Ancestral Supplements
Ancestral Supplements - Male Optimization Formula W/ Organs (MOFO) 180caps 410mg
NOURISH YOUR WAY TO ULTIMATE VIRILITY W/ MALE OPTIMIZATION FORMULA W/ ORGANS (MOFO)
For most of human history, we consumed the whole animal (nose-to-tail) with deep respect and profound purpose. Traditional peoples, Native Americans and early ancestral healers believed that eating the organs from a healthy animal would strengthen and support the health of the corresponding organ of the individual — also known as "like supports like." For instance, the traditional way of treating a person with a weak heart was to feed the person the heart of a healthy animal. Likewise, the traditional way of treating a person with low virility (low testosterone, low libido, low fertility, etc) was to feed the person the most virile parts of the animal (chiefly the testicles).
Since we've abandoned these ways, the modern world has left us malnourished with an epidemic of declining health. We hardly resemble our strong, resilient male Sapien ancestors. Instead, we sit in front of screens all day, dealing with low testosterone, low libido, and low fertility—even in comparison to our fathers and grandfathers! The ultimate solution is to find ways to recreate our ancestral environment (sleep, nourishment, movement, sunshine, etc) — see our About Us page and pay special interest to the part entitled "FOR MEN ONLY." You'd do well to also visit the page of MOFO athlete/endorser Brad Kearns (who broke the Guinness World record in Speedgolf at age 53!), to obtain a comprehensive plan of action to reclaim your male virility with simple but powerful lifestyle changes. It’s time we honor our ancestors by putting back in, what the modern world has left out (to return our people back to strength, health and happiness).
Whole food, nutrient-dense organs and glands can provide great benefit for those seeking fundamental and targeted support in harmony with nature — the old fashioned way, the way that our lean, strong, smart, confident ancestors did.* Male Optimization Formula w/ Organs (MOFO) is a whole food and dietary supplement that provides the raw ingredients to make men great again: testicle, prostate, heart, liver and bone marrow. Included are specific building blocks, peptides and enzymes to nourish and support one's own testes, testosterone and reproductive health as well as prostate and heart health. Our Male Optimization Formula w/ Organs (MOFO) retains ancestral properties that are otherwise absent in the modern world.
NATIVES, WARRIORS, GLADIATORS & OLYMPIANS OF ALL AGES... SINCE THE BEGINNING OF RECORDED HISTORY
In Longtrail Snowbird's Essay on Native American Life, he remarks that raw morsels of the buffalo would have been snacked on while field butchering the animal. These "snacks" predominately included raw liver, heart, testicles, marrow from leg bones, gristle from snouts, hoofs of unborn calves and tissue from the sack they had been in. [2]
Since ancient times, the eating of testes was believed to contain substances that enhance vigor, vitality and virility.
Gladiators feasted on raw testicles. [3]
The original ancient Olympians got their pre-games hormone boost from chewing on raw animal testicles. [4]
In Viking culture, Súrsaðir hrútspungar is a dish made primarily out of ram testicles. These are usually eaten raw, cut into blocks... can’t let a bloodthirsty Viking warrior go hungry, that’s for sure. [5]
Even Ayurvedic medicine advocated the ingestion of testes to treat impotence and obesity, and this was more than 2000 years ago, [7]
Gaius Plinius Secundus, better known as Pliny the Elder and commander of the Army Roman Empire prescribed eating testicles to improve sexual vigor and to aid men and boys with signs of low testosterone. [7]
Surely we can learn something from lions ... in the wild, lions DO often feed from the testicles first — especially when their prey are big game animals.
BACKED BY SCIENCE...
Organs and glandulars were a staple of our early ancestors' diets as the ultimate superfood, for good reason. It turns out, this nourishing tradition is backed by science... "Radioisotope labeling studies in animals have shown conclusively that, when eaten, organs and glands selectively travel to the corresponding organs and glands in high concentrations. This research, done at the University of Scotland in Edinburgh, lends credence to the ancient practice of eating animal organs to help ensure health in one’s corresponding organs..." - Dr. Ron Schmid, ND.*[9] Our early ancestors knew this, which is why their traditional diets included the frequent and nourishing consumption of nose-to-tail nutrients.
