How Self-talk ignites instant courage 💪

Hey brotha,

Imagine this...

Tom Brady's about to throw the game-winning touchdown... 🏈

50,000 people screaming...

300-pound monsters charging at him...

And he whispers: "Tom's got this." 😎

Not, "I've got this."

"TOM'S got this."

The Secret Language of Champions 🏀

After analyzing footage of elite athletes...

Sport psychologists discovered something shocking... [1][5][7]

The best performers talk to themselves in third person self-talk (TPST)... during high-pressure moments.

This technique, is also known as "illeism." [8]

Michael Jordan: "Mike, you got 5.2 seconds to make the shot" ⛹🏾‍♂️

LeBron James: "LeBron steal the ball." 🥇

Kobe Bryant: "Black Mamba is gonna score 50 tonight." 🏀

They're not being arrogant...

They're hacking their fear response.

Heck, even swearing is a form of self-talk... and even improves mental strength. [6]

No judgement here if you want to drop three "F Bombs!"

Your Brain on Fear vs. Your Brain on Courage

When fear hits, your amygdala hijacks your brain...

Remember, the amygdala is your brain's emotional command center...

and alarm system. 🚨

It helps you survive and detect danger...

Triggers your "Flight or Fight" response...

And forms strong emotional memories...

That means... the blood rushes away from your thinking centers... 🤔

It's kinda like your IQ drops by about 20 points... ⬇️

and you literally become dumber under pressure. [2]

But third-person self-talk?

It's like hitting the bullseye. And you never miss. 🎯 

The Observational Mindset Technique 👀

Here's how to flip fear into fuel:

1. The Setup: Identify what scares or triggers you.

2. The Shift: Become the announcer of your own life. 💬

3. The Script: Narrate your actions like a sports commentator. 🎙️ [5]

Example:

Instead of saying: "I'm terrified of this work presentation"

Try: "John steps up to the podium... he's prepared for weeks... look at that confidence..."

Sounds weird?

Good.

Weird works. 🙌

Real Guy, Real Results 💯

Fred from Daytona Beach, FL had social anxiety so bad... 😥

he hadn't been to a party in over two years.

Then he started using third-person commentary:

"Fred walks into the room... he makes confident eye contact... extends his hand for a firm handshake..."

Result?

This quarter... closed a $527K home services deal at a networking event. 💰

Fred's secret?

He pretended he was watching himself on closed-circuit TV.

Like a clever NSA agent monitoring his own success.

The Courage Chemical Cocktail 🍹

When you self-distance, it's kinda like your brain releases:

• Dopamine (confidence chemical)
  
  

• Serotonin (calm chemical)
  
  

• Testosterone (courage hormone) 🏋️‍♂️
  
  

• Decreased cortisol (stress hormone) [3]

It's like mixing your own courage cocktail... 🍸

No alcohol required.

Why This Works for Men 👨

Men's brains are wired for action...

But fear creates analysis paralysis.

Third-person self-talk bypasses the paralysis...

And goes straight to action mode.

You become the hero of your own story... 🦸‍♂️ [4]

Instead of the victim.

The Quick Win Challenge 🏅

Tomorrow, try this:

Pick one thing that scares you (cold calls, gym, difficult conversation).

Before you do it, spend 30 seconds mentally rehearsing your future success:

• "[Your name] picks up the phone... dials the number... speaks with confidence..."
  
  

• "[Your name] grabs the gym bag... goes to the gym... lifts weights with explosive strength..."
  
  

• "[Your name] meets his girlfriend in person... confronts her about Facebook messages with her ex... ends the relationship..."
  

Then do it.

Watch what happens.

The Hidden Bonus 🤫

Here's what nobody tells you...

The more you practice self-distancing... (third-person perspective)...

The smaller your fears become.

It's like watching The Exorcist with the lights on. 🔦

Suddenly, the monster looks like a 3-foot person in a chicken costume. 🐔

To your fearless future,

Mens Health Secrets 
–Live Past 100

P.S. Tomorrow's email reveals how self-distancing can cure your 3am worry spirals... including a bedtime technique that works better than Ambien (minus the sleepwalking)...

P.P.S. Always check with your doctor before starting any new health protocol. This info is for educational and entertainment purposes only.

P.P.P.S New Skool.com community coming online soon. Come break "virtual bread" and level-up… with other like-minded men age 40 and up. This is your tribe. Join now. Perks of joining now? It’s Free for LIFE. Price activates Q2 2026.

Medical References:

[1] Hardy, J., Oliver, E., & Tod, D. (2009). A framework for the study and application of self-talk within sport. In S. D. Mellalieu & S. Hanton (Eds.), Advances in applied sport psychology: A review (pp. 37-74). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203887073

[2] Arnsten, A. F. (2009). Stress signalling pathways that impair prefrontal cortex structure and function. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 10(6), 410-422. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn2648

[3] Basset, F. A., Kelly, L. P., Hohl, R., & Kaushal, N. (2022). Type of self-talk matters: Its effects on perceived exertion, cardiorespiratory, and cortisol responses during an iso-metabolic endurance exercise. Psychophysiology, 59(3), e13980. https://doi.org/10.1111/psyp.13980.

[4] Hatzigeorgiadis, A., Zourbanos, N., Galanis, E., & Theodorakis, Y. (2011). Self-talk and sports performance: A meta-analysis. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 6(4), 348-356. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691611413136

[5] Van Raalte, J. L., Vincent, A., & Brewer, B. W. (2016). Self-talk: Review and sport-specific model. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 22, 139-148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2015.08.004

[6] Manor N, Tenenbaum G. Reasons for Swearing as a Form of Self-Talk in Sport and Exercise: Development and Validation of a New Questionnaire. Behav Sci (Basel). 2025 Apr 28;15(5):593. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15050593. PMID: 40426371; PMCID: PMC12109481.

[7] Moser, J.S., Dougherty, A., Mattson, W.I. et al. Third-person self-talk facilitates emotion regulation without engaging cognitive control: Converging evidence from ERP and fMRI. Sci Rep 7, 4519 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-04047-3

[8] Kross, E. (2023, April 14). Illeism: The ancient trick to help you think more wisely Faculty news. Department of Psychology, University of Michigan. https://lsa.umich.edu/psych/news-events/all-news/faculty-news/illeism--the-ancient-trick-to-help-you-think-more-wisely.html