Scott - Memory and sleep are married together. Think of life being like a grocery store. And think about your day as filling your shopping car and taking the bags home. Sleep is where you put everything where it belongs in your shelves and pantry. If you don't get enough sleep, your brain never really sorts and put your memories away where they belong. It just drops them in the corner so when you go looking for them they're not there and you can't find them, and that's if they don't rot and your wife throws them out. Think of sleep as being like a librarian who shows up to wander through all the stuff you brought home and files it all away where it belongs, checks the fridge and throws away the things you don't use often, puts the items you need most where they belong, etc. If she only gets to be there 3 or 4 hours when it's 8 hours of work, she's not getting stuff done and your brain suffers for it archival-wise. All of your neural infrastructure building, all of what makes your brain different tomorrow than it was today, happens when you're sleeping. Even one day with bad sleep impairs that neurological function, but being consistently deprived of it for months or years starts to mean that the roots aren't even being maintained properly. No sleep, and your brain is like a stoner slob's basement appartment. You wouldn't tolerate being such a slob in other parts of your life, so make sure the librarian/maid/bibliographer of your life gets time to do their work too.
There is a lot of wisdom here! 24:00 Scott: "Always substitute speed for mass, if you can." 25:20 Nate: "Kids are the death sentence for fitness." but 26:12 Scott: "Having those kids is going to take you a lot further toward being happy when you are 60 than having a resting heart rate of 60... a lot of guys with those physical characteristics are pathetically unhappy because they burned every other worthwhile bridge." 26:30 Nate: "I do know guys who have cracked the code: they're in great shape, they work out every day, they eat well, they have a beautiful family and kids. It can be done!" 26:52 Scott: "Don't use your body or your family like they are rented equipment."
Stay at the CPAP. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea around 5 years ago. Once I got used to the machine it has made an incredible difference. Fantastic content guys. The EC channels are such gems.
Stretching and going a bit further and adding stress to eliminate back pain is spot on. I grew up on a farm, then worked for a grading company, then an engineering firm, then a prestressed concrete company, then a welding and fab company before my current job as a salesman for a building materials company. I was always a bigger, stout kid and often lifted way more than I should have and my back paid the price. The last weekend of January 2019, I spent the whole weekend in bed unable to move because my back was shot. I remember laying there thinking “Here I am 39 years old, with a 1 year old daughter, and can’t get out of bed. I’m too young for this.” At the time I had stumbled across Mark Rippetoe and Starting Strength on RUclips. The beginner workout is nothing but squat, benchpress, and deadlift. I decided to give it a shot. I put my pride behind me and started like I was 90 years old and had never worked out. I added weight each workout and within 2 weeks, my back pain had disappeared. Over a year later, squats (counter intuitively) are what keeps back pain away. And it isn’t even about the weight. If you suffer from back pain, spend a couple of minutes a day, 4 or 5 times a day, squatting as deep as you can with no weight. Gotta get that “bowstring” loosened up!
Great episode! Re: expense of eating well...it helps to think of fast food as a “false economy”, similar to buying low-grade tools. What you save up front, you usually wind up paying double or triple down the line in unexpected consequences from the original “cheap” purchase.
I worked in physical jobs until, at age 35, I was laid off and had to face the fact I could no longer engage in physical labor. My right shoulder, arm, wrist and hand were to painful to continue. Transitioning to desk jobs took time, but in the long run I never regretted being forced to change. The last 10 years I worked I rode bike 6 1/2 miles each way to and from work. I rode over 21,000 miles I'm 10 years. It was almost as fast as driving, saved parking fees, eliminated coffee and kept me in good shape. I have sleep apnea and took easily to the mask (Mirage Quattro). Unfortunately, I've had to quit due to hyperphagia. Love the show.
"60-year-old-man syndrome" -- wow, can I relate. Scott & I are only a few months apart age-wise. I swear my memory (esp. short-term) has been deteriorating something fierce over the past several years. I find that I have what I call "the hereafters". I walk into a room, and for the life of me, I can't remember what I'm here after.
If you really think about it, junk food is a lot more expensive than healthy whole foods. The trick is to learn how to base your diet on rice, potatoes, beans and other legumes, fresh veggies and fruit. It takes more time, because you have to cook, but if you cook in big batches, then its not so bad because you always have left overs that you can grab when on the go.
About two weeks ago I bought a house. I spent the ENTIRE next day moving ALL MY STUFF THAT I OWN into it. I had help on and off throughout the day. The very last item was my king size mattress. I took every bit of my last strength moving it, I was cramping, gasping for air, struggling to move it onto the box spring. I was SO SORE from moving all day I couldn't even sleep in the bed that night. I was so sore i just laid there an ached. I swear, next time I move, I'm paying someone to do it.
