The Genuinely Interested Podcast

Kelly is a physical fitness and CrossFit coach, mobility expert, author and speaker and is a genius when it comes to body mechanics.  Kelly has worked with some of the best athletes in the world, helping them become better athletes, train with less pain, and improve dexterity, flexibility and overall body health. Kelly has also worked with everyone from Obama to Joe Rogan. He is one of the most well-known pioneers of movement and body mechanics in our modern era.  We go about our day making unconscious movements which could be hurting our spine - from sitting in the wrong position to being on our phone, and even training incorrectly. We also all have lingering pain that we never really took care of, which could (and usually does) affect other parts of our bodies later down the road.  Kelly has a wealth of information; he is an encyclopedia on this subject, and there is so much to learn about body mechanics, that we had to do another episode! We discussed the difference between pain and injury, sitting down and a sedentary lifestyle, how to deal with injuries, what are some common misconceptions in the fitness world, the importance of movement, the importance of sleep, and much much more.  The next episode will be released next week, stay tuned for many more questions, great insights, and Kelly's tips on how to improve mobility.  My Take - The more I learn and research, the more I realize I can do everyday things better. After listening to Kelly, I realize I have to work on my own movement and mobility, and have some changes to make. Don't be shy to take a new approach in life, if you see a better way of doing things, give it a shot.  Kelly Starrett  Books Comments, requests, sponsorships or questions, please reach out - roybntz@gmail.com

Petr Is a keynote speaker and the best selling author of the book 'The End Of Procrastination', You could say he is an expert in the field - I mean he literally wrote the book about it.  Petr, who is originally from the Czech Republic, but has lived in NYC for the last two years or so - has recently (due to COVID) moved back home. When the time is right, he is looking forward to coming back to NYC.  Petr is a very popular figure in the Czech Republic, a regular feature on talk shows and guest interviews. In addition, Petr also hosts his own podcast, "Deep Talks", in Czech, and has his own company.  Just in line with the name of his podcast, we definitely had some deep talks during our conversation. We both immediately felt very comfortable with one another, which lent itself to a fun, open, honest, and insightful conversation. Petr gave some amazing tips on how to stop procrastinating.  We discussed how the industry is fraught with "fake advice" and people selling you "snake oil"  - and how Petr focuses on data to come to the conclusions he shares. We talked about some basic tools to increase productivity to use throughout the day, and how to improve your will power. We also covered how physical activity helps mental stability, and he tells a harrowing story that caused a shift in his perspective.  Lastly, we discussed why he has such an affinity for Japan and the Japanese culture. My Take - Keep it simple. Petr uses data and science to give you the best ways to be more productive in a world that is designed (or currently seems to be designed) to make you less productive. Petr Ludwig  Petr's Instagram  Comments, requests, sponsorships or questions, please reach out - roybntz@gmail.com

Michael is a top ten welterweight fighter in the top MMA organization in the world - the UFC. After a loss to Anthony Pettis (also a former world champ) and a tough weight cut in 2018, Michael made the wise decision to go up to 170 where he has since flourished. In his last fight, Michael fought and beat RDA who is a former world champion - which gave him a three-fight win streak and declared him a serious contender in the 170 division.  Mike has been in the UFC since 2012 and has fought some of the best (and toughest) guys in the world.  Mike and I discussed some of his past fights - with a hilarious story about poop that you have to hear! We also talked about his fighting style, why he chooses not to shit talk his opponents, being authentic, and why, through that authenticity, he has been embraced by fans more than he ever has.  I felt like Michael was really open and honest during our conversation and it made for a really easy and interesting podcast.  Enjoy the episode.  My Take - Going up a weight class has benefited Michael tremendously and I do believe that other fighters who struggle to make weight in their respective will start to make the transition up avoiding dangerous weight cuts.  Mike's Instagram  Mike's Twitter  Comments, requests, sponsorships or questions, please reach out - roybntz@gmail.com

Kuntal is a mountaineer, vegan, and animal rights advocate. After two aborted climbs to Mt. Everest in 2014 and 2015 due to natural disasters that left a deep impact on Kuntal, in May 2016, Kuntal broke the record of being the first climber to summit Everest completely vegan - with vegan food, vegan clothing, and vegan gear.  Kuntal is an active vegan campaigner. Having been born into a vegetarian family, around 2001, while working in LA, he learned more about veganism and decided to make the transition. There has been no looking back since.  Nowadays, you see more and more vegan athletes coming up - peeling away the stereotype of those not consuming meat as weak or feeble. Some of the best athletes in the world - from MMA to football, basketball, and tennis, and even ultra-endurance runners are all thriving on a plant-based diet - and Kuntal wants to bring that movement into mountaineering.  Kuntal told me the harrowing story of his experience in the 2015 avalanche that left him not being able to breathe, how his love for mountaineering started and flourished, and we discuss being vegan in the mountains. We discussed the unsung heroes of Everest, the Sherpas, and how they do not get the credit they deserve, his future plans, and much more.  My Take - Veganism has become mainstream, but unfortunately, the mountaineering community has not embraced it as much as some other sports. I think once outdoors sports communities realize the direct correlation between veganism and climate change they will reduce their consumption, Kuntal is definitely a pioneer in this space.  Kuntal Joisher  Kuntal's Instagram  Comments, requests, sponsorships or questions, please reach out - roybntz@gmail.com

