Key Points: 1. For a multitude of reasons, those who use steroids have incentives to lie about it. 2. Particularly among young people, this dishonesty skews perceptions about what type of physique can be achieved naturally, which contributes to body dysmorphia. 3. The stigma around steroid usage resembles the one around marijuana–concern about health risks … Read more
Key Points: 1. Sometimes, selfish and dangerous behavior will cause harm to other people. Other times, it won’t. 2. Therefore, we should avoid judging ourselves or others based on a single action. 3. This concept forms an idea known as “moral luck.” Embracing it can help us become more empathetic and forgiving. Estimated reading time: … Read more
Key Points: 1. In both the US and Europe, the most popular sport directly contradicts each region’s broadly-accepted economic models. 2. The U.S.’s favorite league, the NFL, follows many principles of economic socialism. 3. In an interesting reversal, Europe’s most-watched soccer leagues are run in an unashamedly capitalist manner. Estimated reading time: 7-14 minutes Listen … Read more
Key Points: 1. Going deep on why our goals matter to us can increase the likelihood we achieve them. An exercise called “The 5 Whys” can help us do this. 2. We can control the completion of daily and weekly habits FAR more than whether or not we achieve our goals. But doing so also … Read more
Key Points: 1. I’ve long said that (1) fasting and (2) eating only meals, not snacks, are two of the best ways to show ourselves that hunger doesn’t need to control us. 2. This past year, I hadn’t really been taking my own advice. 3. In response, I underwent a challenging but illuminating 90-hour fasting … Read more
Key Points: 1. Unconsciously held identities hold a great deal of power to affect our behavior. Often not in beneficial ways. 2. I recently became aware of such an identity, related to my self-assessed ability to handle stress. 3. Facing these influential identities is often uncomfortable, but always worth it. Estimated reading time: 5-10 minutes … Read more
Key Points: 1. Most of us struggle in some way with our fitnesses, finances, or both. 2. Societal forces and early childhood experiences play a large role in this. 3. Education and compassionate self-examination are two of our best tools for overcoming these struggles. Estimated reading time: 4-8 minutes Listen to this article on Spotify! … Read more
Key Points: 1. Fitness and finance have so many parallels that it’s almost scary. 2. Developing our skills in these areas is arguably vital for success in the modern world, yet most people struggle mightily with one or both. 3. Insufficient education is far more to blame for this than individual choices and character traits. … Read more
Key Points: 1. We often overvalue the concrete at the expense of the abstract. 2. However, none of us would likely enjoy living in a world where the value of everything was concrete and definable. 3. Meditation can help us remember this. Estimated reading time: 4-8 minutes The last few weeks’ pieces have focused heavily … Read more
Key Points: 1. Identities and fixed mindsets go hand in hand. 2. We often unintentionally create identities for others, or let them do the same to us. 3. “Sometimes” is the secret exit door from this trap. Estimated reading time: 6-12 minutes About six months ago, I wrote a piece on one of my favorite … Read more