First Things THRST

Latest Episodes:

#1 Celebrity Manager Reveals DARKEST Lessons From His Clients (Kayne West, 50 Cent + More) May 18, 2026

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» Produced by Hack You Media: pioneering a new category of content at the intersection of health performance, entrepreneurship & cognitive optimisation.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/
Website: https://hackyou.media/
Mani Nordine is a music industry veteran who manages artists like Snoop Dogg and Akon, and this conversation reveals why mixing family with business always fails, how ego isn't your amigo but you need it to succeed, and why passion beats any strategy.
Learn why artists need managers from day one because early mistakes haunt careers forever, how emotion in business destroys relationships when you work with family, and why he never involves himself in the creative process—his job is guiding, not making the art. This covers why ego is essential for superstars even though you finish alone, how digital production and algorithm demands killed music quality, and why rappers struggle with ageing because they eventually become what they once criticised.
0:00 Introduction
03:31 Transition from dance to music management
12:10 Meeting and working with Michael Jackson's family
17:00 Challenges of managing artists' egos and personal habits
20:56 The impact of money and fame on artists' personalities
27:46 Organising large-scale tours and dealing with promoters
32:08 Balancing creative freedom with profitability for artists
40:00 The enduring influence of music from the 2000s
45:14 Strategies to maintain long-term relevance in music
50:24 The evolving landscape of music and content creation
55:32 Differences in DJ and traditional artist lifestyles
01:02:07 Iconic events and their roles in networking in the music industry
01:08:10 Personal philosophy on professional and personal growth
» Escape the 9-5 & build your dream life - https://www.digitalplaybook.net/
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Instsagram: https://www.instagram.com/maninordine/?hl=en-gbhackyou.mediaHack You MediaYour optimized future starts here.THRSTTHRST - Your Ultimate Destination for Fitness, Swim & ActivewearDiscover a wide range of high-quality training shorts, apparel, and swimwear at THRST. With our fitness app, you can take your workouts to the next level. Shop now and get ready to elevate your training game!

E140 - Billionaires Brutal Lessons On Wealth, Discipline & Building From Nothing May 11, 2026

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Gediminas Ziemelis is Lithuania's wealthiest entrepreneur, who started his first business at 19, and this conversation reveals what separates founders from managers, why treating business like a three-life computer game keeps him motivated, and how being born in a small country forced him to think globally from day one.

Gediminas explains growing up in the Soviet Union where businessmen were criminals, how poverty and limitation shaped his drive to be rich, and why selling his first company at 27 pushed him toward building something unrepeatable in aviation. The key insight: work-life balance doesn't exist when building something big; your lifestyle becomes the business, and you risk everything while managers sell hours for the highest price with no social life at stake.

This covers why he has four assistants but stays hands-on daily, how spending money on relationships beats marketing, and why the only thing he fears is losing motivation.

00:00 Gediminas Ziemelis Introduction
04:47 Early business endeavours in post-Soviet Lithuania
10:19 Importance of international business for Lithuanian entrepreneurs
15:28 First IPO and stepping into diverse business sectors
20:30 Entering aviation amidst challenges and opportunities
26:46 Overcoming financial crises in business
34:25 Global thinking and expanding aviation business
43:54 Dedication to Avia Solution Group and future plans
47:54 Passion and motivation in business pursuits
54:18 Importance of networking and relationships in business
59:53 Expanding interests beyond aviation, including AI and numbers
01:05:09 Space industry insights and potential future ventures
01:10:19 Reflections on health, AI, and personal discipline
01:14:36 Final advice for aspiring entrepreneurs on collaboration and planning

» 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

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YouTube: youtube.com/gediminasziemelis-official
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gediminasziemelis

E139 - The Most Personal Q&A I've Done (Money, Dating & Life) May 03, 2026

Show notes

From staying in Dubai despite recent events and travelling to Cape Town and Japan, to losing your peptide virginity at 35 and selling Bioniq, join me for a special Q&A filmed in the apartment where this podcast started five years ago.

