Designing the Future -

League of Wildness,

Life/biz update:

I just spent 10 days in Vietnam working on new Ruck designs.

It was awesome.

I'm seriously having to hold back how excited I am about the new styles as I think we're innovating like no other brand.

I cannot wait to share more, but until then...

I had a lot of time to just think between the 15 hour flights and solo dinners.

Side note - if you've never had Phở before it is SO GOOD. I had Phở every day for breakfast and felt amazing. It's likely there is a Phở place close to you - try it out and let me know.

The question that kept coming back to me during the trip was a version of the following:

"Why is health and fitness so seeming complex? Shouldn't being healthy be the default?"

It would seem that for every other living creature on the planet the answer is yes. So why is it such a challenge for humans?

Basically - I think that we've removed many of the health promoting aspects in life for the sake of convenience and/or comfort.

However - the good news is that it's extremely simple to start heading in the right direction immediately.

But simple does not mean easy.

You have to be ruthlessly consistent.

Image yourself in 90 days after doing the following 80% of the time:

7-8 hours of sleep each night with consistent bedtime and wake up time (go to bed and wake up at the same time every day).
Ruck 3-4 times per week.
Minimum daily step count of 8,000 steps (ideally 10K+ if possible).
90% of meals contain only 'single ingredient foods' (Example: for dinner you have chicken, sweet potatoes and salad with olive oil and vinegar - all single ingredient foods).
Eat .8-1 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight.
Do some form of resistance training 3-4 times per week.
No phone 1 hour before bed and 1 hour after waking up.

So a B- effort would result in A+++ results.

Simple, but not easy.

I was a big fan of Tim Ferriss and his books back in the day.

I was particularly drawn to the idea of 'lifestyle design' and have evolved this concept for myself into what I call 'environmental design'.

Environmental design is about creating an environment where being healthy is the default because there is not another option.

You set a bedtime alarm.
You keep your Ruck loaded and by the door so you can just go.
Take every opportunity to walk.
Only buy single ingredient foods at the store (and learn how to make them tasty).
'Protein First' diet. Protein is the priority and you eat it first. My book is coming out in 2025...
Resistance training program is simple and equipment is super easy to access.
Keep phone outside your bedroom at night. Just buy a Kindle or equivalent as well as alternative alarm clock if that is why your phone must be in your room. Totally worth the investment.

The elk, bear, or wolf does not contemplate going over the next mountain.

Their environment requires that they must.

I have removed as many choices as possible so I never have to exhaust willpower. It's automatic and I can save the 'special sauce' for other areas of life.

The Industrial Fitness Complex along with the Industrial Food Complex benefit from making health complex and confusing.

The truth is that it's not.

You just need to be consistent and by being highly intentional about your environment you can make being consistent the default...

(...and maybe - easier as well)

Much love!
-Dan, wild gym founder

Designing the Future -

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