Dr. Cam's Newsletter #1 - Introducing Maximus

Self-Improvement is the 1.0 past. Mutual Improvement is the 2.0 future.

Dear Friends,

This is Dr. Cam Sepah. You may have signed up for my email list a while ago via a few places—my Twitter, blog, or previous companies I’ve created like Actualize. I have turned this list into an ongoing Substack newsletter that provides science-based coaching on how to become better in mind & body. If that piques your interest, please stick around, because I am working on some incredibly innovative things to transform your health and help you live a more rich, effective, and fulfilling life.

The first exciting news is that I’ve raised $5M in venture capital from the top VCs & Angel investors in Silicon Valley (Keith Rabois/Founders Fund, Joe Lonsdale/8VC, Dave Asprey/Bulletproof, Ryan Holiday/Daily Stoic, and consumer executives from Shopify, Coinbase, Tinder, & the Honest Company) to start a new company! Maximus optimizes men in mind & body through content, community, and clinical support.

There are multiple parts to Maximus that we will roll out over time, but we are starting first with community because we don’t just want to build a startup, but more importantly, build a movement. We have recently launched Maximus Tribe—a FREE online community for men’s mutual improvement. If you’ve ever been interested in being coached or mentored—whether by me or other experts—here’s your chance!

We have launched the tribe on three different platforms for diversification. We strongly encourage you to join all three, but if you only want to check one regularly, use Discord (our primary tribe) or the platform that you’re already using:

DISCORD: offers audio chat to foster real-time connection.
FACEBOOK: offers familiar faces to foster trusted feedback.
REDDIT offers upvoting of the best content to foster thinking.

So what is Maximus Tribe all about, and why now?

2020 has threatened our physical and psychological safety in a way that’s unprecedented. A pandemic virus that turns out to decimate the metabolically challenged, has awakened us to the fact that once forgivable bad health habits are now downright life-threatening, to not only ourselves but also our friends and family. There is no more critical time to build optimal health. Similarly, the rise of mob violence and online persecution has awakened us to the fact that no one, however virtuous, is safe from being threatened or canceled. As a result, men more than ever need a tribe: to guide us to walk the right path, support each other in our psychological development, and protect each other as a tribe. 

My thesis is that “self-improvement” was never meant to be done alone. Men always had a band of brothers, a village, a tribe to initiate them into adulthood and help them develop into a mature masculinity. That’s why we’re transcending self-improvement and focusing on mutual improvement. Yes, in the end, it’s always your personal responsibility to change your own life, but it doesn’t need to be done alone, and science supports that work better when done with support and accountability.

As a company, Maximus, will also provide services to optimize men’s health, but this tribe will remain open for everyone, because we believe that peer guidance is public service that is desperately needed in this wayward world. So please invite your trusted friends, because we would like this tribe to eventually include many members to have a global impact.

We currently have 600+ curated members–from physicians, psychologists, fitness experts, coaches/teachers, scientists, spiritualists, entrepreneurs/, financiers/investors, engineers, builders, creatives, writers, happily married fathers, and students–all ardently interested in growing as men. So no matter your walk of life, you’re welcome.

Maximus Tribe has five principles, in order to infuse the community with a strong set of values and purpose that guide the behavior we want to foster:

1. The purpose of Maximus Tribe is mutual improvement…

• GIVE & GET GUIDANCE: The main purpose is to give and get guidance from a tribe of men.

• HOLD EACH OTHER ACCOUNTABLE: This is rewarded by receiving & providing accountability to continually improve.

• FOSTER BROTHERHOOD: This is strengthened by fostering genuine connection and bonds.

2. With a spirit of generosity, inspiration & humor…

• GIVE MORE THAN YOU GET: We believe ‘self’ improvement was never meant to be done alone. So provide as much guidance, accountability, or support as you get yourself.

• SHARE INSPIRATION: Share inspiring examples of positive masculinity (especially aesthetic pictures and uplifting stories) using the hashtag #TONICmasculinity.

• SHARE HUMOR: Share masculine humor! Laughter is the best medicine.

3. By building holistic health…

• BUILD PHYSICAL & MENTAL WEALTH: from the physiological (fitness, nutrition, sleep, & hormones) to psychological (focus, mindset, emotions, behavior).

• BUILD RELATIONAL WEALTH: from handling family, friends, to romantic relationships.

• BUILD PROFESSIONAL WEALTH: from career development to professional mentorship.

4. Trusting that what happens in group, stays in group among good men…

• KEEP TRUST: Strong bonds are based on vulnerability, which requires trust. Thus, what is shared within this group stays within this group to respect your brothers.

• KEEP IT IN GROUP: Focus the conversation on the group, not DMs. Even if you’re looking for expertise, others would benefit from learning about it as well out in the open.

• REFER GOOD MEN: If you know of other men who would benefit from a tribe, feel free to personally invite them. Trusted referrals are always welcome.

5. Focusing on changing yourself and tolerating no nonsense.

• FOCUS ON CHANGING YOURSELF: Unless it applies specifically to something you’re going through, this group is not focused on news, religion, politics, etc. Focus on changing yourself, not venting about the state of the world.

• KEEP IT POSITIVE: Keep content positive & clean (no demeaning or discrimination; act AS IF the world is watching, and these are your brothers)

• DON’T SPAM: Do not promote your own businesses, affiliates, content, or causes, unless discussing with a moderator first.

I look forward to speaking with you on Maximus Tribe. Welcome, the fire rises. 🔥

Strength & Honor,
Dr. Cam