Activate your alter ego with totems ♟️

Hey dude,

Marcus Aurelius ruled the Roman Empire...

with a simple ring. 💎

Every morning, he'd touch it...

And transform from a simple man… to bad-ass Emperor. 🤴 

That ring wasn't magic...

But what it triggered in his mind was.

Your Power Switch Is Waiting

Herman calls them "Totems" or "Artifacts"... [1]

Physical objects that activate your Alter Ego instantly.

Think about it:

• Superman has his cape

• Thor has a war-hammer

• Green Lantern has his ring

• Indiana Jones has his hat

These aren't just accessories...

They're psychological triggers. 🧠

The Science of Sacred Objects

When you link an object to a specific state...

Your brain creates a Pavlovian response. [2]

Touch the totem = Activate the hero. 🦸‍♂️

It's that simple.

And that powerful.

Here's where it gets even crazier...

Scientists call it "enclothed cognition." [3][19][20]

It means what you wear literally changes how your brain works.

Not metaphorically. LITERALLY.

When researchers had people wear a doctor's coat...

Their attention to detail shot up. [3]

Same coat labeled as a "painter's smock"?

Zero change.

The meaning you attach to the object...

Changes your actual brain function.

Wild, right?

The Hidden Framework Behind Your Transformation

This isn't just about clothes and trinkets...

It's about hijacking ancient brain circuits.

Remember those emotion systems from Jaak Panksepp? [4][21][22]

Your totem activates specific circuits:

• SEEKING system for drive
  

• PLAY system for confidence
  

• CARE system for connection

And what about Plutchik's emotion wheel? [5][6]

Your totem spins you from fear to courage...

From anxiety to anticipation...

In seconds.

And here's the cool part...

Viktor Frankl discovered something profound in Nazi concentration camps... [7]

Between stimulus and response, there's a gap.

A moment of choice.

Your totem fills that gap.

It becomes your instant choice to BE your best self.

Choose Your Activation Totem Wisely

Here are battle-tested options Herman recommends:

1. Glasses 👓 

Clark Kent's classic move...

One CEO wears non-prescription "power glasses" for big meetings...

Instant transformation from Dave to "David 'The Dealmaker' Slayer."

The science backs this up...

Wearing glasses increases perceived intelligence. [8]

2. Ring or Bracelet 💍 📿

John, an Air Force veteran wears his unit ring...

When he spins it, he channels "B2 'Bomber' John"...

Unbreakable discipline activated.

Dropping bombs on insecurity. 💣💣💣

Studies show jewelry with personal meaning attached...

Increases self-esteem (confidence). [9]

3. Watch ⌚ 

Richard, an ER surgeon touches his Rolex before operations...

Triggering "Dr. Precision"...

Zero mistakes. Steady hands. Max focus.

Luxury watches activate brain regions associated with reward, social status, and power. [10][23][24]

Result?

Big improvement in decision-making under pressure.

A totem alters your own biology and performance. [11]

…read that again.

4. Necklace/Chain ⛓️ 

A 49-year-old HVAC tech wears dog tags...

Engraved with "Warrior Mode ON"...

Sales calls become military missions.

Military symbols trigger increased testosterone...

And decreased cortisol. [12][25]

5. Special Clothing 👔 

Remember the doctor's coat study?

Federick, an average sales guy… has a "closing jacket"...

Only worn for million-dollar deals.

His close rate? 78% when wearing it.

37% without it.

Formal clothing (think suit, tie, blazer)… literally makes you think more abstractly... [13]

Perfect for strategic negotiations.

Bottom line: Your totem, influences how you think, feel, and act.

…now read THAT again.

Wear it. To activate your Alter Ego.

The Activation Routine

Step 1: Choose Your Totem Pick something you'll wear/carry daily...

Make it special but practical. Think: Ring. Necklace. Glasses.

Step 2: Link It to Your Traits. Hold your totem...

State: "When I [touch/wear/see] this, I become [Alter Ego name]"

Feel the shift happen.

