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First Things THRST

First Things THRST

Written by: Mike Thurston
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About this listen

‘First Things THRST’ is a weekly masterclass that explores the secrets and experiences of entrepreneurs and content creators from across the globe. Each episode is unfiltered and guided by the premise of leaving no stone unturned, which is accountable for the deep discussions into the backgrounds, hardships and confessions of my guests. My goal is simple, to share insights and fresh perspectives on topics like entrepreneurship, success and fitness. Join me on this exciting adventure, and I'm hoping you gain as much from these discussions as I do.

Mike Thurston
Economics Leadership Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • E124 - After Making $40M Online, This Is My Best Advice To Get Rich | Charlie Morgan
    Jan 11 2026

    » Produced by Hack You Media: pioneering a new category of content at the intersection of health performance, entrepreneurship and cognitive optimisation
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/
    Website: https://hackyou.media/


    Charlie Morgan dropped out of a business degree when he realised none of his lecturers had ever run companies, worked four jobs burning himself out to prove he wasn’t a failure, then discovered sales through an apprenticeship that changed everything.


    You’ll hear why he made his Academy completely free to create a moat no one can compete with, how Hormozi owns the truth about offers the same way Charlie now owns agency fundamentals, and what happens when you realise “passive income” means working 16 hours a day so you can make money while you sleep.


    Tune in for his take on systemising relationships with spreadsheets, why he told his girlfriend on the first date that work always comes first, and how building B2B software makes the info business look like a walk in the park.


    00:00 Introduction
    04:38 Making a free course as a moat against competitors
    07:00 The arms race of flex marketing and selling the dream
    10:39 How Tai Lopez and Lord Sugar nudged Charlie off the uni path
    16:42 Burning out after juggling four jobs and chasing redemption
    21:33 Becoming a PT and growing fast as a fitness OG on Instagram
    24:33 The viral Dubai video and its polarising reactions
    29:52 Why sudden wealth and no guardrails can derail your growth
    33:21 Realising nice things don’t equal happiness or fulfilment
    36:33 When you’re financially set in your 20s, then what?
    42:26 Turning obsession into output and how love for work evolves
    46:45 Gym as therapy, consistency, and reclaiming power through strength
    50:59 Content, gaming addiction, and transferring energy into building
    54:43 Saturation, short-form fatigue, and the trap of constant content
    59:32 Cancel culture fading and leaning more into your true self
    01:04:01 Collaborating with controversial guests and audience backlash
    01:08:08 Why negativity often hides insecurity
    01:18:40 Balancing work obsession with a relationship
    01:25:12 Kids, priorities, and choosing the right partner for legacy
    01:30:33 Making real friendships after success and the Dubai filter
    01:33:44 Is London really that bad? Life post-Dubai and recalibrating safety
    01:36:38 Building software to solve your own business pain points


    » Escape the 9-5 and build your dream life: https://www.digitalplaybook.net/
    » Transform your physique: https://www.thrstapp.com/
    » My clothing brand, THRST: https://thrstofficial.com
    » Custom Bioniq supplements: https://www.bioniq.com/mikethurston
    • 40% off your first month of Bioniq GO
    • 20% off your first month of Bioniq PRO


    » Join our newsletter for actionable insights from every episode:
    https://thrst-letter.beehiiv.com/

    » Join Whoop and get your first month for free:
    https://join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst


    » Follow Charlie
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charliemorganbiz/?hl=en
    Academy: https://www.skool.com/academy/about

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 42 mins
  • E123 - Maxims to Live a Rich(er) & More Productive Life In Your 20s & 30s | Mark Manson
    Jan 4 2026

    » Produced by Hack You Media: pioneering a new category of content at the intersection of health performance, entrepreneurship and cognitive optimisation
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/
    Website: https://hackyou.media/


    After going from low six figures to number one bestseller in 18 months — and dealing with the whiplash of overnight success — Mark Manson proves that learning to say no is a skill you have to relearn at every level.


    You’ll hear why he quit drinking and immediately got stronger, why being a single podcaster giving relationship advice creates a dangerous vacuum for young men, and what happens when you realise your music dreams have to die so your actual talent can thrive.


    Tune in for his take on why marriage is the most contrarian position for male influencers today, how his wife accelerated his career more than any business deal, and why hoping your future self cringes at you means you're actually growing.


