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.

Avsnitt(1748)

The "Softer Side" of Biohacking, Parenting Strategies, How Ben Stays in Top Shape While Traveling & More with Reconditioned Podcast Host Lauren Vaknine.

The "Softer Side" of Biohacking, Parenting Strategies, How Ben Stays in Top Shape While Traveling & More with Reconditioned Podcast Host Lauren Vaknine.

https://bengreenfieldlife.com/reconditioned Today's episode is the second of three "walk and talk" podcasts I recorded while attending and speaking at the Health Optimisation Summit in London in May 2022. This time I was put on the hot seat by a leading UK biohacking expert named Lauren Vaknine. During our chat, we discussed faith, family, how females approach biohacking and much more. Enjoy! Meet Lauren Vaknine: Lauren Vaknine is a holistic health and life coach, wellness educator, speaker and host of the popular Reconditioned Podcast. As a leading voice in wellness in the UK, Lauren uses the experience and knowledge she gained during her 3-decade long journey from severe disability to complete wellness, to help women heal and transform their lives. She does this by using a range of holistic healing arts in a unique, whole-person approach. This approach enables Lauren to take her clients on a journey from existing, to living a life of purpose, intention, self-mastery and fulfilment. You can find Lauren on Instagram @laurenvaknine, her podcast, Reconditioned with Lauren Vaknine as well as her website laurenvakninecoaching.com and her blog laurenvaknine.co.uk In this episode, you'll discover: -The "softer side" of biohacking and life optimization... -Ben's big "why" for doing what he does... -Ben's morning routine while traveling... -Jet lag management tips... -Ben's favorite biohacking devices and gadgets... -Does Ben's wife Jessa share his enthusiasm for biohacking and self-optimization?... -Ben's education philosophy and strategy for his children... -A sneak peak of Ben's new parenting book... -When not to engage in fasting, ice baths, sauna... -Ben's Christian hedonism philosophy... -Lauren's "lightning round" questions for Ben... -And much more... Resources mentioned in this episode: Episode sponsors: -Organifi Apple Green Juice -Seed Daily Synbiotic -Ben Greenfield Life Careers -Joy Mode -Willo -Kion Aminos Got a question for Lauren or myself? Leave a comment below, and one of us will reply!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

16 Juni 20221h 6min

Endure Chapter 8: Soul

Endure Chapter 8: Soul

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.

12 Juni 202211min

How To Raise Kids Who Aren't Sheeple, Who Swim Upstream & Who Can Gracefully Engage In Divergent Thinking & The Art of Insubordination, With Todd Kashdan.

How To Raise Kids Who Aren't Sheeple, Who Swim Upstream & Who Can Gracefully Engage In Divergent Thinking & The Art of Insubordination, With Todd Kashdan.

https://bengreenfieldlife.com/impactfulkids When I first received the book The Art of Insubordination: How to Dissent and Defy Effectively by my guest on today's show, Todd Kashdan, I thought it was going to be some fringe rebel handbook or something like TheAlchemist's Cookbook, or a title that was meant to incite riots and violence. I was dead wrong. Instead, this book is a research-based toolbox for anyone who wants to create a world with more justice, creativity, and courage. I eventually wound up interviewing Todd for the episode "The Art Of Insubordination: How To Dissent And Defy Effectively, With Todd Kashdan." But now, Todd is back—and he's back specifically to focus on content that will be featured in my upcoming book Boundless Parenting, which will showcase Todd and 30+ additional amazing parents from around the globe sharing their deep wisdom and advice so that you can be a better parent and better human. Look for that new parenting book to launch in the winter of 2022 and click here to stay updated on the book release. In the meantime, if you want to know how to raise kids who swim upstream, who aren't sheeple, and who can gracefully decline to participate hook, line, and sinker in the anemic social standards of modern society, you'll want to tune in. In this episode, you'll discover: -Todd shares about his children, and what he's most proud about them... -How to train children in the skill of divergent thinking... -Resources Todd uses to raise his daughters... -How to approach relying on others for children's development... -Things Todd learned while writing his book he's passing on to his children... -Reconciling differing parenting styles when mom and dad live under different roofs... -Exposing children to societal taboos in an environment the parent can control... -How to carve out one on one time with children... -Final questions for Todd... -The message for parents Todd would put on a billboard... -And much more... Episode sponsors: -Nootopia -Butcher Box -HigherDOSE -Chili Technologies -Kion Aminos https://bengreenfieldlife.com/impactfulkidsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11 Juni 20221h 12min

The Lost Art of Storytelling, Why We Should Love Mondays as Much as Fridays, Why You Need a Health Coach and More with Made to Thrive Founder Steve Stavs.

