John Joseph’s PMA Effect Review
Can John Jospeh’s “The PMA Effect” change your life?
John Joseph’s Life
Even if you just read this review of The PMA Effect, you can’t help but be inspired by John Joseph. The punk rock singer is most well-known for being the lead singer of the world famous Cro-Mags. The hardcore punk/crossover thrash band has a massive cult following and has inspired some of the most famous punk bands around. He is also an ironman, published author, and inspirational lifestyle guru. But he hasn’t always had fame and fortune.
Look back to 1977, and John Joseph was on the streets of New York after escaping the abusive homes he was placed in. Sleeping rough and acting as a heroin drug-mule were the only ways to survive. By 1978 he was thrown in New York State’s infamous juvenile facility, Spofford Correctional.
What turned his life around? How did the son of an abusive alcoholic, who lived through rampant New York violence both in and out of state institutions, become the success he is today?
The PMA Effect
The PMA Effect is a book by John Joseph, that summarizes how his Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) transformed him into the vegan-ironman-punk-rock-lifestyle-guru he is today. For my money, its one of the best self-help books out there. Not only is it inspiring to meditate on Joseph’s journey, but it lays out a practical roadmap that can pull you out of whatever funk you are in right now.
A Slap in The Face
I’m not going to lie - sometimes, when you are reading the book it can feel tough. Not mean, or judgemental, but tough. John Joseph doesn’t sugarcoat his language. Much like another book I admire, The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A Fuck by Mark Manson, it is a no BS wake-up call to take action in your life.
There is obviously no substitute for actual therapy, but with depression and anxiety seemingly on the rise, and the world getting more and more complicated with every news story, The PMA Effect is one of those books that cuts through the noise. The evidence is there - you have the ability to drag yourself out of whatever dip you are in by changing the way you approach your life.
The PMA Effect is wonderful. Its digestible, and you can leave it on your nightstand or take it with you on the subway, finishing it in under a week. Reading it feels like a moment of clarity - like the fog has been lifted. The no-nonsense approach is incredibly refreshing, and each page feels like a new revelation - but a not one that was elusive, or Earth-shattering. Rather, it is a pointing out of the obvious that makes you want to scream “Of course! How did I not see this before?”
Other Books
One of the biggest aspects of John Joseph’s life is his plant-based diet. He has been a vegan for years, since before it was popular. While veganism isn’t the main focus of The PMA Effect, it is something I wanted to touch on in this review - I encourage readers to look into some of his other books like Meat Is For Pussies (look past the title). This gives a “how-to guide for dudes who want to get fit, kick ass, and take names”. He has also published a fantastic autobiography, The Evolution of a Cro-Magnon, which is an excellent companion book to The PMA Effect.
In Summary
However you get into the life and works of John Joseph, I thoroughly recommend picking up a copy of The PMA Effect. It goes hand in hand with some of my other book reviews and is an excellent book to read alongside some of the calmer and less in-your-face books that are designed to help you get out of a bad situation, like Pema Chödrön’s When Things Fall Apart. Read through it, and let me know what you think on Twitter!