Create a Spartan Mindset

Every Monday, straight out of my kickboxing training, I go right behind the camera and speak what's on my mind. The mind is clear after hard training. No AI, no editing, and no script. In this week's edition, I touch on using an uncomfortable situation as an excuse to take action and perform. If you want the result, the rules are set: Inputs equal result.Different input gets you different results; don't bend the rules and expect the same as someone who doesn't. You know what you have to do!

Everything has a price, a sentence you hear a lot nowadays. But how does this apply to your life? In this article, I will give you my take on it. Daily the effects are not that visible. I talk a lot about the power of being consistent to able to build skills, build a happy life, etc. This is what I call making investments because you invest in something. Paying the price can be two things: either you do something too much or don’t do anything. Let me explain I also wrote an article about this which you can find here: https://michaelawad.io/everything-has-a-price/ If you like this content, go to the blog, where I post new articles regularly : https://michaelawad.io/

There are people and successful businesses that are growing and always seem to do well. As almost if they know something we don’t. A secret and that there is this one big thing that made them successful. So is there a secret? I also wrote an article about this which you can find here: https://michaelawad.io/appreciate-the-process/ If you like this content, go to the blog, where I post new articles regularly : https://michaelawad.io/

MVP is a term used within Agile SCRUM; it means minimal viable product. It means you deliver a very minimal version of the product, with a limited amount of effort invested. A requirement is that it is a product that an actual customer can use. This way, you can test what the users want with relatively small effort, and you have a base product you can expand. So how can you apply this to your life? I also wrote an article about this which you can find here: https://michaelawad.io/what-is-mvp-mindset-and-how-can-you-apply-it-to-your-life/ If you like this content, go to the blog, where I post new articles regularly : https://michaelawad.io/

Nowadays, you see a lot of people starting blogs, myself included. How can you stay motivated and keep going? In this podcast, I explain why you should write articles about things you love and how to stay motivated. I will also share what you should prevent. I also wrote an article about this which you can find here: https://michaelawad.io/why-you-should-start-writing-articles-about-the-things-you-love/ If you like this content, go to the blog, where I post new articles regularly : https://michaelawad.io/

When you start with a new project or this big feature you need to start working on, you think by yourself: Where do I start? There are techniques for this, which the title is already giving away, but what if I told applying the same thing to this big thing called life will help you grow and move things to the next level? Let’s dive into it. To handle a big project or task, you need to think about the next action. What is the next smallest possible action I can complete? I also wrote an article about this which you can find here: https://michaelawad.io/be-hyper-productive-and-grow-with-next-action-thinking/ If you like this content go to the blog, where I post new articles regularly : https://michaelawad.io/

Welcome to another episode of the Create a Spartan mindset podcast. Unlock maximum productivity with 'Create a Spartan Mindset'. Discover a day-in-the-life routine optimized for success – from cold showers for mental clarity to kettle bell workouts that supercharge energy. Dive into effective meditation techniques, find balance with family time, and get tips on evening tasks management. Whether you're searching for ways to boost daily productivity, cultivate a stronger mindset, or strike a balance between work and personal life, this episode is your guide. Subscribe and embrace the Spartan lifestyle for peak performance every day I also wrote an article about this which you can find here: https://michaelawad.io/daily-routine-for-maximum-programming-productivity/ If you like this content go to the blog, where I post new articles regularly : https://michaelawad.io/

Welcome to another episode of the Create a Spartan mindset podcast. This is going to sound paradoxical. You are a high performer and you want to do things as efficiently as possible. The question is: Is being efficient beneficial to you in the long run? Some call it the path of least resistance. What if I told you I think the most beneficial for you is not being efficient. Taking the path of MOST resistance. A famous story from Greek mythology tells us about Hercules. He took the path of most resistance and ended up as a god I also wrote an article about this which you can find here: https://michaelawad.io/take-the-path-of-most-resistance/ If you like this content go to the blog, where I post new articles regularly : https://michaelawad.io/

