Happiest Boy Alive

Recorded from my place on Sonnenallee in Neukölln, this episode dives into my first month in Berlin and everything it has brought with it. From job applications to running races, it’s been a full-on experience of both exploration and reflection. I share insights into why I made the move, the challenges of finding a home and a job, the warm welcome I found in Berlin’s running clubs, and the importance of not getting stuck in my own headspace.

Reflecting on surprising discoveries, big likes and dislikes, and managing expectations, I’ll touch on how journaling has helped me process everything and keep a balanced outlook. I also talk about saying yes to unexpected opportunities when things don’t go as planned.

Action Item: Put yourself in an uncomfortable situation this week. Find something that scares you but will help you progress and then take affirmative action.

Something to Think About: For difficult things, try to think of ways that they can be fun or how you can extract the most joy out of them

Gratitude: Grateful for the chance to race in a new city and country, and the support of friends like Anna along the way.

Lesson: We always have more to give!

Tune in as I share the key takeaways and achievements from my first month in Berlin

In this episode, recorded in Neukölln, Berlin, I reflect on the lessons learned from recent challenges, including my experience at the MVP Backyard Ultra and dealing with the disappointment of unmet expectations. Between solo adventures, running clubs, and deep dives into street art, I’ve been writing about how setbacks can fuel growth. Running with new friends at events like Midnight Runners and Run n Rave has also been a refreshing change, helping me process these moments and come out of my sickness.

I share how pushing my limits in ultra running and my current training block has shaped my mindset, including stories from my Backyard Ultramarathon, 100km race, and preparing for the next race in Dresden. We'll explore how setbacks, like not landing jobs or falling short in races, can often lead to valuable reflections about what truly matters.

Action Item: This week, I encourage you to reflect on something you want to achieve and ask yourself why you want to do it. Then, ask yourself "why" five more times to uncover your deeper motivations.

Something to Think About: What's something you want to do but haven’t started yet? Think about why you want to do it—not why you should.

Gratitude: I’m grateful for the sense of community within Berlin’s running scene and the connections I’ve made with new friends who continue to inspire me.

Lesson: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Stay flexible and open to new paths, because life rarely goes as planned.

In this episode, recorded from my new place on Sonnenallee in Neukölln, Berlin, I explore the transformative power of journaling.

How it has led me from keeping diaries to writing essays, and eventually, to creating this podcast. I've been sick and only had 72 hours to crank out another essay + podcast, but we've made it work.

I delve into my journey from scrappy journaling to filling 17 pages at Petra, followed by the shift from yearly diaries to more meaningful journaling about feelings rather than just events. I'll share stories about not finishing my six-month journal, the significance of Paddy Day, and how structuring my thoughts led me to write essays and overcome inhibitions to share them. We'll also touch on poetry and how thoughts can bypass the brain when we let them flow onto paper.

This episode is an invitation for you to experience the mental clarity that journaling can bring. I'll share some of my favourite journaling prompts to help you get started or deepen your practice.

Action Item: Try out the journaling prompts provided in this episode. Reflect on your recent experiences, feelings, gratitude, lessons learned, and intentions for the future.

Something to Think About: How can journaling help you process your thoughts and emotions? What might you discover about yourself through this practice?

Gratitude: I'm grateful for the time spent with new friends, old friends, and being in nature. These connections and experiences have enriched my life immensely.

Lesson: Be curious, speak to people, and make connections. You never know where a conversation might lead or how it might enrich your life.

In this episode, recorded from my new flat in Neukölln, Berlin, I finally reflect on my transformative Vipassana meditation experience. I provide an update on moving house, my job application process, and participating in Berlin’s vibrant running scene. I share the core elements of this practice—Anapanna, Vipassana, and Metta—and dive into the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

I also discuss how meditation has become a habit for me, offering practical tips on how you can introduce meditation into your life, even with a simple setup or just becoming aware of your sensations. I also introduce mood boosters, which are a set of actions that you can rely on, during a bad day.

Action Item: Take the first step towards mindfulness this week—whether it's setting up a meditation space, practicing Vipassana, or just tuning in to your body’s sensations. I’ve included links to Vipassana resources to help you get started.

Gratitude: I’m grateful for the warm welcome I’ve received in Berlin and the opportunity to reintroduce myself to life here on my own terms.

Tune in for more about meditation, mindfulness, and my reflections on life as I prepare for new challenges in the coming week.

Description:

I dive into stories from previous endurance events, like my first marathon, training for an Ironman, and dealing with injuries before both a 50km and a 100-mile race. Through these experiences, I’ve learned that it’s not about the destination, but the journey—whether that’s in training or life itself.

This episode is an invitation for you to think about your own hobbies and habits. What’s the ultimate goal you’re striving for? And what’s the smallest step you can take toward achieving it? I also introduce the inversion method—a tool for preventing burnout and maintaining long-term progress.

