Get your question answered by James on the Podcast! Click here.

“You want to really understand deeply the obstacles that are getting in your way so that you know how to defeat them.” – Alan Belcher

(click to tweet)

No matter how hard you train, how in shape you are, or how ready you are for your defining moment, if your mindset isn’t right, it’s all for nothing. That’s why getting your mindset in order is one of the most important things to focus on, and today I have former UFC fighter Alan Belcher talking about exactly how you can do that!

As Alan explains, it’s all about remembering the 4 P’s of mindset: Present, Positive, don’t be a Pussy, and Process. We dive deeply into each of these on this episode, and when put together as a whole they combine to give you an unstoppable mindset!

So grab a pen and take notes so that you can make sure your mind is in the right spot next time it really counts! When everything is on the line, you MUST have your mindset straight, and that’s what you’re learning to do on this episode of The James Swanwick Show!

Key Takeaways:

• Tactics and skills are important. But if you have all that but not the mindset, it doesn’t matter
• Don’t be out of shape
• Don’t give up
• Every level that you attain, you will always be searching for the next level. This is human nature, and if you understand it, you can use it to your advantage
• Have motivational triggers that get you into the right mindset
• When you’re in a bad place, don’t think about the possible bad outcomes, but focus on the processes that will get you where you want to go

“You have to realize that the negative thoughts in your head is you self-sabotaging yourself.” – Alan Belcher

(click to tweet)

Four Magic Mantras to Get Your Mindset Right. Four P’s

1. Present: This takes place before the moment you want to quit. Understand what can hold you back and be prepared
2. Positive: Realize that negative thoughts in your head are you self-sabotaging yourself
3. Don’t be a pussy: Become the person who will talk straight to yourself, and give it to yourself straight
4. Process: Don’t get too caught up in the end-goal. Focus on the process, one step at a time

Resources:

Twitter: @AlanBelcherUFC

Show Notes: JamesSwanwick.com/155

Get your question answered by James on the Podcast! Click here.

“You want to really understand deeply the obstacles that are getting in your way so that you know how to defeat them.” – Alan Belcher

(click to tweet)

No matter how hard you train, how in shape you are, or how ready you are for your defining moment, if your mindset isn’t right, it’s all for nothing. That’s why getting your mindset in order is one of the most important things to focus on, and today I have former UFC fighter Alan Belcher talking about exactly how you can do that!

As Alan explains, it’s all about remembering the 4 P’s of mindset: Present, Positive, don’t be a Pussy, and Process. We dive deeply into each of these on this episode, and when put together as a whole they combine to give you an unstoppable mindset!

So grab a pen and take notes so that you can make sure your mind is in the right spot next time it really counts! When everything is on the line, you MUST have your mindset straight, and that’s what you’re learning to do on this episode of The James Swanwick Show!

Key Takeaways:

• Tactics and skills are important. But if you have all that but not the mindset, it doesn’t matter
• Don’t be out of shape
• Don’t give up
• Every level that you attain, you will always be searching for the next level. This is human nature, and if you understand it, you can use it to your advantage
• Have motivational triggers that get you into the right mindset
• When you’re in a bad place, don’t think about the possible bad outcomes, but focus on the processes that will get you where you want to go

“You have to realize that the negative thoughts in your head is you self-sabotaging yourself.” – Alan Belcher

(click to tweet)

Four Magic Mantras to Get Your Mindset Right. Four P’s

1. Present: This takes place before the moment you want to quit. Understand what can hold you back and be prepared
2. Positive: Realize that negative thoughts in your head are you self-sabotaging yourself
3. Don’t be a pussy: Become the person who will talk straight to yourself, and give it to yourself straight
4. Process: Don’t get too caught up in the end-goal. Focus on the process, one step at a time

Resources:

Twitter: @AlanBelcherUFC

Show Notes: JamesSwanwick.com/155

Get your question answered by James on the Podcast! Click here.

Would you be tenacious enough to go straight up to Arnold Schwarzenegger and ask him for what you wanted? I wasn’t at first…

I recently had the opportunity to spend some time hanging out at an event with Arnold Schwarzenegger. From the beginning, I knew that the ideal outcome would be that I would get a picture and maybe a video clip with Arnold wearing Swannies Blue Blocking Glasses.

