Heroes!

Michael here. 👋

Happy Sunday.

Quick posture check!

How’s yours?

Slumped and contracted, like a wilted flower?

Or…

Upright and graceful, shoulders down and packed with the neck stretched and chin held in line with the sternum?

Embodying dignity, like a matador, soldier, dancer, or elite athlete?

Our PHYSICAL PRESENCE matters.

In high pressure situations and in everyday life.

Per one of the highlights Brian pulled from Dave Alfred’s The Pressure Principle in this week’s new Philosopher’s Note:

“Command posture isn’t only of use as a means to reset your body language before a specific event. It is advisable to maintain this posture throughout whatever you’re doing.”

Flip the switch!

PHYSICALLY embody the best version of yourself.

All day, every day.

And remember: “No matter who you are, you can ALWAYS improve. At the margins of your performance, you can still get better—and you can learn to enjoy and embrace the challenge of improving and celebrate your progress.”

TODAY’S the day to move from theory to practice.

Let’s get to it!

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1. The Pressure Principle by Dave Alred

This week’s new Philosopher’s Note is on The Pressure Principle by Dave Alred.

Here’s the intro quote to the Note:

“The Pressure Principle is no quick-fix, sticking-plaster solution; it is a multifaceted philosophy, but its lessons are simple to apply. You’ll see benefits in the short term, certainly, and, if you commit to it fully, the long-term gains can be huge. You will see improvements. You will be better able to deal with pressure and perform at your best. ...

This book examines not only the importance of practice per se, but also how different types of practice can prepare us for the pressure environment. It explains both how a skill is learned in the first place and the most effective ways to execute it when the tension mounts. Techniques are offered to build confidence and develop a productive mindset to tackle the mental interference that might inhibit us at crucial moments in our lives. The power of the body, as well as the mind, to help us cope with stress will be explained, too. Going beyond sport, we will look at what we can learn from the Royal Marines, dolphin trainers, fighter pilots, skateboarders, car salesmen, and the world of advertising.

My hope is that anyone wishing to improve their performance in a pressured environment will be helped by this book. My message is that you are capable of achieving so much more, whoever you are. I don’t have all the answers—I too subscribe to the no-limits mindset and am always learning and keen to improve—but I am about to share the results of my experience as a teacher, a learner, and a coach to some of the best in the world in the most pressured environments imaginable.”

— Dave Alred from The Pressure Principle

Premium members can read or listen to the Note here!

(Not yet a Heroic Premium member? Get 30 days free for instant access to this new Philosopher’s Note + over 600 others + a TON of other goodness!)

2. “Flip the Switch” and command your presence

“In between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
— Victor Frankl

What do you do between stimulus and response?

Do you react automatically, or do you Flip the Switch and choose a response aligned with your highest values, Living with Areté by expressing the best version of yourself?

One of this week’s Big Ideas present in each of the three newest Philosopher’s Notes (Pressure, The Captain Class, and The Pressure Principle) is the importance of posture—the physical presence that projects confidence, poise, and control.

Whether on the field or in life, the way you carry yourself directly impacts how you perform. By adopting a dignified posture—shoulders down, neck stretched, chin in line with your sternum—you’re not just standing tall, you’re preparing to respond with clarity and power.

Here’s how to Flip the Switch:

  1. STIMULUS: Something happens. Don’t just react to it unconsciously. Recognize your ability to choose your response.
  2. STEP INTO THE GAP: Pause. Stand (or sit) up nice and tall. Imagine pulling a thread through your head. Chest up, chin down. Breathe. Smile.
  3. RESPONSE: Exercise your freedom and your power by choosing virtuous responses.

Now… Let’s put it into practice!

Pick a stimulus that’s currently triggering a less-than-ideal reaction. Proactively plan to swap out that old response with a new, awesome one. The next time that same old stimulus shows up, have fun flipping the switch and executing your new response.

Remember, it’s all about living with Areté.

Add the “Live with Areté” target to your app and swiping it every time you consciously step into that gap and choose the best version of yourself.

