

Mere Mortals Conversations
Kyrin Down & Juan Granados
What is Effective Philosophy? Juan and I simplify hard to grasp concepts into pragmatic takeaways that can be applied to every day life (fitness, goal setting, work, parenting, travel, hobbies, finances, etc.,).
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 21, 2023 • 10min
From Novice to Knowledge: Foundations
In "Mere Mortals in Motion", a podcast extension of the main Mere Mortals content, I chart my 15-year fitness journey, from a novice swimmer at 16 to my consistent decade-long workout commitment in my 30s. This series will share bite-sized episodes on specific training phases, using my own experiences in bodybuilding, powerlifting, crossfit, and more, culminating in in-depth conversations on daily trainings and learnings. While primarily a tool for my self-improvement, I hope my insights help fellow fitness enthusiasts, and invite listeners to follow along and support the series.0:00 - Intro1:10 - Foundations2:57 - Why this Series?4:16 - How will it look?6:55 - Who Benefits?Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastSupport the show

Aug 18, 2023 • 57min
What's He Aiming For This Time? | Juan's Goals For 2024
Now that he's a dad he'll be starting to chill out a bit right? Right?!In Episode #406 of 'Musings', Juan & I discuss: how he went in his goals from last year, why he has set himself a lot less for this year, his ambition to become an eminent human being (level 5) in his 3 main categories, the importance of keeping them tight/loose at the same time and how our past selves were surprisingly on the ball of what our current selves desire.Massive thanks to Dave Jones & Chris Fisher for the support! Really does warm our hearts <3Timeline:(0:00) - Intro: Juan's on the attack(1:08) - Recap: Juan's 2022 annual goals(6:52) - High Level: Mind, Body & Soul(13:35) - Body: Fitness at 80%(29:12) - Boostagram Lounge(33:08) - Mind: ROIWRI(44:18) - Soul: Lot's of layers(54:04) - V4V: I command thee!Intro Music by 'Signs Of New Growth':https://podcastindex.social/@SignsOfNewGrowthConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcastSupport the show

Aug 14, 2023 • 2h 4min
MIKAEL KRISTIANSEN | Circus Performing, Injury Management & One Arm Handstand Training
Mikael Kristiansen is a handbalancing circus artist and a handstand coach with the Handstand Factory.In Conversation #93, Mikael and I discuss: the highs/lows of performing at a high level, why he is basically a robot in pain, the type of mindset needed to achieve the one arm handstand (OAHS), some anthropological observations from the circus and what he plans to do as he gradually transitions to another phase of his life.As always, I hope you enjoy. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro to Mikael(0:51) - Breakdown of Mikael's circus career(6:26) - Venue layouts(12:33) - The performative art of handbalancing(19:10) - Normal jobs (for shady companies)(23:44) - Behind the scenes of circus life(31:06) - Performance anxiety & pressure(38:05) - Getting outside of your comfort zone(44:30) - Why do people retire from circus?(54:50) - General injury prevention(59:09) - Overtraining is subjective(1:06:11) - Is wrist pain inevitable from one arm training?(1:11:25) - Determination & obsession for the OAHS(1:13:36) - Drilling vs playing(1:20:11) - Teaching the opposite of natural tendencies(1:25:23) - Burning out(1:30:51) - You can't contain obsessive passion(1:35:02) - Psychology during training/performing(1:41:03) - Were people in the past stronger?(1:45:06) - Circus families & crazy Chinese shit(1:51:14) - Recent rabbitholes: Micro Mouse & Colours(1:56:22) - Origami(2:00:11) - My handstand origin story(2:02:38) - Connect with MikaelMikael's Links:Website: https://www.mikaelbalancing.com/Handbalancing Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikaelbalancing/Origami Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulsfolder/Handstand Factory: https://handstandfactory.com/Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcastSupport the show

