Queen Isabella and The Power of Refusing Sex.

Posted by on January 31, 2013 No comments

Queen Isabella was King Philip’s second wife, and because he had a son by his first wife, her own son, Don Carlos, was unlikely to succeed to the throne. So she set about finding another state for him to rule. Now her hand, King Philip of Spain was a weak-willed and not incredibly bright, however his main downfall was his ferocious sexual appetite.

This was a weakness that Queen Isabella exploited ruthlessly. Having intercourse only once a day struck Philip as extreme deprivation, while total abstinenece caused him to sink into a deep, pathological depression; and since he was far too bigoted to take a mistress, he had to rely exclusively on his wife for relief. Whenever, therefore, the Queen wanted anything, she simply refused to have sex until her husband yielded.

It did not take long before Philip informed his cousin that he had decided to demand the return of Naples and Sicily!

Isabel_de_Farnesio

I wouldn’t.

 

Henry Rollins: Master of Public Speaking and Story Telling

Posted by on January 29, 2013 1 comment
Story telling is an alpha trait that goes back to our earliest ancestors. Men who have perfected story telling have passed their legacies on for generations. Great orators bring information to the masses. To listen to Henry Rollins speak is to witness true story telling excellence. Henry Rollins, former front man of Black Flag and Rollins Band is one of the greatest American story tellers of all time. In the early 1980s, when Black Flag was touring the states in their broken down van, nobody imagined that their scrawny, somewhat introverted, front man would become such a master story-teller. Henry Rollins’ eternal quest to push himself to personal and professional limits has made him the man he is today. In addition to his highly popular spoken word tours, he travels internationally, writes, acts and is constantly pushing himself to greatness.
 
Henry Rollins public speaking

Henry Rollins: American Story Teller

Henry Rollins is one of the great orators of this or any generation. His ability to tell a story has captured attention all over the world. Henry’s intense energy infects his audiences. Henry Rollins is impossible to ignore. His story telling abilities are engaging to the point of hypnotism. His intensely honest way of speaking is admired by fans and critics alike. He can weave tales of his adventures abroad as if one had accompanied him on the journeys. He tours frequently and often sells out his spoken-word shows. From the minute Rollins opens his mouth, his audience becomes captivated. One can only imagine that this amazing ability to tell a story comes natural to Rollins. His early life as an only child of a single mother would suggest otherwise. It has been years of steady practice and diligence to become the great story teller that he is today.

Overcoming Adversity to Become a Great Orator

Henry Rollins was raised in the racially charged climate of 1960s and 70s Washington D.C. Raised by a single mother, Rollins was a difficult student, and he was often picked on by bullies. Rollins has written and spoken at length about his rage. It drives and fuels him to become better, learn more and travel abroad. Rollins was originally considered hyperactive, and he often spent a lot of time writing in his journal. From a very early age he understood that hard work was the key to success, or at least to a meal and a roof. Rollins worked hard as a teenager at a local ice cream shop, until he joined Black Flag. Rollins remains one of the hardest working professionals in Hollywood. When he isn’t speaking, he is writing. When he isn’t writing, he is on tour. He leads a Spartan lifestyle and works continuously to hone his craft.

Henry Rollins in Person

People are often surprised to meet Henry Rollins in person because he is not as tall as they had imagined. Even though he is only about 5-feet-9-inches tall, nobody doubts that Henry Rollins is the biggest man in the room. His physical presence is commanding. His energy is infectious. The intensity of his gaze only adds to his story telling ability. His ability to connect with a crowd in a matter of moments is unrivaled. One gets the feeling of great respect and admiration for such a magnetic speaker.

Anybody who has ever seen Henry Rollins speak knows he is an advocate for human rights. He devotes much of his time various causes. He is frequently campaigning for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. He has done countless USO tours in the Middle East for American troops. Henry Rollins is a constant advocate for equality and justice in America and around the world.

With drive, tenacity and focus, Henry Rollins has become a true American story teller. Although his ability to twist a yarn seems flawlessly natural, one can’t forget the years of hard work and focus that went into becoming such a great orator. His ability to captivate audiences has allowed him to share his important ideas and stories with audiences around the world.

