So it’s the dead of summer in the year of our Lord 2019, and that means a snootful of hay fever and headaches, harassment from “bored” (boring) kids, and kvetching about bursting thermometers and lava-hot taints.

(I, for one, think the world might be a slightly better place if nobody complained about the weather. Ever.)

Despite the triple-digit temps, however, my merry band of marauders and I have been busy little buzzards.

PLEASE TO BEHOLD THE MANY THINGS HAPPENING.

Want to listen to more stuff like this? Check out my podcast!

I gallivanted around Italy.

Prior to this trip, it’d been . . . I don’t even know how long, actually . . . since I’d taken a bonafide, just-for-fun vacation.

#hustle #grind #boss #nodaysoff etc. etc.

A few months ago, however, vapid Instagram motivation conman #2353 said all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, and so I figured what the heck, why not cash in a few chips and indulge in some #wanderlust?

Off to Italy my family and I went . . .

Italy

Yes, those are 2- and 6-year-old kids. That we were taking on a 2-week trip to Italy. What could go wrong? It’s not like the little one’s nickname in Casa Matthews is “Rambo Romy” . . .

Anyway, our first stop was Portofino, a quaint and quiet coastal town with an idyllic charm and glamorous pedigree . . .

Italy 2

Italy 3

Italy 4

Even better, my little scamps didn’t transform into jet-lagged terrors and were actually quite relaxed. 

Rambo had her moments of mischief, but I was envisioning something along the lines of a truckful of chainsaw-wielding juggalos, so bumper cars felt easy.

Next up was Venice, which had been described to me by a number of friends as basically the urinal of Italy—crowded, dirty, smelly, and the like.

I suppose my low expectations paid off handsomely because I wasn’t disappointed in the slightest.

Yes, Venice was crowded, but not strikingly dirty or smelly, and the combination of the canals, architecture, and atmosphere made it captivating in a way unlike any other city I’ve been to.

It felt like I’d stepped into an amusement park or movie set meant to transport you back to the 1500s.

Here are a few shots . . .

Italy 5

Italy 4

Italy 7

Florence was our next destination, and this time, high expectations worked against me.

I’m a bit of a history wonk so as Florence was the heart of the Renaissance and now is home to some of Europe’s most precious architecture and art, I couldn’t help but thrill at this stretch of our itinerary.

Florence was indeed beautiful and the Uffizi was indeed glorious, for whatever reason, the city just didn’t rev my engine.

It felt like a less enchanting, Italian version of Paris.

Anyway, some highlights . . .

Italy 8

Italy 9

Italy 10

Last but not least was a couple more nights in the sleepy haven of Portofino, where I could watch a couple hundred million dollars in yachts come and go every day and humbly reflect on how much of a peasant I truly am.

Evidence:

Italy 11

Italy 12

Italy 13

THE END.

The launch of BLS & TLS 3.0 kicked ass.

As you almost certainly know, I recently released new-and-improved third editions of my flagship books for men and women, Bigger Leaner Stronger and Thinner Leaner Stronger.

BLS TLS

And it went well. Really well. This well . . .

BLS TLS 3.0 Launch Results

IT FEELS GOOD MAN.

And even better is the feedback rolling in from readers, and particularly those who read the previous editions and are downright impressed by the quality of the new material.

Oh and speaking of the launch, we’ve also chosen and contacted the giveaway winners, including our grand prize winner Jon Cecil, who’s going to be flown out to DC to meet up with me and my team!

Congrats Jon, and I look forward to meeting you soon!

Want to know how to use science to optimize your health, fitness, and lifestyle?

Our Scientific Advisory Board member Dr. Eric Helms just released a course to teach you what most people will never know about how to understand and evaluate scientific research.

In it, you’re going to learn how to find, read, and use scientific studies to improve your diet, training, and life in general, and also how to protect yourself against misguided, misleading, and even menacing advice supposedly supported by research.

This course can’t deliver the depth of understanding provided by a formal education, of course, but it can help you learn how to separate fake science from real science, and accordingly, fake gurus from credible experts.

Click here to learn more:

https://www.holisticperformance.institute/courses/research-for-practitioners

My first live event.

One of the most common requests I get these days is to start doing live events.

And so I’m going to start doing live events.

See how life works? ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE.

Even better, I’m kicking off with a bang by teaming up with my fitness besties over at Mind Pump Media for an afternoon of ruckus and tomfoolery.

So if you want to meet me and them (mostly me, natch), then plan on being in San Jose on September 27th, 2019.

More details to come soon!

P.S. Did you notice our spiffy new REWARDS PROGRAM launched a week or so ago!?

Here’s how it works: 

You buy stuff in our store, you get points, you redeem points for discounts, you rejoice.

Click here to learn more:

https://legionathletics.com/rewards/

P.P.S. Want some help building your best body ever? Here are three ways I can assist today:

Read one of my bestselling books for men and women

Check out my VIP one-on-one coaching service

Add a couple of my science-based supplements to your regimen

And if none of that tickles your neurons, you might like all the simple, practical, and evidence-based teachings over at my blog, podcast, and Instagram.

Thanks again for all of your support, and if you’re half as excited for everything we have in store as I am, share this article on Facebook, Twitter, or wherever your favorite online hangout is!