“The truth is often hidden in the shadows.” - George R. R. Martin

IBS: The Mind-Blowing Truth About Why Men Can't Escape, Staying Trapped For Decades. And how knowing this can catapult results in life and sports.

As Simon pulled his dark blue Mercedes into one of the last remaining parking slots at the local leisure centre, it was heaving and the sun was beating down.

All this made him worry about his symptoms kicking in and wrecking his competition like it had a thousand times before.

What would it be this time he thought — stomach pains or diving into a bush or behind a wall to explode onto the grass?

Thoughts of the other men laughing at him and sniggering as they run past again. He was sure they did this. Not to be mean but from a lack of understanding and wanting to win.

And the dread of coming over the finish line last and having to look his children in the eyes and come up with more excuses as to why their dad, their superhero couldn’t shake off the kryptonite, again.

Or, his wife Fiona sympathising and saying, 'at least you tried sweetheart’ … AGAIN!

Or, Having to wriggle out of conversations at work on Monday about how the run went, and his position.

Or, that repeated feeling of not being enough and failing.

But this time would be different.

This time he was prepared 💪

The kryptonite had been removed.

Armed with new knowledge and skills that Simon had never had in previous years and running events.

Could this be his unfair ADVANTAGE?

Would he be able to be like a caped crusader for his little ones?

He stepped out of his car on the smooth tarmac into the gorgeous warm sky and grabbed his running vest filled with a small amount of water, energy gel and tissues (just in case).

The spare underwear, towel and clothes would stay in the car this time and not carried on his back in an emergency rucksack.

Today was a big day for Simon...

A 10km race for charity, raising money for Cancer UK, something that was dear to his heart due to the loss of his father some years earlier.

He also wanted to come in the top 10. He hadn't achieved since he was in his mid-20s because of IBS pulling him back like a dead weight shackled to his ankles.

And now being 37, it seemed like a lifetime ago.

After checking in and forming up at the starting line, Simon felt overwhelmed by the turn-out. A huge crowd had gathered and a hundred runners. Many of whom Simon had run alongside before.

Many familiar faces chuckled and smiled, and a few made mild jokes as he got ready to set off. But their laughter stopped. And smirking faces turned to shock and awe when he started to run.

…

Now before we find out about Simon's 10km running event and his ‘unfair advantage’, we first need to explore what had been keeping him trapped with IBS symptoms and not achieving the success or results in sports or life for over 12 years.

What was the invisible wall that prevented Simon from overcoming IBS and living an amazing life all those years?

The same wall that goes unseen and is like a hidden secret that nobody else talks about?

You see like Simon, there are countless other hard-working and ambitious men that no matter how much they try. Or how much effort they apply towards managing their symptoms, they always wind up in more of a muddle.

Even the ones that get some relief and make little headway, never really achieve MASTERY over their IBS. And IBS masters them.

Is it any wonder why common knowledge is that of failures, nothing really working long term and IBS Mastery being nothing more than a mythological story?

Well, like the old belief of the earth being flat, the good news is that IBS Mastery is possible and takes far less time and effort than the Greek philosophers convincing us the world was a sphere (- it took centuries!!)

But first, we have to roll up our sleeves and debunk this so-called common belief and blow it out of the water. Because with this knowledge you’re going to be shown exactly where the wall is, and better still how to get through it.

No more being the average man with IBS treading water and sinking in quicksand. It’s time to lay back, spread those limbs and move slowly to the surface.

Before we dive in and rip the lid off this, I must warn you. It takes an open mind, courage and willingness to be open to a new, more empowering way of thinking.

The best way to explain this phenomenon is what I like to call ‘method hopping’, which is similar to shiny object syndrome only not as exciting.

There are 5 Phases of method hopping, which are:

1. Uninformed optimism.

2. Informed pessimism.

3. Valley of despair.

4. Informed optimism.

5. Achievement.

See below:

With this in mind, let's rewind the clock on Simon’s life and go back those 12 years after he’d been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and was looking for answers and ways to manage his symptoms and try to live a normal life.

And in doing this you will see how unknowingly, Simon was method hopping and in a vicious cycle for over a decade.

Phase 1 Uniformed Optimism

Uninformed optimism is the tendency to be positive about something without having enough information to support that positivity.

It can be seen as a form of cognitive bias, where people tend to focus on the positive aspects of a situation and ignore or downplay the negative aspects.

Uninformed optimism is a huge problem in IBS management because it can lead people to believe they can manage their symptoms without making any changes to their lifestyle or diet.

This can lead to people neglecting their symptoms and making their condition worse.

Simon was optimistic about various treatments without considering their sources or scientific backing. Despite his intelligence and professional success, the scarcity of IBS guidance for men left him relying on unverified solutions, often from unqualified sources.