 

Bruce Lee: Eye Contact Master

Posted by on January 22, 2013 No comments

Bruce Lee: Eye Contact Master

bruce lee eye contact

Good eye contact is an essential alpha trait. It may sound like an easy task, but most people have trouble with this one. Maintaining eye contact can be learned and practiced. True masters have eye contact that commands respect and exudes confidence.

Bruce Lee is arguably one of the greatest martial artists of all time. He had lighting fast moves and nearly superhuman reflexes. Among many of his incredibly traits, his eye contact remains unrivaled. Many of his opponents have remarked on Bruce Lee’s piercing eye contact.

Bruce Lee: The Master

In Bruce Thomas’ book Bruce Lee: Fighting Spirit, there is a passage that describes just how intensely Bruce Lee held eye contact. One opponent remarked, “He could control you with his eyes.” Bruce Lee’s eyes never left his opponent’s eyes. Anybody that has watched a Bruce Lee movie can recall the intensity of his gaze.

It was said that since Bruce Lee had mastered every physical level of martial arts, he began psychologically and mentally training as well. Eye contact was one of his most powerful weapons. He was constantly trying to better himself. He was always experimenting with new ways to become a better fighter. On the set of Longstreet he had a standing offer of $100 to anybody that could catch his fist before a jab. He was testing his eyes’ ability to recognize a fluctuation in his opponent’s concentration.

There is an old martial arts legend that one could certainly imagine Bruce Lee was told about. It was said that when two masters met they often bowed, and maintained eye contact until the lesser man conceded. The lesser man would recognize the greatness in spirit in the better man’s eyes and bow out of the fight.

Lessons Learned From the Master

Eye contact isn’t just for your opponents. Good eye contact can put you at a great advantage in social and professional situations also. People tend to gravitate towards confidence and charisma. Maintaining eye contact exudes these traits.

Taking a page out of Bruce Lee’s book is a great place to start. He had incredible focus and dedication. He was the picture of inner and outer strength. His ability to best even the fittest and fiercest of opponents was a testament not only to his physical strength and skill but also to his inner balance and strength.

Practice Makes Perfect. Having good eye contact takes practice. Bruce Lee was an incredibly dedicated and disciplined man. Take a little time each day to practice holding eye contact. You can practice with strangers walking on the street. See how long it takes until they look away. It may be unnerving for people who are not accustomed to such eye contact.

Experiment in social situations. Notice how much your interactions and conversations grow when you give good eye contact. Not only does it exude confidence, but it also has an amazing effect on the other person. Good eye contact combined with listening does wonders for business and interpersonal relationships. This simple act can make people feel incredibly special. That may not seem like much, but think back to when somebody was really paying attention to you. Most likely they were listening attentively and maintaining good eye contact. This can make somebody feel incredibly important. When people feel good about themselves in your presence they associate that feeling with you.

Hélio Gracie: Overcoming Adversity

Posted by on January 5, 2013 No comments

If you know anything about the UFC then you will have heard of the Gracie family. They’re notorious throughout the fighting world and have developed a pedigree of badass motherfuckers.

helio gracie ufc

Hélio Gracie, aged 94, could still kick you ass.

However, everything started with this man; Helio Gracie. Along with his older brother, Carlos Gracie, they founded the martial art known today as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

From a young age Helio and Carlos had a profound interest in fighting and martial arts, growing up in the slums of Brazils they had to have an escape. Despite this love, Helio was small and skinny, even his own brother thought him too frail to even train, let alone fight!

Helio was forced to turn away from power and look for other ways to win. Through trial and error Helio learned to maximize leverage, thus minimizing the force that needed to be exerted to execute a technique; brute strength no longer became necessary. In fact, his stature soon became his biggest advantage as he danced around bigger and slower opponents.

This style of fighting is still used to great effect today to deal with much larger opponents;

Lessons Learned

1) Overcome Adversity. It would be easy for Helio to say “I’m too small for fighting, i’ll play chess instead.” How many times do you think Helio was beaten, tossed around and humiliated by stronger fighters until he perfected the correct techniques? Hundreds. Imagine losing again and again and again. But he stuck at it and overcame his small stature, if he could do it, why can’t you?

