Side Quest Podcast

On this episode of the podcast, I'm joined by Alain Gonzalez of MuscleMonsters.com.

Pronounced, "a lane," Alain considers himself an average guy from Florida who at 23-years-old, wasn't living in what looked like the body of an adult. He looked more like he was stuck in a pre-teens scraggly framed body. For the last few years, Alain Gonzalez has dedicated his life to helping hardgainers slap on slabs of sexy, lean muscle. His transformation gave him massive amounts of confidence to accomplish even the most daunting of tasks.

Alain doesn't consider himself a bodybuilder. At least not in the traditional sense. He attributes his muscle-gaining success to what he calls The Three D’s: Dedication, Desire, and Drive.

Through his coaching, writing, and videos, he wants to show every naturally skinny guy that it IS possible to gain muscle. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• The story behind the name Muscle Monsters
• Changes in the internet fitness industry
• Hardgainers
• Why he doesn't consider himself a bodybuilder
• What his training looks like
• Biggest mistakes in gaining upper body size
• Using a time machine to go back to high school and play football
• Book recommendations
• Drunk fights at pizzerias
• Doing it and taking action
• Diet breaks vs. Cheat days
• How dedication, drive and desire intertwine
• Alternative protein sources
• Strategies on working on weak or lacking muscle groups
• Bracing your core
• Guilty pleasure songs in his workout playlist

Get in Touch with Alain:

• www.musclemonsters.com
• Facebook, Instagram & Snapchat: @musclemonsters

Resources Mentioned:

The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday

The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday

Gnash - I Hate You, I Love You ft. Olivia O’brien

Passenger - Let Her Go

**NOTE: This is a two-part episode. Please make sure to listen to Part 1 first or you'll be lost.**

In Part 1 of this episode, we discussed how myths, and the structure of myths, still influence some of the greatest movies and books in pop culture.

And that these myths show us how to live a more virtuous life.

Part 1 saw Tanner Baze, Nick Sorrell, Aadam Ali, and I breaking down and introducing people to The Hero's Journey. Why you need to face your dragon and what pieces of wisdom we've received from Dr. Jordan Peterson.

Here're a few bullet points for what we covered in Part 1:

• Dr. Jordan B. Peterson (Podcast, Joe Rogan Podcast)
• John Romaniello (His book Man 2.0 is based off The Hero’s Journey)
• Ancient myths and modern day applications
• Why myths are road maps
• Superman is a God and why we can’t relate to him
• Why The Joker is Batman’s most formidable enemy
• Both sides of evil within ourselves
• Harvey Dent’s transformation into Two-Face
• Why you need to face our dragon
• Why Aadam loves the Anti-Hero
• Suffering and struggle: there is nothing more important in the world
• Why we need the metaphysical
• Arete and Apotheosis

After we end on the discussion of The Matrix, we dive even further into the importance of what myths and the stories in fiction can reveal to us as humans.

In part two we discuss:

• The Emperors Blades
• Why books, myths, or movies always speak to us
• Your brain picks up patterns subconsciously
• Gut feelings and urges
• Read more books --- period
• Accepting your call
• Slay your fucking dragon

**NOTE: This is a two-part episode. Please make sure to listen to Part 1 first or you'll be lost.**

Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Buddha, Christ, Gilgamesh, they all follow the same story line archetype. What Joseph Campbell came to call The Hero's Journey.

According to Dr. Jordan Peterson, myths are a road map for how to live a virtuous life. They show us how to live a good life, what is right and wrong, connect us with our humanity, and teach us lessons that science cannot.

In this episode, Tanner Baze, Nick Sorrell, Aadam Ali, and I break down The Hero's Journey, how it applies to life, and how it can guide you to live a more virtuous and moral life.

But this episode is more than that. We talk about facing your dragon (or demons) and why this is the most important thing you can do in life, period.

We break down thoughts from Dr. Jordan Peterson about why myths show us that, “Getting to where you want to go is not what you want, it’s to make sure the voyage is worth it.”

First and foremost, all of us can't stress enough how much of an influence John Romaniello and his knowledge of Campbell has meant to us. Without Roman, there would be no Tanner Baze, Robbie Farlow, or Aadam Ali. We owe much of our desire to get in shape and improve lives through writing and creating "good art" to Roman.

