Ross Edgley Is The Real Aquaman — Lessons In Fortitude From (Arguably) The Fittest Man Alive

A mysterious artist on the cusp of breakthrough success walks away from it all. Beyond the public’s gaze, he spends the next decade pursuing purity, beauty and truths both personal and universal. Then, like a Jedi returning from parts unknown, the artist resurfaces as ‘The Spirited Man’. And this ‘Spirited Man’ goes by the name Van. Van Neistat to be precise. The elder half of The Neistat Brothers, it’s a name that will ring familiar to many, a name typically associated with a superstar YouTuber, OG vlogger, and friend of the pod, Casey Neistat. In the Neistat Venn Diagram, Van and Casey overlap on many traits. Both are artists with an utterly distinct aesthetic. Both are exceptional filmmakers who honed their skills in the days before YouTube even existed. Both have a preternatural aptitude for storytelling, perfectionist dispositions, an appreciation for the analog, and extreme respect for detail. The list goes on. And yet, Van and Casey are also very different artists with disparate sensibilities. Back in 2010 after the Neistat Brothers HBO show wasn’t picked up for a second season, Casey went on to become, well Casey Neistat. Van on the other hand, embarked on a very different journey. An artistic journey of self-discovery—outside the public sphere—until recently. Now re-emerged by dint of his recently launched YouTube Channel, ‘The Spirited Man’, Van muses philosophical and explores questions large and small with a curious, introspective flare that is totally unique, utterly compelling, and just-so-perfectly Van. I was (and continue to be) thoroughly entranced by this series—and so curious about Van—that I reached out to Casey to connect us. Today Van shares his story, and it is wild. My plan was to unfurl ‘The Story of Van Neistat’ in a relatively linear fashion. That’s not at all what happened. And this exchange is better for it. Fluid and conversational, this is an excavation of the artist life. It’s as much about hardship and survival as it is about creativity and productivity. We discuss curiosity, sobriety, discipline, the value of being meticulous, and his commitment to preserving an analog life. We talk about why he didn’t continue making films with Casey and Van’s many collaborations with artist Tom Sachs. Finally, Van spins a few epic yarns featuring Werner Herzog, the Safdie Brothers, and the lore of 368 Broadway—a building in lower Manhattan that birthed many an amazing creative career in the early 2000s. FULL BLOG & SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/richroll609 YouTube: bit.ly/vanneistat609 Van is super awesome. I love this one. Hope you do too. Peace + Plants, Rich

21 Juni 20212h 29min

How can you possibly excel as an athlete on a plant-based diet? Where do you get your protein? Don’t you need meat to be fit? If you’re a long-time whole food, plant-based enthusiast, chances are you’ve been asked these questions more times than you can count. For the rest of you, let’s put these questions to the test. My comrades for this inquiry are friends Matt Frazier & Robert Cheeke, here to testify on how to absolutely kick ass and take names as a plant-based athlete. The occasion for this conversation is the publication of Matt & Robert’s aptly titled new book, The Plant-Based Athlete—the ultimate primer on maxing peak performance the plant-based way, a drum you I’ve been beating for years. Long-time listeners will remember Matt from from RRP 54 in the early days of the podcast. A plant-based marathoner and ultrarunner, he’s the man behind everything NoMeatAthlete.com—the wildly popular community, blog, books, and podcast. Making his first and long overdue appearance on the show, Robert is a former champion vegan bodybuilder, public speaker, founder of Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness, and a solid dude who’s been crushing it on nothing but plants for more than 25 years. Today, Matt and Robert bust myths and break down the basics of plant-based performance. We talk about optimizing athleticism from strength training to endurance. We discuss proper fueling and recovery techniques. We get into responsible supplementation, balancing macros, enhancing micronutrient intake, and the importance diversifying your microbiome. Plus, we dive into the latest science and research behind why plants reign supreme when it comes to peak gains. Of course, we also bust some common myths, including the big one: where do you get your protein? Whether you’re seeking to break a strength plateau, hit a PR, compete in your first ultra event, or simply lose a few, shape up and feel better—this is the intensive, in-depth, masterclass on plant-based performance you’ve been waiting for. And it might just change your life. FULL BLOG & SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/richroll608 YouTube: bit.ly/frazierandcheeke608 It was a blast hosting these awesome humans and long-time friends. I sincerely hope you enjoy the exchange. Peace + Plants, Rich

