95 - How to Intentionally Build a Life You Actually Enjoy

[00:00:04] How do you intentionally build a life you can enjoy? What if happiness isn't something you just stumble into, but something you can practice every day? My guest today, Dr. Ryan Green, believes just that. I do have to say we did have a few technical difficulties with this episode with the audio. If there are a few rough spots or it doesn't line up perfectly, that's definitely why.

[00:00:25] I also want to give a huge thank you to Kerry for being so patient, flexible and just understanding with the difficulties in the recording. Considering a lot of the conversation has to do with choosing optimism and dealing with life's challenges, Kerry was the perfect guest to have on dealing with all of this stuff.

[00:00:44] So in this episode, we talk about how happiness is a choice that can be practiced, even though it's not always easy. How stepping outside of your comfort zone builds confidence and how disconnecting from constant stimulation might be one of the best things you can do for your mental health. This is going to be an episode that you're going to enjoy. All right, let's get into it.

[00:01:09] Welcome, everybody, to another episode of the Health Movement Podcast. I'm Derek, your host, teacher and certified personal trainer. I have an awesome guest with us today who I'm very excited to talk to you. But before I introduce her, I just want to reiterate, as always, we are not doctors. So before you go changing any programming, nutrition or anything else you get from this show, please consult with your physician.

[00:01:33] All right, now that that's all out of the way, I would like to introduce Kerry Gutten, who is, according to her tagline in her Instagram bio, delusionally optimistic, a marathoner modeling in music. Kerry, thank you so much for joining us. Oh, my gosh. Well, thank you for having me. I feel so honored that somebody reached out to do something like this. Yeah, well, honestly, some of your reels popped up and you just seem to enjoy life.

[00:02:01] You've got the health down, you're active, you're social, you're happy. And that's really what we're all trying to get out of life. So I figured what better person to get on the show than someone who seems to have it all figured out. Absolutely. So why don't I why don't we just dive right in? Just how did you get started with with this sort of lifestyle of yours? Is this how you grew up with this sort of just kind of a happiness and a zest for life?

[00:02:27] Was that how you were raised or is this just something that's evolved? Yeah, a little bit of both. I would say I grew up with parents who were pretty opposite. I had one that was let's view the world as the playground. You can absolutely do anything. There's no limits. Go, go, go. Dream big. Don't stop. And then I had another parent who was definitely more. I'll just say it as is it. He complained a lot, a lot to the point where it just drove me insane.

[00:02:56] And so I think I was just surrounded by a lot of negativity in my life. And that just made me want everything opposite. And that was kind of the lens that I have with everything in life. And I don't know. I love the podcasts that talk about like you're living in the moments that you're going to be looking back when you're 80s, 80s years old. And like that alone is so motivating to me to just choose the thing such as being happy because at the end of the day, that's easier. In my opinion, it's easier to be happy than to be sad. They both take effort, but you get to choose.

[00:03:25] And it's funny how you look, you'll find whatever you're looking for. So if you want to see all the negative stuff in life, there's plenty of that out there. But there's so much good. And if you focus your energy on seeing that, those things you'll notice more and more often. And it just it's how you choose to perceive the world around you. So I love that you were able to find that and make that distinction. Yeah, I think partially my purpose here is to just give people a ridiculous amount of optimism

[00:03:55] because that's something about that just fires me up. When I see somebody that I love so much going after something that they love so much, I'm like, you really can't do anything. And I think it's just part of my purpose to spread that and make people believe and know that whatever life they want, they can create, honestly. I love that. In the fact that you said you pointed to a friend and it wasn't you, it was somebody else. And that's the sign of a true friendship and somebody who, you know, is genuinely caring

[00:04:23] and gets joy out of seeing other people succeed. That's one of the best things you can do. And you can see is when other people, they have a goal and they work their butt off and then you can, they achieve it. And it's, you're just genuinely happy. That's, I agree. That's the way to go for sure. Yeah. It fires me up. So marathons. When did that, when did you start running marathons? How, and how many have you done? What's, what's that, what's that turned into?

[00:04:54] All right. Yeah. Marathons have taken over my life. Um, yeah, I have, I have always had the zoomies. Let's just put it that way. And I've always loved running. I grew up doing track and dance and soccer and all those things, but I never took it seriously whatsoever, especially not distance. And then moving to Austin, if you move to Austin, you will start running. Okay. Everybody here is on that wave, but I remember so, so specifically, um, I was just having a

[00:05:21] bad day and I was walking around the lake here in Austin and I was the only person that was walking. Every other person was running and they just had this like flow state look to them. And I said, that's what I want. I want that, whatever they have, that's what I want. And so I bought all the gear the next day and I just started running and absolutely fell in love with it. And my first marathon was in Austin two years ago. Um, that was amazing. So I ran two marathons.

