Comedian I am loving
I am a sucker for a good spoof and a Dr. Phil character had long been an unmined reservoir of pure gold until Adam Ray tapped into it by combining his flair for improv with decent makeup. This comedian’s act regularly involves a generous amount of crowd work which becomes hilarious in the Dr. Phil character. I hope he comes to Toronto soon but until then just search “Adam Ray Dr. Phil” on YouTube. Here is a good one of him interviewing Jonathan Kite who does some brilliant impressions.
The next American icon who’d be hysterically funny to impersonate would be Tony Robbins. Somebody, pleaeaeaeaease bring this to life!
Website for bloodwork
What’s one thing Canadians have in common with their southern neighbors? They are both dying for that free healthcare which is only as free as your tax bracket. It’s a bad one-way deal where the government cuts a sizable chunk of your salary at source and arbitrates what to provide in return. When you look into it, not much is covered by this healthcare and unless you’re on your death bed, the doctors will dismiss you with a “you’re fine no further testing is required” in favor of the “free” insurance. Crucial lab tests like vitamin D levels and fasting insulin that should be part of any basic check-up are only examples of several markers that aren’t covered. Convincing your doctor to order a proper check-up is another story. As a temporary workaround, I’ve found this website through which you can order bloodwork on your own and expense it through your private insurance or wellness account. I’ve also put together a list of blood tests worth looking into for a checkup which I’ll share in the future.
Don’t level up
Have you ever run into someone less intelligent but earning more at a better job? Or less blessed in terms of looks but with a hot partner? Yet you keep grinding on the path of never-ending self-improvement trying to level up by taking another course, spending an extra 15 minutes at the gym, or upgrading your wardrobe. There is definitely an element of luck and randomness in everything BUT hear me out: You don’t need an F1 car to drive in the city. Most of your shortcomings stem from underutilizing your current level of education/attractiveness/wealth/health/etc. Then after a missed opportunity, you rationalize that you are not good enough and attempt to self-improve. It’s a trick our mind plays on us because taking the long arduous bypass feels safe and productive whereas tackling the crux of the problem requires taking risks. Requires asserting yourself in the world unabashed by judgment. The missing element often is how you use your current resources and present yourself in the world. Being shy may have saved you as a kid but won’t serve you now. Trust that you have enough; you just need to get more reps in. Approach and meet more people. Apply for that job more. Start that project. Find ways to spend your current income to maximize fulfillment before automatically assuming you need more money. Stop underselling who you are.
Sprint clinic
Being fast is an important part of your fitness. I have always been amazed by how fast sprinters like Yohan Blake and Justin Gatlin move despite being yoked like a gym rat. Although they never skip the weight room, I believe the act of sprinter itself and the priming exercises that come with it play a huge part in their overall physique. Recruiting fast twitch muscles and training your nerves to engage quickly are some of the unique benefits of sprinting. So far I have found two spots in Toronto to practice sprinting with a group. The first is on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to around 11:30 a.m. at Riverdale Park. It’s completely free. There are great athletes and coaches on the team that come up with exercises and we all go through them together. The second is run by a gym called the Academy of Lions which happens every Sunday from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Central Tech stadium track and costs around 30 dollars per session. Whether you are a man or a woman, I strongly suggest you give sprinting at least a try. Also, just something about wearing nice athletic outfits, being out in the sun on a nice track, and running super fast feels so good.
Clean vitamin D brand
Get naked while you can in the summer to get that tan and boost your vitamin D but just so you know, the perfect conditions for your body to produce vitamin d from the sun (the right beaming angle, clear sky, etc.) happen so rarely in Toronto that we all need to supplement. If you are one of those hardcore Sperti light folks then let me know if it actually works. Otherwise, you’re left with either oral supplements or vitamin IVs. The latter allegedly clears out of your system very quickly and is potentially mixed with non-ideal compounds. The former is the most accessible and common form, however, most brands have their vitamin D in vegetable oil and seed oil solutions which wreak havoc on your body. Try finding one with olive oil, coconut oil or MCT oil like this one which seems to be one of the cleanest. I could not find much clear data on the only other ingredient, i.e., “mixed tocopherols” other than they are vitamin E preservatives. Please let me know if you have any other recommendations though. By the way, Vitamin D is best absorbed with Vitamin K and Vitamin A so try avoiding solo vitamin D supplements.