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Boom! This is Books & Biceps #337!

Welcome to our hundreds of new readers and a special shout out to everyone who grabbed their Books & Biceps Bundle! If you missed it, you get the entire Meathead Media Library in one place for one price. Can’t beat it. And it was my son’s idea (which you can read about here) so if you don’t buy it you’re gonna have to look him in the eyes and tell him why personally hahaha.

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If you’re a new subscriber or missed my yearly book round-up, The 16 Most Memorable Books I Read in 2024, you can read it here.

BOOKS

HEAT 2: A Novel by Michael Mann and Meg Gardiner

“Don’t let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat, if you feel the heat around the corner.”

“I’m angry. I’m very angry, Ralph. You know, you can ball my wife if she wants you to. You can lounge around here on her sofa, in her ex-husband’s dead-tech, post-modernistic bullshit house if you want to. But you do not get to watch my fucking television set!”

“For me, the action is the juice.”

These are a few of my favorite lines of dialogue from the iconic movie, Heat, by Michael Mann. Two years ago, Mann (along with author Meg Gardiner) wrote a sequel (and prequel) in novel form and it was phenomenal.

This is every single thing you could possibly want from revisiting these characters.

We get deep and intriguing backstory on Pacino’s Vincent Hanna, DeNiro’s McCauley and Kilmer’s Chris Sheherlis. We also get clever, explosive dialogue true to the characters and it’s impossible not to read the lines without DeNiro and Pacino’s voices in your head, which is a good thing…

We learn how their respective crews came together, how they crossed paths in Chicago in ‘88 and what happened after the finale to the movie in 1995. There are new heists, new villains, new over-the-top scenes and characters…

This is one of the most fun, action-packed, enjoyable reads I’ve had in a while.

And the reason I’m writing about this book now is because I just came across an interview with the legendary director himself, Michael Mann, and he said that he’s almost completed the screenplay for the film and he wants to make it his next movie.

Presumably, Pacino will be involved. Curious who he gets to play a young (and older) Val Kilmer, along with the younger versions of DeNiro’s entire crew. Lot of excitement for this one so be prepared for it and read it now. Also, the paperback is only $11 now. Easy purchase.

Order Heat 2 here.

BICEPS

Although it’s 80 degrees in Florida today we have a fair amount of B&B readers battling it out in winter conditions, lacking motivation to get that sweet, sweet daily sweat in.

I’ve had a few people reach out to me the last few weeks asking for a simple, fat burning, go-to workout they could knock out several times a week. Yes, I’m combining several requests into one.

And since I’m a simple man who likes simple answers, I’m going to give you the simplest, most effective 30 - 40 minute fat burning workout that you’re likely to do.

What I mean by that is, there are plenty of complicated circuits and sets with equipment that will work… And there’s always the “burpees ‘til you puke” crowd.

But for a workout to be useful, you have to want to do it first and it has to be achievable. It also has to be something you can improve at and enjoy over time if you’re going to keep doing it.

All that being said, get yourself a decent jump rope (like this one) and try this:

12 Rounds Jump Rope: 1 minute jump / 1 minute rest (or 30 seconds if you’re in good shape)

12 Rounds Street Sprints: 100 yard sprints / 30 second rest (you can pace off or guestimate 100 yards on your street or at a park - yes, you can run outside in the winter, it’s actually refreshing)

And that’s it. High intensity. Intervals. Gets your whole body moving. Jacks up your heart rate. Easy. You can add/subtract rounds to your fitness level. This can be a 24 minute workout or a 48 minute workout or anything in between.

I try to do this at least every other week and I love it.

QUICK FLEXES

Last summer many of you read David Morrell’s legendary book, First Blood, which ultimately became the movie, Rambo. Though I loved the movie, I thought the book was sensational and it lead me to read more of Morrell’s work, which we’ve recommended in this newsletter, and also to seek out interviews with him.

This book came up in conversation this week and the person I was talking to recommended this podcast with Morrell and bestselling author and Navy SEAL, Jack Carr. It’s fantastic, but it’s super long, so I’ve watched it in parts over the course of a week’s worth of eating lunch, but you’ll love it:

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DID YOU BUNDLE YET?

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You asked for it, you got it:

Now you can get the entire Meathead Media catalogue, including 3 books, 3 complete workout programs and my acclaimed Freelance Fortune Course in one place for one super low price.

Even if you’ve bought one or two of these individually, this bundle is a steal.

For less than the price of a new Erik Larson hardcover at Barnes & Noble and one of those huge Rice Crispy treats you always want to try, you’ll have all the tools to rebuild your body and pump up your mind.

This is a no-brainer for every regular B&B reader and it’s an easy way to support the newsletter:

And if you’re still not convinced, we’ve been running a scientific experiment with our readers and I’m proud to share the results with you. After performing a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study, these are the actual medical effects on your brain and body and confidence before and after you buy the Books & Biceps Bundle:

As you can see, the results are undisputed. Buy your bundle right here.

STRONG LINKS

1) My Twitter buddy Michael Girdley has one of the most unique newsletters out there (and 230k followers on X). He’s bought, scaled and sold a ton of small businesses (11) and he loves Chili’s and dad humor. I don’t always enjoy reading about business and you probably don’t either, but it’s important and one of the few dudes who makes it relatable and funny AND gives you useful advice is my guy Girdley. If you click on this link below, you’ll automatically be signed up:

2) Check out my new venture, MIDLIFE MALE

If you’re a dude over 40 and you used to read Men’s Health or Esquire or GQ, and you’re looking for a digital magazine to get you on top of your game and keep you on top of your game, with incredible A-List interviews (Troy Aikman, Don Saladino, Gunnar Peterson and more), original columns and a curated list of weekly items second-to-none, subscribe to Midlife Male Magazine.

I’ve been helping build this publication from the ground up and it’s the magazine I used to wish existed - and now it does. Join us here.

3) Readers always ask me what newsletter platform I used for Books & Biceps and the answer is Beehiiv.

🔥🔥🔥If you want to start your own newsletter, I can’t recommend them enough. Absolutely loaded with features. The best customer service on the planet. Super easy to learn and post

→ USE MY AFFILIATE LINK to try Beehiiv and get a HUGE DISCOUNT!

PS: Do you want to be the title sponsor of this newsletter? I have a few spots open for the Spring. There is no better place to reach dudes and dads who read & lift. From watches to supplements and gear & software, we’ve had a ton of successful sponsors over the years. And I write all the copy myself. If you want to put your brand/product in front of almost 23,000+ sophisticated meatheads, reply to this email and we’ll talk.

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