'Why They Win'

If you're struggling, consider this: often beauty, excellence, hyper-competence, the things that we consider extraordinary, didn't just manifest themselves. In most cases, beauty is the product of a life cycle that's seen, and is obscuring, its own fair share of Hell. In short, if we want to achieve greatness, it's imperative that we suffer. Similarly, to paraphrase another saying, "Everyone is fighting a private battle we know nothing about." Nietzsche again saying so much in so few words. Thank you for listening.

If like is a gift, how the hell are we supposed to use it properly before it runs out - if it doesn't even come with an instruction manual? After all, we follow our parents' examples, but that's unsatisfying. And the people we hold up as heroes turn out to be no better than us, either. So what do we do? How do we operate? Life's a ticking time-bomb. Should we panic? What do we do? Nietzsche and Adler both reckon they know the answer, and thankfully, they're pretty much saying the same thing (though Nietzsche, typically, goes in harder with his studs facing up). Good news: it's not as bad as you think. Bad news: it's so simple, you may be underwhelmed. Until, that is, you actually apply this approach to every facet of your life... Thank you for listening, and hopefully see you tomorrow (*drives off cliff like Thelma and Louise, and wig flies off*)

All fanatics are liars, bending the truth to fit their own ideological views of the world. Worse still, argues Jung, they're likely hiding behind a fixed belief system in order to mask the hole within their souls that they don't have the courage to face. Little wonder then that they chose an ideology. "People prefer to judge," said Jung, because thinking is such hard work. So, in the face of so many people screaming their ideologies at you, what's the best path to take to steer away from such tyranny, to avoid "the abattoir", in order to become your own individual person. Herein Jung explains...

According to psychologist Carl Jung, families are destroyed by the failure of parents to live their lives to their full potential. Consequently, everyone, especially the kids, suffer by being around such bitterness. So how does Jung suggest re-routing your life in a more positive manner? Here's his hugely insightful advice.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by concerns that aren't truly important, consider thinking like artist Andy Warhol, who used to respond in his mind by saying, "So what?" Warhol said it revolutionised his approach to the world and helped all his 'pretend worries' melt away. Here's what he said in full, and some reflections on how to apply it.

With every second, your life is passing. But, says Seneca, we act like we have an infinite supply. So stop living for other people, or selling yourself short, or pretending you'll be here forever. You won't. Time is the most precious commodity we have. So start your life now with gusto. Don't let it slip through your hands. Thank you to a good friend who sent this quote to me.

If you've suffered setbacks, it's easy to slowly slide towards thoughts that nothing has any real value, anyway. So what is the antidote to such thinking?

The new 'Joker' movie has struck a chord with so many people because it speaks to a truth we all know: if you don't stand up for yourself when you're being humiliated, betrayed, deceived, abused or let-down, even if it's merely deceiving yourself, eventually that bitterness could turn to your seeking vengeance. Stand up for yourself, therefore, to avoid tearing down the world into Chaos. On a happier note :-) this really is an excellent film.

Idea of the Day: In the mind of great psychologist Carl Jung, if you want to understand WHY someone behaves the way they do towards you, look at the consequences; look at the outcome, and work backwards. That was their intention...

Lawyers and doctors are revered by society because they solve our problems when we can’t. Doctors fix our bodies, while lawyers fix our minds. So what is it that good lawyers do that would benefit us, if only we could think like them? How do they solve seemingly insurmountably complex problems with enough ease that they have full confidence in what they’re advising us to do? Surely then, for us to know how to think and operate like a top lawyer is to add a crucial string to our bow. Hence this episode’s guest, top lawyer Rustum Rau, whose ability to problem solve on such a sophisticated level sees him advise telecoms giant British Telecom as their ‘Legal Director, Major Transactions.’ How can we tap into his knowledge and skill set to up our own game? Please listen on for a very informative, lively, and mist-clearing exploration into how to problem-solve like the guys at the top. I hope you enjoy the episode and continue to triumphantly forge your way ahead, Ben.

