This interview content is somewhat esoteric. Don’t bother if you are not very interested in gaining new insights into how you move in the world, but if you are then listen to this one very carefully…and think about it a lot. I have re-listened to this episode 4 times since my original conversation…and I’m just now starting to get a handle on what this means and how important it is to my goals.
Ironically when we try to focus and concentrate all the time, we lose the ability to concentrate intently. What’s more, by over relying on our logical and problem solving functions , we lose the ability to see the big picture , think creatively, and relax. The key is to stop fighting ourselves ….our various parts of who we are…and instead live as one organism…in balance. … in harmony.
As a side benefit, you might get a reduction in body aches and pains.
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Beth
#2
I just HOWLED when I saw you included VooDoo magic healer!!!
I can’t wait to listen!!!
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@Beth It was too good to leave out…and, thanks for the introduction. The conversation had much more in it than I understood at first. I had to listen to it several times to get a handle on Gage’s message and what it means for me. I’ve already started implementing Gage’s advice for re-integrating myself in the world.
I’m not doing it for pain relief as I don’t have much but I do suffer from being overly focused on what’s in front of me, and not being able to relax my mind. I’m 15 years into a failed effort to learn to tolerate meditation. I believe it is important but it just feels like a waste of time. I’m hoping Gage has revealed a path to finally being able to let my brain and body exist in the world without me being in charge of everything.
I also cannot yet stand on one leg with my eyes closed without thrashing around like a landed fish.
This talk with Gage has pushed me into an interest in Flow. And I don’t mean nootropics or stimulants to push me into a flow state but rather learning to turn it on at will (circumstances permitting). My clearest life experiences with Flow have been in tree skiing where there is no time for thinking there is only doing or crashing. It was the source of the most exhilarating and enjoyable experiences of my life. (And my helmet was full of dents).
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Beth
#4
“I wasn’t ready for it” was such a perfect way to end your interview!! I loved that! That describes the look on my face that occurs at least every 5 minutes during a session with him.
There are so many gems in there that I’ll listen a couple more times, too! This helped me put together many of the things I’ve learned from him now that it was presented as one big picture.
I’m thrilled it’s had such an impact on you and you’ve already incorporated some of it.
Interesting that he talked about focus with you. I feel like I might have shared this in another thread, but to give you a real world example of this… last week I mentioned to him that my focus when doing tasks has been better than usual over the past couple of weeks. At the same time, I am finding myself less secure when driving because I feel like I’m not prepared for anything that might dart out in front of me. He said I’m too focused! He did some of his voodoo and all the sudden my peripheral vision increased by a noticeable amount. My drive home was significantly different. As you picked up, focus sounds good, but as it turns out, not all the time.
Oh my gosh on your helmet with dents! Ha, I accidentally tried tree skiing once. One might call it a wrong turn. To say it was exhilarating is an understatement. Fortunately I was younger and less afraid of dying at the time 
I must applaud you. You really showcased your interviewing chops when walking through the door you didn’t know existed. A lesser interviewer would have been stumped, but your natural curiosity and ah ha moments were on full display. I loved it.
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Thanks! And the driving story is interesting as it might be the one area I already had right. I’ve been telling my newly driving daughters to see everything by not looking at anything when they drive. I tell them to keep a soft focus with eyes straight ahead while just seeing the panorama. Only look at the things that need extra attention such as a sign that must be read or a car pulling out or a driver behaving erratically. I now need to learn to do this generally.
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It made me wonder if this is the benefit of microdosing psychedelics - tune in turn in then drop out… if only for an afternoon! 
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@Dreamdoc why not. I do think that anything that interrupts the long-term central focus and concentration, staring into a nearby bright screen, sitting with arms forward, no movement or perception of movement on peripheral vision, no looking into infinity (a great distance)….is a help in rebalancing the nervous system.