According to the International Federation of Cell Therapy, "hundreds of scientific studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of cell therapy. By radioactively marking tissue extract, researchers have been able to ascertain what exactly happens with the organ extract and cellular material... Within forty-eight hours of administration, 90% of cell extract of the liver, for example, is attracted to its respective organ in the recipient, making its way to this destination. Various research studies conducted by Kment and Schmid conducted at the University of Vienna, the University of Heidelberg and other leading European universities have demonstrated this by means of radioactive marking. These always found their way to their respective human organs to catalyse regeneration and repair [10,11]."
GRASS FED TESTICLE (1260MG)
— Testicles have been on the menu for natives, warriors, gladiators and olympians of all ages... since the beginning of recorded history. Testicle is nature's most concentrated source of virility (strength, energy, drive). The potent signaling molecules within support healthy testosterone production, libido and fertility (without disrupting internal feedback loops), and aid in the metabolic health of your testes.* —
GRASS FED PROSTATE (300MG)
— Based on the ancient ancestral wisdom that "like supports like." Consuming prostate may nourish and support our own prostate.* Provides healthy prostate building blocks... prostate specific proteins, peptides, enzymes & cofactors along with molecular biodirectors (DNA instructions) to code and/or express the building of healthy tissue. High levels of B6 help support oxygen carrying red blood cells for erectile health* —
GRASS FED HEART (300MG)
— Ancient Chinese warriors consumed the heart of an animal to strengthen their own heart before battle. [11] Based on the ancient ancestral wisdom that "like supports like." Heart is the richest source of naturally occurring coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), one of the ultimate energy-boosting, anti-aging supplements. CoQ10 supports cardiovascular function, neurotransmitter function, antioxidant production, and ATP energy production in the mitochondria. Consuming heart may nourish and support our own heart.* —
GRASS FED LIVER (300MG)
— Cree warriors ate raw bison liver to gain the power of the bison. [11] Liver is nature's most nutrient dense superfood and it's the only meaningful source of of fully formed vitamin A (retinol), which is so critical to healthy cell repair. Liver is also rich in heme iron, B12, choline and folate).—
GRASS BONE MARROW (300MG)
— In the wild, animals go for the marrow, instinctively... wolves given access to full deer carcasses gravitated toward those bones with “high marrow yields,” taking care to “destroy the epiphyses” where the marrow was most plentiful. [13] Based on the ancient ancestral wisdom that "like supports like." Consuming bone, marrow and cartilage supports our own bones (including teeth), bone marrow and connective tissues.*[7] —
100% NEW ZEALAND
Pasture Raised In New Zealand
Grass-fed & Grass-Finished
Hormone, Pesticide & GMO Free
Absolutely No Fillers (or) Flow Agents
100% Freeze Dried & Non-Defatted
Third Party Tested For Purity
Allergen Free
New Zealand
— Our product is 100% sourced in New Zealand. In agricultural circles and fisheries, it's known that the clean air and water, green pastures, and animal husbandry is at a higher level —
Ultra Pure
— Our product is 100% pure... This means that you won't see any of the extra stuff that most supplement companies include to save time and money (stearates, silica, etc) —
Freeze Dried
— Our product is 100% freeze dried in contrast to the heat processed varieties. This means that you get more of the heat sensitive vitamins, minerals and co-factors that make organ meats so incredibly nourishing —
Safety
— There has never been a case of mad cow disease in New Zealand. BSE (mad cow disease), scrapie and other known TSE’s, do not occur in New Zealand. A national surveillance programme is in place to provide comprehensive monitoring —
CONSIDER THE SOURCE
New Zealand seems like it was made for raising healthy animals. Its location and climate produce pristine conditions for cattle and sheep, and the farmers have uncanny expertise handed down for generations. New Zealand is unique among meat-producing regions in the world because its climate is moderate so the grass in the pastures grows fresh and grows green year-round which means the cows and sheep can eat the food that’s healthiest for them every day of the year.
Our nose-to-tail product line is always from grassfed, inspected animals born and raised without the use of pesticides, hormones or antibiotics. Health of livestock used for manufacturing in New Zealand is closely monitored by a world leading biosecurity system that is second to none, and is a global exemplar. Strict government licensing, auditing and certification procedures mean that our genuine New Zealand freeze dried products can be used with complete confidence in their origin, safety and efficacy. Freeze-drying preserves the heat sensitive vitamins, minerals and co-factors of components leaving the nutrients in the same balance as found in nature.
