Work with me to prepare for your own Misogi:
👉 strongerwithout.uk/coaching

▶️ Join the next Stronger Without Weekend in Purbeck
A one-day reset for men ready to reconnect with nature, brotherhood, and their own potential. No phones or booze. Just presence.
👉 strongerwithout.uk/events/purbecks

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Weekly reflections, honest stories, and actionable systems to help you show up fully. Be the first to see what is coming up next on the Podcast and for live events.
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0:00 – Welcome & Introduction to Misogi
0:30 – Comfort Is Killing Us
1:07 – Army Training at 17: My First Misogi
5:00 – Modern Life: Comfort in the Corporate World
6:40 – Cold Showers & Sea Swims: Small Discomforts
7:56 – Discovering The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter
8:50 – The Origin of Misogi: Japanese Purification Rituals
10:03 – Michael Easter’s Misogi in Alaska
11:02 – Why Doing Hard Things Makes Life Easier
12:00 – More Military Misogis: Sandhurst & South Wales
14:53 – What Is a Misogi? The Two Key Rules
16:07 – No Social Media Rule & Validation Culture
18:03 – Why Most Challenges Aren’t True Misogis
20:03 – My Personal Misogis: Walking Across England
21:23 – Undocumented Challenges from My World Bike Tour
23:02 – Comfort Statistics: Obesity & Softness in the West
24:05 – Why Most Men Lack a Rite of Passage
25:17 – My Ultimate Misogi: The World Bike Trip
26:35 – Overcoming the Pyrenees: Confidence Through Challenge
27:37 – Training for a Marathon (But It's Not a Misogi)
28:03 – Invitation: Join Me for a Real Misogi Experience
29:48 – What It Could Look Like: Rucksacks, Rivers, Mountains
30:22 – This Is Not a Competition—It’s for You
31:07 – How to Get Involved
31:59 – Closing Words: You’ve Got More in the Locker

In this episode, I’m talking directly to anyone in their 30s, 40s, or beyond who feels like it might be too late to start something new, especially online. It’s not. In fact, your lived experience might be the very thing someone else needs right now.

I discuss how perfection isn’t the goal, and how to take the first step in creating something meaningful. Whether it’s YouTube, a podcast, or just showing up more fully in your life, this is your reminder to begin.

You don’t need to be the best. You just need to be real.

Want to go deeper? Here’s how to take the next step:

▶️ Join the next Stronger Without Weekend in Purbeck
A one-day reset for men ready to reconnect with nature, brotherhood, and their own potential. No phones. No booze. Just presence.
👉 strongerwithout.uk/events/purbecks

📬 Subscribe to the Stronger Without Newsletter
Weekly reflections, honest stories, and actionable systems to help you show up fully. Be the first to see what is coming up next on the Podcast and for live events.
👉 https://strongerwithout.substack.com/subscribe

🧭 Apply for Private Coaching
One-to-one coaching for men ready to lead themselves again — in body, work, and life.
👉 strongerwithout.uk/coaching

00:00 – Why now is the perfect time to start YouTube
01:03 – What this video covers
02:01 – Why YouTube isn't saturated (especially in 2025)
03:25 – If you're over 35, here's why you should start
04:44 – Example: Woodworking YouTuber Steve Ramsey
05:50 – Searchable, useful content works best
07:04 – My dad started a pond YouTube channel
08:51 – You only need to be one step ahead
09:44 – My background and why I started
10:12 – You don’t need to be perfect
11:00 – The gear I started with (and lessons learned)
12:08 – Talking to camera gets easier (and scarier things exist!)
13:00 – Stronger Without: My shift in direction
14:02 – Vulnerability builds trust faster than expertise
15:20 – You can pivot your content direction
16:04 – Structure, strength, clarity, connection: My four pillars
17:24 – Stronger Without is about documenting, not preaching
18:23 – You are the niche – example: Atomic Shrimp
19:05 – Gear: What you actually need to get started
20:27 – Audio matters more than video quality
21:30 – Uploading consistently is key
23:08 – The realities of editing and making time
25:13 – How to make money on YouTube
27:20 – Real-world example: Monetising pond content
29:43 – What I offer through coaching
30:29 – Affiliate links, events, and courses
31:17 – Why your story matters
32:28 – Speak from experience, not theory
33:03 – Each video is a brick in your wall
33:59 – Final encouragement: Just start
35:11 – Do this for 20 years – it's never too late
35:38 – Be human in an AI world
36:17 – Free Stronger Without events – join us

I used to think alcohol was essential to travel, something that made it easier to meet people, take risks, and soak up new cultures. But behind every night out was a hidden cost: wasted mornings, empty wallets, near-death experiences, and a slow erosion of clarity.

In this episode, I share my honest story of drinking while travelling, the moment it nearly killed me in Barcelona, and how I turned everything around. I’ll walk you through the systems I use to stay sober on the road and how saying no opened the door to a richer, more intentional way of seeing the world.