14 Juni 20212h 40min

It's been over a year since we dipped our toes in the rippling currents of the spiritual deep end. To make amends for this grievous and much delayed pause, today marks the the welcome return of my favorite wizard and sparring partner when it comes to matters mystical, Guru Singh —here to resuscitate another round of Guru Multiverse. The master of the Kundalini arts, now presiding over Kundalini University, Guru Singh has paid many a visit to this show. For those newer to the podcast, Guru Singh is a celebrated master spiritual teacher, third-generation Sikh yogi, author, accomplished musician, father, grandfather, and gift to humanity at large who has been teaching and studying Kundalini yoga for the past 40-plus years. Our last get-together focused on navigating grief. Today we extend and apply that theme to aid in processing this most unusual year. We discuss our addiction to the idea of normalcy. We explore the idea of a 'global reset' — the personal and planetary growth opportunity in the wake of what we have collectively weathered. And we weigh the pros and cons of incremental versus revolutionary change. Make sure to stick around to the end. As has become his custom, Guru Singh takes it out with a song. FULL BLOG & SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/richroll607 YouTube: bit.ly/gurusingh607 It's great to be back with my wise friend. I sincerely hope you enjoy this exchange. Peace + Plants, Rich

10 Juni 20211h 22min

The godfather of integrative medicine and a true pioneer of health, today’s guest is a legend in the realm of mind-body healing. Meet Dr. Andrew Weil. Named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by TIME Magazine (among a zillion other accolades), Dr. Weil is a New York Times bestselling author of 15 books, the founder and director of the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona, and a man who’s spent the last 50+ years studying and evangelizing holistic wellness, under-appreciated healing modalities, medicinal plants, and the reform of medical education. As an entrepreneur, he is the founder of matcha tea brand Matcha Kari and a partner in True Food Kitchen, a chain of healthy food restaurants located all across the U.S. Dr. Weil has occupied a space in my consciousness for as long as I can remember. However, it wasn’t until I read Michael Pollan’s book How To Change Your Mind that I began to more fully appreciate the vast extent to which Dr. Weill has served as integrative medicine’s greatest pioneer. the legacy of integrative medicine can be traced to Dr. Weil’s breadth of this man’s contribution to introducing and mainstreaming so many ideas and practices he has been advocating since the 70’s. A long-time advocate of simple practices like breath work and healthy eating decades prior to it being vogue, Dr. Weil’s storied legacy also includes the evidence-based study of clinical applications for psychedelics, and marijuana. The nutritional properties of mushrooms. And the advisability of a variety of other alternative healing modalities that, back in the day, were considered anathema and ridiculed by the medical establishment. Simply put, integrative medicine would exist as it does today without the path courageously blazed by Dr. Weil. Today we explore this man’s extraordinary life. Counter-culture days at Harvard. And his convictions as a healer. We talk psychedelics, funghi, food and breath—and the best practices you can adopt to sidestep chronic lifestyle disease and thrive. We also explore what’s wrong with medical education. How to change it. And his quest to completely reinvent health care. FULL BLOG & SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/richroll606 YouTube: bit.ly/andrewweil606 This was a fun one. I learned a ton, and I know you will too. Final note: Dr. Weil was gracious enough to offer all of you a 15% discount on his Matcha Kari matcha tea. Let it be known this is not a sponsored thing, he’s just being a mensch. To avail yourself of this act of kindness visit matcha.com and use code RICH15 at checkout. This is a glorious conversation with one of the most wildly fascinating individuals of our time. I was honored to host it and more proud to share it. Peace + Plants, Rich

