In my previous newsletter, I wrote about English words with no direct translation, like serendipity, awkward, and hillbilly. But I missed a bigger idea: language shapes reality WAY more than we realize.

George Mack once noted how simply swapping the word “problem” for “puzzle” instantly shifts your mindset. Problem makes it feel like something’s broken, whereas puzzle makes it seem like a challenge worth solving. One induces anxiety. The other, curiosity.

Wittgenstein famously said, "The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.” And he was right. Our inner world (reality) consists of much more than words. It also contains images, sounds, feelings, experiences, etc. In fact, our world gets limited only when we try to put it into words. This is what we mean when we say, "Hmm, I don’t know how to describe it, but…”

Language doesn’t just describe reality, it filters it. As words change and lose meaning over time, we also lose a way of seeing. They don’t shine forth in the same way to us anymore. Likewise, new language uncovers new truth in things. Thus, we’re limited by the language of our age. New slang can uncover new ideas, but as old words die of, parts of our reality get shoved in the closet. We’ve replaced a great word like “gumption” with “vibes” or “main character energy.” That’s not to say one is better than the other, but it highlights how words/phrases come and go — which is why it’s so important to read old books.

Shakespeare was frustrated enough with the limitations of the English language that he just made up his own words — swagger, radiance, lackluster, hobnob, jaded, and frugal — to name a few.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that words are spells. A single word can shift how we interpret an experience, how we relate to others, and how we understand ourselves. Your vocabulary isn’t just how you communicate — it’s how you see the world.

This is one of those that always tends to pop up on recommendation lists from prominent figures. I’m only 150 pages in but it’s the memoir of Paramahansa Yogananda, an Indian and American Hindu monk, yogi, and guru who founded the Self-Realization Fellowship /Yogoda Satsanga Society of India. Full review to come soon.

Author Lemony Snicket’s advice on how to write a nice thank-you note:

But the X post that I saw this conveniently left out the best part of Snicket’s article:

I recently saw a clip from the Coach’Em Up Podcast where fitness coach Cru Mahoney discussed what constitutes a true "hybrid athlete.” With brands like F45, Hyrox, Orange Theory, and Barry’s filling the void that CrossFit left, it’s become the new topic du jour in the fitness world. But to be considered a true “hybrid athlete,” Mahoney argued, there has to be a skill component.

Take the top skateboarders, for example. Most people wouldn’t consider them “hybrid athletes” necessarily. But compared to the average Hyrox athlete (like myself) skateboarders exhibit extraordinary body control, balance, acrobatics, and pliability. (If you want a good example, check out Nyjah Huston’s IG page.)

The problem with the modern fitness crusade is that it’s really just measuring work capacity. Sure, it takes incredible strength and stamina to run long distances and lift heavy things. But Mahoney rightly poses that anyone can increase their capacity if they train for it. A true cross-functional athlete, though, is someone who can lift, run, and has a unique skill — like being able to do a backflip or a handstand, for example.

There’s a huge difference between capacity and skill. Just look at the bodies of Patrick Mahomes, Clayton Kershaw, Shaun White, or Steve Nash. If you saw them on the street, you’d probably think they worked a typical office job.

If being a hybrid athlete means “I can’t play sports,” then that’s not a fair name.

James Frey is the author of the NYT best-seller, A Million Little Pieces, a book surrounded by controversy. Reason being, is that while it was marketed as a memoir, the book was actually Frey’s twist of fictional embellishment on top of his very real account of addiction. He became an international celebrity when Oprah featured the book on her show, but he quickly became the target of massive hate and criticism once it came out that many of the stories within the book were actually fake.

This was an interesting listen, especially for someone who loves books and aspires to write one. Frey is unapologetic about his approach — explaining how he doesn’t write fiction or non-fiction, he writes books. It’s up to the reader to decide what to take from it. After all, he points out, no one fact-checks rappers when they claim clearly embellished stories in their songs. So why should authors face the same criticism?

It’s a great discussion on the hidden dangers of the publishing industry, fame, and radical honesty in artistic expression.

I’m a sucker for all these in-season Netflix docuseries. This one highlights the most competitive conference in all of sports: college football’s Southeastern Conference (SEC) — a conference filled with juggernauts like Alabama, Texas, LSU, Auburn, and Florida.

I’m always jealous of the South’s obsession with college football. Within American sports, nothing comes close to the fan fervor, love, rivalries, and competitiveness. A really cool glimpse into the locker rooms of the coaches and young adults looking to turn their team into the next college football champion.

Lose My Cool (Couros Remix) — Amber Mark, Couros

Keith and Kyle sit down to discuss the benefits of running and the pros and cons of the current biggest brand names in the sport, the Epstein controversy, the origins of Lacrosse as told in the fascinating book The American Game and why it's in everyone’s best interest to do as they do in Copenhagen and smoke some weed, drink some alcohol and go for a bike ride.

📚 Books discussed in this episode:

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Thanks for reading!