Once you learn to give up control over a little bit of your life ..the easier life will become. There is so much you just can’t control! God Bless you both! Without family you have nothing..money don’t mean shit
LOTS of good wisdom here! Long-time computer jockey, and posture and exercise is important! And my body is letting me know I've abused it. Also messed up by back years ago between a car accident and playing "He-Man" with lifting a transmission too many times and blew it out. (All while I was young, and I've paid for it ever since.) Have blown out both arms scraping shingles off roofs. Family history of diabetes caught up with me (I wasn't eating healthy either), and have sleep apnea now. Yes, reclining feels better on my back, but as a side sleeper, my hips die by the morning (as well as my back). This is NOT just some old man talking... It's an old man who spent his youth beating up his body and is paying for it now. And just hit 55. NOBODY is invincible. But you CAN do small, sensible things. I've seen some pretty fit senior citizens whose body movements and activity rates are astounding. And it seems the biggest contributors were healthy food, appropriate portion size and activity/exercise. (Just go for a brisk walk to get things moving!) Thank you guys! Awesome podcast! And I REALLY appreciate your touching on balance in your lives! Family is worth soooo much! They grow up so fast, and i's easy to lose precious moments forever.
A year ago at 60 I went to a keto diet. All the things I thought was just part of getting older is not the case. I think of my body as the most important tool in my shop. The diet physically change my body and the mental clarity/focus, improved energy & not carrying around the extra weight was just a bonus. I love my work and want to be able to continue as long as possible...
Scott, try Zyrtec , an allergy relief and decongestant, over the counter and generic, my Doc said no more ibuprofen after 60 use tylenol instead, I'm a C-pap user also, it takes a while to get used to, but keep at it. A foam wedge works wonders also
Scott, you struck me with what you said. I'm 35 and and my wife helped me with my socks this morning! But knowing that there is a way out of this pain and still being productive is a real encouragement. This one was a real help guys. Be safe.
18 months in Moses Lake and I lived on gas station food the whole job. I was working 14 hours a day to tie the two shifts together, (electrical) when it was time to eat, gas stations were the only thing open. I added 40 pounds annd still am struggling to dump it 22 years later. Side note: A sociological study decades ago, found that people most sympathetic to prostitutes were construction workers. Both abused their bodies for money. In construction, we were always taught we were a "consumable." Use 'em, break 'em dump 'em and it was our personal responsibility to not fall into that trap. To this day, and I am 68, I am not sure I was able to avoid it.
I think you have mentioned R&R Building ,they have a regular work out routine and work very hard on their post frame business I’m always amazed at people that can do that.
Now I know what to call it when I can not remember something. 60 year Old Man Syndrome. Been know to be able to remember a lot of details about jobs even 20 or 30 years ago but now days they tend to all run together or forget about till something reminds me or seeing the job in person or pictures. Now I can blame it on "60 Year Old Man Syndrome"
I cook my lunches for the whole week on Sunday, saves lots of money! And not hard to do, works for me anyway:) I love these podcasts, keep up the good work!!
I'm a programmer and a woodworking hobbyist.. I make sure to find time to exercise on weekdays but any day I do woodwork for any length of time I almost always have to skip the exercise bcuz I'm so exhausted... So I have a modicum of understanding why a tradesman could be forgiven to not be able to exercise... Unfortunately, there's no explaining this to mother nature...
25:30 reminds me of one of Jordan Peterson's rules that "Don't let your children do something that makes you hate them"... So if I miss exercise for a while and even if it's the kids time that's the reason I miss it, I try my best to find myself another excuse for missing the exercise bcuz that way I probably won't end up hating my kids... Just a mental gimmick but that's the tradeoff...
Very good show i can relate to the sore back and the stress. For many years 6 hours of sleep was a good night sleep. To this day if i want to get more sleep when i wake up i go back bed after a drink water. If i get 8 hours of sleep a night i am happy and feel better when i wake up for the day.
Oh man, so much good content on this one, thanks Scott and Nate! The one thing I think I can contribute is about eating: don't wait until you're really hungry to eat. We make poor decisions about food when we're hungry - even worse ones when hungry AND tired.
Having worked in both worlds at least for a while (computer work & construction) right handed, repetitive work with a "mouse" , banging nails with a 24 oz. hammer and using my hand to persuade something a little further, I have had 2 hand ops and the bones in my right wrist are so messed up that they need to remove one and rearrange the other three. The orthopedic surgeon says "your hand is a tool but its not a hammer", remember that. Work smarter not harder!
As an engineer the idea of working with my hands and building things is really exciting. Then I tackle a big project like a bathroom remodel over the course of a month working nights and weekends and the desk job doesn't seem so bad. Keeping manual labor in the hobby/personal area is best for me.
The fitness industry sells a lie. You only need to train 10 minutes a day with just bodyweight. And maybe add on some stretching. Try Breathe and flow on you tube and the pulse programme its all you need
Yoga and minimalism for me are the key. Yoga as it keeps me healthy body and mind and minimalism means I have plenty of money and do not need to work unless I want to. I also vary the types of work I do, not just one trade. I also don't bother with heavy lifting and just get labourers to load out jobs its worth the cost.
The first saturday of this quarenteen I walked for hours just thinking. When I got home to check the stats I had walked almost 5 miles. I felt great. However, looking back in my iphone logs I average 4.5 miles a day just on the jobsite with a toolbelt. Its going to be interesting once everyone goes back to work.
Yes, . stretching is very beneficial, i learned this from my dog. Every morning when he got up he would stretch, This got me into doing the same, and it makes a big difference.
