Ryan Lavarnway, a 2013 World Series Champion and Yale philosophy graduate, discusses the intriguing connection between sports and philosophy. He shares insights on the mental challenges in baseball and emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and enjoying the game. Lavarnway reflects on the pressures athletes face, advocating for focus on personal growth over external validation. He also highlights ethical dilemmas in sports and shares personal stories about the highs and lows of being a professional athlete, revealing the journey of transitioning from player to mentor.
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volunteer_activism ADVICE
Present Moment Focus
Free yourself from past and future impressions.
Focus on living in the present moment to find tranquility and kindness.
insights INSIGHT
Overestimating Opponents
Overestimating opponents makes the already difficult task of hitting even harder.
Pitchers and hitters often assume the worst of each other.
insights INSIGHT
The Burden of Perfection
High standards are virtuous until they become detrimental.
Striving for perfection can hinder performance and satisfaction.
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In 'Letters to a Young Athlete', Chris Bosh shares his journey from a young athlete to an NBA legend, offering insights into the inner game of success. The book blends memoir elements with wisdom on life, drawing from experiences with basketball legends like LeBron, Kobe, and Coach K. It is a guide for young athletes and anyone seeking excellence, focusing on themes like purpose, teamwork, and resilience.
Dragons love tacos
Adam Rubin
The Inner Game of Tennis
Timothy Gallwey
This book, first published in 1974, focuses on the 'Inner Game' played within the mind of the player, against obstacles such as self-doubt, nervousness, and lapses in concentration. Gallwey introduces the concept of two selves: Self 1, the thinking brain that analyzes and judges, and Self 2, the 'feeling and doing' brain that can master skills naturally if not interfered with by Self 1. The book provides strategies for achieving 'relaxed concentration' and overcoming internal mental and emotional obstacles, making it relevant not only to tennis but also to other areas of life such as music, writing, work, and personal relationships.
The obstacle is the way
Ryan Holiday
In 'The Obstacle Is the Way', Ryan Holiday presents a framework for turning obstacles into successes. Drawing from the philosophy of Stoicism and the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Holiday outlines three disciplines: perception, action, and will. He illustrates these principles with historical anecdotes from figures such as John D. Rockefeller, Amelia Earhart, Ulysses S. Grant, and Steve Jobs. The book emphasizes the importance of perception in shaping one's response to obstacles, the need for intentional and creative action, and the cultivation of will to persist through challenges. Holiday argues that by adopting these Stoic principles, individuals can transform their obstacles into opportunities for growth and success.
Ryan talks to professional baseball catcher Ryan Lavarnway about his experience being the only professional baseball player with a philosophy degree from Yale, the intersection of sports and philosophy, the ups and downs of being a professional athlete, and more.
Ryan Lavarnway is the current Detroit Tigers’ Triple A Toledo Mud Hens catcher and 2013 World Series Champion. He has held many valuable experiences, both in and out of the baseball field. A Yale University graduate, Ryan was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 2008 where he won a World Series in 2013. Since making his MLB debut in 2011, Ryan has played in 10 MLB seasons for eight different teams. He also first played for Team Israel in the 2017 World Baseball Classic and was named Pool A MVP and rejoined the team for the 2020 Olympics.
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