Edge of Comfort

> “When I push, my body responds…How we talk to ourselves, what we say to ourselves, what we’re thinking, it makes all the difference.” – Lee Thornquist On this episode of the Edge of Comfort Podcast I reflect on running 505 miles in July 2020 to complete the Calendar Club running challenge and I answer questions from listeners regarding physicality, mentality, nutrition, and other aspects of the month. WHAT IS THE CALENDAR CLUB CHALLENGE? The Calendar Club challenge is where each day of the month, you run the amount of miles that correspond to that day of the month. This means on July 1st I ran one mile. On July 2nd I ran two miles. July 3rd I ran three miles and so on until 31 miles on July 31st. Successfully completing the challenge means running 496 miles in 31 consecutive days. Spoiler alert: on the final day I was feeling terrific and more in the zone than ever before, so I ran an extra nine miles to make it 40 miles for the day and 505 miles for the month. Calendar Club finish line [https://i1.wp.com/edgeofcomfort.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_8870-2.jpg?resize=645%2C970&ssl=1]Surprised by my parents, who were at the finish line of my final run on July 31st.I originally discovered the Calendar Club challenge while following serial entrepreneur and ultramarathon runner Jesse Itzler (Website [https://jesseitzler.com/] | IG [https://www.instagram.com/jesseitzler/?hl=en]) when he completed it earlier this year. The grueling physicality, mentality, and tenacity required for the challenge instantly intrigued me. I didn’t think I would take a shot at the challenge but I just couldn’t get it out of my mind. Two or three days before July 1st, I decided now was the perfect time for my own attempt. I was furloughed from work, didn’t have any major vacations, and had minimal social obligations due to Covid-19, so I thought, “Why not at least try?” ENJOYING THE CONVERSATION? Please write a review on iTunes to help similar listeners discover the podcast. Reviews also help conversations take place with new, wonderful, guests! WRITE A REVIEW NOW [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/edge-of-comfort/id1288306327?mt=2]WHY DID I ACTUALLY WANT TO DO THE CALENDAR CLUB CHALLENGE? My reasons for doing the Calendar Club challenge were three-fold: > CONTINUE CHALLENGING MYSELF IN NEW WAYS… I wanted to do something that tested many of the running beliefs I’ve built up about what’s possible and what I can do. No rest days, minimal recovery time, continuous increase in miles, and weekly mileage that was nearly 3.5x more than any week I’ve previously done. Before this challenge, the most miles I ran in a week was 61, with one or two rest days mixed in the week. Running 31 consecutive days seemed daunting enough, and some of the weekly mileage seemed unfathomable (like the final 7-day stretch of 205 miles). > FEAR… This challenge honestly scared me more than any other physical challenge I’ve done and I wanted to go towards that fear instead of shying away. While I was still in good running and endurance shape from my 50-miler in late February, I had no idea if my body would hold up. I definitely had doubts if I could finish the month but I figured even if I didn’t reach my final goal I would become better through the effort and process of trying, which would be worth it. > TO RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS FOR AHMAUD ARBERY AND HIS FAMILY… On February 23, 2020 around 1:15pm, 25 year-old Ahmaud Arbery was running near his home in Georgia when he was pursued and shot down by Travis McMichael and his father Gregory McMichael, an ex-cop for the county. Ahmaud Arbery - Calendar Club [https://i2.wp.com/edgeofcomfort.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/ahmaud.png?resize=700%2C486&ssl=1]I Run With Maud – The murder of Ahmaud Arbery on February 23, 2020 sparked nationwide outrage, especially after his killers were not arrested for 74 days.For 74 days, these two men freely walked the streets. After multiple articles by high-profile publications, the release of a video showing the murder, and nationwide outrage, these men were arrested and eventually indicted on charges of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and more. While I’m glad to see justice done, it’s extremely disturbing that it took 74 days and national attention to arrest these men, and reminded me that we must be better in taking action, raising awareness, and supporting victims of racial injustices throughout the country. Ahmaud’s story struck a cord with me because running has become a huge part of my life in the past two years. Running teaches me many valuable life lessons [https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp26/], allows me to grow as an individual, and brings me to destinations all throughout the world. I didn’t realize how much of a privilege this is until recently. Everyone should have the same opportunities without fearing for their life because of the color of their skin, especially when doing something as simple and harmless as running. So, throughout the month, I was raising money for an existing GoFundMe fundraiser [https://www.gofundme.com/f/i-run-with-maud] organized by one of Ahmaud’s friends, Akeem Baker. STATS FROM THE MONTH * Money raised: $3,441 ($3,100 thru Venmo, $341 thru direct) I’m no longer accepting Venmo donations, but you can still donate to the ‘I Run with Maud’ GoFundMe [https://www.gofundme.com/f/i-run-with-maud] organized by Akeem Baker * Number of runs: 50 * Total miles: 505 miles (due to the extra nine miles on the last day) * Moving time: 87 hours 51 minutes * Total elevation gain: 5,507 ft * I didn’t cross the halfway point for total mileage in the month (248) until day 22. * Averaged over a marathon each of the last 10 days. Check out my Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/leethornquist] if you want to see specific runs from the month. Q&A The main purpose of this podcast was to answer your questions! I received many submissions through my Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/leethornquist/] and categorized the questions into the following (with examples from each): * Physicality * How confident were you that you would complete this challenge Were there any doubts and if so, when? * How did you keep your legs and muscles feeling fresh while increasing mileage? * Mentality * How did you overcome negative thoughts? * How do you get past the mental barriers while running when you know you still have so long? * Nutrition * How much did diet / calorie planning contribute to the success of your body strength? * How did you fuel your body before, during, and after a run? * Other * What do you do when you have to take a shit during a 50-mile race? * What advice would you give to anyone undertaking an extreme physical and mental challenge? Calendar Club Day 26 [https://i0.wp.com/edgeofcomfort.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_8834-min.jpg?resize=750%2C1000&ssl=1]After completing a marathon in one shot on Day 26. Grateful to be done and ready to consume 5,000 calories…still waiting for my Taco Bell sponsorship.I genuinely enjoyed answering all of your questions so thank you for your submissions and curiosity! Hopefully you find some value and actionable takeaways. I encourage you to experiment in your own life and figure out what does or doesn’t work for you. Please reach out through Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/leethornquist/] or email (lee.t@edgeofcomfort.com) if you have any follow-ups or questions not addressed in this podcast. LESSONS & TAKEAWAYS FROM THE CALENDAR CLUB Explained in greater detail at minute 56:50. 1) You must be relentless in your pursuit of moving forward, no matter how slow/fast or small/big that movement is. 2) The power of the spoken word and positive self talk. On particularly tough runs, I repeated 1-2 things in my head, usually, “When I push, my body responds” and “My body was designed for this.” How we talk to ourselves, what we say in our heads or out loud, and what we believe and think makes all the difference between success and failure. 3) If possible, incorporate something greater than yourself into your WHY for your challenge or endeavor. Scroll down for the full episode show notes and links. Thank you for listening and enjoy! SHOW NOTES AND LINKS Connect with Me – Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/leethornquist/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/edgeofcomfort] * Introduction. [0:00] * Why I did the Calendar Club running challenge. [3:00] * Twelve Minutes and a Life [https://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/a32883923/ahmaud-arbery-death-running-and-racism/] – Runner’s World article about Ahmaud Arbery * ‘I Run With Maud’ GoFundMe page [https://www.gofundme.com/f/i-run-with-maud] * Fundraising and running stats from the month. [8:42] * Q&As for the July Calendar Club. [12:14] * Physicality [13:20] * Pso-Rite [https://pso-rite.com/] * Mentality [23:20] * Nutrition/Diet [36:40] * Other [44:10] * Three lessons / takeaways from completing the Calendar Club challenge. [56:50] * Chadd Wright on the Rich Roll Podcast [https://www.richroll.com/podcast/chadd-wright-490/] * Jesse Itzler (Website [https://jesseitzler.com/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jesseitzler/?hl=en]) RELATED PODCASTS YOU MIGHT ENJOY * #29: Life Update with Lee – Luxury Travel, Plant-Based Eating, and a 50-Mile Trail Run [https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp29/] * #26: 90 Days of Sobriety and a 30-Mile Trail Run [https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp26/] * #19: Sarah Attar – 2X Olympian and Professional Runner on Connecting with the Outdoors, Trail Running, Making History, and More [https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp19/] * #14: Henk van Dillen – Cycling 16,000 Kilometers from Rotterdam to Singapore and Adventurous Living [https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp14/] * #13: Phillip Louie – Exercising and Living Healthy While Traveling [https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp13/] The post #31: Calendar Club Running Challenge – How & Why I Ran 505 Miles in a Month [https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp31/] appeared first on Edge of Comfort [https://edgeofcomfort.com].

