Whats Your Story?

This book review podcast is another from my favorite author, Yuval Noah Harari. "Homo Deus" describes some of the advancements and changes humanity may undergo in the future. This book is a bit of a mindfuck, but what it does is help prepare one for the future by focusing on skills and mental models that may be applicable, which I breakdown here.

Last July I had the pleasure of being featured on Mike Matthew's podcast "Muscle For Life" to talk about my transformation which was largely due to his influence through blogs, podcasts, and his book "Bigger, Leaner, Stronger." I wanted to repost it this week because I felt it would offer some insight and context into the way I present and talk about health, fitness, and weightlifting. Mike changed my view of how malleable my body was which in turn led me to changing my thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs. This is one of the topics of conversation, along with the mindset I used to carry around about food, other myths that stunted my progress, and the practices I've evolved to include in my daily life. I hope you enjoy!

In this podcast, learn when and why to opt for whole grains over refined/white grains. I'll go over some general diet/grocery shopping advice and explain the main question of the podcast in terms of gluten and insulin as well, which are often mentioned in the conversation.

Ashleigh VanHouten is the author of a new book about the art of cooking and eating organ meats, in a way that is accessible to all! Her book is called "It Takes Guts" and it will be available October 20th. I have followed Ashleigh for quite a while and I knew we'd have a lot to connect over. Before getting into her book we got to talk about finding one's own sustainable and balanced version of health, as well as being intentional with your choices and day to day activities. Timestamps: 1:55- Ashleigh explains the reverence for strength & muscle that peaked her interest in weightlifting from an early age, and shares how the combination of skills she has built up allows her a vocation based around her passions. 10:47- The paradox of bodybuilders. Some notes on social media. 30:02- The creative process and how Ashleigh finished her book on a tight deadline. 40:05- Motivation and deeper meaning behind the book, tips on eating organ meat! Follow Ashleigh on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themuscle

The mind, which is aptly called "a wonderful servant but a terrible master" is everything when it comes to making quality decisions that impact your life. This is especially true in terms of your health and fitness. In this episode I talk about having temperance of the mind, as well as intuition, and balancing all aspects of health (mental, emotional, physical). An anecdote I took from David Allen's book Getting Things Done is included as well (check out our podcast episode if you haven't yet). Episode 105: David Allen creator of Getting Things Done

Self proclaimed nutrition geek Mike Nelson specializes in metabolic flexibility and the role nutrition plays in fueling exercise performance. It was an absolute blast to bring him on the show and pick his brain! We talked a lot about the body being less fragile and more adaptable than we give it credit for. Timestamps: 1:11- Mike’s highly credentialed background and how he applies his scientific knowledge to individuals. 11:00- Relativity around how we feel, metabolic flexibility. 30:53- Fasting. 45:05- Getting micronutrients through food & supplements. Mike's website: https://miketnelson.com/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jakeparker/support

Check out my insights from The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene! This book was a beast at almost 700 pages, but I was happy to finally get to digest the legendary lessons from this classic.* "If the game of power is inescapable, better to be an artist than a denier or a bungler.” *Initial audio issues updated. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jakeparker/support

If you've listened to the podcast for a while, you may know that one of my areas of interest besides fitness lies in personal finances. One thing that fascinates me is how similar many aspects of good health and orderly personal finances are. Today I got to pick the brain of Eric Roberge, a Certified Financial Planner from Boston about this similarity, as well as other topics like what it means to have a solid financial foundation, practicing temperance, and more. There is a pretty fun story mentioned about how I came across Eric's podcast! Also discussed- why you DON'T want to win the lottery, "imperfect action is better than perfect inaction." Timestamps: 1:44- How fitness and finance are related. 11:53- Paying yourself first, prioritizing. 21:44- Optimization and efficiency. 28:09- Investing in yourself. 34:24- Developing habits and long-term thinking. 47:47- How to balance saving, investing, and paying off debt. Eric's Podcast: Beyond Finances Eric's Website: https://beyondyourhammock.com/ ---

The only way to fight diseases of excess we face each day (overabundance of calories, too much entertainment/information) is to practice temperance. Learn how I practice temperance in this podcast episode. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jakeparker/support

It was an honor to bring Jordan Syatt onto the podcast recently, he is a leader in the online fitness community and someone I look up to! Jordan and I chatted about many things that centered around individual behaviors (including our own insecurities) and priorities in life, and ended with a chat about confidence and all around health. I enjoyed this chat so much so I hope you will too! Timestamps: 1:20 How Jordan has developed his platform. Putting out content when no one gives a shit. 14:17 What Jordan has learned from his experiences working with individuals (success leaves clues). 28:54 Getting better means cringing at your previous highlights. 37:12 How confidence is developed over time. 48:10 What is all around health to Jordan? Check Out Jordan's Website: https://www.syattfitness.com/ Follow Jordan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/syattfitness/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jakeparker/support

