Resilience is innate in all of us: Who are you?
Self reflection and discipline are Stoic traits with huge mental and physical benefits
In last week’s edition of the Woz Report I wrote about how governments continue to fail because they ignore the lessons from their predecessors. I wonder, how often do we learn from our own mistakes/successes or past experiences? As individuals we make hundreds of choices, sometimes for the wrong reasons. In this week’s addition I’ll be discussing my own lessons learned, and what we can learn from others, touching on resilience and being stoic.
What is Stoicism?
Stoicism is an ancient philosophy, once practiced by the rich and powerful rulers and playwrights in Greece and Rome. Hundreds of documents relating to stoicism survives, dating back 2000+ years. George Washington, Adam Smith and General James Mattis are three of many famous people who admired the Stoics.
In simple terms the readings, thoughts and diaries of the Stoic pioneers can be broken down into the practice of Stoicism, a tool to pursue the self-mastery of resilience, perseverance, and wisdom.
It’s 2023 and I’m approaching 10th anniversary of a severe ordeal with mental health, a chapter in my life that shaped who I am today. I’ve often said ‘we’ as a nation haven’t got a clue how to deal with mental health in the workplace. I have worked in organisations where the ‘go to’ mental first aid kit is to read a leaflet. Really?
A narrative exists stating the British military does not support its troops in the battle against mental health. WRONG! This is not true. My experience of mental first aid in the military was first class. Although I didn’t realise it at the time, those military medical experts were teaching my how to be Stoic, how to be resilient against the back drop of noise that can plunge us into the depths of despair.
Despite coming through my own ordeal, I must safeguard against a regression into the murky state of mind of self-doubt, depression and anxiety. What I’ve learned is the enduring task of building mental resilience is real, and the old cliche Rome wasn’t built in a day is very true.
For a few months now, I’ve been meditating daily. I’m not talking about being sat bolt upright and trying to clear the mind, I find that both uncomfortable and counterproductive. Writing this article is a form of meditation, reading a book and maintaining control of my breathing is an other form I practice. Simply, there is no right and wrong way to meditate.
Millions of people keep a journal. I’ve tried it, but I never really bought into the idea, until recently. Self-reflection can give us clarity, because spending a few minutes thinking about ourselves is a form of meditation. Seneca taught us to be ruthless to the things that don’t matter. It can be hard to say no to invitations to the things everyone else is doing, because of the fear of missing out.
How many have laid waste to your life when you weren’t aware of what your were losing, how much was wasted in pointless grief, foolish joy, greedy desire, and social amusements, how little of your own was left to you? You will realise you are dying before your time.
- Seneca, In the Brevity of Life
Who are you?
Marcus Aurelius led the Roman Empire's first true pandemic, the Parthian War, and the Germanic Wars. Aurelius asked the question, Who are you?
Aurelius’s question is straight forward, but it’s arguably difficult to answer truthfully. It’s that time of the year when many regret over indulging during the festive season. There are many ways to lose weight but discipline is the key to being resilient against the temptations of life.
Greek Stoic philosopher, Epictetus believed there are seven clear functions of the mind, two of those are choice, to do the right thing, and refusal of temptation. Despite training regularly, I recently noticed my energy levels and desire to get through cardiovascular sessions diminished.
On Monday, something triggered a decision to ‘fast’ for 24 hours. On Tuesday, I ate my meal, the first for 24 hours, and I felt surprisingly good. I repeated the process all week, and bizarrely, I felt calmer and I had more clarity. Scientific research tells us by fasting for long periods, our body can trigger a process called autophagy — the body’s cellular recycling system. Autophagy simply house cleans old cell parts so they can work more efficiently.
Interestingly, in my first High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) session of the week, which happened to be on Friday, my heart rate did not peak in the Red Zone, despite pushing 290 watts, with an average of 231 watts. Compare that to Sunday’ ride data, showing an average output of 171 watts with a peak of 245 watts.
