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[Music] in a fight there is a fundamental in a fight there is a fundamental difference between boxers and everyone difference between boxers and everyone difference between boxers and everyone else else else the guys who have trained or different the guys who have trained or different the guys who have trained or different if you hit them they don't flinch it if you hit them they don't flinch it if you hit them they don't flinch it takes practice to get there but if you takes practice to get there but if you takes practice to get there but if you want to fight you have no choice it's want to fight you have no choice it's want to fight you have no choice it's the only way to win the flinch is the the only way to win the flinch is the the only way to win the flinch is the moment when every doubt you've ever had moment when every doubt you've ever had moment when every doubt you've ever had comes back and hits you hard it's when comes back and hits you hard it's when comes back and hits you hard it's when your whole body feels tense it's an your whole body feels tense it's an your whole body feels tense it's an instinct that tells you to run it's a instinct that tells you to run it's a instinct that tells you to run it's a moment of tension that happens in the moment of tension that happens in the moment of tension that happens in the body and the brain and it stops you cold body and the brain and it stops you cold body and the brain and it stops you cold what I found is that the days I don't what I found is that the days I don't what I found is that the days I don't take a cold shower I'm more susceptible take a cold shower I'm more susceptible take a cold shower I'm more susceptible to flinching in my life I'm just a to flinching in my life I'm just a to flinching in my life I'm just a little more careful at that day I'm more little more careful at that day I'm more little more careful at that day I'm more seeking of a lukewarm Pleasant approach seeking of a lukewarm Pleasant approach seeking of a lukewarm Pleasant approach to life and on most days that I do take to life and on most days that I do take to life and on most days that I do take that cold shower there is just a slight that cold shower there is just a slight that cold shower there is just a slight intensity that I carry with me
I'm not kidding when I say that taking I'm not kidding when I say that taking cold showers helps me avoid distractions cold showers helps me avoid distractions cold showers helps me avoid distractions on the internet when I'm at the office on the internet when I'm at the office on the internet when I'm at the office it is absolutely mind-boggling to it is absolutely mind-boggling to it is absolutely mind-boggling to consider that not too long ago it's like consider that not too long ago it's like consider that not too long ago it's like 20 minutes ago I was completely 20 minutes ago I was completely 20 minutes ago I was completely exhausted and I didn't feel like doing exhausted and I didn't feel like doing exhausted and I didn't feel like doing what I had to I didn't feel like taking what I had to I didn't feel like taking what I had to I didn't feel like taking on this day and I thought to myself you on this day and I thought to myself you on this day and I thought to myself you know if maybe eat some junk food today know if maybe eat some junk food today know if maybe eat some junk food today maybe I'll feel better or maybe I can maybe I'll feel better or maybe I can maybe I'll feel better or maybe I can put off this work maybe I shouldn't have put off this work maybe I shouldn't have put off this work maybe I shouldn't have worked out today because I feel really worked out today because I feel really worked out today because I feel really sore and then just having gone through sore and then just having gone through sore and then just having gone through this cold shower this thing is like a this cold shower this thing is like a this cold shower this thing is like a complete refresh then makes you become complete refresh then makes you become complete refresh then makes you become like a complete Spartan willing to get like a complete Spartan willing to get like a complete Spartan willing to get back in it and willing to face that back in it and willing to face that back in it and willing to face that flinch the flinch that life has that flinch the flinch that life has that flinch the flinch that life has that it's good for you that will let you move it's good for you that will let you move it's good for you that will let you move on to the next thing to get after the on to the next thing to get after the on to the next thing to get after the things that you really desire this is a things that you really desire this is a things that you really desire this is a mentality that is cultivated by taking mentality that is cultivated by taking mentality that is cultivated by taking on these activities of voluntary on these activities of voluntary on these activities of voluntary discomfort and it feels absolutely discomfort and it feels absolutely discomfort and it feels absolutely amazing and this mindset that is amazing and this mindset that is amazing and this mindset that is cultivated from cold showers is actually
cultivated from cold showers is actually cultivated from cold showers is actually very similar to much of that which was very similar to much of that which was very similar to much of that which was set forth by the ancient Stoics set forth by the ancient Stoics set forth by the ancient Stoics Epictetus once said but neither a bull Epictetus once said but neither a bull Epictetus once said but neither a bull nor a noble spirited man comes to be nor a noble spirited man comes to be nor a noble spirited man comes to be what he is all at once he must undertake what he is all at once he must undertake what he is all at once he must undertake hard winter training and prepare himself hard winter training and prepare himself hard winter training and prepare himself and not propel himself rashly into what and not propel himself rashly into what and not propel himself rashly into what is not appropriate to him what the is not appropriate to him what the is not appropriate to him what the Stoics discovered is that willpower is Stoics discovered is that willpower is Stoics discovered is that willpower is like muscle power like muscle power like muscle power the more they exercise their muscles the the more they exercise their muscles the the more they exercise their muscles the stronger they get and the more they stronger they get and the more they stronger they get and the more they exercise their will the stronger it gets exercise their will the stronger it gets exercise their will the stronger it gets indeed by practicing stoic self-denial indeed by practicing stoic self-denial indeed by practicing stoic self-denial