2) Accept adversity, thrive on it. During your life, you will find yourself under adverse conditions. The bodies natural reaction to this is, particularly if you’re not used to it, to resist or avoid it. Adversity can come in many forms;

  • Death.
  • Illness.
  • Injury.
  • Poor genetics.
  • Cheating.
  • Bad luck.
  • Diseases.

Perhaps you think you are the only one that deals with adversity. You are wrong. Everybody has their own personal battles and wars, raging on every day, some worse than others, but always present. Pain is inevitable, suffering is your choice.

3) Prepare yourself. Similar to how people prepare themselves for storms or tornadoes, you can prepare yourself for adversity. Have a strong support system of family and friends, develop inner strength, emotional strength, courage and discipline.

Honourable Mentions

  • Winston Churchill - One of the most influential political leaders of the 20th century, renown for his rousing and powerful speeches. But did you know about his debilitating stutter?
  • Lance Armstrong – He’s in the dog house at the moment, but Armstrong overcame testicular cancer which spread to the brain and lungs (he was told he had only a 40% chance of survival) to come back and win the Tour de France seven more times!

Further Reading

The Gracie Way: An Illustrated History of the World’s Greatest Martial Arts Family (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu series)

Taoist Monks: Live In The Present

Posted by on January 2, 2013 No comments

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At the beginning of a new year it’s always a good idea to reflect on any goals you may have set for 2012 and whether you met them or fell short. However it’s extremely easy, perhaps even tempting, to linger in the past. Analysing every failure in exquisite detail or resting on your successes. At this time it is even more important to remember to live in the here and now; the present. The past is done and the future is anything but certain.

It’s at times like these that i recall a old Taoist fable that puts time in prospective for me:

One day a monk was walking through a forest, deep in thought. When suddenly a tiger jumped from the forest, a very big tiger.

taoist fable

Frightened, the monk ran and ran. With the tiger hot on his heels, the end of the forest soon appeared and the monk tumbled down a cliff. As he rolled down, he caught hold of a blackberry bush.

Taoist fable

The thorns of the bush dug into his hand and blood was soon trickling down his wrist. Just as he was about to drop down to the bottom of the cliff, a second tiger appeared below, lying in wait.

Taoist fable

He did not know what to do. In this moment of turmoil, he looked across and saw the bush had a lone berry on it. The monk reached across and plucked the berry from the bush and ate it. It was the best berry he ever ate.

The meaning of the table is this;

The first tiger he was running from was his past. The second tiger, at the bottom of the cliff, was the future. And the blackberry bush was the present. Yes, sometimes it stings, but it can also bear the greatest fruit. The Taoists hold the belief of living in the here and now. Move yourself away from the past and the future and instead live in the present.

“If you worry about what might be, and wonder what might have been, you will ignore what is.” -Unknown

Lessons Learned

1) Live in the present. It sounds easy, right? Yet to do it properly is, to the Taoist Monks, one of the hardest challenges for a human. Don’t mourn for the past or worry for the future.

2) Reflecting and reminiscing can be good, but don’t over indulge. Reviewing the past, especially past goals, successes and favourite moments, is a very human activity. But don’t let it take over your life, the past is gone, focus on what you can do now.

3) Taoist fables are invaluable. They have been passed down from generation to generation for thousands of years. Each time they have been told, they were improved upon until they were handed down to us in their polished final version. There are amazing lessons in every single one that are still as valuable today as they were thousands of years ago.

4) Practice mindfulness. Be aware of your actions. Whether we are washing dishes or tying our shoes, our mind is focused on whatever we are doing. We are not thinking about the bills that we have to pay, or the phone call we need to make when we get to the office. We are simply living in the moment. By doing this simple thing you will get much more enjoyment out of everything you do.

Further Reading

Mindfulness for Beginners: Reclaiming the Present Moment–and Your Life

The Eight Immortals of Taoism: Legends and Fables of Popular Taoism (Meridian)

Abraham Lincoln: Self Belief

Posted by on December 26, 2012 1 comment

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abraham lincoln no beard

 

Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States. From the humble beginnings of a log cabin, Lincoln worked hard and read his way into a career as a lawyer. He later transitioned into politics, making an indelible mark on his country. He guided the U.S. through the Civil War, easily one of the darkest chapters in the history of the country. However, he was tragically cut down by an assassin’s bullet while still in office in 1865.

