At 91, he is hiking the Appalachian Trail. again. In 2017, Dale “Gray Beard” Sanders became the oldest person to hike the Appalachian Trail at the age of 82. His friend MJ “Nimbleville Nomad” Eberhart set the record in 2021 at age 83 (Sanders was at the finish line with a custom-made walking stick for him). Now Sanders is 91 and has been trying for months to take back the title, with Eberhart hiking with him and helping with logistics along the way. When the NYT saw Gray Beard in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, he was pondering what he would do as he entered old age, future tense – He doesn’t think he’s there yet! The whole piece reminded me of Maury Schwartz tuesday with morrie: “When you’re in bed, you’re dead.” Dale is the kind of old man I want to be. Active and vital till the end. die red
“Plans” by Brandon Flowers. You all know I’m a big fan of the Killers and Brandon Flowers. So I was very happy to hear that Flowers has a new solo album, thresherComing in August (his first in 11 years), and he’s been across the country on it. He says he found his way back to his father’s music (“country-western,” as his father used to say). The first single, “Plans,” is really good. It sounds like a country song from the 60’s or 70’s. Charlie McCoy’s superb harmonica playing and backup vocals are top notch. Lyrically, the song talks about returning to plans you made years ago, and then putting them off when other ambitions get in the way. A very midlife reflection. Go watch it on YouTube. Let them know AOM sent you in the comments.
checklist manifesto By Atul Gawande. I read this book a long time ago (I even wrote an article about it on AoM). This is one of those books that fundamentally changed the way I work. Gawande, a surgeon, argues that most of our failures are not from ignorance but from incompetence: we know what to do, we just consistently fail to do it. Their solution is the humble checklist, an idea that gained prominence in 1935 when Boeing’s B-17 prototype crashed because the plane was so complex that it was not possible for even an expert pilot to fly it from memory. Boeing’s answer was not more training; This was a pilot’s checklist. I’ve got checklists in Todoist for going on vacation, backpacking, planning a party, and various recurring work tasks. When an event happens, I take out the relevant list, look at its entries, and don’t forget anything.
My pre-workout snack: Rice Krispies Treats. I’ll eat a snack about 30 minutes before training and lately it’s always included two Rice Krispie treats. They digest quickly, so carbs are available when my workout starts, and at 90 calories per serving, consuming a couple won’t blow my daily macro budget. And they taste good. Now, if you’re already getting enough carbs throughout the day, do you “need” some fast-digesting carbs right before a workout? Probably not. I mostly do it because I love it. There’s nothing wrong with working out, just because you love it. never underestimate The power of “I like”
on our Dying Breed Newsletterwe published Trying Not to Try: The Art of Wu-Wei And Sunday Firesides: Euphoria. Stability. choose one.
quote of the week
Then, let us rise and act,
With a heart for any fortune;
Still achieving, still striving,
Learn to work hard and wait.-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
