At age 9, Michael Ostrolenk looked at his overweight, chain-smoking psychiatrist and asked his mother: "He can't help himself. How's he gonna help me?" Then he walked out and never looked back.

Now 54, Michael completes 50-mile rucks with weighted vests and trains Navy SEALs through SEALFIT and Unbeatable Mind Academy. After 43 years in martial arts and decades as a performance coach, he's identified why 72% of Americans are failing at health—and it's not about willpower.

In this conversation, Michael reveals:

Why willpower is a terrible strategy for change

The "via negativa" approach that makes failure impossible

His 4-pillar system (physiological, psychological, social, environmental)

Why he gets blood work every 3-6 months (and what markers matter)

The pull-up bar trick that transformed his client's military fitness test

How removing M&Ms matters more than resisting them

The connection between circadian biology and mental health

Why "normalizing pathological behaviors" is destroying our health

Plus: The surprising parting wisdom from someone who trains special operators—and why kindness might be the most powerful intervention of all.

Guest Bio: Michael Ostrolenk is a licensed therapist and Master Coach in Resilience, Leadership, and Elite Performance, with over three decades of experience guiding high performers, special operators, and visionary leaders. He specializes in integrating psychological, physiological, and relational frameworks to optimize human potential. Co-creator of elite training programs with SEALFIT and Unbeatable Mind Academy, and affiliated with Apeiron Zoh precision medical clinic in Austin, Texas.

Connect with Michael: Website: https://www.michaeldostrolenk.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelostrolenkresiliencemastery/ Instagram: @mostrolenk Podcast: Resilience Reimagined on Spotify