Podcast Summary
Fasting and Extreme Endurance: Pushing Past Mental Limits: Fasting and extreme endurance challenges can help us overcome mental barriers and achieve significant personal growth.
Marcelo Ongarcia, a globetrotter and high potential global teenagers mentor, pushed his limits during the pandemic by fasting for 100 days and completing marathons, hikes, and mountain climbs. This extreme endurance test serves as a reminder that our mindset can be the only limit to achieving our goals. Marcelo's personal transformation journey started with a week-long fast in 2017, which evolved into a concept of exponential personal growth. Despite the human mind's tendency to struggle with identifying opportunities in a world of abundance, fasting is a simple yet effective way to make a significant change. Marcelo's inspiring story encourages us to challenge our mental barriers and pursue our goals with determination.
A joke about looking like Aquaman sparks a transformative journey: A seemingly insignificant event or joke can inspire significant personal growth through determination and self-discovery
A seemingly insignificant event, like making a joke about wanting to look like Aquaman, can lead to a transformative journey. In 2019, the speaker, who had previously been quite fit but had gained weight over the years, made this joke as a New Year's resolution. This led him to embark on a journey to get back in shape, which eventually led him to try a 90-day fast, during which he only consumed vitamins, electrolytes, and mineral water. Over the course of the year, he spent a total of 90 days with no calories. This experience was inspired by his earlier attempt at a 7-day fast in 2017, during which he felt great but was afraid of losing muscle. The speaker's determination to achieve his goal, fueled by the Aquaman joke, led him to study and understand the limits of fasting and push himself to new heights. This journey shows that even a small spark of motivation can lead to significant personal growth.
Considering the Risks of Extended Fasting: While fasting can have health benefits, extended periods can pose risks to kidney, liver, and thyroid function. Consult a healthcare professional before attempting long fasts.
While fasting for extended periods can have health benefits, it's important to consider the risks involved, especially when going beyond medically recommended limits. The speaker shares his experience of fasting for 21 days and undergoing extensive medical tests, which showed no negative effects. However, he also acknowledges the risks associated with longer fasts, such as potential kidney, liver, and thyroid issues. He mentions the case of a man who fasted for 382 days in the 1950s or 1960s, but notes that such studies would not be approved today due to ethical concerns and potential liability issues. Ultimately, the decision to fast for extended periods should be based on a thorough understanding of the potential risks and benefits, and should be made in consultation with a healthcare professional.
From Obese to Underweight: A 50-day Fast: The speaker fasted for 50 days, losing nearly 40% of his body mass and reaching the underweight BMI, symbolizing a year-long transformation
The speaker underwent an extreme weight loss experiment by fasting for 50 days, losing nearly 40% of his body mass, which is equivalent to carrying around and then losing three bowling balls. His motivation was not just to look like Aquaman, but also to prove that a person can go from obese to underweight in one year. After carefully refeeding, he reached the borderline underweight Body Mass Index (BMI) of 18.5. He finds symbolism in the fact that this feat took him exactly one year and that it surpassed the lengths of some famous historical fasts. He broke his fast with traditional Indian rice cakes and honey, as a nod to the legend of Buddha. The speaker encourages healthy fasting as a personal challenge and shares resources for further information.
Discovering the benefits of prolonged fasting: Fasting can improve physical performance, make the body more efficient at burning fat, and have significant mental benefits, but it's important to stay hydrated and avoid sugars during the process.
The speaker experimented with prolonged fasting and discovered that he could still engage in physically demanding activities, such as marathons, while in a fasted state. He also found that his body became more efficient at burning fat for fuel, making the transition into ketosis less unpleasant over time. After breaking his fast, he noticed that he regained some weight, but this was temporary and his body eventually readjusted. The speaker emphasized the importance of staying hydrated during the initial stages of fasting and avoiding sugars during the refeeding period. Overall, his experiences led him to believe that fasting can have significant physical and mental benefits.
Understanding the Role of Fat as Fuel: During fasting, our bodies can use fat as a larger energy source, but it's crucial to be careful reintroducing food, especially sugars, and consult a doctor.
Our bodies have the ability to use fat as fuel when we're not consuming calories, but many people have never experienced this state due to constant eating. The body stores sugar for about a day and a half, while the fat we carry is a much larger energy source. Fasting for extended periods can result in muscle loss, but this muscle is quickly regained. When fasting for an extended period, it's important to be careful reintroducing food, especially avoiding sugars and having a doctor's guidance. The body creates a new equilibrium state during deep fasting, leading to rapid weight gain when eating again. It's essential to plan and approach the breaking of a fast carefully.
Losing weight and improving health with intermittent fasting: Intermittent fasting can lead to weight loss, improved metabolic health, increased energy, and longevity. However, achieving a 6-pack requires going below 10% body fat, which takes dedication and hard work. Listen to your body's signals and remember that everyone responds differently.
Intermittent fasting, such as OMAD (One Meal A Day) diet, can be a convenient and effective way to lose weight and improve health, leading to body fat levels in the athletic range. However, achieving a 6-pack requires going below 10% body fat. The process takes hard work and dedication, and the results can be significant, including increased energy and longevity. Our modern lifestyle, with an abundance of food, has made us forget the benefits of fasting, which is a natural practice for humans. Intermittent fasting can lead to improved metabolic health, but it's essential to remember that everyone's body responds differently, and it's crucial to listen to your body's signals. Additionally, genetics play a role in how our bodies store and distribute fat. Overall, intermittent fasting is a healthy practice that can lead to significant health benefits, and it's something worth considering for a long and healthy life.