* Our product line is 100% additive-free. Absolutely no stearates, lubricants, binders, fillers or flow agents... except with our Bone Marrow (see Other Ingredients) *
SUPPLEMENT FACTS
Serving Size: 6 Capsules
Servings Per Container: 30
AMOUNT PER SERVING
Grass Fed Testicle (Bovine) 1260MG
Grass Fed Prostate (Bovine) 300MG
Grass Fed Heart (Bovine) 300MG
Grass Fed Liver (Bovine) 300MG
Grass Fed Bone Marrow (Bovine) 300MG
OTHER INGREDIENTS: (Beef Gelatin) Capsules
SUGGESTED USE: Six capsules daily or as directed by a healthcare professional.
MANUFACTURED IN THE USA: ANCESTRAL SUPPLEMENTS, LLC
* FDA STATEMENT: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
BENEFITS OF GRASS FED MALE OPTIMIZATION FORMULA W/ ORGANS (MOFO)
Traditional peoples, Native Americans and early ancestral healers believed that eating the organs from a healthy animal would strengthen and support the health of the corresponding organ of the individual. For instance, the traditional way of treating a person with a weak heart was to feed the person the heart of a healthy animal. Similarly, liver and bone marrow were (and still are) considered the deepest tissues of the body which contained the essence and virility of the beast... considered fundamental for life, these parts were favored and devoured first by sapiens and wild animals alike. Prostate and testicles provided concentrated amounts of reproductive tissue, as well as prostate and testicle building blocks to nourish and support one's own prostate and testicle health.*
Many of our modern day functional practitioners use our Grass Fed Male Optimization Formula w/ Organs (MOFO) to support low virility (low testosterone, low libido, low fertility). A common protocol is to combine this product with our Grass Fed Tallow for the nourishing cholesterol and fat-soluble activators that form the sex steroids testosterone and DHT. NOTE: All sex hormone synthesis pathways require a pool of cholesterol substrate.
Based on the native wisdom of our early ancestors, tallow provides the same nourishing fat (kidney fat > suet) that our ancestors selectively hunted for robust strength.
Tallow not only supplies fatty acids like CLA, oleic acid and palmitic acid but also contains vitamins A, D, K & E. This combination provides the matrix for absorption and assimilation of the fat-soluble activators which supports and affects virtually every biological system... yes, it's that fundamental!
Tallow supports inflammatory health, regulates the immune system and provides deep nourishment for growth and development (healthy bones, teeth, gums and skin).
Most customers, clients and patients notice significant improvement with 2 to 3 months of continuous use of MOFO, Tallow and other Ancestral Supplements products. That said, if low Thyroid is at play, this may be the root cause that requires attention. Feel free to email us to see what we mean when we say that "we offer a one-of-a-kind "guided" experience."
Dr. Royal Lee, and other early nutritional pioneers, believed the degenerative processes of a specific organ / gland could be reversed by ingesting the corresponding raw materials specific to that organ / gland.7
GRASS FED MALE OPTIMIZATION FORMULA W/ ORGANS (MOFO) CONTAINS...
Proteins, Peptides, Enzymes, Base Cells and Molecular Biodirectors Specific to Testes, Prostate, Heart, Liver & Bone Marrow
The Super Nutrient Coenzyme Q10 (also known as CoQ10), Vitamin B12, Collagen And Elastin
Preformed Vitamin A (aka retinol), Choline, Folate, Copper, Bio-Available Iron
Bone Matrix, Bone Marrow And Cartilage, High Concentrations Of Stem Cells, Growth Factors and Fat-Soluble Activators
Glycosaminoglycans Naturally Present in Bone Matrix, Bone Marrow also contains high levels of a class of lipids known as alkylglycerols (AKGs for short).
NOTE: There are two types of bone marrow: red marrow (also known as myeloid tissue) and yellow marrow. Red blood cells, platelets and most white blood cells arise in red marrow; some white blood cells develop in yellow marrow. Our bone marrow is exclusively sourced from calves which contains a predominance of red marrow.*[8]
GRASS FED MALE OPTIMIZATION FORMULA W/ ORGANS (MOFO) SUPPORTS...
