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In a world that rewards constant stimulation and surface-level productivity, it’s become easier than ever to stay busy — and harder than ever to feel fulfilled. Many people aren’t burning out from doing too much, but from spending their days disconnected from the things that actually matter. The result is a numbing, restless state Brad Stulberg calls zombie burnout.

In this episode of The Ready State Podcast, Juliet and Kelly Starrett sit down with author and coach Brad Stulberg to unpack what excellence really means in a chaotic, distraction-heavy world. Drawing from his latest book, The Way of Excellence, Stulberg challenges the myths of hustle culture and self-optimization, offering a grounded path toward ambition that’s aligned with values, sustained by rest, and rooted in deep, meaningful engagement.

• Why excellence has nothing to do with rigid routines or influencer “optimization”
• The difference between happiness, satisfaction, and lasting fulfillment
• How “zombie burnout” happens — even when you’re not technically overworked
• What truly excellent environments have in common
• Why process matters more than outcomes (without pretending outcomes don’t matter)
• How rest and renewal are essential — not optional — for long-term excellence

(00:00) - Introduction

(01:17) - What is Excellence

(08:37) - What Excellence is Not

(09:48) - Importance of Excellence

(13:08) - Excellence vs. Happiness

(17:54) - Aggregation of Marginal Gains

(19:59) - Sponsor: Vitality

(23:10) - Brad's Take on Heisman Winner

(25:15) - Creating an Excellent Environment

(33:18) - Zombie Burnout and Adult Pacifiers

(35:50) - Combating Zombie Burnout

(37:39) - Sponsor: LMNT

(40:20) - Managing Distractions

(43:22) - Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

(46:41) - Decline of Excellence

(52:30) - Goal Setting Strategies

(58:13) - Stress, Rest, and Growth

(01:02:40) - Sponsor: Momentous

(01:05:25) - Recovery Techniques

(01:06:40) - Surprises After Writing the Book

(01:08:34) - Meaningful Milestone for 2026

(01:10:38) - Brad's Addition to the Infinite Shelf

(01:12:18) - Starrett System

Huge thanks to our sponsors, Vitality, Momentous, and LMNT.

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Discover the secret to thriving outside your comfort zone with Ginger Naylor, CEO of Outward Bound USA.

In this inspiring conversation, Ginger shares how wilderness adventures help kids and adults build resilience, face discomfort, and uncover their true potential. Learn why stepping into the unknown fosters personal growth, how Outward Bound uses outdoor challenges to teach life-changing lessons, and the transformative power of "threshold moments." Whether you're an outdoors enthusiast or seeking ways to stretch your limits, this video will motivate you to embrace discomfort and grow stronger.

We are particularly excited about joining Ginger for The Reset, happening on January 24th and led by Outward Bound. This is a nationwide invitation to step away from screens and schedules, get outside, move your body, and reconnect with the kind of challenge and perspective that only nature can provide. No apps, no optimization, no performance metrics. Just time outdoors, intentional discomfort, and the chance to reset your nervous system in the most human way possible.

• Why resilience doesn’t come from comfort — but from manageable challenge
• How outdoor education helps kids discover identity, confidence, and capability
• What “threshold moments” are — and why they drive real growth
• Why reflection matters as much as the experience itself
• How wilderness exposure shapes empathy, leadership, and perseverance
• Why being alone without distraction is increasingly rare — and powerful

(00:00) – Intro

(00:31) – Wilderness Awareness and Why It’s Fading

(07:48) – What Outward Bound Really Is (And Isn’t)

(11:16) – Threshold Moments and Why Growth Starts at the Edge

(14:25) – Discomfort as a Skill, Not a Side Effect

(19:08) – The Cultural Shift Away from Wilderness

(23:04) – The Solo Experience: Being Alone With Yourself

(28:38) – What Happens After Students Leave Outward Bound

(32:10) – Why Reflection Turns Experience Into Growth

(36:45) – Technology, Childhood, and Rebalancing Attention

(41:22) – Wilderness as a Gateway to Conservation

(46:08) – Parenting, Protection, and Letting Kids Struggle

(51:14) – Resilience as a Life Skill, Not an Adventure Skill

(56:02) – Why These Experiences Matter More Than Ever

(1:01:10) – Final Reflections on Growth, Identity, and Independence

Connect with Ginger and Outward Bound

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What if the key to longevity isn’t found in your heart, your brain, or your hormones — but in your muscle?

In this episode of The Ready State Podcast, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon explains why skeletal muscle is the most overlooked organ in modern medicine and how its decline quietly drives aging, disease, and loss of independence. Drawing from her work in nutrition, geriatrics, and muscle-centric medicine, Lyon breaks down how strength training, protein intake, and daily movement protect metabolic health, resilience, and mental clarity as we age. From preventing sarcopenia to rethinking weight loss, GLP-1 drugs, and what it really means to age well, this conversation offers practical insights for anyone who wants to stay strong, capable, and useful for life. If you care about longevity, this episode reframes the conversation — starting with muscle!

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

• Why cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and dementia often begin in skeletal muscle
• What “muscle-centric medicine” means — and why it challenges modern healthcare
• Why building muscle for longevity is the important thing you can do
• How GLP-1 drugs could unintentionally accelerate muscle loss and sabotage longevity
• Why body fat percentage misses the real metabolic problem
• How resistance training protects the brain, joints, and metabolism
• The protein framework Lyon uses in clinical practice
• Why movement is the fastest path to physical and mental freedom

TIMESTAMPS

(00:00) - Dr. Gabrielle Lyon

(01:20) - What Kind of Doctor Are You

(06:45) - Muscle-Centric Medicine Explained

(14:18) - Vitality Blueprint: $50 Off Plans

(16:45) - Role of a Muscle-Centric Physician

(19:15) - Muscle: The Organ of Longevity

(24:04) - Muscle Mass and Dementia Prevention

(27:10) - Fear of Resistance Training

(29:55) - Concerns About Being Too Bulky

(33:20) - LMNT

(35:00) - Subscribe to the Podcast

(32:50) - Importance of Healthy Muscle Mass

(40:00) - Best Ways to Measure Health Aging

(44:27) - Nutrition Insights

(50:07) - Staying Forever Young

(51:23) - Start Your Momentous Journey

(53:20) - The Forever Strong Playbook Overview

(54:15) - Understanding GLP-1s

(57:47) - Muscle-Centric Strength Program Overview

(59:35) - Expectations from The Forever Strong Playbook

(1:00:25) - Dr. Lyon’s addition to the Infinite Shelf

(1:01:11) - Finding Dr. Gabrielle Lyon

Huge thanks to our sponsors, Vitality, Momentous, and LMNT.

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