In this episode of Men of Influence, host Tim Holloway welcomes Cliff Brooks, a 25-year veteran of the health and fitness industry as a personal trainer, health coach, nutrition specialist, and high-performance coach. Cliff shares his passion for helping high-achieving men optimize their health, mindset, and performance through a unique blend of personal training and functional medicine, including gut health testing, hormone panels, and DNA profiling. Inspired by his father’s death from a stroke at 56 and his own journey from a frail child to a fitness expert, Cliff emphasizes how disciplined health practices create a ripple effect, enhancing energy, confidence, and leadership in all areas of life; family, business, and beyond.
Cliff explains that starting with the body builds discipline that spills over into mental clarity, relationships, and professional success. He stresses the importance of foundational habits like sleep, hydration, and whole-food nutrition while avoiding convenience-driven choices that harm the gut and mood. By keeping promises to yourself, you raise personal standards, fostering self-respect and trust. Cliff also shares his recovery from alcoholism, highlighting how avoiding sedation; whether through alcohol, social media, or junk food; unlocks exponential growth across health, relationships, and career. His “Win the Day” guide ensures daily progress in fitness, mindset, relationships, and business for lasting transformation.
Key Takeaways:
Health as the Gateway: Discipline in fitness; sleep, hydration, whole foods; creates exponential growth in mindset, relationships, and business.
Mindset Drives Action: Thoughts shape beliefs, beliefs shape actions, and actions build habits that define your lifestyle; start with a clear plan in your mind.
Raise Your Standards: Keep daily promises to yourself to build self-esteem and confidence, elevating your life beyond low standards like drive-thru meals.
Gut Health Matters: Proper nutrition fuels mental clarity and serotonin production, while poor choices like trans fats cause brain fog and inflammation.
Actionable Step: Use a daily checklist like Cliff’s “Win the Day” guide to track small steps in fitness, mindset, relationships, and career for compounded growth.
“Don’t spend the first half of your life hustling for wealth and neglecting health, only to spend the second half wasting wealth to buy it back.” - Cliff Brooks
Learn more about Tim through the following links: