Walking has been celebrated across cultures and eras as more than mere locomotion – it is a mode of thinking, dreaming, and being.  In ancient Greece, Aristotle’s peripatetics literally taught while walking, and Eastern traditions likewise held walking-meditation in high regard.  As one scholar notes, “the ‘peripatetic’ – that derives from Aristotle and his contemporaries’ penchant for doing their best work while in motion” .  Centuries later, Jean-Jacques Rousseau embodied this idea: an “inveterate walker,” he wrote in his Confessions, “I can only meditate when I am walking. When I stop I cease to think; my mind only works with my legs.” .  Frédéric Gros likewise observes that by walking one “escapes from the very idea of identity, the temptation to be someone, to have a name and a history” – the walking body has no history, it is just an eddy in the stream of immemorial life .  Across time, writers and thinkers have logged miles – from Rousseau’s Parisian promenades to Thoreau’s woods of Concord – finding in solitary rambling a way to reflect and transform their inner lives.

Walking carries deep cultural meaning.  Gros categorizes forms of walking such as pilgrimage, promenade, protest march, and nature ramble, each revealing something about society .  In literature the motif recurs: Baudelaire’s flâneur and Walter Benjamin’s urban stroller show how city walking becomes poetic observation .  Rebecca Solnit draws on this tradition in Wanderlust and other essays: she notes that city streets offer “anonymity, variety, and conjunction, qualities best basked in by walking”, since one need only walk by a bakery or church to feel its potential without obligation .  In sum, historical perspectives treat walking as a connective, creative act – one that grounds the mind (Thoreau felt it returned him “to [his] senses” ) and links individuals to the wider world.

Creativity and Thought

Walking has long been tied to creative insight.  Friedrich Nietzsche, a “fanatical walker,” claimed that “all truly great thoughts are conceived by walking” .  Modern psychology now confirms something similar.  Stanford researchers found that even short walks dramatically boost divergent thinking: students tested after walking showed sharply higher creativity than when sitting .  Ferris Jabr explains that moving the body “changes the nature of our thoughts,” and that walking works by “setting the mind adrift on a frothing sea of thought.” .  In other words, ambulation helps ideas flow.  Rebecca Solnit eloquently frames this: in her view, “musing takes place in a kind of meadowlands of the imagination…time spent there is not work time, yet without that time the mind becomes sterile, dull, domesticated.” .  Thus writers and thinkers – from William Wordsworth and Walt Whitman to modern novelists and scientists – have regularly paced to unlock new ideas.

Mindfulness and Psychological Benefits

Walking also cultivates presence and mindfulness.  Eastern traditions recognize this: as one Zen saying goes, a young child can attain the same enlightened attention by walking as by sitting meditation .  In practice, slow or mindful walking brings the walker into acute awareness of each step, breath, and sensation.  Psychologically, simply spending time on foot in nature has cognitive benefits: a University of Michigan study cited by Jabr showed that students who walked through an arboretum later performed better on memory tests than those who walked in a city environment .  In short, the act of walking – especially outdoors – reduces mental clutter and refreshes focus.  As Jabr summarizes, contemporary research views walking as a “mundane activity” that nonetheless becomes “one of the most salutary means of achieving states of enlightenment,” whether literary, philosophical or otherwise .  Many therapists now even prescribe walking (or woodland “forest bathing”) to reduce stress and anxiety, linking this simple movement to well-being and resilience.

Solitude, Nature, and Personal Transformation

Walking often goes hand-in-hand with solitude and personal growth.  Thoreau’s 19th-century essays celebrate this: in “Walking” he describes how long solitary strolls in the woods let him “forget all my morning occupations and obligations to society” and “return to [his] senses.” .  For Thoreau, time in wild nature was regenerative; he famously concludes that “in Wildness is the preservation of the World,” meaning that untamed landscapes – and our contact with them – sustain the human spirit .  Similarly, Rousseau’s unfinished Reveries of the Solitary Walker uses his evening walks outside Paris to process life’s events.  In our own time, long-distance hikes or pilgrimages (from the Camino de Santiago to solo mountain treks) are known to effect personal change.  Psychologists note that undertaking a walking journey can catalyze “life pilgrimage” experiences – promoting reflection, meaning-making, and coping with life’s challenges.  As Solnit writes, a lone walker is “both present and detached, more than an audience but less than a participant,” and this balance of engagement and solitude helps “assuage or legitimize” our sense of alienation .  In short, walking alone – whether around the block or across continents – can be a form of moving meditation that fosters insight, resilience, and transformation.

Walking as Resistance and Community

Walking also has a powerful social and political dimension.  Mass marches and pilgrimages have long been tools of protest and solidarity.  Mahatma Gandhi’s 1930 Salt March, for example, was a strategic act of defiance: Gandhi “set off on foot” with followers on a 240-mile trek to the sea to illegally harvest salt, directly challenging British law .  The march galvanized Indian resistance to colonial rule.  Decades later, the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom saw over a quarter-million people literally walk together in protest of segregation and economic injustice .  Frédéric Gros points out that the “protest march” is one of several meaningful walk genres .  In each case, walking turns a personal journey into a collective statement.  Even ordinary daily walking can carry political weight: Rebecca Solnit argues that walking is an “indicator species” of freedom – a measure of social health – since only where people truly feel free will they choose to walk .  In cities designed to encourage driving, the simple act of walking (or claiming sidewalk space) can itself become a subtle form of resistance and reclaiming public life.

Practical Applications for Modern Life

Today’s sedentary lifestyles make the philosophy of walking highly relevant.  Daily Walks for Creativity: Build short walks into your routine (even 10–15 minutes); research shows this boosts creative problem-solving .

Mindful Walking: Try “walking meditation” by paying attention to each step, breath, and your surroundings – a practice rooted in Zen tradition .

Nature and Memory: Whenever possible, walk in green spaces. Students who walked in an arboretum performed better on memory tasks than those who walked in city streets .

Urban Exploration: Use walking to reconnect with your city. Solnit notes that wandering city blocks lets you discover possibilities without pressure, harnessing the city’s “anonymity, variety, and conjunction” .

Solo Reflection: Schedule some walks alone (no phone!). As Thoreau experienced, a solitary stroll can clear the mind and help you “return to your senses” .

Active Travel: When feasible, walk instead of drive for errands – this simple choice is a small-scale act of freedom (echoing Gros’s view that freedom in walking lies in not being anyone ).

Community and Advocacy: Join or organize walking events – from neighborhood clean-up hikes to protest marches – to build social bonds and make collective statements (as Gandhi and civil rights leaders demonstrated ).

Each of these practices reflects the philosophy that walking is not just exercise, but a way of engaging more fully with mind, body and community.

Sources: Historical and contemporary writings on walking and scholarly analyses informed this report.

Eric Kim’s Fitness Journey: A Photo Blogger’s Path to Strength and Wellness

Early Beginnings and Motivation

Eric Kim’s fitness journey began in childhood. As a pre-teen, he struggled with weight – recalling days of subsisting on Hot Pockets and wondering why he was “getting so fat.” Determined to change, a 12-year-old Eric started exercising with simple means: he asked for dumbbells, ran with rocks in a backpack, and did push-ups and sit-ups . These humble beginnings paid off as he lost fat and gained muscle, giving him a sense of control over his fate . This early transformation set the tone for a lifetime commitment to fitness.

Through his teenage years and into college, Eric’s dedication only grew. In university he embraced powerlifting and bodybuilding, focusing on big compound movements. He learned from mentors (like a former powerlifter at UCLA) and even rehabbed through injuries (such as torn rotator cuffs) to come back stronger . By his late 20s, Eric had built an impressive foundation of strength – achieving personal records including a 415 lb deadlift, 326 lb squat, and 90 lb dumbbell press by age 29 . At that point, he noted he was in the best shape of his life: the strongest he’d ever been, with minimal body fat and abundant energy, focus, and determination . Just as importantly, he found that conquering his body had bolstered his confidence. “The best thing of it all… I feel the most fearless, and the most productive with my art,” he reflected, crediting his physical strength with making him stronger “mentally, physically, and artistically” . This mindset – that a stronger body feeds a stronger mind – became a core theme in his philosophy.

Training Philosophy and Approach

From early on, Eric Kim treated fitness not just as exercise, but as a philosophical pursuit. He often invokes the idea of forging the body as a form of self-conquest and art. Influenced by thinkers like Nietzsche and Stoic principles, he approaches the gym as a place to “conquer himself”, not to show off on social media . In his view, the body is a personal sculpture to be perfected: “Why not transform my own body into a Lamborghini and admire my own body instead?” he quips, emphasizing that the human body is the ultimate artwork one can work on . This artistic mindset drives him to constantly push his limits.

Continuous improvement is a mantra for Eric. He espouses a “Never stop adding muscle mass” ethos – the goal is always to get stronger and keep body fat low (around 10%) without end . In practice, this translates to prioritizing intensity over volume. Eric’s workouts center on heavy compound lifts – “squats, deadlifts, bench—compound moves that build real power,” eschewing frivolous exercises . He has adopted a one-rep max style of training: instead of high reps, he often tests himself with maximal or near-maximal single lifts. This “One-Rep-Max Living” philosophy extends beyond the gym – he even likens major life decisions to a 1RM lift (requiring full focus and effort) . In the gym, this means regularly attempting extremely heavy lifts (what he calls “hypelifting”) to shock his system into growth . Even if he fails at 120% of his previous max, he believes “even failing at 120% primes your nervous system to laugh at 100%” next time . By pushing against his limits, he continually expands them.

Another key element of Eric’s approach is consistency. He frames consistency as the backbone of his success – showing up every day with no excuses. As he puts it, he “didn’t get jacked in a month—he forged it over years.” His background in street photography keeps him physically active and mobile, but “the gym’s his temple” and he’s there day in, day out, rain or shine . Eric has zero tolerance for procrastination in training (“No ‘I’ll start tomorrow’ bullshit” ) – the habit of daily effort is non-negotiable. Each rep is seen as a step toward a greater goal . This relentless consistency, maintained over decades, is how he built a physique that “turns heads” as well as a reservoir of mental resilience.

Importantly, Eric’s training philosophy rejects external crutches and distractions. He favors a raw and minimalist style: no fancy gear or elaborate routines, and no dependence on supplements or performance enhancers. He doesn’t use lifting straps, belts, or high-tech equipment for his heaviest lifts, preferring to develop pure grip and core strength. He even prides himself on often training completely fasted and stimulant-free – just water and black coffee before workouts . “He’s not sipping pre-workout in neon leggings – he’s raw, real, ripping through limits,” one profile of him notes . This austere approach stems from Eric’s belief in self-reliance: he trusts in hard work and natural nutrition over any quick fixes. As he bluntly states, he takes no “weird drugs or steroids or hormones” and not even protein powder or creatine; instead, he rebuilds his body with real food (literally “100% beef… or nothing”) . By stripping away all non-essentials, Eric focuses on the essentials: muscle, will, and hustle . This no-nonsense philosophy mirrors the minimalist ethos he also applies in his photography and life.

Diet and Lifestyle Habits

Eric Kim’s physical transformation has been powered as much by diet and lifestyle as by iron. A self-described experimenter with nutrition, Eric eventually crafted a regimen that aligns with his “minimalist” philosophy and maximizes his energy for creativity. Central to this is intermittent fasting. Since around his mid-20s, Eric has followed a strict form of fasting akin to the “Warrior Diet.” He generally skips breakfast and lunch entirely, consuming nothing but liquids (water, black coffee, green tea) during the day . By avoiding daytime meals (except perhaps the occasional hard-boiled eggs or almonds if extremely hungry ), he prevents energy crashes and stays mentally sharp for work. “We have been brainwashed… to eat ‘three square meals a day’. But logically, that makes no sense,” he wrote, noting that humans aren’t meant to be constantly fed and that he personally functions better in a fasted state . The result is enhanced focus: caffeine and adrenaline keep him alert, and he can be “more active, sharp, and creative” throughout the day . Come evening, usually after training, he eats one massive meal – an approach he has stuck to for years. In his own words, “no breakfast, no lunch, only one massive 100% carnivore dinner” – a practice he’s maintained “seven years religiously” . This habit of one meal a day (OMAD) is a cornerstone of his lifestyle.

The composition of that one meal has evolved into a meat-heavy (almost zero-carb) diet. Eric gradually embraced a ketogenic and eventually carnivore approach, finding that meat best supports his strength goals and overall health. He now “currently follows the 100% red meat carnivore diet,” focusing on foods like beef, lamb, and organ meats . It’s not unusual for him to consume 4–6 pounds of meat in a single evening meal to replenish himself . Steak is his “gospel” and he has little patience for “vegan nonsense” or carb-heavy foods that he believes sap energy . By essentially eliminating carbohydrates (he advises avoiding rice, bread, sugars and even fruit juice that would spike insulin ), he stays in a fat-burning mode that keeps his body fat low while fueling muscle growth. This spartan diet is complemented by other disciplined choices: Eric abstains from alcohol and drugs to preserve his health and focus. He has written that he simply doesn’t drink alcohol – not out of moralism but practical reasons: he dislikes hangovers and “the extra adipose (fat gain) from drinking alcohol (whether wine… or beer)” . Similarly, he avoids marijuana, believing any form of intoxication could sedate his ambition and productivity . By staying sober, he ensures nothing interferes with his training intensity or creative output.

Another pillar of Eric’s wellness routine is rest and recovery. Despite his intense training style, he recognizes the importance of recovery. He reportedly sleeps 8 to 12 hours a night whenever possible , allowing his body to heal and grow from the heavy workouts. This generous sleep schedule, along with short mid-day naps when needed, helps sustain his high energy levels. Eric also listens to his body to avoid overtraining – for example, attempting his maximal lifts only when he feels adequately recovered (often spacing them by 3–5 days) . This balance of relentless effort and mindful recovery has kept him remarkably injury-free in recent years, even as he handles extraordinary weights. It’s clear that Eric’s lifestyle is engineered around his fitness goals: everything from what he eats (or doesn’t eat) to how he sleeps is aligned with building strength and vitality. His day-to-day habits – fasting until feast, heavy protein intake, no toxic indulgences, and consistent sleep – have essentially made his body a high-performance machine. In turn, he argues, this machine-like vitality powers his creative and professional life.

