Replying to Avatar HODL

Simple formulas for a good life (simple, but not easy).

Getting rich

• Spend less than you earn. Wealth is built by saving more than you spend and investing the difference.

• Invest early & consistently. Small, regular investments compound into massive wealth over time.

• Avoid bad debt. High-interest debt works against you—pay it off fast and focus on assets.

Being Healthy

• Burn more than you eat. Weight loss comes down to a simple calorie deficit.

• Exercise + good food = longevity. You need both for long-term health—one alone isn’t enough.

• Prioritize sleep. 7–8 hours a night improves mood, focus, and physical health.

Relationships

• Trust + honesty = strong bonds. Without them, relationships crumble.

• Listen more than you speak. Understanding comes from truly hearing others.

• Quality > quantity. A few deep relationships bring more happiness than many shallow ones.

Personal Growth

• Effort > talent. Hard work beats raw talent when talent doesn’t work hard.

• 1% better daily = massive growth. Small, consistent improvements lead to big results.

• Discomfort = growth. Growth happens outside your comfort zone—lean into challenges.

• Self-discipline = freedom. Control your habits, and you’ll control your life.

Productivity

• Focus on the vital few. The 80/20 rule: most results come from a few key efforts.

• Do one thing at a time. Multitasking reduces quality—focus wins.

• Plan your work, work your plan. A clear plan saves time and effort.

• Tackle the hardest task first. “Go ugly early” to gain momentum.

These are all simple, but not easy. Deploying these formulas in your own life will require effort and perseverance.

I agree with all of this except that “weight loss come down to a simple calorie deficit”. Gary Taubes debunks this pretty convincingly in Good Calories, Bad Calories - worth a read

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Discussion

Taubes is wrong. Is there nuance, yes. But the law of conservation of energy is not theoretical. His argument is. He selectively quoted a meta-study and left out key details. He is an author trying to sell books.

As a general rule, don’t take diet advice from someone who looks like a melted candle.

Law of conservation of energy only applies the closed systems. The human body is not a closed system.

🙄 You can’t debunk something by writing about it in a book. You have to debunk through proven experimentation.

Show me the proof that you got lean while eating in a caloric surplus. If you did, you’d have a Nobel Prize and a thousand coaching clients.