CAbout a month ago a female fitness trainer with a small

email n/l list sent an email requesting a free set of my

Combat Stretching DVD’s. She said she ‘questioned the hype’

of my ad on same product – would like to review them and

give her opinion.

Request denied. For a few reasons. The first is that we almost

never give out free samples of products. Don’t need to. The

second is as follows: If she doesn’t already know you CAN double

your flexibility in an evening, then she’s not qualified to judge the

product. Third, if she’s such a knowledgeable trainer, then she should

have plenty of clients … and money … and is therefore 100% capable of

opening her wallet and handing over the dough.

Combat Stretching – http://www.mattfurey.com/combat_stretching.html –

is actually an under-hyped ad. Such is the truth of all my ads,

so anyone who thinks that my ads are hype hasn’t tried the program

and is in no position to accurately judge.

The headline for Combat Stretching is – How to Double Your flexibility

in One Evening. Truth is, it doesn’t take an evening. 30 minutes is

more like it. In fact, on certain stretches I can double someone’s

flexibility in about a minute.

How, you might ask? The answer is similar to the results you get from

the Farmer Burns Stomach Flattener as written about in Combat Abs –

http://www.mattfurey.com/combat_abs.html – and that is via deep

breathing combined with muscle contractions – as well as a secret

taught to me by the Chinese Acrobats who paid a visit to my home

one evening.

Talk about GUMBY. These girls can literally twist and contort about

anyway they want. Incredible.

Yes, you can breathe into a specific muscle group, focus on that

muscle, flex it – then relax, and instantly increase flexibility. Not

rocket science. The key though, is having a system that teaches

you exactly how to breathe and how to flex and Combat Stretching

is THAT system.

Anyway, yesterday I received an email from a very happy consumer

of the Combat Stretching product. Here is what he wrote:

Dear Matt,

I’m 19 years old, and a neck injury during my junior year of high school

ended my wrestling career and started a new chapter in my life of daily pain.

At the ripe old age of 17 I was walking and feeling like an old man–in the

beginning I literally spent a couple of months getting weird stares because

my head was completely sideways, resting on one shoulder or the other,

because it was just too painful to hold up. It was more than a year after

my injury before I would even lean my head back to look up, for sheer fear

of what would happen every time I started to.

I first saw your ad for Combat Stretching about a year ago after my brother

told me about your website and fitness books. When I saw ‘double your

flexibility in one evening,’ I really thought you were full of crap.

Now it’s a year later, and after seeing that same brother use Gama Fitness –

http://www.gama-fitness.com – (and trying it out for myself) I realized that

you knew what the hell you were talking about.

When my Combat Stretching DVDs came I was blown away (both by

seeing how flexible a big guy like you can be, and by seeing my amazing

results after only minutes of stretching).

Despite my background in wrestling, I have never been flexible in any real sense,

because I was never taught the right things to do (and i was especially inflexible

after my injury–a reverse cervical curve will do that to you). However, after just

a few minutes of the isometric stretches, I could touch my nose to my thigh in the

hamstring stretch, and touch my nose to the floor in the bridge.

These are two things I really never thought I would ever be able to do before I got

your program, but even with the program I expected it to take a few MONTHS if not

a couple of years.

It happened in ONE night.

After one night, I’m not twice as flexible, I’m ten times as flexible as I used to be.

After my injury I felt like I had a vital part of my youth taken early from me; my

aching neck and shoulders affected me every day, and even sitting or lying down

offered me no comfort. Now my once-tight muscles are supple and strong, and I

can’t imagine where they’ll go from here.

I’m much stronger, healthier, and more flexible than I was before my injury, and I

can’t thank you enough.

Patrick Barrett

M.F. Patrick, this is wonderful news. I wish you and your brother great success with

all my programs.

Well, my friend, tis all for today.

Kick butt – take names!

Matt Furey

P.S. My Magnetic Millionaire program is flying out of the office. I’ve decided to

order a 4th round of the product to satisfy demand. Be sure to reach out and

grab one yourself – http://www.mattfurey.com/magnetic_millionaire.html

P.P.S. You will find a comprehensive listing of all Furey products at

http://www.mattfurey.com/products.html

This is the second email dictated to you. This one coming to you

while on board a lambskin raft floating on the Yellow River.

