9/17/2026
Yesterday I talked about Seasonal Affective Disorder and David Phillips’s book High on Life: How to Naturally Harness the Power of Six Hormones and Revolutionize Yourself.
Today, I want to dwell a little on the next chemical in Phillips’s framework: testosterone (睾酮).
If dopamine is associated with the feeling of “I want to do it”—motivating us toward rewards—testosterone, in Phillips’s framework, is more closely associated with the feeling of “I dare to do it.”
Imagine that you have trained for years to perform a difficult dive. Just as your turn comes, you suddenly feel your legs shaking. You lose your nerve and decide not to jump. That's because you need more testosterone.
This is where the idea of testosterone as a “confidence hormone” comes in. Testosterone is often associated with behaviors and experiences such as competition, exercise, and winning and losing.
Phillips also suggests that we can sometimes influence how we feel through what we do physically. In other words, instead of waiting for confidence to appear, we can use our bodies to help create a more confident state of mind.
For example, before an important speech, Phillips uses a pre-performance routine. He might stand up, walk around, and adjust his breathing. These simple physical actions can help him feel more prepared and confident before stepping onto the stage.
So the next time you have to do something that makes you feel insecure or nervous, instead of repeatedly telling yourself, “I need to be confident,” try getting your body moving first. Stand up. Walk around. Take a few deep breaths. Do a few push-ups if that works for you.
The point is not that a few push-ups will magically increase your testosterone or eliminate fear. The point is that our bodies and minds influence each other. Sometimes action can come before confidence, rather than the other way around.
We don't always have to wait until we feel brave before stepping onto the stage.
Sometimes, we step onto the stage first—shoulders back, head up, taking the first step—and let courage catch up with us.
More on this tomorrow...
