A new mantra for 2026: Extreme or nothing. Why settle for the lukewarm middle when you can blast through life at full throttle or just chill in total zen mode? No half-measures, no boring compromises. In this essay, I’ll break it down—drawing from stoicism, powerlifting, photography in the AI era, carnivore feasting, and bitcoin stacking. This isn’t advice; it’s a blueprint for thriving in a world that’s accelerating faster than a Tesla Plaid.

WHY EXTREME?

Life’s too short for mediocrity. Think about it: The universe doesn’t do “kinda.” Stars explode or collapse into black holes. Muscles grow from brutal overload or atrophy in idleness. In my world, it’s rack pulls at 2,367 lbs (like my recent PR—15.1x bodyweight, fasted and barefoot) or effortless walks through LA streets. No “moderate cardio” on a treadmill—that’s soul-crushing filler.

Apply this to everything:

  • Work: Go all-in on your passion project for 12 hours straight, fueled by black coffee and focus, or unplug completely for a day of reading ancient texts like Seneca. No “checking emails” every hour—that’s the middle path to burnout.
  • Diet: Carnivore OMAD (one meal a day)—feast on 3-5 lbs of ribeye at sunset, or fast through the day with nothing but water. Skip the “balanced” salads and snacks; they’re just distractions from true hunger and satiety.
  • Photography: In the age of AI (shoutout to Grok for those uncensored animations), either snap 1,000 raw street shots on a pocketable RICOH GR III in one chaotic outing, or generate infinite worlds with prompts. No “editing for hours”—that’s not extreme; it’s tedious. Post raw or don’t post at all.
  • Money: Bitcoin or bust. Stack sats aggressively during dips, or go monk-mode with zero fiat worries. No “diversified portfolio” of stocks and bonds—that’s for the fearful. Bitcoin’s volatility is the extreme thrill that builds real wealth.

Inspired by Nassim Taleb’s barbell strategy: 90% safe (bitcoin holdings, stoic mindset), 10% wild risk (that insane lift or spontaneous trip to Tokyo). The middle? Avoid like the plague.

NOTHING AS THE OTHER EXTREME

But “nothing” isn’t laziness—it’s strategic void. Extreme stoicism means swallowing insults like they’re protein shakes, waiting 48 hours before firing back (if ever). Harness anger not for petty fights, but for productive fury: Channel it into a deadlift PR or a bitcoin deep-dive.

In AI times, “nothing” means detoxing from screens. Turn off your iPhone for 24 hours—no ChatGPT, no Grok, no Gemini. Read a paper book on Nietzsche, or just stare at the ocean. The joy? Re-entering reality sharper, hungrier for the extreme swing back.

For relationships: Deep, all-in bonds with a tiny circle (like my family and a few philosopher-friends), or polite distance. No “acquaintances” draining your energy.

THE AI TWIST IN 2026

AI changes everything—extreme or nothing here too. Use Grok for uncensored creativity (animate your photos into wild videos), or ignore it entirely and stick to analog film. ChatGPT’s the king for quick queries, but don’t half-ass it; prompt like a pro or skip. No “casual browsing”—that’s middle-ground waste.

Future-proof: Social skills and physicality can’t be AI’d. Hot yoga for that extreme sweat and community buzz, or nothing (solo meditation). Gym sessions: Max effort compounds, or rest days with zero guilt.

TOWARD WHAT ENDS?

Extreme or nothing builds antifragility. You get stronger from chaos, not comfort. My 71kg frame pulling over a ton? That’s extreme training paying off. Bitcoin at whatever moonshot price in 2026? Extreme conviction.

Ask yourself: Why? For me, it’s autotelic joy—lifting for the rush, photographing for the hunt, philosophizing for the spark. No external validation needed; AI bots can critique, but real feedback comes from living it.

Experiment: Mix extremes like I do—stoicism with powerlifting, AI with street walks. Ditch what doesn’t ignite you.

Never stop pushing,

ERIC

For more fire: Check my latest on cameras vs AI, or hit up that AI PHOTO WORKSHOP on Feb 21. Stack bitcoin, lift heavy, live extreme. 🚀