Master of None Hobbymun Podcast

Cereal Time first concept recording with Chris, Kristian, and Christina

Took a run through the swamp and adventure ensued.

Here I describe the most recent evolution of my activity in the joyful pursuit of health and fitness. I begin by articulating how current life circumstances have grabbed my attention back toward and enabled me to start to play again with different nutrition and fitness ideas and programs. Specifically, ketogenic based endurance athletics. Mark Sisson of Mark’s Daily Apple and the entire “Primal” line of products and programs, has been a huge influence on myself since if first stumbled across The Primal Blueprint sitting on a table in Boarder’s Bookstore around eight years ago. And it is some of his most recent publications, The Keto Reset Diet, and, Primal Endurances, which have been very exciting and are helping me toward new levels of physique and fitness achievements.  Kind of a big deal for this 36-year-old father of two with two jobs and more hobbies than I can manage. masterofnonehobbymun@gmail.com instagram: masterofnonehobbymun    

On this episode I describe my experience getting signed up with ACX to record and produce audiobooks. I like to read, but mostly I like to learn new things and engage my mind with fascinating topics. Audiobooks are an amazing way to do just that. I feel very lucky to live in a time where that much information is available to flow into your mind through your ears while your driving, or mowing the lawn, or cooking dinner, just like podcasts. When I heard that any yahoo with a microphone could attempt to produce audiobooks I had to give it a try. What follows is a description of my experiences creating an ACX profile and a little later, getting an offer to produce my first book. masterofnonehobbymun@gmail.com instagram: masterofnonehobbymun What is ACX? Create a profile Audiation for book Different reading interest. Eastern philosophy Diet nutrition Keto eating and exercise Received an offer for a cookbook How you get paid. Per finished hour royalty share How I got an offer. Anyone can do it because authors are looking for all types of voices Finished audio must meet ACX standards Editing through Audacity Educational videos explaining the ACX audio submission process It’s a long process recording and mastering, hopefully get faster  

On this episode I describe a recent, last second fossil hunting excursion down to a creek just a few mile from my house. This creek runs through one of the most dense suburban areas in Central Florida. Along certain parts of the creek are soft limestone exposures where ancient fossil shark teeth wash out of. With just a screen and a shovel these little treasures can be recovered. masterofnonehobbymun.com masterofnonehobbymun@gmail.com instagram: masterofnonehobbymun

MoNHm #018 Fishing with the family. On this episode I relate a recent experience Christina, myself, and the kids had partaking in one of the most iconic of past times, fishing. I took the family to one of my childhood recreation spots along the Wekiva River where we saw lots of wildlife including numerous gator, turtles, and fish of many sort. Everyone had a great time and we reeled in a few blue gill and a cat fishing which made the morning a great success. I was really pleased to provide that experience for the boys and hope we can make it a more regular occurrence. Give me a shout if you enjoy taking your kids out to play in nature. I’d love to hear your fish stories. Masterofnonehobbymun@gmail.com Masterofnonehobbymun.com Instagram: masterofnonehobbymun

On this episode I have the pleasure of chatting with one of my fellow fire persons about her experiences working with and riding horses. She tells us how she got into horsemanship, the trials and sacrifices needed to keep one, and about her most unusual wedding gift. Horses are sweet, horses are mean, put a horn on one and horses are mythic.  Tara has been a full time firefighter/paramedic for more than 10 years, but before that, she began working at a horse farm at age 11 cleaning stales and doing other such simple chores. She gradually was taught how to work directly with the animals, later becoming a full blow trainer. I gained a great deal of insight into the horse world of travel and competitions. I’d love any feedback if you have had experiences with these giant filthy beast. masterofnonehobbymun@gmail.com masterofnonehobbymun.com Instagram: masterofnonehobbymun Thanks

