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In this raw and powerful episode, I sit down with James Pieratt — ancient warrior researcher and founder of Wild Hunt Conditioning — to explore how modern high-achievers have lost their warrior spirit and what we can learn from history's greatest fighters to reclaim our strength.
From his transformation from heroin addict and ex-con to ultra-marathon runner studying samurai philosophy, James reveals the shocking truth about why testosterone levels have dropped 50% since 1980 and how our ancestors stayed fit while being bigger gluttons than we are today.
Whether you're a stressed executive feeling physically weak, a leader struggling with anger, or someone yearning to reconnect with your primal strength, this conversation will completely reframe how you think about modern masculinity and peak performance.
What we cover:
✔️ Why Roman gluttons had 2% obesity while modern America has 40%
✔️ The testosterone crisis: how modern men lost half their hormonal power
✔️ Ancient warrior wisdom from Spartans, Romans, and Samurai
✔️ Why anger is always weakness (and how warriors really handled it)
✔️ The tribal chieftain's responsibility every leader carries
✔️ How to build warrior habits in urban environments with zero equipment
✔️ Why primal pursuits beat gym workouts for mental fortitude
✔️ The role women play in creating modern warriors at home
✔️ Micro-dosing difficulty: stacking stones vs. mindless treadmill time
✔️ Why getting outside isn't optional — it's evolutionary necessity
James doesn't just share fitness tips — he reveals how reconnecting with our warrior ancestry is the key to thriving as modern leaders while staying grounded in what actually matters.
Timestamps:
00:00 – From Appalachian bear hunter's son to heroin addict: James's origin story
08:46 – Ancient warriors vs. modern men: what went wrong evolutionarily? 1
5:20 – Why Roman gluttons stayed lean while we get obese
19:10 – Red flags: warning signs you're drifting from your warrior archetype
22:25 – Urban warrior tactics: stacking stones in concrete jungles
26:07 – How women can foster warrior environments at home
32:03 – The humbleness lesson from 800 miles of running
33:45 – Anger management: what samurai philosophy teaches about control
39:21 – Why every man needs primal pursuits (hunting, hiking, campfires)
43:44 – The sexiest dates involve discomfort and stars, not cocktail bars
Resources:
- Follow James: Wild Hunt Conditioning on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildhuntconditioning/?hl=en
- Subscribe to his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTgBjdLR9VFgNsidVdBVdng
- Website: wildhuntconditioning.com
📲 Connect with Me:
🌍 Website: https://charlenegisele.com
📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/charlenegisele
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charl%C3%A8ne-gis%C3%A8le-bourliout/
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