Unfortunately, I almost completely missed the opportunity because I didn’t want to bother him, and was overall not tenacious enough. At first…

When I finally became tenacious in going after what I wanted, that’s when it all came together for me, as you will hear in this show. There are a lot of life lessons here, so listen to this episode to learn how to be aggressive and tenacious about getting what you want!

Key Takeaways:

• Main Mission: Try to get Arnold to wear Swannies Blue Blocking Glasses
• When you miss your opportunity with busy, in-demand people, you have to be tenacious to find another opportunity
• Regardless of how many times it seems like you miss your opportunity, you can still probably get another one if you want it bad enough
• Just ask for what you really want! Don’t beat around the bush, ask for it!
• Always think bigger!

Resources:

Swannies Blue Light Blocking Glasses

My Instagram: @JamesSwanwick

Show Notes: JamesSwanwick.com/154

Get your question answered by James on the Podcast! Click here.

Do you know how to work a room? When you’re meeting new people, and in an unfamiliar environment, does it just seem like you’re the life of the party, or are you nervous and shy?

Today I’m reviewing the book “How to Work a Room” by Susan RoAne. If you’ve ever wondered how to make an awesome impression immediately, this episode is for you! So take notes, and learn how to be the person you want to be on this episode of The James Swanwick Show!

Key Takeaways

• Be the person who introduces him or herself first. This will give you the power and control in the room
• Try “what’s your story?” instead of “what do you do?” It opens up more conversational topics than just employment
• Remember to keep smiling. If you’re smiling the first time someone sees you, they’re far more likely to be attracted to you in a platonic or romantic sense
• Focus on having good continual posture

Resources:

How to Work a Room by Susan RoAne

Get My Book Notes on 3 Life-Changing Books!

Show Notes: JamesSwanwick.com/153

Get your question answered by James on the Podcast! Click here.

Do you know how to work a room? When you’re meeting new people, and in an unfamiliar environment, does it just seem like you’re the life of the party, or are you nervous and shy?

Today I’m reviewing the book “How to Work a Room” by Susan RoAne. If you’ve ever wondered how to make an awesome impression immediately, this episode is for you! So take notes, and learn how to be the person you want to be on this episode of The James Swanwick Show!

Key Takeaways

• Be the person who introduces him or herself first. This will give you the power and control in the room
• Try “what’s your story?” instead of “what do you do?” It opens up more conversational topics than just employment
• Remember to keep smiling. If you’re smiling the first time someone sees you, they’re far more likely to be attracted to you in a platonic or romantic sense
• Focus on having good continual posture

Resources:

How to Work a Room by Susan RoAne

Get My Book Notes on 3 Life-Changing Books!

Show Notes: JamesSwanwick.com/153

Get your question answered by James on the Podcast! Click here.

“Fundamentally, culture is at war against our nature, and any way that society can, it will suppress expressions of wildness.” - Daniel Vitalis

(click to tweet)

Nature and society are at constant war with each other for our way of live. As a species that has evolved from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle, our bodies are not adequately equipped to deal with a modern life. While the evolution from hunter-gatherer to farmer is usually seen a positive evolution, we need to understand the ways in which our bodies are designed to function, and how we can use this knowledge to hack our lives.

That’s what Daniel Vitalis is talking about on this episode of the show. As Daniel says, “Fundamentally, the culture is at war against our nature, and any way that society can, it will suppress expressions of wildness.” But this is a war worth fighting, and one that it would actually be deadly not to fight.

Because, as we get into in-depth on the show, there are real dangers to our health and the environment with the systems that have been put in place through our society. Even things as seemingly innocent as the plastic bottles we carry water in could be detrimental. Learn how, and so much more, on this episode of The James Swanwick Show!

Key Takeaways:

• The hunter/gatherer lifestyle is a much healthier and easier lifestyle than farming. Farming is dawn till dusk, whereas hunter/gatherer was about 15 hours of work per week
• The reality is that our ancestors who were hunter/gatherers were far more developed as a species than we often give them credit for
• In modern society, our lifestyles are so far away from that of our ancestors, that everything we do, 24/7 is fitting against our nature
• The genetics of food matters. That is why when we eat genetically altered and modified fruits and veggies, we still may be doing harm. Look for local food, that hasn’t been shipped as far, and retains more nutrition.
• Check out farmers markets for this kind of produce, because it will often have been cut that morning, and not be genetically modified
• Prioritize highly the water you drink. It must be high quality. You’re making 65% of your body out of water, so it’s crucial
• Reverse Osmosis actually cleans water too much. If you add a pinch of sea salt to a 5 gallon jug of water, it will put some of those minerals back into the water
• Keep plastic water bottles out of the sun. If they get sun, the plastic will break down in the water, and the plastic will have an estrogen-like effect on the body. Use glass bottles if possible
• Get a HEPA filter to help with all of the dust in the air
• Get some Swannies Blue Blocking glasses to protect your eyes from electronics