So for that, thank you sir. And if you've never read his book, you should. It's required reading, actually. (check the notes below for a link)

In Part 1 of this episode we discuss:

• Dr. Jordan B. Peterson (Podcast, Joe Rogan Podcast)
• John Romaniello (His book Man 2.0 is based off The Hero’s Journey)
• “Getting to where you want to go is not what you want, it’s to make sure the voyage is worth it.”
• Ancient myths and modern day applications
• Why myths are road maps
• Superman is a God and why we can’t relate to him
• Why The Joker is Batman’s most formidable enemy
• Both sides of evil within ourselves
• Harvey Dent’s transformation into Two-Face
• You either die the hero or see yourself become the villain
• Did Tolkien mean to tell the inner deep meanings of his stories?
• Why you need to face our dragon
• Gut urges to do something
• How holding in resentment will destroy you
• Why Aadam loves the Anti-Hero
• Suffering and struggle: there is nothing more important in the world
• You want to aim so high that you can’t obtain it
• Why myths work
• Living a virtuous life
• Roman's article on Heroes
• Why we need the metaphysical
• Arete and Apotheosis
• Neil Gaiman 2012 commencement speech
• Why Nick went back to church
• The story of Jesus in the Garden
• Why The Matrix is the story of Genesis

With every new year, there are millions of New Year's Resolutions.

But, two weeks into the year, 25% of those resolutions are dead.

The towel has been thrown in.

Why?

The biggest reasons:

1. You set your goal TOO high 2. You didn't realize how much work it would be 3. You didn't actually give a fuck

2. You didn't realize how much work it would be 3. You didn't actually give a fuck

3. You didn't actually give a fuck

In this episode, I cover a couple of things on resolutions. And I also answer a question on whether you should bulk or cut and when you should move from one to the other.

Enjoy this episode & Happy New Year.

Dean Somerset is a personal trainer, public speaker, and author who specializes in helping those with injuries or medical dysfunctions find a way to use exercise to improve their lives.

Though he considers his specialty, "super cool," Dean's main goal is to help people become stronger, faster, leaner, and more fit no matter their history.

Dean Somerset is one of the most intelligent men in the fitness industry and when it comes to improving or "un-fucking" your hips, Dean is your man.

He's taught seminars all across the world. Touching on topics like:

• Post Rehab for the Personal Trainer
• Psychology and Motivation for Optimal Training
• The Complete Hip and Shoulder Workshop

Because Dean believes in a hands on approach to fixing issues, he's also found that he has a warm sense of humor that helps put his clients at ease. Humor is a huge key to helping a client catch on to what they will be doing. And it allows them to feel less intimidated.

Dean Somerset has written for T-Nation, Bodybuilding.com, Men's Health, as well as his own site.

In this episode we discuss:

• Coaching
• Business
• What he's nerding out on
• How to get comfy in the gym in the new year
• His favorite current wrestler
• Participation trophies
• And a whole lot more

I want to talk about my friend, and client, Jon.

Normally, I'd write up a huge post and tell you the story of how Jon overcame his struggles, became stronger, and more kickass, and about how he crushed his goals.

But, I want you to hear it from Jon himself.

Jon’s been an online coaching client of mine for a few months, so I asked him a few questions after he achieved one of his biggest goals: seeing abs in the mirror. 

So I invited Jon to come on the podcast and chat about his experience, what goals he accomplished, and what he learned during the process.

Jon didn’t kill himself and try and achieve 6 pack abs in 6 weeks. He took it one quest at a time.

But the big difference this time: Jon had someone in his corner, me. His own personal Gandalf if you will, who helped guide him and provide him support on his journey.

In this episode, you'll the inside scoop on what Jon did and how he accomplished his goals.

If you want to achieve your fitness goals in 2017, head here and apply today.

JC Deen is one of the most intelligent guys in the fitness industry. He first came on the podcast in 2015. (listen here)

Beyond helping you nail your fitness and nutrition goals, JC also introduces his clients to practices like meditation and mindfulness because these ideas, he knows, will stretch and better his clients outside of the gym.

He believes fitness should be fun, challenging, and exciting.

Fitness for JC is a journey and it's this journey that he embarks on with his clients and readers. Detailing his process, what works, what doesn't, and what you need to know to make it all less of a headache.

We dive into a ton of amazing content in this episode. Some deep and others not so much.