Our bodies have the capability to adapt and survive in challenging conditions: Embrace challenges to discover new strengths and thrive in unexpected ways, our bodies have the capability to make us sharp and focused during survival situations
Our bodies are designed to adapt and survive in challenging conditions, even if it means going without food for extended periods. The hunter-gatherer mindset, which was essential for our ancestors' survival, is still present in us. Although modern life makes it easy to forget, our bodies have the capability to make us sharp and focused when we need to find food to survive. Fasting, for instance, can help us access our true capabilities and remind us of our resilience. However, it's essential to approach such challenges with curiosity and a willingness to learn, rather than seeing them as insurmountable obstacles. By embracing the spirit of adventure and taking on challenges, we can discover new strengths and thrive in unexpected ways.
The impact of role models and peers on our lives: Comparing ourselves to relatable and successful peers can be a powerful motivator and accelerator of wisdom, while unhealthy role models and the fear of failure or success of peers can have negative effects.
The influence of role models in shaping our lives and decisions may be overrated, and the fear of failure or the success of peers can be more impactful. The speaker shares his personal experience of undergoing a 100-day fast and pushing himself to extremes to prove its benefits, despite losing muscle mass. He also mentions the concern of unhealthy role models in society, especially in the media, and the potential impact on younger generations. Instead, he suggests creating a community of peer models, where individuals can learn and be inspired by each other's achievements, no matter their age. The speaker emphasizes that the comparison with relatable and successful peers can be a powerful motivator and accelerator of wisdom.
Maintaining a positive perspective during challenges: Despite not finishing an ultra marathon after 48 days of fasting, significant achievements were made and the human body's capabilities were proven to be greater than expected.
Even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges, such as attempting to complete an ultra marathon after 48 days of fasting, it's important to maintain a positive perspective and focus on what has been accomplished rather than what was not. The speaker, despite not being able to finish the ultra marathon, managed to go over 25 kilometers, which is a significant achievement given the circumstances. Additionally, the speaker's health tests came back normal after the fast, and he was able to complete challenging feats such as hiking the Swiss Path and climbing a 13,700 feet mountain within a week of ending the fast. The experience showed that the human body is capable of more than we might think, and that setbacks are opportunities to learn and grow rather than failures.
Believing in one's abilities and creating symbolic memories: Despite setbacks, the speaker's determination and willpower led him to lose weight and reach impressive athletic levels. Believing in one's abilities and creating symbolic memories can help overcome challenges.
Despite facing challenges and setbacks, including a grueling hike and recovering from a deep fast, the speaker refuses to give up on his goals. He believes that anyone, no matter their background or previous fitness level, can accomplish feats they once thought were impossible. The speaker's determination and willpower have helped him lose weight and reach impressive athletic levels. Two key learnings from the conversation were not related to fasting, but rather the belief in one's abilities and the creation of symbolic memories as markers of progress. The speaker's upcoming challenge is to summit Mont Blanc, a symbol of his determination and resilience.
Pursuing challenging goals for personal growth: Setting big, hairy, audacious goals pushes individuals beyond comfort zones, leading to self-discovery and growth. Realistic assessment, adaptability, and self-awareness are crucial for success.
Setting and pursuing challenging goals, like climbing Mont Blanc, can serve as powerful motivators for personal growth and self-improvement. These goals, which can be thought of as "big, hairy, audacious goals" (BHAGs), provide a sense of direction and purpose, helping individuals push beyond their comfort zones and discover their limits. The journey towards reaching these goals can be exhausting and fraught with challenges, but the sense of accomplishment and self-discovery that comes with overcoming these obstacles is invaluable. It's essential to be realistic about one's abilities and acknowledge when it's time to quit and try again, rather than pushing oneself to the point of danger. Having a fallback day or a backup plan can help ensure that progress towards the goal continues, even in the face of setbacks. Ultimately, the pursuit of these goals requires a combination of grit, determination, and self-awareness, as well as a willingness to adapt and learn from experience.
Embrace challenges and learn from them: Setting ambitious goals, learning from failures, and trying new health practices like fasting can lead to personal growth and improved well-being.
Setting audacious yet realistic goals is key to success in life, even if they aren't achieved right away. The speaker emphasizes the importance of being inspired by challenges and learning from them, rather than being discouraged by missing targets. He also shares his discovery about the power of fasting in addressing metabolic diseases, like diabetes, and encourages trying different fasting protocols to improve overall health. The speaker's experience with fasting demonstrates the importance of pushing boundaries and taking care of one's health, while also recognizing the potential impact of access to resources on global health issues.
Experience the benefits of periodic fasting for metabolic health: Periodic fasting, even for those on the standard American diet, can reduce metabolic disease risk and lead to healthier, longer, and more fulfilling lives, inspiring personal growth
Periodic fasting, even for those following the standard American diet, can significantly reduce the risk of metabolic diseases like diabetes. Marcelo, a regular person, has personally experienced this through his own fasting journey, which he completed in a simple tent setup. Despite temporary side effects like muscle loss and dizziness, the benefits of compassion towards oneself, curiosity, and access to information can lead to healthier, longer, and more fulfilling lives. Marcelo's determination and achievements, such as climbing Mont Blanc, serve as an inspiration for us all to challenge ourselves and push beyond our limits. So, consider what you can do today to take a step towards better health and personal growth. Find me on social media, @mogaudet, and let's continue the conversation.
