Do Muscles Make Men MORE Respected? (Adam, Eve & Masculinity)
The primary focus of this discourse centers on the historical and symbolic significance of Eve within the Garden of Eden, particularly in relation to chaos and creation. We delve into the archetypal representation of feminine chaos as a dual force, engendering both innovation and disorder. The conversation subsequently transitions to the realm of fitness and bodybuilding, wherein we explore the profound lessons and personal transformations derived from disciplined training regimes. One speaker recounts their journey from a casual interest in physical fitness to a dedicated pursuit of bodybuilding, emphasizing the importance of mental discipline and the physical manifestation of one's dedication. Ultimately, we assert that the cultivation of a robust physique serves not merely as a testament to aesthetic appeal but as an emblem of profound personal commitment and resilience in the face of contemporary distractions.
An exploration of the archetypal themes surrounding Eve in the Garden of Eden serves as a profound entry point into discussions regarding femininity and chaos. The dialogue unfolds with an inquiry into Eve's pivotal role in the narrative of temptation and sin, prompting a deeper examination of the implications of her actions. The speakers delve into the symbolic nature of the feminine as interwoven with chaos—an elemental force that is both the harbinger of new beginnings and the catalyst for disorder. The juxtaposition of these qualities raises questions about the nature of creation and destruction, as well as the historical perceptions of femininity throughout various mythologies. As the conversation progresses, the dragon emerges as a powerful metaphor for fear and chaos, representing humanity's primal adversaries—predators that have haunted our evolutionary past. This rich tapestry of ideas invites listeners to reflect on the complexities of gender, the archetypes that shape our understanding of good and evil, and the cultural narratives that persist in contemporary discourse.
The dialogue transitions to the realm of fitness and bodybuilding, where the speakers engage in a candid discussion about the motivations that drive individuals towards physical transformation. The personal anecdote of one speaker highlights the genesis of his fitness journey, rooted in a desire for self-improvement and a response to peer influence during adolescence. This narrative serves not only to illustrate the transformative power of discipline and hard work but also to underscore the societal pressures that often motivate individuals to pursue physical excellence. The speakers discuss the significance of bodybuilding as a manifestation of mental fortitude, where the physicality achieved through rigorous training becomes an outward expression of the inner discipline cultivated over time. As they reflect on the cultural implications of muscularity, they draw connections between physical appearance and respect, emphasizing the evolving standards of masculinity in contemporary society.
The conversation culminates in an exploration of the broader societal challenges faced by young men today, particularly the distractions and hedonistic pursuits that can detract from personal development. The metaphor of 'Pleasure Island' is employed to illustrate the seductive nature of modern distractions, which can lead to detrimental habits and a decline in physical and mental well-being. As the speakers advocate for a balanced approach to fitness and self-discipline, they encourage listeners to seek fulfillment through productive avenues rather than succumbing to transient pleasures. The discussion poignantly underscores the importance of mental health and the need for young men to engage in physical fitness as a means of reclaiming their agency in a world rife with distractions. In closing, the speakers assert that true strength arises from the synthesis of physical prowess and mental discipline, advocating for a holistic approach to well-being that transcends mere aesthetics.
Takeaways:
- The narrative surrounding Eve in the Garden of Eden illustrates the complexities of femininity and chaos.
- The dragon, as an archetypal symbol, embodies the primal fears associated with human evolution and survival.
- Bodybuilding not only represents physical discipline but serves as a profound manifestation of one's mental dedication.
- The pursuit of a muscular physique can be perceived as a reflection of personal discipline and commitment to self-improvement.
- Engaging in fitness can counteract modern distractions and contribute to overall mental well-being.
- The podcast emphasizes the importance of finding a balance in fitness that aligns with one's personal goals and lifestyle.
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- Chris Williams
- Alex Hormozi
- Cal von Moer
- Jeff Side
- Rich Piana
Transcript
What did Eve do in the Garden of Eden?
Speaker A:Which was it, Was it Eve that, that ate the fruit?
Speaker B:Yeah, yeah.
