Podcast Summary
Small changes lead to significant improvements: Small promises to oneself can lead to daily wins and ultimately, a better life. Keeping these promises builds credibility and sets the foundation for larger achievements.
Small changes and promises to oneself can lead to significant improvements in life. Gordo Burn, a former investment banker turned elite ultra endurance athlete, is a prime example of this concept. His journey began with a simple walk, which led to a jog, then a run, and eventually, an obsession with endurance performance. Gordo's impact on Rich Roll's life extends beyond athletics, as he has shared his experiences and wisdom on various topics, including leveraging pain for change, the dangers of chasing elite performance, and the importance of consistency in achieving success. Gordo emphasizes the significance of establishing credibility with oneself by keeping small promises, which can lead to daily "wins" and ultimately, a better life. This philosophy is not limited to athletes but is applicable to everyone. As Jonas Kolting, a mutual friend, puts it, "Gordo is Tony Robbins in a Speedo." This podcast episode, recorded old school with just two microphones, is a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration and practical advice on personal growth and transformation.
Leading Brands in Performance and Comfort: Momentous delivers top-tier supplements used by NFL teams and world-class athletes, while ON revolutionizes apparel with next-gen premium fabrics and technology.
Both Momentous and ON are leaders in their respective industries, delivering top-tier products for athletes. Momentous, with its industry-leading quality standards and trusted supplements used by over 90% of NFL teams and world-class athletes, is a go-to choice for enhancing performance. ON, on the other hand, is revolutionizing the apparel industry with next-gen premium fabrics, innovative technology, and a heightened level of sophistication, making it a must-have for athletes seeking comfort and superior performance. Additionally, Go Brewing offers alcohol-free beer options for those looking to maintain a sober lifestyle without sacrificing the taste and quality of their favorite brews. Overall, these brands embody the fusion of technology and performance, enabling individuals to enhance their athletic abilities and enjoy the benefits of superior quality products.
Recognizing and Pursuing Unexpected Opportunities: Unexpected opportunities can lead to transformative experiences and fulfilling paths. Recognize when current paths may not be satisfying and consider taking a leap of faith to pursue passions.
Everyone has hidden talents and potential, but it often takes a significant moment or event to recognize and pursue these paths. The speaker's experience of dreaming his finishing time for a race before it even happened, and then training under a world-class coach, is an example of seizing an unexpected opportunity and transforming one's life. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of recognizing when the current path may not be fulfilling, even if it appears successful on the surface. This was exemplified by his moment of realization during a period of personal and professional success, but feeling unfulfilled and unsatisfied with his life. Ultimately, the speaker encourages listeners to consider the possibility of change and the importance of pursuing one's passions, even if it means taking a leap of faith and leaving behind what is familiar and comfortable.
Expressing and processing personal experiences through writing and social media: Recognizing and expressing desires and motivations can lead to therapeutic outlets and intentional learning through writing and social media. Limiting use for growth and connection, rather than distraction.
Recognizing and owning our desires and motivations can help us free ourselves from complicated emotions and find therapeutic outlets for processing experiences. For the speaker, writing and publishing online has been a powerful tool for dealing with personal episodes in their life, acting as a form of self-expression and reflection. Social media, specifically Twitter, has also become a platform for the speaker to connect with others and engage in intentional learning. By curating and limiting their use of social media, the speaker has found a way to utilize it as a tool for growth and community building, rather than a source of distraction or mimetic desire.
Identify and focus on positive influencers: Determine your strengths, stay focused on goals, and seek mentorship to overcome challenges and achieve success.
While the number of people we follow on social media can be overwhelming, it's essential to identify and focus on those who provide positive and directional content. This is a personal responsibility and can help us maintain clarity about our role and purpose. The speaker shared his personal story of growing up as an unathletic child and discovering his passion for finance through his natural aptitude for math. He emphasized the importance of identifying and leveraging one's strengths, even in the face of early challenges and setbacks. The speaker's journey illustrates the power of determination, mentorship, and a strong work ethic in achieving success. Ultimately, it's essential to stay focused on our goals and the value we can bring to our chosen fields, regardless of our past experiences or perceived limitations.