[00:05:49] I ran the New York city marathon as well, which was like a real life episode of Ted Lasso. If you've ever seen it, my God, I have seen that. Yeah. Oh yeah. Yeah. There you go. It's, it's just such a human experience. I think everybody should try either if you're watching or running it just the love that's unconditional from people you have never met in your life because they see you doing something that is so hard. It makes you want to cry. I think it's so special.

[00:06:14] I, and I think with athletics or sports or, or some sort of anything in that realm, when people are doing it, they know how much effort goes into it, how much hard work and just how difficult it is. So they genuinely want you to do well and they want to help you along the way. So that's, that's, that's funny. You definitely see clips of people struggling and strangers will pick them up and start jogging with them. And you're right. That's awesome. And you will see every walk of life out there.

[00:06:43] You will see people, all shapes and sizes, people without legs, people in wheelchairs. And it is, it's just, yeah, you want to cry when you think about it. It's, and that's why I call it like a Ted Lasso episode. It just makes you feel so good, even though you're probably bawling your eyes out and in so much pain the whole time. Yes. I, I haven't done a marathon yet myself. Um, maybe, maybe someday I ran track in college and I, I don't know what I'm going to did the sprints.

[00:07:11] And once we got her, once the turn started happening, I was like, I don't know, coach, I don't know how I feel about these long distance runs, but you know, yeah, it's hard. It is tough. It is tough. But I've gone through injuries and now that, that it's getting better. I've definitely started running more. Um, and I think once you lose something and you get it back, you definitely have that appreciation for it. So maybe come up to Boston, come up to Boston for the marathon and, and I'll run that one

[00:07:41] with you for sure. I would love to, that's on the bucket list. I'd love to do all the majors someday. Yes. You're going to have, they have one where it's a seven continents in seven days. I feel like that would be right up your alley. What about the travel time? Does that work? I'm sure it's a steep cost to, to get that one going, but, but, uh, with the social media blowing up, you can get some sponsorships for sure. Heck yeah. That's, that's the ultimate goal.

[00:08:08] I want to run around the world because what better way to see a place in on your two feet? That's, that's, that's a great way to put it. That's a great way to put it. So what's the next one you got coming up? Next one I have coming up, it will be in Boulder, Colorado, which I'm very excited about. Oh yeah. Have you ever been out there? Yeah, I want to run through nature. Uh, Colorado, yes. Never, well, haven't been to Boulder? Wherever Red Rocks, no, I think that was Denver.

[00:08:33] Um, but I've been to Colorado, I've been up to Vail and I know how tough the elevation is. So doing a full marathon that is also, so I've heard a difficult course is going to be really, really hard. I do have a goal and if I don't beat it, I'm not going to beat myself up for it at all because I know it's going to be a tough one. Well, I think at that point too, it's the goal, finishing the race or even going like going through the training and everything. It's, it's a long, a long time to train for those.

[00:09:03] Although I guess if you're running all the time anyway, you're kind of starting that, but there's definitely a lot of ramping up that you have to do as you get ready. Um, I will say though, I've gone skiing out in Colorado a couple of times in the, the air, the, the lack of air, it definitely messes with you. So that's going to be, that's going to be a challenge for sure. I know it's going to be really hard too. Um, but yeah, what you just said too, about running all the time and kind of being ready for it. I feel like I, yes, I'm always running, but I'm not always doing distance.

[00:09:32] And so I'm kind of in that zone where I need to ramp things back up again. And it feels like I'm starting at ground zero, but my ground zero is now up here. Thank God, because I do run so much. Yes. Yes. We're getting it back. Oh, that's good. Now, do you have a running buddies, anybody who does these marathons with you, or do you kind of just fly solo and pick up whoever wants to join you at the time? Yeah. Honestly, I equally love running alone as much as I love running with people.

[00:10:02] Specifically, if I'm doing long runs, I kind of like to run by myself because talking is hard and I just love the zone that I get in where I'm just silent. I'm with my thoughts. I'm with my body and nothing else matters. At the same time, running with friends, that goes by in two seconds. And it's incredibly motivating. So as far as running with people, I go to a run club here in Austin. It's called Good Pain Run Club. I don't know if you've heard of it, but quite literally some of the fastest runners in Austin, Texas go to this run club.

