As the title suggests…..
Documentary – Nike Breaking 2
https://youtu.be/V2ZLG-Fij_4
Breaking 2 was a pretty big deal last May (2017) and if you didn’t get up at stupid o’clock to watch it, there’s a National Geographic feature-length documentary available on YouTube, showing the build up and the training.
Whatever you think of the ethics of the Nike sponsored record attempt, (I thought it was fantastic and caught the imagination) it’s worth watching Eliud Kipchoge at the height of his powers. His smile, the simple confidence he exudes and the excellent life lesson he casually slips in –
“In life, the idea is to be happy. So, I believe in calm, simple, low-profile life. You live simple, you train hard and live an honest life. Then you are free”
Sir Mo has got his work cut out for himself taking on Kipchoge in the London Marathon this April. Watch the documentary and see for yourself.
App – Vivino Wine
Free – wine not included!
Not super health conscious, but red wine is good for you …. right? I’m forever taking photos of bottles of wine that I like, that then get lost in my phone and I never look at. The Vivino app is like Shazam but from wines. I mainly used Shazam to help me to remember a tune I like and probably already know, so that I can remember to play it at home or a party.
Instead of listening, Vivino scans the wine bottle label using the camera on your phone and saves it. It also gives you facts and other users reviews as well as where you can buy it. You can even scan a wine list in a restaurant and it will give you a recommendations.
If you’re tired of standing in the wine aisle of the supermarket, trying to remember the wine you had at your friend’s last week. Give Vivino a go.
App – pwSafe2
£2.99 – available in the App Store for iOS devices.
I think this is the only app I’ve ever paid money for and it was well worth it. I get easily frustrated, and there’s nothing I get more frustrated by than trying to get into something on the internet and forgetting the password. PwSafe solves this by storing all your passwords. This may sound a bit “that’s not very safe is it?” but you have one super difficult password to get into the app, then they’re all there for you. It automatically locks after a short time (20 seconds) and can also generate passwords for you.
This is shown as a Utility app but I would put it in productivity as it’s saved me so much time and aggravation. I’ve had this app for 4 years now and have over 100 passwords saved. I can’t recommend it more highly.
There’s also a version that is £14.99 on the App store but I think this is maybe for laptops. The £2.99 version on your phone does the job.
Kit – On Cloudventure Waterproof
£140 – On Running
Its looks like I’m going to have to pack my Cloudventures away, but I’m sure the British summer will provide plenty of rainy days and mud for me to still put them to good use. Read my post reviewing them here.
App – Overcast Podcast player
Free – available on the App Store for iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch
Upto a year ago, I used to be old school and still used my iPod nano for podcasts. Then I upgraded my phone and had more storage capacity, so I started to use my phone. After a mix up between iTunes on my phone and iTunes on my laptop that results in the deletion of a number of cherished podcasts that are no longer available, I ended up changing the podcast app on my phone to avoid the conflict.
Overcast had been recommended on a few podcasts I listen to. On the app, you are able to speed up the playback by up to 3 times the normal speed and also shorten the silences. Therefore improving productive by being able to listen to more podcasts. I haven’t used this function on the app, but there’s a nice interface that can be is customised to your requirements e.g. How many un-played episodes you want to keep. It also has a handy 30-second backwards and forwards buttons (which can be customised to more or less).
The only downside is that you’re not able review podcasts in the app. Reviews are very important to how a podcast ranks (in iTunes) and therefore its success. You can still go to iTunes to post a review if you so wish.
Book – Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker
£4.99 – Amazon (at time of post)
Free at all good libraries.
Scientists have discovered a revolutionary new treatment that makes you live longer. It enhances your memory, makes you more attractive. It keeps you slim and lowers food cravings. It protects you from cancer and dementia. It wards off colds and flu. It lowers your risk of heart attacks and stroke, not to mention diabetes. You’ll even feel happier, less depressed, and less anxious. Are you interested?
Sleep used to be for wimps. Now, not getting enough of it is the reason for all your woes. Matthew Walker, a Neuroscientist breaks down every answer you have been seeking about sleep. The topic of “Just go get some more sleep” could be a dry subject, but I was immediately draw in to subjects such as –
How being a morning lark or a night owl is actually a thing and how bias the world is to larks. The science of the effect of coffee, jet lag, the importance of different sleep cycles. That you can’t catch up on sleep, and that you will maintain your circadian rhythm even in the dark.
I only managed to get a couple of chapters into it before having to return it to the library (someone else reserved it), but am looking forward to finishing it off what so far, has been a startling read. Highly recommended to anyone with even the slightest intrest in improving their sleep and wnt to realise why it is so important.
Video – Tim Ferriss Ted Talk
Title – Why you should define your fears instead of your goals
I’ve had an on/off relationship with Tim Ferriss. It started with The 4 hour work week, which whilst interesting was not relevant to us that don’t have an passive income business and the ability to disappear around the world at the drop of a hat (Some will say we all have those options if we want them). I’ve dipped in and out of his podcast, which I found a bit contrived and him to be a little too pleased with himself.
That changed though when I saw his most recent Ted Talk, where he turns productivity on its head and ask us to look at “what’s the worse that could happen” if you go for your dreams, the cost of inaction and how “We suffer more in our imagination than in reality”. It’s an impressive and very heartfelt talk that really changed my opinion of him. If you’re struggling with procrastination or doubt, I urge you to watch this.
A good follow up to the Ted Talk is the Good Life Project podcast where he’s interviewed about his changing outlook on life as he turns 40 and the background to his Ted Talk.
Book – Finding Ultra by Rich Roll (Updated)
I’m a bit of a Rich Roll fan boy and the updated version of Finding Ultra (that helped set me on my health and fitness journey) is coming out soon. I’m looking forward to the updated version that is available sometime in March/April. Make sure you’re picking up the 2018 version.