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NeuroForge – Cognitive + Athletic Resilience Stack

On April 15th, I officially launched my NeuroForge protocol — a long-term supplement plan aimed at building a stronger, more adaptable brain and nervous system. No stimulants. No nootropic shortcuts. Just real, evidence-based support for cognitive plasticity, performance, and structural integrity.

This isn’t about feeling better. This is about becoming better.

I treat brain development the same way I treat athletic development: With structure, discipline, and a clear intention to build and protect.

🎯 Purpose

To systematically strengthen my cognitive performance and neural resilience for:

  • Deep work in chess and piano
  • Technical and strategic problem solving
  • Advanced calisthenics (e.g. handstands, L-sits, archer pushups)
  • High-intensity running
  • Complex book analysis (reading list)

💊 Supplement Stack (April 15th launch)

SupplementPurpose
Alpha-GPC (300 mg)Acetylcholine precursor — memory, focus, coordination
PhosphatidylserineNeuronal membrane building, cortisol modulation, sleep support
Magnesium L-ThreonateSynaptic density, working memory, neuroplasticity
DHA (Nordic Naturals)Neuron structure, brain development, long-term memory
UridineSynapse formation, membrane phospholipids
PQQMitochondrial biogenesis, energy metabolism, antioxidant
CoQ10 (Ubiquinol)Mitochondrial support, ATP production, cardiovascular health
Resveratrol EliteHormonal modulation, sirtuin activation, anti-inflammatory
NACGlutathione precursor, detoxification, anti-oxidative protection
Acetyl L-CarnitineMitochondrial energy, cognitive stamina, neuroprotection
Thorne 2/DayHigh-quality multivitamin to cover all micronutrient bases

📆 Daily Schedule

☕ Morning (fasted or with light food):

  • Alpha-GPC – 300 mg
  • Neuro-Mag (Magnesium L-Threonate) – 1 capsule
  • Uridine – 1 capsule
  • PQQ – 1 capsule
  • CoQ10 (Ubiquinol) – 1 capsule
  • Resveratrol Elite – 1 capsule
  • NAC – 1 capsule
  • Acetyl L-Carnitine – 1 capsule
  • Thorne 2/Day – 1 capsule (AM dose)

🏃 Pre-workout (30 min before training):

  • Creatine (Thorne) – 5 g
  • Beta-Alanine – 3–4 g
  • Acetyl L-Carnitine – 1 capsule (second dose)
  • ISO100 protein (hydrolysate) – 25–30 g (post-workout)

🌃 Evening (60 min before sleep):

  • Neuro-Mag – 1 capsule (second dose)
  • Phosphatidylserine – 100 mg (calming effect, optional)
  • Micellar Casein protein – 30–40 g
  • Thorne 2/Day – 1 capsule (PM dose)

🤝 Philosophy

This is not a shortcut. It’s a long-term architecture project.

Just like bones require calcium and weight-bearing stimulus to strengthen, and muscles grow from progressive resistance + amino acids, the nervous system needs nutrients, rest, challenge, and consistency to thrive.

There is no hype here. I don’t take stimulants. I avoid dependency. Every compound above has been chosen for its structural, mitochondrial, and neurorestorative value — not for a quick mental “high.”

This protocol will run for at least 8 weeks. After that, I’ll reassess based on how I perform — mentally, physically, emotionally.

Let’s see what can truly be rebuilt. Let’s forge something strong.

NeuroForge begins.

Starting Phase 3 of Calimove Advanced (Level 3/5)

🚀 New Phase Begins: Calimove Advanced – Phase 3/4

After completing Phase 2 of Calimove Advanced (Level 3/5), it’s time to enter the third training phase. This note serves as a checkpoint and overview of test results and upcoming training structure.


