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030 | Biological Reactivity and Adventure

7/6/2014

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    I would be remiss if I discussed the topic of adventure without bringing personal psychology into the equation. I know it seems strange. Allow me to explain in Episode 030.
    One of the most important, foundational principles in understanding yourself for the purposes of personal development and growth is to understand your biological reactivity - are you inclined to seek out novelty or does doing things outside of your comfort zone make you nervous. Your reactivity can also relate to how and where you get your energy - does a shady spot in a park with a book or jumping out of a plane with a parachute give you more vigor for life? It turns out that introversion and extroversion, similarly, are mostly about this precious resource rather than just ‘do you like people or not?’.
    Whereas extroverts tend to actively get energy from interacting with people, introverts tend to use energy to interact with others and must rest and rejuvenate afterwards. But the intricacies of the topic go much deeper - it turns out that your reactivity and introversion or extraversion can be related, and the reasons behind these phenomena come down to our unique psychological wiring.
    The work of psychologist Jerome Kagan illustrates this quite eloquently. In Kagan’s famous line of longitudinal studies (perhaps made famous by Susan Cain’s fabulous work: Quiet - a highly recommended read for all human beings), children were followed from birth well into their teenage years, exposed to various novel stimuli along the way. As infants, some 20% of the test subjects had dramatic, noisy reactions to the new stimuli (which could include balloons popping or hearing the recorded voices of strangers), 40% had mild, quiet reactions, and the rest were somewhere in between.
    Kagan’s prediction - that the babies with dramatic, noisy reactions would turn into the quiet teenagers of the bunch - came true. Why?
    It’s all about the individuals threshold for stimulation. The babies that had dramatic and noisy reactions to the stimuli had very low thresholds for stimulation - they could be called highly reactive - most everything would put them on edge. On the other hand, the babies that had quiet, mellow reactions to the same stimuli had a very high threshold for stimulation - they could handle much more sensory input without going on overload. They could be called low-reactive.
    Among those in the field of psychology, the Hebbian version of the Yerkes Dodson Law is well known. Basically, it states that under very low stimulation or arousal levels, an individual will be bored and their performance in whatever task they are completing will be poor. As stimulation and arousal levels go up (whether by an increase in sensory stimuli like popping balloons or an increase in expectation from a boss), performance will begin to go up... to a certain point. After that point is reached, arousal level is too high (the individual is overstimulated or scared) and performance declines.
    None of us want to be bored or frightened, so each of us seeks out the perfect level of stimulation to create a flow state of optimal performance and arousal.
    Now, if you were one of the babies that was kicking and screaming when you heard the balloon pop because your stimulation threshold is low (meaning you are high reactive), then you can bet that going to a party with tons of new people and loud noises is going to put you in an anxious, overstimulated state. Does that happen to you? It happens to me. We are the high-reactive folks - the introverts - we choose to get into flow by avoiding louder parties and instead by having meaningful conversations with a close friend or going on a quiet run in the forest.
    Conversely, if you were one of the babies that was totally fine with new stimuli because you have a high threshold, you are going to choose to find that sweet spot by doing things that increase arousal. That may be attending a big party, or that may be leading a rock climb or skydiving.

    See what I’m getting at here?

    Now before we go any further, it’s important to note that your unique awesomeness cares nothing as to whether you are low or high reactive, an introvert or an extrovert. As Cain eloquently highlights, each have their powerful strengths, and the world needs both. Take research completed by Professor David Sloan Wilson where he dropped metal cages into a pond filled with pumkinseed fish, whom also have a propensity for finding their appropriate level of stimulation. The bold, low-reactive fish immediately investigated the traps... and caught themselves! On the other hand, other highly reactive fish would go nowhere near the traps. Wilson had to catch them using a complicated netting system from which they could not escape.

    Stupid low-reactive extravert fish, right? No. Once Wilson had the fish back in his lab’s tanks, the low-reactive fish responded by immediately adapting to the novelty of the situation, eating the food he provided them and thriving in the tanks. The highly reactive fish, on the other hand, nearly starved themselves refusing to adapt to the novelty of the place.