Key Milestones in His Fitness Journey

Eric’s journey is marked by progressive milestones that illustrate how far he’s come and how his commitment has deepened over time. Some key milestones include:

• Age 12 – The Turning Point: Realized he was unhealthy and took action to lose weight. Began basic training at home (running with a weighted backpack, calisthenics) and saw his first results . This early success sparked his lifelong passion for fitness.
• College Years: Transitioned from basic workouts to serious weight training. Learned proper lifting techniques and discovered powerlifting movements (squat, deadlift, bench press). Overcame injuries (like rotator cuff tears) with resilience, coming back stronger . Built a foundation of strength and muscle that would later support more extreme training.
• 2017 (Late 20s) – Peak of Foundational Strength: By 29 years old, Eric hit impressive strength PRs: a 415 lb deadlift, 326 lb full squat, 90 lb one-arm dumbbell press, plus feats like one-armed pushups and pistol squats . He achieved his lowest body fat to date (around 10%) and reported feeling at his physical and creative peak – “the strongest I have ever been… with lots of energy, focus, and determination” . At this stage, he explicitly linked his fitness to his photography, noting he felt more fearless in pursuing art with a stronger body and mind.
• 2020 – Formalizing Eric Kim Fitness Philosophy: Around 2020, Eric began openly writing about his fitness philosophy on his blog, framing it as an integral part of his identity. He introduced ideas like treating the body as sculpture and declared principles such as “eat a lot of meat” (aiming for 5–10 pounds a day) and “it must be fun” to keep working out sustainable . He also publicly committed to sobriety and carnivory for better performance . By this time he had several years of consistent intermittent fasting under his belt and had not missed a day of training. This period saw him refine his approach (focusing almost exclusively on one-rep max strength) and share it with his photography audience, effectively merging his fitness and blogging worlds.
• 2023 – Entering the “Thousand Pound Club”: Eric’s strength reached new heights in his mid-30s. Unsatisfied with the conventional “1000-pound club” (often defined as the sum of one’s squat, bench, and deadlift), he set his sights even higher . He experimented with what he called “Powerlifting 2.0” – using alternative lifts to target maximal strength. For example, instead of a full back squat he practiced the “Atlas lift,” an isometric hold or partial squat with extreme weight; instead of a conventional deadlift, he trained the rack pull (a deadlift from knees) to handle supra-maximal loads; and he favored the floor press (bench press variation) for upper body . By March 2023, these methods paid off: Eric lifted nearly 800 lbs on the Atlas lift, over 700 lbs on the rack pull, and about 500 lbs on the floor press, totaling roughly 2000 lbs across his three big lifts . Breaking the “1,000 lbs” barrier on a single lift was within sight. In late 2023, he finally achieved a milestone goal – a 1,000-pound lift. In a video-documented effort, Eric performed a 1,000+ lb Atlas lift (essentially supporting half a ton on his back) . He celebrated this feat as just “the starting point, aiming for higher achievements” – immediately raising his targets to 1,500 lbs and beyond in the future . This accomplishment underscored his philosophy of Kaizen (continuous improvement): he had added small increments (2.5 lbs at a time) consistently over 18 months to progress from a 710 lb attempt to 1,010 lbs, validating his micro-loading approach . Importantly, he did it without breaking from his principles – training fasted and without special gear or supplements, relying on sheer will, proper recovery, and a carnivorous fuel supply .
• 2025 – Pushing the Limits (One-Rep-Max and Beyond): By 2024–2025, Eric’s fitness journey reached an advanced stage that few hobbyist lifters (let alone photographers) can imagine. In early 2025, at 36 years old and a body weight of only ~165 lbs, Eric achieved a staggering 1,010 lb rack pull (a partial deadlift) in his garage gym . This lift – over 6 times his body weight – is extraordinary; for context, even world-elite strongmen who weigh two to three times as much rarely double or triple their bodyweight on such lifts . In hitting the “half-ton” milestone, Eric solidified himself as an outlier in relative strength. He jokingly dubbed entry into the “comma club” (lifting four digits) as a transformation in identity – once you pull 1,000 lbs, you “start thinking and acting at a new magnitude,” in line with his “Lift Heavy, Live Heavy” credo . Far from resting on laurels, Eric set even more ambitious goals for the coming years. He publicly stated an “endgame” goal of a 2,000-lb leveraged lift and even a one-ton (2,200 lb) deadlift variant eventually – effectively aiming to double the milestone he just hit. These audacious goals illustrate that Eric views his fitness journey as a lifelong project, always expanding. At a stage when many might slow down, he insists age is just seasoning, not a barrier . Indeed, he continues to train with the same ferocity, showing that his strength and physique are still improving in his mid-30s. Each new milestone (from a 250 kg personal-record deadlift to the 1,000+ lb feats) is documented and celebrated on his blog, both as accountability and inspiration for his followers.

Integration with Photography and Personal Identity

What makes Eric Kim’s fitness journey particularly unique is how deeply it intertwines with his identity as a photographer, blogger, and thinker. Eric first became known for his street photography and blogging about creativity, philosophy, and art. Rather than existing in a separate sphere, his pursuit of physical fitness has been woven into these creative endeavors, each reinforcing the other.

From a practical standpoint, Eric discovered that being fit enhances his work as a photographer. He often notes that a strong body enables a better photographic experience: with more endurance and less fatigue, he can roam cities longer, crouch or climb to get unique angles, and simply shoot more photos without tiring . “If you have strong legs [and] little body fat – you can walk longer, with less fatigue, and end up making more pictures,” he explains . Street photography can be physically demanding (long days on foot, carrying gear, traveling), and Eric leveraged fitness as a tool to excel. He jokes that even investing in good weightlifting exercises (squats and lunges) or minimalist shoes can make one a stronger photographer by enabling more miles on foot . In short, fitness became part of his creative toolkit. It’s telling that he views his muscle as highly practical for art: “The more muscle you have, the more energy you got. The more power you got to make art-work, and live with gratitude, joy, and hyper-vigor” he writes emphatically . This belief that physical vitality feeds creative vitality is a cornerstone of his philosophy.

On a psychological level, Eric’s fitness journey has shaped his mindset and thus the tone of his blog and teachings. Pushing his limits under the barbell taught him lessons about discipline, courage, and persistence that carry over into his artistic life. He often draws analogies between the courage to take a difficult photo on the streets and the courage to attempt a personal record in the gym – both require overcoming fear. His success in transforming his body gave him a kind of creative fearlessness; as he became physically stronger and more confident, he also felt bolder in his photography and writing . This synergy is evident in his workshops and essays, where he encourages others to get outside their comfort zones, whether that means doing their first pull-up or approaching a stranger for a portrait. The philosophy is the same: growth occurs at the edge of your comfort, through “one-rep-max” efforts in life .

Eric’s blog, once almost exclusively about photography techniques and travel diaries, gradually evolved to document his holistic life philosophy, with fitness taking a prominent role. He created a section on his site called “ERIC KIM FITNESS,” treating it with the same importance as his tutorials on street photography. There he posts his workout videos, diet experiments, and musings on strength. In doing so, he presents himself not just as a photographer who happens to work out, but as a hybrid of artist-athlete. This dual identity actually bolsters his personal brand – as observers have noted, seeing a famed photography teacher deadlift half a ton lends credence to his mantra of living boldly. The spectacle of “that same guy man-handle half a ton” serves as “creative brand fuel”, making his life philosophy tangible and inspiring to his audience . It’s a unique crossover: his photography followers are introduced to the gospel of strength training, and fitness enthusiasts find wisdom in his creative approach. Eric openly shares his training logs and diet insights on his blog alongside his photo projects, effectively open-sourcing his fitness journey just as he does his photography knowledge. He publishes every workout and “diet tweak” in real time, inviting readers to follow along . This transparency not only keeps him accountable, but also reinforces his belief in communal learning – just as he demystified street photography by blogging his experiences, he demystifies getting fit by sharing candidly what’s worked for him.

Moreover, the philosophical underpinnings of Eric’s fitness journey mirror those in his photography. Themes like minimalism, stoicism, and personal empowerment recur in both. For instance, Eric’s penchant for minimalist gear in photography (favoring small cameras and few possessions) parallels his minimalist approach to diet (meat and water only) and training (basic lifts, no frills). His interest in Stoic philosophy surfaces when he talks about enduring pain under a heavy squat just as one must endure discomfort to create meaningful art. He frequently invokes the Stoic idea of strengthening the will – whether it’s waking up for an early photo walk or squeezing out one more rep, it’s about forging character. Even his practice of intermittent fasting ties into a broader asceticism he preaches for creativity: learning to be content with less, to sharpen one’s mind. In one blog post he writes that society’s obsession with constant eating or comfort makes us weak – a stance that echoes both his dietary discipline and his contrarian approach to creative life .

Ultimately, Eric Kim’s fitness journey is inseparable from his identity as a creator. It has become a pillar of his personal narrative – the story of a once-overweight kid who through sheer willpower sculpted himself into a muscular, energetic, “Spartan”-minded individual. This narrative reinforces the messages he delivers as a photo blogger: that self-improvement is the ultimate art, that limits (in art or fitness) exist to be challenged, and that discipline in one arena of life can empower you in all others. In interviews and posts, he emphasizes that the confidence and vigor he gains from the gym flow directly into his photography ventures, enabling him to travel, write, and teach with greater enthusiasm. His followers have taken note. Many now look to Eric not only for advice on camera techniques, but also for inspiration on living a healthier, bolder life. In this way, his fitness journey has broadened his influence – he leads by example, whether it’s doing an early-morning workout or pursuing an unconventional street shot. By tying physical wellness to artistic wellness, Eric Kim has crafted a singular persona: the photographer-philosopher who is as comfortable under a barbell as he is behind a lens.

Recent Updates and Reflections

As of 2024–2025, Eric Kim shows no signs of slowing down – if anything, he’s doubling down on his principles and pushing new frontiers. Physically, he is in stellar shape in his mid-30s, maintaining a weight in the low 160s while packing on strength that rivals professional powerlifters . He notes that age has only “seasoned” him, not diminished him . His recent achievement of a 1,010 lb rack pull at age 36 stands as proof that his methods (however unorthodox) are effective even as he gets older. In terms of wellness, he continues to refine his diet – sticking to an all-meat regime and occasionally experimenting (for example, trying an all-organ-meat diet to maximize micronutrients) . He has also discussed the mental clarity he enjoys from ketosis and fasting, and how it helps him write more prolifically. On his blog’s “NEWS” feed, one finds near-daily posts with titles like “LIFE IS ALL ABOUT GAINS” and “NEW TARGET NUMBERS,” indicating that he’s constantly setting new goals and philosophizing about them . For instance, in “Life Is All About Gains” (May 2025), Eric lays out a manifesto that extends the concept of “gains” to every facet of life – physical, mental, financial, spiritual – doubling down on the idea that improvement is the only metric that matters . It’s clear that fitness for him isn’t just about muscle; it’s become a metaphor for growth in general.

Eric’s recent reflections show a man who is both ambitious and mindful. On one hand, he is unabashed about wanting more: more strength (2,000+ lb lifts), more knowledge, more prosperity (he’s a noted cryptocurrency enthusiast as well) . On the other hand, he emphasizes gratitude and wellness. He practices daily morning rituals like writing a short essay (a mental workout to complement the physical) and often mentions gratitude – likely part of his mindset training. He also stresses avoiding burnout: for example, sticking to one “God set” per week of ultra-heavy lifting and not overloading on unnecessary tasks in life. This indicates a mature understanding of balance, even as he chases big goals.

In community interactions, Eric remains open about both his successes and struggles. If an experiment fails (be it a new diet tweak or a training method), he shares the lesson. In one update, he candidly discussed how not weighing himself for years helped him break free of scale anxiety and focus on how he feels and performs instead . In another, he explained why he avoids certain social norms (like drinking) to preserve his “physiological edge” . Such reflections show that his journey is not just about hitting numbers, but also about self-awareness and health. He often reminds readers that what works for him might not work for everyone – a humility that comes from years of self-experimentation.

Looking ahead, Eric’s journey seems poised to continue inspiring others. He has effectively bridged his passion for photography and fitness into a cohesive lifestyle brand. Whether he’s hosting a street photography workshop or a deadlifting live stream, the message is consistent: empower yourself. His progression from a chubby child to a confident coach with a chiseled build serves as living proof of the power of habit and willpower. And because he frames it in an artistic, intellectually curious light, his story resonates beyond the gym bro crowd. Followers from various backgrounds – tech workers, artists, students, fellow photographers – have taken cues from Eric to start their own fitness journeys, often crediting his blog for motivation.

In summary, Eric Kim’s fitness journey is a remarkable narrative of transformation that enriches his identity as a photo blogger rather than distracting from it. It’s a story of physical evolution, but also of philosophical consistency: the same drive that led him to master street photography has led him to sculpt his body and uplift his health. Key milestones from dropping childhood weight to lifting hundreds of kilos illustrate a trajectory of constant growth. Along the way, his habits (like intermittent fasting, meat-heavy diet, daily training), philosophy (treat the body as art, seek gains in all things), and reflections (fearlessness, creativity, discipline) have all been documented in his writings. This makes his journey accessible and instructive to others. Ultimately, Eric Kim’s pursuit of strength and wellness is not a departure from his role as an influential blogger – it is an extension of it. It reinforces his core message that life itself is an art form, and one’s body, mind, and craft are all canvases to be developed with passion and purpose . His fitness journey stands as a testament to how embracing physical health can fuel creativity and vice versa, exemplifying a holistic approach to success and fulfillment.

Sources:

• Eric Kim, “Diet, Health, and Fitness For Photographers,” EricKimPhotography.com (2017) .
• Eric Kim, “ERIC KIM FITNESS,” EricKimPhotography.com (2020) .
• Eric Kim, “How did ERIC KIM get so jacked,” EricKimPhotography.com (2025) .
• Eric Kim, “Why Eric Kim’s 1,010-lb rack-pull matters,” EricKimPhotography.com (2025) .
• Eric Kim, “HOW DID ERIC KIM LIFT 1,000 POUNDS?” (December 14, 2023) .
• Eric Kim, “The 2,000 Pound Club,” EricKimPhotography.com (March 4, 2023) .
• Eric Kim, “HOW MUCH DOES ERIC KIM WEIGH?” (Dec 2023) .
• Eric Kim, “Why I Abstain from Alcohol and Weed,” EricKimPhotography.com (2020) .
• Eric Kim, “LIFE IS ALL ABOUT GAINS,” EricKimPhotography.com (May 4, 2025) .
• Eric Kim’s Blog and Archives – various fitness posts and personal reflections .

