🪵 What's your relationship to sports, bro?

Hey everyone, 

I’m so happy about the reception on last week’s Log from Derrick. Hugely brave of him to share his story and want to thank him on behalf of the rest of the Thinking Loggers for the celeb shot. 

We have more guest posts coming in the next few weeks. Reminder if you feel compelled to take over any or all of the sections of the Log, don’t hesitate to respond to this email with interest.

You didn’t ask for it, but here’s a topical picture I came across in a bathroom this past weekend: 

Enjoy! 🪵 

Roots 🌱 

Something from me

The transition to adulthood is a funny thing. For so much of our lives, we have the structure of school and peers to put us in our place. And for much of my life, I had the structure and diligence of athletics to keep me grounded in my lifestyle. 

Growing up skiing and playing soccer in my free time provided me with a consistent outlet throughout my days as a rambunctious, wee lad. A place to try, fail and learn more about the identity I built for myself. As I moved into college sports, having the responsibility to stay in shape and peers to hold me accountable provided me with an even stronger sense of identity and community. 

In my twenties, I’ve found it difficult to hone in on the same care free communal activity. You can read that as a “hobby.” I still play soccer when I can, and in addition to “ski bumming” for a year, I go out of my way to ski when the opportunity presents itself. However my relationship to both activities that have given me so much in my life, is beginning to take a new form.

I’ve gotten 3+ concussions playing men’s league soccer and skiing in the last number of years. For those like myself that aren’t neuroscientists, that’s not great for your long term brain. Now each time I engage in these activities I love so so dearly, I’m inherently fearful of what might happen and how it could impact my life now and in the future. And that’s just worrying about my noggin, not breaking a leg or being caught in an avalanche. Fear has entered into the realm of things that formerly brought only joy.  

As a result, I have to look inward to understand what it is I want from these activities and how to conduct my behavior accordingly. And why fear arises in the first place! As I weigh the pros and cons of what I love, I still land on participating, but placing value on different things. Rather than craving the exhaustion and adrenaline that pushes limits, I appreciate the ability for these outlets to provide community, exercise, and healthy pause from life. 

It’s interesting to view the parts of your life that have been with you since the beginning. I’m fortunate to say that up until recently I haven’t had to change too much. And now the rate of change seems to be picking up. That feels okay, so long as I’m an active participant in the change, rather than watching from the sidelines.

Trunk 🪵 

How we grow

On connecting activity to inner self:

This resonated immensely for me. To run with the skiing topic, it’s always provided me with an inner reward. In the depths of my parents divorce, I found comfort and escape, and it continues to do the same in present day life. 

That said, that behavior may not always be coming from the right place. I totally see how avoidance can manifest as activity in this scenario. So understanding the tendencies behind certain activities, whether sports or otherwise, is huge for developing a healthier relationship with yourself. 

Of course that requires a look inward and a willingness to face your reality, but seeing it as an investment to make in yourself to set you on a better path is certainly a great start.

Branches 🌲 

Something from you

Thanks to Claudia in Boston, MA for her thoughts and brainstorm from last week’s Log:

So much to chat through here. Will keep y’all posted on this!

And to Hannah in Washington, DC for her thoughtful words and recommendation:

So thoughtful! And lovely 🙂 reminds me a bit about Marvel’s Loki series and how they see life as branches as well.

Leaves 🍃 

Something to leave you with

Youtube - Navigating the mountains and valleys of mental health through skiing

• Another thanks to Claudia in Boston, MA for the inspo behind this week’s post. Really great watch for anyone interested in skiing or the outdoors. After work, maybe some ice cream. Delight. 

Frontiers in Psychology - Understanding Extreme Sports: A Psychological Perspective 

• For the researching Logger. A study on adrenaline in sports vs. extreme sports. Interesting one. 

Blog - Childhoods of Exceptional People

• We talk a lot about early life on The Log. So thought this post was intriguing on some of the patterns that produced visionaries like: writers (Virginia Woolf, Lev Tolstoy), mathematicians (John von Neumann, Blaise Pascal, Alan Turing), philosophers (Bertrand Russell, René Descartes), and composers (Mozart, Bach).

The goal of this blog is to learn a ton and to help others do the same.

Your feedback is always welcome, and if there’s a topic that you want to hear more about, please contact me or fill out this quick survey!

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I’m stoked to have you here and talk soon!

Greg

Wind 🌬️ 

What I’m listening to

Seems only fitting to include one of the favs from an old ski film. Windows down driving cross country/pulling up to the mountain scenes:

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