> “We reject other people because we have rejected ourselves. We are separate from other people because we are separate from who we are. Through the conditioning, we learn to become someone else and we deny our truth so often and live out these limiting beliefs that we develop. The unhappiness that exists within us is projected out into the world.” Lena Papadopoulos On this episode of the Edge of Comfort Podcast, Lena Papadopoulos and I talk about her work as an intercultural educator, the impact and expectations created from cultural conditioning, examining and breaking our limiting beliefs, how to catalyze self-discovery, understanding identity, and more. Lena Papadopoulos (IG [https://www.instagram.com/lenapapadopoulos/]) is an award-winning interculturalist, facilitator, and coach. Lena believes the division between us is a projection of the pain within us. This means that healing the collective begins with healing ourselves. Lena empowers individuals to break free from their conditioning so they can reconnect with themselves, embrace who they truly are, and embody their unique potential. Lena’s approach is a unique alchemy of her educational and professional background in sociology, psychology, cultural anthropology, intercultural education, and leadership development. ENJOYING THE CONVERSATION? Please write a review on iTunes to help similar listeners discover the podcast. Reviews also help conversations take place with new, wonderful, guests! WRITE A REVIEW NOW [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/edge-of-comfort/id1288306327?mt=2]The daughter of two immigrant parents from Greece, Lena was born and raised in Georgetown, South Carolina. Growing up, she felt torn between Greek and American cultures and like she didn’t fully belong to either. In the U.S. Lena was too passionate and expressive. In Greece she was too individualistic and independent. She grew up with two different sets of values and expectations from her family and cultures [https://www.huffpost.com/entry/child-of-immigrants-dreams_n_5d7a9e17e4b01c1970c43bf4], neither of which really suited her true self. On her website [https://www.lenapapadopoulos.com/], Lena says: “Deep down, I knew I wasn’t meant to fit into a box. A non-conformist at heart, I had an innate desire to resist the status quo. But I feared that if people really knew me, they wouldn’t like me…I also grew up in a volatile and abusive home environment. If I said or did anything ‘wrong,’ it provoked an explosive reaction or some form of humiliating punishment. I felt it wasn’t safe to be myself. I muted parts of my personality and amplified others. I silenced my truth and stifled my spirit in search of acceptance and protection from harm.” We talk about the affect growing up like this had on her and how she dealt with the conflicting pressure from many sides, so I’ll let you listen to her explanation in our conversation. Throughout the years, Lena took a path of her own in her education and work. She traveled, worked, or studied in New Zealand, Tanzania, China, Bangkok, and different cities in the United States. In 2017, Lena left the U.S. to travel full-time while building her business. intercultural learning work with Lena Papadopoulos [https://i2.wp.com/edgeofcomfort.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/lena-papadopoulos-interculteral-learning-work.jpeg?resize=750%2C504&ssl=1]In 2017, Lena left the U.S. to travel full-time while building her intercultural education business. Discover more at lenapapadopoulos.com Today, Lena works as an intercultural educator, cultural consultant, and facilitator. She helps facilitate powerful personal growth and self-discovery, human connection, and effective intercultural learning. To find out more about Lena and her work, visit her website [https://www.lenapapadopoulos.com/] or follow her on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/lenapapadopoulos/]. Scroll down for the full episode show notes and links. Check out the video below if you prefer to watch our conversation: Thank you for listening or watching and enjoy! QUESTION OF THE EPISODE: What is a limiting belief you have held in your life that you realized was due to the culture you grew up in? Please leave your answer in the comments below. SHOW NOTES AND LINKS Connect with Lena – Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/lenapapadopoulos/] | Website [https://www.lenapapadopoulos.com/] * Introduction. [0:00] * Lena’s upcoming travel plans. [6:30] * Growing up with Greek immigrant parents and deciding whether to follow her parent’s legacy or to create her own. [8:00] * Huffpost article [https://www.huffpost.com/entry/child-of-immigrants-dreams_n_5d7a9e17e4b01c1970c43bf4] * The realization of “enough.” [17:15] * Not quite fitting in to either Greek or American cultures. [25:00] * Lena’s path to where she is now / How larger, societal, issues stem from within us as individuals. [30:30] * Using intercultural learning as a tool for self-discovery and realization. [44:00] * Breaking down and rebuilding identity / How the wiring of our brains create our reality. [50:00] * Why is intercultural learning and examining our limiting beliefs valuable? [1:00:45] * Lena’s approach to her work and helping people become comfortable with the uncomfortable. [1:04:25] * Soul readings. [1:12:40] * Understanding inner child beliefs and how they can limit us throughout life. [1:17:10] * Dr. Nicole LePera – The Holistic Psychologist [https://yourholisticpsychologist.com/] (Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/the.holistic.psychologist/?hl=en]) * Relationship attachment style test [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/tests/relationships/relationship-attachment-style-test] (1:24:15) * Is it possible to live without identity? Does identity have different depths or levels of impact? [1:26:20] * Does breaking the chains of our cultural conditioning damage our relationships, connections, or how we interact with people? [1:35:45] * The value of sitting with pain. [1:47:50] * Postcards from Stef article [https://www.postcardsfromstef.com/lena-papadopoulos-greek-american-girl/] * The Change Triangle [https://www.hilaryjacobshendel.com/what-is-the-change-triangle-c18dd] * Lena’s ‘Odyssey Greece’ workshop and group trip in August 2020. [1:57:00] * More information and sign up [https://www.lenapapadopoulos.com/odyssey-greece] * More on Lena’s intercultural learning work. [2:07:35] * Closing remarks and the question of the episode. [2:12:00] RELATED PODCASTS YOU MIGHT ENJOY * #28: Celinne Da Costa – Creating a Life of Integrity, Authenticity, and Purpose [https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp28/] * #25: Elisa Kurylowicz of Elisa Unfiltered – Losing & Creating Identity, Ego vs. Essence, and Living in the Now [https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp25/] * #22: Julian DeSchutter – Co-Founder of Chasing Sunrise on Awakening the Life Within You and Discovering What You Love [https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp22/] * #17: Lindsey Dukes – Traveling & Working With Under30Experiences, Spirituality, and Finding Your Truth [https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp17/] The post #30: Lena Papadopoulos – Using Intercultural Learning as a Tool for Self-Discovery, Awareness, and Healing [https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp30/] appeared first on Edge of Comfort [https://edgeofcomfort.com].