Whether you're sober curious, travelling soon, or just want to live with more clarity, this one’s for you.

Plus: a few practical tips you can start using today, and an invite to join our Stronger Without walks.

Want to go deeper? Here’s how to take the next step:

▶️ Join the next Stronger Without Weekend in Purbeck
A one-day reset for men ready to reconnect with nature, brotherhood, and their own potential. No phones. No booze. Just presence.
👉 strongerwithout.uk/events/purbecks

📬 Subscribe to the Stronger Without Newsletter
Weekly reflections, honest stories, and actionable systems to help you show up fully. Be the first to see what is coming up next on the Podcast and for live events.
👉 https://strongerwithout.substack.com/subscribe

🧭 Apply for Private Coaching
One-to-one coaching for men ready to lead themselves again — in body, work, and life.
👉 strongerwithout.uk/coaching

00:00 - Intro: The Hidden Cost of Drinking While Travelling
01:10 - My Story: Boozy Travels from Age 16
02:35 - The Wild Uni Years and the Daily Mail Headline
03:40 - Six Weeks of Drinking Across Europe
04:30 - Near-Death Experience in Barcelona
05:25 - Balconing and British Tourists Abroad
06:45 - Injuries, Fights, and the Darker Side of Drinking
08:00 - The Real Costs: Money, Safety, and Lost Days
08:50 - Why I’m Not Preaching—Just Sharing
09:30 - How I Stay Sober While Travelling
10:30 - “No” is a Complete Sentence
11:15 - The Power of Respecting Boundaries
12:05 - The Night That Changed Everything in New Orleans
13:30 - From One Month Sober to Five Years
14:00 - What I Do Now Instead of Drinking
15:00 - The Joy of Alcohol-Free Mornings
15:40 - Drinking Steals Happiness From Tomorrow
16:30 - How to Find Like-Minded, Sober Travellers
17:00 - Stronger Without Events: Join the Movement
18:30 - What’s Next for the Stronger Without Community
19:30 - Final Thoughts: Subtract Alcohol, Add Presence

In this episode, I break down the habits, systems, and mindset shifts that helped me reclaim my strength, structure, and sanity in midlife. If you're tired of the drift physically, mentally, or emotionally this one’s for you.

Want to go deeper? Here’s how to take the next step:

▶️ Join the next Stronger Without Weekend in Purbeck
A one-day reset for men ready to reconnect with nature, brotherhood, and their own potential. No phones. No booze. Just presence.
👉 strongerwithout.uk/events/purbecks

📬 Subscribe to the Stronger Without Newsletter
Weekly reflections, honest stories, and actionable systems to help you show up fully. Be the first to see what is coming up next on the Podcast and for live events.
👉 https://strongerwithout.substack.com/subscribe

🧭 Apply for Private Coaching
One-to-one coaching for men ready to lead themselves again — in body, work, and life.
👉 strongerwithout.uk/coaching

00:00 - Introduction & Overview
00:41 - Stronger Without Reset Event Announcement
02:22 - Substack Post: My Midlife Fitness Journey
03:40 - Why Fitness Isn’t Just Exercise
05:05 - My Background: PT, Army, & Sports Science
06:25 - Hitting Rock Bottom: 97kg & Obese
07:35 - Confidence, Clothing, & Social Anxiety
08:59 - Why Midlife Fitness Matters
09:48 - Motivation: Kids, Hills & Healthspan
10:58 - Story Time: From Childhood to Army Life
11:57 - Post-Army: 18 Months Cycling Around the World
13:16 - The Power of Food as Fuel
14:22 - Understanding Diet, Not “Going on a Diet”
15:52 - The Macronutrient Misinformation Era
16:59 - Tracking My Food Changed Everything
18:12 - MacroFactor vs MyFitnessPal
18:50 - From 97kg to 80kg: The Transformation
20:23 - Four Key Habits That Changed My Life
22:24 - Give Yourself a Fitness Goal That Scares You
24:00 - My Marathon Training Plan & New Forest Goal
25:20 - Weight Loss Results: Confidence, Sleep & Health
27:17 - Final Advice: Seven Tips for Midlife Fitness
30:08 - Coaching & Accountability Offers
31:50 - Measure What Matters (Beyond Just Weight)
32:28 - Outro & How to Get Involved

"If I disappeared tomorrow, would anyone notice?"

It’s a question more men are quietly asking and one that reveals a deeper crisis.

In this episode, I dive into the loneliness epidemic that’s hitting men hardest in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. We explore the collapse of male friendships, the weight of unspoken pressure, and the quiet fear of no longer mattering.

But this isn’t just about sadness and stats. It’s about meaning, purpose and how we fight back.

