Have you ever done something that was hard, uncomfortable, or even painful in the moment, but rewarding and satisfying after? If you live in Boulder, you probably have. You might even be that person who wakes up before dawn to engage in some epic all-day (and sometimes all-night) climbing, skiing, running, or cycling adventure. You might also be familiar with the hipster term for this Boulder staple – “type 2 fun,” which refers to an activity that is fun only in retrospect, but hateful (and hurtful) while it’s happening.1 But why do Boulderites love type 2 fun so much, and what are the... Read More

Imagine looking across the ring to the opposite corner. You are seconds away from the opening bell. You are trembling. You are nervous. Your opponent is Mike Tyson – “Iron Mike”. Probably the most ferocious heavyweight fighter to ever set foot in the ring. He is a predator. He attacks people in the ring. His eyes are penetrating the depths of your soul. You have a distinct feeling that he wants to severely injure you. He does. Tyson has not fought in years, but he is still a fighter. The aggressiveness that took him to the top of the boxing world is still very apparent – even in interviews,... Read More

The count is 2 and 2 as you dig in to the batter’s box. The bat is firmly resting on your right shoulder. Your hands are loosely gripping the 33-inch wooden Louisville Slugger. You feel the viscosity of the pine tar between your palms. You feel the muscles in your legs clutching as the pitcher starts his wind up. You stride towards the mound as the pitcher releases the ball. The ball appears to be a fastball heading towards the outside corner. It appears to be ball 3. It’s too close to risk. Something inside of you prevents you from starting your swing as the ball pops into the catcher’s... Read More

“Remember that in the moment you begin to hurry you cease to be a creator and become a competitor; you drop back upon the old plane again.” -Wallace D. Wattles When we are young we begin measuring our own accomplishments against our peers. This competition forces us to do one of two things – attack or retreat. This is the old “fight or flight” adage that we are all accustomed to hearing. When we know we are being measured against others we develop a competitiveness, or a drive to beat others. Economic competition, in a free-market, creates a culture of progress. Only the strongest survive.... Read More