What’s up ladies and gentlemen, it is me drew Manning from Fit to fat to fit. As you guys know, I am the author of the book fit to fat to fit. And the owner of the website fit2fat2fit.com. The creator of the TV show fit to fat to fit on a and E and the whole fit to fat to fit brand. That was me six years ago. I’m the guy who gained 75 pounds in six months on purpose as a personal trainer to better understand my clients and then lost it in six more months. And, uh, kind of went viral anyways. That’s me, in a nutshell, this is the fit to fat to fit experience podcast. And I appreciate you guys tuning in to today’s episode. So today I have a special treat for you guys, George Bryant, who is also known online on social media as the civilized caveman.
If you don’t know who he is, check him out. He is definitely, um, one of the most interesting stories I’ve ever heard or known somebody to have the kind of story, this kind of struggles that he’s been through, um, the, the trials and the hell that he’s been through in his life to be where he’s at today, blows me away. You guys are gonna fall in love with him. You’re going to fall in love with this story and everything that he’s about. So, um, he’s also the New York times bestselling author of the book, the paleo kitchen. Um, and so his story is so interesting, um, from being, uh, neglected as a kid hit the family, he grew up on, I grew up in with so many, um, issues and he struggled with bulemia as a teenager, uh, self esteem obviously was an issue for him.
And then at 17, he decided to, you know, uh, sign up for the Marines. And so other interesting experiences from there almost lost both of his legs, uh, was in a wheelchair for over 12 months, gained a hundred pounds, lost it. Um, so many trials that you just wouldn’t believe, but he’s so relatable. You guys, so many people are gonna, like I said, fall in love with him, fall in love with the story. You, you do not want to miss this whole entire episode. So before we jump into the episode, though, let’s get a shout out to our show sponsors because without them, you guys, none of this would be possible. I wouldn’t be able to bring you guys these kinds of stories like with George Bryant. So let’s give a shout out to our show sponsors.
This episode is brought to you by D and X bars. These meat bars are available on Amazon prime. You can go check them out. D N D as in Delta, N as in Nancy X as an X factor. Um, these are the highest quality meats combined with some healthy fats and seasonings
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Our next show sponsor is organic five. These guys, I have actually met the owner, drew cannoli through a mutual friend, Sean Stevenson, as you know, he’s a good friend of mine from, uh, the model health show, which is one of the top health and fitness podcasts out there. Um, he introduced me to the drew can only through a mastermind group and I’ve seen these guys everywhere. And here’s the thing. You guys I’ve used powdered green products for years ever since my fit to fat to fit days. I’ve had one of these almost every single day. Cause I understand the benefits of these and I don’t like juicing, right? I don’t like the mess, um, the cost of it. And that’s why I love these pattern greens. Cause you can take them with you on the road. And so I was introduced to Organifi and I’ll be honest with you guys, powdered greens.
They do not taste good, right? The majority of them, you taste them and you just gotta Chuck it down. Now for me, I’m the type of person that knows how beneficial it is. So I’m just going to Chuck it. But other people out there, they cannot stomach the flavor of these. And so that’s why I love about Organifi. Every single person that’s told me, you know, I just don’t drink powdered greens. Cause it tastes disgusting, likes or get the taste of Organifi. They do a great job at making it taste good. They don’t add in sugar, but additives, they use coconut and ashwagandha and they infuse it with that. And that’s what makes it, I think tastes so good. But um, they do a great job of making it taste good because I don’t care how something hell how I don’t care how healthy something is.
If it’s, if it doesn’t taste good people, aren’t going to drink it. So Organifi does a great job with that. You guys, and they come and single serving packets that you can bring with you on the go. And this helps me upgrade my nutrition and my immune system when I’m on the go. And so that’s what I love about Organifi. And for my followers, you guys, you get 20% off. They’re giving 20% off to everybody that uses the code fit to fat to fit. If you go to organifi.com now that’s O R G a N I F i.com use the code 55 to fit for 20% off. The link will be in the show notes. You guys, you go there and use the code. You get 20% off and I promise you, you will enjoy finally the taste of these powdered greens and you get all the benefits and the micronutrients from juicing, but you know, less than half the costs and without the mess. And it’s so much more convenient to take with you. So organifi.com use the code fit to fat, to fit for 20% off [inaudible]
All right. Our next show sponsor is four Sigmatic. Now let’s talk about magic mushrooms. Okay? I’m not talking about, uh, the shrooms that are a hallucinogen that are gonna make you trip out. I’m talking about the benefits of real mushrooms, um, with science backed facts that have been used by indigenous populations for centuries, right decades. And these people have been using this, uh, not technology, but these, the benefits of these mushrooms for thousands and thousands of years. And it’s been backed up by, by recent science. That’s what I love about four Sigmatic. You guys, they’re such a unique product, right? You got people like Tim Ferriss talking about them. You got people like Sean Stevenson talking about them. And they’re so awesome because they have figured out a way to extract the benefits and the nutrients from these mushrooms into a powder drink mix. And they, um, and they, you can edit your coffee.
Like for example, my favorite product of theirs is the lion’s mane, mushroom coffee. And basically you add it to hot water and you mix it up. Eight gives you the most ultimate brain boost, plus a little bit of caffeine from the coffee, not a ton, right? But enough to give you a brain boost, plus that, pick them up from the caffeine. It’s a great combination. And they have so many of these other unique products. They got quarter steps and they got Rishi and chaga, all different types of mushrooms that have been backed up by science for so many health benefits. So many different applications that you can use, you know, increase immune system, um, cognitive function, uh, mental clarity, so many other benefits to using these mushrooms in your diet. You guys, we, as a lot of us let’s face it. We don’t eat a lot of mushrooms here in America.
And so you get the benefits of this through this company, four Sigmatic, they use a dual extraction process to get the maximum benefits and nutrients from these mushrooms. And, um, and then they make it into a powdered mushroom drink, right? And this is the way indigenous people have been drinking mushrooms for years actually through like hot teas and things like that. But they figured out a better way to do it, obviously because we’re a society of convenience. So I take these with me when I travel a lot, I’m on them to hot water in my hotel room. So I can kind of have a healthier version of coffee if you will. Um, and I love these guys. Like I said, they’re kind of all the rage right now. They’re this new product that’s out there. So check them out at four Sigmatic. Fou are SIG, M a T I c.com for slash fit. If you use the word fit for 10% off, um, you can use that discount for, um, the next on your next purchase. So check them out. foursigmatic.com for slash fit. Try the mushroom coffee, try the core steps. Tried the lion’s mane. Um, so many different products. You guys, even my kids love the mushroom cacao, uh, hot chocolate, right? Um, it tastes just like hot chocolate to them. I just warm up some, uh, unsweetened almond milk. I add the, the, um, the, sorry, I add the, um, hot cacao, uh, mushroom hot chocolate in it. And
Then my girls love it. They really do so. Check it out. foursigmatic.com forward slash fit. Alright, let’s go hang out with George Bryant. A K civilized caveman
George Bryant, AKA civilized, caveman. How are you doing today, man? Good. How are you, sir? I’m doing awesome, man. I’m so glad that we finally made this happen. You know, it seems like six years later, we finally got around to getting you on the podcast. I, I agree. I don’t think your podcast has been around for six years, but I was true that credit and I’m way to manifest it, but yeah, I’m so, so stoked to be here. And I said we did do pretty well though, because I don’t remember what month it was that we hung out, but like, it hasn’t been that long. And I know I was exaggerating just a little bit, six years, six months, whatever it is, but I’m okay just to let everybody know when George and I get together, we tend to talk a lot. And so we promise each other, we keep this under five hours, maybe like maybe four and a half.
So take me four and a half. So this isn’t going to blow Joe Rogan out of the water for his length of podcasts. I would definitely happen with the two of us and we have the same birthday, which I think has something to do with that. I think it does. And for sure. Um, okay, so let’s just jump right into this because your story is one of the most fascinating stories I’ve ever heard. So the first time I met George, you guys here, I was in this mastermind event and this dude with this blue blue Mohawk and a white polo and shorts walks up to the front and just starts talking and I could tell he was nervous, but then as he was talking, it was like fire was coming out of his mouth and everything flowed. And I was just blown away and super impressed with everything that he was saying was so true and so powerful.