You can have fitness routine alongside a job in construction, even if you are tired after a day of work. Important that you listen to your body though.
I was never any kind of Olympic class sleeper myself, but one thing I did find incredibly helpful were those nasal strips that you put across the bridge of your nose before bedtime. Someone suggested them to me once and I pretty much dismissed them as nonsense. But then they gave me one to try, and I couldn’t have been more surprised at their effectiveness. They really do work!
We cannot ignore genetics in the discussion. It can and often does play a huge role in our health and physical ability to remain active without injury as we age.
I found out that i had severe sleep apnea when i was 30 years old. I was not overweight it was all just hereditary. I had spent my teens and twenties always being tired and falling asleep when i shouldn't: brief micro-naps at stop lights\behind the wheel of the car, falling asleep and missing my stop on trains, falling asleep in the middle of playing games at friends houses etc. It took me six months of consistent mask wearing to finally get comfortable with it and now in my early forties and not being as fit as i used to be i still have more energy and brain power than i did in my late twenties.
Scott - Please read this. A bipap machine is much easier to use than a cpap. All you need to do is tell them that it is difficult to use. They will then switch you over to a bipap that is much easier to use. You will be much happier and feel better.
I'm reading about regrets from successful people on reddit and yourself included. The number one regret consistently regardless of careers are comfort and health. There are just certain aspect of your life that no one should ignore. You don't want to end up a millionaire with a serious back pain preventing you from doing the things you love. For me personally, I bought this really expensive and comfortable chair that corrects my back. I have an adjustable desk. More importantly, I attend expensive gym for proper work out with multiple Jacuzzis. To achieve success, you can ignore all those luxury items like BMWs, Rolex, etc. Yet, one thing you can never ignore is your health.
I've had issues with plantar fasciitis which was pretty disabling for a number of months. I learned through RUclips how to stretch from the buttocks to the toes which relieved symptoms for the most part. I would say I'm about 95% back to normal. Then recently have had IT band trouble with lateral knee pain aggravated by bicycling. RUclips stretches have helped almost immediately. This is all in a 63 year old. Stretching and physical therapy is the ticket. Bob and Brad are my go to guys on RUclips. They explain the whys and treatment
Ahh, Those days... My ex had a snore that could be heard two doors down. I could sleep thru just about anything EXCEPT when he would suddenly stop breathing. That scared my half to death every. single. night. Fast forward a few years later: he was diagnosed with apnea, he finally got a mask he could live with and he's doing so much better. Keep at it, there is a solution out there! Honestly, the more I watch you and your family, my gratitude just fills the room. At first I was fearful of reading the comments because so much of what gets put up to share attracts trolls that I couldn't bear to read. You have some really cool people following you! I can't thank you all enough for your courage to do this and put it out there to share.
Scott, I've had a CPAP machine for 5 years. I have NEVER been able to get used to it. It goes off and I literally have to reset it, since it's waking me up, there is no sleep quality. Also, the mask blows cold air on my wife when I snuggle up, and I LIKE to snuggle! It wakes her up more than the snoring! As a tradesman, I could never find the time to exercise. I worked 18 hours a day, especially when I was building my contracting business and had 5 children. Because of that, I have never developed an exercise discipline and I really don't care to. I have more than enough to do every day, that I can't really carve out an hour to exercise mindlessly. There is no point to it. Run to where? Walk to where? I agree with the stretching, but exercising?
Scott: Assuming your apnea is obstructive and not neurological, you may want to try as many masks as you can. I was diagnosed with obstructive apnea in the 1990's and had to go through a number of types of masks before I found that nasal pillow masks worked best for me. I could not get used to any type of mask that covered my entire nose and rested on my face. Some masks work only for back sleepers and others work for both side and back sleepers. Your mileage may vary, but if you haven't tried this type of mask, put it on your to do list. As for the "60 year-old man syndrome", being deprived of REM sleep due to apnea plays hell with short term and long term memory, raises your blood pressure, can cause gastric reflux and a host of other maladies, besides the obvious feeling tired all the time. As you say, keep up the good work. Thanks for all you and Nate do.
This is a really important topic. Also important to understand the importance of moving well and being flexible where it matters. Flexible hamstrings/hips? Yes. Flexible lower back? No. The spine is not designed well to handle loads bent, it needs to be straight. Very important as I bend over and pick something up 100s of times per day on the job site. Great stuff!
Really can relate to back pain,been there done that.72 years old,build my first house 1975,living in my 9th house.Renovated a lot of these houses.Always worked by myself,even tough this was my hobby.Really enjoy your podcast and episodes.Keep up the good work.Your right stay active is absolutely essential.
Feel for you EC, I was also not in the usual cohort of "CPAP users". I was 31 and in good physical shape and had snored loudly since I was a teenager. my wife told me she was worried I was not breathing while I slept and was also having the micro sleeps. Depending on what pressure you require will make a big difference on mask comfort, I am able to use only a very low pressure so comfort is simple when you feel the gains after a good full nights sleep. I have been using my CPAP now for almost 5 years and the difference is night and day and it is reinforced if I miss a night for whatever reason. Hope you get a good mask that works for you and feel the benefits.
