The first thing I’d like to point out is that the left and right sides of the energy balance equation could both be giving orders, and both be taking orders. The two possibilities aren’t mutually exclusive. And I think you can make a case for it going both ways.
~ Stephan Guyenet, from The science of body weight and health
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…but you should. Because the answer (to why we get fat) is complicated. There is no single, simple-to-control, cause and effect.
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What are the motivations, challenges, and thought processes involved in creating, pausing, and potentially evolving a podcast while balancing other professional and personal interests?
Jeremy Fein, a coach who embraces the power of conversation, joins Craig to talk about the complexities of podcasting and coaching, revealing his journey from creating a successful podcast to purposefully pausing it to refocus.
[Coaching sessions are] much better when they’re not recorded, right? They’re better for the client, which is what matters. And so podcasting felt like a way that I could maybe bridge a gap between the actual work that I do, and— let’s call it content creation. You go to write a caption on Instagram, and it’s just so divorced from the work that I’m doing on a regular basis with clients. That’s why I started [the podcast].
~ Jeremy Fein, 4:28
Jeremy Fein discusses his experiences with podcasting and coaching. He reflects on why he started his podcast, “Nothing Makes Perfect,” acknowledging the abundance of podcasts and his desire to create something meaningful rather than just adding to the noise. Jeremy also delves into his decision to pause his podcast after 25 episodes, a choice driven by a need to reassess and focus on aspects of the podcast he enjoyed and could amplify.
He also talks about the intrinsic connection between his identity and coaching, emphasizing how coaching has become an integral part of who he is. Jeremy’s approach to coaching is deeply rooted in conversation, listening, and idea exploration, rather than traditional fitness instruction. This approach underscores his commitment to personalization in coaching, catering to individual client needs while maintaining a structured yet flexible coaching framework.
Takeaways
Starting a podcast with awareness — discusses the over-saturation of podcasts and the importance of adding value rather than just contributing to the noise.
Pausing a successful podcast — reflects on the decision to take a break, focusing on reassessment and personal growth.
Personal identity and coaching — highlights how coaching has become a part of the speaker’s identity, shaping both professional and personal life.
Adapting to clients’ needs in coaching — emphasizes the importance of personalization in coaching, catering to individual client needs.
Content creation in the digital age — explores the challenges of creating authentic content that resonates with the audience and the creator’s values.
Resources
@jeremyfein Jeremy Fein on Instagram. Message him there for conversations or inquiries about his coaching or podcasting experiences.
Fein Movement Jeremy’s web site with coaching information and additional ways to reach him.
Nothing Makes Perfect Jeremy’s podcast.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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The whole point of taking pictures is so that you don’t have to explain things with words.
~ Elliot Erwitt
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People – especially really smart people – have a tendency to attempt solving big problems (like earning a profit) without first solving more basic ones (like how you’ll get there). This is why the “Step 1, Step 3” joke resonates. And it’s why understanding the hierarchy of earning profit is so important.
~ Morgan Housel, from The Hierarchy of Earning Profit
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Oh, crikey! That’d be me. I too–frequently get frustrated when my “awesome idea” isn’t received the way I’d like it to be. I think it’s exactly the same step–two problem that Housel points out. I’m jumping over step 2. But in cases where I try to figure out step 2… *crickets* It occurs to me that there’s another way to address the issue: Stop chasing ideas that solve a problem that I have, and instead try to chase an idea that solves a problem someone else has.
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Supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.
~ Sun Tzu
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Supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.
~ Sun Tzu
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First thought: What if the enemy is myself? Surely, Sun Tzu would consul alternative options which do not involve full frontal attack. Because telling my petulant self that it has to sit down and “Eat. Just. One. Pea!” …that’s not going to work. (Actually, hold on, maybe if I try frontal assault one more time… nope, that really does not work.)
How does one break one’s own resistance? Can I ruminate on goals, or the “whys”? (e.g., “Why did I say I wanted to do this thing you’re now resisting?”) Can I examine, and then let go of, sunk costs? Can I visualize the finished place, state, or situation?
If I could do any of that, would I have then solved the bigger problem: Why am I [in point of fact] my own worst enemy?
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NOPE —
I will not be lazy.
I will not accept what I have now if I know I can do better.
I will not sleep until I finish.
I will not leave until I am done.
I will not tremble in front of new challenges.
I will not stop until I stop breathing.
I will be whatever I want to be
even if it takes sacrifice
even if I have little to give
even if it takes time
even if I have no time at all.
I will succeed.
~ (unknown)
Are there moments in your day when you realize you are aware that you are observing something outside yourself? If so— If you are aware you are observing, can you use that as a trigger to look inward and reflect on your own thinking?
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Arrived in the middle? Visit the first post, Where to begin?