Lincoln showed incredible self belief in the face of adversity by trusting his instincts and following his policies, even if they were extremely unpopular with many people. Lincoln’s decision to sign the Emancipation Proclamation and free the slaves showed confidence that the greater good was being served. One can only imagine the type of pressure that Lincoln was under before making such a landmark decision.

It’s easy to compare Lincoln’s America to the America we live in today, where freedom is highly valued and slavery is non-existent. But at the time, slavery was a normal occurrence and many people opposed it fiercely. Supporters of both sides of the argument must have been constantly trying to convince him that their side was right. In the end, Lincoln had to have the confidence and self belief to follow his heart.

However, here is a little secret about Mr. Abraham Lincoln; Lincoln actually supported slavery. Much has been written about the fact that Lincoln was actually in favour of slavery, but decided to free the slaves because he saw that the issue of slavery was tearing the nation apart. This fact only emphasizes how much self-belief Lincoln must have possessed and although it went against what he personally believed, he put the needs of his nation before his personal beliefs.

Lessons Learned

1) Always be strong in the face of massive opposition. He knew the kind of backlash that was in store for him if he freed the slaves. However, he also knew that by cutting the heart out of the reason the Civil War was being fought, he could end that bloody conflict once and for all.

2) Going against your own personal beliefs can sometimes be the right thing to do. Based on Lincoln’s own opinion on the merits of slavery, it could not have been easy for him to sign the document freeing the slaves. In this case, the needs of the country were paramount. Lincoln’s confidence in his convictions helped to prevent any further bloodshed by effectively ending the war.

3) How to be a leader during adverse and difficult times. At the time, the Civil War was the most difficult obstacle that the United States had faced. The country was falling apart all around Lincoln. Lesser leaders would have folded under the pressure, but Lincoln managed to gain the respect of those who opposed his views. This is truly the mark of a great leader. He also managed to be someone that citizens could gain strength from, despite the horrific conditions going on around them.

4) Confidence can propel you to lofty heights. When Lincoln was young, nobody would have predicted where he would end up. However, he had a vision for the direction his country should take. He focused on it like a laser. In the end, his confidence and self-belief is one of the main reasons he is such a beloved historical figure.

Further Reading

Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln

The Vikings: Being Well Groomed

Posted by on December 16, 2012 2 comments

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What can the Vikings teach me about being well groomed? As it turns out, quite a lot.

vikings

The Vikings have acquired a bit of a reputation for being some of the filthiest and dirtiest creatures to ever walk our green Earth. They’re generally regarded as ruthless barbarians who would rather shank a baby than comb their hair. Right?

Archaeologists have discovered finely decorated combs, nail cleaners, washing bowls and even tweezers in recent digs. And they weren’t just being used by nobility, it seems members of all social classes (even down to slaves!) were plucking eyebrows and combing their long golden locks.

An English chronicler named John of Wallingford states that the Vikings’ success with women was due to them having baths on Saturdays, combing their hair and being handsomely dressed.

“In this way, they sieged the married women’s virtue and persuaded the daughters of even noble men to become their mistresses.” – John of Wallingford

Lessons Learned

1) Always Look Amazing (ALA). If you have confidence issues or low self-esteem this principle is one of the most important you can integrate into your life. Try to always look amazing. Whatever you’re doing, look good doing it. Try to present yourself in your best possible light. Wear complimentary and well-fitted clothes, find a hairstyle that suits you, correct your body language and start a strength routine. You’ll be surprised how much your confidence rockets just because you looks amazing.

2) If the Vikings valued cleanliness, so should you. There is no denying the Vikings were badass motherfuckers who ripped a bloody hole through most of Europe from 800 AD to the late 13th century. But yet, they still had time to maintain decent levels of cleanliness. If you’re not showering everyday, then you’re either a) socially outcast or b) lost the function of smell. Especially if you’re working out and hitting the gym, daily showers are 100% necessary.