On this episode of the Edge of Comfort Podcast, I share updates on the status of Edge of Comfort and my life from the last 6-7 months. This includes starting work at a luxury travel company, international and domestic travels, experimenting with a strict plant-based vegan diet, signing up for a 50-mile trail run, and more. WHY HAS THERE BEEN VERY LITTLE CONTENT FROM EDGE OF COMFORT IN THE LAST SIX TO SEVEN MONTHS? IS THE PODCAST STILL UP AND RUNNING AND CAN I EXPECT TO SEE ANY NEW EPISODES? I’ve been asked these questions quite frequently in the last few months, and my answer was, “Some of my priorities have shifted and I haven’t allocated time to work on the blog or podcast, but I’m going to start back up soon!” I’m happy to say that “soon” is now, and I’m starting to create new content for Edge of Comfort. This means you can expect to see new podcasts [https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocpodcast/], blog posts [https://edgeofcomfort.com/blog/], social media content on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/edge_of_comfort/] / Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/edgeofcomfort/], and more! The reason my priorities shifted during this time period is mostly due to one of my biggest life updates. I am working full-time again, which completely shifted my schedule and focus. I wanted to make sure I put everything into the start of my new job so I could build a good foundation and focus on learning as much as possible, since the early parts of a new job usually involve the steepest learning curve. While I talk about my new job in the podcast, below is a short summary of what I’m doing, other updates in my life, and my favorite story I’ve found in the last few months. ENJOYING THE CONVERSATION? Please write a review on iTunes to help similar listeners discover the podcast. Reviews also help conversations take place with new, wonderful, guests! WRITE A REVIEW NOW [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/edge-of-comfort/id1288306327?mt=2]NO LONGER A BROKE BACKPACKER! After being out of office for over a year, I started working full-time at a luxury travel company in my hometown. My job title is Product Specialist – Europe, which means I am helping support and design over 30 luxury small group journeys to Europe. What exactly does luxury mean? Super fancy hotels, high-end meals, access to exclusive events or openings, and more. Ironically enough, the type of travel that is the exact opposite from my usual adventures. Myself, and many others, are very far away from being able to afford some of our journeys because this luxury comes with an understandable premium. Luckily, the company sends me on a journey about once a year to learn about destinations, interact with guests, and gain a better understanding of the end product that we work so hard to put together. [https://i0.wp.com/edgeofcomfort.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/mini-espresso.jpg?resize=600%2C735&ssl=1]Enjoying a much needed espresso in the hotel room after traveling overnight.Going back into the working, 9-5, office life was something I was both excited about but also extremely nervous. I was excited because it was such a cool opportunity in an area I care deeply about. The job would allow me to learn more about travel, the world, and other related area so important in my life. I was nervous because, well, I hadn’t worked an office job for 1.5 years. Still a little bit scarred from my previous job, I was nervous that all office jobs were similar. I was used to being on the road, creating my own schedule, not having to answer to anyone, and was worried it would compromise my ability for adventure. I’m happy to say things have been much better than expected and I couldn’t be happier with the experience so far. I’m learning about an industry and many destinations I wasn’t previously familiar with, and I am genuinely excited for work (most days). While I can’t abandon my post to backpack around for months at a time, I’m still looking at flights to places around the world and scheduling adventures both near and far from home. FIRST STEPS IN EUROPE A huge perk of my work is that I’m able to travel with the company on our journeys. I felt very fortunate in that I was able to travel this past August to Budapest, Vienna & Prague for 10-days. [https://i0.wp.com/edgeofcomfort.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/IMG_0822-min.jpeg?resize=750%2C500&ssl=1]Swimming at the Gellert Spa in Budapest.This trip was incredible in many, many ways. One of these being that landing in Budapest was my first time ever in Europe. Almost immediately, Budapest completely blew me away and I fell in love. I always imagined Europe as only churches, museums, and other things that aren’t mountains and the outdoors. While the image of thousands of churches and museums isn’t necessarily wrong, I was shocked to find many other incredible experiences and fascinating cultures. This trip was also incredible because I got to fully experience and understand the journeys I am helping put together and that my company is so proud to offer. Five-star luxury hotels, exclusive access to the most popular sights, unique experiences you will never find on Google, fine dining, having a local leader guide the group everywhere, and more. Like I said above, this is a type of travel that is the exact opposite of my usual backpacking, $30/day, go-with-the-flow method. While the luxury aspects spoiled me, I am still at the age where I would rather stay in hostels, figure things out on my own, make mistakes, and wing it when I can. Even with this luxury-style of travel, I still found myself in frequent situations that pushed me out of my comfort zone, challenged me to be vulnerable, and learn about the world and myself in ways that only travel can. Budapest, Vienna, and Prague are all spectacular cities, and I felt I needed three months in each instead of three days! [https://i0.wp.com/edgeofcomfort.