The Rebel Yell Episode 2 - Kieran O'Brien Snr

Episode 2 of the new podcast The Rebel Yell, as host Stewart Dollery talks to Kieran O'Brien Snr, BJJ Brown belt, about his history in combat sports, the evolution of Irish MMA and the future of the sport in this country

Rebel Yell Episode 2 - Kieran O'Brien Snr by Rebelyell on Mixcloud

7 Weeks to Wedded

Products supplied by www.facebook.com/UpgradedIreland

I have to come clean and admit it. I do have an ulterior motive for being on the Bulletproof Diet.

I'm getting married in 7 weeks time. And I don't want to be tubby in my wedding photos!

 Earlier this year I had my second white collar boxing fight. I fought Ben Sheehan and got myself into pretty decent shape for it. (Well, I say "fought". More like "got the sh*t beaten out of me by". Still loved it though. My account of that fight is available HERE)

To get in to that shape I had to absolutely kill myself every day. Every single day. I was in the gym almost every day. I was running before work. My diet consisted mostly of chicken and broccoli. I hated it. But I got in shape. Not in as good a shape I would have liked, but I was fit.

My weight tends to balloon when I'm not dedicated to my training. I have a mild (well, massive, really) addiction to fast food and stout. And to chocolate. And crisps, sweets, beers, cheese (on everything), more chocolate.... And more fast food. And stout.

And after my fight I indulged. Big time. Instead of cooking healthily myself, it was far easier to go for a bag of chips. I'd come home after work, throw a pizza in the oven and follow that down with some chocolate and lemonade. The fitness level and physique I'd worked so hard to obtain for my fight with Ben disappeared in about a week. But I didn't care. I was eating sh*t and it was all good.

After my fight I'd hidden away my scales in the house. "Won't be needing these any more!", I thought to myself. It was in the middle of  June that I took them out, and checked. I got a fright. My weight had drifted north of 80kgs - I'd put on almost a stone and a half in two months. F**k.

I got a further fright when I went for a suit fitting for my wedding, down in Simply Suits (https://www.facebook.com/simplysuitscork, top class guys who couldn't do enough for me or my groomsmen). I couldn't fit into the 30" trousers that Andrew had given me to try on, so I had to leave the button open while I tried on my suit. Yet another wake up call.

I didn't want to look back on my wedding photos and see what people affectionately refer to as "Tubby Hagan" looking back at me. I wanted to be in shape. I wanted to be fighting fit for it. In fact, I wanted to be in better shape than I was for my fight. So I would have to get to work.

It was around this time that the concept of the Bulletproof Diet was introduced to me. It was my coach Nick Laney who got me into it. He explained the concept, how it all works, how it was working wonders for him, giving him tonnes of energy and so on. I was skeptical, as I think most people are when they hear that someone is putting butter into their coffee. Most people make that face like someone around them has farted and they've only just gotten the smell.

But give it a go I did, initially with cheap coffee and coconut oil (I outlined some of the differences here). Then thanks to Upgraded Ireland and www.HigherLevel.ie I moved on to Upgraded Coffee and now, Upgraded Brain Octane Oil (that shit's just insane).

Upgraded Brain Octane Oil, available only from www.HigherLevel.ie and facebook.com/UpgradedIreland

So in the last two months I've dropped 10kgs (from 81/2ish to my current weight of 72). My stomach has all but disappeared. I'm putting on muscle, and people have told me how much healthier I'm looking these days. And people who haven't seen me in a while say "where's the rest of you?" - that's always nice to hear.

So this day in 7 weeks I'll be married. And thanks to a Bulletproof, and HigherLevel.ie when I look back on my wedding photos "Tubby Hagan" won't be looking back on me.

It'll be Bulletproof Hagan.

**Notes -

• HigherLevel.ie isn't up and running yet, but it will be soon
• In the meantime check out https://www.facebook.com/UpgradedIreland

The Rebel Yell - A new podcast

This morning I appeared on the Rebel Yell, Stewart Dollery's new podcast. We had a good chat about the Bulletproof lifestyle and its positive effects - you can listen to the first episode below

Rebel Yell Episode 1 - Bulletproof by Rebelyell on Mixcloud

The Wonderful World of Alpha Brain

In this week's column I thought I'd take a little break from talking about the Bulletproof Diet (although my weight is way down, and my energy levels are through the roof because of it), and instead talk about Alpha Brain.

