Podcast Summary
Navigating personal growth with privacy and confidence: Transitioning from athletics to arts, Alexei Pappas learned the importance of privacy for reflection and self-discovery, while also embracing confidence to pursue new creative paths, unencumbered by external pressures.
Navigating personal growth and evolution, especially in the public eye, requires confidence, quick decision-making, and the ability to balance privacy and transparency. Alexei Pappas, a former Olympic athlete and multifaceted artist, shares her insights on this topic. During our conversation, she reflected on her own journey of transitioning from a professional athlete to a filmmaker, author, and poet. At the time of our first meeting, she was recovering from a hamstring reconstruction surgery and was hesitant to share her injury publicly due to the potential implications for her athletic career and sponsors. However, she emphasized the importance of privacy as a tool for reflection and self-discovery. Now, with a looser relationship to running, she approaches her creative pursuits with a newfound freedom and doesn't let external factors dictate her story. The experiences of her athletic and creative careers have shaped her perspective on the value of privacy and the power of confidence in navigating personal growth.
Shifting from defense to offense: Embrace new opportunities, create change, and take control of your narrative for personal growth.
Playing defense in life, whether as an athlete or in any other field, can limit personal growth. A shift towards playing offense, creating opportunities for change, and taking control of one's narrative can lead to new possibilities. This was a valuable lesson shared by filmmaker Richard Linklater, who transitioned from baseball to the arts after saving money and making a deliberate move. The challenge lies in breaking free from the repetitive mirror image others may have of us and committing to new directions with intentionality. While having a mentor or coach can be helpful, ultimately, we have the power to make changes in our lives.
The process of change is gradual and requires patience: Embrace the slow process of growth, ask open-ended questions, and learn from experiences to facilitate effective change
Change, whether personal or professional, happens gradually and requires patience. The speaker suggests that people often misunderstand the process of transformation and expect it to happen quickly, leading to disappointment or ineffective change. Instead, one should embrace the slow process of growth and ask open-ended questions without immediately seeking answers. An exercise mentioned by Deepak Chopra involves repeatedly asking a question without trying to find an answer, allowing the mind to explore abstract ideas and eventually discovering one's purpose or next step. Additionally, the speaker emphasizes the importance of learning from experiences, such as athletics, where progress is made through consistent effort and iteration, eventually leading to significant change.
Balancing goals and new opportunities: Stay committed to goals while being open to new opportunities for growth and collaboration
In order to evolve and succeed in a creative career, it's essential to balance having clear goals with being open to new opportunities. As an athlete, there are clear steps to achieve tangible results, but in a creative path, the outcomes and opportunities are less predictable. It's important to pay attention to both the chalkboard of set goals and the blank chalkboard of potential opportunities. A shift in mindset can help embrace both, allowing for growth and collaboration in unexpected ways. This was a valuable lesson shared by the speaker, who, during recovery from an injury, found joy in roller skating and inviting new people to join. Initially confused about this new direction, they sought advice from a mentor and realized that this was not a midlife crisis or escapism, but an opportunity to enjoy life and connect with others. This experience reinforced the importance of being open to new experiences while staying committed to personal goals.
Focus on decisions that expand happiness and well-being: Consider the impact of decisions on happiness and well-being, trust intuition, and don't wait for a clear purpose to act.
Living a fulfilling life isn't always about pushing yourself to be productive or making decisions based on what's good or bad for you. Instead, it's important to consider whether the decisions you make expand or contract your sense of happiness and well-being. By focusing on this, you can make decisions that align with your authentic self and lead to greater purpose and meaning in your life. This approach also allows you to trust your intuition and make decisions without obsessing over why, even if those decisions initially bring discomfort. Remember, the purpose often reveals itself in the actions you take, so don't wait for a lightning bolt of purpose before making decisions. Instead, trust your body's signals and choose to pay attention to the information they provide. This can lead to a deeper connection with your authentic self and help you take advantage of opportunities as they arise.
The power of staying open to new experiences: Clear goals are important, but staying open to new opportunities can lead to unexpected progress towards dreams. Curiosity, trying hard, and staying true to oneself can lead to great things.
