alcoholic who “obviously” had a problem. I just smiled. Between three and six months I was in the zone. I felt energetic and healthy and I actually started to thrive on telling people I had temporarily stopped drinking. But many people – particularly guys – still challenged me. They called me a “Pussy!” Or said to me, “Just have one!” Or “An Aussie that doesn’t drink?!?! F$%k off!” I just laughed, pointed to my head and gave them my stock response, “I’m too strong in mind!” Some idiots even tried to secretly slip vodka into my soda. I had to make a point of always sniffing before drinking if they’d ordered for me. Six to 12 months was fairly easy to be honest. And this is where I noticed the most dramatic changes. I found that my relationships were considerably better – romantic and platonic. For example, I was constantly thinking about how I could help my friends rather than how they could help me. I was more inclined to help people generally and was more considerate. I was calmer and noticed I made better decisions.

My work productivity soared. My business made more money. More opportunities – like an ESPN audition to host SportsCenter – came my way. When it did, I was clear in mind, energetic, and seized the opportunity. I ended up getting that gig and hosted SportsCenter for two years. I did, however, find I got tired at night time and went to sleep earlier. Listen, I could still burn the midnight oil until 5am during my sobriety. But I found I didn’t really want to. I felt like nothing that good really happened after 1am anyway.

So I would party hard – alcohol-free – until 1am. Most people who just met me weren’t even ever aware I wasn’t drinking. I could still be the life of the party with nobody even knowing. Then I headed home to be asleep most Friday and Saturday nights by no later than 2am.

James still James partying late - alcohol free

I was up at 8am or 9am on weekends to hit the gym, showered, had breakfast and was ready to tackle the day by 11am when my mates were just dragging their lazy hungover backsides out of bed. When I reached the personal milestone of one year without drinking, I found myself back in Austin at South by Southwest. I went to a pub, ordered a Budweiser, and put it to my mouth.

For James, no alcohol means more energy for exercise

It smelled good. I had every intention of drinking that beer. But something stopped me from taking a sip. I paused and thought about it for a minute. I decided that all the pros of not drinking outnumbered the cons. So I said to myself, “I’ll just keep going.” So I did. I put the Budweiser down and haven’t picked up a drink since. March 12, 2014, is four years to the day since I gave myself that initial 30-day challenge. I’m 20lbs (9kg) lighter today than I was when I started on March 12, 2010. I’m 38lbs (17kg) lighter than when I was at my porkiest (See fat face photo above). Drinking definitely kept fat around my waist. Stopping drinking eliminated it. This is likely due to three main things: 1. Alcohol contains a lot of carbs 2. Drinking makes you eat a lot more food, especially bad food like fries and desserts 3. Quitting drinking gives you more energy which turns you into a fat-burning machine. I’m not for one moment suggesting you should quit drinking entirely like I did. Obviously, I am an extreme case. But my story clearly shows some of the positive benefits you can get if you do quit. Even just reducing your alcohol consumption by a few drinks a week, I believe only positive things can happen. If I have a drink today, no worries.

I’ve accomplished my goal. But I just don’t feel like having a drink. In summary:

PROS: I feel better, look better, work better, act better, am better, have more money, have better quality of friends, really enjoy a nice ice cold water, don’t miss alcohol, realize I CAN party like a rock star WITHOUT alcohol, friends who’ve known me a long time say I’m a considerably nicer and more agreeable person

CONS: It is sometimes awkward explaining to new friends or business associates why you don’t drink. BUT…that initial awkwardness is mostly felt by THEM, not by you. And you can’t control how they feel. If you decide you want to give it a try, trust that the pros will likely outweigh the cons. Set yourself a 30-day-goal. Or a two or three-month goal.

Test it. See how you feel. See if it works for you. Or go for a year. Or don’t do it at all. If you’re happy drinking, keep drinking! I love drinking! I love to drink a six-pack of beer and a bottle of red with the best of them. I’m sure I’ll do it again one day. But for now, I’m happy with water and soda and feel like I am the best version of me."