Mike is a kickboxer with a Muay Thai background, currently fighting for Glory Kickboxing.  In 2013, Lemaire entered a Road To Glory middleweight tournament and powered through it, stopping two of his three opponents. Fighting 3 times in one night is incredible, and this was his ticket into Glory.  Originally from France, Mike grew up watching some of the greats in K1 -  deciding that one day, he too, would be a professional fighter - fighting some of the elites in the world. Mike is also dedicated to a healthy and active lifestyle and regularly posts his health tips, training tips, and at-home workouts on Instagram.  Mike says that he is not against making a run in MMA. He is a phenomenal striker, and with some training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, he could probably make a serious run in any organization - especially given his strong Muay Thai background.  Mike and I discussed his childhood and fascination early on with martial arts, his journey and decision to move to San Diego and train in the Unites States, Glory rules, the current fighting landscape, his nutrition/training regimen, and his sweet pit bull.  My Take - the fight game is an extremely difficult pursuit, one must dedicate their whole life -  enduring physical and mental hardship to be able to make it to the very top. I think martial arts draw great parallels to life as a whole. They teach us that through respect, hard work, and perseverance you can achieve your goals.  Enjoy the podcast Mike's Instagram  Comments, requests, sponsorships or questions, please reach out - roybntz@gmail.com

DOGS!!  Now that I have your attention - today's guest is Brian Hare. Brian is a Professor in Evolutionary Anthropology, Psychology, and Neuroscience at Duke University. He is also the co-author, alongside his wife Vanessa Woods, of the bestselling book "The Genius of Dogs".  I read the book and loved it. I reached out to Brian because I wanted to learn more about this fascinating topic. Dogs and Homo Sapiens are a very unlikely pairing in evolutionary terms - both being top predators, tens of thousands of years ago, who would have been vying for the same prey. Yet, the wolves that were once our enemies have evolved into dogs that are members of our families.  Brian says its survival of the friendliest, not the strongest, that has allowed dogs to evolve alongside us. From their start as wolves benefiting from our leftover food, they have gradually become the animals we love so much today.  Dogs have evolved to read our facial expressions, movements, and body gestures. They can get a read on our emotional well being, and are better at this than almost any other animal. They really are "Man's best friend". My Take - Dogs are an amazing evolutionary "accident". We are lucky to have them beside us, and they, in return. reap the benefits of being the most loved animal in the world. Unlike wolves, their distant family member, who are extinct/on the verge of extinction almost everywhere they used to roam - dogs are ubiquitous everywhere, in every country, on every continent. They are truly remarkable in their story, abilities, and adaptability.  Brian Hare  Brian's Twitter  Comments, requests, sponsorships or questions, please reach out - roybntz@gmail.com

Andrew is a professional speaker, the founder and CEO of Habits At Work, and the co-author of the 11th Habit. A book that shows how to design a company that makes it easy and natural for employees to prioritize and care for themselves, and perform at the highest level as a result.  Andrew grew up in South Africa, but at a certain stage decided that what he was doing there was just not enough for him anymore. He eventually set his sights on the US. Andrew focuses on creating good habits and helping people become magnetic. I didn't fully realize what he meant when I originally heard it, but after talking to Andrew for over an hour, I understood what he means when he said magnetic.  The way I perceive it is having people be drawn to you, and you do that in a few ways. One of the ways, which Andrew himself portrays so well, is just simply listening. Most people want to talk to be heard - which is fine - but if you actually listen to what people have to say, you will be able to be a better husband, wife, father, mother, CEO, or salesperson.  Our ability to listen and receive honest feedback is a crucial part of the process. Andrew also said something that really stuck with me - we invent who we are. I never really thought of it in this way but through our actions and our daily conscious and nonconscious decisions and habits, we actively create the person that we become. Our habits create us.  Andrew says that if we practice good habits, let's say in one particular arena, every day, day after day -  we can eventually rise to the top 1% of that industry/category.  I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation, and I think Andrew has a lot of great insights into what makes us better. Better salespeople, better entrepreneurs, better CEOs, better fathers and mothers, and better partners.   My Take - Invent yourself, you are your own best or worst invention. If you create good habits, you will see the results in the long run. We make many decisions each day, make sure some of those decisions serve you well in the process of creating a better you - not comparing yourself with others, but only with yourself.  Enjoy the Episode   Andrew Sykes   Andrew's Twitter  Comments, requests, sponsorships or questions, please reach out - my email is roybntz@gmail.com