And, um, and then we found we had the same birthday and we connected anyways, your story is one of the most amazing stores. And I want to, we’re obviously gonna dive into that, but I kind of see a pattern with the stuff you’ve been through. And so many people I think are going to be able to relate to certain areas of your life, where most people would get stuck in those situations. They would be like, you know what? This is my life. It is the way it is. I can’t change it. And I’m stuck here for the rest of my life versus you. You’ve had so many ups and downs with so many tough transitions that you’ve been able to get through where other people I think are, are still stuck. So let’s tell your story, but then kind of with that pattern in mind of how you broke through some of those phases that are really, really hard to break through. Awesome. Yeah, totally 100%. And, uh, I’ll, I’ll, I’ll work with you on this one too, because when you tell me to tell my story, I might take up four hours myself. I know I’m going to help you out. I’ll let you can, you can help me and guide me. But yeah, so, uh, the abridged version is basically, I think I’m 33 now, 30, I think I’m 33. Cause I think you’re a little older than me, but, um, my journey with food, how, uh, mindset and everything started
Basically when I was like five or six years old, as early as I can remember, because that’s when our beliefs are installed in our beings for how we view the world. And growing up, my family was heavy into drugs and alcohol, physical abuse, mental abuse, and, um, food abuse, really like I, I actually, and the sad fact, but in my entire life, um, I never remember having one actual family meal with my family at a table. Like my dinner table ever. I ever had meals. It was at my friend’s houses or were their family, but my family alone never really had like a dinner table meal. So from a very young age, I was taught that you kind of fend for yourself, eat junk food, like have a box of cereal. If you’re hungry, feed yourself. Like I really wasn’t programmed with any sort of healthy relationship with food.
And so I spent my childhood, uh, eating my emotions as young as I can remember. And, uh, when I was about 15, I’d say is when the social pressure really started, you know, back then when, I don’t know, 16 years ago, seven years ago, I don’t think kids were as mean as young as they are now. It took till about high school. And so, you know, I started being called fat and I started realizing how overweight I was. And then I had a family member make a comment about prom and how I couldn’t fit in the talks because I was fat. And, uh, that’s what really started the painful journey for me. And so 15 years old, uh, was the first age that I am or, uh, binge ate and purged and started my battle with bulemia was at 15 years old. And so that was an emotional roller coaster.
And I used it as my, my out of control control measure. You know, I lived in this world, chaos, we had social services, we had caseworkers at our house every day. Um, we had two welfare checks a day from the local police at our house. Like it was, it almost seems surreal. Like it’s a movie, but one that no one would want to watch. Cause there’s really like no point to it. And, uh, my, my escape was, I couldn’t control any of that chaos, but I could control how much food I ate and I could control, I could throw it up and lose weight. And, and it was this sick addiction thing that I had going, and it was the world spiraling out of control. And so that went on for 12 years. But in my, in my younger days, um, I barely made it through high school.
Um, my teachers knew my family though school was briefed on our situation because my parents weren’t allowed to school at the same time. And I had certain rules because the legal battles between their divorce and, uh, I feel like they all passed me out of spite, which was probably the best thing they’ve all ever done. I’ve personally thanked every single one of them because I don’t think I’d be here if it wasn’t for that. Uh, they saw something in me that not even I saw, but, uh, when I was 17, I decided I needed to get away. And that was the only one I was going to succeed. So I figured I might as well prove that I’m worth it. And I decided to join the Marine Corps, not the air force, not the coast guard. Nope. Let’s just go right to the Marine Corps. And uh, I walked into the recruiter’s office at 17 and they looked at me and they’re like, you’re too fat. And I was like, Oh, okay, got it. Uh, pretty devastated. And my recruiter looked at me and he’s like, there’s no way that you could lose the weight to ship to bootcamp when you graduate. Right.
How overweight were you at that time?
I lose 62 pounds. Wow. Because they add bootcamp for the Marine Corps. You have a pre ship weight. You have to be at a certain weight before you ship because they expect you to lose weight at bootcamp. There’s no way you can’t. Um, and so I had about 62 pounds to lose for the pre ship weight. I think I had like five or six months until I wanted to leave. Cause basically I wanted to graduate and then get on a plane. Like that’s, that was it. And, um, my recruiter is like, you can’t do it. And that’s when I realized it was that moment in my life that I realized that I was sick of people telling me what I couldn’t do. And I was like, I’m doing this. And I was like, there’s no way, because for me it was like a life or death situation because if I stayed, I would have stayed in drugs and alcohol.
And I mean, I’ve never done any of that stuff in my life, but that was the environment that I was in. I wasn’t going to college. I would have been working, um, you know, in a fast food restaurant or anywhere doing manual labor. Cause what I was doing at the time. And that just wasn’t a life that I was really interested in living. I wanted to break the mold. And so I told them, I said, I’m going to prove you wrong. And uh, I left and not very healthily. What I did asking wrestlers in my, I asked all the wrestling team, like, because we had a wrestling team and I didn’t do like that many sports cause I was bullied. So, um, I asked the wrestling team and I started taking tips and I ended up losing like 40 pounds in four months. And I walked back into the recruiter’s office. I’m like, Hey, I’m ready to sign up. And they looked at me and they were, they didn’t even recognize me. And I’m like, you told me sick, like four months ago I was too fat. So let’s play the game. And they’re like, Holy moly. And so they worked with me to help me lose the last 20 pounds, got me signed up for the Marine Corps. And then I left for boot camp in 2002. Um,
Did you use bulemia as well as the tips from the wrestlers?
I did. I tried. I tried really hard.
Um, I, I remember
Specifically like a lot of the feelings I had is I would have days at a time where I felt so motivated and so driven and I’m like, I’m doing this, I’m going to prove people wrong. I’m going to get this. And then something bad would happen at home. Or the court case would get out of control or the social worker changed something or they tried to take my brother away and I would be an emotional wreck. And so then I used food to self sabotage and then once that was complete, I would then try to regain control by bingeing. And that’s the vicious cycle of eating disorders. It’s this control out of control thing where you really struggle with balance. And so I did, um, and luckily I was able to lose the weight and um, you know, it and I’ll get to, um, how I realized, uh, and develop that healthy balance now because I haven’t struggled with bulemia.
I have no problem overeating. Now the feeling while I sit on the couch failing at this point. Um, and so I, uh, I was able to ship to bootcamp and then that’s where my journey of proving people wrong really, really started. And I feel like, I feel like because of my childhood, I had a chip on my shoulder. And so I had this belief instilled in me that I was never good enough. So I went to bootcamp, I was the honor graduate out of 1100 recruits at bootcamp. Then I went to Marine combat training. I was the honor graduate there. Then I went to my job school. I was the undergraduate there. And then basically I got meritorious promoted during most of my career. And then, um, in 2004, I was that really gung ho eager Marine had been in for two years. I was 20 years old and they’re like, Hey, we need someone to go to Somalia.
And I’m like, let’s go, go. And I got on a plane, I went to Somalia and I was out there. All we really did was work going convoys, sleep, eat, and lift. And so it then, um, I had gotten down to about 158 pounds. I looked like Skeletor. It’s a really scary vision. Um, like my cheeks were collapsed because I was so skinny from bootcamp. And so I then went the opposite way and I’m like, I’m totally obsessed. I’m going to be a monster. Like I’m going to be a bodybuilder. I’m going to be wider than I am call. Like I’m doing all in again. And so I became a obsessed with bodybuilding while on deployment, I would eat like thousands of calories a day. And for me it was like, I don’t have an eating disorder. I’m controlling my health. I’m controlling my food.
Like I’m doing this, it’s my, it’s my journey. And so I ended up getting up to about 220 pounds and I was rock solid. Um, and, uh, what happened was, is at that weight loss about a hundred pounds of gear on me in 130 degree weather. Um, I won’t tell the whole story, but basically I developed exercise induced compartment syndrome, and I almost lost both my legs. And so that turned, explain what that is. Yeah. So exercise induced compartment syndrome, um, uh, by the way, I have to give a disclaimer, do not Google it if you just ate or if you have a weak stomach, like I, I have to say that. Um, but basically, um, you can get it in. You can get compartment syndrome in like your lower legs, your thighs, or sometimes your biceps and forearms. And, but basically in those extremities you have compartments and those compartments are what pool, your blood, which passed it down to your foot.
