First Things THRST

Latest Episodes:

E131 - Modern Life Is Killing Us: How To Stay Healthy In A Broken System Mar 01, 2026

Show notes

» 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/

Noah Laith (thestoicbiohacker) hasn't been sick in 23 years, and this conversation reveals why most people are doing backwards protocols that waste years, how to actually source clean food, and what fundamentals matter before any biohacking tools.

People try everything but miss the foundations. Learn why "organic" means nothing when a quarter of it tests positive for pesticides, how to find regenerative farms with farmers obsessed with quality, and why your gut is the first brain determining whether you get sick. The difference between top performers isn't talent—it's avoiding one sick day per year that destroys flow and training cycles.

00:00 Introduction
02:04 Cutting through misinformation in the biohacking space
06:02 Why sourcing quality food matters more than labels
12:05 Gut health as the true starting point of disease
15:26 Processed food, fruit myths and genetic triggers
21:27 Building metabolic flexibility with the 4-2-1 protocol
24:30 What to eat for high energy, digestion and recovery
27:11 The science behind eating fruit before your meal
29:13 Sleep timing and how it affects brain detox
36:43 What optimal testosterone levels really look like
41:18 Why diet alone can’t fix poor food sourcing
44:03 Three types of patients and how approaches differ
46:53 Starting peptides early and choosing the right type
51:01 Peptide safety risks and what to watch out for
54:58 Biohacking tools vs foundational health habits
58:20 Noah’s peptide picks for maintenance and recovery
1:03:19 Hidden toxins in everyday food and water
1:10:32 The future of health is nature plus advanced science

» 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

» Join our newsletter for actionable insights from every episode: https://thrst-letter.beehiiv.com/

» Join Whoop and get your first month for free - join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst

» Follow Noah
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestoicbiohacker/?hl=en
Website: https://thelongevityclinic.online/

E130 - Everything You Need To Know About Peptides For Fat Loss, Muscle & Longevity Feb 22, 2026

Show notes

Trusted source for peptides: bioniqlab.com

DN Lab Research: Dnlabresearch.com

Dean Henry has spent 11 years deep in peptide research after his misdiagnosed ACL led him down the regenerative medicine rabbit hole, and this conversation reveals why therapeutic peptides work completely differently than peptide drugs, and how to avoid toxic contamination from sketchy labs.

Learn why the raw material might be fine, but contamination happens during filling in unsterile environments, how micro-dosing triple agonists for longevity differs drastically from medical protocols, and why combining growth hormone peptides with recovery compounds optimises results.

00:00 Introduction
02:10 Peptides 101 and their sudden mainstream popularity
08:45 Dangers of “peptide drugs” like Ozempic and receptor burnout
12:33 Red flags when buying or being sold peptides online
17:10 Why the peptide’s container matters more than people think
18:20 Retatrutide and the future of weight loss peptides
21:04 Cycling peptides safely and avoiding harsh rebounds
28:25 BPC-157 for connective tissue recovery and pain reduction
34:17 Growth hormone peptides that optimise without suppression
37:06 Safe starter blends for building muscle and recovering faster
40:43 Peptides that can boost testosterone naturally, not replace it
44:04 Cognitive enhancers like Semax, Selank and Dihexa
49:42 Sleep-enhancing peptides and managing dependency risks
52:58 GHK-Cu for skin, hair growth, and collagen regeneration
56:50 The gut health stack: BPC, KPV, Lorazotide and more
01:01:40 Peptides can support healing, but not replace lifestyle
01:05:15 Sketchy protocols, histamine responses and what to avoid
01:10:04 How to safely explore peptides with professional guidance

» Join our newsletter for actionable insights from every episode: https://thrst-letter.beehiiv.com/

» Join WHOOP and get your first month for free - join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst

» Follow Dean
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dean.e.henry/?hl=en
Website: https://uaepeptides.com/author/deanuaepeptides-com/

E129 - The True Purpose Of Life That 99% Of People Miss (It’s Not What You Think) | Peter Crone Feb 15, 2026

Show notes

⁨Peter Crone⁩ is a mind architect who works with elite athletes and CEOs to reprogram their subconscious limitations, and this conversation reveals why mental fitness is the absence of suffering, how childhood narratives control your entire adult life without you realising it, and why complete vulnerability is the only way to overcome fear.

