In this episode of Hey Charles, Charles Ernst breaks down why low testosterone is becoming a hidden health crisis and what men can do to fight back. Testosterone isn’t just about muscle and sex drive — it’s vital for weight loss, energy, mood, mental health, fertility, bone density, and long-term performance.

Charles shares the powerful difference testosterone made in his own family: his son lost 40 pounds in just six weeks with fasting and diet changes, while it took Charles a full year to drop 83 pounds.

He explains why natural solutions like strength training, sunlight (vitamin D), and eliminating processed foods, sugar, and alcohol are the best ways to raise testosterone naturally without relying on injections or supplements. Ultimately, he calls on men to take small, consistent steps to protect long-term health and vitality.

00:00:45 – 01:30 – The Testosterone Crisis – Four out of ten men already have below-normal testosterone, even in their 20s.

00:02:30 – 03:45 – A Tale of Two Weight Loss Journeys – Charles contrasts his year-long 83-pound weight loss with his son’s 40-pound, six-week transformation fueled by higher testosterone.

00:05:10 – 06:15 – Natural Testosterone Boosters – Strength training, sunlight, and small daily habits as the foundation for raising testosterone naturally.

00:07:30 – 08:25 – Low T and Mental Health – How declining testosterone drives low motivation, poor mood, and cycles of inactivity.

00:09:45 – 10:40 – Small Wins, Big Payoff – Why avoiding sugar, alcohol, and processed foods combined with short workouts and sun exposure creates long-term health gains.

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In this episode of Hey Charles, entrepreneur and business coach Charles Ernst breaks down why the popular phrase “go big or go home” is a dangerous myth that keeps people from achieving lasting success. Instead of chasing overnight wins, Charles explains why small daily habits, consistency, and incremental progress are the real keys to building momentum in business, health, and life.

Sharing his personal story of losing 83 pounds in one year, Charles shows how step-by-step actions like tracking calories and building simple routines led to transformation. He also unpacks the science of dopamine, revealing how every small accomplishment rewires your brain to keep pushing forward. From making your bed each morning to building positive momentum throughout the day, Charles teaches how celebrating small wins creates big victories.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, CEO, or someone focused on personal growth, this episode will give you practical tools to replace instant gratification with sustainable success

• 00:00:55 – Calling Out the “Go Big or Go Home” Myth – Why huge leaps don’t create lasting results
• 00:02:35 – Weight Loss as Proof – How Charles lost 83 pounds through small, daily changes
• 00:03:43 – The Science of Small Wins – How dopamine helps you stay motivated
• 00:05:47 – The Navy SEAL Bed-Making Lesson – How small habits build daily momentum
• 00:08:56 – Final Challenge – Why you should take one small step forward this week

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In this episode, Charles Ernst explores how chronic, unresolved subconscious stress silently erodes both mental and physical health over time. Drawing from personal experience—particularly watching his father suffer from Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and hypertension—Charles connects the dots between emotional stress, destructive habits, and degenerative illness. He emphasizes that stress doesn’t just feel bad—it manifests as inflammation, fatigue, and even chronic disease. Using the iceberg analogy, he explains how most of our behavior is driven by the subconscious, which stores decades of tension, trauma, and triggers that we’re often unaware of. The solution isn’t a one-time fix but a lifelong journey of self-awareness, small habits, and releasing stored pressure before it becomes irreversible. His message is urgent: don’t wait until stress forces your body to shut down—start understanding what’s running beneath the surface now.

💸 INSANE GAME PLAN to make you SUPER SUCCESSFUL and SKYROCKET YOUR BUSINESS! 💸

Welcome to HeyCharles, as a CEO, business owner, and entrepreneur, Charles helps create a game plan for ultimate success. 🚀

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Key Moments:

1. Self-Awareness Is the Starting Point

00:00 – 00:00:29Charles emphasizes that managing subconscious stress is a lifelong process rooted in awareness, not a quick fix.

