Author: erickim

  • Why the outdoors feels like a natural power‑up

    Below are the main, measurable reasons your body’s “battery‑level” jumps the moment you step outside.  Each factor nudges hormones, the autonomic nervous system, or cellular metabolism in a direction your brain interprets as “I’ve got energy to burn!”

    1. Daylight = high‑octane light for your brain

    • 10–100× more illuminance. Mid‑day sunlight regularly tops 10,000 lux; a well‑lit office is ~500 lux. The intense blue‑enriched spectrum bombards the melanopsin cells in your retina, telling the suprachiasmatic nucleus that it’s game‑time, not nap‑time.
    • Hormonal cascade. Bright outdoor light shuts off residual melatonin, spikes morning cortisol (the healthy “get‑up‑and‑go” pulse), and raises daytime dopamine and serotonin—all of which translate into alertness and drive.
    • Circadian tune‑up. Consistent outdoor light anchors your internal clock, so downstream organs time metabolism, temperature and cognitive arousal more efficiently over the next 24 h.   

    2. Fresher air & lower CO₂ keep neurons firing

    Indoor air routinely creeps past 1,000 ppm CO₂; poorly ventilated spaces hit 2,500 ppm.  At those levels people report sleepiness, slower reaction times and headaches. Outdoor air hovers near the global baseline (~420 ppm), delivering more oxygen per breath and flushing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and indoor pollutants from your lungs and bloodstream.  

    3. Incidental movement turbo‑charges circulation

    Whether you’re ambling down a trail or just crossing a parking lot, the outdoor context automatically bumps step‑count, posture changes and heart‑rate compared with staying inside. Even light activity releases norepinephrine, raises core temperature slightly, and boosts brain‑derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)—all biochemical signals of “vitality.”  Recent experiments show identical workouts yield bigger cognitive gains and higher heart‑rates when done outside rather than indoors, despite covering less distance.  

    4. Nature’s molecular cocktail (green space “pharmacy”)

    • Phytoncides & plant aerosols emitted by trees act as mild immune and nervous‑system modulators, lowering cortisol and elevating the POMS “vigor” score after as little as 15 min of forest exposure.
    • Fractal visual patterns & wide panoramas reduce mental fatigue and restore directed attention networks, freeing up cognitive resources that feel like fresh energy.
    • Lower sympathetic load. Repeated studies of forest walking show drops in heart‑rate and blood pressure yet rises in subjective vitality—an autonomic “reset” that leaves you ready to act.   

    5. A pinch of “good stress” from the elements

    Outdoor environments aren’t held at the unchanging 72 °F/22 °C of climate‑controlled buildings.

    • Mild cool breeze or bright sun produces tiny, time‑limited sympathetic bursts that release adrenaline and free fatty‑acids, sharpening alertness.
    • Research on deliberate cold exposure (think outdoor swims or winter walks) shows 2–5× spikes in dopamine and noradrenaline lasting hours—energy chemicals in their purest form.   

    6. Negative air ions top‑up mood circuits

    Natural settings (waterfalls, beaches, mountain forests) carry higher concentrations of negative air ions. While the literature is mixed, multiple reviews note improvements in serotonin regulation, lower inflammation markers and higher subjective energy after ion‑rich air exposure.  

    The big picture

    These elements add up rather than compete:

    1. Light resets the clock.
    2. Clean air fuels neurons efficiently.
    3. Movement and thermal variety spark catecholamines.
    4. Green‑space chemistry calms stress yet boosts vigor.

    When all channels fire at once, mitochondrial output, cardiovascular delivery and cortical activation synergize—and you feel the surge.

    Quick, hype‑filled takeaways ⚡️

    Outdoor micro‑habitEnergy bump you’ll notice
    10 min sun‑break before noonFaster wake‑up, brighter mood all day
    Walk your meetingSharper focus & ideas flow
    Lunchtime under a treePost‑lunch crash shrinks
    Evening park strollSmooth transition to restful sleep (because bright light exposure happened earlier)

    So when your internal battery icon flashes red, step outside—Mother Nature flips it back to green in minutes.  Gear up, breathe deep, and let the outdoors super‑charge your physiology! 🌞 🏃‍♀️🌲

  • Below is a battle‑tested, hype‑filled playbook that shows an American citizen—yes you—exactly how to turn the dream of a Trans‑Asia Bitcoin‑treasury vehicle into hard, compliant reality. Follow the steps in sequence; each one is an actionable checkpoint that pulls U.S. requirements and Asian licences into a single, investable roadmap. None of this is legal or tax advice—use it to brief your counsel and auditors.

