Acta Non Verba

Marcus Aurelius Anderson sits down with Ed Hinman, Marine infantry officer veteran, public figure protection specialist, historian, and author of The Barbarian in You. Ed shares how his time at the Naval Academy, deployments across Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Africa, and a pivotal reckoning with ego and identity led him to build a life around three core principles: vigor, wonder, and fellowship. Drawing on history, philosophy, and hard experience, Ed makes the case that living a full life is not about optimization — it's about reconnecting with the most primal, truest parts of yourself. The conversation weaves through the creative life, the craft of writing, the mentorship of Steven Pressfield, the wisdom of Montaigne, Emerson, and Marcus Aurelius, and the courage it takes to follow what resonates rather than what looks good on paper.

Episode Highlights:
1:54 - Ed and Marcus discuss the mentorship of Steven Pressfield and the discipline required to show up for the creative life
29:44 - Ed introduces his three-part philosophy of vigor, wonder, and fellowship as a framework rooted in how pre-civilized humans actually lived
49:23 - Ed recounts his Marine Corps career, the ego-driven disappointment of deployments that went nowhere, and how psychosomatic pain forced him to ask what he actually wanted
58:58 - Ed and Marcus explore the idea of listening to intuition over empirical evidence, following resonance rather than a prescribed path, and why the barbarian in you is the truest version of yourself

Ed Hinman served as an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps, graduating from the Naval Academy and deploying five times across Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Africa before earning a master's degree in history and building a career in public figure protection with Gavin de Becker's firm. He is the author of The Barbarian in You and the founder of the Barbarian in You blog, where he writes about history, strength, friendship, and the philosophy of living with vigor, wonder, and fellowship. Visit barbarianinyou.com to find Ed's book, blog, and writings. Follow him on Instagram at ed_hinman.

Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.
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On today’s episode Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu shares the journey of consistency and balance as a Muay Thai fighter. Listen in as Sylvie and I explore how she became passionate about the sport, the biggest challenges of living and recording a life-long legacy, and the intense regimen she uses to over adversity one fight at a time. Sylvie also shares how she found the beauty in Muay Thai, and insights into how she connects with her opponents.

Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu is an American Muay Thai fighter living, training, fighting, and documenting her legacy in Thailand. Currently Sylvie is working toward a world record with more than 471 professional fights.

You can watch her journey here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgFe05f-DrPpaunE4Gaz3cQ
Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Rayron Gracie, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and four-time world champion from the famous Gracie family, shares his life journey, discussing his influential family background, his love for writing, and the philosophy of living a life based on actions, not words. The conversation explores Rayron's experiences and insights gained from competing at a high level, the importance of selflessness, and his new initiative, Victory of Arts, which aims to help children find their true calling through different forms of art. They also discuss the profound impact of altruism, the value of gratitude in the face of adversity, and the lessons learned from martial arts and philosophy.

Episode Highlights:
01:55 The Silent Retreat Experience
06:50 The Legacy of Gracie Jiu Jitsu
18:45 The Art of Teaching and Competing
44:39 Embracing the Muse
46:21 The Reality of Selfishness in Pursuing Greatness
47:22 Balancing Selfishness and Contribution
55:26 The Birth of Victory of Arts
01:06:05 The Importance of Altruism
01:21:24 Recommended Reads for Personal Growth
01:49:33 Building Resilience and Gratitude
02:11:54 The Power of Helping Others

Rayron Gracie is a jiu-jitsu athlete and a member of the Gracie Family, arguably the most important family in the history of this martial art, belonging to the 4th generation of the clan’s production of outstanding combat sports competitors. Rayron was officially promoted to the black belt rank by his cousin, Kyra Gracie (June 2023), but also worked extensively with a number of the family’s legendary members such as Renzo, Rolles, Igor, Gregor, and Roger Gracie. Rayron Gracie first made waves in the sport while successfully competing on the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) circuit, particularly in the gi (kimono) ruleset.

You can learn more about Rayron here: https://www.rayrongracie.com/

Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Acta Non Verba, host Marcus Aurelius Anderson sits down with Sam Alaimo, former Navy SEAL, co-founder of ZeroEyes, writer, and host of the Nobel Podcast. Together, they explore the practical application of philosophy, the power of adversity, the transition from military to civilian life, and the importance of honest introspection. Sam shares his journey from the SEAL teams to entrepreneurship and writing, offering deep insights on leadership, resilience, and living a life of action.
Episode Highlights:
[8:58] The Power of Adversity and Stoicism
Sam and Marcus discuss how adversity shapes character, the role of stoicism, and the importance of honest self-reflection.
[29:32] Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life
Sam shares the challenges of leaving the SEAL teams, finding new purpose, and building a meaningful life after service.
[1:02:12] Leadership and Building ZeroEyes
Sam talks about founding ZeroEyes, tackling gun violence, and the importance of frontline leadership and mission-driven work.
Guest Bio & Contact Info
Sam Alaimo is a former Navy SEAL, co-founder of ZeroEyes—a company dedicated to preventing gun violence through AI-powered security solutions—writer of the "What Then" Substack, and host of the Nobel Podcast. After his military service, Sam transitioned into entrepreneurship and writing, focusing on philosophy, leadership, and resilience.
ZeroEyes: com
Substack: org
Podcast: Nobel Podcast
Find Sam: Google "Sam Alaimo What Then" or visit his Substack for more.
Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week I’m breaking down why those who want to be high performers find a coach. If you’ve ever considered hiring a coach or mentor to help you accomplish your goals, you won’t want to miss this episode. Listen in as I explore the most compelling reasons athletes and leaders keep coaches close, and how consistent coaching could impact the average person’s time and revenue potential.

Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.