Author Archives: Jamie Retherford

Happy Birthday, America!

David Goggins, a true American hero and former elite forces servicemember (various branches), wishes Joe Rogan a “Happy Birthday” in the most hardcore way possible. Case in point, note the moment Goggins states “taking the first breath makes you eligible to die!” How many of us operate as if our time is unlimited? Or thatContinue reading “Happy Birthday, America!”

Two is One, One is None

In the Marine Corps, we often heard this maxim: “Two is one, one is none.” It’s basically stating that if you have 2 radios, one will break down (and at just the moment when you really need it). And now you have 1 left. And if you only brought one radio, that’s just the sameContinue reading “Two is One, One is None”

When Life Knocks You Down

When life tries to knock you down, I always love referring to this story. You may or may not recall, Mike Tyson was supposed to win this fight! In fact, by the 8th round, it looked to everyone that he would. But Buster Douglas chose to have a say in the matter and a beautifulContinue reading “When Life Knocks You Down”

5-Minute Obituary

Famed value investor, Mohnish Pabrai, recently conducted a wonderfully insightful and candid interview with The Investor’s Podcast guest interviewer, William Green. I encourage everyone to listen to it above. There are so many nuggets of wisdom as well as access behind the curtain to what Charlie Munger and Warren Buffett are really like. One ofContinue reading “5-Minute Obituary”

Alexander the Great & The Opis Mutiny

I loved this bit from Epic History! Thought to be one of the greatest speeches ever given, the actual words are not known but estimated based on accounts from the ancient historian, Arrian. Regardless, this video depicts an awesome demonstration of a leader not holding himself separate from his army. He suffered whatever they sufferedContinue reading “Alexander the Great & The Opis Mutiny”

Choose Your Meaning

“If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself but to your own estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.” Marcus Aurelius If you haven’t taken a look at Marcus Aurelius’s “Meditations,” it’s a quick read of wisdom put together byContinue reading “Choose Your Meaning”

Make Progress Towards Your Goals Addictive

I read a story once about Jerry Seinfeld’s process for improving his jokes early on in his career. He’d write one joke every day and every day he did, he’d draw a big red “X” on the calendar for it. Pretty soon, he’d have a whole string of red “X”s that he did not wantContinue reading “Make Progress Towards Your Goals Addictive”

Make Out Like A Bandit!

On a day many years ago, as Marines, my squad was training on a run through the Quantico highlands yelling our chants about weapons, being warriors, and kicking butt. We were all in peak physical condition and I felt truly alive, like I was gliding through the air not by my own force. It wasContinue reading “Make Out Like A Bandit!”

Rehearse in Suboptimal Conditions

A corollary to “Choosing Difficult Ground” (published March 24, 2022) is something we learned in the Marine Corps, that is, rehearsing in suboptimal conditions. Say you’ve got the big basketball game coming up. Wouldn’t it be better to practice your free throws with hundreds of rivals booing and hissing at you, purposefully trying to distractContinue reading “Rehearse in Suboptimal Conditions”