‘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.
‘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.
» Produced by Hack You Media: pioneering a new category of content at the intersection of health performance, entrepreneurship & cognitive optimisation.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/
Website: https://hackyou.media/
Michael Franzese was pulling in $10 million a week from a gas tax scheme that made him one of America's most powerful mobsters. Then he did something almost nobody survives: he walked away alive.
In this conversation, Franzese strips away the Hollywood mythology and breaks down what real power looks like when your life depends on reading people correctly. We unpack the brutal stress of criminal operations, why most "tough guys" don't last, and how the negotiation tactics that kept him alive now close business deals.
00:00 Introduction to Michael Franzese
03:49 First arrests and early surveillance from law enforcement
06:08 Building businesses and the multimillion-dollar gas tax scam
08:00 Knowing it wouldn’t last and how the scheme eventually collapsed
11:04 What he misses about mob life and the lifestyle
12:40 Cleaning millions in cash and dealing with foreign banks
15:30 Whether the mob still operates in New York and Italy today
18:10 Reputation, respect, and fearing the people above you
19:33 Reflections on Frank Costello and doing business without violence
22:02 Applying mob skills to legitimate business and negotiation
23:31 Taking a plea deal and liquidating assets before prison
26:30 Solitary, diesel therapy, and finding faith behind bars
29:06 Rumours, witness lists, and suspicion after leaving the life
32:14 The few mobsters who actually walked away successfully
34:49 Becoming a global speaker and finding purpose in storytelling
39:20 Pizza, vending machines, and building a new empire
51:05 How the Armenian wine business unexpectedly took off
57:16 Delegation, treating people well, and earning respect
01:02:51 Missed opportunities, like skipping Starbucks stock early on
01:05:46 Wanting peace, purpose, and more freedom in his 70s
01:11:36 The weight of regret, purpose, and giving advice to youth
01:16:44 Faith, fear of hell, and the path to redemption
01:29:47 Beating the odds while nearly everyone else ends up dead or jailed
» Escape the 9-5 & 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
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» Follow Michael«
YouTube: @michaelfranzese
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelfranzese_/?hl=en
Wine: https://franzesewine.com/
Community: https://michaelfranzese.com/family/
» Produced by Hack You Media: pioneering a new category of content at the intersection of health performance, entrepreneurship & cognitive optimisation.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/
Website: https://hackyou.media/
Dan Koe has built a reputation around deep thinking and high output, but in this conversation, he strips productivity down to its fundamentals. No hacks, no hype, just a grounded breakdown of how to create focus, structure your time around creativity, and make work feel meaningful again.
We unpack how identity shapes output, the cost of always chasing growth, and why doing less (but better) is often the smartest move. If you’re overwhelmed, distracted, or feel like you’re always “on,” this one offers a sharp reset.
00:00 Introduction
01:30 Arriving in Arizona and first impressions of Scottsdale
03:25 College life, switching majors, and chasing business ideas
06:11 Trying seven business models before finding traction
08:57 Learning to build an audience while selling services
11:14 Posting content without a product figured out yet
13:49 The challenge of being a young coach
15:42 How to build authority when you're inexperienced
21:15 Daily routine, writing-focused business, and content flow
25:43 Avoiding big teams and staying hands-on with content
27:19 Authenticity vs optimisation in the creator economy
32:09 Why people connect with your deeper philosophy
36:15 Dialling in diet and the illusion of progress
39:07 Writing consistently without relying on motivation
43:04 The real value and stigma around online courses
54:18 Clarity comes from doing, not waiting to find purpose
58:07 Buying flashy cars and getting over material status
01:00:28 Business is the ultimate vehicle for self-development
01:06:11 Rebuilding his software startup from scratch in Japan
01:10:56 Turning down ideas like starting a dream gym
» Escape the 9-5 & 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 - join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst
» Follow Dan«
YouTube: https://www.youtube/com/DanKoeTalks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedankoe/
Website: https://thedankoe.com/
Produced by Hack You Media: pioneering a new category of content at the intersection of health performance, entrepreneurship & cognitive optimisation.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/
Website: https://hackyou.media/
Hudson Leogrande is the founder of Comfrt, a rapidly growing apparel brand that’s rethinking the way creators build businesses. In this episode, we unpack how he’s scaled a brand to seven figures while staying almost entirely behind the scenes, and why he believes most creators are missing the mark when it comes to monetisation.