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/IMG_1163.jpeg?resize=750%2C623&ssl=1]You will never run out of museums of explore in Vienna. TRAVELING CLOSER TO HOME Beyond my international trip, I’ve traveled a lot around the U.S. and closer to home in Chicago. I visited Florida, Indianapolis, Wisconsin, Michigan, Colorado, and New York. I went to five weddings during this short period after previously only going to one wedding in my life. One of these weddings was actually my good friend Lars Feste, who was the first guest on the podcast [https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp1/]. Being close to home has also allowed me to explore Chicago a lot more than in previous years. A lot of this exploration was through food and unique restaurants. Two of my favorite places I’ve eaten at and ones I highly recommend are Sun Wah BBQ [http://sunwahbbq.com/] and Tank Noodle [https://www.tank-noodle.com/]. ALL ABOUT THE VEGGIES One of the biggest changes in my day-to-day life is that I’m experimenting with a strictly vegan, plant-based, diet. This change is something I’ve slowly been moving towards for the past year. I read two books in a row nearly a year ago, both of which pointed to the importance of a heavy plant-based diet. One was Fit for Life [https://www.amazon.com/Fit-Life-Harvey-Diamond/dp/0446553646] by Harvey & Marilyn Diamond, and the other was Finding Ultra [https://www.richroll.com/finding-ultra/] by Rich Roll. After reading these two books, I started to incorporate more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and non-processed food into my meals, but I still wasn’t ready to go all in and give up meat, dairy, and eggs. Over the past year, I’ve continued to read and discover new evidence about how much your diet affects your well-being, and why a plant-based diet can potentially have the largest positive impact. [https://i0.wp.com/edgeofcomfort.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/anna-pelzer-IGfIGP5ONV0-unsplash-min.jpg?resize=750%2C500&ssl=1]Image via Anna Pelzer on Unsplash.One of these, which you may have heard about recently, was the movie The Game Changers [https://gamechangersmovie.com/], produced by James Cameron, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jackie Chan, Novak Djokovic, and more. It’s available on Netflix as of the date of this post. While I enjoyed this movie and think it will change many people’s perceptions of a vegan diet, I haven’t done my own research to check the validity of some of the claims made in the movie. Keep reading to the next update to see what really pushed my vegan decision over the edge. IMPACTFUL BOOKS If you’ve followed my blogs in the past, you now reading and learning are one of my main values. During the past few months, I’ve read a lot of mind-opening books. One of which was How Not to Die [https://www.amazon.com/How-Not-Die-Discover-Scientifically/dp/1250066115] by Michael Greger and Gene Stone. In this book, the authors walk through the 15 leading causes of death in the U.S. and how a plant-based, vegan, diet not only helps prevent or stall these diseases, but can actually reverse disease. The top 5 causes of death are: heart diseases, lung diseases, brain diseases, digestive cancers, and infections. The amount of scientific evidence, studies, and other examples backing up their claims is very impressive (the citations section of the book is over 130 pages). While parts of the book are quite dense, the research and knowledge I learned from this book was a huge eye opener and catalyst for pushing me to fully commit to a plant-based diet. [https://i1.wp.com/edgeofcomfort.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/how-not-to-die.jpg?resize=329%2C499&ssl=1]Two other impactful books I read are: 1) The Four Agreements [https://www.amazon.com/Four-Agreements-Practical-Personal-Freedom/dp/1878424319] by Don Miguel Ruiz (discussed heavily in podcast #25 with Elisa Kurylowicz [https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp25]) “In The Four Agreements, don Miguel Ruiz reveals the source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create needless suffering. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, The Four Agreements offer a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love” (description from Amazon). 2) Stillness [https://www.amazon.com/Stillness-Key-Ryan-Holiday/dp/0525538585]I [https://www.amazon.com/Stillness-Key-Ryan-Holiday/dp/0525538585]s the Key [https://www.amazon.com/Stillness-Key-Ryan-Holiday/dp/0525538585] by Ryan Holiday. I am a huge fan of Ryan Holiday’s work and he does an amazing job of bringing ancient stoic philosophy and wisdom into modern day applications and easy-to-understand language. “All great leaders, thinkers, artists, athletes, and visionaries share one indelible quality. It enables them to conquer their tempers. To avoid distraction and discover great insights. To achieve happiness and do the right thing. Ryan Holiday calls it stillness–to be steady while the world spins around you. In this book, he outlines a path for achieving this ancient, but urgently necessary way of living. Drawing on a wide range of history’s greatest thinkers, from Confucius to Seneca, Marcus Aurelius to Thich Nhat Hanh, John Stuart Mill to Nietzsche, he argues that stillness is not mere inactivity, but the doorway to self-mastery, discipline, and focus… …More than ever, people are overwhelmed. They face obstacles and egos and competition. Stillness Is the Key offers a simple but inspiring antidote to the stress of 24/7 news and social media. The stillness that we all seek is the path to meaning, contentment, and excellence in a world that needs more of it than ever” (description from Amazon). I HOPE I CAN STILL WALK ON MARCH 1 A recent update in my life that I am extremely excited and nervous about is that I committed to a 50-mile trail race [http://navajoyes.org/events/monument-valley-ultra/] through Monument Valley National Park on February 29, 2020. [https://i0.wp.com/edgeofcomfort.