I've had vertebraes broke in my back two times, oilfield related. Also I fell 20 feet out of a tree and crushed my left shoulder and arm. Several car wrecks and bucked off a horse. I lived with back pain most of my life so Mr. Nate I feel for you!!! I now am pretty much back pain free. I got an inversion machine and started hanging upside down for 2 or 3 minutes a day and it has worked miracles for me. May not work for everyone but I highly recommend one!!!
I and many others I know have ha really good success living a Keto lifestyle. I have drop 20 pounds and a friend of mine has drop 50. I typically only eat twice a day. I've all but eliminated all carbs. I've got about another 20 to go. Keto is very sustainable.
My Mom packed a lunch for my dad most every day, when I started working construction it saved me so much money.. and was way more healthy for me. I still enjoy packing a lunch to this day, I like having some snacks packed and a little something larger for lunch, buying in bulk saves money and allows me to eat healthy..
I think we find ourselves trying to match or transcend stories or acts we’ve seen/heard of out fathers, siblings, etc. Case in point, I remember once, my father, who was a tank of a man, 6’2” 280lb gorilla, working away from home. My older brother was giving my mom a very hard time all week. My dad comes home and upon hearing this, isn’t happy. My brother tries to sneak out and drive away, and my dad picks up the rear end of his car and stands there until my bro got out to face his reckoning.
I use a cpap. My first mask (nasal) ended up on the floor every night. I switched to a full face mask and once I became used to it it became something I look forward to strapping on every night.
It’s really important to get sleep apnea treated. It’s really hard on your body, causing heart and cardiovascular problems, can cause dangerous elevation of blood count and lots of other stuff. Stick with it, you’ll feel better, guaranteed.
Hang in there with the CPAP Scott. It was only with great restraint my wife didn't throw it against the wall when she was first trying to get used to it 20 years ago. It did and does make a world of difference.
Being a programmer for 20y, i can tell you that the "stiffness" comes early if you don't find a way to move. No need to go wild on the exercise, its more a balance thing. Some exercise and some good food.
I started going to an awesome chiropractor who taught me how to stretch for my back pain.That was 14 yrs ago,even though the pain occurs it doesn't last.
It’s been my experience that when I get injured working that I feel that I will never get the amount of strength or mobility back. In the moment it is hard for me to visualize getting that back. Just having the hope and conviction that you will be better than you are right now has helped me.
Nate keep running do it in the morning before heading to the site. Successful people act on what will make them successful whether they want to or not.
I am a 21 year old framer and I am really glad to have someone to look up to, who has learned the tricks and tips to help me to keep my body healthy and strong through my career
I.E. A table that you lay on, hold onto some straps, and then tilt back on so it stretches rather than compresses your back. You can build one super, super cheap. It's like a machine that stretches you automatically, using your bodyweight. Some people hate them but if they work for you, you tend to love them.
For a healthier lunch pack one. Leftovers from dinner are really great for this. If there aren't leftovers even sandwiches made with healthy bread are going to be way better and cheaper than fast food.
Great work! Quick Question: Where on y'all's site is the link to sound-pipe (the service Nate mentioned in closing)? I tried looking for it once I heard in mentioned in the video, but could not find it anywhere.
Scott - Memory and sleep are married together. Think of life being like a grocery store. And think about your day as filling your shopping car and taking the bags home. Sleep is where you put everything where it belongs in your shelves and pantry. If you don't get enough sleep, your brain never really sorts and put your memories away where they belong. It just drops them in the corner so when you go looking for them they're not there and you can't find them, and that's if they don't rot and your wife throws them out. Think of sleep as being like a librarian who shows up to wander through all the stuff you brought home and files it all away where it belongs, checks the fridge and throws away the things you don't use often, puts the items you need most where they belong, etc. If she only gets to be there 3 or 4 hours when it's 8 hours of work, she's not getting stuff done and your brain suffers for it archival-wise. All of your neural infrastructure building, all of what makes your brain different tomorrow than it was today, happens when you're sleeping. Even one day with bad sleep impairs that neurological function, but being consistently deprived of it for months or years starts to mean that the roots aren't even being maintained properly. No sleep, and your brain is like a stoner slob's basement appartment. You wouldn't tolerate being such a slob in other parts of your life, so make sure the librarian/maid/bibliographer of your life gets time to do their work too.
There is a lot of wisdom here!
24:00 Scott: "Always substitute speed for mass, if you can."
25:20 Nate: "Kids are the death sentence for fitness."
but
26:12 Scott: "Having those kids is going to take you a lot further toward being happy when you are 60 than having a resting heart rate of 60... a lot of guys with those physical characteristics are pathetically unhappy because they burned every other worthwhile bridge."
26:30 Nate: "I do know guys who have cracked the code: they're in great shape, they work out every day, they eat well, they have a beautiful family and kids. It can be done!"
26:52 Scott: "Don't use your body or your family like they are rented equipment."
Stay at the CPAP. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea around 5 years ago. Once I got used to the machine it has made an incredible difference. Fantastic content guys. The EC channels are such gems.