The Lost Art of Storytelling, Why We Should Love Mondays as Much as Fridays, Why You Need a Health Coach and More with Made to Thrive Founder Steve Stavs.

https://bengreenfieldlife.com/madetothrive Welcome to the show. Today's episode is with biohacker and podcaster Steve Stavs from South Africa, whom I met at the Health Optimisation Summit held in the latter part of May 2022. Steve Stavs’ philosophy is one of researching to reveal. He has spent his life immersing himself in knowledge and then turning these insights into actionable strategies designed to enhance the human state. He is a successful entrepreneur, leadership coach, international lecturer, and holistic practitioner. Steve continues to run his wellness practice Made To Thrive, which he launched 20 years ago. He has aided many to reach their highest potential in all aspects of their lives and this has inspired him to take both his message and his mission to a wider audience. (You can save 15% on coaching and consulting with code BEN15 along with 5% off products in the shop with code BEN5.) Steve draws on his background in Western Medical Practices and integrates the best of this knowledge with the profound teachings of Ancestral Living and Chinese Medicine. Thousands of patients can testify to the effectiveness of this comprehensive approach, which combines an understanding of ancient traditional cultures while including the most researched science in biochemistry, physiology, psychology, and nutrition. An avid athlete, Steve is dedicated to exploring the boundaries of physical ability and pushing his body to its optimal performance. He is a Green Number Comrades runner and one of his ultimate goals is to run the Comrades Marathon at the age of 100. Steve supports the Community of the Hope Risen Foundation–a nonprofit organization founded by Tabitha and Rob Lage, who are passionate about ensuring humans have absolute freedom to live out their true purpose, know their why, and live according to this ethos. Hope Risen has a vision to spread Hope, Love, and Justice in the quest to end modern-day slavery and exploitation. They are passionate about helping survivors of human trafficking shine again. The foundation runs a number of prevention and awareness initiatives alongside direct interventions to rescue, restore and reintegrate women, men, and children who have been exploited. Steve asked me if he could interview me for his podcast. I told him he could, but only if he can keep up with me on one of my aerobically and intellectually challenging "walk & talk" podcasts. "Not a problem," replied Steve, and I believed him—as he is also the founder of the Comrades Marathon, an annual 56-mile race that builds community (and some serious physical resilience) among members of his community in S. Africa. So Steve can take some steps! And thus we took to the backstreets and parks of London during some free time from the summit and discussed many topics, such as: Fear vs. purpose-based motivation The African word for "community" and how it differs from our conception in the West The lost art of storytelling Why the "free" biohacks are just as important as the expensive gadgets found at your favorite conference And more... I enjoyed our conversation so much that I wanted to share it on my podcast feed as well. So I hope you enjoy it (and you'll hear that Steve was able to keep up with me just fine!). In this episode, you'll discover: -Steve describes the Comrades Marathon... -Fear vs. purpose based motivation for human action... -Ubuntu and the spirit of community... -An environment that facilitates success... -Storytelling as a means of building community... -Arts and music as a means of healing... -Gathering and preparing food that sustains community... -Putting biohacking in its place regarding our quality of life... -The most important biohacking metrics when it comes to stress and anxiety... -The importance of having a health coach... -Embracing suffering to bring joy... -Ben Greenfield's message of hope for the future... -And much more... Resources mentioned in this episode: Episode sponsors: -Levels Health -Lucy Nicotine Gum -Kion Aminos -Timeline Nutrition -Inside Tracker -Ben Greenfield Coaching https://bengreenfieldlife.com/madetothriveSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9 Juni 20221h 1min

Endure Chapter 7: Temperate

Endure Chapter 7: Temperate

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.

