October 20th, 2010, TORONTO, ON: For the last seven months 7SYSTEMS has been hosting the DO MORE Challenge: a test to see if proper micro and macro nutrition can improve training and recovery. Of the last of three finalists, Ajay Kohli, raced earlier this month and his incredible result earned him the title of the 2010 7SYSTEMS DO MORE Challenge winner.
To read more click here
A wise man once told me that the end goal of parenting is to give all of your essence to your children. The man who told me this lost his twenty-five year old son in a tragic accident four years ago.
For some reason the brief conversation we had about kids stuck with me. I’m not sure it would have had such an impact if I hadn’t recently become a father. Add to that the fact that most of my close friends were also becoming new parents and you have a catalyst for deep thought and reflection.
Having kids is not easy. In fact it’s one of the hardest things you can do. For the first time in your life you are truly responsible for the well being of another human and their initial survival rests solely on your shoulders (albeit much more on the mothers shoulders initially). What’s amazing is that new parents all share the same basic experience. Parenting is the toughest, most exhausting thing you have ever done but also the single greatest thing you have ever done.
I always looked at being a parent as one of life’s most natural undertakings. I don’t think I had ever debated whether or not to have kids it was simply a matter of when. I also knew that it would be life changing. But the end goal of parenting if there is such a thing I had never really thought about on a deeper level.
There is only one real certainty in life, we all die at some point. Since the beginning of time we have tried to make sense of this through religion or spirituality or science. It is human nature to want answers to life’s’ biggest questions like “why are we here?” and “what does it all mean?” and “what is the secret to life?” and “what happens after we die?” But nobody really knows the answer to these things. We can speculate and create stories and look at science or religion but we don’t actually know with any concrete certainty. The only thing that is certain is that we do indeed die at some point so maybe the secret of living is to make sure you give away all your “stuff” before you kick it.
The idea of giving away ones essence to another human really hit me as one of the most enlightened things I had ever heard. So I looked up the word “essence” in the dictionary:
essence |ˈesəns|noun
the intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something, esp. something abstract, that determines its character
• Philosophy a property or group of properties of something without which it would not exist or be what it is.
• something that exists; in particular, a spiritual entity : the position that names express essences.
It is not uncommon for people in their last years of life to start giving away all of their possessions. Sometimes we see this on a grand scale like the monetary contributions being made by Warren Buffet and Bill Gates. But it is not only monetary gifts and physical possessions that people start off-loading. Stories, philosophies, traditions, cultural practices etc are all non-material things that people start giving away. If we look at the greatest spiritual leaders in history, often they are people with very few material possessions, Mother Theresa, the Dali Llama, Ghandi, Buddah, Jesus…..all of these people were more or less free of material wealth but full of spiritual wealth and they spent their lives giving it away. If we can take from these individuals the idea that giving of self is far greater than accumulating for self then perhaps we can begin to understand that the real purpose of parenting is to give away what we have and that includes our “essence”.
Parenting is exhausting because it requires us to give in ways we have never had to before. We give love, time, money and oh yes, copious amounts of energy. I think what people often miss is that the thing that makes parenting so hard is also what makes it so rewarding. It aligns us in a way that is spiritually favorable. It forces us into giving up our essence. It creates a situation that allows us to move into a more enlightened state of being. If we put into practice the lessons from great spiritual teachers then parenting is like the test of whether or not we can actually follow through.
By giving away your essence to your kids you effectively help them grow more than just mentally and physically. The irony is this. By giving away those things we think we need to hang onto we experience growth on a deeper level. Perhaps it is the pathway to wisdom, who knows.
On Selflessness
Having kids can be a liberation from selfishness. By and large we are all selfish at some level and in some ways this is very necessary. I’ve spent the last fifteen years in a profession that demands it ruthlessly. We all need time to ourselves and we all need some self-indulgence. When we had our first child I realized that for the first time in my life there was another human being that I would actually give up my life for. Now this might seem like melodramatic drivel but I mean this quite sincerely and without any drama attached to it. It is simply a fact that seems rooted at the very core of the natural order of things. The thought of outliving my kids might be the single worst thought I can now have.