If you've never heard Joe Rogan rave about this product on his podcast, Alpha Brain is what's termed a "nootropic" - a supplement for your brain. They're designed to improve brain function - memory, motivation, attention span, concentration levels can all be improved with nootropics.

Thanks to an agressive marketing campaign (the aforementioned Joe Rogan Podcast, The Steve Austin Show among others) Alpha Brain is probably the most well known of the nootropics. I've been taking it for about two weeks now (one every morning), and I decided a while to wait to write about it. Mainly because I wanted to see if A) it actually worked and B) it wasn't just a placebo effect.

Well to answer A- it does. I've noticed a big increase in my concentration level, I find it easier to focus on tasks at hand and I get them done quicker. Things that I would normally leave on the long finger (be they work related, or even simple things like tidying up at home) I now do instantly. It feels like the fog that was around my head every morning is completely lifted, my thinking is clearer and I feel more mentally sharp. It feels brilliant to be honest.

As for B - I don't think it's a placebo effect. Which is why I waited for a while to write this blog. If it was a placebo effect, the perceived benefits I was getting would surely have disappeared by now. The fact that they haven't several weeks later is a testament to that. I think Alpha Brain works, and works quite well.

And I've yet to mention another great byproduct of Alpha Brain - really f**king vivid dreams!

Every night without fail I've been having really detailed, really vivid dreams. It's almost at the point where I'm lucid dreaming. Every single night. I wake up energised from the dreams (thanks to the very deep sleep I've just had). I've been able to remember them when I wake up too, which is rare enough for me. And that's all down to Alpha Brain.

I'd always wanted to try Alpha Brain, but the expensive importation costs from the US had always put me off. Now that Upgraded Ireland are selling it here in Cork I had no excuse. And I'm glad I tried it. Initially I was sceptical - "there's no way a supplement can do all that", I thought to myself. But I was wrong.

Give it a go! Let me know what effects it has on you in the comments section below. And for more information on Alpha Brain you can visit their website here https://www.onnit.com/alphabrain/

Check back in for next week's column when I return to writing about my Bulletproof Diet and the positive effects it's having on me.

Why Upgraded Coffee?

(Upgraded Coffee is available exclusively from Upgraded Ireland)

One of the questions I had when I initially set out on my Bulletproof journey was - "Why do I need Upgraded Coffee? Surely I can get a cheap jar in the supermarket which will serve the same function?"

You can, but it won't. The fact of the matter is, it's just not Bulletproof Coffee if it's not made with Upgraded Coffee beans.

For the first month or so I made my Bulletproof Coffee with freeze dried instant coffee. "This is great", I thought to myself. But I was wrong. The first time I tasted Upgraded Coffee it changed everything, and there's no way I'd ever go back to "normal" coffee again.

There's several reasons why. First is the most obvious reason - taste. I've been a coffee drinker most of my adult life. Americanos, lattes, mochas, espressos, orange mocha frappucinos, you name it, I'll drink it. I've gotten beans from Gloria Jeans (ha, that rhymes) - none of them compare taste-wise to upgraded. I've never drank a more smooth, rich and aromatic coffee than this. Delightful.

Second is the energy it gives. Normally with coffee you get a pretty big caffeine high, which when that fades off means you crash pretty badly - ever get a headache from drinking coffee? That's your body crashing from caffeine withdrawl, the only cure for which is - you've guessed it - more coffee. This doesn't happen with Upgraded Coffee - it's a smooth energy release and doesn't give you the side effects associated with regular coffee.

The reason for this is explained on Bulletproof Diet creator Dave Asprey's website, http://www.bulletproofexec.com/. It's the way the beans are harvested -

"Most coffee beans are processed by either leaving them in the sun and elements to wither and spoil as they dry, or by pressing them and letting them ferment (spoil) to remove the outer layer of the bean. Both of these techniques are known to produce significant levels of mycotoxins as they enhance flavor. Bulletproof® Upgraded™ Coffee beans are processed right after picking using a process that avoids any chance of fermentation. This more expensive process is safer because it dramatically reduces harmful molds or bacteria from impacting your health."

