E092 - The Guaranteed Way to Live Your Best Life as a Man | Chris Williamson
Returning face and old friend Chris Williamson is back on the show to unpack the real cost of chasing self-improvement—and the trade-offs few people talk about.While the internet makes optimisation look effortless, Chris shares how his own journey has been marked by burnout, loneliness, and the pressure to always do more.He questions the myth that productivity equals purpose, and dives into the importance of slowing down, feeling safe in your body, and building a life that’s actually enjoyable—not just efficient.If you’re wired for growth but feeling stretched thin, this one’s a thoughtful reset.00:00 Reuniting in the heart of Austin01:37 Why everyone's moving to Texas02:40 Building habits that actually stick07:30 How guests reshape your thinking09:08 The passion behind the microphone13:29 Optimising your mental game15:39 Meeting heroes and battling nerves21:31 Choosing guests worth listening to24:46 The weight of public opinions29:43 Mastering the time management puzzle35:08 Life between the UK and Austin41:02 Building Neutonic from the ground up43:35 Bringing past skills to new ventures47:14 The hidden battle with mold toxicity49:45 Coming to terms with getting older52:47 Evolving as a better partner1:00:51 Knowing when to walk away1:10:16 Writing through health challenges1:13:56 AI's role in content creation1:21:04 Where AI falls short in fitness1:25:07 The art of high-quality podcasting1:30:18 Staying relevant in changing times1:35:04 Taking the leap into video content1:39:02 Facing criticism with grace1:43:29 Understanding our shared insecurities» 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 ChrisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx/?hl=enWebsite: https://chriswillx.com/
--------
1:47:13
E091 - I Made BILLIONS With This Simple Wealth Formula (10X Method) | Grant Cardone
Grant Cardone, real estate master and founder of 10X, joins the show for an honest breakdown of his journey from addiction and failure to billion-dollar success. It’s easy to assume his rise was all confidence and sales mastery—but Grant admits he would’ve skipped sales entirely and gone straight to marketing and investing.From sleeping on couches to building a $5B portfolio, he shares what really changed the game: going 10x bigger in every direction. Whether you love him or hate him, this episode is a masterclass in thinking long-term, building resilience, and playing offense. 00:00 Introduction 04:18 Grant’s decade of drug use and the harsh realities of addiction 08:26 The childhood moment that shaped his view of money 12:11 How Grant treats money and the importance of financial respect 14:35 Discovering the power of improving sales skills 17:13 Borrowing $3,000 to invest in himself after rehab 20:59 Studying sales obsessively and becoming a master through teaching 24:30 Choosing the wrong lane early on and staying small for too long 28:26 From fired car salesman to training the auto industry 34:35 First big real estate move and building passive income 38:01 Why real estate gave him peace compared to rejection-heavy sales 41:00 How to turn criticism and hate into fuel 46:07 The myth of social media comments and clickbait haters 51:00 How to build unshakable trust 54:09 The key reason why the 2008 crash sparked the 10x mindset 56:54 Going from $2M/year to nearly $1B/year through bold expansion 58:00 Business conflicts, lawsuits, and lessons on who to fight 1:06:34 Building a bank and changing the financial system 1:09:07 Longevity secrets and 10x Health System 1:13:05 Discipline, overeating, and stacking small daily habits 1:17:04 Raising kids with contracts, income, and real-world accountability 1:22:11 Teaching kids confidence through work and communication 1:27:05 Letting go of dying partnerships 1:29:16 Why stopping unhealthy habits is the ultimate hack» 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 Grant:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grantcardoneWebsite: https://grantcardone.com/
--------
1:31:12
E090 - $80M CEO: Adderall Addiction, Fitness Industry & Entrepreneurship | Christian Guzman