2. His Father’s Decline Sparked the Question

01:21 – 02:40 Watching his father develop Alzheimer’s pushed Charles to investigate the connection between chronic stress and degenerative disease.

3. Stress as a Silent Disease Driver

03:11 – 04:07 He breaks down how long-term subconscious stress affects the body—raising cortisol, blood pressure, and disease risk.

4. Generational Patterns of Stress and Overeating

04:49 – 05:51 Charles shares how his father’s stress-eating habits influenced his own, leading to major health struggles until he addressed the root cause.

5. The Iceberg Analogy

06:13 – 06:43 He compares the subconscious mind to an iceberg—what’s visible is small, but the real drivers of behavior are hidden below the surface.

6. Rewiring Through Daily Practice

09:03 – 10:06 Positive self-talk, meditation, and intentional habit shifts are offered as tools to release pressure before it becomes physical illness.

7. Don’t Wait for a Breakdown

13:22 – 14:28 He closes with urgency: most people wait until a health crisis to change, but self-awareness now can prevent lifelong damage.

In this episode, Charles Ernst challenges the widespread belief that life needs to be perfectly aligned before taking bold action. He shares his personal journey—being laid off, navigating single fatherhood, and feeling like a failure—before deciding to launch his business by age 30, no matter what. Charles explains how childhood programming and subconscious comfort zones often convince us to wait for ideal circumstances that never arrive. Using relatable analogies like jumping into the freezing Pacific Ocean, he illustrates that discomfort fades once we commit. His message is clear: perfection is a myth, and momentum is built by doing, not waiting. If you don’t disrupt the illusion of control, you’ll look back with regret on the things you were meant to do but never did.

💸 INSANE GAME PLAN to make you SUPER SUCCESSFUL and SKYROCKET YOUR BUSINESS! 💸

Welcome to HeyCharles, as a CEO, business owner, and entrepreneur, Charles helps create a game plan for ultimate success. 🚀

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Key Moments:

Opening Message: Keep Taking Steps

00:00 – 00:00:16 Charles opens with a reminder that success comes from consistent, imperfect action—not waiting for the perfect moment.

Challenging the Myth of Perfection

00:01:04 – 00:03:02 Charles breaks down how perfectionism, rooted in childhood programming, holds people back from starting.

Rock Bottom: The Catalyst for His Business

00:03:37 – 00:05:03 After layoffs and a divorce, he committed to starting his business by 30—using imperfection as motivation.

The Pacific Ocean Analogy

00:06:17 – 00:07:14 He compares resistance to cold water: once you dive in, discomfort fades and momentum builds.

The Danger of Waiting

00:07:14 – 00:08:09 Waiting for the “perfect time” is a form of self-sabotage. Progress only happens through action.

Final Wake-Up Call

00:08:09 – 00:09:05 - Charles warns that the need for perfection can lead to lifelong regret if you don’t make your move.

In this episode, Charles Ernst dives into the power of pattern disruption—a simple but effective way to stop mental spirals and regain control. He shares personal stories of how he’s used tools like snapping a rubber band on his wrist or watching scenes from Top Gun: Maverick to instantly shift his mindset. Charles opens up about a tough moment during the 2020 lockdown, where helping on a cattle ranch unexpectedly became a life-changing emotional reset. Through relatable examples, he explains how quick disruptions can calm the subconscious and redirect your focus. Whether it’s handling disappointment, diffusing conflict, or simply getting out of your own head, his message is clear: you don’t need something fancy—you just need something that works. The episode is a practical, honest look at how to break the loop and start moving forward again.

💸 INSANE GAME PLAN to make you SUPER SUCCESSFUL and SKYROCKET YOUR BUSINESS! 💸

Welcome to HeyCharles, as a CEO, business owner, and entrepreneur, Charles helps create a game plan for ultimate success. 🚀

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What is Pattern Disruption?