    Lightning‑round snapshot

    You will (1) anchor a U.S. parent, (2) satisfy FinCEN/IRS/OFAC right away, (3) stand up a Singapore digital‑payment‑token hub, (4) bolt on licensed arms in Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea, and (5) run a rock‑solid treasury policy that can pass a Big Four audit. Nail this order and you’re free to accumulate Bitcoin with institutional‑grade governance—while keeping Uncle Sam and Asian regulators off your back.

    1  |  Secure your U.S. compliance launchpad

    1.1 Choose (and disclose) your U.S. holding company

    ActionWhy it mattersSource
    Form a Delaware C‑Corp or LLC as the global parentU.S. investors understand it; simplifies future SEC filings
    File Beneficial‑Ownership Information with FinCEN within 30 days of formationCorporate Transparency Act applies from 1 Jan 2024 and penalties hit USD 10 k+

    1.2 Master the “perpetual tax resident” rules

    • FBAR (FinCEN Form 114): report any foreign accounts once they collectively exceed USD 10 000 in a calendar year  .
    • FATCA (IRS Form 8938): disclose foreign financial assets over USD 50 000  .
    • Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC): stock you own in the Singapore/HK/JP/KR subs will trigger Form 5471 and possible GILTI inclusions—plan for quarterly estimates  .

    1.3 Register (or avoid) a U.S. Money‑Services Business

    • If the U.S. parent moves customer Bitcoin—or even stablecoins—FinCEN will treat it as an MSB; registration + full AML program required under FinCEN’s 2019 CVC guidance  .
    • If only the Singapore arm transmits crypto, keep the U.S. entity “non‑operating” to remain outside the MSB perimeter, but document this in board minutes.

    1.4 Lock in sanctions & AML hygiene

    • OFAC’s 2022 Tornado Cash designation shows zero tolerance for facilitating mixer transactions—build real‑time wallet‑screening and block sanctioned addresses from day 1  .

    2  |  Build the Trans‑Asia entity stack

    2.1 Singapore hub – 

    where the Bitcoin sits

    StepKey rule
    Incorporate SG Pte Ltd (wholly owned by the U.S. parent)
    Apply for a Major Payment Institution (Digital‑Payment‑Token) licence under the Payment Services ActRequires > SGD 250 k base capital, 98 % cold‑storage segregation, annual cyber audit 
    Enjoy 0 % GST on buying/selling Bitcoin (exempt supply since 1 Jan 2020) 

    2.2 Hong Kong arm – capital‑markets gateway

    • Obtain Type 1 & 7 licences via the SFC’s 2023 Virtual‑Asset‑Trading‑Platform Guidelines (fit‑and‑proper managers, ≥ HKD 5 m paid‑up capital, 98 % cold storage)  .

    2.3 Japan node – deep liquidity & the travel rule

    • Register as a Crypto‑Asset Exchange Service Provider with the FSA; publish quarterly audits and meet the 2024 travel‑rule notification mandate  .

    2.4 Korea satellite – retail demand rocket

    • Comply with the Virtual Asset User Protection Act in force since 19 Jul 2024 (segregated deposits, insurance, unfair‑trading bans)  .

    3  |  Wire the treasury, risk & custody stack

    PillarImplementationSource
    Cold storageMulti‑sig quorum split across Singapore/HK vaults plus a board‑level key shard
    InsuranceLeverage the Gemini/Nakamoto Ltd model—USD 200 m coverage benchmark for cold assets 
    HedgingUse CME Bitcoin futures (USD‑cash settled, ticker BTC) for liquidity & downside cover 
    Sanctions/AML techChain‑analysis & wallet‑screening baked into all Asian subs
    Board‑approved policyTarget range e.g. 40 % BTC / 60 % fiat; automatic re‑balancing triggers

    4  |  Account, report, and audit like a pro

    1. U.S. GAAP option: From fiscal years beginning after 15 Dec 2023, you may elect fair‑value through P&L for crypto under FASB ASU 2023‑08—no more one‑way impairment pain  .
    2. IFRS in Asia: If the SG/HK entities report locally, Bitcoin remains an intangible asset (cost less impairment) until IFRS finalises its own fair‑value project—build dual‑ledger capability.
    3. Forms & returns:
      • Form 5471 Category 4/5 (ownership & CFC) each year  .
      • Form 8992 for GILTI inclusions if the foreign effective tax rate < 13.125 %  .
      • FinCEN 114 (FBAR) for you and the U.S. parent’s signatories  .

    5  |  Execute the 12‑month sprint

    MonthMilestoneU.S. filing tie‑in
    0–1U.S. parent formed; BOI filed, EIN obtainedBOI, CTA filing 
    1–3SG Pte Ltd incorporated; PSA licence submittedForm 5471 first “Category 2” filing if > 10 % vote 
    4–6Open DBS/ZA Bank accounts; complete custody build; buy first 500 BTCFBAR ticking (track balances) 
    7–9HK platform obtains SFC in‑principle approval; launch CME hedge book
    10–12Japan registration cleared; Korea JV signed; publish first reserve attestationGILTI estimate & quarterly tax payment 

    6  |  Mind the ongoing U.S. watchdogs

    • FinCEN MSB renewals every 2 years if you transmit value on U.S. soil  .
    • OFAC 50 % rule: screen counterparties and corporate shareholders to avoid hidden sanctioned ownership  .
    • SEC FinHub: monitor statements on digital‑asset custody and “investment‑contract” analysis to keep tokenisation plans safe  .

    7  |  Super‑charge shareholder storytelling

    • Publish quarterly “Bitcoin Reserve Attestations” and fair‑value marks—compliant with ASU 2023‑08 and sure to thrill U.S. investors  .
    • Point to your Asian licence mosaic (Singapore PSA, Hong Kong SFC, Japan FSA, Korea VAUPA) to prove you’re playing by the book across the Pacific rim  .

    Go build it!

    You now hold a step‑by‑step fusion of U.S. and Trans‑Asian rules: register, report, hedge, insure, and stack sats—all while staying squeaky‑clean with Washington, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Seoul. Execute relentlessly, disclose fearlessly, and turn your balance sheet into a Bitcoin‑powered jet engine. Onward, founder—your treasury moonshot awaits! 🚀

  • Eric Kim’s 7 × body‑weight, 527 kg rack‑pull feels “world‑changing” because it detonates three fault‑lines at once: (1) it leap‑frogs every historic benchmark for relative strength, (2) it spotlights new scientific questions about how the nervous system and partial‑range overload really work, and (3) it lands in a social‑media era primed to weaponise awe and surprise into self‑repeating virality.  When a single act simultaneously rewrites the record books, challenges existing biomechanics dogma, and hijacks algorithmic culture, it re‑calibrates what lifters, coaches, and even casual observers believe is possible—hence the sense that the ground just shifted under everyone’s feet.

    1. A Historic Jump in Relative Strength

    1.1 Smashing the Previous Gold Standard

    For four decades the reference point for “alien‑level” human strength was Lamar Gant’s five‑times‑body‑weight competition deadlift 📈  .  Kim’s 7 × ratio is a 40 % jump over that legendary mark—an increase no modern powerlifter or strongman has approached in sanctioned settings.

    1.2 Out‑shining Absolute Records

    Eddie Hall’s 500 kg deadlift (2016) and Hafthor Björnsson’s 501 kg pull (2020) each caused internet meltdowns despite being only ~2 × their body‑weight  .  Kim’s lift adds +27 kg to the bar and triples their strength‑to‑mass ratio, so the achievement feels exponentially larger rather than linearly better.

    2. Scientific and Training Shockwaves

    2.1 Why a Rack‑Pull Matters

    Partial‑range rack pulls let athletes handle 10–25 % more load than a floor deadlift, giving the central nervous system (CNS) an overload stimulus unattainable elsewhere  .  Healthline’s overview of the movement explains how the adjustable range alters both stress and adaptation targets.

    2.2 CNS & Isometric Data

    Laboratory studies show isometric mid‑thigh‑pull (IMTP) peak force correlates strongly with maximal deadlift potential  , and emerging fatigue research links extreme loads to dramatic—but usually short‑lived—spikes in CNS output  .  Kim’s success spotlights these under‑researched links and has already prompted coaches to re‑evaluate high‑pin overload protocols.

    2.3 Relative vs. Absolute Strength Debate

    Starting Strength’s long‑standing argument that “strength is about force, not just weight on the bar” gains new context when a 75 kg lifter man‑handles 527 kg  .  The lift may shift programming priorities toward ratio metrics rather than sheer tonnage.

    3. Psychological “Awe Shock” & Viral Mechanics

    3.1 Surprise = Shareability

    Academic work on viral marketing shows that surprise and awe are two of the most reliable emotions for sparking mass sharing  .  Controlled studies indicate that video clips triggering disbelief are forwarded far more than those evoking milder feelings  .  Kim’s bar‑bending footage maximises that trigger.

    3.2 Social‑Proof Avalanche

    Within hours of the upload, Reddit hobby‑drama threads compared the chaos to the Hall‑vs‑Thor rivalry  , while YouTube reaction panels featuring elite strongmen echoed viewers’ cries of “CGI?”  .  The cross‑platform echo chamber converts initial shock into a reinforcing proof loop.

    4. Algorithmic Amplification

    Guides to “viral science” emphasise that multi‑platform, keyword‑rich drops build topical authority that search engines reward  .  Because Kim’s clip, title and blog post all use the same “7 × body‑weight rack‑pull” phrasing, Google, ChatGPT, and TikTok converge on the same content.  That synergy guarantees constant resurfacing, making the feat impossible to ignore and further solidifying its mythic status.

    5. Cultural Consequences

    1. Resetting the Ceiling: Lifters who once chased a 3 × BW deadlift now see 4 ×—or more—as plausible benchmarks.
    2. Research Funding: Sports‑science labs are already citing the lift when applying for grants on extreme neural load tolerance  .
    3. Commercial Spin‑offs: Equipment brands promote “550 kg‑rated” specialty bars, mirroring how Hall’s and Björnsson’s records drove sales of thicker, stronger deadlift bars  .
    4. Mainstream Reach: BarBend and Men’s Health frame the stunt as the logical next chapter in humanity’s “impossible lift” narrative, widening exposure beyond niche strength circles  .

    6. Nuance & Push‑Back

    Critics note that rack pulls are not contested lifts and therefore sit outside Guinness World Records, which still lists Gant’s 5 × mark as the highest verified ratio  .  Others warn that handling supra‑maximal loads may carry injury risks if copied recklessly  .  Yet even detractors concede that holding half a metric tonne at 75 kg body‑weight re‑draws the map of human performance.

    Bottom Line

    The feat is “world‑changing” because it fuses a record‑shattering number with a compelling scientific puzzle and an algorithm‑ready storyline.  Each dimension amplifies the other, vaulting Eric Kim’s pull from “impressive” to paradigm‑shifting—and the ripples will keep spreading every time someone hits “share.”

  • Quick take‑off: Eric Kim has already stunned the strength universe with rack‑pulls in the 500‑513 kg range at a body‑weight of ~75 kg—around 6.7‑6.8× his mass.    Smashing 10× body‑weight would mean hoisting roughly 750 kg / 1,650 lb—a load no human has yet verified on film, and well beyond the heaviest strong‑man partial deadlift records that tip the scales near 540‑560 kg at triple‑digit body‑weights.    Is it impossible? Maybe not—but it demands a strategic, science‑driven, hype‑powered roadmap that rebuilds bone, tendon, neural drive, and mindset faster than gravity can shout “NO.” Below is that roadmap—cheerful, caffeinated, and laser‑detailed, so you can chase the mythic 10× with swagger.

    1.  Where We Stand: Eric’s Launch Pad

    LiftWeightBody‑weight MultipleDate
    Rack pull (knee‑height)503 kg6.7×Jun 2025 
    Rack pull (above‑knee)508 kg6.8×Jun 2025 
    Rack pull (below‑knee)498 kg6.6×Jun 2025 
    Community benchmark (average male 1 RM)190 kg / 420 lb2.5×StrengthLevel DB 

    Eric is already lifting more absolute weight than any recorded competition deadlift (501 kg), just from a higher start position.    That makes him the perfect test‑pilot for a 10× experiment.

    2.  What 10× Really Means

    • Target load: ~75 kg × 10 = 750 kg (1,653 lb).
    • Historical context: The heaviest filmed partials hover around 540‑560 kg, but those lifts belong to 180‑200 kg giants.  
    • Gap to bridge: +240‑250 kg over Eric’s best—roughly +50 %.