When combined with MCT Oil and grass fed, unsalted butter to make Bulletproof Coffee, you're on to an out and out winner. Tonnes of energy across the day, mental focus, and it helps to burn fat too. What are you waiting for? Give it a go. You won't regret it.

And you won't go back, either.

Check out the Upgraded Ireland Facebook page for details on how to order Upgraded Coffee, MCT Oil and Alpha Brain (I'll be writing more on Alpha Brain in a future blog)

And check out Dave Asprey explaining Upgraded Coffee here

How To Make Your Bulletproof Coffee

Bulletproof Coffee is simply to make, deliciously tasty, and is choc full of WIN.

I'm now going to show what goes in to making some. This is my method, I'm sure people make it differently, but this is what works for me.

Boil the kettle. Obvs.

If your bag of Upgraded Coffee (available only from Upgraded Ireland) is unopened, hack at it with a big purple knife. If you don't have a big purple knife, a regular knife will do fine.

Smell that awesome coffee goodness.

Grind your beans

Brew your coffee with about 400mls of just off the boil water (boiling water will burn the coffee)

In a separate jug, add unsalted, grass fed butter (I use about 30 grams)

Add your MCT Oil - I use about a tablespoon

Add xylitol to taste if you wish, this isn't essential.

Add the brewed coffee and blend it all up

Don't forget your Alpha Brain

Sit back and enjoy!

It's that simple. And very, very tasty.

Tomorrow I'll be outlining the differences in using normal, shelf bought coffee and Upgraded Coffee and MCT Oil instead of Coconut Oil.

Check back in then!

Bulletproof Hagan

(the above products available exclusively from Upgraded Ireland - https://www.facebook.com/UpgradedIreland)

Over the course of the next while I'll be documenting my experiences with the Bulletproof Diet, and Alpha Brain.

For those of you who don't know what that entails, you can find out here

http://www.bulletproofexec.com/

My wedding is coming up in October and I want to get in top shape for it. When Upgraded Ireland contacted me and suggested I try the Bulletproof Diet a while back, I was initially cautious, and a little sceptical.

"Butter? In coffee? And coconut oil? In COFFEE??"

Nah.

But, I gave it a go.

And I have to say, my initial assumption was wrong.

Bulletproof coffee in the morning fills you up, gives you a nice even dose of energy across the day, keeps you alert and honestly, it's not as disgusting as it sounds - it'a actually quite a nice taste. Now admittedly I supplement mine with half a spoon ox Xylitol (a natural sweetener that you can get from health shops), but now I can't imagine starting my day with anything else.

Today is also my first day taking Alpha Brain. I've listened to the Joe Rogan podcast enough times to almost know the Alpha Brain pitch off by heart, and I was intrigued by it. I was, however, always put off its lack of availability in Ireland. Upgraded Ireland has solved that particular conundrum, and I had my first Alpha Brain this morning.

I'm looking forward to the positive effects - enhanced brain function, clearer focus - it's only been a couple of hours since I took it so I can't really say either way if it's doing anything. But I will be taking notes and writing down any differences I notice.

Also on this blog I'll be checking in with professional Mixed Martial Artists Sean "The Machine" Tobin and Kieran O'Brien. My own blog will be about how the Bulletproof Diet and Alpha Brain affects a normal, non pro athlete person, but every so often I'll be posting about the benefits  for professional athletes, and I have to say I'm intrigued to find out. So expect a few video interviews over the next while.

I'll also document my weight loss from the diet, and my training regimen and food intake.

For all your Upgraded Coffee, MCT Oil, and Onnit Products (Alpha Brain, Shroom Tech etc), please check out the Upgraded Ireland Facebook page -

https://www.facebook.com/UpgradedIreland


Today was my first day using MCT Oil in my Bulletproof Coffee instead of coconut oil. And I have to say it's made a big difference. Firstly in taste and consistency - it makes the coffee a bit less thick and creamy, and there's not as big a coconut flavour. And secondly in energy levels - I've noticed a big difference in my energy after today's coffee than yesterday's. I'm not even remotely tired, and I'm alert and focussed. I used about a tablespoon of MCT Oil in my coffee, with about 30g of unsalted butter.

Due to a lack of a coffee bean grinder I didn't use the Upgraded Coffee today - I've since obtained one though.

Tomorrow I'll document the making of a typical Bulletproof Coffee, so check back in then!