Grant Hardwell

What would become possible if your body didn’t hold you back?

It really is spiritual warfare out here.

Sprinting surrounded by beauty is good for the soul.

I've travelled to another country and it’s funny because i’m still eating the same meals. The simple meals that work tend to work everywhere.

I was walking back from the summit in pitch black along some winding dirt track. It's moments like this where your mind starts playing tricks on you. Is there something moving? Or just my imagination? Then I'm reminded how painful my feet are. I stop for a min & check in w/ God.

As I was hiking Croatia's highest mountain, I knew I was going to miss the last bus back to where I was staying. It was either turn back early or send it and figure it out. I lit a cigar at the summit and accepted my fate. That's where the adventure started.

Life is asking you to participate. Build yourself into someone who says yes.

I was sitting outside a coffee shop the other day, sipping my double espresso in the sun. This chap started talking to me, he commented on my physique and said he wanted to lose some weight. He suffered with mental health. I advised him to just start walking. Walk everywhere. It will help both mind and body. I could see he wanted change, we all have that voice inside that wants growth. But the ego wants to play it safe and comfortable, so it puts things off. Don’t wait to get in shape, take the first action now, today!! I hope that guy did.

I’ve noticed a lot of people rebelling against the optimisation culture lately. Life loses its aliveness when you’re trying to dial in every inch of your routine. Maybe the key thing is, not being sucked into internet trends constantly. Or listening to every health podcast. Sometimes you’ve just got to switch off your brain. Explore life and try things for yourself. FAFO style. And this requires time away from the internet, in the real world. Because you can just drink coffee and not worry about caffeine, or eat a baked good and not worry about seed oils or calories. I’ve been doing exactly this, and life is good. It’s amazing just sitting outside a coffee shop, sinking double espressos and being open to what ever happens. Philosophising life with your fellow humans.

I went on an unintentional croissant streak. I realised I’d had one every day for 7 days straight. Then I put a poll up on Instagram asking whether I should keep going. They said yes. So I did. By week 3 it was getting slightly ridiculous, but now all the locals in the coffee shop were invested too. The pressure was on. Thing is, I genuinely could’ve gone forever. Croissants are incredible. By week 4 I thought it was probably time to hang up the boots for a bit. So I did. I still have a couple per week. But we’ve dialled it down until the next streak. Funny thing is, I stayed in shape the entire time because the basics were still in order.

Let go and dance with life.

You can just drink 4 double espressos and surge through the stratosphere. Lol I had to go for a walk in the woods and ended up running haha. Man, my mind was clear and I was hyper present. Honestly felt amazing. I will carry on experimenting with caffeine.

If people start calling you weird for the way you operate, wear it with a badge of honour! You’ve broken away from the herd mentality. Weirdmax it!

It’s so easy to forget who you are. Amongst the noise and distractions of modern life. We weren’t supposed to sit inside and consume most of the time. I keep reflecting on this phrase: “Remember who you are.” If there’s a burning desire to expand, move, build, explore, or create, then don’t ignore it. Something in you needs it. So remember who you are.

I don’t even set goals anymore. Haven’t in a long time. I just enjoy lifting weights, sprinting, and walking so much that it’s become the standard. I’ll tighten the diet up slightly if the scales is climbing too much. (Usually too many croissants) Or tailor training to target certain areas. But my physique is the result of repeatable standards that I enjoy. Not endless optimisation.

I think body optimisation is a modern trap. Life becomes sterile, you genuinely miss the point of living. Don’t be the guy who becomes fragile if his routine isn’t perfect, who fears seed oils and sugar, or loses his head if he misses a workout. Be Anti-fragile. Eat 3 croissants in one sitting (f it), stay up late sometimes, smoke a cigar. Live. As long as the basics are taken care of, you’ll be fine. Strength train. Walk. Eat mostly whole foods. Sleep properly. Get outside. This brings 99% of the results. Do this consistently and your system will run smoothly in the background while you live an expansive life. Not become your life.

I visited a pretty epic gym on the weekend. Multiple machines for every muscle group. Lots of space. A cool aesthetic, it’s giving Batman vibes. I always find a new gym boosts performance, because it makes things fresh and new again.

If stress is high, practice 3 rounds of Wim Hof or box breathing. Tells your body to relax, which brings down cortisol. Your ability to regulate your nervous system is crucial for physique and high performance.

The body responds to what you repeatedly do. Not what you repeatedly say you’re going to do.