Join the Stronger Without Newsletter for weekly reflections on strength, clarity, and personal growth.
→ https://strongerwithout.substack.com/

In this video, I explore The Illusion of Success, why society pushes us to measure worth through money, status, and follower counts, and why that can leave us feeling empty. Drawing from my own journey from military medals and promotions to redefining success on my own terms I share why true success comes from living authentically, making an impact, and creating without fear of judgment.

0:00 – Intro: The Illusion of Success
0:17 – How Society Measures Success
0:42 – Social Media and the Numbers Game
1:03 – My Definition of Success
1:46 – Success as an Internal Measure
2:00 – Military Achievements vs True Success
2:53 – Why Material Measures Don’t Matter
3:13 – What We Really Value in People
3:50 – Impact and Contribution as Success
4:11 – Advice to My 20-Year-Old Self
4:25 – Success as Living on Your Terms
4:36 – Adventure, Freedom, and New Experiences
4:49 – Friendships and Relationships That Matter
5:01 – Being a Role Model and Creating Without Fear
5:34 – Success Is Staying True to Yourself
5:42 – Final Message: Go Create and Contribute
5:56 – Closing

In this episode of the Stronger Without Podcast, I explore the emotional crash, identity loss, and quiet confusion that hits after finishing a long bike tour. I share my story of returning home after cycling across the world and what I’ve learned about rebuilding life, purpose, and community when the adventure ends.

Be the first to know about new podcast episodes, YouTube videos, and upcoming events. https://strongerwithout.substack.com/

Upcoming Events
https://strongerwithout.uk/events

0:00 – Intro: What Happens After the Ride?
0:26 – The Reddit Question That Sparked This Episode
1:00 – Psychological Impact of Coming Home
1:55 – Returning from 18 Months on the Road
3:19 – Christmas, Normal Life, and the Crash After
4:42 – Similar Feelings After Military Deployments
5:45 – Post-Adventure Blues Are Real
6:37 – Losing Identity After a Big Trip
7:16 – Letting Go of the “Biker Guy” Label
8:12 – Weight Gain and Adjusting Physically
8:58 – Dating, Drinking, and Disconnection
10:03 – Rebelling Against the Norms
11:05 – Re-Entry Strategy: What I Wish I Knew
12:00 – How Travel Changes Your View of Tourism
13:05 – A New Perspective on Risk and Safety
14:16 – Gratitude for Simple Things: Water, Beds, Fridges
15:42 – The Power of Community and Hosting
16:40 – Stronger Without Events: What’s Next
17:03 – Home Felt Claustrophobic, Then Comforting
17:32 – The Journey Still Shapes Me Today
18:06 – Find a New Challenge When You Return
18:44 – Practical Tips: Journal, Move, Set Goals
19:32 – Closing Reflections & How to Connect

Work with me to prepare for your own Misogi:
👉 strongerwithout.uk/coaching

▶️ Join the next Stronger Without Weekend in Purbeck
A one-day reset for men ready to reconnect with nature, brotherhood, and their own potential. No phones or booze. Just presence.
👉 strongerwithout.uk/events/purbecks

📬 Subscribe to the Stronger Without Newsletter
Weekly reflections, honest stories, and actionable systems to help you show up fully. Be the first to see what is coming up next on the Podcast and for live events.
👉 https://strongerwithout.substack.com/subscribe


0:00 – Welcome & Introduction to Misogi
0:30 – Comfort Is Killing Us
1:07 – Army Training at 17: My First Misogi
5:00 – Modern Life: Comfort in the Corporate World
6:40 – Cold Showers & Sea Swims: Small Discomforts
7:56 – Discovering The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter
8:50 – The Origin of Misogi: Japanese Purification Rituals
10:03 – Michael Easter’s Misogi in Alaska
11:02 – Why Doing Hard Things Makes Life Easier
12:00 – More Military Misogis: Sandhurst & South Wales
14:53 – What Is a Misogi? The Two Key Rules
16:07 – No Social Media Rule & Validation Culture
18:03 – Why Most Challenges Aren’t True Misogis
20:03 – My Personal Misogis: Walking Across England
21:23 – Undocumented Challenges from My World Bike Tour
23:02 – Comfort Statistics: Obesity & Softness in the West
24:05 – Why Most Men Lack a Rite of Passage
25:17 – My Ultimate Misogi: The World Bike Trip
26:35 – Overcoming the Pyrenees: Confidence Through Challenge
27:37 – Training for a Marathon (But It's Not a Misogi)
28:03 – Invitation: Join Me for a Real Misogi Experience
29:48 – What It Could Look Like: Rucksacks, Rivers, Mountains
30:22 – This Is Not a Competition—It’s for You
31:07 – How to Get Involved
31:59 – Closing Words: You’ve Got More in the Locker

In this episode, I’m talking directly to anyone in their 30s, 40s, or beyond who feels like it might be too late to start something new, especially online. It’s not. In fact, your lived experience might be the very thing someone else needs right now.