Speaker A:You're a curiosity.
Speaker A:Yeah, so, yeah, it makes sense actually, because that.
Speaker A:It's Eve.
Speaker A:That's very well done.
Speaker A:Because the feminine is associated with chaos and chaos is obviously what new things arise from, but it's also where a lot of bloody problems arise from.
Speaker A:And the dragon of Chaos is a, is a archetypal, Archetypal, archetypal mythological creature.
Speaker A:And it's associated with the feminine because.
Speaker A:Yeah, sort of it's.
Speaker A:What would you say it's the, the anthromorphization, whatever the word is of chaos.
Speaker A:A dragon is like the epitomization and I think.
Speaker A:And apparently the reason the, the, the dragon is the epitomization of like fear is because it embodies and symbolizes all three of our, our evolutionary sort of eminent enemy enemies, predators.
Speaker A:So wings.
Speaker A:Because we used to get taken out by bird of prey.
Speaker A:Birds of prey is sort of, it's a reptilian because snakes were bloody used to kill loads of us.
Speaker A:And then finally a lot of spiders.
Speaker A:Spiders.
Speaker A:Oh my God, the spider's gone.
Speaker C:Okay.
Speaker A:A lot of, A lot of dragons have four legs.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker C:This one has eight.
Speaker A:Yeah, literally.
Speaker A:Yeah, exactly.
Speaker C:Double.
Speaker C:He's double the chaos.
Speaker A:What a.
Speaker A:That is a quick joke.
Speaker A:I like that.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker A:Anyway, it's fine.
Speaker A:Shall we, shall we change?
Speaker A:Tom?
Speaker A:We can talk about fitness and bodybuilding.
Speaker A:I think we've given God his five minutes of fame because obviously he needs it and Jesus, not very well known nowadays.
Speaker A:And why, why fitness?
Speaker A:Why, why, why bodybuilding?
Speaker A:What has bodybuilding taught you?
Speaker A:Where did it come from?
Speaker A:What intrigued you about it?
Speaker C:Yeah, so it wasn't until my.
Speaker C:Well, actually, no, I'll start, I'll start off before I started lifting weights.
Speaker C:So it was like when I was like 12 years old, I think I was like in sixth grade, and we were in the locker room, obviously, like, you know, all the guys, they're like showing off, like.
Speaker C:And I had, I had, you know, done a little bit of working out.
Speaker C:I always had pretty good genetics.
Speaker C:I mean, I was, I was skinny, but I was athletic.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker C:And I was like, you know, showing off my, my biceps, whatever.
Speaker C:And I, I still haven't told my friend this story.
Speaker C:I still talk to him to this day, but I never, I, one day I will tell him this story.
Speaker C:But he was like, he was like, you know, he had a six pack at the time and he was like, oh, yeah, that's.
Speaker C:I, I'm the reason I get, you know, the six packs, the reason I get all the girls, because I got abs and you don't.
Speaker C:And so that, that right there, for whatever reason, it lit a fire on me.
Speaker C:And I was like, you know what?
Speaker C:I'm gonna get the best six pack any, anybody's ever had.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker C:So, like, I literally went home that day.
Speaker C:I.
Speaker C:I started doing like a routine where I was gonna do 100 crunches, AB crunches a day.
Speaker C:And I literally did that.
Speaker C:I just started doing that and then, and then eventually I started getting into researching.
Speaker C:Well, actually my dad was a powerlifter.
Speaker C:He was a boxer.
Speaker C:So he kind of, you know, taught me, you know, the right foods to eat and all that.
Speaker C:So I started eating, you know, healthy.
Speaker C:And I was a junk food junkie, man.
Speaker C:Like you asked anybody who knew me as a kid, like, I was eating.
Speaker C:There was not one unprocessed food I wasn't eating.
Speaker C:I was eating everything, man.
Speaker C:But yeah, so it was very difficult because I was addicted to that, you know, that processed food.
Speaker C:And so that's how I got the whole theory of replace one meal in your day and then you, you know, you do that for a little bit and then you replace two and then three.