We cover:

• Why loneliness is not just being alone
• The social and existential layers of disconnection
• How modern life: work, tech, culture is eroding male connection
• Actionable ways to rebuild belonging, friendship, and meaning

Mentioned in the episode:

• U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Social Connection (2023)
• Harvard: What’s Causing Our Loneliness Epidemic (2024)
• Harvard “Loneliness in America” Brief Report (2024)
• The Guardian: Midlife Male Friendships (2025)
• Guardian profile of Vivek Murthy (2024)
• America’s Friendship Recession – Survey Center (2024)

Read more: Stronger Without Substack
Join us in person: Stronger Without Events

What really happens when you stop drinking?

In this episode, I break down the unexpected challenges of going alcohol-free. The social pressure, the awkward conversations, the FOMO. But I also share some of the upsides: better sleep, real clarity, and a deeper connection to what matters.

If you're sober curious or already on the path, this episode is for you.

Get the 7 days reset: https://strongerwithout.substack.com/subscribe

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/adamhugill

Get 1-1 coaching or join a live event: https://www.strongerwithout.uk/

00:00 - Introduction to the Stronger Without Podcast
00:20 - Why I Went Alcohol-Free
01:26 - The Hidden Health Impacts of Alcohol
03:34 - The Social Consequences of Drinking
05:32 - Life in the Army: Alcohol and Discipline Issues
07:00 - The Moment I Quit: April 2020
07:52 - Challenge #1: Social Pressure & Fear of Missing Out
09:40 - Navigating Events Without Alcohol
11:11 - Building Confidence in Saying “I Don’t Drink”
12:58 - Handling Awkward Questions About Sobriety
13:56 - New Social Dynamics: Stag Dos and Parties
15:00 - Discovering New Rituals & Evening Habits
16:45 - Replacing Alcohol with Active Socialising
17:40 - The Unexpected Health Benefits
18:16 - Reduced Anxiety & Better Decision Making
19:08 - My Weekend Routine Without Alcohol
20:05 - The Long-Term Compounding Benefits
21:17 - Owning Your Actions Without Excuses
22:17 - Stronger Relationships & Being Present
23:06 - What’s Next for the Podcast
24:22 - Final Thoughts & Call for Guests

Five years ago, I set off on my 30th birthday to cycle around the world. 500 days. Two bags. One bike. I thought the journey would end when I got home but in truth, that was only the beginning.

In this episode, I unpack the five biggest lessons I still carry with me today. From breaking through self-imposed limits to rediscovering community, purpose, and simplicity, this is about more than cycling. It’s about what happens when you strip life back to the essentials and choose to live deliberately.

Whether you're craving a shift, feeling stuck, or dreaming of your own big adventure, these lessons are for you.

Subscribe to the newsletter: https://strongerwithout.substack.com/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/adamhugill

For coaching and in-person events: https://www.strongerwithout.uk/

00:00 - Introduction: Cycling Around the World for 500 Days
00:37 - The Journey Begins: From Army Officer to Cyclist
01:22 - Route Overview: Singapore to Alaska to Vegas
01:56 - Why I Did It: A Quest for Adventure, Not Career
02:49 - Lesson 1: The First Step Isn't That Scary
04:47 - Lesson 2: We Don’t Need More Stuff
06:52 - Lesson 3: Community Equals Belonging
09:04 - Lesson 4: We’re Made to Move Daily
10:51 - Lesson 5: Burnout Comes from Lack of Purpose
13:24 - Purpose Beyond Work and Giving to Others
14:23 - Bonus Lessons: Quickfire Reflections
14:50 - Be Curious, Not Judgemental
16:12 - The Blanket Story: Trusting a Stranger
17:56 - Politics ≠ People: The World Is Mostly Kind
19:00 - Enemies Then, Allies Now
20:58 - Misplaced Fear of Neighbouring Countries
23:10 - You’ve Never “Done” a Country
24:17 - Someone Is Always Doing Something Harder
25:11 - The Fine Line Between Homelessness and Adventure
25:24 - Most People Don’t Really Care About Your Adventures
26:04 - Most People Are Focused on Themselves
26:12 - Culture & Connection: Music and Food
26:58 - Learn 10 Words: How Language Builds Connection
27:03 - The Decline of Religion and Community
27:22 - What Really Matters: Happiness in Simplicity
28:53 - Eat in Nature: Burritos on a Hill
28:59 - Final Practical Tips From the Road
29:28 - Outro: Newsletter and Final Thoughts

Six months ago, I quit social media. No Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter. Not as a detox, but as a decision to reclaim my mind.

In this episode, I break down:

• Why I finally logged off after a decade online
• The three biggest lessons I’ve learned about attention, connection, and clarity
• A tiered framework you can use to disconnect on your own terms

If you feel distracted, reactive, or overstimulated, this one’s for you.

This isn’t about disappearing.
It’s about choosing where your energy goes.
There’s strength in subtraction.

▶ Download the 7-Day Reset: https://strongerwithout.substack.com/subscribe
▶ Explore coaching, events & more: https://www.strongerwithout.uk/