I discuss how perfection isn’t the goal, and how to take the first step in creating something meaningful. Whether it’s YouTube, a podcast, or just showing up more fully in your life, this is your reminder to begin.

You don’t need to be the best. You just need to be real.

Want to go deeper? Here’s how to take the next step:

▶️ Join the next Stronger Without Weekend in Purbeck
A one-day reset for men ready to reconnect with nature, brotherhood, and their own potential. No phones. No booze. Just presence.
👉 strongerwithout.uk/events/purbecks

📬 Subscribe to the Stronger Without Newsletter
Weekly reflections, honest stories, and actionable systems to help you show up fully. Be the first to see what is coming up next on the Podcast and for live events.
👉 https://strongerwithout.substack.com/subscribe

🧭 Apply for Private Coaching
One-to-one coaching for men ready to lead themselves again — in body, work, and life.
👉 strongerwithout.uk/coaching

00:00 – Why now is the perfect time to start YouTube
01:03 – What this video covers
02:01 – Why YouTube isn't saturated (especially in 2025)
03:25 – If you're over 35, here's why you should start
04:44 – Example: Woodworking YouTuber Steve Ramsey
05:50 – Searchable, useful content works best
07:04 – My dad started a pond YouTube channel
08:51 – You only need to be one step ahead
09:44 – My background and why I started
10:12 – You don’t need to be perfect
11:00 – The gear I started with (and lessons learned)
12:08 – Talking to camera gets easier (and scarier things exist!)
13:00 – Stronger Without: My shift in direction
14:02 – Vulnerability builds trust faster than expertise
15:20 – You can pivot your content direction
16:04 – Structure, strength, clarity, connection: My four pillars
17:24 – Stronger Without is about documenting, not preaching
18:23 – You are the niche – example: Atomic Shrimp
19:05 – Gear: What you actually need to get started
20:27 – Audio matters more than video quality
21:30 – Uploading consistently is key
23:08 – The realities of editing and making time
25:13 – How to make money on YouTube
27:20 – Real-world example: Monetising pond content
29:43 – What I offer through coaching
30:29 – Affiliate links, events, and courses
31:17 – Why your story matters
32:28 – Speak from experience, not theory
33:03 – Each video is a brick in your wall
33:59 – Final encouragement: Just start
35:11 – Do this for 20 years – it's never too late
35:38 – Be human in an AI world
36:17 – Free Stronger Without events – join us

I used to think alcohol was essential to travel, something that made it easier to meet people, take risks, and soak up new cultures. But behind every night out was a hidden cost: wasted mornings, empty wallets, near-death experiences, and a slow erosion of clarity.

In this episode, I share my honest story of drinking while travelling, the moment it nearly killed me in Barcelona, and how I turned everything around. I’ll walk you through the systems I use to stay sober on the road and how saying no opened the door to a richer, more intentional way of seeing the world.

Whether you're sober curious, travelling soon, or just want to live with more clarity, this one’s for you.

Plus: a few practical tips you can start using today, and an invite to join our Stronger Without walks.

Want to go deeper? Here’s how to take the next step:

▶️ Join the next Stronger Without Weekend in Purbeck
A one-day reset for men ready to reconnect with nature, brotherhood, and their own potential. No phones. No booze. Just presence.
👉 strongerwithout.uk/events/purbecks

📬 Subscribe to the Stronger Without Newsletter
Weekly reflections, honest stories, and actionable systems to help you show up fully. Be the first to see what is coming up next on the Podcast and for live events.
👉 https://strongerwithout.substack.com/subscribe

🧭 Apply for Private Coaching
One-to-one coaching for men ready to lead themselves again — in body, work, and life.
👉 strongerwithout.uk/coaching

00:00 - Intro: The Hidden Cost of Drinking While Travelling
01:10 - My Story: Boozy Travels from Age 16
02:35 - The Wild Uni Years and the Daily Mail Headline
03:40 - Six Weeks of Drinking Across Europe
04:30 - Near-Death Experience in Barcelona
05:25 - Balconing and British Tourists Abroad
06:45 - Injuries, Fights, and the Darker Side of Drinking
08:00 - The Real Costs: Money, Safety, and Lost Days
08:50 - Why I’m Not Preaching—Just Sharing
09:30 - How I Stay Sober While Travelling
10:30 - “No” is a Complete Sentence
11:15 - The Power of Respecting Boundaries
12:05 - The Night That Changed Everything in New Orleans
13:30 - From One Month Sober to Five Years
14:00 - What I Do Now Instead of Drinking
15:00 - The Joy of Alcohol-Free Mornings
15:40 - Drinking Steals Happiness From Tomorrow
16:30 - How to Find Like-Minded, Sober Travellers
17:00 - Stronger Without Events: Join the Movement
18:30 - What’s Next for the Stronger Without Community
19:30 - Final Thoughts: Subtract Alcohol, Add Presence

In this episode, I break down the habits, systems, and mindset shifts that helped me reclaim my strength, structure, and sanity in midlife. If you're tired of the drift physically, mentally, or emotionally this one’s for you.

