Becoming Human

This episode features Andrew Susan, zim is a mental health specialist working with adults and children to help them better their lives or in other words, to help walk them home. We’re all just walking ourselves home is a term that I heard from Ram Dass, a spiritual teacher and former psychologist, which is referring to our spiritual journey, the walk each one of us makes through life that eventually leads us back to our Source.

From our initial interactions, I could tell that Andrew Susan loved to be of service and help others along their path. This podcast made me laugh so much that my face hurt. Andrew Susan is a kind, hilarious zim that tells wonderful stories.

Mark Nelson has been mountain climbing for over 50 years since he was 5 years old. His father was apart of the Skagit Alpine Club. His dad and other members of the club would take their children out on some of their trips. At the age of 8, Mark would hike across glaciers, up steep snow slopes, and through deep valley forests. When Mark became a parent, Mark took his children into the backcountry and up into the mountains, stoking their sense of adventure for their lives like his father did for him. When Mark was 8, he climbed Mt Helens with his father. Once at the top he got altitude sickness and then moments later, he glissaded for miles down the mountainside. Children are very capable, given the proper guidance and preparation. I love listening to Mark’s experience raising his kids being active participants in nature.

Check out Mark on Instagram @outside.addict

Alberto is an athlete performing incredible feats of strength, mobility, and control from performing a barbell snatch with only his middle fingers hooking the bar, jumping over large blocks while swinging a gada mace behind his back or walking on a slackline while juggling a 16kg kettlebell in the air. Alberto and I discuss his strength and conditioning regiment, the concept of play and how to engage ourselves in our training. Check him out on instagram (@junctiongirevoysport)

For more insane feats of athleticism checkout @guiltykilla @budjeffries @yajnarom

David walks the long path to refine his craft

David Porter is a Pedro Sauer Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu, he’s been training in Jiu-Jitsu for 14 years.

David and I discuss what it’s like to commit a large amount of your life to refine a skill, effective learning strategies, how to organize your training, psychological and cultural effects from jiu-jitsu and more.

Checkout David on instagram @davedarce and checkout Dave Darce and Jeff Shaw’s classes at Bellingham BJJ

John Scurlock is a bush pilot and aerial photographer. John circles the snow-capped mountain ranges of North America to capture staggering photographs. Checkout John’s photos of the Cascades, the Rockies and more . You can find John’s new book, “Snow & Spire:

Flights to Winter in the North Cascade Range,” Jaggedridgeimaging.com

Sam Escobar is a Strength & Conditioning Coach specializing in Maces and kettlebells.

Sam lifts heavy shit! Sam’s Instagram is one of my favorite for seeing spectacular things you can do with a kettlebell or mace. I love sam’s style of lifting heavy kettlebells and swinging heavy maces. You can check out sam on Instagram @gorillagirevik

Jeff Shaw is a brown belt under Seth Samp, who is a black belt under Royce Gracie and teaches at Triangle Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Durham, North Carolina. Jeff is a journalist, poet and teaches journalism at Western Washington University. Jeff teaches out of Bellingham MMA

Check out some rad BJJ apparel made by Jeff at toro bjj

Check out Jeff’s rad podcast, Dirty White Belt

Books mentioned in this episode:

Continental Drift - Russell Banks

Where I’m Calling From - Raymond Carver(prose and poetry writer)

The Good Rain - Tim Eagan

Neal Mcclure is a Landscape/Freelance photographer.

Neal loves researching, exploring places, capturing them and then coming home to lament and edit his work. Artists, like Neal, fascinate me, they lead these unconventional lives pursuing what captivates their interest and detailing it to share a perspective with other people.

Neal and I discuss one of my favorite topics: the path to mastering a discipline and earning an income off of the discipline.

To see Neal’s photography checkout his website and Instagram @nealmcclure

Books mentioned in the podcast

The Way of the Superior Man

Brady Secules is a comedian out of Washington. He’s one of the funniest guys I know who tells my favorite stories. This episode we talk about his penchant for traveling, Ireland’s history and international comedy. Last time Brady was on, we talked about shooting fire out of his ass and his love affair with a dog while frying tits on mushrooms. Those can be found on episode 52.

You can find Brady on Instagram and facebook

Kyle McCutchen is a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu teaching at Kindred Jiu-jitsu. Kyle also teaches defensive tactics to police officers. Kyle begins by talking about his experience training police officers and working as a patrol officer. Kyle has led an interesting life pursuing martial arts and serving his community. It’s eye-opening to talk with people on why they seek to pursue proficiency in martial arts. Personally, it’s helped me understand why I show up to every class and train. Is it to be the best competitor on the planet, is it to be able to defend myself, maybe to teach other people or perhaps prove to myself that I am worthy.

To quote Nietzsche: “He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how. “

I’ll play you out with a song by less than Jake - all my best friends are Metal Heads.

You can find out more about Kindred Jiu-Jitsu on their website, Instagram and facebook