I love the work of Nate Green and Chad Howse, specifically Nate Green’s Hero Handbook and Chad’s “Be Legendary” mantra.
The narrative they both construct is powerful. Be your own hero. Live a legendary life. Both are things that I aspire to and I really enjoy exploring what both of those themes will become for me within the framework that Nate and Chad have worked to create.
I love the plasticity of the narrative. My own pursuit is going to look very different from Chad’s and Nate’s. For me, that is what makes being human so special, we each have an opportunity to forge our own path, to become our own heroes, and to live our own very unique legendary lives.
With that being said, I am interested in exploring, through my eyes and their framework, what it mean’s be a hero and eat legendary. So many of us look upon food with disdain, an obstacle that keeps us from achieving some societal construct of looks or shape. I’m not interested in giving you a checklist of what it means to eat healthy. That article has been written 29339 times and does not need to be replicated again.
We need more heroes in the world. Becoming a legend with our food is just one step:
1) Healthy does not concern the hero
Healthy is a societal construct. The hero is not concerned with being healthy. The hero is in constant pursuit of strength, of vitality, and longevity. His habits always support these pursuits. His mindset is not one where he “has” to get his vegetable intake for the day as he looks upon the task with disdain. Rather, he embraces the needs of his body and understands that it will continue to fuel him adequately on his hero journey. His habits may be considered “healthy” but they are simply a by-product of his intentions to fuel his body optimally.
2) Strength is his priority
Food sharing across the animal kingdom is never equal. The alpha, or tribe leader, eats the most, regardless of whether he hunted for it or not. As the leader of his tribe, strength is essential, both as a sign of dominance within his tribe and for protection from enemies. The alpha is not concerned with taste. Rather, food, his energy, serves as his source of strength to keep his body and mind powerful. The hero, in an era where food is plentiful, does not concern himself with being a slave to tastes of the world. His priority is strength. His food is his source. Nothing else matters.
3) A Hero doesn’t have rigid dogmas, only guiding principles
A hero is attached to no dogma. A hero embraces new ideas, is willing to try anything, and his philosophy never stops evolving. He is constantly learning new ways to chase longevity and vitality. His goals are constantly changing so must his philosophy. Yet, despite the lack of attachment, he does not go through life on a whim. He has a plan, a set of principles, which govern how he acts in most situations. But because he understands the nature of the human spirit, he embraces spontaneity when it is appropriate.
4) A Hero empowers others to follow his way
The greatest leaders in the world empower others to follow them. Our hero is not afraid to be the lone wolf, to stand out amongst the crowd. He is recognized as a model of strength and vitality. Others soon become inspired to follow his way, lifting others to new heights they could not previously envision.
5) A Hero is ok with being the lone wolf
Others will not share the same goals as you will. They will not see their body as their very own Lamborghini that they’ve been blessed with. They will not use it to build strength and power nor use it to chase vitality and longevity. The hero is ok with being the lone wolf. Standing out in a crowd is a consequence that he accepts and begins to welcome as he progresses along his journey. He understands that being common is not celebrated for a reason. To be uncommon, the lone wolf searches for his prey when others are to tired to hunt.
6) A Hero enjoys the delicacies of the earth
A hero uses food to encounter the cultures of the earth. Espresso in Italy. Wine in France. Paella in Spain. Lumpia in the Philippines. Through food we meet culture and through culture we experience people. The hero wants to get to know his planet one culture, one person, one dish at a time.
7) A Hero isn’t afraid to try new things
The hero does not limit himself. He does not close himself off from new adventures or experiences. Food so often brings humans together in community. By being afraid to try new things, one becomes closed off to embracing the possibility of what is new and novel. The hero always seeks growth through the enjoyment of something different.
8) A Hero uses food to bring people together
Food sharing in a community setting is a ritual that is as old as human history. Our hero acknowledges the power of food. He is aware that breaking bread is an opportunity to bring people together, to tell stories, to share joy, to enjoy the moment. Our hero facilitates this whenever he is able.
9) A Hero fuels his Lamborghini adequately
A hero’s body is his Lamborghini. He only gets one of them throughout his lifetime. He makes sure to fuel it appropriately. He invests in his body no matter what the cost because he can’t accomplish legendary things without a means of getting there.
10) A Hero chases vitality and longevity
A hero has a finite amount of time to leave his legacy. The hero is always in constant pursuit of the next adventure, of experiences that will further his understanding of what it means to be human. Opportunities that allow for his understanding of what a legendary life looks like to grow and evolve. Along with strength, the hero needs to be in constant pursuit of vitality and longevity. When his body is broken, so is his vehicle for chasing adventure. We all eventually break down, but the hero pushes this off as long as possible. Not through wishing and praying but through action.
11) A Hero is not obsessive, but always aware
The hero never counts calories. He never is consumed by what the scale says or how he looks in the mirror. He doesn’t sweat the little things. He believes in his philosophy. He trusts that if he takes care of himself, if he adequately fuels his body, and chases vitality that the scale and the mirror will take care of themselves. He breaks free from societal stereotypes that one must weigh a certain amount or look a certain way. He is aware that power and strength come in various forms. He is consumed by the latter not the former.
12) A Hero understands he is blessed
The hero has worked hard enough to put himself in a position where he can afford his choice of dining. Filet minion, King salmon. All are available. The hero does not take for granted his fortunate circumstances. He understands that most people don’t have enough means to survive never mind enough to thrive. He is appreciative and works hard to give others the same opportunities.
13) A Hero remembers our evolutionary roots, but does not live in the past
The hero understands that we are meant to be one with the earth, both to eat from it and to be its guardian. Our symbiotic relationship with nature is one that’s at the forefront of his mind. Yet, the gift of being human affords the possibility to break away from nature, to feed our wild spirit of adventure. He is not bound by what nature dictates.
14) A Hero passes his ideals on to his family and friends
The hero understands that though his relationship with food is one that is aligned with his primal instincts, in today’s society, what it means to eat like a hero must be learned. He acknowledges the risk of choosing to be a leader, to forge one’s own path, is that others may not follow. The hero does it anyway. While he does not force his ideals upon his family and friends, he makes sure they are given the tools to become their own heroes. It is up to them if they also wish to take up the arduous path of being a lone wolf, but he makes sure they are not without guidance.
15) A Hero makes sacrifices when necessary
To live legendary, the hero must have goals. Sometimes achieving these goals requires sacrifices. The hero doesn’t drink whenever he feels like it. He doesn’t fuel his body with shit all the time because it tastes good. The hero has discipline, persistence to see a goal through, and will power to make sacrifices that others aren’t willing to make.
16) A Hero is not afraid to enjoy himself
The love of experience drives the hero. No, drinking a beer or several with your best friends overlooking the New York City skyline is not healthy nor does it necessarily contribute to strength and the hero is ok with that. It makes him feel alive, it adds to his vitality. He is creating memories that someday he can share with his grandchildren. When a hero is old, nearing the end of his journey, stories are the aging hero’s best gift to teach and prolong his legacy.
pub crawl at the base of everest
17) A Hero judges no one, but helps everyone
The hero does not live his life comparing himself to others. Thus, when others choose not to align themselves with his ideals, it is not an opportunity to cast judgment. Nurturing your body for strength and vitality is not a competition. Everyone is given the opportunity to treat their body as they wish.
Yet, when someone reaches out who wants to learn the way of the warrior, the hero welcomes them with open arms. The hero gives and asks for nothing in return. He still cherishes the experience when his hero took him under his wing and taught him the way. This is his opportunity to give back, to cultivate the way of the hero in someone new. An opportunity for the way of the hero to be developed and evolve by future generations.