[00:10:31] And it is the most humbling and motivating place I've been in because I do distance and they do distance now too, but it's a lot of sprint workouts. So I'm using a lot of different portions of my body. But all that to say, when you're surrounded by hundreds of people where they are normal is to run half marathons, is to run 100 milers, 50 Ks, that then becomes your normal. And that's like where my brain is at, where I want to, now I want to do a hundred miler just to see if I could do it.

[00:10:59] I want to just sign up for a half just because it's insane. I got you. I got you. Yeah. Those ultra marathons. And once you get to that level, I have a strange feeling though, that's where you're headed. These 26.2s are not going to, are not going to do it for you forever. I feel like you're going to have to start pushing yourself and you'll find new things like that. I will say though, the group makes a huge difference. I just started at a new, I'm at a couple of different gyms, but there's a group of guys

[00:11:27] that will go back for like a second workout. And it's all like partner stuff where, you know, one person is doing farmer's carries around the gym while the other person is doing, you know, dips and another person's doing squats and you can't stop till the person gets back from the farmer's carry. And you kind of rotate through and you're just, you start it and you're like, this is going to suck. But deep down, you know, you're going to love every second of it too. So it's, it's that group mentality. Definitely, definitely helps you out quite a bit.

[00:11:56] Is that what you prefer to work out in groups? Uh, depends. I think it's kind of like you, there are times where I just want to put my headphones on and, and kind of just get lost in, in what I'm doing. And then other times I like the group mentality and, and, you know, pushing each other and, and kind of doing it that way. So I, I don't know. It depends on my mood. Um, early morning, I think I like more doing it on my own.

[00:12:22] I do think you need both to run with people and to run by yourself because I think you don't really know how you are. If you're always running with people, you don't know, you don't actually know what like your pace might be like, where the thoughts you should be thinking about are, or how your body's actually feeling because you're distracted the whole time with friends. So again, I think running by yourself is also extremely important and cool. And this is my hot take, but I think everybody should run without music at least a couple of

[00:12:49] times because, Oh, a couple of reasons. One, yes, yes. This is my hot take. But first reason for that is if you are, yeah, if you're running to music that you really love, your heart rate is going to skyrocket. Okay. It's always, it's already going to be so much harder to run because of that fact with science and your heart. Um, but the other thing too, again, and something that I preach a lot is we're so distracted all the time.

[00:13:17] There, there is so much stimulation happening 24 seven. When you go on a run and you are totally unplugged, you have nothing to think about except the thoughts that are right there. Maybe the thoughts you haven't had time to think about. And if you're going on a 10 mile run with no music, that's, that's a beautiful amount of time to be thinking about whatever it is that's going on in your life and just get to know yourself. I love that. I, that actually, I, I'll have reminders pop up on my phone where it's like, you know,

[00:13:45] your, your limits for the day or whatever it happens to be. And I, I definitely catch myself too distracted too often. I'll watch TV and I'm playing on my phone and I'm like, what am I doing? Right? Like, this is, this is awful. So I, I like that idea of just unplugging and giving yourself a chance to, to think, um, which there was, I forget the comics name, but he was talking about mindfulness and back.

[00:14:15] I'm, I grew up in the eighties and nineties and he was like, before we had phones, mindfulness was all we had. You'd sit on a bus and you'd watch the condensation, like drip down the window, hoping the, the droplets of condensation would hit each other. Is there good? And that was what you would do. You just like stare at the window. You do that. You'd think. And now it's, I don't know. I think we're just trapped in a never ending loop of, of stimulus and it it's, you're right. It's not good. It's definitely not good. Yeah, absolutely.

[00:14:45] And that's also the same reason why I think you should be running outside. I think treadmill runs are just hard as is, but I think there's a lot of things in our life that can just take us out of nature and just like, we're just detached from our roots. And I, I just think running with no music outside is one of the most. Like just human things that you could possibly do to connect back to everything you need to connect back to. I agree with that a hundred percent. I do think we're not outside enough.

[00:15:14] And especially with, um, you know, people's jobs are far more sedentary and behind a computer and all that. And there are so many studies that show the benefits of sun exposure and being outside and just, you know, being in nature with, if you're, if you're able to live in that environment, I don't care. You're right. You nailed that one a hundred percent. Oh yeah. It's, it's everything you need in one activity. It's funny.

