62 Comments
User's avatar
Dennis's avatar

Great newsletter Joe, loved #7 on your list. I feel like just looking at men's fitness influencers on Youtube/Instagram is a one way ticket to the alt right pipeline. So it's refreshing when gym influencers focus on kindness and community instead of ego and individualism like you mentioned.

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JH's avatar

I think about this a lot, and one of the primary reasons I’m starting a newsletter etc. think we need more realistic voices in the space + entertainment industry context of wellness. Glad this landed and thanks for reading + kind words !

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sam verdile's avatar

We desperately do. I feel like you and Adrian Chavez are the only people in the space speaking about it logically and reasonably, and willing to give a flat “no, that’s bullshit, just exercise and eat healthy” answer to so many of these money-seeking trends

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JH's avatar

Out of curiosity, what else would you like to see / think is missing in space?

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sam verdile's avatar

Do you read Casey Johnston’s newsletter (or even better, did you read her old column, ask a swole woman)? Something like that for men. Straightforward, answers questions everyone always wants to ask, on the side it does some really good but lightweight unpacking of body image issues and how they impact how we do/don’t work out.

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JH's avatar

thank you v helpful! I did come across it a few times

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sam verdile's avatar

oh so happy it’s helpful! tbh you can’t go wrong, been following you on Twitter for a while and u are such a clear straight shooter. so happy someone like u is doing more n more to get the right info out there

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Gabe Brosbe's avatar

I love following Joe on Twitter because he always pops into my feed saying something rational and logical about exercise. Looking forward to reading more.

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Emily Sundberg's avatar

His lists calm me down

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Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell's avatar

Ok dying to hear what you think about Brooklyn men obsessed with black out curtains (it feels like an illness to me)

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JH's avatar

kindest thing, thank you !! 🥹🥹

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JH's avatar

Haha ok honest question why do you hate it so much??

I actually sleep with no curtains cause my bedroom faces East and I like the sun/sunrise to wake me up …

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Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell's avatar

That’s what I’m so upset about! I want to wake up to SUNSHINE! These black out curtains are like a surefire way to cause depression

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JH's avatar

Haha ok to be fair, light, even a little bit, can disrupt sleep. But! If you do have a significant other I think you need to

1.) invest in black out shades with a timer so they automatically open in AM

2.) use an eye mask instead !

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Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell's avatar

Ok immediately googling black out curtains with a timer thank you!!!

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Emily Sundberg's avatar

This is real and I didn’t know about it until I slept at my husbands apartment for the first time

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Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell's avatar

I’ve been with my dude for 2 years and he still refuses to give up on them and I feel it’ll be the only reason I eventually leave him

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Jude Goulet's avatar

This is great. Your seven ideas feel grounded and possible. Next space in wellness: sports that go deeper. Like Kung-fu bringing a humility and self-determination to psyche.

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JH's avatar

Thank you! And this is real. I think increased secularism of society is going to make that trend happen sooner than later

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kira fisher's avatar

Joe, what's one of the biggest scams in fitness and wellness right now?

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JH's avatar

oofff. Amazing question. I will say in the last decade, critical analysis of the space has improved for the better. But biggest scam is, from a business perspective, people claiming innovation when really it’s just white labeling

From an individual perspective, it’s the “energy” healing theories based around the longevity movement. So much is crazy overpriced and just don’t know if it’s going to work

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Lila Sullivan's avatar

Loved this guest newsletter!! Thanks for jumping in Joe!!

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JH's avatar

You’re welcome !! Thank you for the kind words and reading !!!

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Wally Hass's avatar

Perfect Sunday morning read!

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Maureen Whitman's avatar

This guest post was chock full of useful goodness. It also affirmed and reinforced my approach to fitness and healthy eating. Great links!

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The Dose's avatar

Exercise snacks has me doing farmer’s carry laps in the airport rn

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JH's avatar

LOLLLL LOVE

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Eva Ducruezet's avatar

This post literally fed me (and my soul)

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Mimi's avatar

We love a man who can give sound advice! It just all makes logical sense for true wellness. Love this, JH! Random side note, but I was working for Notre Dame (also my alma mater) when you assisted with the Thom Browne shoot— you were fantastic with the students! Such a good memory Xx

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JH's avatar

🥹🥹 ah man that was one of my most fond memories. Good times !

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Mimi's avatar

☘️☘️ come back for a game!

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just jules🍒's avatar

obsessed with you JH! thx emily!

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Hershlay's avatar

My favorite guest writer so far!

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Josh R's avatar

enjoyed this one, thanks joe!

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Ruci's avatar

Joe Holder, what did you think of my beautiful hometown, Cupertino? Did you get to try any restaurants or walk through Rancho San Antonio?

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JH's avatar

I unfortunately didn’t get to explore much :((

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Ruci's avatar

There's always next time! :)

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Sumeet Shah's avatar

Joe MF Holder! This was a pleasant surprise in my Substack inbox!

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JH's avatar

🫡 🫡 WE IN DA BUILDING

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Sumeet Shah's avatar

Y E R R R R dot GIF

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