Stop Choosing Safety, It’s Ruining Your Life - Michael Smoak | #70

Mar 17, 2026

Michael Smoak, fitness coach and founder of Higher Up Wellness who lost 65 lb, talks habits, authenticity, and leveling up life. He explores why the brain prefers familiar pain, the power of tiny consistent actions, and how to ‘cringe until it works.’ They discuss mortality, purpose, and serving others as a way to move past safety and into growth.

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INSIGHT

Blame Yourself To Gain Agency And Improve

Make everything your fault to maximize agency and learn from feedback.
Michael Smoak explains reframing failures as inputs gives control to improve future outcomes.

ADVICE

Choose Authenticity Over Algorithm Hacks

Be unapologetically authentic; don't craft a persona to game algorithms.
Michael Smoak rejects algorithm-hacking and posts candid content (e.g., smoking after a race) to avoid surprises in person.

ANECDOTE

From Friends' Doubt To Real Fan Encounters

Michael Smoak was mocked by friends early on but later received fan interactions that validated his path.
At a bachelor party a waiter asked for a photo, exposing friends' earlier scepticism.

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Michael Smoak is a fitness coach, content creator, and founder of @higherupwellness . Having personally been through his own 65lb weight loss transformation, he now shares practical, no-nonsense advice on how to build better habits, improve physical and mental health, and level up your life.Michael on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/higherupwellness/Find out more: https://higherupwellness.com/CHAPTERS00:00 “Your brain would rather live in a familiar hell than an unfamiliar heaven”05:24 Don’t grasp at things out of your reach, raise the floor11:25 How Michael accrued his knowledge14:13 Reframing your perceptions will change your life18:14 “Everything that happens to you is your fault”21:37 Authenticity is everything27:39 You have everything you need to be incredible32:09 “You’re cringe until is works”42:43 What makes exceptional people exceptional?48:03 Overcome by the power of your words52:37 The proxification of ancient wisdom55:15 Everyone should have a Mission Statement1:00:05 If you don’t chase what you want, you’ll be carried elsewhere1:04:01 Winners win, losers lose1:07:56 Face the fact: You’re going to die1:12:14 How do you deal with a parent dying?1:22:39 Surrendering control, finding peace1:25:22 Memento Mori1:32:52 “Let’s do an exercise…”1:38:21 Are you lonely?1:43:28 What would be your one piece of advice to a struggling person?Subscribe to my Substack to support the show and join the community! https://elliotbewick.substack.com/My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elliotbewick/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elliotbewickX: https://x.com/elliotbewickABOUT THE NEXT GENERATION: In a world saturated by social media and marked by skyrocketing rates of anxiety, depression, and ADHD among Gen Z, young people are growing up in a landscape of chaos and contradiction. While protests swell in city streets and activists hurl soup at famous artworks to demand climate action, a quieter crisis unfolds within - the mental and emotional battles faced by a generation trying to make sense of it all.The Next Generation is hosted by 20-year-old Elliot Bewick, offering a raw and honest look at the world through the eyes of those living in it. Bringing together insight from professionals and young people on the ground, this podcast isn’t here to complain or chase clout. It’s here to bend the arc of the modern world towards solutions, truth and a love for the beautiful adventure of life itself.