The lack of awareness around effective IBS management added to his challenges

So he would get overly optimistic about his ability to avoid triggers. Then would end up eating foods that he knew would trigger symptoms and was surprised when his symptoms flared up.

Sounds counterintuitive but when you’re in pain, lost with what to do, times get desperate.

So at phase 1, we’re sparked with interest and enthusiasm to try something different to ease and control IBS symptoms.

Moving from phase 1 to 2 could take a few days, weeks or sometimes months, depending on the method or things being tried.

Phase 2 Informed Pessimism

Informed pessimism is a mindset that acknowledges the potential for negative outcomes, while also being prepared to work towards positive results.

It is a realistic approach that's based on a deeper understanding of the things we’re trying to achieve.

In IBS, informed pessimism brings about different perspectives such as:

• Being aware of the potential for failure. It’s important to be realistic about the fact that not all IBS remedies will work for everyone.

• Some remedies may be more effective than others, and some remedies may have side effects that outweigh the benefits. And few can be extremely dangerous to your health.

• A realisation of the difficulty or complexity of certain methods. In the early days, Simon tried finding out his triggers and removing them from his meals to reduce symptoms.

He even recorded everything in his IBS Journal. Food, drink, sleep, mood etc. But without having guidance and support his progress was hampered.

Many people now start to appreciate the patience required for results to show. We all love stories of overnight success and fantasise over a magic pill to cure IBS, but the reality is the polar opposite.

Hard work, commitment and determination are required. Along with a solid foundation and system that works.

Back when Simon was trying things, he remembers becoming increasingly frustrated and upset and his patience wearing thin and would often quit one remedy or method and bounce to a different one.

Or, he would mix things together which is not advisable and could cause severe harm long term.

Simon recalls dabbling with the gluten free diet and cutting out dairy and caffeine but still suffered from unpredictable gut issues... Only to find out later that none of these were an issue at all.

At some point during this phase, it’s easy to get overwhelmed, annoyed and lost with what to do. And people end up in the valley of despair...

Phase 3 The Valley of Despair

This is the location where you’re in the thick of it and can’t work it out and hit that invisible wall. The gates of real progress are sealed shut like Fort Knox.

A few things happen in the valley of despair, many folk just quit altogether. Some carry on doing what’s not working, but most people tend to hop back to phase 1 and start all over again.

It can end up being like ‘an escalating commitment to a failing course of action’ as psychologist Adam Grant once wrote.

Back to Google or AI for another diet,

Asking for advice in Facebook groups,

More over-the-counter meds,

Another breath test, stool sample, food intolerance test.

And you end up back on the hamster wheel again, running whilst spinning plates. Back to uniformed optimism, informed pessimism and in the valley of despair. And you never make it past phase 3.

And all of this whilst trying to raise a family, trying hard to focus at work and trying to be a better man.

It’s exhausting.

But it’s in step 3 where things start to happen. It’s here where focus, patience and a ruthless determination to succeed are mandatory.

You need the right system to make progress from here to phase 4.

If you’re seeking help from an unqualified IBS coach, or taking some random supplements for example, then getting over the wall will be like climbing to the summit of Mount Everest without the right training and no Sherpa.

Most people never make it past phase 3 and they keep repeating the cycle for YEARS.

Some a lifetime. They become like a prisoner in their own mind and is what inspired me to write the groundbreaking new book IBS INVERSION, which shows men a simple yet super powerful tool to identify hidden flaws keeping them stuck.

It’s tragic that hardworking and good men stay trapped for so long and cannot excel due to this circle of doom.

But the real tragedy is when men are given the keys to the vault and have it held open but decide to never step through to the other side.

It’s the same thing in relationships and business. People bouncing from one partner to another or as I heard entrepreneur Alex Hormozi discussing in his podcast The Game, about business owners spreading themselves too thin …

They never make it to 7 or 8 figures because they encounter problems and bounce. They never focus on the one thing and drive deep until they master that skill.

And not all men with IBS will either. Not everyone is cut out to have the courage or tenacity to be the master of their own ship.

…

Simon set off at a pace he’d not felt in a long time. The sun was set high now and beating down making it harder to breathe, the humidity was crazy.

And being surrounded by crowds of other runners only intensified it.

3km done, zero symptoms and a good pace. Little under 4-minute km and feeling good. Good enough to open it up, something Simon had dreamed about.

Time to start taking over some of the other men who had previously snubbed him and ran off into the distance. Payback!

7km and now charging forwards. Zipping past runners he had broken free from the main pack a short while ago and could feel a gentle breeze on his hot, sweaty skin.

A breeze that had been blocked before by the outer ranks. He was now picking off people slow and steady. Simon felt amazing. Fit, confidant and excited about the result.