(The entire series is available to download as a PDF ebook.)
I call bullshit. You already found your passion, you’re just ignoring it. Seriously, you’re awake 16 hours a day, what the fuck do you do with your time? You’re doing something, obviously. You’re talking about something. There’s some topic or activity or idea that dominates a significant amount of your free time, your conversations, your web browsing, and it dominates them without you consciously pursuing it or looking for it.
It’s right there in front of you, you’re just avoiding it. For whatever reason, you’re avoiding it. You’re telling yourself, “Oh well, yeah, I love comic books but that doesn’t count. You can’t make money with comic books.”
Fuck you, have you even tried?
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…and I thought I had my irreverence dial turned to 11!
There’s also a terrific Mexican proverb: The appearance of the bull changes when you enter the ring. The matador’s point of view is different from the spectator’s.
What I’d like to draw attention to today, is skin in the game.
Have you ever had to make the decision to lay someone off? Why do you think you understand that last round of layoffs at Giant Company? Have you ever created something? Why do you think you understand the creative process of this painter? Have you ever entirely owned and operated a cafe? Why do you think your suggesting for, ‘ya know what you should have on the menu…’ has any value?
I’m not implying I’ve done any of the hypotheticals above.
But I can tell you that I long ago stopped giving unsolicited advice when I don’t have, and have never had, skin in the game I was about to advise on.
So, where do you have skin in the game? …and what are you going to do now that I’ve drawn your attention to it?
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On Castbox.fm — Evan Beyer | Games for Teaching Movement
What methods can be used to foster trust, connection, and personal growth through movement-based games?
Explore how movement-based games can dissolve barriers and build trust.
In movement you have to trust— you have to trust yourself, you have to trust the objects, and to trust the others in your space.
~ Evan Beyer (6:18)
This conversation centers on the idea of using games to teach movement, break down personal barriers, and build trust among participants. The discussion highlights the progression from non-contact games to activities requiring full physical collaboration. These games are designed to ease individuals into deeper connections with others, both emotionally and physically, by fostering comfort and trust in a structured, playful manner.
The dialogue also explores the challenges of creating a universally accessible framework. It emphasizes flexibility, creativity, and adaptability to cater to different individuals’ needs and comfort levels. The overarching goal is to provide tools that help participants feel safe and empowered while interacting within their communities through movement.
Takeaways
Movement-based games — Techniques that ease participants into trusting others through structured play.
Progression framework — A system that gradually increases the complexity and contact level of games.
Emotional and physical trust — The dual focus of teaching individuals to rely on themselves and others.
Adaptability in teaching — The importance of creativity and flexibility in meeting diverse participant needs.
Playful learning — The value of incorporating fun and engagement to facilitate personal growth.
Comfort through gradual exposure — Methods to guide individuals from apprehension to collaboration.
Social connection — How games can help break barriers and build a sense of community.
Resources
Parkour Generations Boston — The coaching organization where Evan teaches movement-based techniques.
Art of Retreat — An annual conference on parkour leadership and education.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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…if you can forgive as well as forget, if you can keep from growing sour, surly, bitter and cynical… You’ve got it half-licked.
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In your career, you’ve had a lot of soup. You’ve had tomato, chicken noodle, potato leek, and countless others. More importantly, you’ve had different variations of each soup. Big huge noodle chicken noodle. Some amazing type of cream on that tomato soup. This soup journey has taught you a lot about soup. Now, when presented with a new bowl of soup, the moment that counts is the first taste. You taste a bit and wonder, “What is going on with this soup?”
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I don’t intentionally read the room when I’m interacting with a group. (That may very well be a great thing for managers to do. I am not a manager.)
In the last few years however, I have learned to shut up more, and listen more. I feel this has been a huge part of my success at . . . maybe “success” isn’t the right word.
Somewhere in my brain I have the ideas from an article that described interactions between people as boundary/border negotiations between countries; some have walls, some have armed forces, some are open, some are dividing waste-lands, and some have a frequent exchange of ideas. The people on either side of the border can be soft marshmallows (they shape easily to their borders), malleable (they can be shaped by sufficient outside force), etc. I digress.
By learning to listen, I feel people now put up less razor-wire-topped walls to protect their border with me. Less walls means more interaction, and that interaction has been a driver of my progress of self-improvement.
…and reading that linked article from Rands, now I see that it — reading the room, listening, being a person with an open border — is a widely useful skill.
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Idea plus knitting guru leads to an experiment. knit 7 purl 2 knit 11 purl 3 . . .
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Just because I don’t care doesn’t mean I don’t understand.
~ “Homer J. Simpson“
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Snow dusted, 20 foot tall stand of bamboo. #confused …and the sun’s out?
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