My Top 10 in 2017
Have you ever felt the spine of a classic novel flex under the pressure of you opening the first page.... or replied to a question in a language you couldn't speak last year... or floated on the surface of the big dark ocean with metal tanks on your back... or stood on the forests edge from a valley... or been on your knees, leaning outside of an airplane with the door above your head and a sea of cloud beneath you... or stepped off the earth onto a rock face with thousands of feet to climb above you.. have you ever tried to do something legendary.. dared to fail.. or ventured into the void in any way? YES. GOOD. ME TOO. This is my annual list and attempt to write the history of the future for myself. It's not goals or resolutions or wishes - what's wishing, but the lowest form of intention. I wish for nothing. This is my top 10 list of things I'm going to do this year.
The list comes from:
Something I've always wanted to do, but haven't.
A necessary step to achieving a bigger goal that is very important to me.
Something that will bring tremendous value to my life and those around me.
Something that will make me a much stronger, healthier or more efficient person.
Any great goal or great vision of who you want to become doesn't happen instantly. It takes a thousand little changes, day by day, year by year.
Begin!
1. Climb A Seven Summit - The 7 highest peaks on each of the seven continents.
The list comes from:
Something I've always wanted to do, but haven't.
A necessary step to achieving a bigger goal that is very important to me.
Something that will bring tremendous value to my life and those around me.
Something that will make me a much stronger, healthier or more efficient person.
Any great goal or great vision of who you want to become doesn't happen instantly. It takes a thousand little changes, day by day, year by year.
Begin!
1. Climb A Seven Summit - The 7 highest peaks on each of the seven continents.
Are you an EOTE original gang member?! You knew this was gonna make the list.
In 2015 I climbed Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. In 2016 I climbed my 2nd of the 7 summits, Mount Elbrus, in Russia (Das good...cause politics). That was a harrowing experience on many levels! Of course enough time has passed now that I completely forget about all the heck and torture and I'm promising to try another in 2017. I'm aiming to climb Aconcagua in the Andes, which is pretty tall. Like, it's high. It's about 23,000'. Oh boy!!
In 2015 I climbed Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. In 2016 I climbed my 2nd of the 7 summits, Mount Elbrus, in Russia (Das good...cause politics). That was a harrowing experience on many levels! Of course enough time has passed now that I completely forget about all the heck and torture and I'm promising to try another in 2017. I'm aiming to climb Aconcagua in the Andes, which is pretty tall. Like, it's high. It's about 23,000'. Oh boy!!
2. The Wim Hof Method - Complete the 10 week Wim Hof feat
Wim is a wild Dutchman who's discovered/developed a cold therapy method that claims to produce a slew of amazing benefits for your body and mind. Cold showers, ice buckets, baths filled with ice and cold dives are required. A few of my most trusted mentors swear by the Wim-Hof method, so as much as I've been dreading/denying/hating the reality of actually doing this, I do love the idea of trying it and I have a feeling that it's right up my alley. Okay 2017..
Claimed benefits of WimHofs ridiculous cold therapy training..
Claimed benefits of WimHofs ridiculous cold therapy training..
- Increased energy
- Better sleep
- Heightened focus & determination
- Improved sports performance
- Reduced stress levels
- Greater cold tolerance
- Faster recovery
- Enhanced creativity
3. First Aid / CPR & AED Certified
This is a real challenge for me. I've been talking about getting re-certified for a bunch of years and I just haven't been able to bring myself to do it. The list will make it so! I see a lot of hurt people in a year.. I get hurt a bunch too. Having this will make me feel a whole lot better about myself because I'll be able to help others and myself too!
4. Make Every Recipe in a Cookbook
In the past year, I've really been into cooking. One thing I've noticed that sucks about finding recipes and cooking as a hobby, is that there's so much information and so many recipes and styles out there. I'm lost in a sea of guy ramsey oliver who gives a wolfgang puck?! Ahem... So I decided to find 1 resource that shares my food philosphies, a world of ingredients I enjoy and a style that I can latch onto.
