Life
11 Lessons You Can Learn From My 38-Day Fast
As some of you know I have just completed a 38-day fast to cure myself of chronic illness. I was inspired by Tyler Tolman’s interview here on Addicted2Success to give it a go. It’s changed my life, and I have learnt so many vital lessons. Surprisingly, many of those lessons are directly linked to the basics of success.
It’s been a hell of a ride with ups and downs. I have learnt a lot about myself and who I want to be. I have released years worth of toxins and toxic emotions that just sat there. I always thought that when I changed the way I lived in 2012 after a Tony Robbins seminar, that this change would be enough.
What I have learnt is that you can start eating healthy and living better today, but if you don’t release all the years of bad food and toxic emotions, you won’t get the true benefits. You deserve to be the best version of you each day, and you deserve to be successful – let me show you how you do that.
Below are the eleven lessons I learnt from doing my 38-day fast.
1. Energy will change the game for you
The first and most important lesson I learnt was all about energy levels. Most of us think we have high levels of energy but compared to what I have now; we really don’t. After the first four days of fasting, once all the toxins were released, I had a new kind of energy.
I found myself being able to work longer than other people at a peak state consistently. I started to see that to live the life I wanted; I needed more time. The only way I have found to have more time is to have more energy.
By having more energy, it means that every minute is not wasted lounging around, and I can achieve my goals consistently. I also found that my passion for what I do increased because the new levels of energy allowed me to show more emotion and be more vulnerable.
The way I chose to be more vulnerable was to put myself out there and share my story with over 40,000 colleagues. For days, I was inundated with emails and messages from people who connected with my story and wanted to be around me to learn some of what I know.
What can high levels of energy do for your own life? How can you change the game?
2. Food is so good
So it’s no surprise that after the 38-day fast I now have a new perspective on what food means to me. Just having an avocado now is the most amazing thing I have ever tasted. Whereas before, unless it was full of salt and came from a takeaway shop, it didn’t excite me.
Most of my fast involved eating nothing but fruit (which is basically water) and so I started to see fruit in a completely different light. The fruit was very detoxing, and it was also sweet (the good kind). I began to look forward to getting home and pigging out, except this time it was on fruit.
That first moment when I broke the fast and ate something other than fruit again is something I will never forget. It’s a very mindful experience because rather than just scoffing down the food, you savour each bite.
Now that the fast is over, food has become something I love, even more, and I have a new sense of gratitude about it.
3. You will see if you have willpower
The other highlight lesson for me was around willpower. In 2011, I went from 65kg to over 100 kg’s by training with a personal trainer. One thing that I will never forget is that my trainer said to me, “Tim I have trained a lot of people, but you have determination and willpower like I have never seen before.”
For over one year I trained every single week, even through public holidays, winter storms, temperatures of more than forty-five degree’s to achieve my goal. Most people that try to do the same thing would have days off, holidays and time when they couldn’t make it to training – I never allowed this to happen (sacrifice).
From this gym experience to my recent experience of fasting, I have again seen my willpower and determination shine through. It’s an attribute I never thought I had, but there is no way that these two situations are a coincidence.
While you may not have the same willpower as me, if you can do something like a fast, you can certainly build it as a strength. The way that I stopped myself from breaking the fast was to think about all the hard work I had put in thus far and all the rewards I would miss out on if I gave up.
I mean I sacrificed four days of holidays to even begin the fast, if I had to start all over again, I would have to give up another four days. What I have just described to you here is the process of reframing that was taught to me by Tony Robbins.
It’s the most powerful success tool I know, and it’s what allowed me to conquer my fear of fasting.
4. All food addictions can be abolished
Like most of us, for many years, I have suffered from sugar and salt addictions. By doing the fast, I was forced to abolish both of these things. When you don’t consume salt and sugar for a long time, your body stops craving it and it’s a great way to change your eating habits.
Now when I eat something, if it has even a bit of salt I can taste it straight away. It’s not that I don’t want salt or sugar anymore, it’s just that it doesn’t serve me on the path to success that I am creating for myself.
