DIALOGUES by Mindful Endurance Program

On episode 47 I speak with Jamie Miller, PhD — founder of Biomimicry Frontiers. Jamie is an award-winning designer who has been studying, practicing, and applying biomimicry since 2004 - when he first learned of the concept through the Fibonacci Sequence in a math and poetry course, and since has been exploring engineering focused on urban resilience and systems-level application of biomimicry. In our conversation we speak about how biomimicry can play a roll in our individual lives and on a corporate level, how we can re-learn from Indigenous communities and the process of death. Jamie shares his interpretation of the adaptive cycle and we discuss how for our culture and planet to heal, we as human beings need to re-embrace our own nature and stop opposing ourselves and the planet.

On the latest episode in my triathlon focused series, Road to 70.3, I speak with author, nutritionist, coach and runner Matt Fitzgerald. He's been in the endurance world for decades as runner and triathlete, but more so known for his books 80/20 Triathlon, The Endurance Diet, Iron Wars, Running the Dream and his latest, The Comeback Quotient. In our discussion we dive into some of my personal questions about building an aerobic base, what he's learned and seen through research, the creative process of narrative writing, following his fathers footsteps in both running and writing and learning to ultimately trust yourself. His latest book is about mental resilience and we speak about how this is incorporated into each day, each training session and how it is going to be the key to unlocking peace, presence and performance, surprisingly the simple act of accepting the truth is at the center of this, unsurprisingly it's a lot harder for us than we think.

In the first episode of the Road to 70.3 series, I dive in solo, sharing why I'm embarking on this experience, some of the questions that inspired the drive, what I am hoping to become in the process and bringing a beginner's mind to the sport. I speak on James Clear's Atomic Habits and Steven Kotler's work about habits, goals and flow state as a way to be in the moment, learn more about ourselves, connect in a deeper way and prove to ourselves that we have self-belief, love and can achieve more than we think.

On episode 44 I dive back into the dream space with our guide, Cordell Jacks. It’s part two of our discussion, following up after I took his 6-week course, Ceremonial Dreaming. In our conversation we talk about how and why its related to plant medicine work, why we need to bring a lightness to all of our inner work, why do we resist simple practices that we know will help ups and what is potential beyond the five senses in the dream realm. Cordell sheds light on how we can interpret our dreams and how these practices can help us grow in each day but maximizing the opportunity of life.

On episode 43 I chat with Leon Cerrone; who I found through sharing his journey with depression through a Mr Porter x Rapha project last year. I was inspired by his vulnerability, sharing his struggle with injury, feeling alone and how cycling and the community around it helped him survive. We dive into some cycling tips for keeping up with the pros, his career in fashion and finding Inventory magazine, the adversity of being a Gunners supporter and growing up boxing and how his relationship with his father and English culture began to shape his emotional experience. Leon also shares how things snowballed to the point of trying to take his own life, and how that inspired him to get help.

In episode 42 I speak with James Sebastiano; a multi-faceted marketing expert, conscious entrepreneur and protagonist of the documentary, Chasing the Present. After watching the film, I was inspired to reach out to James to speak as it was a beautiful, deeply insightful and potent story featuring Gary Weber, Russell Brand, Graham Hancock, Sri Prem Baba, Alex Grey and several more. Our conversation dives into suffering, attachment to false identity, working with plant medicines, the process of making Chasing the Present and the mirror of our families. James is really open and shares a beautiful story both in the episode, but also in the the film itself. At the core, part of the process is beginning to truly ask ourselves, "Who am I?" and feeling what comes up from this, can lead to liberation and connection.

We're back in 2021 with the first episode of the year. Number 41 features Dr. Jim Hardt, founder of Biocybernaut, "the pioneer in neurofeedback training, helping you to tune into Zen-like states in days not decades." I recently had the opportunity to go to Sedona and do the Alpha 1 Training with Dr. Hardt, and it was an incredibly life-changing experience. Dr. Hardt was one of the most incredible and inspiring individuals I've come across and I feel so lucky to spend a week with him, as well as dive into his work, life and teachings in this conversation. We cover how he came to biofeedback, how time and the Ego can cause suffering in our lives, some of the teachers Dr. Hardt has studied with and much more in what became the longest episode yet, there was just too much so we had to keep going.

On my latest solo episode and last one of 2020, I speak on the last couple of months in my personal life, getting engaged, stepping into alignment with my spirit, heart and higher self. I recently finished James Clear's Atomic Habits and I dive into some of the key takeaways and how this applies to my goal in 2021 of competing in an Ironman 70.3 triathlon next fall. How can this process be a way to consciously choose my identity and the systems that support that well beyond the the race itself. I share some notes on the MAF Method, Endure IQ and my first 5 weeks of cycling. I wanted to finish the year by also thanking everyone who has listened to the podcast, shared it and sent me a message, thank you!

Sustainable Well-Being is a special 5-episode series of Into the Well with host Ryan Willms, in collaboration with Allbirds and their community initiative, Allgood Collective. The episodes cover a variety of topics from regenerative farming and running, to cleaning up the oceans and dream interpretation. We dive in with deep with inspiring individuals that are co-creating a world of connection, growth and sustainable well-being for themselves, their community and for our planet. On the final episode of the series, Ryan speaks with creative director Alex Valdman. He shares his story from poverty in the Soviet Union to moving to New York, the balance of curiosity, realism and creativity. Alex shares his journey as a creative through launching his brand Homeroom to working with Kanye West, Levis, Giro and Rapha before landing at Allbirds. We both share our journey of closing brands close to our hearts, how we grieved the process and moved forward. We also dive into how to create responsibly in our modern world, and Alex shares some of the lessons and insights he’s gleaned in an already impressive career.

Sustainable Well-Being is a special 5-episode series of Into the Well with host Ryan Willms, in collaboration with Allbirds and their community initiative, Allgood Collective. The episodes cover a variety of topics from regenerative farming and running, to cleaning up the oceans and dream interpretation. We dive in with deep with inspiring individuals that are co-creating a world of connection, growth and sustainable well-being for themselves, their community and for our planet. In the fourth installment Ryan speaks with founder of Reset and coach, Liz Tran. She shares her journey from the world of finance to studying in India, learning about her inner world and the challenges of coming back to New York. Overcoming a single-family home and an early divorce of her own led to deep meditation and yoga practices that inspired a new path in life and her career. Reset opened in New York, but has since gone completely digital, where Liz embraces a variety of modalities from plant medicine to dream work to astrology, to coach and teach people to learn to listen to themselves more deeply and manifest the lives of their dreams.