Aug 11, 2023 • 1h 12min
Are You Feeling Stressed? | Tips To Avoid Burning Out
When life and work get put us under pressure this is how we release the tension.In Episode #405 of 'Musings', Juan & I discuss: people who chase after success and get burnt out, why I do everything I can to be as chill as possible, getting screwed around in work situations, ways that we reduce stress, a couple of fun hypotheticals and why we'll probably never see eye to eye on this subject.Massive thanks to Dave Jones, Petar, Cole McCormick & an unnamed Mere Mortalite for the support! Really do appreciate it.Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:48) - Epicenter Podcast(2:49) - General thoughts on burnout(7:29) - Definitely going to disagree on stress(13:37) - Defining stress(19:48) - Performing better under pressure?(26:34) - Burning out is good?(35:13) - Boostagram Lounge(41:54) - Voluntary vs involuntary stress(48:35) - Strategies to reduce stress(54:18) - Summary(1:00:24) - Do all the GOAT's burnout?(1:05:18) - V4V & sneak peakIntro Music by 'Signs Of New Growth':https://podcastindex.social/@SignsOfNewGrowthConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcastSupport the show

Aug 7, 2023 • 31min
Monthly Goals | August 2023
You taste that ....... it tastes like it's goal time.Do you set yourself monthly goals and if so, how many do you set? Juan and I on the first week of every month go over our progress from the previous month and where we are heading for the next. Emphasis as always is on the shortcomings; what we didn't achieve in the previous monthly goals and how we will fix that for the month that comes. We hope you get some value from this series, showcasing our own methodology. What do you do differently and why?Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:41) - Juan's July 2023 goals(1:32) - Kyrin's July 2023 goals(7:20) - Support for the month(9:30) - Juan's August 2023 goals(17:46) - Kyrin's August 2023 goals(25:34) - Fitness progress(27:32) - V4V: Try out the PaypalIntro Music by 'Signs Of New Growth':https://podcastindex.social/@SignsOfNewGrowthConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcastSupport the show

Aug 4, 2023 • 1h 20min
So You Want To Be A Polyglot? | The Difficulties Of Learning Languages
For real there are so many downsides, why do we keep doing this to ourselves haha?In Episode #404 of 'Musings', Juan & I discuss: my experiences going to many language meetups over the years, Juan's absurd goal over the next 10 years, the limitations you generally encounter whilst language learning, why it's a hard undertaking and takes so long, plus a sneak peek at what's to come in the next episode.Massive thanks to Dave Jones, Cardboard Giraffe, McIntosh and Petar for the support! Really do appreciate it.*I stuffed up the levels of proficiency and accidently switched the A's with the C's. Timeline:(0:00) - Intro & explanation of the topic(1:57) - Why I don't like polyglots(3:58) - Levels of proficiency (*see note above)(7:09) - Arrogance & pride(15:12) - Practical tips(19:47) - Is there a limitation to how many languages you can learn?(23:02) - Juan wants to learn 50 languages(27:16) - I'm content with maybe 4(30:17) - Boostagram Lounge(39:09) - General stratagems(40:51) - I don't believe in passive learning(47:15) - Our biggest struggles(53:38) - You're never finished because it degrades over time(59:17) - I think Juan is going to struggle with his goal(59:00) - Summary(1:11:03) - V4V: Try out the Paypal(1:17:11) - Sneak peak at next episodeIntro Music by 'Signs Of New Growth':https://podcastindex.social/@SignsOfNewGrowthConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcastSupport the show

Jul 31, 2023 • 1h 7min
What's Getting Me Excited! | Future Travel Plans & A Music Revolution
Keep your eyes peeled for a Kyrin, coming near you!In Episode #403 of 'Meanderings', Juan & I discuss: my rough idea of 7 months going to Brazil-El Salvador-Nashville-Europe, why I want to focus on meeting people for this next trip, Juan's non-enthusiasm about the whole thing, our super power of not getting bummed out, Adam Curry once again creating a revolution and why the music industry is going to change.Thanks to everyone who's joined us all this way, hope to see you in person soon!Timeline:(0:00) - Super loud crows for 1 minute(0:25) - Exciting travel plans(4:52) - But Juan feels like being a downer(8:30) - Travelling for the cultural experience(14:24) - And also to meet people(17:59) - Post travel blues(22:02) - Questioning life & course correcting via introspection(27:19) - Journaling and reflecting(34:37) - Boostagram Ball(38:27) - The Million Sat bet(41:52) - Why I think Spotify is fucked(45:05) - Do we understand finance(51:02) - The Longer Tail(54:47) - Can Value 4 Value scale?(59:00) - Peer to peer vs middlemen(1:04:32) - Is this what 2011 Bitcoin felt like?(1:06:20) - V4V: There's lots of room to growValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcastConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastSupport the show