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/cayetano-gil-rguHxZmOF5U-unsplash-min.jpg?resize=750%2C500&ssl=1]The famous towers (buttes) in Monument Valley National Park in Arizona / Utah. Image via Cayetano Gil on Unsplash. After my 30-mile trail run [https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp26/], I wasn’t quite sure if I was going to sign up for something else or push my limits farther. After continuing to run throughout the summer, I decided to go for broke and really try to challenge myself. This race is also set in an unbelievable place that I am thrilled to explore. After the race, my friends and I are spending two extra nights camping in the national park. More updates on this run as we get closer to February 29 🙂 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.0/72x72/1f642.png] Thank you for listening or reading, and make sure to sign up for emails to receive next week’s podcast and other content. SHOW NOTES AND LINKS Connect with Me – Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/edge_of_comfort/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/edgeofcomfort/] * Welcome back! [0:00] * Working full-time at a luxury travel company. [2:30] * Traveling to Budapest, Vienna & Prague. [6:05] * Traveling around the United States and exploring Chicago. [10:10] * Moving towards a strictly plant based, vegan diet. [11:55] * Fit for Life [https://www.amazon.com/Fit-Life-Harvey-Diamond/dp/0446553646] by Harvey & Marilyn Diamond * Finding Ultra [https://www.richroll.com/finding-ultra/] by Rich Roll * The Game Changers [https://gamechangersmovie.com/] (note: James Cameron is one of the producers and not the director, as I say in the podcast) * Most impactful books. [16:40] * How Not to Die [https://www.amazon.com/How-Not-Die-Discover-Scientifically/dp/1250066115] by Michael Greger and Gene Stone * The Four Agreements [https://www.amazon.com/Four-Agreements-Practical-Personal-Freedom/dp/1878424319] by Don Miguel Ruiz (discussed in podcast #25 with Elisa Kurylowicz [https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp25/]) * Stillness is the Key [https://www.amazon.com/Stillness-Key-Ryan-Holiday/dp/0525538585] by Ryan Holiday * Goal to complete a 50-mile trail run in Monument Valley National Park. [20:55] * Monument Valley Ultra [http://navajoyes.org/events/monument-valley-ultra/] * The best story I’ve discovered in the past 6 months. [23:50] * Nick Butter (personal site [https://www.nickbutter.com/] / running site [https://www.runningtheworld196.com/home] / Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nickbutterrun/?hl=en]) RELATED PODCASTS YOU MIGHT ENJOY * #26: 90 Days of Sobriety and a 30-Mile Trail Run [https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp26/] The post #29: Life Update with Lee – Luxury Travel, Plant-Based Eating, and a 50-Mile Trail Run [https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp29/] appeared first on Edge of Comfort [https://edgeofcomfort.com].

> “Build what you want to build, create the life that you want to create, and enjoy the fruits of your labors.” – Celinne Da Costa On this episode of the Edge of Comfort Podcast, Celinne Da Costa and I talk about her couch surfing trip around the world, completely changing her lifestyle and career to work from anywhere, how to gain clarity on your own story, and completing her latest personal challenge, 30 Days of Radical Rawness. ENJOYING THE CONVERSATION? Please write a review on iTunes to help similar listeners discover the podcast. Reviews also help conversations take place with new, wonderful, guests! WRITE A REVIEW NOW [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/edge-of-comfort/id1288306327?mt=2]Celinne Da Costa (IG [https://www.instagram.com/celinnedacosta/] / TW [https://twitter.com/CelinneDaCosta] / FB [https://www.facebook.com/CelinneDaCosta]) is a brand story & life design coach for visionary leaders who want to master the art of storytelling so they can deeply connect with their audience, create a captivating brand that sells, and scale their business with impact. In 2016, she left her unfulfilling corporate marketing career in New York City to become the architect of her own life. This meant crafting a story that allowed her to infuse every day with meaningful moments of human connection, internal space for self-discovery, and opportunities to pursue her passions… all while seeing the world. Celinne’s mission is to create a life story that is full of joy, meaning, and purpose—and to empower you to do the same, so that you can manifest your life and business vision into a reality that fulfills you and inspires others. Since starting her own company, Celinne has helped her 6 and 7 figure clients become confident leaders with powerful stories, influential brands, gain international media coverage, and thousands of raving followers. Celinne graduated from University of Pennsylvania, is a master NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) Communication practitioner, and a certified Life, Social & Emotional Intelligence, and Motivational coach. She has visited over 50 countries and now travels full-time while running her business. Celinne has been featured in major publications around the world, including Forbes [https://www.forbes.com/sites/celinnedacosta/#1405ab9749a5], Entrepreneur, and Business Insider, and has a loyal community of over 50,000 dreamers following her adventures around the world. Celinne’s story is fascinating and we could only get in to it a little bit today, so I highly encourage you to learn more about her at celinnedacosta.com [https://celinnedacosta.com/]. SOME OF THE THINGS WE TALK ABOUT IN TODAY’S CONVERSATION INCLUDE: * How Celinne traveled around the world by only staying with people she had some sort of human connection with (essentially couchsurfing [https://edgeofcomfort.com/couchsurfing-request-message/] but not using the site) * Living a life of integrity and why it’s such an important value in her life * Celinne’s effort to be more vulnerable by doing a challenge on instagram this last March called 30 Days of Radical Rawness [https://www.instagram.com/p/BubL1OnAg7d/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link] – and