Testicle, Prostate, Heart, Liver & Bone Marrow Health Based On "Like Supports Like" *
Testosterone, Libido, Fertility & Virility
Cardiovascular & Mitochondrial Health
Immune Health, Cartilage, Joint & Collagen Health
Methylation & Detoxification Pathways
NOTE: Eating the heart out of a freshly killed animal was tradition among some early ancestral societies. By doing so, they believed they could receive certain qualities of the animal, such as strength and stamina, and that blood and energy flows from one living creature to another.
SUGGESTED USE (6 CAPSULES A DAY)
Our Grass Fed Male Optimization Formula w/ Organs (MOFO) is a whole food dietary supplement that provides testicle, prostate, heart, liver and bone marrow within the ultimate food matrix. This supplement can be taken with (or) without food (even though it technically is food). The suggested use is 6 capsules a day or as directed by a healthcare professional — for added support, the dose can be doubled or tripled. If consuming more than six capsules at once, the doses should be separated by at least three hours to improve tolerability.
As it relates to little ones, our Ancestral Supplements are 100% pure and they're encapsulated in 100% pure bovine gelatin. Since we do not add any stearates, lubricants, binders, fillers or flow agents, (except with our stand-alone Bone Marrow; see Other Ingredients), our products contain all the natural nourishing properties of grass fed organs as they exist in harmony with nature. In other words, if you would consider preparing homemade liver and onions (or) a homemade organ meat paté for little one, our supplements would be no different — it's just food, whole-food at that!As it relates to dosing, most of our functional healthcare practitioner accounts suggest 1 capsule for every 15-20 pounds of body weight. I always tell people that I put the care, attention and quality assurance into my products as if I am giving them to my family... because I am! My young boys, wife and I all take the Beef Liver, Beef Organs and Bone Marrow every day.
Pro Tip: Consider adding Tallow to your MOFO mix to get your MOJO back.
POTENTIAL ISSUES (DETOX REACTION)
Most customers tolerate our supplements without incident; however, approximately 5 to 10% of customers (usually with an autoimmune condition) may experience a detoxification reaction. Detoxification reactions go by many different names including healing reactions, healing crises, cleansing reactions (or) Herxheimer reactions with hallmark symptoms of nausea, headache, lethargy, dizziness and other flu-like symptoms. In this instance, detoxification reactions are generally an indication that detoxification pathways in the body are back online... cells suddenly have an opportunity to release an even greater than normal quantity of stored toxins, metabolic wastes, pathogens and unwanted material.
A detoxification reaction is more likely to occur when starting with the full suggested serving size of 6 capsules per day. If you know that you are sensitive to supplements and/or you have an autoimmune condition, you may wish to start slow when adding this product to your current regimen. Tolerability can be greatly improved by starting with just 1 (or) 2 capsules a day and increasing by just 1 capsule every couple of days — this method may take a full few weeks to achieve the desired serving size of 6 capsules per day.
If you know that you're ulta sensitive to supplements, email us and we'll do everything we can to help.
HIGH QUALITY ORGANS, GLANDS
Okay, you're convinced! You're going to start incorporating nose-to-tail nourishment in your routine because, well... you're educated now... you understand, just as our early ancestors did, that they provide superlative health benefits that are missing in our modern diets. The next step is sourcing it. It's important that you source the highest quality because not all organs, glands and cartilage are created equal. Consider the source.
Should Come From An Unpolluted Geographical Region — Isolated, Healthy, Pristine Lands
Should Come From Pasture Raised Animals
Should Come From Grass-Fed & Grass-Finished Animals
Should Come From Animals That Are Hormone, Pesticide & GMO Free
Should Also Be Ultra Pure... Absolutely No Fillers (or) Flow Agents, No Allergens
Should Be Non-Defatted (if applicable)
Should Be 100% Freeze Dried... Freeze Drying Preserves Heat Sensitive Biological Activity (or) Low-Heat Rendered As Is The Case w/ Our Tallow
SUGGESTED ADDITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS (3)
If you're looking for complement products to take with Male Optimization (and its synergistic companion, GRASS FED TALLOW, make it our GRASS FED BEEF LIVER... unless you need targeted support with another specific organ system (see below). If you are going to pick two supplements, our GRASS FED BEEF LIVER and our GRASS FED BEEF ORGANS provide complementary and synergistic nourishment. If you can add a third supplement, GRASS FED BONE MARROW provides the essential life force of stem cells, collagen and growth factors — also provides the fat-soluble activators that nutrition giant Dr. Weston Price extensively wrote about.