Jul 28, 2023 • 1h 2min
You Just Can't Help From Looking | Using Curiosity To Your Advantage
Keep listening if you're keen to know more!In Episode #402 of 'Musings', Juan & I discuss: what's in the box, the YouTube rabbit holes we go down, Pinkydoll and watching stuff that isn't healthy for you, why I am 3rd deviation non-curious and Juan is bang in the middle of the bell curve, ways to become curious and why at the end of the day you won't get punished for lacking it.Massive thanks to Dave Jones, Andrew Crow, McIntosh and Cyber Pigeon for the support! Always encouraging to see some new names here.Timeline:(0:00) - Finding learnings & takeaways(0:44) - Definition and research(3:40) - Curiosity killed the cat(8:16) - But Micromouse brought it back(11:51) - NPC Livestreams(17:18) - Harmful variants of desire(28:08) - Boostagram Lounge(33:19) - The thrill of discovery & gamification(39:57) - Are we curious?(45:17) - The pros of curiosity(53:04) - Summary(57:55) - Website & a sneak peak at next episode(1:00:42) - V4V: Chux beanie merch?Intro Music by 'Signs Of New Growth':https://podcastindex.social/@SignsOfNewGrowthConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcastSupport the show

Jul 24, 2023 • 1h 35min
JEFF YEW | Bitcoin, CEO @ Monochrome, Cars & Regulations!
Jeff is back for his 2nd appearance after first appearing in Conversation #78.In Conversation #92, Jeff and I discuss: Bitcoin, Monochrome, Exchanges, Regulations, License Plates and more cars!Timeline:(0:00) - Warm Up(0:30) - Bitcoin Plates(5:53) - The Signal(11:23) - Trusting Information(18:55) - Freedom(25:04) - Monochrome Offerings(40:00) - Exchanges(48:20) - DeFi vs TradFi(55:51) - Bitcoin Uptake(1:02:29) - Digital Exchange?(1:05:29) - GT4 Racing and Experiences(1:14:08) - Supercar Owners(1:27:56) - Celebrating 800,000 blocksValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcastConnect with Jeff:Website: https://www.monochrome.co/Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastSupport the show

Jul 21, 2023 • 1h 15min
Is It Possible To Over Research? | Finding The Best Point To Stop Your Investigations
If I keep going down the rabbit hole will it pay off?In Episode #401 of 'Musings', Juan & I discuss: learnings from watching Peter Attia & Andrew Huberman, changing my mind on why I dislike recent science, Juan's smackdown of the WHO, rules of thumb I created for when to stop, how to use the Pareto principle effectively and a curious teaser for the next episode.Massive thanks to Iluvsushi, Dave Jones, Eselsea, Bitcoin Dad, Petar, McIntosh. Special shoutout to Cole McCormick from the 'America+' podcast for the absolute baller boost!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:33) - Cleaning up the start(3:31) - Why I chose this topic(6:53) - Recent research vs popularity(14:19) - Juan got triggered by coke/cancer link(23:30) - Bryan Johnson: Too deep down the hole(32:23) - Boostagram Lounge(48:42) - General: Utility & fun(57:57) - Researching something broad(1:05:25) - Summary(1:10:38) - V4V: Ads trigger me!Intro Music by 'Signs Of New Growth':https://podcastindex.social/@SignsOfNewGrowthConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcastSupport the show