I talk starting over from scratch, the balance between life-maxing and business-maxing, why investing in yourself beats everything else, and the mindset shifts that matter when nobody's watching.

Thank you to everyone who's tuned in, asked questions, or supported the journey so far.

Here's to the next chapter.

00:00 Introduction
00:52 Thoughts on living in Dubai long term
02:22 Top three favourite travel destinations
03:42 Starting over and choosing a niche
05:01 Use of peptides and personal experiences
07:14 Views on marriage and having children
08:12 Making friends in a new environment
10:16 Daily non-negotiables for health and wellness
11:17 Thoughts on diminishing returns of wealth
13:48 Strategies for avoiding doomscrolling
15:21 Evolving focus on swimwear brand
17:50 Surrounding oneself with inspiring people
19:56 Boredom and seeking new experiences
21:33 Lessons from launching a coaching channel
25:02 Navigating life post-business acquisition
27:19 Does Mike adjust his training volume according to his Whoop data
28:23 Has Mike ever worked with a performance psychologist
30:28 Mike’s experience with emotional eating
34:01 Should you help others unconditionally?
34:50 What are some non-negotiables when dealing with people in business
36:20 Who would Mike choose as my ideal gym partner
39:34 Controversial figures on First Things THRST
42:34 What if Mike had never travelled to UAE?
44:46 How to date when you're broke
46:54 What excites Mike the most
49:33 Young Financial Investments vs going out to see the world
53:35 How important is Mindset in your journey
55:36 Should you set self-standards?
58:24 Is life in Dubai Better than the UK?
59:33 Biggest Problem in Modern Dating
1:02:23 Admiration for Women with Careers
1:04:34 Mike’s Favourite Film
1:05:45 A Lesson from Mike’s Father
1:08:00 What would you have done if you were 20 again
1:12:04 Perfect Work-Life Balance
1:13:42 Mike’s Biggest Goal
1:16:04 Outro

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E138 - 15 “Normal” Habits You Do Every Day Destroying Your Body, Brain, & Testosterone Apr 19, 2026

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Paul Saladino left medicine to focus on nutrition and moved to Costa Rica for the surf, and this conversation reveals why he avoids wearables and EMF exposure, how simplifying diet to meat and fruit fixes most chronic conditions, and why organ meats contain forgotten nutritional wisdom.

This covers why carnivore works short-term, but he recommends adding fruit, how elimination diets beat expensive food sensitivity tests, and why eating specific organs like testicle or spleen follows evolutionary logic that modern science is only beginning to understand through peptides and microRNAs.

00:00 Introduction & Costa Rica lifestyle
06:19 Designing a unique home: innovations and choices
11:08 Air quality and EMF exposure: health implications
17:18 Concerns about wireless devices affecting health
24:20 Sleep's role in health and minimising EMF exposure
30:32 Diet quality over calorie counting for weight loss
36:39 Simplifying food choices for optimal health
43:10 An animal-based diet's impact on chronic conditions
51:12 Debates on vegan vs carnivore: nutritional needs
59:42 Organ meats as supplements: sourcing and efficacy
1:10:10 Entrepreneurship in health supplements: challenges
1:18:56 High-quality retail challenges and market entry
1:26:01 Travelling with dietary restrictions and jet lag
1:34:50 Grocery shopping in the US: prioritising quality
1:39:58 Reducing microplastics: practical steps

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» Follow Paul
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulsaladinomd/?hl=en
Website: https://www.paulsaladinomd.com/
Lineage Provisions: https://lineageprovisions.com
Heart and Soil: https://heartandsoil.co/

E137 - Anger-Fuelled Success Is Destroying Young Men In 2026 | Lewis Howes Apr 12, 2026

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Lewis Howes is a former professional athlete turned podcaster and author who discovered handball when his football career ended, and this conversation reveals why longevity comes down to relationships and emotional healing more than optimisation.

Learn why longevity isn't about perfect sleep or nutrition but about healing emotional wounds and maintaining quality relationships, how he used to attract partners based on wounds and chemistry instead of values alignment, and why therapy from day one became non-negotiable.

