Ultimate Self-Mastery for High-Performing Men - Paul Attia #395

Whenever you're ready... here are 3 ways we can help you look, feel and perform at your best:   1. Grab a free copy of 1 of our BRAND NEW Peak Performance Protocols. This is for high performers looking to 10x their training and nutrition results by becoming 10x more effective. Click here - https://go.muscleintelligence.com/high-performance-executive-report/   2. Join the Muscle Intelligence Community and connect with other men like you who want to uplevel their health and fitness. It’s our new Facebook group where I coach members live, share what’s working with my private clients and announce tickets to my upcoming trainings and events. Click here - https://www.muscleintelligence.com/community   3. Work with me 1-on-1 If you’re a top performing executive or entrepreneur who wants a fully customized comprehensive health protocol and support from a team of world-class specialists, click here to speak with a member of my team to review all of your goals and options: https://www.muscleintelligence.com/apply?utm_campaign=YT   Episode Summary What happens when high achievement no longer feels fulfilling? In this deeply reflective episode on the Muscle Intelligence Podcast, Ben Pakulski sits down with Paul Attia, a performance advisor to elite families, to explore what real success looks like beyond money and accolades. Paul shares frameworks for self-mastery, managing intensity, and leading your family with wisdom and purpose. Together they unpack the dangers of external validation, the art of presence, and why the biggest tax you’ll ever pay is the “tax of a broken family.” If you’re a high performer ready to align drive with depth—this is your roadmap.   5 Key Points: The “Identify → Manage → Optimize” framework for self-mastery Turning agitation into clarity and calm How to channel drive without burnout Raising “philosophers, farmers, and fighters” Why legacy matters more than success Call To Actions: Join 200,000 men in their prime, reading our weekly newsletter: http://muscleintelligence.com/newsletter   Unlock Your Full Muscle Building Potential With Our Complete Training Guides: https://go.muscleintelligence.com/bodypart/   Hypertrophy Execution Mastery: The most comprehensive MI40 muscle-building program EVER! https://hypertrophymastery.com/ About Ben Ben Pakulski is the Chief Performance Officer to elite executives, successful entrepreneurs, and top athletes.With over 25 years of experience, he coaches high achievers to build the physical, psychological, and metabolic resilience required to lead at the highest level. As the creator of the Muscle Intelligence framework, Ben specializes in aligning biology and behavior to drive sustained peak performance. His mission is to redefine what’s possible for people in their prime and push the boundaries of human potential. About Paul Paul Attia is a Toronto-based lawyer, family business advisor, and executive in his own family’s enterprise. After nearly 15 years as a litigator — including Bay Street work and criminal prosecution — Paul shifted to lead his family’s stone quarry business, founded by his immigrant father. His dual experience in law and business positions him uniquely to navigate the overlap between negotiation tables and family relationships. He works with business families across Canada and the U.S. on succession, governance, and relational alignment. A former Division I athlete, Paul now lives in Ontario with his wife and children, dedicated to helping leaders integrate purpose, connection, and legacy.