“How have humans gotten to a place in the last 10,000 years where we could potentially disrupt or destroy all life on this planet in the quest for technology.” - Daniel Vitalis

(click to tweet)

Resources:

DanielVitalis.com

Surthrival.com

FindASpring.com

BerkeyWaterUSA.com

HEPA Filter

Swannies Blue Blocking Glasses

Show Notes: JamesSwanwick.com/152

Do you use time as an excuse for why you don’t workout? Do you feel like, in order for your workout to be of any value, you need to be able to devote 1-1.5 hours to it? The truth is that you don’t! The health and wellness benefits of working out regularly are far too high for you to use time as an excuse for skipping it, so listen to this episode to learn my 7-minute workout for when you have no time!

In addition I’ll be telling you about why spending time in the sun is so vital to health, and why you should make an effort to spend time barefoot in the grass for a greater sense of well-being and connection with the earth.

If you’re a busy person, and someone who is trying to prioritize health and wellness in your life, then this episode is for you! Learn how I’m able to fit a workout into any day, regardless of how busy the day is, on this episode of the James Swanwick Show!

Key Takeaways:

• A short workout his 100% better than no workout. Even if you have “no time,” you can make 7-minutes for a workout
• 4 - 5 sets of 20 burpees is enough to get the heart-rate up, and give you the benefits of a workout
• Burpees are a good choice here because you’re utilizing every part of your body, rather than isolating one area. When you have little time, this is ideal
• Studies show: Exercise = happiness. Make the time for it
• Try to get time walking barefoot on grass, for a deeper connection to the earth. The earth has a magnetic pulse, and many think that when we spend time barefoot on the grass, it increases our sense of well-being
• There’s no excuse for not doing the 7-minute workout. You can make the time

Resources:

Burpee Demonstration Video

Get My Book Notes on 3 Life-Changing Books!

Show Notes: JamesSwanwick.com/151

“Don’t think act! We can always revise and revisit once we’ve acted, but we can accomplish nothing until we act.” - Steven Pressfield

(click to tweet)

Are you resistant to doing the actual work to get where you want to go? Do you find yourself in a place of continual procrastination on doing the things that you know you should be? You’re definitely not alone! What you’re experiencing is extremely common in the human race, and it’s why I’m reviewing the book “Do The Work” by Steven Pressfield on this episode!

Think about the projects that you have wanted to do in the past, and what may have held you back from them. Do you find yourself having a hard time starting? Do you find yourself caught in a cycle of endless research and study on the topic, without actually getting down to the nitty gritty of actually getting it done? Have you experienced friction and difficulty in actually finishing the last bit of the tasks you’ve started?

If you’re familiar with any of this, this episode is for you! But be warned: This advice is not for the faint of heart, or for those who would rather procrastinate and “research” their work. This is specifically designed to SHOCK you out of that mode, and into a mode of intense, unrelenting action toward your goals! So listen up, and get ready to make the progress you want on this episode of The James Swanwick Show!

Key Takeaways

• Resistance comes from any act that rejects immediate gratification in favor of long-term gain
• The more important a call or action is to our goals, the more resistance we will feel in trying to do it
• Your friends and family tend to be invested in who they know as, which is who you were, not who you are becoming
• Be clueless and cocky enough to think you can do anything. Don’t think, just believe in what you can do
• Research can be procrastination. Just do it!
• Think big. Go for it!
• Figure out where you want to be, and work backwards from there
• Record ideas as they come to you, so that you don’t forget them! Then go back and play them later
• Don’t be ashamed of a crash. They always come, are part of the journey, and are the only way to get where you want to go
• Finishing is the critical part of any project, and takes more effort than any other part of the process. Finish what you start!