Peter breaks down the current operating system—predict and protect—where your brain constantly anticipates worst-case scenarios based on limitations you created as a child (I'm not enough, I'm not worthy).

Learn why romantic relationships expose constraints that family and friends never touch because you become sufficiently vulnerable to access what needs healing, and why success has nothing to do with materialism—it's complete peace regardless of what's happening externally.

00:00 Introduction
04:48 What mental fitness really means and why most people suffer
08:24 Suppressing emotions vs knowing when to seek help
11:41 Losing both parents and how early trauma shapes adulthood
18:04 The power of uncertainty and the lesson heartbreak taught
25:28 Vulnerability in relationships and how much to share
29:16 Why any lie can quietly destroy your connection
36:56 Ambition from fear vs drive from inner peace
42:47 Religion vs spirituality and the illusion of separation
51:09 Why so many fail to stay consistent with fitness
54:18 Muscles, dysmorphia, and the real reason behind self-image issues
58:38 Can ambition exist without ego or is it one and the same
01:03:44 Comparing traumas and why everyone deserves compassion
01:06:56 Subconscious beliefs and how they silently sabotage potential
01:10:09 Timing, chance meetings, and trusting the bigger plan

» 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

» Join our newsletter for actionable insights from every episode: https://thrst-letter.beehiiv.com/

» Join Whoop and get your first month for free - join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst

» Follow Peter
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petercrone/?hl=en
Website: https://www.petercrone.com/

E128 - Powerful Life Hacks For Men To Become Dangerous, Free & Unforgettable (unfiltered) Feb 08, 2026

Show notes

Richard Cooper (Entrepreneur in Cars) is a men's coach who helps guys navigate relationships after getting destroyed by his own divorce, and this conversation breaks down why the nice guy strategy fails, how women punish you for giving them everything they ask for, and why successful men throughout history never committed to sexual exclusivity.

Richard explains the fundamental disconnect—women demand full commitment, including sexual monogamy, but when you give them the complete package, they often lose interest and punish you. Learn why 43% of North American kids are raised in single-parent households producing boss girls and weak beta males, how daddy issues create women who don't value masculinity, and why tattoos are the most criticised red flag.

The harsh reality: paying attention to behaviour versus what people say applies universally in relationships and business.

00:00 Introduction
02:00 First impressions of Dubai and why he’s exploring relocation
04:26 Why modern dating is a minefield for young men
08:52 The concept of ‘beta-tization’ through small daily concessions
11:39 Should couples live together or live separately long-term?
18:06 The idea that commitment and exclusivity aren’t always linked
21:49 How the legal system punishes men after breakups
27:39 Why modern marriage is a raw deal for most men
31:44 Navigating love and ambition when building a business
37:14 Social media as a threat to relationship stability
40:59 How young men should focus on building long-term value
45:08 Tattoos, trauma, and the markers of red flags
50:48 Green flags and the women who nurture, not demand
52:19 Where to find high-quality women—and why the West struggles
58:53 Expectations, disappointment, and better understanding women
01:05:46 The risks of fatherhood and how to vet properly

» Join our newsletter for actionable insights from every episode: https://thrst-letter.beehiiv.com/

» Join Whoop and get your first month for free - join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst

» Follow Richard
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_unplugged_alpha/?hl=en
Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00D4NYPAG?ccs_id=cae3e395-4020-4c99-ac68-456648f0baeb

127 - The Psychology Behind Why We Fall In Love With Luxury Brands | Rory Sutherland Feb 01, 2026

Show notes

» 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/

Rory Sutherland is Vice Chairman of Ogilvy, and this conversation reveals why personal branding works, how luxury brands are destroying themselves by chasing scale over exclusivity, and why companies optimise completely wrong metrics that customers don't actually care about.

Learn why we substitute easy questions for hard ones when making decisions, how status currencies constantly shift from cars to experiences to education, and why expensive signalling through costly marketing actually works better than cheap digital messages.