Hudson shares hard-won lessons on building a product people actually want, crafting content that drives sales without being salesy, and the mindset shift from influencer to entrepreneur. A must-listen for anyone serious about turning creativity into real commerce.
00:00 Introduction
01:20 Kicking things off in NYC with viral hoodie success
04:40 Finding the right manufacturers and negotiating better terms
07:36 Using mentors and AI to scale smarter and faster
10:52 How AI automates content and creator approval
13:36 Purely White’s rise through Snapchat before pivoting to TikTok
16:45 How changes in algorithms nearly sank the business
19:17 What makes a good media buyer and how to track performance
22:26 Scripting influencer content and learning from audience behaviour
25:15 Street interviews and podcast clips as powerful ad formats
28:52 Getting copied by Gap and taking it as a compliment
32:11 Learning from global brands to prep for international expansion
36:10 Why Europe, UK, Canada and cold climates are next
39:34 What they look for in creators beyond follower count
42:05 Why talking on camera builds stronger consumer trust
47:09 TikTok Shops vs Meta for content and sales strategy
50:00 Testing blankets, tees, snack hoodies and what to avoid
53:25 Why top creators rarely leave to start their own brands
56:56 In-house hires over agencies and building a loyal team
60:00 What his day-to-day actually looks like as a founder
62:11 Scaling Nude while keeping focus on what’s working
Escape the 9-5 & 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 - join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst
Follow Hudson
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itshudson/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hudson-leogrande-112891231/
Website: https://link.me/itshudson
» Produced by Hack You Media: pioneering a new category of content at the intersection of health performance, entrepreneurship & cognitive optimisation.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/
Website: https://hackyou.media/
Daniel Priestley returns to the show for a timely conversation on what he sees as the single most disruptive force facing entrepreneurs today: the AI wave. With his signature clarity and founder-first mindset, Daniel breaks down how AI is rapidly reshaping the business landscape, from product creation and hiring to client acquisition and competitive positioning.
If you’re a business owner still on the fence, this episode will challenge you to adapt fast or risk falling behind. Packed with practical insights, it’s a sharp reminder that the way we build, grow, and think about businesses is changing quickly.
00:00 The return of Daniel Priestley
01:30 The podcast tipping point and monetising with PE deals
04:33 How big podcasters use influence to build real wealth
08:44 Fail-forward culture, AI bonuses, and Stephen’s team structure
11:06 Using AI to stress-test your business before it’s disrupted
15:29 Vitality vs functionality and putting AI around the human work
20:42 Loops and groups mindset for post-AI entrepreneurs
25:50 Scaling teams with the 2-4-8-30 framework
29:00 Why writing a book unlocks creativity and closes chapters
32:56 Splitting your fitness phase and longevity phase with books
36:01 When to kill a business vs betting on its exponential upside
41:48 Why Prime Energy missed the long tail and lost relevance
45:43 Lighter fluid vs hot coals and surviving beyond the hype
49:00 Why Neutonic could work where others failed
52:42 Beverage market landmines and the path to $1B exits
55:19 Meme culture and TikTok attention hacks
58:25 LinkedIn’s underrated leverage and 1% post advantage
01:01:31 Building equity by trading influence, not just capital
01:08:15 Millionaire migration trends and why the UK is bleeding
01:14:27 Who’s buying up Britain and what it really costs the country
01:19:01 Why left-leaning policy sounds good but wrecks economies
01:26:35 What Daniel would do as PM?
» Escape the 9-5 & 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 - join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst
» Follow Daniel
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielpriestley/?hl=en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielpriestley/
Website: https://danielpriestley.com/
» Produced by Hack You Media: pioneering a new category of content at the intersection of health performance, entrepreneurship & cognitive optimisation.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/
Website: https://hackyou.media/
Russ Cook (AKA Hardest Geezer) is the first person in history to run the entire length of Africa, over 16,000km through deserts, mountains, war zones and everything in between. But this episode isn’t just about the miles. It’s about the mindset behind them.
We dig into how Russ built his pain tolerance, what it really took to push through the darkest moments, and how ordinary people can unlock extraordinary levels of discipline. It’s raw, honest, and wildly motivating, exactly what you’d expect from the Hardest Geezer.