On Love
I’m not sure if it’s possible to love a human being the way you love your kids. I love my wife and my parents and my siblings but it’s different than the love I have for my kids. I think it’s because it needs not be returned in any measurable way. I mean sure it’s nice to feel like your kids dig you but the love you give to your kids really has no strings attached. It might be the purest form of love- unconditional and without attachment to the ego’s need for positive feedback.
On Perspective
The way we view our kids is probably the way we should view the world. We often just observe them without judgment. This is especially true in the early years when they are learning and absorbing information about the world. When children are learning to eat or crawl or walk, we rarely if ever criticize them if they make a mistake. We simply observe it and understand that it’s all part of the process, in fact we often take great joy in the process we see unfolding. My 2.5 year old is slowly developing a bigger vocabulary and I would be lying if I said I won’t miss the first few months of speech with all of it’s jumbled words and random sentences. Yet as adults we are quick to judge and point out both our own mistakes and those of others. Perhaps this is why we become more and more reluctant to take chances and try new things, as we get older. We learn to fear failure because with it often comes ridicule and harm to our egos. Young children don’t have this problem and as such are the models on how to actually learn. Kids learn with much less guardedness than adults. Research shows that learning skills or languages or musical instruments early in life is a great deal easier than taking it up later. This is in part due to brain development and physical growth but I would argue that it also has to do with the way we see ourselves when we are young versus when we are old. If we continued to see ourselves the way we see our kids and the way kids see themselves then I would hazard a guess we could learn new skills faster and more efficiently. Or at the very least we would not be afraid to have a go.
On Commitment and Hard work
Kids are the most significant commitment you will ever make. When you have kids it’s not for a few months or years, it’s until you die. And it even goes beyond death in that we usually make significant provisions so our children will be taken care of or at least have something as a result of our passing. Marriage is also supposed to be like this but as we all know even those relationships come and go and change as we change. Divorcing your kids however is not an option. Now I know as a new parent I am likely naive in my expectations. Life doesn’t always pan out the way you envision it, not even I know what path my kids will go down. For all I know, in twenty years they may want nothing to do with me for some reason. But I have a hunch that no matter what unfolds my commitment to them will not change. No matter how old they get, I will always be their parent and will always shoulder that commitment. It’s a bit of a scary thought but also an incredibly uplifting one.
Kids are hard work. There are times when you’re not quite sure how you are going to cope. I can only imagine the strain felt by stay at home parents. I rarely have both of our kids on my own for any extended period of time but when I do the experience can be exhausting. Add to it the expectation that stay at home parents usually have in keeping the house in order and it can be downright daunting. I’m not sure how single parents manage. But there is a secret in life that seems to hold true in most cases. Generally the harder you work at something and the more of yourself you put into it the greater the personal reward. I’ve found that all my most cherished experiences or memories coincide directly with the times I’ve had to really work hard and put myself out there for something. The hard work and exhausting times in parenting are a gift. It’s because it’s not smooth and not perfect that it’s so good.
I should conclude this rant by saying that I don’t think people need to have kids to experience this kind of joy. I have many very close friends who either do not have kids or choose not to but they are close friends because they already practice life this way. Having them influence my own kids’ lives will no doubt be extremely valuable. I’ll also be the first to say that it’s not all peaches and cream. There are times when you just need to close your eyes and bury your head in a pillow for a bit. I think even Buddha would need the occasional beer after a two year old has a catatonic eruption of epic proportions. But if you can catch yourself in that moment of madness and realize how lucky you are to even have that 2 year old kicking and screaming on the floor then I think you’ve got it figured out.
So here’s to all that goes with having kids. The sore lower backs, the sleepless nights, the early mornings but most importantly, the opportunity to experience love, commitment, perspective, selflessness and of course the vehicle by which you can give your essence away before you kick the bucket.
