First Things THRST
First Things THRST

First Things THRST

Mike Thurston

Overview
Episodes

Details

‘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.

Recent Episodes

E121 - Inside The Life Of A Multi-Million $ Dubai Luxury Entrepreneur | Lord Aleem
DEC 19, 2025
E121 - Inside The Life Of A Multi-Million $ Dubai Luxury Entrepreneur | Lord Aleem
» Produced by Hack You Media: pioneering a new category of content at the intersection of health performance, entrepreneurship and cognitive optimisationInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/Website: https://hackyou.media/After years of building genuine connections through unique experiences — from letting people sit in his Bugatti to creating affordable yacht slots — Lord Aleem proves that Dubai makes everyone look successful while hiding who's actually operating.In this episode, you'll hear why his dad's “no money, no honey” rule filters out time-wasters, how car rental became a nightmare when everyone tried to copy his model, and what happens when you realise 80% of your day is solving problems nobody sees.Tune in for his framework on protecting £5 million worth of assets from drunk renters, why being driven beats driving in Dubai, and how staying connected to reality matters more than chasing the ultra-rich pulling up in Bugattis.00:00 Introduction02:10 Launching a yacht business and selling experiences, not just luxury06:31 Learning business lessons from his dad's no-nonsense approach10:10 Dubai’s flashy image vs actual wealth and real operators18:06 Choosing who’s worth your energy and protecting peace25:18 Building a personal brand with his dad’s guidance and rules30:23 Owning the first Bugatti Chiron for rent in the world35:54 Why the car hire business was more about brand than profit39:46 Why the UK rental game lost its spark and profitability43:39 Starting a chauffeur business in Dubai and why Escalades win46:25 Dubai’s oversupply problem and setting a higher service standard49:26 Expansion plans and pivoting toward yacht brokerage53:10 The massive costs and logistics of moving a superyacht56:49 YouTube gaps, self-doubt, and needing the right team around him59:14 Stepping up as a businessman and leader in Dubai01:03:53 When to say no, avoid time-wasters, and play the long game01:07:26 Lessons in building legit businesses in Dubai with red tape01:17:18 Why real happiness isn't found through money alone01:20:06 Navigating Dubai’s social distraction and staying focused01:24:45 Women in Dubai as masterful operators and tacticians01:27:21 Taking breaks, evolving creatively, and avoiding content burnout» Escape the 9-5 and 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 AleemYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/LordAleemInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lordaleem_official/?hl=en
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94 MIN
E120 - 4 Signs You’re Going To Stay Unhappy (No Matter What) | Dr K
DEC 10, 2025
E120 - 4 Signs You’re Going To Stay Unhappy (No Matter What) | Dr K
» Produced by Hack You Media: pioneering a new category of content at the intersection of health performance, entrepreneurship and cognitive optimisationInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/Website: https://hackyou.media/ After building a massive mental health platform and hitting a midlife crisis at the peak of success, Dr K proves that doing hard things and feeling accomplished isn’t the same as knowing what you want from life.You'll hear why content creation is an endless hamster wheel you can't escape, how he left millions on the table to keep things affordable, and what happens when you wake up one day, realising you've built someone else's version of success. We discuss knowing when enough is enough and how internal conflict about money and purpose affects even the people helping others figure out their lives.00:00 Introduction03:34 The emotional toll of constant content creation06:14 Why progress feels good but rarely leads to contentment11:24 How living in Dubai affects self-image and motivation13:28 Body image, self-esteem and why Mike doesn’t spiral18:38 Why self-love feels off-limits for certain men22:46 Regret, efficiency, and the pressure of lost time27:13 How subtle justifications mask deeper dissatisfaction34:35 The fear of wasting potential and staying stuck36:08 Why peak hedonism didn’t bring happiness40:00 What peace really feels like for high achievers44:05 Exploring joy in the unknown vs controlled luxury49:54 The quality of company vs the cost of experience50:57 The signs of burnout and recognising overwork early57:04 Why men struggle to understand their own feelings01:01:29 Learning how to name emotions to stop being ruled by them01:07:42 The fear of being seen and how it shapes identity01:13:42 Relationships, emotional safety, and being misunderstood01:24:57 Why men fear losing their edge and becoming “the loser” again01:35:38 Building self-awareness and making space to feel things01:48:46 How meditation helps process thoughts and reduce noise01:53:33 Dr. K’s own midlife crisis and redefining success» Escape the 9-5 and 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 Dr KInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthygamer_gg/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6VaJwyS2KXxiXqR77jqzmPX: https://twitter.com/HealthyGamerGTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@healthygamer.gg
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123 MIN
E119 - Bodybuilding, Discipline & Legacy From the Uncrowned King of Mr Olympia | Kevin Levrone
DEC 4, 2025
E119 - Bodybuilding, Discipline & Legacy From the Uncrowned King of Mr Olympia | Kevin Levrone