similarly, the layers of vulnerability * How she has built a successful career coaching people in their business and life, and one that she can run from anywhere * And so much more Scroll down for the full episode show notes and links. Check out the video below if you prefer to watch our conversation: Thank you for listening (or watching) and enjoy! QUESTION OF THE EPISODE: What is a value that is extremely important for you to uphold in your life? Please leave your answer in the comments below. P.S. Click to discover Edge of Comfort Life Challenges. [https://edgeofcomfort.com/life-challenges/] SHOW NOTES AND LINKS Connect with Celinne – Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/celinnedacosta/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/CelinneDaCosta] | Twitter [https://twitter.com/CelinneDaCosta] | Website [https://celinnedacosta.com/] * Introduction. [0:00] * How Celinne took back her integrity when departing for her around-the-world journey. [9:30] * Departure video [https://celinnedacosta.com/the-nomads-oasis/] (at bottom of page) * Dealing with expectations to fit in. [13:30] * Turning her crazy idea to travel the world by couchsurfing into a reality / Celinne’s fears going into her trip. [17:00] * Limiting beliefs shattered by travel. [21:25] * What does being vulnerable actually mean to Celinne? / 30-Days of Radical Rawness [26:30] * 30 Days of Radical Rawness (first post) [https://www.instagram.com/p/BubL1OnAg7d/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link] * “I shared my darkest secrets with the world…” Forbes article [https://www.forbes.com/sites/celinnedacosta/2019/03/31/i-shared-my-darkest-secrets-with-the-internet-for-30-days-heres-what-happened/#3856082c3d85] * How people can begin to peel back the layers of themselves. [37:15] * How to gain clarity in your story and life. [45:15] * Characteristics of people who are coachable and succeed with their businesses. [51:00] * The Alchemist. [54:20] * Question of the episode. [58:40] RELATED PODCASTS YOU MIGHT ENJOY * #27: Erin O’Neil – Stranded in China, Gui Ren, and How to Be More Vulnerable [https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp27/] * #25: Elisa Kurylowicz of Elisa Unfiltered – Losing & Creating Identity, Ego vs. Essence, and Living in the Now [https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp25/] * #22: Julian DeSchutter – Co-Founder of Chasing Sunrise on Awakening the Life Within You and Discovering What You Love [https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp22/] * #20: Dane Thomas Bergman – Creating & Optimizing an Extraordinary Lifestyle, Challenging Yourself, and Embracing Change [https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp20/] * #15: Daniel James – Creating a Career in Travel, Hidden Gems in Europe, and Flying Solo [https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp15/] The post #28: Celinne Da Costa – Creating a Life of Integrity, Authenticity, and Purpose [https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp28/] appeared first on Edge of Comfort [https://edgeofcomfort.com].

> “Trusting someone else is more of a reflection of whether or not you trust yourself to overcome any adversity.” – Erin O’Neil, Author of Gui Ren On this episode of the Edge of Comfort Podcast I talk with Erin O’Neil, world-traveler and first-time author of the book, Gui Ren. Erin and I discuss her unexpected experiences from living in China, lessons from the Chinese phrase Gui Ren, and how a new side of life opens up when you are vulnerable and trusting. ENJOYING THE CONVERSATION? Please write a review on iTunes to help similar listeners discover the podcast. Reviews also help conversations take place with new, wonderful, guests! WRITE A REVIEW NOW [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/edge-of-comfort/id1288306327?mt=2]Many recent university graduates feel immense self and external pressure to immediately go into the workforce and begin climbing the ladder of corporate America. Heck, getting a professional job and setting yourself up for new opportunities in life is the reason most people go to a university. In other countries, people are encouraged to delay their entrance into the workforce to travel for an extended period of time, often referred to as a gap year. People take these periods of exploration to experience more of the world, break from the bubble of their life and culture, expose themselves to new ideas and possibilities, and catalyze internal change and growth. This doesn’t always happen and if it does, it happens in various degrees for each individual. But, most people feel some sort of change, growth, or self confidence from an extended journey. My guest today, Erin O’Neil (@_itsonmylist [https://www.instagram.com/_itsonmylist/]), decided to adopt a variation of the gap year mentality when she moved to China right after graduation for what was supposed to be a 6-month work experience in Shanghai. I say supposed to be, because things didn’t quite go as planned. Erin O'Neil Graduation - Gui Ren [https://i2.wp.com/edgeofcomfort.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Gui-Ren-Graduation.jpg?resize=700%2C525&ssl=1]Right after graduation from university (while rocking an “It’s On My List” cap), Erin took a risk and moved to China for a life-changing experience. Erin O’Neil is an enthusiastic digital storyteller and conversationalist with a serious case of wanderlust. By the time she turned 23, she had visited 22 countries on 4 different continents. But, perhaps the most life-changing adventure for Erin was living alone in China for 6 months. Despite the culture shock, severe language barrier, and struggle to figure out how chopsticks work, Asia taught her how to trust herself and create a world in which authenticity, mindfulness, and vulnerability were the only survival tools she needed. Upon returning, Erin devotes her time to sharing stories from abroad and life lessons in travel. She is currently finishing writing her first book entitled, Gui Ren [http://onmylist.org/]. Gui Ren is a written Chinese phrase that encompasses the right people coming into your life with synchronicity to help guide and inspire you. Erin O'Neil - Gui Ren [https://i1.wp.com/edgeofcomfort.