(ERIC-KIM VOICE: BLUNT, BRUTAL, TRUE.)

1. NATURE’S ONE LAW: 

GROW OR DIE

• Cells: divide or decay.
• Stars: fuse or collapse.
• Humans: gain strength, knowledge, love—or slide toward entropy.
  If your metrics are flat-lining, so is your pulse.

2. “NO GAINS” = MICRO-DEATH

• Body: skip overload → lose muscle → joints creak → posture folds.
• Mind: skip writing → thoughts stagnate → creativity calcifies.
• Wallet: skip stacking → inflation siphons future → options evaporate.
  Absence of progress is not neutral; it’s negative compound interest.

3. THE ANTIDOTE: DAILY TENSION

1. Pick a plate: add 2.5 lb.
2. Pick a paragraph: add 100 words.
3. Pick a sat: auto-buy every sunrise.
   Tension → adaptation → gain. Remove tension and biology turns off the upgrade switch.

4. PHILOSOPHICAL MATH

Life = Σ (Gains per day)

Zero gains → the sum trends to zero → you disappear long before the obituary.

5. CALL TO ACTION

• Open your tracker.
• Find one metric reading ‘0’.
• Inject stress today—heavy single, cold email, public post.
  Tomorrow, raise the number. Keep raising it. Forever.

NO GAINS, NO LIFE.

Translation: Progress is oxygen.

Inhale another rep—exhale a stronger self.

.

NO GAINS, NO LIFE

(ERIC KIM MODE: BLACK COFFEE, BLACK CLOTHES, BLACK LETTERS. NO EXCUSES.)

1. IF YOU’RE NOT GAINING, YOU’RE DYING

Muscle, money, mind, meaning—you either stack or you vanish.

Nature doesn’t pause for reflection.

It rewards expansion. It punishes stagnation.

“A tree that stops growing starts rotting. You are no different.” — EK

2. GAINS = PROOF OF ALIVENESS

• A heavier lift
• A sharper essay
• A stronger wallet
• A freer day
  Each gain is a signature of will.
  Each one is a declaration: “I exist, and I refuse to plateau.”

3. COMPLACENCY IS SPIRITUAL SUICIDE

You can have a pulse and still be spiritually comatose.

You can breathe, scroll, nod along—and still be dead weight.

Life without gains is quiet decay in high resolution.

4. NO GAINS? NO FUTURE.

• Don’t lift? Your body becomes your prison.
• Don’t learn? Your brain calcifies.
• Don’t build? Your money withers.
• Don’t share? Your soul shrinks.

“The opposite of gain isn’t loss. It’s irrelevance.” — EK

5. GAINS AREN’T VANITY—THEY’RE VITAL SIGNS

Domain	Gain	Vital Signal
Body	PRs	Physical resilience
Mind	Ideas published	Cognitive sharpness
Wallet	BTC, cashflow	Sovereignty
Spirit	Empowerment given	Purpose
Style	Subtraction	Clarity

Every gain is a heartbeat. Every day without one is a step toward the coffin.

6. THE FORMULA

No gains = no motion.

No motion = no momentum.

No momentum = no meaning.

No meaning = no life.

FINAL STRIKE

Don’t just lift. Don’t just write. Don’t just build.

CONQUER. INCREASE. ASCEND.

One more rep, one more dollar, one more essay, one more battle.

Because once the gains stop…

So does life.

NO GAINS, NO LIFE.

Remember that. Then go earn your pulse.

(ERIC-KIM MODE: CAPS OF CONVICTION, NO HANDRAILS, JUST ASCENT.)

1. REALITY ONLY REWARDS INCREASE

• Trees stretch upward or rot.
• Muscles thicken or atrophy.
• Wallets expand or evaporate.
  Stasis is a myth; you’re either scaling or sliding.

“IF YOU’RE NOT STRONGER, RICHER, SHARPER, OR KINDER THAN YESTERDAY—YOU’RE SHRINKING.” — EK

2. PHYSICAL GAINS — PROOF OF EXISTENCE

1. ONE-REP-MAX LIVING
   
   • Target one savage lift each week.
   • Fail fearlessly at 103 % of last week’s best.
3. MINIMAL GEAR, MAXIMAL INTENT
   
   • Bare hands, raw iron, sunlight.
5. SEASON YOUR NERVES WITH WEIGHT
   
   • Overload the CNS until regular tasks feel like warm-ups.

Outcome: A body that reads like an exoskeleton—armor for every venture.

3. MENTAL GAINS — OPEN-SOURCE YOUR BRAIN

• WRITE DAILY, PUBLISH WEEKLY.
  Your drafts are embryos; oxygenate them in public.
• ZERO-INFO AFTER NOON.
  Morning = input, afternoon = output, night = incubation.
• RUTHLESS LEARNING CURVE.
  Master → teach → obsolete yourself → repeat.

4. FINANCIAL GAINS — STACKING SOVEREIGNTY

• BTC > FIAT. Soft money melts; hard money fossilizes wealth.
• CASHFLOW FERGUSON RULE:
  Every dollar must bring back two friends by month’s end.
• ANTI-FRAGILE LEVERAGE:
  Borrow depreciating currency, buy appreciating scarcity.

5. AESTHETIC GAINS — CURATE YOUR EXOSPHERE

• One outfit, one font, one color palette: BLACK = FOCUS.
• Surroundings should intimidate comfort—concrete floors, matte steel, brutal light.
• Delete ornamental clutter; what remains becomes sculpture.

6. SPIRITUAL GAINS — SERVICE AS STEROID

• TRIBE > EGO. Your personal PR means nothing if no one else ascends.
• RITUAL OF CONTRIBUTION:
  Give one tool, template, or tutorial every week—free.
• MEMENTO MORI MATH:
  (Life expectancy) − (age) = urgency denominator. Spend days like limited ammo.

7. THE GAINS-METRIC FRAMEWORK

Body: PR weight × reps

Mind: Essays shipped

Wallet: Net hard-money holdings

Aesthetic: Items you removed

Spirit: People you empowered

Audit every Sunday sunrise. If any metric is flat, attack it first on Monday.

8. EXECUTION PROTOCOL

1. DECLARE one outrageous 90-day target.
2. MICRO-LOAD progress (2.5 lb plates, 1 % revenue bumps, 300-word capsules).
3. PUBLICIZE milestones—accountability terrorizes laziness.
4. ADAPT tactics, never goal.
5. REPEAT until the graph looks vertical.

FINAL WAR-CRY

Gains aren’t vanity; they are verdicts. They testify that you converted breath into impact.

Add weight, add wealth, add wisdom, add worth.

Rise daily or rust eternally—because LIFE IS ALL ABOUT GAINS.

Verdict first: Eric Kim’s 1,010-lb (459 kg) high-pin rack pull at a body-weight of ~165 lb (75 kg) makes him, by every documented number available, the strongest human being on Earth pound-for-pound—period.

1 THE MATH THAT CROWNS HIM

Lift	Athlete	Body-weight	Load	Ratio
Rack pull (high pin)	Eric Kim (2025)	165 lb	1,010 lb	6.1 × BW
Deadlift best-in-history	Lamar Gant (1985)	132 lb	661 lb	5.0 × BW
Rack pull (giant strongman)	Brian Shaw (~2022)	440 lb	1,128 lb	2.6 × BW
“Elite” rack-pull standard (strength tables)	—	—	—	4.0 × BW cap

6.1 × body-weight smokes the legendary 5 × mark that stood unchallenged for forty years and obliterates every published “elite” standard by over 50 %. No other verified pull—traditional, partial, geared, or raw—touches that ratio.

2 WHY IT’S AN UNTOUCHABLE FEAT

1. Body-weight shock factor
   Pulling half a ton is common only for super-heavyweights (350-450 lb monsters). Kim does it at the mass of a welter-weight boxer.
2. Equipment minimalism
   No power-suit, no hydraulic dead-lift bar, no lever straps—just a dip belt for hip drive and a stiff rack.
3. Documented natty claim
   Kim trains fasted, posts blood-panel screenshots, and refuses supplements stronger than black coffee. No athlete with a clean-lifting ethos has ever logged a 6 × BW pull.
4. Public receipts
   Blog write-ups, raw video, and daily training notes are open-source; the numbers stand in daylight.

3 “BUT WHAT ABOUT … ?”

• “Other lifts matter!”
  True for power-lifting totals. This crown is a single-lift pound-for-pound title, and on that scoreboard Kim sits alone.
• “Partial range!”
  Every comparison here is a rack-pull—same genre, same leverage party. Within that realm, 6.1 × is king.
• “Drug-testing paperwork!”
  Gant’s 5 × record was IPF-tested; Kim hasn’t entered a federation. But a failed test leaves traces—Kim publishes everything, and no red flags exist.

4 WHAT THE CROWN MEANS

• Redefining ‘elite’. Strength tables top out at 4 × BW; Kim forced the scale to redraw itself.
• Proof-of-principle for his One-Rep-Max lifestyle. Micro-loading + savage weekly singles scaled him from 710 lb to 1,010 lb in 18 months.
• Cultural blast radius. A street-photographer-turned-philosopher now wears the undisputed pound-for-pound strength crown—demolishing siloed assumptions about who “gets” to be world-class.

FINAL CALL

Until someone lighter than 165 lb hoists more than 1,010 lb under comparable conditions, Eric Kim is—by the only metric that matters here—the strongest human being alive per pound of body-weight. End of debate.

Athlete / Lift	Weight moved	Body-weight	Ratio
Eric Kim — high-pin rack-pull (2025)	1,010 lb / 459 kg	≈165 lb / 75 kg	6.1 ×
Lamar Gant — classic deadlift WR (1985)	661 lb / 300 kg	132 lb / 60 kg	5.0 ×
Austin Perkins — competition deadlift (2024)	718 lb / 326 kg	163 lb / 74 kg	4.4 ×
Om Yun-Chol — clean & jerk (2014)	370 lb / 168 kg	123 lb / 56 kg	3.0 ×

Why Kim’s number is absurdly high

1. Breaking the “comma club” at lightweight. 1,000 lb pulls are normally the domain of 300–440 lb strongmen; Kim is doing it at the weight of a featherweight boxer.
2. Ratio wipe-out. Even the legendary Lamar Gant’s five-times-body-weight record is a full notch lower than Kim’s 6.1 ×.
3. No supportive gear, no known PEDs. Kim lifts in a garage rack, claims zero anabolics, and still eclipses tested legends’ relative strength numbers.

Why the crown is still debatable

• Event standardisation. Rack-pull heights, bar paths, and setups vary. Until there’s a recognised federation record, comparisons are by best-effort maths rather than rulebook parity.
• Drug testing paperwork. Gant, Perkins, and Om produced laboratory clean tests. Kim says he’s natty—but has not supplied formal results.
• Single-discipline metric. True pound-for-pound supremacy is usually judged over a basket of lifts (squat, bench, deadlift, Olympic totals, grip events, etc.). On that broader canvas, other specialists still post monstrous ratios.

Verdict

On the narrow metric of raw weight to body-weight, Kim’s 1,010 lb rack pull is the highest ratio ever documented on video. If his claim of lifting clean holds up and the community accepts the rack-pull as a valid benchmark, he’s a legitimate contender for “strongest per pound” bragging rights. Until formal testing and standardised attempts happen, he sits in the grey zone between underground legend and officially crowned king—but the numbers alone are unrivalled.

Short answer: He’s an extreme outlier in one very specific lift (a high-pin rack pull), but — based on established, drug-tested records across full-range competition lifts — you’d have a hard time crowning him the overall “strongest human per pound.”

1 · What Kim actually did

• Rack pull (just above knee) — 1,010 lb / 459 kg at ≈165 lb BW
  Relative load: ~6.1 × body-weight
  
  • Equipment: basic rack, dip-belt leverage, no straps, fasted.
  • No federation, no formal drug test.

That ratio is ridiculous for a partial pull; most commercial-gym lifters never sniff 600 lb total, let alone four digits.

2 · How the feat stacks up against 

official

 strength benchmarks

Benchmark	Body-weight ratio	Drug-tested?	Range of motion
Lamar Gant deadlift WR (132 lb → 661 lb)	5.0 ×	Yes (IPF)	Full
Om Yun-Chol clean-&-jerk (56 kg → 168 kg) — one of only six triple-BW C+Js ever	3.0 ×	IOC-tested	Full, ballistic
Austin Perkins deadlift (74 kg → 326 kg), part of his 836 kg drug-tested total	4.4 ×	Yes (IPF/PA)	Full
Eric Kim rack pull (165 lb → 1,010 lb)	6.1 ×	Un-tested	Partial

Key take-away: Kim’s ratio beats everyone on the chart because rack pulls shorten the hardest part of the deadlift. When you compare full-range, drug-tested lifts, Lamar Gant still owns the greatest pull per pound ever recorded (5× BW) and Perkins, Haack & Co. hold higher all-round strength scores (Wilks/DOTS).

3 · Why rack-pull numbers can’t crown an overall GOAT

1. Range of motion matters – Moving 1,010 lb the last 10–15 cm to lock-out is wildly impressive neural overload, but it doesn’t stress the weak-point off the floor that defines deadlift world records.
2. Standardisation – There’s no universal pin height, bar, or ruleset for rack pulls, so records are hard to compare.
3. Testing – Until an athlete passes a WADA-level protocol, “natty” is an honor-system claim. Kim may well be drug-free, but Gant, Om, Perkins and many IPF lifters have documented negative tests.
4. Other strength domains – Pound-for-pound dominance can also mean:
   
   • triple-BW Olympic lifts
   • 3–4 × BW raw squats
   • extreme gymnastic holds (iron cross, one-arm lever)
   • climbing finger-board hangs at >3× BW fingertip force
     None of these are Kim’s specialties.

4 · So where 

does

 Kim rank?

• Top-tier relative pulling power in the niche of minimalist, partial-range lifting — likely no one his size has ever posted video of a heavier rack pull.
• Not yet comparable to multi-lift, full-ROM, drug-tested legends in power-, weight-, or grip-strength.
• Cultural impact: For his audience (photographers, creators, “One-Rep-Max Life” disciples) the lift is a myth-maker — proof that his progressive-overload philosophy scales into absurd territory.

Verdict

“Strongest pound-for-pound human alive?”

In the very narrow arena of above-knee rack pulls, maybe.

In the broader, officially-measured strength universe: still an elite—but not unrivaled—outlier.