    00:00 Introduction
    02:00 Reflecting on the lasting success of The Subtle Art
    04:13 Misinterpretations of the book's meaning and message
    08:52 Learning to say no as success scales up
    12:22 Turning 30s into legacy-building vs the experimentation of your 20s
    15:52 Shifting mindset around dating, time and future family
    23:48 The brutal reality of the music industry and staying relevant
    26:10 Creating from passion vs chasing algorithmic performance
    30:33 Applying the Hollywood idea of “one for them, one for you”
    35:23 Why Gen Z men and middle-aged women dominate the space
    39:25 Encouraging younger guys not to skip being stupid sometimes
    42:07 Could he have written the book without partying and mistakes?
    45:27 How cutting alcohol levelled up his health, work and mindset
    54:31 Friendship takes real effort now, and culture has shifted
    56:09 Navigating friendship and relationship balance as you get older
    01:00:18 Knowing he found the one and rewiring his views on commitment
    01:08:39 Championing marriage as a contrarian but essential life upgrade
    01:12:23 Why legacy now means being honest, useful, and long-term impactful


    » Escape the 9-5 and build your dream life: https://www.digitalplaybook.net/
    » Transform your physique: https://www.thrstapp.com/
    » My clothing brand, THRST: https://thrstofficial.com
    » Custom Bioniq supplements: https://www.bioniq.com/mikethurston
    • 40% off your first month of Bioniq GO
    • 20% off your first month of Bioniq PRO


    » Join our newsletter for actionable insights from every episode:
    https://thrst-letter.beehiiv.com/

    » Join Whoop and get your first month for free:
    https://join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst


    » Follow Mark
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markmanson/?hl=en
    Purpose: https://purpose.app/
    Website: https://markmanson.net/

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 19 mins
  • E122 - How To Reinvent Yourself In 90 Days (no matter your situation) | Michael Smoak
    Dec 29 2025

    » Produced by Hack You Media: pioneering a new category of content at the intersection of health performance, entrepreneurship and cognitive optimisation
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/
    Website: https://hackyou.media/


    After building public speaking skills through brutal on-camera training and quitting a job after 15 days to go full-time on TikTok, Michael (higherupwellness) proves that authenticity matters more than polish.


    You’ll hear why his parents being in their 70s gave him wisdom most 28-year-olds don’t have, how two and a half years of mandatory public speaking eliminated his number one fear, and what happens when you realise worldly success never fills the God-shaped hole.


    Tune in for his framework on maxing out your stat lines in your 20s, why asking God to reveal himself changed everything after his dad died, and how silencing ego long enough to suck at something a hundred times is the barrier most people never cross.


    00:00 Introduction
    01:40 Growing up with much older parents and shaping his worldview
    04:14 Supportive parenting made taking career risks feel safe
    07:57 Comparing US optimism to UK mindset and ambition
    12:35 Striking a balance between monk mode and reckless fun
    17:27 Early career struggles and earning respect as the youngest
    20:22 Vulnerability online builds real connection and community
    23:40 Steroid accusations and the reality of 18 years training
    27:21 Fitting training and nutrition into a hybrid athlete lifestyle
    33:10 Flexible training splits and sustainable consistency
    38:37 How calorie awareness gives you long-term freedom
    44:43 Learning public speaking through immersive sales training
    50:48 Communicating well, even in a non-native language
    57:46 What Whoop taught him about sleep, alcohol and basics
    01:04:32 Why coaching can be draining if boundaries aren’t set
    01:12:55 Men need spaces where they can be both strong and soft
    01:22:30 Even elite performers have major blind spots
    01:26:10 Losing his dad showed him God’s presence through pain
    01:35:57 Exactly how to start exploring faith without feeling lost


    » Escape the 9-5 and build your dream life: https://www.digitalplaybook.net/
    » Transform your physique: https://www.thrstapp.com/
    » My clothing brand, THRST: https://thrstofficial.com
    » Custom Bioniq supplements: https://www.bioniq.com/mikethurston
    • 40% off your first month of Bioniq GO
    • 20% off your first month of Bioniq PRO


    » Join our newsletter for actionable insights from every episode:
    https://thrst-letter.beehiiv.com/

    » Join WHOOP and get your first month for free:
    https://join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst


    » Follow Michael
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/higherupwellness/?hl=en
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@higherupwellness?lang=en

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 45 mins
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