On this episode I describe one of the most barbaric methods of exercising available today, mace training. I address the theory and practice of working out with the mace. Topics discussed include: What is a mace? Where did it come from? It’s basic uses. And, how to enhance your chi  while flowing with existence. Hope you enjoy! I’d love any feed back if you have had experiences workout with a mace. masterofnonehobbymun@gmail.com masterofnonehobbymun.com Instagram: masterofnonehobbymun Thanks   Mace training What is a mace training? o    Is it when you go down to your local Planet Fitness, and just before a set of lat pull downs on the cable contraption you spray yourself in the face with an excruciating mix of pepper extract? While that would certainly make for a more intense workout than typically had at the standard big box gym, that is not what I’m recommending today. The mace we’re referring to (description) originally designed and utilized as a weapon exercising with it, likely in preparation for war, was recognized to have outstanding results ancient warrior cultures of India. known by different names depending on what part of the world it is found, o   the Indians referred to their version as a gada. The mace and other similar styles of training have had popularity throughout the more recent past, (think the stereotype of the carnival strongmen), but I think it’s re-birth in the last decade largely coincides with the popularity of the CrossFit style of exercise, and the proliferation of functional movement modalities of training.  In the days when most folks were primarily involved in more agrarian activities the benefits of mace training came naturally through the daily work of chopping wood and similar chores. Most people would be familiar with utilizing a sledgehammer as a part of workout, and mace training is simply the full development and exploitation of that method. o   Maces are commercially produced in varying lengths and weights, o   but the underlying premise is all the same, which is to place a heavy weight at the end of a long pole creating an awkward and unbalanced force which requires the user to engage nearly every muscle to stabilize and purposefully move it. o   The greater the weight and the further away from the user it is the more strength is necessary to manipulate it. o   Movements which can be performed using the mace are only limited to an individual’s imagination. o   Movements can be as simple as a basic bicep curl or tricep extension. You could just the weight while performing body weight exercises like squats and situps. o   All of the usual linear style movements involved in pushing or pulling with the upper body are easily executed gripping the mace towards its head. o   But the real magic of mace training begins to shine with the addition a swinging motion. Along these lines, More familiar to most people are the use of kettle bells. o   The basic kettle bell swing engages all parts of the lower and upper body in the production of force and to control the movement of the kettle bell as it travels overhead. o   Similarly, swinging a mace requires the same muscles for o   producing force through the hips and lower extremities, o    then transmitting it throughout the upper body, o    but with a mace you then can apply those principles to nearly any plane of movement. o   Think of a really manly version of the halftime flag squad or ribbon twirlers. o   Some of the more broad and sweeping motions are similar to a baseball or golf swing, o   only you’re doing it with a heavy weight, awkwardly balanced. o    Managing the momentum created necessitates every muscle in the chain from your hands, the point of contact with the mace, all the way to your anchor on the floor.   o     Maces can produce both outstanding muscular engagement and also an intense cardiovascular affect. o   Its easy to understand that the heavier the weight, the more strength will be required to mobilize it, and thereby create a strength building stimulus, o   but the cardiovascular intensity of the workout can be scaled up simply by reforming the movements more vigorously. o     I forget where I heard the quote, but some reputable person once said, “If you want to do cardio, just lift weights faster”. The Tabata or High Intensity Interval style cardio training principles are fully applicable in the mace. o     The variety of movements which you can perform adds a nice touch of novelty over just doing really intense periods of burpees, jump rope, sprinting, or whatever else.   Traditional gym isolation exercises and neglected muscles o   Core, o   Grip, fry your hands and forearms Superior to conventional grip strength exercises o   Shoulders, equal engagement of the numerous stabilization muscle Thoracic extension o   Kyphosis, posture Shoulder mobility o   age Benefits Muscular Neurologic Products available Different weights Different lengths Variable weight and length, Producers o   Probably the leading name in the sales and support of maces and mace training is the company Onit. This was the first band I heard of commercially producing maces for the purpose of exercise and it is my impression they make a tried and consistent product. 7 to 25lbs $28 to $93 o   One product from Stronggrip.com features a hollow globe at the end which can be loaded with any small objects to add an enormous variety of weight. There is a 1.5” hole on one end which, when the cover is removed, can be filled with lead shot, washers, sand, or any other such material to increase weight. $299 An additional product from Stronggrip in the realm of maces, which was very unique to me is what they’re calling a Leviathan Mace. This instrument of awesome is 55” long with a large thick rubber chamber on the far end. It is said to weight 22lbs empty and can be loaded with up to 55lbs of water with the chamber full. Just imagine the resistance created with that amount of moveable weight at the end of a 55” pole. It would take a beast of an individual to make use of that. It is listed as made to order, and selling for $340.     SWAT roundup company utilized small plate weights loaded on the end and secured by screwing on a large nut. The mace felt sturdy and well made, and the rep was extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic about training.   Toa of mace training