Do you have questions, comments or feedback about the health of alcohol, quitting alcohol, reducing alcohol or anything else related to today's podcast? Leave your thoughts at BenGreenfieldFitness.com and either James or I will reply!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episoder(1748)

Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know About Blood Sugar & Glucose Monitoring, But Were Afraid To Ask Or Didn't Realize

Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know About Blood Sugar & Glucose Monitoring, But Were Afraid To Ask Or Didn't Realize

If I asked you to make a list of foods that you predict would spike your blood sugar, what would be on your list? Coca-Cola? Twinkies? Frappuccinos? Probably not steak and green beans, right? Well, as it turns out, steak and green beans spike my blood sugar. I wouldn't have predicted that, either, before I started wearing a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). You've likely heard of CGMs, because they're a big trend in the health industry right now, but if you haven't, what they do is pretty self-explanatory. They monitor your glucose...continuously. Paying attention to your blood sugar is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Poor glucose control is most often associated with diabetes, but it also affects a range of chronic conditions, including Alzheimer's, stroke, heart disease, and more. It can also lower your day-to-day energy levels, impede your ability to control your weight, and decrease your sexual function. I wear a CGM from a company called Levels. As a self-proclaimed tech geek, I appreciate that the Levels app goes way beyond most companion apps for CGMs. Until I was a Levels member, I thought I understood my metabolic health pretty well. I definitely didn't expect steak and green beans to be on the watch list. But because your body's glucose response to food is highly individual, there's no way to know until you test. Casey Means, MD, my guest on today's show, is the Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder Levels, Associate Editor of the International Journal of Disease Reversal and Prevention, and she guest lectures at Stanford University. Casey's mission is to maximize human potential and reverse the epidemic of preventable chronic disease by empowering individuals with tools that can facilitate a deep understanding of our bodies and inform personalized and sustainable dietary and lifestyle choices. Dr. Means’s perspective has been recently featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Men's Health, Forbes, Business Insider, Techcrunch, Entrepreneur Magazine, Metabolism.   Episode Sponsors: Levels: If you want to better understand how food affects your health and try a continuous glucose monitor, go to levels.link/Ben to learn more. Check out their well-researched, in-depth blog too. hiya. Get your kids the full-body nourishment they need to grow into healthy adults. We've worked out a special deal with Hiya for their best-selling children's vitamin. Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal, visit hiyahealth.com/BEN. This deal is not available on their regular website.  Lucy Nicotine Gum: If you're looking for a cleaner and tastier alternative to other nicotine products, Lucy is for you. To save 20% on any order, just use discount code BEN20. JOOVV: Get an exclusive discount on your first order. Just go to Joovv.com/ben and apply my code BEN to your qualifying order. Kion Aminos: Building blocks for muscle recovery, reduced cravings, better cognition, immunity, and more. Go to getkion.com/ben to receive 20% off on monthly deliveries and 10% on one-time purchases.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

8 Okt 20221h 11min

Q&A 448: Hot Tub vs. Cold Pool For Recovery, Shocking News On Thyroid Misdiagnosis, Bad Sleep Mitigation, The Latest Science On Creatine & Much More!

Q&A 448: Hot Tub vs. Cold Pool For Recovery, Shocking News On Thyroid Misdiagnosis, Bad Sleep Mitigation, The Latest Science On Creatine & Much More!

