Welcome to V5000, where deep thought meets deep recovery - and the truth hits harder than a rear naked choke. In this episode, Nick and Jesse reflect on the philosophical battlefield of aging, injury, and what it really means to stay in the fight. If you're looking for a quick fix, this isn’t it. This one’s for the thinkers, the grinders, the disciplined few still showing up when the crowd’s gone home.

They dive into the science and soul behind recovery metrics like HRV (heart rate variability), bone density, sleep cycles, overtraining, and the cost of ego lifting. It’s modern health seen through the lens of ancient discipline - with a side of wearable tech and real-world jiu-jitsu.

But it doesn’t stop at the body. The conversation wanders, like any good philosophical journey, into the illusion of scarcity, broken healthcare, wealth inequality, the automation age, and the bureaucratic chokeholds that hold us all back. This is an episode for anyone wrestling with what it means to live well in a rapidly changing world.

Watch, reflect, adapt. Welcome to the evolution.

⏱ TIMESTAMPS

[00:00] Intro

[05:23] Jessa’s NYC training tour & what HRV actually means

[12:47] Ego lifting, lasting injuries & Peter Attia’s hard truths on aging

[24:15] Bone density, DEXA scans & jiu-jitsu longevity

[30:55] Outro + the coming singularity, AI, bureaucracy, and healthcare collapse

Welcome to another deep-dive from Vitruvian 5000 — this episode, "Self-Love, Surfing, and Letting Go," hosted by Nick & Jesse with special guest Jared Watson of The Dirty Heads, is a raw exploration of what it means to truly be present in your life.

Like modern-day philosophers riding the waves of consciousness, the guys dig into self-worth, the emotional alchemy of plant medicine, the healing power of surfing, the psychedelic chaos of modern life, and the art of truly letting go. 

Jared opens up about his journey through addiction and self-healing via Iboga, a powerful plant medicine, and the spiritual and physical discipline of martial arts. From the grind of tour life to embracing simplicity and presence, this one’s a ride.

This is a conversation about embracing suffering, escaping hustle culture, and finding peace not through control — but through surrender.

Whether you’re into philosophy, spirituality, surfing, psychedelics, or just trying to make sense of this mad world — this one’s for you.

[00:00] Intro

[05:23] Assassin's Creed, gaming and creativity

[12:47] Storytelling, music, and creating worlds

[24:15] The power of surfing to heal the mind

[30:55] Letting go, psychedelics, and self-acceptance

[47:22] The Iboga experience: ego death and rebirth

[1:12:33] Self-love is the only way out

[1:27:10] Social media, dopamine loops, and digital noise

[1:39:20] Creativity, art, and the next Dirty Heads album

[1:52:45] Outro — surfing, Japan, and future plans

What It Actually Means to Be Free" isn’t just a question - it’s a confrontation. In this deeply introspective episode of Vitruvian 5000, Nick and Jesse pull back the curtain on the programming, trauma, and invisible frameworks that shape how we live, think, and move through the world.

With the soul of modern-day philosophers and the edge of two men who’ve seen behind the curtain, they explore the psyche, spiritual freedom, religious trauma, ego dissolution, and how presence-not productivity-is the key to liberation.

They don’t preach. They provoke.

They don’t hand you answers. They hand you a mirror.

👇 Timestamps

[00:00] Intro

[05:23] The Illusion of Belonging & Religious Programming

[12:47] Psychedelics, Ego Death & the Mirror

[24:15] Presence, Trauma & What Freedom Actually Is

[30:55] Outro & What’s Next

🎙 Welcome to "Vitruvian 5000" – Ep 132: The Mafia, Martial Arts, and Making Art in NYC

In this raw and revelatory episode, Nick and Jesse sit down with special guest Luigi Scarcella Perino, a full-contact karate champion, artist, and co-founder of the cult martial arts brand Half Sumo. 

From the shadowy docks of Naples to the vibrant streets of New York, this conversation explores the deep roots of Sicilian identity, the global reach of organized crime, and the battle of self-expression through martial arts and art.

🔍 We touch on everything from the Camorra and corruption in modern Italy to Brooklyn’s gritty past, New York’s alchemical energy, and how creative resistance blooms where dreams are threatened. 

Luigi also shares the story behind Half Sumo, the philosophy of martial artistry, and what it means to live like a modern-day warrior in a world built to break you.

