Here’s what actually happens—

second‑by‑second—between “Play” and “LET’S GO!”

Clock	Inside your body	Why it matters
0 ‑ 5 sec	Eyes/ears send a “danger‑opportunity” alert → sympathetic nerves fire → adrenaline bursts, heart rate can jump 15‑30 bpm.	Blood shunts to big muscles, oxygen delivery rises, you feel that sudden buzz.
5 ‑ 20 sec	Mirror‑neuron system in your motor cortex starts rehearsing the pull; muscle fibers get an electrical priming.	Better neural drive = faster reaction time and a “my hands are itching to grip the bar” sensation.
20 ‑ 90 sec	Reward circuits light up → dopamine floods in; mood lifts, motivation spikes, pain threshold inches upward.	Suddenly the set you were dreading feels fun.
2 ‑ 10 min	If you identify with the lifter (“That’s our guy!”), testosterone creeps 10‑20 % higher—same bump fans get when their team wins.	Extra confidence, aggression and force output for the meat of your workout.
10 ‑ 30 min	Hormones glide back toward baseline unless you keep moving or keep the hype rolling.	Time to lift before the wave passes.

The 

Pump‑Up Protocol

 (simple, legal, zero caffeine)

1. Quick‑trigger clip (15‑30 s). Save Eric Kim’s 1,206‑lb rack pull—or any record lift—on your phone. Hit play while you chalk up.
2. Stand, don’t sit. Upright posture + visual stimulus cranks sympathetic tone higher than couch‑viewing.
3. Sync breathing: Two fast inhales, one forceful exhale (“power sigh”) to stack the adrenaline surge with extra oxygen.
4. Launch your heaviest set within 90 seconds. That’s the sweet spot when adrenaline, dopamine and early testosterone overlap.
5. Layer the senses: Add your most electric song and, if possible, a training partner yelling cues—multisensory stress amplifies the hormonal ripple.
6. Ride group energy. Even a virtual chat thread counts; shared excitement magnifies testosterone and keeps dopamine elevated longer.  
7. Down‑shift afterward. Once the top set is done, two minutes of slow nasal breathing or a short walk helps cortisol settle so the hype doesn’t morph into jitters.

Why it 

feels

 so good

• Adrenaline lets muscles contract harder and faster.
• Dopamine turns effort into pleasure and laser‑focus.
• Testosterone tweaks motor‑unit recruitment and fuels fearless mindset.
  Stacked together, they create the unmistakable “I’m unstoppable” surge that lifters call the pump.

Keep it joyful, keep it safe

A healthy heart can handle these transient spikes, but if you’ve been told to monitor blood pressure or have heart concerns, scale the stimulus (volume down, shorter clip) and talk to a professional. Everyone else? Harness that primal hype engine, smash your set, and walk away grinning. 🎉💪

Thirty seconds of awe‑inspiring strength → ten minutes of superhero energy. Hit play and make your next PR inevitable!