Then back up to your heart. It’s almost like a holding area while there’s blood flowing. And so when you get compartment syndrome, what happens is, uh, due to a numerous amount of circumstances, whether it’s true drama or, um, exercise, but things become tight and it becomes restricted. And so the blood can’t flow out of them, but the blood still flows into them. So your heart continues to pump blood into them and they start expanding and expanding to the point where if it’s not remediated within sometimes 30 seconds, your skin will rip tear, right open. It happens in a lot of soccer players and it happens like traumatic car accidents, like blunt force to your forearm or to your bicep or to your shin. Uh, and so typically if that happens, there’s not really a good recovery rate. And mine happened because I weighed so much.
Um, and there were some pinching going on that the blood started happening, uh, was being restricted. And so I was running and running and running, uh, to get to a helicopter. And all of a sudden my legs went numb and I passed out. And when I woke up, I was laying on my back, there was blood everywhere. And one of the docs had stuck a needle in my leg to drain the blood out. And I had no idea what happened, like none whatsoever. And so they checked me out and they literally literally checked me out. They’re like, yeah, it was just compartment syndrome. You’re totally fine. Everything’s good. You’ll be back on your feet in a week. I ended up staying on deployment for seven more months, like completely oblivious to anything that could have been going on. And, uh, they, I left that deployment.
I got home. And when we come home, we do medical screenings. Right? Like as soon as you land, like you can’t do anything until you do medical screenings, turning your weapon, all that other stuff. And they’re like, anything happened. I’m like, yeah, this happened. They’re like, all right, let’s take you out for an MRI. And x-rays, and they took me up and within six hours I was on an operating table. Um, so apparently happened. I had shot blood clots and luckily they never spread, but I basically had blood clots sitting in my legs and a ton of damage that needed to be remediated. So they ended up doing, um, a partial fasciotomy, um, to relieve that pressure. And then they followed up and they were like, Hey, your legs are really bad. Um, we don’t think that they’re going to be recoverable. Uh, I know you’re good now, but they’re going to degrade. And we probably don’t think your quality of life is going to be good. So we want to amputate your legs and I’m like, you are out of your mind. How old were you at this time? 21.
Oh my gosh, man. Okay. So you said no way.
I notice that you are out of your mind and they’re, they’re like, well, listen, they’re like, there’s two options. We can take them and you can learn how to walk and blah, blah, blah, blah. Or we can do these surgeries, which are only temporary. They last for maybe five years and then your quality of life will go back down and you might have to lose them anyways. And I’m like, great, option two. Let’s do it. And they fought me on it. Like they really, really fought me on it. And then they’re like, all right. So we did that. And we did a, a it’s called a fasciotomy and they basically you’ve seen my legs, but they, um, they caught me from cap to ankle on both sides of both legs. And they go in there, they clean up all the stuff, they make the compartments and one big compartment.
They release your muscles from your shin itself. So there’s not really a tension point there. So like, if you were to envision shin splints, like I can’t get that tightness because it would restrict blood. And so, um, they did the surgery and then they leave your legs open because, um, there’s so much pressure and swelling. And so they clean it twice a day and then close it another inch and close it another inch, you can imagine how that feels with no payment. Um, and then, and then basically once they were closed, I had like 200 staples on each side of each leg. And I was in a wheelchair for 12 months. And that’s where my journey really kinda got crazy because all that weight that I had turned into muscle, um, when I wasn’t really being bulemia in Somalia, had now been in a wheelchair on narcotics and eating hospital food and junk, which 220 pounds then turned into 257 pounds of fat.
And that was probably the low of Marlow, uh, to be honest with you and I, they wouldn’t let me go home because I had to have continued care. So I was in a barracks room and a brick building by myself, recovering for 12 months. And it was basically, I was confined to the room, watching movies, eating pizza, and taking pain pills, basically like every three hours. And it was probably like the most miserable time of my existence on this planet. And it was not an easy thing, like, you know, definitely contemplated suicide and a lot of other things at that time, because I felt like there was no hope. And you know, you, you go through, should they have taken my legs? Would this have been easier? Like what’s going on? Like, and, um, what happened was, is after they took all my staples out and they’re like, you have to start physical therapy and you don’t have a choice when you’re in the Marine Corps. Like I’m ordered to go, like I have to go. So I had to start and I had this physical therapist that was probably like four foot 11 weighed, like 98 pounds. And she was the scariest person I’ve ever met in my
Life.
Basically the only thing out of my mouth was allowed to be yes, like whatever she said I had to do. And I couldn’t really say no. And, uh, basically she said, by the time I’m done with you, you’re going to run a triathlon. And I’m like, Oh,
What, what?
And I was like, yep. They told me I’d never walk again. And you told me that I’m gonna run a triathlon. So I’m gonna choose to believe you. And so slowly and surely, we worked for hours every day, physical therapy, um, occupational therapy, like getting the feeling back, which I still don’t have feeling back, but I learned how to like use my feet again and balance and walk really without the, the sensations that normal people have. And I’m sure enough, she put me in Vibram five finger shoes to help me regain dexterity and use my feet. And then she got me running on a treadmill within like four or five months. And then, um, you know, uh, a 10th of a mile turned into a half a mile, which turned into a mile. And then she put me in a pool and started swimming. And then I was using an elliptical bike in there and like, just pretty much, she was training me for a triathlon while doing my PT. And, um, at this point I’d been about nine months in the Marine Corps is like, Hey, um, you’ve exhausted both of your med boards. Like it’s been almost a year and you’re not going to be fit for duty based on your progress. There’s no way. So we’re going to have to kick you out. And I was like,
Um, I’m not going home. I’m like,
I am not going back to what I left, like, and it at about three years. And I’m like, there’s not an option. They were like, the only way you can stay is if you can pass a physical fitness test. And I’m like, great went. And they gave me, they gave me about three weeks. I told her and we worked. And, um, what’s interesting is I actually ended up, uh, running the, one of the best physical fitness tests that ever run basically after nine months of physical therapy. And through this process, the weight had started to come off. Obviously like I’m running better, they’re maintaining everything. I was probably about 190 pounds or so, and then I’m sure enough. I finished up my physical therapy. I passed the physical fitness test and they put me back on active duty. And I did my first triathlon. I did a sprint triathlon. I’ll never forget it. I did it 52 minutes and I was super pumped about it. Um, number one, I stink at swimming. Like I’ve
Yeah, I’m good with Scooby to scoop
That’s about it. Other than that, like, I sink like a rock. I can’t stay flat, so I didn’t drowned, which was a win, but I did like 52 minutes and I did like, I think I came in like seventh place or something, which was super awesome. And then, um, it lit a fire under me. It lit a fire and a passion for fitness because as I sat there and reflected, like I was faced with probably like the darkest moment of my life. And then the one thing that pulled me out of it with someone believing in me and giving me nothing. Yes. Like my only answer was ever allowed to be yes. And so failure, wasn’t an option quitting, wasn’t an option. And going home, certainly wasn’t an option. So I was like, this is my only choice. And, and I, I became addicted to fitness at that point. And this was in 2005. And so, uh, I lived in Hawaii at the time and I know you’re very familiar with it’s triathlon culture out there. Like everybody does tries. And so I got roped in and I got addicted. I was running, um, I got to the point where I was running eight to 10 miles a day, again at like a six minute mile pace. I was biking a hundred to 200 miles a day. Like I was,
I dictated,
I started doing, I started doing half iron man and then training for an Ironman. And then it was all great. Like everything was good. And then, um, and then in the middle of a triathlon, I got hit by a car.
Oh my gosh. That’s like, what is the universe doing to you? It’s like, ah, let’s play with him a little bit, make him feel like he’s doing good. And then throw a car.
I was in downtown Honolulu in the middle of a triathlon on a closed road and a cart. T-boned me. Oh my gosh. And so I got knocked like 25 feet across the median and, uh, I got a massive concussion. Cut my head open, cracked my hip and then broke three ribs.
Jeez.
This was literally like four months after I finished physical therapy. And so I will say that that recovery was a lot easier because I was pretty stoked on life at that moment. And so I was like, all right, I got this. Um, the brain injury was a little rough. Like my memory was a little shoddy and the concussion was pretty bad, but I, you know, I made a full recovery. I got right back to training and then they, um, they’re like, okay, that’s awesome. Like your back. And they’re like giving you orders to California. And I’m like, okay, cool. I came to California. Um, Oh, Nope. Right. Boat ramp. They gave me the orders to California. Um, they gave me the orders to California. And then in that, in that period, by the way, I was married and divorced, which is a totally different podcast.