00:00 Introduction
02:20 Handball origins and Lewis's journey to the national team
04:11 Mike's athletic background and transition to fitness
06:21 Genetics and misconceptions about Mike's physique
07:56 Steroid use debate and personal stance
09:40 Risks and experiences with performance-enhancing drugs
11:16 Honesty in the fitness industry and its impacts
11:45 Importance of relationships and emotional healing
14:42 Lewis's belief in God and personal experiences
19:18 Lewis's realisation and journey of self-healing
22:23 Balancing work, life, and relationship values
25:18 The role of therapy and communication in relationships
31:42 The challenges and joys of fatherhood
33:30 Lewis's Olympic aspirations and dedication
36:07 Building an empire, personal fulfilment, and service
38:30 Private relationships vs public life challenges

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lewishowes/?hl=en
Website: https://lewishowes.com/

E136 - Are Young Men Locking Themselves Into Lives They'll Regret? | Rob The Bank Apr 06, 2026

Show notes

Rob Oliver is a content creator and DJ who went all-in on house music, and this conversation reveals why Miami is optimised for spending not building, how the music industry is surprisingly political, and why pursuing what you love gives energy instead of draining it.

Rob explains why he hates Miami despite being there, it's status games rather than real building, though it remains necessary for what he's creating. Learn why the DJ world is more cliquish than expected with exclusive circles that either embrace or reject you based on having a following, how most people stay bogged down by relationships and jobs they hate without realising what they're leaving on table, and why his viral talking-head format eventually stopped working after massive volume.

00:00 Introduction
02:07 Reflecting on changes since their last conversation
03:22 Observations on Miami's flashy and materialistic culture
06:16 Transitioning focus to music and social media growth
09:04 Lifemaxxing, pursuing passions across multiple domains
12:23 Navigating the political landscape of the music industry
22:53 Discussing tax implications of living in the US
24:57 Perspectives on endless content streaming
30:05 Experiences in Ibiza and its influence on life
34:53 Evaluating personal growth through music and events
39:17 Harnessing music's power & Ideal music performance settings and experiences
47:14 Reflecting on past open relationship dynamics
56:59 Refocusing on positive content & Future plans

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robthebank/
Website: https://robthebank.music/

E135 - What Ambitious Men Get Wrong About Wealth, Success & Life Mar 29, 2026

Show notes

Sahil Bloom is an author, investor, and content creator who quit his high-paying finance job after realising he'd only see his parents 15 more times before they died, and this conversation reveals his framework for the five types of wealth, why autopilot in life is the single greatest risk, and how anything above zero compounds.

This covers why he invests in founders who can get punched in the mouth repeatedly and figure it out, how his investments range from healthcare advocates to humanoid robots, and why he uses AI agents for logistics but never outsources the creative work he actually enjoys doing.

00:00 Introduction
03:31 AI possibilities and optimism for the future
07:45 Maintaining uniquely human skills in an AI world
12:18 Personal transformation and redefining success
15:05 Overview of the five types of wealth
19:03 Balancing life's priorities and family importance
21:37 Confronting fear of uncertainty and taking risks
27:44 Growth through personal loss and struggles
30:13 Embracing failure and gaining confidence
33:13 Navigating criticism and public backlash
39:35 Investing in people over ideas
47:07 The impact of AI on daily life and driving
52:10 Exploring luxury in future automated living
55:59 Future plans and ongoing projects

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sahilbloom/?hl=en
The 5 Types Of Wealth: a.co/d/awxJWBR

E134 - Patrick Bet-David: World War 3, Manosphere & Becoming Irreplaceable Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

Patrick Bet-David built Valuetainment into a media empire, and this conversation reveals why nobody truly knows what's happening in geopolitics even on the inside, how creating stakeholders makes society safer, and why loving the game matters more than tolerating the grind.

Learn why societies become safer when people have equity, families, and assets to protect, versus nothing to lose, and how Dubai's lack of military becomes concerning when cheap drones meet expensive defences. This covers why he interviews everyone from controversial figures to world leaders as long as they're respectful, how shutting down YouTube three times at 488K subscribers forced the decision to build a major media company or quit entirely, and why the Michael Jordan "love of the game" clause captures what separates passion from obligation.

