[antifragile 4 🔥] a breathing practice, Steve Gleason's courage, using money before you die, prevention against getting old
#7: a weekly newsletter on leveraging fatherhood into massive personal growth. on being the fire and wishing for the wind.
Welcome to the 7th edition of The Antifragile Dad’s newsletter, the antifragile 4 🔥.
It’s a weekly 4-item newsletter on leveraging fatherhood into massive personal growth. Expect it every Friday.
Here’s this week’s antifragile 4 🔥:
a breathing practice 🧘🏻♂️ from Wim Hof to help with mental clarity.
a video 🎥 with Steve Gleason to help you understand what courage looks like.
a book 💸 about using your money well before you die.
a quote 💬 from Kevin Kelly on prevention against getting old.
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1.) a breathing practice 🧘🏻♂️ from Wim Hof to help with mental clarity.
I found Wim Hof years ago (here) but it wasn’t until the audiobook, The Wim Hof Method, recently made its way into my life that I tried it. The method (which is detailed here) is made up of 2 main things:
Breathwork
Cold exposure
Beyond ending my showers with cold, I haven’t tried the true cold exposure yet.
But it’s the breathing exercises I’ve found powerful. They’re simple but have resulted in more calm and clarity during my days.
⚠️ Worth noting that it’s VERY dangerous to try around any body of water, if you’re standing or driving a vehicle, as you can potentially pass out. ⚠️ Try it seated or laying down.
I sit down and do 3-4 rounds of 30-35 deep breaths, followed by a complete exhale after which I hold my breath for as long as is comfortable.
Despite holding your breath after an out-breath, you’re able to sustain a surprisingly long period without oxygen (I’m up to 2 minutes 30 seconds).
But it’s during this breath-holding that your body really feels…alive. Like low voltage electricity is coursing through you, from head to toe. It’s really a wild feeling.
After cycling 3-4 times, I’ve typically had the following results throughout the day:
More sustained energy
Less feeling of stress or anxiety
More clarity
Do research or talk to a doctor if you have any medical conditions. But I’ve found it an interesting addition to my day, and you might too.
2.) a video 🎥 from Steve Gleason to help you understand what courage looks like.
I hope you planned on being emotional at whatever time in the day this finds you…
Steve Gleason, a former NFL player diagnosed with ALS, gave an acceptance speech after being honored with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage. His words read like an antifragile playbook.
“My view is that the fears and adversities are opportunities to accept what is and to explore what is on the other side of fear. To grow stronger, better and have peace of mind. From this perspective, resiliently moving through the advertises life brings us is our purpose in being human.”
Shout out to fellow antifragile dad Tyler for sharing this!
3.) a book 💸 about using your money well before you die.
Die with Zero by Bill Perkins.
We’re trained to work hard, hoard our shekels, retire and then die with a bunch of money to pass onto our kids, right?
Wrong, says Bill Perkins.
He argues that money is a tool, so why not use it most effectively while you’re alive?
This is a philosophy book about personal finance, and it shook up the way I think about using my money over my lifetime.
4.) a quote 💬 from Kevin Kelly on prevention against getting old.
The chief prevention against getting old is to remain astonished.
-Kevin Kelly, Found of WIRED Magazine
Remain astonished this week. Every inch of life can be magic if you let it.
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With love,
Chris