But, um, they gave me the orders to California. And then, um, I got a phone call and my dad had had a seizure and I got a phone call and they told me I need to come home on emergency leave. So I left my stuff in Hawaii, flew home. That was March 5th of 2008. And, uh, I got home, I got to the hospital and I was standing there with an oncologist and my father, and they told me my dad was diagnosed with stage four, um, lung cancer, which had then metastasized to his brain. And they told me he had like two months to live. And so the Marine Corps, uh, sent me on a humanitarian transfer, um, to Boston basically. And I spent six months taking care of my father grew up in Boston. Yeah. I grew up in Boston. Um, I spent six months taking care of my father every day, which we got to really heal our relationship and mend my childhood.
And, you know, cause that’s, that’s another scary situation, but you got to spend some time together. And so September 30th of 2008, they’re like, Hey, your time’s up. You have to go home. At this point, my father had been paralyzed from the neck down, done full routes of radiation, shrunk the tumor enough to where he got feeling back. And then they ended up having to amputate one of his legs because of ischemia. But at this point he was walking with a prosthetic. My brother was there to help and like, things were good. And so they sent me back to Hawaii on September 30th. And so I was back to work, packing up to move to California. Everything was going great. Um, my dad was going to his appointments and then on December 5th, he called me. He’s like, Hey, I’m running into the hospital, they’re doing a biopsy to check on the tumor.
I’m like, all right, cool. Um, and then he’s like, I’ll call you when I’m done. And uh, he’s like, I love you. And I’m like, alright, I love you one more question. And, uh, he was driving into a tunnel and the phone got disconnected. And, uh, that was the last I ever heard from him. He, uh, he had the biopsy and he left the hospital and, uh, on his way out to call me, he, um, he had a stroke and he was in the car with his mother. He had a stroke. They called, they airlift him to the hospital. And at this point he was already brain dead. And so my phone call was, uh, your dad just had a stroke. And so I was as proxy. And so, um, I had to fly home again on emergency leave and it was my decision on whether to keep him on a ventilator or take them off.
And, um, I had to respect my father’s wishes and I took him off the ventilator and on December 6th, um, I’d like to say he kicked cancer’s ass and got his way and left. Um, but yeah, and so that was, that was a whole other spiral. And so, you know, like you can hear like the, that was from basically that whole story. It was 2004 to 2008. Um, that was, that was my life from almost losing my legs to recovering, uh, to then getting hit by a car, getting married and divorced and then losing my father to cancer. And so it was, it was, uh, it was the defining moment to say the least. Um, and so I stayed, I took care of my dad. And then, uh, I took care of all of his final stuff. I helped my grandmother and everything there. And then my brother was only 17 at the time. And so I then moved my brother back with me to Hawaii. He basically helped me pack. And then we moved from Hawaii to California. And then within three months of being in California, I got deployed to Afghanistan.
And so
Afghanistan was great because I had I’d come to peace with what happened. And I, I made it my mission to live the best life I could live. Like with everything that I experienced. I was like, there’s a reason that I went through this. Like, there’s a reason my childhood was the way that it was. There’s a reason that this happened. There’s a reason that this happened to my father. Like all of this is happening and I need to use this to like really, really love my life because I could be in any of these situations or could not be here. And so that Afghanistan deployment was probably like one of the best things that happened to me. I started CrossFitting. I discovered paleo by chance. And, um,
I’m out in Afghanistan, you did
Afghanistan. I just, a Rob Wolf’s book was literally sitting in an office space in Afghanistan. I picked it up and I was like, uh, I was like, at this moment, I’m like, this is the thing because in Afghanistan, like, and while this was all going on, by the way, there were huge bouts of bulemia. Like, it just was a part of my life. It was, it was a, at least a three time, a week occurrence. And so it was even happening in Afghanistan. We were on deployment and I would go and port-a-potties after I ate and I would, I would purge in the middle of a combat zone because that’s not crazy or anything.
So I saw the book and I was like, this makes sense to me, I’m like this, this whole paleo thing, like, this makes sense to me. And I’m like, I’m gonna, I’m gonna try this. And I started trying it out there, like, obviously I couldn’t control everything, but I tried to follow the principles the best that I could. And, you know, I was feeling better. I had more energy. It gave me motor shin to kind of really let go of the bulemia. And, um, while I was in Afghanistan, I did get hurt a couple of times. I, I had a couple of concussions from things that we can’t talk about. Um, and, but all in all, everything was good.
I survived.
I made it back with just minimal brain damage, not a big deal cause I still function completely fine. So we’re good. And, uh, I came back and then, um, when I got back, I started, I started my website, um, as a hobby. And I tell you it’s a hobby because what I told myself is when I get home from Afghanistan, I’m going to change my life. Now I’d never cooked before. Like I didn’t really know how to cook. And I’m like, I’m going to beat this bulemia thing and I’m going to learn how to take care of myself. And so I was like, if I cook a recipe a day and I post that recipe on a website, it’ll keep me accountable. Nobody else will know, but I will know that I’m posting every day posting. I’m not being Billy Mick. I’m not giving into my temptations and I kind of have an outlet.
And so that’s how the whole journey started. And so I did that for two years. And then all of a sudden, um, overnight I had a hundred thousand fans and big things were happening. And then the Marine Corps is like, Hey, you’re broken. We can’t use you anymore. Uh, we’re kicking you out medically. And I was like, all of this is happening for a reason. Okay. Alright, Marine Corps, I got you. I’ll get out. And then I was like, I’m going to make it, my life’s work to educate, empower, and inspire other people to use food and their life as a tool to live the best life that they can and to really find meaning and find purpose. And so they medically separated me. I am legally a disabled veteran at this point, um, because I ended up having seven concussions, which was a pretty bad traumatic brain injury.
Almost lost both my legs and PTSD was a pretty crazy thing when some of the stuff I experienced and, um, I got out, uh, I decided to write a book, became a number four New York times bestseller 22 weeks in a row. And, um, and then that led me to working online and teaching people about paleo and food. And then in that whole journey, um, the last, I’d say two years, I started realizing that, um, I started food blogging to overcome my battle with belief and then discovered that food was probably the least important part of the whole emotional journey with like living an optimal life, which has led me to where I am today, which is teaching people that food is just a pillar. But how you view yourself, how you view the world, your discipline, the habits that you have, the time that you take to love yourself and care for yourself and set yourself up to win is what’s going to give you an overall picture of really living and loving your life. And I think that is the shortest version I’ve ever told my story.
The shortest version, man. No, we could’ve. I could have listened to that all day. I know everybody listening and say, okay, keep going. This is a good, good book. If you ever did decide to write a book or make a movie about it, just saying, but I’m idle already, by the way,
I wanted to call it from bullets to brownies.
Yes, that is awesome. That is a great idea. Okay. We’ll all be on the lookout for that, but now that’s what I love about you, man, is you have this, this understanding of the emotional connection to food. Whereas your average person doesn’t understand that type of connection. I didn’t understand it until I did fit to fat to fit. And I’m not saying I completely understand people that go through bulemia, I’ve never experienced that, but it is such a powerful, emotional connection. Um, but it’s not just about the food, right? It’s about, I love that you did it.
You guys know, I followed drew for a long time. Like I followed his entire journey back when he was at his famous on like Letterman and stuff before we were friends, he was too cool for me,
Whatever.
But what I love though, like one of the things that I love the most is that you, you went from having a compassion to having empathy and it’s, and it’s really, really like understanding what it feels like, because I know, you know, when you’ve spent that six months trying to lose it, that the hardest thing was staying committed and disciplined because it like calls that feeling of like, it’s I call it like an uncomfortable comfort, like, yeah,
It doesn’t feel good to be overweight and it doesn’t feel good to like eat a ton of junk food,
But then when you take it away, you almost like urine flow.
I love that uncomfortable comfort. That’s so true. And so fitting to what it really did feel like, cause it didn’t feel comfortable being that overweight, but at the same time, I think most people will experience that, but it’s also comfort food temporarily, right? Like it makes you feel comfortable for a minute or two or, you know, and I think, Oh, go ahead.