5. Let your body heal
All of our lives we are told to eat lots of fruit and vegetables and we never eat enough. We put things like alcohol consistently into our body and never give ourselves a chance to heal. While our bodies rest at night-time, just as we are starting to clear toxins from the body, we wake up and stuff more food into our mouths.
What I learnt from my 38-day fast was that when you give your body nothing but nutrients and vitamins for a prolonged period of time, your body thanks you in so many ways. During a fast you are giving your body a chance to heal and to break down all the old cells and create new ones.
We can’t recover from medical issues unless we let the healing process begin. This healing process will never start with hamburgers and deep fried food so let your body heal once in a while through something like a fast.
6. You won’t die from fasting
The biggest fear I had about fasting was that I was going to waste away and become skin and bone. After doing the fast, I can tell you this is completely false. Think back to the cavemen, their bodies were programmed by nature to go through feasts as well as famines. This same programming still exists in humans today but we just never use it.
Someone said to me a few weeks ago that they didn’t think they could go three hours without food otherwise they would get sick. I too believed this once before and now after fasting, I know this to be entirely untrue.
Most of what we are eating is creating our sickness and then feeding it when we are sick. Consider a new perspective and maybe try a short three-day fast to see for yourself. Many people asked me why I chose 38-days and not another duration. The reason for this is that the human threshold is about forty days, and I wanted to come in just below the extreme.
Now you will lose a few kilograms but most of this will be fat and all the stuff stuck in your colon, liver and kidneys. Once you complete your fast, and your body is healthy again, you will put a good level of weight back on pretty quickly so don’t stress!
7. There are going to be real lows
During any extreme task like a 38-day fast you are going to experience some lows. For me, my biggest lows were day three and day four. I was walking down the street on day three and then all of a sudden I started wanting to vomit and I couldn’t stand up.
Having never experienced these sensations before all at once, I wasn’t sure what to do. I checked with the online fasting group, and they told me this was perfectly normal. As toxins leave the body in a hurry, they come up to the surface and make you feel very unwell.
On the night of day three, I could feel the toxins coming up through my mouth, and there was this liquid that went onto my tongue and tasted horrible. Day four was much the same, and I was starting to panic. I figured that everyone was right and that not eating normal food was what was causing the sickness.
Using the self-development techniques I have learnt over the years, I decided that anything worth doing was going to be tough, and I stuck it out. By day five the sickness had passed and I started to feel better.
“Success is something that is going to have real lows, and you need to be prepared to face them, and overcome them with courage, patience and determination”
8. Whole foods are really good for you and cheaper
My 38-day fast had a number of different types of fasting built into the program. For thirty days of the fast, I ate nothing but fruit every single day (not really what we consider as food because of the high water content).
I expected that this diet of eating whole foods would be much more expensive. Per item it was, but overall, it was much cheaper than the junk food and takeaway food. The fact I didn’t get sick and had higher levels of energy also meant that my capacity to add value (and make money), was drastically increased. So, overall, I believe that whole foods are not only better for you but also cheaper.
9. People will judge you
An unexpected outcome of my 38-day fast is that I found some people really wanted to judge me. They either thought I was crazy, different, not normal or a freak. The way I see it, the road to greatness is not for everyone so the people that achieve it stand out in lots of different ways.
Standing out is a good thing because it means you are not going to achieve the same results as everyone else. People continually told me that they thought fruit must be so hard to eat and so boring. Actually, it was quite the opposite. Fruit has natural sugar and tastes really nice.
On top of that, the fast was helping me heal my body and feel amazing, so there was no way I could view it as hard or boring.
10. Proper hydration is life changing
A few years ago I was introduced to a book called “The Body’s Many Cries For Water.” The basic message of this book is that when your stomach is rumbling, or you want food, what your body really wants is water.
During my 38-day fast I learnt pretty quickly that this statement was so very true. Every time I got hungry and drank lots of water the hunger went away. I often found that eating a bowl of fruit would make me very full.
This book teaches us that when you are full from fruit, it’s actually not the case, it’s just that the fruit’s water has properly hydrated you and now you don’t feel like any more food. I found it phenomenal just how crucial water was during the 38-days.