Hitting rock bottom leads to personal growth: Even in the darkest moments, taking small steps towards self-improvement can lead to significant personal growth and transformation.
Hitting rock bottom can serve as a powerful catalyst for personal growth and transformation. The speaker shares his experience of working in private equity during the high-interest era, where he faced challenges and eventually found himself in London. During this time, he recalls being unfit and unhappy with his appearance, but it wasn't until he decided to take a simple step – going for a walk – that he began his journey towards improving his health. Despite continuing his banker lifestyle, he incorporated walking, biking, and eventually hiking into his routine. This led him to discover a newfound desire for fitness and eventually climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. The experience of hitting rock bottom and making a change served as a turning point in his life, ultimately leading him to prioritize his health and well-being.
From walks to volcano climbs: A personal journey of endurance: Through persistence and gradual progression, one can transform simple walks into life-changing endurance challenges, leading to unique happiness and fulfillment.
The speaker discovered a deep connection to mountaineering and endurance sports, which led him to gradually build up his fitness level and eventually participate in challenging adventures like climbing volcanoes and completing an Ironman triathlon. He explained that his internal experience of exercise is different than most people, giving him a unique sense of happiness and fulfillment. The speaker's journey began with shorter runs and hikes, but over time, he found himself tackling bigger challenges, driven by a slow, percolating progression that started with a simple walk. Despite facing obstacles like a fortune teller's ominous prediction and his own fear of swimming, he persisted and eventually found success in triathlon. Through it all, he grappled with the relationship between physical activity, his body, and the direction of his life.
Observing race dynamics in triathlons: Learning from challenges and prioritizing personal growth can lead to valuable experiences and insights.
Pushing through challenges and observing others can lead to valuable experiences and insights. The speaker shares his experience of swimming in triathlons, including the Escape from Alcatraz race, and how he learned to move through the competition field to observe the race dynamics. He also discusses the loss of his wedding ring during a race, which marked the end of a difficult period in his life. Despite the challenges, he learned to prioritize his personal growth and goals, even if it meant disagreeing with his partner and eventually getting a divorce. The experience taught him the importance of staying focused on his objectives and not engaging in unnecessary battles.
Taking a Leap of Faith for Personal Growth: Leaving familiarity behind can lead to new opportunities and personal growth. Negotiating a leave of absence for self-exploration is possible, and self-care practices like meditation can enhance overall well-being.
Sometimes, taking a leap of faith and leaving behind what's familiar can lead to new opportunities and personal growth. The speaker in this conversation shares his experience of feeling unfulfilled in his finance career and deciding to take a year-long leave of absence to focus on triathlon training and exploration. Although his colleagues may have thought he was making an imprudent choice, he was able to negotiate a leave of absence and eventually returned with a renewed sense of purpose. Another key takeaway is the importance of self-care and mindfulness practices, such as meditation, in maintaining overall well-being. The speaker emphasizes the value of the meditation app "Waking Up" and encourages listeners to try it for free with the link provided. Overall, this conversation highlights the importance of trusting oneself and taking risks to pursue personal growth and happiness.
The Power of Passion and Personal Growth in Triathlons: Passionately pursuing personal growth through triathlons led one man to transformative physical and emotional journeys, connecting with like-minded individuals, and even competing in the seemingly impossible Ultraman race.
