In 2000, a short 15 years ago, the epic movie that likely initiated the current flurry of new superhero blockbuster movies every other weekend, was released.
Yup, the original X-Men movie came out. 15 Years ago.
There’s been a trilogy, a few Wolverine spinoffs and a “new class”, and throughout all the films, Hugh Jackman has been the constant character as Wolverine. He is the ONLY actor to be in all seven movies, and he’s rumored to be in the next sequel as well.
If you just say the name “Hugh Jackman”, you might even think of him like this (photo taken from the latest (7th!) film in the series).
Absolutely bad ass.
The dude is jacked beyond belief; he’s got veins popping everywhere and he’s got the type of finely crafted beard that only comes if you’re ACTUALLY part wolverine.
One could say he was born to play Wolverine, right?
Now let’s get real–Hugh probably got the part because he popped out of his Mom with his veins pumping, and a skeleton already infused with some pretty sick Adamantium claws.
I mean his last name is “JACK-MAN!” Really?!
It’s the only thing that makes sense! He had to have been born with this “talent” because God loves him WAY more than anyone else, and the rest of us including poor little you, are destined to be skinny little weaklings because you’re not blessed with his amazing genetics.
Are you tired of the whiny rant? Yeah, me too.
Seriously though, this is how most people think about their life’s work. Doesn’t matter if it’s talent, careers, fitness, or just having “success.”
“Successful peoplee” born with adamantium claws, and “you’ve” been banished to maybe the skill level of Aquaman (if you’re lucky.)
But what if I were to tell you it’s not like that?
What if talent, success, and optimal fitness AREN’T as pre-dispositioned by the genetics that everyone else conveniently has, except for you?
What if it takes something else? Something more?
With that in mind, lets take a second look at this genetically enhanced mutant named Hugh Jackman – the one “so blessed” to come out of his mother with ripped abs and a perfectly trimmed wolverine beard of a five-o-clock shadow:
This photo comes from the FIRST X-Men movie (remember, 15 years ago):
HAHAHAHAHAHA!
That’s actually him in the first movie – it’s not a bad impersonator – I promise.
If you’re seeing what I’m seeing, in the first X-Men movie he looks nothing like Wolverine does now.
He doesn’t even LOOK like Hugh Jackman! No, actually he looks like a BAD Hugh Jackman lookalike, that’s doing a BAD impression of Wolverine for a children’s birthday party on Halloween!
Again, for laughs, let’s take another comparison between the two:
It’s taken 15 years, and his physique has COMPLETELY changed. His looks have become more “wolverine-like” over time, AND he embodies his character better now than ever before. His physique, his attitude, his personality, and even his career, has all evolved to be more like wolverine.
With this as our base, I’d like to introduce you to The Wolverine Principle:
The Wolverine Principle
Progress is exponential so the more you immerse yourself over an extended period of time, the more noticeable progress you’ll be able to see.
I know this sounds incredibly simple, but it’s a principle that’s easily forgotten. See, we’re talking about the change that can happen over a year, or five years, or even ten or more years. This isn’t the “overnight change.”
It’s the same thing that causes people to stop exercising because they “don’t see results” from day to day. But if they were to compare a picture of themselves three months ago to a picture after three months of hard work, the change would be completely evident. So regardless of whether you’re a comic book fan, a Jackman fan, or you simply know “a fan”, there five things you can learn from the basics of the Wolverine Principle.
1) Just Start With What You’ve Got
Believe it or not, Hugh Jackman was 31 when he first played Wolverine. It’s almost laughable when you compare the picture on the left to the picture on the right. He’s 45 in that picture. It’s a perfect example of how just starting will put you light years ahead.
The point is that back then, Jackman wasn’t anywhere close to the physical shape he is now. But it didn’t matter.
He STARTED with what he had, and then worked at it. It may not have been exactly what he wanted, be he trusted himself. It ended up being good enough to jumpstart a trilogy, and to lay the groundwork for the current superhero movie craze.
He turned a simple “start” into a career with one character that runs over seven movies (with more likely on the way), over 15 years, and a bunch of money in his bank account. But he had to start somewhere.
Lesson:
Start with what you’ve got. “Get scrappy” if you have to, and use what you learn to take the next step.
2) Practice Makes Perfect
The first three X-Men movies were passable. The spin-offs and new class series have varied in awesomeness. There have been plenty of hiccups in continuity and script-writing, not to mention a number of director changes, which has at least in some way affected the overall vision of each film.
But Wolverine has been constant.
And Hugh kept at it film, after film, after film.
He gets a little bit better in each movie–his acting, his physique, his personality, his wolverine growl…
EVERYTHING.