Marathoners do not think about the entirety of the 26 miles they have to run when in the heat of the race, they simply think about the next mile again and again. Learn how to apply this lesson to your life with some notes from Stephen King, Steven Pressfield, and a favorite book of mine. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jakeparker/support

It was a pleasure to host Brad Dieter on the podcast! The company he is a part of (Macros Inc.) focuses on helping people implement flexible dieting in order to look and feel their best, so naturally we got to talk about evidence based weight loss/management, sustainability of common diets, and more! Timestamps: 1:37 How Macros Inc. started and challenges clients face. 21:41 Correlation and causation when assessing diet success. 42:50 Motivation behind starting a Macros Inc. podcast. 47:01 The effects of setting healthy goals on your life and social circles. Follow Brad on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brad.dieter/ Check out his podcast: MI Live The Macros Inc website: https://macrosinc.net/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jakeparker/support

Leonardo DaVinci said: "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." This is one of my favorite quotes and something I agree strongly with. In my day to day life I try to optimize for simplicity in order to be more focused and happier. This motto extends from personal activities, to work, to my fitness. In a world of unlimited inputs, having fewer things in your environment and on your mind will make you more effective in every way. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jakeparker/support

It was very exciting to get to host the legend Scott Herman this week on the podcast! I have watched Scott's YouTube videos for years, so to get to chat with him on the show was an honor, he was very fun and personable! We talked a lot about workout routines including full body workouts vs. body part splits. I recently had my own experience with full body splits as did Scott! We talked about YouTube strategy and why Scott calls out bullshit as well. Links: Scott's website where you can find workouts: https://muscularstrength.com/ Scott's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ScottHermanFitness Scott's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scotthermanfitness/ Timestamps: 1:26 Why Scott started posting on YouTube back in 2009, changing training routines. 19:45 Where studies fall short, enjoying your training. 25:03 Handling misinformation. 34:57 Why Scott got into lifting weights. 42:38 Current lifting goals, improving specific muscle groups. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jakep

With all the information we are subjected to on a daily basis it can be hard to sort through it all and gain focus. Here I discuss my methodology for selection and focus for all sources of information! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jakeparker/support

I have been friends with Mitch for quite a while now, as we discuss he was one of the first people who inspired me to start my own Instagram page and podcast! Mitch is growth minded like me and it showed on this podcast in which we discussed his new business, staying fit and tending to your own needs, and eating/training. I hope you enjoy the show, thanks Mitch for coming on! Mitch's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/easywinsmitch/ Time Stamps: 1:30- Intro, catching up, notes on how Mitch and I met, Hi-Def Seattle. 11:05- Calories & food (clean eating, eating too much/too little, long term vision). 18:11- Getting focused, books, on building. 33:00- Working “hard” (be effective not busy), being prepared. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jakeparker/support

Does food have to be strictly fuel? You deserve to take delight and pleasure in your food from time to time, especially when eating as a part of a communal/social experience. Today I talk about how food goes beyond macros, and touch on my battles with being overly strict in the past. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jakeparker/support

My friend Alex is a productivity nut like me and it was an honor to have him on the show again, we had a fun time talking as always! Alex and I talked about our personal strategies around productivity, fighting The Resistance, and about taking energizing breaks because your brain needs the rest. Alex even mentions multiple studies and research backed concepts to back it all up! Alex’s website where he frequently posts productivity information & tips: https://www.theproductiveyou.com/ Timestamps: 1:16- Alex’s biggest derailment to productivity and the biggest productivity booster, breaks! What you’re doing when you’re NOT being productive is important too. (And a diet analogy) 21:47- The scientifically proven "best way" vs. the anecdote. Best ways to take breaks. 28:49- Happiness requires two things, and “working hard.” 34:58- How routines and habits increase productivity, wrapping up. Mentioned: https://ryanholiday.net/ https://gettingthingsdone.com/ (David Allen) --- Support this podcast

In my last podcast I mentioned budgeting and tracking my spending as one of the habits I never compromise on. Here I break down my budgeting process and why it's important to me! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jakeparker/support

Quote referenced at the end of the show: "Slay that dragon once, and he will never have power over you again. Yeah, he’ll still be there. Yeah, you’ll still have to duel him every morning. And yeah, he’ll still fight just as hard and use just as many nasty tricks as he ever did. But you will have beaten him once, and you’ll know you can beat him again." -Steven Pressfield (from his book "Do the Work") I feel very strongly that we are more capable than we believe we are. Getting into daily action and doing hard shit you don't want to do but you know is good for you will make you strong willed and more disciplined, subsequently getting you closer to your goals and the person you want to be. Here's a more in depth run down of the topics on this Random Show: 3 Things Good Workout Programs Have in Common, Habits I Never Compromise On, The Real Cost of Social Media, Anti-Depressents and Holistic Approaches to Calming Depression/Anxiety, Fasting Protocol and Why I Fast. Previous podcasts of mine that are relevant to