Order of Man

NICK THOMPSON | Breaking Bad Legacy

Nov 4, 2025
Nick Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic and author, delves into the legacy of fatherhood and the impact of generational patterns. He reflects on overcoming adversity with his mantra-driven approach, using running as a metaphor for resilience. Topics include breaking the victim mentality, instilling discipline in parenting, and the lessons learned from his father's failures. Thompson emphasizes the importance of accountability and how conversation can bridge divides, all while sharing personal anecdotes about his journey through running.
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ANECDOTE

Struggling Through The New York Marathon

  • Nick ran the New York Marathon while fighting a respiratory infection and missed his time goals by a wide margin.
  • He relied on mantras and kept moving forward to finish despite feeling out of his body.
ADVICE

Plan With Data, Not Hope

  • Build a detailed training plan and track pace, perceived effort, and heart rate to predict race performance.
  • Compare current training metrics to past cycles to set realistic race goals.
ADVICE

Use Simple Mantras To Regain Focus

  • Use simple physical mantras like 'right foot, left foot' to shut off distracting thoughts and preserve running efficiency.
  • Repeat performance mantras like "continuous forward motion" to refocus when plans break.
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