Episode 1: Freak

Can you live a healthy life in an unhealthy world? Yes, you can. But right now, more than 97 percent of U.S. adults aren't managing it. So if you are one of the few brave souls who are currently beating the statistics, or intent on beating them, that makes you a freak of sorts—in a good way.  We explore what it means to live outside the prevailing, unhealthy norms, and what it takes. We also share a little of our own "freak" stories Episode Highlights: What The Living Experiment is all about and what we hope you'll get out of it (3:00) Facts and Figures: Some disturbing statistics about the current state of U.S. health norms (7:15) Reclaiming the word "freak" and choosing empowered difference in a context of unhappy, unhealthy sameness (12:15) Getting to know Dallas and Pilar: Their childhood origin stories and how they got to where they are now (15:50) Setting yourself up for success (39:20) Experiments for the week (45:20) This Week's Experiments:Dallas suggests: The more stressed we are, the more convinced we are that there's too much to do and never enough time. Can we disrupt the flow? Every time you go to the bathroom, take two deep breaths Inhale for four beats, hold for one beat, and then exhale. Repeat this twice Turn the notifications off on your phone. Put it away and silence it when in the company of other people. Pilar suggests: Start seeing the madness. Notice the crazy, manipulative stuff you're bombarded with on a daily basis, and begin questioning it. Be on the lookout for how aggressively (or subtly) unhealthy products and mindsets are marketed to you everywhere you go. Take pictures of disturbing or undermining messages on signage and billboards, or tear bad/silly/absurd advertisements out of magazines as a way of raising your media awareness. Share the Love! Each week we offer you a few life-shifting experiments to try on your own. We'd love to hear how they turn out, and what insights they provoke! Connect with The Living Experiment on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and share your stories with us there. Resources: For statistical details on the sorry state of U.S. health habits, read the study Pilar referenced, as reported in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings Visit The Living Experiment to watch our background video and subscribe to our newsletter (so you can stay up to date with us and future episodes). Sponsor link: Check out Brian Johnson's " Habits 101"  Master Class for FREE at http://livingexperiment.com/habits