Hola from Minnesota as I'm still recovering from my epic time in Reston, VA—where I just crawled out of two days locked in a Mastermind bunker with Coach Kav and the crew.
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Brain fried, caffeine levels critical, but spirit lit up like a deadlift bar bending under seven plates.

While I was there, my buddy Dr. Lars dropped a truth bomb: the simple framework I taught him—coaching leverage—changed the way he works with clients.
That’s when I knew: this needs to hit your eyeballs, too.

So here it is. The dirty little formula that runs my Flex Diet Cert, my Phys Flex Cert, and basically every coaching decision I make:

Coaching leverage = Physiologic Effect ✕ Client Ability to Change

Or, if you like tattoos and punchy soundbites: Physiology ✕ Psychology.

This ends the stupid “what’s more important—mindset or physiology?” cage match. The answer is BOTH. Always both bro.
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​Real-World Example: Sleep

Say your client is struggling with sleep.

Option A: Some elaborate 17-step shaman biohack ritual complete with barefoot grounding at sunset, chant kumbaya into a Himalayan singing bowl, tape your mouth, blast your nut sack with red light, then levitate in a cryochamber.
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Physiology score: maybe high.
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Psych score: straight-up zero, unless you’re Brian Johnson living in a $2 million biohacking Disneyland.

Option B: Add one scoop of Killswitch hot cocoa into their nightly wind-down.
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Physiology: 7/10 (magnesium, GABA, tart cherry, theobromine).
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Psych: 8/10 (boil water, sip tasty cocoa, done).
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Overall leverage: massive.

Because here’s the math that matters: 0 ✕ anything = ZERO.
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If the client won’t (or can’t) do the intervention, it doesn’t matter if it’s the cure to aging.

Why This Works

The beauty of coaching leverage is it gives you a compass.

• Physiology without psychology = a science project nobody follows.
• Psychology without physiology = motivational memes with no teeth.
• Both together = results. Big, bloody, undeniable results.

This is why my interventions inside the Certs are ranked by leverage overall via the framework.
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Protein is #1 because it’s powerful AND people can actually do it.
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Sleep is #8 because while it’s physiologically god-tier, behaviorally it’s like trying to herd caffeinated cats on crack.

The Meathead Gospel

So next time you’re tempted to fall down a rabbit hole of $1,200 gadgets, fasting protocols that feel like prison sentences, or bro science TikToks that make your IQ drop… stop.

Pull out the framework. Run the math.
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What’s the physiology punch?
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What’s the psychology feasibility?
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Only then do you know what to double-down on.

That’s coaching leverage, my friend. That’s how you stop wasting time and start stacking wins.

Much love, metabolic carnage, and no red light where the sun don't shine,
Dr. Mike

PS - Test out adding the Killswitch sleep supplement that is a tasty hot cocoa at night as part of your wind down routine.

Note- I liked it so much I wanted to be an affiliate for it.

>> sleep better now <<

Hit me up with any questions!
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_____________________

Mike T Nelson CISSN, CSCS, MSME, PhD
Associate Professor, Carrick Institute
Owner, Extreme Human Performance, LLC
Editorial Board Member, STRONG Fitness Mag

Mike T Nelson is a PhD and not a physician or registered dietitian. The contents of this email should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any health problem - nor is it intended to replace the advice of a physician. Always consult your physician or qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health.

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