5 Juni 202223min

Why The World Needs Heroes, "The Humility Of The Hero" & A Call To Action: Ben Greenfield's Speech From PaleoFx 2022.

Why The World Needs Heroes, "The Humility Of The Hero" & A Call To Action: Ben Greenfield's Speech From PaleoFx 2022.

BenGreenfieldLife.com/heropodcast There's a revolution on the horizon... ...led by a collective of people who are willing to speak up for what they believe in. I call them heroes. Today, more than ever, the world needs heroes. Now, I'm not talking about Rambo- or Terminator-type heroes. I'm talking about heroes who, like the great hero Jesus Christ, have the meekness and humility of a gentle lamb and the courage and ferocity of a mighty lion. We need heroes who can admit when they're wrong, and who tend lovingly to the garden of their spirit and their soul. Recently, I had the opportunity to speak to a large audience about why it's imperative to surround ourselves with a community of individuals who know how to surrender, sacrifice, and serve. I was asked to give a keynote speech at Paleo f(x), the world's premier wellness event, covering the 7 pillars of health–physical, mental, emotional, relational, spiritual, financial, tribal, (and more!)–for optimizing your health, expanding your mind, and reclaiming your freedom. Over three days, there were 100+ speakers and 8,000+ attendees. It's one of the most fun, inspiring, and educational events I attend all year long. From the stellar speakers to the amazing networking, to the killer parties and food, nothing like it exists, period. I could have spoken on any topic related to biohacks, gear, and fitness—as you know, I've spent plenty of time on those subjects in the past. What I felt called to reflect on, though, was this concept of heroism and the Hero's Journey. The theme of this year's Paleo f(x) was Primal Uprising, which felt like the perfect forum to delve into something a little more important. My inspiration for the speech was the article The Humility Of The Hero: A Call To Action (& 4 Ways To Be The Hero The World Needs Right Now). It's scary crossing over from your ordinary world, but nothing can replace the feeling of when you reach deep down and speak up for what you believe in. Here, I share the entire keynote speech from Paleo f(x), during which I talk about the Hero's Journey, overcoming addictions, the importance of serving others, and much more. I hope you find it inspirational. In this episode, you'll discover: -Why this generation needs heroes... -The Hero's Journey defined... -Why we're wired to embrace the Hero's Journey... -Surrender your attachments and addictions... -Why a real hero often defies the romanticized stereotypes... -Service is the foundation of the hero's journey... -Put on your spiritual armor... -What to do when you feel the call to the Hero's Journey... -How do you identify your mission and purpose in life?... -And much more... Episode sponsors: -Vuori -Organifi Gold -Magnesium Breakthrough -Willo -Kion Aminos BenGreenfieldLife.com/heropodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

4 Juni 202259min

The Future Of Plants, Sustainable Agriculture, Vertical Farming, AI-Driven Personalized Nutrition, Child Education & More With Willo's Sam Bertram.

The Future Of Plants, Sustainable Agriculture, Vertical Farming, AI-Driven Personalized Nutrition, Child Education & More With Willo's Sam Bertram.