(Fun: The Heroic community has hit this target 105.3K times this year alone, and 168.7K times all-time! 🙌)

Today’s the day to Flip the Switch, command your presence, and start crushing your targets.

3. Meet the trainer: Mark Walker

Mark’s Hero’s journey started in a fog of depression, self-doubt, and overwhelm.

Despite having a wonderful family and a successful career in IT, he found himself burdened by frustration and anger, with his inner critic constantly tearing him down.

After beginning to study and practice meditation and diving into self-improvement, he discovered Heroic. That’s when everything started to shift. The wisdom and practices he found here helped him build the habits and mindset that transformed his life from the inside out. Mark went from feeling lost to finding his purpose, and from being overwhelmed to taking control.

Today, Mark is a Certified Heroic Coach and a Level 2 Heroic Workshop Instructor and Trainer.

Check out more of his inspiring story here!

And… as always, this story isn’t just about Mark.

It’s about YOU!

What might your life look like if you could channel your challenges into strength, find clarity where there was once confusion, and build the habits that lead to lasting change?

Because you can.

💪

P.S. Want some support on the journey? Join the next class of our Heroic Coach program (starting September 2nd!), join one of our upcoming workshop trainings, or work 1-on-1 with a Heroic Performance Coach to start creating the life you’re meant to live.

Let’s do this, together.

4. How to create indestructible trust in yourself

Let’s talk about confidence.

The word comes from the Latin con + fidere and means “with intense trust.” But what does that really mean? It means having indestructible trust in yourself—knowing, deep down, that no matter what life throws at you, you can handle it.

That’s the kind of confidence we’re aiming for. And that’s exactly what the Confidence 101 master class will help you create.

In this class, we dive deep into the science of confidence, covering everything from self-efficacy and the Stockdale Paradox to practical tools like the “Anti-Fragile Sticker” and how to build your own “Confidence Gym.” It’s about more than just feeling good—it’s about creating a rock-solid belief in yourself that stands strong in any situation.

Whether you’re just starting your journey or you’re looking to take your confidence to the next level, Confidence 101 is packed with wisdom you can start applying today.

5. Community highlights

Check out a few of the ways community members are building confidence and thriving under pressure this week!

  • Ariel’s Resilient Partnership with Coach Kevin, as they tackled a 5K Tough Mudder. From ice-cold mud to live electrical wires, they demonstrated the power of teamwork and the strength that comes from facing challenges together. As Ariel shared, “We can’t do life alone, not to the level of greatness and self-mastery that our true self knows is possible.”
  • Lori’s Heroic Huddle in Spokane, WA — an evening of connection and transformation with 16 people from her local community ranging in age from 27 to 67! Moving from theory to practice to mastery TOGETHER (!) in pursuit of becoming the best versions of themselves in service to the world.
  • Beth’s Bold Launch of her coaching business at an all-women’s mountain bike race. Beth not only entered a new racing category but also had great conversations, secured a podcast invite, and earned a 2nd place finish. Her confidence and willingness to do hard things are inspiring—both on the track and in her new venture.

Let’s continue to build confidence, face challenges head-on, and support each other along the way. One person at a time.

Starting with you, me, and all of us.

TODAY!

+1. Wisdom from the week:

"Keep asking yourself what your ‘hero’ would do and then find the courage to do it.”

— Bill Beswick

Social shareable quote in light mode or dark mode.

And this week’s Heroic +1s:

This week’s featured Meditation is Expand Your Courage (8 minutes).

And…

Have questions or suggestions about Heroic, or ANYTHING we can help with?

Join us on Wednesday at 1:00pm EST / 10:00am PST for Office Hours. Or reach out to our top-rated Heroic Service team by replying to this note or sending an email to support@heroic.us.

Alright…

With Wisdom + Discipline + Love + Courage + Gratitude + Hope + Curiosity + Zest.

Heroes Unite!

Let’s do this.

Day 1.

-Michael and Team Heroic

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