00:00 Introduction
01:40 Kicking off in London and where “Hardest Geezer” came from
03:15 Growing up in sleepy Worthing and building resilience through banter
06:45 The early gym days and getting roasted for self-improvement
08:05 Reigniting running after a rough patch of drinking and gambling
10:10 Running as a mental battlefield more than a physical one
13:00 Influences like Goggins and Gooch and redefining mental toughness
14:01 When the idea to run the length of Africa was born
15:32 Meeting a world-travelling cyclist and deciding to run instead
17:24 Running 66 days from Asia to London with a hammock and little money
20:24 Wild solo travel stories including wolves, prostitutes, and relentless hunger
22:50 The allure and quiet intensity of running alone with your thoughts
25:34 British culture, team sports, and outgrowing binge drinking
28:46 Staying shredded with gym consistency and knowing your limits
31:07 Body dysmorphia, competing, and finding a healthier relationship with fitness
33:54 Life after success and why fulfilment beats chasing numbers
36:40 Realising chasing status symbols like cars and watches means little
41:48 Planning the Africa run and navigating dangerous, unstable regions
46:57 Starting in South Africa with £10k and no sponsors
51:33 Hostage situation in Congo
54:11 Crossing the Tunisia finish line and feeling true fulfilment
58:09 What comes after Africa and why pole-to-pole might be next
01:11:15 Launching Hardest Adventures to help others transform through challenge
01:14:11 Rediscovering discipline, soft patches, and mental toughness post-Africa
» Escape the 9-5 & 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 - join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst
» Follow Russ«
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardestgeezer/?hl=en
Website: https://linktr.ee/hardestgeezer
» Produced by Hack You Media: pioneering a new category of content at the intersection of health performance, entrepreneurship & cognitive optimisation.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/
Website: https://hackyou.media/
Brandon Carter (AKA King Keto) isn’t just about aesthetics. He’s built an empire helping men master their bodies, finances, and mindsets. In this episode, we unpack the philosophy behind his intense approach to discipline, why modern men are struggling with consistency, and how building a strong body is often the gateway to building a strong life.
From entrepreneurship training, we explore the mindsets that fuel long-term success and how Brandon thinks about masculinity, influence, and leaving a mark.
00:00 Introduction
01:00 Growing up in Chicago during the murder capital era
04:36 Military school, discipline, and escaping a destructive path
06:06 His dad’s rise to millions and sudden collapse
08:39 Losing his father during the 2008 financial crisis
09:51 Working multiple jobs and chasing stability in New York
11:50 Starting online fitness before it was a thing
14:03 Blending intermittent fasting and HIIT on YouTube
16:19 Impostor syndrome and early content struggles
18:28 The rise of fitness vlogs and content evolution
20:06 Living in New York vs Miami in terms of opportunities
22:51 Miami’s wealth, reputation, and spotting authenticity
30:52 Outgrowing nightlife and shifting to long-term discipline
34:00 Getting on TRT and the shift in energy, sleep and mood
36:38 Managing sex drive, relationships, and time like an entrepreneur
40:44 Regretting time spent chasing women over building legacy
47:06 Natty debates, genetics, and what people don’t understand
54:31 The truth about Miami, party scene vs focused lifestyle
1:02:56 Why he trains his son and lives to impress a 7-year-old
1:10:44 Avoiding novelty traps and dopamine addictions
1:13:26 Embracing clean living, structure, and delayed gratification
» Escape the 9-5 & 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 - join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst
» Follow Brandon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kingketo/?hl=en
Website: https://event.webinarjam.com/login/m9986u74t8srsgsg
» Produced by Hack You Media: pioneering a new category of content at the intersection of health performance, entrepreneurship & cognitive optimisation
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/
Website: https://hackyou.media/
Devon Levesque is known for pushing limits, both mentally and physically. But behind the headline-grabbing challenges like bear-crawling a marathon is a founder who’s as focused on discipline and service as he is on strength.
In this episode, we get into the mindset behind Devon’s training, his philosophy on building resilience, and how he’s scaling businesses with the same intensity he brings to fitness. We also talk about routine, self-imposed suffering, and why the hardest part of any challenge is often what happens after.
