“One who gains strength by overcoming obstacles possesses the only strength which can overcome adversity.”

― Albert Schweitzer ―

 

What we cover in this week's episode of The HERO Podcast: 

• Some of the most common barriers to adopting healthier habits (and how to overcome them).
• The immense power of going slow, being patient and staying accountable.
• The potential underlying causes of food apathy, and how to make meals great again.

“The ultimate experience of being mindful occurs when we forget about everything, even the mindful self and doing. In that mode, we are full of energy, utterly self-generated.”

― Sang H Kim ―

Mindfulness & movement.

This week on The HERO Podcast we’re combining what I feel are two cornerstones of healthy, fulfilled living - mindfulness, and movement. 

Alone these things have had a drastic impact on the quality of my life. But when you add them together, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, so to speak.

In other words, adding a little mindfulness to your movement practice is one of those simple things that can 10x your results - both those that you might be chasing after and some you might not even be aware of until they occur.

Let's dig in.

What we cover in this week's episode of The HERO Podcast: 

• What exactly is mindful movement and why is it so important if you're looking to cultivate a calm, peaceful state of mind?
• Why mindful movement could help you avoid injury and become a stronger, better athlete or mover.
• How to start incorporating mindful movement throughout your day and into your workouts, and reap the benefits right now.

“We are all HUMAN first, MOVERS second and only then SPECIALISTS.”

― Ido Portal ―

What does your movement practice look like?

This week on The HERO Podcast we’re talking all things movement. One of my favourite things. More specifically: the big difference between the generalist and specialist approach to moving. 

The way human beings move has changed drastically over the course of the past ten thousand years.

Back in the day, our hunter-gatherer ancestors would spend a fair chunk of time moving over uneven terrain, climbing, jumping, hanging, swinging, grappling, throwing, swimming, crawling, squatting, lifting... There was plenty of variety and complexity.

Fast forward through the revolutions of agriculture, industry, and technology, our need for movement variety and complexity has reduced drastically.

To the point that many people spend their days sat in the same position, only moving their fingers to click buttons. Bigger bouts of movement are reserved for specific exercise periods - often set exercises for x number of reps, x number of times a week.

We've become specialists, losing so many of the movement capabilities we were designed to enjoy.

I think it's time to reclaim them. And this week, we're talking about how to do just that.

What we cover in this week's episode of The HERO Podcast: 

• The big differences between Ido Portal's generalist approach to movement, and the typical specialist approach.
• Why specialization in one or two movement disciplines or activities so often means sacrifice.
• How to start adopting a more generalist approach to your movement practice, move like Ido and build a more well-rounded skillset, today.

 

FULL SHOWNOTES: http://herohealthroom.com/2017/04/10/020-generalist-movement-ido-portal/

“It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor.”

― Seneca ―

How could the minimalist mindset enrich your life?

This week on The HERO Podcast we’re talking all things minimalism. More specifically, how you can apply the minimalist mindset to different areas of your life. To live well, with a little less. 

So there are a bunch of misconceptions surrounding minimalism. The word might conjure up images of the hipster, vegan stereotype. You might think it’s a pretentious thing reserved only for the middle class. Or maybe you've heard that it's all about living frugally, being a bit of a hermit, owning no possessions and having no fun. No fun whatsoever.

Now I don't claim to be an expert, and I certainly don’t claim to be a full-blown minimalist.

But I have done a few mini-experiments with the minimalist lifestyle, and benefited from it in many ways. One of the best ways I’ve heard it described is by Joshua Becker:

“Minimalism is less about taking things away, and more about what you choose to fill that new found time and space with.”

So this week on the show, that's what we're gonna explore.

How can the minimalist mindset benefit your life, beyond getting rid of unwanted possessions?

Let's get stuck in.

What we cover in this week's episode of The HERO Podcast: 

• What minimalist living entails, and some of the common misconceptions surrounding it.
• How living a life with less can potentially reduce your stress.
• How to apply the minimalist mindset to benefit your movement practice, diet, work life and more.