» Produced by Hack You Media: pioneering a new category of content at the intersection of health performance, entrepreneurship and cognitive optimisationInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/Website: https://hackyou.media/Kevin Levrone spent 30 years chasing the Olympia title — and he's here to show you why the platform you build matters more than the trophies you didn’t win.Most people think success is only measured by first place.Kevin proves your legacy is defined by how you treat people on the way up, and what you do with your influence once you have it.You’ll hear the mental shift required to go from training for aesthetics to training for sustained performance and what happens when you stop chasing perfection and start embracing simplicity.00:00 Introduction02:13 Training together and pushing past mental limits04:11 Shifting from physique to full-body conditioning08:57 Balancing intense travel schedules with fan dedication12:43 Being overlooked and using it as lifelong fuel16:00 Childhood trauma and the real roots of ambition20:33 Discovering martial arts and visualisation after losing his dad24:27 Competing from a place of pain and survival27:46 When your life feels broken, it’s actually building30:00 Why not winning Mr Olympia was a gift34:46 The crushing stage that creates long-term purpose38:24 Struggles with emotional expression and acceptance42:03 Hitting your peak later and not fearing age45:38 Life as a contracted pro bodybuilder in the '90s49:17 Travel stories, rivalries and beating Ronnie Coleman55:07 Ronnie’s willpower after all the muscle is gone58:59 Natural lifters and ageing with strength intact01:03:26 Why kids today need more real guidance01:04:42 Fatherhood as the completion of your journey01:09:02 Being a role model for the next generation01:12:07 Perfectionism and missing life’s real moments» Escape the 9-5 and 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 KevinInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevinlevrone/?hl=enWebsite: https://levrosupplements.com/
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79 MIN
E118 - *NEW* UFO Disclosure: Declassified Documents, Government Proof & ET Life On Earth
NOV 27, 2025
E118 - *NEW* UFO Disclosure: Declassified Documents, Government Proof & ET Life On Earth
» Produced by Hack You Media: pioneering a new category of content at the intersection of health performance, entrepreneurship and cognitive optimisationInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/Website: https://hackyou.media/Richard M Dolan started researching UFOs to answer one simple question for his PhD work, and thirty years later, he still can't look away from what the declassified documents are telling him.In this episode, you’ll hear why mainstream historians ignore military reports from the 1940s that explicitly state these objects aren't Soviet or American technology, what “high strangeness” means and why even sceptical researchers can’t dismiss it, and how the 2017 New York Times articles changed everything about who’s allowed to discuss this publicly.00:00 Introduction03:13 How the 2017 New York Times article changed everything07:24 Declassified documents that made it impossible to look away13:15 Belief in a non-human intelligence with its own agenda16:07 Questioning ancient aliens with a historian’s lens20:57 Why UFO sightings skyrocketed after the 19th century23:22 Earth’s potential draw for advanced civilisations25:10 Why aliens might not even be able to talk to us29:32 How WWII possibly triggered deeper alien involvement32:51 The logic behind the Roswell crash actually happening36:33 Would they intervene in a nuclear war, or let us burn?44:08 The psychological chaos true disclosure might unleash46:05 Could public alien contact lead to totalitarian control?50:21 Why democracy isn’t what we pretend it is58:06 Internal battles are slowing disclosure attempts01:03:31 The Tic Tac encounter and why no one followed up01:13:56 Richard’s favourite UFO case from 193601:22:29 Why advanced propulsion breakthroughs remain hidden01:33:43 Finding focus in a noisy, hype-driven UFO media world01:37:30 Inside his upcoming book series on USO encounters01:46:48 Which book to start with if you're new to Richard's work» Escape the 9-5 and 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 RichardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/richard_dolan/X: https://x.com/I_D_OfficialWebsite: https://i-sml.mtrbio.com/public/smartlink/richard-dolan-intelligent-disclosure
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110 MIN
E117 - Why I Deleted Everything & Started Again: Leana Deeb's Modesty Journey
NOV 20, 2025
E117 - Why I Deleted Everything & Started Again: Leana Deeb's Modesty Journey
» Produced by Hack You Media: pioneering a new category of content at the intersection of health performance, entrepreneurship & cognitive optimisationInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/Website: https://hackyou.media/Leana Deeb deleted all her content and started over because she realised she was performing a version of herself that wasn't real.After years of posting what the algorithm wanted, she wiped everything and rebuilt from scratch — this time focusing on authenticity over engagement.In this episode, you'll hear what triggered the decision to delete everything, how she navigated starting over with zero content, and what changed when she stopped playing to the algorithms.00:00 Introduction04:20 Going viral overnight and handling sudden fame09:35 The lonely chapter after blowing up online13:47 Leaving old circles behind for growth and ambition15:58 Reconnecting with faith and shifting to modesty20:54 Deleting past content and the fear of losing it all26:56 Finding peace through spirituality and time alone31:11 Pressure to appear perfect and the fear of vulnerability37:50 Creating modest fitness wear in a male-led industry43:00 The Gymshark partnership and building true representation48:57 Mixed gyms, filming struggles, and distractions for women51:00 Training motivation after covering up her body56:44 Balancing faith, modesty and showing her personality59:53 The cost of chasing engagement over alignment01:02:38 Leaving Dallas and New York burnout01:06:43 Dating as a public figure and protecting relationships01:14:39 Leana's experience giving an Oxford speech01:23:39 Navigating modern feminism and traditional roles01:26:37 The definition of female empowerment today» 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 LeanaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/leanadeebb/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@leanadeeb?lang=enUpliftyou: https://www.upliftyou.com/
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86 MIN