MetaPhysique Weekly #018: Why Compromise is Killing Your Progress

That’s the kind of advice people love to give newlyweds.

It sounds right. It makes sense.

But, man… this is terrible advice.

Compromise seems reasonable — like something all humans have to do to get along.

But dude…

I never compromise.

And I’m not saying that to sound tough.

I’m saying it because it’s smart.

Here’s why:

When two people compromise, neither one gets what they want.

You both lose.

Why would I build a marriage, a business, or a friendship on a foundation where nobody wins?

That’s insanity.

Alignment > Compromise

Here’s what I do instead:

I get clear on what actually matters — to me and to my wife.
Then we make decisions based on alignment, not compromise.

If I want steak and she wants sushi, compromise isn’t meeting in the middle for pizza.

It’s understanding that date night is about connection for me and experience for her.

So, we go where she wants — and I still have a great time.

That’s not compromise.

That’s clarity.

So why am I talking about marriage in a fitness newsletter?

Because most people treat their goals the same way.
They compromise — instead of getting clear.

They want to be jacked, strong, athletic and healthy…
…but they don’t want to train more than three times per week.
…or spend more than half an hour at the gym.
…or track food intake.

They compromise their effort without adjusting their expectations —

and then they’re frustrated when the results don’t match.

That’s the same as going to McDonalds and being disappointe that you didn’t get a ribeye.

The Reality Check

Every week, I talk to guys who tell me they want to be jacked, athletic, and lean.

They want visible muscle, better performance, and longevity.

But then they say…

• “I don’t really want to go to a gym.”

• “I’ve only got 45 minutes, three days a week.”

• “I’d rather just use dumbbells at home.”

That’s not a bad thing — it’s just a different thing.

You’re compromising the process but keeping the expectation the same.

You’re asking for steak and sushi while only willing to pay for pizza.

That’s the trap.

If you’re going to make tradeoffs, make them consciously.

Don’t compromise and call it clarity.

Get honest about what you’re willing to give — and what that means you’ll get.

That’s not defeat. That’s alignment.

The Framework

What I’m encouraging you to do is:

 Adjust your expectations to match reality — to avoid disappointment.
Maximize your effort within your constraints.
Remove constraints over time.

Let me show you what that actually looks like.

Let’s say you’re a dad in your 30s or 40s. You want to:

• Drop some fat

• Build a muscle

• And not feel smoked all the time.

But here’s the truth — you’ve only got 45 minutes, three days a week, and you’re training at home with limited equipment.

That’s your constraint.

So here’s how you apply the framework:

• Adjust your expectations:
  You’re not going to add significant muscle this year…
  But you can build a strong, athletic physique that looks great in a T-shirt.

• Maximize your effort within those limits:
  Make every set count- you’ve got to be trainign with intensity, looking to add weight or reps every month.

• Get LOTS of sets- Volume is what will drive your muscle growth
  

• Track your weights, so that you can bring intent to every session.
  
  And since your training time is limited, you need to amplify it with nutrition.
  
  Track your food. Hit your protein goal to facilitate muscle growth or retention. Stay in a calorie deficit to lose fat.
  
  You can’t afford to “wing it” and hope it works out — not when every rep and every meal matters this much.

• Remove constraints over time:
  Maybe six months from now, you upgrade your home setup — add a barbell or cable stack.
  Or you carve out one more training day.
  Or you start going to a commercial gym on the weekends.

That’s not compromise.

That’s clarity.
You’re playing the hand you’ve got — and stacking the deck over time.

You don’t need to overhaul your life — you need a plan that respects it.

I help guys build muscle, strength, and confidence within the time they actually have — not the fantasy they wish they had.
No compromise. Just clarity.

If you want help putting the your program together, reply to this email and I’ll fill you in on what my program design services looks like.

Much love,

PS- I’ve laid out these principles in far more detail in my book. If you don’t have it already, I highly recommend. And yes, I might be biased, but both my wife and my mom said it’s a really good book.