The level of water I drank directly reflected how I felt. So the lesson here is to do what we have always been told, drink more water and consume more water-rich food.
11. You’ll never let yourself get backed up again
The final lesson I learnt is that once I went through this gruelling 38-day process, I realised that I never wanted to become backed up and unhealthy again. Seeing all the poisons and years of abuse I put my body through, was kind of enlightening and made be decide to think twice from now on.
Once my body was clear and I could think straight again with high levels of energy, I began to see a new level of what I believed to be possible. Life changing events like a 38-day fast can rewire your neural pathways for life and leave a lasting effect on you.
So I hope you learnt something from my 38-day fast. What event have you gone through that was similar to my 38-day fast? Let me know in the comments section below or on my Facebook and Twitter.
Life
Why Thoughtful Celebrations Matter When You’re Building a Business
Building a business can make time feel scarce. There is always another deadline, customer request or problem to solve. In the rush to keep moving, birthdays and personal milestones can slip down the list. Yet the small moments people share often shape the relationships that make work and life meaningful.
Celebration does not have to be elaborate or expensive. A considered message, a shared break or a gift chosen with care can show someone that they matter beyond their contribution to a project. The key is to pay attention to the person, respect their preferences and make the gesture sincere.
Notice The People Behind The Progress
Founders are often encouraged to celebrate launches, revenue goals and new partnerships. Those milestones matter, but so do the people who help make them possible. Colleagues, mentors, friends and family may offer encouragement in ways that do not appear on a business dashboard.
Remembering a birthday is one simple way to acknowledge that relationship. It is not a substitute for fair treatment or ongoing appreciation. Rather, it is a chance to pause and recognise someone as a whole person, not just as a role in your schedule.
Choose A Gesture That Fits The Person
Start with what you know. Some people enjoy a lively gathering; others would rather receive a quiet note. A favourite snack, a small plant or time set aside for a conversation may be more meaningful than a generic gift. If you are unsure, ask a colleague or family member for guidance without turning the surprise into an investigation.
For someone who enjoys flowers, birthday flower delivery can be a practical option when you cannot celebrate in person. Consider the recipient’s preferences, any sensitivities and the delivery details. Check the provider’s current availability and conditions before placing an order.
Add A Message Worth Keeping
A thoughtful note often matters more than the price of the gift. Mention a specific quality you appreciate or a moment that has stayed with you. “Thank you for the calm perspective you brought to our launch†feels more personal than a phrase that could be sent to anyone.
Keep the message appropriate to the relationship. A colleague’s birthday card does not need to become a performance review, and a friend’s celebration should not be an opportunity to ask for a favour. The most effective message makes the recipient feel seen without expecting anything in return.
Make Inclusivity Part Of The Plan
Not everyone celebrates birthdays in the same way, and some people prefer not to make them public. Ask about preferences before organising a workplace celebration or sharing personal information. Give people a genuine option to participate or decline without awkwardness.
If a team chooses to recognise milestones, agree on a consistent, affordable approach. Uneven attention can unintentionally make people feel overlooked. A simple system, with consent and flexibility, is often better than a grand gesture that cannot be repeated fairly.
Use Reminders Without Making Appreciation Mechanical
A calendar reminder can help busy people follow through on good intentions. Record the date with the person’s permission and set an alert early enough to plan. If the celebration involves a delivery, allow time to confirm the address and any relevant access details.
The reminder is a prompt, not the gesture itself. Take a moment to decide what would be meaningful this year. Circumstances change, and the best way to show care may change with them. A useful system frees your attention for the personal part of the decision.
When budgets are tight, a memorable celebration can still be simple. Bring a favourite treat to share, organise a short walk together or write a card that recalls a particular moment. What matters is the care behind the choice, not how impressive it looks in a photograph. If several people want to contribute, agree on a comfortable amount and avoid pressure on anyone to spend.
For a distributed team, check time zones and delivery arrangements before making plans. A brief video call or a message sent at a suitable hour can help someone feel included without assuming that everyone can join the same event. Be mindful that personal addresses and dates should only be shared with permission.
