This is a great collection of your thoughts Brad. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed your book, and I find myself reflecting often. The phrase that has stuck most is “Excellence is intimacy.”
In a world of novelty, autoletic experiences and intimacy are not just the spice of life they’re the main course for great human beings.
Thanks for all you do. Be blessed and encouraged this Easter.
I think the other thing that resonates about deadlifting and woodworking is that they tap into our humanity. Two hundred thousand years ago we were trying to pick up heavy rocks or make something out of a fallen branch. Even though our survival today might not depend on them, these activities (and others) still feels good today.
Thanks for this Brad. I do love deadlifting. I think it’s more mental than physical. I remember being plateaued at particular weight. I would grab it and I would strain, it
would move a bit, but that was it. For a couple of weeks, maybe a month. I could not move it. Then one day I said this is bullshit. I walked up and I lifted it, and that was it. I don’t know why I was stalled.
Forget these externalized physical forms. AI can't compare oscillatory differences. It can't express thought as visual paradox. That analog is referential, and it's a practice operating creative decision, the ability to cut something off before completion as complete.
Wow, wow, wow!!!! Nailed it, with your insights and with your writing, both! I am smiling wide while reading this, because you expressed this whole phenomenon so damn well!! Like I literally clapped while reading it...and that really says something about you as a writer! I just came across your Substack a few minutes ago, and I simply can't stop reading...Great going Brad!
This is my recent story in correlation to running.
These are not out of the world numbers but I believe in this a lot. You got believe first that you can do this and then mind will somewhat follow.
I ran a 100 KM Stadium Run(250 laps) on 24th January in a time of 9:15 whereas the goal was 7:30. I blew up in the second half pretty badly and didn't consume much calories after 55 KM mark and around the 90 KM mark I was peeing dark brown blood and after the race I was having blood in my spits as well. Then I ran a 50 KM race on 8th February where I had goal of running it under 3:45 but ran 4:17 as I chose to run a 2.5 hour run on 7th February. Both of these times internal monologue choked me up big time as I was falling way off my expectations. But after this both the upcoming races I was able to maintain my sanity for long enough.
On 1st March I randomly ran my first ever marathon on fully flat surface and this was my first attempt at 42.2 since I started running. No specific marathon training, no specific speed workouts, no long runs on PMP. Ran a 2:48 on basically sheer aerobic base that I have built and ran 1:22 & 1:26 for 1st & 2nd half.
Then on 7th March(a couple of days ago) I attempted again a 100 KM Stadium Run(250 laps) at the same venue. Ran 8:12 for the 100 KM, improved by 63 minutes in a span of 6 weeks. Even though I had ran a marathon 6 days prior to this effort. My Coros Pace Pro clocked 70 Km in 5:01 but then I had to deal with the fatigue. Gut issues after 39 KM mark and still learning. I know I can run this distance under 7:30. Swinging for the fences approach and nobody lets to tell me that this can't be done. I believe now in taking shots because 100% of the shots not taken are missed, so better take it when the body is healthy. Sometimes we think next time and the next time never comes- might be family obligations/responsibilties, health issue, injury or can be any other thing. If time & health allows, go for the MF thing.
This is my story from 14th to 20th March what I did.
I can walk off from the sport of running now as I have achieved my long term goal of running 175 mile week in training. In the last 7 days- I have run 294 KM(182.7 miles) and that only on singles. I am proud of myself. I don’t know if you can understand doing on singles this much of volume and that it was not slow and included fast paces.
The point is this wasn't even planned as I had 2 races in a span of 6 days. Marathon debut on 1st March for which I ran 2:48 and 100 KM for which I ran 8:12 on 7th March. Now I am thinking did I really almost ran 300 KM in a week span and don't feel much fatigue. I can run Sub-3 for marathon tomorrow. I don’t sell myself short in running now and have to apply this in other facets of life as well. And now again from 30th March to 5th April I ran 175 miles (281 KM).
I am pursuing this like my life depends on it.
I had a goal of wanting to get a qualifier for team India for 2026 100 KM World Championships. But I couldn't get it. The best part is I am self coached meaning I am my own guinea pig and run the experiments in the lab. Experiments can be done when A goal is not on the line. So I tried and learnt that psychologically is big limiter for what we can achieve in our lives. I have been running for 5.5 years and these two 7 day training experiment/block of 175+ mile has unlocked a different level for what I can do. Even though I don’t believe in limits and believe anything can be achieved but a lot of the times one can’t visualize or turn that into confidence when the work hasn’t been put or there is no proof/evidence of work. An hour back listened to Emily Saul(Sports Psychologist) on podcast and she also told this, you can’t trick your mind. Sometimes we need to I understand even if there is no prior proof that heck yeah I can do this.
If I wouldn’t have tried this, I would have the same belief regarding training and the amount of confidence I have for my own self.
Love that you included the Franco Columbu photo - 5’5” 185 lbs - max deadlift of ~750lbs. Incredible and inspiring. And he died at 78 swimming in the ocean, that’s the way to go.
This is a great collection of your thoughts Brad. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed your book, and I find myself reflecting often. The phrase that has stuck most is “Excellence is intimacy.”
In a world of novelty, autoletic experiences and intimacy are not just the spice of life they’re the main course for great human beings.
Thanks for all you do. Be blessed and encouraged this Easter.
Thanks so much for the kind words, Riley. I’m thrilled to hear you enjoyed The Way of Excellence. I appreciate you.
I think the other thing that resonates about deadlifting and woodworking is that they tap into our humanity. Two hundred thousand years ago we were trying to pick up heavy rocks or make something out of a fallen branch. Even though our survival today might not depend on them, these activities (and others) still feels good today.
