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How do you train to do flagpoles?

1 week, 3 days ago on FitChal #5: Max Pull-Ups + What Happened in April

This is fascinating stuff--and great advice, based on my experience. I've been reading a new book called Mastery which talks about these same themes. You should check it out.

5 months, 3 weeks ago on What Gymnastics Taught Me About Acquiring and Mastering Skills

I was forced to learn this before 26, but it's the most valuable lesson I've ever learned about life so I'll share it here anyway.

Stuff doesn't make us happy. Experiences do. 

Given $5k and a choice between a new computer/motorcycle/furniture, or a trip to a distant corner of the world/trip to visit family and friends, I will always now pick the latter.

You might argue that the stuff would last a lot longer than a set of experiences, and physically it is true. But the happiness you get from stuff fades fast, and then you just take it for granted. The happiness you get from experience never fades.

12 months ago on A Request (and Giveaway!) for My Twenty-Sixth Birthday

Thanks for sharing your story. This is so true. When I see someone who has achieved uncommon success, I often think about all the things they've had to say NO to in order to get there.

1 year, 1 month ago on How to Make the Time to Do it All (guest post)

This post was super cool. I've always wanted to do an ironman but I admit I'm pretty afraid of it. Like you, most of my athletic experience involves short bursts of movement instead of long, drawn out endurance. I feel like swimming would be my weakest point too. 

1 year, 2 months ago on Out of My Element: Notes by a Former Gymnast-turned-Runner in His First Triathlon

brandontan I listen to music all day long as I work at the computer, so I use my running time as a chance for quiet time. I do bring my iPhone (in my hand), however, when I'm doing sprints or HIITs.

1 year, 10 months ago on Running is a Fundamental Part of the Human Experience [video]

I used to hate running, but lately I've been running more as well. And I find that each time I run, it hurts *slightly* less than before.

I never would have started on my own. One day a few months, I came into my gym, and our group workout was to run a 10k in under an hour. I'd never run more than a couple miles, and I was totally unprepared in my Chuck Taylors. I ran it anyway and survived, and that was the day I realized how much more was possible.

Ever try running in Vibrams? I haven't, but I've been consciously running on my toes a bit more, which seems to have gotten rid of my knee pain.

1 year, 11 months ago on Running is a Fundamental Part of the Human Experience [video]