Prepare to be inspired. When James Boardman retired from the Royal Marines, he was lost; circling the drain of life questioning his own identity and his purpose. The fact that he then developed his own life program to pull himself out of the mire is testament to both his own will to never give up, and proof that no matter how low you can get, you can often make a triumphant comeback. Now a vastly positive, inspirational coach of men who are questioning their own existence, his book ‘It’s A State of Mind: Stop Existing, Start Living’ has totally revolutionised the way people who’ve read it now lead their lives. In this episode, he explains how his system for better living works. Just listening to his perceptions on how to live a better, more fulfilling life lit a fire under my soul — and I hope his words have the same impact on you. Take care — and go down swinging, Ben.

If it’s already been shown that many animals are self-aware, can recognise their own reflection in the mirror, have a sense of their past, their present and their future, then isn’t experimenting on them actually a form of torture? In which case, how can it ever be ethically right? Because, actually, if you look up images on Google of animal experimentation, you’d have to have a very hard heart not to feel disturbed. And yet, getting to a definite conclusion on the issue is far more complicated than one might imagine, as this episode’s esteemed guest Professor David Favre explains. As one of the world's leading thinkers on animal rights, and author of the new book 'Respecting Animals', he’s weighed up this topic for more than three decades. So if you’re looking for an open-minded understanding on the subject beyond the binary - "It’s torture! - It’s not torture!" - Professor Favre's insights are fascinating. You can buy 'Respecting Animals' here: tinyurl.com/y8no95rj. Thank you for listening and please write your thoughts in the Comments section below on how I can improve the podcast.

Have you ever thought, “Sod it, I’ve had enough. I need to get away?” Well, if you have you’re not alone. But while most of us book a holiday in the sun somewhere, or at best, go on a bit of a mini-adventure, Jason Lewis took it to the next, next, next level. He decided one day to join his mate and travel around the entire planet in a 360-loop...using, um, only human power. That means while you and I might take a plane, train or an automobile, Lewis would, oh, you know: cycle, rollerblade, kayak. You name it: if it made you sweat and didn’t involve an engine, he was pretty much up for it. The funny thing is, he wasn’t even fit. He hadn’t spent months ‘doing cardio’ from an app he’d downloaded to his phone. He just packed a few clothes, and went for it. What an absolute badboy. He was also fairly average when it came to using those human-powered modes of transport, but that didn't stop him. And guess what? Although it took him more than a decade to complete, he never, ever, ever gave up. Instead, he continued on his path, along the way getting arrested. He was also injured. And left to go it alone by his travel-mate. Sometimes he thought he was going a bit potty as he drifted by himself across the Atlantic Ocean in...a pedal-boat! Yet he went to some of the most awe-inspiring countries on Earth and met all sorts of people from all walks of life. If having a sense of adventure is a personality trait that you hold dear to your heart, then imagine having been him. What a way to live part of your life. Honestly, it’s the craziest travel story I’ve ever heard. But wow, did he learn a few fascinating life lessons along the way, many of which he goes into more depth on in his outstanding books documenting a journey described succinctly by The Guardian as, "An Epic." You can snap them up at tinyurl.com/ybjqyq7p, and also get a good taster for his tale in this latest episode. This is his unbelievable tale...