7 Juni 20211h 29min

We all create imagined blueprints for how we want our lives to unfold—but what happens when things don’t go according to plan? Today’s guest knows a thing or two about managing pressure, prioritizing intention over expectation, and transforming disappointment into gratitude. Meet Olympic swimmer Katie Hoff. Dubbed, for better or worse, ‘the female Michael Phelps’ Katie is an 8x world champion that made her first Olympic Team at the ripe age of 15, the youngest member of the 2004 USA Swimming Team. She won 5 first place Olympic berths at the 2008 Olympic Trials, took home 3 medals in Beijing, and over the course of her career toppled more than a few American & international records, accruing 8 world championship titles along the way. But Katie’s story isn’t what you think it is. It’s not some totally unrelatable Olympic fairy tale, filled with empty platitudes and cliché mottos. It’s a story about not living up to the expectations the world set for you. What’s most interesting about Katie is that she’s an athlete that should have had a far more decorated career. So what happened? Today we explore her storied career, covering the complicated mental and emotional implications of elite performance, as well as the external forces beyond an athlete’s control. We dissect the vertigo-inducing success Katie experienced at such a young age. The insane pressure she faced that accompanied high highs, the bitter disappointment she experienced by failing to live up to unreal and unfair expectations, and the process of picking up the pieces and moving forward with life in the wake of dreams unrealized. And of course, the valuable and applicable life lessons extrapolated along the way, which she chronicles in her book, Blueprint: An Olympian’s Story of Striving, Adapting, and Embracing The Suck. Katie is an absolute delight and our exchange is littered with gems—big ideas on managing stress, expectations, and knowing when and how to push your limits. FULL BLOG & SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/richroll605 YouTube: bit.ly/katiehoff605 This was a fun one. I learned a ton, and I know you will too. Peace + Plants, Rich

31 Maj 20212h 24min

Striving to achieve a ‘balanced life’ on a daily basis sets you up for failure. Approach it instead from a long-term perspective. Aim for self-awareness. Go all-in on what lights you up. Along the way, be gentle with yourself. We are here to follow our curiosity, not mercilessly judge ourselves. Awareness is key. Shame is counterproductive. Welcome to another edition of ‘Roll On’, wherein myself and Lord of the podcast manor Adam Skolnick wane and wax on philosophical, spiritual, and practical ideas both big and small. Beyond bantering sundry matters of varying interest, we play show and tell, share a few wins of the week, and round it out by answering listener questions deposited on our voicemail at (424) 235-4626. Beyond RRP hype-man duties, Adam Skolnick is an activist and journalist best known as David Goggins’ Can’t Hurt Me, co-author. He writes about adventure sports, environmental issues, and civil rights for The New York Times, Outside, ESPN, BBC, and Men’s Health. He is the author of One Breath and is currently awash in his umpteenth draft of an untitled novel—slowly losing his mind in the process. Topics explored in today’s conversation include: the ultramarathon tragedy in China and why there must be better protocols and oversight in this growing sport; thoughts on Adam Grant’s recent NYT article, There’s a Name for the Blah You’re Feeling: It’s Called Languishing; Rich’s current approach to writing, motivation, and why balance is overrated; SriMu’s Father’s Day Special, 10% off not-cheese boxes for all hard-working dads; Hellah Sidibe’s impressive, history making ultra-run across the United States; an update on the Iron Cowboy’s history-making Conquer 100; Van Neistat’s The Spirited Man series on YouTube; the Malcolm Gladwell vs. Chris Chavez journalist / influencer 1-mile challenge; and the legacy of Duke Kahanamoku In addition, we answer the following listener questions: How do you create time to care for yourself without disappointing others? How do you avoid late-night hunger pangs following a day of rigorous training? What is the best way to transition from road to trail running? Thank you to Sierra (or Ciara) from Kalamazoo, Michigan, Kevin from Northern California, and Ben from Columbus, Ohio for your questions. If you want your query discussed, drop it on our Facebook Page or better yet leave a voicemail at (424) 235-4626. FULL BLOG & SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/richroll604 YouTube: bit.ly/rollon604 Peace + Plants, Rich

