Training Focus with Kasper van der Meulen

Decoding Superhuman

Bestselling author Kasper van der Meulen discusses breathwork, scheduling, and different strategies to improve your overall focus in this podcast episode.

"Focus is consciously directed attention. So you have attention. You have a finite amount of it. Actually, because attention is like a mental currency. It costs energy to spend it. Now attention that is spent on autopilot cost less energy, right? If you do something completely automatic, because you've done it so many times, it as simple and as basic really just run the neural pathway. You just do what you do. Conscious attention takes a bit more energy, which is why it's a bit harder to acquire."

Kasper van der Meulen

Who is Kasper van der Meulen?

Kasper van der Meulen is an author and lifestyle adventurer. He went from being overweight, burnt out and unhappy, to developing laser focus, optimal fitness, and personal freedom. He put himself through numerous experiments and challenges. He optimized his lifestyle, conquered the cold, ran ultramarathons on his bare feet, tested countless diets, read a ton of scientific literature and explored as many esoteric practices he could find.

With over ten thousand hours of experience in teaching science, self-development and biohacking, he decided to demystify and methodize these principles in a fun and bite-sized manner. As a final test of his focus, he wrote his book within 30 days, so that he would have to practice everything he preaches. His book “MindLift - Mental Fitness for the Modern Mind” became an Amazon bestseller. Kasper now travels the world on a mission to teach others to be the healthiest, happiest and strongest version of themselves through transformative experiences, scientific understanding, and vivid storytelling.

Highlights of the Podcast

• [5:22] How Kasper wrote a bestseller in 30 days
• [10:38] Kasper's health history and how he got on the right path
• [18:50] The Wim Hof Method and how Kasper became Wim's lead instructor
• [28:37] Focus and "focus fatigue"
• [33:43] What is mental interval training?
• [39:00] How to build focus habits
• [44:22] Kasper answers the final 4 questions

Resources Mentioned

• Mindlift: Mental Fitness for the Modern Mind
• The Wim Hof Method
• What Doesn't Kill Us by Scott Carney
• Kasper's 30-day Mental Fitness Challenge
• The Pomodoro Technique by Francesco Cirillo
• Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

What is Health to Kasper?

The ability to flexibly respond to whatever life asked from you.

Kasper's Go-To for Enhancing Focus?

Cold showers and productivity intervals.

Kasper's Favorite Book on High Performance

Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

Continue Your High Performance Journey with Kasper

• Instagram
• Mindlift Website
• Move Lift Act Breathe

Sponsor

The sponsor for this episode is the ring on my finger. No, I’m not married yet. And frankly, before that ring, I hated wearing rings. But I must say the guys at Oura have done a great job.

The ring allows me to track all sorts of crazy things about my sleep, including my resting heart rate, my deep sleep stages, my REM sleep, etc, etc. I really enjoy the feedback and allows me to make lifestyle decisions to become a higher performer.

Let me give you an example. So prior to getting the ordering, I would fast essentially 16 hours after my last meal. It didn’t matter when that last meal was. However, when I look at my resting heart rate, and how that really correlates to my performance The next day, I know I want my lowest resting heart rate coming as soon as possible after going to sleep because that’s when all my recovery really starts.

So what did I do? Well, it allowed me to adjust really when my last meal was before going to bed. So I have my last meal earlier in the night, I get better sleep, I get higher quality sleep. And I must say the next day feels amazing. So if you want to check out the Oura Ring and if you want to pick one up yourself, go to ouraring.com and plug in the code Boomer and you’ll get $50 off your order or 50 euros, depending on your jurisdiction. I really hope you enjoy the ring and on with the show.

Disclaimer

This information is being provided to you for educational and informational purposes only. This is being provided as a self-help tool to help you understand your genetics, biodata and other information to enhance your performance. It is not medical or psychological advice. Virtuosity LLC is not a doctor. Virtuosity LLC is not treating, preventing, healing, or diagnosing disease. This information is to be used at your own risk based on your own judgment. For the full Disclaimer, please go to (Decodingsuperhuman.com/disclaimer).

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.