Grass Fed Beef Liver
Grass Fed Beef Organs (liver, heart, kidney, pancreas, spleen)
Grass Fed Bone Marrow
On the other hand, if you're looking for targeted organ support, you may be interested in our GRASS FED BEEF HEART to support heart health (or) our GRASS FED THYROID to support a struggling thyroid (or) our GRASS FED THYMUS to support thymus function and immune health... you get the picture.* We have a nose-to-tail product line that can be found on our "Products" page. If you can't find what you're looking for (or) you're not sure what you're looking for, send us an email and we'll do everything we can to help.
MALE OPTIMIZATION FORMULA W/ ORGANS (MOFO) SUMMARY
Our genome has evolved with the nourishment of nose-to-tail dining since the beginning of time. Grassfed Male Optimization Formula w/ Organs (MOFO) is a whole food and dietary supplement that provides 100% pure testicle, prostate, heart, liver and bone marrow containing powerful biodirectors, immunoregulars, glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, chondroitin sulfates and type II collagen with bioactive growth factors. These nourishing compounds support testosterone, libido and fertility health along with prostate and heart health.
Based on the concept of "like supports like," Grass Fed Male Optimization Formula w/ Organs (MOFO) may strengthen and support our own testes and reproductive health.
Not all organs and glands are the same. Look for the highest quality testicle, prostate, heart, liver and bone marrow... It should come from pasture-raised, grass-fed and grass-finished animals that are hormone, pesticide and GMO-free. If considering a supplement, look for one that is ultra-pure (without binders, fillers (or) flow agents) and look for the freeze-dried variety as these have been shown to optimally preserve nutritional factors, growth factors and co-factors.
[ FACT: There has never been a case of mad cow disease in New Zealand. BSE (mad cow disease), scrapie and other known TSE’s, do not occur in New Zealand. A national surveillance programme is in place to provide comprehensive monitoring. ]
We care deeply about each and every aspect of our "seed to supplement" business... great love and gratitude goes out to the souls of these beautiful creatures that sacrificed their lives so that we could be nourished.
Freeze-dried bovine testicles are marketed globally under an assortment of names as follows: Bovine Orchic Extract, Bovine Testicle Extract, Bull Balls Extract, Concentré Testiculaire, Orchic PMG, Extracto Orchic, Extrait de Testicule, Extrait de Testicule Bovin, Extrait de Testicule de Taureau, Facteurs Testiculaires, Orchic, Orchic Concentrate, Orchic Factors, Orchic Substance, Substance Testiculaire. Remember: make absolutely certain that you are consuming a 100% pure product from grass fed cattle or other sustainably raised animals. Expect explicit designations on the product label, and contact the manufacturer for assertion. When in doubt, run handily away from shady supplements and toward a company that operates like a true family that you can truly trust.
LIVING THE MOFO LIFESTYLE BY LIVER KING & BRAD KEARNS
Brian Johnson, aka “Liver King,” the superfit founder of Ancestral Supplements, and Brad Kearns, Guinness world record breaking speedgolfer at age 53 and former #3 world-ranked pro triathlete, created this MOFO for dudes who don’t want to get old and soft on the sidelines of life. We walk our talk, pursuing the MOFO mission every day, and battling against these disturbing statistics about the epidemic decline in male hormones, health, and vitality in modern life:
Band-Aid: Between 2010 and 2013, testosterone replacement prescriptions more than doubled. Hormone replacement therapy addresses the symptoms, but comes with health risks, and concerns about internal production ceasing and becoming dependent upon exogenous testosterone forever. What’s more, the intended benefits of testosterone replacement effects can be diminished by adverse lifestyle practices.
Toxic Modern World: Since the 1980s. testosterone levels in US males have been declining 1% per year. Experts attribute much of this to estrogeniccompounds in our plastic containers (especially for food and drink), soy and corn foods, municipal water supplies, personal care products, and household cleaners. That’s not the whole story. Each hour of sleep deficiency (now the norm due to evening screen use) causes T to drop by 15 percent.
Wussy Boy: Physically diminished lifestyles, sleep disturbances caused by digital screen use, warmer room temperatures at home and work, and even wearing tight underwear are all suspected culprits in epidemic T decline. Some wussy boy evidence: Average male grip strength (a great predictor of longevity and vitality; hence the test contraption found in most doctor’s offices) in 1985 was 116 pounds; in 2016 it was only 98 pounds (sadly reminiscent of the iconic Charles Atlas “97-pound weakling” ad campaign of a bygone era).