In this episode we discuss:

• Time zone differences
• How he conquers fear
• Getting caught in his own head
• The zone of discomfort
• Struggling with perfectionism as a coach
• JC’s Complete Macro Guide
• Perfect is in the eye of the beholder
• Most important value he displays to readers or clients
• Getting caught up in the outcome
• How he sets up his process
• Getting into video
• Taking imperfect action
• What he’s nerding out on now
• Future inferences
• Man talks to God
• Fun Questions
• His attraction to Eastern philosophy
• Would historic figures be what we think they are if we lived in their time
• Changing your world view from youth to adult
• Website
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

Twas the night before Gainsmas, when all through the gym

Bulkers were crushing supersets, as the lights went dim

Their reps must be finished, no set went undone

Because gains must be made before the next summer’s sun

Dreams of massive shoulders and quads that rip seams

Are all nestled deep in the coldest winter dreams

The mirror reflects our amazing mystique

Our eyes soak up the glory of our god-like physique

You spend Sunday morning in the kitchen making clatter

Chicken, rice, sweet potatoes, you are the nutrition master

All nestled in Tupperware to be ready in a flash

For you consume it all, nothing goes in the trash

Your mood becomes somber as the winter descends

Seasonal moods change when the warm summer ends

Your mind will crave carbs on the long winter’s night

Serotonin will flow and keep you sleeping tight  

Rested and ready you’ll turn up the volume

Carving out muscles like a modern day golem

Your chest, back, and shoulders often will swell

And trust me your legs will feel hotter than hell

The DOMS are the price that you pay for your gains

But it’s worth it when you see your arm popping veins

When you get home, you’ll stuff your fat face

With all of the goodies you normally disgrace

Here you can find one small, but huge problem

Stuffing your face forces your belly to blossom

By Valentine’s Day your pants no longer fit

Your body fat’s too high, so the bulk you must quit

The winter bulk goal isn’t to be chubby and plump

It’s about gaining muscle and enjoying the pump

So rep out those curls and bench press away

But please listen to these last words I say

Continue tracking the foods that you eat

And don’t consider booze as an okay way to cheat

When the winter blues make you feel less than great

Be careful of carbs and the junk you masticate

Bulking is fun, it’s the best I dare say

But beware the fulk, it’ll leave you in dismay

Curl, bench, and crush every set

But don’t go crazy and add fat you’ll regret

Here is my toast for this winter’s bulk

May you have fun and turn into the Hulk

And when Spring returns, you too can exclaim

This winter I added loads of muscle to my frame

Maddy Moom is a former bodybuilding/bikini competitor who from a young age, dealt with the crushing issues of control. She thought control over her diet and lifestyle would lead to freedom but it left her feeling more out of control than ever.

Maddy say's it's this reason why she couldn’t find herself. Her addiction to control was the sole reason she could not find true happiness and purpose.

Through soul searching and travel, Maddy finally bucked the trends and found Maddy Moon.

Her work has been featured on The Huffington Post, Teen Vogue, The Daily Mail, and Vice. She also hosts the hugely popular and successful podcast, Mind Body Musings.

In this episode we discuss:

• Early message of women and health and body images
• Orthorexia
• Struggling with being enough
• Manifesting goodness in life
• Failure and protectionism
• How you see something: did you really fail?
• Finding intuition
• Mark Manson’s book “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck”
• Defining the values in your life
• How to Win Friends and Influence Others
• Neil Gaiman’s 2012 commencement speech
• How she stays in the creative spirit
• Embracing the pain: feel it to heal it and feel it to share it
• Fun questions
• The dark side of perfectionism
• How do you find the perspective for knowing when or what to give a fuck about
• Contemplating your mortality
• Finding her purpose while traveling
• Why Colorado is amazing
• When does she know she’s gone too far and overexerted herself
• What she is nerding out on now
• The Gollum and the Jinni
• Website
• Podcast
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Facebook

I don't think I'll ever be able to put into words how or what I felt the first time I saw Star Wars.

Since that first viewing, I've seen the movies maybe a thousand times. And each time I watch them, the world feels right. Something feels perfect.

The mythology that is ingrained in Star Wars is important. It tells a story that we've been telling for centuries. Wrapped in myth, Star Wars is a story of human struggle. Not only physical but mental and spiritual.

I knew I wanted to release this episode the week of Rogue One. What I didn't know is that I would hear a podcast that would send my mind into a world of contemplation.

Star Wars is The Hero's Journey in every aspect. But that journey isn't about taking down an evil Empire. It's an internal journey; the metaphysical journey of an individual from an old life to a new, more powerful existence.

The Greeks called it apotheosis --- man becoming divine. And that's the story that the Hero's Journey tells: man descending into Hell (his inner Hell), defeating the dragon (beast/Death Star/Dragon), and returning to the world changed and made new.

And it's this myth, this hope of change and apotheosis, that has always made Star Wars mean so much to who I am.

The only note you need for this episode is this podcast with Joe Rogan and Dr. Jordan Peterson.