"exceptional" is among the most valuable titles a man can hold. Exceptional men win admiration, command respect, and are simply impossible to ignore. They stand out from the crowd through sheer excellence and flair. Essentially, they are what we would define as high value individuals. It is quite common to hear that 80% of women chase the top 20% of men. This is simply due to the fact that exceptional men illicit exceptional desire. And that’s without even mentioning that being part of the top 20% is just the beginning, and that the top 1% is awaiting those who put in the work and are prepared to push themselves into the realm of the truly exceptional.

Now, for some this trait is acquired with little effort: Natural intelligence, dashing good looks, extraordinary talents, devilish charm, these are all things which can win a person this moniker. However, these individuals rarely need to seek advice on such matters, so I will assume that you, dear reader, are seeking to develop such a resume. Fear not, for you are in luck. This will by no means be an exhaustive list, and will not include such basic principles as lifting, gaming etc. Those are fundamentals at the core of TRP, and speak for themselves. My aim is to be specific about things that will allow you to gain an edge on the rest of the pack, even those who are also doggy paddling toward the best version of themselves (you’ll find a shocking number of people who are content with being the shittiest version of themselves, they will be very easy to surpass). Some of these points may be ones you’ve heard before (hell, many of them will be), but as a combined unit they form a mini-compendium of self-improvement. I’ll divide the information into two separate posts for the sake of organisation.

I will first, however, make one disclaimer. Many of these activities will benefit your ability to pick up women. It’s important to keep in mind that getting chicks is not the sole purpose of this post. That being said, it’s a huge part of what we do on TRP, so many of these points will be accompanied by an analysis of their panty-dropping-power (patent pending). Take this with a grain of salt. It takes some reading between the lines, but the priority should always be you, not women.
These are self-improvement tips first and game tips second. Now, with that out of the way, on with the show.

First, we’ll begin with the most basic pillar of human existence, the physical domain.

  1. Train your neck.

Yes, this is seriously the first point I’m making. Don’t worry, it gets better. Neck training is one of the best decisions you can make for your overall physique. The neck has an enormous effect on how you look in a shirt (your looks out of a shirt will improve also you saucy devil). Essentially, thick neck = masculine appearance. Having a muscular neck will do wonders for the appearance of your jawline, how stocky you’re perceived to be, and can even have an effect on how confident you look. Also, as if the neck knows its true purpose, it’s super easy to build. 3 sets of 25-50 neck curls 3 times a week can give you a super juicy Pitbull neck within a year. Don’t slack off though, it atrophies as fast as it grows. Check out Alphadestiny on Youtube for a more detailed analysis of neck work.

I’ll also mention as a bonus tip that the traps, forearms and glutes are huge for your aesthetics, so keep that in mind in your programming.

  1. Train (at least partially) like an athlete.

These days, every guy lifts. Okay, not every guy, but it’s a far cry from the bygone times where it was aerobics classes in leg warmers vs. hardcore bodybuilding with no in-between. There’s plenty of guys who walk around looking good with clothes on or off, and this post is about going above and beyond. It’s not uncommon to see guys with huge muscles lumbering around, only to talk to them and find that they’ve fucked themselves up with injuries, overtraining, or just going overboard packing on size to the point where they can’t do anything other than lift. They can’t hike, run, swim, or cycle (the bike kind you juicehead), and the ability to spend 30-90 minutes pounding their lady into a state of drooling oblivion painfully eludes them. Having muscles Is great for your game, but nothing turns ladies on like an athlete. If she takes you out for a lovely morning beach jog and you can beat her pace with ease, she’ll be turned on. If you can do the same to Stacey’s boyfriend, she’ll be even more turned on. Powerful men don’t just appear powerful, they can genuinely exercise their perceived power. Don’t be the tight, dysfunctional muscle-man, be the guy who can climb mountains, run across entire beaches, flip tires, fuck like MacGruber (groans optional), and live life like an all-round athlete.

Also, if you’re the sort of dude who’s into attention from chicks at the gym, do box jumps. Seriously. If you can do even a remotely-high box jump at the gym, you will get comments from women just about every time about how impressive you are, and if your physique is in order (which it probably is if they’re bothering to comment on your athleticism), the number close is generally there if you want it.

  1. Train your skills.

This point is very similar to the previous one, but just distinct enough for its own section. Being able to lift heavy weights is a great, worthwhile skill, but it’s just as worthwhile to be able to perform handstands, L sits, ring supports, front levers, muscle-ups etc. Not only will these impress the ladies (and the dudes), they’ll also build strength in some of the lesser-worked muscles, build coordination, remind you exactly how impressive proper athletes are, and provide you with endless enjoyment through the process of learning and execution. They’re also hard as hell, so you’re short-changing yourself if you’re not trying at least one.

  1. Work on your Cardio.

Again, don’t be that guy who has huge muscles but can’t pick up the pace to save his life. Similar to the previous two points so I won’t harp on, but important nonetheless. You don’t have to be married to the treadmill, just don’t let yourself be the guy who’s bent over gasping if she, or anyone else for that matter, challenges you to a race.

