When Mike Chang got laughed out of the fitness community, he didn’t disappear. Instead, the man behind Sixpack Shortcuts resurfaced with something far stranger.
His new venture, Flow60, claims to be practiced in over 270 countries, which is impressive until you realize there are only 195 countries on Earth.
For those unfamiliar with Chang’s past, Sixpack Shortcuts was exactly what it sounds like: an infomercial-style fitness program selling shortcuts to abs through at-home workouts. The fitness community quickly parodied his absurd claims, and by 2015, after collecting millions of dollars, Chang left the company. His last year there reportedly generated $13 million in revenue, and peak years likely brought in even more.
Then things got strange. Chang relocated to Bali, Indonesia, purchasing multiple villas and launching a new spiritual movement. His website offers a $97 course promising inner peace through five hours of lessons, five simple training methods that supposedly accomplish what took Buddha six years and 49 days of meditation.
The red flags are numerous. Flow60’s own graphics label potential customers as being in a phase one state, employing a common tactic of treating people as though they need rescuing. This approach mirrors patterns seen in various questionable organizations: offer something free to build trust, sell a moderately priced product, then upsell to the premium offering, which in this case is a Bali retreat costing between $4,500 and $7,000 for seven days.
The coaching program raises additional concerns. Aspiring coaches must invest money upfront for training, essentially paying for the privilege of potentially recruiting others to do the same. The website shows numerous coaches with all 20 spots available, suggesting limited actual demand for their services.
Chang’s marketing materials are filled with technical terminology about lymphatic drainage, energy channels, and meridians. These complex terms create an impression of secret knowledge without clear explanation, a common tactic among those selling enlightenment.
The Bali retreat promotional content features participants describing the experience as a family and brotherhood, praising the like-minded community. Chang himself appears constantly in white clothing, positioning himself as someone with special access to inner peace.
The transformation from fitness influencer to spiritual guide raises questions as Chang built his following by preying on people desperate for quick fitness results. Now, he appears to be targeting those seeking spiritual fulfillment, offering rapid enlightenment for a price.
The pattern is familiar: identify vulnerable people seeking solutions, present yourself as having special knowledge, build trust through free content, then sell increasingly expensive products and experiences. Whether fitness shortcuts or spiritual practices, the underlying mechanism remains the same.
Chang’s partner reportedly left her entire life behind months after meeting him to join this venture. The retreat takes place on a remote island where participants spend days immersed in his teachings and practices, surrounded only by fellow believers.