 

FULL SHOWNOTES: http://herohealthroom.com/2017/04/03/minimalist-mindset/

“As is a tale, so is life: not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters.”

― Seneca ―

  Stoicism: a tool for self-mastery

 

This week on The HERO Podcast we’re gonna be touching on the idea of Stoicism. More specifically, a few key lessons we can learn from the Stoics and apply to our everyday lives.

For those of you who perhaps aren’t quite sure what Stoicism is (which was me, not too long ago), it’s a school of philosophy that was founded in Athens by a cool dude called Zeno in the early 3rd century BC.

Some of the most famous practitioners were people like Epictetus, Seneca and Marcus Aurelius, and more recently people like Tim Ferriss and Ryan Holiday - who is the author of the Daily Stoic, the book that’s kinda sparked my interest in Stoicism (linked to below). It contains daily meditations on thought provoking Stoic principles and how you can apply them to your life.

When you hear the word Stoic you might think of the more modern interpretation, which is to be somewhat emotionless or even a bit bland. But from what I’ve read it’s much much more than that. In his book Ryan describes it as:

“A tool in the pursuit of self-mastery, perseverance, and wisdom; something one uses to live a great life, rather than some esoteric field of academic inquiry”.

Which is pretty much what this podcast is all about.

Let's get stuck in.

What we cover in this week's episode of The HERO Podcast: 

• How to control what you can control, let go of what you can't, and learn to differentiate between the two.
• How preparing yourself for misfortune can give you the strength to face life's challenges with a sense of calm.
• The dangers of labeling events as 'good' or 'bad' (with a nice little fable that illustrates exactly why).

SHOWNOTES: http://herohealthroom.com/2017/03/27/018-lessons-stoicism/

 

"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

- J.K. Rowling - 

  Chore vs Choice

How many times throughout the day do you view something as a chore?

You can include the common ones like doing the washing, cleaning your room, going shopping... But how about your meditation practice? Or going to the gym? Or preparing homemade meals? Or finishing off that piece of work?

It's easy to forget that most of the things that we fill our day with, most of the habits and routines we partake in - we choose to do them. Sure, they may slip into autopilot mode sometimes. But at some point down the line, we made the conscious decision to make time for that activity.

If we're not careful, it's easy to slip into that chore mindset - that we 'have' to do this, and 'have' to do that.

But what if we were able to step away from that line of thinking? What if we were able to be more present in everything that we do, to truly see those things for what they are? To embrace the things that we can't change? And to let go of the habits that are not serving us in order to make more room for the things that do?

What we cover in this week's episode of The HERO Podcast: 

• One of the main contributors towards chronic stress and failed habit changes - viewing your choices as chores.
• The main reasons why we fall into the chore mindset, and how this way of thinking can negatively impact our quality of life.
• Three simple tactics for switching towards the choice mindset and taking back control.

 

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"If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them."

- Henry David Thoreau - 

  Building the foundations of strength and mobility

I used to be one of those guys:

“Go hard or go home”.

High intensity and volume was the name of the game. But despite eating right and training multiple times per week, it left me with nothing to show for. Before long, I would be injured and/or feeling exhausted, and subsequently could never string together enough consistent training to meet my goals.

So I dialed things way back, reaped the rewards, and that’s what my current training program is all about.

Sustainability vs short term gains. Consistency vs carelessness. Back to basics. 

Using the structure I’m about to outline this week on The HERO Podcast , I’ve been able to build a regular movement practice without the nagging injuries and constant setbacks.

One that’s provided me with a solid base of strength and mobility that transfers over to everyday life.

And the best part?

It leaves me feeling fresh.

I’m no longer sore for days after a workout or grouchy 24/7. I have the space to be more present in everyday life, and the time to work on other goals - both related and non-related to movement.