Garden update On this episode I describe all the recent developments in the garden as of the second day of spring. Several plants within the newest bed have popped up and are showing good promise. The sweet potatoes won’t be denied. My mushroom compost seed sprouting experiments are a unanimous failure. And we have had some wacky weather over the last few weeks, including freezes and torrential rains. I’d love any feedback and to hear about your experiences! Give me a holler! masterofnonehobbymun@gmail.com masterofnonehobbymun.com Instagram: masterofnonehobbymun Thanks!     March 21, 2018 Variable weather 80 degrees one day, near freezing the next Seed starting None of the seeds put in mushroom compost sprouted Restarted tomatoes and broccoli seeds in the expanding peat pucks Just showing sprouts, put them outside 2 days of heavy rain they were floating Will they survive? New bed Mix of sandy soil, yard/kitchen compost, and mushroom compost Planted broccoli, oakra and garlic cloves Garlic showed quick  is about 2 inches tall Potato bed Potato sprouts coming up all over the place Herbs planted within hollow areas of cinder blocks Sage is the only one thriving Spring show Big, lush herbs

This episode is the concluding installment of the three part series describing the evolution of my thinking and knowledge It picks up with me coming off a period of heavy cardio and very low carb. I then transition into a heavy lifting and strength building phase. I discovered John Kiefer and his Carb Reloading plan which had great effect and was much more fun than eat broccoli and running 10s of miles. I gained 25lbs of primarily muscle and was working out hard for 5 days a week. But all of that work would transition in to cleaning bottles and changing dippers as my fiancé and I were blessed with a wonderful little boy. So I cut back my eating, lost 20 lbs, and got a little dad pudge around the middle. These days am much more moderate in all I do and try to focus on performance of the long haul. I conclude with a summary of why nutrition is so important to, which includes the distress and confusion I experienced in my early year, and how liberating it is to have some control over physical form.  Best wishes to everyone out there who may be experiencing the all too common situation of an out of control body despite your best efforts. masterofnonehobbymun.com masterofnonehobbymun@gmail.com instagram: masterofnonehobbymun twitter & facebook: @hobbymun   MoNHm #014 Nutrition. My journey. Part 3 Enlightenment   Recap Late 20s Focused on endurance Avoided as much cards as possible Went to police academy Refocused on gaining strength More lifting More food Carb backloading John Kiefer Less focused on longevity More focused on strength/aesthetics Role of insulin and androgenic effect Started eating more carbs Non-insulin mediated glucose uptake by muscle Carb time Insulin sensitivity Began working out hard 5 days a week Eating as much as I could Gained 25+ lbs of mostly lean muscle 255lbs body weight Met fiancé Got pregnant Had baby Lost weight Got a little pudgy Baby started sleeping through the night around 1 year Fitness routine is to just do something Minimal effort, around 1.5 hours/week of exercise Meat and vegetables with some starchy carbs Recap Explanation of why I’m passionate about food Bad relationship with food in youth Sacrifice tomorrow for the pleasure of eating something today Food must be fought against Food as a tool Control of body comp outcomes Mastery of my personal food My experiences not necessarily apply to everyone else Everyone is different Three things you don’t talk about in polite conversation Politics, religion, nutrition Let me know your experiences.

