| Hey there, The best way to get approval is to not need it. Don't strive to please or impress others but to live up to your own standards of what’s right and admirable. "The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane,” Marcus Aurelius once said. So don’t be afraid to hold yourself to benchmarks that others consider excessive or unreasonable. Don’t insult yourself with shriveled expectations for their sake. Keep your own scorecard for measuring success—one that reflects who you are, not who others want you to be. Take in more than merely “winning,” too. Even despicable people can get lucky and win. Can they be the best version of themselves, though? Can they continue to develop and embody more of their potential? Can they be kind, generous, and humble? Don’t be afraid to speak out against offenses, either. If something’s ugly, say so. If it’s trashy, unacceptable, excessive, unreasonable, degenerate, destructive, or demeaning, don’t let it pass. Shield the naked bosoms of beauty and virtue from the slings and arrows of the deranged and depraved. No defense is too small to make a difference. Remember—sometimes, the finger in the dyke can stop the flood. Ultimately, the goal is to live with intention and authenticity, loyalty and understanding, love and sacrifice, and dignity and meaning; and then to not need anyone’s applause but our own. That applies to fitness, too, because aside from (maybe) your immediate family and closest friends, most people either don’t care whether you reach your fitness goals or would rather see you fail. So stop seeking validation. Help is another matter, though. And if you want some help getting fitter faster, check out one of my bestselling books for men and women: For men and women over the age of 40 and new to resistance training, go here: ⇒ www.muscleforlifebook.com For men under 40 trying to gain their first 25 pounds of muscle or get to 10 to 15% body fat, go here: ⇒ www.biggerleanerstronger.com For women under 40 trying to gain their first 15 pounds of muscle and/or lose their first 15 pounds of fat, go here: ⇒ www.thinnerleanerstronger.com For advanced lifters trying to reach their genetic potential for muscle and strength, go here: ⇒ www.bblsbook.com Go for it! Mike | 