Carry The Habit Beyond Birthdays
A culture of appreciation is built through ordinary interactions. Thank someone for a helpful introduction, recognise a colleague’s contribution in a meeting or check in with a friend without an agenda. These actions do not need to be public or performative to matter.
Ambition and consideration are not competing priorities. Taking time to celebrate the people around you can make the journey more rewarding, while reminding everyone that success is measured in relationships as well as results.
Life
When Should You Contact a Premises Liability Lawyer in Pittsburgh, PA?
Pittsburgh has shops, restaurants, apartment buildings, and public spaces that people visit every day. Most visitors expect these places to be safe, but poor maintenance can turn an ordinary visit into an unexpected accident. Slippery floors and damaged walkways can lead to injuries that interfere with work and everyday responsibilities. While a person may blame the property owner, responsibility depends on the circumstances surrounding the incident and whether reasonable safety measures were taken.
Questions about responsibility can make an already difficult situation more stressful. A Pittsburgh premises liability lawyer can clarify the legal options available after an injury and help you decide how to proceed when the property owner’s role is disputed or the harm is significant.
An Unsafe Condition Causes an Injury
A property-related accident may happen because someone failed to address a dangerous condition. Property owners and other responsible parties may need to take reasonable steps to keep their premises safe for visitors. However, responsibility depends on the circumstances and the person’s legal duty.
Common hazards include:
- Wet floors without warning signs.
- Broken stairs or loose handrails.
- Poor lighting in hallways and parking areas.
- Uneven walkways or damaged flooring.
- Falling objects or poorly maintained structures.
If one of these hazards causes an injury, consider seeking legal advice. A lawyer can help assess whether the responsible party knew or should have known about the danger and failed to take reasonable action.
Your Injuries Begin Affecting Everyday Life
Some injuries heal quickly, while others require weeks or months of treatment. A fall that first seems minor may lead to ongoing pain, limited movement, or difficulty returning to work. These effects can create costs that go beyond the first medical visit.
Consider contacting a lawyer if:
- You need continued medical care or rehabilitation.
- Your injury prevents you from working.
- Everyday tasks become difficult.
- Your doctor expects a longer recovery period.
- Your medical expenses continue to grow.
A potential claim may include medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses allowed by law. Seeking advice can help you understand which costs may be considered and how your injury could affect your claim.
The Property Owner or Insurer Denies Responsibility
A property owner may argue that the hazard was not their responsibility. An insurance company may also question how the accident happened or suggest that your actions contributed to the injury. These disagreements can make it harder to decide what to do next.
Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means an injured person may still recover compensation if they share some responsibility, provided their share of fault does not reach the legal bar. Their compensation may be reduced according to their share of fault.
A lawyer can explain how these rules may apply to your situation and help you respond to claims that you were responsible for your own injury.
You Cannot Tell Who Should Be Held Responsible
The person who owns a property is not always the only party that may be responsible for an unsafe condition. Depending on the circumstances, responsibility could involve a landlord, business operator, property manager, or maintenance contractor.
For example, a damaged stairway in an apartment building may raise questions about who was responsible for repairs. A hazard inside a store may involve the business operator or another party responsible for maintaining the area.
A Pittsburgh premises liability lawyer can help identify the parties who may have had a duty to maintain the property. This can be especially useful when several people or businesses were involved in managing the location.
What Should You Do Before Seeking Legal Advice?
Start by getting medical attention for your injuries. Your health should come before any legal concerns. If possible, keep a record of the accident date, location, and circumstances. Save relevant messages from the property owner or insurance company, and avoid guessing about details you cannot remember clearly.
You can contact a lawyer even if you do not have every document or answer. Sharing what you know can help clarify what additional information may be needed and what steps could come next.
Knowing When to Take the Next Step
A fall on someone else’s property may seem like a simple accident, but the circumstances behind it can raise important questions about responsibility. When a dangerous condition goes unaddressed, the property owner may be held accountable under certain circumstances.