This episode is the second of three which chronicling my experiences with food, weight, and fitness. It picks up after high school when I decided to decline a full scholarship to play college football. That left me a 300 + lbs non-athlete with terrible eating habits. The next eight years would involve a struggle very common to most American’s situation.  I attempted to lose weight and keep it off through the recommended method of portion control and exercise with minimal efficacy. That is until I was fortunate enough to discover a whole foods approach to eating which made weight management a breeze. No more starvation and exhaustion. Once pointed in the direction, one book and idea lead to another, which included Mark Sisson’s Primal Blueprint and Robb Wolf’s Paleo Solution, on a path that is still evolving to this day. Which leads to part 3, the mastery of my physicality.   #013 Nutrition. Part 2. My journey, early adulthood Big intro Recap of #012 Early 20s 3 tions Exhaustion Starvation Supported by common knowledge Cal in, cal out Medication Stackers 2 Down to 280lbs Decided to go to fire school 275lbs Moderate exertion Still difficult Couldn’t get FD job Went to Medic school Started to read more Hung out at Boarders Heard about fasting Found Fasting and Eating for Health, Dr. Joel Fuhrman Lost weight 215lbs Got a FD job Was running a lot Marathon training Skinny fat Diet Exclusion of processed food Lower fat High in legumes Higher complex carbs Found Primal Blueprint Whole foods Focus on minimal carbs Fat friendly Well presented for average person Added some muscle Became mildly car phobic Coconut oil before running Robb Wolf Paleo Solution More focused on athletes Early episodes of Paleo Solution Q&A Started Crossfit Started lifting weights  

This is the first of a three-part series explaining my experiences and resulting perspectives on the most basic of acts, eating. The story begins with some of my earliest recollections in elementary school where I was overweight, had trouble with athletics, and was made fun. That experience peaked in the 6th grade when I was my chubbiest, just before growing a few inches and losing some weight because of extensive exercise and minimal eating. I felt much better through the rest of middle school and into high school where I began playing football. I was a lineman and the coaches encouraged us to eat a bunch and get bigger and get bigger I did. Eating and working out were my primary focuses in the last three years of high school and I increased my size to more than 330 lbs. That size, and some degree of athleticism, earned me a full scholarship to play offensive line at the University of South Florida, which I decided to give up the week before summer training camp. So there I was, a 335 lbs 19 year old former athlete, who had to figure out what to do next. That leads into part 2. masterofnonehobbymun.com masterofnonehobbymun@gmail.com instagram: masterofnonehobbymun twitter: @hobbymun facebook:@hobbymun MoNHm #012 Nutrition. My fitness journey of self-discovery. Bold intro Explanation of need to get more lively Avoided nutrition Though it is my main hobby Because a lot of people talk about it Began with earliest memories from elementary school Made fun of on play ground “earthquake” “Are you going to sit on me?” Tumbling Tripod Forced to run in PE Wheezing and crying while being prodded by coach I don’t know why I’m big. 6th grade My most doughy Chickened out before pool party Formed my basic thought on food Whatever I eat, I’ll just get fatter Play/Athletics were not fun Winded Crying outside basketball practice Mark youth of being made fun of/getting fatter Parents abided by going dietary recommendations of the day Low fat Avoid cholesterol Snack Wells        Ate a lot of Burger King Wasn’t allowed regular soda, only diet soda Ate plenty of candy and sugar drinks like most kids Summer 6th/7th grade Big exercise swimming and bike riding Lost around 20lbs Grew a few inches 8th grade AAU basketball Having more fun 9th grade 6’3” 190lbs Started playing football Decent lineman 10th grade Join varsity team Was told to get bigger Eat, lift, repeat A buffet for every day Routine through high school Hang with friends, eat, workout Was successful in getting much bigger 335lbs Big, strong, and fat Was recruited to play college football Earned full ride scholarship at USF Summer after high school Decided I didn’t want to play college football Declined full ride scholarship Did really like football Still had fat kid mentality Scared of extreme athletic demand Stopped playing sports Kept eating Transition into Part 2 Post early adulthood  

