Savage / Zen Newsletter No. 81
November 2023
It’s funny that we think changing our behavior makes us healthy when the only truth is when we are healthy, our behavior changes
~ Brian Mackenzie
Prioritizing Processes and Relationships: A Guide to Authentic Success
Winning costs everything, more than most can imagine, let alone afford. No amount of bumper stickers or motivational memes will pay the tab for you. Eventually, all debts get settled. When you look in the mirror, or at yourself honestly, you know the truth.
The State of My Health: 2023
In years past I’ve published a “carnivore anniversary” or “state of my health” post collecting lab data and reviewing changes and observations throughout the year. This year is something a little different as I’ve attempted to distill and undulate my focus between fitness, nutrition, and other things I’ve deemed (more) important in my life.
Eminently Qualified Human
Fitness apps and training plans are a dime a dozen and mostly worthless. The reason they are “free” is because you’re the product being sold (to advertisers). How does an app made by legendary Navy SEAL and leadership author, Jocko Willink, stack up? Does it have inherent value, or is it selling you on hope and cheap dopamine like almost everything else?
Strength and multiple types of physical activity predict cognitive function…
Network analyses suggest the critical predictor of cognitive function is overall relative neuromuscular function, which may be impacted by body composition and the route in which muscle mass is accrued. In this case, we show that muscle strength, both overall and relative to muscle mass, is a more potent predictor of cognitive outcomes rather than the amount of fat-free mass.
Read Article »
Slower respiration rate is associated with higher self-reported well-being…
“This study provides initial evidence for RR as a potential biomarker of self-reported well-being in the context of wellness training. We found a similar pattern in novice groups following short-term training, and in meditators with a long-term, lifetime practice on the order of 9900 total hours of practice—slower RR was associated with better self-reported well-being in terms of mental and physical health.”
I’m finishing this year with a focus on Olympic Weightlifting to improve my mobility and wrestling. I did an Instagram poll a while ago and this book by Greg Everett (@catalystathletics) came highly recommended as “the bible” and I was pleased to see back cover comments from trusted sources like Robb Wolf and Dan John. I’d be remiss if I didn’t also give a quick shout out to Zack Telander (@coach_zt) and Squat University (@squat_university) for having a ton of great content in this area as well.
![[73+] Animal Pak Wallpaper on WallpaperSafari](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!s2LU!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa210b5a9-c4f9-48ed-988a-ebe45f7fed79_1360x768.jpeg "[73+] Animal Pak Wallpaper on WallpaperSafari")