00:00 – 00:00:45

The speaker introduces the concept of spiraling thoughts and the need for pattern disruption to regain control of your mindset.

Rubber Band Technique for Mental Interruptions

00:01:01 – 00:03:03

When overwhelmed, he snaps a rubber band on his wrist to break mental loops—training the subconscious to refocus in real time.

Using Movie Scenes to Reset After a Major Loss

00:06:45 – 00:09:18

After losing a promising business deal, he fast-forwards through emotional, underdog scenes from Top Gun: Maverick to quickly shift out of discouragement.

Customer Showdown Over Digital ID at the Store

00:10:48 – 00:14:38

A disagreement escalates over using a digital ID to buy alcohol. The situation could’ve been de-escalated with a joke or empathetic phrasing—showing how situational pattern disruption works too.

Diffusing Tension in Business Conversations

00:15:01 – 00:16:42

In heated meetings, instead of pushing logic, the host suggests using humor or storytelling to defuse tension and create alignment.

The Ranch Experience That Changed His Mental Health

00:19:08 – 00:24:00

During a low point in 2020, a friend invited him to work cattle on a ranch. The physical activity and change of environment disrupted his emotional spiral and helped him feel normal again.

Final Takeaway: “Disrupt So You Can Do Again”

00:24:00 – 00:25:30

The closing message: When your mind is stuck, use a pattern disruption—whether physical, emotional, or environmental—to break free and take action again.

In this episode, Charles dives into the power of building emotional resilience and starting the day with intentional wins. He explains how identifying emotional triggers, both positive and negative, can dramatically influence daily productivity. Charles shares personal examples of how the subconscious mind resists uncomfortable tasks and how awareness can break the cycle of avoidance. He outlines a simple yet effective morning routine that includes calming the mind, reading, getting outside, exercising, and completing one tedious task before work. This routine, he explains, trains the mind to associate mornings with accomplishment, setting a positive tone for the entire day. By mastering this process, listeners can shift from reactive to proactive living, creating a foundation for sustained success.

💸 INSANE GAME PLAN to make you SUPER SUCCESSFUL and SKYROCKET YOUR BUSINESS! 💸

Welcome to HeyCharles, as a CEO, business owner, and entrepreneur, Charles helps create a game plan for ultimate success. 🚀

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Key Moments:

1.Breaking Down Emotions (00:00:00 – 00:01:17)

Charles explains the importance of understanding both positive and negative emotions to build emotional resilience and set the tone for success.

2.Why Morning Emotions Dictate the Day (00:01:18 – 00:02:38)

He describes how waking up in a certain mood can influence productivity and why taking control early is essential.

3.The Subconscious Resistance to Tasks (00:04:33 – 00:05:27)

Charles shares examples of how people subconsciously avoid tasks they dislike, using emotional triggers as excuses.

4.Reflecting on Emotional Triggers (00:06:25 – 00:07:01)

He encourages listeners to write down or talk out what caused their emotional response to better understand and address it.

5.Analyzing Positive Triggers (00:07:02 – 00:07:35)

Charles highlights the value of recognizing moments that bring excitement and accomplishment to replicate those feelings.

6.The Five-Step Morning Routine (00:08:05 – 00:10:44)

He details his morning routine: listening to binaural beats, reading, getting outside, exercising, and completing a tedious task.

7.Starting the Day with Wins (00:11:38 – 00:12:23)

Charles emphasizes how beginning the day with accomplishment builds momentum and fuels productivity for the rest of the day.

In this episode, Charles breaks down the illusion of control and how it impacts decision-making, action, and success. He explains how the subconscious mind is constantly working to keep people emotionally “safe,” often by convincing them not to act. Fear of rejection, failure, or discomfort becomes the justification for self-sabotage. Charles highlights how overthinking leads to inaction and how discipline and consistent action are the antidotes. He uses relatable examples, like avoiding a cold call or withholding ideas from a boss, to show how emotional resistance can limit growth. Ultimately, he challenges listeners to stop waiting, start doing, and reprogram their subconscious through movement and simplicity.

