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First Things THRST

First Things THRST

By: Mike Thurston
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About this listen

‘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.

Mike Thurston
Economics Leadership Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • E094 - Your Relationship is Failing: Quick Fixes Before it's Too Late | Diego Perez
    Jun 7 2025
    » Produced by Hack You Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/
    Website: https://hackyou.media/

    Diego Perez, widely known by his pen name Yung Pueblo joins the show to share the inner journey that led him from emotional chaos to global recognition as a voice for self-awareness and healing. Before the books, the quotes, and the millions of readers, there was a personal reckoning: addiction, overstimulation, and the need to change from the inside out. Meditation became the turning point, helping him rebuild his relationship with stillness, discipline, and emotional honesty.

    Diego's new release "How to Love Better" is out now: https://lnk.bio/a8IF

    00:00 Introduction
    02:00 How Diego created the Young Pueblo pen name and what it means
    04:31 Partying hard at university and realising it was self-avoidance
    06:13 Health collapse at 23 and the wake-up call that changed everything
    08:46 Rugby, gym life, and how Mike avoided spiralling at university
    10:14 Early motivations behind Mike’s fitness journey
    11:47 Building discipline through meditation and the “mental gym” concept
    13:08 Why you don’t need to become a monk to master resilience
    14:38 How Silent 45-day retreats reset personal growth and relationships
    16:45 Why Diego invests heavily in silent retreats every year
    18:04 Meditation, scrolling addictions, and wisdom
    22:23 Diego’s relationship with emotions
    29:17 Why communication matters more than mind reading
    31:06 Should you grow with a partner or find someone already emotionally aware?
    35:03 Dating apps, and the dangers of chasing 2% better
    40:27 Mike’s experience thriving after living alone for the first time
    42:47 Solitude, presence, and why personal growth fuels better relationships
    51:11 Learning to trust your intuition over generic dating advice
    54:35 Mike and Diego reflect on career, self-knowledge, and relationship priorities
    1:01:31 Handling conflict properly instead of expecting endless peace
    1:10:02 Compassionate venture capital investing and startup mental health
    1:18:16 Shifting social media landscapes and why newsletters matter more now
    1:21:03 Loving the creative process and protecting deep work
    » 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 – get your first month for free: https://join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst

    » Follow Diego
    How to Love Better: https://lnk.bio/a8IF
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yung_pueblo
    Article: https://yungpueblo.substack.com/
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 27 mins
  • E093 - I Found the Easiest Training Routine That Actually Builds Muscle Quick | Davis Diley
    Jun 2 2025
    Davis Diley, entrepreneur, content creator, and competitive strongman—joins the show to challenge one of the most common fitness myths: that more training equals better results. Drawing from his own journey pushing elite numbers in strength while juggling business and content, Davis breaks down why recovery, frequency, and nervous system management matter more than just intensity.

    He explains how training less—but smarter—has led to bigger lifts, fewer injuries, and more consistency over time. It’s a refreshing, no-BS take on performance, discipline, and letting go of the grind-for-grind’s-sake mindset.

    00:00 Introduction
    01:00 Kicking off inside a $55,000 home gym setup
    04:46 Planning and building a professional-grade home gym
    07:15 How the pandemic reshaped fitness content and workout habits
    08:10 Davis’ gym journey, football and a hunger for control
    10:47 Discovering bodybuilding as an outlet for personal responsibility
    14:17 How training helped avoid distractions and anchor discipline
    16:18 Is fitness coaching too saturated for newcomers?
    20:12 Navigating conflicting advice and finding trusted voices
    22:32 Trimming the fat from training as an advanced lifter
    25:36 Going all in on food, focus, and gym execution
    28:00 Building and scaling your own fitness app the hard way
    34:45 Davis’ unexpected viral moment sparks a new career path
    38:58 Why content creation never gets easier, just more demanding
    45:46 Crafting standout short-form videos with just a phone
    49:13 Shifting from aesthetics to long-form content and longevity
    51:00 Strongman days, extreme bulking, and chasing World’s Strongest Man
    58:09 Narrowly avoiding steroids after a career-altering back injury
    1:02:16 Staying lean, staying motivated, and the mental cost of shredding
    1:09:35 Meals, volume, and why boring food is killing your cut
    1:11:38 Travel routines, smart walking, and eating without spiralling

    » 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 – get your first month for free: https://join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst

    » Follow Davis
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davis.diley/?hl=en
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davis.diley?lang=en
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 20 mins
  • E092 - The Guaranteed Way to Live Your Best Life as a Man | Chris Williamson
    May 28 2025
    Returning face and old friend Chris Williamson is back on the show to unpack the real cost of chasing self-improvement—and the trade-offs few people talk about.
    While the internet makes optimisation look effortless, Chris shares how his own journey has been marked by burnout, loneliness, and the pressure to always do more.
    He questions the myth that productivity equals purpose, and dives into the importance of slowing down, feeling safe in your body, and building a life that’s actually enjoyable—not just efficient.
    If you’re wired for growth but feeling stretched thin, this one’s a thoughtful reset.

    00:00 Reuniting in the heart of Austin
    01:37 Why everyone's moving to Texas
    02:40 Building habits that actually stick
    07:30 How guests reshape your thinking
    09:08 The passion behind the microphone
    13:29 Optimising your mental game
    15:39 Meeting heroes and battling nerves
    21:31 Choosing guests worth listening to
    24:46 The weight of public opinions
    29:43 Mastering the time management puzzle
    35:08 Life between the UK and Austin
    41:02 Building Neutonic from the ground up
    43:35 Bringing past skills to new ventures
    47:14 The hidden battle with mold toxicity
    49:45 Coming to terms with getting older
    52:47 Evolving as a better partner
    1:00:51 Knowing when to walk away
    1:10:16 Writing through health challenges
    1:13:56 AI's role in content creation
    1:21:04 Where AI falls short in fitness
    1:25:07 The art of high-quality podcasting
    1:30:18 Staying relevant in changing times
    1:35:04 Taking the leap into video content
    1:39:02 Facing criticism with grace
    1:43:29 Understanding our shared insecurities

    » 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 - join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst

    » Follow Chris
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx/?hl=en
    Website: https://chriswillx.com/
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 47 mins

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Next level Thurston

Mike's venture into the podcast game is a natural progression which he has settled into perfectly. Great podcasts, easy to listen to.

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