Friends,

Good morning. Excited to bring you another edition of The Gentlemen Elite. Shout out to all the Gentleladies 💃🏽 that subscribed - this was unforeseen and, frankly, kind of rad. Here is what I have for you today:

• 🩲 The Winner of the “Elite Undie Challenge of ‘22”

• 🛐 Monk Mode; My annual attempt at a life reset

• 🧪 The best (homemade) sleep tonic to knock out fast

• 📣 Quote of the week

If you were forwarded this newsletter, subscribe below:

The Elite Undie Challenge of ‘22

I've been on a lifelong mission to find the best pair of boxer briefs (Note: If you wear actual boxers, you aren't a gentleman). Last year, several like-minded friends and I decided to answer the age-old question, “What are the most elite undies?” So we set up a simple wear test of the 4 most popular brands and scored each based on performance across 8 variables outlined below:

1. Moisture management

2. Front aesthetic

3. Back aesthetic

4. Overall comfort

5. Do you feel elite?

6. Temperature control

7. Partner preference

8. EOP (Ease of Peeing)

The Contestants:

J.Crew

2UNDR

Stance

SAXX

The Results

SAXX was the unanimous Winner across nearly every dimension. Specifically, the Drop Temp line. It’s one of those products you immediately feel a difference in - namely because of its unique approach to frontal comfort and storage (trying to be a gentleman here…), which SAXX trademarked “The BallPark Pouch.”

I know I’m prone to hyperbole - but the BPP has my vote for one of the top male innovations of the decade. SAXX is officially certified ELITE, and if anyone from SAXX reads this, please send a discount code so I can lace the squad.

Monk Mode - A Hard Reset

The transition from one year to the next is a time for parties, reflection, gratitude, and planning. I know about 50% of you “don’t believe in new year’s resolutions,” but do you believe in Monk Mode?

Monk Mode is something I do annually - primarily driven by the shame I feel for overindulging during the holidays. For the whole month of January, I give up all vices and force myself to develop new healthy habits. I track my success; then, in February, I choose a few to carry forward. Below is an accounting of this year’s Monk Mode:

Notes:

• Yes, I’m OCD.

• I’m not sure what’s more disappointing, my C+ performance or not a SINGLE person seeming to notice my 🔥 piping hot 🔥 content was missing from the ‘gram all month.

• I read EVERY night - but could never make it to 50 pages before I fell asleep. #sleepyguy

• By the end of the month, I was absolutely beat. I don’t know how all the influencers in the manosphere can keep this kind of routine up and still have thriving friendships, relationships, and careers.

What I’m carrying forward

No phone in bed was the most impactful thing I did all month. It forced me to read every night if I wasn’t tired, facilitated more pillow talk with my lady, and led to more restful sleep. I also bought an old-fashioned alarm clock which oddly made me feel more sophisticated.

Sleep Tonic

One of the keys to a good night's sleep is falling asleep fast (insightful). When I’m having trouble falling asleep or need to wind down, I make myself a sleep tonic that I found in the book Tools for Titans. It usually knocks me out in about 30-45 minutes. Recipe below:

• 1 cup of Soothing Caramel Bedtime tea

• 1 tablespoon organic apple cider vinegar 

• 1 teaspoon organic local raw honey

• 12 oz warm water (110 degrees or colder)

Why does this work?

I don’t know. There is growing sentiment amongst researchers that honey before bed in small amounts can improve sleep. This is because honey contains tryptophan, a hormone that helps you relax and sends sleep signals to the body. It’s also a precursor to natural melatonin (which I vehemently oppose as a supplement - but that’s another post).

Notes: 

• It’s essential to use warm - not HOT water. Heating honey above 110 degrees denatures it and can blunt some of the benefits.

• Make sure you get raw honey.

• This works best on an empty stomach.

• Drink the tea slowly.

• Brush your teeth after…

Give it a try, and tell me what you think!

Happy snoozing, friends.

Upwards with gusto.

-Ian