I recently caught up with Austin Horn, one of Canada’s up and coming Olympic distance athletes. Austin trains with the National Triathlon Senior High Performance training squad based in Victoria, BC. He is 21 years old and currently studying Philosophy at the University of Victoria. His goal is to eventually pursue a law degree. He defines himself as an environmentally sensitive and proactive person.
What inspired this interview had little to do with his academic or athletic prowess and more to do with his current life choices. Austin has committed himself to the Primal lifestyle. After several brief discussions during run workouts I found myself increasingly intrigued by the extent of his commitment. The Paleo or Primal lifestyle has become popular over the last few years but few people go to the lengths that Austin has gone to. Based on his attitude and general well being I would say he is thriving in his new life as an urban caveman. If you are looking for some inspiration to make some changes then look no further. Be sure to check out Austins blog to read personal accounts of his journey.
What is the Paleo Diet?
Well first I should make the important distinction between Paleo (Loren Cordain) and Primal (Mark Sisson) and note that I actually follow a “Primal” lifestyle. Paleo and Primal are often used interchangeably to describe a diet that is modeled after our 3 million year old ancestral genes. Evolution takes a very long time. For millions of years our “caveman” ancestors ate and acted a certain way. Only in the past 10 000 years (or “yesterday” in evolutionary terms) did we start consuming grains with large-scale agricultural practices and implement a more sedentary lifestyle.
The Primal/Paleo assertion is that 10 000 years is not near enough time to adapt to a change in diet or lifestyle that was not so for millions of years. The claim is, not only are gains not necessary for optimal health, they are the main contributors to heart and cardiovascular disease (as well as a plethora of countless other diseases and defects) . . . so no grains.
It’s all about insulin stability, so sugars are also limited (or eliminated completely where possible) along with most carbohydrates (aside from vegetables), all processed foods are out as well. So basically, eat lots of real food. Vegetables, “clean” meats (organic, hormone/antibiotic-free, grass-fed… etc), nuts/seeds, nut oils (as a rule of thumb, most vegetable oils are bad), fruit (in limited quantities, staying away from the really sugary fruit for the sake of insulin stability).
What is a Primal lifestyle?
A primal lifestyle is living in a way that mimics our Neanderthal ancestors as closely as possible. The reasoning behind this idea is the same as for that of the diet (we have a 3 million year old evolutionary way of doing things).
What inspired you to try living the Primal lifestyle?
I got really run-down and burnt out about half way through my summer racing season. Eventually, I was too drained and broken to do much of anything. So while I was taking time off I became obsessed with finding out how to become as healthy as I possible. I stumbled across Mark Sisson’s blog (www.marksdailyapple.com) and was immediately captivated by his wealth of knowledge, and “cavemen” approach to optimal health. I think I spent about 40 hours that week just reading the info of his blog alone. Then I ordered his book and his cookbook. I also did some “blog-hopping” research in Paleo-sphere, and learned that this was in a growing revolution.
What was the hardest thing to give up?
Coffee shop treats! Like pastries and muffins; more specifically, Bubby Rose’s carrot cake (or any of those baked goods for that matter). But, to be honest, after the initial nostalgia fades, all I see is poison!
How long have you been at it?
I’ve been at it for about 3 months now. I can honestly say I have never felt better. I feel like a super-hero!
Was it tough at first to cut out certain foods?
Honestly, no. The meals that I eat are incredibly satisfying, and filling. The whole insulin stability thing makes it so you’re not craving sugar and other junk at random intervals throughout the day. It’s pretty cool, actually.
Do you ever cheat?
My only vices (which are not entirely frowned upon within the Primal realm) are the raw honey I like to have with my evening tea and the dark chocolate I like to put in my home-made power-bars (or eat just by itself occasionally). I also have a glass of red wine every night (usually organic cabernet, for health purposes), but I don’t really count that as a vice
Aside from nutritional changes, what else have you changed in your life?