  1. Improve your Flexibility

Flexibility is something I’ve never seen mentioned on TRP, and I’m not entirely sure why. It’s useful for lifting, every day activities, and reducing many aches and pains. It’s also seriously impressive to be able to perform advanced feats of flexibility, and means you will be at home in the land of the yoga pant, a place any man dreams of. You’ll receive many comments from fellow gym-goers if you perform yoga in the gym, and you’ll be automatically perceived as unique, open minded and adventurous. Chicks dig yoga. If you choose to style your flexibility training like yoga, or simply do yoga, you’ll also experience tremendous mental benefits, but I’ll cover that more in part 2 of this post. This is probably the most tenuous section of this post, as it’s by far the most effeminate, but so long as you remember your basic TRP principles and don’t get too caught up in it, you’ll be fine. Yoga classes are full of hot chicks (so long as you dodge the seniors), never forget that.

  1. Try your hand at a martial art

Yet another point that’ll likely find itself a mention in the mental category, engaging in a martial art’s practice is one of the best things you can possibly do to become exceptional. Increased confidence, humility, ability to think under pressure, ability to defend yourself and others, better cardio, higher level of strength, potential lifelong friendships, improved coordination, perceived impressiveness. Sound to you? Me too. Do a martial art. My choices are BJJ and Muay Thai, but boxing, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Judo, general MMA etc work just fine too. I would recommend BJJ heavily though, as I’ve fallen completely in love with it. Being choked, cranked and flattened by stronger and more skilled opponents has immensely developed my ability to think under pressure (essential in most lines of work, an incredibly valuable skill). It’s also simply added a spice to my life that wouldn’t otherwise be there, and that’s what our time on this big blue marble is all about.

  1. Work on your style

Slight change of pace from the athletic points, but seriously, don’t be the guy who can’t dress to save his life. Fashion is a major form of social proof and although it’s important not to get too caught up in, it’s still a major factor in how you’re perceived. You don’t have to spend big to look good, just observe the trends, find what you like, try and match them as closely as possible, and you should be well on your way. Bonus points if you have a tailor who can adjust your clothes, because a man in a well-fitting suit might as well be shooting SMV steroids straight up his arse. This is of particular importance to the guys who are tall and relatively slim, myself included, as it can be difficult at times to find a shirt that’s long enough for the torso, yet fits tight around the arms. A fashionable man with clothes that fit him just right has a major piece of the puzzle locked in.

  1. Be well groomed, always

Invest in a good haircut that fits your face shape, maintain your facial hair regardless of length, shower regularly, wear quality aftershave, try to leave the house looking like you might run into a genuine unicorn wherever you’re headed. Sound simple? It is, enough said. Also, try and take care of your skin. Guys with acne can still get great results with women, but it’s considered attractive by precisely nobody and having glowing skin is an instantly attractive trait.

  1. Have a solid posture

Let’s be real, there’s a big difference between a guy who’s 5’10” and a guy who’s 6 foot. You don’t wanna be the guy who is the latter but looks the former. This isn’t a slight on shorter guys either; Powerful posture benefits everybody. Holding your head high, with your shoulders back and your back straight has an enormous effect on how powerful you’re perceived to be. If you work on your posture, you’ll improve your appearance within seconds, and also reduce risk of general aches and pains. There’s even evidence that it can alter your hormonal profile. Another one of those subtle things that has an enormous effect.

  1. Eat healthy

The hypocrisy meter has just shot through the roof. My current diet is shit. I’m eating processed junk constantly as part of an arguably irresponsible bulk that’ll likely lead to me gaining more fat than I’d like, and I’m seeing the effects in my skin, my mood, my energy levels, and my quality of sleep. My bank account isn’t particularly enjoying the experience either. Don’t be like me. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, try and eat whole foods as often as you can (if you don’t instantly know what everything on the ingredients list is by reading it, consider not eating it, especially if the words “partially hydrogenated” or “syrup” appear anywhere), avoid sugar, be wary of excessive carbs (I’m not a keto guy but I try not to overdo the carbs) and get a good amount of protein and healthy fats. Your body can only perform at the level that its source of fuel allows it to, and I can practically guarantee that anybody who switches from a sugar filled diet of junk to a whole foods diet will feel the difference, and probably save money doing so. Don’t get dehydrated either, drinking plenty of water is good for you.

As I’ve already said, this is by no means an exhaustive list, and I’m sure I’ll kick myself in a week or two when I remember some major omission I’ve made. But, if you’re looking to become exceptional and you follow this list, you’ll have a hard time not getting there. Being average has never been easier than it is now, so embrace any opportunity to separate yourself from the pack. In part 2 I’ll cover the various things you can do to gain a mental edge, which Is arguably the more important part of the equation, so don’t go thinking the work is done just yet.

Stay golden lads, go out there and be exceptional.