Hey friend,

The other day, I was talking to a friend, and when I told him that my newsletter is being read by 475,000 people, he asked me a question that most people do, which is,

"How did you do it?"

When people ask me this question, I think they're looking for some magic hack or a cheat code.

But I told him the hard truth: I showed up, committed to the work and kept looking for ways to improve.

I've been doing that every day since 2020.

Many people like to think of achieving anything as being magical or having some form of luck involved.

In reality, it comes down to that simple three-step formula.

I've had the same mentality since I started hitting the gym in my 20s and and I'm gonna carry the same mentality heading into 2026.

If you want anything in life, I hope you do too.

Here Is Your 4 Minute Friday:

1. 3 Creatine Mistakes Wasting Your Money

Creatine is one of the most researched supplements for building muscle and improving brain function, but there are some mistakes you need to avoid if you want to get the most out of it.

Mistake #1: Leaving it in water all day: Over time, creatine breaks down into creatinine (a useless waste product). Also, dissolving it in hot drinks like coffee accelerates this breakdown. Mix it, drink it within 1-2 hours, or add it to foods like Greek yogurt.

Mistake #2: Buying cheap, untested brands: Most creatine is sourced from China, and testing reveals many gummies contain only one-fifth of their labeled dose. Look for third-party tested brands, particularly those using Creapure, which is the highest quality creatine monohydrate available.

Mistake #3: Taking high doses all at once: Doses above 10 grams can cause stomach discomfort or diarrhea. Split your total daily dose into 2-4 smaller amounts with meals to improve absorption and minimize digestive issues.

Creatine works but only if you store it properly, buy quality sources, and dose it strategically. These three fixes ensure you actually get what you're paying for.

2. Fake Pills That Caused Real Weight Loss

Getting shape is a psychological game disguised as a physical one. Now science is starting to prove this right.

Researchers gave 57 overweight adults placebo pills and told them they were placebos. No lies, no deception, just useless capsules that everyone knew did nothing.

The result was bizarre: Over four weeks, the placebo group lost an extra kilogram compared to the diet and exercise group alone. The difference (2.22 kg vs. 1.26 kg) was statistically significant.

But there's a twist...

The placebo group actually felt more disinhibition, meaning that they felt more susceptible to overeating, yet still lost more weight.

What the heck was happening? Researchers theorized that these "mindset pills" created psychological shifts that altered their eating behavior.

Keep in mind, this was a study done with 57 people for 4 weeks. No long-term follow-up, biological measurements, or any ideas if this can scale.

That said, a placebo is a powerful force. It's so strong it works even when you know it's fake.

❤️ My Favourite Thing This Week

In the last ​newsletter​, I mentioned I’ve been off wearables for a few months now. No Apple Watch. No data. Just me.

The problem is my wrist feels naked without a watch.

Enter the classic ​Casio F-91W​. I’ve owned mine for over six years. It’s survived surf sessions, countless drops, and more abuse than it should. It just keeps going.

It’s cheap. It’s durable. It’s iconic.

Most importantly, it tells time and nothing else. No buzzing. No guilt. No metrics.

If you want a watch that disappears into your life while still feeling like you’re wearing something, this is it.

A must-have, whether you’re a serious collector or just want a simple, reliable watch that works.

Client Of The Week - Kyle, Business Owner

Kyle is a business owner who wants to lose his beer belly and get lean for the summer.

In 16 weeks, we dropped 33 lbs of fat and added 19 lbs of lean mass to his body while improving his energy levels!

Here's How We Did It:

• Started lifting weights so he could gain muscle while losing body fat.
• We set up a meal plan that delivered automatic meals to his possession so he didn't have to think about what he ate.
• For movement, we chose to employ walking 8- 10k steps, and this went a long way in decreasing stress and increasing energy.
• Kept him accountable for the process while making small adjustments along the way.

Kyle has returned to his high school weight and loves his newfound energy.

​Are you an entrepreneur who wants to drop the fat, gain muscle, and boost energy? Click this link to apply for our coaching program.

One Quote to Finish Your Week Strong

How did you upgrade yourself this year?

As promised, get healthier in under 4 minutes.

- Dan

When you're ready, here are 2 ways I can help:

1. The Lean Body 90 System: When you’re ready to get in great shape, Lean Body 90 is the obvious choice. You can get in great shape and reach your fitness goals in just 90 minutes a week. Lose weight and build muscle even without hours in the gym or highly restrictive diets. Join 1000+ students here.

2. Are you an entrepreneur who wants to get lean, boost energy, and get in your best shape? Apply for private one-on-one coaching here.

References

1. Jäger R, Purpura M, Shao A, Inoue T, Kreider RB. Analysis of the efficacy, safety, and regulatory status of novel forms of creatine. Amino Acids. 2011 May;40(5):1369-83. doi: 10.1007/s00726-011-0874-6. Epub 2011 Mar 22. PMID: 21424716; PMCID: PMC3080578. 
2. Schaefer, M., Kühnel, A. & Enge, S. Open-label placebos reduce weight in obesity: a randomized controlled trial. Sci Rep 14, 21311 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-69866-7 
   
   

Disclaimer: This email is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, and those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician.