Live Life Aggressively! What Self Help Gurus Should Be Telling You

Note: My fiance' bought me this book for my birthday and since I do not have nor desire an Amazon acct, I am using her acct to post this review. Hence, this review is written by a man not a woman. I'll start by saying that reading this book, while highly enjoyable and anticipated, was on some levels very difficult to digest. Being from a backround of severe violence, abandonment, neglect, anger, resentment, fear and dysfunction, I knew before I picked it up that I may very well get what I wished for, but so desperately feared. Every excuse, rhyme, riddle and reason that I have managed to muster for my being stuck, both consciously and sub sonsciously decimated and incinerated. That's exactly what happened. While I did have a relevantly good grasp on about 50% of what the book was about previous to reading it, due in part to the multitude of other books I have read that focus around self improvement, I also learned a great deal of new things as well as had my knowledge of a few topics built upon greatly. I'm not an easy person to sway by any measure. At almost 6'5 250lbs and with a history of "keepin it real" and "stay out of my face with your guru rhettoric", I tend to walk through this world, un-bending, un-compromising and un-relenting in my "all or nothing", angry, defensive, you're an idiot, KEEP RIGHT and dismal attitude. My stature alone, while being my best friend has also been my worst enemy. Not many people attempt, much less get thru and manage to sway my thinking or inspire a higher more productive level of it. Mr. Mahler has done just that. At first, let's say the first 15-20 pages, I was a bit thrown off as I didn't quite get the impression that I had recieved what I assumed I was going to recieve in content from the book. However, it only took a few more turns of the page for that to change. There are a number of topics discussed in this book that really hit home for me. I even became a little depressed, because as they say, once you know...you're no longer innocently ignorant. The gears started turning and still are, some slowly and some at 100mph. Reading this book has brought a multitude of issues to the surface for me to acknowledge, deal with, face and work towards. There's even a part of me that mildly resents the writer, however I realize that that part of me is the part that is more comfortable "being stuck" and that once I have managed to solidify a plan, put it into assertive action and start growing and succeeding, that feeling will diminish. I have a full on battle ahead of me and I mean a full on battle. I have zero true strong support systems, as I have kept people at bay for nearly 40 yrs. I have mountains of ingrained anger and fear to overcome and decimate to reach the other side. This will seemingly be a physical, mental, financial, emotional and spiritual war to end all wars as the deck is stacked against me bigtime. But, I believe that I am finally armed with what I need as far as "knowledge ammo" is concerned and the lesson in this book is that "ammo". I would like to make it known that I had words with this author via Fb email. In those emails, I challenged his integrity and authenticity. I did this, because I can be a real intolerant and self righteous butthole. I went at him somewhat harshly. At the time, I honestly belived that had a valid gripe and was calling him out on something relevent. In the end I came to realize that subconsciously, I was looking for a way to discredit Mr. Mahler for "pulling my card". My "inner child" was not a happy camper. This guy was pulling no punches at all in his book. He was direct and on point, whereas Anthony Robbins(a very well meaning and genuinely nice guy) had left huge margins in his books and seminars for myself to slip between or dismiss as futile attempts at fixing or dealing with "the bigger issues". I'm not saying Mr. Mahler has all the answers. I am saying however, that he has a fist full of accurate one's and that he is onto something with much more substance than "wishful thinking", "faking it 'til to make it" and "denial in the form of dangerous flower child positive thinking, when a more honest and not so cushy assesment of the current circumstances may be in order to achieve success or resolution." Back to me confronting Mr. Mahler and to close out that part of this review. He handled the situation with an immence amout of class and integrity. We exchanged a few more emails, and because he has something I don't...tact and discipline, we were able to resolve the issue I had initially attacked him over and leave myself a lot more willing to release my self righteous and innappropriate attitudes about a few things. In closing, there is only one remotley negative thing I can say about this book. No author with this much class and integrity, should EVER and I mean EVER reference the name Robert Van Winkle in his material, haha! That aside, this book was well worth the two reads I gave it and will be a permanent point of referance in my struggle forward as I can honestly say for maybe the fifth time in my life, "this is relevent, this is dignified and righteous". Thank You Mr. Mahler for writing this book. Sincerely, Christian BullyBoy Michaels