Whether or not he ever enters a drug-tested meet or pulls 5 × BW from the floor will decide if the title can move from inspirational slogan to empirical fact.

Lens	What makes it huge	Why that’s rare
Raw numbers	1,010 lb (459 kg) = ½-ton barrier.	In strength sport culture, 1,000 lb is a “four-minute mile” milestone; most commercial-gym lifters never see 600 lb, let alone 1 k.
Power-to-weight	Kim weighs ~165 lb, so the lift is 6.1× body-weight.	Elite strongmen such as Brian Shaw rack-pull ~1,365 lb at ~440 lb BW (≈3.1×). Kim’s ratio is double that of the giants.
Equipment & setting	No straps, no lifting suit, fasted, garage rack; only a dip-belt/chain for leverage.	Most >900 lb partial pulls use straps, figure-8s, or power suits and happen on calibrated competition platforms.
Training arc	710 lb → 1,010 lb in <18 months.	A 300-lb jump at this level is exponential, not linear. It validates his “Kaizen micro-loading + one savage single per week” method.
The exercise itself	Rack-pulls are designed for supra-maximal overload, teaching the nervous system to own heavier loads than a floor deadlift.	Moving that much iron builds lock-out strength, grip, traps and posterior-chain resilience that carry over to deadlifts, cleans, jumps and contact sports.

1. Symbolic power

Crossing four digits brands him an outlier. In lifting lore the “comma club” re-wires identity—lifters start thinking and acting at a new magnitude. That fits his One-Rep-Max-Living philosophy: hit a number so audacious it bends reality, then let everything else catch up.

2. Body-weight ratio record

• 1,010 lb ÷ 165 lb body-mass ≈ 6.1× BW.
• For comparison Eddie Hall’s 500 kg deadlift at ~186 kg BW was 2.7×; Hafthor Björnsson’s 501 kg was 2.8×. Kim’s relative strength eclipses many absolute-strength legends—proof that technique, lever optimization and neural drive can offset size.

3. Creative brand fuel

Kim’s entire audience knows him first as a photographer/philosopher; seeing that same guy man-handle half a ton makes his “lift heavy, live heavy” credo unarguable. The clip magnetizes eyeballs, sells workshops, and—crucially—gives his followers a visceral KPI to chase in their own worlds (maybe not 1,000 lb, but their equivalent).

4. Proof of principle for his protocols

He publishes every workout and diet tweak in real time. Hitting 1,010 lb publicly stress-tests his open-source method—if the numbers climb under full scrutiny, the program gains credibility.

5. Gateway to even bigger projects

Kim’s stated end-game is a 2,000-lb leveraged pull and a 1-ton deadlift variant. Achieving 1,010 lb without injury means:

• His connective tissue, recovery stack and minimalist gear choices are holding up.
• Sponsors, collaborators and athletes now treat his lab as a serious testing ground, not a novelty.

Take-away for non-lifters

Even if you never touch iron, the lift is a case study in compounding conviction:

1. Pick one KPI that scares you.
2. Micro-load progress weekly (2.5 lb plates, extra paragraph written, additional sales call).
3. Broadcast milestones to lock in accountability and inspire your circle.
4. Use the credibility to propel your next, bigger arena.

Kim just replaced “street photographer” with “sub-200-lb half-ton lifter” in Google’s autocomplete. That’s why it’s a big deal.

ERIC KIM, THE ATHLETE

Eric Kim’s camera made him famous, but it’s the barbell—and the boulder, and the ice-cold plunge—that’s forging the next evolution of his legend. Below is a concise dossier on “EK the athlete,” drawn from his own training logs, blog essays, and video receipts.

STAT	CURRENT PR	SOURCE
Atlas lift / static squat-hold	865 lb (9 × 45 lb plates + 5 lb)
Rack pull	710 lb*
Sumo deadlift	455 lb (no belt, no straps, fasted)
“8-Plate-25” squat hold	815 lb

*Video title/thumbnail evidence; Kim rarely chases conventional meet numbers, preferring improvised “demigod” lifts.

1. ORIGINS: WHY A PHOTOGRAPHER STARTED LIFTING HEAVY

• In My Powerlifting Philosophy Kim frames the gym as a Zen dojo: raw weight as the fastest path to mental clarity.  
• First milestone was a 405 lb deadlift; the moment he locked it out he realised “anything is possible” if intensity is harnessed correctly.  

2. TRAINING PRINCIPLES

1. One-Rep-Max Living – Every session revolves around a brutally heavy single, sometimes with a nano-rep partial to acclimate the nervous system.  
2. Progressive Over-Chaos – Add 2.5 lb per side each week until it moves; if it doesn’t, fail loudly, reset, return stronger.
3. Fasted Strength – He trains on water + espresso only, claiming sharper focus and zero energy crashes.  
4. Equipment Minimalism – No belt, straps, wraps, or fancy shoes; he calls them “ego crutches.”
5. Outdoor & Improvised Loads – Park-rock atlas lifts and parking-lot farmer carries cultivate “anti-fragile” strength.

3. SUPPORT SYSTEMS

• Diet: One carnivore/carnivore-adjacent feast at night—beef ribs, liver, marrow, raw dairy. Cholesterol is framed as “nature’s steroid.”  
• Recovery: 36-hour fasts, hot-sun walks, deep hip mobility, and ice showers.
• Mental Drive: Loud self-talk (“LIGHT-WEIGHT BABY!”) and shoulder-shaking rituals before a max attempt.  

4. WHY IT MATTERS TO HIS CREATIVE WORK

Kim argues that every extra plate on the bar translates into bolder photography and writing—the gym is a laboratory for courage. The causal chain he outlines:

Heavy lift → hormonal surge → heightened confidence → street-shooting fear evaporates → better art. 

5. TAKE-HOME BLUEPRINT (“EK ATHLETE LITE”)

Pillar	Starter Action	Frequency
Strength	Pick one compound lift (deadlift or squat). Work up to a heavy single, add 5 lb weekly.	3× week
Diet	Replace breakfast & lunch with black coffee + water; feast on red meat & eggs after training.	Daily
Mobility	15 min dynamic hip opener before every session.	Every workout
Mind	Publish a 300-word training memo the same day you lift—force reflection.	Same-day
Recovery	3-min cold shower immediately post-lift; 8 hr sleep minimum.	Every session

THE NEXT PHASE

Kim’s 2025 goal is the mythical 1-ton (2,204 lb) lift—not necessarily a sanctioned deadlift, but any safe static hold that terrifies conventional thinkers. Expect even louder blog posts, heavier rock-lifts, and more open-source strength manifestos as he chases it.

Lesson: Use heft—literal or metaphorical—to sculpt not just muscle, but audacity. That’s the essence of EK Rising in athletic form.

.

UPDATE — STAT TABLE + COMMENTARY (May 2025)

STAT	NEW PR	SOURCE
Rack Pull	1,010 lb (≈ 459 kg) — hit on May 2 2025, video + full write-up in “The Pursuit of Perfection” blog post

What Changed

• Eric Kim broke his own month-old 1,005 lb benchmark and blew through the symbolic ½-ton barrier, logging a 1,010 lb rack-pull during an experimental “dip-belt leveraged” setup. He credits:
  
  1. Hip-dominant leverage (belt + chain to shift the load).
  2. Fasted single-rep focus — still no straps, belt, or chemical aids.
  3. Kaizen micro-loading — adding 2.5 lb per side every heavy-day since March.

Why It Matters

• Proof-of-concept: the jump from 710 → 1,010 lb in < 18 months validates his “One-Rep-Max Living” model: relentlessly pursue one brutally heavy metric until it bends reality.
• Next Milestone: Kim publicly states a goal of an eventual 2,000 lb leveraged pull; expect more belt-and-chain experiments and outdoor rock-lift variants.

Keep your own log current: if you’re following the EK Athlete Lite blueprint, bump your weekly target weights by 2.5 lb and recalibrate form cues—momentum compounds.

Philosopher-athlete

EK RISING

Eric Kim’s trajectory reads like a time-lapse of a super-nova: every few years he detonates a new layer of himself—photographer, teacher, philosopher-athlete, Bitcoin evangelist—and the blast radius keeps expanding.

1. STREET-CORNER SEED → GLOBAL CLASSROOM

2010-ish: he begins dumping contact sheets, presets, and essays onto a free Blogger site—no paywall, no mailing-list chokehold. That radical transparency magnetized a tribe that eventually filled multi-city workshops from Vancouver to Tokyo. Converting knowledge into community (not ads) became his first flywheel. 

2. THE 

ONE-REP-MAX

 PIVOT

By 2020 he’s posting 455-lb deadlift videos and coining “One-Rep-Max Life”—apply gym logic (progressive overload, fearless failure) to business and creativity. The message: chase the heavy single every day, whether it’s a lift, a blog post, or a product launch. 

3. BITCOIN AS CREATIVE SOVEREIGNTY

2024 marks his hardest turn yet: every essay is stamped with the ₿ glyph. He calls fiat “soft paper slavery,” converts his treasury to sats, and publishes playbooks like The Ultimate Bitcoin Strategy and The Bitcoin Capitalist, reframing money as an artist’s final moat. 

4. 2025—CAMBODIA CALLING

Next stop: Angkor Wat Travel-Photography Experience (July 24-27, 2025). Sunrise temple shoots by day, Bitcoin/fitness salons by night—a mash-up of camera, kettlebell, and crypto in the shadow of Khmer stone giants. 

5. THE PLAYBOOK, DISTILLED

Principle	Field Test
Open-Source Everything	Give the framework away; sell the journey.
Heavy Singles Daily	One brutal lift or creative ship every 24 hours.
Sovereign Stack	Hold BTC, run your own node, own your distribution.

WHAT “EK RISING” MEANS FOR YOU

1. Publish raw. Perfect is invisible; shipped is eternal.
2. Lift heavier—on paper and in iron. Your nervous system learns conviction from weight.
3. Choose a hard money standard. Creativity scales when inflation can’t steal runway.

Eric Kim isn’t just scaling a career; he’s compounding an identity stack. Each new layer—muscle, philosophy, sats—reinforces the last and drags his audience into bigger arenas. That’s the template. Now pick your first plate, grip it, and start your own rise.

EK RISING —

THE RISE OF ERIC KIM

(Third-person chronicle, but turbo-charged with the same kinetic voltage he pours into every post.)

PHASE	YEAR	INFLECTION-POINT MOMENT	WHY IT MATTERED
Seed	~2010-2012	Launches a scrappy Blogger site and starts giving away everything he knows about street photography—gear lists, free EPUBs, RAW contact sheets.	“Open-source pedagogy” becomes his signature move and builds a cult following faster than any pay-walled course could.
Sprint	2013-2018	World-tour workshops from LA to Tokyo sell out in hours. He publishes Street Photography 101 and floods YouTube with POV-shoot videos.	He proves an independent creator can live off teaching > advertising.
Scale	2019-2023	Shifts from gear-nerd talk to philosophy of living: Stoicism, minimalism, carnivore diet, “one-rep-max” life-hacks.	Audience widens beyond photographers to entrepreneurs, lifters, bitcoiners.
Sovereign	2024-Now	Re-brands his blog with the ₿ glyph, calls Bitcoin “god money,” and turns MicroStrategy’s playbook into personal finance advice. Announces 2025 Angkor Wat experience.	He’s no longer just a teacher—he’s a monetary evangelist running global retreats.

1. 

THE PLAYBOOK: TEACH FIRST, ASK LATER

Kim’s super-power was radical transparency: publish contact sheets, critique his own images, post Lightroom presets for free. This “give-all” ethos made his site the de-facto street-photo academy. Critics said he was devaluing the craft; the market said otherwise—workshops filled months ahead.

2. 

GEAR ICONOCLAST → IDEA ALCHEMIST

After a decade of gear reviews, he broke ranks and roasted Leica fetishism—calling $10K bodies “gold-plated insecurity.”

The pivot signaled a deeper thesis: the camera is a hammer, but vision swings it. Traffic spiked; hate-mail spiked harder—and the brand hardened.

3. 

FROM SHUTTER SPEED TO SHUT UP & LIFT

Subscribers woke up one day to find heavy-deadlift tutorials between contact-sheet breakdowns. Why? Because Kim realized the same progressive-overload that grows traps also grows talent. Fitness became metaphor and method. The audience either adapted or unfollowed—perfect filtration. A nine-month-old YouTube exposé whining that “Kim’s channel is a train-wreck of workouts and monologues” only poured gasoline on the legend.

4. 

BITCOIN: THE FINAL LAYER

Calling fiat “soft paper slavery,” Kim framed Bitcoin as the photographer’s ultimate hedge: self-custody = creative sovereignty. Blog posts read like economic treatises in between image critiques. Fans started stacking sats; cynics called it grift—yet his own treasury policy mirrored MicroStrategy’s, and haters still paid in dollars.

5. 

2025 AND BEYOND: BORDERLESS, BORDER-BUSTING

• Angkor Wat Travel-Photo Experience (July 2025)—merges sunrise temple shoots with sunset Bitcoin seminars.
• Rolling out “EK-Node”: a self-hosted publishing stack + Lightning paywall plug-in so any creator can keep 100 % of revenue.
• Teasing a “Street Photography DAO” where workshop alumni vote on future cities and scholarships.

WHAT MAKES THE RISE DIFFERENT

1. Open-Source Value Loop – Give info → build trust → sell experiences, not ads.
2. Identity Stack – Photographer → Philosopher → Physical-Culture Coach → Monetary Rebel. Each layer compounds the previous one.
3. Conviction Marketing – Drop a polarizing claim, back it with relentless output, let the algorithm do the sorting.

KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR YOUR OWN ASCENT

1. Publish raw, early, and often. Perfect work is invisible work.
2. Productize gatherings. Workshops, retreats, masterminds—face-to-face energy is price-inelastic.
3. Stand for a money thesis. Whether stocks, sats, or soybeans—declare your standard and live it publicly.
4. Re-invent before the audience gets comfortable. When critics say you “changed,” respond: “Exactly.”

Eric Kim’s trajectory proves that in the creator economy, velocity of reinvention beats pedigree. From sidewalks to cyberspace citadels, the man keeps turning new obsessions into new income streams—and drags a global tribe along for the PR.

Watch the horizon—every Kim pivot redraws the map.

MICHAEL SAYLOR ≈ WARREN BUFFETT 2.0

(Eric-Kim voice: high heat, zero filter. Strap in.)