Ditto the above comments. The CPAP makes a HUGE difference. Love the channel.
Stretching and going a bit further and adding stress to eliminate back pain is spot on. I grew up on a farm, then worked for a grading company, then an engineering firm, then a prestressed concrete company, then a welding and fab company before my current job as a salesman for a building materials company. I was always a bigger, stout kid and often lifted way more than I should have and my back paid the price. The last weekend of January 2019, I spent the whole weekend in bed unable to move because my back was shot. I remember laying there thinking “Here I am 39 years old, with a 1 year old daughter, and can’t get out of bed. I’m too young for this.” At the time I had stumbled across Mark Rippetoe and Starting Strength on RUclips. The beginner workout is nothing but squat, benchpress, and deadlift. I decided to give it a shot. I put my pride behind me and started like I was 90 years old and had never worked out. I added weight each workout and within 2 weeks, my back pain had disappeared. Over a year later, squats (counter intuitively) are what keeps back pain away. And it isn’t even about the weight. If you suffer from back pain, spend a couple of minutes a day, 4 or 5 times a day, squatting as deep as you can with no weight. Gotta get that “bowstring” loosened up!
Great episode! Re: expense of eating well...it helps to think of fast food as a “false economy”, similar to buying low-grade tools. What you save up front, you usually wind up paying double or triple down the line in unexpected consequences from the original “cheap” purchase.
Good point.
I worked in physical jobs until, at age 35, I was laid off and had to face the fact I could no longer engage in physical labor. My right shoulder, arm, wrist and hand were to painful to continue. Transitioning to desk jobs took time, but in the long run I never regretted being forced to change. The last 10 years I worked I rode bike 6 1/2 miles each way to and from work. I rode over 21,000 miles I'm 10 years. It was almost as fast as driving, saved parking fees, eliminated coffee and kept me in good shape. I have sleep apnea and took easily to the mask (Mirage Quattro). Unfortunately, I've had to quit due to hyperphagia. Love the show.
Here's two honest men people ! That's not something you run across every day, sad to say!
Thanks for sharing and take care. 👍 👍
"60-year-old-man syndrome" -- wow, can I relate. Scott & I are only a few months apart age-wise. I swear my memory (esp. short-term) has been deteriorating something fierce over the past several years. I find that I have what I call "the hereafters". I walk into a room, and for the life of me, I can't remember what I'm here after.
David Beamer I cant remember what I was going to mention here...oh well
If you really think about it, junk food is a lot more expensive than healthy whole foods. The trick is to learn how to base your diet on rice, potatoes, beans and other legumes, fresh veggies and fruit. It takes more time, because you have to cook, but if you cook in big batches, then its not so bad because you always have left overs that you can grab when on the go.
2 lbs container of oats is like $2, how much does a box of processed cereal cost?
About two weeks ago I bought a house. I spent the ENTIRE next day moving ALL MY STUFF THAT I OWN into it. I had help on and off throughout the day. The very last item was my king size mattress. I took every bit of my last strength moving it, I was cramping, gasping for air, struggling to move it onto the box spring. I was SO SORE from moving all day I couldn't even sleep in the bed that night. I was so sore i just laid there an ached. I swear, next time I move, I'm paying someone to do it.
Once you learn to give up control over a little bit of your life ..the easier life will become. There is so much you just can’t control! God Bless you both! Without family you have nothing..money don’t mean shit
LOTS of good wisdom here! Long-time computer jockey, and posture and exercise is important! And my body is letting me know I've abused it. Also messed up by back years ago between a car accident and playing "He-Man" with lifting a transmission too many times and blew it out. (All while I was young, and I've paid for it ever since.) Have blown out both arms scraping shingles off roofs. Family history of diabetes caught up with me (I wasn't eating healthy either), and have sleep apnea now. Yes, reclining feels better on my back, but as a side sleeper, my hips die by the morning (as well as my back).
This is NOT just some old man talking... It's an old man who spent his youth beating up his body and is paying for it now. And just hit 55. NOBODY is invincible. But you CAN do small, sensible things. I've seen some pretty fit senior citizens whose body movements and activity rates are astounding. And it seems the biggest contributors were healthy food, appropriate portion size and activity/exercise. (Just go for a brisk walk to get things moving!)
Thank you guys! Awesome podcast! And I REALLY appreciate your touching on balance in your lives! Family is worth soooo much! They grow up so fast, and i's easy to lose precious moments forever.
A year ago at 60 I went to a keto diet. All the things I thought was just part of getting older is not the case. I think of my body as the most important tool in my shop. The diet physically change my body and the mental clarity/focus, improved energy & not carrying around the extra weight was just a bonus. I love my work and want to be able to continue as long as possible...
Scott, try Zyrtec , an allergy relief and decongestant, over the counter and generic, my Doc said no more ibuprofen after 60 use tylenol instead, I'm a C-pap user also, it takes a while to get used to, but keep at it. A foam wedge works wonders also
Nate, yes to the beard. Please convince your dad to do the same, if you can. Thanks, love the podcast.
