Hey friend,

This week I made a boo-boo.

It was a mistake that could have been easily avoided if I just sat down and committed to doing the work. Instead, I took the shortcut, got burned in the end... and that's okay.

In the process of getting what you want out of life, you will get hit. You will make mistakes. Our job is to be resilient and to learn from those times. The most expensive mistake is one you never learn from.

The next time you get hit, don't whine, don't complain, don't feel sorry for yourself.

Dust yourself off, learn from your mistake, and use it to propel you forward.

Here's what caught my attention this week.

Here Is Your 4 Minute Friday:

1. The Fitness Test That Predicts How Long You'll Live

Danish researchers tracked a group of middle-aged, healthy men for 46 years.

At the start, they measured each man's cardiorespiratory fitness on a bike test. Then they just waited and watched.

The men in the top fitness bracket lived nearly 5 years longer on average than the men in the bottom bracket. And it wasn't a cliff, it was a slope. Every small bump in fitness bought more time. Roughly 45 extra days of life for each single-unit gain in VO2max.

Researchers even checked whether this was just healthy people happening to be fit. They removed everyone who died in the first decade, and the pattern held. They found fitness wasn't a symptom of health. It was the driver.

Your doctor checks your blood pressure and cholesterol every year. Almost nobody checks your VO2max despite it being a leading indicator for longevity.

Speaking of which, I'm about to run my own experiment. Starting this week, I'm cycling every day for 30 days on a new AI-powered bike.

Going to track my VO2max, heart rate, and HRV the whole way. I'll share the results when I get them.

2. A New Drug That Prevents Muscle Loss

If you've heard of GLP-1s, you've probably heard of the trade-off: fast fat loss, but also fast muscle loss. Research shows 25 to 40% of the weight loss on these drugs is lean mass, not fat.

A new Phase 2 trial just tested what seems to be an effective fix. Researchers added an experimental drug called apitegromab, which blocks myostatin (the protein that limits muscle growth), to tirzepatide in 102 adults with obesity.

After 24 weeks, both groups lost about the same total weight. But the apitegromab group lost nearly half as much muscle. Fat made up 85% of their weight loss, compared to 70% in the placebo group.

Mind you, this is early, it's also funded by the drug's maker, and it's still years from approval.

I also want to mention that it won't replace lifting weights, but it does point to where GLP-1 treatment is headed: fat loss without ruining your metabolism along the way.

❤️ My Favourite Thing This Week

One of the best things I've done for my health has nothing to do with training or nutrition. It's getting my blood work done every 4 to 6 months.

You can look healthy on the outside and still be off on the inside. My first panel came back with elevated HbA1c, despite feeling fine and looking the part. Blood work catches what the mirror can't.

This is why I trust Superpower. They give you a real, deep look at your biomarkers, then their AI coach pulls it all together into recommendations based on your actual data, not generic ranges.

I know their founder, Max, and I've seen the platform get sharper over time while lowering their prices.

As a reader here, use the code DANGO, and you get a free at-home lab test with your membership.

​Click here to check them out

Client Of The Week - Daniel, Business Owner

Dan is an entrepreneur who struggled with his weight after years of putting his business first.

His goal was simple: lose the excess weight, get rid of his belly, and regain the energy to perform at his best.

In just one year, he’s lost 54 lbs and reached his leanest physique since college.

Here’s how we did it:

•  Focused on progressive strength training to preserve muscle while losing fat
• Built a high-protein, nutrient-dense nutrition plan that fit his lifestyle
• Created sustainable routines that improved his sleep and recovery

The biggest reason for his success? Dan stayed committed, trusted the process, and showed up consistently. The result is more than a transformed body, it’s a healthier, higher-performing life. Amazing work, Dan!

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

On the road to getting the things you want, you will get hit, and you will get hit hard.

That is a part of the game.

The people who make it out on the other end are those who get hit, dust themselves off, learn from their mistakes, and keep on moving forward

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. Mandsager K, Harb S, Cremer P, Phelan D, Nissen SE, Jaber W. Association of Cardiorespiratory Fitness With Long-term Mortality Among Adults Undergoing Exercise Treadmill Testing. JAMA Netw Open. 2018;1(6):e183605. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.3605 
2. Pratley, R.E., Denham, D.S., Trivedi, R. et al. Apitegromab for lean mass preservation during tirzepatide-induced weight loss: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial. Nat Med (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-026-04440-4 

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.