Get ready...this newsletter is a doozy. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did putting it together!

It was 8 years ago in May that my wife, Mimi, and I boarded a JetBlue flight at JFK airport bound for Seattle with our cat Sweet Pea (see below) in tow.

Relative to previous trips to Seattle…this time we booked a one-way ticket…

Everyone told me that I was nuts for moving out of NYC as I had spent over a decade creating an elaborate network and thriving PT business.

To any outside observer it probably looked like we were on top of the world...and I suppose we were in many ways…

We had incredible patients and clients (many of whom you probably know from the media) place their unwavering trust in us. We had folks throwing us tickets for pretty much any sporting and arts/music event taking place in the city. We also stopped paying for a lot of our meals when dining out because we had friends in the restaurant business, who took care of us with white gloves. Above all else…we had incredible friends who we could count on regardless of the situation or circumstance(s).

Deep down, however, we knew that NYC was not a viable long-term option, especially if we wanted to start a family one day…and that was the plan.

I couldn’t fathom living in some high-rise confined to a 2-bedroom apartment without our kids being able to freely explore and play.

So…without reservation, Mimi and I did a “3-2-1 see ya” to NYC.

Was it a tough move? Bet your ass it was…especially for me!

Mimi will be the first to tell you that I had a helluva time making the transition…

I’d come home from the clinic most nights soaking wet from my bike commute from Bellevue back to Columbia City bitching and moaning about my situation. I’d constantly bring up the idea of moving back to NYC because I missed the people as well as running my own show as an entrepreneur. I was unhappy, frustrated, and pissed off but I knew that I had to trudge on to get to greener pastures even if it meant kicking and screaming.

In time, through trusting in ourselves and having the support of Mimi’s family, who live close by, we soon gained traction to the point where I was able to go out on my own and start climbing the mountain again. I’m forever indebted to Mimi for her sacrifices and support to make this all happen. She’s really the driving force in the Johnson household…I’m the Tasmanian devil ;-)

Once I started my own show, it was slow going at first to the point where I was unsure if it was gonna work. Brick by brick, however, things slowly started to pick up and we finally got back on track and the dust began to settle from the cross-country move. Jeez..never thought it would’ve taken 3-4 years though as we all know…things take time and there are no shortcuts!

Fast forward to the present…

Despite the challenges and frustrations during our early years in Seattle we are now in a good place (though still on the journey). We both run our own businesses and to say that we’ve developed new skillsets is a massive understatement. We also are the proud parents of two amazing kiddos, who keep us very busy.

We’re also are well aware of how adaptable and resourceful we’ve become while realizing that we don’t need much beyond each other’s love and support. The most powerful thing we’ve learned is the unwavering confidence that we have in ourselves as a couple and our ability to adapt and overcome.

All this to say that sometimes you gotta take the plunge…so try to make it a swan dive. It’s perfectly normal to feel like the world is against or that you’re going to crash and burn. I challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and to put yourself on the brink of your abilities and see what you’re made of. I promise you that if you are hellbent of making something happen that you’ll figure it out!

Even if things fail or that you fall short you’ll learn so many incredible things about yourself you likely never knew that will empower you moving forward.

As a physical therapist performance coach, and business coach, I try to put people on the brink of their abilities to elicit adaptation. I challenge you to do the same in life. Pursue your dreams…face your fears…seek out new experiences and perspectives and surround yourself with salt of the earth people who support and challenge you. And remember that when you take the plunge that you have a parachute on your back and it’s going to be a softer landing than you expect.

Onward!

Random Quotes

Podcasts I've Enjoyed

• Control Pain & Heal Faster with Your Brain w/ THE Andrew Huberman | Huberman Lab - click HERE​
• Why It Matters to Celebrate Wins w/ Jenny Blake | Free Time w/ Jenny Blake - click HERE​
• Kentaro Onishi on Tendon Disorders | The Runner's Zone podcast - click HERE (please subscribe to our podcast)
• Brian Barney on Rebounding from a Cardiac Event | The Runner's Zone Podcast - click HERE​
• Neuroscientist Matthew Walker On Why Sleep Is Your Superpower | The Rich Roll Podcast - click HERE​
• Selema (Sal) Masekala Is The Action Sports Evangelist | The Rich Roll Podcast - click HERE​
• The Anti-CEO playbook | Hamdi Ulukaya – Founder of Chobani - click HERE​

Stuff I've Enjoyed Related to Endurance Coaching, Physical Therapy, & Health/Wellness

• Efficacy of heel lifts versus calf muscle eccentric exercise for mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy: click HERE​
• The what, why, how and when of Achilles tendinopathy rehabilitation by Seth O’Neill - click HERE​
• Effect of Metformin on Development of Tendinopathy Due to Mechanical Overloading in an animal model - click HERE​
• Helping runners understand cadence - a video from my friends JF Esculier, Kevin Maggs & team created - click HERE ​
• Rehydration During Endurance Exercise w/ the man Larry Armstrong - click HERE​
• Chronotypes...What are They and Where Do You Fall? click HERE​
• National Sleep Guideline Recommendations | CDC - click HERE​
• Preventing Bone Stress Injuries in Runners with Optimal Workload - click HERE​
• Optimal Load for Managing Low-Risk Tibial and Metatarsal Bone Stress Injuries in Runners - click HERE​

What I'm Reading for Entrepreneurial & Personal Growth:

Do Design | Alan Moore - this was my first introduction to the Do Books, which are nothing short of incredible! Thanks Steve for the recommendation ;-) I also happened to pick an incredible one to kick things off in Do Design. Alan Moore has an uncanny pulse on building beautiful things, which he believes are the result of drawing on our hands, heart, and mind. They don't happen by themselves but rather are the result of care, thought, and meticulous attention to detail. As he reminds us..."We don't think beauty - we feel it, we sense it, we know it." He also applies many of these principles to leadership and relationships. This is a book to keep with you at all times to remind you to revel in the process and remember what's important in life. To get a better lens into Alan Moore check out his speech at the PNIC Sarasota 2014 HERE. I’ve also listed some quotes from the book that really resonated with me.

