Training Focus with Kasper van der Meulen

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."

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

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