← Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee

If This Man Can Turn His Life Around, So Can You with John McAvoy #91

Jan 1, 2020 2h 44m 62 insights
CAUTION ADVISED: this podcast contains swearing. Is there a change you’d like to make in your life? Something you’re desperate to overcome, but can’t see how? Or a goal you’re scared to aim for, because it feels too far off? My guest on this week’s podcast might just convince you to have a go. He’s John McAvoy, endurance athlete extraordinaire, author and the man with one of the most inspirational stories I have ever heard. John was born into a notorious crime family and has served a total of 10 years in some of the UK’s highest security prisons, for armed robbery. He was raised into a life of organised crime and, as a teenager, it was the only career path he could see for himself. In fact, he bought his first gun at the age of 16 and very quickly became one of the UK’s most wanted men. How did he go from serving two life sentences to breaking British and World sporting records and giving talks to schoolchildren? From violent criminal to opinion leader, invited to 10 Downing Street for his views on the justice system? You’ll have to listen and find out. Not only is every part of John’s story worthy of a Hollywood movie script, the lessons and life advice he shares are relevant to each and every one of us. Whether you’re interested in his rowing and Ironman success, how he transformed his moral code or how he overcame adversity, this really is a compelling conversation. I know you’re going to be as gripped by John as I was.  Show notes available at drchatterjee.com/91 Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk
Actionable Insights

1. Embrace Personal Change

Recognize that past decisions do not define your entire life; everyone has the opportunity to change and turn things around, even in seemingly insurmountable situations.

2. Cultivate Self-Belief

Always return to self-belief and avoid setting limits on what you can achieve and accomplish, as this is fundamental to personal growth.

3. Take Full Responsibility

Accept full responsibility for every decision made in life, both good and bad, recognizing that choices are personal and not forced.

4. Direct Mindset Positively

Understand that a strong, driven mindset, if applied negatively, can be destructive, so consciously direct your inherent drive towards positive and productive endeavors.

5. Prioritize Self-Care

Understand that you must look after yourself physically and mentally, because if you crack, you are no good to anyone else.

6. Remove Self-Imposed Limits

Approach new challenges without self-imposed limits, simply doing the best you can without prior judgment of what is ‘good’ or ‘bad,’ which can unlock unexpected potential.

7. Develop Coping Strategies

In challenging or confined situations, develop coping strategies like exercise to feel alive and human, rather than merely existing.

8. Create Personal Control

In restrictive environments, create your own sense of control by choosing what you read and when you train, thereby asserting your autonomy.

9. Relinquish Power by Giving Up Dependencies

Identify things others can use to control or punish you (e.g., dependencies or habits) and give them up to regain control and relinquish that power to them.

10. Stay Connected to Real World

Actively stay connected to current affairs and the outside world (e.g., through news, reading) to prevent your life from going on pause and to avoid becoming institutionalized.

11. Disengage from Negative Environments

Make a conscious decision to disengage from negative environments and people when you realize their mindset and conversations no longer align with the life you want to lead.

12. Seek Positive Role Models

Actively seek exposure to diverse, positive role models (e.g., in business, sports) to shape your life journey and expand your perception of what’s possible.

13. Seek Mentors Who Believe

Actively seek out mentors or individuals who show genuine interest in your success without personal gain, as their belief can be a powerful source of encouragement and support.

14. Educate Yourself on Path

Once you’ve chosen a new direction, actively educate yourself by reading books and seeking knowledge on all aspects of that field (e.g., sports nutrition, training, physiology).

15. Practice Positive Thought & Visualization

Embrace positive thought and visualization as powerful tools to work towards your goals and manifest desired outcomes.

16. Live by a Personal Mantra

Adopt a powerful personal mantra or advice from a trusted mentor (e.g., ‘Do not come back,’ ‘Don’t waste your gift’) to guide your actions and motivate you towards your goals.

17. Pursue Accomplishment for Fulfillment

Dedicate yourself to activities that provide a deep sense of accomplishment and allow you to transcend average, as this can be a powerful vehicle for personal transformation and fulfillment.

18. Redefine Legacy as Positive Impact

Understand that true legacy is not about money or personal achievements, but about having a positive impact on other people’s lives and actively lifting them up.

19. Practice Generational Impact

Focus on having a positive impact on individuals, understanding that this can create a ripple effect, improving not only their lives but also the lives of future generations.

20. Leverage Your Story for Others

Recognize and leverage your unique story and influential position to unlock opportunities and create a better life for other young people, using your experiences as a proxy for change.

21. Advocate for Opportunities for All

Advocate for providing opportunities for all individuals to change and turn their lives around, recognizing that personal success often stems from seizing an opportunity.

22. Practice Empathy, Reduce Judgment

Cultivate empathy and reduce societal judgment by recognizing that anyone’s life circumstances and minor decisions can significantly influence their outcomes.

23. Prioritize Collaboration & Mutual Aid

Believe in working together and helping fellow humans, as this approach to life fosters a better society and community, rather than constant focus on individual profit.

24. Embrace Compassion for Society

Recognize that current societal approaches are becoming toxic and that embracing compassion is crucial for improving society and fostering positive change.

25. Differentiate Regret

Learn to regret harmful actions deeply, but not necessarily the challenging experiences that resulted from them, as these experiences can be transformative.

26. Release Bitterness & Resentment

Make a conscious decision to move on from bitterness, hatred, and resentment towards past events or systems, as this allows for personal growth and peace.

27. Speak Authentically

When communicating, speak authentically from your heart about what you genuinely believe in, as this eliminates the need for memorization and resonates more powerfully.