No. And I, I think what ultimately boils down to is that we, we portray and like promote escapism. Like that’s what we do a lot of like this disconnection and escapism, like not only do we disconnect from, you know, people’s feelings and emotions and we disconnect from human interaction, we disconnect from our own feelings and we use food as escapism, right? Because like we’re super stressed at work. We’re super stressed at home. And so what do we do? We turn to food for comfort. But like, I don’t remember the last time that like I ate a really, really like bomb brownie or ice cream Sunday. And I was thinking about all the stress in my life. I remember again, and having a dopamine hit and
I was like high off this ice cream and brownie obviously crashing after. But, uh, I think one of the things that we perpetuate as a, as a society is we glorify junk food. Like we glorify that feeling of escapism. Like everything you see is marketed to people like, you know, every commercial is like escape your life and go on this vacation or escape your life and come eat this food or like escape. You know what I mean? And it’s, and it’s like, how about love your life and love your food and give things to your body that are going to make you feel better. Because of what I will tell everybody is that temporary joy is nothing compared to the permanent results and pain that you will experience. And I think that’s powerful. I think that’s what it’s been for me. And so like, here’s the thing, like when I get out of the Marine Corps, I was like, I’m going to be a food blogger forever.
Like this is it. Like I figured out, I’m going to just make recipes. I’m a write cookbooks. I’m gonna eat food. Like this is amazing. Right? And then naturally what happens is as, as we evolve in our journey and as I’ve evolved, I realized that the reason I was eating the food that I was eating, and then I was struggling with, bulemia had nothing to do with the food or the feeling of the food. It had everything to do with how I felt about myself. And I literally have followed this cycle in my life. Whereas a child, I never felt good enough. Right. I like ever that I was neglected. Drugs were more important and everything. So my whole life, I thought I had to prove myself. So it doesn’t surprise me that I created a life where I literally had to get blown up, hit by a car, almost lose both my legs, get concussion, to lose a hundred pounds to prove to everybody that I’m awesome.
Right? Like my life is created by design. And now, now that I’ve understood that. And I’m aware of that, which is like one of the things I teach people like, Oh, self-awareness is your biggest tool for success, right? Because we don’t, we don’t get to a point in our life where all of a sudden you wake up and you don’t crave sugar anymore. You don’t wake up. You don’t get mad at yourself anymore. You don’t wake up and you have self doubt. No, we wake up and we’re aware that we have those feelings and what awareness leads to is the power of choice when you wake up in the morning and you’re like, Oh God, like, I’m totally, totally exhausted. I don’t want to go to the gym. I’m just lazy. You’re like, no, I’m not lazy. I’m self sabotaging right now. I’m going to choose to go anyway.
But the feelings don’t ever go away, but your level of responsibility because of your awareness becomes heightened and you have the discipline to be responsible to your goals. And I think that’s something that I see all the time. Cause I see it all the time. Like people that don’t do good stuff online, they’re like, we can change who you are. Like we can change you. And I’m like, people don’t change. You become enlightened and aware to make better choices, but who you are as a person will always be who you are. And so I got it just, it goes so deep. And so then, and then you realize you’re like, okay. So like my goal is to lose 30 pounds. Why am I walking in the kitchen and shoving a brownie in my mouth? And no one’s looking. And you’re like, well, it’s not because it’s a brownie and it’s not because I’m choosing to binge eat it’s because I don’t feel like I deserve to lose 30 pounds or I don’t see myself as someone that’s fit or healthy or happy.
Yeah. I think it’s, it’s so powerful. Kind of going back to what you were saying, George about, um, kind of what you were saying in a nutshell is there is no finish line. This doesn’t all of a sudden you wake up and the cravings are gone. You’re happy for the rest of your life and all those things that you struggle with are automatically gone. And I know that there’s even still more to your story, which I kind of want to touch on if you’re okay with talking about it, that it, you, you have the power of choice and there’s times in your life, you know, even for you with anxiety and, uh, when things get w get harder or when you were super successful with your book and then all of a sudden stuff happened, like you still had to deal with that and it doesn’t go away. I think maybe over time you become better, um, managing those, uh, those trials, but at the same time, stuff happens in life. So
I think, yeah. And I’ll talk about it too, that the two parts that I purposely left out until we got to this point, um, number one, uh, as I was sexually abused twice as a child, um, I was molested and raped as a child. And then, um, I’ve struggled. Uh, Andrew knows a lot of this with, with PTSD pretty bad. Um, I’ve witnessed, uh, two suicides and I’ve found, uh, another Marine right after he committed suicide and that’s on top of the combat and things that we saw. And so, um, after the book became really, really, really successful, um, it, it looked on paper. Like I had it all figured out, right? Like I had the, everything was going well. And on the inside, like I was crashing and crumbling under pressure. And I actually ended up back in the hospital for PTSD and, uh, and I needed, I needed some help.
And, um, I’ve done a lot, a lot of work. I’ve done a lot of work, a lot of therapy, a lot of EMDR, which is eye movement, desensitization and reprocessing. I’ve done prolonged exposure. I’ve gone through my triggers and I’ve gone through everything. And one of the reasons I stopped going to counseling is because they all perpetuate the cycle. In my opinion, they just want to keep talking about it and keep talking about it. And when I realized is that I’m going numb to it. Isn’t actually in my best interest because it takes away from that part of my life and what I’ve realized and what I’ve come to accept acceptance is a big thing. You know, vulnerability, acceptance kind of being okay with where you are in that moment, because that’s where you’re designed to be. I realized that it’s because of those situations in my life, that I’m able to feel the massive joys and gratitude that I have right now.
I’m able to love my wife so much deeper and love my newborn son and my daughter so much more because I have them because I’ve experienced loss. And I know how much I appreciate the moments of, um, you know, like happiness and joy and success because I’ve experienced the downside of that. I’ve lost everything. I’ve lost all the money. I’ve lost things that I’ve worked for to have to rebuild them again. And so one of the things that I really, really have reverse engineered to figure out like from every successful person I’ve ever met, including myself, is that you start to realize that there will never be a finish line in your life and every day is your finish line. And so your finish line is the byproduct of the choices that you make every single day. And so I’m never sure we’re gonna get there because even if I was to get there, I would still be unfulfilled and unhappy because biologically as human beings, we always strive for more.
We always strive to grow. And so living in the moment and I created this, this thing, I call it in, in our membership site where I help people, but I call it the five A’s and it’s like my five A’s to really, really like to overcome any adversity or any challenge or anything you’re experiencing right now. And so like a number one is awareness, which once you’re aware that you have a trigger, like, for me, I’m like certain days of the year, I’m extremely triggered because of my PTSD or certain things that happened in my life. So when I’m aware of them, it’s almost like talking about the elephant in the room, you know, everybody ignores it. And then as soon as you talk about it, it goes away, right? Like you don’t get to run from fear. You don’t get to hide from fear.
You don’t get to run from insecurity. The more you talk about it, the more you acknowledge it. And the more that you learn to coexist with it and know that you are ultimately in control, the better you’re set up to win. So a number one, and I want everybody to use this. If you can write this down, take a note on it and use this in your life, right. If there’s something you struggle with, so I’m going to use an eating disorder for an example, because it’s something that’s really easy for me. Can you explain? So, um, a number one is awareness and I was bullied. So I’m aware that I struggled with an eating disorder that I like to binge eats a number two is the most important one. [inaudible].
And I know I always have to clarify this for people. Acceptance does not mean that you’re okay with the choices that you’ve made in the past or that you want to stay there. What acceptance means is that you’re almost putting a GPS pinpoint on where you are and creating a starting line. You’re like, Hey, I accepted it. I struggle with binge eating. I’m saying, I accept it because now I know where I am. And in order to go somewhere, you actually have to know where you’re starting. It makes perfect sense. Right? You gotta have a baseline. You got to have a baseline. So you just accepted. And that acceptance can be a verbal acceptance. You can write it down. And then a number three is action. And this is what I tell people. You need to do a one 80 and away from your trigger and be a heat seeking missile for what you fear most.
And when you learn to start running towards your fears and insecurities with a passion and vigor for life, that is exciting. That’s when you have breakthroughs and create results, you will never overcome adversities or challenges or situations. If you try to avoid them, if you go around them, if you go under them, if you go over them, they will always come back in your path. You will continually be tested. The only way is to go through them. And that’s where action comes in. And then once you take action, and this is my favorite part, accountability. You got to tell someone, you got to write it down in a journal. You got to tell a friend to get a posted on your social media. You gotta call your mom. Like you got to tell someone, because if you don’t, you give yourself a backdoor. And what I mean by that is when that situation arises again, because you didn’t complete the full circle.
