Hey there,
As many of you probably know, I didn’t grow up as an athlete. I was a shy, clumsy kid who preferred books to sports. I didn’t do my first push-up until I was twenty-one, and it wasn’t until much later that “athlete” became a core part of my identity.
Like most adults, I first started exercising mainly to lose weight. Once I caught the fitness bug, my reasons expanded beyond appearance to include building strength, learning new athletic skills, and physically becoming the best athlete I could be.
But the benefits I’ve gotten from fitness and sport have been so much more than just physical.
Read my latest Medium article for five ways engaging in physical activity as an adult can help you become better in all areas of your life — whether your sport of choice is running, surfing, tennis, martial arts, weightlifting, dance, yoga, or any movement-related activity.
What I’m reading —
Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang
If you’re anything like me, you tend to think that the harder you work, the better the outcome. Soojung-Kim Pang does a fantastic job of dispelling this myth, looking at different forms of rest like walks, naps, sleep, play, and exercise (yes, exercise can count as rest!) and how resting more will contribute to our goals.
What I’m listening to —
The Science of Setting & Achieving Goals / Huberman Lab Podcast
I try not to link to this podcast every single week but it’s definitely become one of the few I never miss. This one on goal setting is just great. For example, did you know that visualizing success can end up backfiring? Me, either. Lots of interesting science and useful tools in this one.
A quote that inspires me —
“We fail to realize that mastery is not about perfection. It’s about a process, a journey. The master is the one who stays on the path day after day, year after year. The master is the one who is willing to try, and fail, and try again, for as long as he or she lives.” — George Leonard from Mastery
What I’m training —
Here’s an intermediate handstand conditioning workout_ I posted on Instagram this week. Give it a try and let me know how it goes!
Three new workouts —
Medicine Ball Athlete Workout (12 minute, medicine ball)
Crazy Burpee 12-Minute AMRAP Workout (AMRAP, pull-up bar)
453 Rep Equipment-Free Challenge Workout (Time challenge, equipment-free)
You can get these and all future workouts right in the 12 Minute Athlete app when you subscribe as a Super Athlete.
Questions? Feedback? Content requests?
Please feel free to reply directly to this email if you have any questions or comments (yes, I am a real human). I get a lot of emails and messages, so I can’t reply to all of them, but I do read everything you guys send me!
– Krista