What’s more interesting, is how calm and relaxed I felt on the bike after fasting for long periods. After 5 minutes of cycling, I noticed my heart rate was in Zone 3 (131-147 BPM), until I pushed more watts, but my cardiovascular system seemed more efficient, staying in Zone 4 (148-165 BPM).
Analysing my data from December 30th, I spent 86% of my ride in Zone 5 (+166 BPM), whilst averaging 223 watts. During the session, I did not feel in control and I was working anaerobically (unable to speak in complete sentences), unlike Friday’s session where I worked aerobically (able to hold a conversation).
Only time will tell if my decision to fast for 22+ hours has actually improved my respiratory and mental systems. We shall see, but by resisting temptations to break my fast, make the right choices, I do feel much better, both physically and mentally.
The master of Resilience
One person who has mastered the art of resilience, is Ross Edgely. Ross swam around Britain in six hour blocks, starting and finishing in Margate, Kent. Ross’s remarkable journey took him to sea for 157 days, swimming 1,780 miles, using 2.3 million strokes. During the swim, Ross consumed over 1 million calories, and he was stung over 100 times by jellyfish.
In the aftermath of his swim, Ross wrote the book The Art of Resilience. In the book, Ross not only writes about his epic adventure, but he explains how he owed his achievements to the systematic application Stoic Sports Science. I’m sure Ross will be the first to admit, Rome wasn’t built in a day.
London to Nice 2013
In 2013 prior to my mental health breakdown, I took up road cycling. Within a few weeks of jumping in the saddle, I’d signed up for my first 100 mile epic, and for a 1,000 mile journey from London to Nice, led by my good friend Wayne Eynon. My bike maintenance skills are garbage, but another good friend of mine, Gazzer Matthews is a bit of a wizard with his is ever-growing collection of Park Tools! Gaz also joined us on the expedition.
I tend to work better under pressure, and I would say that I trained hard for London to Nice, not only because I loved cycling, but I wanted to challenge myself, and I did not want be at the back of the peloton.
Here’s a few stats during that period of training and the ride itself.
Weight on the 1st January 2013 - 16st 1lb
Weight by my birthday in April - 13st 7lb
Calls for help - 1. My wife had to pick me up 30km into a planned 80km training ride because it started snowing heavily.
Sportives in the build up to our departure - 3
Punctures during the London to Nice trip - 11
Mechanical issues during the trip - 2
Climbing up Alps d’hues after 8 days in the saddle - 1 hour 12 minutes
Days on the trip being soaked, cold and miserable - 5
On reflection, and without realising it, I, along with Wayne, Gaz and the other riders all applied a form of Stoic Sports Science to our training. We all had to eat properly, stay hydrated, get enough sleep, maintain our bikes and have the discipline to keep getting in the saddle. Seneca’s philosophy of ignoring the distractions resonates with the adventures of 2013.
Lessons to take home
Fasting can trigger autophagy, a way for the body to recycling bad cells
Meditation can boost physical and mental health
Journaling can help us to learn from our own mistakes
Mental Health ordeals are indiscriminate
Elite athletes study the work of others, and the listen to the science
Ross took the writings from hundreds of journals, and he analysed the work by the pioneers of Stoicism, Aurelius et al. I believe his journey of continuous personal development is inspirational, but the critics will be the first to point out not everyone has the luxury of allocating the time need to build a mind and body of an elite athlete.
Nonetheless, balance is central to everything we want to achieve. Reading a book and taking a gentle stroll around the local park maybe enough to satisfy the mind and body. Not everyone has the ability, or wants to swim around Britain, or undertake a tri-athlon carrying a tree trunk on your back. It all starts with answering the question. Who are you?
Thank you for reading the Woz Report. Please consider sharing my publication with your friends and family.
*Fasting for long periods is not recommended for everyone. If in doubt, always consult you doctor.
Great article John...I'm a huge fan of Stoicism myself...a fantastic philosophy to help improve body, mind and spirit...
All the best,
Tom