#249 - Mike Thurston - Traveling, Steroids & How To Build An Audience

Podcast Summary

• Mike Thurston shares insights on training, traveling, life, relationships, and building an online audience: Longtime UK YouTuber Mike Thurston discusses his experiences in Dubai, past ventures, and plans to stay, offering motivational insights on training, traveling, life, relationships, and building an online audience

  Mike Thurston, a longtime friend and popular UK YouTuber, shares his insights on training, traveling, life, relationships, and building an online audience, especially on YouTube. He discusses his experiences in Dubai, where they recorded this episode, and his plans to stay there for a few years despite the summer heat. Thurston also reflects on his past experiences, such as owning a gym in the UK and unexpected travel plans, which led him to pivot and focus on his online presence. Despite some recording challenges, such as background noise and echo, this episode offers unique and motivational insights from Thurston's experiences.

• Pursuing Passions Leads to New Opportunities: Following your passions can lead to unconventional lifestyles and new opportunities for travel and personal growth. Stay disciplined and focused to make the most of these opportunities.

  Following your passion and making the decision to move towards it, no matter where that may lead you, can open up new opportunities for travel and personal growth. The interviewee's experience of leaving Newcastle for London and transitioning to online coaching and YouTube content creation allowed him to work from anywhere in the world and live an unconventional lifestyle filled with new experiences. However, maintaining discipline and focus can be a challenge, especially when faced with distractions and social scenes. The interviewee's strategies for staying disciplined include making lists, prioritizing tasks, and avoiding excessive drinking. Overall, the interview highlights the importance of following your passions and finding ways to stay focused and productive in order to live an unconventional and fulfilling lifestyle.

• Unexpected invitations can lead to remarkable experiences: Unexpected encounters can introduce influential people and unique opportunities, but late nights can impact productivity, health, and physique.

  Unexpected encounters can lead to extraordinary experiences. The speaker shared an experience of being invited to a new restaurant, London Project, by a gym friend, where they were treated to exceptional service and met an influential Australian businessman. The night turned into an unforgettable chat and continued late into the night. However, the speaker acknowledged the potential downsides of such late nights, including the impact on productivity, health, and physique. He also discussed the constant scrutiny he faces regarding his natural bodybuilding status and the impact of his content on these speculations. Despite the challenges, he acknowledged the benefits of the unexpected encounter and the opportunities it brought.

• Assumptions based on appearance in fitness industry: People's appearances can be deceiving, and assumptions should be based on more than just looks in competitive industries like fitness.

  People often make assumptions about others based on their physical appearance, particularly in competitive industries like fitness. The speaker in this discussion shares his experience with being mistaken for someone who uses performance-enhancing drugs due to his impressive physique. He clarifies that his body fat distribution is not what people assume and that he carefully curates the images he shares online. He acknowledges that there's no definitive test to prove natural status and expresses frustration with the assumptions and accusations. The speaker also reflects on his genetic advantages and dedication to his passion, which contribute to his physique. Overall, this discussion highlights the importance of understanding that people's appearances can be deceiving and that assumptions should be based on more than just looks.

• The stigma of PED use in bodybuilding leads to unnecessary accusations: Despite natural progression, bodybuilders may face false accusations of PED use, which are often futile to prove and distract from fitness goals.

  The stigma surrounding the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) in bodybuilding and fitness communities can lead to unnecessary accusations and debates, causing a waste of time and energy for those falsely accused. The speaker in this conversation shares his personal experience of being accused of using PEDs despite his natural progression in weightlifting and bodybuilding, and how he has learned to ignore such accusations due to the futility of trying to prove his innocence to skeptics. He also acknowledges the possibility of genetic freaks and the difficulty of changing people's minds once they are convinced of someone's guilt. The speaker expresses his wish that such debates and tests did not exist, as they only serve to create conflict and distraction from the real goals of fitness and health.

• The Reality of Achieving an Ideal Physique: Striving for an ideal physique involves brutal training, strict nutrition, and sacrificing social life. Understand individual genetics, focus on proper technique, and do what one is good at.

  Striving for an ideal physique, as seen in bodybuilding, comes with significant sacrifices and may not be achievable for everyone. The speaker shares his personal experience of competing in bodybuilding competitions and the harsh realities of the process, including the need for brutal training sessions, strict nutrition, and sacrificing social life. He emphasizes the importance of understanding individual genetics and focusing on proper technique and execution in the gym. The speaker also shares his perspective on the importance of doing what one is good at, rather than just following passions blindly. He concludes by discussing the importance of having a good session in the gym and prioritizing protein intake even when nutrition is not optimal.