Having clear goals is important, but it's equally essential to remain open to new experiences and opportunities that may lead us to unexpected places, potentially accelerating our progress towards our dreams. This was highlighted in the conversation about the importance of apparel as technology and the innovative work being done by On, as well as the evolution of Katie Dalebout's Bravey universe and her commitment to helping others find their path. The power of curiosity, trying hard, and staying true to oneself can lead to great things, and it's essential to allow ourselves to exist and thrive in the world.
Redefining retirement in running: Elite athletes can transition from competitive careers to community-focused roles, embracing the joy and camaraderie of the sport. Running's ability to evolve with us allows us to continue engaging with it in new ways, even when we're not at the front of the pack.
Running, and sports in general, can evolve with us throughout our lives. Elite athletes, like long-distance runner Dibaba, have shown that it's possible to transition from a competitive career to a more community-focused role, demonstrating the joy and camaraderie of the sport. This shift can be freeing and aspirational, as it allows individuals to redefine their relationship with their sport and continue engaging with it in new ways, even when they're no longer at the front of the pack. Dibaba's decision to keep running and even participate in races despite not being in peak shape shows the power of embracing the unknown and redefining retirement. Additionally, her use of glitter to signal her intent and showcase her unique running experience highlights the importance of expressing oneself and adding a personal touch to the journey.
The New York City marathon became a platform for self-expression and connection: The New York City marathon transformed into a unique experience for a runner, allowing her to express herself, connect with others, and embrace her athletic capabilities in a new and meaningful way, leading to the creation of a glitter product for runners and inspiring a new generation.
The New York City marathon became more than just a race for this runner. It was a platform for her to express herself, connect with others, and embrace her athletic capabilities in a unique way. The excitement of the open road and the energy of the crowd inspired her to dance through the marathon, creating a genuine and disarming connection with the spectators. This experience was a turning point for her, helping her find a new way to inhabit the world of running and leave a meaningful impact. It also led to the creation of a glitter product for runners, inspiring a new generation to express themselves during races. The marathon became a stage for her to showcase her athleticism and connect with others in a way that went beyond the traditional performance aspect of athletic events.
The impact of mentors and community on personal and professional growth: Trust instincts, make quick decisions but also pause and reflect, learn to say no to distractions, and find balance between action and reflection for success
Having the support of mentors and community can significantly impact one's personal and professional growth. Shalane Flanagan, a mentor to the speaker, has helped her stay focused on her goals and make decisions that align with her true north star. During challenging times, it's essential to trust one's instincts and make decisions quickly, but also to pause and reflect when necessary. The speaker also emphasized the importance of learning to say no to distractions and protecting one's yeses. In the context of endurance racing, making quick decisions is crucial, but knowing when to pause and reflect is equally important. Ultimately, finding the right balance between action and reflection is key to achieving success.
Running an ultra marathon: A test of emotional maturity and resilience: Embrace challenges, rely on inner resources, and enjoy the journey rather than just the destination. The supportive ultra running community helps make the experience worthwhile.
Running a ultra marathon, like Leadville's 100-mile race at high altitude, is an unique experience that requires emotional maturity, years of experience, and a strong will to finish. The runner in this discussion, despite lacking proper training and being under-prepared, chose to participate and relied on her recovery and resilience to complete the race. The journey provided a sense of belonging and relaxation in nature, which is hard to find in daily life. Additionally, the ultra running community is known for its supportive and collaborative atmosphere, where competitors help each other out instead of focusing on competition. The runner's experience highlights the importance of embracing challenges, relying on inner resources, and enjoying the journey rather than just the destination.
Listening to your body in ultra running: Ultra running demands a different mindset: respond to body's needs, adjust pace, prioritize goals, and work with Paralympians for a rewarding experience.
Ultra running requires a different mindset compared to traditional track running. Instead of ignoring pain and pushing through, ultra runners must listen to their bodies and respond to their needs in the moment. This approach may involve running up hills and walking down them, or adjusting pace based on energy levels. Ultra running also challenges runners to make decisions about prioritizing their athletic pursuits versus creative aspirations, as both require significant time and energy investments. Another unique aspect of ultra running is the opportunity to work with Paralympians as guides, providing a technical and rewarding experience for both parties. Overall, ultra running offers a unique and fulfilling experience that requires a deep connection to one's body and a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances.