Surrounding me is a desert of sand and red rock and the sky

above me has milky white clouds with a touch of gray. It looks

like it’s going to rain but being in the desert I’m doubtful.

The famous Yellow RIver isn’t yellow. It’s a light chocolate color –

similar, I guess, to the Mississippi River. I’m told there aren’t

many fish in this river. If there were you wouldn’t get this

Fure-cat to eat them.

The lambskin raft is a uniquely Chinese invention, I gather, skin

of the lamb is blown up like a balloon and sealed on all ends. So

you can literally see where the head, feet and rear end were.

The raft I’m sitting upon has 15 blown-up lambskins sitting on a

wooden raft with three inches of space between each cylindrical

piece of wood. So I can see and touch these poor lambs whilst we

float on this Yellow River. The man who is rowing this raft is ripped

to shreds with the abs of a Greek god. This tells you that rowing is

good exercise.

After we pull ashore we’re going to hike a mountain of sand steep

enough to challenge the fittest man alive. When we finish our hike

we’re going to sit down to a plate of sliced cucumbers doused in

soy sauce and sprinkled with garlic for good measure. I’m going

to do my best to run these mountains of sand, just as I so often

advise in my Combat Conditioning book

http://www.mattfurey.com/conditioning_book.html . Once my legs

tire I’ll drop down into the bear crawl position and continue onward

and upward.

Just think how rugged those lambs are that have provided me this

unique vessel to be transported on. They can climb a mountain of

sand, rock or anything else without blinking an eye. Just goes to

show you how incredibly fit you’ll get when you train like an animal.

Combat Conditioning will show you the way up your personal mountain

of sand. All of us have mountains to climb. Choose to tackle the most

important one; the one that improves your health and well-being.

Kick ass, take names,

Matt Furey

P.S. A quick note for all your prosperity seekers. Check out Duke

Clarke’s newest product. It reveals the keys to living the abundant life.

Go to http://mattfurey.com/prosperity_power.html and check it out.

I’m currently in western China – in the desert. I don’t have

internet access but my cell phone still works. So I’m dictating

the first part if this email to you via my webmaster, Eddie Baran.

Earlier today I had the time of my life: riding a camel up a

mountain of sand; driving a jeep up and down dunes; sled

riding down another steep mountain of sand; eating watermelon;

having two desert artists sketching headshots of me; polished off

with the most exquisite meal of lamb I have ever had.

Tomorrow I go even further and higher into the desert. If

tomorrow tops today, I’ll be in paradise. I haven’t seen another

foreigner since I got here. This tells you that I’m entering areas

of China that most people have never heard about. I never

thought I would like the high desert so much. With each breath

I take I feel like I’m in a different world. Everything is different.

Even though it’s about 110 degrees Fahrenheit and I’m getting a

tremendous amount of walking in, I still begin my day with a round

of deep breathing execises, Hindu Pushups, Hindu Squats and a

number of exercses in Combat Conditioning http://www.mattfurey.com/conditioning_book.html

All I can say is if I’m making time for exercise in the deset heat,

then you’ve got no excuse. Make sure you get the job done today.

Kick butt, take names,

Matt Furey

P.S. By the way, Eddie Baran now has four new DVD’s out that

accompany his best selling book Body Sculpting Bodyweight

Exercises for Women. Be sure to get them by going here http://www.mattfurey.com/body_sculpting_women.html

Today I’m in 40 degrees Celcius weather. Yesterday was

the same.

I went to a hot pot restaurant last night to eat ‘lamb’ –

laced with a ton of hot peppers – and it was not only 40

degrees outside – it was hotter inside.

Shortly after arriving the power went out. No lights. No

air conditioning. Just the pot in the middle of the table with

the burning flame.

The waitresses stood around our table fanning everyone,

trying to keep them cool and happy. I told them I didn’t

need the fan as I enjoyed the challenging atmosphere.

It gave me something cool to write about.

Took me back 100 years.

Candlelight only. Can barely see – and while all this is

happening I will not allow myself to think the thought,

‘It’s HOT.’

A funny thing happened at this meal. I never got hot and

I sweat with extreme ease.

