Take one more step than you’re doing today to venture outside your comfort zone, as this expands your world, leads to new experiences, and helps you realize something new.
Actively seek out real-life connections and shared experiences with others to combat the epidemic of loneliness, as humans evolved to thrive in community, not just survive in isolation.
Seek out experiences that teach fundamental life skills such as teamwork, respect for others and the environment, connection with nature, and how to overcome adversity, as this is a vital form of education.
Actively seek to reconnect with nature, friends, and community, especially if you feel a craving for such experiences, as this can be profoundly transformative and fulfilling.
When an opportunity for a meaningful experience arises, especially with loved ones, prioritize it and ‘just do it’ rather than finding reasons not to, as these moments create lasting memories.
Get outside and offline to create adventures where things might go wrong, requiring you to overcome challenges, as these experiences generate meaningful stories and foster deep connections.
As a parent, ensure that children’s participation in activities comes from their own desire and understanding, not parental pressure, and teach them the importance of saying ’no’ if they feel scared or are not enjoying the experience.
As a parent, be emotionally aware of your child’s feelings and focus on building positive emotional cornerstones, rather than pushing them to a point of fear or adversity, to ensure a positive experience.
When in nature, particularly water, practice feeling your body as part of something bigger, connecting to the vibrations and electrical pulses of all beings, to experience a profound sense of connection and aliveness.
Engage in activities that immerse you in an ‘analog world’ in nature, disconnected from social media, to reduce stress and cortisol levels, and feel a sense of renewal.
Go out into a forest for a walk of 30-45 minutes to significantly reduce cortisol levels, promote growth in your frontal lobe and hippocampus, and generally reduce stress.
To get started with physical activity, take ‘one more step’ than before; begin by walking in nature, then gradually introduce short bursts of running (e.g., run one minute, walk two, then increase run time), as this progressive approach helps reduce stress.
Engage in physical activity in nature to push your perceived physical limits, as studies show you can run and swim further due to a different perception and connection to the environment, allowing you to move with its flow.
Don’t let fear or inexperience stop you from trying new activities, especially if a supportive environment (like a well-marshalled event with safety measures) is available, as overcoming initial panic can lead to personal growth.
When considering a new and potentially intimidating activity, team up with an experienced partner or racer to provide comfort and ease, making the experience less daunting and more enjoyable.
If you struggle with activity, find a friend to partner with for new experiences, as mutual accountability can help you train and commit, leading to transformative life changes.
Engage in activities with a partner that require you to feel, communicate your emotions, show both weakness and strength, and support each other to move forward, fostering deep interpersonal connection.
In unpredictable environments, shift your focus from external factors like time or performance to the only thing you can control: how you and your partner function together, as effective teamwork leads to better outcomes.
Engage in activities that cultivate a collective community feel, where participants support and encourage each other, even when technically competing, rather than focusing solely on individual competition.
Work to support and respect each other within a community, recognizing that collective strength comes from cooperation rather than individual superiority.
Cultivate a fundamental belief that all humans are connected and face similar challenges, as realizing this shared humanity can simplify conversations around climate, environment, connection, and equality.
Actively engage with nature, especially through events that immerse you in it, to foster a deep personal connection that naturally leads to concern for the environment and understanding of climate change.
Strive to minimize your environmental impact, especially when organizing or participating in events in nature, and actively work to raise awareness about environmental problems like plastic pollution.
Commit to not dropping any litter in nature; if you see something dropped, pick it up yourself or encourage others to do so, fostering a community-led approach to keeping natural environments clean.
Engage in organized community clean-up activities (e.g., ‘garbage search and collect’) and make a personal habit of picking up litter you encounter, even if it’s not yours, to raise awareness and contribute to a cleaner environment.
Lead by example in environmental stewardship, such as picking up litter, as this can inspire others to question their own behavior and make positive changes, which is more effective than simply telling people what to do.
Do not let personal imperfections or environmental footprints prevent you from engaging in discussions and raising awareness about climate change, as demanding personal perfection as a prerequisite hinders the broader conversation.
Actively engage with nature to counteract the inward-driving forces of modern technology and society, as nature is expansive and encourages outward focus, serving as an antidote to contemporary problems.
If you already regularly access nature, consider trying new activities or perspectives to experience it in a different and potentially more profound way.
Approach physical challenges by breaking them into shorter, varied segments (e.g., short runs followed by short swims), allowing for different muscle use and opportunities to rest, making the overall goal more achievable.
Seek out physical activities that minimize transitions and equipment changes, allowing you to start and finish with the same gear (e.g., running in a wetsuit, swimming in shoes), as this simplicity can be mentally freeing and enjoyable.
Opt for physical activities that are financially accessible, requiring minimal specialized equipment or travel costs, making it easier to participate and ‘get out’.
Don’t get bogged down by excessive gear or preparation; focus on the basics and ‘just get out there and do it,’ as this approach can be mentally freeing and enable participation.
If you’re new to swimming or open water, start by getting comfortable in a pool, then move to a lake or river, and finally the ocean, to gradually build confidence and skill.
Recognize and utilize the emotional power within yourself, which is stronger than physical attributes, and be willing to share these emotions with a partner to achieve greater strength and connection.
Actively share and acknowledge the emotional experiences of others, such as hugging participants at a finish line, to build connection and emphasize the importance of shared journey over individual physical prowess.
Arrange to meet up and participate in shared activities, like sporting events, with friends to strengthen bonds and create new experiences together.
If you find yourself in a routine of work and waiting for weekends, actively search for ‘something more’ in life to fulfill a deeper craving beyond societal pressures and responsibilities.
When engaging in outdoor activities or events, opt for biodegradable materials (e.g., cellulose or paper for marking) to avoid harming wildlife and minimize environmental impact.
To significantly reduce waste, especially at events or when consuming beverages, carry your own collapsible or reusable cup instead of relying on single-use options.
Consider wearing minimalist shoes, such as Vivo Barefoot, for various occasions like work, play, walking, or gym, as they can improve posture and alleviate issues like back pain, and come with a 100-day trial for new customers.
Engage with interesting people from various fields (health and beyond) to gather simple, actionable tips that can immediately transform how you feel, as inspiration and empowerment come from these interactions.
Go back through the podcast’s back catalogue to listen to previous conversations, especially episode 73 with Ross Edgeley, to gain insights and inspiration.
Listen to the podcast episode featuring James Wallman, who discusses how to spend time productively and offers seven rules for meaningful experiences, as it contains valuable wisdom.
In life, actively look for opportunities and act on them, then maintain persistence in your efforts if you believe what you are doing is right, as this approach leads to growth and success.
Understand that your circle of comfort expands rapidly with each new challenge you undertake, making subsequent challenges easier to face.
When children participate in challenging activities, prioritize their enjoyment and ensuring they finish with a smile, rather than focusing solely on completion or performance.
Seek out activities in nature, like difficult trail running, where you must rely on instinct and feeling rather than overthinking, to foster a deeper connection with your surroundings.
Counteract modern detached, self-focused lifestyles by engaging in activities that remind us of our animal nature and the importance of living as a tribe in harmony with others, fostering genuine connection.
Expose yourself to nature to learn adaptability, realizing that in natural environments, the only thing you can control is how you and your partner work together and adapt to conditions, fostering a paradigm shift away from societal status.