Do Pause | Robert Poynton - I really enjoyed this one because I don't know about you but I'm not one to unplug. This makes you realize that as a society we have a difficult time unplugging, which is ultimately to our determine. In life there are times to inhale and soak things up as well as exhale and get to work. A few of my favorite quotes from this gem of a book are as follows...

What Every Body Is Saying | Joe Navarro – this is a must read, especially if you work with people in any capacity. As a clinician and coach, a ton of my work revolves around listening and observing people’s body language and movement. This book helped me demystify what to look for and what sense to make of it. The information that you’ll learn from Joe is invaluable and will help you in all facets of life!

Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey – I’m halfway through this book and love it. Such an easy read filled with countless pearls and life lessons. To be honest, I never used to care too much for Matthew McConaughey. This book and some of his recent podcasts, however, have really changed my mind. The best part about this book is that he wrote it himself. This guy is much smarter than a lot of people give him credit for. Probably part of the reason why he parted ways with rom coms.

How to Start a Startup | Paul Graham – people have all sorts of crazy thoughts about how to go about doing a startup. This piece is incredible in that it provides some really clear-cut advice and reminds you that you need to be lean and motivated without waiting for things to be perfect to launch. This piece also reminded me of some of the pearls Alan Moore discusses about what to look for in collaborative partners. Click HERE to have a read.

Miscellaneous Cool & Inspiring Shit

Perri Howard – this is someone who I’ve recently gotten to know and she’s cool as hell. Ever since our first communication I knew she was brilliant. Turns out we both have ties to the skateboarding world. Chances are you’ve probably seen her work if you live in Seattle or Boise, ID or watched the 2018 X-Games. Click HERE & HERE to check out her amazing artwork.

Sika Henry - 1st black pro triathlete. For some reason this has not received the attention it rightfully deserves. Triathlon is fast becoming annoying to me as a sport primarily because of the barriers to entry coupled with the fact that Ironman has lost their ways and that’s putting it lightly. Sika offers a glimmer of hope and I’m confident that she will knock down plenty of doors for other underrepresented athletes to follow in her footsteps. Click HERE to check out her Instagram (IG) page.

Kai Lenny - if you haven't figured it out yet, I'm a board junkie. I grew up skateboarding almost every day and snowboarded for 25 years. Surfing is one hobby I'm hellbent on learning as it likes a dance on water. When it comes to skills there is proficiency, mastery, and virtuosity. Needless to say, Kai is a virtuoso. In my mind one can make a compelling argument that he is the best athlete or at least one of the top athletes on the planet. Click HERE. Nothing like casually throwing spin tricks on the face of a 50+ foot wave!

Lamar Gant – I have a lot of patients who consult me who present or have been diagnosed with a scoliotic curve of their spine. Oftentimes, they tend to interpret their structure as a death sentence thanks to the medical world. This could not be further from the truth! Sure, there may be some considerations when it comes to addressing or managing a scoliosis though let me remind you that you can still go on to accomplish incredible things and lead a full, active life. Though please don’t take my word…just ask Lamar Gant, who is the first person on record to deadlift 5x their body weight. Turns out he has a considerable scoliotic curve, which sure as hell didn’t get in his way! Click HERE and HERE to check out the gentle beast that is Lamar. 639lb deadlift @ 123lb body weight. Not too shabby!

Magnus Ringberg - I've never met this guy but we communicate on occasion as we have a mutual respect for each other as clinicians and movers. This movement sequence epitomizes grace, fluidity, and smoothness. This is one strong dude. Click HERE. Definitely a great person to follow on IG.

Daniel Cary - drummer for the rock band Tool. I love music…especially percussion. For those folks who trust their endurance coaching to me, know that I craft your weekly program while listening to the Tool album Fear Inoculum. Click HERE to check it out.

Sal Masekala Tribute Speech to George Floyd – I grew up with the X-games and Sal Masekala. I always had a lot of respect for this dude because he was upbeat, sharp, and was obviously well respected by the athletes, which is no surprise as he’s a great surfer and snowboarder in his own right. Despite his low-key nature, he’s recently become a more vocal person in the Black Community. Even though this was from last year it’s worth checking out. Click HERE​

James Lawrence (AKA "The Iron Cowboy") – this dude is intense! He is currently in the process of trying to complete 100 Ironman distance events in 100 days. Kinda makes me want to put my tale between my legs when people ask about my accomplishments in the sport as they pale in comparison to his. Apparently Ironman has recently taken offense to James’ use of the term Ironman…what a joke! This guy should be one of Ironman’s top ambassadors. This article gives a lens into the Iron Cowboy and his response to Ironman’s cease & desist order. It a lovely and diplomatic short & sweet...F#%$ Off…it’s great! Click HERE for the article.

I hope this keeps you busy over the next couple of weeks if you are looking to dig into some new and interesting stuff. For those of you who live in the U.S. have a safe & relaxing Memorial Day weekend.

Thanks as always for carving out a space for me in your inbox. It’s a responsibility that I take seriously.

Yours in Health,

Chris