• Focus on foundational elements for looking and feeling good: Maintain a consistent diet with adequate protein, get enough sleep, hit calorie goals, prioritize overloading muscles, focus on quality food, and create a positive workout environment.

  Maintaining a consistent diet with adequate protein intake, getting enough sleep, and hitting overall calorie goals are the most important factors for looking and feeling good. These foundational elements should be prioritized over the specifics of training regimens, such as the frequency of push, pull, or legs workouts, or the use of techniques like drop sets or supersets. The quality of food is also crucial, with a focus on avoiding highly processed foods and sugar, which can negatively impact performance and cravings. When it comes to training, focusing on overloading muscles and changing the focus of workouts every few weeks is key. Additionally, having the right mindset and environment, such as listening to music that helps you stay focused and minimizing distractions during workouts, can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your training sessions.

• Training Intensity and Overload: Effective weightlifting requires pushing beyond comfort during certain sets, maintaining proper form, and avoiding excessive chatter or extended gym sessions to reach required intensity.

  Intensity and overload are crucial elements in effective weightlifting training. The speaker emphasizes the importance of pushing oneself beyond comfort during certain sets, while maintaining proper form in others. He also mentions that many people fail to reach the required intensity due to excessive chatter or extended gym sessions. The speaker shares his experiences training with intense partners, including a bodybuilder named Blessing the Boogeyman and Dorian Yates, and expresses his desire to train with Tom Platts for an even more intense experience. He also mentions some individuals he'd like to collaborate with, such as Calvon Mogher and Simeon Panda, and expresses his dislike for functional fitness and CrossFit, finding them brutal and not enjoyable for his body.

• The Importance of Continuous Learning and Freedom: The speaker values self-improvement but struggles with consistency, while also recognizing the benefits of freedom and single life.

  The speaker values continuous learning and self-improvement, whether it be through new skills like Brazilian jiu-jitsu or stretching for better mobility. However, he struggles with consistency due to laziness and the allure of other activities. In terms to relationships, the speaker has learned that he is not ready for a serious commitment at this point in his life and values his freedom. He has had intense experiences, but ultimately finds happiness in being single and free to explore new connections. Despite this, he acknowledges that if he were to commit to a consistent stretching routine or a serious relationship, the benefits would be worth the effort.

• The importance of leaving familiar environments for personal growth: To truly grow and improve, sometimes we need to leave behind old habits and environments, even if they are comfortable. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals, and be true to yourself and your partner in relationships.

  Personal growth and self-improvement sometimes require leaving behind familiar environments and distractions. The speaker shares his experience of transitioning from a party lifestyle in Newcastle to a monastic one in London, both of which he found limiting in different ways. He missed socializing and meeting new people during the pandemic in Dubai, but couldn't be his true self due to being in a relationship. He reflects on the importance of being true to oneself and treating one's partner with respect and loyalty. The speaker also emphasizes the need to surround oneself with people who share similar goals and aspirations for growth, and that letting go of old friendships can be a difficult but necessary step towards personal development.

• Balance work and fun with the 80/20 rule: Work hard on goals but make time for fun, reflect on past experiences, and be authentic in offerings.

  Achieving personal and professional goals is important, but it's also essential to make time for fun and relaxation. The speaker shared that while they strive for success, the best memories often come from non-work related experiences. They suggested applying the 80/20 rule, dedicating most of your time to your goals but allowing 20% for enjoyment. Looking back, they wished they had taken advantage of social media and technology earlier, and emphasized the importance of gaining experience before offering services or products to others. Their advice is to work hard, but also make time for fun and ensure authenticity in your offerings.

• Be authentic and unique in your content creation: Authenticity and uniqueness are crucial for successful content creation. Share your genuine voice and experiences to build a connection with your audience.

  Creating content and making a successful online presence requires dedication, authenticity, and a unique perspective. The market is saturated, and standing out can be a challenge. It's essential to understand the time and effort involved in creating high-quality content. Being true to yourself and providing valuable, honest information can help build a connection with your audience. Don't try to be someone you're not or fit a mold you think others want to see. Instead, embrace your uniqueness and share your experiences and thoughts openly. The most engaging content often comes from vulnerability and authenticity. Remember, there's only one you, so be yourself and create content that reflects your genuine voice and perspective.

• Focus on creating unique and valuable content: Instead of replicating successful videos, focus on producing unique and valuable content that resonates with your audience.