Yes. Great observation. We definitely evolved toward competence. I’m sure that’s a big part of why it’s so rewarding too.
Thanks for this Brad. I do love deadlifting. I think it’s more mental than physical. I remember being plateaued at particular weight. I would grab it and I would strain, it
would move a bit, but that was it. For a couple of weeks, maybe a month. I could not move it. Then one day I said this is bullshit. I walked up and I lifted it, and that was it. I don’t know why I was stalled.
In some ways, it’s a metaphor for life.
I think many of had this same experience. It's a good one to have, too. Thanks for being here and reading.
Autotelic experiences are the reason why I’m exited to be a physical therapist
I don’t deadlift, but I love this article.
Thank you!
Henry Rollins' "Iron and the Soul" comes to mind. Love it. I also enjoyed your BJJ Mental Models episode!
It’s a great little essay. (And I loved that podcast appearance too! The chosen Kwan has that nickname for a reason!)
Forget these externalized physical forms. AI can't compare oscillatory differences. It can't express thought as visual paradox. That analog is referential, and it's a practice operating creative decision, the ability to cut something off before completion as complete.
Wow, wow, wow!!!! Nailed it, with your insights and with your writing, both! I am smiling wide while reading this, because you expressed this whole phenomenon so damn well!! Like I literally clapped while reading it...and that really says something about you as a writer! I just came across your Substack a few minutes ago, and I simply can't stop reading...Great going Brad!
This hit hard. The world needs more people choosing things that can't be faked. Real effort, real results. Keep lifting.
Great post. I enjoy the simplicity of lifting and the feeing of being grounded in my body (for a change)
I have been running since June of 2020.
This is my recent story in correlation to running.
These are not out of the world numbers but I believe in this a lot. You got believe first that you can do this and then mind will somewhat follow.
I ran a 100 KM Stadium Run(250 laps) on 24th January in a time of 9:15 whereas the goal was 7:30. I blew up in the second half pretty badly and didn't consume much calories after 55 KM mark and around the 90 KM mark I was peeing dark brown blood and after the race I was having blood in my spits as well. Then I ran a 50 KM race on 8th February where I had goal of running it under 3:45 but ran 4:17 as I chose to run a 2.5 hour run on 7th February. Both of these times internal monologue choked me up big time as I was falling way off my expectations. But after this both the upcoming races I was able to maintain my sanity for long enough.
On 1st March I randomly ran my first ever marathon on fully flat surface and this was my first attempt at 42.2 since I started running. No specific marathon training, no specific speed workouts, no long runs on PMP. Ran a 2:48 on basically sheer aerobic base that I have built and ran 1:22 & 1:26 for 1st & 2nd half.
Then on 7th March(a couple of days ago) I attempted again a 100 KM Stadium Run(250 laps) at the same venue. Ran 8:12 for the 100 KM, improved by 63 minutes in a span of 6 weeks. Even though I had ran a marathon 6 days prior to this effort. My Coros Pace Pro clocked 70 Km in 5:01 but then I had to deal with the fatigue. Gut issues after 39 KM mark and still learning. I know I can run this distance under 7:30. Swinging for the fences approach and nobody lets to tell me that this can't be done. I believe now in taking shots because 100% of the shots not taken are missed, so better take it when the body is healthy. Sometimes we think next time and the next time never comes- might be family obligations/responsibilties, health issue, injury or can be any other thing. If time & health allows, go for the MF thing.
This is my story from 14th to 20th March what I did.
I can walk off from the sport of running now as I have achieved my long term goal of running 175 mile week in training. In the last 7 days- I have run 294 KM(182.7 miles) and that only on singles. I am proud of myself. I don’t know if you can understand doing on singles this much of volume and that it was not slow and included fast paces.
The point is this wasn't even planned as I had 2 races in a span of 6 days. Marathon debut on 1st March for which I ran 2:48 and 100 KM for which I ran 8:12 on 7th March. Now I am thinking did I really almost ran 300 KM in a week span and don't feel much fatigue. I can run Sub-3 for marathon tomorrow. I don’t sell myself short in running now and have to apply this in other facets of life as well. And now again from 30th March to 5th April I ran 175 miles (281 KM).
I am pursuing this like my life depends on it.
I had a goal of wanting to get a qualifier for team India for 2026 100 KM World Championships. But I couldn't get it. The best part is I am self coached meaning I am my own guinea pig and run the experiments in the lab. Experiments can be done when A goal is not on the line. So I tried and learnt that psychologically is big limiter for what we can achieve in our lives. I have been running for 5.5 years and these two 7 day training experiment/block of 175+ mile has unlocked a different level for what I can do. Even though I don’t believe in limits and believe anything can be achieved but a lot of the times one can’t visualize or turn that into confidence when the work hasn’t been put or there is no proof/evidence of work. An hour back listened to Emily Saul(Sports Psychologist) on podcast and she also told this, you can’t trick your mind. Sometimes we need to I understand even if there is no prior proof that heck yeah I can do this.
If I wouldn’t have tried this, I would have the same belief regarding training and the amount of confidence I have for my own self.
Reminds me of the book I read in graduate school: Chop Wood, Carry Water . So satisfying. So basic. So needed.
Love that you included the Franco Columbu photo - 5’5” 185 lbs - max deadlift of ~750lbs. Incredible and inspiring. And he died at 78 swimming in the ocean, that’s the way to go.
I agree
Great essay. Connecting deadlift to our hunger for real experiences in AI world. I believe that many more people will search for it in few years down.
YES, brother. Real and Hard is so rare these days, and so refreshing to the soul.