Hi All,
Here’s you weekly dose of what I’m currently consuming, reading, and partaking in. Enjoy!
What I’m Reading
I’ll let my Instagram caption do the bulk of the talking on this one but as a manager, this book was so valuable for me. And if you’re a teacher, coach, or just starting out in the professional world, you’ll learn important lessons about what to look for when evaluating your career.
Recognition is such an important part of work. Whether it’s receiving a compliment or a reward when you did a good job, or getting scolded when you mess up – it’s important to know that you are valued and cared about by your boss and your peers. This book not only tackles the most effective ways to get more out of yourself and your employees, it breaks down the fundamental needs of human psyche.
Primal Endurance – Mark Sisson & Brad Kearns
I’ve been following Mark Sisson for while now through a circuit of fitness podcasts like Joe Rogan, Kyle Kingbury, and Aubrey Marcus. He’s a former professional triathlete, marathon runner and coach who completely switched his ideology on endurance training and nutrition. Gone are the days of hammering 60 miles/week and stuffing pasta and breads to carbo load and fill in all those depleted calories. Mark Sisson and many of the top experts in the field agree that the new approach should be focused on short, sustained periods of cardio (low heartrate and breathing through your nose), strength training (sprinkled in with variety like yoga, soccer, swimming, kayaking, etc), and rest. All while fueling you body via a fat-based diet consisting of meat, fish, eggs, fowl, veggies, fruits, nuts, and seeds.
Seems pretty straight forward when you put it that way. But the weekend marathoners (like myself) continue to log way to many miles and stuff their faces with pizza, french fries, and bagels to replenish their carb and calorie depletion. This book has opened my eyes to a much more intuitive approach focused on longevity and sustained excellence. Not running for running’s sake and burning yourself out. If you’re the type who does a lot of races you will benefit tremendously from just listening to one of Mark’s podcast episodes (links above).
You can check out his blog and other products at Mark’s Daily Apple. He also created Primal Kitchen foods, which just got bought out by Kraft Heinz. Big stuff. Their ranch dressing tastes just like the normal stuff. It’s a bit expensive, but it’s worth it when you don’t feel like shit after dousing your carrots (or pizza if you’re weird).
Watch I’m Sporting
Garmin Forerunner 735XT ($280)
I finally bought the watch I’ve been eyeing for the last month. I previously used the Polar M400 for years but the watch’s GPS kicked out, losing pretty much all it’s value. The Garmin, on the other hand, has already surpassed my expectations. It connects to my phone via Blutooth and there is also an app where you can track your sleeping patterns, fitness goals, etc. You can hook it up to receive your texts and calendar notifications but I find that kind of annoying. I’ve also heard good things about the Garmin Forerunner 235 ($240), which is just for running purposes. I only got the 735 ($280) because it’s built specifically for triathlons for only $40 more.
Netflix Show and Podcast to Listen To
Brene Brown: The Call to Courage [Netflix]
This Netflix special is definitely on the longer side, so if you haven’t seen her Ted Talk (video below), I highly suggest it – it has 40 million views, so a few other people must have liked it… Brene Brown takes the stage to talk about how vulnerability is the ultimate path to success and personal freedom. Her message it basically this: as soon as you’re able to confront your demons and just say “Fuck it” to laugh about it, cry about it, or just share it with someone – a whole new world of opportunity opens up for you. I can attest to this myself with several of my relationships. It fucking SUCKS, but as soon as you’re brave enough to let go of the shame of whatever it is you’re holding inside of you, you break down a gigantic barrier and from then on you can accomplish anything with ease after that.
Look, success in life mainly boils down to a simple, but insanely difficult practice:
Put yourself in as many uncomfortable situations as possible, and your growth will compoud.
You’re afraid of public speaking? Join an improv comedy class. You can’t swim? Fucking jump in the deep end and figure it out (don’t actually do that, but you know what I mean).
One of my favorite Tim Ferris quotes:
A person’s success in life can usually be measured by the number of uncomfortable conversations he or she is willing to have.
Sorry to get all preachy, but that’s a fucking FACT. Watch this shit.
- Brene Brown on Podcasts
- Articles on Brene Brown
Great Reads Aross the Internet
- Jackie MacMullan is the Great Chronicler of Basketball’s Golden Age [New Yorker] Jackie MacMullan is a G. This is a great read about her rise in the male-domindated sports journalism world. Lawrence Taylor once threw a hair dryer at her, so that’s nice…
- White House Wants $1.6 Billion Extra for NASA to Accelerate Astronaut Return to the Moon [The Verge]: Did you know if it weren’t for NASA you wouldn’t have like half the shit you use on a daily basis? Camera phones, scratch-resistent glasses, CAT scans, dust busters, memory foam, the computer mouse, and hundreds of other everyday items. Love NASA. Love space. Let’s do it.
- 100 Years Ago in Photos: A Look Back at 1919 [The Atlantic]
I’ll be running the Popular Brooklyn Half Marathon tomorrow so if I die, or half-die, I hope you enjoyed my articles.
-KB