» Produced by Hack You Media: pioneering a new category of content at the intersection of health performance, entrepreneurship and cognitive optimisation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/ Website: https://hackyou.media/ After building public speaking skills through brutal on-camera training and quitting a job after 15 days to go full-time on TikTok, Michael (higherupwellness) proves that authenticity matters more than polish. You’ll hear why his parents being in their 70s gave him wisdom most 28-year-olds don’t have, how two and a half years of mandatory public speaking eliminated his number one fear, and what happens when you realise worldly success never fills the God-shaped hole. Tune in for his framework on maxing out your stat lines in your 20s, why asking God to reveal himself changed everything after his dad died, and how silencing ego long enough to suck at something a hundred times is the barrier most people never cross. 00:00 Introduction 01:40 Growing up with much older parents and shaping his worldview 04:14 Supportive parenting made taking career risks feel safe 07:57 Comparing US optimism to UK mindset and ambition 12:35 Striking a balance between monk mode and reckless fun 17:27 Early career struggles and earning respect as the youngest 20:22 Vulnerability online builds real connection and community 23:40 Steroid accusations and the reality of 18 years training 27:21 Fitting training and nutrition into a hybrid athlete lifestyle 33:10 Flexible training splits and sustainable consistency 38:37 How calorie awareness gives you long-term freedom 44:43 Learning public speaking through immersive sales training 50:48 Communicating well, even in a non-native language 57:46 What Whoop taught him about sleep, alcohol and basics 01:04:32 Why coaching can be draining if boundaries aren’t set 01:12:55 Men need spaces where they can be both strong and soft 01:22:30 Even elite performers have major blind spots 01:26:10 Losing his dad showed him God’s presence through pain 01:35:57 Exactly how to start exploring faith without feeling lost » Escape the 9-5 and 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: https://join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst » Follow Michael Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/higherupwellness/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@higherupwellness?lang=en