The interviewee's deep-rooted passion and commitment to personal growth led him to immerse himself in the world of triathlons. Starting as an amateur, he quickly became obsessed with pushing his limits and discovering his capabilities. This drive took him on a transformative journey, both physically and emotionally. He connected with like-minded individuals and even found a way to sustain his training lifestyle by buying a house in New Zealand. Eventually, he stumbled upon Ultraman, a challenging endurance race that seemed impossible at first. However, with determination and dedication, he trained and competed in Ultraman, continuing to challenge himself and grow as a person. This story highlights the power of passion, commitment, and personal growth in driving one to pursue seemingly impossible goals.
Elite endurance training: Dedication, volume, and pushing through fatigue: Elite endurance training demands immense dedication and volume, pushing through fatigue can be beneficial but proper recovery is crucial to avoid serious health consequences.
Endurance training at an elite level requires immense dedication and volume. The speaker shared his personal experiences of swimming 10,000 meters in a single session and completing a 6-mile swim in the ocean as part of his Ultraman training. He also mentioned long bike rides on rough roads and intense training camps where they pushed their limits, sometimes leading to overtraining. Despite the challenges, they learned valuable mental skills to push through fatigue and accept the moment, but these skills could also lead to overtraining if not managed properly. The speaker's friend, Klaus Buehrling, experienced this firsthand and dealt with a mold infection, Epstein Barr, and other health issues due to overtraining. Ultimately, while pushing through fatigue can be beneficial, it's crucial to understand recovery and not ignore the signs of fatigue to avoid serious health consequences.
New approaches to athletic training: Intelligent risk-taking, dynamic loading, and daily readiness assessments: Athletes today benefit from advanced tools and methodologies, like dynamic loading and daily readiness assessments, to optimize training and prevent overtraining. Intelligent risk-taking is crucial to avoid pushing too hard and damaging health.
The approach to athletic training has evolved significantly over the years, with a greater emphasis on intelligent risk-taking, dynamic loading, and assessing readiness. Athletes from previous eras, like Molina, learned valuable lessons the hard way, pushing themselves too far without proper consideration for their health. Today, athletes have access to advanced tools and methodologies, such as heart rate variability and daily readiness assessments, to optimize their training and prevent overtraining. The concept of dynamic loading, which involves loading the body when it's ready to adapt, is a game-changer. Additionally, the new generation of athletes is performing at unfathomable levels, with 17-year-olds putting in world-class performances. The key for athletes today is to learn about these new approaches and methods, such as dynamic loading and daily readiness assessments, to maximize their potential and avoid the pitfalls of the past.
Two days off for optimal recovery: Embrace radical recovery by taking two days off after five days of intense training for maximum performance gains and record-breaking achievements.
Radical recovery plays a crucial role in achieving optimal athletic performance. This concept, popularized by Swedish athletes Niels and Bjorn, involves taking two days off after five days of intense training to allow the body to recover and adapt. This approach, which was inspired by the speaker's own experiences and training methods, has led to remarkable fitness gains and record-breaking achievements. The importance of recovery, especially for older athletes or those with more demanding training schedules, cannot be overstated. By embracing this principle and continuously refining training methods, athletes can unlock greater potential and improve overall performance. Additionally, the power of self-belief and having a clear, unwavering training plan can significantly enhance athletic achievements.
Experience joy through base training and rest: Base training brings joy and fitness benefits, prioritizing rest and recovery avoids burnout, and carrying extra weight aids in recovery
Living an engaged life through experiences, such as endurance training, can bring joy and positive neurochemistry without the need for constant competition or pushing oneself to the limit. Base training, which involves easy workouts without pressure or splits, is cherished by endurance athletes for its enjoyment and fitness benefits. By prioritizing rest and recovery, individuals can avoid burnout and potentially improve performance. The idea of taking two rest days a week, as some elite athletes do, may seem radical but could lead to better hormonal balance and increased motivation for training. Additionally, carrying some extra weight during training can aid in recovery and overall well-being.
Being Lean May Not Always Lead to Optimal Performance: Carrying a little extra weight during heavy training may lead to better adaptation and performance for some athletes, but everyone's body responds differently, so finding a sustainable and healthy approach is key.