News Flashes – Follow Ben on Twitter for more… Hot tub vs. cold pool for recovery? Here's the answer: Short-term effects of two different recovery strategies on muscle contractile properties in healthy active men: A randomised cross-over study...12:41 Easy aerobic activity can counteract some negative effects of bad sleep: Regular running can prevent early death caused by lack of sleep, study says...15:47 Probably smart to throw in some coenzyme Q10 also: Effectiveness of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation for Reducing Fatigue: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials...20:13 The latest systematic scientific review of all the different "forms" of creatine back up what I've said for a long time: simple ol' pure creatine monohydrate works best, especially for the $: Efficacy of Alternative Forms of Creatine Supplementation on Improving Performance and Body Composition in Healthy Subjects: A Systematic Review...24:00 Wow: you can use this thing to input any medication and see what nutrient deficiencies it causes: https://mytavin.com/...27:57 Thyroid issues? Shockingly, a recent meta-analysis found 37% of individuals were misdiagnosed and another cohort study found 61%. One of the most ignored aspects? GI health...38:23 The Relationship between Gastrointestinal Health, Micronutrient Concentrations, and Autoimmunity: A Focus on the Thyroid Symptoms Originally Attributed to Thyroid Dysfunction Were Instead Caused by Suboptimal Gastrointestinal Health: A Case Series and Literature Review   Episode Sponsors:  HigherDose: Get your own Infrared Sauna Blanket, Infrared PEMF Mat, or magnesium detox drops and chews at HigherDOSE.com/Ben today and use my exclusive Promo Code: BEN at check out to save 15% off! BiOptimizers: The 7 essential forms of magnesium included in this full spectrum serving help you relax, unwind, and turn off your active brain after a long stressful day so you can rest peacefully and wake up feeling refreshed, vibrant, and alert. Go to magbreakthrough.com/ben and use code ben10 for 10% off any order  ARX: Whether your goals are bigger muscles, increased strength, stronger bones, or just to look good in a bathing suit, ARX can help you achieve all of these and more but do so in a fraction of the time it would take compared to traditional equipment. Go to arxfit.com/ben to check it out! Essentia: Essentia organic mattresses are the only mattress to score best on eliminating all sleep-interrupting stimulants. Experience Essentia for yourself and save an additional $100 on your mattress purchase using code BENVIP atmyessentia.com/bengreenfield. Kion Aminos: Building blocks for muscle recovery, reduced cravings, better cognition, immunity, and more. Go to getkion.com/bengreenfield to receive 20% off on monthly deliveries and 10% on one-time purchases.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

6 Okt 202257min

Ben and Jessa Greenfield Go On A Walk & Talk About Education, Legacy, Finances, Daily Habits & More (Boundless Parenting Book Series).

Ben and Jessa Greenfield Go On A Walk & Talk About Education, Legacy, Finances, Daily Habits & More (Boundless Parenting Book Series).

Throughout my career, I've been known as a health and fitness icon. I have to admit that I sometimes find this kind of silly. It's not that I don't think that taking care of my body is important. Far from it. My physical health remains a top priority, and this will probably be the case until the day I die. However, my days as a bodybuilder, Ironman triathlete, obstacle course racer and hardcore masochistic endurance athlete are over, and my vision for my life has notably changed (although I'm still heavily sporting in different skills, such as bowhunting and pickleball). Back in January, I released an article about how to find your purpose, and in that article, I also shared my own new purpose statement that reflects the higher priority I'm now placing in my life upon faith and family, as opposed to, say, fitness: “Love God through prayer and worship, and love my family through preparing and providing.” A significant part of living my purpose is starting to think and talk more about money and legacy. How you handle your finances has a substantial impact on how you show up in the world and how you show up for your family. What this means for Jessa and me is that we are committed to only spending the money we need to spend to live a modest, satisfying life. For instance, we still go on vacations, and when we do, we don't deprive ourselves of pleasures like going to a nice restaurant. But we're careful with spending, never mindlessly purchasing things that are likely to quickly lose their appeal. Rather, we have decided that additional income that we earn will be put back out into the world to help people. This philosophy also directly applies to the family business. The primary goal of Ben Greenfield Life is to touch lives, not to make money. However, that doesn't mean that we don't care about profitability, since we need to be profitable to continue to share with you with the help of a paid team.  Episode sponsors: -Essentia: Essentia organic mattresses score best on eliminating all sleep-interrupting stimulants. Save an additional $100 on your mattress purchase using code BENVIP at myessentia.com/bengreenfield. -Organifi: Gold is a delicious superfood tea that contains powerful superfoods and mushrooms to help you sleep and recover so you can wake up feeling refreshed and energized. Go to organifi.com/Ben for 20% off your order. -Clearlight Sauna If you want to sweat buckets in the privacy of your own home, go to HealwithHeat.com and use code: BEN for a discount and free shipping.  -Joy Mode: Want to spice things up in the bedroom and boost your sexual performance? And do it naturally without nasty prescription drugs? Go to usejoymode.com/GREENFIELD or enter GREENFIELD at checkout for 20% off your first order.  -HVMN: Visit hvmn.me/BenG and use code BENG20 for 20% off any purchase of Ketone-IQ️, an exclusive offer for podcast listeners.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1 Okt 202255min