bengreenfieldlife.com/willopodcast  bengreenfieldlife.com/willo - code BEN20 for $20 off Reservation Fee Samuel Bertram is the CEO and co-founder of OnePointOne, an AgTech startup in the Bay Area that has developed the most sophisticated indoor farming technology in the world. Born in 1993, Samuel grew up with his brother, John (co-founder and CTO of OnePointOne) in Wheelers Hill, Victoria, Australia. Samuel (and John) came to the United States to play collegiate tennis in 2011. Samuel captained his Division 1 Tennis team at Santa Clara University and graduated in 2016 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, and in 2018 with an M.S. in Robotics and Mechatronics. While at Santa Clara, Samuel was involved in the creation of an autonomous marine vessel as well an autonomous omnidirectional robot. Samuel’s Master’s Capstone Project was the origin of OnePointOne’s technology. Samuel and John founded OnePointOne, Inc. in July of 2017 with a mission to nourish the 1.1 billion people that began this millennium hungry. Since then, Samuel has raised over $60M from notable investors such as Fred Luddy, Novak Djokovic, and HRH Khaled bin Alwaleed. With that funding, the incredible team at OnePointOne has built the most advanced vertical farming technology on the market (according to Bain & Company). OnePointOne, Inc. employs a completely unique combination of aeroponics, automation, and AI, and stands apart in the field of indoor farming in terms of productivity, resource efficiency, and data capabilities. OnePointOne’s Cultivation Chambers (CCs) are two-story tall, fully-enclosed cubes that grow a wide variety of berries, flowers, root crops, and leafy greens. Their fleet of robots manages the facility’s operations, which include: plant movement, plant inspection, cleaning, light movement, and more. OnePointOne plans to build hundreds of these CCs throughout the world to combat major crises in health, nutrition, and medicine. OnePointOne focuses on robotics and automation, agricultural technology, plant-based food and medicine, digital cities, and the Human condition. Recently, OnePointOne launched "Willo", which is the future of personalized nutrition. Willo grows the best tasting produce on the planet. Members discover how complex, robust, and delicious produce can be. And their greens are built to last. With Willo, you can guarantee that your produce will last 2-4 times longer than what you would find at a conventional grocery store. Gone are the days of throwing out expensive greens that spoil just a few days after buying with them. Everything Willo grows begins exclusively with a non-GMO seed, with each plant receiving the perfect mixture of elements to maximize taste and nutrient density. By providing the ideal composition of elements for each crop, they can grow exceptional produce in significantly less time while amplifying the plant’s natural ability to fuel and heal you. Willo's technology virtually eliminates the environmental impact of agriculture. Designed with sustainability in mind, Willo’s crops are grown in a 100% controlled environment. This means that every single farming element is meticulously cared for, including the seeds, light, water, nutrients and air, resulting in the most pristine produce on the market. Their farms can grow anywhere on the planet all year round. Imagine the most perfect tomato you’ve ever eaten, grown in the dead of winter and delivered to your doorstep mere days after it’s been harvested. Remember the taste of that fresh lemon basil you had on that trip to Thailand, and every other noodle dish has paled by comparison since—how would you like a fresh supply always in your kitchen? Picture a super kale that delivers an amazing supply of 4 vitamins and minerals in a single serving and tastes unbelievably delicious while doing it. And that’s just the beginning. During this discussion, you'll discover: -Sam's journey into the health and fitness field... -Discussing wholesome parenting techniques... -How Sam developed an interest in helping people through better nutrition... -The moment Sam opened his heart to the betterment of humanity... -The essential elements of the Willo brand... -Aeroponics and AI farming... -How an app can allow you to personalize your nutrition... -How the Willo differs from other vertical farming systems... -What's the carbon footprint of Willo... -The future of vertical farming... -And much more... -And much more!... Upcoming Events: Keep up on Ben's LIVE appearances by following bengreenfieldfitness.com/calendar Resources from this episode: Willo Farm - code BEN20 will give you 20% off the reservation fee Episode sponsors: -JOOVV -Water and Wellness -Kion Aminos -Butcher Box -Inside Tracker bengreenfieldlife.com/willopodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2 Juni 202255min

Endure Chapter 6: Marshmallows

Endure Chapter 6: Marshmallows

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.

29 Maj 202216min

Populärt inom Utbildning

rss-bara-en-till-om-missbruk-medberoende-2
det-skaver
historiepodden-se
nu-blir-det-historia
alska-oss
harrisons-dramatiska-historia
allt-du-velat-veta
johannes-hansen-podcast
rss-sjalsligt-avkladd
not-fanny-anymore
sektledare
sa-in-i-sjalen
i-vantan-pa-katastrofen
rikatillsammans-om-privatekonomi-rikedom-i-livet
rss-om-vi-ska-vara-arliga
roda-vita-rosen
sektpodden
rss-npf-podden
rss-max-tant-med-max-villman
polisutbildningspodden