Scott, you struck me with what you said. I'm 35 and and my wife helped me with my socks this morning! But knowing that there is a way out of this pain and still being productive is a real encouragement. This one was a real help guys. Be safe.
18 months in Moses Lake and I lived on gas station food the whole job. I was working 14 hours a day to tie the two shifts together, (electrical) when it was time to eat, gas stations were the only thing open. I added 40 pounds annd still am struggling to dump it 22 years later.
Side note: A sociological study decades ago, found that people most sympathetic to prostitutes were construction workers. Both abused their bodies for money. In construction, we were always taught we were a "consumable." Use 'em, break 'em dump 'em and it was our personal responsibility to not fall into that trap. To this day, and I am 68, I am not sure I was able to avoid it.
I think you have mentioned R&R Building ,they have a regular work out routine and work very hard on their post frame business I’m always amazed at people that can do that.
Now I know what to call it when I can not remember something. 60 year Old Man Syndrome. Been know to be able to remember a lot of details about jobs even 20 or 30 years ago but now days they tend to all run together or forget about till something reminds me or seeing the job in person or pictures. Now I can blame it on "60 Year Old Man Syndrome"
Nate - my advice, as an ultra runner... run those 2 miles, after work, even when you are tired. That's when you get the most out of it!
I cook my lunches for the whole week on Sunday, saves lots of money! And not hard to do, works for me anyway:) I love these podcasts, keep up the good work!!
I'm a programmer and a woodworking hobbyist.. I make sure to find time to exercise on weekdays but any day I do woodwork for any length of time I almost always have to skip the exercise bcuz I'm so exhausted... So I have a modicum of understanding why a tradesman could be forgiven to not be able to exercise... Unfortunately, there's no explaining this to mother nature...
25:30 reminds me of one of Jordan Peterson's rules that "Don't let your children do something that makes you hate them"... So if I miss exercise for a while and even if it's the kids time that's the reason I miss it, I try my best to find myself another excuse for missing the exercise bcuz that way I probably won't end up hating my kids... Just a mental gimmick but that's the tradeoff...
I gave up heavy construction lifting a few years ago and my back IMMEDIATELY got better.
Very good show i can relate to the sore back and the stress. For many years 6 hours of sleep was a good night sleep. To this day if i want to get more sleep when i wake up i go back bed after a drink water. If i get 8 hours of sleep a night i am happy and feel better when i wake up for the day.
Oh man, so much good content on this one, thanks Scott and Nate! The one thing I think I can contribute is about eating: don't wait until you're really hungry to eat. We make poor decisions about food when we're hungry - even worse ones when hungry AND tired.
I love how Nate is just playing with this antler the entire episode
Having worked in both worlds at least for a while (computer work & construction) right handed, repetitive work with a "mouse" , banging nails with a 24 oz. hammer and using my hand to persuade something a little further, I have had 2 hand ops and the bones in my right wrist are so messed up that they need to remove one and rearrange the other three. The orthopedic surgeon says "your hand is a tool but its not a hammer", remember that. Work smarter not harder!
As an engineer the idea of working with my hands and building things is really exciting. Then I tackle a big project like a bathroom remodel over the course of a month working nights and weekends and the desk job doesn't seem so bad. Keeping manual labor in the hobby/personal area is best for me.
Dairy, especially milk, makes snoring worse. You could try cutting it from your diet and see if it helps.
Great Pop/Son chat about essential material. Thanks, guys!
The fitness industry sells a lie. You only need to train 10 minutes a day with just bodyweight. And maybe add on some stretching.
Try Breathe and flow on you tube and the pulse programme its all you need
Alzheimer’s isn’t forgetting where you put the car keys; it’s forgetting what they’re for.
Turkey sandwich and a banana. It’s not expensive to eat healthy.
Yoga and minimalism for me are the key. Yoga as it keeps me healthy body and mind and minimalism means I have plenty of money and do not need to work unless I want to.
I also vary the types of work I do, not just one trade. I also don't bother with heavy lifting and just get labourers to load out jobs its worth the cost.
Prepare some fresh veggies and some nice sandwiches in the morning. Set a limit to your weekly fast food consumption.
The first saturday of this quarenteen I walked for hours just thinking. When I got home to check the stats I had walked almost 5 miles. I felt great. However, looking back in my iphone logs I average 4.5 miles a day just on the jobsite with a toolbelt. Its going to be interesting once everyone goes back to work.
You guys add value to our lives in such meaningful ways! Thank you!
I also have sleep Apnea. It took me about 3 months to get used to my mask. But boy howdy I am glad for it.
Yes, . stretching is very beneficial, i learned this from my dog. Every morning when he got up he would stretch, This got me into doing the same, and it makes a big difference.
A mentor once told me that I could make more money between my ears than between my hands. After 34 years, it finally sunk in...
3:20 now that just screams comfort
You can have fitness routine alongside a job in construction, even if you are tired after a day of work. Important that you listen to your body though.
if i had to do it over all those solo jobs would have a young helper doing work solo was a bad idea
Nate must have a serious rash. Thanks the lord for those deer antlers.
Nate do you work outs in the morning before work.
This was too short! By far one of my favorite topics!