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Erin-ONeil-Gui-Ren.jpg?resize=500%2C666&ssl=1]One of the people Erin met at the right time during her travels. A true example of Gui Ren.> “To trust everyone risks heartbreak, but to trust no one guarantees loneliness.” Her book Gui Ren, which her editor described as an Eat, Pray, Love for millennials, is a narrative devoted to illustrating moments of phenomenal connection and celebrating the lessons learned through travel. It’s an immersion into the comedic reality of navigating a world without verbal communication, finding stability and routine in an unfamiliar world, and abandoning comfort zones to catalyze personal growth and adventure. Erin writes about many of her adventures and lessons of Gui Ren, including topics like trust, vulnerability, friendship, and connection, on her blog Out Collecting Stamps [https://outcollectingstamps.wordpress.com/]. Erin also speaks about her experiences at local libraries near Columbus, Ohio and gives helpful tips for traveling and navigating life abroad. You can also watch these talks on her website, OnMyList.org [http://onmylist.org/]. SOME OF THE THINGS WE DISCUSS INCLUDE: * Deciding to take a risk and move to China for her dream job * Turning negative situations into the best case scenario * Erin’s trip around Asia and why traveling demands vulnerability and trust * What Gui Ren means and why Erin chose it as the title of her first book * How life changes when you are open-minded, vulnerable, trusting, and acknowledge fear * How vulnerability and trust is a skill anyone can improve And so much more. Scroll down for the full episode show notes and links. Check out the video below if you prefer to watch our conversation: Thank you for listening (or watching) and enjoy! QUESTION OF THE EPISODE: When have you had your own Gui Ren moment? In other words, when has someone come into your life at the right time to help guide and inspire you? Please leave your answer or story in the comments below. SHOW NOTES AND LINKS Connect with Erin – Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/_itsonmylist/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/CollectingStampsInAsia/] | Website [http://onmylist.org/] | Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/GuiRen] * Introduction. [0:00] * Erin’s plane ride from Hell on her way to Shanghai. [6:50] * Why did Erin move to Shanghai immediately after graduation from university? [12:30] * Expectations of moving to China to work for 6 months. [16:30] * Challenges in the first few weeks of living and working in China. [20:30] * WeChat [https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wechat/id414478124?mt=8] * Getting the bank account blog post [https://outcollectingstamps.wordpress.com/2017/06/25/atm-inept/] * What surprised Erin most about moving back to China after her internship here? [23:40] * Where did things go wrong with Erin’s “dream job?” [27:15] * How did Erin communicate these troubles with people on the outside. [33:30] * How to turn your mindset from negative to positive. [37:00] * Details of Erin’s trips during her final three months abroad. [39:00] * Why were the people Erin met along the way so impactful? / Why traveling demands vulnerability and trust. [44:10] * Gui Ren blog post [https://outcollectingstamps.wordpress.com/2017/11/04/gui-ren-%E8%B4%B5%E4%BA%BA/] * How can people develop vulnerability, trust, and intuition? [55:20] * Finding ways to get outside of your comfort zone in day-to-day life. [1:00:10] * Imposter syndrome [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/real-women/201809/the-reality-imposter-syndrome] * What is Gui Ren? Why is this phrase the theme of Erin’s first book? [1:06:15] * Influencing Gui Ren and being more vulnerable in the routine of life. [1:12:15] * Values Erin learned in her transition in moving to China. [1:26:35] * Speaker Series video [https://youtu.be/k2MQtGhA4Gk] * Erin’s decision to self-publish Gui Ren. [1:29:30] * What does success look like to Erin in publishing her book? [1:34:10] * Brené Brown [https://brenebrown.com/] * Eat, Pray, Love [https://www.elizabethgilbert.com/books/eat-pray-love/] – Elizabeth Gilbert [https://www.elizabethgilbert.com/books/eat-pray-love/] * Recognizing fear as a reflection of your own insecurities. [1:36:00] * Reflecting on the past in order to write Gui Ren. [1:41:05] * Erin’s Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/GuiRen] * OnMyList.org [http://onmylist.org/] * Telling your authentic story. [1:45:30] * Question of the episode. [1:48:15] RELATED PODCASTS YOU MIGHT ENJOY * #25: Elisa Kurylowicz of Elisa Unfiltered – Losing & Creating Identity, Ego vs. Essence, and Living in the Now [https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp25/] * #24: Rajiv ‘RajNATION’ Nathan – Storytelling, Finding Your “Why”, Yoga & #HAMILflow [https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp24/] * #22: Julian DeSchutter – Co-Founder of Chasing Sunrise on Awakening the Life Within You and Discovering What You Love [https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp22/] * #20: Dane Thomas Bergman – Creating & Optimizing an Extraordinary Lifestyle, Challenging Yourself, and Embracing Change [https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp20/] * #16: Oline Sørensen – Walking from London to Paris, Mental Health, and Using Emotion to Your Advantage [https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp16/] * #4: Aqeel Karim – Adventures and Insights from Over 250 Days of Travel [https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp4/] The post #27: Erin O’Neil – Stranded in China, Gui Ren, and How to Be More Vulnerable & Trusting [https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp27/] appeared first on Edge of Comfort [https://edgeofcomfort.com].