Meditation, deep breathing while letting the mind wander without reacting to thoughts, walking outside without looking at your feet or phone, looking at a blue sky or ocean or distant mountain range, laughing, driving on a open road, sitting in a stadium watching a game, skiing down a mountain. Anything that either de-emphasizes central vision or removes self (judgement, caution, planning ahead) from the equation.
I’ve read that the most productive people are those that engage in some activity in which they experience “flow” every week. Not necessarily flow in work but merely flow in life. It rebalances them; recharges them in some way.
Here’s a great podcast on flow and psychedelics.
Beth
#8
I imagine you have metrics to know how we’ll received a particular podcast was, but in the event that it’s helpful…
My brother loved this one, and even though he had high expectations after hearing about Gage’s witchcraft for years, he was pleasantly surprised that it exceeded them. He is already incorporating things he learned from the podcast. He was happy to hear Gage offer up more and wants me to let him know if another one is released. His son, who is a PT, also enjoyed it and is doing the ‘Gage walk’ now.
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@Beth Thank you for the feedback! I’m happy other people benefit from my interviews. I have also been doing my Gage Walks nearly everyday…swinging my arms and rotating my shoulders…using my peripheral vision to notice the world move past me and my hands come into and out of my vision. I was already walking regularly to get my sunshine, steps, and cold exposure (Winter), so this costs me nothing and makes me feel good (rebalance sympathetic vs parasympathetic).
I’ve been wondering about a connection to skiing and cycling (especially downhill), where the feeling of speed is partly based on the peripheral view of the world moving past you. The wind in the face is another big part. Flying through the trees is one of the most exhilarating and satisfying experiences in life.
I haven’t heard back from Gage yet but I’ll report back when another episode is in the works.
FYI…this sort of topic is not popular. I guess a lot of people think it’s too much woo woo and too little direct solution (“buy this massage gun”). Those people are missing out on the most sustainable solutions; no one can do 1000 protocols every day, but everyone can rebuild the way they move through life to not need 1000 protocols.
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Beth
#10
On too much woo woo… I get that!!
I’m not into anything woo woo and I roll my eyes when people talk to me about their ‘healers’.
But, then Gage entered my life. If someone were telling me the stories of what he can do in a session, I would tell them they need to be committed So, I absolutely understand that the average person seeing the topic will say, um, no thanks!! Just tell me what exercise to do at the gym!
My husband is even more of a doubting Thomas than I am and he sends people all the time. His friends think my husband is nuts, and then after their appointments, they say I can’t believe what just happened!!
One day I hope you and your wife visit our cute town and you actually get to spend time with Gage and let him do his witchcraft on you IRL!!
I love that you are doing the Gage walk, too! Now, when driving and I feel too tunnel vision, I move my jaw like he showed me and whammo, I see the sides!
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This is one my favorite episodes. It may be “woo-woo,” but most people (in my opinion) are oblivious to the environmental factors in their life that directly lead to infirmities. He gives solid plausible rationales for how that might happen and practices to mitigate. Listening to him is somewhat hypnotic and relaxing in a hyper-vigilant way.
Totally agree with your assessment about downhill skiing. I continue to do those “peripheral view” sort of activities into my 70’s decade (like motorcycling, catamaran sailing, dhill skiing) and think of them as equal to any of the myriad ways to approach healthspan. If anyone wants a sense of what you want to be capable of and I think Gage is speaking to, see LaraPo move on ice skates!
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Beth
#12
WOW @LaraPo!! It was great to see your pretty self rocking those skates!!! #goals
I just saw you’ve been on rapa for 15 years!!! That is incredible. I didn’t even know it’s been a thing for that long.
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LaraPo
#13
When I started it in 2010 after kidney transplant, it was considered a new drug that became available in 1999 or so.
Started skating at the age of 5. So it’s a habit for me to skate from time to time. It’s very energizing. I also love to ski but didn’t do it for a few years now (don’t have a ski buddy to join me).
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