Dirt Cheap Performance Enhancing Hacks You've Never Heard Of, The Best Bottled Waters, Cold Thermogenesis Pre-Post Exercise Tips, & Much More

Dirt Cheap Performance Enhancing Hacks You've Never Heard Of, The Best Bottled Waters, Cold Thermogenesis Pre-Post Exercise Tips, & Much More

My friend Dr. James DiNicolantonio's new book, WIN: Achieve Peak Athletic Performance, Optimize Recovery and Become a Champion, is undoubtedly one of the most evidence-based books I've seen on athletic performance. The book teaches the underlying pillars of physical development and fitness, such as nutrition, muscle growth, fat loss, body composition optimization, recovery, supplementation, and much more. Dr. DiNicolantonio is a cardiovascular research scientist and doctor of pharmacy at Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City, Missouri. A well-respected and internationally known scientist and expert on health and nutrition, he is on the editorial advisory boards of several medical journals and is the author or coauthor of approximately 300 publications in the medical literature. Dr. DiNicolantonio serves as the Associate Editor of Nutrition and British Medical Journal’s (BMJ) Open Heart, a journal published in partnership with the British Cardiovascular Society. He has shared his expertise on The Dr. Oz Show, The Doctors, and international news media outlets. Not only are there specific protocols for top athletic performance in his book WIN, but all the recommendations are backed by a wealth of scientific evidence. The theories and practices that have been formulated in the book are suitable for both beginners as well as advanced athletes, complete science nerds, bodybuilders, the average Joe or Jane wanting to lose an extra few pounds, and even top-tier elite athletes. Episode Sponsors: Qualia Mind: Start experiencing what the best brain fuel on earth can do for YOUR mindset with Qualia Mind from Neurohacker. To try it, go to neurohacker.com/ben for up to 50% off right now, and use code BGF at checkout for an extra 15% off your first purchase.  Timeline Nutrition: Timeline is offering 10% off your first order of Mitopure. Go to timelinenutrition.com/BEN and use code BEN to get 10% off your order. Colima Salt: Colima salt is harvested from the Colima salt flats in Mexico, and it's super delicious, super crunchy, and free of ocean-borne microplastics. With every purchase, you'll be supporting the salineros. New customers, get your first bag for free! Visit www.GreenfieldSalt.com - to redeem your free bag of Colima Sea Salt. ChiliSleep: These luxury mattress pads keep your bed at the perfect temperature for deep sleep, whether you sleep hot or cold. ChiliSleep sleep systems are designed to help you fall asleep, stay asleep and give you the confidence and energy to power through your day. Save up to 30% off the purchase of any new sleep system ButcherBox: ButcherBox is offering our listeners an incredible deal - two, 10 oz New York strip steaks and 8 oz of lobster claw and knuckle meat FREE in your first order when you sign up at butcherbox.com/ben.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

29 Sep 20221h 3min

Endure - Conclusion

Endure - Conclusion

My new book, Endure, is now available! I’ll gift you the first three chapters of Endure as an instantly downloadable e-book and I'll also give you a sweet discount on the exact journal my family and I developed and use each day, The Spiritual Disciplines Journal. Visit https://getendure.com for all the details!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

25 Sep 202210min

The "Dr. Strange" Of Medicine & Biohacking: Methylene Blue, Stem Cells, Lasers, Earth, Air, Water, Fire & More

The "Dr. Strange" Of Medicine & Biohacking: Methylene Blue, Stem Cells, Lasers, Earth, Air, Water, Fire & More

