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The Expedition is a journey into thoughts, opinions, ideas, observations, studies, facts, figures, etc.

Good ones, bad ones, insightful ones, dumb ones, and ones you can use to live better.

It’s a roundup of all the worthwhile stuff I’ve encountered in the last month. The Expedition is a bit of an island of misfit toys. But, hey, the greatest journeys are winding.

This month, we’re covering:

• Numbers on:
• Who commits suicide and why.
• The amount of pushups that reduces heart disease risk.
• Money, marriage, and happiness.
• Who wins marathons.
• How changing the speed of videos impacts information retention.
• The truth about expensive treadmills.
• How much time we spend online.
• A wild and clever three-part challenge.
• A fun read about ChatGPT and its propensity for bullshit.
• A thought-provoking read on a surprising source of a hidden health threat.
• How to survive—and thrive—this Godforsaken heatwave.
• A wild map on weight changes.
• A tough, fantastic workout I did while traveling recently.
• An important parting quote.
• An even more important parting question.

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Michael recently gave a talk on mental toughness. Today, he's covering some points from that talk including:

• The conflicting and ambiguous research on mental toughness.
• How I think about mental toughness in a way I and others have found useful.
• Three of my favorite fundamentals of mental toughness and how to build it.

The result: You'll be able to accomplish more and perform better—all with less stress.

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We are a culture awash in hacks to optimize our way to wellness. But the data shows quick fixes aren't working—we’re actually not getting happier or healthier.

Taking the hard road of mastering something new and difficult—no matter your age—is more likely to improve your health and happiness. It can even add years to your life.

This is the core of the 2% philosophy and at the center of a fantastic new book I recommend, called NOT TOO LATE.

The book's author, Gwendolyn Bounds, went from a desk-bound exec glued to her computer to a competitive obstacle course racer starting in her late 40s. And she got good at it. Very good

In today's episode, she explains why we should all strive to try new, challenging things—and get really good at them. It's especially important for people over 40.

Have fun, don't die. TWOPCT.com

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This month's Gear Not Stuff reveals 15 of Michael's favorite travel items. They've kept him alive and made his journeys better from Baghdad to Brussels.

We'll start by exploring the difference between gear and stuff. Remember:

Stuff is a possession for the sake of it. Gear, on the other hand, has a clear purpose of helping us achieve a higher purpose. Gear is a tool we can use to have better experiences that make us healthier and give our lives meaning.

Then we'll dive into the 15 travel gear items.

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Being more authentic is one of the best things you can do for your health and well-being. More authentic people have better mental health, reach their goals, are more satisfied with life, and even better at sales.

That's why it pays (literally) to be more authentic. Today, we're revealing a test you can take to measure how you fare in each of the components of authenticity.

Once you have your individual results, we'll explain four ways to improve. The results: You can begin living true to yourself—better and freer.

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Michael explores lessons from the life of Bill Walton—mainly, how important it is to live true to yourself.

Being true to yourself is arguably the most important thing you can do to have a life well lived. This episode dives into the philosophy, art, and science of living true to yourself.

Then it explores five ways to live authentically.

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Michael reveals 43 incredible books that are favorites of Members of 2%.

• I just finished a 50-mile ruck in Normandy, France, for the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
• It was an incredible experience. A marriage of effort and experience to commemorate an act that 80 years ago saved the world.
• I'll cover six lessons in mindset, fitness, and living well I learned along the way.

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