David Ramos's Blog, page 3

What is Mental Fitness? (Workshop)

In this introductory video workshop, we lay the foundation for our work here at Bending Pink Steel.

This video:

Provides a clear, concrete definition of mental fitness.

Explains how the CrossFit methodology informs our holistic view of brain health.

Reveals the roadmap we’ll follow over the next few years to help men upgrade their lives from the inside out.

Feel free to add any questions or comments below — I’m especially looking for future workshop topics you’d like to see.

Challenge #16: Counting on Calories

You feed your (gut) bacteria and in turn, your bacteria feed your brain. Simple cause and effect.

What I found to be true, for me at least, is that we use complexity to argue away control.

If something is too complicated, too messy, too unwieldy — it’s easier for us to take a hands-off approach. It’s acceptable to say nothing could be done, even if that’s not true. Because something could be done, it just felt so insignificant that we didn’t bother.

Changing your life only happens by taking these i...

Eating for Thinking

🎧 You can listen to this post using the Substack app. Here's a 15-second tutorial.

I like to start these articles with stories for a few reasons.

First, they're visual, so it gives you, the reader, something tangible to hold onto before we dive into heady takeaways.

Second, they’re captivating.

Fact: "46% of Americans will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition in their lifetime."1

Story: Freddy stepped up to the door, beads of sweat drawing little rivers down his face. This was ...

Want a Different Life? Start with Different Inputs | Interview with Austin Schlessinger

On today's podcast, we talk with Austin Schlessinger — a man who's learned what it takes to be successful inside and outside the gym. We dive into Austin's fitness journey, break down his career success, and unravel why his mindset has allowed him to win in so many different areas in life.

Links Mentioned

Austin’s Analects

CrossFit Athlete page

https://x.com/austinschless

Primary Aim

His "Now" Page

Mental Fitness Framework

Chapters

00:00 Intro

00:38 From dream physique to athlete

04:40 Mental Fitnes...

Challenge #15: Space Editing

You are always in control of your story.

I know it doesn’t feel like that, especially when you find yourself in a world of stuck. But it is true.

In fact, it’s one of the only ideas that remain true no matter where you end up. Because the one thing every environment you’ll ever experience has in common…is you.

And, of course, what you bring with you, which is the innate power to reshape your world.

For today’s challenge, it’s best to pick a single room (like the living room in your home) or location...

The Invisible Everything

🎧 You can listen to this post using the Substack app. Here's a 15-second tutorial.

It is very hard to show up as the person you want to be when you are surrounded by an environment that makes you feel like a person you aren't.
— Brianna Wiest

This is what a Viburnum Summer Snowflake is supposed to look like.

Source: Monrovia

And this is what ours looks like.

Extra crispy.

Aside from dropping a wooden lawn chair on it (it's a long story), I've taken extremely good care of this plant. Regular watering, ...

Why Consistency Will Make or Break Your Brain | Interview with John Wooley

This week, I had the honor of interviewing John Wooley, a man who's as dedicated to the craft of humor as he is fitness! We cover everything from his history in the sport of CrossFit, to his own practices around mental health, to where his focus is going next.

Links Mentioned

His CrossFit Athlete page

YouTube video interview

John’s YouTube, Podcast, and IG

Article series mentioned

Chapters

00:00 Intro

00:28 How he started CrossFit

02:40 Why mastery requires community

05:00 Where the humor & logic come ...

What We Talk About When We Talk About Mental Fitness

Take as good of care of your mind as you do your body.

Six months ago, I had an idea for a project.

At the time, my outside life felt fine, but my inside life – my thoughts, emotions, outlook – that stuff was a fucking mess.

I was anxious, angry, exhausted. It felt like my head was running away with me. Like I was the backseat passenger to a very sketchy Uber driver.

Wtf? This is literally my own mind we’re talking about. Why can’t I get it to do what I want? Why does it feel like it’s always workin...

Challenge #14: From Exercise Movements to Eureka Moments

Exercise empowers your mind to return to itself.

I could say it’s “best,” but what’s most important, most meaningful, is that you approach life as yourself. Fully.

I think that’s vastly more achievable than some vague notion of best. And it’ll lead to wildly better decision-making and problem-solving because what you say, choose, and do will align with who you are — so you’re outside world will finally reflect your inside world…and what you truly want.

When you choose yourself, you never lose.

Let’...

The Sweaty Genius Method to Rebuilding Your Brain

I wanted to begin today’s topic by illustrating the brain vs. brawn debate with Marvel characters, but due to ChatGPT’s limitations, this was the best I could come up with.

Definitely more humorous than horrifying…but only slightly.

Let’s see how well you guessed each character:

Top Left: MODOK

Top Right: Professor X

Bottom Right: Hulk

Bottom Left: Juggernaut (yes, I know this picture has like 0% of his features…AI’s a work in progress)

Now, I’ve always been partial to Professor X. Growing up, I was th...