Lesson:
Keep practicing and learn from your mistakes. Find something that didn’t work perfectly the first time? Try six more times–over 14 years. You’ll probably see some improvements. 🙂
3) Put In The Work
Wolverine is jacked – so Hugh Jackman has to get – quite literally – jacked, hence earning him the nickname “Jack-edman”.
And it’s not CGI.
Jackman is human. He can’t take a magic serum or pill. He has to actually put in the work. And it’s A LOT of work.
In other words, he wouldn’t be quite the jacked man if he didn’t put in the work.
But he does.
There are dozens of articles on Jackman’s training routines & schedules, along with this awesome tweet from Hugh himself:
If the bar ain't bendin, then you're just pretendin #xmen #daysoffuturepast pic.twitter.com/7sDhbPNNUm
— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) July 30, 2013
Sometimes even for superheroes, the biggest superpower is just “hard work.”
Lesson:
Put in the work. There’s no substitute for training.
4) Don’t Play A Character–Become It
If someone said the word “wolverine,” you’d probably think of Hugh Jackman before you think of anything else–including the actual animal itself!
Hugh Jackman IS The Wolverine.
That’s all there is to it.
There is no one else.
Let me say it again: Hugh Jackman doesn’t just play Wolverine anymore, he IS Wolverine.
If you want to become something, you can’t just pretend.
I posted this the other day and I think it’s one of the most motivating kick-in-the-pants you can listen to (slight language so put your headphones in at work).
For a slightly more SFW and picturesque version of this, see this note:
p.s. If you’re not following me on instagram (here), you’re missing out.
Hugh Jackman literally BECAME his character.
He’s the image of Wolverine for many people, no matter what comic books series you read as a kid – because he’s so completely become his character.
This is different than faking it till you make it. If you want to BE something, the only thing standing in your way is YOUR decision to be it.
Lesson:
- If you want to be a writer, start writing–every single day.
- If you want to be an athlete, work out–every single day.
- If you want to be an artist, create something–every single day.
Whatever it is you want to accomplish:
Make a goal, set a plan, execute, and become it.
5) You’re Never Done Until You’re Done
In the comics, Wolverine is immortal; he never ages and he has super-healing powers. I’m not sure that Hugh has figured that part out quite yet, but one thing is for sure:
He just keeps going.
There’s another mini lesson in here: just because you’re older, doesn’t mean you can’t start and it definitely doesn’t mean you can’t get “back to the glory days” or flat out make your days ahead even better.
I don’t know his future career plans, but he’ll probably keep playing Wolverine until he’s 60, and continue improving his portrayal of the character as time goes on. That’s exactly what he’s done so far.
Lesson:
You don’t have to be Superman to do great work – sometimes it’s better to be like Wolverine, and master it over a lifetime.
===
The Wolverine Principle:
Progress is exponential so the more you immerse yourself over an extended period of time, the more noticeable progress you’ll be able to see.
If you’re not where you want to be yet, keep at it; this guy sure did.
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Joel, I have to say that this article is pretty great! I needed this today, I really did.
This article is horseshit.
What’s changed in 15 years isn’t Hugh Jackman, it’s the insane physique that’s to be expected for action heroes (and the amount of money that comes from selling that idea).
http://www.esquire.co.uk/culture/features/7588/the-rise-and-rise-of-the-spornosexual/
This analogy fails all over the place. And comparing yourself to Hugh Jackson–no matter what your passion–borders on insanity.
The question is: Why do we aspire to greatness? Is it to be noticed by those above our own station? Or is it to be used by a corporation to sell product?
I’d really hope that at the end of the day, there’s more to it than that.
Hey Jason 🙂
Hope you’re having a good day.
You don’t really address any of the issues I talked about and I don’t tell ANYONE to compare themselves to Hugh Jackman. I tell them what they can LEARN from someone who’s worked on a character for over 15 years. You should calm down.
Ranting is fine, if you’d like to do it on your own site, but please refrain from doing so in my comments section.
I make no apologies but I have to state to obvious… Jason, go get a job…please
It’s easy to be a critic! I mean it really doesn’t take much. All you have to do is sit idle in life, observe and plan the attack.
Jason, your mindset is poison. It will always be a thief of your self confidence to do something greater in life
Joel, your post is bang on! It takes effort to change! it takes effort to believe!. It takes effort to think better of your Self! It takes effort to raise your opinion of your Self! It take effort to think like a champion!
To negative takes nothing; just stop being positive. Like a car battery…you have to keep charging “positive” ; “negative” does nothing.
I’ve enjoyed IMPOSSIBLEHQ because it keeps me charged.