3) Looking after yourself is not a pussy move. The Vikings realised that maintaining decent levels of cleanliness and running a comb occasionally through your hair was not just a feminine thing. As Wallingford stated, it actually helped them bag all the hottest and most prized women in Europe. If you have a few stray eyebrow hairs, pluck that shit out. Bad teeth? Go to your dentist. Had the same hairstyle since you were 6? Go see a hairdresser.

Further Reading

The Vikings: Revised Edition

Sense of Humour: Bill Clinton

Posted by on November 28, 2012 No comments

bill clinton alpha trait sense of humor

We’ve already talked about this alpha stag before and his penetrating charismatic panty-wetting eye contact. Now, lets dissect his sense of humor.

William Jefferson “Bill’ Clinton has worn many hats – scholar, Governor of Arkansas, 42nd President of the United States and founder of the Clinton foundation. His career has not been without major controversy, yet he has come through it all only to don the respected mantle of elder statesman-at-large. Apart from his finely honed social skills, intellect and personal charisma, the one trait which Bill Clinton has displayed throughout his diverse political career is a sense of humor. Not necessarily the ha-ha talent of the stand-up comic, but the ability to put people at ease and create an atmosphere of camaraderie through humor.

Clinton left office with the highest domestic approval rating for an outgoing president since World War II, and an enormous popular following internationally thanks in no small part to what has been coined Clintonesque humor. The iconic image of Clinton laughing it up with Russian President Boris Yeltsin in 1995 led many commentators to remark that the world would be a better place if its leaders did more laughing together. Bill Clinton knows how to entertain, perform and use humor to lighten the tone and get a serious point across as effectively to an audience of millions as to an audience of one.

clinton yeltsin sense of humor
Clinton’s sense of humor was abundantly present during the recent presidential campaign. CBS coverage of his appearance in Las Vegas to stump for Obama was summarized by the headline “Clinton blasts Romney with humor”. His finest hour came during his speech at the Democratic National Convention. Almost to the last man (and woman), political pundits from both parties praised Clinton’s speech as a masterful and persuasive blend of humor and passion. In describing the speech, Republican strategist Ana Navarro conceded that “He did it in classic Clinton style: long, didactic, funny and very damn good.” Similarly, CNN contributor John Avalon talked about Clinton’s ability to “connect with humor to the head and heart.”

Lessons learned

Humor can go a long way in absolving your faults and misdemeanours.  Bill Clinton’s self-deprecating humor went a long way in resurrecting his image. Political columnist John Avalon said it best when he observed that “Bill and Hillary Clinton are today apparently the most admired Democrats among Republicans — who once made hating them a cottage industry”.

Win them over with a smile. A sense of humor is essential in creating a receptive environment for your ideas. That’s one of the first rules you learn in Debating 101.

Life’s too short. A sense of humor will get you through just about any rough situation and remind you that life is there to be enjoyed, not endured. To quote the master himself, Clinton once commented “I may not have been the greatest president, but I’ve had the most fun eight years.”

Smile with your eyes. You may have heard this phrase before and thought “how am i meant to do that?!”. To smile through your eyes means to be genuine, the smile is projected from within you, not something fake you give out to every person in the room who looks at you.

Bill Clinton may be a lot of things, but he is a fine example of how to use humor to educate, persuade, make unlikely friends and, yes, to get you out of the doghouse when the need arises.

Mental Toughness: Viktor E. Frankl

Posted by on November 15, 2012 1 comment

Surviving life-threatening situations of an extreme nature, more often than not, requires much more than physical strength. It requires psychological stamina, strength of character, and a strong will. These characteristics could easily be referred to together as “mental toughness.” This trait allows people to survive situations that present relatively no hope for survival at all. In addition, in cases where physical endurance becomes a factor, these are the reserves from which the body draws the ability to become superhuman.

Viktor E. Frankl alpha male
Viktor E. Frankl displayed mental toughness when it was presented with one of the greatest tests imaginable to the human mind. Dr. Frankl was a neurologist and psychiatrist that survived the Holocaust during World War II. He spent more than a year as a prisoner in several different Nazis death camps throughout Europe. As a doctor, he was already intimately familiar with the vulnerabilities of the mind, but his scientific understanding of mental strength was pushed to its absolute limits during his encampment.