techniques such as cold showers over a techniques such as cold showers over a techniques such as cold showers over a long period Stoics transform themselves long period Stoics transform themselves long period Stoics transform themselves into individuals remarkable for their into individuals remarkable for their into individuals remarkable for their courage and self-control they'll be able courage and self-control they'll be able courage and self-control they'll be able to do things that others dread doing and to do things that others dread doing and to do things that others dread doing and they will be able to refrain from doing they will be able to refrain from doing they will be able to refrain from doing the things that others cannot resist the things that others cannot resist the things that others cannot resist doing they will as a result be doing they will as a result be doing they will as a result be thoroughly in control of themselves this thoroughly in control of themselves this thoroughly in control of themselves this self-control makes it far more likely self-control makes it far more likely self-control makes it far more likely that they will attain the goals of their that they will attain the goals of their that they will attain the goals of their philosophy of life and this in turn philosophy of life and this in turn philosophy of life and this in turn dramatically increases their chances of
dramatically increases their chances of dramatically increases their chances of living a good life this isn't to say living a good life this isn't to say living a good life this isn't to say that the Stoics are masochists on the that the Stoics are masochists on the that the Stoics are masochists on the contrary they actually just wanted to contrary they actually just wanted to contrary they actually just wanted to live a good life and this is why they live a good life and this is why they live a good life and this is why they would put these in positions and would put these in positions and would put these in positions and challenges on themselves so that they challenges on themselves so that they challenges on themselves so that they could face the storm of life more could face the storm of life more could face the storm of life more readily I'm reminded of a quote from readily I'm reminded of a quote from readily I'm reminded of a quote from Fight Club actually in which the Fight Club actually in which the Fight Club actually in which the narrator says after Fight Club nothing narrator says after Fight Club nothing narrator says after Fight Club nothing was solved but nothing actually mattered was solved but nothing actually mattered was solved but nothing actually mattered the problems of life become numb when the problems of life become numb when the problems of life become numb when you give yourself these scenarios of you give yourself these scenarios of you give yourself these scenarios of voluntary discomfort and while there are voluntary discomfort and while there are voluntary discomfort and while there are certainly like physical benefits that certainly like physical benefits that certainly like physical benefits that are associated with cold showers the are associated with cold showers the are associated with cold showers the biggest benefits come from how it biggest benefits come from how it biggest benefits come from how it affects my personality how it affects my affects my personality how it affects my affects my personality how it affects my mindset it gives me a potency and a mindset it gives me a potency and a mindset it gives me a potency and a willingness to take on those scenarios willingness to take on those scenarios willingness to take on those scenarios where I feel like flinching where I feel where I feel like flinching where I feel where I feel like flinching where I feel like hesitating stopping deliberating like hesitating stopping deliberating like hesitating stopping deliberating debating not taking on the thing I want debating not taking on the thing I want debating not taking on the thing I want to take on starting the day with the to take on starting the day with the to take on starting the day with the cold shower it really does affect my cold shower it really does affect my cold shower it really does affect my mentality for the entirety of the day mentality for the entirety of the day mentality for the entirety of the day and I guess the reason I was inspired to and I guess the reason I was inspired to and I guess the reason I was inspired to make this video is because winter is make this video is because winter is make this video is because winter is coming as the Starks would say and coming as the Starks would say and coming as the Starks would say and sometimes people ask me in the winter
sometimes people ask me in the winter sometimes people ask me in the winter months do you still take cold showers or months do you still take cold showers or months do you still take cold showers or do you make the more lukewarm and my do you make the more lukewarm and my do you make the more lukewarm and my answer is no I especially love them in answer is no I especially love them in answer is no I especially love them in the winter I especially love it when the winter I especially love it when the winter I especially love it when it's freezing cold as cold as it it's freezing cold as cold as it it's freezing cold as cold as it possibly can be to the point where it's possibly can be to the point where it's possibly can be to the point where it's almost a little painful more painful almost a little painful more painful almost a little painful more painful than usual because the more discomfort than usual because the more discomfort than usual because the more discomfort that I face going into that shower the that I face going into that shower the that I face going into that shower the better the results that come from it are better the results that come from it are better the results that come from it are the more I have a sense of fearlessness the more I have a sense of fearlessness the more I have a sense of fearlessness and willing to take on all the and willing to take on all the and willing to take on all the challenges that are ahead of me it makes challenges that are ahead of me it makes challenges that are ahead of me it makes me want to send out more marketing me want to send out more marketing me want to send out more marketing emails it makes me want to make another emails it makes me want to make another emails it makes me want to make another YouTube video even if I'm afraid to turn YouTube video even if I'm afraid to turn YouTube video even if I'm afraid to turn the camera on the camera on the camera on it makes me want to have this mentality it makes me want to have this mentality it makes me want to have this mentality of let's just go after it let's just do of let's just go after it let's just do of let's