⏱ TIMESTAMPS:

01:00 Welcoming Luigi from Messina

02:46 The Unique Charm of Sicily

03:11 Life in New York vs. Sicily

07:08 Cultural Differences and Traditions

15:24 The Entrepreneurial Spirit

35:37 The Mafia's Influence in Italy

42:21 Mafia's Influence on Infrastructure

46:17 Personal Family History and World War Stories

50:48 The Evolution of the Italian Language

55:27 Renaissance Artists' Wild Lives

59:13 Journey into Martial Arts and Art

01:01:14 The Birth of Half Sumo

01:10:27 Half Sumo's Unique Products

In this episode of Vitruvian 5000 Jesse Viola and Nick Gullo go deep - real deep - into the machinery of the mind, asking one central question: what happens when you stop letting your thoughts own you?

We unravel the subconscious stories that chain us to suffering - imposter syndrome, validation-seeking, identity, fear, ego, anxiety - and shine a light on the radical (but accessible) act of awareness. If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “Why do I think the way I think?”, this episode is a mirror.

🔥 Topics we explore:

The illusion of reality and waking up from mental autopilot

Why transformation isn’t a summer project - it’s a life practice

How childhood conditioning drives adult ambition

Meditation, emotional scaffolding, and why we subconsciously block our own happiness

Why your triggers are mirrors

The power of compassion - for others, sure. But most importantly, for yourself

⚡ This is not a self-help seminar. This is soul excavation in real time.

You won’t find gurus here - just two humans trying to cut through the noise and touch something real.

📍Subscribe for more unscripted conversations about consciousness, culture, identity, and inner freedom.

This is Vitruvian 5000. And the message is simple: Wake. Up.

00:00 Understanding the Power of Thought

00:56 Emotional Wellness and Lifestyle Changes

02:36 The Subconscious and Self-Worth

03:18 Meditation and Mindfulness

06:07 Breaking Free from Mental Barriers

08:51 The Illusion of Reality

19:27 Infinite Possibilities and Consciousness

24:16 Different Life Experiences and Norms

24:45 Confronting Personal Beliefs

25:10 Economic Conditions and Peace

25:47 Material Wealth vs. Happiness

26:47 Setting Personal Goals

30:34 Seeking Validation

40:54 Compassion and Self-Reflection

46:08 Upcoming Conversations and Reflections

🚪 What if shame is the only thing keeping you stuck? In this episode of V5000, Jamie, Jesse, and Nick dive deep into the psychology of shame, self-judgment, and breaking free from limiting beliefs.

We explore:

🔹 Why shame locks us into destructive cycles (and how to break free)

🔹 Sex, taboo, and societal conditioning: Where do our beliefs really come from?

🔹 Can we reprogram our emotions? The science of rewiring the mind-body connection

🔹 Turning judgment into self-acceptance: The paradox of inner freedom

🔹 AI, love, and the future: What happens when people fall in love with chatbots?

🔹 Enjoyment as the ultimate path to self-mastery

From deep philosophy to raw personal experiences, this episode challenges everything you think you know about shame, pleasure, and freedom.

⏱ Timestamps

00:00 Understanding the Role of Shame in Bad Habits

00:46 The Power of Enjoyment in Singing and Life

02:18 The Connection Between Mental State and Performance

04:12 Introducing Jamie and the Philosophy of David Deutsch

05:12 Diving into the Taboo Topic of Sex

07:21 The Historical and Cultural Context of Sex

11:30 Personal Struggles and Perspectives on Sex

15:52 Exploring Emotional Inquiry and Its Benefits

30:08 The Overwhelming Impact of Modern Pornography

30:49 Adapting to New Technologies and Self-Control

31:58 The Role of Shame in Our Behaviors

35:48 The Mind-Body Connection and Emotional Storage

52:08 Exploring the Concept of Love and Relationships

57:36 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

🚀 What does it take to succeed? And at what cost? 

In this episode of V5000, Jesse and Nick dive deep into the paradox of obsession, ambition, and happiness- because if winning the game means losing yourself, is it really a win?

We explore:

🔹 The thin line between discipline and self-destruction

🔹 Does trauma fuel success? (And if so, can you do it without the baggage?)

🔹 The science of obsession: Why high achievers often share traits with sociopaths

🔹 Zen, The Tao, and Alan Watts: Can we achieve more by forcing less?

🔹 The dark side of ambition: What happens when success isn’t enough?

🔹 How to harness obsession without burning out

🔹 Does peace = happiness? And if so, why does it feel so damn elusive?

This episode is part philosophy, part psychology, part science, and 100% a mind-bender. 

If you've ever wondered whether you need to suffer to succeed, this one's for you.