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
02:14 Why personal branding matters more in an AI-driven world
04:38 Family-owned businesses outperform PLCs in brand building
08:43 Why likeability often beats performance in service brands
13:45 The hidden value of charm and human interaction
16:36 Making travel better through experience, not speed
19:30 Obsessively specialising to build premium perception
26:21 Why status travel beats local cultural appreciation
34:06 Should we admire bold bling or quiet confidence?
36:53 Why digital culture shifts how we signal status
39:33 How luxury brands are losing cachet through ubiquity
49:03 Big screens, little phones and backwards tech habits
52:22 Influencer marketing revives old-school trust in digital
57:13 The danger of one-size-fits-all outrage in advertising
01:10:11 Expensive media still signals credibility and confidence

Links
» 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

» Join our newsletter for actionable insights from every episode: https://thrst-letter.beehiiv.com/

» Join Whoop and get your first month for free – join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst

Follow Rory
Substack: https://rorysutherland.substack.com/
X: https://x.com/rorysutherland?lang=en

E126 - The Fitness Industry In 2026: Body Image, Burnout & Broken Standards | Kayla Itsines Jan 25, 2026

Show notes

Kayla Itsines got her first PT job by holding a door open for someone, and she's here to explain why transformations sell everything and quick fixes teach you nothing.

Learn how Kayla went from charging a dollar per minute in her parents' backyard to selling millions of e-books before Instagram even had video capabilities. She breaks down why transformational content sells anything—body, business, or mindset—and how she transitioned from personal brand to scalable platform by admitting she wasn't an expert at everything.

This conversation exposes why coaches pushing aggressive calorie cuts for quick results don't care about destroying their clients' relationship with food.

00:00 Introduction
02:00 Starting out in fitness and falling in love with strength
08:48 Building a personal brand vs building a sellable business
11:21 How an accidental e-book launch turned global fitness empire
15:40 Turning the Sweat app into a platform beyond herself
21:46 Selling the company and feeling like she lost a child
25:53 Keeping Sweat ahead in a saturated women’s fitness market
32:22 Why long-term success is about consistency, not extremes
38:31 What women struggle with most in fitness today
40:25 Debunking myths about women lifting weights and eating carbs
44:39 Fitness shifting toward total wellness and biohacking
48:39 Stress, control, and the quiet chaos of daily life
53:15 Navigating motherhood while running a global brand

» 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

» Join our newsletter for actionable insights from every episode – https://thrst-letter.beehiiv.com/
» Join Whoop and get your first month for free – join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst

» Follow Kayla:
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/kayla_itsines/?hl=en
Sweat – https://sweat.com/join

E125 - How to Un*fck Your Mind So That Hard Things Become Easy | Louis Armstrong Jan 18, 2026

Show notes

» 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/

Louis Armstrong is back for the annual catch-up — and this time we’re talking celibacy experiments, nicotine addiction, and why he thinks I need to go celibate for a month...

Louis ditched alcohol, nicotine pouches, and his right hand because he realised easy dopamine was making him deflated and unmotivated.

Tune in for a laid-back catch-up with plenty of insight — plus some valuable lessons on discipline, dating, and designing a better 2026.

00:00 Introduction
02:10 Catching up, lost Airbnb deposit and lessons for creators
06:00 Celibacy, dopamine addictions and cutting out vices
09:21 Women as a distraction and learning self-control
12:25 Relationships vs single life and patterns of avoidance
17:07 Trust issues, jealousy and choosing a secure partner
20:26 How men can build true security and self-worth
22:34 Balancing being a good partner without becoming a simp
27:01 Dubai dating culture and the rise of entitlement
31:00 Finding quality women and warning signs to watch for
38:44 Advice for young men on meeting women offline
41:56 Building confidence through small daily interactions
43:50 Mentorship, prioritising freedom and business balance
48:28 Scaling without burnout and staying focused
52:29 Writing, distractions, and designing optimal mornings
57:39 The “Let Them” mindset and emotional resilience
01:09:52 Reflecting on alcohol, fun vs optimisation
01:13:19 Goals for 2024 and building systems around creativity
01:19:40 Hosting transformational in-person masterminds and events

» 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 Louis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louisarmstrong7/?hl=en
Creator Club: https://www.thecreatorclub.co.uk/

E124 - After Making $40M Online, This Is My Best Advice To Get Rich | Charlie Morgan Jan 11, 2026

Show notes

Charlie Morgan dropped out of a business degree when he realised none of his lecturers had ever run companies, worked four jobs burning himself out to prove he wasn’t a failure, then discovered sales through an apprenticeship that changed everything.