All in all construction is terrible for your health
Did you tape all the joints with the house wrap
166 likes 0 dislikes. Nice... 😎
I was never any kind of Olympic class sleeper myself, but one thing I did find incredibly helpful were those nasal strips that you put across the bridge of your nose before bedtime. Someone suggested them to me once and I pretty much dismissed them as nonsense. But then they gave me one to try, and I couldn’t have been more surprised at their effectiveness. They really do work!
We cannot ignore genetics in the discussion. It can and often does play a huge role in our health and physical ability to remain active without injury as we age.
They didn't ignore it.
Divine intervention rules everything in this world!!!
you should be real careful about taking ibuprofen all the time esp not daily. stuff really messes up your stomache.
nate bates can be tough on the kidneys too. Lots of water, watch it when it’s hot out and DON’T take more often than every 6 hours, 8 hours is better
I found out that i had severe sleep apnea when i was 30 years old. I was not overweight it was all just hereditary. I had spent my teens and twenties always being tired and falling asleep when i shouldn't: brief micro-naps at stop lights\behind the wheel of the car, falling asleep and missing my stop on trains, falling asleep in the middle of playing games at friends houses etc. It took me six months of consistent mask wearing to finally get comfortable with it and now in my early forties and not being as fit as i used to be i still have more energy and brain power than i did in my late twenties.
Wow, this gives me a little hope because lately I have really been struggling to get any sleep at all with my mask.
Scott - Please read this. A bipap machine is much easier to use than a cpap. All you need to do is tell them that it is difficult to use. They will then switch you over to a bipap that is much easier to use. You will be much happier and feel better.
Thank you!
CPAC saved my life
Scott and Nate had me stretching this morning
I'm reading about regrets from successful people on reddit and yourself included. The number one regret consistently regardless of careers are comfort and health. There are just certain aspect of your life that no one should ignore. You don't want to end up a millionaire with a serious back pain preventing you from doing the things you love. For me personally, I bought this really expensive and comfortable chair that corrects my back. I have an adjustable desk. More importantly, I attend expensive gym for proper work out with multiple Jacuzzis.
To achieve success, you can ignore all those luxury items like BMWs, Rolex, etc. Yet, one thing you can never ignore is your health.
I've had issues with plantar fasciitis which was pretty disabling for a number of months. I learned through RUclips how to stretch from the buttocks to the toes which relieved symptoms for the most part. I would say I'm about 95% back to normal. Then recently have had IT band trouble with lateral knee pain aggravated by bicycling. RUclips stretches have helped almost immediately. This is all in a 63 year old. Stretching and physical therapy is the ticket. Bob and Brad are my go to guys on RUclips. They explain the whys and treatment
Ahh, Those days... My ex had a snore that could be heard two doors down. I could sleep thru just about anything EXCEPT when he would suddenly stop breathing. That scared my half to death every. single. night. Fast forward a few years later: he was diagnosed with apnea, he finally got a mask he could live with and he's doing so much better. Keep at it, there is a solution out there!
Honestly, the more I watch you and your family, my gratitude just fills the room. At first I was fearful of reading the comments because so much of what gets put up to share attracts trolls that I couldn't bear to read. You have some really cool people following you! I can't thank you all enough for your courage to do this and put it out there to share.
Scott, I've had a CPAP machine for 5 years. I have NEVER been able to get used to it. It goes off and I literally have to reset it, since it's waking me up, there is no sleep quality. Also, the mask blows cold air on my wife when I snuggle up, and I LIKE to snuggle! It wakes her up more than the snoring!
As a tradesman, I could never find the time to exercise. I worked 18 hours a day, especially when I was building my contracting business and had 5 children. Because of that, I have never developed an exercise discipline and I really don't care to. I have more than enough to do every day, that I can't really carve out an hour to exercise mindlessly. There is no point to it. Run to where? Walk to where? I agree with the stretching, but exercising?
Scott:
Assuming your apnea is obstructive and not neurological, you may want to try as many masks as you can. I was diagnosed with obstructive apnea in the 1990's and had to go through a number of types of masks before I found that nasal pillow masks worked best for me. I could not get used to any type of mask that covered my entire nose and rested on my face. Some masks work only for back sleepers and others work for both side and back sleepers. Your mileage may vary, but if you haven't tried this type of mask, put it on your to do list. As for the "60 year-old man syndrome", being deprived of REM sleep due to apnea plays hell with short term and long term memory, raises your blood pressure, can cause gastric reflux and a host of other maladies, besides the obvious feeling tired all the time. As you say, keep up the good work. Thanks for all you and Nate do.
This is a really important topic. Also important to understand the importance of moving well and being flexible where it matters. Flexible hamstrings/hips? Yes. Flexible lower back? No. The spine is not designed well to handle loads bent, it needs to be straight. Very important as I bend over and pick something up 100s of times per day on the job site.
Great stuff!
Really can relate to back pain,been there done that.72 years old,build my first house 1975,living in my 9th house.Renovated a lot of these houses.Always worked by myself,even tough this was my hobby.Really enjoy your podcast and episodes.Keep up the good work.Your right stay active is absolutely essential.