Alex is a scuba diver and underwater photographer. He often shoots incredible wreck sites of ships, planes, and tanks. These surreal images are what got me to reach out to Alex.  Alex has been diving and shooting incredible underwater photos for decades, even before digital cameras were a fixture - which must have been incredibly difficult. However, this also forced him to shoot with more precision and deliberation.  Diving through these pieces of history, one must wonder what went down as the final moments occurred, as some of these wrecks are from lost battles or wars. To see some of the wrecks still in pretty good condition after so many years is pretty incredible. Since the majority of wrecks have not yet been found, we have not even begun to scratch the surface. There are still so many unexplored sites to shoot and explore in the future for Alex and other enthusiasts in our vast blue oceans.  Together we explored the process of setting up these shoots and we even discussed an excavation expedition where they successfully found champagne bottles dating back to the 18th century. These champagne bottles sell for up to 30,000 euros in champagne auctions. Alex explained some of the technical aspects of diving, talked about some canceled trips due to COVID, the process of choosing the right image, and much more.  My Take - Sometimes the unknown is the scariest thing but also the most exhilarating and fascinating. The things that lie underneath the surface have their own tale to tell and I'm happy that Alex is there to document it and share that story with the world.  Alex Dawson  Alex Dawson's Instagram  Comments, requests or questions, please reach out - my email is roybntz@gmail.com

Dr. Einat Wilf is the co-author of “The War of Return: How Western Indulgence of the Palestinian Dream Has Obstructed the Path to Peace” and a leading intellectual and original thinker on matters of foreign policy, economics, education, Israel and Zionism. She was a member of the Israeli Parliament from 2010-2013, where she served as Chair of the Education Committee and member of the influential Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. She is considered one of Israel’s most articulate representatives on the international stage. Einat's book has been making waves on the world stage, challenging many of the preconceived notions many have had about the situation in the Middle East. In an area that is more complicated than any other in the world, Einat gives the readers a clearer understanding of what the Palestinians want, and why no matter what happens, the idea of "from the river to the sea" makes it extremely difficult for peace to reign in the region.  I thoroughly enjoyed our candid and open conversation on a topic that many would rather not discuss. Einat was insightful, knowledgable, and funny - when talking about such a heavy topic. It helps to inject some humor at times. I hope more people read her book, listen to this podcast, and learn more about the less told aspects of why peace has been unattainable so far.  Einat and I discussed her book, MENA Jews, the transfer of empires to nation-states, Palestinian "refugees", UNRWA, what is happening in the UN, Israel's disastrous PR job, and much much more.  My Take - Einat really took a very complicated issue and distilled it into a single story, which is really the crux of the whole conversation. I hope this book opens people's minds, clears up misunderstandings, and makes people understand what has been the real issue all along. When you strip away the emotions, the political ideology, the theatrics of Pollywood, media bias, and religious dogma - you're really only left with the truth. Hopefully, Einat's book will clear a path to a more honest and open dialogue and maybe even in the long run, if one wants to be optimistic, peace. Enjoy the Episode. Dr. Einat Wilf  Einat's Twitter  Comments, requests or questions, please reach out - my email is roybntz@gmail.com

Jack is the co-host of the popular outdoors show Rock The Park  Turning a hobby and/or a love of the outdoors into an actual show is something that most people would only dream of, but Jack and Colton managed to turn that dream into a reality. They travel the country going to amazing national parks and forests and show the beauty and fun of the outdoors. What I like about the show, is that Jack and Colton bring you the perspective of the everyday person and /or weekend warrior - this isn't your crazy over the top, survival in the jungle type of show. The national parks in the US are some of the most beautiful in the world, and Jack and Colton portray just that. From climbing 14ers in Colorado to enjoying the deserts of Utah or California, there is always a sense of leaving with more once you experience nature. Jack and I talked about how the show came about, his relationship with Colton, bears and bear safety, some of his favorite places, and what nature really means to him. We even discussed dogs because I mean, they're dogs. Who doesn't want to talk about dogs?  This was a great conversation, I really enjoyed it - and I'm sure you guys will as well.  Hopefully, Jack and I will get to do a hike together in the post-COVID future. But for now, enjoy the podcast  My Take - Nature - the mountains, the beaches, the trees, the trails, and the lakes and streams all offer us a chance to disconnect from the material and connect to the internal. This is a great time to enjoy some of the marvelous natural gifts that surround us. Go on a hike, jump in a lake, climb a mountain, go camping,  whatever it is you enjoy doing in the outdoors, do it now. Recharge those batteries, put your phone away, release the stress, connect with friends or family, or just be by yourself cloaked by nature.  http://www.thoseparkguys.com/ Jack Steward Youtube Channel  Jack's Instagram  Comments, requests or questions, please reach out - my email is roybntz@gmail.com