    All of this is not to say that if you are highly reactive and introverted you will have less success on adventures, which by nature provide novelty and stimulation (I am a total introvert). Instead, this is to say that by understanding your own unique psychology, you can begin to make choices that will allow you to push the boundaries of your comfort zone at an appropriate pace.
    If you are naturally highly reactive, knowing this tendency will allow you to practice beginning to enter a flow state without becoming anxious and unresponsive. On the other hand, if you are naturally low-reactive and need to seek out thrills to keep from becoming bored, you can practice assessing risk/reward in order to slow yourself down before making a hasty decision.

    Translate this to mountain biking or climbing: if you are the cautious, reserved type, these activities provide a perfect platform for you to begin to confront fear and develop new, positive scripts to help you push past it. You are comfortable with all but one steep, technical section of your favorite trail? Practice riding down stairs, doing drops, breathing through the entirety of hard sections, and increasing your level of comfort with technical terrain. Then, go for it.
    If you are the go-for-it, all out type... well, maybe begin to practice slowign yourself down so as to consciously analyze the fall potential on routes, place extra gear, and scrutinize the quality of your placements.

    When I was first able to achieve a flow state while rock climbing (I have a naturally-wired fear of heights), I realized that I had not only reached a crucial turning point in my relationship with climbing, but also with fear. I knew how to master it. That’s not to say I could master it each and every time it confronted me - it’s freaking hard! But it is to say that I knew how to go about doing it. This was really the spark that lit the fire that is this book. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that when I finally became comfortable leading certain run-out climbs that were within my ability levels coincided with the time I finally was able to commit and clear table top jumps on my mountain bike, and the time I told my employers exactly what I was looking for, on my terms.

    So what is your personal psychological wiring like? This is one of the first steps in developing personal resilience - next episode we are going to talk about what happens, on a biochemical level, when you are confronted with stress. And, of course, some techniques that you can use to keep your body’s biochemistry working to your advantage.
Episode 030:
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028 | A Broken Odometer and 5 Tips for Balance

5/18/2014

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“The essence of socialization is to make people dependent on social controls, to have them respond predictably to rewards and punishment. And the most effective form of socialization is achieved when people identify so thoroughly with social order that they no longer can imagine themselves breaking any of its rules.”

-Mihaly Csikszentmihalyl in is national bestseller, Flow: the psychology of optimal experience.

    I know we’re all in a minority, but I think I speak for all of us who love to get out there on adventures when I say that I refuse to believe that we have to live life at the manic, breakneck pack the world around us seems to be pushing us towards.

    I’m sorry I’m not sorry that I like to cook my own food, that I think my coffee tastes better when ground by hand immediately before brewing, and that I enjoy reading an honest-to-God physical book every once in a while - one with no screens or electricity involved.

    I like my days to feel like they went by too quickly, but the memories to appear to be long and slow. Drawn out, as if somehow in that space, that moment, time has elongated itself and slowed down, each scene lingering in my mind before meandering on to the next, marinating and bringing out each vivid detail and aroma of the place. The kind of thing you just don’t get in an office, when the days seem excruciatingly slow, but the number of moments you remember at the end of the week are virtually non-existent.

    I have been traveling a lot lately. When I’m not traveling, I just sit there in the city wanting to get away. I don’t dream at night, I just look out over the city skyline, listening to horns and looking at the headlights all bunched together like pearls on a string. And then I go: I find myself watching as the mountains pass by, and the semi’s roll on like stainless steel stallions to the horizon. I find myself wondering... what makes me always want to go, to get away from it all?

    What makes me sing along to Zac Brown, “this road’s been putting miles on my heart, sweetheart,” and wonder why my heart’s odometer seems to roll in reverse, making me feel younger and less wise so long as the miles are ticking by. Why when I finally reach those places I’ve been going do I act less mature, jumping out of the car and dancing with my stuffed animals - I mean spirit animals - and running around trying to climb on everything in sight? And if the odometer doesn’t work right, does that necessarily mean the car is broken?

    The answer, of course, to what always makes me want to go is that breakneck pace our society promotes. It seems that to be ‘successful’ - a socialized definition - you have to be breakneck. There’s a reason for it, too: our forefathers had one task - to make a positive change in the world by improving human welfare through economic gain. The faster they could move, they reasoned, the more economic growth could occur, which should lead to higher levels of human welfare and happiness. But that’s where it seems to me that their reasoning failed.
    In rushing around at a breakneck pace, they didn’t enjoy life as much. There was always just one more business transaction to make or email to send before relaxing with the people you love, or finally achieving something you always dreamed of doing. The extra money, then, doesn’t continue to boost happiness levels forever. Just consult any happiness to wealth study out there - the curve for happiness levels off after our basic needs have been met.

    This socially unacceptable condition, this disease of getting younger and having too much fun in the great outdoors, whether you call it dirtbagging or just plain ‘ole adventuring, seems to be a revolt against society’s breakneck pace. And my question is,  are adventurers like us doing good for society? Can any good come of this revolt?

    I think the answer is yes. I think why not? I think slowing down our lives, asking what really makes us tick, and getting outside our comfort zones can empower us. It can help us to live environmentally connected, to live connected to ourselves and the roots of our own power. I think we should be teaching our kids to slow down, to kick off their shoes and walk barefoot. To analyze risks and make a decision on when to take positive ones and when to not take them. To dance with stuffed representations of spirit animals often. I guess that last one is optional.

    The challenge for me is living connected to myself and what drives me, and also trying to do the same thing our forefathers did - create a positive change in the world - while still making a living and avoiding sacrificing happiness OR contributing to the loss of our environmental resources.

    In choosing a graduate school to attend, I faced a conundrum. I want to make a big impact on the world by studying things that will truly influence the future of society, yet, I also don’t want to feed into the pervasive culture of work until you drop. I think - no I know - I am more productive when I can passionately engage in a problem, but also disengage from it to recharge.

    This is the classic conundrum faced by pretty much all adventurers. How do we find purpose AND balance in our lives. How do we teach our kids to slow down and actually see and want to protect the natural world around them in a consumer-driven, concrete world full of insidious subliminal economically-inspired messages telling them to literally buy into the current society? And lastly, how do we create resilience to change amongst ourselves rather than simply creating risk-management (sustainability) protocols.

    Well, I think the answers might constitute a PhD dissertation in itself. But here are a few tips. Actually, 5. Listen in here.

Episode 028:
Matthew Ebel provided the music via Mevio's Music Alley.
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026 | A Partner to Take The Sharp End

4/14/2014

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    Hey ladies and bros - the Brave Monkeys are back. Coming at you this time from Joshua Tree National Park, we have a climbing story. No, a life story. Wait, I'm not sure which one it is.


Enjoy Episode 026:
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Music courtesy of Holland Hopson on Mevio's Music Alley!
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022 | Shining Stars through the Smog at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market

2/10/2014

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Life's a lot like a wintertime night trail run. The dangers out there are real - very real. But if we act like a Boy Scout, plan ahead and prepare (and act accordingly), most things just aren't as serious as our minds can make them out to be.

That's my hope for the current environmental crisis. If we can plan ahead, prepare, and change our actions to reflect greater human health and environmental sustainability, we can turn this ship around, and make these issues less serious than they are looking right now.

Today, I present to you three stories of businesses that are trying to create business solutions to human and environmental health. Many of you know that I have a natural aversion to business - I just feel that so often the objective of businesses is to sell people stuff that they don’t need. So at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, I really focused on finding the companies that are doing something more, something bigger. Companies that are genuinely helping people lead better, healthier, happier, more productive lives and who, in doing so, are working to help solve the environmental crisis. These are them.

First up was Scott Baker from Icebox Knitting speaking about Xob. By using scraps and bits from old wool items that would have otherwise ended up in the landfill, Xob is able to make beautiful, sustainable clothing. Seriously consider getting some of their stuff for your next winter hat rather than a new item from a company that isn't B-Corporation certified.

