Thijs.

"History's greatest — founders, leaders, conquerors — left behind a blueprint. Student of the greats."

[Thijs. @TvdGulik]

The greatest business school in the world isn't Stanford.

It's the collected decisions of Rockefeller, Carnegie, Ford, and 200 others who built empires from nothing.

The problem: their wisdom is buried in 400-page biographies.

I'm building the tool that makes their decisions searchable.

[Thijs. @TvdGulik]

John D. Rockefeller faced a choice in the early 1870s.

He could grow organically, slow, safe, predictable.

Or he could make a deal with the railroads, acquire competitors at scale, and consolidate the entire oil industry before anyone understood what was happening.

He chose the second.

Within two years, Standard Oil controlled 90% of American oil refining.

What's worth studying isn't the ethics.

It's the speed of his pattern recognition. He saw the endgame before anyone else was playing.

Source: Titan — Ron Chernow, Ch. 6

[Thijs. @TvdGulik]

Every great founder I've studied had one thing in common.

Not intelligence. Not connections. Not luck.

They all had the ability to hold a long-term view while managing a short-term crisis.

That's a trainable skill.

Most people treat it as a personality trait.

It isn't.

[Thijs. @TvdGulik]

How you dress is a message.

Not to impress others.
But to yourself.

When you walk out of the door looking clean and intentional, you carry yourself differently.
You feel it immediately.
Others see it without knowing why.

Start simple.
Five pieces. Two combinations.
Always well fitted. Never overthought.

Build from there.

[Thijs. @TvdGulik]

I have three young kids.

Designer clothing and three kids do not mix.
I learned that quickly.

But here is what I also learned:

You don't need expensive clothes to look good.
You need intentional clothes.

Every piece in my wardrobe works with everything else.
No wasted items. No impulse buys that never get worn.
No logos competing for attention.

Just clean basics in neutral colours that combine effortlessly.

Less decisions every morning means more mental energy for what actually matters.

That is the hidden benefit of the minimal wardrobe nobody talks about.
It is not just about looking good.
It is about thinking less and living more.

[Thijs. @TvdGulik]

Getting lean is not a phase.
It is not a summer goal.
It is not something you do for 8 weeks and stop.

It is a way of living.

Train smart. Eat clean. Rest properly.
Add cardio. Build your engine for the long run.

A lean body at 35 is a choice.
A lean body at 55 is a foundation built over decades.

Start now. Stay consistent.
The results are not just physical —
they show up in your energy, your confidence and how you show up for everyone around you.

[Thijs. @TvdGulik]

Here is something I am honest about right now.

I want to do more cardio.

Running. Swimming. Cycling.
Not just for leanness — for longevity and cardiovascular health.

A strong heart is as important as strong muscles.
More important as you get older.

My current plan is shifting slightly:

— 4 weight sessions down to 3
— 1 to 2 dedicated cardio sessions added
— More movement overall — walking, cycling, staying active outside the gym

Getting lean is not just about how you look.
It is about how your body performs.

[Thijs. @TvdGulik]

Age reversing is not a cream.
It is not a procedure.

It is not something you chase at 50 when the damage is already visible.

It is a daily decision made at 35.
At 30. Even at 25.

Feel younger. Perform better. Stay energetic.
That is what I am building towards.

A body that works for me for decades —
not one that I am fighting against by the time I want to enjoy my life most.

Collagen is one piece of that foundation.

A small daily habit with a long term return.

Start before you have to.

[Thijs. @TvdGulik]

Not all collagen supplements are equal.

What to look for:

— Hydrolysed collagen peptides, broken down for better absorption
— Type I and Type III for skin, joints and connective tissue
— Combined with Vitamin C, essential for collagen synthesis in the body
— Clean sourcing, no unnecessary additives

How I take it:

Morning with my first meal and a source of Vitamin C.
Consistent. Every day.

Or later in the day with some dairy.

I just started. I will track and report back honestly.

That is how The Foundation works.

No overclaiming. Just real results over real time.

[Thijs. @TvdGulik]

The Foundation is built on basics done properly.

Omega-3 is one of the most important.

Start taking it. Take it consistently. Test your levels. Adjust your dose.

Not complicated. Just disciplined.

That is the difference between a man who feels good at 35 and one who wonders why his body is failing him at 45.

You have one life. Build it well.

— Thijs

[Thijs. @TvdGulik]

Most omega-3 supplements on the market are low quality.

What to watch out for:
— Oxidised oil — smells rancid, does more harm than good
— Underdosed — too low to actually move your levels
— Poor sourcing — not all fish oil is equal

What matters:
— Pharmaceutical grade purity
— High EPA and DHA content
— Third party tested
— Fresh and properly stored

I use Eqology. Norwegian sourced, pharmaceutical grade, liquid form for better absorption.

Quality is non-negotiable when it comes to what you put in your body daily.

[Thijs. @TvdGulik]

@joshi_no0 GM. You 2:)