The Quests I've Been On
Hat tip to @JamesAltucher and @jay_yow07 on the recent episode of the podcast. This is really going to end up as two lists, but the first is important because I asked myself the question: "Which quests have I gone on already?" Because I had a moment where I was thinking: I have no idea what it's like to go on a quest. But, then I remembered that I've done this before and it's really great. So, let's celebrate the wins and prove we can quest and then we'll do a list about what new quests I can go on.
1. Running a Road Race > Half Marathon > Full Marathon
I started running road races around 2010 when I was a sloppy, out of shape desk jockey. I had lost all the athleticism of my teen years and was drinking and eating my way into metabolic syndrome when one day, after huffing and puffing my way up 6 stairs at the office, clammy skin and all, I said, "that's it, I'm done with this - I have to get into shape". Two hours later I was signed up for the Philadelphia Broad Street Run - 10 miles end to end. The longest distance I'd have ever run to that date was 4.4 miserable miles. 4 years later, I'd be cruising up the Las Vegas Strip at night with 1000s of other marathoners and half marathoners in my first ever marathon.
2. Going from Not Lifting Weights to Deadlifting 465 Pounds
I sort of didn't make this a quest in the beginning. The idea was to just get myself into a weight room under the supervision of an actual coach and trainer. 4 years later, I can pick up 465 pounds safely. I changed my routine a little, now that I'm aiming more for longevity than pure strength, but that's a quest I think. The next quest is probably something like "get obnoxiously jacked for my 40th birthday".
3. Moving to a City With No Job For Love
I could have pretended long distance would work forever, but I had to make a choice: move for love, or don't move stay comfortable and employed and risk losing it. I chose love. It was a testament to my grit and resilience that I had less than $10K to my name, no job lined up, quit my existing job, and moved into an apartment that I had no business living in in Center City Philadelphia ($2400/mo in 2010! With barely any savings!) and I made it work. Story for another day. (Still in love!)
4. Being a Competitive Eater
Maybe my quest wasn't, "Be the best competitive eater" but I think the mere act of attempting to join the ranks of true professional eaters like Joey Chestnut and friends was a battle worth fighting. Turns out: it's not at all like you think it is. You're hungry for like the first 2 hot dogs then you're upset you have almost 10 more minutes to jam food into your head. You always feel like barfing. It's a mental game 98%, physical 1% and "hunger" the last 1%. You don't even know you're eating food by the end of it. The way your brain shuts off the instinct to eat and you have to fight it. Very disturbing.
The fact that I could get down 13 HDBs (hot dogs and buns) in 10 minutes was good enough to beat some regulars/pros. It was not a qualifying score, however. I did dominate cupcakes in a local competition though. Met some really lovely people doing it and had a bunch of fun.
5. Quit the 9-5 Office Grind
I knew for a long time the daily office life wasn't for me. I just didn't know how to go from guaranteed paycheck to eat with you kill overnight. Turns out, the best way to do that is to do that. Now, I'm not saying a person with no experience or connections or track record or anything should just walk away from life (there are a lot of people who give great advice on how to start your exit while getting paid to do it - listen to them). You have to know things, have done good work for people a little bit, and know how to play the game somewhat in order to make it work. Once you do and you find out how sweet it is, it's all you ever want it to be.
No comments.