You Need To Know This Post by John Mulry
39 Things You Should Know…
There’s Some Things You Should Know
First of all – this isn’t my first attempt at this – I had the guts of this post complete then me being a dumb ass (this is a common theme in this post btw) I somehow managed to click some trucking shortcut on my keyboard that brought me to a new page, erasing everything in the process. Woohoo right? WRONG!!
Anyways – this post will detail some things you may or may not of known about me – actually looking over it – thus far – I’ve had quite the messed up, exciting adventurous slightly disturbing life. I guess it’s all because of thing number 1. Now some of these things may offend you – I’m not holding back – if you get offended that’s fine – don’t judge until you’re willing to put everything on paper for the world to see… Regardless though I hope you enjoy reading this because I’ve enjoyed writing it (twice).
1. Born on Friday 13th
That’s right I’m a devil child. Good luck for me, bad luck for my parents. This might actually explain a lot.
2. Fondest/earliest memory & first evil moment
When I was 3 years old – I locked my mother out in the freezing rain and stood on a chair looking, smiling and waving out at her. A couple of hours later and near pneumonia my dad came home and let her in. Thankfully my mam is awesome so she got over it.
3. My Dad’s health (or lack there of) is the main reason Expect Success Fitness is what it is.
Growing up he was the biggest (6ft 6inches) strongest person I knew but sadly now he is a shell of himself because of the way he took his health for granted. I refuse to let that happen to me and others.
4. My mother is the coolest ever.
Yeah I know we all say that – but mine is – she’s a rock – she is so selfless and giving, never complains. She’s also tiny – 5 foot nothing. Best things come in small packages.
5. First run in with school teachers
When I was in third class – my teacher called my mother into school urgently to discuss ‘my problem’. My teacher was very worried about me because I was more interested in drawing dinosaurs than reading. In my defence dinosaurs were way cooler than reading back then.
6. My first workout
My first proper workout was actually with a harpoon. Yeah I know a f*ckin harpoon. (Maybe that’s why I love free weights so much). I got it off my dad – spray painted it silver then I used to work out with it as a kid. I think I’ll put together a special harpoon workout.
7. I have an BA Honours Degree in Mathematics & Economics & A MSc in Finance & Business
Yup before the inception of Expect Success Fitness – I was heading down a different path professionally and personally. Thankfully a number of things changed that. One of those things was South America.
8. I was a fashion model.
I was a model in a fashion show for Cancer Care West. Did training on how to walk, got the full body spray tan done then strutted my stuff in casual, trendy and formal wear all for charity. Looked damn cool too.
9. I volunteered and travelled in South America for 11 months
This changed my life – literally – these 11 months reshaped me into the person I am today. A lot of things happened in those 11 months – which will be detailed in a special bonus section below with some of the best snippets.
10. I love dogs.
Dogs are my favourite animals – they are just the coolest animals around. They love you unconditionally (unlike cats) and will always be by your side. My dog Oscar aka Chopper, aka Stinker (who is actually sitting staring at me while I write this) is a little legend – even if he did send me to the emergency room to get surgery on my face once (totally my fault).
11. I lived in San Diego for four months
Summer of 2007 I lived in San Diego on Mission Beach – partied pretty much every night, with weekly visits to Tijuana. Came back to Ireland looking more Mexican than Irish.
12. Love reading personal development/business/marketing books.
Favourite book is by far “The Go Giver” by Bob Burg and John David Mann. It should be in every curriculum from school to university. It’s the best business, personal development and marketing book you’ll ever read – all in 128 pages. If you haven’t read it you’re doing yourself, your clients, your business, a dis-service.
13. I used to have a very frightening reliance on alcohol
I used to drink a lot (a helluva lot) – had tonnes of run-ins because of it and had way too many blackouts and mishaps because of it. I still drink occasionally today but not nearly as often and in a much more controlled way.
14. I LOVE Cheat days
I love the science behind them, I love designing programs incorporating them but most of all I just love them – my motto is “You Can Get the Body You Want, While Eating What You Want”. Whoever says you can’t is only setting you up for self sabotage – restriction is not sustainable. I’m known for my epic cheat days!!
15. I always knew I’d run my own business.
I think my first entrepreneurial flair came when I stole some holly from a neighbour and then sold it around to the houses on my street at christmas. I’ve also been fired from a lot of jobs and just don’t like not been in control of how I do things. Sometimes I need a big kick in the ass to get going but I’m getting better.