Whenever you're ready... here are 3 ways we can help you look, feel and perform at your best:   1. Grab a free copy of 1 of our BRAND NEW Peak Performance Protocols. This is for high performers looking to 10x their training and nutrition results by becoming 10x more effective. Click here - https://go.muscleintelligence.com/high-performance-executive-report/   2. Join the Muscle Intelligence Community and connect with other men like you who want to uplevel their health and fitness. It’s our new Facebook group where I coach members live, share what’s working with my private clients and announce tickets to my upcoming trainings and events. Click here - https://www.muscleintelligence.com/community   3. Work with me 1-on-1 If you’re a top performing executive or entrepreneur who wants a fully customized comprehensive health protocol and support from a team of world-class specialists, click here to speak with a member of my team to review all of your goals and options: https://www.muscleintelligence.com/apply?utm_campaign=YT     In this episode, Ben Pakulski sits down with world-renowned spine expert Dr. Stuart McGill to uncover the real science behind back pain and how to fix it for good. They explore the mechanics of spine health, how elite athletes build resilient backs, and the common mistakes that keep people in pain. Dr. McGill reveals why most treatment approaches fail, what truly causes injury, and the proven methods he’s used to help thousands avoid surgery and return to peak performance. Whether you’re an athlete, executive, or everyday lifter, this episode is packed with insights to help you move better and live pain-free.   5 Key Points:  The real root causes of back pain revealed How to build a resilient, injury-proof spine Why most back pain treatments fail The truth about strength vs. mobility Dr. McGill’s proven recovery system Episode Links:  Learn more from Dr. Stuart McGill: https://backfitpro.com   About Ben Ben Pakulski is the Chief Performance Officer to elite executives, successful entrepreneurs, and top athletes.With over 25 years of experience, he coaches high achievers to build the physical, psychological, and metabolic resilience required to lead at the highest level. As the creator of the Muscle Intelligence framework, Ben specializes in aligning biology and behavior to drive sustained peak performance. His mission is to redefine what’s possible for people in their prime and push the boundaries of human potential.   Guest Bio  Dr. Stuart McGill is one of the world’s foremost authorities on spine health, injury prevention, and performance. As a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Waterloo, he spent over 30 years researching the biomechanics of back pain and has published more than 245 peer-reviewed papers. Dr. McGill has consulted with elite athletes, military personnel, and global organizations to solve complex back issues that others couldn’t. He’s the author of Back Mechanic and The Gift of Injury, both considered gold standards in back rehabilitation. Known for his precise, science-based approach, Dr. McGill’s work bridges the gap between clinical research and real-world results—helping thousands build stronger, pain-free spines.

Whenever you're ready... here are 3 ways we can help you look, feel and perform at your best:   1. Grab a free copy of 1 of our BRAND NEW Peak Performance Protocols. This is for high performers looking to 10x their training and nutrition results by becoming 10x more effective. Click here - https://go.muscleintelligence.com/high-performance-executive-report/   2. Join the Muscle Intelligence Community and connect with other men like you who want to uplevel their health and fitness. It’s our new Facebook group where I coach members live, share what’s working with my private clients and announce tickets to my upcoming trainings and events. Click here - https://www.muscleintelligence.com/community   3. Work with me 1-on-1 If you’re a top performing executive or entrepreneur who wants a fully customized comprehensive health protocol and support from a team of world-class specialists, click here to speak with a member of my team to review all of your goals and options: https://www.muscleintelligence.com/apply?utm_campaign=YT Episode Details: Genetics might be the missing link in your training, recovery, and long-term health.   In this episode, Ben sits down with Sam and Alex from Fitness Genes to unpack how DNA testing is transforming the way we approach fitness and longevity. They reveal how your genes influence muscle growth, recovery, sleep patterns, stress response, and even hidden health risks like cholesterol or Alzheimer’s.   If you’ve ever wondered why two people can follow the same plan and get completely different results, this conversation will give you the clarity and confidence to build a blueprint that actually works for your body. 5 Bullet Points: Genetics as the missing link in performance planning How DNA shapes recovery, muscle growth, and energy Real-life examples of genetic testing changing lives The link between genes and disease prevention How to build a personalized blueprint for training Connect with Our Guests Genetically Optimise Your Health & Fitness https://www.fitnessgenes.com/   Social Media @fitnessgenes @samdecombel About Ben Ben Pakulski is the Chief Performance Officer to elite executives, successful entrepreneurs, and top athletes.With over 25 years of experience, he coaches high achievers to build the physical, psychological, and metabolic resilience required to lead at the highest level. As the creator of the Muscle Intelligence framework, Ben specializes in aligning biology and behavior to drive sustained peak performance. His mission is to redefine what’s possible for people in their prime and push the boundaries of human potential.      

