I have a confession to make. I’m not proud of this, but when I was younger, between the time I was competing in sports in high school through the time I opened my gym (Newell Strength), I used to be one of those guys that thought sleep was for the weak. I thought I HAD to be the early bird surviving on coffee and stress to outwork everybody. I was even a hypocrite. I’d tell people I would train how important it was for them to get their sleep, but I wasn’t taking my own advice.

With everything I’ve learned about sleep over the years (and am still learning …) I wish I could have that time back. I would have been able to perform so much better had I slept more.

If you’re like I was, know that this belief of “sleep when you’re dead” might build your pride and your ego, but if you want to see real gains in health and fitness, you need to drop that belief like a lead balloon in a vacuum tube. Let’s get the facts straight about your sleep, shall we?

Today, you’ll learn:

- Why buying in to the lie of “sleep when you’re dead” actually makes you less productive (2:30)
- A few tips for how to turn your weakness into strength to find harmony and balance (3:01)
- You’ve heard about your circadian rhythm, but did you know this is what’s happening to your body and your mind during this time? (3:57)
- What happens when you don’t sleep enough and too much adenosine builds up in your body over time (adenosine makes you tired and is cleared from your body during sleep) (5:10)
- Some people can go with very, very little sleep. They’re called the “sleepless elite.” (You’re likely not one of them, but here’s how to know if you are) (7:27)
- You might not know that sleep has this kind of effect on visceral fat.(8:20)

Nothing productive happens ...

Unless you really are one of the “sleepless elite” if you’re honest with yourself, are you really all that productive waking up at 3, or 4 a.m. anyway? It might be some nice quiet time, but do you know when else you can experience quiet? … When you sleep! I’m not saying to neglect times of quiet or reflection – those are very important, as we’ve discussed in other podcasts – but you do need to realize just how critical you sleep is for your body and mind to be at peak performance. And I know you want to perform at your best, otherwise why would you be listening to my show?

Anyhow, that’s all I have for you this time. Thanks for tuning in. Please leave the show a review on iTunes and follow me on Facebook: facebook.com/KyleNewellFitnessExpert.

Catch you on the next Facebook live or podcast replay! Until then, concentrate on your sleep to be sure you’re stronger than you know! (I know I will ...)

Peace,

Kyle Newell
If you have show suggestions or an interesting idea you want me to talk about, please contact me at [email protected] or at [email protected]. You can also leave a comment or review on today’s show. We love hearing from you!