Contents
Overview
One of the most pernicious lies that society has beaten us over the head with one too many times is that “looks are superficial.” The truth is that average looks are superficial, and it is precisely because they don’t convey any useful information about the subject. On the other hand, very good looks or very bad looks do convey important information about the person. Very good looks demonstrate self-respect and an awareness of the outsize role that looks play in physical attraction and mating, and, in the case of men, they signal the ability and willingness to engage in the aggression of warfare and to provide for and protect his wife, family, and homeland. Very bad looks demonstrate low self-confidence, disregard for our neighbors, and, in the case of men, they signal the inability to survive a physical confrontation and do what is necessary in those unfortunate times when the savagery of the world unearths itself.
A WELL BUILT PHYSIQUE IS MORE THAN VANITY
IT SHOWS DISCIPLINE, DIGNITY, AND DEDICATION.
IT REQUIRES PATIENCE, PASSSION, AND SELF RESPECT.
IT CANNOT BE BOUGHT, STOLEN, OR INHERITED.
IT CANNOT BE HELD ONTO WITHOUT CONSTANT WORK.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
When our looks reach their full potential, they become a visible, outward sign of an inner reality that consists of character development over an extended period of time that works toward the good of oneself and the good of mankind.
How to succeed in life
The way we succeed in life, as men, is the same way we succeed in the gym.
In the same way that we must continually chase higher weights to continue to maintain and grow our muscular strength, we must continually hone and harness an insatiable hunger and drive for greater levels of prosperity to hold onto the successes we presently enjoy.
In the same way we cannot be satisfied with the current weight we’re able to put up in the gym, in life, we must always remain humble and grounded, thinking of our past successes as nothing more than a simple foundation upon which we must arduously strive to build a sculpture, as if we are building upon nothing more than a blueprint with all the zeal and excitement of the architect on his first day at work.
In the same way we must always watch our form and develop our understanding of proper form and technique, in life we must transform ourselves into perennial students, always studying the nature of the world around us, the causal principles that govern the effects we see in the world, so as to always optimize our daily efforts and to avoid the threats to our wellbeing that are always lurking below the surface.
The gym is the greatest metaphor for how to succeed in life. If I had to give life advice to a young person on how to succeed, I would sum it all up in 5 words: stay humble and stay hungry.
Beauty is power
Beauty is arguably the most powerful force that moves us to action and inspires us beyond our own understanding. A large and muscular man may provoke fear in all passerby, but put him in the presence of an alluring woman, and the very same man becomes as weak and tender as a new born puppy. Many of us who don’t cry in a fight or when subjected to torture will quietly shed tears when we hear Beethoven’s fifth symphony or Vivaldi’s four seasons. Many of us who have been abandoned and deserted by the world will find eternal solace in the great paintings that adorn the world’s most prestigious museums and cathedrals. Art is as ubiquitous as the air we breath, and one might very well dare to speculate if we as a species could survive without it. And what is art, other than beauty itself masquerading in yet another novel, film, or musical ensemble?
A personal note
Now that I’m on another sabbatical vacation, for the first time since 2019, I’m dedicating a substantial portion of every day to the pursuit of beauty.
I’m back to going to the gym 6 days a week. I look forward to achieving a new personal record of 225 lbs very soon in bench press, and into building an ever stronger, leaner physique. Burn fat and build muscle. I’m also looking forward to getting to top cardiovascular and respiratory health, and plan to make some new videos on the track as I get back into top running shape. Be on the lookout for new fitness content on my youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@peterthorpe-fitness5227
I’m doubling down on my study of singing and guitar. One of my goals in the next few months is to record high quality videos of pure vocals and guitar together, without any studio effects. I’m practicing various songs with both vocal melody and guitar harmony and working with my music teachers to turn each one into a moving performance. When I came to Colombia, one of the things that really touched my soul was walking down humble streets and being captivated by street musicians who had nothing more to call their own than their vocal chords and a cheap guitar. I now yearn to evoke in others the same emotional undulations that I feel in the presence of adept street musicians.
I’m also going to open a new music studio with some friends I met in Colombia. Stay tuned for some high quality musical productions as we give a platform to top talent in Latin America that hasn’t yet had the chance to get the spotlight they deserve.
I’m also continuing on the development of physical beauty apart from physique by taking a deeper interest in skin care and facial symmetry. I’m continuing to improve my hair style and I’m also using light doses of Botox to eliminate some lines on my forehead. I’m also using fragrance free lotions and exfoliation treatments to keep my skin in top notch condition. Also now brushing my teeth multiple times a day. Reaching ever higher levels of beauty is going to be hard work, but man is it worth fighting for.