On this episode I talk with my stepson Isaiah about his past and current interest. We talk about his ongoing interest in making YouTube videos and his take away from our last flag football season. He then begins to educated me on professional football. I learned why the Miami Dolphins are his favorite team. He lays down so serious knowledge and insight into NFL quarterbacks throughout the last couple decades, as well as providing so detailed predictions about how the Dolphins’ 2018 season will unfold. The episode came about when Isaiah was asking me how my podcasting was going. So we decided we should do an episode together to show him how it’s recorded and what’s involved. Not only did Isaiah demonstrate insight and analysis of professional football beyond anything I could ever understand, but he also displayed some genuine signs of professionalism as a interview guest and media producer. I had a lot of fun during our brief chat and learned a bunch about his passion for football. Definitely a good experience we’ll have to do again. Check out and subscribe to his YouTube channel, Dolphinlover Gaming, for more in depth analysis and commentary. Does your son or daughter teach you about football? I’m not a dweeb… I think.  Check out and subscribe to his YouTube channel, Dolphinlover Gaming, for more in depth analysis and commentary.  Masterofnonehobbymun@gmail.com Masterofnonehobbymun.com Instagram: masterofnonehobbymun Twitter: @hobbymun Give me a holler. Thanks for listening!

This episode marks what I have heard is a milestone for a new podcast, EPISODE 10. In honor of that achievement I look back at my first 9 episodes. What was done well, what was done poorly, and what I’ve learned thus far in my journey from a lame brained idea to something tangible. I began researching how this whole podcasting thing works many months ago and have gone from someone who knows nothing about recording, editing, or information presentation, to a published provider of mediocre content. No small feat for anyone who has given it a try. I’m not quite where I’d like to be with any aspect of podcast creation, but I am having fun, and I’m embracing my ugly creation as repetitions toward a hopefully better product in the distant future. If you have some insight, advise, or experiences with starting your first podcast, I would greatly appreciate any feedback! Thanks for listening! masterofnonehobbymun@gmail.com Instagram: masterofnonehobbymun Masterofnonehobbymun.com

In this episode I described some preparation we are undertaking in the garden in anticipation of spring.  Christina, Micah and I spent the lonely day here in Central Florida outside getting our hands dirty. Micah especially likes digging with his smaller shovel, moving dirt from one side to the other. Topics discussed include maintenance of a compost pile, hot vs not hot composting, and if you add kitchen scrapes to the pile, is it advisable to exclude meat/carcass leftovers. We established a new raised bed. I wonder to myself whether treated lumber would cause a problem in terms of chemicals seeping into the soil. And, if for the same reason, old palettes should be avoided as garden planters. I also mention getting some mushroom compost from a farm near by and the potential benefits of using that to amend soil.The value of the quality time spent with the family outdoors can’t be understated, and for that I am grateful. If you have some gardening experiences you can relate to help this wannabe farm out, I would greatly appreciate any feedback! Thanks for listening! masterofnonehobbymun@gmail.com Instagram: masterofnonehobbymun Masterofnonehobbymun.com

This episode was my first in person interview, which went very well if I do say so myself. I sit down and have a lively conversation with one of the most gregarious individuals I know, my good buddy and partner at work Shawn McDougald. Shawn fills me in on the origins of his passion for hotrod automobiles, which includes junkyards, cut up cars and a list of ever faster machines. He educates me on the history and manufacture of the Ford Mustang, including the Roush, Cobra, Saline varieties. What his dream car is if money was not a limiter. He also reviles to me his “3P” (one of the Ps is Pretty) policy of automobile maintenance. I learned many fun and interesting things about Shawn which I’m sure I would never have known had he not agreed to let me ask him questions for the show. THANKS PODCASTING! I would greatly appreciate any feedback! Thanks for listening! masterofnonehobbymun@gmail.com Instagram: masterofnonehobbymun Masterofnonehobbymun.com