⏱ Timestamps

00:07 The Entrepreneurial Mindset

02:45 Brian Johnson's Documentary and Discipline

07:02 The Psychology of High Achievers

13:57 Balancing Success and Happiness

19:42 The Philosophy of Self-Mastery

28:50 Reprogramming Your Psyche for Happiness

31:53 Practical Ways to Live a Better Life

33:24 The Science of Success and Happiness

36:55 Facing the Ego: The Hard Truths

41:14 The Illusion of Success and Societal Constructs

47:40 The Power of Being Present

54:45 Different Paths to Self-Mastery

In this episode, Jesse and Nick dive deep into a conversation about resistance—why we fight reality, why it exhausts us, and how surrendering to the natural flow of life (a.k.a. "The Tao") can transform your experience.

⚡ Key Themes in This Episode:

Why resistance is the root of suffering

The paradox of control vs. surrender

How to recognize when you're fighting reality (and what to do instead)

The dark night of the soul in business, relationships, and life

Lessons from entrepreneurs, quantum physics, and ancient philosophy

The illusion of self: Are you your thoughts, or something more?

This isn't just some feel-good, spiritual fluff—this is a real, raw, and practical discussion on how to actually navigate the highs and lows of life without losing your mind. If you’ve ever felt like you're swimming upstream and getting nowhere, this one's for you.

📌 Timestamps:

00:39 Embracing the Flow of the Tao

05:10 The Paradox of Goal Setting

08:36 The Journey of Entrepreneurship

15:44 The Future of Publishing and AI

22:30 The Vedantic Approach to Awareness

32:25 The Mind's Eye: Perception and Reality

35:05 The Power of Self-Exploration

44:20 Understanding Anger and Fear

51:14 The Holographic Universe Theory

54:35 Practical Applications of Mindfulness

57:17 Entertainment and Reflections

Welcome to V5000, the podcast where we trade the noise of modern life for something a little closer to wisdom. In this episode, Jesse and Nick go deep into The Tao of Life—how to stop fighting the current and learn to flow with it. If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or like you're running on autopilot, this one’s for you.

🔹 What is the Tao? And why has it been guiding humanity for thousands of years?

🔹 The illusion of free will—are you really making your own choices?

🔹 How modern life keeps us dysregulated and how to break free from the cycle

🔹 The power of non-negotiables: habits that anchor you instead of drowning you

🔹 Why sitting still feels like failure (but might be exactly what you need)

This episode isn’t just philosophy—it’s a call to action for anyone looking to break free from the chaos and actually live. Let’s ride the waves instead of drowning in them.

⏳ Timestamps

[00:00] Intro – What is the Tao and why should you care?

[05:23] The illusion of free will: Are you actually in control?

[12:47] How modern life hijacks our attention and keeps us stuck

[24:15] The wisdom of surfing, jiu-jitsu, and learning to flow with life

[30:55] Outro – Next time is next time. Now is now.

🔴 What does true happiness mean? Is it about success, travel, or something deeper? In this episode, we dive into self-discovery, meditation, jiu-jitsu, travel, and personal growth—unpacking what it really means to live freely and find peace in an ever-moving world.

🌎 In This Episode:

✔️ The Meaning of Freedom & Happiness – Why we seek liberation from our own minds

✔️ Travel & Self-Discovery – Exploring Spain, Italy, and Barcelona as potential homes

✔️ Jiu-Jitsu as a Tribe – How training in Valencia, Barcelona, and Palermo creates instant community

✔️ Meditation & Awareness – The key to mental clarity, mindfulness, and detaching from negative thoughts

✔️ The Power of Being Present – How flow state, music, and martial arts teach us about life

✔️ Why Happiness Is Internal – The sunshine analogy and learning to let go of mental noise

🔮 This conversation blends travel, philosophy, sports, and mental clarity in a way you won’t hear anywhere else!

📩 Subscribe & Hit the Bell 🔔 so you never miss an episode!

#Mindset #SelfDiscovery #JiuJitsu #Meditation #Happiness #PersonalGrowth #TravelPodcast #Philosophy #MentalClarity #Mindfulness #Valencia #Barcelona #FirstDownDawgs

01:18 Travel Tales: Exploring Spain

06:11 The Jiu Jitsu Community Connection

18:32 The Essence of Happiness and Inner Peace

27:27 The Power of Letting Go

30:10 Understanding the Patterns of the Mind

33:38 The Art of Guitar and Mindfulness

39:52 The Journey to Happiness

41:33 Morning Meditation Routine

44:55 Strengthening the Observer

49:36 The Eternal Awareness

53:17 Wrapping Up and Recommendations