Step 3: The Transformation Touch Create a ritual:

• Adjust your watch = activate confidence

• Spin your ring = summon courage

• Put on glasses = engage genius mode

Practice until it's automatic. 🎯

RANGES & TESTS:

State Change Measurements:

• Heart Rate Variability (HRV): Elite state = 50-70ms RMSSD [14]

• Galvanic Skin Response: 15-25% decrease = calm confidence [15]

• Cortisol Levels: decrease with totem activation [16]

Performance Indicators:

• Reaction Time: faster in Alter Ego state [17]

• Decision Quality: improvement in high-pressure situations [18]

• Confidence Rating: 8-10/10 with totem activated

Jose, a 46-year-old father of three...

Struggled with work-life balance...

He created two totems:

Work: Glasses = "The Work Genius"

Home: Wedding ring adjustment = "Super Dad"

Now he dominates at work...

Then transforms into the world's best father & husband...

With two simple totems. 👨‍👧‍👦

Here's the crazy part...

Your brain doesn't know the difference...

Between "real" confidence and totem-triggered confidence.

The neural pathways activate the same way. [19]

The hormones release the same way. [20]

The results show up the same way.

It's like having a superpower remote control...

For your own brain.

Remember...

Moses had his staff...

David had his sling...

Captain America had his shield...

What will you have?

To your instant activation,

Mens Health Secrets
–Live Past 100

P.S. Tomorrow, you'll learn to crush your "Moments of Impact" like King David slinging that stone... one shot, perfect execution, victory secured. 🎯

P.P.S. Boring disclaimer: Always check with your doctor... before you start any new health protocol or treatment. This newsletter is for educational and entertainment purposes only.

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Medical References:

[1] Herman, T. (2019). The Alter Ego Effect: The power of secret identities to transform your life. Harper Business. ISBN: 978-0062838636. https://alteregoeffect.com/book/

[2] Pavlov, I. P. (1927). Conditioned reflexes: An investigation of the physiological activity of the cerebral cortex. Oxford University Press. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1927-02531-000

[3] Adam, H., & Galinsky, A. D. (2012). Enclothed cognition. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 48(4), 918–925. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2012.02.008

[4] Davis, K. L., & Montag, C. (2018). A Tribute to Jaak Panksepp (1943-2017). Personality Neuroscience, 1, e9. https://doi.org/10.1017/pen.2018.5

[5] Plutchik, R. (1990). Emotions and psychotherapy: A psychoevolutionary perspective. In R. Plutchik & H. Kellerman (Eds.), Emotion, Psychopathology, and Psychotherapy (pp. 3-41). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-558705-1.50007-5

[6] Plutchik, R. (1982). A psychoevolutionary theory of emotions. Social Science Information, 21(4-5), 529-553. https://doi.org/10.1177/053901882021004003

[7] Frankl, V. E. (2025). Man's search for meaning (I. Lasch, Trans.; H. S. Kushner, Foreword; Beacon Classics ed.). Beacon Press. ISBN: 978-0807018835. https://www.amazon.com/Mans-Search-Meaning-Beacon-Classics/dp/080701883X/

[8] Leder, H., Forster, M., & Gerger, G. (2011). The glasses stereotype revisited: Effects of eyeglasses on perception, recognition, and impression of faces. Swiss Journal of Psychology, 70(4), 211-222. https://doi.org/10.1024/1421-0185/a000059

[9] Yokoi T, Okamura H, Yamamoto T, Watanabe K, Yokoi S, Atae H, Ueda M, Kuwayama T, Sakamoto S, Tomino S, Fujii H, Honda T, Morita T, Yukawa T, Harada N. Effect of wearing fingers rings on the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia: An exploratory study. SAGE Open Med. 2017 Aug 22;5:2050312117726196. https://doi.org/10.1177/2050312117726196. PMID: 28856006; PMCID: PMC5570107.