I run barefoot (Vibram FiveFingers) three-four times a week. I wash my hard with a baking-soda and water concoction; then I condition with apple-cider vinegar and water. I moisturize with pure almond oil. I tried not using soap for a while, but it`s hard when you live with two girls, and so now I use the most safe and simple-ingredient soap I can find. I was brushing my teeth with just baking soda too for a while, until I realized I would have to give up coffee, not worth it (so now I just use a “natural” alternative). I have been staying away from music and other controllable noises (I don’t watch TV, so that wasn’t a problem). I do homework on the floor in the various positions I mentioned above. I am (trying) to go to bed with the sun (even if I have to get up before it). I am more aware of bodily stresses and I try to diligently manage those (both psychological and physical). When I’m feeling really adventurous, I’ll climb up onto the toilet seat and have myself a good old-fashioned caveman poop (don’t tell my girlfriend).
List 10 basic rules of the Primal lifestyle?
There are an “official” 10 on Mark Sisson’s blog (www.marksdailyapple.com), but I will give you my own (they might overlap a bit):
What are the 3 best books/blogs that you have read that address the Primal/Paleo lifestyle?
Mark Sisson of www.marksdailyapple.com is a wealth of free information, and it is how I (and many others) got started. His book (the Primal Blueprint) also lays the diet and lifestyle out nicely. There are lots of Paleo/Primal blogs out there, but here are just a few that I read:
www.freetheanimal.com
www.proteinpower.com (the blog of Dr. Michael R. Eades)
www.paynowlivelater.blogspot.com
www.wholehealthsource.blogspot.com (Ph.D. in neurobiology, and B.S. in biochemistry)
Is it challenging to live under a Primal/Paleo lifestyle and still train effectively?
Not at all, quite the opposite actually. I have never felt better (in or outside of training). Sure I have had to take my culinary skills up a few levels (but hey, let’s not kid ourselves, chicks dig a guy that can cook), and meals involve more pre-planning than say Kraft dinner or Hungryman TV dinners, but I absolutely love it.
People often wonder how they can apply a Primal/Paleo diet to an endurance athletes needs in terms of carbohydrate requirements. What do you eat to manage your carbohydrate needs? Have you found need less carbohydrates? Or is it the type carbohydrate in question?
Right now this is a big experiment, so I cannot irrefutably state that this is the best possible diet to be following for a competitive endurance sports athlete. What I can give you are some supporting facts and anecdotal evidence.
It is the opinion of many that the typical grain-based American diet trains your body to burn carbohydrates during the majority of levels of exertion. Your body can learn to burn fat as its main energy source limiting grain and sugar consumption and upping the “good” fats. Fat is also a more efficient source of fuel.
That being said, as I am sure you know, your body only burns fat up to a certain level of exertion (then it switches to carbohydrates and glucose, respectively). This is where the on-going experiment comes into play. I supplement with more carbohydrates in the form of yams, sweet potatoes, beans and legumes than would otherwise be acceptable on a normal Primal/Paleo diet. So far this concession has worked out marvelously. While I am not at peak training right now, I am training twice a day with 4-6 harder sessions dispersed throughout the week (so far without incident). No matter what happens though, I will never eat another gain as long as I live.
What is your blog address so people can learn more?
It’s www.austinhorn.blogspot.com. I will be doing my best to document this experiment as I live and train through it.
What is your race schedule for this season?
I haven’t really thought that far ahead yet, but I would definitely like to make my debut on the World Cup and World Championships Series circuits. A big one that I will be aiming for this year will be elite under 23 World Championships.
Anything else you would like to add?
Knowledge is contagious, spread the good word.
**NOTE**
I did give the primal poop a try much to the dismay of my wife but my 2.5 year old got a kick out of it and it was oddly satisfying! Hard to balance on the toilet seat but satisfying none the less
Entries (RSS) and Comments (RSS).
© Jasper Blake