Guiding a visually impaired athlete: A significant responsibility: Effectively guiding a visually impaired athlete requires building trust, effective communication, and learning to be helpful rather than limiting.
Guiding an athlete, especially a visually impaired one, is a significant responsibility that can either help or limit their performance. It requires learning to be helpful rather than limiting and building trust and effective communication. Para athletes are competitive and multifaceted individuals, and the experience of guiding them can be both challenging and rewarding. The guide becomes an essential part of the athlete's team, filtering the world and providing encouragement. This role can lead to opportunities like guiding in the Paralympics or continuing to help others. Guiding Diplo at the LA marathon was an eye-opening experience, showcasing the athlete's positivity and resilience despite limited marathon experience. The experience highlighted the importance of understanding and trusting the athlete's abilities and learning from them.
Understanding and respecting unique needs in teamwork during endurance events: Effective teamwork during endurance events requires respecting each participant's unique needs and preferences, leading to a positive atmosphere and potential lasting connections.
Effective teamwork and support during endurance events, like a marathon, involves understanding and respecting each participant's unique needs and preferences. This can include providing nourishment in a way that is comfortable for them, rather than forcing it on them in a way that might not work. This approach fosters a positive and encouraging atmosphere, which can help teammates reach their goals and maintain their mental focus. Additionally, shared experiences during these events can lead to lasting connections and even the creation of events named in their honor. In the case of Alexi Pappas, her teamwork and determination during a marathon led to her becoming a respected runner and eventually having races named after her. Her recent directorial debut with RZA further showcases her versatility and continued success in different creative fields.
Exploring the creative process and balancing fitness: Creative pursuits involve unique challenges and timelines, requiring perseverance and collaboration. Focusing on one area of expertise and building a strong team can lead to success.
Creativity is a process with its own unique timeline and challenges. The speaker shares how they've experienced this in their own work, from putting ideas on hold to eventually bringing them to life, much like a wildflower. Their current goal is to navigate the television industry, and they're grateful for the collaborators and opportunities that came from their athletic career. They've also learned the importance of focusing on one area of expertise and building a strong team. The speaker also discussed the tension between their creative work and physical fitness, expressing the challenge of balancing both over the long term. This conversation highlights the journey and growth that comes with creative pursuits, as well as the importance of perseverance and collaboration.
Effective time management and prioritization in a fast-paced environment: Scheduling activities with others increases accountability, waking up early reduces stress, and accepting mistakes leads to less anxiety and better goal achievement
Effective time management and prioritization are crucial for achieving goals and reducing stress, especially in a fast-paced environment like Los Angeles. Alexi Horowitz-Burdick, a writer and former Olympian, emphasizes the importance of scheduling activities, such as writing and running, with others to increase accountability. She also shares how waking up early can help reduce stress and create more time in the day. Furthermore, being less perfectionistic and learning to accept that mistakes are a natural part of life can lead to less anxiety and a more balanced approach to achieving goals. Alexi's insights offer valuable lessons for anyone looking to optimize their time and prioritize their goals while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Monitoring physical signs for nervous system depletion: Recognizing and addressing physical symptoms like canker sores or eye twitches can help prevent or manage depression.
Recognizing and addressing physical signs of nervous system depletion can help prevent or manage depression. The speaker, a public figure known for her openness about mental health issues, shares how she learned to monitor her body for signs of depletion, such as canker sores or eye twitches. She also discusses her current intensive therapy, which focuses on helping her access and understand her anger, a feeling she had suppressed in the past. By delving deeper into her emotions and aligning them with her intellect, she aims to make healthier decisions and improve her overall mental well-being.