The others were sweating up a storm, and for

them this is not normal – but look how much energy they

were putting into making sure everyone else knew how

hot it was – and how hot they were.

Now, I’m not saying it wasn’t hot in the room. It just wasn’t hot

for me because I kept thinking COOL thoughts. This may

sound strange, but you can change your physical reaction

to hot and cold if you’ll implement Furey’s Rule.

What is Furey’s Rule? Quite simple: No whining about the

weather – or anything else.

It’s a rugged rule to live by. I find myself failing more often than

I’d like – but having this rule to live up to – even for myself, has

helped me immeasureably.

But in this situation, there’s nothing I or anyone else (other than

the electricians) could do about the power outage. So no whining

about the lights going out. Or the lack of cool air. Toughen up

by eliminating the undesireable thought.

And stop making the weather wrong. It doesn’t care. It’s going to

continue being hot no matter what – until it decides not to. So what

on earth am I doing to improve my life by thinking about what I

cannot control externally? I’m better off focusing on what I CAN

control internally – and that is how I think and feel.

Near the conclusion of the meal, after the air conditioner went back on,

along with the lights, I felt disappointed. I remarked that the meal I

had just eaten was the BEST ever in China. I truly enjoyed it. The

challenge of not saying, “It’s hot” made the meal a goal in and of

itself – and I enjoyed a journey while eating while the others had

a far less enjoyable time.

What does this have to do with fitness, exercise, your health?

Great question – and an easy one to answer.

When you train, never say, ‘This is hard.’ Or ‘I can’t do this.’ Or

‘I’m a klutz.’ Or anything else. Simply train. Do your exercises.

Focus on your breathing. Imagine the body you want to have –

and think ONLY of those things that you want.

Delete the negative thought of ‘hard’ or ‘difficult.’ No matter how

hard it is – never tell yourself it’s hard. Never give in to the idea

that success is painful – or that achievement has to be difficult.

Even if it is – I assure you that you’re making it even more so if

your thinking isn’t on what you want.

With my book, Combat Conditioning – you’ll have all the tools that will

help you focus on getting the body you want. Now it’s a matter of being

decisive about what you’re going to allow yourself to think WHILE you

train. Believe me, it will make a difference in how smooth the workout

goes – as well as how quickly you begin to see and fee results.

Go to http://www.mattfurey.com/conditioning_book.html and order

your copy of Combat Conditioning NOW.

Kick butt – take names,

Matt Furey

P.S. In a day or so – maybe sooner – I’m going to tell you about the

Chinese lady I met who dropped 45 pounds using my program after

having her second child. She wasn’t getting anywhere until she

followed the Fure-cat’s program. Stay tuned.

I’ve been traveling to some remote areas of China

the last few days; areas that most foreigners never

see. Due to this – as well as a promise to my son that

I’d take him to see the Terra Cotta Warriors in Xi’an –

I’ve been out of the loop for nearly a week.

It’s been hot here – temperature wise even hotter than

Hainan Island – but not as humid.

Per usual I’m up early and training in the parks wherein

I observe a diverse display of exercise methods; everything

from tai chi to classical dance, badminton, walking, running,

Chinese long-life exercises, chi kung, and so on.

This time of year people are exercising as early as six a.m.

A good many start at 7 a.m. But after 8 o’clock, virtually no

one.

There are many good reasons for this cultural exercise behavior,

but at this time of year – the best reason is simple: It’s not as

hot.

Chinese people do not like to be in the sun. If a Chinese person gets

a bit darker from the sun, he or she is very concerned about the

social status of this; i.e. peasants have dark skin – not people who

are more educated and sophisticated. Mark my words, if anyone tells

a Chinese that his or her skin is getting dark – this doesn’t go over

well. You’re far better off saying that you’re getting fat.

In the evening you’ll see many Chinese out for an evening walk – some

might be out for a run. But few are doing any sort of vigorous exercise

after the morning hours.

Universally, the morning is the best time to train.

Sure, there are exceptions, such as the evening swim – or those who

train in gyms – or at home. But in terms of the people who train outdoors,

the do it early.

There’s much to learn from this. In the a.m. the air is cleaner, fresher

and of greater help to your body. In the a.m. – you are most in need of

getting your body revved up for the day.