Speaker C:And then eventually, you know, it's a habit for you.
Speaker C:You just eat healthy and you don't even think about it.
Speaker C:So I started doing that.
Speaker C:And then I, as I progressed more, I started doing more calisthenics.
Speaker C:I was doing like a lot of pushups, but like, still very focused on like, abs.
Speaker C:And then I, I started to see crazy results.
Speaker C:Like, I have a picture.
Speaker C:I'm going to do a transformation video very, very soon.
Speaker C:Once I hit 2,200 thousand followers, I'm going to do a transformation video.
Speaker C:I got to do a lot of digging for photos, but yeah, that's going to be awesome.
Speaker C:But you'll see when I'm at age 15, I was like, I was shredded.
Speaker C:I didn't even remember it, but I literally saw a picture of myself.
Speaker C:I was like, damn.
Speaker C:I was.
Speaker A:How old are you?
Speaker C:Like 24 right now.
Speaker A:Okay, yeah, same here.
Speaker B:So, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker C:But at 15, I was like, damn.
Speaker C:I couldn't believe that.
Speaker C:I thought I was like fat or something back then.
Speaker C:I had like, I had chest striations, I had like full, full six pack veins everywhere.
Speaker C:I was like, damn.
Speaker C:But then once I hit 17, that was right around where I was getting pretty burnout with baseball.
Speaker C:And I thought to myself, I was like, you know, I'm very disciplined now with Eating and I'm very disciplined with working out, so why don't I just go all in on that?
Speaker C:And I've seen bodybuilders, you know, through YouTube, where it was like Cal von Mogart.
Speaker C:The time it was Cal von Moer, Jeff side.
Speaker C:Who else was big back then?
Speaker C:Ziz.
Speaker C:I tried the rich piana.
Speaker C:So like, all those guys were like, you know, I looked up to.
Speaker C:So I was like, man, if I could get like that, like, that would be pretty cool.
Speaker C:So I started working on my dad.
Speaker C:We joined the, the local gym and we, we started working out.
Speaker C:And at that time, you know, I only worked out in the off season of baseball.
Speaker C:So when baseball season came around, I stopped working out.
Speaker C:But then it was my senior year, I was like, no, no, no, I'm like going to be totally committed to this.
Speaker C:I want to make this a career.
Speaker C:And so I just started doing that and we were, we were going, I think, four, four, four, four to five days a week, lifting weights and just eating really good food.
Speaker C:And I just love the whole lifestyle of it.
Speaker C:Like just eat, train, eat, sleep, train, eat, sleep, train.
Speaker C:I just love the whole discipline, the whole lifestyle.
Speaker C:And then the, the other thing that motivated me more was, you know, to become a professional bodybuilder where I could go to expos, I could, you know, motivate, inspire people, start up social media, you know, travel the world.
Speaker C:That's what really intrigued me too.
Speaker C:And doing that, like, doing something I love and I get to travel the world and inspire people, like, who wouldn't want that, right?
Speaker C:So, yeah, so then, so then I did my first show at age, I think it was.
Speaker C:Yeah, I was 18.
Speaker C:Yeah, because I was 18 and I got, I won my novice class and then I came in second overall.
Speaker C:So I was one place away from getting a pro card in the, in a, in a natural league.
Speaker C:And then I did two more shows after that.
Speaker C:I got second place again.
Speaker C:And then I competed last year.
Speaker C:I did two shows last year.
Speaker C:I got top four.
Speaker C:So now I'm just taking this whole year and then possibly next year to grow.
Speaker C:I gotta, I gotta gain a lot of muscle.
Speaker C:I gotta gain like, yeah, at minimum, like 30, 40 pounds of muscle in order to be competitive on stage.
Speaker C:So, you know, all this stuff takes time and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get it.
Speaker C:So, yeah, I'm really just falling in love with like the whole journey, the whole process of it and, you know, I really think that I can make a career out of it.
Speaker C:And yeah, I just, I Just.