16. I’ve skydived on the border of San Diego and Mexico.
What an adrenaline rush – got the whole thing on DVD then sat on it and snapped it in two – duh!!
17. I created and sold a roulette system on eBay.
Yup sold a good few copies then packed it in – honestly wasn’t sustainable and leads to a slippy slope. Was one of my many first failed attempts at working for myself.
18. I love finding out how things work
I just have a curiosity on how things work and if something doesn’t work I like finding out ways to make it work.
19. I enjoy experimenting with online and offline marketing techniques.
I love tweaking proven marketing techniques and systems for my own business and seeing how they play out – some work some don’t. I enjoy the experimentation aspect tough. I also have a man crush on Dan Kennedy – the guy is a champ.
20. Helping others makes me happy.
You might call me selfish but I help others because it makes me happy – it’s nice that they benefit to but I like being happy and want more of that happy feeling so I’ll continue helping others.
21. I hate machines.
Okay – well hate is a pretty strong word but I much prefer free weights, barbells and dumbbells and pull up bar – and away we go. You don’t need 6000 different machines that work everything in isolation – nonsense.
22. I can speak Spanish
From my time in South America I actually got pretty decent at it (eventually) – unfortunately I’ve forgotten a truck load but occasionally I’ll get some questions asked to me in Spanish and it’s kinda cool to answer them back.
23. I can’t drive.
Yeah I know – weird right? Well in my defence – I cycle everywhere and have always used public transport when needed. It’s on my list of things to do and I plan on getting that sorted in January 2013.
24. Manchester United are my team.
Admittedly – I’ve lost touch a good bit with keeping up to date with everything that’s going on in the world of football but I’m a red devil through and through. I’ve sang happy birthday to Rooney (was a bit drunk) and don’t think he was too impressed
25. 2 Weird Superstitions
I’m not a superstitious person by any stretch of the imagination but I always put my keys into my left pocket and if I see a magpie I’ll always salute it. Weirdo I am.
South America Special Bonus Section
This section is a little bonus section of some of the things that happened in South America. It was a very eventful 11 months to say the least. I could write a book (maybe I should) but here’s a quick look at some of the highlights and lowlights…
26. Lived with an Ecuadorian Family and ate ‘dog’s bollocks’.
Okay it only looked like dog’s bollocks but it was very strange and tasted awful. Living with ‘Mama’ was amazing – she made us do our homework every evening and didn’t give out to me when I arrived home one night, raided her fridge and ate the next days dinner. I still hear her call ‘Chicos, chicos’.
27. Climbed a volcano and got stranded.
One day after Spanish school we decided we’d climb the volcano overlooking Quito – we didn’t realise how quickly it gets dark though. No equipment, no food, water and only a keyring torch we had to climb down from practically the top of Pinchincha volcano in complete darkness. Sliding down the side of a volcano in the dark is fun and frightening.
28. Got robbed and was left with essentially nothing.
While travelling to Pisco in Peru to volunteer my backpack was stolen and I was left with my wallet, passport and camera. Everything else was taken. I had just bought a laptop too. It turned out to be one of the best things to happen though as I encountered so much kindness from others who donated so much to me.
29. Fell in love with the people and town of Pisco.
Was meant to stay two weeks – ended up staying 12 (the first time). The people, the town, the other volunteers have helped shape me into the person I am – I’ll forever be grateful to that little town of Pisco.
30. Swam with sharks and had surgery on the same day.
While on the paradise islands of the Galapagos islands we went swimming with sharks (savage btw) but me being a dumb ass I slashed my arm on the coral leaving a gaping hole in my arm – had to swim a few hundred metres with blood pouring out of me and all types of marine life (turtles, seals, fish and god knows what else) staring at me no doubt thinking “why you leaking all over the place?”. Got picked up by a local then and was brought for surgery with two ‘doctors’ who had me in stitches (both literally and figuratively). Was told no alcohol, pork (wtf?) and not to go in the water for 2 weeks. All of which I did the next day – cue an infection and an extra week on the islands – totally worth it.
31. Volunteered in the Ecuadorian Jungle
4 weeks in the jungle with some crazy animals, crazier people, no electricity but lots of fun was fantastic. Tamarind watch was funny as hell. There was a wild tamarind that was a bit of a hooker and she’d be frolicking with our tamarinds. I also discovered the best mosquito repellent known to man – rum and lots of it.