just go after it let's just do the damn thing and who cares if I fall the damn thing and who cares if I fall the damn thing and who cares if I fall on my face I'm willing to face the on my face I'm willing to face the on my face I'm willing to face the flinch I do want to throw in a quick flinch I do want to throw in a quick flinch I do want to throw in a quick shot out even though it's weird to give shot out even though it's weird to give shot out even though it's weird to give a shout out to such a big youtuber but I a shout out to such a big youtuber but I a shout out to such a big youtuber but I came across the book the flinch from came across the book the flinch from came across the book the flinch from Matt de bellas video on cold showers Matt de bellas video on cold showers Matt de bellas video on cold showers he's one of my favorite youtubers right he's one of my favorite youtubers right he's one of my favorite youtubers right now and I'm deeply inspired by him and I now and I'm deeply inspired by him and I now and I'm deeply inspired by him and I read that book after he had suggested it
read that book after he had suggested it read that book after he had suggested it in his video and it's really quick 37 in his video and it's really quick 37 in his video and it's really quick 37 page read or something like that and it page read or something like that and it page read or something like that and it really captures so much of what stops us really captures so much of what stops us really captures so much of what stops us from doing the things that we feel we from doing the things that we feel we from doing the things that we feel we should do and for those of us who are should do and for those of us who are should do and for those of us who are willing to face the flinch not only with willing to face the flinch not only with willing to face the flinch not only with our work but in our daily routines those our work but in our daily routines those our work but in our daily routines those little implementations that make us take little implementations that make us take little implementations that make us take on voluntary discomfort to us I say on voluntary discomfort to us I say on voluntary discomfort to us I say greatness is coming I'll see you guys greatness is coming I'll see you guys greatness is coming I'll see you guys Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Cheers [Applause]
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In a world that often seeks comfort and ease, the practice of embracing discomfort may seem counterintuitive. Yet, simple rituals like cold showers offer profound benefits for mental resilience and self-control. By intentionally facing the chill, we can cultivate a mindset that empowers us to tackle life's challenges with clarity and courage.
Cold showers are more than just a bracing start to the day; they serve as a powerful protocol for building mental fortitude. As we immerse ourselves in the cold, we not only awaken our senses but also engage in a practice that has roots in ancient Stoic philosophy. This article explores the impact of cold showers on our mindset, drawing connections between voluntary discomfort and personal growth.
37 pages in the book 'The Flinch' recommended
The Impact of Cold Showers
Cold showers have a unique way of sharpening our focus and enhancing our productivity. According to the speaker, "The more discomfort that I face going into that shower, the better the results that come from it are." This statement encapsulates the essence of how facing discomfort can refresh the mind and invigorate our daily routines.
When we step into a cold shower, we activate our body's stress response, which can lead to increased alertness and mental clarity. The physiological reaction to cold water stimulates the release of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter that enhances mood and focus. This means that by embracing the cold, we not only prepare ourselves for the day ahead but also cultivate a mindset that is less prone to flinching in the face of challenges.
the problems of life become numb when you give yourself these scenarios of voluntary discomfort
"The more discomfort that I face going into that shower, the better the results that come from it are." — Speaker
Stoic Philosophy and Self-Control
The Stoics believed in training willpower much like one would train a muscle. They understood that self-control is essential for achieving a fulfilling life. As the speaker notes, "For those of us who are willing to face the flinch... greatness is coming." This philosophy encourages us to engage in practices that foster resilience and courage.
By incorporating cold showers into our daily rituals, we can develop the mental strength to confront discomfort. The Stoics advocated for self-denial techniques, not as acts of masochism, but as pathways to greater self-mastery. Embracing discomfort through cold exposure can help us become individuals marked by courage and self-control—qualities that are essential for pursuing our goals.
Facing Discomfort
Facing discomfort is not merely about enduring physical sensations; it is about training our minds to confront challenges head-on. The speaker reflects on how cold showers influence his approach to daily tasks: "It makes me want to send out more marketing emails... even if I'm afraid to turn the camera on." This illustrates how a simple act of bravery can ripple through other areas of our lives.
When we practice voluntary discomfort, we create a buffer against life's inevitable challenges. This practice helps to numb the problems of life, allowing us to engage with them more effectively. As we build resilience through rituals like cold showers, we become more equipped to tackle our goals and aspirations.
Personal Experience and Motivation
The speaker's personal journey with cold showers highlights the transformative power of this practice. He notes that on days when he avoids the cold, he feels more susceptible to flinching and seeking comfort. In contrast, cold showers instill a sense of intensity and purpose, making him feel like a "complete Spartan" ready to face the day.
on most days that I do take that cold shower there is just a slight intensity that I carry with me
This experience resonates with many who have adopted similar practices. By intentionally choosing discomfort, we can cultivate a mindset that embraces challenges rather than shying away from them. The act of taking a cold shower becomes a ritual of empowerment, setting the tone for the day ahead.
Words Worth Hearing
"For those of us who are willing to face the flinch... greatness is coming." — Speaker
Practical Takeaways
Incorporate cold showers into your daily routine to build mental resilience and enhance focus.
Embrace discomfort as a means to cultivate self-control and courage, drawing inspiration from Stoic philosophy.
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