My inspiring and intriguing guest on today's show - the great Dr. John Lieurance of Mitozen - is someone I consider to be the "Dr. Strange" of the medical and biohacking world. A naturopath and chiropractic neurologist at Advanced Rejuvenation and Ultimate Cellular Reset, author of Melatonin: Miracle Molecule, and crazy mad scientist formulator behind MitoZen, John is my friend and trusted medical adviser. Dr. Lieurance and I recently announced the official launch of a brand new event that I'll be speaking at entitled Elements of Vitality, in Sarasota, Florida, taking place on Friday, December 2nd. The event is based on the premise of turning to the elements of air, light, water, and earth to overhaul and optimize full body, mind, and spirit health, including harnessing the magnetic healing frequencies of earth, benefiting from the power of photonic light and the sun, properly using potent oxygen therapies and ozone, how to create deeper hydration with water, and much more. Episode Sponsors: -Traeger: Traeger grills can tackle everything from hamburgers and dogs to slow-smoked brisket and even dessert, thanks to their 6-in-1 versatility. Check out www.Traeger.com to learn more about these amazing grills. -Essentia: Essentia organic mattresses score best on eliminating all sleep-interrupting stimulants. Experience Essentia for yourself and save an additional $100 on your mattress purchase using code BENVIP at myessentia.com/bengreenfield. -Wild Health: Wild Health, a precision medicine company, is hosting a series of events with some amazing guests to provide you the opportunity to heal your spirit, connect with your true nature, and wake up to reality. They’re calling it the ‘Awake and Aware Series.’ If you'd like to join, visit bengreenfieldlife.com/wildhealthprinciples and use code BG15 to get 15% off the event price. -Organifi: Get the restful sleep you need with the most soothing ingredients! Gold is a delicious superfood tea that contains powerful superfoods and mushrooms to help you sleep and recover so you can wake up feeling refreshed and energized. Go to organifi.com/Ben for 20% off your order. -BiOptimizers: These 7 essential forms of magnesium in this full spectrum supplement help you relax, unwind and turn off your active brain after a long stressful day so you can rest peacefully and wake up feeling refreshed, vibrant and alert. Go to magbreakthrough.com/ben and use code BEN10 for 10% off any order. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

24 Sep 20221h 11min

Q&A 447: Is “Feel Free” Energy Drink Bad For You, 25 Life-Changing Health Tips, “Clarogenic” Plant Medicines & Much More!

Q&A 447: Is “Feel Free” Energy Drink Bad For You, 25 Life-Changing Health Tips, “Clarogenic” Plant Medicines & Much More!

Solosode Q&A and News Flashes – Follow Ben on Twitter for more… I. Questions about Feel Free Tonic -The safety and proper usage of Feel Free Tonic...7:21 -What is Feel Free Tonic made of?...09:44 -Ben Greenfield’s review of Feel Free...13:02 II. Questions about Plant Medicines...18:23 III. Clarogenics...19:27 IV. Experimenting With High-Dose Proteolytic Enzymes and Ben's Thoughts on Kion Flex...24:03 V. Looking, Feeling, and Performing Amazing: 25 Health Tips from Dr. Mercola...32:27 VI. Vibration training...45:17 Episode sponsors: Lucy Nicotine Gum: If you are looking for a cleaner and tastier alternative to other nicotine products, this product is for you. To save 20% on any order, just use discount code BEN20. HVMN: Visit  hvmn.me/BenG  and use code BENG for 20% off any purchase of Ketone-IQ️ an exclusive offer for podcast listeners. JOOVV. Get an exclusive discount on your first order. Just go Joovv.com/ben and apply my code BEN to your qualifying order. Thrive Market: Join Thrive Market today and get eighty dollars in free groceries! VUORI. Get yourself some of the most comfortable and versatile clothing on the planet at vuori.com/BEN. Not only will you receive 20% off your first purchase, but enjoy free shipping on any U.S. orders over $75 and free returns. Go to vuori.com/BEN and discover the versatility of Vuori Clothing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

22 Sep 202244min

Endure Chapter 22: Forever

Endure Chapter 22: Forever

My new book, Endure, is now available! I’ll gift you the first three chapters of Endure as an instantly downloadable e-book and I'll also give you a sweet discount on the exact journal my family and I developed and use each day, The Spiritual Disciplines Journal. Visit https://getendure.com for all the details!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

18 Sep 202220min

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