So take this cultural trait seriously if you train outdoors. Do it early.

Stay out of the hot sun when you train. Don’t worry about getting too

dark – that’s not a problem in the U.S. But do be concerned about the

sun and heat zapping you.

Combat Conditioning and Combat Abs – my two int’l best-sellers are just

the ticket you need for your daily regime. Get started today by going to

http://www.mattfurey.com/products.html

Kick butt – take names,

Matt Furey

P.S. I’ll have another report for you in a day or two. Stay tuned. It’ll be

a whipper-snapper.

It’s a funny thing – this whole ‘psychic’ mind-reading

world we live in. And it doesn’t take much to do it –

if you simply look closely at people – real closely,

and listen to what they say, and HOW they say it.

For example, the other day I went for my daily massage.

The lady who normally works on me was busy, so I asked

for a replacement. The lady who entered the room took

one look at me and immediately rolled her eyes up to the

left then down the right side. This movement of her eyes

took about .001 of a second. Maybe less. It is reflective of

scorn or contempt.

“Get out,” I said with a serious smile.

I called for the manager. “Please bring me someone else,”

I told her. “Someone who likes to massage an American.”

Two minutes later another lady emerged. She had a pleasant,

confident smile on her face.

I asked her, point blank if she liked Americans. I asked her

if she was afraid of me.

And I watched her face when she answered. I watched her

eyes. They told me all I needed to know – and she got the job –

as well as a handsome tip for doing exceptional work.

What I am describing is all well and good – yet it is inconsequential

to the importance of being your own psychic – of reading your own

mind.

Not your future mind, either. Your present moment mind. The thoughts

you’re thinking right NOW. The words you use when you talk to yourself,

silently or out loud. It matters not. The images your run through your

super computer. The feelings you experience inside your mind/body when

you think the way you do.

Whatever you are doing with your words, pictures and feelings in the present

moment – these are YOUR FUTURE. Your future is a result of how you

think about your life right now.

Let me give you a fitness related example. Suppose you believe you need

to workout out today – but you’re not looking forward to it; you’re even

dreading it a bit. As a result of this, do you think you will be more or less

likely to procrastinate on your workout? Do you think you will be more or

less likely to have a good workout?

Alright, now change your thought to something like, “I love how good I feel

when I’m done exercising. Exercise always makes me feel so good. I love

to exercise – especially on the days I don’t want to. Those are the days that

exercise does me the most good.”

Now – as you think this thought, imagine seeing yourself working out – and

as you imagine that scene, see yourself smiling, relaxed and happy. Remove

any trace of a frown from your face. See yourself laughing and having a

good time – internally.

Okay – now answer the same questions I asked earlier. Do you think you will be

more or less likely to procrastinate on your workout? Do you think you will be

more or less likely to have a good workout?

My friend, it all boils down to your “want” muscle. If you WANT to do something,

especially if you want to do it because you LOVE doing it – well, look out.

NO-thing will stand in your way. NO-thing can stop you. Not even YOU.

Read your own mind. As impressive as it may appear to be able to pick up

on another’s thoughts – your focus should be on your own thoughts MOST

of the time. See what you’re thinking and make sure you keep it focused

on what truly matters to you.

Having a super fit body – being incredibly healthy and happy – I think those

are good WANTS, don’t you?

And my best-sellers, Combat Conditioning, Combat Abs, Gama Fitness and

so on will help you give them to yourself.

Be sure you put yourself into the future you want by exercising properly

and by thinking empowering thoughts that you choose yourself.

Kick butt – take names,

Matt Furey

Int’l best-selling author of books, courses and programs that are changing

lives all over the planet – http://www.mattfurey.com/conditioning_book.html

P.S. All my emails are written stream-of-consciousness, usually without

correction of any sort. If you find typos, grammatical errors and misspelled

words – you are not a genius. They’re easy to find. At the same time, if

you get on my programs and create the body of your dreams – well then,

THAT is pure genius. Focus on yourself, not me. Make yourself better than

you are right now. Make yourself proud. Look yourself in the mirror and

declare, “Today I am the captain of my ship, the master of my destiny.”

And set out to prove it.

