A Little Bit About Me:
The first time I ever stepped into a weight room was in elementary school. I got my first gym membership when I was 15. At age 17 I bench pressed 325 lbs. When I was 24 I competed in my first sprint distance triathlon, and by 32 I had competed in Ironman triathlons in back to back years. A year later I climbed my first mountain, Mt. Rainier.
Throughout my life exercise has always been a constant. The dedication to my practice is what has allowed me to take on new physical challenges repeatedly and successfully. But it’s also given me far more than just physical accolades. The mental benefits I’ve been afforded are harder to quantify but are far greater than anything physical I ever imagined.
The consistent practice of exercise gave me the confidence and work ethic to excel at work, provided mental clarity, gave me focus, and been a tool to sharpen my discipline. Most beneficial of all, my physical accomplishments have provided proof that I can take on difficult challenges and succeed. The benefits of having this practice in my life are endless. But in recent years I’ve realized that it’s more than just physical.
My Views on Health and Fitness:
Fitness and health have become overcomplicated concepts. What we see on our screens does not jive with reality.
Throughout my journey I've experimented with every diet, supplement, and exercise fad there is. Each time I discovered that on their own none of them are sustainable, but each one had something to offer. So, I pulled out what worked and left behind what didn't.
In recent years I've used those pieces to build a robust and comprehensive health practice. The lessons I’ve learned have been many, but the one of greatest importance, the one discussed most often, is the power of consistency.
Improvement requires repetition. A better diet requires more time in the kitchen. A healthier brain requires more time practicing mindfulness. And a better physique requires more reps at the gym, track, pool etc...
The second most important lesson is progress. It's intrinsic in us to want results right away, but unrealistic timelines and goals create either a feeling of failure when they're not achieved, or overtraining and injury when we reach them to fast. Consistent progress is the only thing that sustains.
Over the last five years I’ve been able to stay consistent and make measurable progress by dedicating 30 – 60 minutes each day to the four practices below.
Movement is the most essential part of my routine. While exercise is more of a physical than mental endeavor, I’ve found that the mental benefits far outweigh the physical.
Cooking has become an important piece of my life. There are the obvious benefits, like better compliance with a diet. There are the less obvious benefits, like the additional time on your feet. And then there is the creative aspect, and sense of accomplishment that comes from making a delicious and beautiful dish.
Reading has become more than a way to learn or entertain myself. It is the best way I’ve found to focus my brain and has become my go to “mindfulness” practice, albeit perhaps an unconventional one by standard definitions.
Writing my thoughts, of which I have many, is the only way to free my mind of them and make room for new ones. It also allows me to move on to solving new problems. Writing also serves as a creative expression, and a way to be mindful.
Health is so much more than exercise and diet like we’ve been led to believe. By focusing on these four practices, we can transform our lives.
I started this website to inspire others to start their practice and experience the life changing affects I have. On this site you’ll find resources, information, insights, workouts, meal ideas, as well as articles, books and podcasts that help me stay consistent and engaged.
I hope you enjoy the content and find it useful.
Cheers to your practice!
James.