As he approached the finish line, he could only see a few other men in front and could now hear the crowd of spectators cheering and clapping loudly.

He could have sworn he heard his little boy, George. This gave him a shot of adrenaline and was now sprinting. Hoping for a good result. One to make everyone proud and a nod towards all his hard work.

...

Phase 4 Informed Optimism

Informed optimism in IBS management is a mindset that combines a positive attitude with a realistic understanding of the challenges of living with IBS.

It's the belief that it is possible to manage IBS symptoms effectively and live a full and productive life, even in the face of adversity.

Informed optimists in IBS management recognise and accept that IBS is a chronic condition, but they do not let it define them.

They are proactive in managing their symptoms and they are committed to finding what works best for them.

They recognise the best and fastest way to get to phases 4 and 5, is by investing in a qualified and experienced professional like CharlieJeane, who specialises in IBS in men.

This is what Simon did after 12 years finally taking a leap of faith for himself and his family.

Phase 4 is where the transformation occurs. It could take as little as 2-3 weeks, or a few months to get IBS under full control and start feeling better. It could take slightly longer because IBS is complex and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. And some men react at varying levels.

But it doesn’t matter because informed optimists that have a tailored blueprint that works, can now set their sights on a new chapter. They are seeing and feeling progress each day and they start to believe and see new opportunities that were once wishful thinking.

Then it’s only a matter of time before they progress to step 5. ACHIEVEMENT.

Phase 5 Achievement

This is where men have what we call, IBS Mastery. They have a tailored plan bespoke to their specific needs and nutritional requirements. Like a Blueprint for them to achieve their outcomes.

Men who hang out in Phase 5 have better relationships, improved mental and physical health, greater resilience and increased motivation in life and business.

They have thrown the rock in the water and are now seeing the positive consequences of the ripple effect spreading into all areas of their life.

And the best part is with their unique IBS dossier, it becomes their SECRET WEAPON. Or in Simon’s case, his ‘unfair advantage’.

If you would like to discuss getting this, book a call.

…

Simon was blown away when he realised that he’d smashed the run in record time. Well for him anyway. Better still is he came in FOURTH place!!

4 out of 100 runners.

Not quite a podium position but what a result.

He felt like a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders as he grabbed his family and celebrated. Fiona was crying and little George looked up in admiration. ‘You did it Daddy’ he said.

The words from his 8-year-old son and tears of joy from his loving wife tipped him over the edge. Simon couldn’t hold back, tears of joy came flooding out.

As Simon stood there surrounded by tired and sweaty runners with their support groups and families. He felt the best in over a decade.

And the other men from his running club were now coming up to him and patting him on the back saying ‘Amazing effort Simon, how did you do it’?

This was a huge milestone for Simon and the best was yet to come. Because he was the one now in control. He had the power and skills to keep IBS away.

He came 4th on the run but 1st in the game against IBS.

Hopefully you can now understand why so many players of the IBS game keep spinning the roulette wheel and hoping to land a 7. It’s a 2.36% chance of success!

That’s a 97.64% failure rate!

Wouldn’t it be more appropriate to play a game with a much higher success rate? One that is heavily stacked on your side.

That’s what Simon did. He looked in the bathroom mirror one morning and decided he’d had enough. He was sick and tired of the worn out rinse-and-repeat lifestyle.

He didn’t choose to try another ‘old-outdated-strategy’

He made a decision to change the single most important thing …

HIMSELF.

He knew that it required a new way of thinking.

And with the right system, guidance and support, he cracked the code. Stepped through the door and to the other side.

To join the ranks of the elite.

And if you’re reading this far then it’s highly likely that you want to get similar results as Simon.

Perhaps you have similar goals as him. Maybe bigger ones. Or totally different, but ones that require IBS to sit back and keep quiet.

Maybe you don’t want any of this and are happy to sit things out a while longer. Another few years. And that’s completely your decision too.

Simon’s journey of success all started after he made the single best decision in years, to not wait another precious second.

He decided enough was enough and booked a call to discuss his situation and more importantly, how to escape for the long term.

You can have a similar conversation too, by scheduling a chat here.

Speak soon and hope to see you on the other side (- north of phase 5 ).

Wishing you every success, happiness and amazing health,

Glenn.

"The truth will set you free" (John 8:32)

P.S. I strongly encourage you take action right now. Because I know that life is super busy and family, work and friends all want your time and energy. But if you don’t prioritise YOU first and get your health out of quicksand, how long will it be until you’re unable to sort everyone else out?

To find out more about super charging your health and fitness and have your questions answered book a Complimentary Call.

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Perhaps you don’t need our help directly yet or you’re just seeing the lay of the land. And I get it, been there, done that too. Or you’re all good but want to get any questions answered and a have place to vent.

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