For several years there have been a few questions that I’ve

been asked over and over – and despite my opinionated nature,

I’ve never bothered to answer.

Today will be different. I got an email that I’d like to use to

break some ice. Here goes:

Matt,

Would you please give me your opinion on the use of kettlebells

as workout tools in comparison to body weight exercises. Also,

would you consider these to be worth the expense. I am coming

to the opinion that Lifeline Products are a better way to go because

they are less ballistic and easier on the joints. They also seem to

simulate muscular resistance instead of dead weight resistance that

you get with the use of the above.

Would you consider the purchase of a weighted vest to be worthwhile

to increase resistance while doing body weight exercises.

I have purchased several of your programs and I am pleased. So, with

that, I am asking would you please respond to this personal question….

what do you have to say about some of the criticism you are getting on the internet which I do not personally find to be substantiated.

Thank you,

Bob L.

M.F. Hello Bob. Glad to know you’ve gotten many of my programs.

The questions you pose have been asked by me for a number of years,

and I guess today is one of those days where I will do my level best to

answer.

Re kettlebells, I have a number of them. I have plate loaded ones that

were made in China. I have ugly black ones made in the U.S. I have

swivel handled silver-colored ones made in upstate Washington. I

monkeyed around with them for a few days after I got them – but

for whatever reason they never grabbed me the way bodyweight

exercises do. I think they are very good exercise implements – but

are they superior to using your own bodyweight? Hardly. I do believe

if you’re going to use kettlebells you also need to do bodyweight

exercises to be well-rounded.

Here in China the Shaolin monks use stone locks and stone balls. I have

several sets right here in Hainan Island. I like these a lot, especially

for throwing punches, doing one-arm swings, clean and press, and so

on. But once again, are these implements superior to training with your

own bodyweight? Not a chance. Everything I do with them is fully integrated

with bodyweight exercises. For example, after doing a series of one-arm

swings, I do some bridging. After throwing punches, I do pushups.

There are a ton of people using kettlebells and they swear by them. I

think it is great that these people have found a program that they are

passionate about. Regardless of what you choose, whether it is walking,

swimming, Combat Conditioning or kettlebells – the key is finding what

you LOVE – then doing what you love on a consistent basis.

As for the Lifeline products – www.lifelineusa.com – I love their stuff

because it perfectly integrates with bodyweight exercise.

Weighted vests are wonderful – in fact, I have a great one that I got

from the boys at weightvest.com. Awesome. Using a weighted vest

is akin to a gorilla climbing trees with a baby ape hanging on him.

It’s still a bodyweight exericise – but now you’ve added more weight

to your body.

And now … for the question on the criticism about me that you’ve

read on the Internet. All I can say is I could care less about it. At

one time in my career, several years ago, I would frequently get

upset about anything negative said about me online. Then one day

I had an epiphany. In fact, I had two.

First I realized that you cannot succeed without it – and that anyone

who is achieving at a high level WILL be attacked, often viciously, often

for no reason other than the fact that the criticizer hates those who DO,

really, really hates those succeed when they DO – and looks for, embraces

and feels ‘comforted’ by those who talk about doing.

The second epiphany came when a friend told me, “Never get into a

piss fight with a skunk.” Something about that metaphor really stuck.

From that day forward – and this was five years ago – I have not replied

to a single negative word said about me online. All I can say is refusing to

get embroiled in the negative stew was a good choice. All my energy is

focused on creating something positive in my life that will benefit others.

Key thing to never forget – and this is of MAJOR importance, is this: Those

who invest time in criticizing me have NOT improved their lives one iota

from the day they began doing so. I’m talking ZERO improvement. That’s

sad. On the other hand, whilst they’re criticizing me, did my life get any

better?

I sort of think it has.

There’s a lesson to remember from the above. Thanks once again, Bob.

And best of luck in all you do.

Well, my friend, that’s all for now.

Kick butt – take names,

Matt Furey

P.S. Due to the fact that my office received a score of emails from

people who just returned from a 5-day vacation, I’ve decided to

bend over backwards to please these people one last time by

doing one final extension on the mega sale I’ve got going at http://www.mattfurey.com/25-55_anniversary_sale.html – after

today – THAT is it. No complaints. No whining. Today IS your last

chance.