Feel for you EC, I was also not in the usual cohort of "CPAP users". I was 31 and in good physical shape and had snored loudly since I was a teenager. my wife told me she was worried I was not breathing while I slept and was also having the micro sleeps. Depending on what pressure you require will make a big difference on mask comfort, I am able to use only a very low pressure so comfort is simple when you feel the gains after a good full nights sleep. I have been using my CPAP now for almost 5 years and the difference is night and day and it is reinforced if I miss a night for whatever reason. Hope you get a good mask that works for you and feel the benefits.
I've had vertebraes broke in my back two times, oilfield related. Also I fell 20 feet out of a tree and crushed my left shoulder and arm. Several car wrecks and bucked off a horse. I lived with back pain most of my life so Mr. Nate I feel for you!!! I now am pretty much back pain free. I got an inversion machine and started hanging upside down for 2 or 3 minutes a day and it has worked miracles for me. May not work for everyone but I highly recommend one!!!
Great info thank you
I and many others I know have ha really good success living a Keto lifestyle. I have drop 20 pounds and a friend of mine has drop 50. I typically only eat twice a day. I've all but eliminated all carbs. I've got about another 20 to go. Keto is very sustainable.
My Mom packed a lunch for my dad most every day, when I started working construction it saved me so much money.. and was way more healthy for me. I still enjoy packing a lunch to this day, I like having some snacks packed and a little something larger for lunch, buying in bulk saves money and allows me to eat healthy..
I think we find ourselves trying to match or transcend stories or acts we’ve seen/heard of out fathers, siblings, etc.
Case in point, I remember once, my father, who was a tank of a man, 6’2” 280lb gorilla, working away from home.
My older brother was giving my mom a very hard time all week. My dad comes home and upon hearing this, isn’t happy. My brother tries to sneak out and drive away, and my dad picks up the rear end of his car and stands there until my bro got out to face his reckoning.
CPAP user for almost 10yrs now. Once you find a mask that works well, and you get that first real sleep... You'll be a changed man.
I use a cpap. My first mask (nasal) ended up on the floor every night. I switched to a full face mask and once I became used to it it became something I look forward to strapping on every night.
Cpap mask--Try nose pillows instead of a mask..Been on one since 2006, can't sleep without it. Heart guy sent me over to the sleep doctor.
It’s really important to get sleep apnea treated. It’s really hard on your body, causing heart and cardiovascular problems, can cause dangerous elevation of blood count and lots of other stuff. Stick with it, you’ll feel better, guaranteed.
Hang in there with the CPAP Scott. It was only with great restraint my wife didn't throw it against the wall when she was first trying to get used to it 20 years ago. It did and does make a world of difference.
Ha. Crazy Framer and Scott...complete opposites. Love both.
17:21 oreo cookies...
Being a programmer for 20y, i can tell you that the "stiffness" comes early if you don't find a way to move.
No need to go wild on the exercise, its more a balance thing. Some exercise and some good food.
I started going to an awesome chiropractor who taught me how to stretch for my back pain.That was 14 yrs ago,even though the pain occurs it doesn't last.
It’s been my experience that when I get injured working that I feel that I will never get the amount of strength or mobility back. In the moment it is hard for me to visualize getting that back. Just having the hope and conviction that you will be better than you are right now has helped me.
Nate keep running do it in the morning before heading to the site.
Successful people act on what will make them successful whether they want to or not.
I am a 21 year old framer and I am really glad to have someone to look up to, who has learned the tricks and tips to help me to keep my body healthy and strong through my career
Scott you need to buy an inversion table, I'm a carpenter in the Uk this thing saved my back
look it up please
I.E. A table that you lay on, hold onto some straps, and then tilt back on so it stretches rather than compresses your back. You can build one super, super cheap. It's like a machine that stretches you automatically, using your bodyweight. Some people hate them but if they work for you, you tend to love them.
For a healthier lunch pack one. Leftovers from dinner are really great for this. If there aren't leftovers even sandwiches made with healthy bread are going to be way better and cheaper than fast food.
Anyone with sleep issues, check out nascent iodine and try it. It will let you get REM sleep and that's the important sleep.
Good talk. I identify with a lot of that. On stretching, look up yoga with Adriene.
It seems like Nate has lost weight working through the framing of the house. Good work!
I wonder if you did your sleep study in the same recumbent position in which you’ve been sleeping.
I think Nate loves scratching with that antler... haha Great podcast!
Nate start earlier, before work. Rest when you get home....
Great work! Quick Question: Where on y'all's site is the link to sound-pipe (the service Nate mentioned in closing)? I tried looking for it once I heard in mentioned in the video, but could not find it anywhere.
Ok, it should be working now - try this essentialcraftsman.com/podcast
First! 🏁
I enjoyed this episode a lot! I agree on all points that we need to do everything we can to take care of ourselves.
I know it's not for everyone, but my joints improved tremendously soon after switching to a vegan diet several years ago.
Red meat definitely has drawbacks for some.
It is always better to work smart than work hard.
Nice visit. Good Easter to you all. 76:22 ciao
This is a great father-son relationship
Try Ibuprofen BEFORE the activity that causes the back pain.
I love the black nail polish.
😆