[00:15:39] You say run without music, but one of the big things you have on your page is music, you know, marathons, modeling and music. So I know. So what's the, uh, the music aspect of your life? Wow. So I, uh, music is the reason why I am who I am today. I work in the music industry.

[00:16:01] I just connect with music and dance on a level that, I don't know, just steers my life, to be honest with you. And I know it is ironic that I really preach no music when you're running because I kind of like the separation too. And it's kind of goes with everything too. If you have too much of something, you stop appreciating it. So if I, and I really do listen to music all the time. So running is the only time that I'm not. Um, and don't get me wrong.

[00:16:27] I used to run with music and I used to love it, but then I discovered running without it. And I was like, oh my God, this is so, so nice. And then once I popped back in my headphones on a, you know, outside of running, I'm like, oh my gosh, this song feels like it's the first time I've heard it again. And it is just doing something to my soul. That's awesome. Is there a specific genre you like or something you lean more towards? Or is it depending on your mood, you hit, you know, 10 different genres? Boy, I've been all over the map. I think one of the hardest questions to ask somebody who works in the music industry is what music do you like?

[00:16:57] And I know that's also ironic, but you really learn to love the craft and art of everything. And what I, I mean, yeah, I've been all over the board. I would say most festivals I've gone to are EDM. I love me some EDM, but I love the multi-shaners, the house and the disco and the jazz and R&B and indie and rock a little bit. And it depends on my mood. So I think there's some things that I enjoy more in person than just sitting and listening to.

[00:17:26] And that has changed a ton because I would only be listening to EDM 24-7. And that's changed a lot. It's funny because going to these EDM concerts and raves and stuff are exhausting and you get dehydrated. So can we talk about like how to fuel your body and get ready for the show? I was like, all right, man, we'll talk about whatever that works for me. So I might need some of your insights. Yes, yes. They work. That's yeah.

[00:17:56] My, those worlds combined so well. I will take running gels with me to festivals. I'm going to have you come on the show with me so you can, you can back me up on these. Of course. Got to take care of your body. If you're dancing for 12 hours straight, that's like running, you know, three, four marathons right there. Oh my gosh. Yeah. And that, yeah. You meet some people there too. I imagine that's a, that's definitely another group sport. Absolutely. Yeah.

[00:18:24] Dancing, dancing is a love language for me. And I, that's another thing I preach to you. I don't care what I look like on the dance floor at all because it feels so good to just be comfortable with your body and explore different ways that it can move. And, you know, if there's a, you're, you're dancing and there's something that feels really awkward and weird, like go explore that. It's yourself. No one, you know, if people are going to look and stare and laugh, whatever, whatever. Yeah. No, I like that.

[00:18:51] I heard a quote that, uh, it said embarrassment is, uh, an underexplored emotion. So just, just let loose and just enjoy yourself. I like that. Absolutely. Um, it's tough to pick a specific genre cause you've got this wide range and you kind of appreciate the talents that people have, even if it might not be in, in your favorite style of music.

[00:19:16] Um, and I was trying to get across to my students what hard work and like actual talent looks like, and you might not like whatever it happens to be, but you can appreciate the hard work and talent that goes into it. Um, and I'm not sure if you saw, but there was a, there's a drummer named Chad Smith from the red hot chili peppers. And they played, he was on a podcast and they played him a song and they took the drum, the

[00:19:44] drums out of it and just had the rest of the song playing. And he's listening to it. He goes about 15 seconds, 20 seconds into it and he starts nodding. And then he plays the drums on the song first time ever hearing it. And it was phenomenal. And I had to show the kids and he's hitting these notes and rhythms and the timing was flawless. Um, and it was just so impressive to see somebody at that level and that much talent.

[00:20:10] Um, so I'm like, all right guys, see, you got to work hard and then you can just kind of enjoy yourself and just let loose. But it's, it's cool. Yeah, absolutely. That's, that's incredible. And I think talent just ties back into be so being so self-aware of what you're capable of. Like this, that drummer example you just brought up too, that man's probably spent so much time alone drumming and listening to music and just, yeah. Being so in tune with that.

[00:20:39] And it's nice seeing the people and not to spend too much time on drummers because I know next to nothing about drumming, but to see the way these guys actually play the, I see a drum and I think hit the middle of the thing. And these guys are just the things that they're doing. It's like, I didn't even know that was possible. You see people do the same thing on a guitar and even with their vocals. And it's, I don't know. I, I just, I applaud these, applaud people when they get to that level where they just put that much time.