I had never heard of Mike Mahler or his philosophy on life until I discovered one of his Twitter tweets that caught my attention. After joining his Facebook fan page and following him on Twitter, I enjoy his tweets, posts and blog articles on a variety of topics and with such candor, no BS, and straight talk. If you read Mike's blog, you will recognize that he is a man of research, gives a lot of thought to his topics. His blog and Facebook posts are sound, intelligent and written with lots of truth. For many months I have been waiting for the release of his new book "Live Life Aggressively". I purchased the book a couple of months ago. I didn't read it until a few weeks ago, because I was finishing another book, but once I began the book, it was an eye opener for me, and I couldn't put the book down. I finished the book in a few days.The book covers a an array of personal and professional topics, that will help you open a dialogue with yourself to begin the process of discovering yourself, learn how you are wired, how you think, how your past environment can influence your present attitude and behaviors, how to put your past in context, and how to focus your mind, attitude and behavior towards goals that you are passionate about. I really appreciated the author's transparency and providing personal details of his life to emphasize his points and being raw enough to admit some failures. We all have weaknesses, we have failures in life, we have a past and story, but what impressed me about the author is his ability to overcome adversity, do things out of his comfort zone, and evolve as a person to become the successful person that he is today! Each chapter is stacked with valuable information that you can apply to your personal or professional life. In addition, we are all surrounded by noise and external distractions that can deviate you from your true goals and purpose in life....Mike talks about how to remove people and distractions from your life so that you can clearly focus on your goals, to have the courage to take risks to pursue your passions, and to have the confidence in yourself and abilities that you can succeed in life, business and in relationships.While all chapters in the book were awesome and provided a wealth of information, some of my favorites were the chapter's on hormone optimization, which I am currently researching, getting tested and also encouraging family and friends to look into for their health. The chapter on meditation...taking the time to slow life down enough to spend time alone with your thoughts and self to meditate and think about life, ponder things, and spend time alone with yourself. The chapter on businesses, because I am starting my own business, I found it valuable some of the business models Mike is using in his own business. Also the chapter that discusses about evolving as a person a great one. Lastly, the author is an avid reader, since I am an avid reader, I definitely appreciated that he provided a lot of information and made references to many of the great books he has read that shaped and influenced his thinking. I have read some of the same books, others I have but haven't read and will read and there are many more books that I haven't read but appreciated that author sharing this list at the back of the book.I would encourage anyone who is really serious about examining their life, their thinking, is willing to ask some serious questions, be willing to read this book with an open mind, admit that you may have to change some things and have the courage to look deep inside yourself and evolve and take a new direction and set a new attitude and behavior for yourself and life that will ultimately lead you towards happiness and success! Mike challenges you throughout the book, talks to you like a true friend who cares about your life, isn't afraid to tell you the truth, what you really need to hear (not what you want to hear), and has the balls to say it without worry or fear if you will get mad or hate him.Mike Mahler is a successful businessman, has found his purpose, peace in his life, and has found success in his personal relationships. There is truth to the saying that if you want to be successful, read, follow, watch, observe and listen to what successful people are doing, their positive habits, and patterns of thinking and behavior. These people like Mike are successful because they have figured out things that unsuccessful people haven't, are doing things that lead to positive results, and have attitudes and behaviors that consistently lead to success and happiness. I'm very happy I purchased this book, after the Bible, this is one of the best books I have ever read, and will constantly reference. I look forward to reading all of the books referenced in the book. I'm on the right path and thinking of successful people. Buy the book, read it, and buy it for your friends, family and colleagues! Thanks Mike for sharing your wisdom and knowledge that you have discovered over the years so that we too can reach success and fulfillment!

I’m only half way through the book but I feel that’s enough for me to write a fair review. This guy talks sense and leaves out all the fluff , that you get in a lot of self help books now days. If you’re serious for change than buy this book and start living life aggressively! You will not regret it one bit as it’s a kick up the ....

It's a good book, but it's still just a self help manual like the rest

Living in the UK and not having heard of Mike Mahler, I didn't really know what to expect.The book, in my opinion, is on occasion clear and yet at other times difficult to read,It is very thought provoking in places, however and one that I would recommend to anyone on a journey of self improvement..

In a world sadly lacking in common sense I find Mr Mahlers book a refreshing kick up the ass!!We live in times that make us un-accountable of blame & gadgets that encourage us to be lazy - I think that this has made our minds lazy & un-accountable too.... If this book does one thing it's to make us take a long hard look at ourselves.. WE are accountable for our own actions!! Shock horror!!Maybe, just maybe, if you read this book you might realize your own moral core & have the courage to evolve it - Congratulations Mr Mahler on putting yourself out there - a hero of common sense!!!I would wholeheartedly recommend this book!!

This book is OUTSTANDING in my opinion. I;ve read a lot of self help books that are filled with fluff. this book is refreshingly honest, humble and down to earth. just like the writer. i found myself nodding all the way through as i recognised that this dude knows what he's talking about.It has had a profound effect on my attitude- specifically towards others. THANK YOU MIKE for a 'bad-ass-book'Paul MortThe UK's Leading Fat Loss Expert[...]