Knowing where you stand can help you decide how to proceed. If you are unsure whether your injury could lead to a claim, a Pittsburgh premises liability lawyer can help you understand your options and determine whether seeking compensation is a reasonable next step for your situation.
Life
What Can Help to Protect Your Rights After a Rideshare Crash in Houston, TX?
Houston’s growing reliance on rideshare services has made app-based transportation a regular part of daily travel. With more rideshare vehicles moving through busy areas, collisions involving these services can bring legal and insurance questions that are different from those in a typical car accident. A passenger, driver, or another person involved in the crash may need to deal with injuries, vehicle damage, insurance companies, and questions about who was covered at the time.
A Houston rideshare accident attorney can review the circumstances surrounding the collision and explain what information may matter to a case. Simple steps taken soon after the collision can help preserve important information. Seeking medical care, saving rideshare app records, documenting the crash scene, and keeping insurance communications can provide useful evidence if questions arise later.
Get Medical Care and Follow the Recommended Treatment
Medical attention should not end with a quick check after a serious crash. Some injuries may not cause strong symptoms right away, while others can become more painful later. A medical evaluation records your condition and helps identify needed treatment.
Follow the treatment plan provided by your healthcare professional. Keep appointments, take prescribed medication as directed, and ask questions if your symptoms change. If you stop treatment without a clear reason, an insurance company may question the seriousness of your injuries.
Keep copies of medical records, bills, prescriptions, and other treatment information. These records can help show how the crash affected your health and what care you have received. If possible, keep a running list of expenses related to the crash, including transportation, medical supplies, and other reasonable costs. This can help you track losses accurately during the insurance process and later legal discussions if needed.
Report the Crash and Save the Important Details
A rideshare collision should be reported through the proper channels. This may include contacting law enforcement and reporting the incident through the rideshare platform. Do not rely only on your memory.
Save information such as:
- The date, time, and location of the crash
- Driver and vehicle information
- Rideshare trip details and receipts
- Police report information
- Witness names and contact details
- Insurance information
- Messages or communications about the collision
Screenshots from the rideshare app can also matter. They may help establish the trip, driver’s identity, pickup or drop-off details, and other facts connected to the ride.
Document What You Can
Photos can provide useful visual information that words may not capture clearly. If your condition allows, photograph the vehicles, visible injuries, road conditions, traffic signs, lane markings, and other relevant surroundings.
Do not rely only on photographs. Write down what you remember while details are fresh. Note where each vehicle was positioned, what happened before the impact, and anything unusual about the road or traffic conditions.
Keep a simple record of how your injuries affect daily activities. Missed work, difficulty driving, routine changes, and continuing symptoms may matter later.
Look Closely at Rideshare Insurance Coverage
A rideshare insurance claim can be more complicated than a standard car accident policy. Coverage may depend on what the driver was doing through the rideshare app at the time of the crash.
For example, the applicable coverage can differ depending on whether the driver was:
- Available and waiting for a ride request
- Traveling to pick up a passenger
- Carrying a passenger during an active trip
The driver’s personal auto policy and coverage connected to the rideshare company may both need to be considered. The exact facts and policies matter, so do not assume one insurer will handle every part of the accident.
Get Legal Support When the Situation Is Unclear
Rideshare cases can involve the driver’s status, insurance coverage, evidence, injuries, and disagreements about what happened. A lawyer can review these details and explain which issues may matter to your situation.
Legal guidance may help if the insurer disputes coverage, another driver gives a different account, injuries require ongoing treatment, or evidence is unclear.
If you speak with a Houston rideshare accident attorney, bring useful records to the consultation. Medical documents, crash information, photographs, rideshare records, insurance letters, and related communications can help provide a clearer picture of the situation.
Take Practical Steps to Preserve Your Options
Protecting your rights after a rideshare crash does not depend on one action. Prompt medical care, accurate reporting, organized records, careful communication, and a clear understanding of insurance coverage can each help preserve important information. These steps can also make it easier to respond if questions or disputes arise later.
If the crash has left you with injuries, expenses, or uncertainty about insurance responsibility, consider speaking with an attorney about your circumstances. Bring the records you have collected and explain what happened as clearly as possible.