00:00 Introduction
02:28 Discussing the situation in the Middle East
07:02 Concerns about safety living in Dubai
12:49 Hypothetical scenario: Becoming the supreme leader of Iran
17:04 Big problems in the world Patrick wants to tackle
21:13 Impact of social media on role models
27:20 Thoughts on Louis Theroux's Manosphere documentary
32:05 Deciding who to socialise or do business with
34:22 Short-term vs long-term thinking in business
40:38 Dealing with controversial interview backlash
45:35 Desire to interview Putin
46:50 Motivations for continuing to build the company
48:25 Coping with stressful or bad days
53:06 Importance of loving what you do
56:54 How to keep up with an overwhelming flow of information
1:04:06 The significance of processing information over just knowledge
1:07:36 Optimism about the future and mindset

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrickbetdavid/?hl=en
Website: https://link.me/patrickbetdavid

E133 - Supercar Blondie: How I Built a $100M Brand & Youtube Channel Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

Alex Hirschi built Supercar Blondie from a radio hosting job in Dubai to a global media brand, launched SBX Cars auction platform, and this conversation reveals why she left security in 2017 when colleagues said "see you in two months," how Facebook's golden era paid $1M monthly before collapsing 10x, and why diversifying across platforms became a survival strategy.

Learn why she loves Dubai's rapid change instead of romanticising the past, how SBX Cars fills the gap between collectors flying to physical auctions and wanting curated high-end listings without $30K cars next to $3M ones, and why the platform ships supercars globally from Dubai to Hong Kong. This covers why YouTube builds brand loyalty better despite inconsistent revenue, how AI scammers use her face with different voices to target lonely people, and why documenting everything makes life feel less genuine.

00:00 Introduction
03:27 Transitioning from radio to social media in 2017
05:46 Moving to Dubai in 2008 and early experiences
09:11 Launching SBX and the online car auction business
13:30 Unique aspects of SBX's auction process
18:19 Importance of trust and brand reputation in auctions
21:52 Strategic goals and personal content creation balance
26:34 The hiring process for presenters and maintaining passion
30:17 Concept cars and their purpose in car design evolution
34:21 Challenges of being the public face and dealing with burnout
38:31 Handling online negativity and maintaining mental health
40:01 Balancing work drive with personal well-being
45:30 AI in content creation and future business prospects
51:04 Monetising platforms, YouTube vs Facebook
57:27 Building a diverse media and tech business model
1:03:30 Favourite cars and collaborations with brands
1:09:03 Personal growth and adventure goals for the future

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/supercarblondie/?hl=en
SBX Cars: https://sbxcars.com/

E132 - The New Way To Make Money Online (Now That AI Kills Every Other Plan) Mar 08, 2026

Show notes

Nik Setting built multiple businesses before turning 23 by understanding that personal branding isn't a system, it's knowing who you want to become and refusing to dilute your message, and this conversation reveals why most creators fail by chasing what works instead of staying aligned with their identity.

Nik explains why AI is replacing copywriters and media buyers but can never replicate authentic personal brands. Learn why verbal and visual alignment creates trust that converts, how confusion happens at every stage even when making millions because your identity evolves, and why following trending content that doesn't align with your core values just confuses your audience.

00:00 Introduction
02:00 Nick Setting's drive and passion for building unique things
04:20 Transition from survival to growth mindset in business
07:20 Key components of personal branding
10:00 Importance of strategic content post and authenticity
14:30 Niching down in a crowded market for growth
19:00 Monetising personal brand effectively
23:00 Building trust and credibility through content
28:00 Harnessing the power of YouTube for authenticity
32:00 Challenges of maintaining alignment with your brand
37:00 Using communication to convey ideas simply
41:30 Importance of niche and target audience selection
47:00 Finding and hiring loyal team members
51:00 Leveraging personal brand for opportunities
55:00 Nik's vision for the future and maintaining focus

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» Follow Noah
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niksetting/
YouTube: @niksetting

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