“Research can become resistance. We want to work, not prepare to work.” - Steven Pressfield

(click to tweet)

Resources

"Do The Work" by Steven Pressfield

Get My Book Notes on 3 Life-Changing Books

Show Notes: JamesSwanwick.com/150

“Don’t think act! We can always revise and revisit once we’ve acted, but we can accomplish nothing until we act.” - Steven Pressfield

(click to tweet)

Are you resistant to doing the actual work to get where you want to go? Do you find yourself in a place of continual procrastination on doing the things that you know you should be? You’re definitely not alone! What you’re experiencing is extremely common in the human race, and it’s why I’m reviewing the book “Do The Work” by Steven Pressfield on this episode!

Think about the projects that you have wanted to do in the past, and what may have held you back from them. Do you find yourself having a hard time starting? Do you find yourself caught in a cycle of endless research and study on the topic, without actually getting down to the nitty gritty of actually getting it done? Have you experienced friction and difficulty in actually finishing the last bit of the tasks you’ve started?

If you’re familiar with any of this, this episode is for you! But be warned: This advice is not for the faint of heart, or for those who would rather procrastinate and “research” their work. This is specifically designed to SHOCK you out of that mode, and into a mode of intense, unrelenting action toward your goals! So listen up, and get ready to make the progress you want on this episode of The James Swanwick Show!

Key Takeaways

• Resistance comes from any act that rejects immediate gratification in favor of long-term gain
• The more important a call or action is to our goals, the more resistance we will feel in trying to do it
• Your friends and family tend to be invested in who they know as, which is who you were, not who you are becoming
• Be clueless and cocky enough to think you can do anything. Don’t think, just believe in what you can do
• Research can be procrastination. Just do it!
• Think big. Go for it!
• Figure out where you want to be, and work backwards from there
• Record ideas as they come to you, so that you don’t forget them! Then go back and play them later
• Don’t be ashamed of a crash. They always come, are part of the journey, and are the only way to get where you want to go
• Finishing is the critical part of any project, and takes more effort than any other part of the process. Finish what you start!

“Research can become resistance. We want to work, not prepare to work.” - Steven Pressfield

(click to tweet)

Resources

"Do The Work" by Steven Pressfield

Get My Book Notes on 3 Life-Changing Books

Show Notes: JamesSwanwick.com/150

“Happiness comes from getting the right relationship between yourself and: Others, your work, and something larger than yourself.” - Jonathan Haidt

(click to tweet)

What is happiness? How do we achieve it? Are attractive people happier? Are rich people happier? Could plastic surgery make you happier? Should we seek the most momentary happiness possible, or is a happy and fulfilled life one that consists of ups and downs over the course of it? These are just a few of the questions I get to ask Dr. Jonathan Haidt, author of “The Happiness Hypothesis” on this episode.

Many people confuse the state of happiness with a mood. The thought is that happiness is this momentary mood of joy that we feel, and often people spend all of their energy attempting to fill their lives with as much of that mood as possible, to attain the most happiness in their life possible. The truth, however, is more complex. As humans, we crave a storyline of attempting, failing, attempting again, and ultimately succeeding. That same storyline of ups and downs is what we crave out of a fulfilled life, and what will bring us the most happiness.

If you’re in search of the best, most fulfilled life possible, this episode is for you! Learn the surprising answer to whether plastic surgery can make you happier, if you should seek passionate love in marriage, why some traumatic experiences make you happier overall, whether your daily commute is making you less happy, and much more on this episode of the James Swanwick Show!

Key Takeaways:

• The ancients had tons of advice on relationships and how to get along that is applicable to modern life
• Many people confuse happiness with mood, or current feeling. But happiness in life consists of a story of ups and downs that leads to eventual happiness overall. A life that, at the end, you are proud to have lived
• At the end of your day, write down three things that went well during the day. This simple exercise will increase your happiness overall
• Traumatic experiences are essential to increasing our range of experiences, and thereby increasing our life happiness. Humans are just not their best when they haven’t had problems
• Consider the level of stress that your commute is adding to your life daily, and whether it’s worth the home that you have decided to live in
• If plastic surgery fixes something that was causing you shame, it increases your happiness levels
• Relationships are far more important to happiness than any other aspect, including money and level of attractiveness
• Passionate love tends to not last long. Passionate love evolved to get women pregnant, not to create long-lasting relationships
• Companionate love is the kind that doesn’t wear off

• Look for both passionate and companionate love in a marriage

“We (humans) are just not at our best until we’ve been challenged, and overcome those challenges.” - Jonathan Haidt

(click to tweet)

Resources

HappinessHypothesis.com

Get James’ Book Notes on 3 Life-Changing Book Free!

Show Notes: JamesSwanwick.com/149