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Happy Friday!
Today, I’m sharing a few key takeaways from this week’s Better Human Project podcast with health and fitness expert Vinnie Tortorich (Episode #110 of the BHP).
“Hey Ryan, this episode with Vinnie is gold!”
- Podcast Listener in TN
These lessons include integrity, getting our ducks in a row, and the importance of a big aerobic base for performance and longevity.
Let’s jump right in:
Integrity
I put this as the first takeaway because it’s the thing that I most associate with Vinnie after several chats with him.
Toward the end of our podcast, Vinnie mentions how intentional he is about everything he puts into the world - products, books, films - and how he wants to make damn sure that everything he creates is his absolute best effort.
In the most non-cliche way possible, he prioritizes quality over quantity in all he does.
Further, he’s committed to his standards in ways that few people are. He refuses to compromise, and doesn’t cut corners to increase profits.
Case in point: With his Pure Vitamin Club, he never uses flow agents or fillers in his vitamins. I have personal experience with supplement companies and I know what a challenge this is.
I can tell you there are only 2-3 companies in the world who adhere to this ideal.
In our conversation, Vinnie shares a lesson he learned from one of his mentors:
Always Take Out The Garbage
On the surface, it’s a lesson about what we do when the garbage can is full. Most of us like to stack the trash, making the pile as high as possible before someone finally has to empty the can - like a game of reverse Jenga.
Really, the lesson is about much more than our Jenga abiliies.
Who are you?
What kind of person are?
What is your character?
Do we handle our business ourselves (and right away) or do we leave things for others to deal with?
People who constantly ask themselves those types of questions, people who interrogate and audits their actions & impact on the world are my kind of humans.
Get - and Keep - Your Ducks In A Row
Lots of ways to say this…
Dot your i’s and cross your t’s.
Do your research.
Be prepared for anything.
Vinnie has made three major documentaries, and his most recent film, Beyond Impossible, put him directly in the crosshairs of some truly powerful, influential, and wealthy entities.
When I asked him if he was worried about pushback or other repercussions, he was quick to say no.
BECAUSE he had his ducks in a row.
He did his research. He consulted his lawyers first. He knew anything that he had published was true and would stand up if counter-argued on the interwebz or brought to a suit.
He didn’t wing it.
He took his time, did his research, dotted his i’s and crossed his t’s. He was/is ready.
Big Aerobic Base For The Win
We didn’t spend too much time talking about fitness, even though Vinnie is one of the best in the biz. in this area.
But his experience and expertise made a brief emergence when we talked about how easily he put himself in the Top 10 Rowing Sprinters - without specifically trining for it.
He attributed this capacity to two things:
His metabolic fitness & flexibility: despite being in ketosis, his body was able to generate and use the glucose required for that specific activity
AND, his massive aerobic foundation (60-90 minutes of aerobic work daily over decades) puts him in a scenario where he always has access to a metabolic/aerobic engine with the potential to output far more work than the average person.
Most people spend too much sprinting and doing “specific” work.
They’d usually be better served with general, Zone 2, aerobic work.
(I could write a book on this, but I won’t - this is a takeaways post.
If you have questions on this, hit me up in the comments below.)
When in doubt, build capacity by widening the base.
TUNE IN for the full episode:
Pursue Progress,
Munsey
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