Welcome to another episode of the Create a Spartan mindset podcast. The short version of the story is as follows: A farmer had a goose that one day began to lay golden eggs. Which he could sell for a lot of money. But he got greedy and thought if the goose laid gold eggs there must be gold inside. So he decided that evening to cut the goose open to check if there was any gold inside. Unfortunately, there was no gold inside and the goose was dead, no more golden eggs. So what is to be learned from this story? I also wrote an article about this which you can find here: https://michaelawad.io/the-goose-that-laid-golden-eggs/ If you like this content go to the blog, where I post new articles regularly : https://michaelawad.io/

Welcome to another episode of the Create a Spartan mindset podcast. When someone says something you think is mean and you feel the urge to say something back which is emotionally charged. That is the moment where an opportunity presents itself to find growth and process traumas from the past that are still bothering you.   I also wrote an article about this which you can find here: https://michaelawad.io/use-emotional-triggers-to-grow/ If you like this content go to the blog, where I post new articles regularly : https://michaelawad.io/

Welcome to another episode of the Create a Spartan mindset podcast.  Last summer, I completed the regular 75hard program. Which was a great experience for me. It put me in a flow state where I just kept executing. I didn’t feel the need for the next phase until the holiday season, I noticed I wasn’t as productive as earlier. So I decided to start phase 1 of the 75hard program. In this episode I go into detail, talking about my experiences and take on this challenge. I also wrote an article about this which you can find here:  https://michaelawad.io/andy-frisella-75-hard-challenge-phase-1 If you like this content go to the blog, where I post new articles regularly : https://michaelawad.io/ Here you can find more information about the challenge: https://andyfrisella.com/pages/75hard-info

Welcome to another episode of the Create a Spartan mindset podcast. Restrictions equal freedom, sounds like a paradox right? It can give you even more than that; purpose, direction. Let me explain in this episode. Be sure to read the article about this on the blog: https://michaelawad.io/how-restrictions-give-you-freedom/ If you like this content go to the blog, where I post new articles regularly : https://michaelawad.io/

Welcome to another episode of the Create a Spartan mindset podcast. In this first episode, I discuss what I mean by enlightenment and how to use that to get into a constant cycle of improvement. Read the full article here: https://michaelawad.io/how-to-get-into-a-constant-self-improvement-cycle/ If you like this content go to the blog, where I post new articles regularly : https://michaelawad.io/

Is Goku really the hero of Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super?In this deep character analysis, we explore the darker psychology behind Goku’s obsession with fighting, power levels, and constant growth. While most fans see him as a pure-hearted Saiyan warrior, this breakdown challenges that belief.We analyze:- The hidden motivation behind Goku’s fights- Why Goku lets enemies power up- The psychology of Super Saiyan transformations- Goku vs Vegeta ego vs existential fear- The dark side of self-improvement and “never enough” mentality- Why modern men relate to Goku’s drive Is Goku truly saving the world, or is he addicted to becoming stronger?From Dragon Ball Z to Dragon Ball Super, Goku has consistently chosen battle over peace. But what does that say about his identity?This isn’t just an anime breakdown.This is a psychological analysis of Goku’s mindset — and how it mirrors today’s obsession with growth, discipline, and leveling up.If you’re interested in:Dragon Ball analysisAnime psychologyGoku character studySaiyan mentalitySelf-improvement mindsetDark anime breakdownsYou’re in the right place.

Vegeta is one of the strongest characters in anime, yet he is never satisfied.No matter how much he trains. No matter how many battles he wins. It is never enough.In this video, we break down Vegeta through the lens of **Jungian psychology and the concept of the Shadow, the part of ourselves we reject but secretly obey.This is about:- Why relentless self-improvement can feel empty - Why ambition is often driven by shame, not purpose - Why “never enough” keeps men stuck in constant comparison - And how true strength comes from integration, not domination If you’ve ever felt:- Driven but unsatisfied - Strong but restless - Disciplined but disconnected This video is for you.Topics covered- Vegeta and the Jungian Shadow - The psychology behind “never enough” - Masculine identity and self-worth - Power vs self-acceptance - Why discipline alone doesn’t heal What are *you* still trying to prove and to who

You don’t have an anger problem. You have a control problem.Bruce Banner isn’t dangerous because he’s angry. He’s dangerous because he tried to erase a part of himself.In this video, we break down:- Why suppressing anger creates a shadow- How Jung’s psychology explains Hulk- Why controlled men often explode later- And what this means for your own self-masteryThis is not about becoming calm. It’s about becoming whole.