I went through about a zillion cookbooks and was originally thinking of following a celebrity chef, but when I found this book, I was like YEAH. It's a colloborative project, with food truck style homemade goodness. It's all vegetarian, which I enjoy and it says the word 'fuck' a lot, which of course, is most enjoyable.
Thug Kittchen Cookbook Here
Criteria I used before selecting a book:
* Must have breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks & beverages
* Preferably vegetarian
* Preferably meals I can make in less than an hour
* Creative and original
* New recipes that are rad and match my hairstyle
I went through about a zillion cookbooks and was originally thinking of following a celebrity chef, but when I found this book, I was like YEAH. It's a colloborative project, with food truck style homemade goodness. It's all vegetarian, which I enjoy and it says the word 'fuck' a lot, which of course, is most enjoyable.
Thug Kittchen Cookbook Here
Criteria I used before selecting a book:
* Must have breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks & beverages
* Preferably vegetarian
* Preferably meals I can make in less than an hour
* Creative and original
* New recipes that are rad and match my hairstyle
5. Hike The East Coast Trail
The developed East Coast trail is a 300km hike from Portugal Cove to Cappahayden, along the Avalon Peninsula in Newfoundland, Canada. I usually go to Newfoundland every other year to visit family and have been on a couple of parts of this trail in St.John's. Hiking coast trails is my favourite. I've been plotting to see more of the province, so backpacking 300km on the coast is probably a nice way to do that. Though possibly a bit wet..a bit uncomfortable..I'll be a bit hungry...bit bloody...a lot happy.
Weeeeee!
More on the East Coast Trail - www.eastcoasttrail.ca
Weeeeee!
More on the East Coast Trail - www.eastcoasttrail.ca
6. Hike The West Cost Trail
Yeah yeah...I haven't done this yet! This is the 75 km long backpacking trail following the southwestern edge of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. People say "oh you like to hike...have you done the West Coast Trail?" I say "nooo", but now I can say .... "yessss". A rite of passage for any true Canadian hiker.. Better make it happen this year.
More info on The West Coast Trail - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Coast_Trail
More info on The West Coast Trail - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Coast_Trail
7. Run two, 10K Races ...and do better on the 2nd one.
I've never done a race before. I don't even run that often, but it's something I'd like to do to enhance my hiking, climbing and for overall fitness. I've talked about it...I've pointed at flyers advertising them...and definitely lied and said I was going to sign up for one. Also, my favourite MMA fighter brothers are triathletes, which I thought was pretty badass. So here goes.. 2 10K's, better time on race 2.
This year. Go. Yeah!
This year. Go. Yeah!
8. DNA Sequencing & Preventative Health Assessment
Sadly, I've lost loved ones this year to heart disease and cancer. It's wild how in an instant, nothing else matters but your health and by the time you're in that position, it may be too late. There is preventative action we can take above and beyond living a healthy lifestyle. Science!
I want to start a report with a private style health team that will help me achieve my health and wellness goals and most importantly help prevent, or have early knowledge, of bad things that could happen to me. I've found 2 great resources for doing just that and I want to dedicate time and the $ in 2017 for getting the process started by completeing these 2 tests.
1. Privatized Preventative Health Assessment
There's a facility in Toronto called MedCan who will spend 1 full day with you to complete a full health diagnostic to assess the health of your health. Kind of like a physical, but on steroids (not actual steroids.. that's a metaphor for amped...amped is a metaphor for jakt..jakt is....ok).
Tests:
Physical Exam
Screening of vital signs
Family history review
A vaccinations review
An abdonminal ultrasound - to ensure your vital organs are all in good shape
12 lead electrocardiogram & stress test
Measure your lung capacity
Ankle Brachial Index - Test for hardening or narrowing of arteries
Full Panel Blood & Urine
Prostate & Bone density isn't relavant to me yet, but for those close to 40, check yoself b-f you wreck yoself.
