Mike Mahler – Live Life Aggressively
Cassidy Phillips, founder of Trigger Point Performance Therapy, has a great phrase – “What you tolerate you accept“. Mike Mahler’s new book, Live Life Aggressively, rages against our all too common acceptance of the things we tolerate, that hold us back, keep us down and wear us out. But he’s not offering any quick fixes and he’s keen to point out that the only person who can change the situation is you. Now, if you are familiar with Mike you will know he appears to be a bundle of contradictions. He’s a hormonally optimized, vegan, kettlebell swinging, straight talking, dog loving, Religious Studies Major, Bhagavad Gita quoting, entrepreneurial, heart on his sleeve, no bullshit kind of a guy. The words “tough” and “love” come to mind.
“Who the hell does Mike Mahler think he is?”
Who gave him the heads up to come over and start stirring things up and asking awkward questions? Well, despite being an animal rights advocate, Mike has a license to shoot Sacred Cows. It is awarded on merit, based on the ability to admit your own shortcomings, failures and pratfalls and share them with candour. Mike’s best stories are the personal ones, where he is centre stage and struggling. Despite the flaming beanie, the formidable strength and his contempt for political correctness, what you quickly learn is Mike Mahler is as human and fallible as the rest of us. He’s happy to share it because he knows failure is what happens when you try, mistakes on the other hand are the repeat performance where you neglect to learn anything first time round.
You immediately know you are in good company when the foreword is by Steve Cotter and the Introduction is from Ken Blackburn. Ken sets the stage telling us “This book is not written with the goal of making you feel warm and fuzzy”. But he’s quick to point out “Mike’s plan may not be easy, but it works”. You see, long before Mike asked you to put yourself under the microscope, he did it himself.
The book is made up of various articles Mike has written over the years and compiled into three sections, What the Self Help Gurus Should Be Telling You, The Importance of Taking Self Inventory and Happiness & Success. Always the most generous of online information providers, it is wonderful to have so many of these pieces pulled together in one place. Whilst you can dip in and out of the book, I personally found myself wanting to read each section through and in sequence. You will find plenty in there to make you think, pieces that having you nodding in agreement, articles that make you stop and think and undoubtedly a few pieces that will make you bristle. If you find yourself sitting with this book and simply singing along then you are missing the point. This isn’t an instructional, this isn’t a self help book, it’s a call to action directed squarely at the reader. And you know what? If you don’t like it Mike is very happy for you to go write your own book and share it with the world. He’d postively encourage it.
“To be honest I think most self help books are garbage, and this book is definitely not a self help book.” – Mike Mahler
There is a wonderful section called Why Your Need For Praise Is Holding You Back where Mike talks about Hard Core Icon Henry Rollins. Mike recounts Rollins eponymous cringe inducing TV show where he stopped just short of giving his guests a foot massage whilst reciting a eulogy. The best part is Rollins obsequious fawning over William Shatner and his musical career. You wait for the punch line…and you wait…and you wait. And then everything good Rollins might have ever done seems to evaporate. I was introduced to Rollins, albeit briefly, back in 1993 at the SXSW music conference in Austin, Texas. Our conversation lasted all of 2 minutes during which he spent the entire time scanning the bar of the Four Seasons hotel like an FBI agent. When I asked him what he was at SXSW for he said he was “Scopin‘ the scene”. The entire conversation took place without eye contact. I haven’t listened to Black Flag since.
Live Life Aggressively is a great read, kettlebells or not. And despite Mr Mahlers undeniably frank and sometimes blunt approach, what you realise is the depth of his compassion. He wants to tell you like it is because he actually gives a shit.
If you are not familiar with Mike’s various DVDs you’d do well to check out his fluff free approach and his ability to bring all manner of talent together under one roof. Mike has produced DVDs covering his own comprehensive approach as well as DVD sets including contributions from some of the most progressive coaches around including Steve Cotter, Ken Blackburn, Tom Fruman, Jon Hynds, Jason Dolby, Steve Maxwell, Sincere Hogan and Mark Philippi.
Mike Mahler & Sincere Hogan - Ssshhh!
I have written before about the importance of learning from people who are emblematic, who live what they espouse and who share without omission. I have been lucky enough to spend time with Mike, seen him in action, followed his blog, watched his DVDs and now read his book. You wont find a more authentic individual to listen, learn from and on occasion, disagree with.
Mike has included a reference section highlighting the source of various quotes and authors and there is also a recommended reading list which includes some fantastic suggestions.
As an indication of what’s in store, here a few of the subject headings from Live Life Aggressively -
- Why You Must Optimise Your Hormones
- The Danger Of Always Accommodating
- Why Your Need For Praise Is Holding you Back
- Are You Actually Prepared To Take Advice
- Your Flawed Decision Making Process Is Why You Fail
- Embrace Compassion Fully Or Be Destroyed By Anger
- The Real Battle is Within
- Fear is the Ultimate Manipulation Method
- Jealousy is a Wasted Emotion
- Timing is Never Perfect
- What Are You Prepared To Do Now?