Stop trying to ‘just be happy’. ‘Being happy’ isn’t the answer. And it won’t satisfy you. Rather, says the philosopher Nietzsche, you should be truthful with yourself and instead nurture your passions, be more creative, have the courage to stop mindlessly being a herd animal - and, guess what, EMBRACE your suffering! Own it. It’s yours; the good, the bad, the ugly, the sad. And if you listen to that pain you’re experiencing, and stick with it as you push on through with your most creative of endeavours, that suffering will reward you with a higher, richer life experience. Or as Nietzsche said, "Throw roses into the abyss and say: 'here is my thanks to the monster who didn't succeed in swallowing me alive.'" All of which, I certainly thought, are mesmerising ideas, Especially given that they were explained to me by this episode’s honoured guest Dr. Brian Leiter - the most respected Nietzsche expert on the planet - whose ability to simplify the thoughts of this most sophisticated of thinkers in a way that was digestible for a dullard like myself to understand completely blew me away. For me, the ability to convey some of the biggest ideas of humanity in a way that’s simple enough for the man on the street to understand is an artform in itself. So it was an absolute honour and a privilege to speak with Dr. Leiter on the podcast. Please have a listen and comment below with your thoughts: Was Nietzsche right? If not, what crucial insight did he miss? Meanwhile, 100% check out and if you want to, order via Amazon, the second edition of Dr. Leiter’s book, ‘Nietzsche On Morality’. It’s been described as “the most important book on Nietzsche in the past twenty years.” You can snap his book up here: https://tinyurl.com/ycptegjw. Seriously, what Nietzsche and Dr. Leiter have to say will leave you amazed. I hope you enjoy the podcast. And thank you for listening.

Welcome to another episode of Why They Win. Today I’m joined by Mike Matthews. Mike is the author of the book Bigger, Leaner, Stronger for Men and Thinner, Leaner, Stronger for women. Both are a health and fitness programme unlike any other you’ll ever try. I was sceptical so I downloaded the audio version on Audible. Three months later I was lean, with muscles. I could buy any clothes I wanted. My wife said I still had a bubble butt. But whatever. I could tuck my shirt in without feeling like people were pointing at my arse in the street. I didn’t have boobs that drooped down comedically like those droopy eyeball glasses. I looked better than I’d ever looked before. I was a solid 5 out of 10 now. I’m now physically fit. Mentally fit. And I’d highly recommend his program. It genuinely works. I’ve lost 45 pounds on it. And I sort of have a three pack. Which while isn’t the end goal of a six pack yet, it’s 50% towards the dream. Meanwhile, Mike has a podcast and website under the banner Muscle for Life, which supports users of his programmes. And if you want to change your life around drastically in the next 12 weeks, his is 100% the health and fitness program I recommend you follow. You’re not too old. His program works on you whether you’re male or female, young or old. Even though I’m 38 now and my face is so creased it looks like I’ve just woken up the whole time, my body looks young. Today he joins me to discuss how he devised the program and to explain exactly what it can do for YOU. Thank you for listening and I hope you enjoy the show.

Fascinating SAS Legend and prolific author Andy McNab tells you how to get more done, what was on his mind when he was being tortured in Iraq, destroying the enemy, the morality of murder, why feeling fear is a good thing, bumping into Andy McNab imposters, and how exactly he writes and structures so many of his books, including his new Tom Buckingham thriller, State of Emergency.

Want to have the steely-eyed glare of a world-class champion? Want to believe in yourself when no one else does? Then listen to Dr Bob Rotella, America's Finest Sports Mind Coach, tell you what strategies and approaches to take to act, feel, and operate like The Champ. After working with legends from all types of world-class sports, Rotella's insights on winning are priceless - be it on the field, in the boardroom, down the bar or while hammering away at your dream when everyone else says you won't make it. Here's how you will...

Feel like you're in a rut? Things will improve, says Paul Hannam, author of the inspirational book The Wisdom of Groundhog Day. In a nutshell: you just need to sit back and smell the roses more often...

Let the highly impressive Deputy Director of the CIA's Counter-Terrorism Unit - the real-life Saul Berenson from Homeland - show you how to solve all your problems quickly and simply while everyone else panics around you.

Want to know what Bill Clinton, Floyd Mayweather, Tiger Woods, Team Sky, Alex Ferguson, Barack Obama and Maradona owe their success to? It all comes down to their mastery of the acronym 'O.S.T.', says Tony Blair's dominant former press secretary.