00:00 Introduction
01:00 Devon’s early years on a farm and complete lifestyle shift
04:25 Running nightclubs before transitioning into personal training
06:10 Partnering with Promix and revamping the supplement brand
09:09 Scaling a business through community and customer retention
12:38 Building a supportive network of high performers
15:01 Bear crawling a marathon and raising $2M for suicide prevention
18:58 Processing his father’s death through physical and mental endurance
21:35 Life-changing breakthroughs at a weeklong therapy institute
24:14 The impact of podcasting on personal growth and EQ
29:01 Summiting Everest, doing a backflip, and facing real fear
33:20 Near-death moment and watching others fall on Everest
36:57 Finnish sauna culture and chasing discomfort for growth
38:49 Playing like a kid daily as a form of therapy
41:14 Investing only in businesses aligned with his values
46:40 Devon breaks down his scaling strategy
49:06 Blending wellness, community, and nature
51:33 Building a values-based daily routine and protecting time
54:17 Getting too comfortable in Dubai and seeking new challenges
» Escape the 9-5 & 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 - join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst
» Follow Devon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devonlevesque/?hl=en
Website: https://hoo.be/devonlevesque
» Produced by Hack You Media: pioneering a new category of content at the intersection of health performance, entrepreneurship & cognitive optimisation.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/
Website: https://hackyou.media/
Hair loss is one of the most common and misunderstood issues in men’s health. In this episode, Dr. Raghu Reddy, one of the UK’s leading hair restoration experts, joins the show for a deep dive into everything you need to know about prevention, treatment, and long-term strategy.
Going over my own transplant, why I did it, how the process actually works, and what most people don’t understand going into it. From Finasteride and PRP to stem cells and transplants, Dr. Reddy breaks down what really works and what to avoid.
00:00 Introduction
01:40 Why Mike chose to document his hair transplant on YouTube
04:12 Breaking taboos around male cosmetic procedures
06:45 The risks of going to cheap, unregulated hair transplant clinics
09:11 Planning for long-term hair preservation with fewer grafts
12:29 Advances in surgical techniques vs stalled innovation in cloning
14:41 Causes of hair loss: genes, stress, hormones and ageing
17:36 Steroids, DHT and hair loss acceleration in fitness culture
19:08 What made Mike an ideal candidate for a successful transplant
22:49 Managing expectations and styling post-transplant
26:05 Why a two-day procedure leads to more precision and safety
29:00 The gym, healing, and avoiding early mistakes after surgery
32:21 Hair shedding timeline and what to expect in regrowth
34:01 Rise in beard transplants and cultural beauty standards
36:40 What causes a procedure to fail and how they fix it
40:38 Tips for recovery, swelling, and avoiding sun damage
43:21 Finasteride myths, side effects and how to dose it smartly
51:26 Topical vs oral treatments and new options like Dutasteride
56:03 Everyday habits that protect and support healthy hair growth
59:00 Greying hair, copper deficiency and potential solutions
1:02:21 Can you regrow lost hair or just preserve what’s left
1:04:42 PRP, stem cells and the ethics of unproven treatments
1:07:26 What’s next for Raghu and the future of hair restoration
1:11:19 Advice for young men losing hair too early
My full hair transplant process: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKKpjoA1Byw3RLRhdFNe_DqiwL62UFfbN&si=GH0z1QciFKvqDePN
Escape the 9-5 & 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 - join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst
Follow Dr. Reddy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drraghureddy/?hl=en
Website: https://www.drraghureddy.com/
Grant Cardone, real estate master and founder of 10X, joins the show for an honest breakdown of his journey from addiction and failure to billion-dollar success. It’s easy to assume his rise was all confidence and sales mastery—but Grant admits he would’ve skipped sales entirely and gone straight to marketing and investing.
From sleeping on couches to building a $5B portfolio, he shares what really changed the game: going 10x bigger in every direction. Whether you love him or hate him, this episode is a masterclass in thinking long-term, building resilience, and playing offense.
» Escape the 9-5 & 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:
join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst
» Follow Grant:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grantcardone
Website: https://grantcardone.com/
Christian Guzman, founder of Alphalete and creator of Alphaland, joins the show to break down the real highs and brutal lows of building a multimillion-dollar brand from scratch. It’s tempting to assume overnight success when you see big launches and flashy gyms—but Christian walks us through the failed gyms, manufacturing mistakes, and sleepless decisions that built the empire. From ordering $2.5M in inventory without a finance team to managing influencer trends, middlemen, and changing buyer habits, he shares what it truly takes to scale.
» Escape the 9-5 & 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 Christian
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christianguzmanfitness
Website: https://alphaleteathletics.com