You might not take that same action. And you’d be like, I didn’t like how that felt, but when you take the accountability piece and you’re like, Hey, Hey, drew. I was about to Benji. I went to the refrigerator. I looked at them and rather than running away from, I actually took them out. I put them in the sink and I put them down the garbage disposal. So I couldn’t even pick up the trash, but I want to tell you, because I want to be accountable. And I want you to know that, like I did this and I accomplished this and Drew’s going to be like, dude, that’s amazing. Like good job. Like that is the best thing you’ve done. So now I’ve created almost like a gratitude machine where drew is acknowledging me for the positive choices I’ve made, which allows me the space to like, see that I did this.
I accomplished this not, Oh, you totally can eat that. It’s totally fine. No one will know if you do it this one time. Right. We’re eliminating that. And then a number five is attitude for gratitude. And what I mean by that is once you complete all this, then you get to spend yourself reflection. You get to be like, wow, like I’m really grateful for my awareness. Like, I’m a powerful person. Like I love that. This just created another day of freedom for me. And it’s an inspiration to my son and to my wife and I’m capable. Like I believe in myself, I’m super grateful that I made that decision and that’s the full circle of it all. And that that’s literally like the core of what I teach people because everybody wants, want tangible. Right? They always want to be like, you make a mistake or you upset someone or you make a bad choice.
You’re like, great. How can I fix it? Right. When you get into fixing things, you’re putting bandaids on a problem and you’re going to keep creating the same problem because you’re not really healing, what’s underneath it. And so this is a way for you to look at things and relate to them and realize that you’re not a bad person or I’m not a bad person. And I don’t have to have fault, blame, guilt, or shame. It just is. And when you start seeing things is just, is that’s where I tell you that people don’t change. You just become enlightened. And you’re like, wow. Like, Oh, okay. I had a really stressful day at work. I’m driving home in the car. You’re like, wow. I really, really, really want to eat something bad, but I know better. I’m aware that I have that trigger. I’ve accepted that. That’s, that’s a part of where I’ve been right now. I’m going to choose to take action in a different manner. And what happens is you end up training yourself that the triggers that once caused a sabotaging behavior or even anger, outbursts, or sadness or disconnection or exclusion now cause you into action to create the exact opposite. So you end up creating connection, you eat healthy meals, you treat excitement and joy and motivation. And you are literally using that formula, creating a roadmap for your success in your life.
This is all super powerful stuff, George. And I love what you’re saying there. It’s kind of like Aubrey Marcus says, you know, you are not your thoughts as the observer of your thoughts. Like don’t think that just because you think that that doesn’t have to become a reality, you have the power to choose and observe those thoughts from a distance and say, Hey, this thought this is, this is what’s happening. This is why I’m thinking this way because of this. And I can choose to go down that path or I could change my thoughts and, and change my, my reality. Um, so it’s super,
Yeah. I just recorded a video and obviously we’re both friends with Aubrey. I love Aubrey. We have some deep conversations about this stuff, but like I just recorded a video the other day called, um, your actions, define your character, not your thoughts. And it’s awesome. And it’s really a Testament because if I let you into my brain, you would think that I was a convoluted, egotistical, worst human being on the planet. And then I had no self confidence. All I thought was I was a failure because those are the thoughts that run through my brain on a daily basis. What I choose to do with those is say, I’m going to prove you wrong. Let’s go. I got this. Right. And so I look at it as a, when we have thoughts, those thoughts are there serve our greater purpose or they serve our future. They don’t. And like, I teach people, myself included and people laugh at me, but like, I’ll be sitting on the couch with my wife and my daughter. And like last night I was reading tools of the Titans from Tim Ferriss. Right. I’m reading,
It’s a short book. At least it’s a reference
Like you don’t have to read it straight through. It’s just like, pick your, pick your path. And I’m sitting there. And I was reading about, um, Wim Hoff, which I do cold thermogenesis then therapy, just like you can do. And, um, I got to a point and I read something and rather than being inspired by it, I had a thought that I was like, yeah, but I’m not doing it at that level. I’m just a failure. And then I literally had that thought and I said out loud, cancel. And, uh, my wife looked at me and my daughter looked at me and they’re like, what did you canceling? Like I had a bad thought. And, but I will physically like say the word, cancel, and then I’ll replace it with a good one because I want to bring forward thoughts that support me and where I’m going. Then make me the best version. Like I say, educate, empower, and inspire myself and other people. And then the ones that don’t, I’m telling myself, like, I’m the boss. I cancel you. Like, I don’t want to think that thought again, like cancel. And so like some days I’ll say cancel like 643 times.
I know I love it though, because all this stuff is so true and so powerful, but people overlook it and they just think, Oh, this is just the way it is. This is the way I am. But if you apply these small little things that you’re talking about in your life, it will change your life. And so that’s why I love what you do with your hugs and bacon tribe. And, you know, for example, you touched on the five A’s and now you’re not just a food blogger anymore. Right. You’ve, you’ve definitely evolved from there. But tell us about the hugs of big and tribe really quick and what that entails, because I think people would love to hear about that a little bit more.
Totally. And here’s where I bridged the gap, what I, what I came to realize it. And you get this now because your journey, like, I think your journey and what you did is amazing. I know you should never do it again, by the way
You did it. Well, don’t do it.
I have other trainers doing it on your television show because that’s been my opinion. Um, but one of the things that I realized drew, and you and I have talked about this at length, and I think you can, you can relate to this and I’m going to ask you a question. But one of the things that I realized is that food is a really a catalyst for how we view our life. And so what I started realizing is that how we view food is basically how we view our life. And so if you look at somebody’s diet or you look at the choices that they make, typically, if they’re making certain choices, it correlates with a feeling about themselves. And so what I’m, what I mean by that is like, let’s say, um, Hey, drew, I’m going to go ketogenic for 30 days. Right. And on, on, on day, like 17, I’m like, you know, I’m tired.
Just this one time. It’s totally okay. If I have carbs, most people are going to be like, okay. And I will tell you not to punish yourself. Don’t beat yourself up. And you get to make that choice where I get into the gray areas when people are like, it’s just this one time. And they justify it rather than owning it. Because what that means to me is that when they have a deadline for work or when they have a commitment in their family, or even a commitment to their children, when they get tired, that their feelings actually way more than their commitments. Right. And so I’m assuming when you were losing your weight again, there were days where you had those same thoughts and you’re like, Oh, I could just do it this one time. Like I did this for six months, like, weren’t they gonna make a big difference. Right. And I don’t know if you ever struggled, like, I don’t know if there were days on your, on your weight loss journey where you actually did cave in, did you
There, I’m trying to think that if there were, I don’t think there was because, and I’ll tell you why, because I have those moments of where I just wanted to so bad. I just wanted my cinnamon toast crunch, walking through the grocery store, or I was at a party and I’m like, you know, at a Christmas party, I did have scheduled, you know, treat meals, if you will, like around Christmas time, I’m like, I’m going to have a little bit. Um, but trust me, there was times where I wanted to give in, but here’s what kept me going, was the accountability to my followers that were, they were doing this journey with me and I couldn’t let them down. Like I was doing it. And they, the power of accountability through them helps me during those situations. And so, which is why
I, you know, I, I did say accountability is like part of the A’s I, but basically, and I think, I think you can. Okay. So let’s the beginning of your journey, right? When you started your bingeing, I’m sure you noticed that when you started, when you let go of, okay, I have to eat regimented, like I can eat everything I want. I’m sure you noticed that in other areas of your life, you had the thoughts that it would be okay to let it go at some point.
Yes. And I do nowadays. I do. Even now, you know where I’m just like, you know what, it’s a Friday night. I don’t have my kids, um, why not open this up? Or have like some, some kind of treat. Totally, totally.
And that’s not a bad thing, but what I think happens is the reason I say how we relate to food is how we relate to everything is because we eat so many times a day and we do so much in our life that we become disconnected from that journey. And so when we start making justifications and one offs with food, we don’t realize that we’re actually like programming our subconscious to make it okay. Everywhere. Like it’s okay. If I don’t take out the trash, this timer, it’s okay. If I don’t wash the dishes right now, you know what I mean? And like, those things start snowballing. And so that’s why I think awareness and self awareness specifically is one of the biggest things. Because when you can make a small change anywhere, whether you commit to, you know, 30 days of drinking, more water or 30 days of going for a one mile walk, you’ll notice that when people make those commitments and drew, I know, you know, this, they don’t just succeed in that one area.
