In this episode, I talk to Pirmin, an entrepreneur who recently uprooted his life in Berlin to go on a multi-month European adventure with his wife and young son. The discussion centers around how Pirmin has adapted his health and fitness routines to this new, more flexible lifestyle.
Pirmin explains that his previous life was highly structured around work, with fitness often squeezed in late at night. But after becoming a father, he had to rethink his approach. In the beginning of the trip, Pirmin felt "completely lost" trying to juggle everything. However, he quickly realized he needed to fall back on the habits and routines that had worked for him in the past.
The key was getting up earlier each morning to fit in a workout before his family woke up. Pirmin notes that he never considered himself a morning person, but found that with a bit of adjustment, he was able to make it a consistent habit. He also packed minimalist workout equipment like resistance bands and a yoga mat that he could use anywhere.
Pirmin emphasizes the importance of building in flexibility, acknowledging that with a young child, unexpected things will come up that disrupt the schedule. Rather than getting frustrated when a workout has to be shortened or missed, he's learned to let go of perfection and just do what he can. The mantra of "deciding what to suck at for a while" has helped him maintain a balanced perspective.
Nutrition has also required some adaptation, especially now that Pirmin is surrounded by the temptations of French bakeries and local wines. However, he's found that maintaining a few anchors - like his go-to lentil-based lunches - helps prevent things from spiraling out of control. Pirmin allows himself to indulge occasionally, but tries to be mindful and avoid letting it become the new norm.
Throughout the conversation, Pirmin shares valuable insights about the compounding effects of consistency, as well as the dangers of the opposite - how bad habits can quickly spiral. He encourages listeners to start small and build momentum, rather than striving for perfection right away.
Whether you're a busy professional, a parent, or simply someone looking to optimize your lifestyle, Pirmin's story and strategies provide plenty of relatable and actionable takeaways. His adaptability and resilience in the face of major life changes are truly inspiring.