28. Strive to Be Your Best Self

Focus on becoming the best version of yourself, rather than striving to be the absolute best compared to others.

29. Maximize Every Day of Life

Believe in the continuous possibility of getting better and overcoming challenges; maximize every day of your life, live to the fullest, and appreciate the ability to breathe and experience enjoyment.

30. Prioritize Mental Strength in Endurance

Recognize that in endurance activities, the psychological element is far greater than physical strength; cultivate mental resilience to push past physical limits.

31. Seek Coaching to Avoid Over-training

Despite strong drive and determination, seek external coaching rather than self-coaching to avoid over-training and detrimental health issues.

32. Prioritize Recovery in Training

Do not mistake constant suffering and depletion for dedication; prioritize recovery in your training to avoid over-training, illness, and digging a hole you can’t get out of.

33. Immediately Immerse in New Environments

Upon making a life change, immediately immerse yourself in a new environment aligned with your goals to rapidly change your social circle and support network.

34. Build Authentic Relationships First

When entering a new social circle, allow people to get to know you for who you are in the present, building authentic friendships before revealing potentially challenging aspects of your past.

35. Overcome Shame by Sharing Story

To overcome shame about your past, take the initiative to tell your own story, as this can lead to acceptance and support rather than shunning.

36. Honesty Fosters Greater Support

Being honest about your past, even if it’s difficult, can lead to unexpected and even greater support from others who become more willing to help you achieve your goals.

37. Communicate Transformation to Adversaries

Share your story of transformation with those who once judged or confined you, not out of arrogance, but to demonstrate that people can change and to express gratitude.

38. Simplify Health Practices

Focus on simple, immediately actionable tips to transform how you feel, as getting healthy has become overly complicated.

39. Prioritize Health for Happiness

Recognize that being healthier leads to greater happiness, as feeling better enables you to live more fully.

40. Share Positive Experiences

Share your stories, reviews, and experiences on social media to help spread the word about practical and effective plans, as this aids in wider adoption.

41. Consider Minimalist Footwear

If you want to move more, consider investing in minimalist shoes like Vivo Barefoot, as they can offer benefits for mobility, back, hip, and knee pain.

42. Consistent High-Volume Training

Engage in consistent, high-volume training (e.g., seven days a week) when preparing for endurance races or challenging physical goals.

Combine educational learning with sport (e.g., becoming a personal trainer) to engage disengaged individuals, as sport can be a powerful motivator for learning.

44. Leverage Relatable Interests

Use familiar and respected entities (like football clubs with their badges) to gain the attention and increase the susceptibility to learning among disengaged groups.

45. Choose Individual Sports for Self-Reliance

If you prefer to rely solely on your own hard work, discipline, and dedication without being limited by others’ technical ability, choose individual sports.

46. Dedicate to Learning Technical Skills

When pursuing a new skill, especially a technical one, dedicate yourself to learning by obsessing over resources like YouTube videos to understand proper technique.

47. Recognize Tragedy as Catalyst

Understand that tragedy or significant suffering often serves as a necessary pain point to force personal change and kickstart action in life.

48. Define What You Don’t Want

Even if you don’t know exactly what you want to do, clearly defining what you don’t want in your life can be a powerful first step towards change.

49. Reframe Mistakes as Decisions

Understand that past actions are not necessarily ‘mistakes’ but rather poor life decisions based on your understanding at that moment, which can be learned from.

50. Recognize Psychological Harm

Understand that psychological damage to others can be more destructive than physical harm, and reflect on the true impact of your actions beyond immediate physical consequences.

51. Channel Guilt into Positive Action

Use subconscious guilt or regret from past actions as a powerful, inherent drive to make positive change and contribute to society today.

52. Reject Hierarchical Views

Move beyond seeing life through a hierarchical lens where some people are weaker or stronger, and instead view everyone as equal human beings.

53. Avoid Over-Commitment to Prove Worth

Be cautious of saying ‘yes’ to everything out of a desire to prove you’ve changed or are a good person, as this can lead to over-training, illness, and detriment to your own health.

54. Strategically Meet Requirements

In a restrictive system, strategically meet all required targets and expectations to progress and move towards your desired outcome, even if your internal motivation is different.

55. Recognize Fear-Based Decisions

Be aware that many decisions, especially in systems, are often driven by fear (e.g., fear of risk or blame), which can lead to stagnation or negative outcomes.

56. Advocate for Prevention

Believe and advocate for prevention as a better solution than cure, especially in social issues like crime, recognizing the immense cost of failing to prevent problems.

57. Broaden Your Perspective

Actively seek to broaden your perspective beyond your immediate experiences, as your current reality can make everything else seem abnormal, limiting your understanding of the world.

58. Awareness of Environmental Limits

Recognize that your environment and what you are surrounded by significantly limits or defines what you perceive as possible for yourself.

59. Believe in Everyone’s Inherent Gifts

Recognize that everyone possesses inherent gifts and abilities, and that what appears special in others is often a learned and practiced skill.

60. Overcome Imposter Syndrome

Combat imposter syndrome by recognizing that everyone, regardless of their position or background, is human and possesses unique, learned skill sets, just like you.

61. Acknowledge Knowledge Limits

Understand that your current perspective is shaped by your experiences, and be open to the idea that there are other ways of seeing the world beyond what you currently know.

62. Beware of Narrow Perspectives

Be cautious of developing a narrow worldview where your immediate environment defines ’normal,’ causing you to view everything outside it as abnormal.