27 Maj 20212h 20min

How do you find purpose? What does it mean to live with intention? And why is it important to cultivate stillness? These questions are important. The answers are tricky. To solve these riddles to the human dilemma, you have to know where to look. Knowing Where To Look also happens to be the title of Light Watkins’ new book. Is it a sign or coincidence? The answer is up to you. In addition to being a good friend, a beautiful incarnation of the human form, a nomadic minimalist, and expert meditation and spiritual teacher, Light is also a prolific public speaker and the founder of The Shine (a groovy TED meets Self-Realization love child event series) and the author of three books: The Inner Gym, Bliss More, and of course, his latest work and the focus of our gathering, Knowing Where To Look. My third microphone communion with Light begins with a dive into his adventures in minimalism (every single thing he owns fits into a single carry-on bag) and what it’s like being a 50-year old ex-pat nomad living in Mexico City. We also touch on his experiences in meditation and mindfulness, and the impact of his activism on issues related to racial injustice. But mainly we focus on things like the power of kindness, the importance of patience and reflection, how to cultivate intuition, and how to have the courage to trust it. In a nutshell, this conversation is about how to put faith into action, and why the aspirational life is built upon a foundation of small gestures—tiny actions undertaken every day, every hour, every moment. If you’re new to the force of love that is Light Watkins, I suggest tuning up our earlier conversations, RRP #172 and RRP #357. Check him out in my book Voicing Change, which you can find here. Listen to his podcast At the End of The Tunnel and of course, pick up his new book, the choose-your-own-adventure style of daily inspiration that is Knowing Where To Look. FULL BLOG & SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/richroll603 YouTube: bit.ly/lightwatkins603 Light Watkins is one of my most favorite beings. My hope is that this conversation helps you find what you’re looking for. Light Watkins is one of my most favorite beings. May this conversation be a tuning fork for your gaze—and lead you closer towards what you’re looking for. Peace + Plants, Rich

24 Maj 20212h 9min

Meet Brogan Graham.  Fitness fanatic. Extreme extrovert. Style icon. Force of Nature. Cool dad. Loyal friend and overall stellar human being. These are just a few of many labels I would pin to BG’s chest. An exceptional host during my April visit to Minneapolis (the whole thing was his idea), Brogan is the co-founder of November Project, a free and frenetic, open-to-anyone, grassroots sweat revival—a flashmob fitness revolution that counts over 250,000 lifetime members and dominates the pre-dawn urban landscape of 52 cities and nine countries spread across North America, Europe, the United Kingdom and even parts of Asia.  Leveraging community, a simple sense of accountability, and open public spaces, the November Project motivates people of all ages, shapes, sizes and levels to move their bodies—welcoming everyone from Olympic medalists and professional athletes to complete fitness rookies and recent couch potatoes. Today’s conversation traverses many landscapes with a unique flair that can only be described as unapologetically Brogan-esque. Chronologically the first conversation recorded during my time in Minneapolis, we digest lessons delivered by a city and citizenship under duress—and why it’s necessary to never stop learning. We talk ‘dadding’, training, perfectionism, friendship, and the importance of getting outside your comfort zone—not just in the context of fitness but in all aspects of life. But the overall theme of this discussion is cultivating inclusivity. Why the path forward demands resisting the impulse to call people out. Instead, let’s call people in. As I’m fond of saying, prophets walk among us. Brogan isn’t just one such everyman prophet. He understands that to find these people, you need to always be on the hunt. You need to take swings at bat. You need to always be expanding your circle. And you need to develop the habit of reaching out to others, embracing your neighbors, and contributing to your community. This reflex begins with one simple word: hello. FULL BLOG & SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/richroll602 YouTube: bit.ly/brogangraham602 I urge all of you to absorb this conversation in its entirety. Whip out your pen and paper—this is essential, potentially life-altering listening for every human. And simply put, it’s everything I hoped it would be. Brogan is a beautiful dude. I wish he lived in Los Angeles. But I’ll take him however I can get him. May his words inspire you to reach out to someone new today. P.S. – This is Brogan’s second spin on the RRP flywheel. If you enjoy today’s episode then dig up his first appearance four years prior in RRP 277. P.P.S. – Special thanks to talented Minneapolis visual artists Bennie Wilson and Jordan Lundell for photographing today’s podcast. Peace + Plants, Rich

17 Maj 20212h 2min