Life
How to Improve Security in Doors and Windows
Keeping your home safe matters more than ever. With crime rates changing and home invasions becoming more common, many homeowners ask, “How can I keep my home secure?” Your doors and windows are the main entry points to your home and are key to your overall safety.
Whether you’re new to homeownership or want to improve your current security, boosting your door and window security can give you peace of mind. Here are some simple ways to make your home safer.
Strong Door Locks
Strong locks are essential for securing your doors. Deadbolts are recommended because they are reliable and hard to break. They require a key on both sides, making them harder for thieves to pick or force open. Choose locks that meet American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards.
Don’t forget the door frame. A solid wood or metal door with a reinforced frame makes it hard for intruders to break in. Adding strike plates can greatly increase door security.
Window Locks and Reinforcements
Windows can be easy targets if not properly secured. Most windows have basic locks that can be easily compromised. Invest in better-quality window locks that are harder to tamper with. You can also consider adding window bars or wrought iron grilles for extra security.
Another good option is installing window film. This thin layer helps keep the glass together if it breaks, making it harder for criminals to enter. Even if they break the glass, the window film can buy you time until help arrives or until you can react.
Keyless Entry Systems
Using keyless entry systems can improve your home security. These systems include keypad locks or smart locks that work with your smartphone. They are convenient and offer better security. You can easily manage access by changing codes or giving guests one-time codes.
For extra peace of mind, look for locks that allow remote monitoring. Many smart locks let you see who entered your home and when, which adds convenience and security, especially if you travel often.
Window Replacement
Window replacement San Diego is a great way to boost your home security. Modern double- or triple-pane windows are more energy-efficient and durable. They often come with better locking systems than older windows, which increases your home security.
New materials like impact-resistant glass can also withstand strong blows better than regular glass. This upgrade not only protects against break-ins but also helps your home stay safe during severe weather.
Outdoor Lighting
Proper outdoor lighting is important for your home security. Bright areas can deter intruders by removing dark spots where someone might hide. Motion-activated lights are especially effective because they turn on when needed, drawing attention from neighbours and increasing safety.
Use timers on your lights to make it look like someone is home when you’re away. Also, keep your landscaping trimmed back from windows and doors. This reduces hiding spots and makes break-ins more difficult.
Security Systems
A security system is one of the best ways to protect your home. Modern systems offer alarms, surveillance cameras, and smart home features. They can alert you in real time to suspicious activity, so you can respond quickly.
When choosing a security system, find one that fits your lifestyle. Some people prefer 24/7 monitoring, while others want to manage the system themselves. Having a security system shows potential intruders that your home is protected.
Neighbourhood Watch
Sometimes, community support is the best security. Working with your neighbours to create a neighbourhood watch makes everyone safer. When more people are watching, suspicious activities are more likely to be noticed.
Getting involved in your community improves safety and builds relationships, creating a more supportive neighbourhood. It benefits everyone while keeping you safe.
Making your doors and windows more secure is a smart way to protect your home. Strong locks, updated windows, and neighbourhood vigilance can all improve your safety. Simple changes can bring greater peace of mind.
Security Cameras
Installing security cameras around your home improves your safety. Cameras can discourage intruders and reduce the chance of break-ins. Choose high-definition cameras with night vision and motion detection to capture clear footage at all times.
Select models that let you access the camera feed through your smartphone, so you can monitor your property while you’re away. Also, let your neighbours know about the cameras or put up signs saying that cameras are in use. This can help prevent unwanted activity.
Home Security Audits
Regular home security audits help keep your home safe. Take time to look for vulnerabilities and areas that need improvement. Check that all doors and windows are secure. If not, get door and window replacement. Inspect your outdoor lighting, landscaping, and security system to make sure everything is functional. You might also want to hire a professional to review your security measures. An expert can offer advice and recommendations you may not have considered, helping you strengthen your security.
By installing security cameras and conducting regular audits, you can keep your home safe. These steps, along with strong locks and community awareness, create a solid approach to home safety.
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