Vision Test
Audio Test
Etc.
Your assessment includes consultations with a range of health care professionals. You’ll have an opportunity to ask questions and probe for insight, getting smarter about your health in the process. When completed annually, your assessment will identify health trends so you have a more comprehensive picture of risks to manage.
2. DNA Personalized Service
Before doing step 1, I'm going to do this simple test that company '23&me' offers. It will give me some basic info on inherited health risks that I may want to further investigate in step 1.
I want to start a report with a private style health team that will help me achieve my health and wellness goals and most importantly help prevent, or have early knowledge, of bad things that could happen to me. I've found 2 great resources for doing just that and I want to dedicate time and the $ in 2017 for getting the process started by completeing these 2 tests.
1. Privatized Preventative Health Assessment
There's a facility in Toronto called MedCan who will spend 1 full day with you to complete a full health diagnostic to assess the health of your health. Kind of like a physical, but on steroids (not actual steroids.. that's a metaphor for amped...amped is a metaphor for jakt..jakt is....ok).
Tests:
Physical Exam
Screening of vital signs
Family history review
A vaccinations review
An abdonminal ultrasound - to ensure your vital organs are all in good shape
12 lead electrocardiogram & stress test
Measure your lung capacity
Ankle Brachial Index - Test for hardening or narrowing of arteries
Full Panel Blood & Urine
Prostate & Bone density isn't relavant to me yet, but for those close to 40, check yoself b-f you wreck yoself.
Vision Test
Audio Test
Etc.
Your assessment includes consultations with a range of health care professionals. You’ll have an opportunity to ask questions and probe for insight, getting smarter about your health in the process. When completed annually, your assessment will identify health trends so you have a more comprehensive picture of risks to manage.
2. DNA Personalized Service
Before doing step 1, I'm going to do this simple test that company '23&me' offers. It will give me some basic info on inherited health risks that I may want to further investigate in step 1.
- View reports on over 100 health conditions and traits
- Find out about your inherited risk factors and how you might respond to certain medications
- Discover your lineage and find DNA relatives
- Inherited Conditions
- Genetic Risk Factors
- Drug Response
- Traits
9. Read 10 Biographies of Legends
Dead legends!! You must be dead to be on my list. I'm sorry, but if you're alive, you just haven't finished yet and aren't worthy of my eyes in 2017. You must have also contributed an astonishing amount to humanity - whether good or evil, through invention, discovery or just plain 'ol inspiration. Like last years Classic Novel binge, I can't lay dying without knowing the legendary tales of the best of our species.
1) Malcolm X
2) Tesla
3) Ben Franklin
4) Newton
5) Helen Keller
6) Rockefellar a la John D
7) Edison
8) Einstein
9) Shackleton
10) Hitler
11) Cash (Cash by Johnny Cash right? High fidelity anyone?)
1) Malcolm X
2) Tesla
3) Ben Franklin
4) Newton
5) Helen Keller
6) Rockefellar a la John D
7) Edison
8) Einstein
9) Shackleton
10) Hitler
11) Cash (Cash by Johnny Cash right? High fidelity anyone?)
10. Journaling
Journal
I've been journaling on and off my whoooole life, but in the past couple of years I've discovered a cool little book called 'The 5 Minute Journal' that's been a way better, sort of guided journal method. I've been on and off the wagon with journaling, so this year, it will be my mission to journal EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.
My top 3 reasons for journaling:
1) It's an easy thing you do every day that makes you happier. It shifts your focus to the positive and gives you a structure to help accomplish the things you want to do and habits you want to start and end.
2) We all have problems committing to the things we want to accomplish. There's a lot of distractions in our lives and it's simple to procrastinate and lose our passions. Any great goal or great vision of who you want to become doesn't happen instantly. It takes a thousand little changes, day by day (stole that from the top). Write'em in here. Stick to it and little changes over time will amount to major ones.