Want to go deeper? Here’s how to take the next step:

▶️ Join the next Stronger Without Weekend in Purbeck
A one-day reset for men ready to reconnect with nature, brotherhood, and their own potential. No phones. No booze. Just presence.
👉 strongerwithout.uk/events/purbecks

📬 Subscribe to the Stronger Without Newsletter
Weekly reflections, honest stories, and actionable systems to help you show up fully. Be the first to see what is coming up next on the Podcast and for live events.
👉 https://strongerwithout.substack.com/subscribe

🧭 Apply for Private Coaching
One-to-one coaching for men ready to lead themselves again — in body, work, and life.
👉 strongerwithout.uk/coaching

00:00 - Introduction & Overview
00:41 - Stronger Without Reset Event Announcement
02:22 - Substack Post: My Midlife Fitness Journey
03:40 - Why Fitness Isn’t Just Exercise
05:05 - My Background: PT, Army, & Sports Science
06:25 - Hitting Rock Bottom: 97kg & Obese
07:35 - Confidence, Clothing, & Social Anxiety
08:59 - Why Midlife Fitness Matters
09:48 - Motivation: Kids, Hills & Healthspan
10:58 - Story Time: From Childhood to Army Life
11:57 - Post-Army: 18 Months Cycling Around the World
13:16 - The Power of Food as Fuel
14:22 - Understanding Diet, Not “Going on a Diet”
15:52 - The Macronutrient Misinformation Era
16:59 - Tracking My Food Changed Everything
18:12 - MacroFactor vs MyFitnessPal
18:50 - From 97kg to 80kg: The Transformation
20:23 - Four Key Habits That Changed My Life
22:24 - Give Yourself a Fitness Goal That Scares You
24:00 - My Marathon Training Plan & New Forest Goal
25:20 - Weight Loss Results: Confidence, Sleep & Health
27:17 - Final Advice: Seven Tips for Midlife Fitness
30:08 - Coaching & Accountability Offers
31:50 - Measure What Matters (Beyond Just Weight)
32:28 - Outro & How to Get Involved

"If I disappeared tomorrow, would anyone notice?"

It’s a question more men are quietly asking and one that reveals a deeper crisis.

In this episode, I dive into the loneliness epidemic that’s hitting men hardest in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. We explore the collapse of male friendships, the weight of unspoken pressure, and the quiet fear of no longer mattering.

But this isn’t just about sadness and stats. It’s about meaning, purpose and how we fight back.

We cover:

• Why loneliness is not just being alone
• The social and existential layers of disconnection
• How modern life: work, tech, culture is eroding male connection
• Actionable ways to rebuild belonging, friendship, and meaning

Mentioned in the episode:

• U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Social Connection (2023)
• Harvard: What’s Causing Our Loneliness Epidemic (2024)
• Harvard “Loneliness in America” Brief Report (2024)
• The Guardian: Midlife Male Friendships (2025)
• Guardian profile of Vivek Murthy (2024)
• America’s Friendship Recession – Survey Center (2024)

Read more: Stronger Without Substack
Join us in person: Stronger Without Events

What really happens when you stop drinking?

In this episode, I break down the unexpected challenges of going alcohol-free. The social pressure, the awkward conversations, the FOMO. But I also share some of the upsides: better sleep, real clarity, and a deeper connection to what matters.

If you're sober curious or already on the path, this episode is for you.

Get the 7 days reset: https://strongerwithout.substack.com/subscribe

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/adamhugill

Get 1-1 coaching or join a live event: https://www.strongerwithout.uk/

00:00 - Introduction to the Stronger Without Podcast
00:20 - Why I Went Alcohol-Free
01:26 - The Hidden Health Impacts of Alcohol
03:34 - The Social Consequences of Drinking
05:32 - Life in the Army: Alcohol and Discipline Issues
07:00 - The Moment I Quit: April 2020
07:52 - Challenge #1: Social Pressure & Fear of Missing Out
09:40 - Navigating Events Without Alcohol
11:11 - Building Confidence in Saying “I Don’t Drink”
12:58 - Handling Awkward Questions About Sobriety
13:56 - New Social Dynamics: Stag Dos and Parties
15:00 - Discovering New Rituals & Evening Habits
16:45 - Replacing Alcohol with Active Socialising
17:40 - The Unexpected Health Benefits
18:16 - Reduced Anxiety & Better Decision Making
19:08 - My Weekend Routine Without Alcohol
20:05 - The Long-Term Compounding Benefits
21:17 - Owning Your Actions Without Excuses
22:17 - Stronger Relationships & Being Present
23:06 - What’s Next for the Podcast
24:22 - Final Thoughts & Call for Guests