I hope that if you decide to give it a go, it's able to do the same for you too.

 

What we cover in this week's episode of The HERO Podcast: 

• Why so many workout programs are unsustainable and often lead to overtraining, injury and burnout.
• How to build a solid base of strength and mobility that makes you a more well-rounded athlete, and more capable human being.
• How to apply the minimum effective does to your strength training, to maximize the time and energy you have to focus on other goals.

"Never give up on what you want the most, for what you want today."

Neil Maxwell

---

What does it really take to craft a lean physique?

Does it mean spending hours in the gym, several times a week? Downing a bucket load of supplements each morning that cost an arm and a leg? Waking up every hour on the hour in the night to eat unseasoned chicken breasts?

If your life is fitness, then maybe.

Hugh Jackman reportedly did most or all of the above in getting ready to play Wolverine.

But if you're an average Joe or Jane wanting to simply look, feel and move a little better, all of the above aren't necessary (despite what many of those health and fitness magazines will have you believe).

Yes - moving well and crafting a body that you feel comfortable in no doubt takes a degree of hard work, dedication and patience.

But it doesn't have to consume every hour of your life if you don't want it to.

With that in mind, in this week's episode of The HERO Podcast, Jay Kim shares exactly how he was able to hack his fitness and transform his life (and how you can too).

  What we cover in this week's episode of The HERO Podcast: 

• The two biggest mistakes people make when they're looking to lose weight - and how you can avoid them.
• The one simple (but immensely effective) diet principle you can introduce today to improve your body composition.
• How to sleep like a baby and recover properly from your workouts to reap the rewards of your efforts.
• Jay's top tips for entrepreneurial success, his favourite productivity tools, and much much more.

Shownotes, bonus resources and more at herohealthroom.com

"Never give up on what you want the most, for what you want today."

Neil Maxwell

---

What does it really take to craft a lean physique?

Does it mean spending hours in the gym, several times a week? Downing a bucket load of supplements each morning that cost an arm and a leg? Waking up every hour on the hour in the night to eat unseasoned chicken breasts?

If your life is fitness, then maybe.

Hugh Jackman reportedly did most or all of the above in getting ready to play Wolverine.

But if you're an average Joe or Jane wanting to simply look, feel and move a little better, all of the above aren't necessary (despite what many of those health and fitness magazines will have you believe).

Yes - moving well and crafting a body that you feel comfortable in no doubt takes a degree of hard work, dedication and patience.

But it doesn't have to consume every hour of your life if you don't want it to.

With that in mind, in this week's episode of The HERO Podcast, Jay Kim shares exactly how he was able to hack his fitness and transform his life (and how you can too).

What we cover in this week's episode of The HERO Podcast: 

• The two biggest mistakes people make when they're looking to lose weight - and how you can avoid them.
• The one simple (but immensely effective) diet principle you can introduce today to improve your body composition.
• How to sleep like a baby and recover properly from your workouts to reap the rewards of your efforts.
• Jay's top tips for entrepreneurial success, his favourite productivity tools, and much much more.

What are your cornerstone habits?

This week on The HERO Podcast we're looking at the idea of keystone or cornerstone habits.

What the heck are they?

Eseentially, they're habits that form the foundation of a healthy, meaningful lifestyle. The bare bones, if you like.

The habits that facilitate other positive changes. The ones the kickstart a positive feedback loop, and really aid you on your hero's journey.

No doubt - these habits are gonna vary quite a bit from person to person.

But on today's show I'm sharing the ones that work well for me, and help keep me on the straight and narrow. Hopefully, they'll get your creative juices flowing so you can come up with your own.

Let's take a look.

What we cover in this week's episode of The HERO Podcast: 

• How certain habits can spark a negative, downward cycle, and how you can begin to break that cycle today.
• How to form the habit of regular meditation, and how this can have a knock-on effect on the rest of your life.
• The potential power of movement, food, social interaction, journaling, and much much more.

 

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