[00:21:09] Oh, it is. That's the right word. It is definitely beautiful. I actually used to take drumming. That's a fun fact. Did you really? Mm-hmm. How long did that last? I wanted to be a drummer when I was young. Oh God, like a year. A long time ago. I can't drum. I played piano, but I had trouble with the left hand going in rhythm with the right hand. And then God forbid I try to sing while I'm doing both. Not that I can sing, but like just the coordination, I do not, that didn't happen at all for me. Yeah.

[00:21:37] My fingers can't even stretch that far. Yeah. Well, like my, my hands were, I was blessed with good size hands. So I can, I can usually cover the keys pretty well, but it was, uh, it was the coordination that threw me off for sure. So what's a typical day like for you? How often are you, you wake up, you go running and then work comes in. Like what's a, what's a typical day like look for you, Kerry? Yeah. I'm a person, I'm a morning person through and through.

[00:22:03] So I get up at five every single day so I can give myself four hours to do whatever I want before I start work. And what I do for work, I also love, cause like I mentioned before, I work in the music industry for festivals specifically, um, and do marketing. But when I wake up, yeah, it's either going on a run or to the gym and having four hours to not rush, to take care of myself, to make a full breakfast, to enjoy it, to sit and just be before I start doing work for somebody else. But, um, yeah, right now I am training for a marathon.

[00:22:32] So I'm running about three to four days a week and I really enjoy having my mornings be very social because I'm just with a different breed of human. When I'm at 6 30 AM run clubs with these Austin runners, it's so motivating. Like I said before, um, and then, yeah, yeah. Working, working throughout the week. And it does take a special kind of crazy to get up. I'm an early guy too. And it's the same group at the gym every morning.

[00:23:00] And you, uh, you kind of appreciate how, how nuts everybody is to consistently get up at that hour. Um, but I don't, like, I don't even set an alarm on the weekend anymore and I'm up and that's just the way it is now. I'm also getting up there in age. So I think that probably has something to do with it too. I think it's a great thing. I mean, people are productive at extremely different times of the day. My boyfriend, for example, he is a night owl. He's most productive anywhere from 9 PM to 2 AM.

[00:23:27] And I'm totally the opposite, but I, I also made myself become, I know, um, I also made myself become a morning person. So I remember in high school, actually, I would get up at, I don't know, maybe 5 AM and I would actually just roll out of my bed, put on my shoes and go. I want to brush my teeth. When it turned on any lights, I would just go outside and go on a walk and force myself to wake up that early every day because I don't like to rush. And if I can give myself that much time in the day, in the morning, I'm going to take advantage of that. Oh, I do love that.

[00:23:56] Those hours in the morning, they are peaceful. Um, those, and you get it all to yourself too. There aren't too many people up at that hour. So you do get some time to yourself for sure. And, uh, making yourself a morning person too. Um, I'm not sure if you're familiar with, there's a neurologist from Stanford named Andrew Huberman. I'm not sure if you're familiar with him, but he said, I, he said, it's a couple days. If you can force yourself to get up early for two, three, four days in a row, your body will adjust.

[00:24:25] And then you become that morning person. Um, so you can get your boyfriend on, on board and make, and make that switch. Although then you wouldn't have time to yourself. So maybe you want to keep it opposite a little bit. Exactly. Yeah. There's benefits to all of it too. But also if you're just simply not productive in the morning, then what's the point of waking up early? Yeah, that's true. No, that, that's definitely my most productive time. I think it's a good thing being a teacher the day, like the students leave at three 15,

[00:24:53] because come four o'clock, uh, I am definitely not nearly as productive as I am. It's also, I'd been up for 12 hours. So that might have something to do with it too. Um, but yeah, no, you're definitely right on that one. Well, Carrie, I appreciate you taking the time. I want people to be able to reach out and kind of follow your, your marathons and everything else. And your lifestyle is what's the best way for people to, uh, follow you and reach out to you. Yeah. Well, thank you for even putting that out there too. I would say through Instagram for sure.

[00:25:23] So just my name at Carrie Gutin would love to meet some people online too. If you guys live in Austin and you bump into me on the trail, please say hi. Definitely. Definitely. And I'll, I'll let my buddy know that, uh, you're an EDM person and, and you can, you can send some love their way too. Awesome. Yeah. Awesome. Carrie, thank you so much. Yeah. You too. You too. Thank you. And thank you everybody for taking the time to listen and we will catch you in the next one.