Floppy Boy: One-third of all prescriptions for boner drugs are dispensed to males under 50. Forty percent of 40-year-olds experience Mr. Softie Erectile Dysfunction Syndrome (MSEDS.) Drugs like Viagra and Cialis were originally designed for really old dudes to override natural biological declines in blood vessel function and prostate integrity, not as band aids for wussy lifestyle habits. We are here to help, and we require a sincere commitment from you to adopt a comprehensive approach to male optimization. We know that your taking MOFO every month will only be sustained if you experience noticeable results. Out of the gate, MOFO will give you the boost you need to maintain the focus, discipline, and repetition required to transform your life with new habits, but you use this energy to execute the master plan.
Who cares about grip strength, you ask? Here’s what Liver King has to say on the matter: “Since our inception, the noble cast of our ancestors was the barbarian class. In the modern world, the noble cast is popularly defined as those with money and/or possessions of commerce. When I shake the manicured hand of a modern man and feel how smooth, soft and limp it is…when I see shifty eyes instead of a poised and confident connection... it reveals a core character attribute. Suffice it to say, if the zombie apocalypse rears its head, I do not want this man in my tribe. Grip strength is more than just health, longevity and respect... it is an ancestral indicator of true nobility... you can't fake it... you can't buy it... it can only be earned.”
If you are a pill popper looking for a shortcut or quick fix, we suggest that you f--- off and buy someone else’s product. We are looking for partners in the MOFO movement who are not afraid to go all-in with lifestyle transformation. You can consume this product with or without food, but always with plenty of sleep, downtime from obsessive screen use, delicious meals of liver, pastured eggs, seared tomahawks, wild caught salmon, and colorful wholesome foods of the earth; regular kick-ass sprinting and pumping iron sessions; daily walks outdoors in fresh air, open space and sunlight; and quality in-person social interactions with family and friends. Learn more about the comprehensive lifestyle approach to 'Becoming a Modern Day MOFO' with our free eBook here. Also check out Brad Kearns' MOFO page here where he details 10 important assignments in the areas of sleep, diet, daily movement, fitness, avoiding environmental estrogens, and managing hyperconnectivity, toxic relationship dynamics, and other modern stressors.
We realize that taking MOFO requires a substantial commitment of discipline and resources, and we greatly appreciate your trust and enthusiasm in joining the MOFO movement. We are in your corner all the way, and always available for support and consultation if you have any questions or concerns.
[8] FOR MEN ONLY...
Men evolved fighting, hunting, protecting... struggling... persevering... winning. And when we win, we get rewarded with a boost of dopamine, androgens and more things that cultivate repeat behavior. Androgens also help us to X win! In modernity, there are not a lot of natural opportunities for boys and men to put themselves in harm's way... to overcome real struggle... to really fight for something of value... to win. I believe in contact sports but what happens when that's over and done? I believe for us men to really thrive, we have to possess a type of high courage to continue to fight for something meaningful... to foster an inner fire... to take real risks... and to continue to create opportunities to win. Look for opportunities that scare the shit out of you... look for opportunities to live! Feel like your stuck in a rut... want some ideas... here ya go...
In the context of leading a relatively "normal" (boring, routine-driven) life, the key is change and primal purpose. Novelty is what our DNA expects and thrives upon but in the modern world, we do the same things over, and over, and over... just sort of existing in life, on autopilot... so change everything (sleep differently, eat differently, move differently)... change what you do... what you see... how you think... how you feel... how you are... become a greater level of mind, body and spirit to become a greater version of yourself.
Start with simple things like brushing your teeth with the other hand... cross your arms left over right... sit in a different chair in a different way... drive different paths to and from new and old places... don't let yourself exist on autopilot... create novelty in everything that you do. We are sapiens of genus homo, hunters, gathers, nomads. Have you taken a freezing cold shower yet... if not, go do this right now... tell me how you feel after an ice cold shower... this elicits a state of being that will remind you of what it's like to feel alive again. This ice cold shower seemingly puts you in harms way... you will endure struggle.. you will endure discomfort... you will overcome real and imagined struggle... remember this... comfort is not good for the organism.