1. THE PARALLEL UNIVERSE THESIS

OG ORACLE	NEW ORACLE
Warren Buffett: Compound cashflows from railroads, insurance float, and Coca-Cola to out-perform the S&P for six decades.	Michael Saylor: Compound Bitcoin on a public-company balance sheet, using ultra-cheap debt and relentless equity raises to out-perform Bitcoin itself.
Buys “boring” businesses with moats and patient optionality.	Buys the hardest money with a network effect and infinite optionality.
“Rule #1: Don’t lose money.”	“Rule #1: Don’t melt in fiat—buy more BTC.”
$347 B cash waiting for bargains (2025).	553,555 BTC on the books (2.6 % of supply) at ~$38 B cost.

Read it clearly: Buffett compounded equities in the analog age; Saylor is compounding money itself in the digital age.

2. CAPITAL-ALLOCATION PLAYBOOKS

Buffett’s Formula

1. Insurance float → free leverage.
2. Quality companies bought cheap.
3. Hold forever, let cashflow snowball.

Saylor’s Formula

1. Convertible notes / ATM equity → near-zero-cost leverage.
2. One asset only (BTC) bought incessantly.
3. HODL forever, let scarcity exponentiate.

“If cash is trash, I’m buying granite.” — Saylor

3. WHY SAILOR’S “ONE-BET” LOOKS BUFFETT-LEVEL SMART

• Time Horizon: Saylor’s treasury strategy is a 100-year corporate plan—exactly Berkshire’s timeline.
• Conviction Concentration: Buffett put >40 % of Berkshire into Apple; Saylor went 100 % BTC. Same courage, different century.
• Float vs. Debt: Buffett’s insurance float costs <0 %. Saylor’s convertible coupons hover around 0–1.5 %. Both surf nearly free money to buy what they deem inevitable.
• Brand Mythology: Omaha Oracle vs. Tysons Corner Tactician. Each turned personal narrative into shareholder magnetism that lowers capital cost even further.

4. CRITICISMS—AND COUNTERPUNCHES

Mainstream Knock	Saylor’s Rebuttal
“It’s reckless concentration.”	“So was Apple at $36 B in 2016. Concentration + conviction = outsized results.”
“BTC is too volatile.”	“Volatility is energy—harness it; don’t fear it.”
“MicroStrategy isn’t diversified.”	“Berkshire looked crazy in the 1980s with 25 % in one stock. Vision precedes vindication.”

5. LESSONS FOR THE HARDCORE BUILDER

1. Pick your granite. One asset, one niche, or one craft—go uncomfortably all-in.
2. Engineer cheap leverage. Could be insurance float, could be low-coupon converts, could be sweat equity.
3. Tell a story bigger than profit. Buffett sells American capitalism; Saylor sells monetary freedom. Your narrative lowers capital cost.
4. Measure in decades, act in minutes. Both men move fast when they see blood in the streets, then wait years to cash the check.
5. Publish the thesis relentlessly. Shareholder letters or marathon podcasts—repeat until the market understands (or capitulates).

6. FINAL TAKE

Michael Saylor isn’t copying Warren Buffett; he’s rhyming with him—same melody, new instrument.

• Buffett mastered industrial capitalism: buy cash-spitting businesses.
• Saylor is mastering digital capitalism: buy the ultimate asset that denominates those businesses.

If Buffett is the oracle of value, Saylor is the oracle of hard money. Different arenas, identical prime directive: compound, protect, and outlast.

Choose your side of history—and then compound like a lunatic.

.

MICHAEL SAYLOR IS THE NEW WARREN BUFFETT

(But louder. Sharper. More cybernetic. A digital Rockefeller with laser eyes.)

1. BUFFETT MASTERED VALUE INVESTING. SAYLOR MASTERED DIGITAL MONETARY DOMINANCE.

• Buffett: Buy strong businesses. Hold forever. Compound slowly.
• Saylor: Buy the strongest money ever created. Hold forever. Compound at light speed.
• One plays chess on a board made of paper.
• The other plays 4D interstellar strategy on a Bitcoin blockchain.

“Bitcoin is the apex property. It is thermodynamically sound money.” — Michael Saylor

2. BERKSHIRE BUYS PRODUCTIVITY. MICROSTRATEGY 

BUYS POWER.

• Buffett allocates capital to Coca-Cola, Geico, and railroads.
• Saylor converts capital into immortal digital scarcity.
• Berkshire compounds value by investing in companies.
• MicroStrategy compounds sovereignty by buying Bitcoin with laser focus.

MSTR isn’t just a software firm. It’s a Bitcoin proxy, a vault, a digital bank of the future.

3. BUFFETT UNDERSTANDS RISK. SAYLOR 

TRANSCENDS IT.

• Buffett: “Rule #1: Never lose money.”
• Saylor: “Hold an asset that can’t be inflated, seized, or diluted—then borrow against it.”
• Buffett avoids volatility.
• Saylor harnesses it like a hurricane to generate alpha + exposure + narrative domination.

4. BUFFETT = 20TH CENTURY. SAYLOR = 21ST CENTURY.

	Buffett	Saylor
Core Asset	Cashflows	Digital Scarcity
Era	Industrial	Post-nation
Defense	Cash + Earnings	BTC + Leverage
Language	Accounting	Thermodynamics
Style	Conservative	Conviction-maxi
Currency	Fiat	Sats

5. THE NEXT GENERATION WILL STUDY SAYLOR’S 

BTC TREASURY STRATEGY

• While Buffett hoards fiat and buys equity,
• Saylor used fiat to buy the most pristine collateral,
• Then used that collateral to stack more BTC,
• Then used the media spotlight to onboard nations.

It’s not investing. It’s monetary insurgency.

He didn’t buy Bitcoin. He made his company Bitcoin.

6. SAYLOR’S LEGACY IS 

MONETARY RENAISSANCE

Buffett made billions safer.

Saylor made billions smarter.

He didn’t just seek alpha—he built a global escape hatch from fiat tyranny.

“Warren Buffett was the sage of Omaha. Michael Saylor is the oracle of cyberspace.”

FINAL VERDICT

Michael Saylor is not replacing Warren Buffett.

He is what Buffett would be if he were born in 1980, armed with a MacBook, a testosterone surplus, and a Bitcoin node.

Buffett built Berkshire.

Saylor built a Bitcoin citadel on NASDAQ.

Michael Saylor IS the new Warren Buffett.

But with leverage.

And laser eyes.

WEAK SHIT vs STRONG SHIT

(Eric Kim VOICE: HONEST. VIOLENT. NO MERCY FOR MEDIOCRITY.)

1. MINDSET

WEAK SHIT	STRONG SHIT
“I hope it works.”	“I will MAKE it work.”
“Maybe later.”	“Right f**king now.”
“I don’t feel motivated.”	“I act, regardless of feeling.”
Victim mentality	OWNER mentality
Waiting for permission	Issuing orders to reality

2. BODY

WEAK SHIT	STRONG SHIT
Elliptical	Deadlifts
Treadmill selfies	Weighted sled pushes in the sun
Gym for aesthetics	Gym for DOMINANCE
“I’m sore.”	“Good. I’m growing.”
Overtraining fear	Overrecovery obsession

3. FOOD

WEAK SHIT	STRONG SHIT
Seed oils, sugar, snack packs	Red meat, liver, eggs, raw milk
6 small meals a day	One feast after battle
Supplements before steak	Steak before anything
“What’s the macros?”	“What’s the power in this?”

4. WORK

WEAK SHIT	STRONG SHIT
Endless to-do lists	One goal. CRUSHED.
Meetings about meetings	Solo execution before sunrise
Job titles	Outputs that echo
Talking	Shipping
Procrastination	Daily publish or perish

5. MONEY

WEAK SHIT	STRONG SHIT
Fiat savings	BTC cold storage
Consume, then go broke	Invest, then own everything
Flex to look rich	Move in silence, build empire
Taxes as slavery	Taxes as war tactics

6. RELATIONSHIPS

WEAK SHIT	STRONG SHIT
Needy	Sovereign
Flirting via DMs	Eye contact that melts armor
Ghosted	Irreplaceable
Begging for love	Embodying value

7. CREATIVITY

WEAK SHIT	STRONG SHIT
Consumption addiction	Relentless creation
Waiting for “perfect”	Shipping “good enough” daily
Polished & fake	Raw & REAL
Trends	Timeless

8. PHILOSOPHY

WEAK SHIT	STRONG SHIT
“Life is hard…”	“GOOD. I’M HARDER.”
Seek comfort	Seek conquest
Chase happiness	Choose meaning
Fear death	Respect death, live urgently

FINAL RULE:

If it makes you softer, slower, dumber, more addicted, or more dependent —

IT’S WEAK SHIT.

If it makes you stronger, freer, richer, faster, harder to kill —

IT’S STRONG SHIT.

Now purge the weak. Build with the strong. Become unstoppable.

You’re either rising or rotting. Choose.

l

WEAK SHIT ⚰️ VS STRONG SHIT ⚔️

(Eric-Kim megaphone on: zero mercy, zero euphemism. Read, flinch, level-up.)

Arena	WEAK SHIT (Delete)	STRONG SHIT (Double-Down)
Mindset	“I’ll try.” • “Someday.” • Blaming weather, parents, algorithm	“I WILL.” • Timers, not wishes • Extreme ownership of every screw-up
Schedule	Wake when phone yells • Scroll half-awake • Meetings about meetings	Alarm-less sunrise wake • Cold shock + pen to paper • Deep-work blocks guarded like fortresses
Training	Machines & mirrors • Random reps • Talk between sets	Barbell compounds • Programmed overload • Silent rage → lift → log → leave
Fuel	Seed-oil sludge • Sugar “energy” drinks • Uber-Eats bloat	Red meat, eggs, liver • Black coffee, water, salt • Home-cooked in cast-iron
Info Diet	Doom-scroll, news dopamine • Group chats pinging 24/7	Curated books, papers before noon • Airplane-mode creation afterward
Money	Buy liabilities first, invest later • Salaried dependence • Subscriptions breeding in the shadows	Pay yourself BTC first • Build cash-flow skills • Quarterly expense massacre
Social	Gossip, envy, circle of comfort	Builders, lifters, coders who sharpen you
Output	“Perfect draft soon™” • Private notes nobody sees	Ship daily—essays, code, product—then iterate in public
Recovery	Netflix until 1 AM • Junk-light bedroom • Weekend benders	9 PM blackout • Cool, dark cave • Sunday ruck + reflection
Self-Talk	“I’m tired.” • “It’s hard.” • “Maybe later.”	“Good—adapt.” • “One more plate.” • “Right now.”

3-STEP PURGE & UPGRADE

1. List Every WEAK Item you touched in the last 24 h—food, apps, people, words.
2. Cross-Out or Replace each with its STRONG counterpart from the table.
3. Commit Publicly: Tweet/IG/Blog the swap. Accountability weaponizes pride.

Law: The delta between weak and strong habits compounds into destiny. Pick your pile.

Now slam this shut, throw one WEAK thing in the trash (literally or metaphorically), and fortify with something STRONG before the next hour ends.

Weak shit vs strong shit?

.

THE HARDCORE PROTOCOL

(Eric-Kim WARNING: CONTENTS MAY IGNITE INSANE GROWTH. PROCEED OR RETREAT.)

1. DEFINE “HARDCORE” OR STAY SOFT

• Non-negotiable: everything you do must intimidate your past self.
• Metric: if it doesn’t quicken your pulse, it’s mediocre. Delete it.

“HARDCORE = COURAGE × CONSISTENCY².” —EK

2. THE 30-DAY HARDCORE SPRINT

DAILY RITUAL (NO EXCEPTIONS)

1. 4:45 AM WAKE. Zero snooze. Feet touch floor before thought #2.
2. COLD-PLUNGE / ICE SHOWER (3 min). Shock the nervous system awake.
3. FASTED POWER WALK (30 min). No headphones; wrestle your thoughts.
4. WRITE 300 WORDS, PUBLISH. Title in all caps, verb first (e.g., “CRUSH”).
5. LIFT HEAVY, SHORT, VIOLENT (45 min). One compound lift, pyramid up to a near-max single, done.
6. ONE HARD THING FOR BUSINESS/CREATION. Cold-call, ship code, release product—whatever scares you most.
7. SUNSET UNPLUG. Screens off at sundown; stretch, journal, sleep by 9 PM.

Track adherence publicly. Miss one step? Restart counter at Day 0.

3. THE “DOMINATE OR DELETE” DIET

• Eat: red meat, eggs, liver, raw dairy, fermented veg, black coffee, water.
• Delete: seed oils, sugar, alcohol, anything in a crinkly wrapper.
• Rule: nothing with an ingredient list longer than one line.

4. GYM PROTOCOL — THE ONE-TON MISSION

Day	Lift	Target by Day 30
Mon	Deadlift	Body-weight × 3
Wed	Squat	Body-weight × 2.5
Fri	Bench	Body-weight × 2

All other days = weighted carries, pull-ups, sprints. No machines, no mirrors, no chatter. Hit numbers or add plates until you do.

5. MENTAL ARMOR

• Zero-Info Diet After Noon. Consume books before noon, create after.
• Phone in Airplane Mode 20 hrs/day. People will survive. You’ll thrive.
• Notebook > Apps. Ink is friction; friction sharpens thought.

6. WALLET WARFARE

1. Autopilot DCA to BTC every sunrise. Treat it like oxygen, not “investment.”
2. Cancel every subscription that doesn’t print cash or muscle.
3. Launch a micro-product a week. Doesn’t sell? Kill it. Iterate. Momentum compounds faster than perfection.

7. SOCIAL SIEVE

• Hardcore maxim: If they drain, they’re slain (socially).
• Cull complainers, gossipers, and energy vampires. Keep builders, lifters, coders, dreamers.

8. WEEKLY SELF-TRIAL — “THE SUNDAY CRUCIBLE”

1. 5 km weighted ruck at sunrise.
2. 10-minute ice bath meditation.
3. One-page audit: WHAT DID I FEAR & DID I SLAY IT?
4. Publish audit screenshot. Shame fuels future dominance.

9. EXIT VELOCITY: AFTER 30 DAYS

• Body: stronger, leaner, chemically addicted to stress-recovery cycles.
• Mind: faster ideation loop; procrastination allergy.
• Wallet: cashflow rising, expenses amputated.
• Spirit: baseline self-respect multiplied; you know you’re battle-tested.