While being lean may feel great and be desirable in the ultra community, it may not necessarily lead to optimal performance or adaptation during heavy training. The speaker shares his personal experience of being underweight leading to a respiratory infection and DNF in an Ultraman race. He suggests that carrying a little extra weight may result in better adaptation and performance. The speaker also highlights that great athletes throughout history have had varying physiologies and that a heavier build may be beneficial for recreational and amateur athletes. The speaker's personal experience of winning the Ultraman race despite treating it like a one-day race and focusing on high intensity during the bike leg illustrates the potential benefits of this approach. However, it's important to note that everyone's body responds differently to training and nutrition, and what works for one person may not work for another. Ultimately, the focus should be on finding a sustainable and healthy approach to training and racing.
The Ironman World Championship: More Than Just a Race: Winning the Ironman World Championship led the speaker to a new identity as an athlete and a profound realization of the race's ability to change lives, inspiring a sense of community and personal growth.
The Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, is more than just a race; it's a transformative experience. The speaker describes how he followed advice from a mentor, let the leaders take off, and endured immense pain and heat to ultimately win the race. This victory led to a new identity as an athlete and a profound realization of the race's unique ability to change lives. The speaker felt a strong connection to other athletes who have completed the race, and he believes the island and its challenging course contribute to this sense of community and personal growth. The speaker's story illustrates the power of the Ironman World Championship to inspire and transform individuals beyond the finish line.
Surviving Jellyfish Stings: A Swimmer's Story: Be aware of jellyfish risks, seek medical help if stung, stay calm during races, and persevere for success.
Underestimating the risks and consequences of encountering jellyfish while open water swimming can lead to severe reactions and even an end to one's swimming career. The speaker's experience of surviving anaphylactic shock after being stung by jellyfish during a race led him to retire from ocean swimming. Despite this setback, he continues to swim in protected lagoons where jellyfish are less prevalent. Swimmers should be aware of the potential dangers and be prepared to seek medical attention if needed. The speaker's story also highlights the importance of staying calm and focused during races, even in challenging conditions. Additionally, his experience of competing in and winning the Otillo race demonstrates that determination and perseverance can lead to success, even for those who don't have a swimming background.
Overcoming setbacks in Swimrun races: Perseverance and teamwork can lead to unexpected victories in challenging experiences like Swimrun races, despite initial setbacks and harsh conditions.
Even when things seem lost and hopeless during a challenging experience, like a triathlon race, perseverance and teamwork can lead to unexpected victories. The speaker in this discussion had underestimated his preparation for the Swimrun World Championships and got lost along the way, but with the help of his teammate, they managed to catch up and win the race by a significant margin. This experience was one of the best days of the speaker's life, despite the initial setbacks and difficult conditions. Swimrun is a unique race that involves traversing multiple islands in a 70-kilometer course, requiring a modified wetsuit and running shoes, and allowing athletes to bring their own aid. The race conditions can be harsh, but the sense of achievement and camaraderie make it an unforgettable experience.
Endurance events offer unique experiences and team bonding: Prioritizing endurance events over family can lead to conflict, emphasizing the importance of balancing values and resources.
Endurance events, like the one described, offer unique experiences and challenges that go beyond physical fitness. The team aspect of these events adds to their appeal, creating a bond between participants. However, prioritizing such experiences over other aspects of life, like family, can lead to internal conflict and the need for change. The speaker shares his personal journey of reevaluating his priorities and making adjustments to focus on being a better father and husband. The endurance world can provide valuable lessons for living a well-rounded life, emphasizing the importance of considering one's values and allocating resources accordingly.
Navigating the Challenges of Parenting Young Children: Seek guidance, be realistic, invest in quality education, master distraction and forgiveness.