Join 200,000 men in their prime, reading our weekly newsletter: http://muscleintelligence.com/newsletter   Unlock Your Full Muscle Building Potential With Our Complete Training Guides: https://go.muscleintelligence.com/bodypart/   Hypertrophy Execution Mastery: The most comprehensive MI40 muscle-building program EVER! https://hypertrophymastery.com/   Episode Summary: On this episode of the Muscle Intelligence Podcast, Ben Pakulski sits down with the UK's most elite transformation coaches, Gavin Attorre and Dan Smith, revealing revolutionary insights that will change how you think about fitness forever. Discover why genetics determine your personality more than you realize, how trauma lives in your body until addressed, and why AI will transform but never replace human coaching. Learn the peptide protocols changing lives, the psychology behind every successful transformation, and why stress resilience matters more than perfect programming. These coaches guarantee results by diving deeper than any trainer you've ever worked with. Top 5 Highlights: Why AI won’t replace great coaches How genetics influence personality and results Stress resilience explained in simple terms The psychology of real transformation Obesity eradication within the next decade About Ben Ben Pakulski is the Chief Performance Officer to elite executives, successful entrepreneurs, and top athletes.With over 25 years of experience, he coaches high achievers to build the physical, psychological, and metabolic resilience required to lead at the highest level. As the creator of the Muscle Intelligence framework, Ben specializes in aligning biology and behavior to drive sustained peak performance. His mission is to redefine what’s possible for people in their prime and push the boundaries of human potential.

Join 200,000 men in their prime, reading our weekly newsletter: http://muscleintelligence.com/newsletter   Unlock Your Full Muscle Building Potential With Our Complete Training Guides: https://go.muscleintelligence.com/bodypart/   Hypertrophy Execution Mastery: The most comprehensive MI40 muscle-building program EVER! https://hypertrophymastery.com/     Ben Pakulski lays out the exact protocol he’d use today, to lose 20 pounds of fat as a man over 40. No starvation. No crash plans. You’ll learn why most cuts fail, how to identify and remove your personal “limiters” (stress, sleep, inflammation, poor aerobic base, skill, deficiencies), and why food quality and training intensity come before aggressive deficits. Ben maps a practical 90-day foundation, the daily “Top Five,” and the mindset that keeps progress inevitable. If you want a leaner body, higher energy, and results that last, this episode is your blueprint.   5 Bullet Points: The six limiters that stall every cut. Why calories aren’t the first lever. A 90-day foundation that sticks. Daily “Top Five” targets that compound. Skills, habits, beliefs → lasting results.   About Ben Ben Pakulski is the Chief Performance Officer to elite executives, successful entrepreneurs, and top athletes.With over 25 years of experience, he coaches high achievers to build the physical, psychological, and metabolic resilience required to lead at the highest level. As the creator of the Muscle Intelligence framework, Ben specializes in aligning biology and behavior to drive sustained peak performance. His mission is to redefine what’s possible for people in their prime and push the boundaries of human potential.

Episode Shownotes: Ben Pakulski opens the vault on his insane 18-month jump from 242 to 293 lbs of stage-ready muscle. He breaks down exactly how he trained (high-skill execution, targeted volume, real failure), how he ate (predictable “Groundhog Day” nutrition), and how he recovered to handle more work than most think possible. You’ll hear the mindset that fueled it, discipline, aggression in a safe container, and ruthless focus, and the biomechanics lessons that changed everything after a career-threatening knee issue. If you want a practical blueprint for serious size without guesswork, this is it. 5 Bullet Points: The 18-month strategy behind 50 lbs of muscle Why one perfect exercise beats five mediocre ones How to set volume by recovery, not ego Groundhog Day nutrition for predictable progress The mindset shift that multiplies training results Ready for the next level? Join 200,000 men in their prime, reading our weekly newsletter: http://muscleintelligence.com/newsletter   Unlock Your Full Muscle Building Potential With Our Complete Training Guides: https://go.muscleintelligence.com/bodypart/   Hypertrophy Execution Mastery: The most comprehensive MI40 muscle-building program EVER! https://hypertrophymastery.com/ About Ben Ben Pakulski is the Chief Performance Officer to elite executives, successful entrepreneurs, and top athletes.With over 25 years of experience, he coaches high achievers to build the physical, psychological, and metabolic resilience required to lead at the highest level. As the creator of the Muscle Intelligence framework, Ben specializes in aligning biology and behavior to drive sustained peak performance. His mission is to redefine what’s possible for people in their prime and push the boundaries of human potential.