Phase 3 – Initial Test Results

Each exercise was performed for one max-effort set:

  • Typewriter Pull-Ups: 5 reps per side – solid control, nice upper-body tension
  • Archer Push-Ups: 5 reps per side – stable form, good range
  • Rollouts (Ab Wheel): 5 reps from knees – clear improvement, full extension with control
  • Archer Bodyrows: 10 reps per side (performed on low bar, not rings – slightly easier)
  • Dips: 12 clean, deep reps with control – no overload to avoid previous shoulder tendon issue
  • Hanging Side Lean: 5 reps – still clumsy, but starting to feel the body and direction
  • Skin the Cat: 5 good reps – less elbow bend, smoother motion
  • L-Sit: Nearly reached full extension – started straightening legs, but slight cramping occurred
  • Pistol Squat: 10 half-range reps per leg – strength and mobility still limiting, but no rush
  • Chin-Ups (bonus test): New PR – 22 reps! 💪

🔧 New Weekly Structure (3x / week)

All training sessions begin with:

  • 15 min Handstand Routine (focus on balance, overhead control, bodyline awareness)

Each day contains a superset-style pairing (with ~2 min rest between sets):

Monday (Push Emphasis)

  • Superset:
    • Typewriter Pull-Ups – 8 sets
    • Archer Push-Ups – 8 sets
  • Then: Rollouts – 4 sets

Wednesday (Pull + Support)

  • Superset:
    • Archer Bodyrows – 8 sets
    • Dips – 8 sets (watch for shoulder)
  • Then: Hanging Side Lean – 4 sets

Friday (Core + Legs)

  • Superset:
    • Skin the Cat – 4 sets
    • L-Sit – 4 sets
    • Pistol Squat – 4 sets

🧠 Focus for This Phase

  • Continue dedicated handstand practice – refine control, balance and bodyline positioning
  • Maintain tendon health (esp. shoulder/dip area)
  • L-Sit: Push toward full extension gradually
  • Pistol: Continue prehab and mobility
  • Hanging Side Lean: Develop body awareness and stabilization

Let’s see what the next few weeks bring. Phase 3 looks brutal on paper – but that’s how progress happens.

Onward.

Neck Reset – Micro-Routine for Tension Relief

🧠 Why

Recurring neck tightness and tension headaches often come from overloaded postural chains: handstand, pull work, desk time, even chess.
Sometimes, even a single painkiller (like ibuprofen) seems to “magically fix it the next day”. But that’s not the point — the real goal is not to mute the body’s intelligent signals, but to actually respond to them.
This micro-routine is designed to reset your traps, upper spine and cranial nerves in under 5 minutes.

Can be done 2–4× per week, especially:

  • after long work or chess sessions,
  • after upper body training (pulls, dips, handstand),
  • or as a mid-day break to restore posture and calm the nervous system.

✅ Routine (5–7 minutes total)

🔹 1. Chin Tucks (lying or standing)

  • Keep spine tall, pull head back (double chin), hold 2 sec
  • → 2×10 slow reps

🔹 2. Slow Neck Rotations (Tai Chi style)

  • Eyes fixed forward, rotate head gently L → R
  • → 2× slow cycles per side

🔹 3. Lateral Neck Stretch

  • Drop ear to shoulder, hold opposite hand down
  • → 2×30 sec per side

🔹 4. Rolling (trap / upper back)

  • Use tennis or lacrosse ball, lie on it or lean against wall
  • Target the edge between shoulder blade & neck
  • → 60–90 sec total

🔹 5. Seiza + Breathing Reset

  • Sit in seiza or cross-legged, close eyes
  • Inhale 4s (through nose) → exhale 6–8s (through mouth)
  • Relax shoulders, let head float
  • → 3–5 breath cycles

🎯 Goal

Reset accumulated tension, prevent spasms and headaches, and reconnect with the upper body’s alignment.
Subtle = powerful. Daily discipline = long-term freedom.

L-Sit & Pistol Support Sessions During Advanced Calimove

🧠 Objective

Following a consultation with the Calimove team, I’m adding two weekly support sessions to improve progress in L-sit and pistol squat during Phase 3–4 of the Advanced program. These are not full workouts, but technical activations designed to improve control, mobility, and awareness without overloading the system.