Speaker C:I just love the whole lifestyle.
Speaker C:It's.
Speaker C:There's nothing better to me.
Speaker A:No, I agree.
Speaker A:You've sold it very well.
Speaker A:Yeah, it's not a reality for me.
Speaker A:But to other people, I mean, I was thinking, what age do bodybuilders like?
Speaker A:Because you said you were 18, but like, you're not people at 18 year olds, that's not their peak in terms of muscle load, is it?
Speaker A:What's your, Is it like in your 30s or something?
Speaker A:Almost.
Speaker C:Yeah, it's your, your mid to late 30s is.
Speaker A:Yeah, I was going to say.
Speaker A:So you've got.
Speaker A:That's so good.
Speaker A:You've got so much time to, to just work at it and do whatever it is that you need to do and then you.
Speaker A:Yes, we've already pointed out you can do this because you could definitely make a living because now more than ever, young men need.
Speaker A:There's something about being very muscular as a man that garners you more respect.
Speaker A:I think I'm starting to notice it.
Speaker A:If you can be, if you can break the sort of meathead brute stereotype, then you really, you, you stumble on a gold mine.
Speaker A:There, there.
Speaker A:You know, there's a great, There's a big YouTuber called Chris Williams and he's a podcast.
Speaker A:I don't know if you've heard of him in, in the uk.
Speaker A:Yeah, yeah, he's, he's good.
Speaker A:Modern wisdom.
Speaker A:He, he.
Speaker A:He's a bit like this, but he's more sort of, sort of intellectual.
Speaker A:Speaking about.
Speaker A:I don't know, what would you describe?
Speaker A:I mean, yeah, modern wisdom is a good way of putting it, to be fair.
Speaker A:He got.
Speaker A:Yeah, yeah, exactly.
Speaker A:He, he got the name right.
Speaker A:He speaks to all the sort of.
Speaker A:The, the.
Speaker A:But anyway, he's really muscular and it's a bit like Alex Hormozi.
Speaker A:The, the.
Speaker A:These, these.
Speaker A:I'm sure you know, Alex Hormozi is.
Speaker A:There's something about me, I think.
Speaker C:Does he work with Alex?
Speaker C:Like.
Speaker C:Yeah, maybe.
Speaker C:I have seen you will.
Speaker A:He's got, he's got a buzz cut.
Speaker C:Yeah, yeah, I do know.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker C:Yeah, exactly.
Speaker C:Yeah, he's awesome.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:No, he, he is good.
Speaker A:Yeah, he's good.
Speaker A:He's.
Speaker A:He's a good guy.
Speaker A:And yeah, there's just something about being muscular and I think it comes into.
Speaker A:I don't know.
Speaker A:What, what do you think?
Speaker A:That's a bad question, actually.
Speaker A:That's a stupid question.
Speaker C:It's the.
Speaker C:No, I, I got what you're saying.
Speaker C:No, it's, it's the physical manifestation of your mental discipline.
Speaker C:That's it.
Speaker C:And you're, you're literally showing what your thoughts.
Speaker C:That's, that's really what you're showing.
Speaker C:You're showing like what you thought.
Speaker C:And the.
Speaker C:When you think of it that deep, it's, it's pretty cool, you know, because you're, you literally had to think about this, right, and put yourself mentally to go to the gyms, eat the right foods, to lift the weights, to go to bed at the right time.
Speaker C:And all those, all that thought process, that whole, you know, mental engagement, it shows physically and you get to represent it just walking around.
Speaker C:I mean, what bigger flex is that?
Speaker A:No, exactly.
Speaker A:It is like being muscular.
Speaker A:I saw, I was watching a video and this, like women, women was saying that being muscular is like more impressive than having.
Speaker A:It's harder to be muscular than it is to make money almost.
Speaker A:And.
Speaker A:Yeah, and you're right, it isn't just women.
Speaker A:Don't just find it.
Speaker A:With women.
Speaker A:I literally.
Speaker A:I can't say that word.