On this episode I provide review of The Dude and The Zen Master. This book illustrates many deep philosophic concepts within the context of the character The Dude, played by Jeff Bridges in the now cult classic film The Big Lebowski. The book is a conversation between Bridges and Bernie Glassman, a Zen teacher, about how “The Dude” provides an example for how a person might confront life’s challenges and joys, while always maintaining a peaceful mind. I offer my takeaways and interpretations on concepts way over my head. If there is one thing I learned, it’s that The Dude abides, and so should we. Thanks for downloading!

On this episode I describe my experience at the 41st annual Central Florida Highland Games which I attended for the first time as a preforming musician. It was around a year before when I began learning to play the bagpipes, and though I’ve gone to the games numerous time in the past, this was the first time I wasn’t on the side of the field simply watching the pipers with envy. I played my bagpipes with the other members of the City of Mt. Dora Pipe Band in several fun events throughout the weekend, including four massed bands, and a couple informal jam sessions. Highland games are a ton of fun for the whole family, and I would definitely recommend learning the bagpipes. Thanks for downloading!

On this episode I’m out in the garden preparing for and conducting my first pruning of a two-year-old muscadine hybrid grapevine. I give some backstory on why I began the garden, how it was constructed and arranged, and how I began growing grapes in my Central Florida backyard. Hopefully this is good practice for when I retire to own and operate a beautiful, sprawling vineyard. To spend my days in hours of deep, meditative care of my vines, before pulling corks that evening. In preparation I learn about spur vs. cane pruning styles, and that grapes are a tough and tenacious plant. Ever grow any grapes?  Thanks for downloading!

On this episode I talk about the magical healing beverage, kombucha. I attempt to provide a brief explanation of what it, the health benefits of drinking it, and description of the basic process for making it at home.  There are extra layers of satisfaction to consuming a delicious and complex vinegar beverage after having crafted it yourself with love and attention. Additionally, kombucha is a living thing and to create it from plain old ordinary tea, requires a partnership with nature in the form of the fermentative action of symbiotic bacteria and yeast cultures. Not convinced? Listen to the episode and give it a try for yourself! Thanks for downloading!

On this episode I give a brief description of my experiences and evolutions in exercise/fitness, more specifically with weight lifting. I gained my first experiences in Olympic lifting in high school where I competed on the school’s team. That gave me a good foundation and familiarity which I took and applied in later years at a local CrossFit box. After ending my membership there, because of the expense, I lamented for many years about not being able to do Olympic style exercises because I feel it provides awesome stimulus which is hard to replicate without a minim of basic equipment. All that back story leads me to the joyous realization that, after 10 years of employment, the fire department I work for finally invested in a good barbell and set of bumper plates. Perhaps other aspiring strongmen (or women) can relate to my happiness with the access to new toys and workout opportunities.

On this episode I review the Zoom H5 Handy Digital Audio Recorder and discuss my experiences up to that point making some first recordings. I describe the external features and ergonomics the device, then offer a basic description of some of the software features from a layperson perspective. Included is some music I captured of a live blues band at a new year's eve celebration along with a recording of myself playing Scotland the Brave on the bagpipes within the bays at the fire station.

On this episode I describe my experience preparing for and going out on a fossil hunting adventure. A friend and I scour river bottoms in search of the remains of prehistoric Florida creatures, hoping to find and recover ancient paleontological treasures. Fossil hunting is perhaps the most adventurous hobby I partake in, brings you out in to nature and face to face with fearsome wildlife. There are few things like the thrill of recovering a awesome fossil. Just knowing that you're holding the remains of an animal such as mammoths, mastodons, giant ground sloths, and saber cats, which lived tens or hundreds of thousands of years ago, will spur any imagination and drive the curiosity to learn about so many related subjects, like geology and archeology.