Kratos didn’t defeat his anger.He learned to command it.This video breaks down how Stoic discipline turns rage into restraint and why responsibility changes everything.In God of War (2018), Kratos faces a harder enemy than gods or monsters:his past self.Through the lens of Stoic philosophy and Carl Jung, this video explores:Why suppressing anger makes it stronger How discipline transforms rage into restraint What Kratos teaches Atreus (Loki) about manhood Why responsibility and not power is the real transformation Kratos doesn’t change for redemption.He changes because someone is watching.“For you have power over your mind, not outside events.Realize this, and you will find strength.”Marcus AureliusThis video is for men navigating responsibility, fatherhood,and the tension between who they were and who they must become.0:00 - Introduction0:51 - Act 1: THE OLD KRATOS: A MAN OWNED BY HIS SHADOW1:50 - Act 2: HELHEIM: CONFRONTING THE UNINTEGRATED SELF2:46 - Act 3: THE WARRIOR REFINED 3:26 - Act 4: BECOMING A FATHER: THE TRUE TRIAL FOR KRATOS4:25 - Act 5: STOICISM IN ACTION BY KRATOS5:05 - Act 6: WHY THIS RESONATES WITH MEN TODAY5:50 - Final Act: Conclusion

Most people believe that power always comes with a dark side. According to Carl Jung, that belief is exactly what creates inner conflict.Monkey D. Luffy is different. He doesn’t suppress anger. He doesn’t deny aggression. He doesn’t moralize power. And that’s why he doesn’t have a shadow in the way most people do. In this video, we explore Monkey D. Luffy through the lens of Jungian psychology and explain why his strength feels unsettling, dangerous, and strangely pure at the same time.This is a psychological archetype, not an anime breakdown.Topics covered:– Carl Jung’s concept of the shadow– Why repression creates inner conflict– Power without guilt– Why Luffy feels “dark” without being evil– What modern men get wrong about discipline and dangerIf you’re interested in psychology, stoicism, self-mastery, and archetypal strength, this video is for you.0:00 - 0:27 Introduction0:27 - 0:56 Jung's Shadow The Real Meaning0:56 - 1:20 How the shadow is born1:20 - 1:51 Breaking the patterns1:51 - 2:15 Jung's Interpretation2:15 - 2:44 Why Luffy feels dark to us2:44 - 3:07 Power without guilt3:07 - 3:39 The modern lesson

People think strength needs to be shown. Khabib proved the opposite.This video explains modern-day stoicism through behavior and shows you how real control is built under pressure.0:00 - 0:30 Introduction0:30 - 1:04 What Stoic Strength Actually is1:04 - 1:34 Why Most People get this wrong1:34 - 2:08 Why Khabib stayed calm in chaos2:08 - 2:32 performing2:32 - 2:59 Delay reaction2:59 - 3:16 Let results speak 3:16 - 3:46 CONCLUSION

Carl Jung warned that what you don’t integrate will eventually control you.In this video, you’ll learn what dark energy really is, why suppressing it always backfires, and how to integrate your shadow without losing control. This is a practical, clear explanation of Jung’s Shadow.0:00 - 0:35 You have dark energy0:35 - 1:07 Dark Energy AKA The Shadow1:07 - 1:55 Why suppression or explosion fails 1:55 - 2:27 How to control it - Step 1: Notice it2:27 - 3:00 How to control it - Step 2: Hold it before acting3:00 - 3:36 How to control it - Step 3: Aim it on purpose3:36 - 4:05 How to control it - Step 4: Use it, don't become it4:05 - 4:31 Conlcusion