Speaker A:It's a bit of a problem.
Speaker A:Don't just find it attractive because it looks good, but they show they find it attractive or anyone finds it attractive, whatever, for literally what you just laid out.
Speaker A:Because it's a sign.
Speaker A:It's a marker of discipline and ability to.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker A:In the same way that a university degree, I mean, university degrees are basically only meaningful now because they show that you.
Speaker A:I mean, this.
Speaker A:I, I heard this somewhere else.
Speaker A:I'm not attributing it to me, but it shows that you can turn up to a class, do some tests for three.
Speaker A:Three years for us in the UK is four years for you, isn't it?
Speaker A:Yeah, yeah.
Speaker A:And that's kind of.
Speaker A:It's the.
Speaker A:Yeah, you, you literally articulated it perfectly.
Speaker A:That perfectly there physical manifestation of discipline and the devotion as well.
Speaker A:You have to devote yourself.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker A:To.
Speaker A:Yeah, you've got to be all in, otherwise it's not going to work.
Speaker A:So.
Speaker A:Yeah, well done.
Speaker A:I.
Speaker A:Well done.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:But no, it's good.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker C:And for people watching this, like, you don't have to go as extreme as I'm going.
Speaker C:I'm doing this because I'm trying to do it for a career, you know, so anybody can get into fitness.
Speaker C:Anybody can, you know, have a better healthy diet.
Speaker C:You know, it's just how far you're willing to take or how far do you want to take it?
Speaker C:And that just boils down to what you want personally.
Speaker A:Yeah, it does.
Speaker C:It's.
Speaker A:Yeah, no, exactly.
Speaker A:It's.
Speaker A:You can find your spot on the scale, you can work out where it was, where it is.
Speaker A:But as long as you, most people could do with being on that scale somewhere, the scale of fitness.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker A:You've got to work out your sweet spot so you can, man, you can manage your life but also maximize the benefits that can arise from utilizing physical exercise as well.
Speaker A:And now more than ever, I think young guys really need to work out because there's all sorts of thing.
Speaker A:There's all, you know, like men's testosterone.
Speaker C:A lot of distractions.
Speaker A:Yeah, exactly.
Speaker A:Distractions.
Speaker A:We're, we're young.
Speaker A:We exist in Pleasure Island.
Speaker A:Have you, have you seen Pinocchio?
Speaker A:The film Pinocchio?
Speaker B:Yep.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:So the Pleasure island is a great metaphor for like teenagehood and adolescence and the sorts of hedonistic, debaucherous things that young men engage in because they're sold this like.
Speaker A:Yeah, it's great.
Speaker A:It's like porn.
Speaker A:It's only just coming out quite recently.
Speaker A:Just how damaging that can be.
Speaker A:And say.
Speaker A:And this is exactly, literally, I mean, and I.
Speaker A:The limits to how damaging it may be probably haven't even been tacked yet.
Speaker A:I think there's going to be way more to know.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker A:Down in the pipeline where we're just either being.
Speaker A:Either they haven't found it out yet or they're slowly drip feeding it to us or there's something more nefarious.
Speaker C:It's on purpose, I think.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker C:And I, I totally think it's a psychological warfare for sure.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker C:And I tell people who are struggling with that, I'm like, dude, every single second you spend on, you know, watching it or looking at it, you're making yourself weaker.
Speaker C:Like you're literally making yourself lazier.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker C:And you're giving yourself a fake sense of happiness or like pleasure.
Speaker C:A fake sense of pleasure than me.
Speaker C:Or it's like, why wouldn't you want to do something that is productive, that's going to give you real happiness, real pleasure, real results rather than, you know, wasting your, your life away through a screen.
Speaker C:I mean, all it is is just, all it, all the screen is is just a projection of light.
Speaker C:That's all that is.
Speaker C:And you're giving your, you're selling your whole life into it.
Speaker C:And that really.
Speaker A:And your life do that, that, that.
Speaker C:Green right there becomes your God because you're chained to it.
Speaker A:Amen.
