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Nate Boyer On Striving For Excellence In Everything

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Sep 30, 2023

Guest

Nate Boyer

In a captivating conversation, Nate Boyer, a former Green Beret and NFL player, shares insights from his diverse career in football, film, and television. He discusses the challenges faced by veterans transitioning to civilian life and highlights his nonprofit's mission, Merging Vets and Players. Nate also emphasizes the importance of patience, persistence, and embracing discomfort in both personal growth and creative pursuits. Through his inspiring journey, he reflects on the interplay between ambition and humility, reminding us that true progress takes time.

01:25:32

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Episode notes

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ANECDOTE

Late Start

Nate Boyer had childhood dreams of playing professional sports but didn't play football until later in life.
He felt regret for not pursuing it earlier, but this fueled his eventual pursuit of the sport.

insights

INSIGHT

Elite Performance Parallels

Elite performers across different fields share similar traits, like discipline and intensity.
This is evident in how they approach their training, schedules, and overall mindset.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Overtraining and Excellence

Nate Boyer observed in the military that those who consistently practiced and trained were the ones who excelled.
Their dedication wasn't mandated but driven by an intrinsic desire to be the best.

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The Power of Patience and Persistence

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Embracing Discomfort: The Journey Through the Pain Cave

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Navigating Aspirations and Approval

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Embracing Humility and Continuous Growth

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The Art of Living from Zeno to Marcus Aurelius

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Discipline is Destiny

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The obstacle is the way

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The 48 laws of power

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In 'The 48 Laws of Power', Robert Greene and Joost Elffers synthesize three thousand years of the history of power into 48 laws. These laws are derived from the philosophies of Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, and Carl Von Clausewitz, as well as the lives of influential figures such as Henry Kissinger and P.T. Barnum. The book provides tactics, concepts, and lessons on how to achieve and maintain power, emphasizing prudence, confidence, and self-preservation. Each law is illustrated with historical examples and is designed to help readers understand and navigate the dynamics of power in various aspects of life, including work, social hierarchies, and politics.

On Writing

A Memoir of the Craft

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This book is both a memoir and a writing guide. It details Stephen King's life, from his childhood and early writing endeavors to his struggles with addiction and his near-fatal accident in 1999. The book is divided into sections that cover King's life ('C. V. '), the nature of writing ('What Writing Is'), writing mechanics ('Toolbox'), his advice on the craft ('On Writing'), and his recovery from the accident ('On Living: A Postscript'). King offers practical tips on writing, including the importance of vocabulary, grammar, and style, as well as the need for consistent writing routines and ruthless editing. He emphasizes that good writing comes from within, driven by curiosity, wonder, and emotional honesty rather than commercial motives.

Stillness is the Key

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In 'Stillness is the Key', Ryan Holiday explores the concept of inner stillness as a universal principle across different philosophical and religious traditions, including Stoicism, Buddhism, Epicureanism, and more. The book is divided into three sections: stillness of the mind, stillness of the spirit, and stillness of the body. Holiday argues that cultivating stillness allows for better decision-making, increased focus, and a more fulfilling life. He uses anecdotes from historical figures and contemporary examples to illustrate the importance of moderation, patience, and self-awareness in achieving this state of stillness.

Ryan speaks with Nate Boyer in the first of a two-part interview about what serving six years and multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as a Green Beret taught him about life, how he was able to become an NFL starter at a position he had never played before, how he is striving to be great in his television career, and more.

Nate Boyer is a United States Army Green Beret, former football player, actor, director, producer, and television host. Despite never having played a down of organized football in his life, Nate played college football as a walk-on at the University of Texas, and he was later signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2015. In 2004, Nate became a relief worker shortly before enlisting in the Army and being accepted into the Green Berets. He earned an honorable discharge after six years of service, after which he pursued a career in film and television. Since then, he has appeared in an ESPN documentary about his life, the film Den of Thieves, the show Mayans M.C., the video game Madden NFL 18, and many other notable media properties. Nate currently hosts the Discovery channel reality competition series Survive the Raft. In 2022, Nate wrote, directed, and starred in the acclaimed film MVP. You can follow Nate on Instagram @NateBoyer37, and you can check out his charity Merging Vets and Players at vetsandplayers.org.

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