💸 INSANE GAME PLAN to make you SUPER SUCCESSFUL and SKYROCKET YOUR BUSINESS! 💸

Welcome to HeyCharles, as a CEO, business owner, and entrepreneur, Charles helps create a game plan for ultimate success. 🚀

🔥 FOLLOW ON ALL PLATFORMS 🔥

• Instagram - @heycharles77

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Key Moments:

1.The Illusion of Control (00:00 – 01:08)

Charles introduces the myth of control and how fear-based emotions dictate behavior.

2.Why We Self-Sabotage (01:08 – 02:45)

He explains how the subconscious mind protects us by avoiding potential emotional pain.

3.Fear of Rejection and Emotional Safety (02:45 – 04:39)

Charles provides real-life examples to show how hesitation stems from emotional triggers, not logic.

4.Negative Emotion Becomes Programming (04:40 – 06:15)

He dives into how bottling up fear or shame reprograms the subconscious to avoid effort.

5.Break the Cycle with Action (07:02 – 08:10)

Action and repetition are presented as the cure to emotional paralysis.

6.Set Rules, Not Goals (08:10 – 09:33)

He offers a mindset shift: create simple, repeatable daily rules to override fear.

7.You Can’t Win Without Swinging (11:52 – 13:13)

Charles uses the baseball analogy to remind listeners: you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.

In this candid conversation, Charles unpacks the hidden patterns of self-sabotage and how they’re often driven by subconscious beliefs formed in childhood. He explains how feeling unworthy of success can quietly derail progress in business, relationships, and personal growth. Charles reveals how early experiences can wire the brain for chaos, leading people to sabotage anything that feels safe, stable, or too good. He emphasizes the importance of rewiring those deep-rooted beliefs by doing hard internal work, not just chasing new strategies. Throughout the conversation, he connects the dots between emotional triggers, identity, and the fear of being seen. Ultimately, Charles challenges listeners to confront the real reason they might be stuck, it’s not the strategy, it’s the story they’re telling themselves.

💸 INSANE GAME PLAN to make you SUPER SUCCESSFUL and SKYROCKET YOUR BUSINESS! 💸

Welcome to HeyCharles, as a CEO, business owner, and entrepreneur, Charles helps create a game plan for ultimate success. 🚀

🔥 FOLLOW ON ALL PLATFORMS 🔥

• Instagram - @heycharles77

• TikTok - @heycharles77

• Twitter - @heycharles77

• Youtube - @HeyCharlesBiz

1.The Roots of Self-Sabotage (00:00:47 – 00:02:19)

Charles opens by explaining how most sabotage isn’t conscious, it comes from unresolved stories written early in life.

2.The Real Block is You [IMPORTANT] (00:01:15 – 00:01:37)

He challenges listeners to face the uncomfortable truth: the person standing in your way isn’t your boss, partner, or circumstances, it’s you.

3.Garbage In, Garbage Out (00:03:07 – 00:03:59)

Charles compares the subconscious mind to a hard drive, reminding us that unfiltered beliefs absorbed over time become default programming.

4.The Discipline Escape Route (00:10:12 – 00:11:53)

He shares how structure and discipline helped him break free from limitation, before he fully understood what was mentally holding him back.

5.The Plane Story: Anxiety and Control (00:18:20 – 00:21:30)

Charles recounts a panic-filled flight that revealed a deeper fear of losing control, one that lingered for years until he finally unpacked it.

6.Teach Yourself to Rewire (00:25:00 – 00:26:27)

He outlines how to identify, dissect, and reprogram limiting beliefs, emphasizing that progress begins by tackling one pattern at a time.

7.Influence is Everywhere (00:28:25 – 00:29:10)

Charles warns that even well-meaning people and influencers can implant their own fears in your subconscious, if you’re not aware enough to filter them.