Connecting with suppressed emotions through drawing: Drawing emotions with non-dominant hand can help access and process repressed feelings, reducing anxiety and promoting self-understanding
Our emotional experiences and abilities can be influenced by past traumas and coping mechanisms. The speaker shares how they were diagnosed with PTSD and have difficulty feeling pain or strong emotions. They discovered a simple yet effective exercise to help them connect with their emotions by drawing them with their non-dominant hand. This act of drawing opened up emotional pathways and allowed them to feel and process previously suppressed emotions, leading to growth and self-understanding. However, this process was uncomfortable as it brought up past experiences and feelings that were hard to confront. The speaker is on a journey to accept themselves and work through their mental health challenges, including understanding the complex relationship between anger and sadness. Therapy and self-reflection are essential tools in this process. The exercise of drawing emotions with the opposite hand is a powerful way to access and process feelings, helping to reduce the impact of anxiety and repressed emotions on daily life.
Acknowledging unloving behaviors and seeking change: Embracing discomfort and acknowledging past realities are essential steps towards personal growth and realizing one's true potential.
Holding onto unhealthy relationships or patterns, even if they bring temporary comfort, can prevent personal growth and hinder the realization of one's true potential. The speaker emphasizes the importance of acknowledging unloving behaviors and seeking change, even if it means experiencing heartbreak. In the realm of athletics, the speaker reflects on how emotional maturity and self-awareness can significantly enhance performance. By understanding competitors' strengths and weaknesses and playing mind games, athletes can outmaneuver opponents and thrive in ultra-running, where the focus is less on time and more on mental fortitude. Ultimately, the journey towards growth and self-discovery requires embracing discomfort and acknowledging past realities, even if they were not what they seemed.
Approaching goals with curiosity instead of need: Curiosity fuels a more fulfilling and resilient goal pursuit experience. It allows us to enjoy the process and handle obstacles effectively, while maintaining a sense of humor and not letting financial needs dictate decisions. Having multiple sources of income or stability can also help reduce pressure and risk.
Approaching goals with curiosity rather than need leads to a more fulfilling and resilient experience. This mindset allows individuals to enjoy the process and handle obstacles more effectively, as opposed to being driven by fear and the need to meet basic requirements. The example of running and acting was used to illustrate this concept, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a sense of humor and not letting financial needs dictate decision-making. Additionally, having multiple sources of income or stability can help reduce the pressure and risk associated with pursuing goals. By focusing on the infinite possibilities and potential outcomes, rather than just the known results, individuals can make braver and more well-rounded decisions.
Exploring the Impact of Mentors on Personal Growth: Embracing the unknown and having financial stability allow for personal growth, while mentorship from various sources can significantly impact one's life.
Embracing the unknown in a positive way can lead to infinite opportunities and personal growth, but it requires financial stability and the ability to untether dreams and ambitions from financial needs. Mentorship is another crucial aspect of personal development, and having various mentors, whether real or imagined, can significantly impact one's life. The "Mentor Buffet" podcast aims to explore this concept by talking to influential people about the people who have shaped their thinking and decisions. The podcast is not just about famous figures but also the unsung heroes who have left an indelible impact on their lives. The "Brave for Young People" adaptation of the book is designed to provide young readers with simplified yet valuable advice from the original work.
Maya's experiences shaped her writing and representation of female athletes: Embrace 'glop' moments, use them for growth, and encourage young girls to pursue sports as a viable life path
The experiences of growing up with dyslexia and the lack of representation of adult female athletes influenced Maya's decision to write "Bravia" and showcase more female athletes. Maya believes that seeing more adult female athletes will make it seem less like a polarizing decision for young girls, encouraging them to pursue sports and view it as a possible life path in conjunction with their dreams. Another key idea from the conversation is the concept of "glop," which represents the idea that during times of change, we may feel reduced to our lowest state, but this is a necessary step towards growth and becoming something new. Maya encourages readers to embrace their "glop" moments, be active in them, and use them as motivation to move forward and transform into a better version of themselves.
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The importance of supporting the podcast and its sponsors. Listening and subscribing on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, and leaving reviews or comments, are simple yet effective ways to show appreciation for the content. Additionally, purchasing merchandise, books, and meal plans from the episode page at richroll.com, and signing up for the newsletter, are other ways to support the show. The podcast is produced and engineered by a team, and the support from listeners is crucial to its continued success. Furthermore, sharing the show with friends or on social media is a great way to spread the word and reach a larger audience. Lastly, the podcast's theme music was created by Tyler Pyatt, Trapper Pyatt, and Harry Mathis. Thank you for your love and support.