After his freedom was restored by American forces, he went on to write the novel “Man’s Search for Meaning.” This writing recalled the experiences of the camp which included the psychological and physical conditions he faced during his imprisonment. The key element that provided the cornerstone for his mental toughness was the pure will for survival. Though the odds were against him, he strove towards hope for life each and everyday. In less extreme situations, this aspect of mental toughness can be characterized as “stick-to-it-ness.” Once you fall off the horse, you brush yourself off and get back on again.

holocaust survival traits

He described how many of the other prisoners simply lost the will to eat and to stay warm on a daily basis in the face of no tangible evidence that they would be rescued before being put to death. Mental toughness allows the individual to create a sense of hope and meaning within themselves in order that no physical obstacle can lead to defeat or despair. Dr. Frankl also elaborates on the need to exhibit compassion and cooperation. Facing extreme adversity rarely involves a struggle that must be endured in isolation. The person with the strongest mind will recognize that the ability to make sacrifices, and the strength of groups willing to help one another is an invaluable tool in the fight against a mighty enemy.

Mental toughness is also an aspect of the mind that applies over long periods of time. Many of the survivors of the Holocaust found it to be nearly impossible to return to a life that could be fulfilling on a daily basis. Although the scars of the event will inevitably exist, mental toughness allowed Frankl to view this experience as one that should provide insight and education as to the conditions of man. He did not let the experience consume the potential for the remainder of his life. A person that lacks mental toughness would generally not me able to move forward after an event such as this.

Lessons Learned

Man the fuck up. Until you’ve spent several years in Nazi death camps, watching people surrender the very will to live, you have no right to say your life sucks. Man up and get on with it, there is always someone worse off out there.

Look for the positives. If you focus on the negatives constantly, you will be miserable. Viktor Frankl was able to find hope in the bleakest of places; find positivity in whatever you do.

From Viktor E. Frankl we can learn that hope and meaning resides not in the experiences of man per se but in the potential of man to transcend his immediate environment in order to affect real change in the future of the world. Mental toughness, in this case, allowed him to recognize that true strength manifests itself based on the virtues of mankind’s inherent will. The ultimate battle field does reside in the mind. It is from here that the greatest victories are won and survival makes itself both attainable and necessary.

Further Reading

Man’s Search for Meaning

Douglas MacArthur: Keep Promises

Posted by on October 21, 2012 No comments

Douglas MacArthur was an American General during World War II where he commanded the allied forces stationed in the Pacific Theatre of the Philippines. In 1941, the Japanese, in overwhelming numbers, invaded the islands and although MacArthur was able to hold them off for a while; he was soon overpowered.

MacArthur and the allied troops retreated to the Bataan Peninsula with Japanese scouts hot on their heels. President Roosevelt realised the potential crisis of the situation and ordered all the major commanders, including MacArthur, to flee to Australia. Without leadership the allied troops were quickly caught and sent to POW (Prisoner of War) camps, where they were to endure horrific psychical, emotional and psychological torment.

However, from the safety of Australian shores, MacArthur swore;

“I came out of Bataan and i shall return.”

MacArthur kept his promise and after 2 years of fighting the Japanese in the Pacific he returned to the Philippines with a vengeance. He liberated the entire commonwealth and, with what i can only imagine as the smuggest smile of all time, personally accepted Japan’s surrender in 1945. He would go on to oversee the occupation of Japan from 1945 to 1951 and introduce a set of sweeping political and social reforms in Japan.

Lessons Learned

Keep your word. If you say you are going to do something; do it. Going to be somewhere? Be there. Being a trustworthy and reliable individual is the backbone of a strong character. A man without his word is nothing.

 

Don’t promise the impossible. If you promise to mow the lawn but you know you’re hanging out with friends all day and then there is an NBA game on at night; you’re going to break your promise. Don’t promise things you know you won’t or can’t fulfil.

 

Reputation is everything. You don’t want to be known as the guy that never keeps his word. People will start to overlook you when you break promises and your word will lose value. And once a reputation is set, it is very hard to break out of it.

The up side is, if you are a man of your word and can keep promises, one day that good reputation can save your skin. The day you owe somone money or you screw up big time; the value of your word will be your parachute.