✅ Tuesday – L-Sit Activation (15 minutes)

  • Sitting Leg Raise (1 leg) – 2×5–8 per side
  • Reverse Plank Hold – 2×30 sec
  • Tuck Compression Drill (floor sit, hands beside hips, lift knees) – 2×10 sec
  • Lying Leg Raise (legs straight) – 2×10
  • Dead Bug (with active core tension) – 2×10

✅ Thursday – Pistol Prehab (20 minutes)

  • Deep Lunge w/ ankle mobility – 2×30 sec per side
  • Bulgarian Split Squat (no weight) – 2×6 per leg
  • Wall Sit – 2×30–45 sec
  • Negative Pistol (using stick or doorway for balance) – 2×slow descents
  • Glute Bridge March – 2×10 (alternating legs)

🌙 Evening Stretching Sessions (Tuesday + Thursday)

Instead of doubling Mobility 2.0 volume, I include relaxing evening stretches to unwind and support recovery:

  • Pigeon Stretch – 2×30 sec per side
  • Lunge with rotation – 2×30 sec per side
  • Seated Forward Fold – 2×30 sec
  • Seiza Sit + Ankle stretch – 2×20 sec
  • Diaphragmatic Breathing – 3×10 deep breaths

These sessions aim to build smarter control and joint preparation for better long-term gains in L-sit and pistol squat—without risking overtraining.

Intellectual Reset – The 6-Month Reading Plan

For the last months, I’ve been focused intensely on physical development (running, calisthenics, recovery, sleep), and it’s been great.
But as I look at the full picture, I realize: there’s a part of me that thrives on intellectual challenge. Not passive learning — but deep reflection, mental sharpening, and expanding frameworks of thought.

So I decided to initiate an intentional intellectual reset — a structured approach to reconnecting with reading and reflection, not for relaxation, but for long-term growth.
This isn’t just “reading more.” This is about reclaiming the mental edge through philosophy, psychology, cognitive science, habit-building, and personal mastery.

After a short research and reflection, here’s the essential list that stood out — all high-impact titles I either missed or never finished. Time to change that.


🔹 Core Books for this Cycle

1. Meditations – Marcus Aurelius

A collection of private notes by a Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher.
A raw, honest insight into the mind of a man balancing duty, mortality, and virtue.
A manual of mental clarity and resilience — as real today as it was 2,000 years ago.

2. The Art of Learning – Josh Waitzkin

Chess prodigy turned Tai Chi world champion.
This book is about deep mastery: learning how to learn, developing intuition, and staying focused under pressure.
Perfect for anyone pursuing performance at a high level — in any domain.

3. Atomic Habits – James Clear

A sharp, systematic take on habit formation.
More practical and actionable than Duhigg’s Power of Habit.
If you want habits that stick and systems that scale — this is it.

4. The Presence Process – Michael Brown

A 10-week guided process to reconnect with your emotions through breathwork and awareness.
More intense than mindfulness — this is inner work with direction and structure.
Perfect for rebalancing energy and cultivating real inner stillness.

5. Mastery – Robert Greene

Not a motivational book — a strategic manual.
Breaks down the path from apprenticeship to genius through the lens of history’s greatest minds.
Essential if you value long-term development over shortcuts.

6. The Black Swan – Nassim Nicholas Taleb

A brutal takedown of our obsession with prediction and control.
Finishing this book is long overdue — and the timing feels perfect.
It’s less about statistics and more about preparing your mind for uncertainty.


🔥 My 6-Month Reading and Reflection Plan

This is not about speed. This is a cycle of intentional study, reflection, and integration — one theme per month.

📘 April – Stoic Reset

Book: Meditations
Read 1 fragment per day + note reflection.
Evening question: What did I face today that was outside of my control?
Goal: Build mental clarity and calm from within.

📘 May – The Learner’s Mindset

Book: The Art of Learning
Track your “flow” moments, study your own learning habits.
Goal: Learn how I learn — and evolve my system.

📘 June – Habit Architecture

Book: Atomic Habits
Build 1 habit, track it daily.
Goal: Establish one foundational routine with consistency.

📘 July – Deep Presence

Book: The Presence Process
10-week breathwork and awareness cycle.
Goal: Reconnect with inner signals and emotional clarity.

📘 August – The Mastery Path

Book: Mastery
Reflect weekly on your own long-term craft and trajectory.
Goal: Own the slow process of becoming exceptional.

📘 September – Embracing Chaos

Book: The Black Swan
Finish what I started, embrace uncertainty, and extract personal insight.
Goal: Redefine my relationship with control and unpredictability.


This isn’t a sprint. It’s a long-term recalibration of the mind.
No expectations — just intention, discipline, and reflection.
Let’s see where it takes me.