Issue #201: Does 23 = G.O.A.T.?
Good morning. It’s Saturday, June 17th. To all the dads out there - enjoy your weekend!!
Today’s Quick Win
Inspiration: 23 Major Titles
What We’re Reading: Think Again
Brain Games: Gallons
Question: Scientific Method
“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.”
According to McKinsey, 80% of executives believe their current business models are at risk to be disrupted in the near future. 84% of executives say innovation is key to their growth strategy, yet only 6% are satisfied with their performance. (McKinsey)
This Week
This week we covered the value of innovation and a few emerging trends across Health & Longevity.
Issue #199 - NMN has been touted as THE longevity supplement. We explore the science, fiction and unknown about NMN, NAD+, and NR
Issue #200 - discover the importance of testosterone in vitality, understand the causes of low T, and learn effective strategies to restore and maintain optimal levels
Click HERE to check out the entire Thrive25 archive.
Inspiration | 23 Major Titles
When we graduated from college way back in 2003, Roger Federer won his first grand slam at Wimbledon. This sparked an impressive era for the Big Three - Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have won 65 of the last 79 slams, including an astonishing 18 straight in 2005-2009.
Roger is renowned for his class and beautiful game. Rafa for his resilience and unwavering determination. Novak for…well not being the other two. On Sunday, Djokovic lifted the trophy at Roland Garros for his 23rd major - now the most all time, ahead of Rafa (22) and Fed (20).
There’s no denying Djokovic has been at the center of controversies - but there’s also no denying his dominance.
In tennis the difference between being #1 and #50 is consistently winning the big points - and that’s exactly what Djokovic does. His mental toughness is stronger than any other player on tour. He’s won 3 of the last 4 slams he’s entered, and at 36, had one of his most dominating tournaments (losing only 2 sets on the red dirt).
What makes Djokovic so good between the lines…
Greatness isn’t Born, it’s Made
His early professional career was anything but extraordinary. At 20 he won the 2008 Australian Open, but went three years without another major title - raising questions as to whether he could ever beat Fed or Rafa on the biggest stage.*
Motivation: By the time Djokovic showed up, there was already a heated debate whether Fed or Rafa would be the GOAT. With no room for Djokovic in the hearts and minds of tennis fans, he never owned the crowds like they did. Add chip to shoulder.
Diet: In 2010, Novak overhauled his diet - he removed all gluten and dairy, and significantly reduced his sugar intake. He adopted a Mediterranean diet based on vegetables, beans, white meat, fish, fruit, nuts, seeds, chickpeas, lentils and healthy oils. Eventually he took this further and went fully vegan. Within 18 months, he said he was a “different man” with more energy at the end of tournaments.
*Novak has won a slam every year since 2011, except 2017 when he had a nagging elbow injury
Training & Recovery: tennis players are world-class athletes in peak physical condition and there’s not much between them when it comes to fitness. The ways to gain an edge are in the margins. Djokovic is from the mountains and enjoys training in high-altitude settings, especially in the offseason. But in 2011, he made waves when he acknowledged his use of the CVAC pod - a hyperbaric chamber which simulates high altitudes and compresses muscles in rhythmic intervals. Hyperbaric therapy has also been a part of training for LeBron James and Michael Phelps.
Mindbody: about the time of his change in diet, Novak began to explore yoga, meditation, and tai chi. They are an even bigger part of his life now, along with cold therapy and breathing. Along with these techniques, visualization became a major component of his preparation - he plays the match in his mind before he goes on the court.
“I’ve done so much mindful meditation that now my brain functions better automatically, even when I’m not meditating. I used to freeze up whenever I made a mistake; I was sure that I wasn’t in the same league as the Federers...
Now, when I blow a serve or shank a backhand, I still get those flashes of self-doubt, but I know how to handle them: I acknowledge the negative thoughts and let them slide by, focusing on the moment.
That mindfulness helps me process pain and emotions. It lets me focus on what’s really important. It helps me turn down the volume in my brain.”
Acceptance: When it comes to clutch moments, Novak says, “It’s not the situations that you experience that are affecting you, but how you perceive them, how you live through them. I try to switch off from what is happening around me to be present, consciously breathing…I accept the fears. It allows me to address them and transform them into positive fuel.”
24…25…
With Federer retired, Nadal slowing because of injury and the next generation treading water, Djokovic could easily reach 28 grand slams - possibly next year. That would double the record Pete Sampras set only 21 years ago in the 2002 US Open. I might be a prisoner of the moment, but there’s one thing I’ve learned, and it’s not to doubt Novak Djokovic on the tennis court.
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What We’re Reading | Think Again
Got it all figured out? Maybe you do, but it’s important to rethink long-held beliefs. Adam Grant challenges us to rethink our outlooks on an ongoing basis to pursue lifelong learning and to maintain an open, flexible mind. How else will you look at problems differently and find new ways to innovate? You can also catch Adam on his podcasts Re: Thinking and Work Life.
Brain Games | Gallons
You need 7 gallons of water, but you only have two jugs with which to measure: a 5-gallon jug and a 3-gallon jug. How do you measure exactly 7 gallons?
**For answer, scroll to the bottom of the post
Weekend Q
When was the last time you knowingly employed the scientific method in your day-to-day life - yesterday, last month, last year? And when was the last time you changed your mind or opinion on a topic?
We constantly use the method, that’s why we brush our teeth the way we do or eat a certain diet. But it helps to consciously step back and go through the method on a challenge every once in a while to help us evolve and learn:
Identify a problem or question: why do my houseplants keep dying?
Gather information: search online or talk with others on the different ways houseplants wither and die
Formulate a hypothesis: I over-water my plants
Conduct an experiment: buy two of the same plants and water them differently - one the way you currently do and the other less
Analyze the data and draw a conclusion: see which plant is thriving better than the other after two weeks
Evaluate and refine your hypothesis: for this type of plant, I may need to account for sun exposure more than water
Communicate your results: tell your partner - I was incorrect, my watering protocol is sound, but this particular plant needs more sun
Product Recs
🍴 Primal Kitchen - love these sauces. Just used the Hawaiian BBQ Sauce for some pulled pork tacos and my wife loves the Buffalo Sauce. They’re clean and delicious. Give ‘em a go! Follow this link for 10% off
💪 TMAC Fitness - need a quick workout that you can do at home without any equipment that includes a great sweat with a little meditation. Well then you’re going to want to get TMAC. PS - TMAC just announced their first retreat in Santa Barbara
Thanks for another great week! In the vein of science and innovation, here’s a quick song from Tom Lehrer in 1959. Good luck keeping pace…
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** Brain Games Answer **
First, fill the 5-gallon jug
Then pour the contents of the 5-gallon jug into the 3-gallon jug until the 3-gallon jug is full. That leaves 2 gallons of water in the 5-gallon jug
Next, you dump out the 3-gallon jug and pour the 2 gallons of water from the 5-gallon jug into the empty 3-gallon jug
Finally, fill the 5-gallon jug to the top; those 5 gallons plus the 2 gallons in the 3-gallon jug equals 7 gallons
Why Thrive25
We’re 40-something dads that felt our bodies and minds start to slow down and we’re not ready for that. We found too much information on every subject. So we started Thrive25 to transform what we’ve learned into something useful for the rest of us to spend just 3-5 min a day to optimize our health & longevity.
This newsletter is for you and we truly value your feedback. Never hesitate to reach out to us at team@thrive25.com.
To health!
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The information in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and may not be appropriate or applicable based on your individual circumstances. Thrive25 Labs LLC does not provide medical, professional, or licensed advice. Please connect with your healthcare professional for medical advice specific to your health needs.