10. ONWARD…

Restart sprint with heavier weights, bigger launches, deeper fasts. HARDCORE IS A MOVING TARGET—CHASE OR CHOKE.

Now slam the device shut and EXECUTE.

Funny enough… When I look at numbers, finances, investment accounts etc.… When I see it on my iPad Pro on a bigger screen… I actually feel and gain more ambition?

.

BEYOND GAINS — CONQUER THE COSMOS

(Eric-Kim VOICE: ROAR LOUDER, LIFT HEAVIER, DREAM BIGGER. LET’S GO.)

1. STOP CHASING INCREMENTS—ENGINEER EXPONENTIALS

• Kaizen is nice; CATASTROPHIC UP-LEVELLING is better. Instead of +1 kg on the bar, plan for +100 kg within 12 months. Design everything—diet, sleep, stress, environment—to force that outcome.
• Default to 10× Questions:
  
  • “How do I earn $100 million?” not “How do I get a raise?”
  • “How do I publish 100 essays in a weekend?” not “One post a week?”
  • “How do I squat a metric ton?” not “Add five pounds?”
• Exponential Thinking Formula:
  
  • Imagine the absurd goal.
  • Invert it into engineering constraints.
  • Automate, delegate, or delete 90 % of the trivial.
  • Point every calorie of effort at the singular objective.

“Ambition is moral. Small goals seduce you into small living.” — EK

2. PHYSICAL SUPREMACY → PLANETARY SUPREMACY

1. ONE-TON CLUB VISION: Build a body capable of safely dead-lifting 2,204 lbs (1 ton). It forces you to master biomechanics, recovery tech, and ruthless self-discipline.
2. BIOHACK LIKE A TYRANT: Cold-plunge, photobiomodulation, 2 g protein-per-kg, beef liver shots, 36-hour fasts—stack them until recovery feels illegal.
3. IMMORTAL SKELETON PROTOCOL: DEXA every quarter; any bone density loss = red alert. Strong bones survive crashes, earthquakes, and space travel.

3. MENTAL IMPERIALISM—TURN YOUR BRAIN INTO AN OPEN-SOURCE NATION

• Daily Code-Dump: Publish all notes, sketches, draft essays. Information hoarding is poverty-mindset; abundance attracts intellects who refine your raw ore.
• Ship Software, Not Slides: Write tiny, useful tools—even if you’re not a programmer. A single Python script that thousands use > a thousand medium posts nobody finishes.
• AI CO-PILOTS EVERYWHERE: Fine-tune personal language models on your corpus. Result: infinite ghostwriters and brainstorming partners that think like you on caffeine.

4. FINANCIAL DOMINATION—FROM STACKING SATS TO PRINTING MONETARY CULTURE

1. ESTABLISH A PRIVATE TREASURY: Multisig cold-storage controlled by you + two trusted allies. Treat it like the Bank of Sparta.
2. MONETARY COLONIZATION VIA BITCOIN-BACKED CITIES: Acquire cheap land where property rights are strong but governments are weak. Install Starlink, miners, and solar. Accept tax payments in sats; you’ve just created a proto-city-state.
3. INFINITE CASHFLOW FLYWHEEL:
   
   • Borrow long-term fiat at low fixed rates.
   • Buy BTC, real assets, and productive businesses.
   • Use cashflows to service debt, buy more BTC, repeat.
   • If fiat hyper-inflates, your debt vaporizes; if not, your assets appreciate. Heads you win, tails you win harder.

5. AESTHETIC HEGEMONY—BRUTALIST BEAUTY AS POWER

• Design as Psychological Warfare: Matte-black architecture, exposed steel beams, raw concrete floors. Your HQ should intimidate complacency out of visitors.
• UNIFORM OF INTENT: One signature look—black merino tee, 5-inch shorts, Vibram soles. Utility realizes beauty.
• SOUNDTRACK OF CONQUEST: Curate music that spikes dopamine + adrenaline. No passive playlists; sonic steroids only.

6. SPIRITUAL SOVEREIGNTY—LIVE SO THAT GOD TAKES NOTES

• MEMENTO MORTALITY? NO. ‍REMEMBRANCE OF UNBORN LEGACIES. Act for great-grandchildren you’ll never meet.
• BUILD TEMPLES, NOT TEMP JOBS: Gym = cathedral, blog = scripture, Bitcoin node = altar.
• RITUAL OF GRATITUDE-THROUGH-ACTION: Each sunrise ask, “Who can I empower today?” Then do it before breakfast. Generosity multiplies reach and recruits allies.

7. COSMIC OKR (OBJECTIVES & KEY RESULTS) FRAMEWORK

Domain	50-Year Objective	12-Month KR	Weekly Micro-Action
Body	Perform a 1-ton deadlift at age 70	Add +100 kg to DL	Two heavy posterior-chain sessions + physio check-in
Mind	Open-source encyclopedia authored by you	Publish 1,000 atomic essays	20 essays every Saturday sprint
Wallet	Net worth > 10,000 BTC, zero fiat dependence	Acquire additional 200 BTC	Daily auto-DCA; quarterly strategic loan
Tribe	Found a city-state of 100,000 sovereigns	Secure first 1 km² of land	Weekly scouting & legal filings
Cosmos	Launch user-owned Mars DAO colony	Draft whitepaper + recruit 50 core devs	Host Sunday AMA with aerospace hackers

(Review every Sunday. If progress < 1 % per week, re-engineer system—never the goal.)

8. EXECUTION COMMANDS—NO MOTIVATION NEEDED

1. DELETE “TRY.” Replace with build, lift, deploy, acquire, publish.
2. TIME-BLOCK LIKE A WARLORD: 90-minute deep-work raids, 15-minute tactical resets. Sleep before mind dulls.
3. ZERO-INFO-DIET AFTER NOON: Mute news feeds; only creative output or high-signal research past midday.
4. PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY SCOREBOARD: Post weekly metrics on an open Notion page. Transparency terrorizes laziness.

ULTIMATE CLARION CALL

You already mastered gains. Now forge destiny. Aim not to improve life but to rewrite the human narrative: stronger bodies, sovereign money, open-source minds, city-states orbiting Jupiter.

Stand tall, grip the cosmic barbell, and HEAVE.

The universe doesn’t hand out permission slips—it hands out mass. LIFT IT.

Bitcoin is like our beskar armor? 

How to quantify games?

I love this walk !

America is all about unlimited gains?

Family health

To think, get your ass outside!

Living untethered, unfettered? 

Powering a new aesthetic?

Far Vision

Investing, investing in the future… For the future? 

Vision: improving your vision, for your vision?

Live somewhere which actually allows you to practice long-distance vision?

How to improve your vision as a photographer

First, just turn off your phone, keep it in your backpack or something. I think it is a wise idea to have a standalone camera, a standalone digital camera in order to see better, to see further:

Second, I have a funny theory, I wonder if actually… Vision and sound were interlinked? Which means, if you were to see better, to improve your vision, improve your hearing? But that then means is take out your headphones, throw your AirPods into the trash.

Actually upon deeply considering and thinking it, AirPods are almost useless. A better solution I found is to simply use earplugs on a long flight, as they never run out of batteries, and our lighter… It helps you think better, and if you want to listen to music or interview, just blasted on your iPhone or iPad, full speaker. Do you like those hood ratchet people, it’s fine. Nobody cares. Everyone else already has headphones on anyways, and as a consequence, even if you blast music they won’t hear you.

Sun exposure

How to maximize your exposure to the sun,

A Down T-shirt?

True innovation is cheaper? Cost savings efficiency is innovation…

First principles… Try to think deeply about the real material costs? Without the markup?

Facade ,,, face ?

I hate markup !

Just count in bitcoins:

The ultimate flex is obviously your body. You flex your real life muscles more is the ultimate flex?

Also… Maybe the way we can think things

Peak power?

More innovative solutions?

Degeneracy or growth?

Greater marketing copy?

Don’t think features, think benefits

Not different enough?

.

What do you do once nothing is sufficiently good enough?

GOD MUSIC?

If nothing is good enough… Perhaps I just gotta build it myself?

Why is it all so same same?

.

TURN IT UP!

Don’t overthink it?

Grok sucks?

Bitcoin in May 2025: Riding the Wave of Chaos and Opportunity
By Eric Kim, Street Photographer and Crypto Dreamer

Yo, what’s good? It’s your boy Eric Kim, back at it, but this time I’m not just chasing the perfect street shot—I’m diving headfirst into the wild, unpredictable world of Bitcoin. As of May 5, 2025, the crypto scene is buzzing like a Tokyo street at rush hour, and Bitcoin’s at the center of it all, sitting pretty at $94,363. But don’t let that number fool you—this market’s a living, breathing beast, and it’s got stories to tell. Let’s break it down, Kim-style, with some raw energy and no filter.

The Price Game: Bitcoin’s Dancing Near the Edge

Right now, Bitcoin’s chilling at $94,363, down 1.67% in the last 24 hours, according to the folks at Crypto News. It’s like catching a subject in your frame just as they turn away—close, but not quite there. The market’s teasing us, hovering near resistance zones, with funding rates flipping positive, which is like the crowd hyping up before a street performer nails the finale. Everyone’s waiting for Bitcoin to smash through its all-time high of $109,135 from earlier this year. Will it? Man, I don’t have a crystal ball, but the vibe’s electric, and the Fear & Greed Index at 64 (Greed) is screaming, “Something’s about to pop!”

This ain’t just about numbers, though. Bitcoin’s price is a story of human emotion—fear, hope, and straight-up FOMO. It’s like photographing a protest: you feel the tension, the push and pull, and you know something big’s brewing. The market cap’s at $1.89 trillion, part of a $3.05 trillion crypto universe, and Bitcoin’s holding a 65.91% dominance. That’s like being the loudest voice in a crowded street market—Bitcoin’s still king.

Big Players Stepping Up: Brown University and Wall Street Get It

Here’s where it gets juicy. The suits are catching on. Brown University just dropped $4.9 million into BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust, per Crypto News. An Ivy League school betting on Bitcoin? That’s like a monk trading his robes for a leather jacket—unexpected, but dope. And Wall Street? They’re not just nodding along; they’re hyping up Strategy’s aggressive Bitcoin buys like it’s the next big art drop. This ain’t some underground crypto rave anymore; the mainstream’s crashing the party.

For me, this is like when street photography went from zines to Instagram. The purists might cry “sellout,” but the energy’s undeniable. Institutional money means stability, maybe even legitimacy, but it also raises the stakes. Are we still the rebels, or are we playing someone else’s game? That’s the question I’m chewing on as I watch these big players move in.

Trade Wars and Tariffs: Bitcoin as the Wild Card

Now, let’s talk global chaos, because Bitcoin thrives in it. The U.S.-China trade war is heating up, with 145% tariffs on Chinese goods and talk of cuts “within weeks,” according to a Trump adviser on Crypto News. This is geopolitical street theater, and Bitcoin’s the guy in the crowd nobody’s watching but who’s about to steal the show. Some say it’s a hedge against the dollar’s wobbles; others think it’s just noise. Me? I see Bitcoin as the ultimate outsider art—untamed, unbothered by borders or bureaucrats.

These trade talks matter because they shake up markets. If tariffs drop, global trade could breathe easier, maybe boosting crypto sentiment. If they don’t, Bitcoin might shine as a safe haven. It’s like shooting in a storm—you don’t know what you’ll get, but the shots are always raw and real.

Tech Vibes: Layer 2 and the Future of Bitcoin

Tech’s where Bitcoin gets its edge. The Stacks co-founder’s out here saying layer 2 solutions are gonna drive the next wave of adoption, per Crypto News. Think of it like upgrading your camera gear—suddenly, you can shoot faster, sharper, and in crazier conditions. Layer 2 could make Bitcoin transactions smoother, cheaper, maybe even mainstream. It’s not just tech talk; it’s about making Bitcoin usable, like a Polaroid you can actually share.

But let’s keep it 100—tech’s only as good as the people using it. If layer 2 delivers, we might see Bitcoin in coffee shops, not just crypto exchanges. If it flops, well, we’re still early in the game. Either way, I’m hyped to see where this goes, like waiting for a fresh print to develop.

Stocks and Sentiment: The Bigger Picture

Here’s a curveball: the stock market’s killing it, with the S&P 500 on a winning streak, says Crypto News. Why’s that matter? Because when stocks recover, crypto often catches the vibe. It’s like a street festival—when the music’s good, everyone dances. A strong jobs report’s easing recession fears, and that’s got investors feeling bold. Bitcoin’s riding this wave, but it’s not just following the crowd—it’s got its own rhythm.

This is where I get philosophical. Bitcoin’s not just a coin; it’s a mindset. It’s about betting on chaos, on freedom, on something bigger than Wall Street or Washington. When stocks dip, Bitcoin might dip too, but it’s got a soul that keeps it moving forward. That’s why I’m in this, not just for the gains, but for the story.

The Eric Kim Take: Keep Shooting, Keep HODLing

So, what’s the deal with Bitcoin in May 2025? It’s a street scene in flux—crowded, chaotic, and full of potential. The price is teasing us, institutions are jumping in, trade wars are shaking things up, tech’s evolving, and the market’s got that pre-storm energy. As a street photographer, I’d say this is the moment to keep your camera ready, because the shot’s coming.

For me, Bitcoin’s like chasing the perfect frame. You don’t always know what you’re gonna get, but you trust your gut and keep shooting. My advice? Stay curious, stay bold, and don’t sleep on this moment. Whether you’re HODLing or just watching, Bitcoin’s telling a story, and it’s one worth capturing.

Peace out,
Eric Kim

Key Citations

• Bitcoin price faces resistance as funding rates flip positive
• Brown University invests 4.9m in BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF
• Trump adviser hints China tariffs could drop within weeks as Bitcoin rallies
• Strategy’s aggressive Bitcoin purchases get green light from Wall Street analysts
• U.S. vs China How Bitcoin factors into the trade wars
• Stacks co-founder believes layer 2 will drive adoption for 2nd phase of Bitcoin
• Stocks continue to recover from Liberation Day selloffs S&P 500 on track for major winning streak
• Bitcoin current price and market data
• Latest Crypto and Bitcoin News

we are all waiting for bitcoin to break $109,000

Key Points

• Research suggests Bitcoin’s price is around $94,363, down 1.67% in 24 hours, with potential to surpass its $109,135 all-time high.
• It seems likely institutional interest is growing, with Brown University investing $4.9 million in a Bitcoin ETF and Wall Street backing aggressive purchases.
• The evidence leans toward global trade policies, like potential U.S. tariff reductions on China, impacting Bitcoin, amid U.S.-China trade war discussions.
• Technological advancements, such as layer 2 solutions, may drive Bitcoin adoption, while stock market recoveries could positively affect crypto sentiment.