32. Had Ayahuasca in the jungle (twice).
If you don’t know what it is here’s a quick definition from wiki:
People who have consumed ayahuasca report having massive spiritual revelations regarding their purpose on earth, the true nature of the universe as well as deep insight as how to be the best person they possibly can.[2] This is viewed by many as a spiritual awakening and what’s often described as arebirth.[3] In addition it is often reported that individuals can gain access to higher spiritual dimensions and make contact with various spiritual or extra dimensional beings who can act as guides or healers.[4] It’s nearly always said that people experience profound positive changes in their life subsequent to consuming ayahuasca[5] and it is often viewed as one of the most effective tools of enlightenment.[6] However, during an ayahuasca experience, people sometimes report nausea, diarrhea, and cold flashes. Additionally, vomiting almost always follows ayahuasca ingestion; this purging is considered by many shamans and experienced users of ayahuasca to be an essential part of the experience as it represents the release of negative energy and emotions built up over the course of one’s life.There are many reports of miraculous physical as well as emotional and spiritual healing resulting from the use of ayahuasca
I can say without a doubt – I experienced all of that and then some. I most certainly wasn’t the same after it that’s for sure. I often think about it and wonder was it the turning point.
33. Swam with piranhas.
They don’t attack you – they do however taste delicious as we had to catch our dinner and we ate them little buggers.
34. Ate chicken feet soup, and lots of other ‘stuff’
Multiple times actually and after the initial what the f*ck moment – it’s pretty delicious. Crocodile, piranha, all types of gloop, boiled banana and god knows what else.
35. Walked with Dinosaurs
This is actually one of the biggest secrets of South America – you can actually get into footprints of actual dinosaurs from god knows how many millions of years ago. For someone who loves them it was one of the highlights of Bolivia. Also got to see and hold actual fossils of dinosaurs too. Truly incredible
36. Discovered a big pile of quinoa
Quinoa is getting pretty popular over here but it’s a staple of the diet in South America – I was eating it for ages without even knowing what the heck it was. It’s a big pile of awesomeness – get eating that stuff now.
The next few things actually happened in the space of about 5 days…
37. Thrown in Jail in Rio de Janeiro
Got arrested, thrown in jail and got the shit kicked out of us for something we didn’t even do. Was put on the phone to a fake Irish embassy member and then got hammered to death then again. The local police were as corrupt as you get – was then threatened with deportation and was brought to the federal police (who thankfully were not corrupt). They realised what happened and sorted everything out but we were told we did have to leave Brazil in 6 days or less.
38. Got kidnapped in Rio de Janeiro
Well kinda – the world cup was on and we were on Coco cabana beach watching Germany play Spain – we met some Brazilians and went back to their place. We didn’t realise they lived in the poverty-stricken favellas of Rio. They didn’t want us to leave then and even brought us toothbrushes so we’d stay and party with their families. We eventually got away by promising them we’d come back. We didn’t.
39. Got rescued by helicopter.
Yup – while jumping about in the water on the beach in Rio – I was swept out by some sudden waves and couldn’t get back in (I’m a shite swimmer) – a surfer came over (that’s how far out I was swept) gave me his surf board while I waited for the lifeguards. They came but the waves were so strong they couldn’t bring me in. So out further we went away from the waves – around 40 minutes later the helicopter came and scooped me out with a massive net like a big fish. I was dropped on the beach in front of a gathering of a couple hundred onlookers. Actually haven’t been in the water since.
That was the last straw – after that we hopped on a bus for a 48 hour bus journey to Buenos Aires…
So there ya go 39 things you may or may not have known about me. I know I’m leaving a good few things out but we can always get to them again. Now I’d like you to leave a comment below telling me just ONE thing about you that’s a bit odd, strange of just plain funny… Get to it.
Sharing is The name Of The Game
One final thing – if you enjoyed this article and got something from it – do your friends, family and co-workers a favour and share it with them – like my Facebook Page – over in the right hand column (plenty more inspirational pictures & quotes and fitness goings on there)
I’m all about helping as many people break through the fitness, exercise & nutritional nonsense out there.
And if you especially thought it was top-notch stuff – leave a comment – my ego thanks you 
There’s a lot more too
until next time…