They end up shifting their whole life. Like, you’re like, Oh, they lost 30 pounds. I’m like, yeah. But I have a better relationship with my husband. And my boss thinks I’m more productive and I get so much more done around the house and they can never figure out why. Like I hate them all the time. Right. They’re like, yeah. Uh, I tried to do this and I, I did what you said. I set a small goal, but somehow I lost 21 pounds. And I don’t understand why. And I’m like, well, because you focused on small tan, tangible changes, and you have accountability and a plan, which are the two things you need to succeed. You change your way of being. And when you are being the person that it takes to stick to a habit or a commitment for 30 days, you have to be that person everywhere, congruently, which is what creates the results. So that’s why I break it down for people. And I’ll talk about the tribe right now. That’s why I break it down for people that try. Because if you’re like, if drew, if Drew’s like, Hey, George, uh, I want to run an ultra marathon tomorrow and I’ve never run. I’m gonna be like, great. I’m not going to be like, go run a hot, mine’s
Not right.
And then you’re like, Oh, what, how am I going to even train for that? And so when we look at that end result, we get super overwhelmed. I’m like, well, that’s going to take a year. You’re like, Oh, I don’t have a year. Right. Hey, okay, cool. I’m like, what if I told you, you could run an ultra marathon. If you just gave me 10 minutes a day, you’re like, Oh, I can give you 10 minutes a day. I don’t have to tell you how long it’s going to be. You just give me 10 minutes a day. And so what we do is we break those things down, but we pick an area that you’re passionate about or that you can focus on and you commit to it. And then you give it your all, and you don’t worry about all the other stuff. Like you, don’t worry about if you’re trying to lose a hundred pounds, like if you lose 10 quicker than 15, or if you lose two right now, you just focus on changing something in your life, changing a part of your routine or your habit and creating discipline that will lead to the habits around you.
Having those results. Like that’s, that’s what creates like billionaires in this world. Like let’s lose money cause everyone loves money, right? There’s a reason why Zuckerberg wears the same outfit every day. There’s that Warren buffet eats at McDonald’s every morning. I don’t think it’s healthy. They have their habits and those habits and that discipline equals their freedom because discipline does equal freedom. And so what I tell people is like, you don’t have to be overwhelmed anymore. Part of the journey of wherever it is you’re going, because we have people in our tribe that, um, I have someone that wants to write a book, right. And this is a perfect example and that I know I’m blogging. I’m sorry. I just have,
Yeah.
Someone that wants to write a book and she’s been working on this book for about a year and a half and she joined the tribe and she joined the tribe to help herself lose weight and eat better. Right. What happened was, is in the last month and a half, she has written 240 pages of this book. And now has a literary agent ready to have a manuscript to, to edit within the next month. And she had only written 10 pages in the previous year. And she came to me and she’s like, George, I don’t know how I did this. I’m like I do. And she’s like, what do you mean? I’m like, you didn’t just start eating better. You changed who you were being. You made a commitment and you follow through with it, not based on your feelings, but what happened is it trickled out into your life?
And so why I started the hugs and bacon tribe and why I call it hugs and bacon is because I tell people that we teach you how to turn your limitations and struggles into hugs and bacon. I, uh, educating, empowering and inspiring you to live a life that you love. And so it, it is definitely my it’s my baby. It’s, it’s my passion because I basically I’ve recorded over a hundred video lessons. We have a 302 page journal, which takes you step by step. Um, for six months on designing and living a life that you love by creating small habits at a time, all well, developing powerful. I am statements about yourself, finding your why, and what makes you tick creating smart goals and habits, teaching how to overcome adversities and challenges using the five A’s that I taught you with the worksheet and the video to go with it.
Then we have my four rules of life, which means you can’t have blame, guilt, or shame. We text you every day with motivational text messages. We have 12 months a meal plans. We have a fiber spoke group. Like we have everything. Plus we have two live coaching calls every single week. And then I bring an expert in every month, which drew is going to be one of them. And I have the experts do live Q and A’s with all of the members and answer their questions specifically for what they need and what they want. And this is all on a membership site that you can use on your phone. The journal alone is probably worth a lifetime of awesomeness. Um, but yeah, and so what I, what I figured out is that we can take people from all walks of life. And by simply breaking down the belief system that you have about the world, like I’m not good enough, or I can’t lose weight or I’m injured and removing those powerful statements from your language and canceling them out and being like I’m capable of anything.
I set my mind to. I deserve to be healthy and skinny. And then as we rebuild those beliefs, giving you your purpose, teaching you what you love about yourself and teaching you how to carry yourself and teaching you your why and teaching on how powerful you are. And to believe in yourself, we transform you in a matter of days. And plus we have the accountability to go with it. Where every day you get to post, you have people that encourage you and support you. It is impossible not to succeed when you are surrounded by so much positivity. And I don’t, I think that describes it the best true cause you’re in it, like Drew’s in it. So, um, he’s in it with me and they’ll go, you go.
Here’s what I love about it is, and I’m a huge believer in this now is, is if you can fix people on the mental and emotional side, the physical side will follow right over time. Maybe not in a week or two, like they’re expecting, but instead of just focusing on the physical, when the mental and emotional side is still struggling. And that’s what I mean when I tell people like, just because you’re skinny doesn’t mean you’re going to be happier just because you hit your goal weight, doesn’t equate to happiness. You have to fix that mental, emotional side. So that’s what you’re doing with hugs and bacon. And that’s why I love it because you, you walk the walk and you, your story is what inspires other people. Cause you’ve been there. You’ve done that. You felt it you’ve experienced it. And now here you are telling people, this is how you get through this and it’s possible. And here’s hundreds of other people that are doing it with you too, you know, surrounding them with positivity.
And I’m going to give a disclaimer. So everybody listening, we’re going to give you a link in a minute and I’m going to give all of you a 14 day free trial, which means you can come, you can download the journal, get your feet wet. Watch the first 14 lessons play, play as big as you want. You’re going to fall in love with me. I promise. And here’s my disclaimer. My disclaimer is, is that like I cry on live stream. Like this is real life for me. Um, and that’s, that’s one of the things that separates me and why I do what I do is because it’s mommy journey and I have triggers just like everybody else. And rather than me running away, I’ve learned that my therapy is turning the camera on and sharing my journey with you. And so it’s always evolving and always growing. And it’s really designed, um, to teach us that authenticity and vulnerability are the keys to winning and drew. And I had lots of conversations in person. I think when I met drew, I basically gave drew all my darkest dirtiest scariest moments in one moment. And I’m like, Hey, take it or leave it. This is who I am.
It’s like, he’s like,
Dude, I love you. I’m like, Oh, we have a same birthday. Let’s be friends. Right?
Vulnerability breeds, vulnerability that’s.
And I think that’s where a connection comes from as well, because it’s, we are vulnerable. We create the space for people to connect with us, which allows you to experience how much number one, you love yourself, how amazing you are, but then you also get to experience other people and their power and in their passion and you get to help other people on their journey. And this is what I say. There’s I think it’s a Vince Lombardi quote, where he said the man on top of the mountain didn’t fall there. Yeah. And I edited it. I said, the man on top of the mountain didn’t fall there, but it also gets lonely. So you might as well bring everyone else with you.
I love that, man. That is so good.
So the way that I tell everyone that comes in the tribe and by the way, guys, just so you know, that free trial is only $27 a month after. And you can cancel any time. Like, just, just to be honest with you, your membership site, and there is everything that you could ever imagine, probably too much information, which I’m totally okay with. But what I tell everybody is that I will not push you and I will not pull you, but I will walk side by side, but he would hold your hand. But it’s up to you to take the first step. It is your journey to walk and it is your path to take. And it is unique. It will not look like anyone else’s, but it will be yours to own and to grow. And when you can take that ownership and you can take that first step, and if you’re listening right now and you’re ready to take that first step, just like nod your head up and down.
I don’t know, snap your fingers. A couple of times, give yourself some sort of physical acknowledgement that you’re ready to do it. But when you take that first step and you do it with your passion and tact and you discover your why, and you realize that commitment is not feelings you will have and create a life that you love. And it may look different than anything you’ve ever envisioned because you’re going to uncover new things. But the thoughts and the actions that have gotten you to the point where you are in your life today, need to be completely different if you want to go somewhere else.
