Mark Rober

LONG POST- After the wannabe Baywatch scene in my last video about my pet octopus, I had a good number of people asking what I do for working out. 1) I feel so much of how you build/show muscle is genetics (e.g. If I copied The Rock’s exact workout I will never look like The Rock) so don’t believe the workout programs with 0.1% genetic outliers promising otherwise. 2) I’ve done pushups and situps for 3 minutes before showering nearly everyday of my adult life. It’s a quick, simple habit so engrained now, it feels real unpleasant if have to skip a day. But a few months ago I just started actually working out 2-3x a week at gym to test a theory. Our brains are really good at finding a nice balance between pleasure and suffering. Even if you tried to just live a life of just pleasure it would normalize. This is why drugs stop being great after a while or conversely why nurses can still laugh in a cancer ward. It’s called hedonic adaptation and a really great book called Dopamine Nation dives deep into this topic. So why not proactively seek out the out the suffering moments you’re gonna experience anyways and use them to your advantage?!? That’s the gym for me. But it could also be things like an education, eating at least 1 healthy meal/day, cardio exercise, getting out of your comfort zone for growth or selfless acts as a parent or volunteer when it would be more enjoyable to do what you want to do. It’s a working theory but I’ve found it to be a useful mindset cause while I’m going through the unavoidable suffering I know the activity is benefiting me plus I know my brain owes me some pleasure later to balance things out :)

1 year ago | [YT] | 66,966



@donovan_keate

Mark's honesty about his fitness is such a breath of fresh air...

1 year ago | 1,100

@Apple_100

I didn't expect to get motivated by Mark Rober today Thanks mark!

1 year ago | 3,300

@SuperGamersTV35 

The Mark Rober theme song was just playing on loop in my head while I was reading that

1 year ago | 1

@AnnissaC-r1s

I agree, Mark. Just going to school can be a pain.

1 year ago | 2

@Nathan_Sylvester

so great to hear a big influencer say this. it’s be better for everyone if our culture was more focused on self improvement rather than pleasure

1 year ago | 233

@andrianna2804

That's a great perspective on not suffering but enjoying the uncomfortable moments in life, not just physical!

1 year ago | 35

@erik4894

Crazy, once you know the way broadly you can see it in everything. Mark isn't just smart, he's wise also. What a great guy.

1 year ago | 40

@nickvlahos7072

Mark always astounds me. He has so many things about life worked out. It’s beautiful to see and very inspirational

1 year ago | 20

@tonyiommisg

Was not expecting this and this has to be one of best and motivational things I’ve read in a long time, thanks Mark!

1 year ago | 986

@crazegamez9937

I can’t believe that this nasa engineer I’ve been watching for 8 years continues to surprise and motivate me! Thank you Mark!!

1 year ago | 0

@ac.creations

My thought was "That octopus does not want to be in the ocean" it had an objectively better life being taken cared for and getting to solve puzzles.

1 year ago | 3

@Hopespringseternal

Great advice! And info. We all need some balance in our lives. Working on that now by going to gym just 2 times a week, and not being so strict on diet. I used to be such a all or nothing!

1 year ago | 2

@jelmerdijken1529

Mark thank you for saying exactly what my philosophy has been for the last couple of month. I had a rough couple of months and did everything you are saying and it has helped me a lot.

1 year ago | 3

@Taibo1986

Hedonic adaptation, super interesting! I love how your answer was not just explaining how to achieve superficial results, but channeling discomfort into something beneficial for everybody.

1 year ago | 11

@DevilsVillainArc

The dedication from Mark is insane💪

1 year ago (edited) | 224

@sweetmissirish

Really glad that you addressed the fact that a specific workout isn't going to work for everyone, genetics play their part. It's a great outlook you have, and one that I feel I can adopt. I used to love working out, I think I can again.

1 year ago | 5

@euro-4444

mark is the one guy i genuinely trust to talk about exercising

1 year ago | 567

@christinebernchat7125

This is both the most interesting paragraph I’ve ever read on working out, and a fascinating insight on Mark’s problem solving process.

1 year ago | 3

@Paradigm7977

Thank you for the most realistic workout routine anyone has ever made.

1 year ago | 2

@roaling2

I love how mark goes to the gym for science rather than to work out

1 year ago | 276