Progress with other things like a 5-day water fast... this acts like a genetic reset of sorts and it provides the mind, body, spirit framework for real struggle. Start chopping firewood... make a backyard fire... start doing Crossfit and push yourself to the edge... buy a set of daggers and practice throwing proficiency or make a spear and do the same... go to the shooting range... get in a game of pick up basketball or paintball or a first person shooter game...
When was the last time that you did something that really scared the shit out of you?... run from a lion... run from a dog... go bungee jumping... get on a roller coaster... go bouldering or rock climbing... take up an extreme sport... pick a fistfight that's worth fighting for... (I did this at the post office one day when a man was bullying a woman clerk, he retreated).
As Diane Ackerman puts it, “Where there is no risk, the emotional terrain is flat and unyielding, and, despite all its dimensions, valleys, pinnacles, and detours, life will seem to have none of its magnificent geography, only a length.” In the context of a lifetime, these realizations and moments of intensity are ours to carry with us. They help expand the proportions of our living... they create a certain kind of energy that extends beyond our flesh... they fill a well that sustains the life we go back to. We are descendants of the sole surviving species of genus Homo (the baddest mammalian predators that ever lived).
STRUGGLE DEVELOPS STRENGTH
The koala bear once had a full-fledged brain that occupied the full innards of that cranium. Then, the koala discovered eucalyptus trees which provided massive 24/7 comforts… protection from prey and an endless buffet. As a species, the koala hasn’t had to really struggle for anything, for a very long time. As a consequence, they (the modern day koalas) now enjoy the smallest relative brain size of all such furry creatures and the relative intelligence of a snow globe. Does this story sound familiar?… well, it should… because it’s happening to us modern day Sapiens. Struggle develops strength which is why “Do Something That Makes You Uncomfortable” is one of my favorite habits.
[9] TRIBAL BONDING
Since the inception of our species, we belonged to a far greater purpose... you'd be hard pressed to find things more primal than that of "purpose" itself. Think about it... purpose was guarding the perimeter from danger (lions, hyenas, other tribes) to protect one's tribe... purpose was hunting and foraging to feed one's tribe... purpose was building, tool making and weapon making to shelter and shield one's tribe... purpose was care taking and love making to nurture, to nourish and to grow one's tribe.... purpose was in teaching and in tradition, and in play to cultivate wise traditions, to deepen social bonds, and simply, to enjoy the most profound parasympathetic state of rest and relaxation. This kind of purpose decided whether people would live or die.
In a tribe, we believed and we belonged... we believed and belonged to each other (to thy fellow man; to thy fellow woman; to thy shared belief)... we belonged with such connection and purpose that we clearly knew our roles and goals as individuals and we knew exactly where we fit in... we knew our place in the tribe.. we knew our place in the world... in the modern world, most people don't know their place in their own homes.
In the modern world, we don't really have to band together and fight or struggle for anything anymore (unless there's a horrific hurricane, a 9-11 attack or a mass public shooting) because uncle Sam has done that for us. We enjoy the illusion of protection and we enjoy the illusion of support and community... this allows us to sort of exist but certainly not thrive. This leaves us devoid of that primal purpose that our big brains evolved with... that our big brains still expect in the modern world to heal and be healthy.
If you want strength, health and happiness, you have to create your own purpose, you have to be part of something bigger and you have to identify a shared belief and you have to foster a culture of belonging (to one another; interdependence). You develop a sense of community... a sense that everyone is needed and that everyone is important... a sense of primal purpose that awakens the old spirit within.
Yes, men evolved fighting, hunting, providing, protecting and persevering (we're hard wired to do so).
Women evolved nurturing, care taking, tool making and teaching (they're hard wired to do so).
Kids evolved watching, modeling and helping their men and women protect and perform.
Everyone was needed... everyone was important.
TedTalk expert Lissa Rankin, M.D., a former OB/GYN and current mind-body medicine physician, quit her 9 to 5 to figure out why some people healed from “incurable” diagnoses and others didn’t. She scoured the evidence and she detailed her findings in her New York Times Bestseller Mind Over Medicine: Scientific Proof That You Can Heal Yourself. The gist of her findings is that, while diet and exercise are critical, laughter (tribal bonds), camaraderie (tribal bonds), a happy marriage (tribal bonds), and doing what you love for a living (tribal purpose), are the main determinants of health.
The take away... join a tribe of true believers and belong to one another (or) go out and create and lead your own.