In this episode of the Muscle Intelligence Podcast, Ben Pakulski sits down with Dr. Scott Sherr to uncover the hidden drivers of burnout, fatigue, and accelerated aging. Together they explore how trauma, sympathetic overdrive, and mitochondrial dysfunction silently undermine performance and recovery.   Dr. Sherr explains why 94% of adults have impaired mitochondrial health and how tools like methylene blue, metabolomic testing, and hyperbaric therapy can reset energy production at the cellular level. Whether you’re a high-performing executive or simply someone feeling stuck in stress mode, this conversation provides a blueprint for balancing your nervous system, reclaiming energy, and extending healthspan.   5 Bullet Points: How trauma traps your nervous system in overdrive The link between mitochondria and lasting energy Daily practices to reset stress physiology Methylene blue’s role in cellular performance Why longevity starts with cellular optimization   About Ben Ben Pakulski is the Chief Performance Officer to elite executives, successful entrepreneurs, and top athletes.With over 25 years of experience, he coaches high achievers to build the physical, psychological, and metabolic resilience required to lead at the highest level. As the creator of the Muscle Intelligence framework, Ben specializes in aligning biology and behavior to drive sustained peak performance. His mission is to redefine what’s possible for people in their prime and push the boundaries of human potential.   About Dr. Sherr Dr. Scott Sherr is an internationally recognized physician and pioneer in Health Optimization Medicine. With expertise in hyperbaric therapy and metabolomics, he helps high performers restore energy, recovery, and resilience at the cellular level. As co-founder of Health Optimization Medicine, he trains physicians in metabolomics, chronobiology, and epigenetics. He also leads at Troscriptions, developing tools like methylene blue to enhance mitochondrial function and nervous system balance. His mission: move people beyond decline to lasting performance and longevity, optimizing health from the cell up.   Dr.Scott Sherr's Website: https://drscottsherr.com/ Dr. Scott Sherr's Instagram: @drscottsherr

Podcasts are better with visuals! → Watch On YouTube Join 50,000+ men getting weekly strategies to build muscle, boost energy, and extend performance, delivered straight to your inbox. → Join the Newsletter We're here to help you build muscle. Download our FREE body part specializations below. → Free Resources Episode Description  In this powerful episode, Ben Pakulski sits down with Curt Mitchell, former Green Beret, Special Forces Operator, and intelligence professional to unpack the mindset, training, and readiness strategies of the world’s most elite warriors. Curt shares untold stories from decades in special operations, revealing how he maintained peak performance under extreme pressure and how those same principles now drive his approach to health, recovery, and longevity. From mission-essential task lists to mastering stress in high-stakes environments, you’ll discover practical frameworks to build resilience, maintain your edge, and lead with strength, whether in business, the gym, or life. Points To Watch Out For  How Special Forces define “readiness” across all domains Lessons in stress mastery from elite missions Building physical and mental resilience for decades The power of minimum effective dose training Translating battlefield discipline into daily lif About Ben Ben Pakulski is the Chief Performance Officer to elite executives, successful entrepreneurs, and top athletes. With over 25 years of experience, he coaches high achievers to build the physical, psychological, and metabolic resilience required to lead at the highest level. As the creator of the Muscle Intelligence framework, Ben specializes in aligning biology and behavior to drive sustained peak performance. His mission is to redefine what’s possible for people in their prime and push the boundaries of human potential.  About Curt Curt is a decorated U.S. Army veteran whose 20-year career spanned the Green Berets, Special Forces, and intelligence work with the CIA and DIA. Called a “real-life Jason Bourne,” he’s operated in the world’s toughest environments, from counterterrorism to training foreign militaries. Now, he helps high-achieving men apply elite military frameworks to health, longevity, and leadership, building resilience, mental clarity, and lasting vitality to thrive in any environment.  