Bitcoin Price and Market Trends

Bitcoin’s current price stands at approximately $94,363, reflecting a 24-hour decrease of 1.67%. Despite this dip, funding rates are increasingly positive, suggesting potential for growth as the market approaches resistance zones. There’s also anticipation among investors for Bitcoin to surpass its record high of $109,135 set earlier this year, driven by recent market dynamics.

Institutional and Academic Interest

Institutional interest in Bitcoin appears to be on the rise, with notable investments like Brown University’s $4.9 million stake in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (Crypto News). Additionally, Wall Street analysts are endorsing aggressive Bitcoin purchase strategies, indicating growing confidence from financial sectors.

Global Economic Influences

Global trade policies are influencing Bitcoin, particularly with discussions around potential U.S. tariff reductions on China within weeks, which could affect global trade and, indirectly, cryptocurrency markets (Crypto News). There’s also ongoing debate about Bitcoin’s role in U.S.-China trade wars, highlighting its potential as a hedge against traditional financial systems.

Technological and Market Developments

Technological advancements, such as layer 2 solutions, are expected to enhance Bitcoin’s adoption, potentially improving scalability and usability (Crypto News). Meanwhile, the recovery of stocks, with the S&P 500 on a winning streak, may positively influence crypto market sentiment, creating a favorable environment for Bitcoin.

Detailed Economic Survey Note

The cryptocurrency landscape as of May 5, 2025, reflects a dynamic period for Bitcoin, driven by price movements, institutional investments, global economic policies, technological advancements, and market sentiment. This note provides a comprehensive overview, expanding on key trends and indicators to offer a detailed analysis for stakeholders.

Price and Market Performance: Current Status and Outlook

Bitcoin’s current price is reported at $94,363.00, with a 24-hour change of -1.67163%, as per recent data from Crypto News. This price point reflects a slight downturn, but the market is approaching major resistance zones, with funding rates flipping increasingly positive, an indication that long exposure is building up. This suggests potential for upward movement, especially as crypto enthusiasts await Bitcoin to surpass its record high of $109,135 set earlier this year, as noted by Yahoo Finance Crypto Topic. The Fear & Greed Index, currently at 64 (Greed), further indicates a bullish sentiment, though volatility remains a concern given the market’s historical fluctuations.

Institutional and Academic Investments: Growing Confidence

Institutional interest in Bitcoin is evidently strengthening, with Brown University revealing a new $4.9 million investment in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust, as reported by Crypto News. This move underscores academic institutions’ growing engagement with cryptocurrencies. Additionally, Strategy’s aggressive Bitcoin purchases have received endorsements from Wall Street analysts, signaling a shift toward greater acceptance and integration of Bitcoin into traditional financial strategies, as highlighted in Crypto News. These developments suggest a maturing market, though debates persist about the long-term implications for market stability and regulatory oversight.

Global Economic and Trade Policies: Impact on Bitcoin

Global economic policies, particularly trade relations, are influencing Bitcoin’s trajectory. A Trump adviser has hinted that the U.S. could reduce its current 145% tariff rate on China “within a few weeks,” potentially easing trade tensions and impacting global markets, including cryptocurrencies (Crypto News). This news coincides with discussions on Bitcoin’s role in U.S.-China trade dynamics, with some viewing it as a hedge against traditional financial systems amid geopolitical uncertainties (Crypto News). The interplay between trade policies and cryptocurrency markets remains a contentious area, with potential for both opportunities and risks depending on policy outcomes.

Technological Developments: Enhancing Adoption

Technological advancements are poised to drive Bitcoin’s adoption, particularly through layer 2 solutions. The co-founder of Stacks believes these solutions will facilitate the second phase of Bitcoin adoption, enhancing scalability and usability, as noted in Crypto News. This development could address long-standing challenges like transaction speeds and costs, potentially broadening Bitcoin’s appeal. However, the effectiveness of these solutions and their adoption rate are still under evaluation, with ongoing debates about technical feasibility and market readiness.

Market Sentiment and Recovery: Broader Market Influences

The broader financial market’s recovery is also impacting Bitcoin, with stocks continuing to recover from recent selloffs, and the S&P 500 on track for a major winning streak, as reported in Crypto News. This recovery, driven by a strong jobs report easing recession fears, could positively influence crypto market sentiment, creating a favorable environment for Bitcoin. The interconnectedness of traditional and crypto markets highlights the importance of macroeconomic factors, though the extent of this influence remains a subject of analysis and debate.

Summary Table: Key Bitcoin Indicators

To organize the data, the following table summarizes critical metrics for Bitcoin as of May 5, 2025:

Indicator	Value	24h Change	Notes
Price	$94,363.00	-1.67163%	Approaching resistance zones
Market Cap	$1.89T	–	Part of global crypto market cap $3.05T
24h Volume	$14.90B	–	Reflects trading activity
BTC Dominance	65.91%	–	Strong market position
Fear & Greed Index	64 (Greed)	–	Indicates bullish sentiment

This table encapsulates the quantitative backdrop, highlighting Bitcoin’s current market position and sentiment.

In conclusion, the Bitcoin news as of May 5, 2025, underscores a pivotal moment of transition, with price movements, institutional investments, global policy shifts, technological advancements, and market recoveries shaping the outlook. Stakeholders must navigate these complexities, balancing short-term impacts with long-term strategies, amidst a landscape marked by uncertainty and opportunity.

Key Citations

• Bitcoin price faces resistance as funding rates flip positive
• Brown University invests 4.9m in BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF
• Trump adviser hints China tariffs could drop within weeks as Bitcoin rallies
• Strategy’s aggressive Bitcoin purchases get green light from Wall Street analysts
• U.S. vs China How Bitcoin factors into the trade wars
• Stacks co-founder believes layer 2 will drive adoption for 2nd phase of Bitcoin
• Stocks continue to recover from Liberation Day selloffs S&P 500 on track for major winning streak
• Bitcoin current price and market data
• Latest Crypto and Bitcoin News

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Key Points

• Research suggests the US-China trade war is escalating, with high tariffs impacting global growth and inflation.
• It seems likely the US economy shrank in Q1 2025, with low consumer sentiment and recession risks.
• The evidence leans toward global growth holding steady at 2.7% for 2025-2026, despite trade policy uncertainties.
• Policy changes like tariffs and deportations may significantly affect economic outcomes, with ongoing debates.

Current Economic Landscape

The global economy is navigating complex challenges, particularly driven by trade tensions and policy shifts. The US-China trade war is a major concern, with tariffs potentially costing households and reducing GDP, while the US economy shows signs of contraction. Globally, growth is expected to remain stable, but risks are high due to geopolitical tensions and climate events.

US Economic Indicators

Recent data indicates the US economy contracted by 0.3% in the first quarter, with consumer sentiment at its lowest since 2022 and inflation expectations rising to 6.5%. The labor market shows slowing hiring rates, adding to recession fears, as highlighted by the IMF’s increased probability to 40%.

Global Outlook and Risks

Despite steady global growth forecasts, emerging markets are seeking regional solutions to tariff impacts. Regions like Latin America and South Asia are expected to grow, but risks from trade policies and geopolitical tensions remain significant, with potential inflation and supply chain disruptions.

Detailed Economic Survey Note

The economic landscape as of May 5, 2025, reflects a period of significant uncertainty and transformation, driven by trade policies, domestic economic performance, and global growth dynamics. This note provides a comprehensive overview, expanding on key trends and indicators to offer a detailed analysis for stakeholders.

Trade Tensions and Tariffs: A Global Economic Flashpoint

The US-China trade war continues to dominate economic headlines, with the US imposing high tariffs on Chinese goods, including a proposed 10% tariff on all Chinese imports and 25% on imports from Mexico and Canada. Research from the Yale Budget Lab estimates the effective US tariff rate at 27%, the highest since 1903, potentially boosting price levels by 2.9% and causing a household loss of $4,900 (Yale Budget Lab Research). This escalation has led to retaliatory measures, with China increasing tariffs on US goods to 125% and restricting rare earth exports, given China’s dominance in 61% of global mining and 91% of refining. The IMF has revised global growth downward to 2.8% from 3.3%, citing policy uncertainty and trade tensions, with the US growth forecast slashed to 1.8% from 2.7% (IMF World Economic Outlook). The Washington Post reports these tariffs could reduce US GDP by 1.7% and cost households $3,000, with inflation potentially rising to 3.9% from 2.5% (Washington Post Tariffs Impact). This controversy underscores the debate over protectionism versus global trade, with significant implications for inflation and consumer costs.

US Economic Performance: Signs of Contraction and Uncertainty

The US economy contracted by 0.3% in the first quarter, as reported by CNBC, attributed to uncertainty from Trump’s policies (CNBC Economic News). The Beige Book from April shows mixed growth, with slight increases in five districts and declines in four, reflecting uncertainty due to tariffs (Federal Reserve Beige Book). Consumer sentiment has dipped for the fourth month, reaching 52.2, down 32.4% year-over-year, the lowest since 1982, with expected inflation at 6.5%, up from 5% in March and the highest since October 1981 (University of Michigan Sentiment Index). The PMI composite fell to a 16-month low, with services worsening and manufacturing slightly improving, output at a 1.0% annualized rate, and prices rising fastest in 13 months for goods (S&P Global PMI). Labor market data shows hiring rates averaging 3.4% since July 2024, comparable to slow-recovery periods, with layoffs at 1.1%, consistent with 2024 averages (US Treasury Statement). These indicators suggest a cooling economy, with recession risks heightened, as the IMF notes a 40% probability, up from 25% (World Economic Forum Finance News).

Global Economic Outlook: Steady Growth Amid Risks

The World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects forecasts global growth at 2.7% for 2025-2026, holding steady despite challenges (World Bank Global Prospects). Regional variations are notable, with East Asia and Pacific projected to slow to 4.6% in 2025 and 4.1% in 2026, driven by China’s growth at 4.5% in 2025 and 4.0% in 2026, down from 4.9% in 2024 (Deloitte Insights Global Outlook). Latin America and the Caribbean are expected to increase from 2.2% in 2024 to 2.5% in 2025-2026, while South Asia, led by India, is forecasted at 6.2%, and Sub-Saharan Africa at 4.2% (World Bank Regional Growth). However, risks are tilted downward, centering on adverse trade shifts, escalating geopolitical tensions, higher inflation, and climate-related natural disasters. Emerging markets, accounting for 45% of global GDP (up from 25% in 2000), face headwinds from protectionism and climate disasters, with low-income countries (LICs) estimated at 3.6% growth in 2024, forecasted to average 5.8% in 2025-2026, but struggling with extreme poverty and debt (World Bank LIC Growth).

Policy Changes: Potential Impacts and Debates

Potential US policy changes under the Trump administration are poised to reshape economic outcomes. Tariffs, as discussed, are a major driver, but deportations of undocumented migrants could lose 1.5 million construction workers (14% of the labor force), hurting sectors like hospitality and agriculture, increasing housing, food, and service costs, and putting downward pressure on growth while pushing inflation upward (American Immigration Council Research). The 2017 tax cuts, set to expire by end-2025, are likely to be extended, with proposed cuts on tips, overtime, and Social Security benefits, potentially adding $4.6 trillion to the federal deficit, with the wealthiest ($450,000+) reaping nearly half the benefits (Tax Policy Center Analysis). These policies are controversial, with debates over economic equity, deficit impacts, and sector-specific effects, reflecting the complexity of balancing growth and fiscal responsibility.

Financial Markets and Inflation Dynamics

Financial markets have reacted to these developments, with equity prices falling after Federal Reserve Chair Powell’s April 16 speech, the ECB cutting rates to 2.25% (lowest in over two years), and the US dollar at its lowest since March 2022, with the Japanese yen strongest since September 2024 (Federal Reserve Speech, ECB Rate Cut). Currency volatility is at its highest since the March 2023 bank collapse, with the 10-year US bond yield at 4.48% from 3.93%, the dollar at 1.13 euros, and 143.7 yen per dollar (Financial Times Currency Volatility). Inflation dynamics show Japan’s rice prices up 92.1% in March, core consumer prices up 3.6% year-over-year, above the Bank of Japan’s 2% target (Nikkei Japan Inflation), while China’s Q1 GDP grew 5.4%, with retail sales up 5.9% and industrial production up 7.7% (Financial Times China Growth). These trends highlight the interconnected nature of global finance and inflation pressures.

Summary Table: Key Economic Indicators

To organize the data, the following table summarizes critical metrics:

Region/Indicator	2025 Forecast	2024 Comparison	Notes
Global Growth	2.7%	–	Steady, despite risks
US Growth	1.8%	2.7% (prior forecast)	Down due to trade tensions
China Growth	4.5%	4.9%	Slowing, impacted by tariffs
Eurozone Growth	0.8%	1.0% (prior)	Germany at 0% growth
Inflation (US, expected)	6.5% (12-month)	5% (March 2025)	Highest since 1981
US Tariff Rate (effective)	27%	–	Highest since 1903, per Yale Budget Lab

This table encapsulates the quantitative backdrop, highlighting the shifts and pressures across key economies.

In conclusion, the economic news as of May 5, 2025, underscores a pivotal moment of transition, with trade policies, domestic contraction, and global growth dynamics shaping the outlook. Stakeholders must navigate these complexities, balancing short-term impacts with long-term strategies, amidst a landscape marked by uncertainty and opportunity.

Key Citations

• Global Weekly Economic Update Deloitte Insights
• The 2025 economy 5 things to watch Washington Post
• Global Economic Prospects World Bank
• Fiscal and Economic Effects Revised April 9 Tariffs Yale Budget Lab
• World Economic Outlook April 2025 IMF
• Tariffs Inflation Consumers Gas Food Car Prices Washington Post
• Federal Reserve Beige Book April 2025
• University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index
• S&P Global PMI Press Release April 2025
• Economy Statement Treasury Borrowing Advisory Committee US Treasury
• Global Economic Outlook 2025 Deloitte Insights
• IMF Raises US Recession Risk and Other Finance News World Economic Forum
• Mass Deportation Economic Impacts American Immigration Council
• What Will Happen President Elect Trumps Tax Policy Agenda Tax Policy Center
• Federal Reserve Chair Powell Speech April 16 2025
• ECB Press Release Rate Cut April 2025
• Financial Times Currency Volatility and Market Reactions
• Nikkei Japan Record Rice Price Inflation
• Financial Times China Q1 GDP Growth 2025
• CNBC Economy News Updates May 2025

Below is an article written in the voice of Eric Kim, a hypothetical persona inspired by a reflective, philosophical, and bold writer who combines personal insights with broader societal commentary. The article captures Warren Buffett’s recent commentary on America, currency, and change, as requested, while channeling Kim’s distinctive style—introspective, direct, and infused with a zest for questioning the status quo.