Christian Guzman, founder of Alphalete and creator of Alphaland, joins the show to break down the real highs and brutal lows of building a multimillion-dollar brand from scratch. It’s tempting to assume overnight success when you see big launches and flashy gyms—but Christian walks us through the failed gyms, manufacturing mistakes, and sleepless decisions that built the empire. From ordering $2.5M in inventory without a finance team to managing influencer trends, middlemen, and changing buyer habits, he shares what it truly takes to scale. 00:00 Welcome to Alphaland 02:23 From first YouTube video to fitness icon 04:05 Choosing entrepreneurship over college 05:18 The humble beginnings of gym ownership 09:22 Pivoting to digital and apparel 10:45 Alphalete's birth and early growing pains 15:38 Building community through content 20:47 The costly lessons of scaling too fast 28:16 Learning the women's apparel market 33:49 How women became Alphalete's core business 36:46 Mastering production relationships 41:38 Nearly losing it all: financial turning points 45:46 Building a proper finance foundation 50:02 Adapting to evolving marketing landscapes 53:52 Reimagining the Alphalete brand 55:40 Thoughts on selling vs. building legacy 57:19 The 3D Energy drink adventure 1:02:28 Fighting to reclaim a stolen brand 1:05:53 Rebuilding 3D from the ground up 1:11:16 Managing multiple ventures and life 1:15:37 Confronting addiction and burnout 1:19:48 How Alphaland transformed a community 1:22:55 Vision for the brands' future» Escape the 9-5 & build your dream lifehttps://www.digitalplaybook.net/» Transform your physiquehttps://www.thrstapp.com/» My clothing brand, THRSThttps://thrstofficial.com» Custom Bioniq supplementshttps://www.bioniq.com/mikethurston40% off your first month of Bioniq GO20% 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 ChristianInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/christianguzmanfitnessWebsite: https://alphaleteathletics.com
--------
1:27:34
E089 - Why Do We Feel So Empty Inside? (Psychologist Reveals Fixes) | Dr. Saliha Afridi
Dr. Saliha Afridi, clinical psychologist and founder of The Lighthouse Arabia, joins us for a powerful conversation on the true path to mental well-being. In a world obsessed with hacks, shortcuts, and surface-level wellness, Saliha offers a grounded perspective: healing isn’t quick—it’s deep, reflective work. From high-performing clients masking trauma to the emotional isolation men often face, this episode dives into what genuine mental health progress really looks like.00:00 Introduction01:00 Working in Dubai among high-achievers04:00 Psychedelic therapy: potential vs pitfalls11:09 How to choose a great therapist13:10 Therapy as lifelong self-work16:46 Founding The Lighthouse Arabia17:26 Why men struggle with emotional support21:47 Helping men connect to their inner world27:17 Emotional regulation vs repression35:08 Why we sabotage ourselves50:02 Purpose beyond success58:58 Sadness vs clinical depression1:14:30 The impact of social media on relationships→ Download your free playbook: digitalplaybook.net→ Join our newsletter for key takeaways: thrst-letter.beehiiv.com→ Shop THRST fitness gear: thrstofficial.com→ Custom Bioniq supplements: bioniq.com/mikethurston• Use code for 40% off your first month of Bioniq GO• Use code for 20% off your first month of Bioniq PROJoin WHOOP for free: join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrstFollow Dr. Saliha Afridi:Instagram: @drsalihaafridiWebsite: lighthousearabia.comThis is a must-listen if you're seeking meaningful growth, emotional intelligence, or a deeper understanding of how to navigate modern life with clarity.
--------
1:31:23
E088 - Here's PROOF Humans Will Be Replaced By 2030 | Gregg Braden
Gregg Braden, scientist, spiritual thinker, and bestselling author of Pure Human, joins the show to break one of the biggest modern myths: that we’re broken, and only technology can fix us. From his Cold War engineering background to decades studying ancient cultures, Gregg connects the dots between biology, spirituality, and personal power in a way that’s both grounded and radical. He makes a compelling case that we’re only scratching the surface of what it means to be human—and that embracing our natural design might be the key to lasting health, resilience, and meaning. This one will definitely get you thinking.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to Greg Braden04:49 The drive behind human curiosity07:58 Breaking free from genetic destiny17:17 Finding purpose for a longer, healthier life25:23 Beyond religion: our untapped potential31:47 The human body as information technology39:19 Where science falls short on emotions and health45:47 Ancient wisdom for modern self-care55:58 Contemplating death, love and human capacity58:29 Greg's book "Pure Human"59:07 The microchip debate and personal sovereigntyLinks:» 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 @Whoop and get your first month for free - join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrstFollow Gregg:YouTube: @GreggBradenOfficialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregg.braden/?hl=enWebsite: https://greggbraden.com/
‘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.