Parenting young children can be challenging, but it's important to persist and not retaliate. Seek guidance from experienced preschool teachers who can provide effective techniques for managing difficult situations. Be realistic with your expectations of yourself and remember that children are constantly evolving, so it's essential to let go of past resentments and forgive. Investing in a high-quality preschool education, especially for children with socializing skills challenges, can have long-term benefits. The art of distraction and forgiveness are crucial skills for parents to master in order to navigate the ups and downs of raising young children.
Investing in Parents' Health and Well-Being: Prioritizing self-care and breaks for parents during challenging times can strengthen marriages and improve family dynamics, while spending quality time with young children can lead to long-term benefits for both parents and children.
Investing in the health and well-being of parents, particularly during challenging times with young children, is crucial for the entire family system. Parents under immense stress from disrupted sleep and caregiving responsibilities may benefit from prioritizing self-care and recognizing that taking a break is not selfish, but necessary for maintaining their best state. This can be achieved through activities like date nights or hiring childcare to strengthen the marriage and improve the overall family dynamic. Additionally, prioritizing time with young children and coaching them can lead to powerful, long-term benefits for both parents and children, shaping the family as a continuous, evolving entity.
Balancing Coaching and Fatherhood: As a coach, focus on equipping kids with skills for life. As a father, prioritize the relationship and support their choices. Maintain a balance and consider financial and social implications.
Being a coach for your kids and being their father are two distinct roles. As a coach, the goal is to equip them with skills for life, keeping their future possibilities open. In contrast, as a father, the priority is on the relationship and supporting them in their choices, even if those choices don't involve athletic excellence. The speaker shares his personal experiences and values, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balance between nurturing their talents and fostering their personal growth. Additionally, he highlights the importance of considering the financial and social implications of certain activities, such as skiing, and adopting a non-competitive approach to shared experiences.
Focus on what truly matters in life: Identify a 'one thing' for significant progress and prioritize thick desires over distractions for long-term goals
Focusing on crafting the life you want involves getting clear on your values and asking yourself what truly matters. This approach is about making deliberate choices, whether financial or regarding time and attention, to pursue what brings the most meaning to your life. One effective way to do this is by identifying a "one thing" that would make a significant difference, such as improving a relationship or seeking love. The 1,000 day plan, which looks beyond a year to a decade, can help provide the necessary space and focus to achieve long-term goals. By prioritizing thick desires and eliminating distractions, you can make progress towards the things that truly matter to you.
Three-year commitment to a goal leads to personal growth and achievements: Commit to a long-term goal for personal growth, focus on the journey, and stay committed even when progress is not immediate.
Committing to a long-term goal, such as training for three years, can lead to significant personal growth and achievements. The speaker's mentor encouraged him to give triathlon training a dedicated effort for three years before making a decision, which led the speaker to eventually win an Ultraman race and achieve his best performance. This experience inspired him to apply the same concept to his coaching and social media presence. He embraced feelings of envy and used them as motivation to share his message with others for 1000 days on Twitter. Through this process, he gained personal fulfillment and a sense of service to his community. The key is to focus on the journey rather than the end result and to stay committed to the process, even when progress may not be immediately apparent.
Recognizing and addressing negative aspects for mental health: Stay connected to positivity, replace negativity with positivity, and make difficult choices for self-improvement with integrity, honesty, and a focus on betterment for oneself and loved ones.
Recognizing and addressing the "dark energy" or negative aspects within oneself is crucial for maintaining mental health and overall well-being. This can be achieved by staying connected to one's source of positivity and sharing it with others. When faced with challenges or addiction, it's essential to replace the negative with something positive and then work on it from a place of positivity. The journey to self-improvement requires integrity, honesty, and the willingness to make difficult choices for the betterment of oneself and one's loved ones. The individuals mentioned in the conversation, such as Steve Magnus and Brad Stohlberg, serve as examples of those who have found success by staying true to their values and sharing their experiences with others.
