The Meaning Of Life, Making Friends, Plant Medicines In The Bible, Daily Spiritual Routines, Rites Of Passage & More With Ben Greenfield & Aubrey Marcus.

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aubrey marcus
Mind-Spirit, Podcast, Podcast-new, Purpose, Spiritual Growth & Disciplines

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The biggest blessing in my life that has resulted from the pandemic has been a greater appreciation for community.

The sheer joy of getting to know your neighbors, hosting community dinners, and gathering in song and prayer is unparalleled.

This sense of community is far more fulfilling than any meditation or breathwork in the sauna (not that I don’t love practicing those regularly). Before the madness of 2020, I was constantly on and off an airplane…traveling from one speaking event to another with *some* time in between for my family. I was also still racing in Spartans and triathlons between all of the speaking events, which kept me even busier.

When I’d return home, I rarely had the mental or physical capacity to participate in local social interactions since I was so depleted from constantly being on the go. Staying home during the pandemic (whether I liked it or not at the time) offered me a rare chance to foster connections in my community—and it's completely changed my life.

But things have changed, not only with travel, but also with all of my approaches to spirituality, purpose, family, and life in general. So recently, I sat down with Aubrey Marcus to discuss how community fostering has changed the way I live, and we also talk about how to discover your purpose, ancient psychedelic recipes, pickleball (yes, pickleball), and much more.

Aubrey Marcus and I have connected in the past on the podcasts:

Ben Greenfield on the Aubrey Marcus Podcast:

Today, we're back recording straight from his home in Austin, Texas with a wide-ranging discussion of everything from Christianity to plant medicines to managing time and FOMO, family, and, of course, the age-old question of whether men should avoid sex or ejaculation if they don't want to strip nutrients and energy from their body. 

Aubrey Marcus is the founder of Onnit, a lifestyle brand based on a holistic health philosophy he calls Total Human Optimization. Onnit is an Inc. 500 company and an industry leader with products optimizing millions of lives, including many top professional athletes around the world.

Aubrey also currently hosts the Aubrey Marcus Podcast, a motivational destination for conversations with the brightest minds in athletics, business, mindset, and spirituality with over 35 million downloads on iTunes. He regularly provides commentary to outlets like Entrepreneur, Forbes, The Tim Ferriss Show, and The Joe Rogan Experience. He has been featured on the cover of Men’s Health, is the host of the Fit For Service Fellowship, and is the author of the NYT Bestselling book Own The Day, Own Your Life from HarperCollins.

If you ask Aubrey the cause he is most passionate about, it is raising awareness for psychedelic medicine, through organizations like MAPS.org and Heffter Institute. He is a 20 year native of Austin, Texas where he currently resides.

In this conversation with Aubrey Marcus, you'll discover:

-Why Ben had imposter syndrome while writing the Boundless Cookbook…05:33

  • Jessa is a really good cook; taught the twins how to cook at the age of four
  • Made soufflés, ravioli, risotto…
  • How Ben did a 150lb pig roast for Jessa's 40th birthday; had 75 guests
  • Explore molecular gastronomy, biohacking food with the Boundless Cookbook
  • Ben now loves to cook; there is some kind of a party every day with the family

-Ben on his twin sons' recent rites of passage…10:37 

-How building a community changed the dynamics of living…14:40

  • Jeanne Calment, supercentenarian, was known for her relationships, love, and family
  • Getting to know neighbors changed the dynamics of living in the community
  • Hanging out with neighbors more fulfilling than sauna, meditation…
  • Men form friendships around activities; women from social gatherings
  • Community is one of the most important things people have

-Breathwork is one of the giveaways when meeting new people…25:17

-Core practices aside from exercise and biohacking that are built into Ben's routine…27:12

-The challenge of managing and going through all the interesting activities…41:34

-Ben's belief in living forever in a new heaven and a new earth…44:28

  • It is the earth as it is now but perfect, where we can create, build, and do everything we were intended to do
  • A pure and clean and a toxin-free environment
  • Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper

-Ben as a post-millennial Christian…49:05

-Plant medicine in the Bible…53:17

-Fears, stress, and shame and encountering Christ and the cross…1:05:00

  • Jesus sees us as who we are, with all our fears and shame
  • All the deepest pains and shame anyone has experienced Jesus experienced
  • The cross is a symbol of ultimate courage
  • Cicero: Crucifixion is the cruelest and disgusting punishment
  • The cross has become a symbol of the most glorious promise possible

-Living in your beliefs and living a rich life…1:11:21

  • Living in your beliefs is deeply fulfilling
  • Opportunity to turn this life into a heaven
  • As Tim Ferris asked Aubrey on the Tim Ferriss show: “If you were to make a billboard, what would it say?”
  • “Welcome to heaven, population: everyone”
  • Take immense joy at the tiny creation made for the family
  • Do not forget to savor God's creation
  • Balance between working to save the world and savor the world

-Different longevity practices and how to extend human life…1:18:45

-Does ejaculation frequency deplete magnesium and zinc and drain energy?…1:24:41

  • Dadi Kit (use code BEN20 to save $20)
  • Mineral depleted is maybe equivalent to minerals taken in a meal

-And much more!…

Click here for the full written transcript of this podcast episode.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

– Aubrey Marcus:

– Podcasts And Articles:

– Books:

– Gear:

– Other Resources:

Upcoming Events:

Episode sponsors:

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Kion Aminos: Building blocks for muscle recovery, reduced cravings, better cognition, immunity, and more. BGF listeners save 10% off your order at Kion with code BEN10.

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6 thoughts on “The Meaning Of Life, Making Friends, Plant Medicines In The Bible, Daily Spiritual Routines, Rites Of Passage & More With Ben Greenfield & Aubrey Marcus.

  1. Brent says:

    Ben,

    Great podcast!

    Was wondering your opinion on digital journaling vs writing. This came from my somewhat dysfunctional and unorganized flow of ideas and thoughts that I feel the need to write down and organize.

    For example, using one note or Evernote to organize thoughts and ideas into certain categories and sections. Do you get the same benefit as journaling, or is it the act of writing with pen and paper that makes this practice so beneficial? Maybe a combination of both or possibly incorporating a device like the Remarkable 2 tablet?

    Would love to hear your thoughts,

    Brent

    1. This is what I'd recommend using: https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/article/my-morni… but other than that nowadays the experience on digital devices comes very close to the experience of pen and paper.

  2. Ann says:

    Truly. I really wanted to listen to this podcast. But I turned it off. It just is not nessessary, or entertaining. Not one of your better efforts Ben.

  3. Earl says:

    You have a unique platform. Sharing your fitness expertise alongside your faith is a rare combination. I’m sure Aubrey is a fine guy, however, throwing the F word around on your show today was unnecessary.

  4. James says:

    “Dick Optimization with the Cock Warlock Ben Greenfield”
    lmaoooo
    nice.

    Great chat with good ole Aubrey. Two of the best dudes in the industry. Appreciate your guys’ humor balanced with realness. Keep up the great work, brother!

    1. Appreciate the feedback brother!

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