  As a content creator, focusing too much on what others are doing can hinder your creativity and authenticity. It's essential to understand that the success of a video can depend on various factors, including the algorithm, title, and thumbnail, which are often unpredictable. Instead, creators should focus on producing unique and valuable content that resonates with their audience. The speaker shared his experience of transitioning from specific training and nutrition videos to vlogging and lifestyle content to keep his audience engaged and offer them a unique perspective on his life. He emphasized that his goal is not to replicate successful videos but to provide his audience with valuable insights and entertainment. Therefore, it's crucial to find inspiration within yourself and your experiences rather than external sources.

• Balancing authenticity and attention-grabbing titles in video content: Creating genuine and valuable video content involves focusing on authenticity, reducing staged moments, and managing nerves and distractions.

  Creating engaging video content requires a balance between an attention-grabbing title and authentic, real content. The speaker shared that they dislike clickbait titles and prefer to focus on providing valuable content to their audience. They also mentioned that having a videographer like Louis helps capture moments naturally and reduces the need for staged content. However, the hardest part for the speaker is introducing videos and getting nervous in front of the camera, especially when collaborating with big personalities or in high-pressure situations like interviews with famous figures. Overall, the goal is to create pure and real content while also finding ways to manage the nerves and distractions that come with video production.

• Collaborating with High-Profile Individuals: Unique Challenges and Opportunities: Adapt to interviewees' personalities, be authentic, and well-prepared for collaborations with high-profile individuals to ensure productive and comfortable interactions. Be aware of evolving content platforms and potential censorship issues.

  Collaborating with high-profile individuals for content creation can come with unique challenges. The speaker shared his experiences with interviewing Lewis Hamilton for Puma and Dave Castro for Reebok, noting the pressure and nerves that came with interviewing individuals he admired. He also discussed the importance of adapting to the interviewee's personality to make the interaction comfortable and productive. Additionally, the speaker shared his thoughts on the future of content platforms, expressing concerns about censorship on YouTube and considering expanding to podcasting for more in-depth conversations. Overall, the speaker emphasized the importance of authenticity, preparation, and understanding the unique dynamics of each collaboration.

• Exploring a new medium: Starting a podcast: Starting a podcast can broaden a creator's reach and influence, requiring less visual production effort and offering opportunities for subscriptions and sponsorships. However, improving conversational skills and reaching out to guests can be challenging.

  Starting a podcast can be a valuable addition to a content creator's repertoire, particularly for those who have gained experience and influence over the years. Podcasting requires less visual production effort compared to YouTube videos, allowing creators to focus on having meaningful conversations with guests. However, becoming a good conversationalist and reaching out to potential guests can be challenging. Creators who struggle with long-form content or carrying a conversation on YouTube might find podcasting more appealing. Moreover, podcasting can lead to increased influence and revenue through subscriptions and sponsorships. The speaker in this conversation plans to start a podcast to further establish his brand and reach. He recognizes the importance of improving conversational skills and reaching out to potential guests, but is confident in his ability to make it work with dedication. In the coming year, he has goals to grow his YouTube and Instagram channels, launch a new app, and expand his clothing brand into gymwear.

• Finding and Building a Strong Team: Clear requirements and expectations help filter potential team members. Passionate and skilled team members contribute to growth and success. Fair compensation is crucial for dedication and high-quality output.

  To grow a successful business or creative project, building a team is essential for handling tasks that don't align with your strengths or take up too much time. However, finding the right team members can be challenging, and setting clear requirements and expectations can help filter through potential applicants. Additionally, investing in your team with fair compensation is crucial for their dedication and high-quality output. The speaker emphasized the importance of finding team members who are a good fit and are passionate about the work, as they can significantly contribute to the growth and success of the project. Despite the challenges, the potential rewards of building a strong team are significant, allowing for more focus on core strengths and scaling the business or project.

• Social media's evolution and uncertainty: Social media platforms like Twitter and TikTok evolve, but their longevity is uncertain, especially for older demographics. Adapt to changes and recognize the limitations of physical appearance.

  Social media platforms like Twitter and TikTok continue to evolve, with some, like Twitter, experiencing a resurgence, possibly due to figures like Donald Trump. However, the longevity of platforms like TikTok is uncertain, especially when it comes to reaching older age demographics. As for the speaker, he acknowledges the importance of looking good on social media but recognizes that this may not last forever. He encourages listeners to check out his content on YouTube and Instagram, as well as his website for training programs. The speaker also mentions Thirstwire.com, which is linked in the show notes. Overall, the discussion highlights the ongoing evolution of social media and the importance of adapting to these changes while also recognizing the limitations of physical appearance.