The Interconnection of Endurance Sports and Addictive Behaviors: Endurance athletes may exhibit addictive tendencies, which can impact their personal lives and performance. Coaches can help build self-confidence and encourage healthy habits, while athletes must deal with their own addictive behaviors to prevent passing them down to future generations.
Endurance sports and addictive behaviors, while different, can be interconnected. Endurance athletes may be prone to obsessive compulsive behavior or addiction, and these tendencies can manifest in different areas of life. As we grow and learn, we may replace one addiction with another, but the journey towards transcendence continues. As a coach, helping athletes build self-confidence and stepping back from compulsion can be a valuable gift. Additionally, aging and neurochemistry changes can impact our behavior and role in our families. It's crucial for athletes to deal with their own addictive tendencies to avoid passing them down to future generations. Ultimately, the path to elite performance is not in the hands of parents, but in the hands of the athletes themselves. Focusing on personal growth and integrity can help prevent potential regrets.
Discovering our inner voice and passions: Reflect on your hidden desires and work towards your top ten goals to unlock your latent potential
Unlocking our latent potential requires us to listen to the tickle in our soul that guides us towards our true passions. This can be achieved through practices like the morning pages or creating a top ten list of goals. Rich's story illustrates this idea beautifully as he was able to tap into his hidden desire to reach and help a large audience through writing, despite having no prior experience in it. It's essential to trust this inner voice, even if the goals seem impossible or far-fetched, as our brains have the capacity to help us reach them. So, take some time to reflect and discover your tickle, and work towards your top ten list every day.
Exploring your unconscious impulses through simple practices: Connecting with your unconscious impulses through practices like walking meditation or cycling can lead to self-discovery, a more integrated self, and greater calm and clarity.
Connecting with your unconscious impulses and creating a practice around it can lead you to discover recurring themes and passions, ultimately guiding you in the right direction. People often get stuck because they focus too much on the destination and are afraid to indulge their impulses due to uncertainty about the path. Simple exercises like walking meditation or cycling can help get you back in touch with yourself and lead to stillness and quietness. This practice, often associated with meditation and Buddhism, can be as simple as taking a short walk or looking at trees. The goal is to peel away distractions and desires to tap into this meditative state. This practice can lead to a more integrated self and a greater sense of calm and clarity.
Exploring personal growth through traditions and practices: Making small commitments, forgiveness, taking things less seriously, and seeking diverse perspectives help build self-integration and authenticity.
Personal growth and self-discovery often involve exploring various traditions, understanding different aspects of oneself, and making small promises to oneself to build the skill of keeping commitments. These small wins accumulate over time, creating momentum and leading to greater self-integration and authenticity. It's essential to stay committed to the journey, even when it's challenging, and remember that everyone, including ourselves, has the capacity to grow and change. The speaker emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, taking things less seriously at times, and acknowledging the need for different perspectives and skill sets in our communities. Ancient traditions, like Judaism, offer valuable insights into living a principled life, and modern approaches, like the one espoused by Shane Parrish, can help us make sense of human behavior. Ultimately, the walk metaphor represents the importance of honoring our impulses and taking action towards becoming more of who we truly are.
Discovering the Power of Small Consistent Actions in Personal Growth: Starting small and staying consistent in personal growth can lead to significant positive changes. Seek guidance, share experiences, and stay open to learning from others.
Starting small and staying consistent in personal growth and development can lead to significant positive changes in one's life. This was emphasized during a conversation between Rich Roll and Gordo Burn, where they discussed the importance of being open to learning and sharing experiences. Gordo's impact on Rich's life was highlighted, with gratitude expressed for the guidance and inspiration he's provided from afar. To connect with Gordo, listeners can find him on Twitter as "feel the burn 1." For more information about the episode, including links and resources, visit richroll.com. The podcast is produced and engineered by Jason Camiolo and Blake Curtis, with additional support from a team of talented individuals. To stay updated on the latest podcast news and offers, subscribe to the newsletter on richroll.com.