Podcasts are better with visuals! → Watch On YouTube In this powerful episode of the Muscle Intelligence Podcast, Ben Pakulski reveals why most men over 40 fail to build muscle despite training hard. Drawing on decades as an elite bodybuilder and coach to top athletes and entrepreneurs, Ben breaks down the “3 Ps” of posture, position, and path, the hidden keys to unlocking real growth. Discover why bad form is killing your gains, how to direct tension exactly where you want it, and why not all reps are created equal. Whether you want to build lasting strength, recover faster, or train pain-free for decades, this episode gives you a proven blueprint.   5 Bullet Points to Watch Out For: Why most workouts fail men over 40 The 3 Ps: posture, position, path How to direct tension for real growth The hidden dangers of speed training Building muscle that lasts decades   Ready For The Next Level?   Here are 3 ways we can help you look, feel and perform at your best:   1. Grab a free copy of 1 of our BRAND NEW Peak Performance Protocols. This is for high performers looking to 10x their training and nutrition results by becoming 10x more effective. Click here - https://go.muscleintelligence.com/high-performance-executive-report/   2. Join the Muscle Intelligence Community and connect with other men like you who want to uplevel their health and fitness. It’s our new Facebook group where I coach members live, share what’s working with my private clients and announce tickets to my upcoming trainings and events. Click here - https://www.muscleintelligence.com/community   3. Work with me 1-on-1 If you’re a top performing executive or entrepreneur who wants a fully customized comprehensive health protocol and support from a team of world-class specialists, click here to speak with a member of my team to review all of your goals and options: https://www.muscleintelligence.com/apply?utm_campaign=YT   About Ben Ben Pakulski is the Chief Performance Officer to elite executives, successful entrepreneurs, and top athletes. With over 25 years of experience, he coaches high achievers to build the physical, psychological, and metabolic resilience required to lead at the highest level. As the creator of the Muscle Intelligence framework, Ben specializes in aligning biology and behavior to drive sustained peak performance. His mission is to redefine what’s possible for people in their prime and push the boundaries of human potential.

Podcasts are better with visuals! → Watch On YouTube Join 50,000+ men getting weekly strategies to build muscle, boost energy, and extend performance, delivered straight to your inbox. → Join the Newsletter We're here to help you build muscle. Download our FREE body part specializations below. → Free Resources In this powerful episode, Ben Pakulski sits down with Curt Mitchell, former Green Beret, Delta Force operator, and intelligence professional to unpack the mindset, training, and readiness strategies of the world’s most elite warriors. Curt shares untold stories from decades in special operations, revealing how he maintained peak performance under extreme pressure and how those same principles now drive his approach to health, recovery, and longevity. From mission-essential task lists to mastering stress in high-stakes environments, you’ll discover practical frameworks to build resilience, maintain your edge, and lead with strength, whether in business, the gym, or life. Points To Watch Out For  How Special Forces define “readiness” across all domains Lessons in stress mastery from elite missions Building physical and mental resilience for decades The power of minimum effective dose training Translating battlefield discipline into daily life Join 50,000+ men getting weekly strategies to build muscle, boost energy, and extend performance, delivered straight to your inbox. → [Join the Newsletter] About Ben Ben Pakulski is the Chief Performance Officer to elite executives, successful entrepreneurs, and top athletes. With over 25 years of experience, he coaches high achievers to build the physical, psychological, and metabolic resilience required to lead at the highest level. As the creator of the Muscle Intelligence framework, Ben specializes in aligning biology and behavior to drive sustained peak performance. His mission is to redefine what’s possible for people in their prime and push the boundaries of human potential.   About Curt: Curt is a decorated U.S. Army veteran whose 20-year career spanned the Green Berets, Delta Force, and intelligence work with the CIA and DIA. Called a “real-life Jason Bourne,” he’s operated in the world’s toughest environments, from counterterrorism to training foreign militaries. Now, he helps high-achieving men apply elite military frameworks to health, longevity, and leadership, building resilience, mental clarity, and lasting vitality to thrive in any environment.