I was supposed to be writing you from a flying germ tube somewhere over the Midwest earlier today—hurtling toward Florida and the ISSN conference, sipping overpriced airport coffee and contemplating the weird ingredients lists of the 5 crackers they gave me as a snack mid-flight.

Instead?

Still at home.
Still caffeinated.
Still staring into the void wondering how I got rolled by Sun Country airlines harder than a newbie doing curls in the squat rack.

Flight delay: eight hours.

But here’s the kicker: I caught it right before stepping out the door at 6 AM, dodging a full day of airport purgatory.

Small win in a world seemingly hell-bent on going full Mad Max in real time.

And look—I know this is a first-world problem..

....But in that moment, frustration was chewing through my skull like a pre-workout-charged termite. So, I did what any slightly deranged physiologist would do:

I trained.

But first, I caught myself doomscrolling on IG like a sugar-fueled squirrel in an attention deficit thunderstorm.

Stress levels spiked. Eyes glazed. I could feel my brain melting into a cortisol stew.

Then I slammed the brakes.

Paused.
Breathed.
Remembered: I can’t fix the chaos of the world, but I can command my response to it.

So can you and everyone.

I salvaged my morning.

Finished my full AM routine.
Doubled my meditation outside - getting the ole sunlight into my eye ballz.
Tossed in extra strength work with my cardio including some grip work and fast concentric reps with heavy a$$ eccentric work courtesy of the Beyond Power Volta 1 device.

My upper back and forearms are wrecked.

On paper? A horrific plan. Back-to-back high-volume lifts:

• Upper body grip-ocalypse on Friday (2+ hours)
• Saturday: soul-melting leg volume and isometric grip work
  My CNS was already whispering for mercy.

But the gym is my church as I am sure you can attest to also. So I went in without an agenda. I played.

Cranked up some Mastodon.
Loaded the Beyond Power Voltra 1.
Went full metal concentric/slow-motion eccentric on split row variations.

I even did cable lateral raises.

Yes—lateral raises. I know. Cue dramatic sound effect.

Then I hit:

• A 3K row
• Indoor bike spin
• 2 minutes submerged in a 41°F converted freezer that would make Wim Hof flinch

Logged it with pen and paper.

Zero screens. Zero distractions. Zero doom.

And after? The world was still on fire. But I wasn’t.

That’s the power of systems thinking -knowing that I needed a session more for my psychology than physiology today.

This is exactly what I teach inside the Flex Diet Cert.
Knowing how to pivot—fast.
How to think in stress-response loops.
How to recover before you flatline your own progress.
How to coach humans through chaos—physiologically and psychologically.

Because let’s be honest…

The world isn’t getting any less bonkers.

And your clients?

They don’t need more rules. They need a flexible framework to adapt, flex, and thrive through it all.

That’s what the Flex Diet Cert delivers—real tools, real science, real action.

It closes tomorrow, Monday at midnight PST. This is the last time it’s scheduled to be open this year.

And if you enroll today, I’ll give you access to my private email for direct questions plus the bonus items listed on the enrollment page below.

​https://miket.me/fdc​

But don’t just take it from me.

Here’s what recent Flex Diet Cert grad Jennifer Hardy had to say:

“Dr Mike has opened up his Flex Cert so check it out. It is so worth it and I give it 5 out of 5 stars...
​
I have invested a lot of money on certifications and after completing the Functional Nutrition and Metabolism Specialization, I really didn't think I needed anymore and didn't plan on investing anymore for a while... besides staying in the Mastery group.
​
However, I had heard Dr. Mike Nelson speak At the Real Coaches Summit and had wanted to check out his HRV course. He is brilliant and I love listening to him.
​
When the opportunity came around earlier this year to invest in the Flex Cert, I talked to Mike Millner and he said he had heard great things about it and so I decided to go for it.
​
The price is great and I loved learning how he ranks interventions and gives action steps for each intervention that he uses when coaching clients. Thank you Dr Mike!”​
– Jennifer Hardy

This is your window, my friend.

Get in before the clock hits midnight and the doors slam shut like an old-school power rack.

Much love, stress inoculation, and metabolic flex,
Dr. Mike

P.S. Train hard. Eat like a scientist. Meditate like a monk in a thunderstorm. And when in doubt—do cable lateral raises and forgive yourself later, hahaha.

​https://miket.me/fdc​

​

_____________________

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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