[10] Sin, E. L. L., Wong, C. H. Y., Chau, B. K. H., Rauterberg, M., Siu, K. W. M., & Shih, Y.-T. (2024). Understanding the Changes in Brain Activation When Viewing Products with Differences in Attractiveness. Neurology International, 16(5), 918-932. https://doi.org/10.3390/neurolint16050069

[11] Kraus, M. W., & Mendes, W. B. (2014). Sartorial symbols of social class elicit class-consistent behavioral and physiological responses: A dyadic approach. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 143(6), 2330-2340. https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0000023

[12] Persia, J. (2023). Examining the Impacts of Subtle Fidget Jewelry on Anxiety, Stress, and Attention. https://doi.org/10.17615/42fx-zc73

[13] Slepian, M. L., Ferber, S. N., Gold, J. M., & Rutchick, A. M. (2015). The cognitive consequences of formal clothing. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 6(6), 661-668. https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550615579462

[14] Shaffer, F., & Ginsberg, J. P. (2017). An overview of heart rate variability metrics and norms. Frontiers in Public Health, 5, 258. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2017.00258

[15] Sherman GD, Lee JJ, Cuddy AJ, Renshon J, Oveis C, Gross JJ, Lerner JS. Leadership is associated with lower levels of stress. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 Oct 30;109(44):17903-7. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1207042109. Epub 2012 Sep 24. PMID: 23012416; PMCID: PMC3497788.

[16] Kirschbaum, C., & Hellhammer, D. H. (1994). Salivary cortisol in psychoneuroendocrine research: Recent developments and applications. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 19(4), 313-333. https://doi.org/10.1016/0306-4530(94)90013-2

[17] Proctor, R. W., & Vu, K. P. L. (2006). Stimulus-response compatibility principles: Data, theory, and application. CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780203022795

[18] Sosnowski MJ, Brosnan SF. Under pressure: the interaction between high-stakes contexts and individual differences in decision-making in humans and non-human species. Anim Cogn. 2023 Jul;26(4):1103-1117. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-023-01768-z. Epub 2023 Mar 29. PMID: 36988737; PMCID: PMC10345073.

[19] Horton, C. B., Adam, H., & Galinsky, A. D. (2025). Evaluating the evidence for enclothed cognition: Z-curve and meta-analyses. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 51(2), 203–221. https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672231182478

[20] López-Pérez, B., Ambrona, T., Wilson, E. L., & Khalil, M. (2016). The effect of enclothed cognition on empathic responses and helping behavior. Social Psychology, 47(4), 223–231. https://doi.org/10.1027/1864-9335/a000273

[21] Panksepp, J. (1998). Affective neuroscience: The foundations of human and animal emotions. Oxford University Press. ISBN: 978-0195096736 (original hardcover) / 978-0195178050 (2004 paperback reprint) https://www.amazon.com/Affective-Neuroscience-Foundations-Emotions-Science/dp/019517805X

[22] Panksepp, J., & Biven, L. (2012). The archaeology of mind: Neuroevolutionary origins of human emotions. W. W. Norton & Company. ISBN: 978-0393705317 (hardcover) https://www.amazon.com/Archaeology-Mind-Neuroevolutionary-Interpersonal-Neurobiology/dp/0393705315

[23] Kern, G.A. (2017). Engineering the Intangible: Strategic Success Factors in the Luxury Watch Industry. In: Franz, C., Bieger, T., Herrmann, A. (eds) Evolving Business Models. Management for Professionals. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48938-4_11

[24] Schaefer, M., & Rotte, M. (2007). Thinking on luxury or pragmatic brand products: Brain responses to different categories of culturally based brands. Brain Research, 1165( 1 ), 98–104. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BRAINRES.2007.06.038

[25] Carney, D. R., Cuddy, A. J., & Yap, A. J. (2010). Power posing: Brief nonverbal displays affect neuroendocrine levels and risk tolerance. Psychological Science, 21(10), 1363-1368. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797610383437