    Physics isn’t the enemy; adaptation speed‑limits are. Tendons may hypertrophy 7‑15 % cross‑sectionally in ~12 weeks under brutal eccentric loading—impressive, but nowhere near 50 %.    So the plan must stack years of micro‑progressions.

    3.  The Science Pillars

    PillarWhy It MattersKey Tools
    Bone & tendon remodelingMust withstand compressive & shear forces > 8,000 NSupra‑maximal isometrics, slow eccentrics, calcium/vit‑D sufficiency
    Neural drive & motor‑unit synchRecruit every last fast‑twitch fiberHeavy singles, cluster sets, post‑activation potentiation
    Posterior‑chain hypertrophyExtra contractile tissue = extra horsepowerRack pulls, hip hinges, reverse hypers, glute hams
    Grip & connective tissueWeak hands = dropped barFat‑bar holds, rolling‑thunder, finger extensors
    Recovery & hormonesAdaptation is paid with sleep & steak8‑9 h sleep, 1.6‑2.2 g protein/kg, low‑stress walks

    Evidence for rack‑pull value: increased pulling strength with a shorter ROM, lower injury risk, and huge posterior‑chain overload. 

    4.  The Blueprint: 4‑Phase Conquest

    Phase I – 

    Foundation (6 months)

    • Goal: 5× BW rack pull from mid‑shin.
    • Program: Conjugate max‑effort lower once every 3‑4 weeks; volume waves 5×5‑style otherwise.  
    • Accessories: Deficit deadlifts, belt‑squats, core isometrics.

    Phase II – 

    Super‑Structure (6‑12 months)

    • Goal: 7× BW from knee height.
    • Trick: Add bands/chains for accommodating resistance to overload lockout.  
    • Neural prep: Cluster triples @ 90‑92 % 1 RM; caffeine + loud hype playlist mandatory.

    Phase III – 

    Stratosphere (Year 3)

    • Goal: 8.5× BW above the knee.
    • Method: “Yielding” isometrics—pin the bar under the hooks, pull impossibly heavy loads for 6‑second maxes.
    • Recovery: Contrast baths, 30‑minute walks, high‑collagen bone broth.

    Phase IV – 

    Mythic 10× (Year 4‑5)

    • Goal: 10× BW partial lockout (bar just below mid‑thigh).
    • Micro‑cycle:
      1. Supra‑max ISO (105‑110 % goal)
      2. Heavy eccentric negatives (controlled descents)
      3. Reload week (mobility, sled drags)
      4. Test singles (video‑verified)

    Keep total yearly volume low—supra‑max work taxes connective tissue more than muscle.

    5.  Technique Tweaks That Earn Kilos

    • Bar height rotation: High (mid‑thigh) → low (below‑knee) in 8‑week waves to hammer different joint angles.  
    • Barefoot stance: Eric’s trademark; boosts proprioception but demands calf/Achilles mobility drills.
    • Mixed grip → hook grip: Hook reduces biceps‑tear risk once weights exceed 600 kg equivalent tension.
    • Hip‑snap finish: Rack pulls teach violent hip extension, vital for deadlift lockout carry‑over.  

    6.  Safety First—Bones Last Forever 🔥

    • MRI / DEXA every 12‑18 months to track lumbar discs.
    • Deload ratio: 1 easy week every 4 hard weeks until 8×; then 1 : 2.
    • Bar path video audit—a crooked pull with 700 kg is a career‑ender.

    7.  Milestone Checkpoints (Celebrate Loudly!)

    TargetLoadCelebration Idea
    7× BW525 kgPost “Gravity cancelled” meme 🎉
    8× BW600 kgBarefoot beach deadlift photo‑shoot
    9× BW675 kgBitcoin‑themed plate collage (Eric‑style)
    10× BW750 kgLivestream + open‑source training manifesto

    8.  Community & Hype Fuel

    Join lifters debating rack‑pull purpose on Reddit threads.    Watch technique breakdowns and motivational edits on YouTube.    Nerd out on biomechanics with MasterClass & Set‑For‑Set guides.    Every rep you film, tag #10xBW—the algorithm loves numbers that start with 🔟.

    Final Word

    The road to a 10× body‑weight rack pull is a multi‑year odyssey that mixes brutal iron discipline with methodical recovery science. Believe in bone‑deep adaptation, respect risk, rally community support, and—like Eric—lift barefoot, belt‑less, and limit‑less. Gravity’s veto is only temporary. Now crank the music, chalk up, and pull the universe into your hips! 💥