You are what you eat (physically and mentally)

I recently saw a video of a health guru talking about how the food we eat eventually becomes us - that we are literally a product of the molecules and atoms that we put in our mouths.

To be healthy means to regulate what we put in our bodies. To look at the food labels and make sure we’re not going nuts.

Sure, we can drink alcohol and eat sugar - but only on occasion.

The same must then be true for what we eat mentally.

Eating crap with our brains

I was at church Sunday and the speaker told a story about having neurological problems - his memory was deteriorating. His doctor told him that physiologically, he was fine.

But mentally, he was consuming too much information. His brain couldn’t process it all.

I have to believe that this is the root of so much of our anxiety. I can’t go to the toilet without opening my phone. I need information and stimulus, at all times.

If you take a step back, this is disgusting. To use our metaphor, it’s akin to constantly needing a soda or candy-bar anytime there is a lull in our day.

Waiting for a friend? Snickers.

Microwaving lunch? Donut.

To solve for this, our speaker on Sunday mentioned a “wisdom pyramid” - like a food pyramid, but instead of suggested quantities for what to put in your mouth, it’s suggested quantities for what to put in your brain.

Here are my pyramids for “Wisdom”, “Knowledge (learning)”, “News” and “Entertainment” followed by how to implement them.

Wisdom Pyramid

Wisdom is generally defined as the ability to make sound decisions and judgments based on knowledge, experience, and deep understanding.

If I’m honest, I usually turn to a podcast with today’s most influential and successful people to seek wisdom.

But wisdom is gained through experience. And thankfully, we have direct relationships and thousands of years of experience at our disposal through books.

People & Relationships: Your parents, grandparents, in-laws, etc. Listen first to those who love you and know. Call me crazy, but I also consider my relationship with God in this category.

Community of Elders: Who are the older respected folks in your community who have “been there” done that? Listen to them before you listen to Andew Huberman.

Nature & Beauty: Nature has a way of teaching us how small and fleeting we are. Standing a mountain that was here millions of year before you were and will be here for millions of years after does something to you.

Old Books: We live in an age where we have access to the best minds. Read old biographies, classical literature and philosophy.

Internet, podcasts & social media: These mediums can serve as surrogates to the above - especially podcasts as they allow you to sit in on conversations that would otherwise be “closed door”. But don’t rely on this too much. The density of information is too much for our brains.

Learning Pyramid

Many of us excuse our constant consumption of social media and podcasts because we’re “learning” when in reality, we’re being entertained.

Real learning isn’t gaining more knowledge, it’s gaining more skills, which can only really be done through doing, not scrolling.

Learn by Doing (Action): This is the entire basis around 90 Days of Action. Take action and let the data inform you of what works.

Mentorship & Coaching: Before you hit the books, find someone to advise you based on their path.

Leading Books: Instead of reading a ton of books, read a few really great ones that you implement deeply. As cliche as it is, our business (FreedUp) exists because I’m currently on page 30 of $100m Offers by Alex Hormozi.

Courses & Workshops: Learn specific skills from real people.

Internet, podcasts & social posts: Use sparingly for inspiration, but always treat them as a “jumping off” point.

News Pyramid

In all likelihood, you’ll learn about the crashing economy or a crisis in Afghanistan before you learn how your best friend’s week went. All the bad news is poisoning your brain.

Relationship News: Spend more time asking your friends and family how they’re doing. Make time to call them and grab lunch before catching up on the current political drama.

Community Discussion: Find places where others gather and hear what they’re thinking. Coffee shop, co-working space, the gym, church, etc. Be open to what’s news in their worlds.

History Books: I once heard Sam Corcos say that he doesn’t seek any mainstream news. Instead, he chooses to read about it eventually when it becomes a book. It’s too hard to tell what’s clickbait and what’s actual news. If it’s in a book, that’s a good filter for whether it’s important or just an ad.

Long-form Journalism: To really get at the issues, choose to deep dive into longer articles, books and documentaries.

Internet, podcasts & social posts: Beware of the headlines. Follow reputable sources.

Entertainment Pyramid

My wife always tells our kids that instead of playing soccer (FIFA) on the Nintendo Switch, they can walk outside and experience the REAL thing with an ACTUAL ball.

This is true of us as adults as well. Instead of funny YouTube vids, go see a comedian - instead of watching short-form vids, read a 500 page novel, etc.

Creativity, Hobbies & Social Experiences: Paint, write, play an instrument, play soccer, go for a hike, play a board game, host a party, travel.

Performance Arts: See a local concert, go a play, attend comedy show, go to an art gallery.

Reading: My 10 year old son LOVES to read, but it’s because he doesn’t know the dopamine that is social media. But books can make you laugh, cry and feel. They can change you in ways that Netflix cannot.

Shows, Movies & Podcasts: My own rule - in moderation and with others (for movies and TV).

Social Media Content: Know when you’re “learning” and when you’re being entertained.

How to implement the pyramids

Living out the pyramids (and being less anxious and more present and available) is simple, but not easy.

The steps:

1. Make a few simple commitments.

2. Stick with those commitments until they become habits.

Possible commitments

I have a list of 14 written commitments I read each morning. #4 is “What I eat (mentally):

During this next stretch of 90 Days of Action, I’ll be accountable each day to the community with the following commitments:

• Did I put my phone down at 6pm and not pick it up again until 7am?

• Did I watch any YouTube videos or do any doom scrolling?

These 2 questions don’t cover the entire breadth of the 4 pyramids, but they’re enough to get me 70% of the way there.

I’m not filling my brain with the top of the pyramid, I’m much more likely to engage in the activities below.

As we enter the Fall (a natural “busy season”), what’s your plan for controlling what your brain consumes? Reply and let me know!