Second was Kevin Brodwick from ThinkBaby and ThinkSport. It's so important that we are using clean products - products that don't have chemicals in them that can disrupt our hormonal balance - which I consider to be one of the most important factors in who we are. Kevin's companies are providing that.

And lastly, we had Beth and Sherry from Trust Your Journey. I've often said that everybody needs a community - you will never outperform your inner circle! Trust Your Journey is providing that community for people who need it the most. Positive energy has some amazing, sometimes unexplainable healing powers, and Sherry gives one description of those powers.

Join us! Episode 022:
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017 | A Gap-Year Surf Trip in Central America

1/6/2014

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This is the story of how Lyle Nelson deferred Harvard to take a gap-year surf trip through Central America. Strap in.

Episode 017:
Music today by Zach Schmidt, Shattervox, Jeff Mallon, and Mike McGill.
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014 | Health, Adventure, and Meditation with Columbia University Medical Student Clay Dalton

12/16/2013

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Clay gives insights into health topics like boosting testosterone and reducing toxin loads, why adventure is inspirational and healthy, and his experiences in Zen meditation. And you know me, I also ask him for tips into staying contented with city life.

Episode 014:
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009 | Systems of Decision for PhD Programs and Adventurous Situations with Jason Albright

11/11/2013

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Four years ago, Jason and I met at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and started adventuring and "getting healthy doses of unavoidable reality". In this episode, I get off track by telling Jason about a recent story - Canyoneering in Water Holes Canyon - before we get into the meat of the show, using Systems of Decision in Adventure and Life. We also discuss Jason's research into ocean circulation patterns and developing a technology that uses physiological markers to track how far out of the comfort zone you are. We also mentioned the video "Tips for Eating Like a King While Living Like a Tramp" which is live now! On to Episode 009!
Music by Black Lab - so awesome. Thanks to Mevio's Music Alley for sharing!
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007 | Applying Lessons to Different Contexts 

10/28/2013

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In this Episode 007 solo-round, I give insights as to how I am applying the lessons that I learned from Craig (Episode 005) and Jeff (Episode 006) to everyday life. I also provide you with a bit of background on research in the field of positive emotions.

*Note - Jonathan Fields did not actually interview Sonja Lyubomirsky on The Good Life Project. I can't remember why I thought he did. He should though. Jonathan, if you're listening to the show, interview Sonja.

Resources mentioned in the show, all thanks to Dacher Keltner and his book Born to Be Good :
Nate Avery
Susan Nolen-Hoeksema
Richard Davidson
Robert Emmons
Michael Mcculough
Sonja Lyubomirsky
Good Life Project with Jonathan Fields
Five Minute Journal
Dan McAdams
Laura King
James Pennebaker
Jon Kabat-Zinn
Barbara Fredrickson
Greater Good Science Center at Berkeley
Dacher Keltner
Born To Be Good


Music today by Geneva Spur! Awesome - thanks y'all!
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004 | How to Design a Self-Experiment

10/11/2013

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In today's episode, I change my mind about THE fundamental habit for The Brave Monkeys - yes, meditation is important, but Self-Experimentation comes first. What experiments are you going to run this week? Tell us in the show notes at AdventurousHabits.com
In Episode 004, I change my mind about THE fundamental habit for The Brave Monkeys (now the Out-of-Water Otters!) - yes, meditation is important, but Self-Experimentation comes first. What experiments are you going to run this week?
Music by Uncle Seth and Jim Femino - big thanks!
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    About The Show:

    The The Brave Monkeys Speak is the climbing, cycling, adventure podcast that's not really about any of that stuff: it's about lifestyle design. How can you design your life around the things that excite you, and get better at your day job as a result? Well, listen up Monkeys. We're speaking.

    Disclaimer! Side effects of listening to this show may include:
    1. The desire to change the world.
    2. Extreme contentment with life.
    3. The desire to climb.
    4. Occasionally pooping your pants with excitement/fear.
    5. An inability to control awesome stories from pouring out of your mouth.
    6. An extreme attraction to marshall moose moore.
    7. Participation in meditation practices.
    8. Occasional unprecedented body odor.

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