Action Item: This week, take some time to reflect on the habit or hobby you want to build. What could stop you from achieving it? How can you invert those obstacles and move forward sustainably?

Gratitude: I’m grateful for the warm welcome I’ve received in Berlin from friends and the running community. It’s been a powerful reminder of the importance of connection and support.

Tune in for more reflections on marathons, meditation, and how to observe life as it is, not as you want it to be. I’ll also be sharing my plans for the next week, including applying for jobs and escaping the city for a bit of peace and quiet!

Read the article here:

The Day I Found My Purpose and How You Can Find Yours

In this episode, recorded at a friend’s house in Tottenham, London, I dive into the profound moment when I discovered my purpose and how you can uncover yours too. Drawing from my experience in Colombia and a deep conversation with my friend Jordie, I reflect on the journey that led me to find meaning and direction in life.

Fresh from a silent meditation retreat, I touch on my Vipassana experience and how it helped clarify my purpose. I also discuss concepts from the Ikigai book, the Hedgehog Theory, and a memorable episode from the Imperfects podcast, all of which guided my exploration of purpose.

This episode is packed with actionable steps to help you find your purpose. I pose key questions inspired by Ikigai and the Hedgehog concept, inviting you to reflect deeply on what truly drives you.

Action Item: Take time this week to explore the questions around purpose—what are you passionate about, what are you good at, and what does the world need from you? Use these reflections to start aligning your life with your purpose.

Gratitude: I’m immensely grateful for the hospitality of my friends and the strength of long-term relationships, which have supported me through this journey.

Tune in for more insights and to hear about my next big move—relocating to Berlin!

Read the article here:

Reframing is a Superpower

In this episode, recorded from a hostel in Bucharest, I reflect on the power of reframing and how it can be our greatest superpower. Whether it’s shifting our mindset to see the positives in every situation or learning from our challenges, reframing helps us navigate life with a sense of optimism and gratitude.

I share stories from my recent travels, like the bus rides from Lisbon to London and my experiences at the border in Serbia. I dive into moments like “killing them with kindness” at church and the hostel this morning, and how I’ve reframed setbacks—whether it’s a court case or unmet expectations—to focus on the lessons rather than the failures. I emphasize the idea that nothing is truly a failure if you can find the silver lining.

This episode invites you to think about how you can apply reframing in your own life. How can you start seeing your challenges as opportunities for growth? What if you began focusing on the best-case scenario instead of the worst?

Action Item: Take time this week to ask yourself, “How is this the best thing that’s ever happened to me?” Start practicing rational optimism and look for the lessons in every experience, no matter how difficult they seem at first.

Gratitude: I’m grateful for the time I’ve spent sharing moments of gratitude with my family, and I’m looking forward to completing 7 days of meditation when this episode comes out.

Tune in for more reflections, insights, and stories from the road as I prepare for my next steps—continuing my meditation retreat, a job interview, and flying to London to sort things out!

Read the article here:

Documenting Over Creating

The last couple of weeks have been big for me overcoming some longstanding fears of being perceived and the complementary self-limiting beliefs.

Trying to build consistency with IG Reels, Writing, and Podcasting is helping me build new productive habits. Expressing my creativity in new ways.

The writing that this podcast is inspired by can be found here:

Documenting Over Creating

In this episode, recorded from Sofia, Bulgaria, I reflect on overcoming self-limiting beliefs and the fears that hold us back—whether it's the fear of judgment, failure, or perfectionism.

I dive into the idea of "documenting over creating" and how reframing our mindset can be a superpower. From writing on a ship and in tea houses to sharing gratitude with family, my journey shows that it's the process, not the outcome, that matters. I share personal stories like my teenage BMX blog, my abandoned YouTube channel, and revisiting lessons learned on the Camino Portugués, emphasizing the importance of focusing on "doing" rather than "becoming."

This episode is an invitation for you to reflect on where your self-limiting beliefs have stopped you. What's one thing you're striving for? How can you start doing it without obsessing over the result? I encourage you to start journaling, personal vlogging, or even photography as ways to document your journey.

The lesson I learned this week is to always ask for help.

I’m grateful for all the help I’ve received as I prepare to move to Berlin.

Action Item: Take time this week to document your own journey—through journaling, personal vlogs, or photography—and reflect on how reframing your mindset can help you overcome your self-limiting beliefs.

Had a difficult week travelling and meeting people. Decided to write about the joys of meeting fellow travellers and how they may turn into lifelong friends.

Read the article here:

Making Friends Is Hard, Putting Yourself Out There Isn’t

Introduction to Happiest Boy Alive and my latest Substack piece: In Praise of Slowing Down

Please excuse the audio, this was recorded as a pilot in a hostel dorm in Kosovo.

Substack reading links below:

Happiest Boy Alive

In Praise of Slowing Down

Life Lessons Learnt on The Camino de Santiago

Life Lessons Learnt on the Camino Portugués