Joel, you’re a winner! Hope to see you on the ultra trail…
Very best & Continued Success,
Joe
Um Ultra Joe…. not to split hairs but the negative terminal of a car battery is integral to its operation. Just try to start a car without it!
Hi Joel & Jason,
I hope I’m not out of line by saying I found a lot of value in both your article and the Esquire one Jason posted. They are not related except that they both talk about Jackman.
P.S. I’m having an awesome day, and when that happens, I sometimes to misinterpret ill intentions as something well meaning. My apologies if this is the case on this, it’s not my intention to feed seagulls\trolls.
Very enjoyable article! Hugh is a legend!
I love to see people transform over time!
Inspiring. I needed this, not only to help go to bed soon, so I can get up early to go to gym and mass, but so I can be the urban planner I am and lead my team well. Thanks Joel.
Thanks Joel, this was a good reminder to work at it. Nothing happens until you do the work.
Hey Joel,
Believe it or not, I’m 43 and actually was Wolverine’s body double for his latest movie. Ok, that’s a lie, but I do train my ass off. I am usually one of the oldest guys at the gym but am pushing harder than any of them I guarantee that!
Love your message, bro..
And it’s unbelievable that Greg Plitt from your video was killed last week. Fucking nuts!
Amazing post! With the things I’m working on I continue to put in the work. Slowly but surely I’m making progress. Put in the work. Do that consistently and things have to change.
I still remember watching the first X-Men movie and thinking, “They casted this guy to play Wolverine?” Honestly, it was my one major complaint in that first movie when it came out and I’m not even a movie critic type of guy. Now, I can’t imagine anyone even playing the character and when I look back at the first X-Men movies I actually think differently now, for some reason. “Man, they really casted Wolverine perfect in that first movie.” Weird, I know… but that’s how my brain sees it.
Great article, Joel. Lots of truths in there…
Just WOW!!!
Thanks man!
While, I agree with everything the article says. The hard work. The dedication. The sheer discipline it takes to achieve a great physique – you have conveniently left out one small thing.
Testosterone.
It’s possible to gain a lot of muscle. It’s possible to get shredded. But to gain a LOT of lean mass while having body fat in single digits, is only possible through years of flawless training, diet and genetics in the top 1% of individuals. Is Hugh Jackman such a person?
Possibly. But he changed his physique a lot quicker than that.
Don’t get me wrong. Putting 500mg of testosterone into your body for 12 weeks isn’t a ‘magic pill’. Without dedication, the right diet and hardcore training – not a lot will change – but people shouldn’t be tricked into believing this kind of body is available to anyone without hormonal assistance. It can make people feel worse if they dedicate everything to training, only to discover that in a few years, they have only gained 10 lbs and dropped to 12% body fat. It’s great.. but expectations are artificially enhance by following those who have had help along the way.
I don’t know your knowledge on the subject, so I apologise if I’m stating the obvious here, but many of your readers may not be aware.
Don’t get me wrong – Jackmans physique is the result of insane dedication and an incredibly strict diet – but there is more to it.
This isn’t a criticism of the man. Thousands of elite athletes, Hollywood superstars and high achievers from all walks of life strive to enhance their physiques by pushing beyond their natural limitations. I think he’s awesome.
It is a great article. He’s a great guy and is someone we should all get inspiration from.
Hey Jamie,
If you were talking about The Rock, I think your point would have more validity. I think he’s jacked, but Jackman is much more of the conceivable variety than The Rock. If you have proof he uses, then cite those sources, but just saying he uses it without sources makes it an untenable premise.
Nice article, Joel! I agree with much of what you said. One thing I was confused about , however, was you saying that Hugh Jackman became Wolverine. He did in terms of acting when he’s playing the role. I think that is what you meant, but just to make sure, I wanted to add that I’ve met the guy and in person and in the way he handles his life and career, he is pretty much the opposite of Wolverine, which even he has acknowledged. He loves musical theater and dancing and is a sensitive, family oriented, soft-spoken, playful, smiley, happy, spiritual human being and a true humanitarian. He has overcome hardships in his life but has no chip on his shoulder like Wolverine. In short, he is an absolute sweetheart and also quite a bit of a nerd and highly intelligent. So other than becoming the character on film with time due to practice and intense training, he is probably 0% like Wolverine in his actual life.
Either way, great article and thanks for the inspiration and the cool analogy! 🙂
Well done Joel!
Hugh Jackman actually grew up in my city.
Consistent effort and action over a period of time are exactly what is required to net results like these.
“It takes as long as it takes”
We all need to stop being so impatient and just embrace the process.
I’m sure I read an interview with Hugh Jackman after the first Movie came out where he said he took cold showers to get into the ‘Wolverine’ character. I was sure you were going to mention that in this post. lol
Keep moving forward!