Amen. So, uh, can you tell us what the link is? And then also, where can people find you and then we’ll do a quick lightning round. Yeah, totally. I should probably talk a little bit, I guess,
Really easy for you. The link is hugs and bacon.com/drew. So it’s hugs and then a N d.com/drew. And if you don’t know how to spell juror’s name, it’s D R E w. So it’s hugs and bacon.com/drew. And for me, uh, my social media name is civilized caveman. I live stream all the time. Facebook is probably the best place. And, uh, I’ll see you guys in the tribe is a good place, but civilize came out on Instagram, civilized caveman on Facebook, and then go to hugs and bacon.com/drew. And you’ll have your 14 day free trial there where you have access to absolutely everything. And, uh, I like with open arms, like I know people that listen to your podcast, you and everybody listening right now. I know that the caliber and the quality of people that you are because you follow drew and drew someone that I respect and look up to and admire, and anybody who is in this space and takes the time to listen this far.
I know it was an amazing, and so whatever it is you have in your life, but do you want to lose weight? Whether you want it better, whether you want to get a raise at your job, whether you want to be more committed in your relationships, whether you just want to create a new habit that will set you up to win. That’s what I love about the tribe is it’s not unique to your weight loss or eating better. It’s about you as a person and you can have and create whatever you want. And so it’s almost like pick your dessert, whichever one that you would like to eat and not eat at the same time. And that is what we will give to you.
That’s awesome. And what’s the name of your cookbook?
Oh, my cookbook is the paleo kitchen. Um, Amazon is the cheapest place because Barnes and noble has like a 50% markup on those.
Yeah. Um, okay. Really quick before we go yours, first of all, this is an awesome, awesome episode. This is probably one of my favorite episodes to do just, and I didn’t even say a whole lot. I just sat here and listen. Um, okay. What do you remember when you started blogging? You created your blog. Do you remember what your first recipe that you posted with? Oh, yes, yes I do. And this, this, this
I’m gonna let you into my life. The first recipe I posted was chocolate chip cookies
Using what, as the flowers, was it paleo food or,
Yeah, it was paleo. It was paleo, but it was Allmond flower at the time. It was an almond flour, chocolate chip cookie. The, my first recipe on this paleo health blog overcoming an eating disorder was chocolate chip.
That’s so funny. What are your, what are your top three recipes of all time that you’ve posted that are the most popular? Yeah,
I got them right off the top of my head and I would give them in the order that everybody else thinks are the most popular as well. So the number one, um, is the crockpot pulled pork, uh, by far actually I think over two and a half million people have seen that recipe Crock-Pot pulled pork. And then the second one is my paleo banana bread, which is just over 2 million people as well. And that thing actually has 2,205 star reviews. Um, so the paleo banana bread, and then the third one is a new one, which is right on my homepage on civilized, caveman.com. It’s actually my crockpot Buffalo chicken. Um, it’s so, so simple. It’s literally a chicken breast with some hot sauce and grass fed butter. And then I teach you on that post, how to use a hand mixer to stretch your meat.
So you don’t have to do it like with, with forks or tongs. We use the hand mixer and it shreds your meat perfectly into like literally shredded chicken. So people use that and then we made like sliders with it and then like, let us wraps or however it is you eat, but it’s so simple. And, um, we use that as like our go, I forgot to make dinner meal. Let’s make dinner in the next, like 25 minutes or so. Um, and so that’s, that’s the other one. So yeah, so it’s a crockpot pulled pork and then paleo banana bread and then the crockpot Buffalo chicken. Okay. And are you doing all these kind of crazy experiments with yourself? Uh, will you ever drink coffee again? Yes, I will drink off in two days. Okay. So you’re taking a break from it from a, today is day 29.
And so I’ve done, I’m doing a 30 day, no coffee challenge, wake up at 4:00 AM and take an ice bath every day. Um, and so far I will be keeping the 4:00 AM and I will be keeping the ice bath. And I’m going to start back with decaf because it’s really interesting what happened with my body. Like just the smell of coffee doesn’t even sound the same, like smell the same for me anymore. Um, but I definitely have more prolonged sustained energy throughout the day. And I was addicted to coffee. I’m not going to lie. I was having three to four cups a day and I’m not talking like home cops. I’m talking by at a coffee shop cups, the largest, right. There was a, there was a problem there you can’t tell by the way, I have an addictive personality. And so I was like one of those situations as well.
Uh, I was like, I’m going to give up coffee now. I didn’t have any health reasons to, and everyone’s like, why are you giving it up? And why are you taking ice baths? And I tell everybody it’s because I don’t want to. And so I live in this state now that if I have this thought about something and then I’m like, no, no, no, don’t do that. I’m like, Oh, that means I need to do that. Because for some reason it’s pushing me outside of my comfort zone and there’s a reason I need to do it, but I’m not going to die when I take coffee out. Right. Like I saved myself about 30 minutes a day and probably eight bucks a day. I’m just in commuting gas, going to the coffee shop in time by not having it. And it wasn’t serving my bigger vision.
And so now I’m like, wow, now I see my relationship with coffee because I removed myself from it. And I’m like, wow, that’s interesting. So as I add it back, I’m like, I’m going to make sure that I add it back in a manner that supports my goals. Do I really need to spend 45 minutes driving to a coffee shop a couple of times a day? Or can I use that 45 minutes to workout or prep meals or be a better father or a better husband or a better businessman. And so that’s kinda how I look at everything. It’s just this constant state of improvement. And, and I think that’s like how I would want to end with everybody. Cool, man, can I, can I get my closing one? So the four, the four rules that I teach in the tribe are no fault, no blame, no guilt and no shame.
And why I do that is because when you make choices in your life, those choices will create results, but they don’t define your future because you can always choose differently. But in order to learn from them, you have to look at them objectively, you can’t blame yourself. You can’t feel bad and wrong. You can’t beat yourself up, but you look at them and then you’re like, Hey, what worked? What didn’t work? And what can I do differently next time? And so if you live your constant, your life constantly in that state, realizing that every day is your destination, you can make all day. You’re like,
Hey, I did this. I really didn’t like it tomorrow. I’m gonna choose differently. Or, Hey, I did this and I loved that tomorrow. I’m going to do it again. That’s where you start to find the gratitude and the value and the passion and drive to live life. And that’s how you will create the results. Realizing that it’s day by day, not trying to reach some finish line that doesn’t exist 25 years from now. That’s the perfect way to end right there. Mike drop. That’s awesome. George man. Thank you so much for coming on. I will have you back on in the future, just cause there’s so many other things that we couldn’t touch on two at a time, but, um, I appreciate you coming on. Everybody, go check out his hugs and bacon tribe and get your 14 day free trial, that link hugs and bacon.com for slash drew. So thanks once again, George, we, we, I appreciate you. We all appreciate you. Thank you for everything you do. Thank you so much for having me. And I will talk to you guys too.
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Thank you guys for listening to today’s episode. I really hope you enjoyed this episode with George Bryant and you learned something from this. This was a super powerful emotional episode, I think will change so many people’s lives. If we can just share it with those people who might be impacted by what George had to say. So share this this episode with friends, with Fram, with family, with anybody you think that will benefit from, from listening to it. It’s such a powerful episode. Also, if you don’t mind, please leave us a review on iTunes. Give us a review, whether it’s five stars or one star, I don’t care. It’s all good, but you know, if you enjoy it, please leave us a five star review. Tell us what you love about it. I would appreciate you guys’ comments on there. We want to keep this podcast going, because I think it’s a great Avenue to deliver this type of high quality content because so many people love listening to podcasts and super popular.
And so we want to keep the show going. So please continue to share. And, and you never know whose life might be impacted by one of these episodes. So I appreciate you guys. Please stay in touch with me on social media at fit to fat, to fit.com. Uh, all my social media handles are at fit fit. My book is as fit to fat to fit as well. And please show some love to our show sponsors. Like I said, Organifi, check them out. organifi.com. Use my code fit two fat to fit for a 20% discount for Sigmatic. These medicinal mushrooms that I’m in love with definitely showed them some love as well. Use the code fit at checkout for 10% off and DNX bars. As D as in Delta, N as in Nancy and X, the bars, you can get them on Amazon prime and, um, yeah. Show them some love you guys. I appreciate you guys tuning in once again. We’ll see you guys back here on the fit to fat to fit experience podcast next week with another great episode.
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