3) Slow dowwwwn. I'm a morning person. I have a lot of energy in the morning and it's easy for me to go a million miles a minute to get things done. Journaling slows me down and organizes ma crazy mind.
The way the 5 Minute Journal works, for example:
Morning Journal:
1) Three things I'm grateful for
One - My discovery of white beans to make hummus
Two - My new face scrub that makes me feel brand new
Three - My family's supportive nature in the face of ludicrous ideas & lifestyles
2) Three things that would make today great
One - I will cook 2 recipes out of my book tonight
Two - I will call a friend instead of texting them.
Three - I will procure a bubbly mixture for the bath to enjoy at a later date.
3) An affirmation
I have a lot of self confidence, which makes me believe I can accomplish anything...like jumping out of airplanes that are flying at cruising altitude. I can do that.
Evening Journal:
4) Three amazing things that happened today..
One - I went to the barber and my haircut is awesome.
Two - Someone showed me a new way to tie my shoe laces so it never comes undone..what the frig?
Three - A friend recommended a new podcast and the first episode was teight.
5) How could I have made today better..
One - I make sure I have ingredients for the recipes I want to make in the evening.
Two - I read instead of checking social media on down time.
You can find a copy of The Five Minute Journal here
I've been journaling on and off my whoooole life, but in the past couple of years I've discovered a cool little book called 'The 5 Minute Journal' that's been a way better, sort of guided journal method. I've been on and off the wagon with journaling, so this year, it will be my mission to journal EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.
My top 3 reasons for journaling:
1) It's an easy thing you do every day that makes you happier. It shifts your focus to the positive and gives you a structure to help accomplish the things you want to do and habits you want to start and end.
2) We all have problems committing to the things we want to accomplish. There's a lot of distractions in our lives and it's simple to procrastinate and lose our passions. Any great goal or great vision of who you want to become doesn't happen instantly. It takes a thousand little changes, day by day (stole that from the top). Write'em in here. Stick to it and little changes over time will amount to major ones.
3) Slow dowwwwn. I'm a morning person. I have a lot of energy in the morning and it's easy for me to go a million miles a minute to get things done. Journaling slows me down and organizes ma crazy mind.
The way the 5 Minute Journal works, for example:
Morning Journal:
1) Three things I'm grateful for
One - My discovery of white beans to make hummus
Two - My new face scrub that makes me feel brand new
Three - My family's supportive nature in the face of ludicrous ideas & lifestyles
2) Three things that would make today great
One - I will cook 2 recipes out of my book tonight
Two - I will call a friend instead of texting them.
Three - I will procure a bubbly mixture for the bath to enjoy at a later date.
3) An affirmation
I have a lot of self confidence, which makes me believe I can accomplish anything...like jumping out of airplanes that are flying at cruising altitude. I can do that.
Evening Journal:
4) Three amazing things that happened today..
One - I went to the barber and my haircut is awesome.
Two - Someone showed me a new way to tie my shoe laces so it never comes undone..what the frig?
Three - A friend recommended a new podcast and the first episode was teight.
5) How could I have made today better..
One - I make sure I have ingredients for the recipes I want to make in the evening.
Two - I read instead of checking social media on down time.
You can find a copy of The Five Minute Journal here
11. Whoops! Do everything I didn't do on my 2015 & 2016 (that I'm still psyched about doing)
* H.A.L.O Skydive
* Inverted 50' Cliff Jump
* Show pitch!
* H.A.L.O Skydive
* Inverted 50' Cliff Jump
* Show pitch!
Ok, well, that's the list for 2017. I'd say wish me luck, but wishes are weak and luck...well luck is for leprechauns and delicious cereal!
So wish me great preparation and opportunity.
Love,
Matt
So wish me great preparation and opportunity.
Love,
Matt
