The Optimal U Podcast

In this episode we talk about a topic that’s gained a lot of traction and attention recently….you may have seen people doing this on various social media platforms, or news outlets, there’s even been celebrities who have recently been discussing this practice, and if you follow me on instagram you may have seen some of my posts about this as well. Our topic today is deliberate cold exposure. I break down the rationale behind them, the benefits, and provide tips and strategies.

Those of you that know my work or who have listened to previous episodes likely are aware that when it comes to health, wellness, and personal development, I’m a proponent of things that you can do to elevate your mind, body, and performance - that are relatively easy to implement, natural, and in some some cases free or low cost - things such as nutrition, sleep, hydration, exercise, meditation, and reading. 

I think it’s too common for people to want a quick fix, an expensive surgery, or costly pills or medication to try to fix or improve something they are unhappy about or to enhance their mind or body, so I like to study, discuss, and implement more simple steps people can take and that I can take personally that are proven to be beneficial to physical health, mental health, and performance.

I feel strongly that we need to go on the offensive and take control of things that we can take control of because there are so many things in life that aren’t in our control.

And in terms of deliberate cold exposure, there are proven benefits to the mind, body, and performance, so it’s sort of a three for one practice. Additionally, the benefits are long lasting, meaning they continue on well after you get out of the cold water.

*This is not medical advice. It’s always important to consult with a medical professional or your doctor prior to implementing a new practice, particularly when it comes to deliberately cooling or warming the body. There are risks if not done correctly.

This episode focuses on something that is too prevalent in a lot of people - The Victim Mentality -

If you've ever been in a situation where you didn't get something that you wanted, an outcome you desired, a result you were expecting…… that promotion…..didn't land the job you wanted…..got into a disagreement with someone….failed to make a team…..and your immediate reaction was to blame somebody else….."they're wrong…they just don't like me…..it's political…..it should've been me”.....guess what - did you ever think that it might be you?  Maybe YOU are the problem....maybe YOU need to get better.

So many people have this ongoing belief that they are always the victim of events or circumstances. They feel like they are powerless in most situations and blame outside forces for lack of results or failures or difficulties. You know people like this - always making self-pity comments, they avoid things, they don’t take responsibility, are always making excuses or negative comments. They’re problem creators and admirers instead of solution seekers. They think the world is against them and they always blame somebody else or something else..they believe that they have little or no control over their own lives.

Not only do people with a victim mentality often not succeed - the research also shows that it can be bad for mental health, overall well-being, and stress. Additionally, they have higher levels of anxiety and depression and lower levels of self esteem. Not only that, it also negatively impacts relationships.

Often times people with a victims mentality lack self awareness - sometimes they don’t realize they’re doing it but other times it’s an easy escape or excuse and has become more prevalent and accepted. 

And yes, sometimes there are things that happen that are beyond your control, but you can choose your response and what steps you’ll take to improve

Conversely, the opposite type of people are the victors - sometimes they are referred to as the survivors or empowered. They maintain a mindset of personal responsibility and accountability.. They take ownership. They actively pursue solutions to their problems. They use failure as a vehicle and motivator for success. They believe in personal agency and they seek opportunities for growth and improvement. Instead of blaming somebody else or something else externally, they conduct an internal analysis to see what they can do to change their circumstance.  They take charge, make a plan, set goals, and work to achieve them.

Tune in to here more about the Victim mentality and tips to overcome it.

Implementing a solid morning routine a has been transformational for me. 

You may be thinking that you already have a morning routine - wake up, brush your teeth, eat breakfast, get a shower, get dressed, make your bed and head to work. That’s not the type of morning routine that I am talking about.  I am talking about going on the offensive, growing personally, physically, and mentally, creating separation because most of your competition isn't doing it, and winning the first part of your day so you have a successful rest of your day.  I always say - win your morning, win your day - and the way that you do that is implementing a morning routine

The reason I started a morning routine is because I was tired of starting my day on the defensive, rushing through the morning to get to work, and starting my day off negatively.  Like many people, the first thing I did when I woke up was check my phone - but what was I seeing was negative work emails, problems, and negative news - that automatically, whether consciously or subconsciously, put my mind in a negative state…….and then at night, I didn't have enough time to do all of the things that I wanted to to do - like, workout, read, grow, listen to podcasts, meditate, or other habits of success that I wanted to do. 

And through my own reading and growing, I learned that many of the world’s most successful titans follow a solid morning routine.  They go on the offensive as soon as they wake up.  They realize that if they want to get ahead or stay ahead of their competition, that they can create an advantage for themselves if they do it when most of the world is still sleeping.  

It can be tailored based on your circumstances and goals, but my million dollar morning routine consists of 3Ps - positive thinking, prime the body, and personal growth. Tune in to learn more.

This topic is another one that can have a major impact on your health, happiness, performance, and future……in fact, few topics are more important than the one we will discuss today……and it's another pillar from our TEAM acronym, and it is the A, which stands for actions and habits……if you improve your daily habits you can improve your life. I could argue that this pillar is the most important, because it determines whether or not you will succeed at the other three.

If you show me your daily habits, I will show you how successful you are.

The important concepts to remember is that there aren't one or two daily habits that will likely put you over the top, instead there are a series of smaller habits that if you continue to implement, stay consistent with, and practice daily, you will stack small wins that will lead to major results…..Michaelangelo said, “if people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery, it wouldn't seem so wonderful at all." It's the small, consistent and persistent steps that will eventually lead to greatness. Small habits of success practiced regularly can have a compounding effect.

I have heard so many times the quote “success leaves clues’....well here are the clues...If you want what world class brings, you have to do world class things

The quality of your habits, in many ways, determines the quality of your life……in other words, high impact habits lead to high impact results….Be willing to do what you know what you should when you don't feel like doing it.

The episode includes tips, strategies, and suggestions for habits you should incorporate daily.

This powerful episode can be an absolute game-changer for your health, happiness, personal growth, and productivity. If I had the ability to go back and educate myself on a topic when I was younger, this is without a doubt one of the top items that would be on the list.

The greatest investment you can make is in yourself.  Learn why it is so important to pour into yourself, how you can grow personally, practice self-care, peak your performance, and feel healthier, happier, and more productive.