You’ll hear why he made his Academy completely free to create a moat no one can compete with, how Hormozi owns the truth about offers the same way Charlie now owns agency fundamentals, and what happens when you realise “passive income” means working 16 hours a day so you can make money while you sleep.

Tune in for his take on systemising relationships with spreadsheets, why he told his girlfriend on the first date that work always comes first, and how building B2B software makes the info business look like a walk in the park.

00:00 Introduction
04:38 Making a free course as a moat against competitors
07:00 The arms race of flex marketing and selling the dream
10:39 How Tai Lopez and Lord Sugar nudged Charlie off the uni path
16:42 Burning out after juggling four jobs and chasing redemption
21:33 Becoming a PT and growing fast as a fitness OG on Instagram
24:33 The viral Dubai video and its polarising reactions
29:52 Why sudden wealth and no guardrails can derail your growth
33:21 Realising nice things don’t equal happiness or fulfilment
36:33 When you’re financially set in your 20s, then what?
42:26 Turning obsession into output and how love for work evolves
46:45 Gym as therapy, consistency, and reclaiming power through strength
50:59 Content, gaming addiction, and transferring energy into building
54:43 Saturation, short-form fatigue, and the trap of constant content
59:32 Cancel culture fading and leaning more into your true self
01:04:01 Collaborating with controversial guests and audience backlash
01:08:08 Why negativity often hides insecurity
01:18:40 Balancing work obsession with a relationship
01:25:12 Kids, priorities, and choosing the right partner for legacy
01:30:33 Making real friendships after success and the Dubai filter
01:33:44 Is London really that bad? Life post-Dubai and recalibrating safety
01:36:38 Building software to solve your own business pain points

» 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 Charlie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charliemorganbiz/?hl=en
Academy: https://www.skool.com/academy/about

E123 - Maxims to Live a Rich(er) & More Productive Life In Your 20s & 30s | Mark Manson Jan 04, 2026

Show notes

After going from low six figures to number one bestseller in 18 months — and dealing with the whiplash of overnight success — Mark Manson proves that learning to say no is a skill you have to relearn at every level.

You’ll hear why he quit drinking and immediately got stronger, why being a single podcaster giving relationship advice creates a dangerous vacuum for young men, and what happens when you realise your music dreams have to die so your actual talent can thrive.

Tune in for his take on why marriage is the most contrarian position for male influencers today, how his wife accelerated his career more than any business deal, and why hoping your future self cringes at you means you're actually growing.

00:00 Introduction
02:00 Reflecting on the lasting success of The Subtle Art
04:13 Misinterpretations of the book's meaning and message
08:52 Learning to say no as success scales up
12:22 Turning 30s into legacy-building vs the experimentation of your 20s
15:52 Shifting mindset around dating, time and future family
23:48 The brutal reality of the music industry and staying relevant
26:10 Creating from passion vs chasing algorithmic performance
30:33 Applying the Hollywood idea of “one for them, one for you”
35:23 Why Gen Z men and middle-aged women dominate the space
39:25 Encouraging younger guys not to skip being stupid sometimes
42:07 Could he have written the book without partying and mistakes?
45:27 How cutting alcohol levelled up his health, work and mindset
54:31 Friendship takes real effort now, and culture has shifted
56:09 Navigating friendship and relationship balance as you get older
01:00:18 Knowing he found the one and rewiring his views on commitment
01:08:39 Championing marriage as a contrarian but essential life upgrade
01:12:23 Why legacy now means being honest, useful, and long-term impactful

» 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 Mark
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markmanson/?hl=en
Purpose: https://purpose.app/
Website: https://markmanson.net/

E122 - How To Reinvent Yourself In 90 Days (no matter your situation) | Michael Smoak Dec 29, 2025

Show notes

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

» 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

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