what’s up? long time, no email?

So I haven't sent out a proper newsletter nor a simple "hey, how are you doing" email in a very long time.

So before anything else, how are you?

Truly…how are you?

Please don't give me the BS answer. Take a deep breath and provide an honest answer.

I've had some thoughts on a slew of things and ideas to expound upon. Instead, I decided to disappear as much as I realistically could (besides the podcast and the rare article or social media post).

Now, I wasn't just playing Call of Duty and eating red vines during that time. I was building my mind and fitness back up to their expected level to take it even further in 2021. During the last year or so with my father, I didn't realize that I was 10 pounds lighter because I don't eat when I stress.

All is well now as I've become much more of a hybrid-athlete with lots of running and strength training—anyway, enough of me.

A quick word of encouragement + a reality check

There's a big elephant in the room called COVID. I, for one, am shocked that these lockdowns have gone on for as long as they have. I'm sure you're aware of how many people are suffering. I have no idea about when things will return to "normal"—whatever that means.

Instead of just giving you mindset advice, I want to offer something more practical and tangible to equip you with everything better.

No matter your situation, the world has changed. 

There's two options: hope that things return to the way they were or figure out how to thrive in this current world.

I don't have a crystal ball, nor am I a genie to predict what the future holds. But I have learned one thing, or I should say, I had one lesson strongly reinforced over the last year: you can't rely on any outside entity to take care of you.

Your well being is 100 percent your responsibility. 

As Rumi stated, "It's your road, and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you."

COVID has exposed so much, especially regarding America, which is all I can speak on. America is a country that's highly vulnerable to any health crisis, despite all of its riches and blessings. Year after year, obesity and chronic illnesses are climbing upward.

If there's one thing we know, not being at a healthy weight leaves you highly susceptible, not to just COVID, but many other ailments.

If there was ever a time when you had the masses' attention to start a paradigm shift regarding health, it's been the last 12 months. But yet, not a blip from officials on basic wellness and health for people. No talk of exercise. No discussion of nutrition. No word on the benefits of vitamins and herbs.

I'm not saying it's the cure-all, it's far from it, but it will help.

Instead, we got intense politicization. If you don't wear a mask or hold a particular opinion, you were automatically categorized as a specific type of person—or even silenced in some instances.

I have no dog in this race. This is just what I'm seeing.

Now, to circle back around, no one is coming to save me, nor you. If you doubted before the past 12 months, I'm willing to bet the house that you see it differently now.

However, this is freeing and motivating. 

Your potential. Your health. Your fitness. All are in your control. 

Sure, there may be some extra mental gymnastics required. But still, you hold the power.

COVID has been a "Black Swan" event; there's no doubt about that. 

However, humans are resilient and have encountered many other difficult moments in the past, and have persevered.

I hope that helps or at least reinforces and encourages you to continue to get after it.

Now, here's a brief update on some things coming

1. I no longer allow just anyone to sign up for this newsletter, which is now called 'Superhuman Insider’—there's a brief form for anyone interested in joining. I care very little about metrics and more about the impact and attracting the right people. It's all about the intention, not the attention.
2. I plan on sending shorter and close to daily emails with a little health tidbit, podcast episode, article, personal update on something I'm experimenting with, or something else random.
3. I'm recording my podcast interviews to watch them on Youtube if you prefer, plus I'll be creating separate videos throughout the week there. Feel free to subscribe here so you won't miss a video (it's a day 1 project so keep that in mind with the aesthetics of it).

Other things are going on, but that's enough for now.

What about you? What's the one thing that you're creating or hoping to accomplish in 2021?

Stay awesome, be limitless, and go be superhuman,

- Julian