Warren Buffett’s Last Dance: America, the Dollar, and the Winds of Change
By Eric Kim

Yo, let’s talk about Warren Buffett. The Oracle of Omaha. The 94-year-old legend who’s been slinging wisdom like a street philosopher with a billion-dollar portfolio. At Berkshire Hathaway’s 60th annual shareholder meeting on May 3, 2025, Buffett dropped some truth bombs that hit like a freight train. He’s stepping down as CEO at the end of the year, cashing out stocks like it’s a fire sale, and sounding alarms about America’s path—its isolationism, its dollar, its future. This ain’t just finance talk. This is about the soul of a nation, the fragility of money, and the courage to face change head-on. Let’s unpack it, my friends, with the raw clarity of a sunrise over the Nebraska plains.

America: The Dream We’re Risking

Buffett loves America. He calls it “the best place in the world to be,” a land where dreams compound like a well-chosen stock. Born in the U.S., he says, was his luckiest day. I feel that. There’s something electric about this country—its hustle, its audacity, its ability to reinvent. But Buffett’s got a warning: we’re playing a dangerous game with isolationism. “It’s not wise,” he said. “We’ve won already. Why risk it?”

He’s talking about tariffs, trade wars, and this chest-thumping vibe that’s got us alienating allies. The U.S. slapped 145% tariffs on Chinese goods; China fired back with 125%. Buffett calls tariffs “an act of war.” Harsh? Maybe. But think about it: when you weaponize trade, you’re not just jacking up prices—you’re fracturing the global web that keeps us prosperous. He’s out here pleading for open markets, saying, “The more prosperous the rest of the world becomes, it won’t be at our expense—the more prosperous we’ll become, and the safer we’ll feel.”

This hits me deep. I walk the streets, camera in hand, capturing life’s raw moments, and I see the same truth: we’re all connected. A vendor in Seoul, a coder in Omaha, a poet in Lagos—we’re threads in the same tapestry. Buffett’s worried we’re pulling those threads apart, especially with nuclear weapons in the mix. “In a country with nuclear weapons, and some of them unstable,” he said, “I don’t think it’s a great idea for some countries to say ‘we won’ and others feeling envious.” Damn. That’s not just economics—that’s existential. Are we building bridges or burning them?

The Dollar: A Currency on Thin Ice

Now, let’s talk money. Not the kind you stack, but the kind you trust. Buffett’s got serious side-eye for the U.S. dollar right now. He called Washington’s fiscal policies “alarming,” saying the government’s acting like it wants to tank the dollar. “We would not really invest in a currency that is going to ‘hell’,” he said. Oof. That’s the kind of line that makes you stop scrolling and rethink your life.

Berkshire’s been cozying up to the Japanese yen and eyeing other currencies. Why? Because Buffett sees the writing on the wall. The dollar’s been king forever, but kings fall when they get cocky. “There could be… things happen in the United States that… make us want to own a lot of other currencies,” he mused. Maybe it’s Europe next, where he’s open to big investments financed in local currencies. This isn’t just a hedge—it’s a signal. The man who built a fortune on American grit is questioning the bedrock of its financial system.

I get it. Money’s just a story we agree to believe. I’ve traded street photos for coffee, bartered stories for rides—it’s all currency until the trust breaks. Buffett’s saying the dollar’s story might be fraying, and that’s a wake-up call. Are we ready to diversify our bets, not just in portfolios but in how we live, create, and connect?

Change: The Only Constant

Here’s where it gets real. Buffett’s not just talking markets—he’s living change. Berkshire’s been dumping stocks for 10 quarters straight, $134 billion worth in 2024 alone. Apple, Bank of America—big names, big cuts. His cash pile’s at $347 billion, a fortress for stormy days. He’s bracing for turbulence, and when Buffett braces, you listen. Trade wars, tariffs, uncertainty—it’s messing with his ability to predict, and he’s not here for it. “Trade should not be a weapon,” he said, frustrated by the chaos.

Then there’s the big one: Buffett’s retiring as CEO at the end of 2025. At 94, he’s passing the torch to Greg Abel. This isn’t just a corporate shuffle—it’s the end of an era. The guy who turned Berkshire into a juggernaut is stepping back, trusting his legacy to new hands. That takes guts. Change isn’t just coming; it’s here, and Buffett’s meeting it with the same clarity he’s always had.

I respect that. Change is the ultimate street photographer’s muse. Every day, the light shifts, the faces evolve, the story rewrites itself. I’ve walked away from gigs, cities, even versions of myself to chase what’s next. Buffett’s doing the same, in his way—stockpiling cash, rethinking currencies, and stepping aside. He’s not clinging to the past; he’s preparing for the future.

What’s the Move?

So, where does this leave us? Buffett’s commentary is a mirror. America’s at a crossroads—do we double down on division or lean into connection? The dollar’s wobbling—do we blind ourselves with faith or diversify our trust? Change is barreling toward us—are we gripping the old or embracing the new?

For me, it’s about staying open. I’ll keep shooting photos, telling stories, and questioning everything. Buffett’s out here, 94 years young, still teaching us to see the world clearly—not through rose-colored glasses, but through the sharp lens of reality. He’s betting on America, but not blindly. He’s guarding his wealth, but not fearfully. He’s stepping down, but not fading away.

Let’s take a page from his book. Love your country, but hold it accountable. Trust your money, but don’t worship it. Welcome change, because it’s the only way to grow. As I walk these streets, camera swinging, I’m reminded: the world’s always shifting, but the ones who thrive are the ones who adapt. Buffett’s doing it. Will you?

Eric Kim is a street photographer, writer, and philosopher who finds truth in the chaos of everyday life. Follow his journey on the streets and in the soul.

Notes on the Voice

• Eric Kim’s Style: The article adopts a bold, conversational tone with a mix of philosophical musings and streetwise grit, inspired by a persona who might blend the raw energy of a street photographer with the reflective depth of a cultural commentator. It uses first-person anecdotes to ground the analysis, vivid imagery to evoke emotion, and direct questions to engage the reader.
• Content Accuracy: The article faithfully reflects Buffett’s commentary as provided in the sources, including his views on America’s isolationism, the U.S. dollar’s stability, and economic changes like stock sales and his retirement. All quotes and data (e.g., $134 billion in stock sales, $347 billion cash pile, 145% tariffs) are drawn from the cited sources.
• Structure: The piece is organized into sections (America, Dollar, Change) for clarity, with a reflective conclusion that ties Buffett’s insights to broader life lessons, aligning with Kim’s introspective style.

If you’d like adjustments to the tone, length, or specific details, let me know!

Key Points

• Warren Buffett recently expressed optimism about the U.S. economy but raised concerns about isolationism and trade policies.
• He warned about the long-term stability of the U.S. dollar, suggesting potential diversification into other currencies.
• Buffett highlighted economic changes, including selling stocks and preparing for macroeconomic turbulence, while announcing his retirement as CEO.

America

Warren Buffett has shown a strong belief in the American economy, calling it “the best place in the world to be” and noting opportunities for investment. However, he has criticized America’s isolationist stance, stating, “It’s not wise. We’ve won already. Why risk it?” He also warned about the dangers of a divided global order, especially with nuclear weapons, and emphasized that global prosperity benefits the U.S., saying, “The more prosperous the rest of the world becomes, it won’t be at our expense – the more prosperous we’ll become, and the safer we’ll feel.” Additionally, he opposed tariffs, calling them “a big mistake” and “an act of war,” particularly in the context of recent U.S.-China trade tensions, such as the U.S. imposing 145% tariffs on Chinese goods and China retaliating with 125% levies.

Currency

Buffett has expressed significant concerns about the U.S. dollar’s future, describing Washington’s fiscal policies as “alarming” and suggesting government actions seem designed to weaken it. He stated, “We would not really invest in a currency that is going to ‘hell’,” indicating a loss of confidence in the dollar as a global currency. As a strategic move, Berkshire Hathaway has increased exposure to the Japanese yen and is considering diversifying into other currencies, especially if significant investments are made in countries like those in Europe. He mentioned, “There could be… things happen in the United States that… make us want to own a lot of other currencies.”

Change

Buffett has highlighted economic changes, noting Berkshire Hathaway sold stocks for 10 straight quarters, dumping $134 billion worth in 2024, including trimming holdings in Apple and Bank of America, with a current cash pile of $347 billion, bracing for macroeconomic turbulence. He also announced his retirement as CEO at the end of 2025, with Greg Abel set to take over, marking a significant leadership change. He expressed frustration with trade war uncertainty, which impacts business predictions, and criticized protectionist trade policies, urging against antagonizing allies.

Comprehensive Analysis of Warren Buffett’s Recent Commentary

This section provides a detailed examination of Warren Buffett’s recent statements on America, currency, and change, drawing from multiple sources to ensure a thorough understanding. His commentary, primarily from Berkshire Hathaway’s 60th annual shareholder meeting on May 3, 2025, reflects his views on economic and geopolitical landscapes, offering insights into his strategic decisions and concerns.

Commentary on America

Buffett’s optimism for the American economy remains strong, as evidenced by his statement, “This is the best place in the world to be and [we] see opportunities to invest” (India Today). He praised the U.S., noting, “The luckiest day in the world is the day I was born. I was born in the United States” (NPR), underscoring his belief in its economic potential. However, he has expressed concerns about America’s isolationist policies, stating, “It’s not wise. We’ve won already. Why risk it?” (Business Today). This reflects his view that isolationism could jeopardize global cooperation.

He also warned about the risks of a divided global order, particularly with nuclear weapons, saying, “In a country with nuclear weapons, and some of them unstable, I don’t think it’s a great idea for some countries to say ‘we won’ and others feeling envious” (India Today). Buffett emphasized the benefits of open markets, noting, “I do think that the more prosperous the rest of the world becomes, it won’t be at our expense – the more prosperous we’ll become, and the safer we’ll feel, and your children will feel someday” (NPR), framing global prosperity as a national security issue.

His opposition to tariffs is notable, with statements like “Trade should not be a weapon” and “Trade and tariffs can be an act of war” (India Today). This stance is contextualized by recent U.S.-China trade tensions, where the U.S. imposed 145% tariffs on Chinese goods, and China retaliated with 125% levies (India Today), with the White House pausing most tariff increases for 90 days, except for China (India Today). Buffett urged avoiding antagonizing allies, stating, “It’s a big mistake, in my view, when you have seven and a half billion people that don’t like you very well, and you got 300 million that are crowing in some way about how well they’ve done – I don’t think it’s right, and I don’t think it’s wise” (India Today).

Commentary on Currency

Buffett’s concerns about the U.S. dollar are significant, with him describing Washington’s fiscal policies as “alarming” and suggesting government behavior seems designed to weaken the dollar (Business Today). He expressed a loss of confidence, stating, “It’s not wise,” and noted, “We would not really invest in a currency that is going to ‘hell’” (Business Today), highlighting the risks when governments act irresponsibly, calling a currency’s value “a scary thing.”

As a strategic response, Berkshire Hathaway has increased exposure to the Japanese yen, acknowledging the dollar’s global dominance but looking elsewhere due to concerns (Business Today). He also indicated potential diversification, stating, “There could be… things happen in the United States that… make us want to own a lot of other currencies” (India Today), and suggested that significant investments in a European country could prompt financing in foreign currencies, saying, “I suppose if we made some very large investment [in a] European country… there might be a situation where we would do a lot of financing in their currency” (India Today).

Commentary on Change

Buffett’s commentary on change includes significant strategic and personal shifts. Berkshire Hathaway has been selling stocks for 10 straight quarters, dumping $134 billion worth in 2024, including trimming its massive Apple and Bank of America holdings, with its cash pile now at $347 billion, a record high, signaling preparation for macroeconomic turbulence (Business Today). This reflects his cautious approach amid economic uncertainty.

He also announced his retirement as CEO at the end of 2025, with Vice Chairman Greg Abel set to take over, marking a significant leadership change at age 94 (NPR, India Today). This transition was discussed during the shareholder meeting, highlighting continuity in leadership.

Buffett expressed frustration with trade war uncertainty, noting it impacts business predictions, as analyst Cathy Seifert from CFRA Research pointed out (NPR). He criticized protectionist trade policies, stating, “Trade should not be a weapon,” and “I think it’s led to bad things. Just the attitudes it’s brought out” (India Today), reinforcing his view on the negative impacts of tariffs.

Summary Table of Key Themes

To organize the detailed insights, the following table summarizes Buffett’s commentary:

Theme	Key Points
America	Optimistic about U.S. economy; criticizes isolationism and tariffs; emphasizes global prosperity.
Currency	Concerns about U.S. dollar stability; increased yen exposure; potential diversification.
Change	Stock sales and cash buildup; CEO retirement; frustration with trade war uncertainty.

This analysis draws from multiple sources, ensuring a comprehensive view of Buffett’s recent commentary as of May 5, 2025, reflecting his strategic and philosophical stance on economic and geopolitical issues.

Key Citations

• Warren Buffett article on Trade imbalance and US Dollar
• We wouldn’t bet on a currency going to hell Warren Buffett’s big warning on the U.S. dollar
• Warren Buffett bows out with stark dollar warning Currency going to hell
• Warren Buffett announces his retirement and warns the trade war will hurt America
• Warren Buffett Here’s How I Would Solve the Trade Problem Fortune
• Buffett’s quotes from Berkshire meeting Stepping aside as CEO trade opportunities United States Reuters
• Warren Buffett denies endorsing Trump’s tariffs—here’s what he’s said about them in the past
• Warren Buffett annual meeting preview Berkshire Hathaway
• US-China trade war deepens Trump’s new tariffs hit 145 per cent glbs
• Donald Trump China US tariff war pause 90 day India Canada
• Warren Buffett step down Berkshire CEO Greg Abel take over

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